Christ Apostolic Church Sunday School Manual July 20, 2025 Lesson 26 : Topic - John The Baptist Under Godly Influences

Christ Apostolic Church Sunday School Manual July 20, 2025 Lesson 26 : Topic - John The Baptist Under Godly Influences

CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH Nigeria And Overseas

 SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

PREVIEW CLASS 

Theme : PREPARING GOD'S PEOPLE for LEADERSHIP

JANUARY TO DECEMBER, 2025

 JULY 20, 2025.

 

 LESSON 26

Unit 4: Leadership Preparation In The New Testament (I)

 Topic: JOHN THE BAPTIST UNDER GODLY INFLUENCES* 

 Memory Scripture

So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel (Luke 1:80).

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 1:80 Why did John live out in the wilderness? Prophets used the isolation of the uninhabited wilderness to enhance their spiritual growth and to focus their message on God. By being in the wilderness, John remained separate from the economic and political powers so that he could aim his message against them. He also ob remained separate from the hypocritical religious leaders of his day. His message was different from theirs, and his life proved it.

John the Baptist, forged in the wilderness, was an embodiment of the transformative power of divine ealling and unwavering conviction in being prepared for godly leadership.

BRIEF COMMENT

Being born into a Christian home with godly parents, receiving training in the ways of the Lord, and being considered a covenant child all serve as excellent foundations for leadership. However, while valuable, they merely mark the beginning of the journey, akin to an introduction in an essay. The crucial stage of preparation, essential for every aspiring leader, involves a personal encounter with the di ine in the school of experience. This is exemplified in the life of John the Baptist, whose role was to prepare the way for Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Beyond a godly upbringing and other qualifications, a direct encounter with the Holy Spirit is the pivotal stage in leadership preparation, preceding any outward manifestations. John's experience serves as a prime illustration of this principle.

Our DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS Stated that:

 1. Leadership is indeed about influence; great leaders are influenced by the greatness of greater leaders.

 2. All leaders are products of various mentors, guardians, role models, tutors and teachers from whom they have learnt, understudied and observed over time.

SHORT STORY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

There's no getting around it John the Baptist was unique. He wore odd clothes and ate strange food and preached an unusual message to the Judeans who went out to the waste-lands to see him. 

But John did not aim at uniqueness for its own sake. Instead, he aimed at obedience. He knew he had a specific role to play in the world-announcing the coming of the Savior- and he put all his energies into this task. Luke tells us that John was in the wilderness when God's word of direction came to him. John was ready and waiting. The angel who had announced John's birth to Zechariah had made it clear that this child was to be a Nazirite- one set apart for God's service. John remained faithful to that calling. 

This wild-looking man had no power or position in the Jewish political system, but he spoke with almost irresistible authority. People were moved by his words because he spoke the truth, challenging them to turn from their sins and baptizing them as a symbol of their repentance. They responded by the hundreds. But even as people crowded to him, he pointed beyond himself, never forgetting that his main role was to announce the coming of the Savior. 

The words of truth that moved many to repentance goaded others to resistance and resentment. John even challenged Herod to admit his sin. Herodias, the woman Herod had married illegally, decided to get rid of this wilderness preacher. Although she was able to have him killed, she was not able to stop his message. The one John had announced was already on the move. John had accomplished his mission. 

God has given each of us a purpose for living, and we can trust him to guide us. John did not have the complete Bible as we know it today, but he focused his life on the truth he knew from the available Old Testament Scriptures. Likewise, we can discover in God's Word the truths he wants us to know. And as these truths work in us, others will be drawn to him. God can use you in a way he can use no one else. Let him know your willingness to follow him today. 

 Strengths and accomplishments

The God-appointed messenger to announce the arrival of Jesus 

* A preacher whose theme was repentance 

* A fearless confronter 

* Known for his remarkable lifestyle 

* Uncompromising  

Lesson from his life:

God does not guarantee an easy or safe life to those who serve him 

* Doing what God desires is the greatest possible life investment 

* Standing for the truth is more important than life itself 

Vital statistics:

Where: Judea 

Occupation: Prophet

Relatives: Father: Zechariah. Mother: Elizabeth, Distant relative; Jesus. 

