CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL– Topic: COMMITMENT TO GOD – Church of God Mission International – DATE: SUNDAY 4th, FEBRUARY 2024
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
CENTRAL THOUGHT: It is expected of every Christian to be committed to Christ
DATE: SUNDAY 4th, FEBRUARY 2024.
HYMN: S.S & S 791 “When Jesus Comes To Reward His Servants Be It Noon, or Day or Night”
TOPIC: COMMITMENT TO GOD.
TEXT: Heb 11:4-16; Rom 12:1-2,11
INTRODUCTION:
Today, some have taken their Christian faith with levity and are serving God at their convenience. What God expects from believers is total commitment to Him. Total commitment means we have submitted our lives to God absolutely. Total commitment is a matter of yielding to God’s will always. Commitment is a very important biblical principles that determines our attitude and relationship with Him. It means that the believers have to love God with the whole being (Deut 10:12; Matt 22:37). God has called all believers to be faithful in service to Him and our commitment to God must supersede other matters in our lives. This study sets out to help us re-examine our level of fervency to Christ and return to our first love, if we realize we have fallen.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this study are to:
- Know the meaning of the word ‘commitment to God’
- Understand why we should be committed to Christ
- Discuss the different marks of commitment
- Appreciate the dangers of lack of commitment in service to God and
- Know the rewards of commitment to God
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1A. WHAT IS COMMITMENT ?
The word commitment has been defined as “the state or quality of being dedicated to a course, activity, person or deity etc. It is a state or instance of being obligated. It also means an agreement or pledge to do something in the future.
QUESTION 1B. WHAT IS COMMITMENT TO GOD ? Rom 12:1-2.
Commitment to God means to entrust oneself entirely to God with a dedication to serve Him in response to His love. It is one’s decision to have a personal relationship with God and then become dedicated to obeying His word. It is a deliberate decision to please, obey and serve God in all circumstances whether it is convenient or not. The cost of commitment to God involves self-denial, daily taking up one’s cross and following Christ wherever He leads (Lk 14:26-27). It is a state of complete surrender of one’s will to God with the willingness and readiness to do God’s will. One cannot be committed Christian and not be busy doing something for the advancement of the kingdom of God. It entails working for and walking with God.
QUESTION 1C. WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN ?
Committed Christians are those who are willing to share and defend their faith (Rom 1:16; 2Tim 2:2), steadfast in the study of God’s word (2Tim 2:15;1Pt 2:2) and must walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:16; Rom 8:14). A committed Christian loves God, loves people and keeps God’s commandments (Mkb12:28-31); Rom 13:8) and supports the work of the ministry using their time, talents, skills, resources etc (Matt 25:14-30; Eccles 9:10)
QUESTION 2. WHY SHOULD WE BE COMMITTED TO GOD ? Rom 5:6-12; Exo 18:21
The primary reason why we should be committed is because Christ died for us, even when we did not deserve it. He took away our condemnation and reconciled us back to God. Therefore, nothing is too much to give back in return for this great sacrifice of love.
In Deut 6:5-6, we are commanded to love the Lord with our hearts soul and might. Jesus repeated this command in Mark 12:30. Therefore, all our being should be involved in response to His love. We are admonished in Prov 23:26 to give God our hearts and let our eyes observe His ways. Total commitment to God is necessary in pleasing and serving Him in an acceptable manner.
QUESTION 3. DISCUSS REASONS FOR THE LACK OF COMMITMENT BY SOME CHRISTIANS TODAY
Some of the reasons responsible for the lack of commitment by some christians today include:
I. THE CARES OF THIS WORLD: The pressure of meeting up with the payment of daily needs like food, clothing, shelter, school fees, medicals, etc, has affected the commitment of some christians to God. As a result, time meant for God’s service is spent in pursuit of how to make ends meet. This has put some Christians under pressure to compromise their faith.
II. THE LUST OF THE FLESH, LUST OF THE EYES AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE (1Jn 2:15-16): The insatiable greed for pleasure, the desire to acquire whatever one sees, and the crave for self-esteem has resulted to lack of commitment to Christ by some christians
III. SIN: Sin is a reproach and hinder a believer from being committed to Christ
IV. WITHDRAWAL FROM FELLOWSHIP WITH BRETHREN: Some deliberately absent themselves from church services and fellowship (Heb 10:25)
V. IT IS A SIGN OF THE LAST DAY: Some Christians have developed itching ears, wanting to hear what they like and resist sound doctrines (2Tim 4:3).
