RCCG YAYA SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S’ MANUAL FOR SUNDAY 13TH OF AUGUST, 2023; KATARTISMOS

[8]Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”

[9](Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?

[10]He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

[11]And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

[12]for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

[13]till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

[14]that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

[15]but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

[16]from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. The New Man.

MEMORY VERSE: “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:12 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: ‘Katartismos’ from the word ‘Katartizo’ is a concept in Greek that means to mend, repair, make whole, or perfect. It also means to make something or someone completely adequate or sufficient for a purpose or task. The basic idea is that of putting a thing into the condition in which it ought to be. This concept is however used in relation to the perfecting and equipping of saints for the God-given assignments committed to them. God wants His people to become perfect in all ramifications (Gen.17:1). He desires nothing less than perfection (Matt.5:48). Perfection is possible for all saints in Christ.

1. THE SAINTS DESCRIBED

The word “Saint” comes from the Greek word hagios, which means “consecrated to God, holy, sacred, pious.” It is almost always used in the plural, “Saints.” (Acts 9:13,32; 26:10; Phil 4:21). These are the group of people set apart for the Lord and His kingdom. Scripturally speaking, the “saints” are the body of Christ, Christians, the Church. Christians are considered as saints (1Cor.1:2). They are called to be saints, to increasingly allow their daily life to closely match their position in Christ. This is the biblical description and calling of the saints. The saints are both on earth and in heaven (Ps.16:3; Matt.27:52; Zech.14:5); everyone who has received Jesus Christ by faith is a saint (Ps.89:7; Acts 9:32, 41; Acts 26:10; Rom.1:7); saints are called to revere, worship, and pray to God alone (Ps.149:1-9). Every believer becomes a saint at salvation through the cleansing of sin by the blood of Jesus. At this point the righteousness of Christ is imputed on the believer: he is no longer a sinner but a saint in Christ (Eph.2:6-8). However, as long as the believer is in this world, temptations and trials are inevitable. He must therefore work out his salvation with fear and trembling (Phil.2:5). There are three references referring to godly character of saints: They must live worthy (Rom.16:1-2), they are to build up the body of Christ (Eph.4:12), they are to be free from immorality or any impurity or greed (Eph.5:3).

There are vital steps that help in building and perfecting the saints. These include:

1. Study of God’s word (Acts 20:32): It is the food for the saints (1Pet.5:2; Heb. 5:12-13; 1Pet.2:2). It cleanses them always (Jn. 15:3; Eph. 5:26), it continually trains them for perfection (2Tim.3:16-17), God uses it primarily to equip His saints (Ps.119:9-11; Ps.1:2-3, Josh.1:8).

2. Focus on Jesus: The saints continually get perfected as much as they look to Jesus their master (Heb.12:1-2).

3. Aim for the Prize of the high calling: They also get perfected by setting their gaze on the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14) shedding off the weights and sins that easily beset them (Heb.12:1) and bringing their physical body into subjection (1Cor.9:26-27).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should mention what they are doing to ensure they become saints.

CONCLUSION: God wants nothing but perfection from His Saints (Gen.6:9b; 2 Chr.19:9). If you aim at it, you will get it!

QUESTIONS:

* Describe who a saint is?

* Identify the steps to perfection.

FURTHER READING: MON: Ps.119:105; TUE: John 15:5; WED: Deut.33:2-3; THUR: 1Sam.2:9; FRI: Ps.16:3; SAT: Hos.11:12; SUN: Rom.12:13.

ASSIGNMENT: List five things you will do this week to build up your spiritual life. (2×5=10 marks).