05/10/2025
SUNDAY SCHOOL RESOURCE OF ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA.
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SUNDAY, 5TH OCTOBER, 2025.
UNIT 4: WHEN GOD SHOWS UP...
*STUDY 1: HOPE IS BORN*
TEXT: Gen 41:14-16, 28-31, 39-44; 42:1-2; 45:1-25; 50:18-20; Isa 9:6-7; Luke 1:26-35; 2:1-32
KEY VERSE: 2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (NIV)
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*>>Focus*
Imagine for a moment what the world would be like if all hope was lost. If there were no hope of a better tomorrow, no hope of forgiveness, no hope of eternity with Christ, life would hardly be worth living. Thanks to God, that is not the situation. In fact, Christmas is just a couple of months away. It is a season of joy and hope, and many have already begun preparations. Unfortunately, even as the world looks toward this season of hope and joy, there are many people who feel they are without hope.
Perhaps there are students in your class who are struggling with situations that, to them, seem hopeless. Many teens lack the maturity to look beyond their present circumstance and realize that these moments - good or bad -will not last forever. For them, reality is what they're experiencing today.
As you prepare for this study, pray that God will use it to open your students' hearts to the hope we have in Christ. This unique study examines the Old Testament story of Joseph; and compares his struggles and triumphs to the event surrounding Jesus' birth, which we'll celebrate in the next couple of months. In both situations, hope was born, as God worked in unexpected ways to accomplish something wonderful. As you guide the class through the study, you may consider sharing with your students how God worked through a challenging situation in your life to demonstrate His faithfulness and renew your hope in Him. Then offer to pray with those who want to experience the hope Jesus offers.
>>The Basic Message: Explain to students...
• WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?
Even in the most unlikely situations, God works out His plans and offers hope.
• WHY DOES IT MATTER?
The hope we have in Christ gives us a reason to celebrate.
• HOW DO I LIVE IT?
Submit your life to God's plans, and praise Him for the hope that Jesus brings.
>>Activity Option: HOPE FOR ALL
Prepare and bring to class a box with a slit opening cut in the top. Write YES on slips of paper, and put in that box. Also prepare enough inexpensive wrapped gifts for everyone in your classroom, keeping only one gift in sight. As students enter the classroom, ask them to enter a draw-and-win competition. As each student draws a slip of paper that reads YES, give the winning student a gift. Keep doing this until everyone received a gift. Then discuss the following questions:
• Did you give up hope after the first YES was drawn? Why or why not?
• What restored your hope?
>>Guide: Explain that sometimes when things don’t immediately go our way, we lose hope. But God has provided promises for a bright future. Best of all, He has given us His Son. Jesus gives hope to all who will trust in Him.
>>Study Overview: Explain that today’s study considers...
• How God worked through Joseph’s struggles to accomplish His plan.
• How Jesus’ humble birth brought hope to a sinful world.
• Why we can hope in God’s promises, even through difficulties.
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>>Inform and Discuss
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`a. A Slave in a Palace`
>>Guide: Read or have a volunteer read Gen 41:14-16. Explain that when he was summoned by Pharaoh to interpret his dreams, Joseph made it clear that God would be the One through whom the answer would come. Though he was often known for his wisdom and leadership skills, Joseph didn’t trust in his intellect or reasoning abilities. His hope and trust were in God alone.
1. Why is it important to give God the credit for our abilities and successes? [Hint: Whether it’s a spiritual gift, a natural talent, or a skill that we’ve worked to develop, God is the source of all we have.]
>>Guide: Read or have volunteers read and summarize Gen 41:28-31, 39-44. Explain that God had once given Joseph a prophetic dream indicating that he would become a leader among his brothers. During his years in prison, such an idea might have seemed unlikely. But Joseph kept serving God and trusting Him with his life. Ultimately, he saw the fulfilment of everything God had revealed years earlier.
2. What do you think it was like for Joseph to become a wealthy, influential leader after years of being a servant and prisoner?
[Note: God’s power isn’t limited by our circumstances. The difficulties we face should be seen as opportunities to experience His faithfulness. We shouldn’t be surprised when He comes through as promised; He always keeps His promises.]
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`b. A King in a Manger`
>>Teacher Hint: Read or have volunteers read Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:26-35. Explain that many generations after Joseph’s rise to prominence in Egypt, the prophet Isaiah spoke of a ruler whose arrival on the world scene would be unlike any other. He would rule in power and authority, establishing a kingdom of righteousness and peace to last forever. Approximately 700 years after Isaiah’s prophecy, it was finally fulfilled in the small town of Bethlehem. Jesus is the fulfilment of that prophecy. Everyone who comes to Him in faith and repentance will be blessed with forgiveness and eternal life.
