C.A.C SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR MAY 14, 2023 : LESSON NINE: TOPIC – GOD’S GRACE IN JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

THEME: SOME CHARACTERS WHO GROW IN THE LORD’S GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE

JANUARY – JUNE, 2023

Unit Three: Spiritual Growth In The New Testament.

PREVIEW CLASS

May 14, 2023

LESSON : NINE

GOD’S GRACE IN JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES

MEMORY SCRIPTURE

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men (Luke 2:52).

Jesus is an embodiment of God’s grace; He also allowed His Apostles to enjoy this grace. His grace is still available to you too. Don’t joke with it.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

1. If Jesus Christ our Lord required grace and all-round growth to fulfil His mission here on earth, you need nothing less. Keep growing.

2. It is an aberration for any Christian to be a mediocre, because Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, was/is never one, likewise His first apostles. Who will you resemble then, if you settle for mediocrity?

3. BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:1-52

AIM: This lesson bring out copious lessons from how Jesus and His disciples responded to the divine grace made available to them.

INTRODUCTION TO DIVISION 1:

This is a 2-week lesson, with two major divisions, I and II. Each is further subdivided into A and B. But we are focusing on Division 1 today.

DIVISION I: JESUS INCREASES IN GOD’S GRACE

This division explores the various all-round stages of both physical and T spiritual growth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It clearly points to the fact that growth (especially spiritual) is non-negotiable for any true disciple of Christ. If Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, and the Saviour of the world, was not spared, but subjected by God to growth, then, no one is left out. The issue is that, growth is highly imperative!

LESSON OUTLINE

I. JESUS INCREASES IN GOD’S GRACE

A. AS A YOUNG BOY

B. AS A FULL-FLEDGE MINISTER OF GOD

LESSON EXPOSITION

May 14: I. JESUS INCREASES IN GOD’S GRACE (Luke 2:1-52; 3:21-4:44) To increase is to become progressively greater in size, amount, number, or T intensity. It also implies multiplication. Jesus Christ grew in all ramifications. It took Him 30 years to build, grow, learn and develop, before coming out for His three-and-half-year most impactful, epoch-making and eternally relevant ministry. Whatever would have lasting legacy MUST pass through the due process of genuine growth.

A. AS A YOUNG BOY (2:1-52)

And the child grew and became strong in Spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him (v.40).

2:21-24 Jewish families went through several ceremonies soon after a baby’s birth:

(1) Circumcision. Every boy was circumcised and named on the eighth day after birth (Leviticus 12:3; Luke 1:59. 60) Circumcision symbolized the Jews’ separation from Gentiles and their unique relationship with God (see the note on 1:59).

(2) Redemption of the firstborn. A firstborn son was presented to God one month after birth (Exodus 13:2, 11-16, Numbers 18:15. 16). The ceremony included buying back-redeeming the child from God through an offering. This way, the parents acknowledged that the child belonged to God, who alone has the power to give life.

(3) Purification of the mother. For 40 days after the birth of a son and 80 days after the birth of a daughter, the mother was cere-monially unclean and could not enter the Temple. At the end of her time of separation, the parents were to bring a lamb for a burnt offering and a dove or pigeon for a sin offering. The priest would sacrifice these animals and declare her to be clean. If a lamb was too expensive, the parents could bring a second dove or pigeon instead. This is what Mary and Joseph did.

Jesus was God’s Son, but his family carried out these ceremo-nies according to God’s law. Jesus was not born above the law; instead, he fulfilled it perfectly.

2:28-32 When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple to be dedicated to God, they met an old man who told them what their child would become. Simeon’s song is often called the Nunc Dimittis, from the first words of its Latin translation. Simeon could die in peace because he had seen the Messiah.

2:32 The Jews were well acquainted with the Old Testament prophecies that spoke of the Messiah’s blessings to their nation They did not always give equal attention to the prophecies sing that he would bring salvation to the entire world, not just the Jews (see, for example, Isaiah 49:6). Many thought that Christ had come to save only his own people. Luke made sure his Greek audience understood that Christ had come to save all who belie Gentiles as well as Jews.

2:33 Joseph and Mary were amazed when this old man took their son into his arms and spoke such stunning words. Simeon said that Jesus was a gift from God, and he recognized Jesus as the Messiah who would be a light to the entire world. This was at least the second time that Mary had been greeted with a prophecy about her son; the first time was when Elizabeth had welcomed her as the mother of her Lord (1:42-45).

