RCCG LOWER JUNIOR ZEAL FOR 2023/2024 – AGE 13-19 TEACHER’S MANUAL- SUNDAY 18TH OF FEBRUARY, 2024 – LESSON TWENTY FIVE (25) – TOPIC: REVISION 4/SUMMARY

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RCCG LOWER JUNIOR ZEAL FOR 2023/2024
AGE 13-19 TEACHER’S MANUAL
SUNDAY 18TH OF FEBRUARY, 2024
LESSON TWENTY FIVE (25)
TOPIC: REVISION 4/SUMMARY

  • The teacher is to revise the previous lessons with the Teenagers
  • The teacher is also to ask them questions to ensure lessons have been been well understood.

SUMMARY OF LESSONS 20-24
*LESSON TWENTY (20)
TOPIC: HOW TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE THROUGH: SINGING PRAISES TO GOD

BIBLE TEXT: Psalms 147:1-20

MEMORY VERSE, Psalm 147:1- “Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is comely.”

LESSON AIM: Teenagers should learn that singing praises to God is a way of expressing our gratitude to Him.

CENTRAL TRUTH: Singing praises to God is an acceptable way to show our gratitude to Him.

INTRODUCTION: The Yoruba tribe from Nigeria in Africa is one that does not joke with gratitude, to the extent that they have praise singers, especially in the King’s Palace. It is said in their adage that anyone who shows gratitude for what was done before will get more and this habit is instilled into them right from childhood. Even in parties, praise singing is a custom, especially to the celebrants, to appreciate them for all they have done. King David in the Bible is one who never joked with praising God, as he never stopped showing gratitude to God for picking him up as a shepherd boy and raising him to become King of God’s own nation. This made God call him a man after His heart.

STUDY GUIDE:
A) HOW TO SING SONGS OF PRAISE

  • Songs of praises are songs that have lyrics expressing the wonderful works of God – Ps. 144:9.
  • Sing of God’s love – Ps. 89:1.
  • Sing for joy of what God has done – Ps. 132:9.
  • Sing as long as you live – Ps. 104:33.
  • Sing a new song – Isaiah. 42:10.
  • Sing in times of trouble – Acts 16:25.
  • Sing with gratitude – Col. 3:16.
  • Sing with understanding – 1 Cor. 14:15.
  • Sing from the heart songs of the Spirit – Eph. 5:19.

B) BELOW ARE THINGS YOU CAN SING PRAISES TO GOD FOR:

  1. His wondrous works – Psalm 145:3-5.
  2. His healing power – Psalm 147:1-4.
  3. All He created – Psalm 148:5-9.
  4. His loving kindness – Psalm 138:2.
  5. The salvation of the saints – Psalm 149.

C) EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO SANG TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO GOD

  1. David – Psalm 105:1-2.
  2. Miriam and the Israelites – Exodus 15:20-21.
  3. Israelites and Ezra – Ezra 3:11.
  4. Paul and Silas – Acts 16:25.
  5. Levites – 2 Chro. 20:21.

LIFE APPLICATION: Take 5 minutes every day to sing a song of praise to God to show your appreciation for the great and mighty things He has done for you, in you, through you and in the lives of all your loved ones (Isaiah 42:10). Singing songs of praise to God is a way of expressing our gratitude to Him.

CONCLUSION: Sing songs of praises to express your appreciation in all things; don’t wait for motivation from anyone. Don’t say “my voice is not good”, “I can’t stay on key”, “people will laugh at my voice”…, just sing; sing unto God your Maker and the Lover of your soul, making melody in your heart unto the Lord. He deserves all of your praises; make it a duty to sing unto Him always (Psalm 145:1-3).

LESSON TWENTY ONE (21)
TOPIC: HOW TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE THROUGH 2: THANKSGIVING: PRAYER, SACRIFICIAL OFFERING (CASH OR KIND)

BIBLE TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 50:14 “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High.”

LESSON AIM: At the end of the lesson, teenagers should know that thanksgiving, prayers and giving of sacrificial offering are ways of expressing gratitude to God.

CENTRAL TRUTH: Give thanks to God; pray and give as sacrificially as you can, to appreciate God.

INTRODUCTION: Tomiwa was registered for some external exams and he discovered recently that his parents went to the extent of selling some of their property to register for the exam. This got him so worried because of the stories he had heard over time of people failing these exams and having to do them two to three times before making it. Now he is not just writing one but about three of these exams and he just does not know what to do to make sure he does not fail any of them. He got to Church on Sunday and his teacher was teaching in Sunday School about the power of prayer – that if only we believe, God is able to answer our prayers. He held on to this point and decided that apart from ensuring he didn’t miss any of his tutorial classes, he would make it a point of duty to pray about these exams daily. As he prayed, he started finding favour with his teachers, who took a special interest in him and gave him more attention. He started remembering and understanding all that he was taught and when he wrote the exams, he passed them all with distinctions. He was so happy that he testified in Church for the first time; his dance during the praise and worship period was special and he called each of his teachers to thank them specially, after which he sent them a small gift each, given by his parents. Giving of thanks is an attitude that shows that we really value all that God has done for us. It must therefore become a culture for us to always appreciate God by giving, in form of money as well as dedicating your time and energy to the work of God.

