RCCG HOUSE FELLOWSHIP TEACHER’S MANUAL 26 NOVEMBER 2023

LESSON THIRTEEN (13)
TOPIC: FIRST QUARTERLY/INTERACTIVE SESSION

SUMMARY OF LESSONS 1 -12
LESSON ONE (01)
TOPIC: BE THANKFUL

MEMORY VERSE: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

BIBLE TEXT: Psalms 100:1-4

LESSON INTRODUCTION: In I Thessalonians 5:18, God commands us to give thanks in everything because it is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us. Looking at the various battles we have faced this year; cashless policy, economy instability, unseen battles we won, daily provisions, salvation of our souls, etc. and God has seen us through, we are therefore required to thank Him.

LESSON OUTLINE ONE
WHY SHOULD WE GIVE THANKS?
We are to give thanks because God;
– Commands us to do so – 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
– Gave us the greatest gift which is salvation through a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ – John 3: 16.
– Answers our prayers – Jeremiah 33:3.
– Provides for our needs – Philippians 4:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18.
– Showers us with blessings and mercy – Phil. 4:6, 1 Chronicles 16:34.
– Protects and keeps us- Psalms 91.

LESSON OUTLINE TWO
BENEFITS OF THANKSGIVING
– It brings glory to God -II Corinthians 4:15.
– It helps us to see God in all our endeavours – James 1:16-17.
– It puts us in God’s will – 1Thessalonians 5:18.
– It gives us peace – Philippians 4:6-7.
– It draws us closer to God- Luke 17:17, 19.
– It brings contentment- I Timothy 6:6-8.
– It deepens one’s faith and leads to joy – Psalms 13; 126: 1-3.

ACTIVITY: What are the dangers of ingratitude?

SUMMARY: Thanking God always, grants us blessings, undeniable and productive Christian journey.

CONCLUSION: Every believer should therefore live to please God with grateful heart.

LESSON TWO (02)
TOPIC: POWER IN THE TONGUE

MEMORY VERSE: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:21

BIBLE TEXT: 1 Kings 17:1

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Proverbs 18:21 makes us to understand that death and life are in the power of the tongue. It means that the tongue can be a weapon to harm and destroy as well as being a tool to build and heal, – Matthew 1 5:26-28.

LESSON OUTLINE ONE
YOUR TONGUE CAN MAKE OR MAR
The tongue can make or mar (i.e spoil) according to our memory verse. Verbal attacks by itself cannot break bones, however, speeches can inspire positively or negatively. Therefore, the tongue can do the following;
1. It can build up and it can tear apart – Proverbs 10:19,20; 15:1-4; James 3:5-8.
2. It can restore and destroy – II Kings 2: 19-22, 23-25.
3. It can bring love and also bring hatred – Exodus 4:22; Deut. 9:14.
4. It can start your journey to greatness and can end it – Exo. 3:3; Deut. 32:50-52.

LESSON OUTLINE TWO
HOW TO CONTROL YOUR TONGUE?
• Dedicate your heart, mind and tongue to the Lord – Heb. 13:5; Luke 6:45.
Be conscious of the words that come out of your mouth.
Be intentional about your speeches – Psalms 19:14.
Control your mood; never allow the devil hijack your thought.
Give up any act of complaining.
Speak words that encourage, comfort, edify and inspire – Eph. 4:29.
Learn to take responsibility for every word you speak. Matt. 12:36.
Meditate on positive things and God’s word – Joshua 1:8; Psalms 119:11.

ACTIVITY: Kindly allow members to pray for divine sanctification of their tongues.

SUMMARY: To get going in positive path in life, your tongue must be sanctified.

CONCLUSION: Word unleashed from an unregenerated tongue or heart is destructive.

LESSON THREE (03)
TOPIC: WALKING IN GOD’S COVENANT

MEMORY VERSE: “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. “Psalms 89:34

BIBLE TEXT: Exodus 3:4-8

LESSON INTRODUCTION: A covenant means a sacred agreement or mutual promise between God and man or a group of people. In a covenant, God promises a blessing for obedience to a particular commandment. There are various types of covenant; covenant of protection, prosperity, health, wealth and many other things that we as humans require from God.

LESSON OUTLINE ONE
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO WALKING GOD’S COVENANT?
When we are baptised into Christ, we enter into a new covenant with the Lord Jesus – Galatians 3:26-29. When we stay committed to the terms of the covenant by being obedient to His status, we start and continue in His covenant and this brings us into relationship with the Holy Spirit who helps and guides us to do the right things as we have been taught by the Lord. We must learn to read the word on a daily basis and stay faithful to the teaching through His words.

LESSON OUTLINE TWO
EXAMPLES OF BIBLICAL COVENANTS
– Abrahamic covenant – Genesis 12 & 15.
– Noahic covenant -Genesis 9.
– Mosaic covenant – Exodus 19 & 23.
– Priestly covenant – Numbers 25: 13.
– Davidic covenant – II Samuel 7.
– Calvary (New) covenant – Luke 22: 14-23.

ACTIVITY: Do you have any covenant with God? Please share it.

SUMMARY: Walking in God’s covenant ends life of servitude and unproductiveness.

CONCLUSION: Believers should try and be enlisted into all these aforementioned covenants in order to make their walk with God flawless and resourceful.

LESSON FOUR (4)
TOPIC: GOD’S PURPOSE OR YOUR PURPOSE?

MEMORY VERSE: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. ” Jeremiah 1:5

BIBLE TEXT: Luke 5:1-11

LESSON INTRODUCTION: God always has a more excellent purpose for our lives which is greater than our own personal Wishes, ambitions, occupation or even our happiness. To know why we exist, we must first personally know the CREATOR through His word (Bible). For example, prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:5 reveals to us that God’s plans and programme for us have been ordained and divinely sanctioned.

LESSON OUTLINE ONE
WHAT IS GOD’S PURPOSE?
God created us for His pleasure:
– To worship HIM. Worship should not only take place in the church or Christian gatherings rather, it should be a lifestyle – Rev. 4:11.
– To love one another as He loves us – Matt. 22:37-39.
– To become like Him in holiness and godly walk with Christ – Hebrews 12:1-3.
– To be His witness to the end of the world – Mark 16:15; Matt. 28:19-20.
– To utilise all His provisions for us and reach our expected end Jer. 29:11.
– To remain steadfast, unmovable till His appearing.
– To put the devil and his cohort where they belong – Luke 10:19; Acts 10:38.

LESSON OUTLINE TWO
YOUR PURPOSE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS
When your purpose contradicts divine purpose, there is serious repercussion. Let’s use Jonah as case study.
– Walking out of God’s presence – Jonah 1:3.
– Exposure to serious danger – Jonah 1:4.
– Putting other members of your household into serious danger.
– Loss of vision and dreams.
– Inability to hear from God again – Jonah 1:7.
– Defeat to the devil i.e. loss of authority.
– Untimely death- Judges 16:29-30.

ACTIVITY: What is God’s purpose for your life, career, marriage, etc.?

SUMMARY: There is God’s purpose for everyone but the act of following your own purpose has serious implication.

CONCLUSION: God’s purpose is the key to our lives. Once you missed out on your destiny, you are doomed except God in His merey intervenes.

LESSON FIVE (05)
TOPIC: SEEKING GOD’S INTERVENTION

MEMORY VERSE: “If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

BIBLE TEXT: Isaiah 64:1-4

LESSON INTRODUCTION: God’s intervention is an event that occurs when God becomes actively involved in changing certain situations in human affairs or life. For example, the case of king Jehoshaphat against three nations in 2 Chronicles 20 and David’s victory over Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. As we are dwelling on prayer for our nation as she turns 63, may heaven make Nigeria great again in Jesus name.

LESSON OUTLINE ONE
PRAYER FOR NIGERIA
– Father, thank You for all the problems Nigeria has gone through.
– Thank You Lord for Your love and mercy over Nigeria.
– Father, cause revival to begin in our nation in Jesus name.
– Father, let every evil altar raised against Nigeria’s peace be destroyed now.
– Father, please take absolute control of all the happenings in Nigeria.
– Every group or individual that made evil covenants on behalf of Nigeria be destroyed with their covenants in Jesus name.
– We pronounce curse on all enemies of Nigeria in Jesus name.
– Father, deliver Nigeria completely from slavery, thuggery, mismanagement of resources and political problems in Jesus name.
– Let shame and reproach be the portionofall adversaries initiating disharmony.
– Father, please, keep Nigeria save from internal and external invasion.
– All programmes that can cause war in this nation be revoked.
– Let Nigeria stand tall in the economy as a productive and peaceful nation.

CONCLUSION: Spending time for Nigeria today on her independence day maybe your own contribution to desirable changes for positive happenings.

LESSON SIX (06)
TOPIC: THE GOD OF MOSES

MEMORY VERSE: “And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. ” Exodus 3:3

BIBLE TEXT: Exodus 14:21-27

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Who is Moses? When God met Moses in the wilderness, He introduced HIMSELF to him as the God of his (Moses) Fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And when Moses pressed on to know who, He was so as to tell the Hebrews in Egypt who had sent him, God said to Moses to tell them that “I AM” had sent him (Exo. 3:14) so we can say that the God of Moses is I AM”.

LESSON OUTLINE ONE
WHO IS THE GOD OF MOSES?
Let us check the magnanimous acts of the God of Moses.
– He qualifies the unqualified – Exodus 3:4.
– He proves Himself mightier than the mightiest- Exo. 9:10-12; 14:14.
– He fulfils His covenant with His people – Exodus 6:4.
– He is the giver of law and profitable commandments.
– He hates murmuring and the act of ingratitude – Num. 14:27-28.
– He can make you unique and cause you to end well – Deut. 34:10-12.
• He grants all what you require to succeed.

LESSON OUTLINE TWO
WHO WAS MOSES?
Other than Jesus Christ, Moses is the most well known character in the Bible.
– He was a Hebrew of the tribe of Levi who was raised as a prince in the palace of Pharaoh.
– At 40, he escaped from Egypt because he killed an Egyptian – Exo. 2:12.
– He led the Israelites out of 430 years of bondage.
– He received the law for Israelites at Mount Sinai.
– He was regarded as the meekest prophet to whom God spoke face to face.
– His anger and loss of sanctity for a moment denied him entry into the Promised Land.
– He performed miracles that silenced all ridicules of 430 years of slavery.

ACTIVITY: Who is therefore the God of Elijah, Elisha, Apostle Paul and Pastor E. A. Adeboye?

SUMMARY: When God is interested in you, He shuns all your shortcomings.

CONCLUSION: For every instrument of honour, there is room for consciousness to avoid corruption of power.

LESSON SEVEN (07)
TOPIC: HEALTHY LIVING AND LONGEVITY

MEMORY VERSE: ‘Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2

BIBLE TEXT: 1 Corinthians 10:31

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Healthy living is a matter of CHOICE. The Bible admonishes us that everything should be done in moderation. In other words, excess of everything is bad. If one is physically fit, it will determine how one can go spiritually.

LESSON OUTLINE ONE
FOUR FACTORS THAT ENHANCE HEALTHY LIVING
• Eat a balanced diet.
The choice of food we eat determines how well we can be. It is good to eat varieties but in small portions to get the essential vitamins, minerals and iron that the body needs than to be full of unheal thy food. Eat what you need and not what you want.
• Take good care of your body
It is good to be physically fit, and this can be achieved by exercising the body regularly. This will help to keep the body in a good shape and the brain in a perfect condition. The body must be kept clean to prevent germs that can cause sicknesses and diseases in the body.
• Keep healthy relationships
He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. Those we associate with in life can make or mar us.
• Positive thoughts
The book of Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ”

LESSON OUTLINE TWO
LONGEVITY
Longevity simply means LONGLIFE.
1. Psalms 91:16 says, God will satisfy those who love Him with long life.
2. Exodus 20:12 says, we shall live long if we honour our fathers and mothers.
3. When we obey commandments of God – Proverbs 3: 1-2,.
4. God is the owner of life, we can always pray for mercy just like Hezekiah.

ACTIVITY: How can a healthy life enhance your prayer life?

SUMMARY: Healthy living is the best way of life. Practice it and you will reap the benefits thereof.

CONCLUSION: Good health also guarantees long life.

LESSON EIGHT (08)
TOPIC: DRESS CODE AND LIFESTYLE

MEMORY VERSE: “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand ” Philippians 4:5

BIBLE TEXT: Exodus 2:16-25

LESSON INTRODUCTION: There are reasons why we, the Christians must dress as believers. We dress to cover our nakedness as seen in Genesis 3:10 and 21. We are not permitted as believers to wear transparent clothes which expose our nakedness. We also dress to keep our bodies protected. We are to dress beautifully and gloriously not to kill – Exodus 28:2,40.

LESSON OUTLINE ONE
DRESS CODE
Dress code means a set of rules specifying the required manner of dress at a particular office, place or event. It is very important to have dress code in schools, offices, events, church gatherings, etc. In order to:
– promote professionalism.
– enhance decency and stops immorality.
– promote employer’s rights and individual freedom.
– terminate ungodliness and sinful habits amongst men and women.
– uproot totally the old man – Ephesians 4:22.
– enhance modesty -I Timothy 2:9.
All sensitive parts in our bodies are not to be revealed. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:19 that we are the temple of the Holy Ghost, meaning our bodies are sacred to God and not to be defiled or used as an instrument of unrighteousness but for God’s use only.