THE CLASS SHOULD MENTION OTHERS.
QUESTION 4. DISCUSS SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMITTED CHRISTIAS
A. THEY OVERCOME THE ODDS WITH THEIR FAITH IN GOD (2Sam 23:8-12, 18, 21). Committed Christians live totally dependent on God and not on their ability or any personal achievement. Dependence on God for divine guidance is a mark of commited christians, their faith in God is revealed in their reliance on God even in the midst of odds. It is in doing this that they overcome.
B. THEY ENDURE HARDSHIP (Rom 12:11;2Tim 2:3)
Commited christians are diligent, dedicated and sold out to the cause they believed in. They are committed in serving the Lord in and out of season. They are ready and willing to do God’s will at all times. This same zeal is exhibited even in their secular jobs and businesses. Christians are accountable in their secular jobs as unto God by putting in their best.
C. COMMITED DESPITE THE ATTITUDE OF THE CROWD (Psa 1:1; Prov 1:10; Jn 6:67-68) Commited christians are not crowd followers. They are careful to know the will of God on issues before taking a stand, which should always be in accordance with the word of God. They do not follow the crowd to commit sin (Exo 23:2). They are able to resist the pressure from men and do the will of God.
D. COMMITTED WITHOUT DENYING CHRIST EVEN AT THE RISK OF THEIR LIVES (2Sam 23:20-21) Commited christians remain committed to God inspite of the risk to their lives. Daniel(before the lion’s den) and his three Hebrew friends (before the fiery furnace) are a ready example. They were determined not to bow to the king’s idol at the risk of their own lives. Christian commitment may involve risks to the believer’s life but as good soldiers, we must endure hardness (2Tim 2:3). Jesus said , His disciples will be rewarded as His followers and with persecution here on earth (Mk 10:29-30). Itust be a settled fact for the believer to know that the choice to be committed to Christ comes with a prize that the believer must pay, which different for individuals.
E. COMMITTED CHRISTIANS REDEEM THE TIME BY TAKING INITIATIVES Jn 9:4; Eph 5:16. John 9:4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
In their service to God, committed Christians know they are time-bound and do not have the whole time at their disposal, so, they go about serving the Lord tirelessly, fearlessly and relentlessly. Commited christians do not sit down helplessly, they trust God for direction and when they get such direction, they are dedicated to it. Such christians are mindful of the fact that they will give account of their stewardship here on earth. They are conscious of the transient nature of life and this guides all their actions as they determine toake eternity with the Lord.
QUESTION 5. WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF LACK OF COMMITMENT ? Rev 3:15-16.
The dangers of lack of commitment are enormous, they include are gradual setting in of lukewarmness which can result in backsliding and ultimate rejection by God. Being busy working for God and not walking with God amount to self deceit and hypocrisy which has no eternal reward.
The onus is therefore on the believer to constantly evaluate himself/herself to ensure his/her state of heart/motive for doing whatever is been done for God and His kingdom. Our service to God should be genuine and devoid of eye service, desire for human praise, accolades and personal aggrandizement
QUESTION 6. WHAT ARE THE REWARDS OF COMMITMENT Matt 16:24-28
The rewards of commitment to Christ are numerous and inestimable. In reply to the disciples’ question “we have left everything, family, land, etc to follow you, what then is our rewards?” Jesus said their rewards would be a hundredfold here on earth with persecution and then eternital life.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Down through the ages, God has worked by using commited people. God does not work through the lukewarm but only those who are fervent in their love for Christ and His kingdom. From Moses, to Joshua, Gideon, Esther, the Prophets, Daniel, Paul, Steven, the Apostles,etc,all these dared to stand for God in different capacities. There is no one who has been commited to God that has been let down by God. There might be reasons to be discouraged along the way, but the committed Christian must be determined not to quit but hold on till the Lord calls us home or till He appears. Resolve today to be totally commited to the Lord and there will never be any regrets.
