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RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 21 October 2018 Lesson 8 – Partners (Not Staff) In Christian Service
TOPIC: Partners (Not Staff) In Christian Service
OPENING PRAYER: Father, help me to follow Christ to the very end. (Scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 21 OCTOBER 2018 HYMN)
MEMORY VERSE: “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” – John 15:15 (scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 21 OCTOBER 2018 HYMN)
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 (RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 21 October 2018)
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
LESSON INTRODUCTION:
By definition, a partner is a person who takes part in an undertaking with another or others, especially in a business or firm with shared risk and profits. A staff is an employee of an organisation. Unlike the contemporary workplace, believers are expected to be partners together with Christ. Our commitment should be motivated by reward/wages as staff but as partners.
TEXT REVIEW: 1 COR.3:6-9 – “SYNERGY FOR THE KINGDOM”
Unity in the ministry was demonstrated in such a way that the grace of God in the life of an individual was allowed to grow until such an individual has grown into perfection. Acts 18:24- 28. We may not understand in the duo Of Paul and Apollos and how the greater encouraged the lesser to build for the kingdom.
Acts 18 : 24-28 indicated that Apollos as a Jew and was born at Alexandra. He was eloquent and mighty in scriptures. Acts 18:24. He was fervent in the Spirit. He spoke mightily in the public, convincing the Jews that Jesus was Christ. Acts 18:28. But he had only the Baptist of John the Baptist, and had not the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
However, Aquila and Priscilla saw value in the apparent weakness of Apollos and decided to brace him up more perfectly,Acts 18:26. Similarly the brethren at Ephesus writes to those in Achaia to receive Apollos highlighting how God had mightily used him. Acts 18:28
This is unity, this is synergy in action. This same Spirit of unity worked in Apostle Paul (who spoke more perfectly the mystery with God’s wisdom and was filled with the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 2:6-7) when he wrote, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave increase”. 1 Cor. 3:6.
Apollos could have opted to be General Overseer in his own right while Paul too in his own right and would have heard their followers (1 Cor. 3:4), but instead, Apostle Paul advocated unity (1 Cor. 3:8-9) and called on those who had thought otherwise to come together as co-labourers and build together for the sake of the kingdom. 1 Cor. 3:8
LESSON OUTLINE 1: JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST
Connotation, Responsibilities and Attributes of Joint Heirs of God.
(i) Having relationship with God the father as children. Rom. 8:15
(ii) Having the right to receive God’s inheritance. Rom. 8:17, 1 Peter 1:4
(iii) It is having a “sonship” status in God’s kingdom. John 1:12-13
(iv) It is having the same privileges with Christ. Rom. 8:14-17
(v) It is having the privilege to serve God. Gen. 2:7-15
(vi) It is having assurance of new life. 2 Cor. 5:17
(vii) It is a call into service. It is a call to showcase the light of Christ. 1 Peter 2:9
(viii) It is a call to do the work of the father. John 4:34, 5:17, 9:4
(ix) It is a call to walk in the footsteps of the Christ. John 5:19-20, 14:12
(x) It is a call to partner with Christ in God’s vineyard. John 15:15.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: What are the other benefits of being joint heirs with Christ.
LESSON OUTLINE 2: CO-LABOURERS ON EARTH
Reasons Why Believers Must Be Co- Labourers on Earth in God’s Vineyard.
(I) All believers are purchased with the same price and are baptized into the same Spirit and live by the same commandments. 1 Cor. 12:13
(ii) Believers have different ministerial gifts to work for the purpose of perfecting the saints and edifying the body of Christ. Eph. 4:11-13
(iii) The harvest is plenteous but the labourers are few. Luke 10:2
(iv) Because all co-labourers will receive sure rewards from God for their services. Col. 3:23-25; 1 Cor. 3:8-9
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Why should co-labourers in God’s vineyard avoid disunity and competition?
SUMMARY:
Believers are joint-heirs with Christ and co-labourers with one another.
CONCLUSION:
Christian service is our father’s business and being joint heirs with Christ, we must see ourselves as partners in the venture rather than whose utmost interest lies in their wages. We must focus on heaven and please God by making sacrifices in the course of the kingdom business.
EVALUATION:
Mention three (3) attributes of a joint heir with Christ and three (3) reasons to be co-labourers
CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, help my Sunday School class to play our roles in God’s vineyard.
ASSIGNMENT:
Give five (5) reasons why why some Ministers of God compete instead of complementing one another. 2 Marks for each point.
NOTE:
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Read previous RCCG Sunday School Teacher’s Manual Here
RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 21 OCTOBER 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?
