NBC Sunday School Manual For January 14, 2024 :Topic – Faith and Trust
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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION
NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
Theme for the Month: “LEARNING ABOUT FAITH.”
DATE: SUNDAY, 14TH JANUARY, 2023.
TOPIC: FAITH AND TRUST.
Devotional Reading: Psalm 56.
Background Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-12.
Lesson Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-8.
GOLDEN TEXT: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5
OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
● Identify the rewards of paying attention to godly wisdom, according to the passage;
● Discuss the significance of binding wisdom around the neck and writing it on the heart;
● Resolve to always trust in the Lord and not on their own understanding
INTRODUCTION:
The book of Proverbs, like the books of Job, Psalm and Ecclesiastes, is usually referred to as Wisdom Literature by Bible scholars. It is a book of wise sayings as well as instructions, especially for young people. Though most of the collections deal with ethical, moral and religious teachings; in form of sayings and proverbs, many of them have to do with practical matters such as family, relations, business dealings, proper conduct in social relationships, and the need for self-control. The main purpose of the saying is to teach moral values to believers, whether old or young so as to ignite their faith, trust and true wisdom for godly living. However, it should be noted that true wisdom is not just a formula for success but is based on reverence for God and obedience to His commands (laws). It offers practical down-to-earth instructions and spiritual guidance for people of all ages.
Today’s lesson focuses on faith and trust in God through wise counsel for young people. The passage also discusses both material and spiritual rewards that wisdom brings as well as the consequences of disobedience. A proverb is a short, memorable saying that expresses a basic truth or practical guidelines. Many proverbs deal with everyday concerns in the family and the community at large. They are used to address, largely, young people with the aim of motivating them to live purposeful lives, and in total obedience to God. Some of the sayings are based on the fact that godly lifestyle is always rewarded by God while evil conduct is punished. The author realises how young people easily fall into sin and how much they need guidance to help them make good choices that lead to purposeful living that pleases God.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED…
A. A CALL TO REMEMBER:
[Proverbs 3:1-4]
The first two chapters of the book of Proverbs emphasise the need to embrace wisdom and the moral benefits while chapter 3 focuses on comfort, obedience to instructions and security. The.passage opens with a fatherly tone, admonishing his ‘son’ not to neglect his teachings and laws but keep them in his heart. Precisely, verse 2 stresses the purpose and benefit of strict adherence to the teachings; “for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.” In essence, total obedience is the pathway to prosperity, peace and longevity. Also, the idea of tying the law around the neck and writing it on the heart shows the importance of the command and the need to obey it strictly. It is an Old Testament understanding of how the Torah should be handled (Deuteronomy 6:8). Usually, to forget God’s commands is the problem of the heart, and not merely the head. When we keep God’s precepts in our hearts like precious gems, they will not be forgotten easily but rather we will adhere to them strictly. The matter of the heart is so important that Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
The Hebrews knew that despising God’s commands will definitely attract His wrath.Similarly, wrong choice of purpose in life will lead to failure; hence there was constant emphasis on obedience to the laws of God. On the contrary, to obey God’s instructions wholeheartedly is to embrace long life, peace and prosperity, which money cannot buy. Christians should be reminded that remembering God’s laws is the recipe for meaningful living. is also a fact that showing mercy towards humankind and sincerity towards God guarantee long life and peace to anyone who obeys God’s commands. The inference is that unrighteous living, by its very nature, reduces one’s lifespan. Peace, here, refers to wholeness, well-being and everything that makes life worth living and meaningful. While the unrighteous do not have peace, divine favour and honour are promised to those who live by divine precepts.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Identify other benefits of obeying God’s commands and why the heart is the best place to keep it.
2. Discuss what it means to find favour in the sight of God.
B. REMEMBER TO TRUST AND OBEY THE LORD:
[Proverbs 3:5-8]
As the writer continued, he identified another important and meaningful way of life in verse 5 where the word “Trust’ was appropriately used. ‘To trust’ is the same as to have faith or confidence in something. In this context, trust could mean to absolutely rely on God’s guidance, not on one’s knowledge, experience, or financial, social or spiritual status. As stated in verse 6, to trust in the Lord suggests the need to recollect, think about or acknowledge His power to guide and sustain us without being wise in our own eyes. According to the writer, the fear of the Lord and the ability to shun evil can bring about health to one’s body and nourishment to one’s bones. Of course, these are the rewards for paying attention to godly wisdom, it also includes peace and prosperity (v. 2), according to the passage. The admonition to bind love and faithfulness around their necks was for constant reminder, and it shows the importance of the command.
The call to remember to trust and obey the Lord became necessary because of its great benefits. Of course, obedience to God’s command leads to longevity and success in life. More importantly, there is a strong admonition to the child in this passage to trust in the Lord with all his heart and acknowledge Him in all his ways. The literal meaning of the Hebrew phrase ‘in all your ways acknowledge Him’ implies more than mere respect for God. means to have intimate relationship with God and to do His bidding at all times. This is very important because God created humankind to depend totally on Him. The gracious assurance for such deep and dependent relationship will be divine guidance (v. 6). Therefore, as Christians, we must be aware of what the Lord requires of us – to trust and completely obey Him in all things, so that we will enjoy both earthly and eternal blessings.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Discuss what it means to be wise in one’s own eyes.
2. What is the necessity of faith in our walk with God?
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:
● Encourage a class member to share an experience of a time when he/she chose to trust in the Lord instead of relying on his/her own wisdom, and how it made a difference in his/her life.
Take Home: Write down three lessons you are taking home from today’s lesson?
● __________
● __________
● __________
Commitment:
● Make a personal commitment to trust and obey God in all things, so that you can enjoy the benefits that go with it.
Happy Sunday in Advance.
🌨 Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!