NBC Sunday School Lesson For March 23, 2025 : Topic - OFFERING A SWEET AROMA TO GOD

NBC Sunday School Lesson For  March 23, 2025 : Topic - OFFERING A SWEET AROMA TO GOD

Read previous NBC Devotionals here

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION*

*NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE*

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

*DATE: SUNDAY, 23RD MARCH, 2025

*TOPIC:  OFFERING A SWEET AROMA TO GOD.*

*Devotional Reading: Romans 12:1-8.

*Background Scripture: Leviticus 1:1-17; 6:8-13.

*Lesson Scripture: Leviticus 1:3-17.

GOLDEN TEXT:*

_"You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water, and the priest is to burn all of it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD." *Leviticus 1:9.*_

*Objectives:* 

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

● Explain the purpose of sacrifice in relation to their relationship with God.

● Explain what makes an offering acceptable to God. 

● Commit to offering God their best.

*INTRODUCTION* 

There are different types of sacrifices. The reasons and the objects that are used for the sacrifices differ in many ways. A critical aspect of sacrificing to God is the attitude of the persons who is offering the sacrifice. The attitude determines whether the sacrifice is offered in obedience to how it was commanded or a mere observance of routine without adherence to the rules that are associated with sacrifices. The sacrifices of Cain and Abel, as recorded in the Old Testament, are good illustrations of right and wrong attitudes towards giving. While Abel offered his sacrifice with the right attitude, and God accepted it, Cain's sacrifice was rejected because it was not offered with the right attitude. The acceptable offering with sweet- smelling aroma is often a description of a sacrifice that is offered with the right attitude and, therefore, acceptable to God.

*THE LESSON EXPLAINED*

*A. THE PURPOSE OF THE OFFERING*

[Leviticus 1:3-4]

God initiated offering for many reasons. Thus, there are different types of offering just as their purpose differs. Specifically, this passage describes offering as an act done to make an atonement for sin. It means that God initiated it so that humankind may find a way to be reconciled to Him. Moreover, sacrifices can also be offered for the purpose of showing gratitude to God. An offering is meant to sustain a relationship with God. It reminded the Israelites of the severe nature of sin and the consequences for the individuals and the community at large. Ultimately, these sacrifices showed the Israelites how much God wanted to stay in His covenant relationship with them. He wanted them to become the kingdom of priests He had called them to be. Sacrifices create an enabling environment for worship. 

Anyone who has not offered himself or herself as an unblemished sacrifice to God cannot be acceptable to Him. The way to live a good life is to be reconciled with God by appropriating the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Holy living is a must for all who will follow Christ. Believers must be committed to holiness and sacrificial living. We must give ourselves to God as living sacrifice so that our services can be acceptable to God. 

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. Why do you think God initiated sacrifice? 

2. What constitutes acceptable sacrifices to God? 

*B. THE CHOICES OF OFFERING*

[Leviticus 1:10-14]

God recommended different kinds of offering for the Israelites. The offering could be a herd-a bull, a flock-sheep or goats, or birds-a dove or a young pigeon.

Some laws guide the types of offering to be provided for specific reasons, either for sin offering or offering for purification. Also, the financial capacity of the one who is to offer the sacrifice is a factor to be considered as regards the choice of the offering to be sacrificed unto God. A low- income family can offer a pigeon for a particular purpose, while a wealthy family would be required to provide a bull, sheep or goat for the same purpose. It is important to note that the animal must be a male without defects.

With the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, each believer can now make the choice of what he/she wants to offer to God. However, God's Word is clear: He wants the best from us. What this means is that He desires that we present ourselves to Him first, and all other things will fall in place. Offer yourself to God as a living sacrifice today.

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. What are the requirements of an offering that will be acceptable to God? 

2. Discuss how daily animal sacrifices gave the Israelites the opportunity to be actively involved in the worship of God and how it helped them to maintain the covenant.

*C. THE PROCESS OF OFFERING*

[Leviticus 1:5-9, 11-13, 15-17]

The processes of offering bull, sheep, goat and birds are almost the same. The priest would begin with slaughtering the sacrificial animal, bringing the blood and sprinkling it on the altar, skinning the burnt offerings and cutting it into pieces, putting fire on the altar, arranging the portions on the burning wood, and washing their internal organs. The main difference between these processes is that the blood of the birds is not to be sprinkled on the altar. 

Below is the typical process for sacrificing the bull, sheep, goat and birds on the altar.

*Leviticus 1:5-9, Herd:* young bull.

Slaughter it before the Lord. 

Bring the blood and sprinkle it against the sides of the altar at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 

Skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. 

Put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. 

Arrange the pieces including the head and the fat on the wood that is burning on the altar.

Wash the internal organs and the legs with water.

Burn all of it on the altar. 

*Leviticus 1:11-13, Flock:* goat and sheep. 

Slaughter it at the north side of the altar before the Lord. 

Bring the blood and sprinkle it against the sides of the altar. 

Cut it into pieces. 

Put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. 

Arrange the pieces including the head and the fats on the burning wood. 

Wash the internal organs and the legs with water. 

Burn it on the altar. 

*Leviticus 1:15-17 Bird:* dove or pigeon. 

Bring it to the altar. 

Wring off the head and burn it on the altar. 

Its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar. 

Remove the crop and its feathers and throw them down east side of the altar, where the ashes are. 

Tear it open by the wings, not dividing it completely. 

Put fire on the altar. 

Burn it on the wood on the altar.

The offerings-bull, sheep, goat and birds are burnt offerings, which represent the death of Christ for the sins of the world. God did not make demands beyond what He had provided for each person. In the concept of the New Testament, everyone must have faith in the sacrifice of Christ and personally come to God in repentance. God no longer requires the offerings of bull or sheep, but the offering of our hearts and lives as a living sacrifice.

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. Is the choice of bulls, rams and birds still required in this contemporary time? Explain your answer. 

3. Is your service acceptable to God? What adjustment do you think is needed to make your service acceptable? 

*Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:*

Lead the class members to discuss acceptable and unacceptable sacrifices.

*Prayer:*

● Pray that our offering will always be acceptable to the Lord. 

● Pray that your life will be acceptable to God.

*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 continually offer your life as a living sacrifice to God.

*Happy Sunday in Advance.*

* Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!*