NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR AUGUST 15, 2021 : TOPIC – A PERSEVERING FAITH

By | August 15, 2021

NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR AUGUST 15, 2021 : TOPIC – A PERSEVERING FAITH

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NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

Sunday, August 15, 2021

TOPIC:A PERSEVERING FAITH

Devotional Reading: Psalm 40:1-13 

Background Scripture reading: Hebrews 10:19-39

Lesson Scripture reading: Hebrews 10:23-36

Golden Text: Let us hold 

unswervingly to the hope we confess for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:

i. Examine the significance of Christ’s atoning death;

ii. Enumerate the forms and consequences of wilful sins;

iii. Express willingness to live a life of holiness,worship and fellowship with other Christians.

Introduction

George Musa is a converted Muslim. He gave his life to Christ during the bi-annual campus revival of the Baptist Students’ Fellowship (BSF). His lifestyle changed immediately he gave his life to Christ. He began to exhibit godly virtues, both at home and on campus. Initially, some people doubted his conversion but as time went on, it became obvious that he was truly born again. As good as the news was, his parents and family members threatened to disown him, because no one has ever tried it and survived in the family. Musa faced severe persecution; he was denied food, money, love and other necessary things he needed for his upkeep as a student. Despite all these, he remained unwavering in his hope and faith in the Lord Jesus. His slogan was: “The truth has been revealed, I can no longer go on sinning.” His church adopted and sponsored him for the rest of his university education. After his National Youth Service Corps, he was gainfully employed in a Communication company as a Sales Representative.

From all indications, Brother Musa had a ‘Persevering Faith’ He successfully resisted every attempt to compromise his faith and trusted God to keep His promises concerning him. His joy knew no bounds when his church gave all the support he needed as a student. Today’s lesson centres on the encouragement to Jewish believers to remain dogged in their faith, despite opposition and public persecution because God is faithful to His promises.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

A. Encouragement to hold Fast to the Truth Hebrews 10:23-25

The passage is full of encouraging words. The author started by exhorting his recipients to draw near to God with a sincere heart and sure faith. His reason is based on the freedom to approach the throne of God, which has been made possible through Jesus’ sacrificial death (Hebrews 10:19-22).

He encouraged the believers to:

▪︎ Hold on firmly to the hope they have professed because of God’s ability to keep His promises. To be concerned about promises.

▪︎To be concerned about one another by showing love and kindness.

▪︎To maintain the habit of fellowshipping together, especially as the Day of the Lord is coming nearer (v. 25).

The author’s encouraging words, which was based on what Christ had done was timely. Probably, the people were discouraged as a result of persecution and this had made them avoid communal worship as it was their tradition. Thus they were charged with this important duty. Actually, the laws of holding on firmly to the profession of faith, the need to show concern for one another and to promote constant fellowship are ways to encourage people to persevere in faith, especially in the face of persecution. Our motivation for fellowship must be to worship and obey God and meet the needs of others, as it was their habit in the early church. In Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia, he encouraged them to bear one another’s burden so as to fulfil the law of Christ, which is the same as the law of love (Galatians 6:2). With so many vices in the society, the tendency to lose faith is there. Nevertheless, as the day of Jesus’ return draws nearer, we, to whom the end of age has come, should be ready to endure in faith and be committed to the fellowship of God’s people.

Discussion Time 1

1. How can Christians be more concern about one another?

2. What encouragement do we need, especially as the Day of the Lord is near?

B. Warning against Wilful Rejection of Jesus Hebrews 10:26-31

After they have known the truth. After all, no other sacrifice will take away our sins if we continue to sin. He admonished them to wait in fear for the coming judgment and the fire, which will destroy those who oppose God. Anyone who disobeys the Law of Moses is liable to death without mercy, particularly with the evidence of two or more witnesses.

In verse 29, he described the woeful nature of the punishment of those who despise the Son of God, those who undermine the blood of the covenant by which one is sanctified from sin, and those who insult the

Spirit of grace. For we know Him who said, “It is mine to

revenge; I will repay, and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” He affirmed in verse 31 how terrifying it is to fall into the hands of the living God. There is a common saying that “to be forewarned is to be forearmed.” Obviously, this was the author’s motivation to write and warn the people of the dangers ofabandoning one’s faith, after having received Christ. It is like falling into the hands of God. To fall into the hands of the living God as used in the passage is to resist His love, reject His salvation, and despise the warnings of His Spirit beyond the point where God can consistently show further grace. This act should be eschewed by all believers in Christ because no one knows when Christ will come to judge the world. We should not continue to sin with the assumption that Jesus’ blood will take away our sins. After all, there is no longer any sacrifice that can cleanse us from our sins except the blood of Jesus, which He shed on the cross of Calvary. This means that apart from the blood of Jesus, nothing els can atone for sins.

Discussion Time 2

1. How can one take the atoning death of Christ for granted?

2. Discuss the dangers of going back to the world after receiving the gift of salvation.

C. Admonition to Persevere Hebrews 10:32-36

From verse 32, the people were called to remember their past experiences when they suffered many things, yet were not defeated. They were insulted publicly and illtreated because of their willingness to identify with

other brethren who were also suffering. Porticularly, they shared the burden of those who were imprisoned and their belongings were confiscated. The reason for their endurance, according to the author was that they surely possessed something better, which would last forever. Therefore, they were encouraged not to lose hope because they will receive their final reword (v.35). In addition, he said, “You need to be patient, in order to do the will of God and receive what He promises (v. 36).

Someone once said, “Encouragement is the greatest gift in time of trouble.” This is true in today’s lesson. Probably because some members of the Christian community had withdrawn from the fellowship as a result of persecution, they needed to be encouraged to persevere and to hold confidently to their faith. The author made a particular reference to their earlier experience of persecution and how they endured through faith. Consequently, they became an encouragement to those who were publicly humiliated. Besides, they stood by those who were imprisoned. This is the reason they needed to encourage one another and be united in their resolve not to go back to a life of sin. God wants us to be encouragers, to stand fast in our Christian faith and to hope and act with boldness in serving Him. The toughest and most discouraging trials are when we are called to obey God’s will when the fulfilment of His promise seems so far away. This of course is the reason we need to endure because the Scripture says that endurance is built through trials and the testing of our faith (James 1:2-4).

Discussion Time 3

1. Why is it that Christians are easily discouraged in the face of persecution?

2. What did the author mean when he said, “Do not lose your courage” to his recipient in verse 35a?

Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity

Let class members brainstorm on the pains and

gains of perseverance.

Let the members identify biblical and modern-day examples of people who have persevered and their reward.

Take Home

▪︎ No other sacrifice is better than the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

▪︎ Trying times are inevitable in Christian faith.

▪︎ Christians should not neglect the importance of the gathering of all brethren.

▪︎ To reject Jesus is to reject the gift of salvation and grace.

▪︎ Perseverance is the key to maturity and greatness.

▪︎ Those who have rejected the gift of salvation will surely be punished.

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