MEMORY VERSE:
Romans 12:11 “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord”CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
CENTRAL THOUGHT: It is expected of every Christian to be committed to Christ
DATE: SUNDAY 4th, FEBRUARY 2024.
HYMN: S.S & S 791 “When Jesus Comes To Reward His Servants Be It Noon, or Day or Night”
TOPIC: COMMITMENT TO GOD.
TEXT: Heb 11:4-16; Rom 12:1-2,11
INTRODUCTION:
Today, some have taken their Christian faith with levity and are serving God at their convenience. What God expects from believers is total commitment to Him. Total commitment means we have submitted our lives to God absolutely. Total commitment is a matter of yielding to God’s will always. Commitment is a very important biblical principles that determines our attitude and relationship with Him. It means that the believers have to love God with the whole being (Deut 10:12; Matt 22:37). God has called all believers to be faithful in service to Him and our commitment to God must supersede other matters in our lives. This study sets out to help us re-examine our level of fervency to Christ and return to our first love, if we realize we have fallen.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this study are to:
- Know the meaning of the word ‘commitment to God’
- Understand why we should be committed to Christ
- Discuss the different marks of commitment
- Appreciate the dangers of lack of commitment in service to God and
- Know the rewards of commitment to God
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1A. WHAT IS COMMITMENT ?
The word commitment has been defined as “the state or quality of being dedicated to a course, activity, person or deity etc. It is a state or instance of being obligated. It also means an agreement or pledge to do something in the future.
QUESTION 1B. WHAT IS COMMITMENT TO GOD ? Rom 12:1-2.
Commitment to God means to entrust oneself entirely to God with a dedication to serve Him in response to His love. It is one’s decision to have a personal relationship with God and then become dedicated to obeying His word. It is a deliberate decision to please, obey and serve God in all circumstances whether it is convenient or not. The cost of commitment to God involves self-denial, daily taking up one’s cross and following Christ wherever He leads (Lk 14:26-27). It is a state of complete surrender of one’s will to God with the willingness and readiness to do God’s will. One cannot be committed Christian and not be busy doing something for the advancement of the kingdom of God. It entails working for and walking with God.
QUESTION 1C. WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN ?
Committed Christians are those who are willing to share and defend their faith (Rom 1:16; 2Tim 2:2), steadfast in the study of God’s word (2Tim 2:15;1Pt 2:2) and must walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:16; Rom 8:14). A committed Christian loves God, loves people and keeps God’s commandments (Mkb12:28-31); Rom 13:8) and supports the work of the ministry using their time, talents, skills, resources etc (Matt 25:14-30; Eccles 9:10)
QUESTION 2. WHY SHOULD WE BE COMMITTED TO GOD ? Rom 5:6-12; Exo 18:21
The primary reason why we should be committed is because Christ died for us, even when we did not deserve it. He took away our condemnation and reconciled us back to God. Therefore, nothing is too much to give back in return for this great sacrifice of love.
In Deut 6:5-6, we are commanded to love the Lord with our hearts soul and might. Jesus repeated this command in Mark 12:30. Therefore, all our being should be involved in response to His love. We are admonished in Prov 23:26 to give God our hearts and let our eyes observe His ways. Total commitment to God is necessary in pleasing and serving Him in an acceptable manner.
QUESTION 3. DISCUSS REASONS FOR THE LACK OF COMMITMENT BY SOME CHRISTIANS TODAY
Some of the reasons responsible for the lack of commitment by some christians today include:
I. THE CARES OF THIS WORLD: The pressure of meeting up with the payment of daily needs like food, clothing, shelter, school fees, medicals, etc, has affected the commitment of some christians to God. As a result, time meant for God’s service is spent in pursuit of how to make ends meet. This has put some Christians under pressure to compromise their faith.
II. THE LUST OF THE FLESH, LUST OF THE EYES AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE (1Jn 2:15-16): The insatiable greed for pleasure, the desire to acquire whatever one sees, and the crave for self-esteem has resulted to lack of commitment to Christ by some christians
III. SIN: Sin is a reproach and hinder a believer from being committed to Christ
IV. WITHDRAWAL FROM FELLOWSHIP WITH BRETHREN: Some deliberately absent themselves from church services and fellowship (Heb 10:25)
V. IT IS A SIGN OF THE LAST DAY: Some Christians have developed itching ears, wanting to hear what they like and resist sound doctrines (2Tim 4:3).
