Church of God Mission International – CGMI ADULTS SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL By ARCHBISHOP M. E. BENSON IDAHOSA 8 December 2024 | Topic: THE WINNING LIFE
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CGMI ADULTS SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
Believers who cross the finish line
of the Christian race will wear the
crown of righteousness.
DATE: SUNDAY 8TH DECEMBER, 2024
HYMN: S. S & S. 87. Standing on the promises of…..
TOPIC: THE WINNING LIFE
TEXT: 1Cor. 16:13-14; 2Tim.4:6-8.
INTRODUCTION:
At the point of Salvation, the individual is enlisted into the life of
Christ. He becomnes Christ’s representative on earth. This makes him automatically an enemy of the devil who is the archenemy of God and the Church. The enemy will fight relentlessly to take the believer back to his old sinful life. But thank God that as God’s children, we have
Overcome the devil and his agents because “”….greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” (1John.4:4). How we live this winning life so that like Paul, we can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith” is the purpose of this study.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
This lesson is intended to accomplish the following objectives:-
i. explain the phrase “the winning life”‘;
ii. discuss how Jesus Christ and Paul exemplified the winning life;
iii. explain why the believer should maintain the winning life: and
iv. discuss how the believer can sustain the winning life.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1. HOW CAN WE EXPLAIN THE CONCEPT “THE WINNING LIFE”?
Literally, to win means to gain success in a fight, struggle or competition. Every born-again Christian is on a warfare with the devil whose end is already determined,
Jesus who is the captain of our
salvation conquered satan, our eternal enemy on the Cross.
We are therefore, overcomers, winners and victors. Living the winning life entails continuous and consistent hold on Christ at all times
irrespective of satan’s antics,
allurements and attacks. He keeps looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Q2. EXPLAIN HOW THE FOLLOWING PERSONS EXEMPLIFIED THE
WINNING LIFE:
(a). Jesus Christ..(John.19:28-30)
At the finish line of Jesus’ ministry, He boldly declared … it is finished”
This is a declaration of a Winner or a victor. It demonstrates that all He came to do on earth were
successfully accomplished. In
John 17:4. He states I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest Me to do”.
This statement of triumph was made possible by His total surrender to the will of His Father (Luke.22:42). Every
believer who desires to live the winning life must continually look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Heb. 12:2).
b).Apostle Paul: (2Cor.l11:22-33; 2Tim.4:6-8).
Paul, the Apostle had his agenda in ministry clearly cut out for him upon his dramatic conversion on
Damascus’ road (Acts9:15-16). Without any hesitation, he embarked on his missionary journeys
consistently and committedly. He suffered intolerable pains, agonies, and terrible persecutions as well as natural disasters. He was undaunted
in spite of these and got to the finish line of the Christian race. At the end he could triumphantly say I have
fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”. To live the winning life we must press
toward the mark of the highbcalling of God in Christ Jesus even in the midst of daunting challenges.
Q3. WHY SHOULD THE BELIEVER MAINTAIN THE WINNING LIFE?
(2Tim.4:6-8: Rev.2:2-3:22:12)
Human beings by nature, are goal-directed. Failure to fulfill one’s goal
does not bring satisfaction.
Therefore the believer must maintain the winning life in order to enjoy inner
satisfaction and fulfillment.
Towards the end of Paul’s ministry, it was given to him to visualize the beautiful crown of righteousness
awaiting him and all believers in Christ. This is the glorious hope of the believer and should serve as an
impetus/motivation to live the
winning life. It is also gladdening to know that what so ever the Christian is going through in life does not escape the knowledge of God
(Rev.2:2-3). We should therefore endure to the end for our ultimate salvation. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the
rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Since we do not know when the reward will come, we should
endeavor to maintain the winning life. Certainly, Jesus is coming quickly with His reward for every man,
according to how his work shall be (Rev.22: 12).
Q4. HOW CAN THE BELIEVER MAINTAIN THE WINNINGLIFE?
Life is governed by principles. There are certain Scriptural principles which
when applied in our Christian journey will assist us to maintain the winning life.
Some ofthese are:-
(a). Being always on guard against the flesh, the world and the devil (1 Cor.16:13; 1John.2:15-17; 1Pet.5:8).
One of the strong enemies of the believer is his flesh. It is always seeking for attention and craving for things that are not right. The believer is advised to be filled with the Spirit so as not to fulfill the desire/injunctions of the flesh.
Similarly, the world with its allures is also an enemy to the believer. There is the strong temptation to develop an inordinate affection for fame,
popularity, power, riches e.t.c
without reference to scriptural
guidelines. Also, the Scripture puts us on the alert about the strategies of our archadversary, the devil (1Pet.5:8).
To maintain the winning life therefore, we should watch out for these three foes.
(b). Stand firm in faith
(1 Cor.15:58), (Mark.11 :22-23). We must be decidedly strong in faith no matter the challenges we might face.
Having put our hands on the plough, we should never attempt to look back to ‘Egypt’ from where we were
delivered.
(c.) Application of the word of God. (2Tim.3:15-17). The Scriptures instruct, reprove, and correct us to maintain the winning life. It is the Lamp to our feet and Light on our
pathway. (Ps.119:10S)
(d). Relying on God (Ps. 1 27: 1),
The believer cannot go it alone. Except the Lord builds the house, they
labour in vain that build it. Therefore, we should not trust on the arm of flesh in this Christian journey, but rely
solely on the LORD
(e). Continued consecration
(Rom.12:1-2). To maintain the winning life, the believer must continue to live a consecrated life. We must die daily (1 Cor. 1 5:31) and
maintain our separated life.
(f). Letting the love of God guide all you do (1Cor.13:1-7). The love of God in our heart will constrain us to remain in the faith and live the winning life.
(g). Being prepared to endure short/long term hardship. (Hab.3:17-18:Rev.2:10; 2Cor.6:3-6). The
Christian race is filled with thorns and thistles. For the believer living the winning life, none of these things
should separate him fronm the love of God. Like the Lord Jesus, he should endure the Cross” and despise the shame in order to win the crown.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
The winning life is the life of Christ who lives in us. It is the life that overcomes sin, provides intimate communion with God and is full of
satisfaction and power. It is already in us as children of God waiting to manifest.
Every child of God should aspire to live the winning life unto the end so that we will become recipients of the
crown of righte ousness awaiting us. By His grace, we shall win together. Amen.
( MORY VERSE:)
2Tim.4:7.
“I have fought a good fight.I have finished mycourse. I have kept the faith”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MON: Jesus Christ exemplified the winning life.
TUE: Apostle Paul exemplified the winning life.
(1Cor. 1 1:22-23: 2 Tim.4:6-8).
WED: Why we should maintain the winning life. (2Tim.4:6-8; Rev.2:2-3).
THU: Watchfulness as a key to maintaining the winning life. (1Cor. 16: 13; Rom.7:18; 1John.2:15-1 7& I Pet.5:8).
FRI: The place of the word of God in maintaining the
winning life. (1Tim.3: 1 5-1 7; 2:15).
SAT: Enduring hardship key to living the winning life. (1Pet.5: 10; 2Cor. 6:3-7 &
Rev.2:10).
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