Related Articles
Table of Contents
RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual Topic Hypocrites in the Church
RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 4 November 2018 Lesson 10 – Hypocrites in the Church
TOPIC: Hypocrites in the Church
OPENING PRAYER: Father, let the Holy Spirit fire consume the spirit of hypocrisy in our churches. (Scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 4 NOVEMBER 2018 HYMN)
MEMORY VERSE: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” – Matthew 23:27 (scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 4 NOVEMBER 2018 HYMN)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 5:1-16 (RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 4 November 2018)
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual
LESSON INTRODUCTION:
A person, who pretends to be something that he really is not, is a hypocrite. It is not just making a mistake but a deliberate plan to pretend, deceive or cheat. He is dirty inside but clean outside. Joshua 7:1, 8-12; Matt. 23:27. A person in drama representing someone else explains this. He could imitate the speech, mannerisms and conduct of the character portrayed; but in real life he is a different person..
TEXT REVIEW: ACTS 5:1-16 –
“THE ACTORS”.
(i) Lying and deception which characterize hypocrisy are rooted in Satan and not God. Acts 5:3.
(ii) The devil wants people to receive praises and glory which they do not deserve. He made them to “act” what they are not. Acts 5 2.
(iii) Lying unto the Holy Spirit is lying to God and to the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 5:4, 9.
(iv)The consequence of “unity to sin”, “agreement to commit fraud” and “false pretense” is death. Acts 5:5,10.
(v) Ananias and Sapphira must have died because of their love for money and materialism. Acts 5:1-2; 1 Tim. 6:10.
(vi)You cannot love money (root of evil) and claim you love God. Such claim is hypocritical and unacceptable.
(vii) Many people in the church who are not born again but who pretend to be one are actors.
(viii) Taking Holy the Communion under the pretense of being holy is acting like Ananias and Sapphira.
(ix) Tithes and vow defaulters are not better than spiritual actors.
LESSON OUTLINE 1: FORMS AND REASONS FOR HYPOCRISY
A. FORMS
(I) Professing belief in something (God/scriptural doctrine) and acting in a contrary manner to that belief. Isaiah 29:13.
(ii) Looking down on others when we ourselves are flawed. Matt. 7:3-5; Rom. 2:1.
B. DESCRIPTIONS OF HYPOCRITES BY THE LORD JESUS
(i) Wolf in the sheep clothing. Matt. 7:15
(ii) White-washed tombs. . Matt. 23:27.
(iii) Brood of vipers. Matt. 23:33.
(iv) Grave. Luke 11:44
C. REASONS FOR HYPOCRISY
(i) Pride of life. 1 John 2:15-16
(ii) Desire to be honoured even when such honour was not deserved. 2 Cor. 10:12
(iii)Desire to be revered and respected as holy people when they are not holy. 1 Sam. 15:13, 20, 25-30
(iv)Desire to receive other people’s praise e.g. Ananias and Sapphira wanted to be praised like Barnabas who was faithful with his sale. Acts 4:34-37; 5:1-10
(v) Desire or intent to cheat or commit fraud. Gen. 27:20-22
(vi) Ingratitude to God by taking what belongs to God in form of tithe defaulting, stealing or record falsification. Prov. 11:1
(vii) Self-indulgence. Rom. 16:18. RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual
CLASS ACTIVITY 1:
Teacher should ask the students to discuss this question: Should a believer act what he or she is not?
LESSON OUTLINE 2 : CONSEQUENCES OF HYPOCRISY
A. CONSEQUENCES
(I) Bad leadership. 1 Sam.15:13, 20, 25-30.
(ii) Shame and disgrace. Jer. 13:25-26.
(iii) Punishment. Prov. 11:21.
(iv) Curses. Isaiah 29:15-16; Job 15:34-35.
(v) Untimely or spiritual death. Job 27:8; 36:13-14;1 John 5:12.
B. THE ALL-KNOWING GOD
(1) God knows the secret and deceits of the hearts of all men. Psalms 44:21; Jer.17:9-10; 1 Sam. 16:7.
(ii) God knows all the ways of men/women. Job 31:4; Psalms 1:6.
(iii)Nobody can hide or deceive Him. He will reward individuals according to his/her work. Rev. 22:11-12.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual
Class to discuss how a hypocrite can be free
SUMMARY: Whatever be the reason, the consequence of being a hypocrite is grievous.
CONCLUSION:
The same way fornication is a sin against God, so also is hypocrisy. Gal. 5:19-21. The only solution is repentance. Isaiah 55:7.
EVALUATION:
Identify causes and consequences of hypocrisy.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, help my church members to be true and sincere in all ways.
ASSIGNMENT:
Identify five (5) enemies of sincerity.
Read previous RCCG Sunday School Teacher’s Manual Here
RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 4 NOVEMBER 2018 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 friendship suits me well,
Both young and old 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 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?
RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual
