For more sabbath school lessons, activities, devotionals, resources, and encouragement, visit www.forchristianhomes.com
Below are the memory verses for the coming month. Each lesson will be posted as it is completed.
Below are the memory verses for the coming month. Each lesson will be posted as it is completed.
January 2026 Sabbath School Memory Verses:
Sabbath, January 3rd - " . . . And the LORD shut him in." Genesis 7:16 - And God Shut Him In
Sabbath, January 10th - “ . . . Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head . . .” Genesis 28:11 -Touch of the Master's Hand
Sabbath, January 17th - “ . . . you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good . . .” Genesis 50:20 - God's Sovereignty
Sabbath, January 24th - “ . . . And his master shall bore through his ear with an awl. . .” Exodus 21:6
Sabbath, January 31st - “ . . . in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.” Exodus 40:38
Sabbath, January 3, 2026
And God Shut Him In
" . . . And the LORD shut him in." Genesis 7:16
Materials needed: brambles, electrical wire, dry erase board/markers
What do people use for security?
People have watchdogs . . . or watch geese. Paddle locks or deadbolts can secure doors and gates. Doors and gates and fences and walls can keep people, animals, weather, etc. out. Castles had high towers, cliffs, and/or moats. Hedges made great barriers as far back as Biblical times (Isaiah 5:5).
Insulation on wires protects us from the negatives aspects of being shocked by electrical currents. That’s definitely a positive!! 🤣😅
So what’s the point of this discussion. Well, sometimes we only see the negative aspects of barriers. No one likes finding themselves on the wrong side of a hedge with no way to get through. We often prefer wide open spaces with no fences and walls. We look forward to the time when paddle locks are no longer necessary because there won’t be anyone who steals anything.
The reality is that we live in a dangerous world. There are lots of things out there which can hurt you. So you take precautions. You are careful. You don’t plug in an appliance which has a bad spot on the cord. You learn to appreciate the fences around playgrounds which keep your ball from rolling into a busy street.
Noah also lived in a violent and vile world. It was so bad that God sent a Flood to destroy everyone and everything on earth but Noah and his family and the animals in the Ark. Think about the faith that Noah had to have had. Not only did he spend a long time building the ark (Some say 120 years.), he also had to trust God when the animals started arriving. Lions and tigers and bears and crocodiles! There also might have been some trepidation about whether the pitch covering the Ark was going to hold and keep it waterproof for however long Noah would be inside. Noah couldn’t go out and do any patching. Where would he have gotten more material?!
So one of the most comforting scriptures in this whole section is Genesis 7:16 - “ . . . and the LORD shut him in.” Noah didn’t have to rely on his own ability to close and waterproof the door. God did it. You might say that God put His seal of approval on it. Or not. But at any rate, the implication is that God was intimately involved in getting Noah to safety in a very real way.
So what does that mean for you? First, you want to strive to have a relationship with God like Noah had - where it can be said of you, ________ found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Pleasing God comes from seeking Him, keeping His commandments, and submitting your will to His all the time. Secondly, if you have that kind of relationship with God, you can trust Him no matter what happens. As the apostle Paul said, To live is Christ, to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). Regardless of what happens, you know that your life is hidden with Christ and your destiny is His kingdom. In the ultimate sense, God will have saved you. And as was said of Noah, God will have shut you in. That’s a very good thing.
Assignment for the week of January 4-10th:
Touch of the Master’s Hand
Memory Verse: “Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head. . .” Genesis 28:11
Here’s one of my favorite poems. I plan to sing it for you on Sabbath:
The Touch of the Masters Hand
Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on the old violin, but held it up with a smile; "What am I bidden, good folks," he cried, "Who'll start the bidding for me?" "A dollar, a dollar"; then two!" "Only two? Two dollars, and who'll make it three? Three dollars, once; three dollars twice; going for three.." But no, from the room, far back, a gray-haired man came forward and picked up the bow; Then, wiping the dust from the old violin, and tightening the loose strings, he played a melody pure and sweet as caroling angel sings. The music ceased, and the auctioneer, with a voice that was quiet and low, said; "What am I bid for the old violin?" And he held it up with the bow. A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two? Two thousand! And who'll make it three? Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice, and going and gone," said he. The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We do not quite understand what changed its worth." Swift came the reply: "The touch of a master's hand." And many a man with life out of tune, and battered and scarred with sin, Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin, A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine; a game - and he travels on. "He is going" once, and "going twice, He's going and almost gone." But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd never can quite understand the worth of a soul and the change that's wrought by the touch of the Master's hand.