LESSON OUTLINE TWO
LIFESTYLE
Lifestyle means a style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person. Simply put, it is the way or manner in which a person lives. There are different types of lifestyle; active or extroverted lifestyle, healthy lifestyle which is eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, getting plenty of rest but in our discussion we are emphasising on unhealthy lifestyle such as partying, clubbing and betting which supposed not to be part of believers.
Partying means a social gathering for unhealthy entertainment or fun which negates biblical principles. It always ends in shame, reproach, the entering of evil covenant and curse. For example Noah went on partying till it resulted to his being naked and placing a curse on his son – Genesis 9:21-25.
Clubbing means the activity of going to nightclubs, especially to dance to popular music, drink and socialize. This is not right for believers- I Corinthians 15:33.
Betting means the action of gambling money on the outcome of a race, game, or other unpredictable event. Many are enjoying gambling through betting but the end result is not glorious.

ACTIVITY: Dressing does not make a monk. Discuss.

SUMMARY: Though we don’t judge a book by its cover, but one’s dressing speaks volume about one’s personality.

CONCLUSION: Partying, clubbing and betting negate divine principles, can jeopardize godly relationship and truncate heavenly vision of making heaven at last.

LESSON NINE (09)
TOPIC: VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING

MEMORY VERSE: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ” Romans 8:7

BIBLE TEXT: 2 Timothy 4:7-8

LESSON INTRODUCTION: “And David said to Saul let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. ” (I Sam.17:32). To be victorious means having the mindset of winning no matter the intending oppositions. Every believer has been granted victory at Calvary when Jesus said in John 19:30 that; “it is finished. ”
So, no matter the devil’s tricks, wiles, enchantment, our victorious state has been confirmed and established – Numbers 23:23. To be Victorious means to overcome or win oppositions or difficulties, bring down giants and divide the Red sea hampering your going forward.

LESSON OUTLINE ONE
VIRTUES FOR VICTORIOUS LIVING
Living a victorious Christian life should be every believer’s ultimate goal. Let us look at the inherent power for victorious living:
– Faith in God – Hebrews 11:6;1 Samuel 17:32.
– Aligning with God’s Word – Psalms 107:20.
– Speak faith based Word-Zechariah 4:6; Exodus 14:13-14.
– Be focused in victory, never be distracted -II Samuel 11:1.
– Deal with your weakness and work on your strength – Joshua 7:20-21.
– Have productive time in God’s presence and be holy. Psalms 31:15; Hebrews 12:14.

LESSON OUTLINE TWO
HOW TO MAINTAIN A VICTORIOUS LIFE?
– Guard what you hear. Many people open door to trouble through what they hear. What you hear determines whether you will last – Prov. 4:20
– Keep your heart from evil influx – Proverbs 4:23.
– Your speech should be faith based not enticing word – I Cor. 2; Col.2:4.
– Work on what you see -I John 2:15-17.

ACTIVITY: Why do some Christians fail in this Christian race totally?

SUMMARY: Spiritual awareness and alertness make our race flawless and fruitful.

CONCLUSION: To every victory desired to be won, there are serious purging required.

LESSON TEN (10)
TOPIC: DON’T WASH YOUR NET YET

MEMORY VERSE: “For there is hope of a tree if it be cut down, that it will sprout again and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.” Job
14:7

BIBLE TEXT: Luke 5:2-4

LESSON INTRODUCTION: “And Simon answering said unto him, Master we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing” (Luke 5:5). This statement unraveled pains and fruitless effort being suffered by Peter and his team after night of believing God for breakthrough. Many are facing enduring situations like abandonment., depression, defeat, agony and they are planning to quit, but they should know that there is hope for them because there is light at the end of the tunnel always. Luke 5:6.

LESSON OUTLINE ONE
BE ENCOURAGED
…but David encouraged himself in the Lord -I Samuel 30:6. To be encouraged means having more confidence or hope in something or
someone. As a believer, no matter the storm you are going through, be encouraged because;
* God is standing by you – Hebrews 13:5.
* Weeping will soon end for a glorious morning – Psalms 30:5.
* God’s thought for you is glorious, flawless – Jeremiah 29: 1 1.
* Great future awaits you – Job 8:7.
* The storm will soon be over – Mark 4:37-39.
* God knows all happenings – Isaiah 46:10.
* Other saints of old prevailed over challenges – Acts 16:25-26, 12:6-11.

LESSON OUTLINE TWO
DON’T GIVE UP
To every individual, there is always a time of travailing and a time of prevailing. When you succumb to the devil’s instruction, you travail into destruction but when you yield to divine instruction, you prevail into life of resourcefulness.
Giving up means;
* losing hope in God and divine intervention yielding to carnal understanding – II Samuel 13:2-6.
* surrendering your all to defeat – Numbers 14:30-33.
* very desperate to give in to any solution even if it is ungodly – Gen. 16:1-4.

EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO GAVE UP
• Sarah – Genesis l16:1-4.
• Elijah-I Kings 19;4.
• Naomi – Ruth 1:8-11;3:13-16.
• Peter- Luke 5:2.
• Zechariah – Luke 1:1-18.

ACTIVITY: Discuss reasons why believers are giving up?

SUMMARY: Believers should remain relentless, ruthless in their pursuit and never quit their dreams and aspirations.

CONCLUSION: “For His anger endureth but a moment in His favour is life, weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalms 30:5

LESSON ELEVEN (11)
TOPIC: FIGHT FOR YOUR DESTINY

MEMORY VERSE: I therefore so run, not as uncertainty; so fight, not as one that beateth the air. “I Corinthians 9:26

BIBLE TEXT: 1 Samuel 17:26-27

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Destiny means your future which has been divinely planned to be great and full of glorious accomplishments. Individual destiny has been aforementioned by Almighty God, which is the reason you have to fight to attain that glorious height God has designed for you. In Exodus 2:1-3, the mother of Moses did initially fight for her son’s destiny before God took over. In verse 3, the Bible says; “And when she could no longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes …” From the day someone is born, the fight to fulfill their destiny has begun.

LESSON OUTLINE ONE
KNOW YOUR PURPOSE
• When talking of purpose, it means your target, aim, goal, a result that is desired, your strong will or resolution. It also means establishing set of values, principles and beliefs that give life meaning for you and then using those sets of values to guide the decisions and actions you take. What is your purpose on earth?
• You are created by God to give Him pleasure through your act of worship, holiness and righteousness – Job 22:3; Psalms 147:11.
• You are made to bring laughter to others, be devoted to others – 2 Cor. 2:4.
• You are to become like Jesus, always yielding to His longing Phil.3:10.
• You have been won to win others to Christ – 1 Corinthians 9:16.
• Since God is love (John 15:12), you are to love others including unbelievers – Romans 13:8.

LESSON OUTLINE TWO
FIGHT DESTINY KILLERS
What are destiny killers?
• Inability to believe in your divine ability – Exodus 3 :11.
• Laziness – Proverbs 6:6.
• Lack of discipline.
• Inordinate affection and ambition – Colossians 3:5.
• Negative thought- Numbers 13:30-33.

ACTIVITY: What are the things you need to do to affirm your destiny fulfilment?

SUMMARY: Self-examination and discipline are crucial to attain God’s purpose for your life.

CONCLUSION: Seeth thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men (ordinary people) – Proverbs 22:29.

LESSON TWELVE (12)
TOPIC: ANGER AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

MEMORY VERSE: “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. ” Ecclesiastes 7:9

Bible Text: Numbers 20:1-13

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Anger is known to be a strong feeling of displeasure or antagonism towards someone or something usually combined with an urge to harm. Anger always has a message; it reveals ones dissatisfaction on certain issues. It arises when one is blocked from pursuing a goal or treated unfairly. And it is one of the most dangerous emotions because of its potential connection to violence.

LESSON OUTLINE ONE
ANGER
Anger can be defined as strong feeling of displeasure, antagonism or hostility towards someone with an urge to harm. This strong emotion, if unrestricted, can lead very quickly to sin – Genesis 4:5-7. There are four causes of anger:
i. Frustration: The feeling of being upset as a result of inability to achieve something.
ii. Irritation: The state of experiencing discomfort.
iii. Abuse: To treat with cruelty or violence.
iv. Unfairness: The lack of equality, justice or unjust act.

LESSON OUTLINE TWO
ANGER DESTROYS
Let’s look at things that anger can destroy;
– Relationship, Esau to Jacob -Genesis 27:41-45.
– Family -Genesis 45:7; II Samuel 13:22-32.
– Glorious Future – Numbers 20:10-12.
– Ministerial value, Jonah refused to go to Nineveh – Jonah 1:3.
– Nation or City, Levi and Simeon vomited destruction to an entire city because of injustice done to Dinah their sister – Genesis 34:25-27.
– Health.

ACTIVITY: Like the Bible says we should not walk with an angry man. How can we achieve this?

SUMMARY: Whatever begins with anger ends in shame.

CONCLUSION: Anger kills and any man who gets angry easily, each rage leaves him lesser than he was prior to being angry.

NEIGHBOURHOOD EVANGELISM
GIVE A COPY OF THE.HOUSE FELLOWSHIP MANUAL TO SOULS AROUND.
GO OUT AND WIN SOUL FOR CHRIST.

PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, reward every enemy of RCCG with shame in Jesus name.
2. Father, fill our mouths with laughter this week in Jesus name.
3. Every plot of darkness against our families, backfire in Jesus name.
4. Father, move the House Fellowship Department and the entire RCCG forward.
5. Your personal request.

GOLDEN DIET FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY: Every ungodly business has a destructive ending – Num. 22:7-20.
TUESDAY: Transgression of God’s law brings untold hardship.
WEDNESDAY: Condition yourself to meditate on what pleases God.
THURSDAY: Renew your hearts through thorough study of the word -Rom. 12:2.
FRIDAY: Disassociate from people without vision and dreams – Hab. 2:1-2.
SATURDAY: Devote today to visit the less privileged.
SUNDAY: Write down and be resolute to work on what can make you the best in the next quarter.

LESSON THIRTEEN (13)
TOPIC: 1ST INTERACTIVE SESSION & QUARTERLY REVIEW

*SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN*
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

*INTERACTIVE SESSION:*
i. Teachers And Students Should Discuss How To Move The Sunday School Forward In The New Quarter.
ii. They Should Discuss Challenges And Set New Goals.
iii. They Should Pray For The Success Of The Sunday School And All Officials In The New Quarter.

SUMMARY OF LESSONS 1 -12
LESSON ONE (01)
TOPIC: “CETHER”
BIBLE PASSAGE: Psalm 91:1 (NKJV).

MEMORY VERSE: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: “Cether” is a Hebrew word translated as “secret place.” It literarily means “to hide or be concealed.” Other words for a secret place include shelter, covering, or a dwelling place. One who abides in the secret place of God dwells in a place of rest, lifted up above principalities and powers (Ephesians 1:20-21; 2:6). It is a place of His holy concealment in all things, where God reveals heavenly secrets to us. How then can we enter the secret place and enjoy the benefits?

OUTLINES:
1. ACCESS TO THE SECRET PLACE
2..BENEFITS OF THE SECRET PLACE

1. ACCESS TO THE SECRET PLACE
The secret place of the Almighty is available to any believer who is willing to pay the price. We can enter through:
1. A continuous life of holiness (Psalm 15:1-5): This simply means absolute obedience to God’s word.
2. Praise, thanksgiving, and prayer of faith (Psalm 100:4. Jeremiah 33:3): We must endeavour to always praise God by faith.
3. A desire to remain in God’s presence (Psalm 27:4): God loves fellowship and we must not be in a hurry in His presence.
4. A life of absolute dedication to the Lord and avoidance of worldly entanglement (1 John 2:15; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18).
5. A pure heart (Psalm 24:3-4): We must avoid wandering thoughts.
6. Quietness and trusting confidence (Isaiah 26:3).
7. Avoidance of distractions (Matthew 6:6).
8. Transparent honesty to God (Psalm139:7-12).
9. A consecrated life (Leviticus 20:7).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should share their experience of fellowship with God.

2. BENEFITS OF THE SECRET PLACE
The benefits of dwelling in God’s secret place include:
1. A closer fellowship with God (James 4:8).
2. Access to classified information (Numbers 12:8; Amos 3:7).
3. A focused gaze on Christ and things of eternal value (Hebrews 12:2; Matthew 6:19-21).
4. A self-assessment of faith will be enhanced (2 Corinthians 13:5).
5. The fruit of the Spirit will take root, and be growing (Galatians 5:22-23).
6. Divine protection and deliverance (Proverbs 18:10).
7. Divine authority and attention (1 Kings 17:1; 18:37-40).
8. Access to supernatural breakthroughs (Exodus 14:21-22).
9. Divine provision made available (Psalm 84:11).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should narrate an experience they can never forget where they thought God had forsaken them but later discovered His abiding presence.

CONCLUSION: To enjoy the benefits of the secret place of the Most High, we must remain on the side of God.

LESSON TWO (02)
TOPIC: DIVINE LEADING (PART 1)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Psalms 37:3-7

MEMORY VERSE: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: Divine leading is about being directed by God. Being led or guided by God is a necessary key for Christians. It is the only way to fulfil God’s will in every of our decision-making processes (2 Kings. 3:11). Therefore, we need to learn the avenues through which God leads His people. Moreover, in this dispensation, the leading of the Holy Spirit is inevitable and indispensable.