STUDY GUIDE:
A) WHAT IS THANKSGIVING, PRAYER AND SACRIFICIAL GIVING?
Thanksgiving is a celebration in acknowledgment of divine favour from God – Ps. 107:1.
Prayer is the words a person says when they speak to God. One of the ways our appreciation to what God has done can be expressed is through prayers – Phil. 4:6.
Sacrificial Giving: Sacrificial giving is giving that goes beyond our means for the love of another, and unto the Lord! Sacrificial giving entails:

  • Giving beyond our means – 2 Sam. 24:24.
  • Giving not measured by how much you have given but how much you have left – Lk 21:4.
  • Giving the first and best, not our leftovers – Gen. 22:12.

B) HOW TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE THROUGH PRAYERS .

  1. Prayer of Thanksgiving for other believers – Eph. 1:16; Phil. 1:3-4.
  2. Prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  3. Prayer of thanksgiving for the Shepherds (Pastors, teachers) the Lord has placed over us.
  4. Prayer of thanksgiving for our parents and family.

C) GRATITUDE THROUGH SACRIFICIAL OFFERING

  1. Gratitude can be expressed through sacrificial offering/giving.
  2. Sacrificial offering is giving an offering that is not convenient – 2 Chro 1:6.
  3. It can also be said to be an offering that costs you something significant – 2 Sam 24:24.

D) THINGS TEENAGERS CAN GIVE AS OFFERING

  • Praises and Dance – David
  • Offering which can be provided by savings our parents or from our personal
  • Meeting a need in church, especially if it’s one you can afford
  • Volunteering to do services before God or joining the work force in Church – such as the choir, cleaning, ushering, evangelism etc

LIFE APPLICATION: There is nothing too small or too big to give to God; what matters is your motive behind giving it. If God could appreciate the widow’s mite over the Pharisee’s big offering, how much more yours. Look out for things you can give or do in the house of God, just to appreciate Him for what He has done and will still do as He has promised in His word to us.

CONCLUSION: Appreciation starts from the heart and a heart without God cannot appreciate Him nor go to the extent of giving to Him in appreciation. Only a heart of flesh that has encountered the Salvation of Christ can be grateful and look out for ways to express this gratitude to God.

LESSON TWENTY TWO (22)
TOPIC: HOW TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE THROUGH 3: DANCING AND BODY LANGUAGE

BIBLE TEXT: 2 SAMUEL 6:14-22

MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 150:4 – “Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.”

LESSON AIM: Teenagers should learn that gratitude to God can be expressed through dancing.

CENTRAL TRUTH: Dancing and body language is a way of expressing our gratitude to God.

INTRODUCTION: One of the ways by which a person shows happiness, especially after getting something he or she had been yearning for, is to shout and dance for joy, even if the person does not know how to dance well. You would see such just move his or her body in any way, even if it does not match the rhythm of the music. Oftentimes, the greater the news, the more the dance and celebration. David is a perfect example in the Bible. Despite the fact that he was a king and much-decorated war lord who had achieved great feats, he threw caution to the wind and forgot about modesty when he was praising God, to the extent that he danced in public to show that he was grateful to God for His goodness in securing victory for him (2 Sam 6:14-22).
God has secured many victories for you, hence, you are to show that your appreciation by moving your body for Him.

STUDY GUIDE:
A) WHAT IS DANCING AND BODY LANGUAGE AND HOW CAN I DANCE TO SHOW MY GRATITUDE?
I. What is dancing?

  1. Dancing is a state of gentle or rigorous movement of some or all the parts of the body in a certain rhythm.
  2. Dancing is an outward display of an overflow of joy from the heart.
  3. Dancing is also a form of exercise,

II. What is Body Language?
Body Language is how you act or look-generally your outward behaviour and facial expression.

III. How Dancing and Body language are expressions of gratitude – 1 Samuel 18:6-7, Luke 15:25

  1. Dancing shows that the joy and gratitude in a person is so full that he or she can’t hold it in.
  2. Being grateful for God’s answer to prayers moves one to laugh, dance and rejoice.
  3. It is a state of excitement that is almost impossible to go unnoticed because of the movements of the body.

B) EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE IN THE SCRIPTURES WHO SHOWED GRATITUDE TO GOD BY DANCING AND OTHER BODY LANGUAGE

  1. The lame man at the beautiful gate – Acts 3: 1-8.
  2. David-2 Sam. 6:14.
  3. Miriam – Exo. 15:20-21.
  4. Women of Israel – 1 Sam 18:6-7.

C) FORMS OF BODY LANGUAGE AND DANCE-Acts 3: 8, Luke 6:23, Ps. 98:4, Ps. 149:3

  1. Jumping
  2. Leaping
  3. Dancing
  4. Skipping
  5. Screaming/Shouting
  6. Waving
  7. Singing
  8. Bending
  9. Swaying
  10. Twirling (Turning round and round)

DISCUSSION: Mention other ways in which we can use our body language to show gratitude to God.

