CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – Topic: UNDERSTANDING THE CALL-FOCUS ON CHRIST 2 – Church of God Mission International – DATE: SUNDAY 14th, JANUARY 2024
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
Focusing on Christ to the end, guarantees final entrance into His rest
DATE: SUNDAY 14th, JANUARY 2024.
HYMN: S.S & S 235 “My Faith Looks Up To Thee”
TOPIC:
UNDERSTANDING THE CALL-FOCUS ON CHRIST 2
TEXT: Matt 17:1-6; Heb 12:1-2
INTRODUCTION:
For several years now, the central theme and direction God has been giving us through the ArchBishop is ‘Focus on Christ’. Though the calls kept coming with specific point for focus every year, they are always hinged on the main direction of focusing on none other but Jesus Christ. It is evident from scriptures that this renewed call in the mission is the same call God made, and is still making to His prized possession- the redeemed, since the time He bought them with the blood of His Beloved Son. In this study, we shall dig a little deeper to understand the call and it’s implication for the believer now and for eternity.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this study are to:
- Examine some areas the believer should focus on Christ
- Identify the factors that will always help us to keep our focus on Christ
- Understand the dangers of not focusing on Christ and
- Appreciate the benefits of focusing on Christ
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1. SINCE GOD HIMSELF SAID “HEAR YE HIM”, HOW SHOULD THE BELIEVER FOCUS ON CHRIST WITH RESPECT TO THE FOLLOWING ?
A. FAITH & BELIEVES: Jn 1:15-18; Eph 5:1-2. The revelation of Christ’s love for us which made Him go beyond affection to self sacrificing service compels us to believe in Him and His word. We should demonstrate a well rooted faith in Him and His ability to accomplish that which He has promised. This should inspire us not only to hear Him, but strive to be like Him.
B. CHARACTER MOLDING: Rom 12:1-2, 9-21. God has good and perfect plans for His children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds into the image of Christ. We should strive to emulate Christ in His life of love, sacrifice, faithfulness, obedience to God in all areas of life. Empathizing and bearing one another’s burden in the bond of love, with the mind of pleasing the Lord alone. We should live our lives with the sole aim of walking worthy of His calling.
C. DOCTRINE: Jn 7:14-18; Acts 2:40-43; 2Tim 3:16-17. The true believer in Christ has no other doctrine, than the doctrine of Christ. Christ did not in any way contradict the scriptures (the word of God) rather He ensured that He kept it to the letter throughout His life on earth. His allegiance was, to His Father’s will to reconcile the sinner back to God, which He regarded as His meat. If we be Christ’s, we should also bear allegiance to His will and be serious with the propagation of the gospel, which is the main reason Christ called us to Himself. It should not be taken as an opportunity for us to show how much we know the word of God or use our charismatic display of our own philosophy to draw men to ourselves. Rather we should see it as a privilege to point our followers to Christ, in simple obedience to the instructions we have received- “hear ye Him”.. “looking unto Christ…”
D. BEING LIKE THE RECHABITES: Jer 35:1-2, 6, 13-14. The sons of Rechab are reference point to the believers today because of their obedience to the instructions of their Father. They saw it as a doctrine that they could not undermine. So, they were not ready to do otherwise, no matter the source of any contrary instruction. This is a great challenge and a practical example to the believers. If children could bear such serious allegiance to their earthly father, how much more should Christians honour Christ who is divine. Anything less than total and unalloyed allegiance and obedience to Christ is unacceptable.
E. BEING LIKE THE BEREAN CHRISTIANS: Acts 11:10-11. The BEREAN CHRISTIANS were famous in their belief and confidence in the word of God as revealed in the scriptures. They were so faithful to their belief that they would not accept the words of any preacher until they verified to confirm that they were in consonance with the scriptures. To the believer, the word of God is an invaluable treasure. It is powerful and quick to discern the state of the heart. It is able to restore life to that which was dead. It is a light and a lamp, a compass to the pilot and an indispensable guide to the believer.
F. BECOMING LIKE JESUS: Rom 12:1-2; Phil 2:5-8; Eph 5:1-2. Becoming like Jesus is not something to mimic. It requires continuous focusing on Him, intimate relationship and total obedience to His instructions and teachings. Constant fellowship and in-depth observance of His doctrine and total allegiance to it. Oneust be prepared to bring into subjection all the works and desires of the flesh and put on the divine nature in the inner man and follow Him wherever He leads.
QUESTION 2. LIST SOME FACTORS THAT WILL ALWAYS HELP US KEEP OUR FOCUS ON CHRIST.
Some of the factors that will always help us keep our focus on Christ include:
I. Realizing that He sacrificed His life to pay for the consequences of our sins
II. Believing that He loved us
III. Understanding that He is our advocate before God.
IV. Believing that He is the way to the presence of God
V. Constant study and believing the word of God
VI. Realizing that it is only through His name, we can receive answer to our request from God.
VII. Regular fellowship with believers in Christ
QUESTION 3. WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF NOT FOCUSING ONLY ON CHRIST ?
It is very dangerous not to remain focused only on Christ. He is the light of the world. Removing our focus on Him means walking in darkness, where there are tons and thistles that will make us stumble, fall and unable to continue our life’s journey. He is not only the light, He is also the way and not focusing on Him may lead us into the wrong way.
QUESTION 4. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FOCUSING ON CHRIST ?
Focusing on Christ will:
I. Guarantee our walking in the light and not in darkness
II. Grant us the privilege of walking on the right way to eternity
III. Give us assurance of being with Jesus in glory.
IV. Grant us the grace to overcome the challenges of this evil world.
V. Identify us as followers of Christ.
CLASS TOENTION OTHERS
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
The Lord in His mercy and desire to reposition His church has repeatedly reminded us, this time through the ArchBishop to focus on Christ. It is therefore important for us to pay attention to the simplicity of what this call means. The core value of the Christian faith can only be seen through ‘the lens’ of Jesus Christ. It is only by focussing on Christ alone that we can pursue our everyday endeavours as christians according to God’s precepts. May the Lord help us so our portion shall not be condemnation but commendation
MEMORY VERSE:
Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith..
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