Nigerian Baptist Convention Sunday School Lesson June 15, 2025 : Title - Abraham Makes An Offering

Nigerian Baptist Convention Sunday School Lesson June 15, 2025 : Title - Abraham Makes An Offering 

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

 

DATE: SUNDAY, 15TH JUNE, 2025.

TOPIC: ABRAHAM MAKES AN OFFERING.

Devotional Reading: Romans 4:1-15.

Background Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19.

Lesson Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14.

GOLDEN TEXT: So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." *Genesis 22:14.

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

● Analyse the depth of Abraham's faith and compare it with the way people obey God today; 

● Recognise the ultimate sacrifice made by God through Jesus and the significance of this to their faith; 

● Identify the connection between faith and making sacrifices to God.

INTRODUCTION

A pastor narrated the experience he had with a banker who was a member of the church where he pastors. The banker once approached the pastor, telling him that he should preach about practical things rather than on faith. Sometime later, there was a rumour that the bank he worked with was about to liquidate. The customers stormed the bank, demanding to have their money back. This situation troubled the banker so much, that one day, the pastor asked him, why are you troubled? He replied that it is because people have lost faith in the bank. The pastor replied, "Do you remember when you told me to preach on something more practical than faith?" Nothing is as practical as faith. We will be learning about Abraham's practical faith in today's lesson. His faith was responsible for the altars he built at four different places. He made an altar of praise (Genesis 12:1-7), an altar of prayer (12:8-13), an altar of peace (13:14-18) and an altar of provision (22:9-14).

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

A. ABRAHAM'S FAITH TESTED

[Genesis 22:1-2] 

God tested Abraham-He commanded Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, whom he loved deeply, as a burnt offering. Abraham responded to God's call with a simple, yet powerful declaration: "Here I am." He was willing to completely surrender to God's will and trust in His plan, no matter how difficult it might seem. Abraham waited for 25 years for the fulfilment of God's promise to give him a son. When the promise was eventually fulfilled, he and Sarah must have heaved a sigh of relief and rejoiced at the birth of Isaac, their miracle child. The call to offer Isaac as a sacrifice was perhaps Abraham's most challenging test of faith. He passed the tests of leaving his family and going to an unknown destination (Genesis 12:1-5) and several other tests before this time. Will he pass this test too?

From time to time, believers also undergo tests of faith and a call to sacrifice something precious to them. It may be the sacrifice of our comfort zone, fame, position, or substance. Our faith in God is put to work when we trust and obey Him, no matter the circumstances.

DISCUSSION TIME:

1. What is the difference between temptation and tests of faith? 

2. How can Christians prepare themselves for tests of faith?

B. ABRAHAM PASSED THE TEST OF FAITH* 

[Genesis 22:3-8] 

Abraham swung into action immediately he received God's instruction. He got up early the next morning, loaded the donkey with all that would be needed for the sacrifice, took his son Isaac with two servants, and they all set out on the journey to the place where God would have him offer the sacrifice. He did all these without questioning God. His was a working faith. Abraham stepped out in obedience to God's difficult instruction because he has yielded himself totally to God's will. His action rested on the promises of God. He knew that God would not renege on His promise. Therefore, he held on to the promise "in Isaac shall thy seed be called" (Genesis 21:12). Abraham believed that even if God allowed him to slay his son, He could raise Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19).

Christians must learn to take steps of faith, act according to God's instruction, even when the going is difficult. We must look up to Christ, who has called us, rather than reflecting on the challenges that we face. Focusing on our challenges could make us sink; we experience victory only when we keep our focus on Christ, the Initiator and Perfecter of our faith.

DISCUSSION TIME:

1. In line with today's lesson, define faith?  

2. How can Christian parents have faith conversations with their children (consider Abraham's conversation with Isaac)?

C. BLESSEDNESS OF A TESTED AND APPROVED FAITH*

[Genesis 22:9-14] 

The climax of Abraham's obedience in Genesis 22 is that he actually built an altar, arranged the wood on it, bound his son and laid him on the altar, ready to slaughter him as an offering. What an emotional moment for both Abraham and Isaac, as they faced the prospect of losing each other! Abraham's faith in God propelled him to follow through with the task, even in the face of such a great peril. A functional faith in God gives us the courage and strength to follow His leading, even when it requires great sacrifice. It is important to note that Abraham was not alone in this experience; God was with him all the way. An angel of the Lord intervened and stopped Abraham from killing his son, saying, “Do not lay a hand on the boy. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." God provided a ram as a substitute for the sacrifice, and Abraham offered it instead of Isaac.

This event of sacrificing Isaac is often seen as a foreshadow of God's ultimate sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, on the cross. God offered His Son as a sacrifice for the salvation of all peoples. The ultimate sacrifice of Jesus demonstrates the great love that God has for us and the depth of His commitment to His plan for our salvation. As we strive to follow in Abraham's footsteps and trust in God's plan, we can find purpose and meaning in our own lives and our relationship with God.

DISCUSSION TIME:

1. What is the place of making sacrifices in our relationship with God? 

2. How should believers respond to the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross?

Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:*

● Have class members pair themselves and share a time in their lives when they had to trust and obey God, even in the face of difficult circumstances.

● Have them pray for each other and encourage each other in the faith.

Prayer:

● Pray that God will meet all your needs.

● Pray that the Lord will meet the needs of your church, the Convention, and our nation.

Take Home:

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

● ____________________________ 

● ____________________________ 

● ____________________________ 

Commitment:

● What decision would you be committed to after today's lesson? 

Happy Sunday in Advance.

Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!