Nigerian Baptist Convention Sunday School Lesson For March 22, 2026: Title - Putting an End to Prejudice Discrimination

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON (NBC)

Date: Sunday, March 22, 2026

Topic: Putting an End to Prejudice and Discrimination

Devotional Reading: Colossians 3:1–11

Background Scriptures:

Ruth 1:1–18; John 4:5–10; Acts 10:1–11:18; Romans 1:14; Galatians 3:28–29

Lesson Scriptures:

Acts 10:9–15, 30–35; Galatians 3:28–29

Golden Text

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

— Galatians 3:28–29

Objectives

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

Explain God’s plan of salvation for the Gentiles and all nations.

Identify common human attitudes and errors that lead to prejudice and discrimination.

Suggest practical ways to overcome prejudice and discrimination.

Introduction

A friend once shared a personal story about how his mother strongly warned him never to marry a woman from a particular town in their state, while his father also advised him against marrying someone from another nearby town. Their warnings were based on a past family experience: a relative had married a woman from that town and eventually became separated from his family until his death. The woman he married also discouraged their children from maintaining a relationship with their father’s relatives.

This story illustrates how prejudice and discrimination can develop from past experiences and can lead to negative stereotypes and divisions among people.

Throughout history, prejudice and discrimination have existed among tribes, races, and nations. These divisions are often caused by political differences, conflicts over land or property, and general assumptions about certain groups of people.

However, the message of the Gospel teaches something different. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, barriers that once divided people have been broken. Christ calls believers to unity, love, and acceptance. When we follow the teachings of Jesus, we can overcome prejudice and discrimination and build communities that reflect God’s love for all people.

The Lesson Explained

A. God Prepared Peter Ahead

(Acts 10:9–15)

Acts chapter 10 introduces Cornelius, a Gentile man who was known for his devotion to God. He was a respected leader with a household that also feared God. Through a divine vision, God sent an angel to Cornelius and instructed him to send for a man named Peter.

This event was part of God’s plan to extend salvation beyond the Jews to the Gentiles. However, God did not speak only to Cornelius; He also prepared Peter for the assignment.

Peter was a Jew who strictly followed the Jewish law. According to the law given through Moses, the Israelites were forbidden to eat certain animals considered unclean (Leviticus 11:4–8).

To prepare Peter, God gave him a vision in which different animals were presented before him, and a voice instructed him to eat. Peter refused, explaining that he had never eaten anything unclean. But the voice replied, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean” (Acts 10:15).

This statement carried a deeper meaning. It was not just about food; it also referred to people. God was teaching Peter that he should not regard any person as impure or unworthy when God had already accepted them.

If God had not prepared Peter beforehand, he might have refused to go with the men Cornelius sent to him.

God often prepares His servants before assigning them to specific tasks. When people hold strongly to preconceived ideas or personal biases, they may miss God’s purpose or ignore His voice.

Therefore, believers must remain spiritually sensitive and open to God’s leading so they can participate in His plan to bring salvation to others.

Discussion Time

Share an example of how a preconceived idea caused someone to miss an opportunity.

Apart from Peter’s experience, what other ways does God prepare people for future assignments?

B. Peter and Paul’s Assertion

(Acts 10:30–35; Galatians 3:28–29)

When Peter arrived at Cornelius’ house, he found many people gathered there waiting to hear God’s message. Peter explained that, as a Jew, it was traditionally unacceptable for him to associate closely with Gentiles. However, God had shown him that he should not call any person impure or unclean.

Cornelius then explained the vision he had received and expressed their readiness to hear whatever message God had sent through Peter.

Peter then declared an important truth: God does not show favoritism. Instead, He accepts people from every nation who fear Him and do what is right (Acts 10:34–35).

This truth is also emphasized by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 3:28, where he stated that in Christ there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, slave or free, male or female, because all believers are one in Christ.

Peter’s experience in the house of Cornelius confirmed this truth. While he was speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon everyone present. The Jewish believers who accompanied Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles (Acts 10:44–45).

This clearly demonstrated that God does not discriminate.

Therefore, believers must not discriminate against others. Instead, they should love people as God loves them and view them through God’s perspective.

Differences in tribe, political opinions, education, gender, or race should never create divisions within the body of Christ. What unites believers is far greater than these differences—it is the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ.

One major mistake believers can make is continuing to judge people based on their past or considering them unclean when God has already redeemed them.

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was not only for the Jews but for all people. Just as God shows no favoritism, believers must also reflect this same attitude of love and acceptance.

Discussion Time

What does the statement “God does not show favoritism” mean to you?

How can prejudice and discrimination hinder the growth of the church?

Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity

Members of the class should greet and interact with someone in the class or church who is from a different ethnicity, social background, or gender group.

Take-Home Assignment

Write down three lessons you learned from today’s teaching.

Prayer Points

Pray that God will strengthen His church so that love and unity will prevail among believers.

Pray that those who have not yet experienced God’s love will encounter Him personally.

Commitment

Based on today’s lesson, make a personal commitment to avoid prejudice or discrimination in any form and to treat others with the same love and acceptance that God shows to all people.