Myra 'Brooks' Welch
Can you think of anything that most people would think is worthless but it holds a lot of value for you? Make a list to share on Sabbath.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sabbath, January 10th
Touch of the Master’s Hand
Memory Verse: “Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head. . .” Genesis 28:11
Materials: toilet paper rolls, various projects created from toilet paper rolls
Over the past month, most of the ladies in our congregation have been collecting toilet paper rolls for me. I’m sure they have been wondering what in the world I was going to do with them. Well, toilet paper rolls can be used in several ways. They can be fire starters - just as they are or with dryer lints inside. They can be used as seedling starters. Put soil in a tube that has one end crimped. Put in a seed. Water. Let it grow. Once it’s ready to be put into the ground, you can put the whole thing in because the toilet paper rolls will disintegrate. Or toilet paper rolls can be made into puppets - like this elephant. Or toilet paper rolls can be made into wall decorations. Or they can be turned into colored pencil holders, like a desk caddy. Or they can be turned into 3-D snowflake decorations. It all depends on the creativity of the person who can take the toilet paper roll and turn it into something else. It kind of reminds me of a stone.
When Jacob left his parents and journeyed to his mother’s brother, Laban, to find a wife (and to get away from the wrath of his brother, Esau), he spent the night in “a certain place” (the ESV calls it in Genesis 28:11). He must have been camping because we’re told that he took a stone and used it for a pillow. That night he dreamed there was a ladder, or flight of steps, set up on the earth and the top of it reached to heaven. There were angels of God ascending and descending the ladder. At the top was God. God spoke to Jacob and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:13-15) This is quite a promise! This is the covenant language God expressed to Abraham and to Isaac. Jacob reacted very strongly. He said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it. . . . How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” (Genesis 28:16-17)
In the morning, he took the stone he’d used as a pillow. He set it up for a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He made a vow. If God would be with him and keep him, giving him food to eat and clothes to wear so that he would again come home to his father, then God would be his God and he would tithe.
And that pillar would be God’s house - which is why the city which grew up there was named Bethel - “house of God.”
It was a stone. A simple stone. Jacob used it as a pillow. Could he have chosen a different stone? Was it the stone which made all the difference? Was it the stone which caused the dream? No. The stone was just the pillow. But that stone, which Jacob used as a pillow, became a pillar - an Ebenezer - a stone of remembrance, a memorial to the dream and promise Jacob had had. Eventually, this pillar became the site of a community called Bethel! All from a simple stone.
So whether we’re talking about toilet paper rolls or stones, what does this mean to you? If you are diligently seeking God and His ways, God can use you for His glory. Like a toilet paper roll or a stone, you can be used in ways you could never have imagined. God is the Creator. Like the song “Touch of the Master’s Hand,” this world doesn’t understand “the worth of a soul and the change that's wrought by the touch of the Master's hand.” I can hardly wait to see what God will do with each of you - as He uses you for His glory!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Assignment for the week of January 11-17th:
God's Sovereignty
Memory Verse: “ . . . you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good . . .” Genesis 50:20
Did you know that the Slinky was invented by accident?