OUTLINES:
1. AVENUES FOR DIVINE LEADING
2. RECOGNISING DIVINE LEADING

1. AVENUES FOR DIVINE LEADING
A. It is important to note that God, in His sovereignty, can adopt any or several means to lead those who put their trust in Him. Here are some of them:
1. Through the word of God (1 Samuel 3:21; Hebrews 1:1-2).
2. Through a witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:14, 16). The witness of the Spirit can also come in the form of God’s peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).
3. Through the voice of the Spirit. This is beyond just a witness; it is a hearing:
i. This hearing can be inward (which means no one else, around you, hears it).
ii. The Bible calls it a “still small voice’- like the sound of a gentle whisper (1Kings 19:12).
iii. Sometimes the voice comes in the midst of a godly thought (Acts 10:19).
iv. The voice of the Spirit can also be outward; in which case you look around as if you heard or somebody else heard what you are hearing (1 Samuel 3:3-5; Acts 9:3-5).
4. Through revelations – dreams, visions, trances (Joel 2:28).
i. Dreams can come from your thought (Ecclesiastes 5:3), or the devil – scary and tormenting (nightmares), or from God – insightful, instructional, or revelational(Job 33:14-17). Dreams happen when you are fully asleep (day or night).
ii. Vision can come when you are awake and see something like a still or motion picture (day or night) -Daniel 2:19.
iii. Trance is like the average between a dream and a vision (you are half awake, half asleep) when the physical senses seem to be suspended (Acts 10:10-11).
5. Through ordained situations or circumstances (Jeremiah 18:1-6). God can take you by or through a happening to give you a clear direction for life.
6. Through prophetic utterances and confirmations (Hosea 12:10). However, believers are cautioned against living at the mercy of prophecy (1 John 4:1).
7. Through diverse means as deemed fit by God (Hosea 12:10).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention other ways God speaks to them.

2. RECOGNISING DIVINE LEADING
A. The Holy Spirit takes on the role of a Guide and Counsellor, leading us in the way we should go and revealing God’s truth (Luke 12:12).

B. Some of the most important ways to recognise the Holy Spirit’s guidance is to be familiar with God’s word:
i. The Bible is the ultimate source of wisdom about how we should live (2 Timothy 3:16).
ii. Believers are to search the Scriptures (John 5:39), meditate on them, and commit them to memory (Psalm 1:2).
iii. The word is the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17), and the Spirit will use it to speak to us (John 16:12-14) to reveal God’s will for our lives.
iv. He will also bring specific scriptures to mind at times when we need them most (John 14:26).

C. We must always test our inclinations against the Scriptures. This is because:
i. The Holy Spirit will never push us to do anything contrary to God’s word (1Corinthians 14:33). If it conflicts with the Bible, then it is not from the Holy Spirit and should be ignored.
ii. It is necessary for us to be in continual prayer with the Father (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
iii. Not only does this keep our hearts and minds open to the Holy Spirit’s leading, but it also allows the Spirit to speak on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: The class should discuss how they recognise divine leading.

CONCLUSION: If you are not led by God, you will wander and get lost in the wilderness of life. Let God lead you.

LESSON THREE (03)
TOPIC: DIVINE LEADING (PART 2)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Habakkuk 2:1-2

MEMORY VERSE:.“It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.” 2 Samuel 2:1 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: The Bible is full of records of believers who yielded to the leading of God. While it may seem difficult for some people in our contemporary world to allow God in their pursuits, Christians that meet the requirements will walk in the path of God.

OUTLINES:
1. BIBLICAL INSTANCES OF DIVINE LEADING
2. REQUIREMENTS FOR DIVINE LEADING

1. BIBLICAL INSTANCES OF DIVINE LEADING
The following are some instances of those led by God in the Bible:
i. In Genesis 12:1-4: God ordered Abram out of his country to a Promised Land and he obeyed.
ii. Numbers 9:17-23: The Israelites obeyed the instruction of God to travel with the cloud.
iii. Genesis 31:3: God instructed Jacob to return to his fatherland
iv. 1 Kings 18:1: God told Elijah to show himself to Ahab as He would open the heavens for the rain to fall.
v. 2 Samuel 5:19: David inquired from God whether to go against the Philistines or not.
vi. Matthew 2:9-12: God guided the wise men to the place of Jesus’ birth.
vii. Acts 9:10-1: The Lord gave and guided Ananias to the specific address of Saul of Tarsus. Surprisingly, the Holy Spirit can forbid you to perform a task, though, it may seem like it would please God (Acts 16:6).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Like the above examples, students should mention specific instructions they got from God and whether or not they obeyed.

2. REQUIREMENTS FOR DIVINE LEADING
Some of the requirements for divine leading are listed below:
1. Delight in the Lord (Psalm 37:4-5; 1 Corinthians 2:9).
2. Passion for God’s will (Luke 22:42). The will of God does not leave you miserable but rather it takes you to the expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).
3. The willingness to be led (Romans 8:14; Psalm 23:1-2).
4. The attitude of meekness (Psalm 25:9): meekness equals being teachable.
5. The attitude of enquiry (Jeremiah 6:16; Matthew 7:7).
6. The attitude of hearing and listening – activate the listening mode (Psalm 85:8; Habakkuk 2:1-2).
7. The attitude of patience (Isaiah 28:16). Do not force yourself to hear what God is not saying.
8. Soak in and meditate on the word of God (Psalm 119:105).
9. Pay attention to godly leaders over you (1 Samuel 3:9).
10. Obey previous instructions (Mark 4:24b). If you have not harkened to previous instructions, you may not hear the next move of God.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Mention an encounter you have had in your walk with God that shows you clearly that you are in a relationship with Him.

CONCLUSION: If God is the one leading you, you can never miss the mark. Ask for the grace to understand the mind of God and be guided in the right direction. If you think you have gone far in the wrong direction and refuse to turn back, you will only end at the wrong destination.

LESSON FOUR (04)
TOPIC: “QADASH”
BIBLE PASSAGE: John 17:17-19

MEMORY VERSE:
“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” 1 Corinthians 1:2 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: “Qadash” is a Hebrew word that is translated as “sanctified.” In the Old Testament, sanctification frequently denotes the ceremonial or ritual consecration of any person or thing to God. Thus, the Hebrews, as a people, were holy unto the Lord, through the covenant with its rites and atoning sacrifices (Exodus 31:13). In the New Testament, sanctification is the second work of grace after salvation that every believer must experience. Hence, every believer is called to a wholly sanctified life.

OUTLINES:
1. SANCTIFICATION- CONCEPT AND PROCESS
2. PRACTICES OF A SANCTIFIED LIFE

1. SANCTIFICATION- CONCEPT AND PROCESS
i. To sanctify means to make holy or set apart for God (Exodus 29:44).
ii. Sanctification is making truly and perfectly what was defiled and sinful (Colossians 2:13).
iii. It is a progressive work of divine grace upon the soul justified by the love of Christ (Romans 3:24).
iv. It is the advanced work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer from the moment of salvation to perfection (1Corinthians 6:11).
v. It is gradual cleansing from a corrupt nature to a spotless nature (John 15:3; Jude 24). Every Christian should be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).
vi. Sanctification and truth are inseparable. Those who love to be sanctified must love the truth which is the word of God (John 17:17).
B. The Holy Spirit does the work of sanctification through:
i. God’s word (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
ii. The blood of Jesus (1John 1:7).
iii. Faith in the Lord Jesus which is an important ingredient in the work of sanctification (Galatians 2:20).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention other ways they could sanctify themselves from this corrupt world.

2. PRACTICES OF A SANCTIFIED LIFE
Here are some of the notable practices of a sanctified life:
1. They live holy (Leviticus 11:44).
2. They are bonded to Christ (Romans 8:35).
3. They walk straight and are transparent in their dealings (Psalm 15:2).
4. They live by the standard of God’s word (Psalm 119:11).
5. They have direct access to God (Psalm 15:1).
6. They are filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
7. They have overflowing joy (Psalm 64:10).
8. They are peaceful (1 Peter 3:11, Hebrews 12:14).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should mention other forms of practices of a sanctified life.

CONCLUSION: Believers must live a sanctified life, to have continuous fellowship with God both here on earth and in eternity.

LESSON FIVE (05)
TOPIC: SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES

BIBLE PASSAGE: Hebrews 13:15-16

MEMORY VERSE: “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: Spiritual sacrifices replaced the material sacrifices of the Old Covenant (Exodus 29:36). No longer do we offer bulls, goats, and lambs on the altar (Hebrews 10:1-11). Our worship today involves the offering of spiritual sacrifices. What are these spiritual sacrifices and who qualifies to offer them acceptably?
At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
a. Know what spiritual sacrifice is. b. Identify the elements of spiritual sacrifice.
c. Discover who can offer it. d. Distinguish between material and spiritual sacrifice.

OUTLINES:
1. SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES DESCRIBED
2. OFFERING ACCEPTABLE SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES

1. SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES DESCRIBED
A. Spiritual sacrifices are:
i. Continuous offerings from believers to God in faith.
ii. They are words or deeds motivated by a desire to glorify God alone (Hebrews 13:16).
iii. Just as the smoke of the incense ascended in the sanctuary under the Old Covenant, so our spiritual sacrifices ascend to God (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 5:8).
iv. The believer’s prayers, praises, will, body, time, treasures, talents, and spiritual gifts.
B. Therefore:
i. The fact that the incense was always burning means we should always pray (Luke 18:1).
ii. Fasting is also a spiritual sacrifice that aids the believer’s prayer (Daniel 9:3). God created us to praise Him, and we must offer the “sacrifice of praise” to Him continually (Hebrews 13:15).
iii. Just as Jesus surrendered His will to the Father (Luke 22:42), so should we, though it’s an ongoing battle (Romans 7:18-20).
iv. Our talents and spiritual gifts are from God and should be offered for the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, and the edification of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:7, 11-12).
v. Our treasures (financial/material) contribute to the spiritual sacrifices to be offered to God, the kingdom work on earth, the ministers of God, and the people in need (Philippians 4:18; Proverbs 19:17; Galatians 6:10).
vi. The apostle Paul also charges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices unto God (Romans 12:1).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention the spiritual sacrifices they have made to God.

2. OFFERING ACCEPTABLE SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES
A. Believers constitute the new priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). Therefore, to offer acceptable spiritual sacrifices:
i. We must appear before God sanctified (Psalm 24:3-4; Leviticus 10:1-3).
ii. We must present our bodies as “living sacrifices’ (Romans 12:1-2).
iii. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians6:18-20).
B. The believer’s body must be yielded to God as an instrument of righteousness (Romans 6:12-13). This implies that:
i. We are to maintain good sexual boundaries (Ephesians 5:3).
ii. We must refuse to use our bodies for theft or to bring harm to another person (Colossians 3:12-13).
C. Spiritual sacrifices must be offered;
i. Obediently (1 Samuel 15:22)
ii. Willingly (2 Corinthians 9:6)
iii. Cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7)
iv. Timely (Ecclesiastes 11:6)
v. In reverence to God (Malachi 1:8).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should share with the class how they have offered spiritual sacrifices in a timely manner.

CONCLUSION: Sacrifice is part and parcel of worship. Jesus promised us rewards for every kind action done in His name (Mark 9:41).

LESSON SIX (06)
TOPIC: SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE
BIBLE PASSAGE: Judges 7:9-15

MEMORY VERSE: “And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” 2 Kings 6:12 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: Generally, Spiritual Intelligence is defined as the human capacity to ask questions about the ultimate meaning of life and the integrated relationship between us and the world in which we live. From a Christian perspective, it can be defined as reasoning ethically and morally to live life according to Scripture through the Holy Spirit. It is also a process of gaining spiritual insight into events yet to happen. Spiritual intelligence includes having a foreknowledge of the adversaries’ activities before they are carried out (2 Kings 6:8-11). All over the world, it is a well-known fact that one of the key tools for any effective military operation is intelligence. Spiritual intelligence is similar to this.

LESSON AIM: To teach students the importance of spiritual intelligence for a victorious living on earth.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES: Through this study, students are expected to:
a. Define spiritual intelligence and its relevance to Christianity.
b. Mention biblical examples of those who employed spiritual intelligence.
c. Highlight the process that employs one to be spiritually intelligent. d. List the benefits one could derive from being spiritually intelligent.

TEXT REVIEW: Judges 7:9-15.
The Bible passage reveals how God encourages Gideon with regard to the battle with the Midianites.

