08/03/2026
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
Nigeria & Overseas
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Theme:
The BIBLE: God's Message to Man
January - December 2026
Unit 1:
The Nature, Message and Inspiration of the Bible
March 8, 2026
Lesson 8
Topic:
The Universality Of God's Word
Memory Scripture:
And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?
(Acts 2:8)
God's Word surpasses all barriers, bringing unity and hope to every generation and culture.
BRIEF COMMENT
The descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost on the believers as a diverse audience gathered cannot be overemphasised. People from various walks of life and cultures echoed the universality of God's Word, as they heard the apostles proclaim the Gospel in their native languages. This reveals the fact that God's Word surpasses cultural and language barriers. The experience also demonstrates the power of the Holy Spirit, as He empowers believers to share God's truth with all people. This confirms that the Gospel is intended for all nations, not just a few. God desires that all people, regardless of language, or cultural background, come to know Him and be transformed into His likeness, promoting unity in diversity.
DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS
Mon. 2: The Word Of God Is Timeless (Ps. 119:160)
Tue. 3: The Word Of God Is Effective (Isa. 55:11)
Wed. 4: The Word Of God Carries Authority (Heb. 4:12) Thu. 5: The Word Is Divine And Authoritative (Jn. 1:1-5)
Fri. 6: The Word Increases Our Faith (Rom. 10:17)
Sat. 7: The Word Reveals Universal Provisions (Rev. 21:6)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
1. God wants everyone to know Him, which gives the gospel global relevance.
2. His knowledge made available through the Scripture, the only reliable and proven source for understanding salvation and the power of God.
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Psalm 119:89; 1 Peter 1:22-25
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
AIM: To show how God's Word speaks to everyone, everywhere, and inspires global evangelism across all cultures and languages.
OBJECTIVES: By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:
i. state clearly that God's Word is not sectional, but global for world evangelisation;
ii. explain how the Holy Spirit empowers believers in spreading God's Word in diverse cultures; and
iii. explain the Church's role in fulfilling the Great Commission, using God's universal Word.
INTRODUCTION
TEXTUAL SOURCES: ISAIAH 40:8; MATTHEW 24:35, 28:19-20; ACTS 2:8-11; ROMANS 1:16; 2 TIMOTHY 3:16; HEBREWS 13:8; REVELATION 7:9
Praise God for helping us complete last week's lesson: Jesus Affirms the Scripture. We saw how Jesus fulfilled prophecies they were given long ago, proving the truthfulness and reliability of God's Word. Do you now trust the Scripture?
Today's lesson is: The Universality of God's Word. It is fitting that we explore this on this International Women's Day, as it reminds us that God shows no preference for gender, ethnicity, tribe, or culture-He is the God of all. Women are equally valued as men in His eyes.
This lesson emphasises how God's Word remains relevant across all cultures and times. His message crosses language barriers and societal norms. It unites people under Christ's Lordship. It is a timeless truth that brings hope, guidance and transformation to every generation.
LESSON OUTLINE
ITS RELEVANCE ACROSS CULTURE AND TIME
II. ITS TIMELESSNESS AND COSMIC EFFECT
LESSON EXPOSITION
I. ITS RELEVANCE ACROSS CULTURE AND TIME (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:8-11; Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim 3:16)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Rom. 1:16).
a) Acts 2:8: Language is the medium by which people communicate, and everyone naturally speaks one language or the other. The Holy Spirit broke these language barriers. He enabled the believers to share God's message in many different languages.
b) v. 11: The apostles spoke in various languages. This shows that God's Word goes beyond cultural and language barriers. This shows that God's message is for everyone to understand.
c) The coming of the Holy Spirit brought unity among diverse groups. People from different backgrounds were united under one faith. God's truth brings people together, no matter their differences.
d) Matt. 28:19-20: The Great Commission shows God's desire for everyone to know Him. It is the Church's mission to share His message with all people.
e) 2 Tim. 3:16-17: All Scripture is God-inspired and remains relevant for every generation. It teaches, corrects and guides people towards righteous living, applying this to all cultures and contexts.
f. Rom. 1:16: The life-changing power in God's Word comes to play when the Scripture is correctly applied, which transforms lives across cultures, genders, ages and races.
g) God's Word speaks to today's issues like oppression, inequality, and corruption, making it timeless and relevant for all cultures and generations.
II. ITS TIMELESSNESS AND COSMIC EFFECT (Isa. 40:8; Matt. 24:35; Heb. 13:8; Rev. 7:9)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb. 13:8).
a) Isa. 40:8: God's Word lasts (stands) forever (cf. Matt. 24:35). This reminds us that no matter how the world changes, God's truth stays the same and can be trusted.
b) Heb. 13:8: Jesus Christ never changes. His love, character and teachings stay the same. They give us hope and certainty in every generation.
c) Rev. 7:9: The Gospel is for everyone. Does the great crowd from every nation, tribe, people and language standing before God mean anything to you on this matter? God's message is for all people. It breaks all cultural and language barriers.
d) The virtues of the Bible are timeless. Biblical values like love, kindness, humility and forgiveness (Col. 3:12-14) apply to everyone and remain relevant, no matter the time, or place.
e) Tit. 2:13: The Bible promises hope to every generation as we await Christ's return. This hope encourages faith and perseverance across all times and cultures.
f) God's Word remains constant. It provides a solid foundation and a message of hope for everyone, no matter who they are, or where they are from.
LESSONS DERIVED
1. God's Word speaks all languages, breaking through barriers to reach everyone, everywhere.
2. God's Word is timeless, offering truth, hope and guidance for all people in every situation.
QUESTIONS
1. God's Word speaks to all languages and cultures. Discuss in the light of Acts 2:8-11.
2. God's Word is unchanging and reaches the whole world (Matthew 24:35; Hebrews 13:8). Explain.