"During World War II, an engineer named Richard James wanted to help the troops by inventing springs that could stabilize important instruments on naval ships during times of rough seas. While working on the springs, one was knocked off a table and “walked” its way down to the floor, then re-coiled itself and stood upright. After showing this to his wife, they determined it could be sold as a children’s toy with the name “Slinky.” It was first demonstrated to customers at Gimbels Department Store in 1945, and within the first 90 minutes over 400 Slinkys had been sold." science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/inventions/15-of-the-coolest-accidental-inventions.htm
The same site talks about the invention of the potato chip: "Potato chips, America’s beloved snack of choice, were originally developed to annoy a dissatisfied diner in 1853. George Crum, a chef at the Moon Lake Lodge in Saratoga Springs, New York, served French fries to the customer, who initially complained they were too thick. Crum then made a second batch, which was thinner, but still did not appease him. So for the third batch, in an attempt to further irritate the diner, Crum made fries that were so thin they couldn’t be eaten with a fork, and over salted them for good measure. Surprisingly, the customer loved them, and potato chips were invented!"
Sometimes things happen in our lives that we totally didn't expect. Sometimes we call these coincidences. But what if they aren't coincidences? There's a saying: Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous. So what if those "coincidences" are actually God working things out in our lives? Do you have any examples you'd like to share? After we talk about the "coincidences" we've experienced, we'll talk about God working things out in Joseph's life.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
For 2026, we're going to make our way through the whole Bible. Here's the reading plan for this week. The devotions for each are available at For Christian Homes These are Sabbath lessons that I've done in the past. Each one will have a verse that ties back to the scriptures to be read that day. Read as many as you would like to. The Sabbath lesson will be based on a scripture taken from that Sabbath's scriptures.
If you are reading along with us, here’s the outline for this week:
Sabbath, January 17th
God's Sovereignty
Memory Verse: “ . . . you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good . . .” Genesis 50:20
Did you know that the Slinky was invented by accident?
"During World War II, an engineer named Richard James wanted to help the troops by inventing springs that could stabilize important instruments on naval ships during times of rough seas. While working on the springs, one was knocked off a table and “walked” its way down to the floor, then re-coiled itself and stood upright. After showing this to his wife, they determined it could be sold as a children’s toy with the name “Slinky.” It was first demonstrated to customers at Gimbels Department Store in 1945, and within the first 90 minutes over 400 Slinkys had been sold." science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/inventions/15-of-the-coolest-accidental-inventions.htm
The same site talks about the invention of the potato chip: "Potato chips, America’s beloved snack of choice, were originally developed to annoy a dissatisfied diner in 1853. George Crum, a chef at the Moon Lake Lodge in Saratoga Springs, New York, served French fries to the customer, who initially complained they were too thick. Crum then made a second batch, which was thinner, but still did not appease him. So for the third batch, in an attempt to further irritate the diner, Crum made fries that were so thin they couldn’t be eaten with a fork, and over salted them for good measure. Surprisingly, the customer loved them, and potato chips were invented!”
Post-it Notes were invented by accident by 3M scientist Spencer Silver in 1968, who created a weak, reusable adhesive, and then developed into a product by fellow 3M employee Art Fry in 1974, who used it for his church hymnal bookmark, leading to a product launch in 1980 that revolutionized office organization. Silver's "solution without a problem" adhesive, made of tiny bubbles, was strong enough to stick but weak enough to peel off, a property Fry realized was perfect for temporary page markers.
Sometimes things happen in our lives that we totally didn't expect. Sometimes we call these coincidences. But what if they aren't coincidences? There's a saying: Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous. So what if those "coincidences" are actually God working things out in our lives? Do you have any examples you'd like to share?
The Slinky and the potato chip are examples of accidental inventions when the inventor was trying to do something good - and some other good thing resulted. But what if the inventor meant it for evil? Sometimes things, and actions, are intended for harm. They want to hurt someone else. In the case of Joseph and his brothers, they hated him so much, they wanted to kill him. But traders going to Egypt just happened by. Since his brothers just wanted rid of him, selling Joseph would get rid of him and earn them some money. Their actions intended evil against Joseph; selling him to Egypt was likely to result in his death. But at the very end of the story, once Jacob had died and the brothers were still afraid Joseph would get his revenge on them, Joseph showed remarkable wisdom. He told his brothers that although they had meant their actions for evil (wanting rid of Joseph - even to murder!), God meant it for good. With Joseph in Egypt and because Joseph honored God with his life, God was able to use him - even to saving his entire family from the famine. God’s plans and purposes always work out. Because God is sovereign.
