NBC Sunday School Manual For March 10, 2024 :Topic – EXAMINE YOURSELF.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
Theme for the Month:
“FAITH-FULL VERSUS FAITH-LESS.”
DATE: SUNDAY, 10TH MARCH, 2024.
TOPIC: EXAMINE YOURSELF.
Devotional Reading: Psalm 139:13-18, 23-24.
Background Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:1-11.
Lesson Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5-11.
GOLDEN TEXT: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.” 2 Corinthians 13:5a
OBJECTIVES: By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
● Explain what it means to do self- examination;
● Discuss the importance of unity and peace in the church;
● Make a personal commitment to always take time out to examine themselves to ascertain if they are still in the faith.
INTRODUCTION:
The importance of self-examination in our spiritual journey cannot be overemphasised. Spiritual self- examination is the careful check of one’s beliefs to ascertain whether they are in line with God’s standard. The need to do regular self- examination is fundamental because it will serve as a spiritual tool to help one’s walk with God. It is most likely that this understanding motivated Pastor Moses Hassan, the pastor of “Faithfulness Baptist Church” to examine the spiritual maturity of members of his church. A few months after his assumption of office, he discovered that some of his members were not committed to the programmes of the church, and they were not mature spiritually. Having prayed, he was led to preach successive messages on “Spiritual Self-Examination” towards the end of the year. He designed a form with various sections, which every member was made to fill. According to the pastor, the purpose was to determine their spiritual maturity and how they can be assisted to grow. The exercise further revealed that while some members of the church did not have genuine salvation experience, others lacked commitment and valued their personal interests over the cause of Christ.
The book of 2 Corinthians is one of the letters of Apostle Paul, which he wrote while he was in Macedonia to some specific individuals in the church. He wrote the letter to address some conflicting issues that arose as a result of his first letter and visit to the church. The latter part of the epistle is meant to resolve some relationship issues between himself and the church. However, chapter 13:1-4 was written to warn those who were not paying attention to their spiritual growth and maturity; instead, they were constantly criticising the genuineness of his apostleship. Verses 5-9 is an encouragement for the brethren to examine themselves. Today’s lesson focuses on Paul’s counsel to the brethren in Corinth to examine themselves to ascertain if they are still in the faith.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED…
A. A CALL FOR SELF-EXAMINATION
[2 Corinthians 13:5-9]
Apostle Paul founded the church in Corinth. He made a second visit to the church to deal with some developing issues in their Christian life, faith, and division among the brethren. The letter was written as a warning to those who were looking for the proof of his apostleship, and thereby causing division in the church. However, Paul made his plan to discipline offenders when he comes back to them (vv. 1-2). He became more specific in verse 5 when he encouraged them to examine themselves for the purpose of ascertaining their stand in the Lord. He said to them, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you- unless, of course, you fail the test?” Paul reminded them of the fact that Christ is in them. He prayed that they will learn to do what is right, even though they may seem to have failed. After all, they cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth (v. 8). He also prayed for their complete restoration.
Paul’s admonition to the Corinthian brethren to examine themselves if they were still in the faith was timely because of the crisis and divisions that had crept into the church. The dictionary meaning of the word ‘Examine’ is to scrutinise, inspect or observe for a specific purpose. Paul’s counsel to the brethren in Corinth was self-examination in order to ascertain their position in the faith and amend their ways. The presence of Christ in them ought to have brought about transformation; otherwise, it will imply that Christ is not in them. Contemporary Christians are, therefore, encouraged to carry out regular self-examination so that we will know our spiritual position and strive to improve on it through studying of God’s Word daily, prayer, meditation, the help of an accountability partner and other spiritual disciplines. Ultimately, regular self-examination will help us to remain steadfast and not fall from the faith. In fact, self-examination is so important that the Scripture says we are not to partake of the Lord’s Supper without first examining ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:28).
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Why do you think it was necessary for Paul to ask the Corinthian brethren to examine themselves?
2. Discuss the consequences of failing to examined ourselves regularly?
B. FINAL WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT:
[2 Corinthians 13:10-11]
Apostle Paul’s constant warning, encouragement and prayer for the brethren in Corinth was born out of his concern for them not to deviate from the truth of the Gospel. He affirmed this in verse 10 when he said, “This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority – the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.” Even though Paul’s words sounded harsh, they were meant to build them up and make them better in the Lord. Finally, as he concluded his letter, he encouraged them in verse 11 to do the following:
● To rejoice always.
● To strive for full restoration.
● To encourage one another in the Lord.
● To be of one mind.
● To live in peace so that the God of peace will be with them.
These words of encouragement emphasise the importance of growing in faith and living in unity and peace in the church. Paul had earlier spoken of brethren living together in unity, in his first letter (1 Corinthians 1:10), and of these five virtues in the church provides evidence that Jesus lives in them. A common adage says that when a child is reprimanded with the right hand, he/she should be drawn closer in love with the left. Having warned them against the temptation of falling from the faith, Paul made his intention known to them: ‘To build them up and not tear them down’ and finally encouraged them to live in peace. The lesson is a reminder to believers, especially leaders that the purpose of every rebuke should be to correct, to achieve appropriate behaviour. This is important so that anyone who errs will not be worse than he/she has been, thereby fall from the faith.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Discuss some steps Christians can take to carry out self-examination.
2. Suggest the best ways Christian leaders can handle those who cause divisions in the church.
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:
● Let each class member pick a partner. They are to candidly examine themselves for the purpose of helping each other to identify their weaknesses and how to improve on themselves. They should pray together from time to time.
Take Home: Write down three lessons you are taking home from today’s lesson?
● __________
● __________
● __________
Commitment:
● Based on today’s lesson, class members should make commitments to examine themselves to ascertain if they are still in the faith, from time to time.
Happy Sunday in Advance.
Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!