NBC Sunday School Lesson For April 6, 2025 : Topic - Christ's Once - For All Sacrifice

NBC Sunday School Lesson For April 6, 2025 : Topic - Christ's Once - For All Sacrifice

Read previous NBC Sunday School Manuals here

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATIO

*NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE*

*Theme for the Month: CHRIST'S ALL-SUFFICIENT SACRIFICE."

PREVIEW FOR APRIL

Welcome to the month of April. The general theme for this month is "Christ's All- Sufficient Sacrifice." The texts for the month are from Hebrews, I John, the gospel of Matthew and Revelation. The texts explore the significance of Jesus' perfect sacrifice. Other highlights of the month are:

● A contrast between the annual sacrifices of the old covenant with Jesus's once-for-all sacrifice of the new covenant.

● John's reminder that the atoning sacrifice of Jesus is a demonstration of God's love. 

● The details of Christ's death and resurrection.

● How Jesus was revealed as the Lion and the Lamb who is worthy to open the scroll. 

Atonement is a reference to the fundamental practice under the old covenant aim at satisfying God's justice and cleansing human sin through animal sacrifices. To atone for means to make reparation for a wrong or injury or to pay for something. The atonement of Christ is the most important event in history because it was through it that the curse that came on humanity due to sin was redeemed, and we are delivered from death. During this Easter period, we want to bring to focus on the significance of the atonement of Christ for us as believers. We need to take a fresh look at what Christ did as we renew our commitment to His cause and re-enact in our lives the victory, He has won for us. 

Below are the suggested teaching methods to prepare and teach the lessons. They can be used during the general opening or in the class.

*April 6 - Panel Discussion:* Prayerfully assign the three (3) sub-topics to three (3) members who will briefly discuss the content. Allow other class members to contribute, ask and answer questions.

*April 13 - Group Discussion:* Randomly pick class members to discuss the sub-headings. Ensure that it involves both genders.

*April 20 - Role Play/Recitation:* Select some members, like four (4) or five (5), to role-play the Golden Text. After this, class members should be guided to read the Golden Text many times in unison until they have memorised it.

*April 27 - Lecture:* Before starting, allow one (1) or two (2) members to share experiences on how they have suffered for the gospel.

*DATE: SUNDAY, 6TH APRIL, 2025.

*TOPIC: CHRIST'S ONCE-FOR-ALL SACRIFICE.*

*Devotional Reading: Mark 10:41-45.

Background Scripture: Hebrews 9:23-10:4, 11-14, 19-25.

*Lesson Scripture: Hebrews 9:23-10:4, 11-14, 19-25.

*GOLDEN TEXT: "For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence." *Hebrews 9:24.*_

*   Objectives:* 

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

● Differentiate between the Old Testament sacrifice system and Jesus' sacrifice. 

● Compare and contrast the priesthood of Jesus and the Old Testament priesthood. 

● Share practical ways on how to hold on to faith during difficult times.

* INTRODUCTION* 

The usual practice in the Old Testament was that sacrifices must be made and blood has to be shed for the forgiveness of sins. An animal is usually killed, and its blood poured on the altar for sins to be atoned. The book of Hebrews was written to people who were familiar with what it means for the high priest to go into the Most Holy Place of the temple year after year, carrying the blood of animals to atone for the sins of the people. This system of worship gave the people limited access to God and only served as a reminder for sin. 

The writer of Hebrews contrasts this system of sacrifice with the sacrifice that Jesus paid with His death and then emphasises that Jesus' sacrifice is superior to the Old Testament sacrifices. Jesus' single sacrifice paid for sin once-and-for-all for all who trust in Him.

*THE LESSON EXPLAINE*

*A. SHADOW OF THINGS TO COME*   

[Hebrews 9:23-10:4] 

The items used for sacrifices in the Old Testament were mere copies of the heavenly ones and it was necessary for them to be purified. However, the heavenly things cannot be purified by endless human sacrifices. It was for this reason that Christ had to sacrifice Himself, entering the heavenly sanctuary to offer a permanent sacrifice which purifies once and for all. While the Old Testament's sacrifices are routinely done, Christ's sacrifice was done once and permanently.

Christ's sacrifice was likened to death of human beings which only happens once and is followed by judgment. This means that it is not possible for Christ's death to be repeated like the sacrifices of the Old Testament, yet His sacrifice is so powerful that it took away the sins of the whole world. Christ's death satisfied all requirements for God's justice, and it was done once and for all. At His first coming, Christ bore the sins of the world. When He would come the second time, it would be to bring salvation to those who await His coming. 

