Nigeria Baptist Church Sunday School Manual For June 21, 2020 : Topic – THE GIFTS OF WISDOM.
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NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
Date:
Sunday, June 21, 2020
TOPIC: THE GIFTS OF WISDOM.
Devotional Reading:
Job 28:12-28.
Background Scripture:
Job 42; Proverbs 8.
Lesson Scripture:
Proverbs 8:8-14, 17-21.
GOLDEN TEXT:
Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Proverbs 8:10-11
OBJECTIVES:
Learners will understand the facets of God’s wisdom and explore both practical and spiritual wisdom and indicate achievement of this by:
* Enumerating the gifts of wisdom as stated in the passage;
* Comparing and contrasting the wisdom of God and humankind;
* Making a verbal/written commitment to passionately embrace the gifts of wisdom for a successful living.
INTRODUCTION:
race and Mercy are twins born to the family of Mr and Mrs Iluosa. From their childhood days, their choices have been the same without alteration from their parents. They have always enjoyed and treasured the idea of living and doing things together throughout their primary and secondary schools. Having passed out from secondary school in anticipation of going into the university, they were both given the opportunity to make choices of what they wanted and why in writing. In her request, Grace wished to become the SUG President so that she would be respected by all the students. But Mercy simply asked for God’s wisdom to excel in her studies so that she would remain the pride of her parents and be great in life. Although a little bit disturbed about the request made by Grace, their parents took time to explain to them over and over again, the positive nature of wisdom, the gifts and the necessity to embrace it as they aspire to enter into the university.
The choice of self-gratification Grace made is an indication that people search for recognition in life with passion and everything it takes. Nevertheless, the treasure of wisdom is more valuable than riches because it guides a person’s heart, will, and thought toward obeying and trusting God. The lesson of today is a reminder that we should be ready to go extra mile in seeking wisdom and in helping others around us so that the world will be a better place to live in
✍️ THE LESSON EXPLAINED…✍️
A.A CALL TO CHOOSE WISDOM: [Proverbs 8:8-14]
Wisdom is personified as a female calling people from all over (the streets, marketplaces, at the city gates, hilltops and roadsides) to listen to her excellent words (Proverbs 1:20; 8:1-6). She became more specific in v. 8 when she said, “All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.” By implication, her words are clear to those who have wisdom and plain to those who have knowledge. Based on this, she counselled that her instructions should be preferred to silver, desired than the finest gold and searched for than precious rubies. Therefore, wisdom has no comparison in terms of its worth. From verse 13, the writer stated some of the gifts of wisdom. For instance:
• She dwells with prudence, possesses knowledge and discretion.
• She hates pride, arrogance, evil behaviour and false words.
• She counsels, gives sound judgment, possesses understanding and power.
Therefore, she is able to make plans and execute them wisely.
Wisdom is so important to humans that the author opens the passage with a call for it. However, it should be noted that the wisdom of God is quite the opposite of the wisdom of humankind. As it is stated above, God’s wisdom is characterised by caution, good judgment and understanding. It is not proud; it does not exhibit bad bevaviour or associate with falsehood and perverseness unlike the wisdom of the world. Usually, worldly wisdom is hasty, conceited and takes glory in itself. The admonition for Christians, therefore, is that the wisdom of God should be sought for by all humankind passionately because of its importance. In addition, wisdom will help those in leadership positions to be just and not live crooked and perverse lives as they lead (v. 16). Ultimately, they will be guided in making right decisions that will be beneficial to humankind and glorify God.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. The author recommended choosing wisdom rather than silver and gold in verse
10. Discuss how easy it will be for people to comply with this instruction.
2. To fear the Lord is to hate evil (v. 13b). Discuss
B.🎈 THE POSITIVE NATURE OF WISDOM: [Proverbs 8:17-21]
The benefits and positive nature of wisdom cannot be overemphasised. From verse 17, she speaks and describes her nature and talents positively. She said, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” In other words, her love is reciprocal and those who passionately desire to have her will find her. After all, riches, honour, enduring wealth and prosperity are found in her and so, her fruit is better than silver and other precious materials. Furthermore, it is the nature of wisdom to walk in the way of righteousness and follow the path of justice. She bestows wealth on those who love her and fill their treasuries (v. 21). This means that wealth is portrayed as wisdom’s gift to those who love her.
When a man gets wisdom from God, he will be able to give the right counsel and sound judgment, especially in difficult cases. A typical example is the case of Solomon, who was able to give godly counsel in a difficult situation and place the nation of Israel on a higher platform of honour and power (1 Kings 3:16-28). Even though we live in a society where some people crave for the acquisition of material things and wealth above God’s wisdom, Christians should not undermine its importance in their daily walk. Consequently, when divine wisdom is embraced, the person stands to enjoy some benefits such as to govern, rule and give godly decrees, according to God’s standard. The benefit of a rich inheritance on those who live and treasure the nature of wisdom is also guaranteed.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. How can we find the wisdom of God? Verse 17.
2. Describe howthe wisdom of humankind becomes foolish.
3. How can wisdom be made attractive so thatmanypeoplewill seekit?
COMMITMENT BASED ON TODAY’S LESSON:
– My Personal Commitment.
– Commitment to My Church.
– Commitment towards My Relationship with Others.
📌 PRAYER POINTS:
• Thank God for the gift ofwisdom through which you have made progress in life.
• Pray for divine wisdom for our political and religious leaders so that they can direct the affairs ofthe nation and the church positively.
• Lord, give grace to your people that they might know the value of wisdom and be able to apply it.
FELLOWSHIP AND MINISTRY BUILDING ACTIVITY:
• Let each class member choose a partner. Each of them should write at least two gifts of wisdom and exchange them with another class member. They are to read out what they have written.
TAKE HOME:
• The road to justice is paved by wisdom.
• It is with the wisdom of God we can make wealth.
• Godly wisdom is more valuable than silver and gold.
• There is no substitute or shortcuts to divine wisdom.
• Every good leader leads with divine wisdom.
• Those who seek wisdom will surely find it.
• The gifts of wisdom should be embraced by all Christians
Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!