NBC Sunday School Manual For April 10, 2022 : Topic – THE PASSOVER WITH THE DISCIPLES.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION
NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
DATE: SUNDAY, 10TH APRIL, 2022.
TOPIC: THE PASSOVER WITH THE DISCIPLES.
Background Scripture: Matthew 26:17-30.
Lesson Scripture: Matthew 26:17-30.
GOLDEN TEXT: “I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:29.
OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
• State some ways believers betray Jesus today;
• Discuss the significance of the Lord’s Supper;
• State the benefits of observing the Lord’s Supper .
INTRODUCTION:
From time immemorial, people, families, individuals, communities and even nations have always had reasons to celebrate one occurrence or another. Churches also celebrate special events. For instance, as a denomination, we often celebrate ‘Fathers’ and ‘Mothers’ Day’ at specific periods of the year. The essence is to honour fathers and mothers for their roles at home, church and the society at large. Similarly, the Ibos have a particular time they celebrate the Iriji (new yam festival) in appreciation of God’s faithfulness for a good harvest. At the end of every year, the Binis celebrate the popular ‘Igue festival’. It is usually a time to appreciate God for guidance, provision and protection throughout the year. Some time ago, a couple shared an experience with us about the basis of their yearly celebration. According to the story, they were delivered from a ghastly motor accident that would have claimed the lives of their family members. Thereafter, they resolved that each year, they would have a special feast together with their extended family members. The pastor will also be invited for prayers to commemorate God’s deliverance.
The inauguration of the Lord’s Supper by Jesus was one of the activities that marked His last moment with His disciples. Usually, the Jews in Jesus’ day celebrated the Passover according to God’s commandment in the Old Testament, in memorial of God’s mighty acts of deliverance from their Egyptian slave masters. In today’s passage, Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples. He used the same opportunity to institute the Lord’s Supper as a memorial for Christians to remember His death and the shedding of His blood to seal the new covenant. It is to serve as a reminder for believers of what God has done for them.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED.
A.THE PASSOVER IS PREPARED:
[Matthew 26:17-19]
The Passover feast was one of the most valued religious festivals of the Jews. It was instituted in Exodus 12 as a means of distinction between the Israelites and the Egyptians, when the angel of death would visit the nation. It then became a yearly celebration – a reminder of God’s deliverance of His people from their slave masters in Egypt. As a Jew, Jesus did not undermine the importance of the festival. On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, Jesus’ disciples came to Him to inquire of the place where they would prepare the Passover meal. According to verse 18, Jesus instructed them to go to a certain man in the city and say to him, “The teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.” The instruction suggests that He had already made arrangements for the Passover meal. The identity of the owner of the house where they would have the Passover meal was not disclosed, yet Jesus knew he would accept the request. The disciples demonstrated complete obedience and did as Jesus had told them. They prepared the Passover meal, which would usually consist of a Passover lamb, bread without yeast (unleavened bread), wine and bitter herbs to be dipped in sauce made of fruits, spices, and vinegar.
Jesus needed to observe the last Passover meal with His disciples because His death was at hand.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Why was Jesus eager to eat the Passover meal with His disciples?
B. CELEBRATION OF THE PASSOVER:
[Matthew 26:20-25]
The disciples demonstrated complete obedience and did everything as they were instructed concerning the preparation of the Passover meal. According to verse 20, when evening came, Jesus gathered the twelve disciples for the feast. While they were at the table, He predicted His betrayal. He said to them, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me. (v. 21) Apparently, it was a shocking revelation and each of them was grieved and began to say, “Surely not 1, Lord”, even Judas Iscariot who had connived with the high priest and other religious leaders. However, Jesus became specific. He answered saying, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.” (v. 23) Jesus’ disposition, this time, is exemplary. He knew He was fulfilling the Scriptures when He said, “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him.”He, however, expressed His displeasure about the fate of His betrayer without necessarily mentioning his name. He simply said, “But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man!” He concluded that it would have been better for such a man not to have been born. In verse 25, Judas said to Jesus, “Surely not I, Rabbi? Then Jesus answered, “Yes it is you.”
The Passover Feast was celebrated in apprehension. Even though Jesus had earlier predicted that the Son of Man would be handed over to be crucified (Matthew 26:2), the disciples were surprised that one of them (Judas Iscariot) would be the traitor, yet he was sharing the Passover meal with Jesus. Initially, they did not know whom to suspect, and each of them asked if he was the one (v. 22). Jesus declared that He would die in fulfilment of the Scripture but at the same time insisted that the betrayer must be ready to face the consequences of his action. God sees everything we conceive in our hearts, whether good or evil. It is, therefore, important that we take heed to God’s warning.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Describe the scene at the table. How did Jesus identify the betrayer and what does it teach us about Jesus’ divinity?
2. What was Jesus’ motive for warning the betrayer?
C. JESUS INAUGURATES THE LORD’S SUPPER:
[Matthew 26:26-30]
During the Passover meal, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. While they were eating, Jesus took a piece of bread, prayed, broke it and gave it to His disciples. He said to them, “Take it; this is my body. “In like manner, He took the cup gave thanks and gave it to them and they all drank from it. Then He said in verse 28, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. This new covenant, which Jesus made, was spoken of by Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-34). The words of inauguration, “This is my body” and “This is my blood” echo the words of Passover liturgy. They can be likened to the bread of affliction, which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. The new covenant that has Jesus’ blood as a seal became necessary because the covenant God made with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai was sealed with the blood of animals (Exodus 24:8) and was already obsolete for the remission of the sins of humankind. Jesus affirmed that it is the last Passover meal He would have with them until that day when He will drink it anew in His Father’s kingdom (v.29). Having sung a hymn, they departed to the Mount of Olives.
Every aspect of the observance of the Lord’s Supper is symbolic. The bread without yeast symbolises Jesus’ body, which was broken for the remission of the sins of humankind. Jesus gave all of His disciples ‘one cup’ to drink from, an action that signifies unity among God’s people. Jesus blood, which He poured out is thus the beginning of a new covenant for the redeemed. While the former covenant had the blood of animals as a seal, the new covenant has the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all our sins. Therefore, Christians should celebrate the Lord’s Supper today as reminder of the joy of salvation, which was provided by Jesus Christ, in hope for His coming and an anticipation of our eternal fellowship with Him.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Some churches do not observe the Lord’s Supper. Discuss its implication with regards to Jesus’ command.
2. How is the covenant in the blood of Jesus different from the old covenant of the blood of animals? (Exodus 24:6-8; Jeremiah 31:31-34).
Commitment:
Based on today’s lesson, make a personal commitment to remain a faithful friend of Jesus.
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activities:
• Let class members choose a day within the week to fast and pray not to fall into temptation.
Prayer:
• Pray that God will help you continuously imbibe the importance of the Lord’s supper.
• Pray for grace to keep the covenant with Jesus through His blood.
• Pray for continuous fellowship with the brethren
Take Home: Write down three lessons you are taking home from today’s lesson.
• __________
• __________
• __________
Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!