NBC Sunday School Lesson For May 4, 2025 : Topic - PREVIEW FOR MAY

NBC Sunday School Lesson For May 4, 2025 : Topic - PREVIEW FOR MAY

See previous NBC Sunday School here

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION*

NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE*

Theme for the Month: SPECIAL OFFERINGS AND THE SANCTUARY."*

*PREVIEW FOR MAY

The theme for the month is "Special Offerings and the Sanctuary." The Bible passages for the month are: 1 Chronicles; 2 Chronicles; Ezra and Nehemiah. When the exiled Israelites returned to Israel and laid the foundation for the reconstruction of the temple, the priests and the Levites sang songs of praises but others wept because the temple was not as magnificent as the original.

The following are some of the main points in the lessons:

● David's refusal to accept a gift from Araunah, for a sacrifice to the Lord.

● Solomon's temple dedication and the lavish sacrifices.

● The laying of a new temple's foundation by the people who had returned from exile to Jerusalem.

● Covenant renewal and the people's pledge to observe the Torah's instructions and the temple's neglect.

It is common for people to remember special events with celebrations and gifts. The dedication of Solomon's temple and the altar for the worship of Yahweh was done in an atmosphere of celebration. The return of the captives from exile was also an occasion for the worship of God. The renewal of the covenant during Nehemiah's time was equally a reason for celebration and praise unto God.

We expect the class to be interactive so that lives will be blessed. The following methods can be used for the opening sessions or to teach the lessons.

May 4 - Questions and Answers:* Prepare five to ten questions, based on today's topic and give some class members to prepare ahead. Ask the questions and let them respond.

May 11 - Drama:* Give this topic to the drama unit of your church, at least two weeks ahead. The superintendent should round it off with a short teaching, based on the subject.

May 18 - Playlet and Discussion:* The playlet should be used to introduce the session before the teaching.

May 25 - Teaching:* Each class teacher should prepare adequately to teach their classes.

DATE: SUNDAY, 4TH MAY, 2025.

TOPIC: DAVID'S SACRIFICE.*

*Devotional Reading: 2 Peter 3:11-18.

*Background Scripture: 1 Chronicles 21:1-22:1.

*Lesson Scripture: 1 Chronicles 21:14-30.

GOLDEN TEXT:  But King David replied to Araunah, 'No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.' *1 Chronicles 21:24.*_

Objectives:* 

_*By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:*_

● Identify the wrong decision King David took and the consequences;

● Discuss what constitutes a sacrificial giving;

● Mention ways to reconcile with God.

INTRODUCTION* 

The census is one of the many strategic policies the government of a nation uses. A census is an official count of the population carried out at set intervals. The census allows the government to know the number of people in their state or nation so that it can plan for them through the statistical reports and figures obtained from the exercise. Nigeria has had many censuses, among which were in 1991 and 2006. One of the reasons for this is to know the country's strength in terms of working-class people and to determine the country's population for adequate planning for social amenities.

There are many census exercises in the Scripture, those commanded by God and those census - motivated by self. During the time of Moses, on two occasions, God commanded him to take a first in Numbers 1, after their Exodus from Egypt. The second census was during Moses's leadership in Numbers Chapter 26, thirty-six (36) years later, just before the Israelites were to enter into the Promised Land. But the case of King David was different; he undertook the census of the nation of Israel out of pride and self-flattery. David and the land of Israel had to suffer the consequences because it was a wrong decision. In our lesson today, we will see how God reacted to David's actions, the consequences, and David's supplication before God.

