Nigerian Baptist Convention Sunday School Lesson June 22, 2025 : Title - Isaac Calls On The Name of The Lord

Nigerian Baptist Convention Sunday School Lesson June 22, 2025 : Title - Isaac Calls On The Name of The Lord 

TOPIC : ISAAC CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD

Devotional Reading: Genesis 26:12-23

 Background Scripture: Genesis 26:1-33

Lesson Scripture: Genesis 26:24-33

GOLDEN TEXT

Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well. Genesis 26:25

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

I. Discuss the importance of relying on God in times of need; 

II. Explain the place of the altar in worship; 

III. Share a personal experience of God's provision amidst scarcity.

INTRODUCTION

Different life's seasons bring different challenges. This is the story of Isaac at Gerar. There was famine in the land and Isaac decided to relocate to Egypt, but the Lord warned him to stay in Gerar. He yielded and farmed in the same land. It was surprising how he received a bumper harvest, even in the midst of dearth. This provoked jealousy from the Philistines, and they acted out their feeling by filling the wells dug by Isaac's men with earth. As they blocked one well, Isaac relocated to dig another until he dug one that the Philistines did not contend for. After all efforts to frustrate Isaac failed, the Philistines decided to make a treaty with him. Today's lesson explains the reason Isaac built an altar and called upon the name of God.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

*A. Isaac Builds an Altar, Genesis 26:24-25*

After Isaac had overcome the hostilities of the Philistines toward him, he came to Beersheba. There, God appeared to him and renewed the covenant promise that He had made with Abraham. God was faithful to the promises He made to Abraham that He would bless him and make him a great nation (Genesis 26:3-4). God appeared to Isaac and re-established His covenant with him and emphasised that He would bless Isaac for the sake of Abraham, his father. God encouraged Isaac and dispelled his fear. Isaac responded by building an altar at Beersheba where he worshipped God. Isaac pitched his tent in that place and his servants dug a well there.

Isaac's resilience teaches us never to give up in the face of challenges, but to keep trusting God to bring us to our desired haven. Raising an altar to God in Beersheba is Isaac's way of saying that we recognise God as the Owner of our lives, and that we must create room for unhindered communion between us and Him. Believers should always remember that no matter what we face, God is always with us and will never forsake us. We must commit ourselves to worshipping God passionately and continually.

DISCUSSION TIME

1. How can believers handle hostility that is born out of envy? 

2. What does it mean for believers to renew their commitment to God?

B. A Peace Treaty. Genesis 26:26-33

After Isaac had settled down in Beersheba, Abimelech decided to make things right with him, and he summoned his adviser Ahuzzath and Phicol, the commander of his forces. They moved from Gerar to meet with Isaac in Beersheba to settle all conflicts. When they came to Isaac, he asked them, "Why have you come to me, since you were hostile to me and sent me away?" They declared that they had come in peace because they had seen that God was with Isaac. God's blessing in Isaac's life was undeniable and the Philistines could not but acknowledge it. They made a peace treaty with Isaac, that Isaac would not harm them, if he was living among them. He prepared a feast, and both parties ate and drank and the following day, the visitors left in peace. Forgiveness usually has its blessings. After forgiving his enemies, Isaac's servants discovered another well, which belonged to Abraham (Genesis 21:25-31). It was opened, and Isaac gave it the original name his father had called it 'Shibah'. And to this day, the name of the town has been Beersheba. We must understand that forgiveness brings healing and blessings. When believers forgive,

there will be both spiritual and emotional healing (Matthew 18:15-19). The steps Abimelech took to reconcile with Isaac are worthy of note; taking action to reconcile when we are wrong is the best because it makes peace reign.

DISCUSSION TIME

Discuss how the church should handle conflict with neighbours who do not want the church to exist in their locality. How ca can a Christian keep peace with an offender who has refused to acknowledge their error?

Fellowship and Ministry Building Activities:

Lead class members to narrate an experience in which they were right, yet apologised for the sake of peace.

Prayer

▪︎Father, destroy every conspiracy against me. 

▪︎ Lord, help me to overcome all oppositions.

*Take Home:* Based on today's lesson, write down three things you will take home.

*Commitment Based on the Lesson:* What decision would you be committed to after today's lesson?