“ . . . you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good . . .” Genesis 50:20 This is an extremely encouraging verse to hang onto when things aren’t going well - according to your definition. Just hang on. Keep seeking and serving God with all of your heart. He is sovereign and He wants the very best in your life. He’s working things out for your good. Isn’t that what we’re told in Romans 8:28 - “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Assignment for Sabbath, January 24th
Pierce My Ear
“ . . . And his master shall bore through his ear with an awl. . .” Exodus 21:6
Read Exodus 21:1-6
If you were a slave, what could you get that would make you willing to give up your freedom?
What are you a slave to? Anything?
Would you be willing to be God’s slave? How would you make a public proclamation today that you were willing to belong to God and do whatever He tells you to do?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
For 2026, we're going to make our way through the whole Bible. Here's the reading plan for this week. The devotions for each are available at For Christian Homes These are Sabbath lessons that I've done in the past. Each one will have a verse that ties back to the scriptures to be read that day. Read as many as you would like to. The Sabbath lesson will be based on a scripture taken from that Sabbath's scriptures.
January 18th: Exodus 2-4 And God Knew;
My Firstborn
January 19th: Exodus 5-7 Let My People Go;
All in All
January 20th: Exodus 8-10 Let My People Go;
Displaying God’s Power in Your Life
January 21st: Exodus11-13 Remember This Night;
Timing of Passover Events;
Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover;
Wave Sheaf Day;
Let’s Be Unleavened;
As a Sign On Your Hand
January 22nd: Exodus 14-16 God’s Rescue;
He is Our Peace
January 23rd: Exodus 17-19 More Troubles
January 24th: Exodus 20-22 No Other God;
You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me;
Worshipping Our God;
Living the Life;
Taking God’s Name in Vain;
REST!!;
Loving Your Parents;
Is God Your God?;
It’s Murder;
Shut De Door;
That’s Not True;
A Broken Wanter;
What Do You Want?
Sabbath, January 3rd - " . . . And the LORD shut him in." Genesis 7:16 - And God Shut Him In
Sabbath, January 10th - “ . . . Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head . . .” Genesis 28:11 -Touch of the Master's Hand
Sabbath, January 17th - “ . . . you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good . . .” Genesis 50:20 - God's Sovereignty
Sabbath, January 24th - “ . . . And his master shall bore through his ear with an awl. . .” Exodus 21:6
Sabbath, January 31st - “ . . . in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.” Exodus 40:38
Sabbath, January 3, 2026
And God Shut Him In
" . . . And the LORD shut him in." Genesis 7:16
Materials needed: brambles, electrical wire, dry erase board/markers
What do people use for security?
People have watchdogs . . . or watch geese. Paddle locks or deadbolts can secure doors and gates. Doors and gates and fences and walls can keep people, animals, weather, etc. out. Castles had high towers, cliffs, and/or moats. Hedges made great barriers as far back as Biblical times (Isaiah 5:5).
Insulation on wires protects us from the negatives aspects of being shocked by electrical currents. That’s definitely a positive!! 🤣😅
So what’s the point of this discussion. Well, sometimes we only see the negative aspects of barriers. No one likes finding themselves on the wrong side of a hedge with no way to get through. We often prefer wide open spaces with no fences and walls. We look forward to the time when paddle locks are no longer necessary because there won’t be anyone who steals anything.
The reality is that we live in a dangerous world. There are lots of things out there which can hurt you. So you take precautions. You are careful. You don’t plug in an appliance which has a bad spot on the cord. You learn to appreciate the fences around playgrounds which keep your ball from rolling into a busy street.
Noah also lived in a violent and vile world. It was so bad that God sent a Flood to destroy everyone and everything on earth but Noah and his family and the animals in the Ark. Think about the faith that Noah had to have had. Not only did he spend a long time building the ark (Some say 120 years.), he also had to trust God when the animals started arriving. Lions and tigers and bears and crocodiles! There also might have been some trepidation about whether the pitch covering the Ark was going to hold and keep it waterproof for however long Noah would be inside. Noah couldn’t go out and do any patching. Where would he have gotten more material?!
