RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL FOR SUNDAY 29TH OF OCTOBER, 2023

Also see;open-heaven-29-october-2023

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7

[1]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.

[2]For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

[3]For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

[4]That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

[5]Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

[6]That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

[7]For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

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).

If we are born again, it is expected that we live a sanctified life: 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.

It is the will of God that His children are sanctified (1 Thessalonians 4.3). Jesus’ followers are expected to be sanctified (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 1 Peter 1:15-16). This great privilege and experience (sanctification) are obtainable by the word of God (John 17:17), the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 13:12), and by heart surgery as the individual daily surrenders unto God (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Romans 6:13). 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 the privileges they have enjoyed as sons of God.

Anyone that is born again should be controlled by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us power over sin (Galatians 5:16); power to serve God (Acts. 1:8); power to witness to our spiritual adoption (Galatians 4:6, 1 Jn. 3:24).

Also, the Holy Spirit helps us to bear fruits unto repentance (Matthew 3:8); guides us into all truth (John 16:13), controls believers’ temperament (Romans 8:4-5; Galatians 5:25), He gives life to our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11); power to rebuke and cast out demons (Acts 13:8-11); influences our choices (Acts 13:2). The Holy Spirit sends help and comforts Christians in times of pains, disappointment, loss, trials, etc. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

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

QUESTIONS:

* Mention three things believers can do to be sanctified.

* What are the benefits of a spirit-controlled life?

ASSIGNMENT: Write out five specific instructions the Holy Spirit has given you which was different from what you had in mind. (2×5=10 marks).