SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday School is now SATURDAY SCHOOL! | Saturday School conference calls are Saturdays at 9:00 a.m.

DIAL IN: 312-626-6799 | Access Code: 322476888

Spring 2026: Social Teachings of the Church
Unit 3: Fulfilling Our Obligations to God and Society

Obligations to God and Society
The final unit studies the mission of God’s people in life and society. The unit launches with the story of the prophet Jonah, whose reluctant evangelism to the people of Nineveh prompts a conversation with God about who is worthy of receiving the good news (Jonah 3:1–5, 4:6–11; see lesson 9). Learners are encouraged to consider how to reach out to neighbors from various cultural backgrounds.
God created humans as social beings who carry out his work (Genesis 2:15). Work is good and necessary for a fulfilled life in God. The unit discusses work-rest balance through the topic of Sabbath-keeping. This study also weighs our call to work for and support our communities rather than parasitizing them for individual gain (Exodus 20:9; Mark 2:18–28; 2 Thessalonians 3:6–12; see lesson 10).
God calls his followers to provide for the needy, assist the widow and orphan, and encourage one another as we gather for worship and fellowship (Deuteronomy 24:14-21; Hebrews 10:22–25; see lessons 11 and 13). The Christian life is neither boundlessly relaxed ease nor endless labor (Mark 2:27; see lesson 12). God urges us toward mission, labor, justice, service, rest, worship, and community as healthy rhythms of life.

Lesson 10  Christian Expectation of Grace   Jonah 3:1–5; 4:6–11
Lesson Context: Historical
Jonah’s ministry is difficult to date. The closest approximation we may make is that he prophesied about events that occurred during the reign of Jeroboam II, the king of Israel from 793 to 753 BC (2 Kings 14:23–29). The designation “Israel” in this context refers to the northern kingdom that formed following the division of the original nation of Israel. This division occurred after King Solomon’s death, around 930 BC (1 Kings 12:20).  In the eighth century BC, before the reign of Jeroboam, military conflicts existed between Israel and Assyria. The Assyrians were known for their brutal violence. Assyrian kings boasted about their power and commissioned visual displays of their cruelty as propaganda, reminding enemies of the futility of resistance.
Nineveh was a major city in the Assyrian Empire. It became the empire’s capital in about 700 BC during the reign of Sennacherib. Jonah prophesied more than 50 years before Nineveh became the seat of government. The city is first mentioned in the Bible when a descendant of Noah’s son Ham built it (Genesis 10:11).
During Jeroboam’s reign, Israel experienced prosperity, though it was short-lived. Their fortune was due in part to internal turmoil in Assyria. However, people remembered past conflicts, and soldiers involved in those wars may have been alive during Jonah’s lifetime. Jonah’s hometown of Gath Hepher was in northern Israel (2 Kings 14:25), and this region likely experienced direct conflict with the Assyrians. Eventually, the Assyrian Empire regained strength and, in 722 BC, attacked the northern kingdom of Israel.

Lesson Context: Literary
The book of Jonah opens with the Lord commanding Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach against it (Jonah 1:1–2). The Lord observed the city’s wickedness. Jonah, however, disobeyed the Lord’s command. He traveled to Joppa and boarded a west-bound ship to Tarshish (1:3).
The Lord sent a storm to intercept Jonah and the ship. To save the vessel, the sailors lightened its load (Jonah 1:5; compare Acts 27:18). Their efforts failed, leading the crew to cast lots to determine the responsible party for the sudden storm (Jonah 1:6–7). Their process pointed to Jonah (1:7). Jonah revealed that he fled the presence of “the Lord, the God of heaven” (1:9–10). He directed the ship’s crew to throw him overboard as a last-ditch effort to calm the storm. They agreed to do so only after requesting that Jonah’s God not hold them guilty of murder (1:14).
Rather than let Jonah drown in the sea, the Lord prepared “a huge fish” to swallow him (Jonah 1:17). For three days and three nights, Jonah remained in the fish. He acknowledged his situation and prayed to the Lord (2:1). Jonah promised to make good on his vow to preach the Lord’s salvation to Nineveh (2:2–9). After three days, God directed the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land (2:10). The prophet followed the Lord’s command to go to Nineveh.

