INTRODUCTION

The concept of first fruits is rooted in Biblical times when people lived in an agrarian society. Harvest time was significant because that was when the hard work the farmers had powered into their crops all year began to pay off. They were literally reaping what they sowed. God called His people to bring the first yield- the first fruits from their harvest to him as an offering. This was to demonstrate the Israelites obedience and reverence for God. It also showed that they trusted God to provide enough crops to feed their family.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

The Hebrew word for first fruit is Dikkurium- literally translated “promise to come”. We see the term first fruits initially mentioned in the book of Exodus and Leviticus when Moses was leading God’s people out of captivity in Egypt. God instructed the Israelites to give up the first of their crops so that they could understand the value of God’s blessings. The Israelites saw these first fruits command as an investment into their future.

DISCUSSION TIME

1. What does ‘first fruits in our modern day context means? Mention examples and what should be our disposition to these modern day context?

Points to Note from the Lesson
* Making a first fruit offering opens us up to allow God to work in our life.
* Giving of our first fruits reminds us that God is our ultimate priority.
* Our first fruit shows God that we are obedient to Him and we can be trusted with more.
* Perhaps most importantly, being generous in this way shows that we are grateful for all God has given to us.

Memory Verse:

"Speak to the Israelites and say to them: `When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest.” (Leviticus 23:10).