Nigerian Baptist Convention Sunday School Studies For October 19, 2025 : Title - THE STORY OF THE RECHABITES

Nigerian Baptist Convention Sunday School Studies For October 19, 2025 : Title - THE STORY OF THE RECHABITES

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON (NBC)

Sunday,  October 19, 2025

THE STORY OF THE RECHABITES

Devotional Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:4

Background Scripture: Jeremiah 35:1-19

Lesson Scripture: Jeremiah 35:5-11

GOLDEN TEXT

But they replied, 'We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab gave us this command: "Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine. Jeremiah 35:6

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

I. Identify the importance of keeping promises in this contemporary times;

II. Identify the challenges of keeping promises in contemporary times;

III. Mention some qualities that enabled the Rechabites to demonstrate complete obedience to their forefathers and commit themselves to passing on the values of the Christian faith to the next generation.

INTRODUCTION

The story of the Rechabites is not a very popular one in the Scripture. This may be due to their separated lifestyle. The Rechabites, were a radically committed sect among the Israelites who emphasised a nomadic life as Israel lived in the wilderness. Their roots went back to Jethro the Kenite, the father-in-law of Moses. The Kenites came from the area of Jericho and lived in the Wilderness of Judah to the south (Judges 4:17, 1 Samuel 15:6). These nomads were the ancestors of the house of Rechab (1 Chronicles 2:55). The father of the Rechabites was Jonadab (Jehonadab), an associate of Jehu in the violent and

radical purge of the house of Ahab in 2 Kings 10:15-28. He taught a life free from idolatry and its associations, and free from the corruptions of the city life. It is possible that the Rechabites were not only connected by family bonds, but also received others into their group who shared their ascetic, simple, nomadic commitment to God. Today's lesson is about this group of Jews whose obedience to family rules impressed even God. And God lifts them up as models for the rest of us. God wants us to be obedient to the rules He has given us.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

A. The Rechabite Family in Judah. Jeremiah 35:5-7

God told Jeremiah to invite the Rechabites to one of the side rooms in the house of the Lord and give them wine to drink. Knowing that the Rechabites were not pure Jews, Jeremiah did not hesitate to obey God and went out to get all the members of the Rechabite family (vv.3-5). The Rechabites were descendants of Rechab, a Kenite. Thus, related to the Midianites and Moses family by marriage (see Judges 1:16), they

were a nomadic people group known for their strict rules to abstain from wine, from building houses, from sowing seed, and from planting vineyards (w.6-7). They faithfully abided by these rules through enerations, all the way from the time of Jehu (2 Kings 10:15) to the time of Jeremiah. The Rechabites firmly declined the wine and explained the command of their forefather. They remained faithful and obedient to their family tradition. They might have been instructed to abstain from wine to prevent them from disclosing their secrets under the influence of alcohol. The loyalty of the Rechabites to the rules of their forefathers was the complete opposite of the disobedience that was prevalent in Zedekiah's time. God was about to hand Jerusalem over into the hands of the Babylonians for fiery destruction (Jeremiah 34:2) because they failed to be as faithful as the Rechabites.

God has set standards, rules, and values for all His children. A call to follow after Christ is a call to live a distinctive life. We must encourage faithfulness and teach our children to be faithful, too. The Rechabites were not hesitant to teach their children about the values that separated them from others. They were not ashamed to be different from other Israelites. They did not feel intimidated because they were different. They stood by their values and insisted on doing the right thing. Believers, too, must learn the act of teaching their children Christian values early in life. They must know that as God's children, we are different from the world, and that is what God desires. This is the only way to ensure that these values are not lost in generations. God expects every believer to be a covenant keeper. Keep the vow of your church and marriage, and be committed to living your life by biblical principles. Do not be one of those who could be tossed to and fro. There were contemporary tribes who still uphold the rules passed on from their forefathers. How obedient are you as one who knows what God wants and what He hates?

DISCUSSION TIME

1. Share some challenges and values of obedience (or keeping promise) for Christians today.

2. What lessons can we learn from some non-Christians about obedience and keeping promises; what should be our attitude towards such people (the unsaved but morally good people)?

B. The Resolution of the Rechabite Family. Jeremiah 35:8-9

Jonadab's descendants obeyed everything he commanded. They completely abstained from wine, and they did not build houses to live in. One amazing truth about the Rechabites is that they were not motivated by any religious inclination like the Essenes (a religious sect during the time of Jesus who left the society because they were dissatisfied with the religion of the cities of Judah). Instead, Rechabites were itinerant artisans doing metal work and repairing chariots and weaponry. They kept the two categories of instructions given to them by their forefathers: 1. things not to do - do not drink wine, do not build houses, do not live in houses, and do not sow seed or plant vineyards. 2. Things to do - They must always live in tents (v. 7a).

The Rechabites remind all humans that all authority is instituted by God, and in submitting to human authority, we are submitting to God. In resisting human authority, we are resisting God (Romans 13:1-2). The Rechabites were obedient to their father, founder and leader. If the Rechabites could be obedient to their earthly fathers, how much should Christians obey God, the Creator of heaven and the earth? The faithfulness and obedience of the Rechabites were instructive for the people of Judah and should be also for contemporary Christians. We must obey the laws of our country, a branch of which is obedience to the law of the land. This is necessary for the sake of our conscience as believers. Growth and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit fellowship are impossible when members disobey the rules, covenants, and guidelines of the local churches, Associations, Conferences and Conventions.

DISCUSSION TIME

1. Identify qualities of the Rechabites' obedience; compare it to the lack of obedience to God by Christians today. 

2. Mention some practical ways of passing the values/standards of the Christian faith to the next generation.

C. The Sensitivity of the Rechabite Family. Jeremiah 35:10-11

One of the pending judgements that looms on the people of Judah was the captivity by Babylon. Judah was about to be displaced from the service of God in Jerusalem because of its disobedience.

Babylon's invasion and the need to escape from the Aramean armies made the Rechabites relocated to Jerusalem. Yet, the Rechabites remained faithful despite their relocation. The Rechabites were sensitive people. At the time of the emergence, they relocated to Jerusalem to seek cover. But they did not forsake their forefather's instruction for the culture of the new place they found themselves. They were sensitive enough to know that they only changed location and not values. Some believers stopped keeping certain instructions from God because they found themselves in a new location. While some are afraid to move to certain locations because of the fear of value change. Every believer must know that God's standard does not change based on location or culture. No matter where we find ourselves as believers, we must stay true to God's instructions. God's Word says to watch and pray. In watching, you are sensitive and not rigid about the situation. Christians must be sensitive to God's leadership regarding when to wait, watch, move or relocate. Do not depend on your inclination or wisdom. Pray for the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Be ready to obey Him always and also stay true to your convictions.

DISCUSSION TIME

1. How can Christians remain sensitive to God's mind and do what He wants at all times? 

2. Comment briefly on this statement: 'Obedience is better than sacrifice. 

Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity

Based on the lesson, divide the class into accountability groups, according to that profession. business or other common areas of interest. Let them discuss how to reflect or represent Christ more faithfully in their workplace/school. They should evaluate themselves periodically

Prayer

Pray that you will be humble enough to obey God always. 

Pray for a lifestyle that pleases God always.

Take Home

Based on today's lesson, write down three lessons you have learnt about obedience and make a commitment to keep them.

Commitment: Based on today's lesson, resolve to stand up and stand out for Christ everywhere, regardless of the trials and temptations of your faith.