Prophet Series

Jonah – Preaching to Enemies

Throughout Scripture, we notice time and time again that God loves mercy. The story of Nineveh illustrated such compassion when God spared the enemies of His people when they turned their hearts toward Him. Think about it: if God was concerned for a crabby prophet (Jonah) and morally bankrupt city (Nineveh), then His love for us will remain unshaken.

Thought to remember: No human boundaries limit God’s grace.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You disregard our borders and share Your Love wherever You please. We praise You for this because we are dependent on Your mercy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!

Lesson Learned: We must realize that our God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness (Jonah 4:2). If God can forgive the enemies of His chosen people who repented, we too must repent and accept the mercy of God.

Ezekiel – Street Preacher to the Exiles

Lesson Text: Ezekiel 18: 1-9, 30-33

The children of Judah who found themselves exiles in Babylon rationalized their situation as victims of a cosmic injustice. They thought of themselves as morally superior to prior generation. Even when Jesus walked the Earth the Pharisees replicated a similar attitude believing that if the prophets were alive, they would not have murdered them even though they plotted to kill Jesus. Likewise, believers, today can easily exemplify a similar attitude causing them to slip into despair or apathy.

Thought to remember: If we cannot acknowledge God’s judgment, we will see no need to receive His forgiveness.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, we see moral goodness in ourselves, but You see Your image marred with sin. We confess that Your assessment of our situation is correct. We thank You for providing mercy and renewal. In Jesus’ name, we pray You. Amen!

Lesson Learned: The fact that the sins of one generation have consequences for another is not the same as saying that God punishes an innocent generation for the sins of another generation. I must remember that I am responsible for my sins, and God will deal with me individually.

Jeremiah: The Suffering Preacher

Lesson Text: Jeremiah 38:14-23

Today’s passage reminds us that no one obeyed Jeremiah’s prophesy. Even after his predictions materialized, the people of Judah continued their disbelief. Yet, the life of Jeremiah was successful by God’s standard. Now, contrast his life with Zedekiah’s life, who was selfish, with no faith, no courage, and no enduring principles. Jeremiah remained faithful to his calling, and he was willing to deliver the word of God at any cost.

Thought to remember: Proclaiming God’s message is risky, but to ignore that message is fatal.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach us what it means to live successfully in Your sight. Give us the strength to proclaim Your message to the world boldly, come what may. In Jesus’ name, we pray You. Amen!

Lesson Learned: Whether Zedekiah was sincere in hearing from God is insignificant; the more important question is whether he would follow through after hearing. Likewise, today we hear the Godly truth, but like Zedekiah, we fear the scorn and ridicule of our peers and friends to follow through on that truth.

Isaiah: Offering Hope for the Future

Lesson Text: Isaiah 29:13–24

Today’s passage offers hope for all who find themselves far from God despite their religious heritage. Many persons attend church who have devoted themselves entirely to God; yet, some attend out of habit or a sense of duty. Unbeknownst to them, our God feels the coldness of their worship. He sees the plans they make without consulting Him through prayer or study of Scripture. So this lesson reminds us of the need for sincereness and seriousness regarding our worship.

Thought to remember: God is able and willing to renew our hearts.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are ever capable of straying from You! May our worship and service to You never find us lacking in devotion. Renew our hearts today so that the unbelieving world can see Christ in us. In Jesus’ name, we praise You. Amen!

Micaiah: Speaking Truth to Power

Lesson Text: I Kings 22: 15-23, 26-28

We live in a society that encourages excuses and glorifies lies. When someone tells the truth, especially Biblical truth, most people do not want to listen. Often individuals who live lives of deception punish those who tell the truth. In our lesson, Micaiah delivers the truth that was difficult to hear. He spoke boldly. God directed Micaiah at this particular time to prophesy to King Ahab. When we speak the truth, as believers, our motivation is God instead of our desire for revenge.

Thought to remember: Our commitment to truth is measured in our actions.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are the wise God. Only You can show us the truth. May we, through the power of the Holy Spirit, internalize truth and change from the inside out. Thank you for giving us the boldness to speak the truth in Love, even if it makes others feel uncomfortable. Fill our mouths with Your words. In Jesus’ name, we praise You. Amen!

The Nation’s Plea for Restoration

Lesson Text: Lamentations 5

Often we feel that God is avoiding us even though He is still trustworthy or faithful. We think that His whereabouts are unknown when we confess and repent. We find that worship and praise lag behind mourning and lament. The book of Lamentations will help us find the correct language to explain our deepest pain. This book serves as an invitation to take such feelings to God.

Thought to remember: Let sorrow draw you closer to God.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, strengthen us to be willing to turn our hearts to You! Help us be honest with You as Jeremiah was honest with You during the suffering endured by the people of Jerusalem. In Jesus’ name, we praise You. Amen!

