CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – DATE: 23RD FEBRUARY, 2025 – TOPIC: FINDING STRENGTH IN THE LORD (PART2)
Click HERE for Previous Above Only
CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
When a believer trusts
wholeheartedly in the LORD,
he/she will always find strength to go through life experiences.
DATE: 23RD FEBRUARY, 2025
HYMN: S. S & S 642: When we walk with the Lord.
TOPIC: FINDING STRENGTH IN THE LORD (PART2)
TEXT: 1Samuel 30:1-19
INTRODUCTION:
Human experience shows that life on earth has moments
when an individual feels
inadequate, overwhelmed or perhaps simply not strong enough to cope with the challenge he/she may be
encountering [facing].
Such challenges include
financial stress, health
related issues, marital
problems, doctrinal
differences etc.
The reality of life is
that no human being is
exempted from life’s
challenges and if they are not properly handled, such challenges could lead to depression, mistrust, suspicion e.t.c and for the believer it may lead to backsliding and/or apostacy.
Thus, the focus of this lesson is to point out from the word of God how believers can cope with and overcome
challenges in life.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of the lesson are to:
- understand what it means to find strength in the LORD;
- know how one can strengthen himself /herself in the LORD; and
- appreciate some of the blessings associated with finding strength in the Lord.
BIBLE TRUTH:
Q1. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FIND STRENGTH IN THE LORD? Psalms46:1-3;
Isaiah 26:3-4;2; Cor.12:9.
Strength may be defined as the quality or state of being physically strong. It also implies the capacity to
withstand pressure, trial.
temptations etc. It is clear.
however, from experience that
human strength has
limitations. Natural strength
obviously breaks down when
an individual is overwhelmed
by life’s challenges. Hence the
Bible, declares that If thou
faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small”!
(Prov.24:10);
For by strength shall no man prevail” (1Sam.2:9) and that there is no king saved by the multitude of an host; A mighty man is not delivered by much strength”. [Psalm 33:16]. Therefore, finding strength in the Lord involves a realization of the fact that human strength can [and does] collapse/fail in times of life’s challenges and so there must be a dependence on God’s strength to cope with the challenges of life. The
Psalmist knew this and so he
declared God is our refuge and strength, a very present
help in trouble [Psalms 46:1].
Finding strength in the Lord,
the individual into brings
alliance with God’s promises
which when believed conquers fear and brings
enablement to cope with life’s
challenges. The individual
who finds strength in the Lord
lives by God’s Word. ….Not by might, nor by power, but by
my Spirit, saith the Lord of
host” . [Zech.4:6]. The
strength from the Lord comes
from the HOLY SPIRIT who
lives in the believer.
- HOW CAN A
BELIEVER STRENGTHEN
HIMSELF/HERSELF IN THE LORD?
1Samuel30:7-9; 2Cor.1:20;
James 4:8; 1Peter5:6-7.
The believer who wants to strengthen himself/herself in the Lord must be willing to
seek and follow the counsel
of the Lord when confronted
with the challenges of life.
This was what David did when he was confronted with the challenges as recorded in the main text. After weeping [a natural reaction in the situation], he asked the priest
to bring the ephod so that he
can inquire from God, the
steps he needed to take to
redress the situation. God
spoke to him and he [David]
followed God’s counsel and
overcamne the challenge he
faced. Truly a Believer ought
to have the mindset of
seeking and following God’s
counsel/direction/instruction
in all situations of life.
Finding strength in the Lord
also involves having faith and
trust in God. Trusting God re-enforces our faith in Him and
this enables us to believe His
Word and appropriate His
promises. God’s promises of
peace, joy, provision, security,
miraculous intervention must
be believed and appropriated
if we are to find strength in Him. In addition rather than
worry or become anxious
about life’s challenges, we will find strength in Him if we
choose to cast all our cares and worries on Him. [Matt.6:25-34: 1Peter5:6-7]. It must be stated too that finding strength in the Lord carries with it the responsibility of watching and
praying. We must not forget
the admonition in IPeter5:8
“Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour”. As we watch and pray, the Lord will keep directing us in our daily lives.
Q3. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BLESSINGS OF FINDING STRENGTH IN THE LORD?
Finding strength in the Lord
brings peace to the believer.
Isaiah 26:3 says “Thou wilt
keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee:
hecause he trusteth in thee »
Also, We read in Philippian
4:7″ And that peace of God
which pas seth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus. Moreover finding strength in the Lord
brings assurance, hope and
victory. This was the
experience of David
2Thess.3:3 says “But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you and keep you from evil”. Also finding strength in the Lord brings with it God’s grace that is always sufficient in our
challenges. 2Cor. 12:9.
Finally, finding strength in the Lord brings that joy that makes us understand that
….all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the bcalled according to His purpose “(Rom.8:28) and also brings upon us the reality of His ever abiding presence.
What shall we then say to
these things? If God be for us,
who can be against us?
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
The challenges of life can be over whelming but as believers in the Lord Jesus
Christ we have access to God
who remains our only and
powerful source of strength by recognizing/appreciating His presence in our lives,
Surrendering our troubles/challenges to Him,
exercising patience and
perseveance, we can find strength in our God to overcome the toughest of
challenges.
MEMORY VERSE:
Romans. 8:37
“Nay, in all these things we are
more than conquerors through Him that loved us”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: God is our refuge and
strength. Psalms 46:1-11
TUE: Peace from GOD.
Isaiah26:3; Phil.4:7
WED: Cast your cares and
worries on the Lord. 1Pet.5:6-
7; Matt.6:25-34.
THU: Be sober, be vigilant
IPet.5:8
FRI: Grace and Assurance.
|| 2Cor. 12:9; 2Thess3:3
SAT: More than conqueror:
1Sam.30: 17-19; Rom.8:37
ALSO READ: CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW US ON TWITTER ⊗ OPEN HEAVEN ⊗ JOEL OSTEEN DEVOTIONAL⊗ ABOVE ONLY ⊗ OUR DAILY BREAD ⊗ SEEDS OF DESTINY ⊗ JOYCE MEYER DEVOTIONAL ⊗ RHAPSODY OF REALITIES ⊗ JOHN HAGEE ⊗ MFM DAILY DEVOTIONALUTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST⊗DCLM DAILY MANNA ⊗ JOHN PIPER DEVOTIONAL ⊗
