Nigerian Baptist Convention Sunday School Lesson For October 26, 2025 : Title - God's Law In The Heart

Nigerian Baptist Convention Sunday School Lesson For October 26, 2025 : Title - God's Law In The Heart 

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON (NBC)

Sunday, October 26, 2025

GOD'S LAW IN THE HEART

Devotional Reading: Psalm 103:17-22

Background Scriptures: Jeremiah 31:1-40; John 1:17: Hebrews 87-13

Lesson Scripture: Jeremiah 31:29-34; John 1:17

GOLDEN TEXT

I will put my low in their minds and write it on their hearts I will be their God, and they will be my people. Jeremiah 31:33b

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

I. Understand the importance of the new covenant;

II. Resolve to live a life that is guided by grace and truth;

III. Mention the significance of the transformation that comes from heart in a relationship with God

INTRODUCTION

A beautiful young lady called Veronica was kidnapped as a result of a war that happened before she was born. War broke out between two neighboring villages called Ajaa and Aanu, fifty years before Veronica was born. This war started because the most beautiful lady in Ajaa village, who happened to be the only daughter of the king was mistakenly killed by one of the boys from Aanu village. At the time, the war lasted for about two weeks. Ajaa villagers wanted to kidnap a beautiful lady from Aanu as revenge, but they were not successful. Nearly fifty years later, a competition between Secondary school took Veronica to Ajaa village. When the Ajaa people saw her beauty, they kidnap her Unknown to Ajaa villagers, Veronica's parents had helped many of Ajaa's indigenes in the city. When some of those they helped heard about Veronica's abduction, they went all out to rescue her and also initiated permanent peace between the two villages. Jesus had already settled the war between God and man. Today's lesson opens our eyes to the fact that we do not need to suffer for past sins or inherited sins because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

A. Inherited and Individual Consequences of Sin. Jeremiah 31:29-30

God entered into a new relationship with His people. This new relationship was based on the forgiveness of sin that the people of Judah and Israel had received. Due to this forgiveness, their captivity would soon be over, and they would experience restoration after God had scattered them because of their sins. This new effort by God to the nation would silence a proverb that was common in Jeremiah's day (Jeremiah 31: 29b; Ezekiel 18:2-4).

Those facing judgment in Jeremiah's day felt that God was punishing them unfairly for their ancestors' sins. They said, "Though the fathers had eaten sour grapes, the children's teeth are set on edge.' In other words, the children suffered the consequence of the sin committed by the fathers. This belief would mean that God was unjust. God declared to them that such thought would not stand. Each one would bear responsibility for his or her conduct. God, whose nature is just, will ensure that each guilty person is punished for his or her sin, and those who have not sinned will not partake of the punishment. The emphasis of the new beginning is based on individual relationships with God rather than general ones, with each person putting faith in the Lord and receiving a new disposition toward godliness.

Some persistent challenges that most people face today are inherited. But are all calamities, failures and problems inherited, as some people would argue? No! The situation of Nigeria presently, for instance, is not a result of the mistakes, errors, sins and corruptions of the past. Our current relationship with God and how much it has affected our attitudes and conducts are the primary determining factors of the recent happenings in this country. If we make our way right with God, we will see His favour, restoration and mercy. Our country will begin to become what God intends it to be if we allow God to have His way.

DISCUSSION TIME

1. Why do some believers still suffer from specific challenges and consequences of their ancestors' sins?

2. Is this new covenant automatic for a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), or are there steps to be taken to experience it?

B. The Old and New Covenant for God's People. Jeremiah 31:31-34

God sent prophet Jeremiah to prophesy that the new covenant He would make with His people would mean putting His law in their minds and writing it on their hearts. The previous covenant was the Mosaic Law in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The people broke the covenant and inherited the curses associated with violation of the covenant. They were sent to exile, Jerusalem was destroyed, and the people were scattered. The question that comes to mind is, "Was the old covenant weak or ineffective, or why was it broken?" The old covenant was written on a tablet; it needed an interpreter and was perhaps not readily available. The new covenant would be written on the individual's heart, and there would be continuous interpretation through internal witnessing by the Holy Spirit. In Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit did not universally indwell all believers. Thus, one major aspect of the new covenant is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all believers (Joel 2:28-32). In addition, God will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more (v. 34).

God has made the necessary provision to redeem the weakness of the old covenant. Beyond all other conditions, the Holy Spirit is here now to help you where you are weak. However, openness to His witness, leadership and counsel cannot be over-emphasised. God is no longer far from anyone. His Word, as pronounced by Jesus Christ, remains valid. He says, 'I will be with you always."

DISCUSSION TIME

1. Is there any connections between knowing the law and having a relationship with God? Explain 

2. What is the significance of the transformation that cones from the heart  in the relationship with God.

C. The Law Gives Way for Grace and Truth. John 1:17

In the earlier chapters of the book of Jeremiah, God's people were unfaithful. They broke the Mosaic Law and experienced God's wrath for their sin. However, because of God's mercy, He decided to engrave the new covenant in the minds and hearts of His people with a promise to be their God and make them His people. God forgave and restored the people not based on any good but because He was full of mercy (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

The fulfilment of Jeremiah's words is not only applicable to the people of Judah and Israel, but it also has connections with the promise of a new covenant. This promise was fulfilled ultimately in the coming of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 8:6-13). God always makes the first move toward reconciliation with the covenant people. He provides a way for people to remain faithful to Him through Christ. John 1:17 says, 'For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Christ has completed His work of grace for everyone who will receive Him. It is a privilege and, at the same time, a responsibility. Everyone has access to God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The power to remain in Christ is available through the Word and the Spirit.

DISCUSSION TIME

1. How can Christians live in the fullness of grace and truth? 

2. How will you appropriate grace and truth received from Jesus?

Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity

Based on today's lesson, lead class members to brainstorm on the practical experiences expected from those who have moved from the old covenant to the new covenant lifestyle.

Prayer

▪︎  Lord, help me to live in the newness of the grace you brought to the world.

▪︎  Father, help me to live by Your truth alone.

Take Home

Write down three lessons you are taking home, based on today's lesson.

Commitment:* Based on today's lesson, make a commitment to live a new life, according to the grace and truth you received through Jesus Christ.

REVIEW FOR THE MONTH

There is no doubt that we have been blessed learning from the life of prophet Jeremiah. We looked into his early life, his call to ministry and the people of Judah and Israel. If that is true, we will like you to answer the following questions: ▪︎ What was Jeremiah's fear when God called him?

▪︎ What assurance did God give Jeremiah that made him to proclaim God's message boldly?

▪︎  Explain the people's beliefs about the consequence of their suffering.

▪︎ What makes the new covenant different from the Old?