OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 6 NOVEMBER 2023 MEMORIZE: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 6 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE READING DANIEL 1:1-8

[1]In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

[2]And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

[3]And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;

[4]Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

[5]And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

[6]Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

[7]Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

[8]But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 6 NOVEMBER 2023 MESSAGE

In today’s Bible reading, Daniel and his colleagues outshone the other children from Judah and were chosen to be in the king’s service in Babylon.

God wants His children to shine as stars, and it’s the duty of parents to prepare children for the shining experience.

This is why I always thank God for my mother, who did a good job encouraging me to study even when other children were playing.

I am what I am today by the grace of God and her efforts.

Dear child, you can also shine through hard work. Don’t waste your time on frivolous things when there are more profitable things to do.

If you would shine, you must also strive to obtain your parents’ blessing (both biological and spiritual) by serving them and honouring them.

Daniel was diligent as a slave and eventually became a minister in Babylon (Daniel 1-2).

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 6 NOVEMBER 2023 PRAYER POINT

Father, let my light shine in Jesus’ name.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 6 NOVEMBER 2023 HYMN

HYMN 18 – 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.

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

2. Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey

4. 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.

5. 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.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 6 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: JOHN 11-12

AUTHORS: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
PASTOR MRS FOLU ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVEN 6 NOVEMBER 2023 MEMORISE: Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (KJV)

OPEN HEAVEN 6 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE TEXT 1 Thessalonians 5:5-9 (KJV)

⁵ Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

⁶ Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

⁷ For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

⁸ But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

⁹ For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ

Beloved, kindly share these life-changing messages, prayers, and declarations with the precious people around you. 

OPEN HEAVEN 6 NOVEMBER 2023 MESSAGE

Death is likened to sleep in 1 Corinthians 15:51. In other words, a believer who is spiritually asleep is actually in a state of spiritual death.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-9 tells us clearly that we should stay awake spiritually, be watchful and sober.

Matthew 24:42 says you must stay awake and be watchful, for you do not know what day your Lord is coming.

Romans 13:11 encourages us that the Lord’s coming is nearer now than when we first believed.

Some believers keep going in and out of spiritual sleep. They feel it is normal to be cold and hot. I pity such people because their end is not usually good.

A good example of this is Samson, who slept and woke up a number of times but the last sleep put him into the hands of his enemies.

You may have slept a few times before and woken up again; however, you had better stop because there is always the last time a man would sleep and wake up to find himself being tortured by the enemy.

If you used to love God with all your heart, but recently, other things have been competing with Him in your heart, then you are sleeping.

God is saying to you like He said to the Ephesus Church in Revelations 2:4-5, “Return to your first love”. Ephesians 5:14 says if you awake, Christ will shine on you again.

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Ephesians 5:14

Beloved, get back to your first love now.

Put away those sins that easily beset you.

Go for a retreat, look for fellowships with genuine believers, make a habit of spending quality time daily in prayers and Bible study.

Jesus is ready to shine on you again if you are willing to wake up and get back to Him. He loves you and He is calling you back home.

Don’t let the devil or anyone else hinder you from going back to the One who loves you enough to die for your sins.

When He shines on you, everything the devil stole during your time of slumber shall be restored and you will become a better person at the end of the day.

OPEN HEAVEN 6 NOVEMBER 2023 KEY POINT

Spiritual sleep is likened to spiritual death. Go back to your first love before it is too late.

OPEN HEAVEN 6 NOVEMBER 2023 

HYMN 3: Ancient Words

1. Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Chorus
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart

2. Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home

3. Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ

4. Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart

OPEN HEAVEN 6 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR; John 11-12

Author: Pastor E. A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 5 NOVEMBER 2023 MEMORIZE: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 5 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE READING JAMES 1:22-27

[22]But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

[23]For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

[24]For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

[25]But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

[26]If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

[27]Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 5 NOVEMBER 2023 MESSAGE

Imagine you tell your peers in school that wearing clothes that expose the body is a sin, and yet you also put on skimpy dresses once in a while.

How can you preach about something and not practice it? A man of God cannot be preaching about evangelism all the time and not go into the field for once to win souls.

The Bible says that faith without works is dead, so is hearing the word of God always without practicing it.

For you to grow, you must study and not just read the Bible. It is only what you do often that makes you become who you want to become.

For instance, you cannot say you want to be a mathematician and not spend time listening to or watching mathematics tutorials and solving mathematical problems.

