What do you do when a sincere question has no simple answer? In this episode of the Leader's Lesson, part of our Third Quarter 2026 study of First and Second Corinthians, we look at the question the Corinthian believers brought to Paul about eating food that had been offered to idols.

Much of the meat sold in Corinth's market was tied to pagan temples, so it was hard to know what had been sacrificed and what had not. Paul's answer, found in 1 Corinthians chapters 8 through 10, is more pastoral than a simple rule. He speaks about conscience, about the weaker brother or sister, and about the difference between having the right to do something and choosing the loving thing to do. In chapter 9 he uses his own example, giving up rights he truly held for the sake of the people he served.

We talk through how this reaches into everyday life: relating to neighbors who do not share our convictions, responding gently to someone acting out of zeal, and remembering the principle that whatever we eat or drink, we should do all to the glory of God. We also reflect on Daniel's choice to refuse the king's delicacies and on love as the motive that holds it all together.

For teachers, there is a simple reminder in this episode: less is more. You do not have to cover every page of the lesson. Pick what resonates, prepare well, and give your class room to think.

This lesson is studied July 25 to July 31 and will be taught in class on Sabbath, August 1.

Join us next time for Lesson 6: Spiritual Gifts.

Executive Producer: Carolina Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Producer: Henrique Gomes
Editing: Henrique Gomes
Logo: Becky Carpenter

Some lessons are harder to teach than others, and this one is among them. In this episode of our Third Quarter 2026 study of First and Second Corinthians, we work through Lesson 4, "Sin in the Church," focusing on 1 Corinthians chapters 5, 6, and 7.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers about real and painful situations: a case of sexual immorality the church was tolerating, members suing one another in public courts, and questions they had raised about marriage and singleness. Through these chapters, we talk about why the gospel never gives permission to sin, and why sin always carries a corrosive effect. We also reflect on the example of David, whose later years were marked by consequences that followed his sin, as a reminder of how lasting the effects of sin can be.

Yet the heart of this conversation is grace. Drawing on 1 Corinthians 6:11, we discuss how believers were washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ, receiving a new identity and a new way of life. We also consider how a congregation can address sin in a way that aims at restoration rather than damage, keeping the wellbeing of the person and the church in view.

For those who teach, we offer a practical thought: handle this subject with care, since class members may be quietly wrestling with shame. Lean on open ended questions that invite reflection and personal experience rather than questions that expect a single answer.

Next week we continue with Lesson 5, "All to the Glory of God."

This lesson is studied during the week of July 11–17 and taught in class on Sabbath, July 18.

Executive Producer: Carolina Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Producer: Henrique Gomes
Editing: Henrique Gomes
Logo: Becky Carpenter

Why was the church in Corinth so divided, and what was Paul's answer? In this episode of Leader's Lesson, we study Unity in Christ from First Corinthians chapters 1 through 4, where members had begun lining up behind their favorite teachers and personalities instead of standing together in Jesus.

Pastor Ryan helps us see how Paul confronts this. Some believers tied their loyalty to the person who baptized them or to a particular style of teaching, and Paul gently but pointedly reminds them that the faith was never about him or any other teacher. It was always about Christ. We also talk about the well-known image of the body of Christ, where unity is not the same as uniformity. The parts of the body look very different from one another, yet every part is needed and they work together as one.

Along the way we reflect on a striking idea: because of Christ and His love, we can have more in common with a believer from a completely different background than with a neighbor who looks just like us. The love of God transforms how we treat one another and frees us from pride and comparison.

If you teach Sabbath School, you will find a practical tip in this episode. Aim for discussion rather than lecture, prepare carefully without overwhelming your class, and lean on open questions that invite people to engage.

This conversation is part of our Third Quarter 2026 study of First and Second Corinthians. The Unity in Christ lesson is studied during the week of July 5 to 11 and is taught in class on Sabbath, July 11.

Next week we continue with Lesson 4: Sin in the Church.

Executive Producer: Carolina Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Producer: Henrique Gomes
Editing: Henrique Gomes
Logo: Becky Carpenter

Our study of First and Second Corinthians continues in Third Quarter 2026 with the center of everything Paul preached in Corinth: the message of the cross.

In this episode, we look at why Paul refused to let go of the cross as the focus of his preaching, even in a city that valued eloquence, human wisdom, and success. Drawing on 1 Corinthians 1 and 2, we talk about Paul's own words that he came not with superior wisdom but resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and we consider what the cross meant to people in that time, when it stood for torture and shame rather than comfort.

We also work through a question worth bringing to any class: why is the cross foolishness to some and the power of God to others? Part of the answer is that the kingdom of God values sacrifice and humility in a way that turns the world's priorities upside down, and that spiritual things are understood only when the Spirit opens our eyes. The cross stays at the center of our lives and our witness when our hearts have first been changed by the grace shown there.

If you teach or prepare a Sabbath School class, here is a practical tip from this episode: instead of reading only from the lesson, have class members read the Scripture passages aloud, then ask short, open questions about Paul's meaning and steer the conversation back to the text when it wanders. The lesson is studied July 4 to July 11 and taught the following Sabbath, July 11.

If you enjoy this, please subscribe and share. Next week we continue with "Unity in Christ."

Executive Producer: Carolina Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Producer: Henrique Gomes
Editing: Henrique Gomes
Logo: Becky Carpenter

We begin Third Quarter 2026 and the study of First and Second Corinthians with the story of how it started: Paul's ministry in the city of Corinth.

