NBC Sunday School Lesson For March 9, 2025 : Topic - Pitching A Test

NBC Sunday School Lesson For March 9, 2025 : Topic - Pitching A Test

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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION*

NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE

Theme for the Month: "TABERNACLE, SACRIFICES, AND ATONEMENT"

DATE: SUNDAY, 9TH MARCH, 2025.

TOPIC:  PITCHING A TENT.

Devotional Reading: John 4:13-26.

Background Scripture: Exodus 25-27.

Lesson Scripture: Exodus 25:1-9, 26:1, 31-37.

GOLDEN TEXT: "Then let them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them." *Exodus 25:8.

Objectives:

_By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:

● Discuss why the condition of our hearts is vital in Christian service;

● State what the tent signifies in our contemporary time;

● List three ways they will build a sanctuary for God to dwell in.

INTRODUCTION

God promised the Israelites' patriarchs that their offspring would be His people and possessions before the Exodus from the land of Egypt. Several significant things happened at Mount Sinai. There, God gave the laws that would guide the new nation that had just been birthed. Another vital step to concretise God's relationship with His people is the construction of a tabernacle. A tabernacle is a meeting place for worship. God gave a vivid description of what it should be like, the materials to construct it and its uses. God gave wisdom to a specific person to skilfully spin, weave and dye the materials for the construction of the tabernacle. The tabernacle was constructed to invoke the idea that God has come to dwell among His people. God fulfilled His promise to keep His people by choosing to live among them. In addition, the presence of the tabernacle brings into reality the fact that God governs Israel. The Israelites were able to experience a visible manifestation of God's presence among them. Their experience was no longer based on the mediation of Moses and Aaron.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

A.OFFERING FROM WILLING HEARTS*

[Exodus 25:1-9]

God requested that His people should willingly offer materials that would be used to construct the tabernacle. Different materials such as gold, silver and bronze, which are precious stones, and clothing materials such as blue, purple and scarlet yarn, various types of durable leather materials and different kinds of oils and spices were demanded for the building of the tabernacle. God wants offerings given with the right attitude. This requirement was established for God's people as a fundamental truth. He did not require mere compliance without a genuine relationship with Him. God is more concerned with the motive than the gift itself. Willingness to give is what God requires. The tabernacle was to be the dwelling place of God. The idea was not that God would live in the tent, but that it would be the place where men could meet with God. God does not live in any physical structure; He wants to dwell in the hearts of His people.

There are many tents people can set up; but the crucial one is one's heart. God desires to dwell in heart of His children. Giving our substance to God would not be difficult, if we have given Him our hearts. God is not interested in a coerced or manipulated giving. All that we have are gifts from God. The best response to His goodness is to release ourselves, our gifts and our possessions for His glory.

DISCUSSION TIME:

1. Is a befitting church building necessary in our contemporary time? Discuss. 

2. In what ways do believers abuse the physical temple-church building and invisible temple- their hearts?

B. STANDARD FOR THE SANCTUARY*

[Exodus 26:1, 31-37]

God is a master Designer. He determined the standard He wanted the Tabernacle to have and gave the pattern and the size to Moses. The tabernacle is a broad tent that serves as a mobile altar of worship before the construction of the temple in Jerusalem. Since the Israelites had not reached the Promised Land, they were to meet with God in the Tabernacle and move it as they made progress in their journey to the Promised Land. The Tabernacle had many compartments, such as the outer court, where sacrifices were made, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant is placed. Curtains separated all the compartments.

The church building is an integral aspect of the liturgy of worship in each local church. Thus, there are standards of expectations about church buildings. The Baptist denomination, as an evangelical body, has a specific location for the Lord's Supper table, the Pulpit, and the open Bible at the entrance of the church or on the Lord's Supper table. The place of these items in the sanctuary speaks about evangelical beliefs. In contemporary churches, fundraising and entertainment are gradually replacing the orderliness and decorum that evangelicals are known for. We must remember that God's standards are non-negotiable.

DISCUSSION TIME:

1. Review each object in the Tabernacle and relate it with contemporary things found in today's Baptist church building and their functions. 

2. Explore your church's worship space; look for signs and symbols that signify the presence of God.

Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:

Allow class members to discuss how they can beautify both the inside and outside of the church building.

Prayer:

● Ask God for the grace to be committed to His standard, both in personal and corporate worship. 

● Pray that God's presence will envelop His Church at all

Take Home:* 

Write down three lessons (3) you are taking home from today's lesson: 

● ____________________________ 

● ____________________________ 

● ____________________________