It is what you do as a child of God that unbelievers would see and decide whether to give their lives to Christ or not. Christ-like behaviour makes you a Christian, not hearing about Christ.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 5 NOVEMBER 2023 PRAYER POINT

Father, help me to be a doer of your word, not a hearer only, in Jesus’ name.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 5 NOVEMBER 2023 HYMN

HYMN 18 – 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.

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

2. Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey

4. 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.

5. 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.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 5 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: JOHN 7-8

AUTHORS: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
PASTOR MRS FOLU ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVEN 5 NOVEMBER 2023 MEMORISE: And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. Judges 16:19 

OPEN HEAVEN 5 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE TEXT JUDGES 16:19-22 

¹⁹ And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.

²⁰ And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him.

²¹ But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.

²² Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.

OPEN HEAVEN 5 NOVEMBER 2023 MESSAGE

The sleeping state of a man is a state when he is unaware of his surroundings and unable to change things around him. The enemies usually exploit this time to do evil.

When a person sleeps spiritually, the devil would use that opportunity to steal from the fellow and destroy valuable things in his or her life.

During one of our conventions some years ago, there was a heavy rain and one of my children came to me and said, “Daddy what happened? You were supposed to be on the mountain praying”.

I said, “I fell asleep; it was the rain that woke me up”. At first, when I awoke and saw the rain, I asked God, “Daddy, how could this be?”

He replied, “I allowed it to rain because the crowd coming tonight will be much, so I need to cool the place down in readiness for them”.

While I was asleep, the Devil was hoping the rain would discourage people from coming for the programme however, he did not know that God would make it favour us.

Believe it or not, as long as you are a Christian, the devil will fight you and if he finds you asleep spiritually, he will seek to devour you.

If however, you are awake, you can resist him and he will flee from you. That is why we are warned in 1 Peter 5:8 to be vigilant. Stay awake so you can fight the enemy off.

In Judges 16:19, it was while Samson was sleeping in the lap of a harlot that his supernatural strength was taken from him.

It is important to note that when the devil wants to make a person sleep, he would provide things to please his or her flesh and this closes the person’s spiritual eyes.

Sometimes, the devil uses money or career opportunities that take people away from their first love.

That is why, no matter how good things get, you must always remain spiritually alert.

The reason I still go out on prayer walks at night, even at my age, is to avoid sleeping off.

Sometimes, you need to get up and go somewhere uncomfortable so you can pray.

Don’t allow the pleasures of this world drive you away from the presence of your Father in heaven.

OPEN HEAVEN 5 NOVEMBER 2023 KEY POINT

Spiritual sleep gives the devil an opportunity to fight and defeat a person. Be spiritually alert always.

 

OPEN HEAVEN 5 NOVEMBER 2023 

HYMN 20: Stand Up! Stand Up For Jesus

¹ Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
  Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
  It must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
  His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
  And Christ is Lord indeed.

² Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
  The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
  In this His glorious day.
Ye that are men, now serve Him
  Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger.
  And strength to strength oppose.

³ Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
  Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you;
  Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor,
  And, watching unto prayer,
Where duty calls, or danger,
  Be never wanting there.

⁴ Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
  The strife will not be long:
This day the noise of battle,
  The next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh
  A crown of life shall be;
He, with the King of glory,
  Shall reign eternally.

OPEN HEAVEN 5 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR; John 9-10

OPEN HEAVEN 4 NOVEMBER 2023 SATURDAY: WHILE MEN SLEPT I

OPEN HEAVEN 4 NOVEMBER 2023 MEMORIZE:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8

OPEN HEAVEN 4 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE READING ISAIAH 29:10-14

10 For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

OPEN HEAVEN 4 NOVEMBER 2023 MESSAGE

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Matthew 15:8

You are in a state of spiritual sleep when you profess to love God with your mouth, but your heart is far from Him.

You are sleeping spiritually when you are no longer excited to spend time with the One you call your Father.

David prayed to God to restore unto him the joy of his salvation. This means he had lost the joy he used to feel as a child of God (Psalm 51:2).

When material things become more important than the spiritual, when you believe natural laws more than the word of God, then you are sleeping spiritually.

I believe God that you will awake from every spiritual slumber today, in Jesus’ name.

For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
Isaiah 29:10

When you see someone who keeps trying to cope with a problem instead of praying, it means he or she is already sleeping spiritually because the fellow cannot see what the devil is doing.

