CGMI ADULTS SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – By ARCHBISHOP M. E. BENSON IDAHOSA 29 SEPTEMBER 2024 | Topic: FOCUS ON CHRIST TO FLOURISH DURING HARD TIMES
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CGMI ADULTS SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
God has empowered the Believer to flourish at all times.
DATE:
29TH SEPTEMBER, 2024
HYMN:
S. S& S. 524. Guide me o Thou great Jehovah
TOPIC:
FOCUS ON CHRIST TO FLOURISH DURING HARD TIMES
TEXT: Ps. 1: 1-3; 1Kings 8:35-39; Matt. 24:7: Ps.37:19; Ps.33:19.
INTRODUCTION:
Hard times have existed on earth since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. There have been cycles of
abundance and of great lack over and over again. Some causes of hard times as recorded in Scriptures came about because of natural occurrences like
famine/drought and epidemics; others were as a result of war and some man-made catastrophes. Hard times can present gloom and
hopelessness that may create
anxiety and fear in the hearts of men; sometimes leading them to take extreme measures just to survive. However, all through the
Scriptures, we see the steadfast love of God being demonstrated in providing for those who call upon His name in faith. Ecclesiastes 1:9
tells us that there is no new thing under the sun. There will always be hard times from time to time but the believer is not at the mercy of adverse situations, God has provided a way for His children to
flourish even in hard times. This lesson aims to shed light on what hard times are and how a believer can through focusing on Christ flourish and say: “there is a lifting up even when others say there is a
casting down.”
LESSON OBJECTIVES.
- Understand what the phrase “days of famine” mean
- Identify some causes of hard times
- Find out if believers are exempted from hard times
- Identify from Scriptures some of God’s promises to the believer during hard times, , and
- Understand how the Believer can flourish during hard times.
BIBLE TRUTH:
Q1. WHAT DOES THE PHRASE “DAYS OF FAMINE” MEAN?
The “days of famine'” in the
context of this lesson refers to
period of extreme shortage of food
or resources in a region or
person’s life. It can lead to
starvation and collapse of the
economy. The famine in Egypt
during the time of Joseph led to a
situation where money failed
(Gen. 47: 15). In 2Kings 6: 26-29,
it resulted in two women agreeing
to kill and eat their children in turns. Trouble however started when the first woman had given her son to be killed and eaten, the second woman declined to do the same. In Ruth 1:1-5 we see famine again causing an entire family to flee into a heathen land where they suffered untold loss. It is thus
obvious that the days of famine are terrible days and only a focus on (Christ for His supernatural
supplies can sustain the believer at
such times. In contemporary times, some of us may not have
seen sustained famine occasioned
by drought but the mismanagement of many nation’s
cconomies by their leaders and the
global economic meltdown has
resulted in a famine of sorts across many countries. The cost of living has sky rocketed and many can no longer afford so me basic necessities of life.
Q2. IDENTIFY SOME CAUSES OF HARD TIMES
When God created the earth and man, He intended for man to live in abundance and bliss (Gen. 2:9-16). Man’s sin and consequent fall altered God’s original plan as the earth became cursed for the sake of man(Gen.3:17-19). That was the
beginning of man’s toils- thus sin
or disobedience to God’s
commands is a direct cause of hard times. Secondly, hard times do not only affect finances. Someone can be financially stable yet be experiencing hard times in
another area of his life.
Some specific causes of hard
times include:
I. Mismanagement of resources:
Luke 15:11-16 tells the story of a
young man who started life with a lot of resources but through wasteful spending soon came to lack (Prov.18:9).
II. Ignorance: not knowing the
resources and power available to
the believer in Christ can cause a believer to experience hard times (1 Cor. 2:12)
III. Trusting in oneself or in man:
The Bible enjoins us not to lean on
Our own understanding but rather
commit our ways to God. Trusting
in man can result in a curse that
may make life hard for the
individual (Prov. 3:5-6; Jer. 17:5-
6).
IV. Laziness: Prov. 6:9-11 enjoins
us not to be lazy because it is a
sure path to difficult times.
Believers should not be slothful
(Prov. 19:15; 21:25; Rom. 12:11).
Laziness does not only pertain to
business, some people are lazy in
prayers, in reading the word of God, in taking care of their spouses and children, and even in attending church services.
V. Affliction of the devil: it is clear
from Seriptures that the devil is a
thief, murderer, and destroyer (John 10:10). These are all activities that can lead the victim to experience hard times
Vi. Ingratitude: when a man is
ungrateful, it closes the door to
receiving more from the giver whether God or man (1Chron. 16:8; Ps.92:1; Luke 17:17-19).
vii. Economic situation of the
country: sometimes imposes
hardship on the citizens.
