[9]After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [10]Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [11]Give us this day our daily bread. [12]And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [13]And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. [14]For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [15]But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:9-15
Forgiveness is not just a Christian duty; it is a virtue that reflects the very nature of God. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus emphasized the connection between God’s forgiveness and our willingness to forgive others. “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” This shows that forgiveness is both received and given—it flows from God to us and through us to others.
As Christians, we often fall short and sin, but God, in His mercy, forgives us again and again. If we truly understand and appreciate the forgiveness we’ve received, it should inspire us to forgive those who offend us. Unforgiveness blocks our fellowship with God and hinders our prayers.
To be Christlike is to forgive. Holding on to grudges only hardens the heart and opens the door to bitterness. But when we forgive, we show love, grace, and maturity.
Key Takeaways:
Forgiveness is a sign of true Christian character.
We must forgive if we want to be forgiven (Matt. 6:15).
God’s mercy towards us should be our model for mercy towards others.
Forgiveness brings peace, healing, and freedom to the soul.
Let us forgive, not because others always deserve it, but because we are forgiven by God.
Lord Jesus, let me always know that You are with me.
MEMORY VERSE
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”.
Isaiah 41:10
LESSON INTRODUCTION:
Loneliness has been recognized as a significant social and public health issue. Loneliness according to the The Old Testament means one who is forsaken, wretched, or desolate. Loneliness is the feeling of being disconnected from people, even in a crowd. Prolonged loneliness can lead to feelings of sadness, despair, and emptiness. This can affect us spiritually, emotionally, and physically. It is therefore necessary for us to explore the issues of loneliness and seek guidance to overcome it.
LESSON AIM:
To know the intricacy of loneliness.
LESSON OBJECTIVE
To understand what loneliness means.
To know how to get out of loneliness.
TEXT REVIEW
[2]Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. [3]And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. [4]But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. [9]And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? [10]And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
1 Kings 19:2-4,9-10
This explains the story of how Elijah ran for his life after he was threatened by Jezebel. He became frustrated and lonely out of the fear of being killed by Jezebel, and for that course he fled for his life. Elijah was sore afraid that he had to leave his home and shelter to leave in the wild, and he also wishing he dies , because he was lonely. Hence, loneliness can attract negative thoughts that even when it seems possible and positive we don’t see it, because we’re lonely at the moment. Elijah was a fiercely strong prophet of God; both in might and in the spirit, but because he was lonely and afraid of what Jezebel might do to him, he never realized what he carried as a prophet of the Most High God, hence, he went into hiding just to save his life, his servants and everyone close to him, when he could become victorious over Jezebel, even with the words of his mouth.
LESSON OUTLINE
LESSON OUTLINE 1:
UNDERSTAND LONELINESS
Loneliness creeps into people’s lives (regardless of age, gender, or background) changing their perception about life and the people around them. Chronic loneliness has been linked to increased stress, depression, anxiety, and a higher risk of certain physical health problems. This rampant phenomenon becomes fatal when it leads to the death of the victim. Emotional and social disconnections play a significant role in luring people to loneliness. Hence, one can be successful yet lonely.
Examples of those who showed signs of loneliness in the Bible:
Elijah (1 Kings 19:10)
David (Psalm 25:16)
Paul (2 Timothy 4:16).
One of the strategies Satan and his agents have successfully used against people is to give them reasons to believe everybody hates them. Elijah said, “…I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
Some people fall into loneliness and depression because they spend their time hunting for enemies thereby, finding it difficult to trust anyone, even their spouse: they suspect people around them (Ecclesiastes 7:21-22). Being alone without positively engaging one’s time can cause the flesh or the devil to occupy us. Secret sins thrive in lonely moments (Psalm 19:12).
Other reasons people become lonely are being too introverted.
LESSON OUTLINE 2:
GETTING OUT OF LONELINESS
Anyone feeling lonely has to be intentional about getting out. Some ways to getting out of loneliness include the following:
Find reasons to be alive and happy (Nehemiah 8:10).
Stop seeing yourself as a failure, you can do all things (Philippians 4:13).
Stop feeling like the whole world is against you, everybody has their problems (Galatians 6:5).
Learn to forgive yourself for past errors, you are not the worst person on earth (Isaiah 1:18).
Stop feeling abandoned by God, He will never leave you (Deuteronomy 31:8; Isaiah 49:15-17).
Hold on to your faith: with God, all things are possible (Luke 1:37).
Do not stay away from good friends and family (Psalm 133:1; Proverbs 18:24).
Watch your mind gate: do not allow evil thoughts to play on your mind (Proverbs 4:23).
Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22).
Excessive usage of social media is also associated with feelings of loneliness and social isolation, hence, relate more with people physically.
If you or someone you know is lonely, reaching out to friends, and family, or seeking professional support can make a big difference. Also, remember that as a Christian, the cure for any kind of loneliness is the comforting fellowship of Christ.
PRAYER:
Lord Almighty, I receive Your joy into my heart in Jesus’ name. I declare the joy of the Lord is my strength.
