ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – TOPIC: THE BELIEVER’S STAND IN TIMES LIKE THIS [Church of God Mission International] DATE: SUNDAY MAY 29th, 2022
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
DATE: SUNDAY MAY 29th, 2022
TOPIC: THE BELIEVER’S STAND IN TIMES LIKE THIS
TEXT: ESTHER 3:1-6; 4:1-14
CENTRAL THOUGHT: Christ is the Believers’ sure anchor
HYMN: S, S &S 642, “In Times like This, we need a Savior”
INTRODUCTION:
As believers, we face a number of
challenges that put a demand on our faith. These challenges may come to us in all areas of life -socially, Politically,
economically and spiritually, for which we must take a stand for Christ and be
resolved to run the race to the end.
Thus, in this study, “The Believer’s
Stand in Times Like This” we shall be
looking at the happenings around us
and how a believer should respond to
them.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this study are to:
- understand what “The believer’s stand in time like this” means.
- know the characteristics of the time we are living in;
- discuss how some characters in the Bible stood in the time
- discuss how a believer should respond to the happenings in the time he/she lives in. BIBLE TRUTH:
Q1(a). WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE PHRASE THE BELIEVER’S STAND IN TIME LIKE THIS?
The believer in the context of this study refers to someone who believes in Christ Jesus. Such an individual must have accepted the Lord as his personal Lord and Saviour; He/she is Someone ready and willing to live his/her life in obedience to the word of the Lord.
It is common knowledge that we live in hard times; the Bible calls it, ‘perilous time’. It is the end time. lt is therefore how the believer is able to go through these perilous times, keeping the faith without compromise that is under discuss.
ALSO READ: Open Heaven 29 May 2022 Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Topic: GOD IS FAITHFUL II
Q1(b). DISCUSS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TIME WE ARE LIVING IN.
(i). Economically, Matt. 24:7 One of the characteristics of the end time, which is the time we live in is, financial hardship.
The Bible clearly states that, there shall be famines; pestilences and earthquakes. This is scarcity of resources, food and basic necessities
which is a cumulative effect from the kingdoms and the nation rising against
nations themselves. As never before, the cost of living daily has become very
expensive; availability and affordability of most basic needs noW seem a luxury.
Thecrunch/meltdown is not limited
to our nation, it is global, and nations that were world Economic powers have not been exempted.
(i). Politically, Matt. 24:6, 2 Tim 3:122
The times we live in, have witnessed increase in wars and rumours of wars. Nations that had hither to been peaceful, are now involved in various form of unrest. Also, there is increase in internal crisis and wars with a heightened local unrest. Insecurity of lives and properties Is a challenge. All these should remind the believer that we are in the end time. A characteristic that also mark the time is, the different form of persecution the church is undergoing. It is indeed a
perilous time.
(ii) Socially 2 Tim. 3:1-4;
Matt 24:7
There is an increase in all the vices stated, in the above passages, same sex marriage, self-centeredness, greed and
covetousness, quest to make money at all cost, pride, worldliness and worldly
standards, disobedience to parents, un-thankfulness and un-holiness, ungodliness, inordinate affection, breaking of vows, false accusation,
betrayal by loved ones, self-gratification.
in Matt 24:7, the nations of the World shall equally rise against themselves and kingdoms against kingdoms, so there is also a global aspect to the social characteristics of the end times. It is a time witnessed by nations departing from blocks/unions for self-interest. Indeed, there is no doubt we live in the perilous times.
(iv). Spiritually. Matt 24:9
14,24; 2 Tim 3: 5-7 From the above passages, increase of the following are
evident of these times; tangible persecution of the church; weakened or compromised faith of some believers (Matt.11:6); increase in false prophets
and prophecies; increase in spread of the gospel. In spite of the persecution faced
by the church, God Is still opening up lands, peoples, tribes, nations for the gospel. In all these, Christ has not left the church comfortless, He assured
that whosoever shall endure to the end Shall be saved”. Matt.24:13
Q2. DISCUSS HOW THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS STOOD IN THE TIME THEY LIVED IN.
I. Mordecai, Esther 3: 1-6, 4:1-14
Mordecai was a Jew who was taken alongside with other Jews as captives from Jerusalem Esther 2:6. Mordecai served at the king’s gate with other
servants. Mordecai, even at the expense of his life and that of his tribe resisted compromise. He took to fasting and prayers along with his people and the
impending destruction was averted. Mordecai dared to please God instead of man.
ii. Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego. Daniel 3:14-18.