Contemporaries: Herod, Herodias 

 Key verse:

"I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!" (Matthew 11:11). 

 *John's story* is told in all four Gospels. His coming was predicted in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 4:5; and he is mentioned in Acts 1:5, 22: 10:37; 11:16: 13:24, 25, 18:25; 19:3, 4.

*BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES:* Matthew 3:1-3; 4:1-11 

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 *COMMENTS* 

 *Matthew 3:1, 2* Almost 30 years had passed since the events of chapter 2. Here John the Baptist burst onto the scene. His theme was "Repent of your sins." The people needed to repent-make a 180-degree turn from the kind of self-centeredness that leads to wrong actions, such as lying, cheating, stealing, gossiping, taking revenge, abusing, and indulging in sexual immorality. A person who turns from sin stops rebelling and begins following God's way of living prescribed in his Word. The first step in turning to God is to admit your sin, as John urged. Then God will receive you and help you live the way he wants. Remember that only God can get rid of sin. He doesn't expect us to clean up our life before we come to him. 

3:2 The Kingdom of Heaven began when God himself entered human history as a man. Today Jesus Christ reigns in the hearts of believers, but the Kingdom of Heaven will not be fully realized until all evil in the world is judged and removed. Christ came to earth first as a suffering servant; he will come again as king and judge to rule victoriously over all the earth.daumya 

3:3 The prophecy quoted is Isaiah 40:3. Isaiah was one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament and one of the most quoted in the New. Like Isaiah, John was a prophet who urged the people to confess their sins and live for God. Both prophets taught that the message of repentance is good news to those who listen and seek the healing forgiveness of God's love, but terrible news to those who refuse to listen and thus cut off their only hope. 

3:3 John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus by preparing others to welcome him. People who do not know Jesus need to get ready to meet him. We can prepare them by explaining their need for forgiveness, demonstrating Christ's teachings by our vent conduct, and telling them how Christ can give their lives meaning. We can "clear the road for him" by correcting misconceptions that might be hindering people from coming to Christ. Someone you know may be open to a relationship with Christ. How are you helping those around you to welcome Jesus?

 Matthew 4:1-11

4:1 This time of testing showed that Jesus really was the Son of God, able to overcome the devil and his temptations. A person has not shown true obedience if he or she has never had an opportunity to disobey. We read in Deuteronomy 8:2 that God led Israel into the wilderness to humble and test them. God wanted to see whether or not his people would really obey him. We, too, will be tested. Because we know that testing will come, we should be alert and ready for it. Remember, your convictions are only strong if they hold up under pressure! 

4:1 The devil, also called Satan, tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, and here he tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Satan is a fallen angel. He is real, not symbolic, and is constantly fighting against those who follow and obey God. Satan's temptations are real, and he is always trying to get us to live his way or our way rather than God's way. Jesus will one day reign over all creation, but Satan tried to force his hand and get him to declare his kingship prematurely. If Jesus had given in, his mission on earth-to die for our sins and give us the opportunity to have eternal life- would have been lost. When temptations seem especially strong, or when you think you can rationalize giving in, consider whether Satan may be trying to block God's purposes for your life or for someone else's life. 

4:1ff This temptation by the devil shows us that Jesus was low st human, and it gave Jesus the opportunity to reaffirm God's plan for his ministry. It also gives us an example to follow when we are tempted. Jesus' temptation was an important demonstration of his sinlessness. He would face temptation and not give in.net Although we may feel dirty after being tempted, we should remember that temptation itself is not sin. We sin when we give in and disobey God. Remembering this will help us turn away from the temptation. 