LESSON OUTLINES 1: BIBLICAL EXAMPLES
All through the Bible we see instances where intelligence was employed in order to gain an advantage over the enemy. Some of these instances are mentioned below.
1. Prophet Elisha offered intelligence service to the king of Israel. This made the king escape assassination (2Kings 6:8-13).
2. Jesus has advanced knowledge of the plan to forcefully make him a king. He was able to isolate Himself (John 6:14-15).
3. David’s knowledge of King Saul’s plot to kill him aided his escape (1 Samuel 19:11-12; 1-Samuel 23:6-13).
4. Paul’s awareness of the plot to arrest and kill him led to the brethren helping him out (Acts 9:23-25).
5. Gideon’s divine intelligence led to victory over Israel’s enemies (Judges 7:9-15).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should share with the class how they have employed spiritual intelligence to attain victory.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: PROCESS AND BENEFITS
A. God reveals deep secrets to His children (Daniel 2:22).
B. To become spiritually intelligent, believers must:
i. Develop intimacy with the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).
ii. Live a lifestyle of unceasing prayer, and be watchful (James 5:17; Habakkuk 2:1-2).
iii. Be committed to obeying God’s word and be spiritually disciplined (1 Kings 13:11-22).
C. A believer who is spiritually intelligent will:
i. Gain dominance over the enemy and put the enemy at his/her mercy (1 Samuel 24:9-16).
ii. Overcome temptation and the resultant sin (Genesis 39:9).
iii. Escape the snares of the enemy (Psalm 91:1-3).
v. Be protected against the hidden wickedness of man (Isaiah 8:9-10).
vi. Frustrate any satanic agenda against them (Isaiah 54:17).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should mention the benefits that come with applying spiritual intelligence.

CONCLUSION: No child of God is redeemed to be dominated but to dominate. For believers to take over, they must gain spiritual intelligence over their adversaries through prayers in the Holy Ghost and a life of holiness.

LESSON SEVEN (07)
TOPIC: BIBLICAL DESCRIPTION OF SIN
BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 5:12-15

MEMORY VERSE: “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” 1 John 3:4 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: Sin is described in the Bible as a transgression of the law of God (1John 3:4) and rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7). Sin had its beginning with Lucifer who was not content with his position, as he desired to be higher than God, and that was his downfall (Isaiah 14:12-15). Since the time of Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God, sin has been passed down through all the generations of mankind and we (Adam’s descendants) have inherited sin from him (Romans 5:12).

OUTLINES:
1. TYPES OF SIN
2. REDEMPTION FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN

1. TYPES OF SIN
1. Inherited Sin: Through Adam, the inherent inclination to sin entered the human race, and we became sinners by nature.
i. When Adam sinned, his inner nature was transformed by his sin of rebellion, bringing to him spiritual death and depravity which would be passed on to all who came after him (Romans 5:12).
ii. We are sinners not because we sin; rather, we sin because we are sinners (Romans 5:19a).
iii. This passed-on depravity is known as inherited sin.
iv. Just as we inherit physical characteristics from our parents, we inherit our sinful nature from Adam (Psalm 51:5).

2. Imputed sin: The Greek word “ellogeo’ translated as “imputed” means “lay to one’s charge or credit to one’s account.”
i. Before the Law of Moses was given, sin was not imputed to man, although men were still sinners because of inherited sin (Romans 5:13).
ii. After the law was given, sins committed in violation of the law were imputed (accounted) to them (Romans 5:20a).
iii. Even before transgressions of (disobedience against) the law were imputed to men, the ultimate penalty for sin (death) continued to reign (Romans 5:14).
iv. After Moses (from the dispensation of the law), humans were subject to death both because of inherited sin from Adam and imputed sin from violating the laws of God.
v. God used the principle of imputation to benefit mankind when He imputed the sin of all to the account of Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for that sin – death – on the cross (1 John 2:2).
vi. It is important to understand that sin was imputed to Him, but He did not inherit it from Adam.
vii. He bore the penalty for sin, but He never became a sinner (2 Corinthians 5:21).

3. Personal sin: This refers to the sins committed every day by human beings.
i. We have inherited a sinful nature from Adam, we commit individual sins, everything from seemingly innocent untruths to murder (1 John 5:17a).
ii. Those who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ must pay the penalty for these personal sins, as well as inherited and imputed sin (Romans 6:23).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention other types of sin they have come across in the Bible.

2. REDEMPTION FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN
i. The only just penalty for sin (inherited, imputed, and personal) is death; physical and eternal (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15).
ii. Thankfully, all three types of sin have been crucified on the cross of Jesus, and now by faith in Jesus Christ as the Saviour we have redemption (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 3:5).
iii. Once we confess our sins to God and ask for forgiveness for them, we are restored to perfect fellowship and communion with Him (1 John 1:9).
iv. Believers have been freed from the eternal penalty of sin and now have the power through Jesus to refuse to sin (1 John 3:9).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should share any experience of freedom they had from the claws of sin and the effect on their existence.

CONCLUSION: God imputed the righteousness of Christ to believers and credited our accounts with His righteousness, just as He had credited our sins to Christ’s account (2 Corinthians 5:21)

LESSON EIGHT (08)
TOPIC: SONSHIP (PART 1)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Galatians 4:4-7

MEMORY VERSE:.“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12 (KJV).

INTRODUCTION: In the family of God, gender does not define sonship (Genesis 1:27). Anyone who is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, adopted through grace is a son of God (Ephesians 1:5). Sonship in our context refers to a relationship with the Almighty God through Jesus Christ which makes Him Father to all believers (Romans 8:15). Sonship is a very important source of authority and dominion which distinguishes sons from others (John 1:12; Galatians 4:7). Beginning from Jesus, the Father always deliberately robes His sons with power (John 5:27; Acts 1:8). This is to empower them to operate fully as His representatives on earth. This lesson focuses on Jesus as the son of God as well as the believers.

OUTLINES:
1. JESUS, THE SON OF GOD
2. BELIEVERS AS SONS

1. JESUS, THE SON OF GOD
The Holy Scripture acknowledges the sonship of Jesus severally because the Scripture itself is about Him (John 5:39; Luke 24:44). Jesus’ sonship was acknowledged by:
i. God, the Father (Matthew 3:16-17).
ii. Jesus Himself (John 10:36).
iii. The Devils (Luke 4:41).
iv. His disciples (John 6:67-69).
v. His accusers (Matthew 27:54).
vi. A Jew (John 1:49).
vii. The angelic host (Luke 1:35).
B. Also, Jesus’ miracles distinguished Him as the only begotten of the Father (John 11:4).
C. His outstanding teaching ministry confirmed Him as the Son of the Most High God (Matthew 7:29; Luke 4:31-32).
D. The prophetic declaration of His birth established the truth about His Sonship (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:32).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1:.Students should discuss how to explain the Sonship of Jesus to non-believers.

2. BELIEVERS AS SONS
A. Having established Jesus’ Sonship, the Bible indicates that all believers regardless of gender are “sons” of God (Galatians 3:26-29) in the same degree as Jesus.
B. This truth resonates throughout the New Testament and is at the very heart of the gospel (1 John 3:1-2).
C. The Holy Scripture has several proofs for our sonship, some of which include:
1. Our adoption as sons (Romans 8:15).
2. The fact that we were given the same Spirit as Jesus (Galatians 4:6).
3. Being divinely led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14).
4. Prophetic support (2 Corinthians 6:18).
5. Jesus’ assertion (John 20:17).
6. Expectation of God’s creatures (Romans 8:19).
7. The fatherhood of God in Jesus’ prayer model (Matthew 6:9).
D. In addition, just like Jesus, the Scriptures establish the fact that we too as sons:
i. Have power and authority (Luke 10:19).
ii. Have essentially the same mandate (John 14:12).
iii. Are in this world as Jesus is (1 John 4:17).
iv. Have the same fate (John 15:20).
E. The disciples of Jesus, down the ages, have demonstrated the same power and authority (Acts 3:6-8).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Having realised our sonship and authority in Christ, students should discuss how they have harnessed this privilege.

CONCLUSION.You must be born again to attain the “sonship status.” (John 1:12).

LESSON NINE (09)
TOPIC: SONSHIP (PART 2)
BIBLE PASSAGE: John 14:10-14

MEMORY VERSE: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” John 14:12 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: In our previous lesson, we established the fact that like Jesus – the only begotten Son, all believers in Jesus Christ are God’s adopted sons and have equal status with the begotten Son. Just as Jesus demonstrated divine power and enjoyed direct access to the Father during His earthly ministry, believers are entitled to the same flow in the family of God. Today, we will attempt to consider some of the privileges that the “sonship status” confers on us as well as the right mindsets for this reality and the attendant responsibilities.

OUTLINES:
1.THE PRIVILEGES OF SONS
2 THE MINDSET AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SON

1. THE PRIVILEGES OF SONS
Becoming the “son of God” is the greatest achievement anyone could have because the “sonship status” confers so many privileges on the believer which include:
i. Uncommon divine revelations (John 15:15).
ii. Stewardship of God’s estate (John 17:10).
iii. Heir-ship of God (Galatians 4:7).
iv. Divine Honour (John 12:26).
v. Eternal life (John 3:15-16).
vi. Access to authority (Luke 10:19).
vii. Supernatural preservation (John 17:12).
viii. Supernatural stamina (Ephesians 3:16-17).
ix. A place in God’s kingdom (John 14:2-3).
x. Freedom from sin and its attendant slavery (1 John 3:8-10).
xi. Appointment unto glory (John 17:22).
xii. Intimacy with the Father (Matthew 6:9, 31-32).
xiii. Access to royalty (1 Peter 2:9).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1:.Students should share the privileges they have enjoyed as sons of God.

2. THE MINDSET AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SON
A. To operate in and maximize the status of sonship, we must develop the right mindset and be committed to the responsibilities attached. These include:
i. Total surrender and obedience to the Father’s will (Philippians 2:5-8).
ii. Openness to correction and chastening (Hebrews 12:5, 7, 11).
iii. Power and authority consciousness (Mark 16:17-18).
iv. Awareness of Divine presence (Hebrews 13:5).
v. Courage and boldness (Ephesians 3:11-12).

B. As sons we must also have:
1. A sense of responsibility towards the kingdom (Matthew 6:33).
2. Intimacy with God through the Holy Spirit (1John 2:27).
3. Absolute trust in the Father (Proverbs 3:5-7).
4. Passionate love for the Father (Mark 12:29-30).
5. Love and compassion for humanity (1 John 3:15-17, 1 John 4:20).
6. Commitment to holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: The teacher should ask the students to mention what has changed about them since they accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

CONCLUSION: To fully enjoy all the privileges of sonship, believers must develop the right mindset and undertake the accompanying responsibilities.

LESSON TEN (10)
TOPIC: HONOURING GOD
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Samuel 2:29-30

MEMORY VERSE: ‘‘A son honours his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honour? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?” Malachi 1:6 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: Honour (from the Hebrew word ‘tiph’arah’) means ‘esteem,’ ‘value,’ or ‘great respect.’ To honour someone is to bestow value upon him or to highly esteem another. It is very important to note that all authority and honour belong to God alone (1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 5:13). This lesson points us to reasons for honouring God and ways to honour God.

OUTLINES:
1. REASONS FOR HONOURING GOD
2. WAYS TO HONOUR GOD

1..REASONS FOR HONOURING GOD
1. Question: Why is God honoured?
Answer: God deserves all honour (Revelation 4:11).
a. There has never been, nor will there ever be, anyone in any position of power or of influence who can claim such an honour (1 Timothy 6:16).
b. God alone is the Creator and the One that sustains the heavens and the earth (Revelation 14:7).

2: Why do believers honour God?
a. For who He is (Isaiah 45:5-6).
b. He is our Father (Matthew 6:9b).
c. In our recognition that the gift of eternal life and the salvation of our souls come through Jesus Christ and Him alone (John 11:25; Acts 4:12; 1Timothy 2:5);
d. For His goodness and wonderful works (Psalm 107:15);
e. For all His benefits (Psalm 68:19).
All true believers are to honour God (Psalm 134:1), through our acknowledgement and confession that He is the one and only God (Exodus 20:3).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention other reasons why they must honour God apart from the ones already stated.

2. WAYS TO HONOUR GOD
1. Question: What are the ways of honouring God?
Answer: There are several ways to honour God. Some of them are stated below.
i. We give honour and obeisance to Him through our adoration and obedience to His will (1 Samuel 2:29-30).
ii. To esteem God, as first in our lives, is to totally commit our lives to Him and devote our possessions to His service and glory (Matthew 22:37-38; Colossians 3:17).
iii. Believers are to honour God with their substances (firstfruits, tithes, offerings, etc.) wholeheartedly (Proverbs 3:9-10).
iv. We must honour God by living holy because He is holy and we are created in His image (1 Peter 1:15-16).

2. Question: Are there rewards for honouring God?
Answer: Yes, there are great rewards for honouring Him.
God will:
i. Honour those who honour Him (1 Samuel 2:30).
ii. Give overflowing blessings to those who honour Him (Proverbs 3:9-10).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: The class should discuss how they can honour God without dishonouring men.

CONCLUSION: God deserves all honour and it must be given to Him.

LESSON ELEVEN (11)
TOPIC: HONOUR MEN
BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 13:7-8

MEMORY VERSE: ‘‘Honour all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” 1 Peter 2:17 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: In our previous lesson, we learned about reasons for honouring God and ways to honour God. We also learned the meaning of honour which is to bestow value upon someone or highly esteem another. The Bible exhorts us to give honour to whom it is due (Romans 13:7). In this lesson, we shall attempt to categorise those who deserve honour and how we can attain honour as well.