2:34, 35 Simeon prophesied that Jesus would have a paradox- ical effect on Israel. Some would fall because of him (see Isaiah 8:14, 15), while others would rise (see Malachi 4:2). With Jesus there would be no neutral ground: People would either joyfully accept him or totally reject him. As Jesus’ mother, Mary would be grieved by the widespread rejection he would face. This is the first note of sorrow in Luke’s Gospel.

Prophecies about His coming had been revealed in uncountable ways but when the time comes He did not come with any entourage. He started with total humility.

2:41, 42 According to God’s law, every male was required to go to Jerusalem three times a year for the great festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16). In the spring, the Passover was celebrated, followed immediately by the weeklong Festival of Unleavened Bread. Passover commemorated the night of the Jews’ escape from Egypt when God had killed the Egyptian firstborn but had passed over Israelite homes (see Exodus 12:21-36). Passover was the most important of the three annual festivals.

2:43-45 At age 12, Jesus was considered almost an adult, so he probably didn’t spend a lot of time with his parents during the festival. Those who attended these festivals often traveled in caravans for protection from robbers along the Palestine roads. The women and children usually would travel at the front of the caravan, with the men bringing up the rear. A 12-year-old boy conceivably could have been in either group, so both Mary and Joseph probably assumed that Jesus was with the other one. But when the caravan left Jerusalem, Jesus stayed behind, absorbed in his discussion with the religious leaders.

2:46, 47 The Temple courts were famous throughout Judea as a place of learning. The apostle Paul studied in Jerusalem, perhaps in the Temple courts, under Gamaliel, one of its fore- most teachers (Acts 22:3). At the time of the Passover, the greatest rabbis of the land would assemble to teach and to discuss great truths among themselves. The coming Messiah would no doubt have been a popular discussion topic, for every- one was expecting him soon. Jesus would have been eager to listen and to ask probing questions. It was not his youth but the depth of his wisdom that astounded these teachers.

2:48 Mary had to let go of her child and let him become a man, God’s Son, the Messiah. Fearful that she hadn’t been careful enough with this God-given child, she searched frantically for him. But she was looking for a boy, not the young man who was in the Temple astounding the religious leaders with his questions. Letting go of people or projects we have nurtured can be very difficult. It is both sweet and painful to see our children growing into adults, our students into teachers, our subordinates into managers, our inspirations into institutions. But when the time comes we must step back and let go-in spite of the hurt. Then our protégés can exercise their wings, take flight, and soar to the heights God intended for them.

2:49, 50 This is the first mention of Jesus’ awareness that he was God’s Son. But even though he knew his real Father, Jesus did not reject his earthly parents. He went back to Nazareth with them and lived under their authority for another 18 years. God’s people do not despise human relationships or family responsibilities. If the Son of God obeyed his human parents, how much more should we honor our family members! Don’t use commitment to God’s work to justify neglecting your family.

2:50 Jesus’ parents didn’t understand what he meant about his Father’s house. They didn’t realize he was making a distinction between his earthly father and his heavenly Father. Jesus knew that he had a unique relationship with God. Although Mary and Joseph knew he was God’s Son, they didn’t understand what his mission would involve. Besides, they had to raise him, along with his brothers and sisters (Matthew 13:55, 56), as a normal child. They knew he was unique, but they did not know what was going on in his mind.

2:52 The Bible does not record any events of the next 18 years of Jesus’ life, but Jesus undoubtedly was learning and maturing. As the oldest in a large family, he undoubtedly assisted Joseph in his carpentry work. Joseph may have died during this time, leaving Jesus to provide for the family. The normal routines of daily life gave Jesus a solid understanding of the Judean people.

2:52 The second chapter of Luke shows us that although Jesus was unique, he had a normal childhood and adolescence. In terms of development, he went through the same progression we do. He grew physically and mentally, he related to other people, and he was loved by God. A full human life is balanced. Thus it was important to Jesus-and it should be important to all believers- to develop fully and harmoniously in each of these key areas: physical, mental, social, and spiritual.

The parents of Jesus knew the knew the purpose of Jesus Christ on earth but they did not forced him to start or lobby for him. They allowed God Himself to perfect His will. The only thing they does was that they helped Him to grow physically and in the will of God.

