NBC Sunday School Lesson For March 16, 2025 : Topic - The Ordination Of Priests

NBC Sunday School Lesson For March 16, 2025 : Topic - The Ordination Of Priests

Read previous NBC Sunday School Manuaks here

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION*

NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE*

*Theme for the Month: TABERNACLE, SACRIFICES, AND ATONEMENT"*

DATE: SUNDAY, 16TH MARCH, 2025.

TOPIC: THE ORDINATION OF PRIESTS.*

Devotional Reading:  Psalm 133.

Background Scripture: Exodus 29:1-37; Leviticus 8:1-36.

Lesson Scripture: Exodus 29:1-9, 35-37.

GOLDEN TEXT: The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance. Then you shall ordain Aaron and his sons." *Exodus 29:9b.

Objectives:

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

● Discuss how God prepares the priest for His assignment;

● Acknowledge that they are priests and share testimonies of their salvation with other class members;

● Compare and contrast the ordination in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

INTRODUCTION* 

To consecrate means to dedicate to a sacred purpose or to devote irrevocably to the worship of God by a solemn ceremony. Consecration is meant to be a lifelong commitment to God. Special services of consecration are done to set aside a pastor, children, church sanctuary, church vehicles, houses, etc. The ordination of a pastor is usually a significant event in many denominations. After God had chosen Aaron and his family to serve Him as priests in His sanctuary, God gave vivid instructions on how they were to be set aside through a ritual of worship. The consecration, which can be referred to as ordination today, was meant to set Aaron and his descendants aside unto God throughout their lives. It is also similar to the significance of baptism by immersion that is done in evangelical churches today which symbolises the incorporation of the new believer into the family of God. The focus of today's lesson is the consecration (ordination) of Aaron and his sons.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

*A. THE CONSECRATION PROCESS OF THE PRIEST*

[Exodus 29:1-3]

Consecration may be described as authorisation for a particular official role, which could be symbolised by putting in one's hand relevant tools or emblems, such as a sceptre for a king. Consecration or ordination is an act by which a person or thing is separated from secular or profane use and dedicated permanently to God's service through prayers, rites and ceremonies. Aaron was the first to be ordained (Leviticus 8:12-13). Ordination of the priests in the Old Testament entailed eleven divisions of rituals, which could be categorised into four main groups: washing, robing, anointing, and sacrificing. Aaron and his sons were first washed with water to ensure their purity. After their purification, they were clothed with special garments signifying their office. Aaron received special priestly robes, while his sons received plain white linen. A series of sacrifices were offered on behalf of the ordinands, which included a sin offering for repentance. The process of the actual anointing includes the pouring of oil on Aaron and his sons' heads, signifying that they are now made holy (Exodus 29.21). The last element of consecration is the sacrifices offered on behalf of the ordinands and the entire assembly.

Some of the elements used in the consecration of the priest in the Old Testament have practical implications for present-day believers. Each believer needs to appropriate the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus, and identify with the body of Christ through baptism by immersion. The use of oil is biblical and right, if it is done appropriately. In the new testament era, anointing is not necessarily attached to the use of oil. Christ has provided the greatest sacrifice for all - He shed His blood on Calvary tree, and believers in Him are set aside for the glory of God. Thus, believers are washed, clothed, anointed and redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross of Calvary. The moment one gets saved, the Holy Spirit dwells within such person. The admonition of the New Testament is that Christians ought to be humble and live lives that radiate the presence of God.

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. Discuss the reasons why we need to consecrate ourselves, as believers. 

2. Explain the reason for the public ordination of ministers.

*B. SEPARATION OF THE PRIEST*

[Exodus 29:4-9, 35-37]

God instructed the ordination of Aaron and his sons into the office of the high priest and priests, respectively. They were set apart as priests to function as intermediaries between the Israelites and God. Their consecration took seven days of different types of ceremonial rites. Different sacrifices were offered as part of setting them aside for the use of God. Each of the three animal sacrifices was handled differently. First, a bull was sacrificed as a sin offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the animal's head, thereby expressing personal guilt, and transferring their sins to the sacrificial animal. In this way, the priests acknowledged their sinfulness and need for blood cleansing so that the animal could be used to make atonement for them. The consecration began with washing - a ritual bath with water by complete immersion. As part of the consecration ceremony, after the ritual washing came the priests' clothing.

The high priest was to be clothed with a distinctive garment, which signified the necessity and importance of moral purity or holiness. Aaron's garment, which was divinely inspired, was beautiful and meant to radiate the glory of God. Aaron was to be clothed with a tunic, which included an ephod with 12 stones symbolising the twelve tribes of Israel. In addition, the garments were to them a reminder of their connection to God, their commitment to follow His will and the blessings and protection God has promised the faithful. Moreover, the garment would be with Urim and Thummim attached to the chest of the priests. Literarily, Urim and Thummim were to ratify or refute suspected guilt; if the Urim was selected, it meant guilt, while the selection of the Thummim would mean innocence. They were meant to be used to understand the will of God for each occasion. In addition, Aaron and his sons were to be anointed with oil on their heads. This symbolises that God had empowered them for service. The anointing oil is an essential aspect of the ordination of priests-the high priest and other priests. The priesthood of Aaron's lineage is a lasting ordinance.

There are different degrees of separation or calls in the Christian faith. One is the call from darkness into light, as we were saved and made children of God. Another separation occurs progressively as we grow into Christian maturity through discipleship, we make more commitments to dedicate ourselves to God and His use. Furthermore, some are called to separate themselves to engage in the five-fold ministry. Because God's ways cannot be fathomed, the spiritual birth and call to the specific gospel ministry of some people happen simultaneously. The most important thing is to answer Him saying "Here am I, send me". Do not remain stagnant in your Christian journey; strive to grow daily.

The activities of the consecration of Aaron and his sons was a great worship experience for the entire nation of Israel. Also, the ordination of pastors and deacons and the dedication of tools in the ministry ought to be organised as occasions for the worship of God. The pastor, deacon and all other leaders of God's people must abide by the principle of holiness and beauty that radiate the glory of God. Leaders must live lives of purity. They must remember that they were called to serve and to represent the people of God without discrimination.

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. What are the changes you need to make to become transformed? 

2. How should local church members respond to the call, training, and ordination into full-time pastoral ministry of one called among them?

Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:*

Allow class members to discuss the difference between the called and the ordained.

Prayer:*

● Pray that God will make every member of His Church grow into maturity. 

● Pray for all Baptist pastors that God will anoint them afresh.

Take Home:* 

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

● ____________________________ 

● ____________________________ 

● ____________________________ 

Commitment:* 

● Based on today's lesson, make a personal commitment to dedicate yourself to God's service.

*Happy Sunday in Advance.*

Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!