OUTLINES:
1. PEOPLE DESERVING HONOUR
2. ATTAINING TRUE HONOUR

1. PEOPLE DESERVING HONOUR
A. The idea of honouring people is biblical and can be showcased in many of our basic relationships. Here are some of them:
i. Citizen-Authority relationships: We are to honour those in authority through obedience and demonstration of respect, irrespective of their age or qualification. This comes from the fact that they represent God’s ultimate authority (Romans 13:1-2).
ii. Laity-Clergy relationships: The Bible speaks of the leadership of the church as deserving “double honour’ (1Timothy 5:17).
iii. Employee-Employer relationships: We are equally commanded to honour one another in our employer-employee relationships (Ephesians 6:5-9).
iv. Husband-Wife relationships: In a marriage relationship, the husband is expected to love and show appreciation to his wife while she reciprocates with reverence (Ephesians 5:33).
v. Children-Parents relationships: The command to honour our parents comes with a promise (Exodus 20:12). To do otherwise is to attract untimely death (Matthew 15:4).
B. On the whole, the Bible admonishes us to honour all men (1Peter 2:17).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Should the wicked/ungodly leaders be honoured?

2. ATTAINING TRUE HONOUR
A. The Bible teaches that:
i. True honour is found in God (Deuteronomy 26:19).
ii. Anyone who wishes to attain true honour must, first of all, have a cordial relationship with God (Psalm 91:14-15).
B. To attain honour, we must be:
i. Righteous (Proverbs 21:21).
ii. Humble (Proverbs 22:4; Proverbs 15:33).
iii. Wise and intelligent (Proverbs 4:7-8).
iv. Hardworking and diligent (Proverbs 22:29).
v. Faithful and maintain integrity (Psalm 41:12; Proverbs 20:7), among others.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should discuss whether wealth or riches should be a criterion for honour.

CONCLUSION: If we honour those promoted by God, He will honour us too. Do not look down on anyone.

LESSON TWELVE (12)
TOPIC: MINISTRY OF MENTORS

BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Timothy 2:1-2
[1]You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
[2]And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

MEMORY VERSE: “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 4:15 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: A mentor is a person who gives a younger or less experienced person help and advice over a period of time, especially at work, school, Church, ministry, family, etc. The person is an experienced and trusted adviser (Exodus 18:17-21). The ministry of a mentor is an active office of someone who is intentionally committed to raising those who aspire to be guided into their reality. This office is not to make them become like their mentor but to guide them into becoming whom God has wired them to be in life. It is glaring that there is a scarcity of genuine mentors everywhere, hence, there is a need to understand the place of mentorship.

OUTLINES:
1. PURPOSE OF MENTORSHIP AND COMMON MISTAKES
2. ACCESSING MENTORS

1. PURPOSE OF MENTORSHIP AND COMMON MISTAKES
A. The teacher should ask the students what they understand by mentorship
i. Mentorship is a relationship involving two individuals, where one serves as the mentor and the other as the mentee (Exodus 18:20; 1 Kings 19:16).
ii. A mentee is an individual who has submitted to the tutelage of a mentor to learn from his/her vast array of insight (Acts 22:3).

B. While it is good to be mentored by an experienced individual, the purpose of mentorship should be well understood (1 Kings 19:16). Mentorship is to:
i. Bridge the gap of knowledge existing in a sphere of life.
ii. Maintain certain ordinance that has been in existence.
iii. Have men who will continue certain legacies.
iv. Raise a platform where the young can glean from the knowledge of the old and provide a platform for trans-generational impact.

C. Certain mistakes should be avoided in mentorship. These include:
i. Not being intentional about the mentorship process.
ii. Not being egocentric on the side of the mentee (that he/she knows more than the mentor).
iii. Not thinking mentorship is slavery in disguise.
iv. Not having over-familiarity syndrome.
v. Not having mentors who fully open up to their mentees for fear of being betrayed or rising above them.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1:Discuss your experience as a mentor or mentee and the lessons learned.

2. ACCESSING MENTORS
1. How do we access a mentor?
2. Do we choose a mentor or a mentor chooses us?
A. Ideally, mentoring ought to be intentional – the mentor carefully and prayerfully chooses whom to mentor.
B. However, in present-day reality, the reverse seems to be the case – people now search for whom to mentor them.
C. Knowing the right kind of mentor is as important as finding one.
D. You can as well be coached by proxy through books, tapes or other materials.
E. There are formidable steps that can be used as yardsticks for finding or selecting mentors for yourself:
i. You need to understand yourself and your purpose in life.
ii. You must also understand the field of expertise in which you want to function and search for the individual with proven records in that sphere.
iii. A godly behavioural lifestyle is very essential in the chosen mentor.
iv. Make the mentorship process official so as to have the best kind of communication between you and the mentor.
v. Choose someone that would be available to guide you to your goal. This is very important.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: How can you maximize mentorship without abusing it?

CONCLUSION: A mentorship relationship is not friendship. The mentee must not become irresponsible in handling certain aspects of his/her life in the process of mentorship.

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL 26 NOVEMBER 2023

LESSON THIRTEEN (13)
TOPIC: 1ST INTERACTIVE SESSION & QUARTERLY REVIEW

*SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN*
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

*INTERACTIVE SESSION:*
i. Teachers And Students Should Discuss How To Move The Sunday School Forward In The New Quarter.
ii. They Should Discuss Challenges And Set New Goals.
iii. They Should Pray For The Success Of The Sunday School And All Officials In The New Quarter.

*SUMMARY OF LESSONS 1-12*
LESSON ONE (01)
TOPIC: THE OMNIPRESENCE OF GOD
BIBLE PASSAGE: Psalms 139:7-12

MEMORY VERSE: Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:13.

INTRODUCTION: Even though we know that God’s presence is in some sense uniquely in Heaven (Isaiah 66:1), the teachings of Scripture also make it clear that God is omnipresent (present everywhere at the same time). From the beginning of Scripture, we see the presence of God hovering over the earth, even when it was still formless and empty (Genesis 1:2). God filled the world with His creation, and His presence and glory continue to inhabit the whole earth (Numbers 14:21).

LESSON OUTLINES:
1. Biblical Evidence
2. Always With Us

1. BIBLICAL EVIDENCE
A. Throughout the Scripture, there are many examples of God’s presence moving on the earth, interacting with His creation.
B. For instance:
i. Adam and Eve acknowledged the presence of God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8).
ii.God walked in the camp of the Israelites (Deuteronomy 23:14).
iii.Hebrews 4:13 says, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
iv. Jeremiah 23:24 exclaims, “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.”

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention instances in the Bible where secret actions or thoughts of men were not hidden from God.

2. ALWAYS WITH US
A. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ:
i. God is with you, beside you, above you, and inside you (Genesis 28:15).
ii. God’s presence and watchful care never leave you (Hebrews 13:5b).

B. If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ:
i. God is right in front of you, inviting you and drawing you.
ii. God is offering you the love, mercy, and grace that He longs to give you (Revelation 3:20).
iii. A better question than “Where is God?” is “Where are you, in relationship to God?” (Genesis 3:8-9).
iv. A sinner cannot hide from God and everything done in the secret is open before God because God is everywhere (Psalms 51:3; 139:7).

C. God’s presence is always with us:
i. Whenever we witness Christ to the world (Matthew 28:19-20).
ii. Even when we do not feel God’s presence amid our pain.
iii. So, we can be assured that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Isaiah 43:2).
iv. As He was with the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:21-25).
v. All the time (Matthew 1:23).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should narrate an unforgettable experience in which they thought God had forsaken them but later discovered His abiding presence.

CONCLUSION: God is everywhere! His omnipresence is one of His existential attributes.

LESSON TWO (02)
TOPIC: THEOPHANY
BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 18:1-3,16-22

MEMORY VERSE: “And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.” Exodus 34:5

INTRODUCTION: The term “Theophany” comes from the Ancient Greek theophaneia, meaning “appearance of a deity.” Specifically, a “theophany” is a visible or tangible manifestation of God. In its most restrictive sense, it is a visible appearance of God in the Old Testament period, often, but not always, in human form. The use of the term “theophany” is restricted here to manifestations of God in temporary forms visible to the eyes (not in dreams). A frequent introduction for theophanies may be seen in the phrase “the Lord came down” (Genesis 11:5;Exodus 34:5).

LESSON OUTLINE
LESSON OUTLINE 1: CATEGORIES AND
CATEGORIES AND BIBLICAL INSTANCES

1. CATEGORIES AND BIBLICAL INSTANCES
A. Some of the tangible or visible manifestations of God are found in three categories: appearance as a man, non-human form, and appearance as ‘The angel of the LORD’.

B. Biblical instances of God’s appearance:
1. As a Man:
i. Genesis 18:1-3, 13, 17-Abraham had some visitors: two angels and God Himself. He invited them to come to his home, and he and Sarah entertained them.
ii. Genesis 32:22-30-Jacob wrestled with what appeared to be a man, but was God (vs.28-30).
iii. Daniel 3:23-25-The fourth man in the fire is none other than God

2. In Non-Human Form: i. Exodus 24:16-18 -Frequently, the term “glory of the Lord” reflects a theophany.
ii. Deuteronomy 31:14-15-God appeared to Moses and Joshua in the transfer of leadership to Joshua “…in a pillar of cloud….”

3. As “The Angel of the LORD”: This is also called “Angelophany.” There is a difference between “an angel” and “the Angel of the LORD.” The Angel of the LORD usually refers to himself as the LORD or God in the Old Testament. It is not every appearance of angels that is a theophany.
i.Genesis 16:7-14-The angel of the LORD appears to Hagar. The angel speaks as God Himself in the first person, and in verse 13 Hagar identifies “the LORD that spoke to her” as “The God” Who sees.”
ii.Genesis 22:11-12-The angel of the LORD appears to Abraham and refers to Himself as God in the first person.
iii.Genesis 31:11-13-“The angel of God” says, “…I am the God of Beth-el”.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should share with the class any of the above categories of theophany, they have encountered God.

LESSON OUTLINE 2. THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST
A. The pre-incarnate appearance of Christ (in the Old Testament) is called “Christophany.”
i. Jesus is the fulfilment of God’s presence.
ii. He is the one to which every theophany- in the Old Testament – was pointing (Hebrews 1:1-3; John 1:1, 14).

B. However, the incarnation of Christ is different from the Old Testament instances of theophany:
i. The Old Testament theophanies are preliminary – they foreshadow and prefigure the coming of Christ in the flesh.
ii. The coming of Christ is their fulfilment – their climax (Matthew 5:17).
iii. In addition, Christ’s incarnation is permanent
iv. The theophanies in the Old Testament were temporary.

C. It is through Jesus that we will finally and fully experience the presence of God with us (Revelation 21:1-4).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: The class should discuss why they believe Christ is the fullness of God’s presence any man could wish for.

CONCLUSION: The main point of a theophany is to know that God is present with humanity. That is ultimately expressed through Christ.

LESSON THREE (03)
TOPIC: THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
BIBLE PASSAGE: Isaiah 1:18-19

MEMORY VERSE: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.

INTRODUCTION: There are diverse views, both within and without, about the Christian faith. Some call it a religion, while others say it is a way of life. In some quarters, it is believed that it is a personal relationship with God. What exactly is the tenet of our faith as Christians and how does it compare with other faiths? Is it a religion or a relationship?

LESSON OUTLINES 1: MORE THAN A RELIGION
A. Teacher should ask the following questions
i. Question: What is a religion?
Answer: Simply put, Religion is the belief in and worship of a superhuman – with controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. (Exodus 34:14).
ii. Question: Is Christianity a religion?
Answer: In that respect, “Christianity can be classified as a religion”.
iii. Question: So how is Christianity more than a religion?
Answer: Practically speaking, Christianity has a key difference that separates it from other belief systems that are considered religions. Most religions are man-centred. They are built upon the concept that man can reach a higher power – God through his own efforts – good works, sacrifices, rituals, etc. In that regard, Christianity is not a religion.
B. Question: Do men make a religion out of Christianity in any way?
Answer: Just as the Jewish leaders made a religion out of a relationship with God, many people do the same with Christianity:
i. They follow the way of the “Pharisees” in creating rules not found in Scripture (Mark 7:8).
ii. Some who profess to follow Christ are actually following man-made religion in the name of Jesus (Colossians 2:8).
iii. While claiming to believe Scripture, they are often plagued with fear and doubt that they may not be good enough to earn salvation or that God will not accept them if they do not carry out some ritualistic activities or perform to a certain standard (Ephesians 2:8-9).
iv. The leaders of religious sects add many of their own rules to make it even more cumbersome (Matthew 15:9).
v. They pride themselves on their ability to keep the Law – at least outwardly. This is religion masquerading as Christianity: it is one of Satan’s favourite tricks (Matthew 23:1-7).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention other reasons why the Christian faith is more than a religion.

