Avondale Church of God Service
February 9, 2025 – Morning Sunday School
Opening Thought: Brother Jim
Sunday School Teacher: Brother David
Opening Thought: The Book of Life and Readiness for Judgment
Before the Sunday School lesson began, Brother Jim shared a thought-provoking message centered on the theme of spiritual preparedness. Drawing from Revelation 20:12, he reminded the congregation of the inevitable day of judgment, when all will stand before God, and their lives will be measured against what is written in the Book of Life. His words carried a sense of urgency as he posed a simple yet profound question: “Are you ready?”
He illustrated this idea through the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25—five wise, five foolish. While all had lamps, only half had the foresight to bring enough oil. When the bridegroom arrived, the unprepared found themselves shut out. Brother Jim pointed out that their downfall was not due to a single moment of failure but rather a slow drift into neglect. He warned that many believers may have once been spiritually vibrant but, over time, have allowed complacency to take root.
Encouraging self-reflection, he urged the congregation to examine their daily walk with God. Were they staying watchful, ensuring their “lamps” were full? Or had the distractions of life dulled their spiritual awareness? Before concluding, he led the church in a heartfelt prayer, asking for God’s grace to help His people remain steadfast and prepared.
Lesson: The Call to Spiritual Vigilance
Brother David built upon this message, turning the class’s attention to Matthew 24:42, where Christ exhorts believers to “watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” He emphasized that readiness is not just a passive expectation but an active pursuit of holiness and faithfulness. Many begin their Christian walk with enthusiasm, but without careful attention, the fire can gradually fade.
Using the example of the foolish virgins, Brother David explained that spiritual neglect is often subtle. It does not happen in a single moment but over time—a missed prayer here, a neglected time of devotion there, an increasing comfort with worldly distractions. He warned that just as a thief comes unexpectedly in the night, so too will the day of the Lord arrive without warning. Those who have grown spiritually cold may find themselves caught off guard.
The discussion deepened as members of the class shared their thoughts. One sister spoke about the importance of staying spiritually alert, referencing 1 Thessalonians 5:6, which says, “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” She noted how easy it is to become spiritually drowsy, allowing the pressures of daily life to take priority over faith. Her insight led to a discussion on the practical ways believers can remain steadfast, ensuring their relationship with God remains strong and active.
Brother David reinforced this by pointing out that God’s standard of judgment is based not just on our words or intentions but on our faithfulness and obedience. He challenged the class to consider whether they were truly prepared for Christ’s return or merely assuming they had enough time to “get things right” later.
A Biblical Example: Noah’s Preparedness
To illustrate the importance of readiness, Brother David turned to the story of Noah in Genesis 6-7. Noah was found righteous in his generation, not because he was perfect, but because he walked closely with God and obeyed His commands. When God warned of the coming flood, Noah did not delay—he began building the ark long before there was any visible sign of rain. His obedience stood in stark contrast to those around him, who ignored God’s warnings and continued living as if nothing would change.
Brother David highlighted how Noah’s example speaks to us today. Spiritual preparedness requires faith, diligence, and perseverance, even when others do not see the urgency. Many in Noah’s time must have scoffed at his efforts, thinking life would go on as usual. But when the rain finally came, it was too late for them to prepare. This, he explained, is a sobering parallel to the return of Christ—those who wait too long to seek God will find the door of grace closed.
As the class reflected on this, Brother David posed a challenging question: Were they living as Noah, actively preparing, or as the people of his day, ignoring the signs until it was too late?
Conclusion and Reflection
Bringing the lesson to a close, Brother David reiterated that spiritual vigilance is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment. Readiness requires keeping our hearts aligned with God, staying in prayer, engaging with His Word, and avoiding the slow drift into complacency.
He left the class with a final challenge:
“If Christ were to return today, would you be ready? If not, what is keeping you from preparing?”
Brother David encouraged everyone to take time during the week to reflect on their spiritual state and make any necessary adjustments. Rather than offering a checklist of things to do, he invited the class to consider their own hearts: Were they actively maintaining their relationship with God, or had they unknowingly let their fire grow dim? Were they standing firm in faith, or had worldly distractions crept in? What steps could they take this week to draw closer to God?
Reflection Questions:
1. Am I actively maintaining my relationship with God, or have I grown spiritually complacent?
2. What daily habits can I cultivate to ensure I remain spiritually prepared?
3. Are there areas of my life where I am neglecting God’s warnings?
4. How can I encourage others in my family or church to stay vigilant in their faith?
5. What does my spiritual ‘oil supply’ look like—am I keeping it full through prayer, Bible study, and obedience?
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