CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – DATE: SUNDAY 16TH FEBRUARY, 2025 | TOPIC: FINDING STRENGTH IN THE LORD PART 1
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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: SUNDAY 16TH FEBRUARY, 2025
HYMN: S. S & S 642: When we walk with the Lord.
TOPIC: FINDING STRENGTH IN THE LORD PART 1
TEXT: 1 Samuel 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.
LESSONOBJECTIVES
The objectives of the lesson are to:
Qw1. identify some of the challenges of life;
- know that children of God [believers| are not exempted
(immuned) from the challenges of life; and. - examine the initial and subsequent responses of David and his men to the challenges they faced.
BIBLE TRỬTH:
Q1. WHAT ARE THE
CHALLENGES OF LIFE ?
The challenges of life are
diverse and vary from
individual to individual. There
are challenges associated with one’s chosen career, job,
business, or vocation which
may include failure in an
examination, denial of
promotion, incurring loss in
business ventures, failure to
secure admission to higher
institution, false accusation
e.tc.
In addition, challenges may be faced in the home or family. These may include ilI-health of a spouse, child, in-law e.t.c, delay in child bearing, inadequate finances, unruly spouse, unruly child etc. Challenges may also be
encountered in Ministry by both Ministers and members
of an Assembly [church]. The
Minister may be worried
about the lack of growth
[physical and spiritual; lack of funds, uncooperative
attitude of some members etc
On the other hand, in some
situations members may be
facing the challenges of
coping with what is perceived
to be doctrinal error(s) on the
part of the minister[s].
There are also social
challenges arising from
misgoverned/bad governance
by those entrusted with
political leadership or running
the affairs of government.
Such challenges include
inflation, weak currency, and
insecurity of life and property
e.t.c. Lastly some individuals
face challenges, that are
peculiar to them such as delay
in getting married, separation,
divorce, single parenting e.t.c.
Although several and specific
challenges have been
identified above, it is
important to state that the list
of challenges encountered in
life is inexhaustible
Q2. ARE BELIEVERS EXEMPTED FROM THE
CHALLENGES OF LIFE ?
In the Bible, the Lord Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, “These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulations; but be of good
cheers: I have overcome the
world'”. [John16:33] and also,
” And Jesus answered and
said, verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left
house, or brother or sister or
father or mother or wife or
children or uncle, for my sake
and the gospel’s. But he shall
receive a hundred fold in this
life, houses and brethren, and
sisters and mothers and
children and lands with
persecutions; and in the
world to come eternal life'”
[Mark10:29-30]. It is stated
also in 1Peter4:12-13
“Beloved think it not strange
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though
some strange thing happened
unto you: But rejoice in as much as ye are partakers of
Christ’s sufferings; that, when
His glory shall be revealed, ye
may be glad also with
exceeding joy”. The
Scriptures above make us
understand that the believer is
not immuned or exempted
from the challenges of life. It
seems, as believers we should
live in this world with the
consciousness that challenges of life may come our way.
Most believers mentioned in the Bible like the patriarchs of Israel experienced the challenges of life. In 2Cor.1 1 :22-33, Paul provided a summary of the challenges he faced as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Although a believer is not exempted from the challenges of life, he/she must however bear in mind that the Lord Jesus Christ has made provision for him/her to
overcome the challenges. The
Lord says He has overcome
the world and as we look unto
Him we experience victory
and become “more than
conquer” in all of life’s
challenges [John l 6:33:
Rom.8:37]
Q3. a] WHAT WAS THE
INITIAL RESPONSE OF
DAVID AND HIS MEN TO
THE CHALLENGES THEY FACED ? [1Samuel.30:1-6]
The Amalekites raided the camp of David and his men, burnt the place with fire, and carried away their wives, sons and daughters as captives. This was a major challenge to them. Their initial response was to weep over their losses. The Bible records that …. David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.” [1Samuel 30:4].
Weeping is a natural response
displayed by anyone faced
with challenges of life.
Weeping may bring some emotional relief but most times it does not bring
solution to the challenges,
beyond weeping other steps
will have to be taken to
address the challenges being
faced.In addition, David’s
men also tlhought of stoning
David. They apparently
concluded that he was
responsible for their plight. This caused David great distress. However rather than
bemoan his situation,
“……..David encouraged
himself in the Lord his GOD” [1Samuel30:6].
Ib] WHAT WAS THE
SUBSEQUENT RESPONSE OF
DAVID AND HIS MEN TO THE
CHALLENGE THEY FACED?
It is probable that as David
encouraged himself, he
recalled what God had done
for him in the past e.g. the
killing of the lion and Goliath.
Thus, he concluded that he
needed God’s direction in
facing the present challenges.
Thereafter he asked Abiather
the Priest to bring the ephod so that he could ask God’s
counsel as regards what to do.
God responded to David and
directed him to pursue the
invaders and that he would
Overcome them and recover
all that they had taken from
him and hisbmen[I Samuel 30:8]. It is to be noted that all that God said came to pass for we read in 1Samuel 30:19. “And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them:
David recovered all.
DAI LY L IVING APPLICATION:
The challenges of life can be
overwhelming 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
perseverance, we can find
strength in our God to
overcome the toughest of
challenges.
MEMORYVERSE:
Psalms 68:20:
“Our God is the God of
salvation; And to God the
Lord belongs escape from
death”[NKJY]
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: Meditate on Jn. 16:33
TUE: Assurance given by the
Lord Jesus Christ. Mk.10:29,
30.
WED: Challenges are real.
2Cor. 1 1:22-33
THU: Partaking in Christ’s
sufferings. I Pet.4: 12-13.
FRI: King David found
strength in the Lord.
1Sam.30:1-6
SAT: Learn to follow GOD’s
counsel. 1 Sam.30:7-9
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