NBC Sunday School Manual For September 15, 2024 : Topic – HEZEKIAH’S PRAYER.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION
NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
Theme for the Month: “LEADERS SET WORSHIP EXAMPLE.”
DATE: SUNDAY, 15TH SEPTEMBER, 2024.
TOPIC: HEZEKIAH’S PRAYER.
Devotional Reading: Romans 8:29-39.
Background Scripture: 2 Kings 19:1-34.
Lesson Scripture: 2 Kings 19:14-20, 29-31.
GOLDEN TEXT: “Now, LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, LORD, are God.” 2 Kings 19:19.
Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
● Describe the steps taken by King Hezekiah when he received a letter of threat from Sennacherib;
● Explain what God promised to do for His people after their deliverance;
● Express their resolve to trust God for deliverance from their enemies through prayer.
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever been robbed, arrested, kidnapped or threatened of being killed, with an option of paying a ransom? Have you been oppressed by a boss, relative, or someone who is more financially blessed than you? How did you feel and what steps did you take to solve the problem? It is most likely that some people will opt for relocation, report the case to the police for assistance, change their jobs or fortify their houses to make them more secure. Nevertheless, the situation can be devastating, frightening, frustrating and intimidating, especially when there is no immediate solution. When the Israelites were faced with threat from Goliath, the Philistine, they were overwhelmed with fear and anxiety until David delivered them by killing Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1ff). Similarly, Jerusalem appeared to be a doomed city, during the dark days of Assyria’s siege. They became frightened and lost hope but two things happened: a great plague struck the Assyrians and the Assyrian leader was murdered, thereby putting an end to their threat (2 Kings 19:35). The miraculous deliverance convinced some Jews that Jerusalem, God’s own city, could not be destroyed, no matter how powerful the enemy nation.
When King Hezekiah received a letter of threat from Sennacherib, he took it to God in prayer. (2 Kings 19:14-21, 35-37). He went to the temple and spread the letter of threat before the Lord. He worshipped the Lord and made his petition known to the Maker of the heavens and the earth. Today’s lesson centres on the efficacy of Hezekiah’s prayer, God’s deliverance of the people and restoration.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED
A. HEZEKIAH’S PRAYER
[2 Kings 19:14-20]
One of the major problems of the people of Israel was inconsistency; they failed to maintain a steady relationship with God who brought them out of Egypt, under King Pharaoh. So, the Lord rejected them and gave them over to their plunderers (2 Kings 17). The situation brought Sennacherib, the king of Assyria to go to war with Hezekiah. He threatened and demanded that the people of Jerusalem should voluntarily surrender to him (2 Kings 18:17-25). According to verse 14, when King Hezekiah received the letter of threat from the messengers of Sennacherib, he took some steps of faith.
● He acted wisely and demonstrated faith – having read the letter, he went to the temple and spread it before God. By implication, he handed over the letter to God for solution.
● He prayed to God saying, “… you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.” (v. 15)
● He asked the Lord to deliver them from the hands of Sennacherib so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that He alone is God (v. 19). Interestingly, Hezekiah’s prayer received instant answers through Prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz.
Undoubtedly, Hezekiah was a man full of wisdom, faith and courage. He had confidence that God has solution to the threat from their enemy, Sennacherib, and He will deliver them. He trusted the Lord as the only Supreme Being who can fight the battles of His children. Apostle Paul said, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4) Hezekiah did not seek for the counsel of humankind neither did he attempt to win the battle against Sennacherib. Instead, he resorted to present his request to the God of Israel who can fight all battles. One of the major lessons Christians can learn from the passage is that prayer remains the most powerful weapon with which we can fight battles against the enemy. It propels God to intervene in humankind’s situations, no matter the nature of the battle, like the case of Hezekiah.
DISCUSSION TIME:
1. Discuss the implications of Hezekiah spreading the letter of threat before the Lord, after reading it.
2. Considering Hezekiah’s simple prayer of deliverance, Is it right for Christians to pray for the death of their enemies? What other things would you have done, if you were Hezekiah?
B. SIGNS OF GOD’S DELIVERANCE AND RESTORATION
[2 Kings 19:29-31]
The sins of Sennacherib was so much that Prophet Isaiah prophesied his downfall. He ridiculed and lifted his eyes in pride against the Holy One of Israel (v. 22). As a result, God promised to make him return by the way he came (v. 28). In other words, the arrogance of the Assyrians, their ridicule of the Israelites and their God will end with God’s judgment against them. According to the passage, the signs of the fulfilment of the promise of deliverance and restoration are:
● Abundance: There will be no famine in the land because of God’s divine provision. Even when the land is made to rest without cultivation, they will eat what grows by itself.
● Freedom: They will plant, harvest and eat the fruits of their vineyards (v. 29).
● The remnants of the house of Judah will be planted in their habitations. They shall take root, grow and increase (v. 30). They shall enjoy freedom and shall not be afraid of the terror of the enemy. They will spread out from Jerusalem and Mount Zion (v. 31).
The mystery of the promise of God to make the land that was once ravaged by the enemies to produce crops in abundance is beyond human comprehension. It should be noted that although it may not necessarily be planting or harvest season but God’s promise to bring about abundance and restoration was certain. The implication is that instead of famine, there will be surplus for the people of God. Many people are living in hopelessness in our society today. Some towns and villages have been devastated by the activities of Boko Haram, kidnappers, bandits and ritualists, and people are living in fear both day and night, especially our brethren in the North; nonetheless, there is hope for such people. God has promised abundance and restoration for such people, despite the number of years they have suffered. We shall surely overcome all the threats of the enemies that encompass us as a nation, state or individuals.
DISCUSSION TIME:
Based on God’s promise of hope and restoration to Hezekiah and His people, is there still hope for Nigeria? What is the significance of receiving signs from God in the midst of trouble?
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:
Let the class members ruminate over the situation of Nigeria and compare it with the time of Hezekiah. They should list some steps that can lead to divine restoration.
Take Home:
Write down three lessons you are taking home from today’s lesson?
● __________
● __________
● __________
Commitment:
● Based on today’s lesson, make a personal commitment not to trust in your wisdom but to trust God in all situations.
Happy Sunday in Advance.
Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!