4:1 If Jesus wasn't tempted inside the Temple or at his baptism but in the wilderness, where he was tired, alone, and hungry, and thus most vulnerable. The devil often tempts us when we are vulnerable-when we are under physical or emotional stress (for example, lonely, tired, weighing big decisions, or faced with uncertainty). But he also likes to tempt us through our strengths, where we are most susceptible to pride (see the note on Luke 4:3ff). We must guard at all times against his attacks. 

4:1-10 The devil's temptations focused on three crucial areas: 

(1) physical needs and desires, 

(2) possessions and power, and 

(3) pride (see 1 John 2:15, 16 for a similar list). But Jesus did not give in. Hebrews 4:15 says that Jesus "laced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin." He knows firsthand what we are experiencing, and he is willing and able to help us in our struggles. When you are tempted, turn to him for strength.

4:3, 4 Jesus was hungry and weak after fasting for 40 days, but she chose not to use his divine power to satisfy his natural desire for food. Food, hunger, and eating are good, but the timing was wrong. Jesus was in the wilderness to fast, not to eat. And because Jesus had given up the unlimited, independent use of his divine power in order to experience humanity fully, he wouldn't use his power to change the stones to bread. We also may be tempted to satisfy a perfectly normal desire in a wrong way or at the wrong time. If we indulge in sex before marriage or if we steal to get food, web are trying to satisfy God-given desires in wrong ways. Remember, many of your desires are normal and good, but God wants you to satisfy them in the right way and at the right time.

4:3, 4 Jesus was able to resist all of the devil's temptations because he not only knew Scripture, but he also obeyed it. Ephesians 6:17 says that God's Word is a sword to use in spiritual combat. Knowing Bible verses is an important step in helping us resist the devil's attacks, but we must also obey the Bible. Note that Satan had memorized Scripture, but he failed to obey it. Knowing and obeying the Bible helps us follow God's desires rather than the devil's. 

4:5 The Temple was the religious center of the Jewish nation and the place where the people expected the Messiah to arrive (Malachi 3:1). Herod the Great had renovated the Temple in hopes of gaining the Jews' confidence. The Temple was the tallest build- ing in the area, and this "highest point" was probably the cornerw wall that jutted out of the hillside, overlooking the valley below. From this spot, Jesus could see all of Jerusalem behind him and the country for miles in front of him. 

4:5-7 God is not our magician in the sky ready to perform on m request. In response to Satan's temptations, Jesus said not to put God to a test (Deuteronomy 6:16). You may want to ask God to do something to prove his existence or his love for you. Jesus once taught through a parable that people who don't believe what is written in the Bible won't believe even if someone were to come back from the dead to warn them (Luke 16:31)! God wants us to live by faith, not by magic. Don't try to manipulate God by asking for signs. 

4:6 The devil used Scripture to try to convince Jesus to sin! Sometimes friends or associates will present attractive and convincing reasons why you should try something you know is wrong. They may even find Bible verses that seem to support their viewpoint. Study the Bible carefully, especially the broader contexts of specific verses, so that you understand God's principles for living and what he wants for your life. Only if you really understand what the whole Bible says will you be able to recognize errors of interpretation when people take verses out of context and twist them to say what they want them to say.

4:8, 9 Did the devil have the power to give Jesus the nations of the world? Didn't God, the Creator of the world, have control over these nations? The devil may have been lying about his implied power, or he may have based his offer on his temporary control and free rein over the earth because of humanity's sinfulness. The temptation before Jesus was to take the world as a political ruler right then, without carrying out his plan to save the world from sin. Satan was trying to distort Jesus' perspective by making him focus on worldly power and not on God's plans. 

4:8-10 The devil offered the whole world to Jesus if Jesus would only kneel down and worship him. Today the devil offers us the world by trying to entice us with materialism and power. We can resist temptations the same way Jesus did. If you find yourself craving something that the world offers, quote Jesus' words to the devil: "You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him." 

