This week, we study how God’s love is freely given to us, even when undeserved. Through examples like Hosea’s relationship with his unfaithful wife and Jesus’ teachings, we see God’s persistent love and mercy. These stories highlight God’s desire to restore broken relationships and call us to respond in faith, love, and obedience.

- SAT – Introduction

- Memory Text

Hosea 14:4

KJV ⁴ I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. CEV ⁴ Israel, you have rejected me, but my anger is gone; I will heal you and love you without limit.

- Lesson

The story of Peter’s denial and restoration by Jesus reflects God’s love for humanity. After denying Jesus three times, Peter is restored by Christ, who asks him three times, “Do you love Me?” – John 21:15-17

KJV ¹⁵ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. ¹⁶ He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. ¹⁷ He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. CEV ¹⁵ When Jesus and his disciples had finished eating, he asked, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than the others do?”Simon Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know I do!” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus said. ¹⁶ Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you!” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus told him. ¹⁷ Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt because Jesus had asked him three times if he loved him. So he told Jesus, “Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.” Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep.
..This moment reveals the heart of God, who freely forgives and offers second chances to those who repent.

God’s love is not based on our worthiness. Instead, He loves us freely, offering healing and restoration even when we fail. Like Peter, we are invited to respond to God’s love by caring for others and sharing His message of grace and salvation.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that God’s love reaches deep into our lives, uncovering hidden sins and restoring us to Him. Like Peter, we must examine our hearts, repent, and allow God’s love to change us, making us faithful witnesses of His grace.

- Conclusion

God loves us freely and unconditionally, and He invites us to respond with love and faithfulness. Our daily lives should reflect His transforming power.

- Reflection

What does God’s question, “Do you love Me?” teach us about our relationship with Him?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How does Peter’s restoration show God’s willingness to forgive and heal?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- SUN – Beyond Reasonable Expectations

- Lesson

Read Exodus 33:15-22

KJV ¹⁵ And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. ¹⁶ For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. ¹⁷ And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. ¹⁸ And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. ¹⁹ And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. ²⁰ And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. ²¹ And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: ²² And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: CEV ¹⁵ Then Moses replied, “If you aren't going with us, please don't make us leave this place. ¹⁶ But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth.” ¹⁷ So the Lord told him, “I will do what you have asked, because I am your friend and I am pleased with you.” ¹⁸ Then Moses said, “I pray that you will let me see you in all of your glory.” ¹⁹ The Lord answered: All right. I am the Lord, and I show mercy and kindness to anyone I choose. I will let you see my glory and hear my holy name, ²⁰ but I won't let you see my face, because anyone who sees my face will die. ²¹ There is a rock not far from me. Stand beside it, ²² and before I pass by in all of my shining glory, I will put you in a large crack in the rock. I will cover your eyes with my hand until I have passed by.

After Israel’s rebellion with the golden calf, God had every reason to abandon them. Yet, He chose to remain faithful, extending His grace and renewing His covenant. In verse 19, God declares, “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious.” This demonstrates God’s freedom to show mercy, even to the undeserving.

God’s love goes beyond human expectations. Despite Israel’s sin, God remained committed to them, showing His desire to restore and redeem. His actions remind us that His love is freely given, not based on merit but on His character.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White highlights that God’s love is more powerful than human understanding. His grace calls us to repentance and invites us into a deeper relationship, despite our failures.

- Conclusion

God’s grace is freely given, even when we don’t deserve it. His love restores us and invites us to trust Him completely.

- Reflection

What does Exodus 33:19

KJV ¹⁹ And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. CEV ¹⁹ The Lord answered: All right. I am the Lord, and I show mercy and kindness to anyone I choose. I will let you see my glory and hear my holy name,
reveal about God’s character?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How have you experienced God’s grace beyond expectations in your life?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- MON – Unrequited Love

- Lesson

Read Hosea 14:1-4

KJV ¹ O israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. ² Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. ³ Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy. ⁴ I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. CEV ¹ Israel, return! Come back to the Lord, your God. Sin has made you fall. ² Return to the Lord and say, “Please forgive our sins. Accept our good sacrifices of praise instead of bulls. ³ Assyria can't save us, and chariots can't help. So we will no longer worship the idols we have made. Our Lord, you show mercy to orphans.” ⁴ Israel, you have rejected me, but my anger is gone; I will heal you and love you without limit.

God uses the story of Hosea and his unfaithful wife to show His love for Israel, despite their spiritual adultery. Even after their repeated rebellion, God declares, “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely” (KJV) – Hosea 14:4

KJV ⁴ I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. CEV ⁴ Israel, you have rejected me, but my anger is gone; I will heal you and love you without limit.
..His love is voluntary and unconditional.

God’s commitment to Israel reflects His love for us. Despite our failures and sins, He pursues us with grace, always ready to forgive and restore us when we return to Him.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White emphasizes that God’s love continues even when we turn away from Him. He calls us to repentance, offering restoration and hope through His grace.