LESSON OUTLINES 2: A CALL TO A RELATIONSHIP
1. Question: What are the proofs that the Christian faith is a call to a relationship?
Answer: The Christian faith is a relationship that God has established with His children because:
i. The Bible states clearly that there is nothing man can do to make himself right with God (Isaiah 64:6).
ii. God did for us what we cannot do for ourselves (Colossians 2:13; 2Corinthians 5:21).
iii. Our sin separates us from His presence, and sin must be punished (Romans 6:23).
iv. God loves us, He took our punishment upon Himself (Isaiah 53:5).
v. All we must do is accept God’s gift of salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
2. Question: Are there other reasons to substantiate that Christianity is a call to a relationship?
Answer: The grace-based relationship between God and man is the foundation of Christianity and the opposite of religion (Titus 2:11-14):
i. We are able to love God “because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
ii. Holiness and obedience to Scripture are important, but they are pieces of evidence of a transformed heart, not a means to attain it.
iii. God desires that we be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16).
iv. He wants us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3:18).
v. We do these things because we are His children and want to be like Him, not in order to earn His love.
vi. God wants us to know Him, draw near to Him, pray to Him, and love Him above everything. That is not religion; that is a relationship.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Mention encounters you have in your faith that shows you clearly that you are in a relationship with God.
.
CONCLUSION: Christianity is not about signing up for a religion. Christianity is about being born into the family of God (John 3:3).

LESSON FOUR (04)
TOPIC: CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
BIBLE PASSAGE: John 4:19-24

MEMORY VERSE: O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. Psalms 95:6.

INTRODUCTION: Worship is an act of paying homage that involves deep respect, reverence, adoration, and showing sincere love to a supreme being. The Almighty God who created us must be worshipped for who He is and not because He needs anything from us (1Peter 2:9). We are created to show the splendour of God by glorifying Him (Psalms 29:2). Since we are created for worship, it is important we find out the ways to do it to be acceptable by God who commands it.

LESSON OUTLINE 1: PREPARING FOR WORSHIP
Teachers should highlight the necessary things to put in place while preparing for worship as follows:
A. Our heart
i. Before moving into the external act of worship, there is the need for us to put our hearts in order (Psalm 51:10).
ii. This is to ensure that hindrances to our worship are off-loaded from our hearts (Romans 12:1-2).
iii. We must get rid of the “old man” with his deeds – anger, hatred, bitterness and other vices (Colossians 3:8-9).

B. Reconciliation
i. There is the need for us to also reconcile with God and man in any area of offence (Matthew 5:23-24; Acts 24:16).
ii. We need to make restitutions where necessary (Luke 19:8).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention other things Christians need to put in place in preparing for worship.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP
A. Not all worship is acceptable to God (Psalm 15:1-5). There are various forms of unacceptable worship. These include:
1. Vain worship: this is based on lip service and not from the heart (Mark 7:6).
2. Ignorant worship: it refers to worship without the knowledge of who God really is and how He should be worshipped (John 4:22; Acts 17:22-23).
3. Will or self-imposed worship: it refers to satisfying personal will and desire instead of carrying out God’s instruction (Colossians 2:20-23; Leviticus 10:1-2).

B. Therefore, acceptable worship must be rendered to God:
i. In spirit and in truth (John 4:20-24).
ii. In holiness (Psalm 96:9).
iii. From a heart “void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16).
iv. By faith, like the sacrifice of Abel (Hebrews 11:4).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should mention other forms of unacceptable worship one can engage in.

CONCLUSION: The scripture teaches that only God should be worshipped (Exodus 20:1-5) and this should be done in spirit and truth.

LESSON FIVE (05)
TOPIC: THE “SHEPHERD” AND HIS “SHEEP”
BIBLE PASSAGE: Psalm 23:1-6

MEMORY VERSE: “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his sheep of his pasture”. Psalm 100:3

INTRODUCTION:Psalm 23 is an expression of our confidence and trust in the lord. Each verse reveals the close relationship David shared with God. Metaphorically, David portrays God as a loving “Shepherd”. This is because being a shepherd himself; he knows what it means to cater for the flocks. The imagery of God as “THE SHEPHERD” is common throughout the Old and New Testaments. Therefore, every believer should understand the place of God in their lives as the “Shepherd,” what it means to be a “sheep” and how to rely solely on God.

LESSON OUTLINES 1: THE BELIEVER AS A “SHEEP”
1. The term “sheep” in this context, is used metaphorically for believers (Psalm 100:3).
2. A sheep is someone who obediently follows and relies on the Lord Jesus Christ – “The Shepherd” (John 10:14).
3. A Christian has to subject himself to the leadership of the “Great shepherd” who surely has his interest at heart (Hebrews 13:20).
4. Like the sheep, a believer needs God:
i. For daily provisions – both spiritual and physical (Luke 11:3) Matthew 7:9-11);
ii. For protection from predators (John 10:11-12);
iii. For direction on the right parts (Proverbs 16:9), etc.
5. A believer needs the “Shepherd” to save him from *hirelings” – false prophets, fake pastors, heretical teachers, apostates apostles, greedy evangelists, etc.
6. Where the “sheep” only see green grass, the Shepherd see hidden dangers. Hence, without the “Shepherd* the “sheep” is in trouble (1 The 1Kings 22:17).
7. Also, a sheep need the Shepherd
i. whenever life is hard (Psalm 27:13);
ii. in time of anxiety (Matthew 6:25-26);
iii. For safety (Psalm 125:2);
iv. When downcast (Psalm 43:5);
v. for help (Psalm 121:1-2)
8. Therefore, believers should always call on God as their Shepherd (Romans 10:13).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should mention other times the sheep may need the Shepherd.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: GOD AS “THE SHEPHERD”
1. A shepherd is a person who tends herds-someone who feeds and guards herds of sheep.
2. A shepherd’s primary responsibility is the safety and well-being of the flock.
3. Like David, believers in Christ can call God their Shepherd (Psalm 80:1; Isaiah 40:11).
4. Jesus Christ also calls himself the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11). In fact, Hebrews 13:20 call Him “the great shepherd”.
5. Our Shepherd perform his all-important role in the following ways:
i. He leads us out and in so that we find pasture and safety (John 10:9).
ii. He knows how to take care of our needs and in the course of His grace, and providence leads us in the way in which we should go (Psalm 84:11; Isaiah 30:21).
iii. He watches over us and keeps us from being destroyed by ravenous beast (John 10:10-11)
iv. When we stray, he brings us back (Matthew 12:11).
v. Just as the Shepherd bring the flock to the shade in time of scorching heat, God becomes our refuge in type of persecution and affliction (Psalm 91:4).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: To enjoy the blessings of the great Shepherd, we must humbly follow as responsive sheep.

CONCLUSION: To enjoy the blessings of the Great Shepherd we must humbly follow as responsive sheep.

TOPIC: THE ORIGIN OF SIN
BIBLE PASSAGE: Ezekiel 28:13-15

MEMORY VERSE: Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalms 51:5.

INTRODUCTION: Sin and evil are words often used interchangeably because both are similar in meaning. The age-old question of where and how sin began has been explored and debated by some of the greatest minds in history, and their findings have helped a great deal in improving our understanding. However, there is no better place to discover the truth about this subject than in the authoritative manual of God – the Bible. In this lesson, we shall attempt to debunk the myths about sin and probe its origin.

LESSON OUTLINE 1.DEBUNKING THE MYTHS ABOUT SIN
Question 1: Did the Bible mean that God is the creator of sin when it attributes the source of all creation to God?
Answer: Some, quoting Isaiah 45:7, seek to make God the author of sin: “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.” However,
i. The KJV’s word ‘evil,’ from the original Hebrew ‘rah,’ is better translated as “calamity.”
ii. The context of this passage concerns God’s sovereignty over natural disasters.
iii. God is sovereign over all things (Colossians 1:16) but He is not the author of sin (1 John 1:5; James 1:13).
iv. Moral evil originated with the creature, not the Creator. In other words, sin was not part of the original creation, nor was it decreed by the Creator’s will.

Question 2: Are there hints about the origin of sin?
Answer: The first man, Adam, sinned, and his transgression spiralled mankind into sin, but this was not sin’s origin.
i.Ezekiel 28:13-15 speaks figuratively of Satan, who was originally created without flaw, as all things created by God were. Verse 15 gives us a hint as to the origin of sin: “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till iniquity was found in you.”
ii.Isaiah 14:12-14 further indicates that Satan (Lucifer) sinned in his pride and his coveting of God’s throne.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Are there other scriptures that make God the originator of sin?

LESSON OUTLINE 2: SIN IS A ‘DEFICIENCY’
Question 1: Is evil a creature?
Answer: Evil is not a created thing—it is not a creature and has no independent being. Also, evil has no standard as goodness does.
i. Evil is a lack, a deficiency, a falling short of the standard of God’s perfect goodness.
ii. All sins, no matter how trivial they may seem, fall short of moral perfection (Romans 3:23).
iii. God is always consistent with His perfect nature (Deuteronomy 32:4).

Question 2: What is at the core of all sin?
Answer: All sins, therefore, must come from the creature, and the desire for evil comes from within the creature (James 1:14-15).
i. Sin was “found” in Lucifer because of a choice he made to seek something other than what God had chosen for him.
ii. Any time we seek “other” than God’s choice, we sin.

Question 3: Was God caught unaware by the sin of Lucifer?
Answer: To say sin originated within God’s creatures does not mean God was surprised or caught unawares by it.
i. Although God did not bring about sin, He certainly allowed it or it would not exist.
ii. Since God is sovereign over all things (Psalm 115:3). He could have prevented sin, but that would have meant stripping His creation of its free will (Daniel 4:17).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Just like robot, would you have preferred God switches you on and off to take every action?

CONCLUSION: God is not the author of Sin but His creatures. You can overcome sin by giving your life to Jesus Christ and choose to be holy (Romans 6:14; 1 John 3:9).

*RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL*
SUNDAY 15TH OF OCTOBER, 2023
LESSON SEVEN (07)
TOPIC: BIBLICAL DESCRIPTION OF SIN

*SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN*
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

OPENING PRAYER: Father, give me an understanding of what constitutes sin.

MEMORY VERSE: Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 5:12-15
[12]Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
[13](For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
[14]Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
[15]But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

INTRODUCTION: Sin is described in the Bible as the transgression of the law of God (1 John 3:4) and rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7). Sin had its beginning with Lucifer who was not content with his position; he desired to be higher than God, and that was his downfall (Isaiah 14:12-15). Since the time of Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God, sin has been passed down through all the generations of mankind and we, Adam’s descendants, have inherited sin from him (Romans 5:12).

LESSON AIM: To teach the students the descriptions of sin according to the scripture.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES: To teach the students the descriptions of sin according to the scripture.

TEACHING PLAN: To achieve the above-stated objectives, the teacher should:
a. Allow the students to recite the memory verse, read the Bible passage, contribute to the discussion, do class activities and assignment.
b. Allow the Assistant Teacher to see to the well-being of the class, mark attendance and assignment.
c. Teach the lesson outlines, summarise, conclude, evaluate the lesson and give an assignment.

TEXT REVIEW: Romans 5:12-15.
A. Apostle Paul while admonishing the Romans says:
i. Wherefore ………………………………………V12.
ii. For until the law …………..………………V13.
iii. Nevertheless death .………..………..V14.
iv. But not as …………………….……….…….V15.

LESSON OUTLINES 1: TYPES OF SIN
1. Inherited Sin: Through Adam, the inherent inclination to sin entered the human race, and we became sinners by nature.
i. When Adam sinned, his inner nature was transformed by his sin of rebellion, bringing to him spiritual death and depravity which would be passed on to all who came after him (Romans 5:12).
ii. We are sinners not because we sin; rather, we sin because we are sinners (Romans 5:19a).
iii. This passed-on depravity is known as inherited sin.
iv. Just as we inherit physical characteristics from our parents, we inherit our sinful nature from Adam (Psalm 51:5).

2. Imputed sin: The Greek word ‘ellogeo’ translated as “imputed” means “lay to one’s charge or credit to one’s account.”
i. Before the Law of Moses was given, sin was not imputed to man, although men were still sinners because of inherited sin (Romans 5:13).
ii.After the law was given, sins committed in violation of the law were imputed (accounted) to them (Romans 5:20a).
iii. Even before transgressions of (disobedience against) the law were imputed to men, the ultimate penalty for sin (death) continued to reign (Romans 5:14).
iv. After Moses (from the dispensation of the law), humans were subject to death both because of inherited sin from Adam and imputed sin from violating the laws of God.
v. God used the principle of imputation to benefit mankind when He imputed the sin of all to the account of Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for that sin – death – on the cross (1 John 2:2).
vi. It is important to understand that sin was imputed to Him, but He did not inherit it from Adam.
vii. He bore the penalty for sin, but He never became a sinner (2 Corinthians 5:21).

3. Personal sin: This refers to the sins committed every day by human beings.
i. We have inherited a sinful nature from Adam, we commit individual sins, everything from seemingly innocent untruths to murder (1 John 5:17a).
ii. Those who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ must pay the penalty for these personal sins, as well as inherited and imputed sin (Romans 6:23).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention other types of sin they have come across in the bible.

LESSON OUTLINES 2: REDEMPTION FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN
i.The only just penalty for sin (inherited, imputed, and personal) is death; physical and eternal (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15).
ii.Thankfully, all three types of sin have been crucified on the cross of Jesus, and now by faith in Jesus Christ as the Saviour we have redemption (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 3:5).
iii.Once we confess our sins to God and ask for forgiveness for them, we are restored to perfect fellowship and communion with Him (1 John 1:9).
iv.Believers have been freed from the eternal penalty of sin and now have the power through Jesus to refuse to sin (1 John 3:9).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should share any experience of freedom they had from the claws of sin and the effect on their existence.

SUMMARY: God imputed the righteousness of Christ to believers and credited our accounts with His righteousness, just as He had credited our sins to Christ’s account (2Corinthians 5:21).