Most of parents, most especially our ministers/senior pastors, who knew their son has been divinely appointed from birth to work for God always lobby for their son, give him opportunity to start as quickly as possible (not God’s time). This is not the Will of God. God who calls know the time and how to start with him. Our role should be to train him and develop him to know God more. Not by lording him over people who have been in ministry for years. Self wisdom will not allow the presence of Holy Spirit in such a ministry.

Help your children to grow don’t force them to go ahead God’s Master plan. If you alter God’s Master plan, Holy Spirit will distance Himself and purpose will suffer.

B. AS A FULL-FLEDGE MINISTER OF GOD (3:21-4:44)

Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli (3:23).

3:23 Imagine the Savior of the world working in a small-town carpenter’s shop until he was 30 years old! It seems incredible that Jesus would have been content to remain in Nazareth all that time, but he patiently trusted his Father’s timing for his life and ministry. Thirty was the prescribed age for priests to begin their ministry (Numbers 4:3). Joseph was 30 years old when he began serving the king of Egypt (Genesis 41:46), and David was 30 years old when he began to reign over Judah (2 Samuel 5:4). Age 30, then, was a good time to begin an important task in the Jewish culture. Like Jesus, we need to resist the temptation to jump ahead before receiving the Spirit’s direction. Are you waiting and wondering what your next step should be? Don’t jump ahead-trust God’s timing.

Those who started at God’s timing will go far and do great exploit. Don’t jump and don’t allow anyone to push you. God’s timing for your life is the best.

4:15, 16 Synagogues were very important in Jewish religious life. During the Exile when the Jews no longer had their Temple, synagogues were established as places of worship on the Sabbath and as schools for young boys during the week. Synagogues continued to exist even after the Temple was rebuilt. A synagogue could be set up in any town with at least 10 Jewish families. It was administered by one leader and an assistant. At the synagogue, the leader often would invite a visiting rabbi to read from the Scriptures and to teach. Itinerant rabbis, like Jesus, were always welcome to speak to those gathered each Sabbath in the synagogues. The apostle Paul also took advantage of this practice (see Acts 13:5; 14:1).

4:16 Jesus went to the synagogue “as usual.” Even though he was the perfect Son of God and his local synagogue undoubtedly left much to be desired, Jesus attended services every week. His example makes our excuses for not attending church sound weak and self-serving. Make regular worship a part of your life.

4:17-21 Jesus was quoting from Isaiah 61:1, 2. Isaiah pictures the deliverance of Israel from exile in Babylon as a Year of Jubilee when all debts are cancelled, all slaves are freed, and all property is returned to original owners (Leviticus 25). But the release from Babylonian exile had not brought the expected fulfillment; they were still a conquered and oppressed people. So Isaiah must have been referring to a future messianic age. Jesus boldly announced, “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” Jesus was proclaiming himself as the one who would bring this Good News to pass, but he would do so in a way that the people were not yet able to grasp.

Jesus grew in God’s grace physically and spiritually and this greatly helped Him to fulfilled His purpose.

The problem of the church today is that most of the leaders leader who are expected to still be under tutelage, has become a leader over God’s people.

Attending Bible School is not enough to start ministry or be allowed to become a church number one leader. You must be tutor for at least 3 years under a godly leader before you can stand alone and at the same time humble yourself to be supervise. Some people were tutor for more than 10yrs before they could stand alone. The issue of growth will last as long as you live. Growth is an institution without a graduation. My spiritual father, Pastor M.A. Adeoye, as old as he is, still learning till date and wanted to learn more. The day you stop learning godly new things is the day you start experiencing spiritual death.

You can’t succeed if you’re not learning new things everyday. There is no level of anointing that will be too high to learn from others. Humble yourself. You can’t know it all. In fact, the best way to learn is to believe those people under you and around you can do it better than yourself.

Wisdom is the application of what you learn. You need knowledge to gain wisdom to handle all situations. The good knowledge and wisdom of this world is very good but cannot achieve the master plan of God for your life. You need to understand godly knowledge and wisdom to apply it. This is the best way to grow.

LESSONS DERIVED

1. Any kind of growth without proper spiritual growth is no growth at all 2. Grace is both an energiser and protector of the sent. He, whom He calls, He fortifies, and also glorifies.

WORK TO DO

Grace is God’s ability in man to fulfil his divine mandate on earth. Discuss!

God bless you for joining us here today.

Please send in your comment and questions.