NBC Sunday School Manual For March 20, 2022 : Topic – THE CELEBRATION OF COMPLETION

By | March 20, 2022

NBC Sunday School Manual For March 20, 2022 : Topic – THE CELEBRATION OF COMPLETION

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NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

Sunday, March 20, 2022

TOPIC: THE CELEBRATION OF COMPLETION

Background Scripture reading: Ezra 6 

Lesson Scripture reading: Ezra 6:13-22 

Golden Text: Then the people of Israel the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy. Ezra 6:16

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

1. Explore the celebration prompted by the completion of the new temple;

2. Identify different ways Christians should celebrate God’s goodness;

3. Join other believers in celebrating and sharing the good news of God’s love and faithfulness for His people.

Introduction

Last week, we learned about a church that purchased a piece of land for over fifty years but they were unable to erect anystructure and how some highly influential politicians began to make plans to confiscate the land for their personal use. Ultimately, God used the pastor, the Convention officer and the State Governor to secure the land. After much agitation, the church decided to put up a building for Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools, with modern facilities. Members of the church were excited about the victory and were moved to donate both building materials and cash for the completion of the work. Sooner than later, the school was given approval by the State

Government and some examination bodies like WAEC (West African Examination Council) and NECO (National Examination Council). The day of dedication was historic; people sang and expressed joy and thanksgiving to God for His faithfulness, particularly for the success of regaining the land. Such was the case of the Jews when the temple construction was completed and dedicated. Celebrations provide opportunities for persons to rejoice, especially after the completion of a difficult task. But how wecelebrate and show gratitude to the One who made the victory possible (God) is very important.

After the temple was completed in four years, the Israelites celebrated God bysharing the Passover together. The temple was dedicated amid great rejoicing coupled with the work of restoration the entire city had undergone for some 70 years. Without doubt, the programme must have had special meaning to them, having been delivered from a second ‘bondage.’

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

A. Completion and Dedication of the Temple: Ezra 6:13-18

King Darius’ order to Tattenai, governor of West Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai and their fellow officials to stay away from the building of the temple was strictly followed. They did exactly as the emperor commanded and progress was made with the encouragement of Prophets Haggai and Zechariah, as commanded by God. According to verse 15, the building project was finally completed on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year during the reign of Darius the emperor. Remarkably, it was a dream come true for the Israelites and in appreciation to God, the priests, Levites and the others who had returned from exile joyfully dedicated the temple. They sacrificed a hundred bulls, 200 sheep, and 400 lambs to God including twelve goats (one for each of the tribes of Israel), as sin offering. The Levites and priests were duly organised to perform their duties in the temple, according to the Law of Moses. Different events characterised the

dedication of the temple. The celebration was prompted by the completion of the work as God had commanded. Similarly, after the completion of the temple, King Solomon and all the people offered sacrifices to God and it was dedicated. The contributions of the three pagan Kings Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes in completing the temple construction is also remarkable. First, God prompted King Cyrus to release the exiles in Babylon to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple with adequate records. King Darius acted on the decree and it continued until it was completed and dedicated to the glory of God with great joy. Even today, like the Jews, believers take delight in celebrating God’s faithfulness whenever they complete specific projects that have posed many difficulties. Such celebrations are usually characterised by feasting and songs of praise to God.

Discussion Time

1. Is it biblical to celebrate or name churches after the benefactors who have contributed to the completion of the buildings?

2. Must a church building or other properties of the church be dedicated?

B. Celebration of the Passover: Ezra 6:19-22

The climax of the dedication of the temple was the joyful celebration of the Passover Feast. According to verse 19, the Feast of the Passover was celebrated on the fourteenth day of the first month. The priests and Levites became ritually clean by purifying themselves so that they will be ceremonially fit to carry out their functions. They killed animals and made sacrifices for themselves and all the returnees. The meat was eaten, even with those who had forsaken the pagan ways of the people and had begun to worship the God of Israel. The celebration, which lasted for seven days, was characterised by different activities. The climax was the celebration of Unleavened Bread. The people expressed joy because God has caused the emperor of Assyria to work in their favour in the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem. Whenever God blesses His people, it results to jubilation and celebration, among the people as seen in the passage. The temple was completed and dedicated amid great rejoicing. Perhaps, their joyful mood made them to accept the Jews who had separated themselves from the worship of pagan gods introduced by the Assyrians. Similarly, the completion and dedication of the wall of Jerusalem was celebrated joyfully with songs of thanksgiving, music of cymbals, harps and lyres.

The priests and Levites purified themselves, the people, the gates and the wall (Nehemiah 12:27, 30). Today, Christians also celebrate God’s faithfulness after completing some projects like church/educational buildings, pastorium, the purchase of a church bus, etc. Sometimes, such programmes are accompanied with great fun, fund-raising music concert and other Interesting events to commemorate the occasion. Often times, other people are invited to share the joy of the day with the church.

Discussion Time

1. Is it biblical to celebrate or name churches after the benefactors who have contributed to the completion of the buildings?

2. Must a church building or other properties of the church be dedicated?

Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity

Let a member (preferably on old member) share with the class some difficulties they had in completing the church building and how they overcome.

Take Home

Write down three lessons you are taking home from today’s lesson

Prayer

1. Pray that the Lord will bring to completion every church project He has started.

2. Pray that the Lord will make us partake in the celebration of the completion of church projects.

Commitment

Based on today’s lesson, make a commitment to identify and celebrate with other brethren whenever it is necessary.

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