LESSON EIGHT (08)
TOPIC: UNDERSTANDING REPENTANCE.
BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

MEMORY VERSE: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19
Acts 3:19

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Technically, repentance is a change of mind, not just a turning from sin. The Greek word translated as repentance is metanoia, and the meaning is simply a change of mind. In common usage, however, we often speak of repentance as “a turning from sin.” In this lesson, we will discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in repentance and its outcome.

LESSON OUTLINE 1: THE CONVICTING WORK
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Repentance is often associated with salvation in scripture, that is, what happens when the Holy Spirit begins His work to bring a person to salvation.
A. The Spirit gives the sinner a personal understanding and infallible conviction that the facts concerning his spiritual state are true (John 16:8).
Those facts are his sin, the eternal punishment due him for his sin
The substitutionary nature of Jesus’ suffering for his sin as well as the need for faith in Jesus to save him from his sin (Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
From that convicting work of the Holy Spirit, the sinner repents; he changes his mind about sin, the Saviour and salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9).
B. When a repentant person changes his mind about sin:
That change of mind naturally leads to a turning from sin. Sin is no longer desirable or fun because sin brings condemnation (Romans 5:17-18).
The repentant sinner begins to dislike his past misdeeds and he starts seeking ways to amend his behaviour (Luke 19:8; Acts 2:37).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Why do you think some people change their ways and others do not though they are under the same atmosphere of the Holy Spirit and the word?

LESSON OUTLINE 2: THE FINAL PRODUCTS
Ultimately, the result of the change of mind
about sin is good deeds (Matthew 3:8; Titus 2:7, 14).
The sinner turns away from sin towards faith in the Saviour. That faith is shown in action (James 2:17).
Repentance in relation to salvation is a change of mind from an embrace of sin to rejection of sin and from rejection of Christ to faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5).
Such repentance is something only God can enable (John 6:44:2 Timothy 2:25).
Therefore, true biblical repentance will al- ways result in a change of behaviour (2 Corinthians 5:17).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should share their experiences on something bad they repented from.

CONCLUSION: Your character must change from sinful to godly if you have repented. It is not just turning from sin but turning to God.

LESSON NINE (09)
TOPIC: BEING BORN AGAIN (PART 1)

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7

MEMORY VERSE: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”
1 Peter 1:23

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Being born again is a state of conversion from being a sinner to becoming a saint. It is a spiritual transformation that leads to a change of heart and life (John 3:3-7).
Being born again is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes, confesses his/her sin, and accepts Jesus Christ as his/her personal Saviour and Lord. If we claim to be born again, there must be notable pieces of evidence to prove that we are children of God (Romans 8:14).

LESSON OUTLINE 1: A SANCTIFIED LIFE
A. If we are born again, it is expected that we
live a sanctified life:
i. A life devoid of sin, separated unto God and Christ-like (Romans 12:2: Ephesians 4:13).
This is what it means to be a Christian or a Child of God.
ii. It is the will of God that His children are
sanctified (1 Thessalonians 4.3).
iii. Jesus’ followers are expected to be sanctified (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

B. This great privilege and experience (sanctification) are obtainable:
i. By the word of God (John 1 :17).
ii. By the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 13:12),
iii. Also by ‘heart surgery as the individual daily surrenders unto God (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Romans 6:13).

C. As children of God, we are empowered to live holy, bear the fruit of the Spirit, and have a guaranteed eternity in the Lord (Romans 6:22; Galatians 5:22-23).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should share their
salvation experience.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: A SPIRIT-CONTROLLED
LIFE
Anyone that is born again should be controlled
by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit:
* Gives us power over sin (Galatians 5:16).
* Gives us the power to serve God (Acts 1:8).
* Gives us the power to witness to our spiritual
adoption (Galatians 4:6, 1 John 3:24).
* Helps us to bear fruits unto repentance (Matthew 3:8).
* Guides into all truth (John 16:13).
* Controls believers’ temperament (Romans 8:4-5; Galatians 5:25).
* Gives life to our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11).
* Empowers believers to rebuke and cast out
demons (Acts 13:8-11).
* Influences our choices (Acts 13:2).
* Sends help and comforts Christians in times of pain, disappointment, loss, trial, etc. (2
Corinthians 1:3-4).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What has changed about
you since you accepted Christ as your Lord and
Saviour?

CONCLUSION: Anyone who is born again must be sanctified and controlled by the Holy Spirit.

LESSON TEN (10)
TOPIC: BEING BORN AGAIN (PART 2)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 5:1-5

MEMORY VERSE: Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:30.

INTRODUCTION: Being born again is not a title or an entitlement. Rather, the evidence must be in living a sanctified life and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead/control one’s life.Furthermore, an understanding of the concepts of justification and assurance of salvation is very essential to the establishment of a new convert in Christ. This study attempts to shed some light on these basic concepts of the Christian faith.

LESSON OUTLINES 1: A JUSTIFIED LIFE
A. To justify simply means to declare someone righteous.
i. Meaning, God begins to see you as you have never sinned (Romans 3:21-25; 5:1).
ii. The law and the justice of God demand death as the penalty for sin (Ezekiel 18:4) and punishment for the wicked (Isaiah 57:20-21).

B. Two major events are obvious with justification:
i. One is that the sin is forgiven and the punishment of that sin is removed from the sinner (Isaiah 43:25).
ii. The second is that the righteousness of Jesus Christ is credited to the sinner’s account (Romans 5:18).

C. The justified life is obtained
i. Simply by grace (Romans 3:24).
ii. By the blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9).
iii. By His resurrection (Romans 4:25).

D. Now that we are born again,
i. We ‘wear’ a justified life identified by peace with God
ii. We also have a vibrant, enjoyable prayer life (Romans 5:1-2).

E. However, we must continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling by avoiding sin (Philippians 2:12; 1 John 3:9).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should share how they knew they have been justified.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
A. As a new creature in Christ, it is important to have the assurance of salvation. This assurance can be found:
i. In the word of God (Romans 10:9-11),
ii. Through the witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16)
iii. Through the evidence of a changed life (2 Corinthians 5:17).

B. Feelings or comments of people are unreliable for your assurance; therefore, do not lean on them.
i. Be warned of doubts that may arise about your salvation.
ii. Do not open the door to sin, worldliness (1 John 2:15-16), laziness in praying and constant study of the word of God (2 Timothy 2:15).

C. Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; Jude 20).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should share other ways they are assured of their salvation.

CONCLUSION: Once you are born again, you receive the righteousness of Christ and the Holy Spirit impresses on your heart that you have become a child of God.

LESSON ELEVEN (11)
TOPIC: THE “WORLD SYSTEM”

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 John 2:15-17

MEMORY VERSE: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15.

INTRODUCTION: A Christian is a person who has accepted the Lord Jesus as his Lord and personal Saviour and is living a holy life with the ultimate goal of making it to Heaven (1 Peter 1:3-4). However, there are three terrible enemies- “the world system,” “the flesh,” and “the devil” – contending with the believer daily, to make the Christian journey difficult and impossible (Acts 20:29-30). In this study, we shall consider the enemy called “the world system.

LESSON OUTLINE 1: SATAN’S “WORLD SYSTEM”
A. The Bible uses the word “world” in three ways.
i. First, it can refer to the earth, which God created (Genesis 1:1; Acts 17:24).
ii. Second, the “world” can refer to people, as in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world…”
iii. The third use is found in 1 John 2:15, where the believer is warned not to love the world or the things in the world. “The world” in this passage refers to the “operating system of the world” – which is satanic.

B. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, Satan has not changed his mode of operation (Genesis 3:11-13):
i. He has been consistent at deceiving; manipulating and dominating those who refuse to completely yield themselves to God (Romans 6:13, 16).
ii. The “software” Satan designed to turn man against his Maker is still working in the world (Ephesians 2:2-3; 2 Corinthians 4:4).

C. Satan controls his evil ‘world system’ and uses the attractive things of his world to deceive and destroy people (Matthew 4:8-9; 1 Peter 5:8).
i. Satan’s “world system” comprises money, materialism, cultism, addictions, lust, selfishness, greed, pride, etc.
ii. Also, Satan uses filthy and worldly music, adulterated TV reality shows, sexy movies and indecent dressing to entice innocent souls by flooding their minds with wrong thoughts and getting them involved in unspeakable vices.
iii. He convinces people to rebel against higher authorities (Jude 8).
iv. This is what Apostle John summarises in 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world.” There is nothing good or godly in these things.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Mention other tools of the ‘’world system’.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: GOD HAS A “NEW WORLD”
Satan’s ‘world system’ hates God, it hates God’s Son-Jesus Christ, and it hates God’s people. Hence:
i. The Bible clearly warns against friendship with the world (James 4:4).
ii. God will one day completely destroy Satan’s ‘world system’ (2 Peter 3:10).

B. This world has been ruined by sin, but God has a “new world” for those who love Him.
i. It is called “the kingdom of God.”
ii. The Lord Jesus is the King and Ruler of God’s new world (Isaiah 9:6; 1 Corinthians 15:25).

C. When we surrender our lives to the Lord Jesus to be our Lord and Saviour:
i. God takes us out of Satan’s kingdom of darkness and put us into “the kingdom of His dear Son.”
ii. We are no longer in Satan’s ‘world system’ (Galatians 1:4; Colossians 1:12-14).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What can believers do to be part of the ‘’New world’’?

CONCLUSION: Satan’s world system may seem very beautiful and attractive but it is a path to destruction (Proverbs 14:12). Choose to be on God’s side.

LESSON TWELVE (12)
TOPIC: PLEASING GOD
BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 8:5-8

MEMORY VERSE: Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 1Thessalonians 4:1

INTRODUCTION: Pleasing God is or should be, the goal of all believers-all who call upon the name of Christ for salvation. The requirements for all who want to please God are that they must seek God by faith, walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh, and walk worthy of their calling in obedience and submission to the will of God.

LESSON OUTLINE 1: WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
Paul reminds the believers in Rome that “they who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8).
i. So the first step in pleasing God is to accept the sacrifice for sin that He provided in the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.
ii. Only then are we “in the Spirit” and not “in the flesh.”
iii. We do this by faith because “without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

B. In Romans 8, Paul explains the difference between the sinful nature and the nature of those regenerated by the Spirit.
i. Those who are still in their sin have their minds set on sinful desires, whereas the ones regenerated by Christ have a completely new mind that is controlled by the Spirit and desire to live by following Him (Romans 8:6-8).
ii. The next step for believers in pleasing God is to be sure we are walking in the Spirit, not in the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: From today’s Bible passage, share in your dialect how you can please God.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: LIVING BY FAITH AND OBEDIENCE
We must live by faith (Hebrews 10:38; 11:6). God cannot be pleased with those who:
i. Draw back from Him because they have no confidence in Him (Hebrews 10:39).
ii. Doubt the truth of His declarations and promises (2 Corinthians 1:20).
iii. Do not believe that His way is right, holy and perfect (Psalm 18:30).
B. The requirement of faith and confidence in God is not unreasonable; it is just what we require of our children and spouses, and it is an indispensable condition of our being pleased with them. So it is with God.
C. Therefore, pleasing God is a matter of living according to His precepts, and commandments, and doing so in love (John 14:15).
i. The Epistles are God’s plan for believers and are filled with exhortations to display throughout our lives the behaviour that is pleasing to God: “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.” (1Thessalonians 4:1).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should discuss why Christians are to live by faith.

CONCLUSION: God wants us to please Him, and He makes it possible for us to please Him. We do these things by the power of His Spirit who lives in our hearts.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 24 NOVEMBER 2023 FRIDAY: PUT THE PAST BEHIND YOU

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 24 NOVEMBER 2023 MEMORIZE: Brethren,I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. Philippians 3:13

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 24 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE READING ISAIAH 43:18-19

[18]Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

[19]Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 24 NOVEMBER 2023 MESSAGE

It is good to learn from your past mistakes but dwelling on your past is unacceptable as it would make you glued to the past, If you were a sinner who later repented of your sins, you must believe that God has forgiven you completely and
He expects you never to return to them.

Also, you don’t have to keep remembering the unpleasant past you’ve had so that you can focus on growing in the Lord through His word.

For example, Apostle Paul, who was a chronic persecutor of brethren, would not have grown to the extent of writing two-thirds of the New Testament if he had not moved on from his past.

Focusing on your past will hinder you from seeing the glorious future ahead of you.

Also, as a child of God, when things don’t go smoothly as planned, don’t be quick to make reference to ‘the good old days.

Rather, believe God for the better days ahead as you take one step at a time.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 24 NOVEMBER 2023 KEY POINT

For a better tomorrow, put your past behind you.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 24 NOVEMBER 2023 HYMN

HYMN 6: I’M PRESSING ON THE UPWARD WAY

1. I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining everyday;
Still praying as I onward bound
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

CHORUS
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table-land;
Where love, and joy, and light abound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

2. My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise, and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My constant aim is higher ground.

3. Beyond the mist I fain would rise,
To rest beneath unclouded skies,
Above earth’s turmoil peace is found
By those who dwell on higher ground.

4. I long to scale the utmost height,
Though rough the way, and hard the fight,
My song, while climbing, shall resound
Lord, lead me on to higher ground.

