CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – Topic: UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN – DATE: SUNDAY 24th DECEMBER, 2023
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
DATE: SUNDAY 24th DECEMBER, 2023.
HYMN: S.S & S 32 “Once in Royal David’s City”
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
The celebration of the birth of Christ, should be a time of sober reflection, re-dedicating our lives for more services unto God
TOPIC:
UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN
TEXT: Matt 2:1-23, 26-56; Lk 2:1-20. (Reading: Matt 1:18-25)
INTRODUCTION:
The birth of Jesus Christ was so important that Prophets in the Old Testament prophesied about the way and the manner of His birth, (Isa 7:14; Micah 5:2). God the Father in confirming the prophesies sent forth angel Gabriel in the New Testament to the earthly parents of Jesus Christ (Joseph & Mary, Matt 1:18-25)
The birth of Christ was for the purpose of saving the sinful man. Before the birth of Christ, man due to his fall from grace in the garden of Eden (Gen 3) was in total bondage in the hands of the devil. For the purpose of deliverance, restoration and salvation, Jesus was born (1Jn 3:8). Many today have diversdefinition for Christmas; to some, it is a time to acquire new and latest designs of clothes, for others, it’s a time of merry making. Jesus is the reason for the season(Christmas). It should be a period of sober reflection of the newness of life that the birth of Jesus brings and His amazing grace.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this study are to:
- Comprehend the purpose of Christ birth
- Know the importance of the birth of Jesus Christ
- Review the unfruitful attempt of the devil on the child and
- Know that there is nothing impossible with God
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1. WHY WAS JESUS CHRIST BORN ?
When man fell in the garden of Eden, God said to the serpent (Gen 3:14) that the seed of the woman (Jesus Christ) shall bruise the head of the devil. God had in mind of sending forth His Son through a woman, holy and virtuous, to come and destroy the works of the devil and save man from sin and it’s consequences. Before man fell, there was a divine fellowship between God and man. When this fellowship between God and man was willfully broken by man, God sought for a way to deliver man from sin.
Anyone who lives in sin is in bondage and slave to sin. “Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Consequently, the sinner cannot do the works of God neither can he do that which pleases God. Thus, he is slave to sin and evil. The only way of escape for him is God’s provision in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ was born to be the go-between man and his maker(Jn 14:6;Heb 9:14,15). Through Him, man can be restored back into fellowship with his creator, God. (Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.)
His birth brought God down to man, so as to take man back to his proper place or position of dominion on earth.
It is not the will of God that anyone should perish but that all should come to repentance and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour (2Pt 3:9b).any have accepted Christ as their saviour but have not surrendered all to Him. Accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour must be done without reservation in order to enjoy the full blessings of salvation. This include preservation and deliverance from trouble, sin and it consequences, healing, prosperity, etc. (Matt 1:21; 3Jn 2). Thus, the deliverance and salvation of the total man (spirit, soul and body) comes with our whole hearted yieldedness to christ
QUESTION 2. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NAME “EMMANUEL”? (Matt 1:23; Is7:14; 9:6).
The uniqueness of His virgin birth is the basis of our redemption. How striking are the words “… shall call His name Immanuel…” He was the son of a virgin, yet the Son of God. This is the gospel message to mankind: “God was manifest in the flesh” (1Tim 3:16). Jesus is indeed the Son of God, and God the Son. He was, and He is “God with us”.
Jesus came to show us the Father, to declare Him and to interpret Him to us. Hence, He could say, “He that hath seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9). He that was born unto us a child is-
“” God with us” in the flesh, (Jn 1:14; 1Tim 3:16)
” God with us” as a redeemer (Acts 20:28; 2Pt 1:18-19)
“God with us” to reconcile (2Cir 5:19)
“God with us” in all fullness (Jn 1:16-17; Col 2:9)
” God with us” as example to follow (Phil2:5-6)
” God with us” as a companion that sticketh closer than a brother (2Cor 6:16)
“God with us” always (Matt 28:20; Heb 13:5-6)
“God with us” as a counsellor (Isa 9:6; 30:21)
” God with us” as our peace giver (Isa 9:6;Jn 14:27; Eph 2:14)
QUESTION 3. HOW SHOULD WE CELEBRATE CHRIST BIRTHDAY ? (Matt 2:11;1Cor 6;20).
Many are in dispute over the actual date that Christ was born. Believers should not be drawn into such ungodly arguments, but rather the most important is that the Saviour was born unto us for our total deliverance and restoration. The celebration of the birth of Christ , should not be a period of self-indulgence in atrocities or sin, but should be a time and period of sober reflections, re-dedicating our lives, for more meaningful service unto the Lord. There is totally nothing wrong in using it as time to rejoice and glory in the fact that our saviour was born and be merry. But as believers, all things should be done with moderation, exalting the name of the Lord. It should also be a time of telling those still in darkness about the eternal life freely given in Jesus Christ (Jn 5:11-12)
QUESTION DISCUSS THE UNFRUITFUL ATTEMPT OF THE DEVIL TO DESTROY THE CHILD JESUS (Matt 2:1-16; 1Pt 5:8-9)
When the wise men came to king Herod asking “where is He that is born the king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him”. Herod pretended to be interested despite the fact that he was troubled and annoyed that another king has come to take over from him. Herod thought and believed that Christ’s kingdom was going to be earthly. After the chief priest and scribes had consulted and verified where Christ should be born according to the scriptures, he told the wise men from the east that when they find the child, they should let him know so that he himself would go and worship the new born king. Meanwhile, Herod craftily demanded to know the time the star appeared, sent them to Bethlehem to search diligently for the child and bring him Word. Information on the birth of Jesus was not found with heathen king, but the star led the wise men till they arrive at the house where the child and Mary lived. Knowing that “the heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked”. God warned the wise men not to return to Herod. In an attempt to destroy the Lord Jesus, the devil used Herod to destroy innocent lives of children. This is because it was now becoming clear to (Satan) that the pronouncement of God in (Gen 3:15) was to be realised in the child. It was presumed that the killing of all children of two years of age and below, in Bethlehem and the surrounding coasts/cities will also destroy. “The born King of the Jews”. But God had a better plan than the devil or Herod were ignorant about. The devil’s aim is only to steal, kill and destroy (In 10:10). Believers are constantly at war with the devil, for we are not wrestling against principalities and powers (Eph 6:12)
The devil unsuccessful attempt to kill the child Jesus through Herod is a clear indication that victory is sure for every believer in Christ Jesus. It should be clear in our hearts and minds that no matter the storm or rage or happenings we see, victory is ours if we trust in and rely on the name of the Lord. The devil has never been known to win any battle so he cannot start winning with you. Because he failed in all his attempts to frustrate the works of Christ so also, he will continue to fail in all his attempts in our lives, AMEN
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
The birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ is a reminder of the faithfulness of God, because when man sinned in the garden of Eden, God promised the devil that the seed of the woman would bruise his head and this promise was fulfilled in Christ, leading to our salvation.
Believers should use this period to rededicate their lives afresh unto God and begin to enjoy the abundance of God’s blessings which include; joy, peace, deliverance, prosperity. etc. We should also know that there is nothing impossible for God to do, the birth of the Lord Jesus is an indication of this. He was born of virgin Mary, so in our lives, the Holy Ghost shall bring to pass that which looks impossible (Eph 3:20)
MEMORY VERSE:
Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
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