Nigeria Baptist Convention Sunday School Lesson For April 7, 2024 : Title – The Measure of Faith
Read previous NBC Sunday School Manuals here
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION
NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
Theme for the Month: “THE MEASURE OF FAITH.”
PREVIEW FOR APRIL
The theme for this month is “The Measure of Faith.” The texts shall be taken from the gospels according to Luke and Matthew. Sometimes, the enormity of the challenges of life slows us down but when we respond with great faith, we will definitely experience a positive turnaround. This month, we shall be discussing on the following:
★ Luke’s record of four men who were desperate to bring their sick friend to Jesus for healing.
★ The centurion who amazed Jesus by his faith, and Jesus’ acknowledgment of such faith.
★ A sinful woman who Jesus forgave her sins because she had faith.
★ Matthew’s record of a Canaanite woman who was recognised by Jesus because of her great faith.
Overcoming the prejudices and hatred that hinder people from receiving solutions to their problems is a matter of concern. However, Jesus is always ready to bless those who come to Him in faith. We expect teachers to prepare adequately and be ready to teach these lessons, using the participatory method so that class members will be blessed.
Suggested Teaching Methods: These suggested teaching methods can be used during the general opening or in the classes.
April 7 – Music: Baptist Hymnal 328: What a Friend We Have in Jesus
April 14 – Drama: Let two class members dramatise the dialogue between Jesus and the centurion who said to Jesus: “But say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Luke 7:7
April 21 – Music: Baptist Hymnal 86: The Great Physician
April 28 – Drama: Two people should role-play the dialogue between Jesus and the Canaanite woman.
DATE:
SUNDAY, 7TH APRIL, 2024.
TOPIC: HELPING A FRIEND IN NEED.
Devotional Reading: John 4:4-18.
Background: Luke 5:17-26.
Lesson Scripture: Luke 5:17-26.
GOLDEN TEXT:
“Some men came carrying a paralysed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.” Luke 5:18-19
OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
● Identify what motivated the four men to bring the paralysed man to Jesus;
● Discuss the place of faith in receiving miracles from God;
● Express their resolution to render help to people in their community, like the four men in today’s passage.
INTRODUCTION:
It is not strange these days to hear people say that we are in ‘computer age.’ The reason for the affirmation is that things are beginning to move at a faster pace than before, especially with the advent of technology. For this reason, people believe more in the power of science and technology than in the power of God, which some have described as slow and weak. What a misconception! Ignorantly, such people are in doubt of Jesus’ power to heal, save and deliver. F. F. Bosworth in his book, Christ the Healer, gave a testimony of God’s miraculous healing of Mrs Clara Rupert’s daughter, Ohio. At a very tender age, Ohio had a severe case of whooping cough that ruptured the muscles of one of her eyes, leaving it completely blind for a number of years. The condition of her eye was so bad that she will not feel any pain, even when it is touched by a hard object. One day, she sat down alone in their balcony listening to a sermon from her small-sized radio, during a rival programme that was transmitted in her dialect. She listened attentively to the message and believed strongly in her heart that the power of God can heal. She immediately jumped up and said to herself, “If atonement is true, just as the Bible says so, then I am just sure of receiving my sight in my blind eye tonight.” To the glory of God, Ohio was miraculously healed and she began to see again.
The story in Luke 5:17-26 is quite familiar. It is the story of a paralysed man who was brought to Jesus by his four friends. Although the cause of his paralysis is not stated but the Bible says that some men brought him to Jesus through an opening on the roof of the house, so that Jesus will heal him (v. 19). Unfortunately today, the limitations of humankind and lack of knowledge of God’s power to heal have made genuine wholeness rare. The question is: Where can we find true and permanent healing? According to today’s passage, Jesus declared the sins of the paralytic man forgiven and restored his physical health, to the amazement of all.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED…
A. JESUS HEALS A PARALYTIC MAN
[Luke 5:17-20]
Jesus’ audience comprised of the Jews, the scribes, and other religious leaders. His reputation and the many miracles He performed made people to follow Him from Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. Having healed a man with dropsy, the news of the miracle spread over the whole region that many people came to listen to His teachings and to be healed of their diseases (Luke 5:15). One day, as Jesus was teaching, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem were there. The power of the Lord was upon Jesus to teach, preach and heal those who were sick. Perhaps, this was what prompted some men to carry a paralytic man to Jesus for healing. When they could not gain access to Jesus because of the large crowd, they sought an alternative route through the roof (v. 19). They removed the tiles of the roof and lowered him down, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” (v. 20) Like the case of the man Jesus healed at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9), it was assumed that illnesses may be caused by sin (John 5:14) and forgiveness will bring about healing.
Jesus’ power to heal the sick is seen in verse 17b, as people gathered around Him until there was no room left. The beauty of the story is that against all odds, the four young men were resolute to overcome every barrier in order to reach Jesus for the healing of their friend. Without mincing words, these men can best be described as men of faith. They believed Jesus could heal their sick friend, thus they were determined to reach Him by all means possible. Jesus commended their faith and healed the paralytic man. He said to him, “Friend, your sins are forgiven” (v. 20), a pronouncement that reflects that He possesses the power to heal and forgive sins. The four men in the passage were motivated to help their friend- a way of showing concern for his well-being as well as displaying Christian love. Christians should be ready to help people in need at all times, in whatever way possible as it pleases God and enhances godly friendship among friends and family members.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Discuss some other ways Christians can help the needy in their family, church, the community they live in, and the society at large.
2. Apart from healing, what are the other reasons why Jesus had many followers?
B. JESUS’S AUTHORITY QUESTIONED:
[Luke 5:21-26]
The Pharisees and teachers of the law were Jesus’ enemies. They constantly looked for opportunities to accuse Him. The healing of the paralytic man made some teachers of the law who were present indignant. They accused Jesus of two charges, and as they pondered in their hearts they said, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (v. 21) The religious leaders were confused because Jesus claimed to have authority to forgive sins, which they assumed God alone could do. They assumed that not even the Messiah could forgive sins; it was the exclusive right of God. Unfortunately, they lacked the understanding that Jesus is God and He has been given all authority and power, both in heaven and on earth. Therefore, He possesses the power to heal, deliver and forgive sins (Matthew 28:18b). Jesus, being God, knew what they were thinking and immediately, He responded by asking this question, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, “Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? At Jesus’ command, the paralytic man took up his mat and went home. The miracle amazed them all, and the people praised God and said to one another, “We have never seen anything like this!”
It is most likely that the question the teachers of the law asked Jesus was meant to discredit Him, His authority, and ministry. However, Jesus’ action revealed that He is God. He knows the thought of all human beings (John 2:23-25), and He was able to respond by asking them some pertinent questions. His claim is that neither the forgiveness of sin nor healing was easy (v. 23), After all, both seem impossible to humans but they are possible with God. It is not surprising today that some people often complain and intentionally criticise the work of God either to frustrate the servants of God or to prove that they are in charge and should be honoured. Interestingly, the wonders of Jesus’ power, both to forgive and heal, were revealed in the life of the paralytic. The testimony of the healing amazed everyone. They glorified God saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (v. 26) God’s miracles usually cause astonishment about the power of God to work wonders, as the case of those who witnessed the miracle of the healing of the paralytic man.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Are all diseases and sicknesses caused by sin? Discuss.
2. Apart from healing and forgiveness of sin, discuss other miracle that are Impossible for man but are possible for God.
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:
● Let two or three class members share with the class a time when they were in need and how friends or family members met their needs.
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 go the extra mile to render help to people around you.
Happy Sunday in Advance.