RCCG LOWER JUNIOR ZEAL FOR 2023/2024 - AGE 13-19 TEACHER'S MANUAL - SUNDAY 10TH OF DECEMBER, 2023 - LESSON FIFTEEN (15) - TOPIC: TYPES OF GRATITUDE TOWARDS GOD 2 (VAIN WORSHIP)

RCCG LOWER JUNIOR ZEAL FOR 2023/2024 – AGE 13-19 TEACHER’S MANUAL – SUNDAY 10TH OF DECEMBER, 2023 – LESSON FIFTEEN (15) – TOPIC: TYPES OF GRATITUDE TOWARDS GOD 2 (VAIN WORSHIP)

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RCCG LOWER JUNIOR ZEAL FOR 2023/2024
AGE 13-19 TEACHER’S MANUAL
SUNDAY 10TH OF DECEMBER, 2023
LESSON FIFTEEN (15)
TOPIC: TYPES OF GRATITUDE TOWARDS GOD 2 (VAIN WORSHIP)

BIBLE TEXTS: 1 Samuel 13:4-15
[4]And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.
[5]And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.
[6]When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
[7]And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
[8]And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
[9]And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
[10]And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
[11]And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
[12]Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
[13]And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
[14]But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
[15]And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.

MEMORY VERSE: 1 Peter 4:11 – “If any man speak, let him speak as he oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever: Amen.

Also Read: Open Heaven 10 December 2023 – BELIEVE HIS WORD

LESSON AIM: Teenagers should know that vain worship is not acceptable unto God.

CENTRAL TRUTH: Vain worship is done to glorify self, not God.

INTRODUCTION: Vain means futile, without result, without yield,unfruitful., unproductive. Vain worship is the act of worshipping God in an unacceptable manner.

STUDY GUIDE:
A) WHAT IS VAIN WORSHIP?

Vain worship is offering to God an unacceptable sacrifice or worship – Genesis 4:1-7.
Vain worship is any worship not offered unto God in Spirit and truth – John 4:23-24.
Vain worship is anything offered unto God grudgingly, unwillingly, out of compulsion – 2 Corinthians 9:7.
Vain worship is worship offered to receive the praise of men.
Vain worship is worship offered unto God halfheartedly with partial obedience – 1 Samuel 15:19-22.
Honouring God with lip service – Isaiah 29:13.
Reverencing human traditions – Mark 7:8-9.

B) EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO OFFERED WORSHIP IN VAIN

King Saul – 1 Samuel 13:7-13.
Aaron’s sons – Leviticus 10:1-3.
Cain – Genesis 4:1-7.
Eli’s sons – 1 Samuel 2:29-30.
Ananias and Sapphira – Acts 5:1-11.

C) THINGS TO DO IN ORDER NOT TO ALLOW OUR WORSHIP TOWARDS GOD TO BE IN VAIN

Be born again; anyone who is not born again can only offer vain worship to God because he or she is not of God – John 3:3.
Offer unto God only your best; don’t give substandard things, don’t give money that is torn, faded, squeezed or stolen as an offering to God – 2 Samuel 24:24.
Determine to worship God from your heart- John 4:24.
Turn away from sinful habits. Don’t use the same mouth with which you lie and insult people to worship God. Run away from sinful habits – Ps. 66:18.
When worshipping, focus on God and God alone- John 4:24.
Don’t hold back or use God’s offering for personal things – 1 Sam. 2:29-30.

DISCUSSION: Why are people worshipping God in vain?

LIFE APPLICATION: Whatever we give to God, the intent of the heart matters and He judges by it. Be it worship, dance offering, or whatever it is we offer to Him, He looks at the heart behind the action, hence, vain worship to God for whatever reason is unacceptable to Him.

CONCLUSION: An unbeliever can only offer vain worship to God. Become a child of God today by accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour, then you can ensure that any worship you offer unto God is done in Spirit and in truth.

TODAY’S LESSON REFLECTION:
What truth have you learnt in today’s lesson?
………………………..
Write down one way in which you are going to apply what you now know.

Open Heavens 2021 Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

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