3: Old Testament Prophets-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan
Prepared for Sabbath School Class on October 17.
Photograph by William Earnhardt
Key Text: “Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper. ” (2 Chronicles 20:20, NKJV).
Read in Class: James 5:17-18, and 1 Kings 19:4-10.
Study: What do these passages tell us about the human emotions of prophets?
Apply: Read 1 Kings 22:1-14. What does this passage show about how a real prophet operates, even when human emotions make them want to be liked?
Share: Can you share a time when human failure actually helped you to be better understand and be able to help others?
Read in Class: 1 Samuel 8:4-22 and Leviticus 8:10-13.
Study: How did prophets function in relation to other leaders?
Apply: How do you usually respond when someone offers you counsel or advice, especially in positions where you are seen as a leader? How do you determine if their counsel has merit?
Share: Your friend says that King David and King Saul both had Samuel as a prophet. David also had Nathan as a prophet. Your friend asks if God sends prophets to speak to Christian leaders and rulers today. What do you tell your friend?
Read in Class: Exodus 15:20, Judges 4:4, 2 Kings 22:14, and Nehemiah 6:14.
Study: What do these passages tell us about the role of women as prophets?
Apply: Read 2 Kings 22:11-14. Why did King Josiah’s men go to Huldah? What should this tell us about how her role was applied to the nation?
Share: Your friend says that God only chose a woman as a prophet when there were no men available. Does the Bible support this theory, or do we see examples of God using women even when men were available and even being used? What do you tell your friend?
Read in Class: Jeremiah 14:1-15
Study: What was happening here, and how did the Lord regard those who spoke falsely as “prophets” in His name?
Apply: Whether or not you are a prophet, it’s always easy to follow the popular thing. Considering how corrupt culture can be, why is this never a good idea?
Share: Has anyone ever come to you personally claiming to be a prophet or to have a message from God? Share how you determined if their message was genuine or not?
Mission: Find one short sermon or teaching online this week. Write down how the teacher measures up against three specific biblical tests (e.g., Do they confess Jesus as Christ? Does their character align with the Fruits of the Spirit? Do they handle Scripture accurately?).
The Goal: To practice testing the spirits in daily life (1 John 4:1) rather than blindly accepting every teaching.
