Church of God Mission International – CGMI ADULTS SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL By ARCHBISHOP M. E. BENSON IDAHOSA 6 OCTOBER 2024 | Topic: HONOUR, RESPECT AND COURTESY BY THE BODYOF CHRIST
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CGMI ADULTS SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
Believers who endure to the end
will have eternal life.
DATE: 6TH OCTOBER, 2024
HYMN: Praise to the Lord the Almighty
TOPIC: HONOUR, RESPECT AND COURTESY BY THE BODYOF CHRIST
TEXT: 1 Sam.2:30; Rom.12:10; 1Pet.2:17; Rev.4:9-11.
INTRODUCTION:
Honour, respect, and courtesy are three words that are fast disappearing from the vocabulary of some especially in this age of
*civilization”. Age long biblical beliefs and practices are being sacrificed on the altar of modernity. The result is that godly principles are being laid aside and it is
affecting man’s relationship with God and other men.
Believers in Christ make up the Body of Christ. The ease with which interpersonal relations break down even among Christians may be traceable to the absence of honour, respect and courtesy.
This also has affected the way
some people relate with God
Himself. They see God- the
Creator and Possessor of the
universe as one they can approach carelessly and take for granted. They are arrogant in God’s presence and dishonour Hin by being engaged in carnal activities
when they are supposed to be
worshipping God their Redeemer. God is a loving Father, but like He says in Mal. 1:6, “if then I be a Father., where is mine honour?”. The focus of this lesson is to
reacquaint ourselves with these concepts as a way of amending our relationship with God and others.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this lesson are to:
- understand the meaning of the terms honour, respect, and courtesy;
- know who to honour and respect;
- outline ways in which people dishonour God in the church and in life;
- outline ways to show respect and courtesy;
- understand the consequences of not honouring and respecting God and man; and
- identify some benefits of showing honour and respect to God and man.
BIBLE TRUTH:
Q1. WHAT DO THE TERMS HONOUR, RESPEC T, A ND
COURTESY MEAN?
HONOUR: the word honour means to have high respect, great esteem for someone, and the quality of knowing and taking the morally right action. It also means to treat
someone with admiration and give special recognition to him or her. It talks about giving public praise to, worshiping and seeing the person as worthy. Honour can be given to God and man.(John 5:23; 1Pet.2:17).
RESPECT: this is a feeling of deep admiration for someone as a result of his abilities, qualities, or
achievements. This is probably why it is said that respect has to be earned.
However, respect can also mean showing due regard for the feelings of others.
- COURTESY: this is a show of politeness in attitude and
behaviour towards others, having polished manners and good social conduct. It also means to acknowledge the rights and worth of other people. (I Pet.3:8).
Q2. WHO SHOULD BE HON0URED AND RESPECTED?
I. God: The Bible clearly states that we are to honour God. Respect for God is included in honouring Him
and if we truly honour Him, it will show in our attitude and behaviour towards Him. Ps.22:23; John 5:23; John 12:26; Rev. 5:12-13; Rev. 4: 9-11, Rev. 7:12 are sOme of the
Bible verses that talk about
honouring God
ii. Our parents: Ex. 20:12 and
Eph. 6:1-2 are scriptures that
expressly state that we are to
honour our parents. This is a
command that has a blessing
attached to it. Honouring our
parents is not predicated on
whether they are rich, educated or even Christians.
iii. The elderly and widows indeed: we are instructed by God to honour the elderly (Lev. 19:32) and those who are indeed widows (1Tim.5:3).
iv. Church leaders: we are to
honour the leaders God has placed over us in the church. In fact, the Bible says that those who rule well and labour in the word and doctrine should be given double
honour (1Tim. 5:17; Heb.13:17)
V. Everyone: we are to honour all men (1Pet.2:17; Rom.12:10)
vi. Those in authority (Government and Kings): God expects us to honour those in authority because all powers that be are ordained by
God (Rom.13:1-7; Heb. 13:17)
vii. Marriage and our spouses: Heb. 13:4 (GNB) says “marriage is to be
honoured by all, and husbands
and wives must be faithful to
each other…”. IPet. 3:7 talks about honouring our spouse.
vi. Our bodies: The Bible clearly tells us that the Holy Spirit resides in our bodies and therefore they must be used tobglorify God (2Tim. 2:21; 1Cor.6:19-20).
Q3. WHAT ARE SOME WAYS IN WHICH PEOPLE DISHONOUR GOD IN THE CHURCH AND IN LIFE ?
