Sabbath School Lesson for September 19-25, 2026
Introduction of Lesson 13, Grace, Love, and Fellowship
Memory Text: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV
How enlightening it is to explore verse 14 at the end of 2 Corinthians. It is a simple summary of the three unique attributes of Jesus Christ, our Father God, and the Holy Spirit. God’s grace, love, and fellowship are worthy of our intense scrutiny.
Paul closed his epistles with more than polite, fond farewells. He ended them with intentional expressions of his Christian faith. There was nothing casual in the language he used throughout his entreaties.
True to form, he always ended his letters with a profound statement about God. His well-chosen words gave the Corinthians, and all of us, an earnest longing to experience his heartfelt faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This week, we will explore:
- Sunday: The Grace of Jesus
- Monday: The Love of God
- Tuesday: The God of Love
- Wednesday: The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
- Thursday: Our Triune God
Sunday: The Grace of Jesus
Paul couldn’t stop speaking about Christ throughout his ministry (1 Corinthians 2:2). He gave Jesus first place in his description of God, as he closed 2 Corinthians.
Grace is something you get when you don’t deserve it. Despite the failure of humanity to obey God in the Garden of Eden, Jesus willingly left the splendors of heaven and gave His life so we would have the opportunity to restore our relationship. He paid the ultimate price for our disobedience, showing His grace to be far superior than that of anyone in the universe.
No one has given so much for those who deserved it so little. The grace we give to others is possible only because of the grace of Jesus. His gift of grace inspires us to extend the grace of forgiveness to others whenever possible.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
Romans 16:20, Galatians 6:18, Philippians 4:23, and 1 Thessalonians 5:28
- Why was the grace of Jesus so important to Paul and a favorite way to close his letters?
- In what ways and to whom do you proclaim the grace of Christ?
Monday: The Love of God
As we contemplate the grace of Christ and all He accomplished for us, our minds are thirsty for what was behind such a sacrifice. The answer to this question is scattered throughout the word of God.
Paul and John were in agreement that the love of God was behind the ministry and death of Jesus. God loved us to the extent that He gave His only Son for us (John 3:16, 17). Nothing can separate us from that love (Romans 8:37-39). Leading us to the fact that God’s whole Being consists of that amazing love (1 John 4:8-10).
Without the tender love of God, there is no unity that Jesus prayed for. Only emptiness. It’s vital that all we do for God and others be motivated by the same kind of sacrificial love that came from God the Father.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
John 3:16, 17, Romans 8:37-39, and 1 John 4:8-11
- What do these verses tell us about God’s love?
- How would you describe the love of God? What has He done for you personally?
Tuesday: The God of Love
Right before Paul’s impactful benediction at the end of 2 Corinthians (verse 14), we find in verse 11 that He was a “God of love and peace”. Although God is often described as “the God of peace”, only in this verse is He called “the God of love”. We not only feel the love of God, but that is what He is. True love comes only through Him. He owns it!
It was hard for those in the ancient world to understand a God of love, because their gods were capable of great anger, making it necessary to appease them in some way. Therefore, throughout Paul’s writings we find many expressions of what God’s love looks like. Other words that reveal what love does for us are used by Paul to describe Him. He is a God…
- of endurance and encouragement (Romans 15:5 ESV)
- of hope (Romans 15:13 ESV)
- of mercies (2 Corinthians 1:3)
- of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3)
Verses for reflection and discussion:
2 Corinthians 13:11
- What benefits do we have when we recognize that peace and love belong to God?
- How can our words and deeds enable us to share this God of love? How are you personally trying to do this?
Wednesday: The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit’s blessing is mentioned last in Paul’s benediction (2 Corinthians 13:14). But our communion or fellowship with God and each other is equally important.
When we have the grace and forgiveness of Christ, we feel God’s love, which brings us closer to God, restoring our once perfect relationship before sin entered the world. This fellowship with Him is the final product of our surrender to God.
Showing the Spirit’s importance, there are forty references to the Holy Spirit in the Corinthian letters alone. The Spirit’s valuable contribution includes…
- promoting the edification of the church (1 Corinthians 14:12)
- enabling people for mission (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)
- revealing and teaching us the deep secrets of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-11, 13)
- working with Christ in our justification, giving us new life and freedom from sin (1 Corinthians 3:6, 17 and 6:11)
- sealing us for salvation (2 Corinthians 1:22)
- writing the law on our hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3)
Verses for reflection and discussion:
1 Corinthians 2:10-11, 3:16, 12:11 and 2 Corinthians 3:16-17
- What qualities do these verses reveal about the Holy Spirit?
- Why is it important to have the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our lives?
Thursday: Our Triune God
Paul’s benediction (2 Corinthians 13:14) should not give us the idea that Christ is the only source of grace, His Father the only source of love, and the Holy Spirit the only source of fellowship. As it turns out they all have equal quantities of these attributes and are anxious for us to experience them in the way that best fits our individual needs.
Seeing how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together for our salvation makes us appreciate why Jesus specifically mentioned that we are to be united, as one, and baptized in the name of all three members of the Godhead. (Matthew 28:19). We need all the grace, love, and fellowship we can get from the Trinity.
Their united efforts to save us becomes our model for unity. The Godhead, working together, promotes unity among church members that will enable us to finish God’s work on earth.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
1 Corinthians 1:3-4, 9, 10:16, 2 Corinthians 1:2, 12, Romans 8:35, Galatians 2:20, and Ephesians 3:19
- How do these verses show us that grace, love, and fellowship (or communion) belong to each member of the Godhead?
Friday: Final Thoughts
The benediction of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians that has been the focus this week has a chronological sequence:
- Jesus’ gift of grace is the starting point of our salvation.
- the Father’s nature of love is what sustains us in our Christian walk,
- leading to the desired outcome of fellowship which comes to us through the Holy Spirit.
Considering the enormous contribution of Jesus in the process of our salvation, it’s no wonder that Paul preached so continually about the Savior. Jesus is front and center when it comes to our redemption.
- We study about grace in His word, the Bible (Jesus is the Word made flesh–John 1:14).
- We show our love to Jesus by keeping His law–John 14:14.
- And, we pray in the name of Jesus through our intercessor, the Holy Sprit–Romans 8:26 and John 15:16.
Jesus’ sacrificial death for all sinners, not only means we have eternal life, but also peace, comfort, hope and joy in this life. He truly is the Gift that keeps on giving.
Next Week: The Creator Speaks
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