If you make a decision when you are spiritually asleep, that decision is likely to be wrong because you would be spiritually blind.

Before you decide on whom to marry or enter into a business venture with, make sure you are spiritually alert.

When you sleep spiritually, you cannot discern spirits correctly.

You would believe any false prophet who says things that appeal to you; you would embrace a wolf in sheep’s clothing and hand over your pearls to pigs.

A leader in the Church cannot afford to sleep spiritually because the devil can attack the people under his or her leadership and God says their blood would be on that leader’s head (Ezekiel 33:6-7).

Therefore, if you are a leader in the house of God, more than anyone else, you must be spiritually alert.

God forbid someone dies and goes to spend eternity in hell because of your spiritual negligence.

 

OPEN HEAVEN 4 NOVEMBER 2023 PRAYER POINT

Father, awaken me from every spiritual sleep today, in Jesus’ name.

OPEN HEAVEN 4 NOVEMBER 2023 HYMN

HYMN 17: Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven

1 Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
to his feet your tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
evermore his praises sing.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King!

2 Praise him for his grace and favor
to his people in distress.
Praise him, still the same as ever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Glorious in his faithfulness!

3 Fatherlike he tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame he knows.
In his hand he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Widely yet his mercy flows!

4 Angels, help us to adore him;
you behold him face to face.
Sun and moon, bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace!

OPEN HEAVEN 4 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: JOHN 7-8

AUTHORS: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
PASTOR MRS FOLU ADEBOYE

 

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 4 NOVEMBER 2023 MEMORIZE: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 4 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE READING JAMES 1:22-27

[22]But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

[23]For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

[24]For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

[25]But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

[26]If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

[27]Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 4 NOVEMBER 2023 MESSAGE

Imagine you tell your peers in school that wearing clothes that expose the body is a sin, and yet you also put on skimpy dresses once in a while.

How can you preach about something and not practice it? A man of God cannot be preaching about evangelism all the time and not go into the field for once to win souls.

The Bible says that faith without works is dead, so is hearing the word of God always without practicing it.

For you to grow, you must study and not just read the Bible. It is only what you do often that makes you become who you want to become.

For instance, you cannot say you want to be a mathematician and not spend time listening to or watching mathematics tutorials and solving mathematical problems.

It is what you do as a child of God that unbelievers would see and decide whether to give their lives to Christ or not. Christ-like behaviour makes you a Christian, not hearing about Christ.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 4 NOVEMBER 2023 PRAYER POINT

Father, help me to be a doer of your word, not a hearer only, in Jesus’ name.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 4 NOVEMBER 2023 HYMN

HYMN 18 – 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.

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

2. Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey

4. 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.

5. 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.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 4 NOVEMBER 2023 BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: JOHN 7-8

AUTHORS: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
PASTOR MRS FOLU ADEBOYE

LESSON TEN (10)
TOPIC: HONOURING GOD

*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, teach me to love and honour You more.

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 SAMUEL 2:29-30

[29]Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?’

[30]Therefore the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.

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.

LESSON AIM:.To teach students to honour God.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
a. Explain and state the reasons why we should honour God.

b. Know the way we can honour God as believers.

TEXT REVIEW:.1 Samuel 2:29-30.
The writer listed the offences of Eli and his house against the Lord and the repercussions for such deeds.
A. The man of God told Eli that he:
i. ………………………………… V29a.
ii. ………………………………. V29b.
iii. ………………………………. V29c.

B. Due to the offences listed above, the Lord God said:
i. Though I said …………………….. V30a.
ii. But now …………………………….. V30b.
iii. For ……………………………………. V30c.

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.

EVALUATION: The teacher should ask the students to explain what it means to honour God and how we can honour Him.

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, let my entire being honour You always.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) specific things you will do to honour God this year (2X5=10 marks).

LESSON TEN (10)
TOPIC: BEING BORN AGAIN (PART 2)

*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?

BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 5:1-5

[1]Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

[2]By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

[3]And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

[4]And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

[5]And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

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.

OUTLINES:
1. A JUSTIFIED LIFE
2..ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

1. A JUSTIFIED LIFE
To justify simply means to declare someone righteous. Meaning, God begins to see you as you have never sinned (Romans 3:21-25; 5:1). 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).