5. Lord, lead me up the mountain side
I dare not climb without my Guide;
And, heaven gained, I’ll gaze around,
With grateful heart from higher ground.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 24 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: ROMANS 1-3

AUTHORS: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
PASTOR MRS FOLU ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVEN 24 NOVEMBER 2023 MEMORISE: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Malachi 3:3

OPEN HEAVEN 24 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE TEXT  Ezekiel 36:24-26

²⁴ For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

²⁵ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

²⁶ A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Be a vessel of evangelism and share these life-changing messages, prayers, and declarations with the precious people around you.

OPEN HEAVEN 24 NOVEMBER 2023 MESSAGE

When gold is found, it is in its raw state. It is undesirable and filled with impurities. Raw gold must first be purified with fire before it reaches its full potential and becomes useful.

Our Bible reading for today says that after God has taken you out from the heathen, He will pass you through the process of purification.

When you met Christ, you were in your raw state. God cannot leave you in that contaminated state because you can only be useful to Him after you’ve been purified.

To purify you, He will need to introduce fire. There are two types of fire God usually uses to purify. The first one is the fire of the Holy Ghost.

Peter was one of the first people called by the Lord Jesus Christ in Mark 3:13-19, but he had one little problem: he was always afraid, and the devil discovered this weakness.

That is why, on the day Jesus was arrested, the devil brought three people to test Peter, knowing that he would be too afraid to identify openly with Jesus. Indeed, Peter denied Jesus three times.

The devil was happy that he had gotten Peter but thankfully, Jesus had prayed for him so he repented and found his way back to God.

Now, if Peter was going to be useful to God, Jesus needed to do something about the fear contaminating his heart, so He purified him by fire.

On the day of Pentecost, when the fire fell on all the disciples, Jesus was purifying them to make them useful.

Immediately that fire sat on the head of Peter; it consumed the fear in him (Acts 2:1-47). The man who used to be afraid suddenly became very bold.

The contamination was removed by the fire of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Ghost Baptism is a refining fire that takes away impurities in the life of a believer.

If you are truly baptised – that is, after sanctification (setting oneself apart for God), then that fire will burn off all impurities in you.

Note that a person may speak in tongues, but if he is not yet fully surrendered to Christ, if his heart is still after the things of this world, he cannot be purified.

Sanctification must happen first before the fellow can truly be purified by the fire of the Holy Ghost.

OPEN HEAVEN 24 NOVEMBER 2023 KEY POINT

Father, please purify me with Your fire today.

OPEN HEAVEN 24 NOVEMBER 2023 HYMN

RCCG HYMN 23: Take My Life And Let It Be

¹ Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.

² Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.

³ Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.

⁴ Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.

⁵ Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.

⁶ Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee. 

OPEN HEAVEN 24 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR; Romans 1-3

Author: Pastor E. A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVEN 26 NOVEMBER 2023 MEMORISE: For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. Psalm 75:6

OPEN HEAVEN 26 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE TEXT 1 Samuel 13:8-14

⁸ And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.

⁹ And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.

¹⁰ And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.

¹¹ And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;

¹² Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.

¹³ And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

¹⁴ But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.

Be a vessel of evangelism and share these life-changing messages, prayers, and declarations with the precious people around you.

OPEN HEAVEN 26 NOVEMBER 2023 MESSAGE

There are different types of promotions. When a human being promotes you, don’t rejoice too much because it is temporary.

However, when God promotes you, you are really promoted. Even though you become the president of a country like America, you can only hold the position for a maximum of eight years.

When man promotes, it is temporary; only God gives real promotion that no one can interfere with.

Since we know now that the only way to really make progress in life is to be promoted by God, then we need to find out His criteria for promotion.

God promoted David from being a shepherd boy to becoming the king of Israel for one simple reason – David was sold out to the will of God (Acts 13:22).

David was not a man to argue with God. With David, God’s wish was his command.

The reason God gave Jesus a name that is above every other is what He said in John 4:34:
“…My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work”.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus wished the cup of suffering for the sins of the world could be taken away from Him, but He said to God, “Not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

When Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray, one of the prayer points He mentioned was:
“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”
(Matthew 6:10).

God wants His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Therefore, when He sees someone willing to do His will, He promotes that fellow to a position of authority.

If God promotes somebody because the fellow started in humility and submission to Him, but along the line begins to disregard His instructions, that fellow would be demoted immediately.

That is what happened to Saul in 1 Samuel 15:24-28. Saul started out well, but somewhere in-between, he preferred to please the people over doing God’s will.

Some people have been asking God to promote them, but they have no regard for His will. Promotion will only come when you surrender completely to God’s will.

 

OPEN HEAVEN 26 NOVEMBER 2023 KEY POINT

If you truly want to be promoted by God, then you must be sold out to doing His will.

OPEN HEAVEN 26 NOVEMBER 2023 HYMN

RCCG HYMN 30: When We Walk With The Lord

1. When we walk with the Lord,
In the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:
Trust and obey!
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

2. But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay,
For the favour He shows
And the joy He bestows
Are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]

3. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way,
What He says we will do,
Where He sends we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey. [Refrain]

OPEN HEAVEN 26 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR; Romans 8-10

Author: Pastor E. A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVEN 25 NOVEMBER 2023 MEMORISE: Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. Daniel 4:37

OPEN HEAVEN 25 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE TEXT Daniel 4:23-37

²³ And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

²⁴ This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:

²⁵ That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

²⁶ And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

²⁷ Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.

²⁸ All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.

²⁹ At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.

³⁰ The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?

³¹ While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

³² And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

³³ The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

³⁴ And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

³⁵ And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

³⁶ At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

³⁷ Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Be a vessel of evangelism and share these life-changing messages, prayers, and declarations with the precious people around you.

OPEN HEAVEN 25 NOVEMBER 2023 MESSAGE

Following yesterday’s study, the second kind of fire God uses to purify His children is the fire of affliction.

Let us take Job, for example. When you look at Job 30:1, you will be shocked to discover that Job had that little contamination called Pride.

After he lost everything, he discovered that God has a way of making a fellow humble by fire. God used the fire of affliction to remove pride from his life.

Some people have asked me why I am always saying ‘Yes, Sir’ and ‘Yes, Ma’am’ to everybody. I wasn’t like that before.

I was one of the proudest persons you could ever meet – even though I was poor, but God taught me a lesson that settled the issue of pride in my life forever.

When I got born again, one of the greatest blessings I received from God early on was the ability to hear Him.

I was also the interpreter for the General Superintendent of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

One day, for whatever reason, one of the Pastors came to me and asked me to interpret for him during his ministration.

I felt offended. “Who does this man think he is? Doesn’t he know that I am the General Superintendent’s interpreter?” I interpreted quite all right, but I was very upset.

After the Service, as I was going to my car, I heard God say clearly, “So you are now too big to interpret for my servant”.

I stopped hearing from Him and everything became silent.

As soon as the devil discovered that I was no longer hearing from God, he tormented me.

I prayed, wept and fasted, but God was silent all through.

Believe me, honestly, it is better not to have heard from God at all than for Him to stop speaking to you.

God will not leave you alone, in Jesus’ name.

The period God stopped talking was a terrible time for me.

In desperation, I told Him, “Lord, I make a covenant with You: if I am going to offend you tomorrow, take me away today”. And then He started to speak to me again.

Thus, when you see me saying “Yes, Sir” to the driver or the cleaner, it is because fire burnt pride out of me.

If God is to use you, one way or another, He will have to purify you because only those pure in heart will see Him on the last day.

OPEN HEAVEN 25 NOVEMBER 2023 KEY POINT

Father, if there is any impurity in me that I am refusing to let go easily, please take it away by force, in Jesus’ name.

OPEN HEAVEN 25 NOVEMBER 2023 HYMN

RCCG HYMN 28: What Can Wash Away My Stain

¹ What can wash away my sin? 
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 
What can make me whole again? 
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

Refrain:
O precious is the flow 
that makes me white as snow; 
no other fount I know; 
nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

² For my pardon this I see: 
nothing but the blood of Jesus. 
For my cleansing this my plea: 
nothing but the blood of Jesus. [Refrain]

³ Nothing can for sin atone: 
nothing but the blood of Jesus. 
Naught of good that I have done: 
nothing but the blood of Jesus. [Refrain]

⁴ This is all my hope and peace: 
nothing but the blood of Jesus. 
This is all my righteousness: 
nothing but the blood of Jesus. [Refrain]

OPEN HEAVEN 25 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR; Romans 4-7

Author: Pastor E. A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVEN 23 NOVEMBER 2023 MEMORISE: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1

OPEN HEAVEN 23 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE TEXT Numbers 20:7-12

⁷ And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

⁸ Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

⁹ And Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as he commanded him.

¹⁰ And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?

¹¹ And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

¹² And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

Be a vessel of evangelism and share these life-changing messages, prayers, and declarations with the precious people around you.

Daily Confession: I confess today that I overcome my weaknesses by the blood of the lamb and by the words of my testimonies. I am empowered daily by the Holy Spirit to walk in God’s plan for my life, in the mighty name of Jesus.

OPEN HEAVEN 23 NOVEMBER 2023 MESSAGE

I would like to give a clear illustration of what we discussed yesterday with the story of Moses.

Numbers 12:3 describes Moses as the meekest man on earth, but he had the problem of anger. The devil discovered it in Exodus 2:11-12.

Moses saw an Egyptian beating up an Israelite and because he couldn’t control his temper, Moses killed the man.

Many years later, while leading the children of Israel to the Promised Land, the devil started hitting on this weak spot.

In Exodus 14-15, we see the children of Israel complaining about different things; this was the devil throwing blows at Moses to get him angry but he dodged all of them.

However, in Exodus 17:1-7, when there was no water to drink and they turned to Moses to complain again, he said in verse 2, “Why are you chiding with me?”

The devil said, “Good, blow number 1 has landed, he is now beginning to respond”.

In Exodus 32:15-20, Moses had gone to collect the 10 commandments from God; by the time he returned, the children of Israel were already worshipping an idol.

When he came and saw them worshipping the idol, the temper in him rose and he took the two tablets of commandments that God gave him and smashed them.

At that point, the devil knew his punches were now landing.

In Numbers 11:10-15, when the children of Israel were complaining that they wanted meat, Moses turned to God and said, “God, why are you doing this to me? Am I the father of these people?”

The devil said, “Good, now I have turned you against your supporter”.

By the time we get to Numbers 20:2-13, the people murmured again about water, but this time, instead of speaking to the rock as God commanded, Moses was so angry that he hit it twice.

God asked him to speak to the rock, but He decided to strike it. That was disobedience.

At that point, the Almighty God said, “Moses, you will not reach the Promised Land”.

The meek Moses – with only one little contamination called anger, had become, after forty years of ministry, a failure.

Beloved, kill that little weakness in your life before it kills you.

OPEN HEAVEN 23 NOVEMBER 2023 KEY POINT

Kill that little weakness in your life before it kills you.

OPEN HEAVEN 23 NOVEMBER 2023 HYMN

RCCG HYMN 8: Need Thee Every Hour

1. I need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior!
I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee every hour,
Stay Thou near by;
Temptations lose their power
When Thou art nigh.

3. I need Thee every hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.

4. I need Thee every hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill.

5. I need Thee every hour,
Most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son.

OPEN HEAVEN 23 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR; Acts 27-28

Author: Pastor E. A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 23 NOVEMBER 2023 MEMORIZE: For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 23 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE READING PSALMS 97:3

[3]A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 23 NOVEMBER 2023 MESSAGE

As compassionate as God is, He is also a Consuming Fire.

I have heard many people say that God cannot consume the whole world with fire at the end of time because He is a loving God.

Let me tell you, He can and will consume all those that are against Him in His fire.

If you are yet to surrender your life to Him, it means that you are against Him.

You better surrender to Him now because His words will come to pass.

On the other hand, as recorded in our Bible text today, children of God who fear Him have nothing to worry about because those that are against you are in trouble: your Father is a Consuming Fire.

Being a Consuming Fire, the moment you open up your heart and let Jesus in, every pain, sorrow, anxiety, depression, failure, poverty, low self-esteem, and ancestral curse will be consumed and burnt off.

So, if you are going through any of these, surrender to Him today so that His fire can melt it all away.

Beloved, if you want the Consuming Fire to defend you and work with you, you must acknowledge and reverence Him.

If you do these, He will work in your favour, and anyone standing as your enemy will become afraid of you.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 23 NOVEMBER 2023 REFLECTION

Are you with or against the Consuming Fire?

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 23 NOVEMBER 2023 HYMN

HYMN 5 – TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE

1. Take my life and let it
Consecrated Lord to Thee
Take my moment and my days
Let them flow ceaseless praise.

2. Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for thee

3. Take my voice and let me sing
Always only for my king;
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. Take my sliver and my gold
Not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall no longer mine:
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,

6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for thee

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 23 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: ACTS 27-28

AUTHORS: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
PASTOR MRS FOLU ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 22 NOVEMBER 2023 MEMORIZE: For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 22 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE READING John 14:1-3

Open Heaven 21 November 2023

Open Heaven 22 November 2023

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 22 NOVEMBER 2023 MESSAGE

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 22 NOVEMBER 2023 PRAYER POINT

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 22 NOVEMBER 2023 HYMN

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 22 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: Acts 24-26

AUTHORS: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
PASTOR MRS FOLU ADEBOYE