NBC Sunday School Manual For June 25, 2023 :Topic – RENEWED IN GOD’S LOVE.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION
NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
Theme of the Month: THE PROPHETS PROCLAIM GOD’S POWER.
DATE: SUNDAY, 25TH JUNE, 2023.
TOPIC: RENEWED IN GOD’S LOVE.
Devotional Reading:
2 Corinthians 5:12-21.
Background Scripture:
Zephaniah 3:14-20.
Lesson Scripture:
Zephaniah 3:14-20.
GOLDEN TEXT:
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17.
OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
● List God’s promise of restoration and justice to the people of Israel.
● Discuss some ways to overcome oppression and poverty in our contemporary time.
● Resolve to promote justice and peace in their home, church and the community and te they live.
INTRODUCTION:
Our society is filled with all kinds of wickedness like the activities of yahoo boys and kidnapping either for ritual purpose or ransom. We also have the wicked acts of Fulani herdsmen, killings, armed robbery, child-rape or child trafficking and the likes. It is so rampant that it has almost become the way of life of some people. Sad enough, they have forgotten that God will judge every act of wickedness. Some leaders derive pleasure in cheating and oppressing others especially those who are underprivileged, in their own selfish interest. Sometimes, they humiliate and intentionally deny them their rights because of the position they occupy. They even make life difficult for them when actually they are supposed to make positive impacts in their lives. Such evil practices were also common among the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem. They were disobedient, idolatrous, corrupt, wicked and oppressive without the consciousness of impending doom that awaited them despite God’s several warnings through different Prophets.
Zephaniah was one of the prophets who prophesied the destruction of Judah. He prophesied about the day of the Lord in Judah and other nations when God’s punishment will come upon them. Today’s lesson focuses on Prophet Zephaniah’s vision of restoration concerning those who were oppressed in Israel. He made it clear to the people that even though they had been cheated and oppressed by their leaders who were supposed to lead them with integrity and honesty, God promised to restore them and judge their wicked oppressors.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED…
A. GOD PROMISES RESTORATION:
[Zephaniah 3:14-16]
The city of Jerusalem was known for her wickedness, disobedience to God’s laws, oppression, rebellion, violence, unrighteousness and injustice. Her prophets and leaders were corrupt; they forsook God and embraced worldly lifestyle. Their priests repeatedly profaned the sanctuary and the laws of God and it spread to every part of the society. Consequently, God was provoked and decided to wipe away the city and its inhabitants. He said to them, “Therefore, wait for me, “declares the Lord, “for the day I will stand up to testify. I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger” (v. 8). The warning included God’s decision to bring about justice and restore the remnants of Israel. Therefore, they should sing and rejoice because the Lord has brought an end to their punishment and that they should not be afraid. The words “Do not be afraid” as used in the passage, implies God’s presence to save His people.
One of the characteristics of God is compassion as revealed in His promises in verses 1415. He spoke through Prophet Zephaniah that He would intervene again in the affairs of His people (v. 15). Thus, they should rejoice and sing aloud because of God’s promise to restore them and cast out their enemies. He also assured them of His presence, justice and safety, which certainly are the results of the promise of restoration. God is merciful and compassionate. He is the all-loving God who does not cast away His own people forever. This of course is seen in His relationship with the people of Israel. Even though they acted wickedly, idolatrous and disobedient, God did not altogether cast them away but promised to restore them. This promise is also for believers if we turn away from our sins and live in obedience to God’s will.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. What does the lesson teach about God’s attitude towards punishment for acts of wickedness and forgiveness?
2. Discuss what Nigeria as a nation can do to be restored and the role of the Church, if we must achieve it?
B. GOD’S PROMISE OF VICTORY FOR JERUSALEM:
[Zephaniah 3:17-20]
Israel’s acts of disobedience and disloyalty to God led them into captivity and their land became desolate. In His promise of restoration, God revealed the plan of His presence, victory and a new life for His people. In verse 17, Zephaniah said, “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” According to verses 18-20, when the people are finally restored to their homeland, the Lord God will do the following:
● Put an end to their threat of doom and remove their disgrace.
● Punish their oppressors, rescue the lame and bring the exiles back to their home land.
● Turn their shame to honour and all the people of the earth shall praise them.
● Bring home those who have been scattered abroad and make them famous throughout the world.
● Make them prosperous again.
Zephaniah’s vision was an encouragement to the people of Israel not to give up despite the oppression from their enemies, but to trust in the Lord for victory. The promise of victory for the Israelites is also applicable to contemporary Christians, especially these days when there is severe persecution of believers. When we trust God who has promised victory for His people, we will surely triumph over our enemies. Interestingly, faith, obedience, trust in God, righteousness and hope for a better future are some ways to overcome oppression and suffering in our present time. This should serve as encouragement for us not to entertain any fear from the enemy, rather we should put our faith in God, the One who has promised us justice, salvation and victory.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. What steps should Christians take to be restored?
2. Considering God’s promise of victory to the Israelites, what can Christians do to gain victory over oppressors in our contemporary time?
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:
● Let the class members identify someone who was recalled to his duty post after being sacked many years for committing an offense. Let the person share his/her sincere experience when he/she was out of job and how he/she was recalled.
Take Home: State at least three main lessons you are taking home, based on today’s lesson:
● __________
● __________
● __________
Commitment:
● Make a commitment to promote justice and peace in your home, church and the community where you live.
REVIEW FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE
We thank God Almighty for taking us through the first six months of the year. It has been wonderful learning about some prophets that proclaimed God’s power. I am convinced that you have been blessed. If yes:
● Did you discover some helpful insights that will enhance your trust in God to begin to proclaim the message of salvation and peace?
● Do you have any struggle in your heart about God’s promise to rescue the captive Jews from Babylon?
● What steps will you take in order to enjoy God’s promised blessings?
● How do you intend to respond to Zephaniah’s vision concerning our country Nigeria?
Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!