LIFE APPLICATION: Think of all the Lord has done for you right from birth to now and with that in mind, make up your mind to dance as an
outward sign that you are grateful to God for everything. Dance and smile for joy to display your gratitude to God.

CONCLUSION: Gratitude starts from the heart and then it shows in your countenance and body language. Show God that you are grateful by dancing unto Him daily.

LESSON TWENTY THREE (23)-
TOPIC: GOD THE FATHER DELIGHTS IN A GRATEFUL HEART

BIBLE TEXT: 2 Chronicles 20:15-22

MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 22:3- “But thou art holy, a thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel

LESSON AIM: Teenagers should learn that God delights in a grateful heart.

CENTRAL TRUTH: God enjoys His children showing gratitude to Him.

INTRODUCTION: If people are so particular about those they have helped or provided for showing gratitude to them, how much more our Maker. We see our parents telling us from time to time to learn to say thank you for any little thing done or given to us and we see they are especially happy when we do this without being told or reminded. In fact, they sometimes give us more or express their joy when we show our gratitude without being told. In like manner, God likes it when His children acknowledge what He has done in their lives. As we acknowledge it through gratitude, God is moved to do much more than we think.

STUDY GUIDE:
A) HOW CAN I HAVE A GRATEFUL HEART THAT GOD DELIGHTS IN?

  • Be born again.
  • Decide that in all situations you will be joyful – Ps. 34:1.
  • Focus your heart on the goodness of God – Ps. 136:1.
  • Acknowledge God in all you do.

B. BENEFITS OF HAVING A GRATEFUL HEART THAT GOD DELIGHTS IN

  1. He opens more doors of victory unto you – Ps. 149:4.
  2. He releases blessings that you won’t have enough room to contain – Mal. 3:10.
  3. He gives you things you didn’t ask for – 1 Sam 2:20-21.
  4. The Lord fights your battles for you – 2 Chro, 20:21-25.

C. EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO EXPRESSED A GRATEFUL HEART THAT GOD THE FATHER DELIGHTS IN

  1. Noah Gen. 8: 20-21
  2. Hannah – 1Sam. 2:1-10
  3. Solomon – IKings 3:3-5
  4. Jesus-John 11:41-45

LIFE APPLICATION: For God to delight in us, we must determine to always be grateful for everything He has done in our lives. When we delight in God and the things of God, He also delights in us.

CONCLUSION: The more your heart fills with gratitude towards God, the more He delights in us and releases blessings upon us. Express your gratitude to God.

LESSON TWENTY (24)
TOPIC: GOD THE SON DELIGHTS IN A GRATEFUL HEART

BIBLE TEXT: Luke 7:37-48

MEMORY VERSE: Luke 7:44 – “And He turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.”

LESSON AIM: Teenagers should know that Jesus delights in believers who express gratitude to Him.

CENTRAL TRUTH: A heart full of gratitude will express it without holding back.

INTRODUCTION: It gladdens the heart of Jesus to see believers with a grateful heart. We see it from the Scriptures as Jesus journeyed from one place to the other, performing signs and wonders by the power of the Holy Spirit that He was glad, whenever a person that was healed expressed gratitude for the healing and restoration received from Him.

STUDY GUIDE:
A. HOW CAN WE EXPRESS A GRATEFUL HEART THAT GOD THE SON DELIGHTS IN?

  1. Believe in the Lord your God-2 Chro. 20:20.
  2. Acknowledge that you are a sinner – Prov. 28:13.
  3. Give Jesus your best without holding back – Prov. 21:26b, 2 Cor. 9:7.

B. BENEFITS OF A GRATEFUL HEART THAT GOD THE SON DELIGHTS IN

  • God is glorified – Lev. 10:3.
  • Sins are forgiven – Micah 7:18, Lk 7:47-48.
  • You will receive wholeness – Luke 17: 15-19
  • It brings contentment and reduces complaints – Lam. 3:39.
  • It deepens our faith – Luke 17:17-19.
  • Pride decreases and humility increases – 1 Cor. 4:7.

C. EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURES WHERE PEOPLE EXPRESSED THEIR GRATITUDE TO GOD

  1. The ten lepers- Luke 17:11-19
  2. The woman with the issue of blood – Mark 5: 25-34
  3. The woman with the Alabaster box – Luke 7:37-48
  4. The healing of the Gadarene demoniac – Mark 5:18-20

LIFE APPLICATION: We have so much to be grateful for, if only we can sit back to count our blessings daily. God the Son looks forward to seeing us express our gratitude for everything, be it little or much.

CONCLUSION: Sincere gratitude to God the Son can only come by an encounter with Him which begins with us giving our life to Jesus and developing a relationship with Him.

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.

Note: Teenagers should review the previous lessons during the week before revision next Sunday.

Open Heavens 2024 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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