Sunday School

Winter Quarter – December 2022, January &; February 2023

“From Darkness to Light”

This quarter continues the identification of “Chosen, Not Choice,” and the peculiarity of God’s callng-

which is rooted in grace rather than in humankind’s merit.

Unit I, “God Prepares the Way,” begins with two lessons on Zechariah from the opening chapters of

Luke’s gospel. Disappointment and doubt clouded Zechariah’s perspective until the promise of a son

became reality. This extraordinary experience is the backdrop for lesson 3-the entrance of John the

Baptist, God’s chosen voice to prepare the way for the Messiah. Lesson 4 (on Christmas Day) celebrates

Advent with Mary’s Song as she rejoices in the news that God has chosen the humble.

Unit II, “God’s Promises,” contains five lessons from the books of 2 Chronicles, Isaiah, and Joel that

remind us that we can trust God to keep His word. In lesson 5, as Solomon’s Temple is being dedicated

in 2 Chronicles, God promises to hear the people (from His position in heaven) and forgive them in

response to their prayers of repentance. The next three lessons are from Isaiah. Lesson 6 is the

celebrated passage that proclaims that God’s people are waterproof and fireproof because of His

promised protection. Lesson 7 speaks to an obstinate people whose future God knows and declares. The

final lesson from Isaiah contrasts ritual performance with true penitence coupled with acts of justice.

The unit concludes with lesson 9, in which the prophet Joel declares God’s promise to be present and

restore the chosen people after a time of distress.

Unit III, “God’s Call and Its Responsibilities,” has four lessons from the books of 1 Corinthians, 2

Timothy, James, and 1 Peter. These lessons teach us that God’s call and the responsibilities of that call

are without regard to an individual’s past. Lesson 10 reminds us that God’s wisdom is foolishness to

people because God chooses those who are neither wise nor powerful nor of noble birth. In lesson 11,

Paul’s final letter brims with emotion as he encourages Timothy to embrace the suffering that

accompanies the Gospel, which is the responsibility of those who are called with a holy calling. Lesson

12 warns against showing favoritism to those wearing fine clothes because in God’s economy, the poor

receive God’s blessing. Finally, lesson 13 challenges us to check our attitudes and live as chosen, royal,

holy people who have been called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light.

December: Unit I – God Prepares the Way

4 Zechariah Hears from God Luke 1:8-20

11 Zechariah Speaks Luke 1:57-66, 76-79

18 John the Baptist Luke 3:2-6, 15-18

25 Mary Marvels at God’s Choice Luke 1:46-55

January: Unit II – God’s Promises

1 God Promises to Hear and Forgive 2 Chronicles 7:12-22

8 God Promises Restoration and Protection Isaiah 43:1-4, 10-12

15 God Promises to Guide Our Way Isaiah 48:3-8a, 17

22 God Promises Light in the Darkness Isaiah 58:6-10

29 God Promises to Be Present Joel 2:21-27

February: Unit III – God’s Call and Its Responsibilities

5 Not Many Elite Called 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

12 Called with a Holy Calling 2 Timothy 1:3-14

19 God Chooses the Poor James 2:1-12

26 God Calls You into Light 1 Peter 2:1-10

Credit from our Sunday School book entitled “Faith Pathway: Bible Studies for Adults,” Sunday School

Publishing Board Equipping Today’s Church to Serve, 2022-2023; Winter Lessons: Townsend Press.