- Conclusion

God’s love remains constant, even when we are unfaithful. He invites us to return to Him and experience healing and restoration.

- Reflection

How does Hosea’s story illustrate God’s love for unfaithful people?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How should God’s unchanging love influence our relationship with Him?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- TUE – Love Freely Given

- Lesson

Read the following passages:

John 3:16-17

KJV ¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. CEV ¹⁶ God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. ¹⁷ God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!

Romans 5:8

KJV ⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. CEV ⁸ But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.

God’s love is shown through His gift of salvation. He freely gave His Son, not because we deserved it, but because His love is unconditional. Christ died for us while we were still sinners, demonstrating the depth of God’s love.

God’s love is sacrificial and enduring. His desire is to bring us back into a relationship with Him. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we see that God’s love is not based on human worthiness but on His unchanging character. We are called to respond to this love with gratitude, faith, and obedience.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that God’s love is the sustaining force behind the plan of salvation. His love is eternal, and through it, we are called to repentance and renewal, experiencing transformation in our hearts.

- Conclusion

God’s love is freely given, unconditional, and sacrificial. We are called to respond to this love with faith and to share it with others.

- Reflection

What does John 3:16

KJV ¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. CEV ¹⁶ God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.
teach us about God’s love?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How does understanding God’s love affect how we treat others?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- WED – Many Are Called, but Few Are Chosen

- Lesson

Read Matthew 22:1-14

KJV ¹ And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, ² The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, ³ And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. ⁴ Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. ⁵ But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: ⁶ And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. ⁷ But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. ⁸ Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. ⁹ Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. ¹⁰ So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. ¹¹ And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: ¹² And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. ¹³ Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ¹⁴ For many are called, but few are chosen. CEV ¹ Once again Jesus used stories to teach the people: ² The kingdom of heaven is like what happened when a king gave a wedding banquet for his son. ³ The king sent some servants to tell the invited guests to come to the banquet, but the guests refused. ⁴ He sent other servants to say to the guests, “The banquet is ready! My cattle and prize calves have all been prepared. Everything is ready. Come to the banquet!” ⁵ But the guests did not pay any attention. Some of them left for their farms, and some went to their places of business. ⁶ Others grabbed the servants, then beat them up and killed them. ⁷ This made the king so furious that he sent an army to kill those murderers and burn down their city. ⁸ Then he said to the servants, “It is time for the wedding banquet, and the invited guests don't deserve to come. ⁹ Go out to the street corners and tell everyone you meet to come to the banquet.” ¹⁰ They went out on the streets and brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike. And the banquet room was filled with guests. ¹¹ When the king went in to meet the guests, he found that one of them wasn't wearing the right kind of clothes for the wedding. ¹² The king asked, “Friend, why didn't you wear proper clothes for the wedding?” But the guest had no excuse. ¹³ So the king gave orders for this person to be tied hand and foot and to be thrown outside into the dark. That's where people will cry and grit their teeth in pain. ¹⁴ Many are invited, but only a few are chosen.

In the parable of the wedding feast, God’s invitation to salvation is extended to everyone, but not all accept it. Some refuse, while others come unprepared. Those who respond with faith and preparation receive the blessing of eternal life.

This parable highlights that while God’s love is freely offered, we must respond in faith and obedience. God’s grace is available to all, but we must choose to accept it and allow it to transform us into followers prepared for His kingdom.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that God’s invitation to salvation requires a personal response. We must put aside excuses and distractions, accepting His offer with sincere hearts and preparing for His kingdom.

- Conclusion

God calls everyone to salvation, but we must respond with faith and be prepared to live in harmony with His will.

- Reflection

What does the parable of the wedding banquet teach us about God’s call?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we prepare our hearts to accept God’s invitation?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- THU – The Price of Love

- Lesson

Read the following passages:

Romans 5:6-8

KJV ⁶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. ⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. CEV ⁶ Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful. ⁷ No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. ⁸ But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.

John 15:13

KJV ¹³ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. CEV ¹³ The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them.

God’s love was most powerfully demonstrated through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Even while we were sinners, Christ died for us, showing us the depth and cost of God’s love.

Jesus’ sacrifice calls us to reflect on the cost of our salvation. His example inspires us to live sacrificially, serving others and sharing His message of love and hope with the world.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White emphasizes that the cross is the clearest expression of God’s love and justice. It demonstrates His mercy and commitment to restoring humanity through Christ’s sacrifice.

- Conclusion

God’s sacrificial love through Jesus inspires us to live with gratitude, faith, and a commitment to share His love with others.

- Reflection

What does Romans 5:8

KJV ⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. CEV ⁸ But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.
teach us about God’s love?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we reflect God’s sacrificial love in our daily lives?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- FRI – Further Thought

What does it mean to live in God’s love daily?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- LESSON SUMMARY

God Loves Freely

This week’s lesson focused on God’s unconditional love. He freely offers grace and forgiveness, calling us to respond in faith and reflect His love to others.