Two major events are obvious with justification. One is that the sin is forgiven and the punishment of that sin is removed from the sinner (Isaiah 43:25). The second is that the righteousness of Jesus Christ is credited to the sinner’s account (Romans 5:18). The justified life is obtained simply by grace (Romans 3:24), by the blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9) and His resurrection (Romans 4:25). Now that we are born again, we wear a justified life identified by peace with God and vibrant, enjoyable prayer life (Romans 5:1-2). 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.

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

Feelings or comments of people are unreliable for your assurance; therefore, do not lean on them. Be warned of doubts that may arise about your salvation. 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). 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.

QUESTIONS:
* Mention the two major events at justification.
* How can believers get assurance of salvation?

ASSIGNMENT: Reflect andact on the lesson of today for assurance of your salvation if you are still in doubt (No mark).

LESSON TEN (10)
TOPIC: BEING BORN AGAIN (PART 2)

*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, help me to fully operate in the dominion You gave to man.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 5:1-5

[1]Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

[2]By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

[3]And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

[4]And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

[5]And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

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 AIM: To guide the students who are born again on the concept of justification and assurance of salvation.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
a. Understand justification and what is involved.
b. Know how justification can be attained.
c. Identify ways they can be assured of their salvation.

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 outline, summarise, conclude, evaluate the lesson and give an assignment.

TEXT REVIEW:.Romans 5:1-5.
Apostle Paul while addressing the Romans on the subject of Justification, highlights other grace we enjoy through Jesus Christ our Lord. He, therefore declared saying:
i. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: V1.
ii. By whom …………………………………V2.
iii. And not ……………………………….V3.
iv. And Patience ……………………….V4.
v. And hope …………………………….….V5.

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.

QUESTIONS:
* Mention the two major events at justification.
* How can believers get assurance of salvation?

EVALUATION: Teachers should ask the student to discuss their understanding of Justification.

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, I believe I am Yours and I thank You for this great privilege.

ASSIGNMENT: Reflect and act on the lesson of today for assurance of your salvation if you are still in doubt (No mark).

RCCG HOUSE FELLOWSHIP LEADERS’ MANUAL 5 NOVEMBER 2023

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

HOUSE FELLOWSHIP ANTHEM
1. I love this family of God,
So closely knitted into one,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

2. I bless this family of God,
So greatly prospered by the Lord,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

3. I know this family of God,
So deeply rooted in the word,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

4. I see this family of God,
So highly lifted above all,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

5. Come, join this family of God,
So highly favoured by the Lord,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family.

OPENING PRAYER: Father, help me to trust in You more than ever before.

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: Leader should remind members of what victorious Christian life is, the virtues of a victorious Christian life and
who is qualified for it.

TODAY’S LESSON
MEMORY VERSE: “For there is hope ofa tree ifit 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

[2]And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

[3]And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

[4]Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

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.

LEADER’S DIARY
LESSON AIM: To make believers understand that no matter what they are going through, they should remain relentless.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, members should be able to:
* develop their faith in God that with Him, issues can be divinely resolved.
* encourage themselves no matter the present situation they are going through for God has power to change ugly to beauty.

TEXT REVIEW: Luke 5:2-4
* Failure may surface on your path to greatness but it can be addressed.
* Giving your possession to God for use can be defining factor to ending your ceaseless challenges.
* No matter the height of your problem, there is God that can end it Luke 1:37

TEACHING METHOD: Use discussion method.

TIME MANAGEMENT: Share the teaching time using the suggested time schedule.

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’TGIVE 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

PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, by Your grace, help all Christians never to give up in any challenge.

2. Father, let our morning ofjoy come in Jesus name.

3. Father, in Your mercy, deliver any of our loved ones in depression.

4. Father, please continue to encourage Daddy and Mummy G.O. each day.

5. Father, help me to daily encourage myselfin You in Jesus name.

ASSIGNMENT: What can you do in times of challenges in order not to lose hope?

GOLDEN DIET FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY: Maybe God is saying, launch out into the deep so don’t hesitate.

TUESDAY: With God all things are possible – Luke 1:37.

WEDNESDAY: Remember ye not the former things – Isaiah 43:18-19.

THURSDAY: Thou has ascended on high, has led captivity captive – Ps. 68:18.

FRIDAY: Encourage someone today whom you know is discouraged.

SATURDAY: Why not praise God rather than complaining – Psalms 67:5-6.

SUNDAY: God is greater than all powers militating gainst you. Psalm 95:3.