King Nebudnezzar had made a golden image and issued a decree for everyone to worship and bow down to his god.
But these three Hebrew men, irrespective of the threat of being thrown into the fiery furnace would not bow. They were ready to sacrifice their lives in obedience to God; it did not matter if God would save them or not. Believers must make a resolve like these men and keep their faith in all situations.
iii. Joseph. Gen. 39:7-12.
Joseph was brought into Egypt as a slave. God was with him, so he gained favour before his master, who committed unto Joseph all that he had. Potiphar’s wife, taunted Joseph day by day to sleep with her without success. In a strange
land, Joseph saw the act as a sin and great wickedness not against his master but against God. There must be a decision to live. chaste moral clean lives as singles, and for the married, they must be faithful to their spouse; being watchful against unguided moments, Potiphar’s wives are still around. Like
Joseph, decide not to sin against God.
IV. Daniel, Daniel 6:4-16
Daniel was adjudged faithful, devoid of fault. It was known that he could only be faulted on issues that concern the law of
his God. The King was made to issue a decree for no one to pray to any other god but to the king for 30 days. Daniel knew of it. He did not compromise his
stand. He chose to obey God rather than man. It is God’s will for believers to
be resolute like Daniel. In the times we live in, can God trust you to stand to stand in faith like Daniel?
V. Noah Gen 6:5-12
Noah lived in a corrupt and perverse world that grieved God, yet Noah had the
testimony of being just and perfect before God in that generation. He walked in obedience with God; his uprightness saved him and his family from being destroyed along with his world. Like
Noah, the believer should decide to be just and perfect before his God.
Q3(a). HOW SHOULD A BELIEVER RESPOND TO THE HAPPENINGS IN THE TIMES WE LIVE IN? Matt 24:13-14, 2 Chronicles 15:5-7, 2Tim 4:1-5
The believer is admonished to endure to the end. It is only those who maintain their stand and refuse all sorts of compromise that will be saved.
In 2 chron. 15:5-7, king Asa was admonished to be strong and not to be weak. Being strong in the Lord include
putting on the whole armour of God as stated in Ephesians. In times like this, it is only those who know their God that can be strong. Daniel 11:32b.
Apostle Paul admonished the. believer to preach the gospel; this requires a consistent godly live style. Believers should also watch over one another. The
believer should be vigilant so that he/she is not overtaken by the times; must learn endurance by waiting patiently on the
Lord, Ps. 27:14. When afflicted the believer must wait on the Lord, for it is a process we must. go through without being consumed Isa. 43:2. The believer must also take heed to the ministry committed into his/her hands.
Q3(b). READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES AND IDENTIFY THOSE THINGS THAT WILL HELP US SURVIVE THE TIME WE LIVE IN. John 3:3; 2
Cor. 5:17; 2 Tim. 2:15; Acts 16:25 and Eph. 6:10-18
To survive the time we are living in, the believer must resolve to live this new life
Christ offers. He/she must be intentional about it, putting away the old and putting on Christ. The place of the study of
the word of God and living in obedience to the word of God can never be over emphasized. (2 Tim 2:15). Prayer must be a life style of any believer who
must survive in these times. The whole armour of God is another need of the believer to survive the times we live in
Ephesians 6:10-18.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
The times we are living in are times that demand the believer to be intentional about his/her faith. We must be bold to make our stand known. The believer’s faith is tried daily. The conspiracy that was against. Mordecai, Shadrack, Meshack. and Abednego is still on till
date. It comes from different people and in various forms. It is important to note that no one stands for God, and get
disappointed. Like the Hebrew friends, believers must resolve that even if God does not show up they will not compromise their faith. Keep the faith,
refuse all compromise and see God intervene. Our faith in Christ and His word will help us remain focused
despite these challenges. The believer must however be prepared like Daniel who purposed in his heart not to compromise. Such decisions must be made prior to the challenge. May our strength not fail us in the days of adversity. Amen.
MEMORY VERSE:
CORINTHIANS 15:58:
Therefore, my brethren be ye steadfast, unmovable always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know
that your labour is not in vain in the lord
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