NBC Sunday School Manual For March 27, 2022 : Topic – THE RESOLVE TO REMEMBER.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION
NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
DATE: SUNDAY, 27TH MARCH, 2022.
TOPIC: THE RESOLVE TO REMEMBER.
Background Scripture:
Deuteronomy 8.
Lesson Scripture:
Deuteronomy 8:1-11.
GOLDEN TEXT:
“Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.” Deuteronomy 8:11
OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
• List God’s commandments in the text;
• Explain the reasons the people should keep God’s commands and laws;
• Make personal commitments to always appreciate God for His blessings.
INTRODUCTION:
John and his sister, Grace are orphans. Their grandmother in a remote village brought them up, after the death of their parents in a ghastly motor accident. Although they did not have the privilege of attending good schools, their grandmother did her best to instil discipline and godly virtues in them. After much struggle, with the help of their grandmother, John graduated from one of the popular universities in Nigeria with a First Class Hons degree. Interestingly, the State governor offered him scholarship for further study in the United States of America. Few days before his trip, Grace woke him up sobbing, in the middle of the night. She made a passionate appeal to him to remember his background and not forget the goodwill they have enjoyed from their grandmother since the demise of their parents. Actually, what Grace means is that when things begin to work out for him while in the United States, he should not forget to extend his benevolence to their grandma who had denied herself of pleasures to nurture them from childhood. John responded saying, “By the grace of God, I promise not to disappoint you, grandma and God.”
Chapter 8 of the book of Deuteronomy is a recall of the wonders of God in the lives of the Israelites, especially their experiences in the wilderness. For 40 years, they were miraculously fed, protected, clothed and guided. Their raiment did not wear out neither did their feet become swollen. Without doubt, everything happened that they might learn to trust God who had delivered them from their slave masters, and live by His Word. Based on these facts, they were encouraged not to forget God who had done these great and wonderful things for them when they get to the Promised Land, which God had given to their forefathers as an inheritance. This is the focal point of today’s lesson.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED…
A. ENCOURAGEMENT TO OBEY:
[Deuteronomy 8:1-4]
As the Israelites continued in their journey to the Promised Land, God promised to exterminate all the nations in the land so that they will not be led into the worship of other gods (Deuteronomy 7:1-6). The passage also emphasises God’s faithfulness in keeping His covenant with them, the reward of obedience and the punishment for disobedience. However, in chapter 8, the people were admonished to faithfully obey all the laws God had given them including the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:5-22). The encouragement became necessary so that they may live, increase in number, and occupy the land which the Lord had sworn to give to their ancestors. In other words, obedience was the only key to inheriting the Promised Land. Therefore, they were encouraged to remember God’s faithfulness since they left Egypt and their experiences in the wilderness for forty years. Everything happened in order to test their obedience to God. According to verse 3, He provided manna when they were hungry just to teach them the importance of depending on God, instead of physical food. In their entire journey, their clothes did not wear out neither were their legs swollen, despite the distance they walked for a number of years.
There is the tendency for an individual to become complacent when he/she begins to sense of fulfilment in life. The fall of Adam and Eve, which led to their expulsion from the Garden of Eden was as a result of their disobedience to God’s command not to eat from the forbidden tree (Genesis 3). God knew the people of Israel and the possibility of being influenced by other nations, to worship idols, when they get to the Promised Land. The land they were to inherit was fertile with much to eat and drink and these things could pose the danger of losing their identity as God’s people. So they were encouraged to remember how they had been brought from slavery in Egypt to freedom and a place of comfort in Canaan. This necessitated the repeated encouragement to faithfully obey all the commandments so as to enjoy the benefits attached. When we obey God and His commands, we are bound to enjoy increase and all the blessings God has prepared for us. But unfortunately, human beings often forget God’s faithfulness, especially in times of hardship. However, the lesson should serve as a reminder to obey God always. The fact that their raiment did not get old and their feet were not swollen was to help teach them God’s ability to sustain them.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. What does verse 4 teach us about the nature of God?
2. Why do human beings easily forget God’s faithfulness, especially in time of suffering?
B. ENCOURAGEMENT NOT TO FORGET GOD:
[Deuteronomy 8:5-11]
God’s message to the Israelites, through Moses, was clear and concise. They were reminded of the fact that God punishes and corrects His people like a father disciplines his children (v.5). Therefore, they were expected to live in accordance with God’s commands, His laws and obey Him. Verses 7 and 8 have a comprehensive description of the nature of the Promised Land:
• A fertile ground with the springs and pools of water gushing out ceaselessly into the valley and hills.
• The land is rich in variety of food like wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey.
• A land of abundance without scarcity.
• A place for mining copper.
Abundance of what to eat, with thanksgiving to God for giving them the land. Nevertheless, Moses sounded a note of warning to them against the temptation to forget God or fail to obey any of His laws when they finally settle in the Land (v.11). He said to them, “Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.” Earlier on, Moses had given a similar warning to the Israelites to watch themselves so that they will not forget the things their eyes had seen or let them slip from their hearts as long as they live (Deuteronomy 4:10) Ultimately, the people were encouraged not to forget God’s deliverance while they were in Egypt, the miracle of parting the Red Sea, God’s demonstration of love, power, provision and safety in their wilderness experiences. More so, they were to let the memory keep them humble, faithful, and obedient to God’s commands. Unfortunately, the people were inconsistent and failed to maintain a steady relationship with God. Consequently, each time they disobeyed God, their enemies defeated them in battles. Even today, some Christians easily forget God’s faithful dealings with them, especially when they are faced with challenges. The implication of the lesson is that we should remember God’s faithfulness in time past and His ability to meet our present needs, like He has done in the past.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Why was the warning to remember and not forget God’s faithfulness repeated in the passage?
2. What is the importance of obedience in receiving God’s blessings?
Commitment:
Based on today’s lesson, make a personal commitment to always remember God’s commandments and obey them.
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activities:
• Encourage each member of the class who has a copy of the text to circle each command found in the text. They should pray for one another.
Prayer:
• Pray that the Lord will grant you the enablement to obey His commands at all times.
• Pray against the temptation to forget God or fail to obey any of His laws when lines begin to fall in pleasant places for you.
Take Home: Write down three lessons you are taking home from today’s lesson.
• __________
• __________
• __________
REVIEW: I count it a great privilege to learn more about Liberating Passover since the beginning of the month. Thank God for the opportunity to be blessed through these wonderful lessons. Based on these basic truths:
• How did God help you so far to put what you have learned into practice about God’s promise to redeem His people?
• What new things did you discover about freedom to worship?
• Which aspect of the lesson did you struggle to understand and what did you do?
• Did you discover some helpful insights about God’s reminder to Israel not to forget Him?
Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!