NBC Sunday School Manual For September 24, 2023 :Topic – JESUS EXTENDS FORGIVENESS.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION
NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
Theme for the Month: “LOVE COMPLETES, LAW FALLS SHORT”
DATE: SUNDAY, 24TH SEPTEMBER, 2023.
TOPIC: JESUS EXTENDS FORGIVENESS.
Devotional Reading: Matthew 7:1-5.
Background Scripture: John 8:1-11, 39-59.
Lesson Scripture: John 8:1-11, 56-59.
GOLDEN TEXT:
“Then neither do I condemn you, Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:11b.
OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
● Explain why the issue of adultery was taken seriously by the Jews.
● Discuss why Jesus dismissed the woman that committed adultery without any punishment as expected by the people.
● Make personal commitment to forgive their offenders.
INTRODUCTION:
“I would have forgiven him but for the gravity of the offense” was the statement of a young man whose wife was caught in adultery with his neighbour. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines adultery as sex between a married person and someone who is not that person’s wife or husband. The sin of adultery has always been considered a taboo in African setting with serious punishment particularly for the woman depending on the culture. It was also considered forbidden, according to the Jewish culture because the wife is the husband’s possession, therefore, the sin of adultery is regarded a violation of the husband’s exclusive right to his wife. The sin of adultery is so serious that it was counted among offenses against one’s fellow and it defiles those who commit it (Leviticus 18:20 Number 5:13). According to the Jewish culture, the sin of adultery was punishable by death for both the man and the woman (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22). It was against this background that the Pharisees brought a woman who was caught in the act of adultery to stand before Jesus. They demanded to know from Jesus what should be done to the woman, according to the law of Moses purposely to trap Him. Surprisingly, Jesus forgave the woman and commanded her to sin no more (v.11).
Today’s lesson focuses on how Jesus extended forgiveness to a woman who was caught in adultery even though by the law of Moses she would have been stoned to death. Forgiveness is the act of showing mercy, pardon or compassion to someone who had committed an offense against the law without any form of punishment. The lesson also affirms Jesus’ claim about His true identity and His pre-existence before Abraham was born.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED…
A. JESUS FORGIVES A WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY:
[John 8:1-11]
After Jesus’ teaching in the Temple courts, the great crowd that followed Him went to their homes. Jesus, however, went to Mount of Olives (just to the east of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley). The next day, he came to the temple courts and began to teach the people. According to verse 3, the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought a woman who was caught in adultery to Him. They said, “Teacher, they said, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such woman. Now, what do you say?” (vv. 4-5). Obviously, the people wanted to trap Jesus with the question so that they will have basis for accusing Him of breaking the law of Moses. Jesus did not respond immediately, instead He bent down and began to write on the ground with His fingers. He said to them when they persisted, “Let any of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. Again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground” (v. 8). Jesus’ answer destabilised them and gradually, they departed. Jesus then said to the woman, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir.” she said. Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (v.11), meaning, do not sin anymore. However, we should understand the fact that Jesus’ statement in verse 11 does not support the sinful act, but an extension of forgiveness by allowing the woman an opportunity to amend her ways.
The Pharisees and the scribes intentionally wanted Jesus to contradict the Mosaic law and, therefore, alleged Him of breaking the law. Interestingly, Jesus neither condemned nor disregarded the woman’s misconduct. His forgiveness only suggest that His ministry was neither that of punishment nor condemnation. After all, the Pharisees themselves were not following Moses’ law because it was required that both the man and the woman be put to death (Leviticus 22:22-24). Of course, Jesus knew that their intention was to trap Him thus; He did not give a direct answer. He would have gone against the law of Moses that condemns the sin of adultery or supported that the woman should be put to death. Nevertheless, Jesus’ command to the woman to go and sin no more is noteworthy in the passage. It connotes forgiveness and an admonition to live exemplary lifestyle that pleases God. Eventually, Jesus dismissed the woman because a sinful man (probably the Pharisees who never kept the law of Moses) has no right to pronounce judgment on another sinful man. According to the gospel of Matthew, Jesus condemned those who look at the sawdust on other people’s eyes when they have planks on their own eyes (Matthew 7:1ff). This is a warning to Christians not to be quick to pass judgment on other people’s fault when they are also guilty of sins.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Discuss why the woman’s accusers did not bring the man to Jesus.
2. Differentiate between judging someone and correcting an error.
B. JESUS’ CLAIM ABOUT HIMSELF:
[John 8:56-59]
The argument between Jesus and the Pharisees about His testimony, His true identity and the claims about Him continued. He testified in verse 56 about Abraham’s fulfilment in seeing His days. He said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” In other words, their father, Abraham of whom they were proud, rejoiced in the fulfilment of God’s promise to bless the nations of the earth. This promise God gave to Abraham was fulfilled through Jesus. The Jews displayed their ignorance again and wondered how Jesus could have seen their father, Abraham when He had not even lived up to the age of fifty. He simply replied and said, “Before Abraham was born I am” (v.58), thereby expressing the eternity of His being and His oneness with His Father. His response angered the people. They picked up stone and attempted to stone Him but He hid himself and left the temple. Undoubtedly, the Jews did not understand what Jesus meant when He said, “before Abraham was born, I am! The statement pricked their hearts. They concluded that He had blasphemed and so they attempted to stone Him as the only acceptable penalty, according to the Mosaic law (Leviticus 24:16).
Ignorance, they say, is a disease which can only be cured with adequate knowledge. Jesus’ declaration of His existence before Abraham their forefather only suggest His eternal nature and immutability but the Jews did not fully comprehend the testimony. There is only one person in the world who is timeless and eternal. He is God. The life in Jesus is the life of God. He is God personified. Therefore, anyone who has seen Him has seen God, for He and His Father are One. He was before time; He will be after time and will remain the “I AM WHO I AM” (John 8:24), the name by which God revealed Himself to the people of Israel (Exodus 3:14).
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. What did Jesus mean by this statement: ‘Before Abraham was born, I AM.”
2. Explain what Jesus meant when He said, ‘Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.”
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:
● Let the class members research what Jesus was writing on the ground with his finger when the people brought the woman who was caught in adultery.
Take Home: Write down some lessons you are taking home from today’s lesson?
● __________
● __________
● __________
Commitment:
● Based on today’s lesson, make a commitment to forgive those who offend you, no matter the magnitude of the offense.
REVIEW FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
No doubt, we have learnt some good lessons since the beginning of the month on the superiority of Love over the Law. Therefore, we would like to know:
● What new insight you got about the activity that truly honours the Sabbath?
● How the Holy Spirit helped you to practice justice, love for God and man?
● Which aspect of the lessons you struggled to understand and what you did eventually?
● What did you resolve to do as regards to passing judgment on those who stumble?
Happy Sunday in Advance.
Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!