SUNDAY 9TH OF FEBRUARY, 2025
LESSON TWENTY-FOUR (24)
TOPIC: CHOOSE WISELY
OPENING PRAYER: Father, guide me to always make the right choices in life.
Read; Open Heaven 10 February 2025 Today Devotional: THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST
BIBLE PASSAGE: Judges 14:1-3 NKJV
[1] Now Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines.
[2] So he went up and told his father and mother, saying, “I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore, get her for me as a wife.”
[3] Then his father and mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your brethren, or among all my people, that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” And Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she pleases me well.”
MEMORY VERSE: “Then his father and mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your brethren, or among all my people, that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” And Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she pleases me well.” Judges 14:3 (NKJV).
INTRODUCTION: Humans are choice beings. God in His sovereignty allows them to make their choices by picking between two or more possibilities and living with the consequences (Deuteronomy 30:19). As dynamic as the marriage institution is, it starts by making the right choice.God never forced Eve on Adam; rather, Adam chose Eve after God presented her to him (Genesis 2:22-23). In marriage, God does not choose your mate, He gives you the complete responsibility to make your choice but He will guide you when you take the matter to Him in prayers (Proverbs 18:22, Genesis 24:14). Choose wisely with God.
LESSON AIM: To serve as a guide for youths on choice-making.
TEACHING OBJECTIVES: Through this lesson, students should be able to:
a. Know that our choices have implications.
b. Learn to make the right choices.
TEXT REVIEW: Judges 14:1-3.
This is the example of Samson making a one-time decision in his life. Read and answer the following questions:
A. What was Samson trying to do in verses 1 & 2?………………………….
B. Did his parents support his move, what did they ask him to do in verse 3.
C. What can you say about Samson in verse 3b? …………………
OUTLINES:
1. Choices And Their Consequences
2. Make The Right Choice
1. CHOICES AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES
A. A choice is an option, a decision, an opportunity to choose. Note that:
i. Life is about choices and the question of choice will always pop up at one point or the other (Deuteronomy 30:19).
ii. This issue of choice is imperative because it can affect one’s destiny positively or otherwise.
B. Examples of people who made choices and their implications:
i. King Solomon chose to love many strange women who turned his heart after their gods in his old age (1 Kings 11:1-4).
ii. Lot chose the wrong location for his agricultural business and it affected his family negatively (Genesis 13:10-11).
iii. Amnon, through his lustful desire, chose to listen to the counsel of his friend – Jonadab, to defile his sister and he lost his life afterwards (2 Samuel 13:5, 11-14, 32).
iv. The choice to follow God will lead us to eternity (John 6:40).
C. In the same vein, choosing the right marriage partner is important because today’s choice has a lot of effects on the future.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Which decision did you make that you were grateful for?
2. MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE
A. Guiding principles to making the right choice:
i. Marriage is a lifelong decision (Matthew 19:6-9) that can either make or mar one’s destiny.
ii. There is a need to choose wisely with God as your guide (Psalm 32:8).
iii. Be sure that you and your partner have a ‘Father-child’ relationship with God and be His ‘sheep’ (John 10:27).
iv. Your choice must be based on the right counsel (Proverbs 15:22).
v. Engage the Holy Spirit in your selection process (John 16:13).
vi. Be very sure that God’s presence is going with you in the relationship before you start (Exodus 33:14-15).
vii. Let the word of God regulate your decisions (Psalm 119:105). Pray with sincerity of purpose (Genesis 24:12).
viii. Hear from God before you dabble into any relationship (Isaiah 30:21).
ix. Conduct a diligent and godly search (Proverbs 18:22).
x. Learn to exercise self-control (Proverbs 25:28).
xi. Do not be anxious so you do not make a mistake (Philippians 4:6).
xii. Open your physical and spiritual eyes to see any Red flag and attend to it speedily (Mark 14:38).
xiii. Be intentional (Genesis 24:14).
B. Do not concentrate on physical attractions alone (Judges 14:3) – look beyond the outward packaging (1 Samuel 16:6-7).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What do you look for in a person before making him/her your marriage partner?
CONCLUSION: Your choice is yours and you will bear the consequences. Remember you have the opportunity and privilege to involve God.
EVALUATION: What are the guiding principles for making the right marital choice?
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, I receive the grace to choose the right partner in marriage in Jesus’ name.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) people in the Bible who made wrong choices and the consequences (2X5=10 Marks).
SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest 6⁶
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?