Nigerian Baptist Convention Weekly Sunday Lesson Outline July 6, 2025: Title - Jesus And The Temple

Nigerian Baptist Convention Weekly Sunday Lesson Outline July 6, 2025: Title - Jesus And The Temple 

TOPIC - JESUS AND THE TEMPLE

PREVIEW FOR JULY

We thank God Almighty for leading us through the first six months of the year. It has been wonderful learning about God's Word together. The theme for this month is "Jesus and the Temple." The texts shall be taken from the gospel of Luke, Matthew and John. The lessons highlight Jesus' relation to the temple. Some of the key points to be discussed are as follows: 

● The boy, Jesus, in the temple: Jesus, at age twelve, amazed the teachers with His keen insights at the temple; 

● Lord of the Sabbath: Jesus and His disciples were criticised for violating the Sabbath; 

● Cleansing the temple: John's account of how Jesus cleansed the temple and Jesus' declaration to raise "This Temple" (His own body) in three days; 

● Jesus predicts the temple's destruction: Jesus' shocking prediction that the magnificent physical temple would one day be destroyed.

The temple was first called "Tabernacle" in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament; it was used figuratively to denote Christ's human body (John 2:19, 21). The believers were also called "The temple of God" (1 Corinthians 3:16-17), and heaven was also referred to as a temple. Generally, the word is used in the Scripture as an erected house on the summit of Mount Moriah and a place for the worship of God (2 Chronicles 3:1), also as "Temple of the Lord" (2 Kings 11:10; 2 Chronicles 23:5, 12), "The holy temple" (Psalms 79:1), the temple of the God of Jacob (Isaiah 2:3), a temple of sacrifice (2 Chronicles 7:12), the mountain of the Lord's temple (Isaiah 2:2), and Christ call it "My Father's house" (John 2:16).

Below are the suggested teaching methods to prepare and teach the lessons. They can be used during the general opening or in the class.

*July 6 - Drama:* Let the class members dramatise how Joseph and Mary were looking for Jesus.

*July 13 - Group Discussion:* Divide class members into two groups and let them discuss the significance of the Sabbath and how we can also ensure that it is observed.

*July 20 - Brainstorming:* Write down some critical questions based on the lesson and allow class members to brainstorm. After each lesson, teachers are to do a conclusion.

*July 27 - Group Discussion:* Divide the class members into two groups and let them discuss the topic in relation to Jesus' prediction over the destruction of the temple.

DATE: SUNDAY, 6TH JULY, 2025.

TOPIC:

THE BOY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE.

*Devotional Reading:*

 Psalm 27.

*Background Scripture:* 

Luke 2:41-52.

*Lesson Scripture:*

Luke 2:41-52.

*GOLDEN TEXT:*

_"Why were you searching for me?" He asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" *Luke 2:49.*_

Objectives:* 

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

● Study the message Jesus passed across to His parents in relation to parenting;

● Resolve on how to balance church activities and family responsibilities;

● Identify factors that can aid the godly upbringing of children.

*INTRODUCTION* 

The boy, Jesus, was with his family in Jerusalem for an annual festival. They were there for worship to return to Nazareth afterwards. During the course of the journey, something unexpected happened, Jesus was discovered to be missing on their way back to Nazareth. He was in the temple with the leaders, discussing the issues of God's kingdom passionately. He remained there doing His Father's business. What do you expect of a boy of about twelve years old today? He may likely be in Junior Secondary school or probably be a member of the "Royal Ambassador" if he is from a Baptist family. But do you expect him to be the Sunday school superintendent of a local church? This is unlikely. Today's lesson focuses on the boy, Jesus, in the temple.

