RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 15 November 2020 – Lesson 11

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TOPIC: Temptation [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 15 November 2020]

MEMORY VERSE: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

BIBLE PASSAGE: James 1:12-16 (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 15 November 2020)

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

INTRODUCTION: In the Bible, the word ‘temptation’ primarily denotes a trial in which man has a free choice of being faithful or unfaithful to God (Gen. 22:1). Secondarily, it signifies allurement or seduction to sin. The latter is a desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment, that threatens long-term goals. Temptation is one of the most familiar experiences of a true child of God and no one can totally escape from it. Even our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted (Matt. 4:1; Heb. 4:15). This is why the Lord taught us to include in our daily prayer the petition, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”.

LESSON OUTLINES:

1. Sources Of And Reasons For Temptations
2. How Do Temptations Arise?

1. SOURCES OF AND REASONS FOR TEMPTATIONS

God never tempts any man although He may give permission to the devil to do so when he is certain that the result would give be to His glory (James 1:13). In which case, He sets the boundaries (Job 1:1-12; 2:6) The actual sources of temptation are: Satan (Matthew 4:1); The flesh (James 1:14); Evil associations (Proverbs 1:10) and Carnal Christians (Matthew16:22-23).

When can God allow temptations to come our way ? The answers are simply:

1. When He wants to testour faith (James 1:2-3)
2. When He wants to test our obedience (Genesis 22:1).

God permits temptation to know the depth of our love and the sincerity of our testimonies that we would obey Him in all things at all times. It is easy to say that we love God and that He can do al things. It is only at the time of severe trials that we can discover if we mean what we say or not. However, in all these cases, God always provides a way for us to overcome (1Corinthians 10:13). Of course, there are temptations that we bring upon ourselves through the lust of the flesh (1John 2:15-17).

2. HOW DO TEMPTATIONS ARISE?
Temptations can come through many avenues. We shall list a few of them to know how to watch out. Temptations can come through:

1. Poverty or prosperity (Proverbs 30:8-9).
2. Discouragement (Psalm 42:11; 1Kings 19:4).
3. Pride, the case of Nebuchadnezzars fall (Daniel 4:30).
4. Pleasure, that led Demas astray (2 Timothy 4:10).
5. Desire for power, that brought a curse on Simon Magus (Acts 8:19).
6. Lust after women, that ruined Solomon and caused the anger of God against David (Nehemiah 13:26, 2 Samuel 11:24).
7. Love of money or greed for material possessions that ruined Achan and led to the destruction of Gehazi and Judas Iscariot (Joshua 7; 2 Kings 5; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; John 13:21-30).

CONCLUSION: To be tempted is nota sin. However, to yield to temptation is a sin.

QUESTIONS:

1. Identify the primary sources of temptation.
2. Mention five pointers to temptation.

FURTHER READING:
MON: 1 John 3:9
TUE: 1 Peter 5:9
WED:1 Peter 5:8,
THUR: Matthew 26:41
FRI: Matthew 6:13
SAT: Matthew 4:1
SUN: Psalm 119:11

ASSIGNMENT: List five areas of life you have been or are being tempted.

RCCG Sunday School HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   O how I love Thee well,
   I am happy, it makes me glad
   To rejoice at Thy birth.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Thy friendship suits me well,
   Both young and old will sing Thy song,
   We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Christ was Thy first teacher,
   The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
   Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   This testimony is sure,
   That God, the Father Almighty,
   Poured His blessing on Thee.
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Though the sun be so bright,
   Or if the clouds black with rain,
   I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   I rejoice to see Thee,
   Will thou pass over me today?
   Without my being blest?