CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – DATE: SUNDAY 22nd MAY, ,2022 – TOPIC: ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN CHRIST

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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL

DATE: SUNDAY 22nd MAY, ,2022

(HYMN: S S & S 642 “WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD”)

TOPIC: ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN CHRIST
TEXT: Col. 2:1-23

CENTRAL THOUGHT:
OUR FAITH IS ESTABLISHED IN CHRIST, WHO IS OUR FOUNDATION

INTRODUCTION
God’s desire is that man be restored to the original relationship He had with him in the garden of Eden before the fall. In order to restore this relationship, God decided to send His only begotten Son Jesus Christ into the world to reconcile man to Himself.
As soon as a person becomes born again, he/she becomes a new creature. Such a one is like a new born baby that needs to grow. Growth and development are essential features of life.
Growth is a process that does not happen and end in just a short period. It is a progressive phenomenon. In order to achieve this, the believer must be deeply rooted in Christ and be built up in Him. Christ is the only foundation that we can be rooted in. “For other foundation can no man laythan that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1Corin 3:11). A solid foundation in Christ will provide us with basic requirements for healthy and vibrant growth and development in our sojourn here on earth and in our christian walk with God

LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives are:

1. Discus the importance of the foundation to a building, who the foundation of the Christian faith is and what it means to be rooted and built up in Christ
2. State how we can be built up and rooted in Christ
3. Highlight and discuss the things that threaten our stability in Christ
4. Mention the benefits of being rooted and built up in Christ

BIBLE TRUTH
QUESTION 1.
1a) WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FOUNDATION TO A BUILDING ? (Matt 7:24-27)
The importance of a solid foundation in the framing of a building cannot be over emphasised. When the foundation is solid and firm, whatever structure is built upon it can withstand any storm or wind and still be standing. Christ is the foundation upon which the christian faith is established. It behoves all who believe in Christ as the solid foundation to endeavour to be rooted and grounded in the love of God which is made manifest in Christ Jesus.

QUESTION (1b)
WHO IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH ? (1Corin 3:11; Heb 12:2; 1Pt 2:3-6)
Isaiah 28:16 says “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
This prophecy was fulfilled in the person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who laid down His life for us in order to reconcile us back to God. The scripture clearly states in 1 Corin 3:11 “1 Corin “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ”. It is only on this tried and tested, and solid foundation we can be built and deeply rooted in. We therefore must consistently be looking into Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith.

QUESTION (1c).
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN CHRIST” (Col 2:6-10)
To be rooted and built up in Christ means our faith, hope and beliefs must be grounded, fixed, settled and founded in Him. It also means making Christ our source, the essence and basis of our life spiritually, physically and in all ramifications. It also means to be grounded thoroughly in the knowledge of God and in His word. “That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14)

QUESTION 2
HOW CAN WE BE ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN CHRIST ? (Eph 4:11-16; Rom 12:1-2)
For us as believers to be rooted and built up in Christ, we must make deliberate effort to constantly remain in Him and focus on the following:

• Be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit:
  The Holy Spirit bestowed on us all that we need to grow and succeed in our walk with God.
• Set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth:
  Our minds and affections must be set on heavenly things and not on carnal and worldly things. Weust be conscious of the fact that we are strangers and pilgrims on this earth. This mindset should therefore affect and order dodur life style at all yes, in all places and in all situations.
• Present our bodies as a living sacrifice unto God:
  We are requested to present our bodies as living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God which is our reasonable service. We should not be conformed to this world but should be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we may prove what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God, by so doing we are secured in right living.
• Constant study and abiding in the word of God:
  Constant study, meditation upon and obedience to the word of God is very essential in our being rooted and built up in Him. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)
• Beign prayerful:
  Prayer is a key component in living a successful christian life. Our Lord Jesus Christ who is our perfect example, emphasised the need for us to pray and persevere in prayer in the parable of the widow and the unjust judge (Lk 18:1-8). We must therefore form the habit of praying without ceasing (1Tess 5:17)
• Not forsaking the assembly of the saints: Regular fellowship with other brethren is very essential because, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (“Proverbs 27:17). We must endeavour to make it a point of duty to be attending Christian programmes regularly, such as Bible studies, prayer meetings, church services, seminars, camp meetings and others. This will help in building us up and getting us deeply rooted in Christ.

QUESTION 3.
WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT THREATEN OUR STABILITY (FAITH) IN CHRIST ? (Col 2:4,8; Matt 15:7-9; 1Thess 3:5; 1Pt 5:8)
Many things threaten our faith in Christ. Therefore, we must be alert and guard against these threats which include the following:
I. Enticing words and human philosophy. These have spoiling effects on the undiscerning believers, and do not serve the purpose of God, rather they lure people into walking after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ.
II. Vain worship. Insincerity in our service and worship as a result of paying lips service to God while our heart is far from Him
III. Listening to and teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. These are very injurious to our stability in Christ.
IV. Temptation by the devil if not resisted is also a threat. The devil as a roaring lion is walking about seeking whom he may devour.
All these call for spiritual alertness. We must be sober and be on our guards in order not to be a prey in the hand of our adversary, the devil.

QUESTION 4
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN CHRIST ? (Jn 15:4-8; Rom 8:1-2; Ps 1:1-3; 1Corin 15:58)
There are so many benefits that accrue to every believer who is rooted and built up in Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ is the vine and we are the branches. As long as we continue to abide in Him, we receive daily nourishment both physically and spiritually. By this we grow and mature and become productive christians who are no longer under condemnation. The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus now dwells within us, and afford us the privilege of being called the children of God, as we are lead by His Spirit. In addition, we have guaranteed answers to our prayers. The Spirit also helps us in our prayer life by making intercessions for us with groanings that cannot be uttered.
When the believer daily delights, meditate and obeys the word of God, he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water which brings forth it’s fruits in his season, the leaves shall not either and whatsoever he does prosper. This implies that we are continually fresh and refresh at all times. This results in wholesomeness and all round prosperity.
One very important point that needs to be mentioned here is the fact that our benefits are not restricted to this present world. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Corin 15:19). An exceeding and eternal weight of glory which cannot be quantified in monetary or whatever terms is awaiting us in eternity. All these benefits mentioned above should spur us into great action. The Bible admonishes us thus “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corin 15:58).

   DAILY LIVING APPLICATION

To be rooted and built up in Christ is not an option if we must grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. As soon as we stop growing then we start dying. Therefore, we must set our affections on things that are above and not on things on the earth.
In order to remain rooted and built up in Christ, we must consistently draw spiritual nourishment from Him as the root of a tree draws nourishment from the soil. We must build our faith on the firm foundation of Christ so that we will not be tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. A life that is rooted and built up in Christ holds firm no matter the challenges of life.
Are you in Christ or are you outside ? May you choose rightly.

MEMORY VERSE
Colossians 2:6 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him”

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