SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON ( NBC ) FOR Sunday, April 20, 2025, : TOPIC - CHRIST DIES AND RISES TO NEW LIFE

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON ( NBC ) FOR Sunday, April 20, 2025, : TOPIC - CHRIST DIES AND RISES TO NEW LIFE

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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION

NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE

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

*DATE: SUNDAY, 20TH APRIL, 2025.

TOPIC: CHRIST DIES AND RISES TO NEW LIFE.*

Devotional Reading: Hebrews 2:1-13.

Background Scripture: Matthew 27:24-28:10.

Lesson Scripture: Matthew 27:39-40, 45-54; 28:1-10.

GOLDEN TEXT: "Suddenly, Jesus met them, "Greetings," He said, They came to Him, clasped his feet, and worshipped Him." *Matthew 28:9.*_

Objectives:

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

 Discuss the events that led to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus; 

 Identify the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection to the Christian faith; 

 Mention some barriers to propagating the gospel and how they can be removed.

INTRODUCTION

Several controversies surround issues of death and about whether there is life after death. The simple fact is that it is challenging to unravel the mystery that covers this subject. However, Jesus' death and resurrection have several points that make it impossible for anyone to deny. Apart from accounts recorded in the gospels, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the lives of the people that have been transformed are enough evidence to prove that He not only died, but He is alive.

The physical resurrection of Christ is just as mysterious as some things that happen around us which defy human explanation, yet we believe them. The account of Jesus' death and resurrection is a fact of history with pieces of evidence that cannot be ignored. 

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

*A. JESUS' CRUCIFIXION

[Matthew 27:39-40] 

Crucifixion is the most excruciating punishment given to the worst criminal in the Roman culture. The conversation between the two criminals crucified with Jesus revealed that they knew Him and had previous knowledge about His teachings (v. 38; Luke 23:39-42). The passers-by misunderstood His words that He was going to pull down the temple and rebuild it in three days. They thought He meant the pulling down and rebuilding of the physical temple, not knowing that He was talking about His death and resurrection. Moreover, they have listened to Jesus' affirmation that He is

God's Son. They concluded that if He could not help Himself, then He was not the Son of God. What they did not know was that Jesus was not powerless to save Himself, but He submitted to death in fulfilment of prophecies written about Him. He is the suffering Messiah but unknown to those who crucified Him and the passers-by. He died because He is the sacrificial Lamb for the atonement of the sins of the world. Jesus cleared this doubt in the Gospel of John 10:18, "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again" (NIV). We must count it a blessing when we are derided because of our faith. Many Christians suffer persecution and hard times (hunger, joblessness, loneliness, battering etc.) because of their faith. We must remain loyal and put our faith in God no matter the danger to our lives and properties.

*DISCUSSION TIME:* 

1. What is the significance of Jesus' crucifixion to Christians? 

2. How should believers respond to insults and mockery? 

B.THE DEATH OF JESUS

[Matthew 27:45-54] 

The death of Jesus is highly significant for the Christian faith. Jesus died at about the time of the evening sacrifice. The six hours correspond to about noon, and the ninth hour is almost 3 pm. The occurrence of darkness is like an eclipse of the moon. Jews and pagans considered eclipses and another darkening of the sky as bad omens. The entire universe, which needed restoration, was involved at the moment of Jesus's death. One of the utterances of Jesus on the cross is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" It is a quotation from Psalm 22:1. Other verses of the same psalm, especially verses 7, 8, 11, 14 and 19, are significant in understanding Jesus's experience on the cross. It may be that He recited the entire Psalm. The Psalm ends with the sufferer's justification and victory (Psalm 22:25-31). Jesus voluntarily yielded up His spirit and died after suffering an excruciating pain. The battle was won; in death, He brought victory. Several bewildering events occurred on the occasion of His death. The Temple curtain was torn, the earth quaked, and dead saints rose. The tomb of the dead saints was opened in preparation for their resurrection with the Lord on Sunday, when they came out and went to the city. The happenings elicited a convincing remark from one who never regarded Him as important - the centurion. He acknowledged that indeed Jesus is the Son of God. Without realizing it, the Jewish leaders and the Roman government joined forces to help prove the resurrection of Jesus Christ by setting guards and sealing the tomb.

Jesus reconciled us all to God through His death. He is our Peace. Before Jesus' death, God's presence and knowledge were shut in the holiest place; humanity had no access to God. The priest represented the people before God and represented God before the people. But thanks be to God, who has broken all barriers through Jesus. Believers now have a personal relationship with God just because of Jesus' death.

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. Discuss the significance of Jesus' death in having an intimate relationship with God. 

2. State why some people reject the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and how they can be helped.

*C JESUS HAS RISEN*

[Matthew 28:1-10] 

The women who went to anoint the body of Jesus in the early hours of Sunday discovered that Jesus was no longer in the tomb. Sabbath ended on Saturday evening; the women were on their way to the grave at about 6 a.m., as soon as there was enough light to see. They did not believe that Jesus Christ would resurrect. Jewish mourners, as well as pagans, were often known to visit tombs within three days after the burial. Jesus's resurrection was supernatural. There was an earthquake and the testimony of the angels that "He has risen". The stone that was rolled away was not to make room for Jesus to come out, for He had already left the tomb. The stone was rolled back so that the people could see that the tomb was empty. Galilee has always been significant in the ministry of Jesus. There, He and His disciples performed most of their miracles, and there, He revealed Himself to His disciples. The women had two contrasting experiences together at the same time. They were afraid, and they were happy. Jesus appeared to the women while they were on their way to the disciples to strengthen the testimonies of His resurrection. The core of the Christian message is the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The resurrection of Jesus proves that Jesus is God's Son and assures us of the future resurrection. His resurrection, the basis for Christ's heavenly priesthood, gives power to Christian living.

*DISCUSSION TIME:*

1. How is Christ's resurrection relevant to the Christian faith? Explain. 

2. What are some barriers facing believers in preaching the gospel of Christ today?

*Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity:*

Allow one (1) or two (2) members to share their experience on how they have suffered for the Gospel.

*Prayer:*

● Pray for boldness to preach the Gospel.

● Pray that the death of Jesus will not be in vain over your life.

● Pray that the Church will be active in preaching the Gospel.

*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 place more value on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and preach the gospel on a daily basis. Pray for missionaries on mission fields regularly.

*Happy Sunday in Advance.*

* Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!*