LESSON FORTY FIVE (45)
TOPIC: HELPING THE YOUTH TO GROW SPIRITUALLY
HOUSE FELLOWSHIP ANTHEM
1. I love this family of God,
So closely knitted into one,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family
2. I bless this family of God,
So greatly prospered by the Lord,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family
3. I know this family of God,
So deeply rooted in the word,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family
4. I see this family of God,
So highly lifted above all,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family
5. Come, join this family of God,
So highly favoured by the Lord,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family.
OPENING PRAYER: Father, help all our youths to grow spiritually.
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: Leaders should let members know how we can re-ignite in marriage as a believer.
MEMORY VERSE: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
BIBLE TEXT: HEBREWS 5:11, MATTHEW 21:18-21.
HEBREWS 5:11-14
11. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
MATTHEW 21:18-21
18. Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
19. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
20. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
21. Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
LESSON INTRODUCTION: There must be a sincere desire in the heart of every child of God to want to grow and get closer to God to discover the secrets that will enable him leave the realm of spiritual defeat and come to higher grounds of spiritual victory. Spiritual growth is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus. We are always concerned when there is no growth in any area of our lives. When a child is not growing, the parents are bothered and want to do everything to make the child grow. Same way the Lord is bothered when we are not making spiritual progress and not growing closer to Him.
TEXT REVIEW: HEBREW 5:11-14, MATTHEW 21:18-21.
i. So, as a youth, you need to build up your faith in the spiritual realm with God.
ii. Needs to develop a taste for the strong meat of the Word.
LESSON OUTLINES:
WHEN THERE IS NO GROWTH: Spiritual growth is as important as physical growth. As our days increase in the Lord, So should our knowledge of God, wisdom, righteousness and commitment to Him continuously increase. There are telltale signs of spiritual stagnancy, some of them are:
1. Spiritual ignorance Hebrews. 5:12
2. Inability to offer essential Kingdom service. 2 Chronicles 25:2
3. Lack of spiritual revelation and insight. Ephesians 4:14
4. Superficial obedience and satisfaction
5. Weak attachment to Christ
6. Spiritual dullness and blindness. Matthew 12:15
7. Immaturity and instability
8. Sin and backsliding
STEPS TO GROWTH
1. A genuine desire for spiritual growth. A holy dissatisfaction with our present state.
2. Proper feeding on the Word of God.
3. Prayer – constant, fervent prayer not just for mundane things
4. Consecration unto The Lord. Let’s lay everything on the altar.
5. Change of spiritual diet. Develop a taste for the strong meat of the Word
6. Separation from things that hinders spiritual growth.
SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH
1. More love for the things of God and for God himself.
2. A stronger faith.
3. Better fellowship with the Lord and brethren.
4. More submission and obedience to the Word of God
5. Greater zeal for the Lord and concern for the lost.
6. Hatred for sin and any appearance of evil.
7. Greater understanding of God and His Word.
8. Brighter hope and Greater expectation for the coming of the Lord.
ACTIVITY: Discuss how the church is helping the youth in the aspect of spiritual growth.
SUMMARY: The youth can grow spiritually if they have a close relationship with God.
CONCLUSION: Believers who desire to spiritual growth must be ready to go the extra mile. It is the Lord’s desire that we become more and more like Him in our daily lives.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, I desire spiritual growth.
2. I refuse to be a stagnant Christian.
3. Pray for spiritual growth in RCCG NYAYA.
GOLDEN DIET FOR THE WEEK:
MONDAY: Deuteronomy 1:6-8
TUESDAY: Read Matthew 21.
WEDNESDAY: Study 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
THURSDAY: Meditate on 1 Corinthians 14:20
FRIDAY: Fast and pray for RCCG NYAYA
SATURDAY: Witness to one person Today.
SUNDAY: Pray in the Spirit for at least 30 minutes.