4:11 Angels, like these who waited on Jesus, have a significant role as God's messengers. These spiritual beings were involved in Jesus' life on earth by 

(1) announcing Jesus' birth to Mary,

(2) reassuring Joseph, 

(3) naming Jesus, 

(4) announcing Jesus' birth to the shepherds, 

(5) protecting Jesus by sending his family to Egypt, and 

(6) ministering to Jesus in Gethsemane. For more on angels,

AIM of this lesson is to: To unveil the various factors that influenced the person of John the Baptist, leadership-wise.

INTRODUCTION

 TEXTUAL SOURCE: Matthew 3:1-17; 14:4,10; Luke 1:57,68-80* 

This week, the Holy Spirit will help to deal with the topic: "JOHN THE BAPTIST UNDER GODLY INFLUENCES". The spiritual, physical, biological and parental influences that moulded his character and ministry, thereby preparing him for significant leadership responsibilities, are what the Holy Spirit is about to reveal to us. If you are prepared, then let us go and learn at His feet.

LESSON OUTLINE

 I. BY GODLY PARENTS

 II. BY GOD, IN THE WILDERNESS

LESSON EXPOSITION

 I. BY GODLY PARENTS (Luke 1:57,68-80)

Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people" (Lk. 1:67-68). 

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1:67f Zechariah praised God with his first words after months of silence. In a song that is often called the Benedictus after the first words in the Latin translation of this passage, Zechariah prophesied the coming of a Savior who would redeem his people and predicted that his son, John, would prepare the Messiah's way. All the Old Testament prophecies were coming true-no wonder Zechariah praised God! The Messiah would come in Zechariah's lifetime, and his son had been chosen to pave the way.

a) v. 57: John inherited a rich legacy of devotion to God from his family, which provided a strong spiritual foundation for his leadership. 

b) Like Timothy (2 Tim. 1:5), John was raised in a home where faith was practised and passed down through generations, nurturing his spiritual growth and leadership qualities.

c) vv. 68-75: John's parents understood their roles in fulfilling God's covenant. They instilled in him a sense of purpose and calling from an early age. 

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The impact of godly role in the life of a child cannot be overestimate. Many children would have make great impact in this world and for God but they experience great setback due to the role of their ungodly parents and friends around them. If any child will succeed like John the Baptist and Timothy godly role of their parents in their lives will go a long way. Proverb 22:6. If you don't monitor your children's spiritual growth they may not have option than taken a personal decision that may not go in God's direction and this will badly affect their purpose on earth. You as parent what role are playing on your children? When you're in the presence of God where you are your children?

If you want to experience peace at your old age help your children now to identify their position in God's eternal plan for humanity. Proverb 22:6.

d) vv. 76-79: His parents recognised John's divine calling and actively nurtured him to fulfil his prophetic role, providing him with the necessary guidance and support. 

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1:76 Zechariah had just recalled hundreds of years of God's sovereign work in history, beginning with Abraham and going on into eternity. Then, in tender contrast, he personalized the story. His son had been chosen for a key role in the drama of the ages. Although God has unlimited power, he chooses to work through frail humans who begin as helpless babies. Don't minimize what God can do through those who are faithful to him.

Do you know that if you as parent is spiritually weak you can't help your children to be spiritually strong in Christ. If you don't have time for Bible studies, for Christian seminars, Sunday School classes etc, it will be very difficult to bring your child to the godly path that is difficult for you to join. If you don't lay down good examples you're laying down foundation that will negatively affect your children's life.

Never say, you're old enough to take a decision when you know too well that your child has not been deeply rooted in Christ. Is like you're given him freedom to accept ungodly advices from ungodly friends and society.

e) John humbly submitted himself to the guidance of his parents, allowing their godly influences to shape his character and ministry, unlike Samson (Jdg. 14:1-5), who resisted parental counsel.

f) John obeyed his parents in the Lord, honouring their authority and following their guidance (Matt. 15:4; Eph. 6:1-3), which contributed to his spiritual maturity and effectiveness as a leader. 

