NBC Sunday School Manual For February 25, 2024 :Topic – WAITING AND TRUSTING.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION
NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
Theme for the Month: “THE RIGHTEOUS LIVE BY FAITH.”
DATE: SUNDAY, 25TH FEBRUARY, 2024.
TOPIC: WAITING AND TRUSTING.
Devotional Reading: Jeremiah 29:8-14.
Background Scripture: Habakkuk 1:5-2:5.
Lesson Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-5.
GOLDEN TEXT:
“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3
OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
● Identify the steps Habakkuk resolved to take while awaiting God’s intervention;
● Discuss the importance of documentation, according to the B passage;
● Resolve to continue to wait on the Lord, no matter how long it takes for our prayers to be answered.
INTRODUCTION:
Experience has shown that waiting is one of the most difficult things to do in life. Some people usually become restless, apprehensive, frustrated, and angry to the point of murmuring against God whenever they experience delay at any stage in life. It is humane to think that life is unfair when we are faced with circumstances and are expected to hold on, especially when it seems that others are enjoying a smooth journey in life. Nevertheless, waiting is part of our everyday life, as we are made to wait at airports, a doctors’ waiting rooms, queues at ATM stands, supermarkets or traffic during rush hours. This can be exemplified with the Chinese bamboo tree, which is one of the most remarkable plants on earth. When the farmer plants its seed, nothing will be visible for the first five years except a single shoot sprouting out of the bulb. The tiny shoot must be daily watered and cared for till the end of the fifth year before it will grow into an incredible 90ft in 90 days. Those who have had reasons to wait for God’s intervention at one time or the other can testify that waiting could be painful and demanding but it is rewarding.
Habakkuk was a prophet. He was one of the Minor Prophets who reigned with Nahum, Zephaniah and Jeremiah. His prophecy was in form of a dialogue between him and God at the end of 7th century BC, a time when the Babylonians were in power. He was heartbroken due to the increase in violence, injustice, idolatry, outright apostasy and other terrible manifestations of wickedness in Judah, like it is Nigeria today where persecution of Christians, abduction/kidnapping, child rape, robbery and all kinds of vices are prevalent. Habakkuk expressed his displeasure and disappointment about God’s assumed silence (Habakkuk 1:1-4). At last, God revealed His plans to punish the wicked people by using the Babylonians to invade and terrorise the whole world (Habakkuk 1:5-11; 2 Kings 24:1-2). After the declaration, Habakkuk was encouraged to wait, and trust God for divine intervention and judgment upon the wicked. Today’s lesson is centred on God’s answer to Habakkuk that though there may be delay in judgment, it will surely come. The wicked will not survive it but the righteous will live because they have been faithful to God. It was difficult for Habakkuk to believe that God will use the wicked and pagan nation of Babylon to judge His people and so, he complained about God’s unfairness (Habakkuk 1:12-17).
THE LESSON EXPLAINED…
A. HABAKKUK’S RESOLUTION AND GOD’S RESPONSE
[Habakkuk 2:1-3]
God responded to Habakkuk’s first complaint with a promise to do something in his days that he will not believe. The promise was to raise a terrible and dreadful nation, the Babylonians, to punish the people of Israel (Habakkuk 1:5-7). The decision seemed disappointing to him; therefore, he decided to pour out his heart to God a second time with the resolution to do the following, according to verse 1:
● To stand at his watch, like a guard who is expecting a response to a command.
● To station himself on the rampart (tower) in expectation of what God will say in respect of his complaint. God responded in verse 2 saying to Habakkuk, “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.” He added in verse 3 that His plan for His people was for an appointed time; therefore, it should be documented. Although the fulfilment may be delayed but it will surely be accomplished (2 Peter 3:9). Unfortunately, God’s reply did not sound like what Habakkuk and the people were expecting.
God is different from humankind because the fulfilment of His word is certain. Even though it may seem delayed in the sight of humankind, it will surely come to pass, according to God’s definite plan. Consequently, God commanded Habakkuk to write the vision down because it will be accomplished at God’s appointed time. The importance of documentation cannot be overemphasised; it usually confirms the authenticity of a promise as well as bring to remembrance what would have been forgotten. Many Christians today ask similar questions, like Habakkuk, about God’s supposed silence concerning the widespread wickedness against Christians. However, today’s lesson is a reminder that sometimes God’s response to our prayers and suffering may seem to delay; nevertheless, it does not mean that God has forgotten us. It also teaches us the importance of waiting and trusting God for solutions to our challenges when it seems He is silent. Therefore, we should wait for His promise and plan to come to fruition.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. How will you convince someone that waiting and trusting God is rewarding, based on today’s lesson?
2. Discuss the importance of documentation.
B. EVIL AND RIGHTEOUSNESS DESCRIBED:
[Habakkuk 2:4-5]
God’s final answer to Habakkuk and the nation of Judah is recorded in verse 4. He made a comparison between the wicked and righteous, and their final end. He said, “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright- but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.
Supposedly, the Chaldean oppressors will ultimately fail because they are not upright. They are the exact opposite of uprightness because they are proud and arrogant. Therefore, they are doomed to fail. On the other hand, the righteous shall live because they are upright, faithful and have a verified lifestyle of faith and trust in God. The oppressor’s insatiable appetite for conquest and expansion is vividly illustrated with the image of a drunkard’s addiction to wine. More so, they are likened to the grave and death that will never be satisfied until all nations and peoples are brought under their control (v. 5).
God’s message to Habakkuk and the people of Judah is clear and precise. Those who are arrogant will not last. They can neither abide nor prevail, they must fail. Their lives are like a passing phase, like the grass that withers in the evening. However, the future of the righteous is assured. This is indeed a message of comfort and encouragement for every believer who is waiting for God’s intervention concerning a particular need. They should take solace in the fact that their faithfulness shall be rewarded by God. In other words, the righteous should not be arrogant or greedy over the acquisition of material wealth, rather they should live by faith in God, even when the circumstances seem unfavourable.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Why did God instruct Habakkuk to write down the vision clearly in His final response to him in verse 2?
2. Discuss the consequences of greed and arrogance and how to avoid such attitude in our days.
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:
● List the five reasons why Habakkuk and the people of Judah must wait for God, as outlined in verse 3, and discuss how relevant it is to contemporary believers.
Take Home: Write down three lessons you are taking home from today’s lesson?
● __________
● __________
● __________
Commitment:
● Based on today’s lesson, make a personal commitment to wait for the fulfilment of God’s promises, no matter how long they may take.
REVIEW FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY
God is faithful. He has graciously taken us through the second month of the year with lessons on ‘The Righteous Live by Faith.’ It is interesting to have had the privilege to study about some men who lived by faith. So:
● How did your faith help you to see the power of God in nature, this month?
● What are some insights you have about the faith of Daniel?
● What lessons did you learn from the three Hebrew men who did not compromise their faith in God?
● What steps do you intend to take, as you wait for God’s appointed time?
Happy Sunday in Advance.
Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!