NBC Sunday School Manual For May 28, 2023 :Topic – SAUL OF TARSUS.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION
NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
Theme of the Month:
THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH.
DATE: SUNDAY, 28TH MAY, 2023.
TOPIC: SAUL OF TARSUS.
Devotional Reading:
Philippians 3:1-14.
Background Scripture:
Acts 9:1-31.
Lesson Scripture:
Acts 9:9-17.
GOLDEN TEXT:
“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:17.
OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
● Identify likely reasons some Christians resist God’s call.
● Discuss the effects of procrastination.
● State possible ways Christians can find strength to overcome their fears.
INTRODUCTION:
Sometime ago, through the effort of the Prison Ministry of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, some inmates were released by the state government on compassionate ground. Some churches in Ibadan metropolis were encouraged to rehabilitate and probably empower them so as to prevent them from being tempted to go back to crime. The Women Missionary Union of a particular church was interested in a young man. Their plan was to do everything possible to make life comfortable for him as far as accommodation, feeding, learning a trade and clothing were concerned. But later, they became frightened of getting close to the young man and wanted to change their mind when they heard of the atrocities he committed before he was jailed. Unknown to them, the young man gave his life to Jesus while he was in prison and became committed to the things of God. It took the intervention of the pastor of the church to convince the women about the young man’s salvation experience and how God has promised to use him.
The power and effect of forgiveness and reconciliation cannot be fully described except when it is experienced. Today’s lesson focuses on the reconciliatory role Ananias played in the life of Saul of Tarsus who later became Paul. He was from the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee and a native of Tarsus. He determined to destroy the church. Having scattered the Jerusalem church, he set out for Damascus in search of the Christians who fled Jerusalem because of the severe persecution. His terror had hurt friends, relatives and in some cases led to their death. However, the Lord appeared to him on his way to Damascus; an experience that led to his conversion. After three days in a state of blindness in Damascus, the Lord sent Ananias to go and pray for him. Although he initially refused the assignment because of Saul’s cruelty towards believers, he later obeyed. He prayed for Saul for the restoration of his sight and the in filling of the Holy Spirit.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED…
A. ANANIAS’ DIFFICULT ASSIGNMENT:
[Acts 9:10-14]
Saul continued in his persecution of the church to the extent of getting an approval to go to Damascus for the purpose of persecuting the Christians there. He had divine encounter with the Lord on the way and lost his sight. He was eventually led to Damascus, and for three days, he did not eat or drink anything (vv. 1-9). According to verse 10, the Lord ministered to Ananias (a disciple in Damascus) in a vision, and commanded him to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a certain man from Tarsus, named Saul. Interestingly, Saul had also seen Ananias in a vision, placing his hands on him to receive his sight. Indeed, Ananias’ assignment was a difficult one. Initially, Ananias was hesitant because his life was at risk especially because of the report he had heard about Saul, the harm he had done to believers in Jerusalem and his intention to arrest Christians in Damascus. He, however, did not know that Saul, like other servants of God, had been chosen for a special purpose (Galatians 1:15-16; Jeremiah 1:5).
God had already destined that Saul would be an agent of change despite the level of his persecution against believers in Jerusalem, which frightened Ananias when God asked him to go and pray for him. Ananias only needed faith and courage to carry out the task as it was pleasing to God. It should be noted that whenever God gives us any assignment, He is always there to support. Therefore, faith and courage are necessary requirements needed by the disciples of Jesus, especially in preaching the good news to the world. When we trust in God who has called and given us a particular task, no matter how difficult, He will surely give the needed grace. In addition, until a man surrenders completely to God’s will, the purpose of life cannot be discovered or fulfilled like the case of Saul.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. What would be our response if we are sent to minister to someone like Saul?
2. Discuss the importance of prompt response to God’s call.
B. ANANIAS OBEYS GOD:
[Acts 9:15-17]
God decided to enter into a new relationship with Saul despite his past lifestyle as a persecutor but He needed a human instrument to accomplish it. The Lord revealed His purpose to Ananias and said to him, “Go, this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name sake” (v. 15-16). Ananias obeyed and went to the house and placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit” (v. 17). Immediately, Saul regained his sight and was filled with the Holy Spirit (v. 18).
Obedience, they say, the key to a successful Christian living. Despite Ananias’ fear of meeting a notorious man who had persecuted believers in Jerusalem, he trusted and obeyed God. In other words, while Ananias saw Saul as a killer and persecutor, God saw him as an instrument who would propagate the gospel message to the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel with passion. Some of the things that characterised Paul’s ministry were zeal, boldness and courage without the fear of losing his life (Romans 1:14-16). As Christians, we should not disobey the Lord because we are afraid of the situation or the recipient of God’s message. When we obey God in carrying out His assignment, no matter how difficult it may be, the result will always be outstanding. Moreover, those we undermine for whatever reason may become instrument for our deliverance.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. What steps can the church take to integrate persecutors who have become believers into the fellowship?
2. What would have happened if Saul was not ministered to by Ananias as commanded by God?
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:
● Let at least two class members share how much they struggled to forgive someone who had hurt them such as a persecutor, kidnapper, bandit, terrorist or a rapist especially those who have become Christians. Members should also pray for the church, which is being persecuted daily and for those who persecute them that God should arrest them.
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 pray for those who have been hurt in the past.
REVIEW FOR THE MONTH OF MAY:
We thank God for the privilege to be part of the study about the birth of the church. Without doubt, I know that we have been truly blessed. It is my prayer that God will give us reasons to fulfil our tasks for Him in Jesus name. Based on these beautiful lessons:
● What new insights did you learn about the birth of the church?
● Mention some things you pondered on about Saul’s conversion experience.
● How did the Holy Spirit help you to comprehend the healing of the crippled beggar?
● How do you intend to preach the good news to those who have offended you based on the lesson?
Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!