So one of the most comforting scriptures in this whole section is Genesis 7:16 - “ . . . and the LORD shut him in.” Noah didn’t have to rely on his own ability to close and waterproof the door. God did it. You might say that God put His seal of approval on it. Or not. But at any rate, the implication is that God was intimately involved in getting Noah to safety in a very real way.
So what does that mean for you? First, you want to strive to have a relationship with God like Noah had - where it can be said of you, ________ found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Pleasing God comes from seeking Him, keeping His commandments, and submitting your will to His all the time. Secondly, if you have that kind of relationship with God, you can trust Him no matter what happens. As the apostle Paul said, To live is Christ, to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). Regardless of what happens, you know that your life is hidden with Christ and your destiny is His kingdom. In the ultimate sense, God will have saved you. And as was said of Noah, God will have shut you in. That’s a very good thing.
Assignment for the week of January 4-10th:
Touch of the Master’s Hand
Memory Verse: “Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head. . .” Genesis 28:11
Here’s one of my favorite poems. I plan to sing it for you on Sabbath:
The Touch of the Masters Hand
Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on the old violin, but held it up with a smile; "What am I bidden, good folks," he cried, "Who'll start the bidding for me?" "A dollar, a dollar"; then two!" "Only two? Two dollars, and who'll make it three? Three dollars, once; three dollars twice; going for three.." But no, from the room, far back, a gray-haired man came forward and picked up the bow; Then, wiping the dust from the old violin, and tightening the loose strings, he played a melody pure and sweet as caroling angel sings. The music ceased, and the auctioneer, with a voice that was quiet and low, said; "What am I bid for the old violin?" And he held it up with the bow. A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two? Two thousand! And who'll make it three? Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice, and going and gone," said he. The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We do not quite understand what changed its worth." Swift came the reply: "The touch of a master's hand." And many a man with life out of tune, and battered and scarred with sin, Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin, A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine; a game - and he travels on. "He is going" once, and "going twice, He's going and almost gone." But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd never can quite understand the worth of a soul and the change that's wrought by the touch of the Master's hand.
Myra 'Brooks' Welch
Can you think of anything that most people would think is worthless but it holds a lot of value for you? Make a list to share on Sabbath.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sabbath, January 10th
Touch of the Master’s Hand
Memory Verse: “Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head. . .” Genesis 28:11
Materials: toilet paper rolls, various projects created from toilet paper rolls
Over the past month, most of the ladies in our congregation have been collecting toilet paper rolls for me. I’m sure they have been wondering what in the world I was going to do with them. Well, toilet paper rolls can be used in several ways. They can be fire starters - just as they are or with dryer lints inside. They can be used as seedling starters. Put soil in a tube that has one end crimped. Put in a seed. Water. Let it grow. Once it’s ready to be put into the ground, you can put the whole thing in because the toilet paper rolls will disintegrate. Or toilet paper rolls can be made into puppets - like this elephant. Or toilet paper rolls can be made into wall decorations. Or they can be turned into colored pencil holders, like a desk caddy. Or they can be turned into 3-D snowflake decorations. It all depends on the creativity of the person who can take the toilet paper roll and turn it into something else. It kind of reminds me of a stone.
When Jacob left his parents and journeyed to his mother’s brother, Laban, to find a wife (and to get away from the wrath of his brother, Esau), he spent the night in “a certain place” (the ESV calls it in Genesis 28:11). He must have been camping because we’re told that he took a stone and used it for a pillow. That night he dreamed there was a ladder, or flight of steps, set up on the earth and the top of it reached to heaven. There were angels of God ascending and descending the ladder. At the top was God. God spoke to Jacob and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:13-15) This is quite a promise! This is the covenant language God expressed to Abraham and to Isaac. Jacob reacted very strongly. He said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it. . . . How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” (Genesis 28:16-17)
In the morning, he took the stone he’d used as a pillow. He set it up for a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He made a vow. If God would be with him and keep him, giving him food to eat and clothes to wear so that he would again come home to his father, then God would be his God and he would tithe.