(Gen 12:10; Gen 47:13; 2Kings
6:25)
viii. Health issues: certain health
conditions of an individual or his
loved one can deplete financial
resources quickly (Luke 8:43).
There are also some other personal issues like accidents, natural disasters, fire outbreaks that can reduce a once financially buoyant person toa beggar in a short time.
ix. Wanting to be like others: The
Bible warns that anyone who
compares himself with others is unwise (2Corin.1 10:12) and that covetousness is not pleasing to God (1 Corin 6:10, Eph.5:3; Col.3:5). Some people live above their means in a bid to be like others and very soon run into debt that will definitely result in hard times.
X. Marital issues: issues with
marriage, delay in child bearing,
the death of a loved one. and
children upbringing can cause
hard times for some people
(1 Sam1:6-7: Ruth l:19-20; Job 1:19-20).
xi. Greed: Prov. 15:27 tells us that
he that is greedy of gain troubleth
his own house and 1Tim. 3:3
admonishes believers not to be
greedy.
xi. The class may name others,
- ARE BELIEVERS EXEMPTED FROM HARD TIMES?
Believers are not exempted from hard times. There are several examples of people who experienced hard times in the
Bible though no fault of theirs.
People like Job (Job 1:13-22),
David (1 Sam 18: 8-9), Joseph
(Gen. 37: 23-28), Naomi (Ruth
1:20-2 1), and our perfect
example, the Lord Jesus Christ
(Heb. 5:8). No one is exempted
from the storms of life. However.
the Believer should be like the
wise man in the Lord Jesus’ story
who built his house (life) on the
rock (the word of God) and when
the storm came against it, it was
able to remain standing (Luke
6:47-49).
Q4. WHAT ARE SOME PROMISES OF GOD TO THE BELIEVER EXPERIENCING HARDTIMES?
God will never leave or forsake
the believer (Deut. 4:31: Heb.13:5.Matt. 28:20)
God will redeem the believer from death in times of famine and war (Job 5:20; Ps. 33:18-19).God will not allow the believer to suffer shame but will satisfy him in times of famine (Ps. 37:19). Whatever the believer does shall prosper (Ps. 1 :3). God will multiply and glorify the believer (Jer. 30:19; Ezek. 37:26). The believer will not labour in vain (Isaiah 65:23 ). The Lord shall bless all the work of the believer’s hands (Deut.28:12).
The believer who endures hard
times to the end is assured of
eternal life. James. l:12; Matt.24:13.
Q5. HOW CAN THE BELIEVER
FLOURISH DURING HARD TIMES?
God is committed to the well
being of the Believer. It is His
desire that the believer flourishes
and is sufficient in all things and at
all times (2Cor. 9:8: Rom.8:32). The believer should first of all be
totally focused on Christ for
supematural supplies especially
during hard times. Other specific
things the believer can do are: Have a source of regular income
(means of livelihood). (2Thess.
3:10)
ii. The believer should not be
wasteful or a spendthrift (John
6:12-13: Gen. 41:35-36)
iii. The believer should be faithful
and cheerful in giving (Luke.6:38:
2Cor.9:7: Rom. 1 :17)
iv. Be prayerful and sensitive to
the leading of the Holy Spirit
(Gen. 26:2-6; Ps.62: 1 1, 1Thess
5:17)
v. Married couples should always
cooperate in handling life issues
(Matt. 12:25, Ecc. 4:9-12)
vi. Believers should not disdain
any honest labour (Job 8:7)
vii. Do not compromise your faith,
rather be steadfast and thankful
(Hab.3:17-19)
viii. Learm the principle of delayed
gratification in order to prepare for
a better tomorrow
ix. Cultivate the habit of saving
and wise/informed investments
(Prov.3 1 :16)
x. Plan for your retirement (Prov.
6:6-11)
xi. Manage your health wisely to
avoid spending huge amounts of
money on medical bills later
(1Cor.6:19, 20)
xii. Be financially literate, seek wise counsel before mnaking weighty financial investments.
DAILY LI vING APPLICATION:
Hard times will come whether we like it or not but the believer in Christ should not leave his life to chance. We have a loving Father Who we can commit our lives to and He will direct our paths.
The believer should be
hardworking, resourceful, take
wise financial decisions, and avoid
wasteful spending. When we do
these things, God has promised in
His word that He will multiply us
and make us like trees planted by
the rivers of water that bear fruits in his season, succeeding in all we do.
MEMORY VERSE:
Isaiah 49:10:
“They shall not hunger nor thirst;
neither shall the heat or sun smite
them: for He that hath mercy on
them shall lead them, even by the
springs of water shall He guide
them”.
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