Lesson 11  Work as Christian Duty  Genesis 2:15; Exodus 20:9;  John 5:17; 9:4; Acts 20:33–35; 2 Thessalonians 3:6–12
Lesson Context: Acts
The book of Acts covers events from about AD 30 to 63. Our lesson segment from that book takes us almost to the end of that period.
In about AD 58, Paul traveled to Jerusalem after concluding his third missionary journey. Some members of the church in Jerusalem had fallen into poverty. Therefore, Paul’s trip included collecting offerings from the churches in Macedonia and Achaia (Romans 15:25–26; 1 Corinthians 16:1–4; 2 Corinthians 8:1–4). This offering allowed Christians who were predominately of Gentile background to support the Christians in Jerusalem who were predominately of Jewish background.  Paul initially planned to sail to Syria from Greece to deliver the offering. But discovering a plot against him, he traveled by land through Macedonia (Acts 20:3). Paul aimed to arrive in Jerusalem by Pentecost (20:16), which would mark the anniversary of the church’s beginning (2:1). This would be a significant occasion for one group of Christians to receive a life-sustaining gift from fellow believers of different backgrounds.
Lesson Context: 2 Thessalonians
Paul took the message of the gospel to the city of Thessalonica during his second missionary journey (AD 52–54). What we know about his effort to plant a church there and the immediate aftershock of doing so are recorded in Acts 17:1–9, 13. The apostle did not start a church in every town or city he visited. But the demographics of Thessalonica made that city a good candidate for a church plant. First, the city had one or more synagogues, where Paul liked to begin voicing his message (Acts 17:2, 10, 16). Second, the city was large—by some estimates, nearly 200,000 people lived there in the Roman era. Third, Thessalonica sat astride major trade routes of land and sea.
Some commentators think that the letters we call 1 and 2 Thessalonians were the very first of the New Testament documents written. Since our study concerns 2 Thessalonians, the most immediate literary context for it is 1 Thessalonians. That letter features a mixture of expressions of Paul’s gratitude, a summary of his ministry in the city, doctrinal clarifications, and instructions for daily life. The tone of 2 Thessalonians is direct, as Paul finds it necessary to review some of the same topics again.

Lesson 12  Christian Manner of Justice   Deuteronomy 24:14–21; Ephesians 6:5–9; 1 Timothy 6:17–19 313
The first Scripture text from today’s lesson comes from Moses’ second speech in Deuteronomy to the people of Israel. The speech begins by setting forth a general set of rules for God’s covenant people (Deuteronomy 4:44–11:32). The second part of the speech focuses on specific rules within God’s order for a new society (12:1–26:19).  Israel’s identity as God’s covenant people was supposed to shape their treatment of poor and marginalized people. Moses had already reminded the Israelites that poor people would always be part of the population (Deuteronomy 15:11). As a result, he commanded an openhanded policy toward these people, requiring generous giving without resentment (15:10; see lesson 2).
The second Scripture text comes from the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus. In Ephesians 5:21–6:9, Paul includes a “household code,” a common form of social teaching in that day.  These codes consisted of a list of obligations and duties in household relationships (compare Colossians 3:8–14; 1 Peter 2:18–3:7). He discusses each of the common roles in a household of his time, including family members and servants. Far from simply affirming the culturally accepted social order, Paul infuses every household role with the revolutionary story of Jesus.
The final Scripture text comes from the first letter that Paul wrote to Timothy. Timothy was likely dealing with false teachers who arose in the church in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3–4). These false teachers glorified wealth (6:5–10). Paul outlines steps the community members can take to ensure they are not overcome by “love of money” (6:10).

Lesson 13  Christian Rhythms of Life  Mark 2:18–28
Lesson Context: Fasting
In the Old Testament, God required only one formalized day of fasting (abstaining from food) for all of Israel. He called it the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29–31; 23:26–32). Yearly, everyone in Israel was to observe the Day of Atonement on the tenth day of the seventh month (in late September or early October). On this day, the high priest sacrificed collectively for all the nation’s sins.  His priestly act cleansed the people from impurity.  The community participated through confession, prayer, and fasting.
Fasting was also associated with situations of grief, anxiety, or remorse. It was used in worship and preparation to draw near to God and to seek revelation, discernment, or help in overcoming temptation. Moses fasted for 40 days when he met God on Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28). Soldiers fasted before entering battle (Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6), the
nation fasted at Saul’s death (31:12–13), and parents fasted in distress over the illness of a child (2 Samuel 12:16). All Israel fasted in repentance when they recommitted to God’s covenant ways and heard the Mosaic law read aloud in Jerusalem after exile (Nehemiah 9:1).  We see continued evidence of fasting as a spiritual discipline in the New Testament. The prophetess Anna used fasting as a part of her perpetual worship in the temple (Luke 2:36–37). Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights when the Spirit drove him into the wilderness after his baptism (Matthew 4:2). The Pharisees were known for fasting twice weekly (Luke 18:12). Looking ahead to the practices of the early church, we see the apostles utilizing fasting in worship, for discernment, and when appointing elders (Acts 13:2; 14:23).  The passages of Matthew 9:14–17 and Luke 5:33–39 are parallels to today’s text on fasting.
Lesson Context: Sabbath
Sabbath observance began after Israel escaped from slavery under Pharaoh in Egypt. The Law of Moses formalized the Sabbath as a commemoration of God’s rest after creation (Exodus 20:8–11; see lesson 10). As a liberated community, Israel learned a new pattern of healthy living, rewriting their mindset after being enslaved (Deuteronomy 5:15). Unlike other cultures of their time, God required his people to balance labor and toil with rest to reflect on his sovereignty. Their weekly rhythm required abstaining from work on the seventh day of every week. Obedience indicated reliance on God’s provision rather than human effort and achievement. Adherence to the imperative of Sabbath rest was a regular reminder of their dependence upon God.
As with fasting, observance of the Sabbath was formalized in various ways over time by different Jewish religious sects. A Jewish document called the Mishnah reflects the Pharisees’ views and traditions over centuries. It was compiled in the AD 200s and lists 39 prohibited categories of labor. As with fasting, the long-term result was a religious practice that was divorced from the attitude of one’s heart. What began as a careful attempt to define “work” became a weapon used against anyone who stepped over strictly marked boundaries. Well-intentioned efforts to prevent anyone from accidentally breaking the Sabbath commandment became an exercise in legalism.  Matthew 12:1–8 and Luke 6:1–5 are parallel passages to today’s lesson text on the Sabbath.