1. Read or ask volunteers to read Luke 2:1-20. What are some things about Jesus’ birth that could be considered unexpected?
>>Guide: Explain that although His worth is infinite, Jesus was not born in a palace, surrounded by the rich and famous. Instead, angels appeared to lowly shepherds and announced that Jesus would be found lying in a manger-an animal’s feeding trough!
2. What does this say about Jesus’ ability to relate to us? [Hint: If Jesus was willing to come to a dusty stable to save the world, He is willing to come to each of us – right where we are.]
3. Read or have a volunteer read 2 Cor 8:9. What does it mean that Jesus became poor so that we could be rich? [Hint: Jesus left the glory of heaven to come to earth and die so that we could receive the greatest treasure of all: eternal life.]
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`c. Deliverance for Many`
>>Guide: Read or have a volunteer read Gen 42:1-2. Explain that the famine Joseph had foretold was so far-reaching that it even affected his brothers and father in the land of Canaan. To save his family from starvation, Jacob sent his sons to buy grain in Egypt. They had no idea that Joseph was in charge of the grain distribution or that they were about to be reunited with him.
1. Read or have volunteers read and summarize Gen 45:1-25; 50:18-20. How did Joseph’s attitude towards his brothers resemble Christ? [Hint: Even though they didn’t deserve it, Joseph extended mercy and forgiveness. Jesus forgives us when we ask; He expects us to demonstrate that same forgiveness toward others.]
2. How might God use your difficult circumstances to accomplish His purposes? [Guide: Remind students that God doesn’t cause bad things to happen to them. But if they’ll continue to trust Him, God will reveal His faithfulness and work out His plan – even through the hard times.]
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`d. Salvation for All`
>>Guide: Read or have volunteers read and summarize Luke 2:21-32. Explain that the Israelites had waited many years for the Saviour to come in fulfilment of prophecy. Simeon was among those who continued to trust God and hope in His promises. God rewarded Simeon’s faith by telling him that he would not die until he had seen the Christ.
• Why did Simeon say that he had seen God’s salvation? [Hint: Simeon’s words point to Jesus’ role as the Saviour of the world.]
>>Guide: Explain that when Joseph was sold into slavery, he might not have known that his suffering would ultimately save his family. Likewise, most people in Israel didn’t realize that Jesus, a Child born in a stable, would suffer and die for the salvation of all who believe. God often works out His plans in ways we can’t anticipate or understand. But in every situation, we can find hope in knowing that He always keeps His promises.
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>>Involve Them: Display a raw egg, a bowl of flour and some baking soda. Ask if anyone would like to eat these items. (Don’t let anyone, even if they offer to do so.) Explain that these ingredients may not be appetizing by themselves. But when they’re put together the right way (and mixed with a few other ingredients), they can make a delicious cake. Similarly, it’s often hard to see what God is doing when we encounter unpleasant or unexpected circumstances. But God is able to take things that make little sense to us and put them together to create something wonderful.
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>>Inspire Them: Remind students THE BASIC MESSAGE of this study (pg. 67)-even as you explain WHAT the Big Idea behind the study is; WHY it matters; and HOW we can live the lesson captured in this study.
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>>Ministry Activity: Encourage students to spend a few minutes thanking God for the hope that He provides through Christ; for the integrity of His Word; and for His faithfulness. Also challenge them to thank God for working out His plan in their lives, even in situations they may not currently understand.
>>Invitation Option: Offer to pray with students who have not experienced the forgiveness and the hope that Jesus provides.
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>>Teacher Hint: Ask Yourself...
1. Can students explain how God worked through Joseph’s situation to accomplish something great?
2. Do they understand the significance of Jesus’ birth and what it means for them?
3. Have they had an opportunity to celebrate both the faithfulness of God. And the hope that Jesus offers?
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>>DAILY DEW DROPS:
Mon: God: The Way-maker – Isaiah 43:16-19
Tue: God Will Equip You – Hebrews 13:20-21
Wed: Don’t Neglect God’s Guidance – 1 Chronicles 10:13
Thu: Hope in God – Psalm 42:5
Fri: Dare to Trust God – Number 23:19
Sat: Hold Fast Your Confession – Hebrews 10:23
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_You can contact us: @ 08066479989; Pastor Elusia Joshua West; AGC Owa Alero, Anioma District._
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_Copied@Assemblies of God Teens Manual Publication_