And that pillar would be God’s house - which is why the city which grew up there was named Bethel - “house of God.”
It was a stone. A simple stone. Jacob used it as a pillow. Could he have chosen a different stone? Was it the stone which made all the difference? Was it the stone which caused the dream? No. The stone was just the pillow. But that stone, which Jacob used as a pillow, became a pillar - an Ebenezer - a stone of remembrance, a memorial to the dream and promise Jacob had had. Eventually, this pillar became the site of a community called Bethel! All from a simple stone.
So whether we’re talking about toilet paper rolls or stones, what does this mean to you? If you are diligently seeking God and His ways, God can use you for His glory. Like a toilet paper roll or a stone, you can be used in ways you could never have imagined. God is the Creator. Like the song “Touch of the Master’s Hand,” this world doesn’t understand “the worth of a soul and the change that's wrought by the touch of the Master's hand.” I can hardly wait to see what God will do with each of you - as He uses you for His glory!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Assignment for the week of January 11-17th:
God's Sovereignty
Memory Verse: “ . . . you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good . . .” Genesis 50:20
Did you know that the Slinky was invented by accident?
"During World War II, an engineer named Richard James wanted to help the troops by inventing springs that could stabilize important instruments on naval ships during times of rough seas. While working on the springs, one was knocked off a table and “walked” its way down to the floor, then re-coiled itself and stood upright. After showing this to his wife, they determined it could be sold as a children’s toy with the name “Slinky.” It was first demonstrated to customers at Gimbels Department Store in 1945, and within the first 90 minutes over 400 Slinkys had been sold." science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/inventions/15-of-the-coolest-accidental-inventions.htm
The same site talks about the invention of the potato chip: "Potato chips, America’s beloved snack of choice, were originally developed to annoy a dissatisfied diner in 1853. George Crum, a chef at the Moon Lake Lodge in Saratoga Springs, New York, served French fries to the customer, who initially complained they were too thick. Crum then made a second batch, which was thinner, but still did not appease him. So for the third batch, in an attempt to further irritate the diner, Crum made fries that were so thin they couldn’t be eaten with a fork, and over salted them for good measure. Surprisingly, the customer loved them, and potato chips were invented!"
Sometimes things happen in our lives that we totally didn't expect. Sometimes we call these coincidences. But what if they aren't coincidences? There's a saying: Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous. So what if those "coincidences" are actually God working things out in our lives? Do you have any examples you'd like to share? After we talk about the "coincidences" we've experienced, we'll talk about God working things out in Joseph's life.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
For 2026, we're going to make our way through the whole Bible. Here's the reading plan for this week. The devotions for each are available at For Christian Homes These are Sabbath lessons that I've done in the past. Each one will have a verse that ties back to the scriptures to be read that day. Read as many as you would like to. The Sabbath lesson will be based on a scripture taken from that Sabbath's scriptures.
If you are reading along with us, here’s the outline for this week:
- January 11th: Genesis 31-33
- January 12th: Genesis 34-36
- January 13th: Genesis 37-39
- January 14th: Genesis 40-42 For the Glory of the Lord
- January 15th: Genesis 43-45 Do Not Quarrel on the Way
- January 16th: Genesis 46-48
- January 17th: Genesis 49 - Exodus 1
Sabbath, January 17th
God's Sovereignty
Memory Verse: “ . . . you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good . . .” Genesis 50:20
Did you know that the Slinky was invented by accident?