Some people dishonour God out of pride and ignorance.They do not understand who God is, how great and awesome He is. Therefore when they come into His presence, they behave unseemingly. The Bible refers to God as the One who can kill both the body and destroy the soul and our Lord Jesus said we should fear Him (Matt.10:28). Some ways in which people dishonour God include:
a. Not hallowing God’s name: some people take the name of God in vain and even swear falsely with His name. (Ex.20:7)
b. Coming before God in pride e.g. putting their hands in their pockets during praise and worship, refusing to be a part of the worship though in church. (Is.13:11)
c. Talking and even disturbing others while the sermon is being preached in church.(1Cor. 14:40).
d. Using phones by either making calls or browsing social media, or even recording themselves and taking pictures during service.
e. Habitually and deliberately coming late to church.
f. Refusing to obey lawful church oficials.
g. Lying, spreading gossip and rumours, causing disunity among the brethren in church (Prov.12:22)
h. Refusal to obey Godly instructions given by spiritual leaders, causing contentions and divisions in church.
I. Giving to God carelessly without gratitude and reverence. (Gen.4:5 Ps. 50:12; Mal. 1:8)
j. Some men come to church to seek girls to defile and not for godly relationships and vice versa.
k. Lying and giving false testimony in church
I. Taking the Lord’s body (Holy communion) unworthily without first examining and purging
themselves as the Bible instructs (1 Cor.11:28-29)
m. Politicising the things of God, envy, strife, and division (1Cor.3:3)
n. Introducing worldly practices and standards into the church; instead of the world emulating the church, some now want to give
validation to ungodly practices inside the church.
o. Not honouring God with our
wealth and position. (Prov.3:9)
p. Honouring God only with our lips while our hearts are far from Him (Is. 29:13; Matt. 15:8).
q. Finally, every act of
ungodliness/disobedience engaged ln the church is
dishonouring the name of God and the world now speaks evil of the church as a result.
Q3B. WHAT ARE SOME PRACTICAL WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN SHOW RESPECT AND
COURTESY TO EACH OTHER? (Rom.12:9-18)
Think before you speak, be mindful of your tone and language
ii. Be kind and polite
iii. Listen to people, respect their opinions and beliefs
İv. Practice compassion
V. Respect the person and properties of others
vi. Admit your mistakes when
wrong and be quick to apologise
vii. Greet people properly,
appropriate for their age and status
viii. Learn to use these powerful words “please, thank
you, excuse me, I am sorry”
ix. Dress appropriately and decently
X. Practice good communication skills
Xi. Put your phone away when discussing with someone
xii. Be punctual and keep your word
xiii. Respond to text messages,
emails, and return phone calls
where appropriate.
xiv. Respect the privacy of others; do not pry into their personal life without being invited to do so.
XV. Speak up when someone else is being disrespected, do not be a part of it
Q4. WHAT:ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT HONOURING GOD AND PEOPLE ?
Ps. 49:20 says “man that is in honour and understandeth not, is like the beast that perish”. The new birth in Christ does not only give us salvation, it is also meant to restore us to a place of honour. When we dishonour God and others, we become dishonourable
ourselves and are no better than wild beasts. Definitely God will not be pleased with such a person. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (1Pet. 5:5). The man who does not respect people will not be liked by anyone
and he may lose many good things and may even be in danger of losing his life(1 Sam. 25: 10-17). Anyone who persists in dishonouring God will obviously not make it into the kingdom of God.
Q5. WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS 0F HONOURING AND
RESPECTING GOD AND PEOPLE ?
God categorically stated in 1Sam.2:30 those who honour Me wilI I honour”.The man who God honours is a great and blessed man indeed. Honour shall uphold the humble in spirit (Prov.29:23).The one who shows honour and respect will also be honoured and respected by others – you reap what you sow. (Gal.6:7)
Persistent honouring of God will surely put the individual on the path of eternal life.
The class may mention others.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Showing honour especially to God is something that every believer
must do. It is so important that God promises to honour us back if we honour Him. We should not be conformed to the standards of this decadent world where the love of many has waxed cold. We should let our light shine brightly by honouring God and respecting all we come across so that we can reap the benefits of honour.
MEMORY VERSE: 1Sam.2:30b:
“…for them that honour me will I honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed,”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MON: Meditate on Mal.1:6-8
(note vs.6).
TUE: Reflect on lPet.2: 17.
WED: A command from God:
Ex.20:12; Eph.6:1-2.
THU: Honour God’s servants.
1Tim.5:17; Heb. 13:17.
FRI: Marriage is to be honoured by all. Heb.13:4(GNB); 1Pet.3:7.
SAT: Glorify God in your body. 1Cor.6: 19-20; 2Tim.2:21,
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