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THE SUNDAY SCHOOL OVERVIEW WILL FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LESSON EACH WEEK. BIBLICAL TRANSLATIONS WILL VARY, BUT THE MAIN RESOURCE WILL BE THE TOWNSEND PRESS SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMENTARY, 97th EDITION. THIS FEATURE IS DESIGNED TO BE OF HELP TO THOSE WHO CANNOT ATTEND THEIR LOCAL CHURCH AND/OR SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson Title: GOD’S COVENANT WITH THE RETURNED EXILES
Adult/Young Adult Topic: SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE
Printed Text: Nehemiah 9:32-38; 10:28-29
Key Verse: Nehemiah 9:33 (NIV)
In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly.
Source: Townsend Press Sunday School Commentary – 97th Edition, 2017-2018
UNIFYING LESSON PRINCIPLE:
People often find themselves in painful consequences of their own wrongdoing. In the embarrassing angst of suffering for their own wrongs, how can they dare ask for help from others? The people of Israel, hurting from painful losses of the exile for their sins, followed Nehemiah in confessing their wrongs and making a covenant with God to obey the law given through Moses.
CONCLUDING REFLECTION:
God has offered his covenant loyalty and his faithfulness to his intrinsic nature of goodness down through history. That was the message of the first 31 verses of chapter 9. But God wants us to agree that He has acted fairly when it comes to our specific situation. The problem is that most people want to try to twist God’s promises to realize all of the benefits of God’s faithfulness and goodness without first embracing His justice.
Since we know that we cannot play God, we should take note of the post-exile Jews who give both an oath and curse to obey God’s commands in their daily walk.
PRAYER:
Merciful God, we come to offer our thanks to you for never leaving us or forsaking us. You had every right to, but your grace and mercy intervened. For that, we praise your holy name. You have been and will continue to be our very present help in the time of trouble. We find consolation in knowing that you will never forsake us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sunday School Review “Sign On The Dotted Line” was originally published on 955thelou.com
