RCCG YAYA SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL SUNDAY 30TH OF JULY, 2023; BEWARE OF SCOFFERS

BIBLE PASSAGE: Jude 1:11-18

[11]Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. Apostates Depraved and Doomed

[12]These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;

[13]raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

[14]Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,

[15]to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” Apostates Predicted

[16]These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.

[17]But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:

[18]how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.

MEMORY VERSE: “Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts” 2 Peter 3:3 (NKJV).

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INTRODUCTION: Scoffer, in Greek – ‘empaiktés,’ simply translates to a mocker. A scoffer mocks sin, Christ, twists God’s word for selfish gains, opposes the gospel, and the things of God. The Bible uses scornful, scorner and scoffer interchangeably which all means mocker. Believers are warned to be careful and be on guard.

1..TRAITS TO OBSERVE

There are some peculiar traits of scoffers. They deny the truths of Scripture and entice others to go along with their error (Jude 4). They refuse to believe the word of the Lord and despise God’s ministers (2Chr.36:16). They question the second coming of the Lord Jesus pointing out the lapse of time and mock those who still wait and yearn for Jesus’ appearance (2Pet.3:4). They follow ungodly desires and create divisions in the church (2Pet.3:3; Jude 18-19). They have a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Tim.3:5). They present lofty-sounding ideas to lead people astray (2 Pet.2:1). They incite violent acts (Prov.29:8). They are proud people who make the judgment of God light (Isa.28:14-15).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should check themselves to see which of the traits stated above is in their lives and say what they will do to make things right.

2. THE DISPOSITION OF BELIEVERS

The proliferation of scoffers is one of the signs of the last days. (2Pet.3:3). Hence, it is critically important that, believers:

1. Take seriously the commands to study and meditate on God’s word (Ps.1:1-2; Josh.1:8).

2. Remain in Christ spotless and blameless (2Pet.3:14; Eph.5:27).

3. Continue to wait for the appearance of the Lord (Tit.2:13).

4. Weigh every teaching/preaching with the word of God (Acts 17:11).

5. Know that God is never slack concerning His promises (2 Pet.3:9).

6. Be established on their holy faith (Jude 20) and remain steadfast to the end (1 Cor.16:13; 1 Tim.6:12).

7. Try all spirits (1Jn.4:1) and grow in grace (2 Pet.3:18).

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CLASS ACTIVITY 2: How can we protect ourselves from scoffers?

CONCLUSION: Beware of scoffers and refuse to be one (Ps.1:1).

QUESTIONS:

* Who is a scoffer and what are his characteristics?

* What should be the disposition of believers to scoffers?

FURTHER READING: MON: 2Chr.36:16. TUE: Ne.2:19. WED: Ps.1:1. THUR: Ps.31:18. FRI: Ps.123:4. SAT: Prov.1:7; SUN: 2 Sam.12:9.

ASSIGNMENT:

Why do you think there are more scoffers these days than ever before? Give five reasons (2×5=10 marks).