NBC Sunday School Manual For May 7, 2023 :Topic – Preview For May
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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, 7TH MAY, 2023.
PREVIEW FOR MAY
Thank God for leading us through the first four months of the year. Our theme for this month is “The Birth of the Church” and the Bible texts shall be taken from the book of Acts. The lessons focus on Jesus’ instructions to the disciples, telling them to wait in Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy Spirit before beginning their ministry. Some of the main points in the lessons are:
● The celebration of Pentecost; the time when the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to speak in tongues.
● How Peter and John demonstrated the power of the Holy Spirit through the healing of a lame man.
● How the Holy Spirit helped Philip to meet the need of the Ethiopian eunuch.
● How Ananias ministered to Paul.
After Jesus’ ministry on earth, God sent the Holy Spirit to empower the first disciples and to guide them as they continued the work of the ministry. The power of the Holy Spirit enabled them to preach the gospel, heal the sick and minister to the people’s needs. It is our expectation that the class will be interactive and learners friendly so that lives will be blessed.
BELOW ARE THE SUGGESTED TEACHING METHODS to prepare and teach the lessons. They can be used during the general opening or in the class.
May 7 – Discussion: Let three class members discuss the sub-headings. There should be room for questions, suggestions, observations, and contributions.
May 14 – Drama: Let a class member role-play the reaction of the healed beggar with songs of praise to God.
May 21 – Recitation: Class members should read the memory verse (Acts 8:38) repeatedly until they have memorised it.
May 28 – Group Discussion: Divide the class into two or three groups and let each group come up with reasons why we should pray for our enemies.
TOPIC: THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH.
Devotional Reading:
Psalm 16.
Background Scripture:
Acts 2:1-42.
Lesson Scripture:
Acts 2:1-8, 14-24, 37-39.
GOLDEN TEXT:
“The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:39.
OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
● Narrate what happened on the Day of Pentecost and what the lesson teaches.
● Discuss what motivated Peter to speak with boldness to the people.
● Make a verbal commitment to be led by the Holy Spirit in accomplishing the task committed to them.
INTRODUCTION:
Everything in life whether organisations, projects, building, family, community including the church has a beginning. The birth of the church can be traced to the event that took place in Jerusalem during the Jewish harvest festival called Pentecost. Thousands of Jews had gathered to celebrate the feast and Jesus’ followers were also expected to participate in it. While they were gathered in the temple, their plans suddenly changed when a mighty rushing wind from heaven filled the whole house where they were sitting. They began to speak in different tongues such that people from different nations could understand their languages. It was followed by a spirit-filled sermon from Peter and an overwhelming response from the people. That day, about 3,000 people were added to the church (v. 41b). Today’s lesson focuses on how the Pentecost experience led to the birthing of the church. The presence of the Holy Spirit brought remarkable difference in the life of the disciples because it marked the birth of the first church.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED…
A. THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
[Acts 2:1-8]
After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples went back to Jerusalem and gathered frequently to pray together with some women, Mary the mother of Jesus and His brothers. After sometime, they decided to replace Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. When they cast their lots, Matthias was chosen (Acts 1:26). While they were in Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost, all the believers were in one place, when suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they sat. According to verse 3, they saw something like tongues of fire and it touched each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages as the Spirit enabled them. The Jews who lived in Jerusalem and others who came from different countries of the world to celebrate the Feast of Harvest heard what they were saying. They were excited because each of them heard the believers speaking in their own dialect. They were utterly amazed and said to one another, “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? (v. 8).
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples on the day of Pentecost gave birth to the church. Apart from the Old Testament prophesies that stress the promise of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ instructed His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). According to the gospel of John, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, the Helper who would take His place after His ascension. He (the Holy) will teach them everything and make them remember everything He has told them (John 14:16-17, 26). Apparently, the promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and they began to speak in different languages to the astonishment of the people. Throughout their ministry, the Holy Spirit enabled them to carry out the task of proclaiming Jesus’ message. Believers should be reminded that the gift of the Holy Spirit is for those who have genuinely confessed Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. He is our Helper, Comforter and Teacher. He helps us to bear witness to the world about Jesus and brings judgment to the unbelieving world (John 16:8-11).
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Why did did Jesus in insist that the disciples should wait for the infilling of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem?
2. Discuss the importance of obedience in receiving God’s promise using the example of the disciples who waited in Jerusalem according to Jesus’ command.
B.🎈 PETER’S MESSAGE:
[Acts 2:14-24]
The disciples’ ability to speak in different languages after receiving the Holy Spirit amazed the people. Some people made fun of them and concluded that they were drunk (Acts 2:13). However, in response to their assumption, Peter, who was already filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, took the lead and declared that what was happening was a clear fulfilment of Old Testament prophesies (vv. 17-21; Joel 2:28-32). He said in verse 22, “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.” Furthermore, he made them know that God had already decided that Jesus would be handed over to the wicked men to crucify Him on the cross. Even though it happened as predicted, the testimony is that God raised Him from the dead and set Him free because it was impossible for death to hold Him captive.
Peter’s message was simply a reminder of the fulfilment of God’s promise that in the last days, He will send His Spirit on all flesh. This will enable their sons and daughters to proclaim the message of salvation, the young men and old will see visions and have dreams (v. 17). Also, anyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (v. 21). His message is similar to the message in chapter 3 after the miraculous healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate. He acknowledged the fact that what they have seen and witnessed is God’s gift that He promised to pour on them (v. 33). Peter spoke in such a manner that the people believed his message and three thousand people were added to the group. In fact, the message of the gospel hinges on the death and resurrection of Jesus. More importantly, we need the Holy Spirit to be able to preach the gospel message without fear or favour. After all, the promise is for everyone who confesses Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. What determines the presence of the Holy Spirit in a church?
2. How best can the church package the message of the gospel so that people will respond like they did in the days of Peter?
C. A CALL UNTO REPENTANCE:
[Acts 2:37-39]
The content of Peter’s message to the people was all-inclusive. As he concludes his message, he reminded the people that Jesus who they crucified has been made both Lord and Christ by God (v. 36). Interestingly, the people were cut to the heart, meaning that they were convinced of their willingness to accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah. They said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do.” Peter’s answer was simple and concise. He said to them, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (v. 38). Peter was emphatic about the truth. He made it clear to them in verse 39 that the promise is for them and their children including all who are far away (both Jews and Gentiles) and those the Lord will call to Himself.
There is no doubt that Peter’s message was influenced by the power of the Holy Spirit thus it yielded positive result. The people demanded what should be done from Peter and the other apostles. Someone who was once timid, after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, became bold, articulate, and inspired to speak to the people. He encouraged them to repent and be baptised so that they will receive the forgiveness of their sins. By implication, without genuine repentance, there is no forgiveness of sins and the works of the Holy Spirit will not be evident in such life. Anyone who desire to accomplish the task of soul winning and other God-given assignments must experience the baptism by immersion and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The admonition is important because we cannot do the work of God with flesh, otherwise the work will suffer some setback.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Discuss the relevance of true repentance in receiving forgiveness of sins as it relates to today’s lesson.
2. What is the secret of Peter’s message that made the people to be cut to the heart and began to ask what they could do?
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:
● Let some volunteers share with the class what led to the birth of their church.
Take Home: State at least three main lessons you are taking home, based on today’s lesson:
● __________
● __________
● __________
Commitment:
● Make a commitment to be led of the Holy Spirit in accomplishing the task committed to you in your church.
Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!