CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – DATE: 27TH OCTOBER, 2024 – TOPIC: THE PERILS OF PRESUMPTION
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
As believers, our decisions must be based on verified facts.
DATE: 27TH OCTOBER, 2024
HYMN: S. S &S 873. Blessed Assurance.
TOPIC: THE PERILS OF PRESUMPTION
TEXT: Joshua.9: 1 -27:
Psalm 19:13.
INTRODUCTION:
Presumption is a flippant attitude of blind trust without due diligence. It is an error of Judgement that may result in carelessness in reacting to a situation Joshua the prophet of God, along with the Elders of Israel were victims of a dubious manipulation that had long lasting consequences for the Nation.
The men of Gibeon designed and acted a drama to rick Israel into a treaty that became a yoke difficult to break. The treaty was not in line with God’s mandate for the Nation
of Israel. Joshua and the Elders of Israel simply assumed that these men were genuine admirers from a far country as they pretended to be. There was neither a diligent investigation nor a recourse to God for direction. The deceitful proposal of the Gibeonites was completely accepted without due
diligence, and was even sealed
with an oath in the name of the
God of Israel! This error brought grief and discomfort to Israel. In this study we shall focus on the scope and consequences of presumption for a believer in Christ.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this study are to:-
- explain the meaning and scope of presumption;
- identify the causes of presumption;
- list the dangers in presumption; and discuss how to guard against presumption
BIBLE TRUTH:
Q1a. WHAT IS THE SIN OF
PRESUMPTION ? Ps.19:13; 2Pet.2:10.
To presume is to overstep due bounds and to take liberties. It means to undertake an action without clear and explicit justification to regard something as true without due diligence and
proof. It could also mean to go
beyond what is right or proper or expected. It is an act that manifests in pre-mature or illogical conclusion. The sin of
presumption is to act without
authority or permission, supposing that God is somehow obligated to support you in your chosen venture. It is to be audacious, arrogant,
rebellious and defiant in accepting something as true or right when it is not certain. Presumption is an obstacle to genuine repentance or
conversion.
Q1b. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PRESUME ON GOD ‘SG RACE?
Judges.16:20; 1Sam.4:3-11
Sometimes believers are tempted to be liberal on the grace of God through misunderstanding,
misinterpretation or misapplication. To presume on the grace of God is to go beyond the scriptural
provision of grace and to over step the limits of salvation with audacity. It may involve the use of natural logic in things of God, without scriptural basis. It may also mean being quick to appropriate the provisions of grace without commensurate sense of responsibility. Just like in the cases of Samson and children of Israel in our references above.
Q2. WHAT ARE SOME COMMON CAUNES OF PRESUMPTION
Some factors and character traits can predispose a believer to presumptuous actions.
One of them is spiitual immaturity or lack of depth in matters of faith When such a one is in position of
leadership, the temptation to
assume wrongly is high The
ignorance of a believer will
certainly be exploited by Satan.
Over reliance on tradition and experience of the past can make one to slide into the error of presumption, “The way it has been’ and ‘the way we do it’ has led many
believers into gross error of
presumption.
Pride has the capacity to blind fold the gullible against spiritual truth and authority.
Greed /crave for material benefit can usher in presumptiouness
and hardness of heart.
Impatience, laziness and habitual disregard for due diligence can create breeding environment for presumption.
O3. HOW DID JOSHUA AND ELDERS OF ISRAEL BECOME PRESUMPTIOUS TOWARDS THE MEN OF GIBEON? Joshua 9:14-15.
The men of Gibeon perfected a design to deceive Joshua and the elders of Israel, and to extract a binding treaty. They pretended to have come from a very distant country, displayed their worn out
wears and expired provision,
pretended to admire the God of Israel and presented victuals to the leaders. Joshua and the Elders
failed to seek counsel from
God, and they also failed to carry out due diligence. They presumed and accepted the natural evidence presented by men of Gibeon. They sealed a treaty with them in the name of God, which was never part
of God’s plan. In the end, they
were deceived into compromising the ownership of the land God has given to them.
Q4. MENTION SOME AREAS OF LIFE WHERE PRESUMPTION COULD HAVE GRIEVIOUS
CONSEQUENCES
Every aspect of life that require some form of decision making are prone to errors of presumption. In business dealings, presumption could make someone to over-look the necessity of documented
contract or receipts, proper
customer relations, accurate and up to-date record keeping and management of sensitive data. Lapses in any of these areas and more could spell doom for the business effort.
On issues of career and life vocations, presumption can blind ones’ sense of judgement,
promote unwholesome material indulgence and can eventually lead to professional or occupational shipwreck.
Presumption at any of the stages of the marriage process can be detrimental to the desire for marital fulfillment. Such a marriage may witness much conflict and disappointment that it can hardly survive. Presumption
has also brought unimaginable
damage to the faith and
commitment of some to the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some have ended up being enslaved to falsehood, while others were driven into circumstantial hostility
towards the things of God.
Q5. WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF
PRESUMPTION?
Presumption is dangerous because it breeds a false sense of security and right standing. It also creates room for manipulation of
God’s word and outright
disobedience to such. It sees
nothing wrong with sinful lifestyle and has a way of rationalizing it. It suppresses faith in God and replaces it with tradition and experience.
Finally, if not genuinely addressed, the presumptuous individual is a candidate of hell fire.
Q6. HOW DO WE GUARD AGAINST
PRESUMPTION?nPsalm.119: 105; Joshua.I:8; John.14:26: 1Thess.5:17; 1Chron.14:10-11.
The sin of presumption spreads by
diffusion and without visible notice until much harm has been done. Therefore avoidance is the best policy towards it. To guard against
presumption, the following must be upheld by believers:
i) We must engage the word of God through study, teaching,
recitation and obedience.
ii). We must listen to God and be specific in asking for His direction.
iii). We must accommodate the ministry of the Holy Spirit in its totality, subject to the word of God.
iv). We must be watchful and
prayerful so that we are not
deceived.
v). We must uphold the virtues of patience, humility, moderation and diligence in our walk with God.
The class can mention others.
DAI LY LIVING APPLICATION:
Joshua and the Elders of Israel did not reckon the visit of the men of Gibeon to be anything sinister. To them it was a straight – forward
diplomatic visit. With blind trust and a little spiritual slumber, they assumed that God was at work. But He was not!
As believers, we must walk with God, and not overstep spiritual bounds.
MEMORY VERSE:
2Tim.1:13.
“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MON: Be strong in grace. 2Tim.2:1.
TUE: God is light. 1John. 1 :5.
WED: Presumptions and self-willed. 2Pet.2: 10.
THỦ: Add to your faith. 2Pet. 1:5-8.
FRI: Blessed are the undefiled. Psalm. I19:1.
SAT: Seek counsel from God.
Joshua 9: 14
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