The Old Testament system of worship and all its requirements were only a shadow or a foretaste of the reality to come in Christ. For this reason, they are limited in the effect they have on the people who draw near to worship.

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. Identify some "mere shadows" that some believers still hold on to in our world today. 

2. How can we help those that are ignorant of God's provision to come to the reality of what they have in Christ?

*B. JESUS, OUR HIGH PRIEST* 

[Hebrews 10:11-14] 

Priests in the Old Testament stood day after day to perform the rituals of sacrifices which have limited effect on sins. The sacrifices could not get to the root of the sin problem; they only remind people of their inability to conquer sin. In contrast, Jesus offered a superior sacrifice with His life, and He did not have do it repeatedly. He did it once and the sacrifice is still potent till today to take away the sins of anyone who accepts it in faith. His sacrifice also defeated the power of sin such that its dominion over us is broken. Once He completed His work of redemption, He sat down at the Father's right hand. Jesus' sitting down is a posture of rest after having finished the sacrifice, which was offered once and continues to be potent eternally. This is unlike the Old Testament's Priests, who were belaboured with sacrificial services that were never ending. The Old Testament priests as mediators between the people and God represented a type of mediator, the perfect picture of which is found in Christ. His death brought an end to the ceremonial sacrifice and ushered in a new dispensation where individual believers have access to God through Christ. "And since that time, he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool" (v. 13). The sacrifice of Christ offers hope for a time to come when He will return and triumph over every enemy. We have victory over the enemy because of His sacrifice. Jesus' sacrifice can save the whole world, yet only those who set themselves apart to God, appropriating His sacrifice can be made perfect through it (v. 14).

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. State the differences and similarities between the priests in the Old Testament and Jesus as our High Priest. 

2. Can a believer sin? If yes, how can they find their way back to God? If no, how? 

*C.HOLDING ON TO THE HOPE WE PROFESS* 

[Hebrews 10:19-25]

The temple of the Old Testament time had three parts: the outer court, the Holy Place, and the Holiest Place/Most Holy Place. The outer court was the place for common people. Only the priests were qualified to enter the Holy Place while the Holiest Place was reserved for only the high priest, who entered it once a year. A very thick veil separated the Holy Place from the Holiest Place. As the Hebrews writer continues to expound on the potency of Christ's sacrifice, he alluded to the Most Holy Place in the Temple which only the high priest had access to. He stated that believers in Christ now have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place because of the blood that Jesus shed. The Most Holy Place, now, is the place of encounter with God. Jesus' sacrifice opened a new way to worship God and the sacrifice is as powerful now as it was the day it was made and it will continue to be forever. Jesus' body was torn just as the veil of the temple was torn for us to gain access to God. He is our Great High Priest through whom we can come closer to God. 

The encouragement to draw near was pertinent for the Hebrews to whom this letter was written because it was a time of intense persecution which brought discouragement and perhaps loss of confidence in pursuing intimate relationship with Jesus. The admonition to hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering (v. 23) is very relevant to us today as it was for them. When we face troubles that challenge our faith and seek to shake our conviction, at such times, we need to hold tight to what we believe so we do not drift. The reason we should not lose our confidence is that He who promised is faithful. He promised never to leave nor forsake us, come what may (Hebrews 13:5).

In entering the Holiest Place, we must have a sincere heart, demonstrate strong faith; our hearts must be sprinkled by His blood and cleansed from guilt, and our bodies must be washed with pure water. This implies that we must have unwavering faith and a sense of personal holiness, which is possible as one appropriate Christ's sacrifice. Although Christ has justified us and we are consecrated, we must demonstrate commitment to what has happened internally by taking steps of obedience through baptism by immersion and initiation into the membership of the body of Christ. We can hold on to the hope we professed by spurring one another toward love and good deeds, constant fellowshipping together and encouraging one another. 

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. How can the Church help those who are wavering in their faith due to life's challenges?

2. Discuss practical steps to take to hold on to our hope in difficult times.

* Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:*

  Allow one (1) or two (2) members to testify to how the death of Jesus had redeemed them from their sins.

*  Prayer:*

● Pray for the grace to constantly focus on God.

● Pray that the Church of God will be caring enough to tell unbelievers about Jesus' sacrifice. 

● Pray that the Lord will envelop His children with mercy.

*Take Home:* 

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

● ____________________________ 

● ____________________________ 

● ____________________________ 

* Commitment:* 

● Based on today's lesson, commit to holding on to the faith, preaching the gospel in and out of seasons, and be determined never to forsake the gathering of brethren.

*Happy Sunday in Advance.*

* Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!*