In this episode, we walk through Acts 18 and the roughly year and a half Paul spent in Corinth, building relationships and sharing the gospel in a city known for wealth, false worship, and serious immorality. It was a hard place to begin a church, and Paul faced opposition and discouragement, but God encouraged him to stay and his work there bore fruit.

This conversation sets up the rest of the quarter. The Corinthian church was real, not polished or perfect, and full of genuine struggles, yet Paul keeps turning the people's attention back to Jesus rather than to human cleverness. We also talk about what it means to share God's love wherever we find ourselves, including in the unexpected and difficult places where the gospel can still take root and grow.

If you teach or prepare a Sabbath School class, this episode is meant to give you context and encouragement before you lead. The lesson is studied June 27 to July 3 and taught the following Sabbath, July 4. One practical suggestion from this episode: read straight through First Corinthians early in the quarter to grasp the overall themes, and lean on solid commentaries, including the one from Andrews University Press, when you want to go deeper.

If you enjoy this, please subscribe and share. Next week we continue with "The Message of the Cross."

Executive Producer: Carolina Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Producer: Henrique Gomes
Editing: Henrique Gomes
Logo: Becky Carpenter

Are you a Sabbath School teacher looking for practical help to teach more effectively?

In this episode of Leader’s Lesson, we focus on Lesson 13: “Into Eternity,” part of the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide for this quarter.

This lesson covers the week of June 20 to June 26 and will be taught in Sabbath School on June 27.

This week addresses a deeply hopeful spiritual question:
How can the promise of eternity strengthen our relationship with God and help us remain faithful until we see Jesus face-to-face?

Based on key biblical passages, this lesson explores the hope of Christ’s return, the promise of resurrection, the joy of the redeemed, and the eternal future God has prepared for His people. As the final lesson of the quarter, it invites teachers and class members to lift their eyes beyond present struggles and remember that a life centered on Christ is leading somewhere glorious.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to start your class with a strong and engaging introduction
• The main spiritual focus of the lesson and how to emphasize it
• Key questions to guide meaningful class discussion
• How to help your class connect present faithfulness with future hope
• Practical ways to lead your class to live with heaven in view and Christ at the center

Leader’s Lesson is designed to help teachers move beyond simply covering the material and instead lead meaningful, transformative conversations.

As this quarter comes to a close, we also look ahead to the next quarter’s study, First and Second Corinthians. The new quarter begins with Lesson 1, “Paul’s Ministry in Corinth,” covering June 27 to July 3.

Next Step: Listen, take notes, and walk into your class prepared.

Follow and subscribe to the podcast to receive new episodes each week and continue growing as a Sabbath School teacher.

Are you a Sabbath School teacher looking for practical help to teach more effectively?

In this episode of Leader’s Lesson, we focus on Lesson 12: “Share Him,” part of the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide for this quarter.

This lesson covers the week of June 13 to June 19 and will be taught in Sabbath School on June 20.

This week addresses an essential spiritual question:
How does a growing relationship with God naturally lead us to share Jesus with others?

Based on key biblical passages, this lesson emphasizes the Great Commission, the call to witness out of the overflow of an abiding relationship with God, and the importance of sharing Christ with both courage and compassion. It highlights that witnessing is not primarily about pressure or performance, but about speaking from personal experience, growing in grace, building real relationships, and reflecting Christ in the way we treat people.

The lesson also gives practical guidance for teachers and class members by pointing to themes such as friendship evangelism, prayer for the Holy Spirit’s leading, offering a word “in season,” and helping people take thoughtful next steps toward deeper spiritual interest. It also addresses the pain of seeing loved ones drift away from God, while affirming that God does not give up on the wandering child and still calls His people to help bring them back.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to start your class with a strong and engaging introduction
• The main spiritual focus of the lesson and how to emphasize it
• Key questions to guide meaningful class discussion
• Practical principles for sharing Jesus with wisdom, love, and intentionality
• How to encourage your class to see witness as the natural result of walking closely with Christ

Leader’s Lesson is designed to help teachers move beyond simply covering the material and instead lead meaningful, transformative conversations.

Next Step: Listen, take notes, and walk into your class prepared.

Follow and subscribe to the podcast to receive new episodes each week and continue growing as a Sabbath School teacher.

Leader’s Lesson
Giving Sabbath School teachers the tools they need to succeed.

Are you a Sabbath School teacher looking for practical help to teach more effectively?

In this episode of Leader’s Lesson, we focus on Lesson 11: “Setbacks,” part of the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide for this quarter.

This lesson covers the week of June 6 to June 12 and will be taught in Sabbath School on June 13.

This week addresses a very real spiritual question:
What do we do when our walk with God is interrupted by failure, weakness, discouragement, or spiritual setbacks?

This lesson gives teachers an opportunity to address one of the most practical parts of the Christian life. Spiritual growth is not always a straight line. There are moments of struggle, disappointment, and even regression. But setbacks do not have to be the end of the story. This episode helps you guide your class through the lesson in a way that highlights God’s patience, restoring grace, and power to help believers keep moving forward.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to start your class with a strong and engaging introduction
• The main spiritual focus of the lesson and how to emphasize it
• Key questions to guide meaningful class discussion
• How to address discouragement, failure, and spiritual inconsistency in a biblical way
• Practical ways to help your class see setbacks as opportunities to depend more fully on God

Leader’s Lesson is designed to help teachers move beyond simply covering the material and instead lead meaningful, transformative conversations.

Next Step: Listen, take notes, and walk into your class prepared.

Follow and subscribe to the podcast to receive new episodes each week and continue growing as a Sabbath School teacher.

Leader’s Lesson
Giving Sabbath School teachers the tools they need to succeed.

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