Nehemiah: The Captive Cupbearer Rebuilds a Nation

Lesson Text: Nehemiah 2:11-20

“Give me a hand with this.” How often do we use these words during an overwhelming project? This lesson reminds us how God wants to use us by helping with the tasks that He gives. Nehemiah wants to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem; yet, this task is too great for one person or even a group. He must rally the entire city to rebuild this wall. With complex tasks, all we must do is to ask our Heavenly Father for help, and He will give us His hand in the mission.

Thought to remember: Pray for God’s powerful hand to be at work in your life daily.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, give us Your powerful hand! Without it, we are weak; with it, we have the strength to overcome any obstacle. Let us rise and build Your church, confident in your Promise to be with us. May our hands be strengthened for the work to which You have called us. In Jesus’ name, we praise You. Amen!

The Faith-in-Action Preacher

Lesson Text: Ezra 10:1-12

This lesson reminds us how God’s people slipped into idolatry because of conforming to the world around them. Like the ancient Jews, we, too, are tempted by our surroundings. Yet, we must remember God’s mercy gives us hope. As leaders, we must continue to encourage our fellow believers of God’s forgiving grace in the person and work of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thought to remember: Action is the hallmark of true conviction.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, guard our hearts against rationalizing our sins! Convict us so that repentant action may follow! May Your Word ever guide us toward faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, we praise You. Amen!

Suffering Servant

Lesson Text: Luke 24:13-16,22-35; Isaiah 53:4-11

Jesus’ death was not an accident or random tragedy. Instead, His death was the fulfillment of a divine plan to rescue lost humanity. On the road to Emmaus, the risen Jesus had to enlighten His disciples about the truth of a suffering servant. Their interpretation of Scriptures revealed a conquering hero, but the same Scriptures promised a suffering Messiah in reality.

Thought to remember: Jesus makes both the prophecies of Scripture and our lives complete.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus came in the fullness of time to fulfill prophecies such as Your wonderful Words recorded by Isaiah. Thank You for the great love demonstrated by Jesus in His undeserved suffering for undeserving sinners such as us. In Jesus’ name, we praise You. Amen!

Prophet of Courage

Lesson Text: 1 Kings 18:5-18

This lesson reminds us about exercising courage. Courage has always served as a trademark of God's people, especially those who speak on His behalf. Like Prophet Elijah, the leadership in the Old Testament considered God's prophet as troublemakers. Likewise, in many parts of the world, we witness an increased need for courage to speak God's words. Countries like China treat followers of Christ as modern troublemakers. Even in India, radical Hindus have beaten believers. Remember to pray for these faithful servants for the Lord that they will become established, strengthened, settled, and empowered with courage. (I Peter 5:10)

Thought to remember: Be a courageous, Spirit-led troublemaker.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, empower us with the courage to live out our faith and speak Your Word on Your behalf. We pray for our fellow believers in other lands where living for You means putting their lives on the line daily. May they respond with Holy Spirit-empowered courage to the challenges they face. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!

Prophet of Wisdom

Lesson Text: 2 Kings 22:14-20

This lesson highlights the importance of engaging and responding to His word. As believers, we must remain alert to the Scriptures, like King Josiah, who sought to understand the Book of the Law found in the temple by Prophetess Huldah. We must surround ourselves with faithful companions as we seek the needed wisdom to unfold and apply Scriptures in our everyday living.

Thought to remember: God hears those who humbly seek Him.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise YOU as the God of mercy and grace whose love for us has been demonstrated in mercy to Josiah and ultimately through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We ask that YOU forgive us when we fail to heed Your Word. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!

Prophet of Conquest

Lesson Text: Joshua 5:13-15; 6:1-5, 15-16, 20

This lesson opens our eyes that we must trust and obey God’s direction at all times. Can you imagine the reaction of priests and warriors when Joshua explained how they were to conquer Jericho? Yet, God’s unnatural plan had an important spiritual lesson for the Israelites.

To conquer their inheritance, they must accomplish it on God’s terms.

As modern day believers, we must remember to obey God’s command without quibbling because successful accomplishment comes only on God’s terms.

Thought to remember: Victory follows obedience to the Lord.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for leading us with Your Word and Your Spirit. Allow them to strengthen our obedience to you. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!

See You in Sunday School · Prophet Of Conquest

Prophet of Deliverance

Lesson Text: Deuteronomy 18:15-22

This lesson begins with a new quarter entitled "Prophets Faithful to God's Covenant." Remember Moses was a prophet of the Lord and the lawgiver to God's covenant people, the Jews. Yet, his leadership lasted for two generations. He taught the people that they needed to live as God's covenant people according to God's laws instead of engaging in practices counter to the law. So Moses ensured the people that God will give them another prophet who will continue to lead them. I challenge you to study this lesson so you can identify false prophets in our world today.

Thought to remember: God provides guidance for His people.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we ever remain grateful for Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of the prophet to follow Moses! Empower us to remain faithful to Him. Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!