*THE LESSON EXPLAINED

*A. THE PASSOVER FEAST*

[Luke 2:41] 

Annually, people gather at the temple in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. Jesus' parents attended the annual Feast of the Passover every year as devoted Israelites. Passover Feast is one of the names given to the three great historical annual festivals of the Jews (Leviticus 23:4-8). It is kept in remembrance of how God delivered the Jewish people from the land of Egypt, the night which God avenged His children over the Egyptians when all the firstborn children of Egypt were destroyed (Exodus 12:13). The feast is also known as the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" (Exodus 23:15, Mark 14:1, Act 12:3). This is because during the feast, no leavened bread was permitted to be eaten or even kept in their houses (Exodus 12:15). The law required every male Jew to go to Jerusalem three times in a year to celebrate the festivals. "Three times in a year, all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed" (Deuteronomy 16:16). Because Jews were dispersed in several locations throughout the Roman Empire, most of the people could only make the trip once in a year, and that preferred time was during the celebration of the Passover Feast.

The message of the Passover is the message of great deliverance that must not be forgotten. The Israelites obeyed God's instructions, and He saved them from death and destruction. Years after, the people observed an annual feast in remembrance of God's deliverance. The same God is at work today, saving men and women and setting them free from the hands of their captors. How do you remember those significant things that God has done for you? As children of God, salvation is the greatest miracle to be experienced, which you must cherish and never forget. Remembering God's favour would inspire you to constantly worship, give thanks and live for Him alone.

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. How committed are you to God's instructions? 

2. How would you celebrate God's deliverance and goodness in your life and family? Share with class members.

*B. JESUS AT THE PASSOVER FEAST* 

[Luke 2:42-45] 

Jesus must have attended the Passover Feast for the first time at the age of twelve. Each Jewish male becomes responsible for himself and all of Israel at the age of twelve. Therefore, it was required of Him to attend the feast, according to customs. At the close of the Passover Feast, Jesus' parents left for home, thinking that He was in the company of their relatives and friends since the pilgrims usually travel in convoy. After they had gone on a day's journey, they discovered that Jesus was not with them, so they decided to go back to Jerusalem anxiously in search of Him. Parents have the responsibility to bring up their children in the way of the Lord. Taking them to worship God is an integral part of this responsibility. Do not leave your children behind, no matter the degree of your commitment to the service of God in your church. Children develop socially, emotionally and spiritually as they constantly participate in worship. Worship in the presence of God has its places in the spiritual development of each child.

DISCUSSION TIME:

1. Does discovery after a day's journey indicate that Jesus' parents were slack in their responsibilities to watch and take proper care of their children? Discuss. 

2. Is it proper for parents to leave their children at home when going to church or allow them to attend another denomination? Discuss.

*C. JESUS FOUND IN HIS FATHER'S HOUSE*

[Luke 2:46-52] 

Jesus's parents searched for Him for three days, and it seemed all efforts had proved abortive. Upon their arrival in the temple at Jerusalem, they found Him in the temple courts absorbed in discussions with the religious leaders, who were surprised at the depth and intelligence displayed by a twelve-year-old. The temple courts is a place of learning. During festivals such as the Passover, the great rabbi(s) of the land usually come together to learn from each other as they discuss great truths from the Scriptures. His parents were surprised to see Him among people of this calibre. The mother asked him, 'Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you' (v. 48b). Jesus then responded to His parents by saying, 'Why were you searching for me?' 'Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?' (v. 49). His response indicated His awareness that He was God's Son. Though Jesus' parents did not understand what He was saying, He obeyed them and followed them back to Nazareth. This shows that despite Jesus' awareness of His divine position, He submitted Himself to parental authority and guidance. After that, He grew in wisdom, stature and favour with God and man.

Young people should not despise parental guidance, nor should parents neglect their roles in guiding children that God has entrusted to them. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honour your father and mother"- the first commandment with a promise, "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." (Ephesians 6:1-3, Proverbs 1:8-9).

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. Suggest ways young people can handle parental instructions regardless of their own plans. 

2. Discuss how Christians can balance commitment to church activities and family responsibilities.

*Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:*

● Lead class members to discuss Jesus' response to His parents and how they should have handled such an attitude, by individuals.

*Prayer:*

● Guide me, Lord, that I may be able to guide the children you have given me right. 

● Lord Jesus, make our children like you.

*Take Home:* 

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

● ____________________________ 

● ____________________________ 

● ____________________________ 

Commitment:* 

● Based on today's lesson, write out things you will do to balance church and family responsibilities and resolve to start practising them.

*Happy Sunday in Advance.*

Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!*📍