NBC Sunday School Manual For April 30, 2023 :Topic – Hope And Power
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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION
NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
Theme of the Month:
EXPERIENCING THE RESURRECTION.
DATE: SUNDAY, 30TH APRIL, 2023.
TOPIC: HOPE AND POWER.
Devotional Reading:
Psalm 24.
Background Scripture:
Acts 1:1-11..
Lesson Scripture:
Acts 1:1-11.
GOLDEN TEXT:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8a.
OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
● Discuss the importance of the Holy Spirit especially in preaching the Gospel.
● List what Christians should do in preparation of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
● Write their commitments to be witnesses for Jesus at all times.
INTRODUCTION:
The gospel according to John ended with the scene where Jesus reinstated Peter as the new leader since He would soon ascend to heaven. Having been restored and given a leadership position, Peter became emboldened throughout his ministry and eventually, he became one of the early church’s most fearless spokesman. After His resurrection, Jesus made several appearances to the disciples probably to clear their doubts about the fact that He is alive forevermore. Jesus spent forty days with His disciples before His ascension,
Jesus gave His disciples last minute instructions about carrying on the proclamation of the kingdom of God, which would include the good news of His death and resurrection. They were commanded not to leave Jerusalem until they received the gift (the Holy Spirit) which His Father had promised. The focus of today’s lesson is the promise of the gift of hope and power (v.8) which will accompany the disciples as they spread the message of the gospel in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED…
A. THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
[Acts 1:1-5]
After Jesus resurrected, He spent forty days with His disciples. According to the account of Luke, within the forty days, different events happened. The book of Acts is a continuation of the gospel of Luke that was written to Theophilus. In his message to Theophilus according to verse 1, Luke testified about the things Jesus did and taught from the beginning of His ministry. Before His ascension, He appeared to them several times as proof that though He was crucified and buried, He has risen and lives forever more. He gave them a strict warning not to leave Jerusalem. He said, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptised you with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” (vv. 4b-5) Apparently, the gift of the Holy Spirit who descended on the apostles on the day of Pentecost was in fulfilment of Jesus’ promise and he came ten days later (Acts 2:1-4).
It is noteworthy that the secret of the success of the apostles in ministry was the gift of the Holy Spirit who they received from the Father. After the Pentecost experience, the apostles became emboldened and were able to proclaim the message with power. Precisely, Peter who was already transformed as a result of the baptism of the Holy Spirit became bold and fearless. He preached Christ crucified to his fellow Jews and all the people who lived in Jerusalem, at the temple and before the council (Acts 2:14-41, 3:11-26, 4:1-22). The power of the Holy Spirit was evident in his work of ministry through his lifetime. Christians should be reminded that the promise of the Holy Spirit is for all believers. In fact, we need Him to empower and equip us for the work of ministry especially these days when people live in fear as a result of persecution. Without the Holy Spirit in us, discouragement can easily set in.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Why did Jesus ask the disciples to wait in Jerusalem? (v. 4b).
2. Discuss how the Holy Spirit can empower you to bear witness of Jesus especially in these days of intense persecution.
B. JESUS’ ASCENSION
[Acts 1:6-11]
Jesus knew that His time on earth had come to an end but He did not leave His disciples in the dark. He told them what they needed to know for the continuity of the ministry. In verse 6b, the disciples asked Jesus a pertinent question. They said, “Are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel.” Their question might have been necessitated by the popular opinion that at the end of time, Israel would have a king who would rule over the same territory as King David. He would then set the people of Israel free from their oppressors. Their question clearly reflected their longing for the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. Jesus did not answer their question directly. He simply said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (vv. 7-8). Suddenly, Jesus was taken up and a cloud hid Him from their eyes. Looking intently into the sky, two men stood beside them and said to them, ‘Men of Galilee’,…”Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. ‘(v.11).
Just like Jesus ascended to heaven, He would come back the same way. He had earlier said, “…They see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory’ (Matthew 24:30b).
The Second Coming of Jesus is certain. All eyes will see Him in His glory (Mark 13:24-26) He will come to establish the kingdom promised in the Old Testament (Luke 24:52-53). According to the gospel of Mark, after Jesus had spoken with them, the disciples went and preached everywhere they went. The Lord worked with them and proved that their preaching was true by the miracles that were performed through them (Mark 16:20). The lesson reminds us of the fact that we are witnesses of the gospel message. Just like the apostles witnessed for Christ with power and authority wherever they went, we should share the Good News of the death and resurrection of Jesus and His promise to come again.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. What is the implication of the promise of the Holy Spirit in verse 8?
2. Discuss how the promise in verse 8 can motivate believers in world evangelism.
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:
● Let the class members suggest what believers can do in preparation of the second coming of Jesus. They are to pray for one another for grace to remain faithful to the end.
Take Home: State at least three main lessons you are taking home, based on today’s lesson:
● __________
● __________
● __________
Commitment:
● Based on today’s lesson, make a commitment to allow the truth get into you so that you can get through to people and speak to them through the power of the Holy Spirit.
REVIEW FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL:
Thank God for taking us through these beautiful lessons in the month of April. It has been interesting learning about Jesus taking care of the physical needs of His disciples and bringing them to renewed fellowship. But, the question is:
● How is your purpose the same or different from the purpose of Jesus’ original disciples?
● Think for a movement of what have been revealed in these lessons especially with Jesus’ statement “come and eat”
● Which of the lessons did you struggle to understand and what did you do to enlighten yourself?
● What are some insights you got about the events of the risen Christ?
Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!