Lesson 14  Living in Christian Community   Matthew 28:18–20; Hebrews 10:22–25
Today’s lesson comes from two New Testament texts. The first is Matthew 28, which describes events following Jesus’ resurrection. Mary discovers the empty tomb, brings the news to the disciples, and Jesus appears to them (Matthew 28:1–10).  Religious officials pay off Roman soldiers to tell a different story (28:11–15). These events take place in and around Jerusalem. When we pick up with our text, however, the disciples are on a mountaintop in Galilee (28:16). Jesus gives them instructions for continuing ministry (28:18–20).
The second text comes from the book of Hebrews. Its unnamed author draws significantly from the Old Testament, quoting or referencing it nearly 30 times. The book’s use of Old Testament passages strengthens its claims regarding Jesus and the new covenant. In particular, the author emphasizes Jesus’ superiority (Hebrews 1:5–2:18), priestly status (4:14–5:10), and eternal sacrifice (9:1–10:18).
The verses just prior to today’s lesson establish that believers have access to the presence of God because of the work of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:19–20). Jesus serves as the “great priest over the house of God” (10:21). Through Jesus, believers may approach the very throne of God (see 4:16). Hebrews describes God’s house in new, spiritual terms (3:6). Jesus is not the priest of a physical building, such as the temple in Jerusalem. Instead, he is the priest over the very people of God (Ephesians 2:21–22). As members of God’s family, “living stones” that make up his house (1 Peter 2:5), we host God’s Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). God calls believers to live faithfully in community, to respond to him, and to serve each other.

BIBLE STUDY

Adult Bible Study |  Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. To join virtual Bible Study please visit Zoom.us and enter Meeting ID: 802 973 031  To join by phone, dial 312-626-6799 and enter Meeting ID: 802-973-031

God’s love is stronger than the forces of hate and injustice that shape our broken world. Throughout Scripture, we see a God who draws near to the hurting and stands with the vulnerable.

This twelve‑session Bible study invites you to reflect that same heart. You’ll uncover God’s vision for justice and discover practical ways to live it out in your daily life. Each session challenges you to love what God loves, resist what harms His image in others, and live as a sign of His justice and compassion.

• 7/8 – No bible study
• 7/15 – VBS

Click title to access lesson.

1. Does God Care About Injustice? – Habakkuk 1–2; 3:16-19         LESSON 1 REPLAY

2. Acceptable Worship – Isaiah 58             LESSON 2 REPLAY

3. No Partiality – Acts 10            LESSON 3 REPLAY

4. Caring for Our Enemies – Jonah 1–4

5. A Kingdom of Service – Mark 6:17-44

6. The Lesser Become Greater – Mark 14:1-11

7. Prejudice in the Early Church – Acts 6

8. Challenging Nationalism – Acts 7

9. Cultural Identity – Exodus 3–4

10. Choosing the Better Role – Luke 10:38-42

11. The Temptation of Materialism – Revelation 18

12. Putting People Before Products – Matthew 12:1-21

We all long for a full, rich, satisfying life. But how do we fill up the empty places in our souls? How can we quench our thirst for something deeper, more lasting, more meaningful?

This 13-week study on the second half of John urges you to take a fresh look at Jesus. Here is the opportunity to establish (or renew) your faith in the One who offers true meaning, true belonging, and true life.

This bible study is  January 7th – April 1, 2026.

Click title to access lesson.

1. The Son as a Slave (John 13:1-17)       LESSON 1 REPLAY

2. A Traitor? Not Me! (John 13:18-38)     LESSON 2 REPLAY

3. Comfort for a Troubled Heart (John 14)      LESSON 3 REPLAY

4. The Secret of the Vine (John 15:1-11)         LESSON 4 REPLAY

5. The Cost of Friendship (John 15:12 – 16:4)        LESSON 5 REPLAY

6. Secrets of the Spirit (John 16:5-15)           LESSON 6 REPLAY

7. Peace in a Time of Trouble (John 16:16-33)      LESSON 7 REPLAY

8. Jesus Prays for Us (John 17)       LESSON 8 REPLAY

9. Trial Trust (John 18:1-27)        LESSON 9 REPLAY

10. Character Test (John 18:28 – 19:16)      LESSON 10 REPLAY

11. Obedient to Death (John 19:17-42)      Lesson 11 Replay

12. The Son is Up! (John 20)     LESSON 12 REPLAY

13. A Walk With a Resurrected Man (John 21)     Lesson 13 REPLAY