NBC Sunday School Manual For July 3, 2022 :Topic – THE CREATING WORD BECOMES FLESH
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NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
SUNDAY July 3, 2022
TOPIC:THE CREATING WORD BECOMES FLESH
Background Scripture: John 1:1-14
Lesson Scripture: John 1:1-14
GOLDEN TEXT:
Through him all things were made; without him nothing
was made that has been made. John 1:3
Objectives: By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
I. Explain the meaning of the creating Word that became flesh;
II. Discuss John’s meaning of the Word that was present with God at creation;
III. Establish a good relationship with the Creator (God) because of the “light” (grace and truth) that He gives.
INTRODUCTION
People are often curious about the origin of things including life. Some people have spent money and time researching while others have been involved in various forms of risk for the sole purpose of discovering inventors of several great things. For instance, it is on record that Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity. He was one of the greatest scientific minds of his time. Likewise, Charles Babbage was the one who created the concept of a programmable computer between 1833 and 1871. Till today, credit is given to these men who at one time invented great things that have been of help to humanity.
In the same manner, some people have wondered about the creation of the world. People have propounded theories of the origin of
the world but none is authentic despite their proofs. John began his writing by the affirmation that Jesus is the Word who became a Human Being (John 1:14). His writing is a reminder of the opening words of Genesis chapter 1 when God called everything He created into existence. Jesus Christ is God and the Creator of all things. John explained that Jesus was a personality who existed from eternity, and that He was part of the creation of the universe. This is why He is called ‘The Word’ that is, He is God’s expression to humankind. Therefore, Jesus is not just a man; He is the Son of God. He is the Light of the world because He offers this gift of eternal life to all people. Today’s lesson focuses on the efficacy of the Word of God where the creating Word became flesh.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED
A. The Word Became Flesh. John 1:1-5
Apostle John was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ. He wrote this gospel with credibility as an eyewitness about the personality of Jesus as the Son of God and Messiah (John 20:31). He began in John 1:1-2by establishing some facts about the Word. He said:
▪︎ The Word existed from the beginning.
▪︎ The Word was with God even in creation.
▪︎ The Word was God Himself.
In other words, Jesus Christ is the Word personified, and He has the same identify with God. The statement is repeated in verse 2 that the Word was with God from the beginning. Through Him, God made everything in creation. Colossians chapter 1 verse 6 supports that the Word (Jesus Christ) was active in creation. When God spoke, His words brought life into existence. According to verse 4, the Word has become the source of life and has brought light to humanity. The light is shining in the darkness but darkness could not comprehend it.
Light as used in the passage, is God’s self-revelation to humanity in the person of Jesus Christ whose life, death and resurrection has brought life to humankind. In Hebrew Scripture, “The Word” was an agent of creation (Psalm 33:6), the source of God’s message to His people through the prophets (Hosea 4:1), God’s law, and His standard of holiness (Psalm 119:11). Even today, the life of Jesus is still shining as light against the darkness of this world but the wicked have failed to recognise Him. Nevertheless, if believers will have dominion on earth over every form of darkness, we must have the life of Jesus Christ that the kingdom of darkness cannot overcome.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. Discuss the meaning of verse 5 and its implications for victorious Christian living.
2. How did the Word become the source of life to humanity?
B. Called to Herald the Word. John 1:6-11
Beginning from verse 6, John gave a vivid narration of the personality and ministry of John the Baptist. He was sent by God for specific reasons: To tell the people about the light (to prepare the way for the coming Messiah) so that all will hear and believe that He is the Messiah who has come to redeem the people. According to verse 8, John the Baptist was not the Light, but his mission was to herald the coming of the Light. He further described the Light (the Messiah) in verses 9-11 as follows:
▪︎The real light that comes into the world and shines on everyone.
▪︎The Word who was in the world that was made by Him.
▪︎ He came to His own but His own did not receive Him.
John the Baptist was sent by God with specific assignment. He was to prepare the way for the Lord and proclaim His light so that many may hear and believe that Jesus is truly the Messiah. Categorically, it is stated in verse 8 that John is not the light but the one who had been chosen as a witness to herald the coming of the Light (Jesus). The word ‘witness’ in verse 8 suggests that believers are reflectors and bearers of Christ’s light. Therefore, we are to present ourselves as light to others and lead them to Jesus Christ, the only true Light. Ultimately, Jesus Christ has chosen to
reflect His light through His followers, to shine to the unbelieving world. As witnesses, Christians should ensure to preach the gospel (which revolves round the birth, crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ) to unbelievers. Even though they do not recognise Jesus as the true Light, we should be prepared to play our roles of presenting Him to the world because that is the main task of the Church.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Discuss how believers can be true heralds of the Word.
2. State some of the hindrances to the spread of the Word in our contemporary time.
C. Rewards of Receiving the Word. John 1:12-14
In the preceding verses, John made it clear that Jesus, the Light of the world was not recognised by the world; even His people and so they did not receive Him. However, John’s declaration in verse 12 states that those who have received and believed in Christ have been given the right to become children of God. As a result of their faith in Christ, God becomes their Father. The Word (Christ) became flesh, full of grace and truth and lived among men. The glory, which He received as the Father’s only Son, is made visible (v.14).
The summary of the lesson is Apostle John’s description of how believers can attain new life in Christ when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour and Lord. In addition, believers will be spiritually alive and belong to God’s family by virtue of adoption (v. 12). However, we should note that the Word ‘becoming flesh and living among men’refers tothe conception of Jesus Christ by Virgin Mary which made Him fully manand at the same time fully divine (Colossian 2:9). It is noteworthy that the Word (Jesus Christ) is full of unfailing love and faithfulness. This implies that anyone who embraces the Word will experience the true love and faithfulness of God, which will invariably make them to show forth the glory of God. All these are the rewards of believing and receiving the Word (Jesus Christ).
DISCUSSION TIME
1. What are other benefits of believers as adopted children of God?
2. Class members should discuss how they have personally benefitted from the Word that became flesh.
Commitment: Based on today’s lesson, make a commitment to your church to join the evangelism unit to herald the Word that became flesh.
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activities
▪︎ Let each class member discuss how they can be good heralds of the Word that became flesh to unbelievers around them. They should also pray for grace to do so.
Prayer Points:
▪︎Give me a listening hear o God
▪︎Pray for your leaders in the church that God’s word will not be scare to them ▪︎Pray for people who are not born again in your family
Take Home: Write down three lessons you are taking home from today’s lesson.