CGMI ADULT SUNDAY MANUAL [Church of God Mission International] – SUNDAY 4th SEPTEMBER 2022 – TOPIC: “CHILDREN-THE CHURCH OF TOMORROW”
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY MANUAL
DATE:
SUNDAY 4th SEPTEMBER 2022
HYMN:
S,S & S 38 “AM SO GLAD THAT OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN”
TOPIC:
“CHILDREN-THE CHURCH OF TOMORROW”
TEXT:
Mk 10:13-16; Matt 18:6,10-11,14; Judges 2:10-14
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
Discipled children of today make the church of tomorrow.
INTRODUCTION:
The place of the child cannot be over emphasised as they stand to represent the future, including that of the church. Preparing children to become the church of tomorrow is the duty of the Christian parents which must be handled with all gravity. There was much gap between the adult and children in Israel that after the death of the old people, there arose “another generation after them that knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which He had done in Israel.”
The Lord Jesus Christ, being displeased with ahis disciples said, “suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God “. To achieve this, Christian parents should inculcate in their children the values of purposeful life (i.e. God’s standard of life). They should balance up their physical, educational and moral lives with their spiritual lives. This study looks at the place of children in the kingdom of God and how the church of today can prepare them for tomorrow.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this study are to:
- Know why children are described as the church of tomorrow
- Know how to help children fulfill their purpose on earth
- Know the dangers of hindering children from coming to Christ and
- Know the benefits of encouraging children to come to Christ
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1
(A) EXPLAIN THE EXPRESSION, “THE CHURCH OF TOMORROW”
The church means body of believers in Christ who serve God in spirit and truth. Tomorrow can be likened to the future. Therefore, the church of tomorrow can be said to be the body of believers in the future. It can also be described as the group of people who have the mandate of carrying out the mission of God on earth till the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(B)WHY ARE CHILDREN DESCRIBED AS THE CHURCH OF TOMORROW ? Prov 22:6
The children are described as the church of tomorrow because soon they will grow,matur mature and continue with the mandate of carrying out the mission of God’s work on earth. If children can be inspired, equipped and unleashed to share the gospel in a clear and compelling way, our world can be reached for Christ. We must be willing to call them and coach them, pray for and with them.
Also Read: Open Heaven 4 September 2022 Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – BE NOT CONFORMED
QUESTION 2.
(A) WHAT IS THE IMPLICATION OF CHRIST STATEMENT IN LUKE 18:16 ?
“……Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Our Lord Jesus Christ in His sermon on the mount explained the kingdom characteristics that qualify one to enter the kingdom of God and all are found in the children; meekness, humility, truthfulness, guilelessness, purity etc. So weust receive the kingdom of God like little children. Secondly, nobody is too young to meet with Jesus because He came for ALL and would not like any to perish.
(B) HOW DO SOME ADULTS TODAY HINDER CHILDREN FROM COMING TO CHRIST ? 1Tim 4:12
Some parents/guardian leave their children/wards at home while going to church. Some parents are also too busy with other things that they do not make time to teach their children the word of God and pray for them. (Deut. 6:49).
Some churches do not have planned programs for children/wards. Others leave their children/wards in the midst of the adults. All this hinder the spiritual growth of the children
(C). FROM THE FOLLOWING, WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP OUR CHILDREN ?
I. INTRODUCE CHRIST TO THEM: (Ex 12:26-27). It is the duty of Christian parents to introduce Christ to their children/wards. Starting from the home, children learn about Christ in morning devotion and other activities by parents.
II. BE AN EXAMPLE TO THEM AT HOME: (1Tim 4:12; Deut 11:18-20.) “…..but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” As children learn more by example than by instructions, they should be able to see the light of the Lord Jesus Christ in the home through Christian parents.
III. PRAY WITH THEM AND FOR THEM (Job 1:4-5). Prayers for our children/wards place us in partnership position with Christ and provides us the opportunity to establish them in the faith. When we add prayer time to other activities in their lives, we will be able to help them spiritually and physically.
IV. ATTEND SERVICE WITH THEM (Heb 10:24-25). As leaving them behind is one of the hinderances parents should endeavour to take their children/wards along to church/fellowship meetings. They should also ensure they join their mates and pay attention while service is going on.
V. LET THEM SEE YOUR LOVE FOR GOD (Matt 5:14-16). The children/wards can learn about the Lord Jesus when they see practical love of God and His service in their hearts.
VI. MENTION OTHERS (Gen 18:19; PS1:1-3; Prov 4:20-22; 22:6; 1Tim 5:1,2; 2Tim 3:16. The Lord Jesus Christ has confidence in the parents who God has given the children to take care of.
QUESTION 3
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF HINDERING CHILDREN FROM COMING TO CHRIST ? Judges 2:12-14; Matt 18:6,10; Mk 10:13-16
If children are hindered from coming to Christ, there will be no church of tomorrow, the word of God will be scarce in the world and they will be overtaken by the devil and his cohorts for destruction. The children of Israel suffered this during the time of Samuel that he could not understand that it was God that was calling him even while Eli the preist was there with him (1Sam 3:1-10). “And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers,…and the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel…and they could not any longer stand before their enemies”
QUESTION 4
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ENCOURAGING CHILDREN TO COME TO CHRIST ? Gen 18:19; Deut 11:21; 2Tim 1:5
The benefits of encouraging children to come to Christ cannot be overemphasized.
I. There is assurance of salvation from sin and Satan
II. Deliverance from oppression of the evil ones, negative circumstances and divine protection.
III. Victory over temptations
IV. It will prevent the children from ruining their lives through bad influence and peer pressure
V. They will be good examples to others
VI. They will always receive help from God no matter the challenges of life
VII. They will have answers to prayers
VIII. They will have God’s abiding presence
IX. They will have direct link and access to the throne of grace
X. They will enjoy eternity with Christ in heaven
XI. There will be hope for the church of tomorrow
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
Children are important to God, to their families and to the world and are our future ! If children can be inspired, equipped and unleashed to share the gospel in a clear and compelling way, our world can be reached for Christ. We must be willing to call them and teach them, pray for and with them. Every parent should see it as a duty to prepare their children for the future. We have the responsibility to love, teach, protect and win them to Christ for the glorious church of tomorrow. Lead them to Christ early enough, teach them about His love for them (for all).
MEMORY VERSE
Mark 10:14b (NLT)
“…Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.”
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