NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR OCTOBER 4, 2020 : TOPIC – LOVE AND DEVOTION TO OTHERS

By | October 4, 2020

NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR OCTOBER 4, 2020 : TOPIC – LOVE AND DEVOTION TO OTHERS

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NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

OCTOBER 4, 2020

LOVE AND DEVOTION TO OTHERS

Devotional Reading: Matthew 5:43-48

Background Scriptures: 1 Samuel 19:1-7; 23:1-18; 2 Samuel 9

Lesson Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:1-7

GOLDEN TEXT

Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefitted you greatly. 1 Samuel 19:4

Primary Learning Outcome/Indicators

Learners will know that God has commanded us to love one another as He loves us and indicate achievement of this by:

Discussing some causes of jealousy and hatred among people;

Identifying the roles of Christians in bringing peace to opposing parties;

Making commitment to always show genuine love and devotion to others, according to biblical command.

INTRODUCTION

James and John are childhood friends. They both attended the same primary and secondary schools. Some years later, James’ father won an election as the Local Government Chairman and immediately relocated to the Headquarters with his family, for easy administration. After his National Youth Service Corp, John decided to stay with the family of James while in search of a job. While he was waiting to get a good job, he decided to engage himself in some menial jobs and contracts but James depended solely on his parents for his upkeep. He was always busy with his phone, using internet and playing games. For months, John continued with his hard work and resilience with the hope of making it, especially as the first son of his family who had other dependants. He found favour in the sight of God and soon, he got a car and an apartment within James’ neighbourhood. However, his relationship with James was not affected in any way except James’ father who suddenly became jealous and hated John with passion. He made several attempts to implicate him but God intervened and he was exonerated. The last attempt was to assassinate him but James warned his father against such wicked act and eventually revealed the secret to his friend, John.

Today’s lesson focuses on the love and devotion that existed between Jonathan, the son of King Saul and David, the anointed king. Ordinarily, Jonathan would have supported the evil plan of his father to kill David, as the heir to the throne but he played the role of a mediator between his father and his friend, David because of his love for him. He opposed the unjust intentions of his father, King Saul, in order to offer support and protection to David, his beloved friend.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

SAUL’S PLAN TO KILL DAVID 1 SAMUEL 19:1-3

Chapter 16 of 1Samuel has the record of how Samuel anointed David and how he entered into Saul’s service. The hatred Saul had for David began when he (David) was celebrated for his victory over the Philistines. Since then, Saul became jealous of David and made several attempts to kill him (1 Samuel 18:6-9, 11, 22, 29). However, everything David did was successful because the LORD was with him. According to verse 1 of chapter 19, Saul told his son Jonathan and all the officials to kill David because of his continued hatred for him. But because Jonathan was fond of David and probably remembered the covenant of love and devotion he had made with him (1 Samuel 18:3), he refrained from carrying out the command. He revealed the secret to David and said, …“My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I’ll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out.” (vv. 2-3) The voice of Jonathan in these verses is best described as the voice of a loving and devoted friend who played the role of a mediator between two opposing parties__ this is noteworthy. He worked against his father’s plan to kill David, not minding the consequences of his action.

Sometimes, the success of people, their skilfulness, experience and competence could lead to hatred, animosity and finally the plan to kill and destroy such persons. Such was the case of Saul. His animosity toward David was rooted in fear and jealousy. The public admiration of David after the confrontation with Goliath seems to have initiated it over the years (1 Samuel 18:6-9). Saul’s attempts to kill David were made futile by the actions of his own son, Jonathan. He was willing to reveal his father’s secret plan to David. Although Saul knew his servants were loyal to David and his son loved David; however, he thought he could manipulate them to kill him. Finally, Saul himself was overcome by the spirit of God, and he was unable to harm David (vv. 23-24). Even though we live in a wicked world, those who have faith in God will ever remain under the protective arm of the Almighty God. Nevertheless, the love between Jonathan and David remains a model to Christians of all ages to always promote love and not hatred among people.

DISCUSSION TIME

Discuss the reason King Saul could not prevail over David, despite all the attempts he made.

How should Christians respond to those who hate us and want us dead at all cost? Apart from the case of Saul and David, give other biblical examples.

JONATHAN’S WISE COUNSEL 1 SAMUEL 19:4-7

Jonathan’s determination to keep the covenant of peace and love with David was genuinely demonstrated. Based on his advice to David to be on guard when he meets his father in verse 2, he truly gave a positive report and testimony about him. He said to his father, … “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly.” (v. 4) Specifically in verse 5, he made reference to David’s great achievements when he risked his life to confront Goliath (the Philistine). He killed him, thereby winning victory for Israel instead of shame. He testified that the victory made Saul glad. He asked a rhetorical question why his father would do wrong to an innocent man like David for no reasonable cause? He described David as his father’s servant, an innocent man and a son who does not deserve death, as planned by his father, Saul. Interestingly, Saul listened to Jonathan’s plea and changed his mind. This is contrary to what is seen today in some homes where some parents feel insulted and restrain their children from discussing sensitive issues with them. The aftermath of Jonathan’s discussion with his father, Saul made him resolve not to kill David and he even made a covenant in the name of the LORD (v. 6). According to verse 7, having intimated David of his father’s resolution not to kill him, the relationship between Saul and David was restored and he continued to serve the king as before.

Jonathan’s love and devotion to his friend David is exceptional. Despite the fact that his father Saul hated and wanted David dead, yet he talked so well of him to Saul that he put himself under an oath not to do any harm to David. Jonathan’s mediatory role exemplifies the role of Christians in reconciling and bringing peace to opposition parties instead of being judgmental and causing more harm. Jonathan had a different opinion about David. He saw him as a friend to be loved and protected from harm, a gallant soldier and a faithful servant of his father. He recognised the victory he won for Israel that brought fame to them. David was actually a man of valour and courage who was faithful to the king and to the nation of Israel. Jonathan felt deep love and strong devotion towards him.

DISCUSSION TIME

1. According to verse 6, Saul listened to Jonathan and resolved not to kill David.

Why is it that some Christian parents do not listen to their children concerning issues bothering on promoting peace in the home or church?

2. Discuss the characteristics of true love.

3. What is responsible for the committed love between David and Jonathan

Commitment Based on Today’s Lesson

My Personal Commitment___________________

Commitment to My Church__________________

Commitment towards My Relationship with Others___________

Prayer Points

– Pray and ask God to give you grace to love others as God loves us.

– Ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to help you not to nurse hatred and animosity against anyone.

– LORD, make me a peacemaker, in Jesus’ Name.

Fellowship and Ministry Building Activities

– Identify someone with whom you have disagreement.

– Pray and ask God to help you reconcile with and love him/her, based on today’s lesson.

– Share your experience next week.

– Let each class member verbally make a commitment to be peacemakers.

Take Home

– Believers should endeavour to make peace wherever they find themselves.

– Christians should love and be devoted to one another.

– There should be mutual love and respect between children and their parents.

– Believers should know that jealousy is a sin in the sight of God.

– Our words should build and not destroy others.

– We should always listen to godly counsel.

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