From Darkness to Light
The lessons of this quarter give evidence of cause-and-effect relationships at work. God’s call serves as the cause, with the effect being the presence of His salvation available for all people. As a result, all humanity is invited to live in reverence to the merciful and saving God.
God’s Preparation
The quarter begins with four lessons from Luke’s Gospel. These lessons highlight faithful people of God who longed to experience God’s salvation. These people longed not merely for spiritual salvation, but for God’s reign on earth. They desired a world where God would bring mercy and justice to his people (see Luke 1:46–55).
Luke’s Gospel describes the ways that God’s people came boldly to Him in prayer. The expectant hope that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6) was the foundation for their eagerness to pray. Through their prayers, the people were prepared to hear God’s peculiar and unique call.
God’s Promises
The second unit of lessons, from the Old Testament historical books and prophets, describes God’s promises to His prepared people. The Old Testament writers reminded the people that God’s promises were reliable and trustworthy.
At the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, God promised to be a present help for Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:12–22). God’s promises of presence and deliverance would apply as long as the people acted justly and worshipped God purely.
Likewise, by way of the prophet’s words, God responded to the people’s experience of exile. The people’s situation came as a result of their failure to live faithfully and justly as God’s called people.
Through the words of the prophet Isaiah, God promised to teach and direct His people (Isaiah 48:17). If they followed God, received Him, and obeyed His commands, the people would experience the promised redemption and restoration (Isaiah 43:1–4, 10–12; 48:3–8a, 17).
Another Old Testament prophet, Joel, proclaimed a similar message to God’s people. God promised to be among His people and restore their land. As long as they followed Him, they would never again experience shame (Joel 2:27).
God’s promises, given through His prophets, addressed the people during their moments of need. The prophets offered an avenue for the community to hear and understand God’s promises of renewal. However, the people would be required to change their behavior. They were to consider how they might serve others and avoid acting oppressively in any sense (Isaiah 58:6–10).
God’s Call
The quarter’s final lessons take us to the New Testament epistles and their teachings on the inclusive nature of God’s call. God’s assessment does not always match human evaluation. As a result, He may call those people whom the world considers lowly and unremarkable (1 Corinthians 1:26–28).
God’s call may lead to suffering in the lives of the called. This is not suffering for suffering’s sake. Instead, God’s people can experience His presence in their trials. Since God “hath abolished death” (2 Timothy 1:10), His promises bring hope.
The ultimate effect of God’s promises is holiness in His people through the marvelous light of His salvation (1 Peter 2:9–10). Some people may consider God’s call to be peculiar at best or a cause for stumbling at worst (2:8). Nonetheless, God remains faithful through His merciful call (2:10) that leads to holiness and salvation.
by Mark W. Hamilton
Unit 1: God’s Preparation
| Date | Title | Bible Text |
| December 4 | Zacharias Hears from God | Luke 1:8–20 |
| December 11 | Zacharias Speaks | Luke 1:57–66, 76–79 |
| December 18 | John the Baptist Appears | Luke 3:2b–6, 15–18 |
| December 25 | Mary Rejoices | Luke 1:46–55 |
Unit 2: God’s Promises
| Date | Title | Bible Text |
| January 1 | God Promises to Hear and Forgive | 2 Chronicles 7:12–22 |
| January 8 | God Promises to Restore | Isaiah 43:1–4, 10–12 |
| January 15 | God Promises to Guide | Isaiah 48:3–8a, 17 |
| January 22 | God Promises Light | Isaiah 58:6–10 |
| January 29 | God Promises His Presence | Joel 2:21–27 |
Unit 3: God’s Call
| Date | Title | Bible Text |
| February 5 | Resume of Those Called | 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 |
| February 12 | Reminder of the Call | 2 Timothy 1:3–14 |
| February 19 | Responsibility of Those Called | James 2:1–12 |
| February 26 | Results of the Call | 1 Peter 2:1–10 |