Sunday School 25 June 2023

 

 

TOPIC: Vessels For The Master’s Use

MEMORY VERSE: “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” – Ezekiel 22:30 (KJV)

 

 

BIBLE PASSAGE: Jeremiah 18:1-6 (KJV)

 

1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,

 

2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.

 

3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.

 

4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

 

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

 

6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

 

LESSON INTRODUCTION: God does not necessarily need our strength or strong points to use us. Oftentimes, He delights in using our weakness, because whenever He does, we do not get to share in His glory. God wants us to be examples to others of what He can do in and with us if only we are willing and obedient to do His will. God is still looking for vessels to use.

 

LESSON OUTLINES:

 

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF VESSELS GOD USED

GOD’S REQUIREMENTS AND REWARDS

1. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF VESSELS GOD USED

 

God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). There are biblical examples of vessels that God used despite their weaknesses or shortcomings. These include:

 

Moses: A fearful man (Ex.2:14), of low self-esteem (Ex.3:11) and stammerer (Exo.4:10). He was chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from age-long captivity (Num. 12: 6-8).

Gideon: A man of doubt (Jug.6:11-13; 6:36-40) and low esteem (Judges 6:14-15). He became the vessel chosen to liberate his people from the Midianites (Jug. 7:19-25).

David: He was the least in his father’s house (1 Sam.17:14a; 16:11-12), an adulterer (2 Sam.11:2-4) and apparent murderer (2 Sam 11:14-17). He became a man after God’s heart (1Sam. 13:14).

Peter: An unlearned fisherman who slept instead of praying (Matt.26:37-44) and even denied Christ three times (Mk.14:66-72). He was mightily used of God (Matt.16:16-19, Luke 22:31-32; Acts 2:40-41; 3:6-8).

Paul: when he was Saul, persecuted the Church, arrested and aided the killing of many believers (Acts 8:1-3). Jesus converted and made him a chosen vessel especially to the gentile nations (Acts 9:1-15).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The teacher should ask each student to mention at least one weakness they have and how they can overcome it.

 

2. GOD’S REQUIREMENTS AND REWARDS

 

God is looking for vessels and His requirements include: faithfulness (Lk.19:17; 1 Cor.4:2; Jer.5:1); availability (Ezek.22:30; Isa.6:8); teachability (Jn.14:23; Matt.10:24); obedience to God’s word (2Tim.2:21; Prov.13:13) and being strong in Christ (Jn.14:12; 15:16).

 

In addition, God wants us to purge ourselves of every contamination of the body and soul (2Tim.2:21), lay aside weights (Heb.12:1), die to self (Jn.12:24-26), not to look for fame and its associated fanfare, but to be completely yielded to Him. God can discern every thought and motive behind every action (Heb.4:13; Ps.33:13-15).

 

 

Let us choose to serve Him with all sincerity of heart and press on to the mark of His high calling in Christ (Phil.3:12-14). God rewards everything done in His name, whether in secret or in the open (Isa.45:19; Ps.58:11; Heb.11:6; Rev.22:12).

 

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should identify how God rewards faithful vessels on earth.

 

CONCLUSION: You are the next vessel to be used by God. Stop resisting Him.

 

QUESTIONS:

 

Mention some of those God used in the past despite their shortcomings.

What does God require of a man He will use?

FURTHER READINGS:

 

Monday: Deuteronomy 28:1 (KJV);

1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

 

Tuesday: Matthew 19:29 (KJV)

29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

 

Wednesday: Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV);

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

 

 

Thursday: Luke 22:32 (KJV);

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

 

Friday: Acts 2:38 (KJV);

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

Saturday: Philippians 3:14 (KJV);

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

Sunday: Exodus 6:30, 7:1 (KJV)

30 And Moses said before the Lord, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me? Exodus 7:1 And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

 

ASSIGNMENT: Identify five (5) areas where you think you are too weak to work for God and ask Him to strengthen you in those areas (No mark).