Sabbath School Lesson for June 13-19, 2026
Introduction of Lesson 12, Share Him
Memory Text: ” ‘The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning,, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned.’ ” Isaiah 50:4 NKJV
The Savior’s Great Commission in Matthew 28 is the greatest mission statement we could ask for. It provides a worthy framework for why we exist, both as a church and on a personal level. We must be about our Father’s business of making disciples and spreading the gospel message of salvation to all nations of the earth. This is the work Jesus has given us, along with the strength and courage to get it done.
God alone can inspire us to speak the right words at the right time, when we put all our faith and trust in His almighty power. This promise wasn’t just for the disciples who ministered with Christ, but for those of all ages. He said He would be with us “to the end of the age”, which includes those of us living in the last days of earth’s history.
All our actions and interactions have the potential of impacting the lives of others, for the good or for the bad. When they are bathed in love, which comes from an abiding relationship with God, they can do the most good and bring wandering souls into the fold of Christ. When we thus make disciples, we are causing others to make disciples, and multiplying the blessing of our labors for God’s kingdom.
This week, we will explore:
- Sunday: Out of the Overflow
- Monday: Unforced but with Power
- Tuesday: Tips for Sharing Jesus
- Wednesday: A Wandering Child
- Thursday: Bring Them Back
Sunday: Out of the Overflow
Witnessing isn’t just about preaching on a street corner or giving Bible studies. It’s also about quietly living a love-filled life and not being shy about telling others about our experience with God.
Most of the early disciples weren’t educated theologians or eloquent public speakers, but they were powerful witnesses who turned the world upside down with their message of love and hope. Their hearts were overflowing with gratitude for all God had done for them, and God blessed their efforts mightily.
All those who give their hearts to Christ are encouraged to share their faith. Verses 18-20 of Matthew 28 contains the word “all” several times. It was through ALL the power given to Jesus. They were to go to ALL the world, teaching them ALL things He had shown them. And to top it all, He would be with them ALways. An overflow of blessings was theirs if they chose to follow in His footsteps all the way, every day.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
Matthew 28:18-20
- What is God asking us to do, and how will we be able to do it?
Acts 1:8 and Acts 4:13
- What motivated Peter and John to share their faith, and how and why were their efforts successful?
- Why should we not wait for the latter rain of the Holy Spirit to witness for God?
Monday: Unforced but With Power
Jesus felt compassion for the crowds of people coming to Him, and it gave Him the power to minister as He did among them (Matthew 9:36). In the same way, our love for Christ is what compels us to witness for the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:14). He doesn’t force us, but His love draws us to action and keeps us going, despite the difficulty of the task or how tired we are from the effort.
Even prophets in the Old Testament felt this same burden to share their testimony with all who would hear. Jeremiah said it felt “like a burning fire shut up in my bones” (Jeremiah 20:9).
Remembering that God never forces us to follow Him, we must approach people in the same unobtrusive way. Simply relating what God has done for us is very effective, especially in the early stages of our witnessing. We must allow others to grow naturally “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
Verses for reflection and discussion:
Matthew 9:36 and 2 Corinthians 5:14
- Why is this compulsion not the same as forcing our beliefs on others? What’s the difference?
- What should the love of Christ compel us to do, and what has it compelled you to do?
Jeremiah 20:9
- What made Jeremiah feel like there was a fire in his bones?
- How can we have this same fire within us?
2 Peter 3:18
- What can we do, as a church and personally, to allow people to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord?
- Why does God deserve all the credit and glory when others are touched by our testimony? After all, it is “our” story, a story about us, isn’t it?
Tuesday: Tips for Sharing Jesus
Since Peter was so successful in winning souls for God, it makes sense to study his recommendations for sharing Jesus. 1 Peter 3:8-15 outlines what is helpful when we witness to others.
First, we must build friendships by being warm, kind, and genuinely interested in those around us. Being courteous and tenderhearted, according to Peter.
Second, pray about the situation–both for the person we have befriended, that his heart will be open and that we will recognize when and how to tell of our experience with God.
Finally, don’t hesitate to do everything possible to share our faith to anyone who has an interest in knowing what God has done for us and what He can do for all of us, when we let Him into our hearts.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
1 Peter 3:8-15
- What recommendations of Peter do you find easiest to accomplish, and what are most difficult ones for you, and why?
Wednesday: A Wandering Child
Many parents and grandparents are troubled by those family members who have strayed from the faith they were taught in their youth. God, too, longs for all His children to remain faithful to Him. He weeps along with us for our wandering children.
The story of Ephraim is found in the books of Jeremiah and Hosea. These two prophets dealt with the wayward, idolatrous acts of the Northern Kingdom, where the tribe of Ephraim was located. Ephraim, you may recall, was the younger son of Joseph, who received the greater birthright from his grandfather Jacob.
The tribe of Ephraim started out well, but later adopted pagan practices, and repeatedly rejected God’s prophets who were sent to them. They relied on foreign alliances and compromises with their neighbors, including the Assyrians, who eventually conquered the once- dominant Northern Kingdom.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
Hosea 4:17 and Hosea 7:3-8
- Why was the tribe of Ephraim such a disappointment to God?
Jeremiah 31:15-20
- How much does God grieve over His wandering children, like the tribe of Ephraim?
- What comfort can we experience from this passage, knowing that God must grieve with us over our backsliding relatives? How can He help?
Thursday: Bring Them Back
Almost all of us have had “mountaintop experiences”, when we felt on top of the world; and also times in a deep valley, when our spiritual connection wavered, was lukewarm, or even totally severed. The psalmist even described in Psalm 23 “the valley of the shadow of death”. And that’s exactly how it feels sometimes–like death.
No one wants to see a loved one in such a valley, and neither does God. Just as Jesus prayed for Simon Peter (Luke 22:31, 32), we can intercede and pray for those who have wandered from the faith. Many times, the Holy Spirit is successful in bringing them back to the safety of the fold.
So, instead of feeling distraught, or slipping back ourselves by being judgmental and critical, we have the option of praying for our backsliding relatives, in addition to showing them the love, peace, and hope that fills our lives every day from our mountain vantage point.
Verses for reflection or discussion:
Luke 22:31, 32 and John 21:15-17
- Why did Jesus pray for Peter, and how was that prayer eventually answered?
Ephesians 3:14-19
- What kind of things did Paul pray for, on behalf of the Ephesians?
- Why is it important to pray for others?
Friday: Final Thoughts
There are many avenues we have available to share Jesus. First of all, we must be living out our faith (aren’t hypocrites, saying one thing and doing another). Also, we are seen serving others, being attentive to their needs (both tangible and intangible ones). Tactfully, we are then able to share our spiritual experience to those we have mingled with and befriended. And lastly, we can and must pray for others, asking the Holy Spirit to guide and magnify our efforts to reach them.
After believing God’s word and doing all we can to share it with others, we can be assured that our efforts won’t be wasted. Isaiah 55:11 says,
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to me void [without fruit]. But it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
Next Week: Into Eternity
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