THE CLASS SHOULD MENTION OTHERS.
QUESTION 4. DISCUSS SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMITTED CHRISTIAS
A. THEY OVERCOME THE ODDS WITH THEIR FAITH IN GOD (2Sam 23:8-12, 18, 21). Committed Christians live totally dependent on God and not on their ability or any personal achievement. Dependence on God for divine guidance is a mark of commited christians, their faith in God is revealed in their reliance on God even in the midst of odds. It is in doing this that they overcome.
B. THEY ENDURE HARDSHIP (Rom 12:11;2Tim 2:3)
Commited christians are diligent, dedicated and sold out to the cause they believed in. They are committed in serving the Lord in and out of season. They are ready and willing to do God’s will at all times. This same zeal is exhibited even in their secular jobs and businesses. Christians are accountable in their secular jobs as unto God by putting in their best.
C. COMMITED DESPITE THE ATTITUDE OF THE CROWD (Psa 1:1; Prov 1:10; Jn 6:67-68) Commited christians are not crowd followers. They are careful to know the will of God on issues before taking a stand, which should always be in accordance with the word of God. They do not follow the crowd to commit sin (Exo 23:2). They are able to resist the pressure from men and do the will of God.
D. COMMITTED WITHOUT DENYING CHRIST EVEN AT THE RISK OF THEIR LIVES (2Sam 23:20-21) Commited christians remain committed to God inspite of the risk to their lives. Daniel(before the lion’s den) and his three Hebrew friends (before the fiery furnace) are a ready example. They were determined not to bow to the king’s idol at the risk of their own lives. Christian commitment may involve risks to the believer’s life but as good soldiers, we must endure hardness (2Tim 2:3). Jesus said , His disciples will be rewarded as His followers and with persecution here on earth (Mk 10:29-30). Itust be a settled fact for the believer to know that the choice to be committed to Christ comes with a prize that the believer must pay, which different for individuals.
E. COMMITTED CHRISTIANS REDEEM THE TIME BY TAKING INITIATIVES Jn 9:4; Eph 5:16. John 9:4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
In their service to God, committed Christians know they are time-bound and do not have the whole time at their disposal, so, they go about serving the Lord tirelessly, fearlessly and relentlessly. Commited christians do not sit down helplessly, they trust God for direction and when they get such direction, they are dedicated to it. Such christians are mindful of the fact that they will give account of their stewardship here on earth. They are conscious of the transient nature of life and this guides all their actions as they determine toake eternity with the Lord.
QUESTION 5. WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF LACK OF COMMITMENT ? Rev 3:15-16.
The dangers of lack of commitment are enormous, they include are gradual setting in of lukewarmness which can result in backsliding and ultimate rejection by God. Being busy working for God and not walking with God amount to self deceit and hypocrisy which has no eternal reward.
The onus is therefore on the believer to constantly evaluate himself/herself to ensure his/her state of heart/motive for doing whatever is been done for God and His kingdom. Our service to God should be genuine and devoid of eye service, desire for human praise, accolades and personal aggrandizement
QUESTION 6. WHAT ARE THE REWARDS OF COMMITMENT Matt 16:24-28
The rewards of commitment to Christ are numerous and inestimable. In reply to the disciples’ question “we have left everything, family, land, etc to follow you, what then is our rewards?” Jesus said their rewards would be a hundredfold here on earth with persecution and then eternital life.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Down through the ages, God has worked by using commited people. God does not work through the lukewarm but only those who are fervent in their love for Christ and His kingdom. From Moses, to Joshua, Gideon, Esther, the Prophets, Daniel, Paul, Steven, the Apostles,etc,all these dared to stand for God in different capacities. There is no one who has been commited to God that has been let down by God. There might be reasons to be discouraged along the way, but the committed Christian must be determined not to quit but hold on till the Lord calls us home or till He appears. Resolve today to be totally commited to the Lord and there will never be any regrets.
MEMORY VERSE:
Romans 12:11 “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord”
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