Nigerian Baptist Convention Sunday School Lesson For March 15, 2026: Title - Giving Generously

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON (NBC)

Sunday, March 15, 2026

Topic: Giving Generously

Devotional Reading

Exodus 20:12–17

Background Scriptures

Deuteronomy 15:1–11; Matthew 25:31–46; Luke 10:25–37; James 1:27; 2:14–17

Lesson Scriptures

Deuteronomy 15:4–6; 7–11; Matthew 25:42–45

GOLDEN TEXT

"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be open-handed toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land."

— Deuteronomy 15:11

OBJECTIVES

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

Identify some measures God established to reduce poverty among His people.

Willingly care for the poor around them while trusting God to fulfill His promises in their lives.

Demonstrate generosity by giving to the poor and needy as an act of service to God.

INTRODUCTION

Generous giving strengthens relationships, blesses others, builds trust, and enriches the life of the giver. It can also lead people to praise God. The Bible teaches that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

This lesson focuses on God’s instruction to His people to give generously and care for others in need. It also explains how acts of generosity impact the Christian community and reflect God’s love.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

A. God's Instruction About Giving

(Deuteronomy 15:4–6)

The Israelites lived in Egypt for about four hundred and thirty years before God raised Moses to deliver them. As they journeyed toward the Promised Land, God gave them instructions on how to live when they finally settled there.

In this passage, God commanded the Israelites to support one another. One of His instructions was that debts owed by poor Israelites should be cancelled every seven years. This law was meant to prevent extreme poverty among God's people.

God promised that if they obeyed His command, He would bless them abundantly in the land He had given them. According to verse 4, there should ideally be no poor person among them because God had promised to bless them.

However, this promise came with a condition: obedience. Only those who obey God's commands would enjoy His blessings. Therefore, obedience is essential to experiencing the fullness of God's promises.

Similarly, Christians today have been grafted into God's family through Jesus Christ and share in the blessings promised to Abraham. To enjoy God's abundance, believers must practice generosity, love, service, and care for others. When we live according to Christ's teachings and support those around us, we become channels through which God blesses others.

Discussion Questions

According to Deuteronomy 15:4, what was God's original intention for His people?

How can the church help fulfill God's intention among believers today?

B. God's Command to Care for the Poor

(Deuteronomy 15:7–11)

After explaining how poverty could be reduced, Moses continued by instructing the Israelites on how they should treat the poor among them. Verse 7 begins with the word “if,” which emphasizes that their response depended on their obedience to God's command.

Moses warned them not to harden their hearts or refuse help to those in need. Instead, they were to be generous and willing to lend or give to the poor. God assured them that their generosity would bring His blessing upon them.

Moses also reminded them that there would always be poor people in the land. Therefore, they were commanded to remain open-handed and compassionate toward those in need.

The early church demonstrated this principle of generosity. Believers shared their possessions and ensured that no one among them lacked basic needs. Their unity and willingness to help one another reduced poverty within their community. They were described as being one in heart and mind (Acts 4:32), and resources were distributed so that everyone was cared for.

This example shows that when believers practice generosity and responsibility toward one another, poverty can be greatly reduced. Christians today are therefore encouraged to actively care for others and cultivate a spirit of compassion and unity.

Discussion Questions

In light of Deuteronomy 15:4 and Acts 4:35, how can believers reduce poverty among fellow Christians?

How should the church address individuals who try to take advantage of others' generosity?

C. Meeting the Needs of Our Neighbours

(Matthew 25:42–45)

Jesus used a parable to illustrate the importance of showing kindness to others. Through this teaching, He explained that God will separate genuine believers from those whose faith is only outward.

According to Jesus, true faith is demonstrated through how believers treat others in everyday life.

He mentioned simple acts of kindness such as:

Feeding the hungry

Giving water to the thirsty

Welcoming strangers

Clothing those who lack clothing

Visiting the sick

Caring for those in prison

Jesus warned that those who ignore these needs will face judgment because failing to help others is the same as ignoring Him.

This lesson reminds believers that acts of kindness and compassion are essential parts of the Christian life. Every believer has opportunities to help others, and no act of kindness is too small.

When we help people around us, we are also serving God. Every act of mercy is remembered by God, and believers will receive their reward in due time. By intentionally caring for others, we reflect the love of Christ and contribute to building a compassionate and caring community.

Discussion Questions

How can Christians serve God by showing love to their neighbours?

Can a class member share an experience of helping a neighbour and how it demonstrated God's love?

Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity

Encourage class members to contribute resources or assistance to support the poor, either within the church or in their neighbourhood.

Take Home

Write down three lessons you learned from today's teaching:

Prayer Points

🙏 Pray that God will help you develop a heart of generosity so you can meet the needs of others.

🙏 Pray that those God sends to help you in your time of need will respond positively.

Commitment

Based on today’s lesson, make a personal commitment to give generously and cheerfully to help people around you who are in need.