Nigerian Baptist Convention Lesson For Your Presentation June 8, 2025 : Title - The Rainbow Promise

Nigerian Baptist Convention Lesson For Your Presentation June 8, 2025 : Title - The Rainbow Promise 

Theme for the Month: "THE GENESIS OF ALTARS AND SACRIFICES."

 

TOPIC: THE RAINBOW PROMISE.

Devotional Reading: Psalm 77:1-2, 7-19.

Background Scripture: Genesis 6:1-9; 17.

Lesson Scripture: Genesis 8:13-22; 9:11-13.

GOLDEN TEXT:

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." *Genesis 9:13.

Objectives:

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

● Analyse the significance of the rainbow, as a symbol of God's promise of love;

● Appreciate God's love and promise to abide in His love covenant;

● Explain the promise that is attached to the rainbow and three implications for humanity.

INTRODUCTION

As John sat in his prison cell, he could not help but feel a sense of despair. He had been locked up for years, and there seemed to be no end in sight to his detention. But despite the bleakness of his circumstance, John held on to one glimmer of hope the ray of sunlight that streamed through his small prison window every day. As the sun rose each morning, John would watch the warm rays of light as it filters into his cell. Though it looks like a minute thing, it brought him a sense of peace and comfort. It reminded him that there is a world outside the cold, concrete walls and that one day, he would be able to experience freedom again. Eventually, John's jail term came an end. As he walked out into the bright sunshine, he was overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. The warmth of the sun on his skin was like a balm to his soul, and he knew that he had been given a second chance. From that day on, John never took the sunshine for granted, and he always remembered the hope and comfort it had brought him during his time in prison.

Rainbow represents the covenant that God entered with humanity. God promised never again to destroy the earth with flood. A covenant in the ancient world was like what the modern world refer to as a contract, treaty, or will. Each covenant established the basis and conditions of the relationship and the consequences, if those conditions were unmet. In Genesis 9, God made a covenant with Noah after the flood. The covenant was a commitment to maintain the relationship between God and humans.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

A. COVENANT BETWEEN GOD AND HUMANITY* 

[Genesis 8:13-22] 

It took one hundred and fifty days before the flood over the earth receded (Genesis 8:3), yet God did not forget Noah, his family, and every other living creature with them in the ark. He sustained them every day while in the ark. Noah enjoyed God's grace and blessings for a long time. After forty days of waiting, the ark rested on Mount Ararat. The raven and the dove were sent to see how far the water had receded. He knew the water had finally dried up when the dove did not return the third time it was sent. Then Noah opened the ark (Genesis 8:6-12). When Noah came out of the ark, he built an altar and offered sacrifices of thanksgiving to God. God accepted his offering and looked down with mercy and love. God then entered into a covenant with Noah in response to the pleasing sacrifice. God made a promise never again to curse the ground or destroy all living creatures. He promised that different seasons would remain, and nothing again would tamper with the course of nature. This promise shows God's love and grace towards His creation, despite our flaws and sins.

DISCUSSION TIME:

1. What is the equivalent of altar and sacrifices for today's believers? 

2. Why do we still experience floods and other natural disasters today?

*B. SYMBOL OF GOD'S PROMISE*

[Genesis 9:11-13] 

Rainbow means different things to different people. Scientists see rainbows as the reflection of rays of the sun on water. A Yoruba myth perceive a rainbow as a great snake - a variety of the python (called ere), which comes up at times to drink water from the sky. However, the rainbow, as seen in today's text, is a symbol that seals the covenant that God made with humanity through Noah, never to destroy the earth with flood again.

Noah enjoyed the privilege of a covenant relationship with God because he was obedient to God and served Him wholeheartedly when others in his generation thought less of God. The rainbow reminds believers of God's steadfast love and desire to protect and preserve His creation. It is a powerful reminder to trust in God's faithfulness, knowing He will always keep His promises and will never abandon us. God initiated the covenant with a symbol and bound Himself by it. Rainbows remind us of God as a covenant -keeping Father. We must always remember His promises and trust that He is able to fulfil them. His grace conquers sin. Though He rebukes sin, His tender mercy endures forever.

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. What is the significance of the rainbow to humans?

2. How can we trust in God's promises and be good stewards on the earth?

*📌Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:*

Lead class members to reflect on how the covenant of the rainbow has impacted their faith and relationship with God. Encourage open and honest discussion and allow everyone to share their thoughts and experiences.

*📌Prayer:*

● Lord, establish Your covenant of love with me.

● Lord, help me to trust in Your covenant and establish them in my time.

*📌Take Home:* 

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

● ____________________________ 

● ____________________________ 

● ____________________________ 

*📌 Commitment:* 

● Based on today's lesson, commit to embrace God's love and to depend on Him in times of challenges.

*Happy Sunday in Advance.*

*🌨 Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!*📍