"During World War II, an engineer named Richard James wanted to help the troops by inventing springs that could stabilize important instruments on naval ships during times of rough seas. While working on the springs, one was knocked off a table and “walked” its way down to the floor, then re-coiled itself and stood upright. After showing this to his wife, they determined it could be sold as a children’s toy with the name “Slinky.” It was first demonstrated to customers at Gimbels Department Store in 1945, and within the first 90 minutes over 400 Slinkys had been sold." science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/inventions/15-of-the-coolest-accidental-inventions.htm
The same site talks about the invention of the potato chip: "Potato chips, America’s beloved snack of choice, were originally developed to annoy a dissatisfied diner in 1853. George Crum, a chef at the Moon Lake Lodge in Saratoga Springs, New York, served French fries to the customer, who initially complained they were too thick. Crum then made a second batch, which was thinner, but still did not appease him. So for the third batch, in an attempt to further irritate the diner, Crum made fries that were so thin they couldn’t be eaten with a fork, and over salted them for good measure. Surprisingly, the customer loved them, and potato chips were invented!”
Post-it Notes were invented by accident by 3M scientist Spencer Silver in 1968, who created a weak, reusable adhesive, and then developed into a product by fellow 3M employee Art Fry in 1974, who used it for his church hymnal bookmark, leading to a product launch in 1980 that revolutionized office organization. Silver's "solution without a problem" adhesive, made of tiny bubbles, was strong enough to stick but weak enough to peel off, a property Fry realized was perfect for temporary page markers.
Sometimes things happen in our lives that we totally didn't expect. Sometimes we call these coincidences. But what if they aren't coincidences? There's a saying: Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous. So what if those "coincidences" are actually God working things out in our lives? Do you have any examples you'd like to share?
The Slinky and the potato chip are examples of accidental inventions when the inventor was trying to do something good - and some other good thing resulted. But what if the inventor meant it for evil? Sometimes things, and actions, are intended for harm. They want to hurt someone else. In the case of Joseph and his brothers, they hated him so much, they wanted to kill him. But traders going to Egypt just happened by. Since his brothers just wanted rid of him, selling Joseph would get rid of him and earn them some money. Their actions intended evil against Joseph; selling him to Egypt was likely to result in his death. But at the very end of the story, once Jacob had died and the brothers were still afraid Joseph would get his revenge on them, Joseph showed remarkable wisdom. He told his brothers that although they had meant their actions for evil (wanting rid of Joseph - even to murder!), God meant it for good. With Joseph in Egypt and because Joseph honored God with his life, God was able to use him - even to saving his entire family from the famine. God’s plans and purposes always work out. Because God is sovereign.
“ . . . you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good . . .” Genesis 50:20 This is an extremely encouraging verse to hang onto when things aren’t going well - according to your definition. Just hang on. Keep seeking and serving God with all of your heart. He is sovereign and He wants the very best in your life. He’s working things out for your good. Isn’t that what we’re told in Romans 8:28 - “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Assignment for Sabbath, January 24th
Pierce My Ear
“ . . . And his master shall bore through his ear with an awl. . .” Exodus 21:6
Read Exodus 21:1-6
If you were a slave, what could you get that would make you willing to give up your freedom?
What are you a slave to? Anything?
Would you be willing to be God’s slave? How would you make a public proclamation today that you were willing to belong to God and do whatever He tells you to do?
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For 2026, we're going to make our way through the whole Bible. Here's the reading plan for this week. The devotions for each are available at For Christian Homes These are Sabbath lessons that I've done in the past. Each one will have a verse that ties back to the scriptures to be read that day. Read as many as you would like to. The Sabbath lesson will be based on a scripture taken from that Sabbath's scriptures.
January 18th: Exodus 2-4 And God Knew;
My Firstborn
January 19th: Exodus 5-7 Let My People Go;
All in All
January 20th: Exodus 8-10 Let My People Go;
Displaying God’s Power in Your Life
January 21st: Exodus11-13 Remember This Night;
Timing of Passover Events;
Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover;
Wave Sheaf Day;
Let’s Be Unleavened;
As a Sign On Your Hand
January 22nd: Exodus 14-16 God’s Rescue;
He is Our Peace
January 23rd: Exodus 17-19 More Troubles
January 24th: Exodus 20-22 No Other God;
You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me;
Worshipping Our God;
Living the Life;
Taking God’s Name in Vain;
REST!!;
Loving Your Parents;
Is God Your God?;
It’s Murder;
Shut De Door;
That’s Not True;
A Broken Wanter;
What Do You Want?