*THE LESSON EXPLAINED*

*A. GOD'S ANGER AGAINST ISRAEL* 

[1 Chronicles 21:14-17] 

King David took census of the fighting men of Israel without receiving instructions from Him. He had forgotten that God is the Owner of His people (Exodus 30:12). Counting them without God's instruction amounted to competing with God over the ownership of His people. It was ill- motivated-despite Joab's unwillingness, King David prevailed, and the census was taken. God was angry with David, and a distressing epidemic broke out in the land. When God saw the angel killing the people (seventy thousand men were killed by the angel of destruction), He commanded the angel to exempt stop. David realised the gravity of his sin against God, when he saw the angel with the sword of destruction in his hand over Jerusalem. David and the elders clothed themselves in sackcloth and fell facedown to plead with God for mercy. David acknowledged his guilt and pleaded with God to the people of Israel from the consequences of his sins. David accepted he was to be blamed for the disaster that came upon the land and, therefore, deserved to be punished alone.

Though God is loving and compassionate, we should not take Him for granted. He is interested in the motive behind our actions and inactions, especially concerning the work He has committed into our hands. As Christians, we should seek His face before taking any decision in life. Taking decisions against God's will exposes us to grave danger.

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. Discuss how the failure of leadership at different levels can plunge followers into ruin. 

2. Why do some leaders (secular or spiritual) find it difficult to acknowledge their mistakes or wrong doings?

*B. NOT A CHEAP SACRIFICE* 

[1 Chronicles 21:18-25]

God showed mercy by instructing His angel to send Prophet Gad to David with the instruction that David should go and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah, the Jebusite. It was on that site that the Lord had instructed the angel to withdraw his hand and the plague stopped (v. 15b). The idea of sacrifice concerns the way of approach to God, finding acceptance before Him by means of an acceptable substitute offered in place of the sinner and bearing the consequences of sin. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, which God will not despise. (Psalm 51:17) David acted immediately by obeying the instruction of the Lord. Before David got to Araunah, Araunah and his four sons had seen the angel on the threshing floor, so as David approached, in reverence, Araunah bowed before him with his face to the ground. At David's request to have Araunah's treshing floor to build an altar to the Lord, he offered it for free. However, David declined to take the land without paying its price. He insisted on paying the total amount for the field because the sacrifice must cost him something. King David understood what sacrifice implies— that it must cost you something personally Sacrifice must be something of value to the life of the giver (Mark 12:43-44), and required by God (Romans 12:1-2). David then paid the entire worth of the land, six hundred shekels of gold. Araunah's decision to give David the land for free is a demonstration of the willingness to serve the Lord with all one's possessions.

Children of God must always be willing to support the cause of God, as the Lord enables them. They must freely give whatever God has blessed them with to support missions. In the same vein, like David, we must be willing to part with what we have in our service to God.

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. Why do some Christians recoil at the mention of giving or contributions towards projects in the church? 

2. How can we measure sacrificial giving in today's church?

*C. DAVID OFFERED SACRIFICE* 

[1 Chronicles 21:26-30] 

David paid the full price for Araunah's field and built an altar to the Lord; this site eventually became the site for the temple built by Solomon. David built an altar to the Lord and then called on the Lord. God responded to his call by fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering. The fire that came down was a proof that God answered David's supplication and his sins were forgiven. Then the Lord commanded the angel of destruction to put his sword back into its sheath. This shows that God's anger had subsided. God was no longer angry with David and the Israelites. Then David offered sacrifices. Worthy of note is that David was quick enough to seek reconciliation with God by confessing his sin. He sought forgiveness quickly, and he found peace with God.

Every believer must take a quick step in reconciling with God by confessing his or her sins, seeking forgiveness and mercy. When that is done, we will experience inner peace within us that shows that our sins have been forgiven.

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. What does an altar represent for the New Testament believers and what is its significance in our relationship with God? 

2. What is the place of brokenness in seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with God?

*Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:*

Lead class members to share experiences concerning a wrong step they once took, the consequences that followed and how they were able to resolve the situation.

*Prayer:*

● Pray that God will help you so that you will not take decisions from a proud heart. 

● Pray that God will guide your church in all her decision-making. 

*Take Home:* 

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

● ____________________________ 

● ____________________________ 

● ____________________________ 

* Commitment:* 

● Based on today's lesson, make a personal commitment never to take any step without consulting the Lord for direction and guidance.

*Happy Sunday in Advance.*

* Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!*