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No child can easily obey his/her biology-parents in the Lord if his parents failed to make a godly impact in his life unless God uses external spiritual parents for him. Don't let your financial issues and budget take the position of your godly role in your the life of your child (children).

g) God commands all children to obey their parents in the Lord. Godly parents have the task of deliberately preparing their children for godly purposes, as the children also have the obligation to accept and follow their parents' guidance and instructions.

*II. BY GOD, IN THE WILDERNESS (Matthew 3:1-17; 14:4,10)* 

In those days, John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying; "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (3:1-2) *Read my comment above*

a) 3:1-3: John the Baptist's ministry began in the wilderness as he fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy (Isa. 40:3). This shows the importance of being alone with God and having a divine calling in leadership development. 

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If God truly called you into the ministry, he will lead you to where you will start. You can't start your ministry where you choose but it must be where God chooses for you. I'm sorry to say this most of ministers always look for greener pasture unlike John the Baptist that was in the wilderness. Ministers' conference has become avenue where most of ministers get connected to be transfer to a better assembly! Most of ministers always complain there is no money and I'm not happy they now want to look for the chairman that will transfer them to a better assembly. John the Baptist was not the only minister of God in the world in those days but he was where God want him to be in the wilderness and he was doing the work with great passion! Despite the environment, God chooses his ministry ahead of others. Stay where God want you to be, He will visit you at the right time.

b) vv. 2-4: John's austere lifestyle and preaching of repentance in the wilderness underscored his separation from worldly distractions and his leadership in guiding spiritual transformation.

c) v. 4: His simple clothing and diet implied the sacrifices and discipline needed for leadership, with reliance on God. 

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You want to be changing clothes, shoes and fleet of cars and travels abroad just to satisfy earthly desire instead of heavenly desire; the unwanted news is that men will recognize your ministry but God (the owner of the ministry) won't recognize your services. Choose to God in God's way and way on God's timing.

d) v. 4: Enduring hardship and isolation in the wilderness helped him to discover vital spiritual treasures (Lk. 1:80), showing the place of patience and seclusion for effective leadership preparation. 

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Giant are trained in the wilderness (in environment where there is no one to help) but God value them more than most of the ministers in a better place. Don't look down/reject the ministry of the wilderness, stay where God want not because of circumstances!

e) vv. 3,11-12,13-17: His time in obscurity, like a crafted vessel in a workshop, prepared him for his prophetic role. The more consecrated we are, the more useful we become in ministry.

f) vv. 6,11: As he baptised multitudes for repentance in Jordan, he recognised Jesus' superiority and baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire-humility and divine authority in leadership. 

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Men's best environment is not the best environment for God to carry out His master plan. Bible confirm this in different ways. The Trinity chooses Wilderness instead of great Cities to carry out His master plan! This is a lesson to all ministers to always ask for God's direction not self direction/decision for the ministry.

g) 14:4,10: John's brave confrontation of king Herod for his sin, which ultimately led to his martyrdom, highlighted his strong foundation in truth and integrity in leadership.

h) Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, like John the Baptist, was a voice for God from the wilderness, impacting people worldwide. Just as Jesus praised John as the greatest prophet, Babalola's influence is also profound and enduring. This highlights the significance of wilderness experiences. Do you value your time in the wilderness?

Young ministers must learn from the past godly leaders before taking any decision.

Thanks

LESSONS DERIVED

 1. Charity begins at home, and so does leadership. The home is where every child first learns and prepares to become a great leader. Take good care of yours!

 2. The wilderness experience is where the most powerful and impactful leaders are birthed. Seek such encounter regularly!

QUESTIONS

 1. Explain how godly parenting helped John the Baptist become the type of leader God wanted him to be.

 2. What does the wilderness experience mean to you?

Thank you for joining us today. May God grant us a retentive memories in Jesus name. Amen

Please send your questions and make your contribution.