NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR DECEMBER 20, 2020 : TOPIC – A REGAL RESPONSE TO HOLY LIGHT
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NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
DECEMBER 20, 2020
A REGAL RESPONSE TO HOLY LIGHT
Devotional Reading: Exodus 1:8-22
Background Scripture: Matthew 2:7-15
Lesson Scripture: Matthew 2:7-15
GOLDEN TEXT
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:11
Primary Learning Outcome/Indicators
Learners will recognise God’s call and indicate achievement of this by:
• Explaining the significance of the gifts presented to Jesus by the magi;
• Describing meaningful ways they will celebrate Christmas this year;
INTRODUCTION
Sometime ago, some journalists went out to interview some men in order to hear their reactions to the news of the birth of their first child, especially those who waited for some time. Their responses were astonishing; one of them said, “I broke down in tears of joy” and the other said, “I received the good news with so much joy and excitement that I forgot to ask for the sex of the baby and even to take my car from the office to the hospital.” The youngest father among them said, “I left my station unannounced and without any money in my pocket.” Naturally, the arrival of a new baby comes with great excitement and happiness, not only to the biological parents of the child but to neighbours, relatives, colleagues and well-wishers. Among Africans, the good news spreads fast and usually attracts celebrations to commemorate the arrival of the baby.
The topic for today’s Sunday school lesson is “A Regal Response to Holy Light.” As it was earlier prophesied that a Son (the Saviour) would be born by a virgin named Mary (Luke 1:31), it eventually came to pass and the good news spread all over the world. As a result, the magi came from the east by the leading of a star to Bethlehem to pay homage to Him. Although King Herod felt threatened with the coming of Jesus and made effort to kill Him, but the purpose of His coming was still fulfilled. The magi gave gifts and went back to their country through another route. In fact, their visit stresses the importance of the birth of the Messiah to the whole wide world.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED
A. HEROD’S SECRET INQUIRY. MATTHEW 2:7-10
People often do certain things without the awareness that though they can deceive humankind with their impure motives, they cannot deceive God. (1 Samuel 16:6). The birth of Jesus was widespread that even the magi (wise men who were experts in astrology) came from the East as they were led by a star to the city of Bethlehem, in search of the newborn King. According to verse 7, the magi were invited by King Herod and he secretly inquired from them the exact time the star appeared to them. He, thereafter, sent them to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus and pretentiously said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” (v. 8) Ultimately, the star led the magi to the place where Jesus was born and stopped, which by human standard signifies where the king is born. They were overjoyed when the star stopped; knowing that they had finally reached their destination with the excitement of seeing the long awaited Messiah.
Usually, joy accompanies the fulfilment of one’s expectation as the magi expressed in verse 10. But worthy of note in the passage is Herod’s insincere promise to also go and worship the newborn child when actually the birth of Jesus only intensified his fears and threat to his own reign. Interestingly, the magi followed the star to the manger and when the star stopped, they knew they had finally arrived at the right place. They were elated, knowing that their journey had not been in futility and that the long-prediction of the birth of a Messiah is fulfilled in their time. Human beings, no matter how intelligent or smart, cannot thwart the purpose of God in the life of His children. Although Herod had the intention of eliminating Jesus in order to retain power, but he failed. No wonder the Scripture says, “The heart of man is desperately wicked, who can understand it, but the testimony is that all his devices failed and the divine plan of God was established.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. Was Herod sincere in his desire to also go and visit the newborn child? Discuss his reasons for the secret inquiry.
2. What was the significance of the star that led the magi to the birthplace of Jesus. Discuss other means God would have used to reveal Jesus’ birth in those days.
3. Are there people seeking for Jesus but are not sincere?
B. JESUS RECEIVES PRECIOUS GIFTS MATTHEW 2:11-15
The magi left King Herod and continued their journey to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, under the guidance of the star. When they entered into the house, they saw the child and Mary, his mother and they were overjoyed. In recognition of the fact that He is the Saviour, they knelt down and worshipped Him. They offered precious gifts that confirmed His call as a Prophet, Priest, and King before His birth. They offered:
• Gold, which speaks of His worth and as the King of Kings, it also represents His incorruptibility.
• Frankincense, which means Jesus’ priestly role as this was part of the incense burnt by the priest in the Holy Place. It is also a sweet smelling incense used in offering sacrifices.
• Myrrh represents His prophetic declaration and prediction of His sacrificial death. It is a perfume made from the hardened sap of a tree. After the presentation of the gifts, they returned to their country through another route, without going back to Herod as he requested, having been warned in a dream. Having known Herod’s plan to kill Jesus, an angel appeared to Joseph and instructed him to take the Child and His mother, Mary and escape to Egypt until the death of Herod. Again as a righteous man, Joseph obeyed. He took the Child and his mother, Mary and left for Egypt, they stayed there until Herod died (v. 15), in fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecy (Hosea 11:1) when the Lord said, “Out of Egypt, I called my son.”
Christians can celebrate the birth of Jesus in various ways. We can give gifts of time, material things, prayers, and godly counsel to others. Ultimately, we can be determined to spread the good news of Jesus’ birth to people around our community. Notably, some things are paramount in the passage: the zeal of the magi who were involved in a great search for the newborn Child, the precious gifts they offered and the humility they demonstrated in worship. Furthermore, the obedience demonstrated by Joseph who was instructed in his dream to take the Child and his mother and escape to the land of Egypt and live there until the death of Herod. According to verse 19, after the death of Herod, an angel of the Lord appeared again to Joseph in a dream and ordered him to return to the land of Israel with the Child and his mother. During these movements, Joseph and Mary demonstrated obedience. They did not argue with each other at every revelation and decision time. They adhered to every instruction they received from the time Mary was found to be with Child to the time he was instructed to return to Israel, after the death of Herod. Each of the movements was ordered by God and fulfilled the prophecies made hundred years before.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. Class members should share experiences of struggles they encountered recently in giving their best to God and how they were able to overcome.
2. Let some class members role-play the visit of the magi to Jesus in Bethlehem and the presentation of gifts to Him.
3. Discuss various ways we can honour God with our substances like the magi.
Commitment Based on Today’s Lesson
My Personal Commitment________________
Commitment to My Church_________
Commitment towards My Relationship with Others________
Prayer Points
• Ask God to deliver you and every Christian from the spirit of hypocrisy.
• Pray for grace to hear God and to act without delay.
• Pray for protection against all schemes of the enemy against your destiny.
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity
• Ask the class members to list different ways they can give God a regal treat, especially this Christmas. Each member should come out and read what he/she has written and share with the class.
• Encourage them to renew their commitment to God as they plan to enter into another year.
Take Home
• God hates hypocrisy.
• Christians should learn to offer precious gifts to God.
• Jesus is King and, therefore, deserves the best from us.
• God guides and orders the steps of His children, no matter their race, tribe, or profession.
• God has the power to frustrate the efforts and motives of the evil ones.
• Always act on God’s instructions without delay.
• We cannot outsmart God.