NBC Sunday School Manual For April 9, 2023 :Topic – Disciples Come To Believe The Resurrection
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NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
Theme of the Month:m EXPRIENCING THE RESURRECTION.
DATE: SUNDAY, 9TH APRIL, 2023.
TOPIC: DISCIPLES COME TO BELIEVE THE RESURRECTION.
Devotional Reading: John 20:11-18.
Background Scripture: Luke 24:13-49.
Lesson Scripture: Luke 24:13-27, 30-31.
GOLDEN TEXT:
“Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight.” Luke 24:31.
OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
● Discuss how believers can be more at alert to recognise the presence of Jesus in the affairs of their lives.
● Make personal commitment to believe more on the resurrection power and live it.
● Express their resolve to share resurrection story with unbelievers.
INTRODUCTION:
God created some people with some G special marks that make other people to easily recognise them. Some intentionally do or wear some things on their body for special recognition and when those things are no longer there, people find it difficult to identify them. Brother Joseph had always worn dreadlocks. As a professional footballer, whenever he was playing on the field, his fans easily recognised him and would begin to sing to his praise. After a while, Joseph decided to have his hair cut. To his amazement, the next match he played did not attract much admiration probably because of his change in appearance. His fans began to ask questions about his whereabouts. Someone had to confirm to them that he was on the field. The disciples had a similar experience when Jesus appeared to them on their way to Emmaus after His resurrection.
As a follow-up to last week’s was on Christ’s resurrection, today’s lesson focuses on Jesus’ appearances to His disciples on their way to Emmaus, at the table, and how they eventually believed the resurrection story. Against the arguments of some critics who claimed that the gospels’ account of the resurrection and appearances of the risen Lord were obscure, as we study this lesson, we shall be reminded of how Jesus fulfilled His promises through His death and resurrection with proofs. Of course, this should give us living hope that one day, He will come to take His people as He has promised.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED…
A.THE WALK TO EMMAUS:
[Luke 24: 13-18]
On the same day of Jesus’ resurrection, two disciples (Cleopas and another unnamed companion) were walking toward a village named Emmaus, about 7 miles northwest of Jerusalem (vv.13-15). They were engrossed in a discussion about the things that had happened (the resurrection of Jesus and perhaps His whereabouts). Suddenly, Jesus drew near and walked with them. Though they saw Him, they could not recognise Him. Knowing that the two men did not recognise Him, Jesus interrupted their discussion and asked them saying, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still with their faces downcast perhaps still in confusion about the strange happening which formed the subject of their discussion. One of the disciples named Cleopas responded with a pertinent question. He said, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days”? (v.18).
It is obvious that Jesus’ disciples had forgotten all the prophecies about His betrayal, suffering, rejection, death and finally His resurrection on the third day. After His death, the disciples became terribly afraid and hopeless. Consequently, they did not expect to see Him physically present with them. Yet, within few hours, everything changed. Not only is the tomb empty, Jesus Himself appeared to many at different occasions. He appeared in the early morning to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11), and also to the other women (Matthew 28:9-10). But these two disciples had only heard the report of the resurrection of their Master (vv. 22-24). Jesus’ appearance to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus was one of the most dramatic of all Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances and importantly, another proof of His resurrection.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Why were the disciples kept from recognising Jesus when He came into their midst according to verse 16b?
2. Why is it sometimes difficult for Christians to recognise the hand of God or the presence of Jesus in a matter?
B.THE DISCIPLES’ ACCOUNT:
[Luke 24:19-27]
The disciples’ response to Jesus’ question in verse 18 is an evidence that they did not recognise Him. When Jesus inquired about what things they were discussing, one of them gave a comprehensive account of the things that had happened to Jesus of Nazareth. He described Jesus, the nature of His ministry, His suffering and death on the cross. He said: ▪︎ This man was a prophet and was considered by God and by all the people to be powerful in everything he said and did.
▪︎ He was handed over to be crucified by the chief priests and the rulers.
▪︎ Their hope was that He would set Israel free but this is the third day since he died.
▪︎ Some women had gone to the tomb but they could not find His body.
▪︎ The women reported they saw a vision of angels who told them that he is alive.
▪︎ The report was confirmed by some of our people who went to the tomb and found it exactly as the women had said, even though they did not see Him (Jesus). Jesus responded, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
The disciples were amazed at how Jesus spoke from the Scriptures all the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. This account confirms that Jesus’ death and resurrection happened according to God’s purpose as it was spoken in the Old Testament. Jesus’ appearance to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus and the other disciples at different occasions has put to rest the argument and confusion about His resurrection. The challenge, therefore, is that as we expect His return, we should learn to invite His presence into our state of confusion and allow Him to get involved in our day-to-day activities. We should be more at alert to recognise His presence in the affairs of our lives through the daily study of His Word, meditation, prayer and the practice of other spiritual disciplines.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Considering Jesus’ response to the two disciples in verses 25 and 26, what do you think was His expectation from them?
2. How can the church help those who may have been in church, yet do not understand who Jesus is?
C. JESUS’ SELF REVELATION:
[Luke 24:28-31]
The encounter of the two disciples with Jesus on their way to Emmaus was a remarkable experience, even though they did not recognise Him as the risen Lord. However, as they approached the city of Emmaus, Jesus acted as if He was going further, but they urged Him to stay with them because it was almost dark. Jesus agreed and stayed with them (vv. 28-29). When He was at table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them (v. 30); the same action He performed when He instituted the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19). Straightaway, their eyes were opened and they recognised Him. But almost immediately, He disappeared from their sight. Right away, the disciples went back to Jerusalem and announced Jesus’ resurrection to the other disciples and their encounter with Him (v. 33). Ultimately, they became a part of the witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus.
It is possible that some people in our churches who claim to be Christians are still in doubt of Jesus’ resurrection and they cannot recognise Jesus as the risen Lord. They participate in church programmes and sometimes occupy offices but they are yet to confess Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. It is, therefore, the duty of the leadership of the church to educate such members to know the truth about the personality of Jesus, the reality of His resurrection and appearances at different times which further authenticate the resurrection story. The challenge to believers in Christ is the commission to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations so that people will come to Him as their Lord and Saviour.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. In what ways does remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus deepen our understanding of Jesus and His mission?
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:
● List the characteristics that help us identify those we know (appearance, sound of voire particular mannerisms, etc.). Discuss which of these may have been absent or divine blocked to prevent the two disciples from recognising Jesus.
Take Home: State at least three main lessons you are taking home, based on today’s lesson:
● __________
● __________
● __________
Commitment:
● Based on today’s lesson, renew your commitment to Jesus, rededicate or accep Him as Lord and Saviour of your life.
Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!