RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 16 May 2021 – Lesson 37
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TOPIC: Peter, The Apostle (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 16 May 2021)
MEMORY VERSE: “Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.” – Acts 5:15
BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 16:13-19 KJV (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 16 May 2021)
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
INTRODUCTION: Apostle Peter played a significant role in the history of the church despite his background (Acts 4:13; 5:15). We want to learn some crucial lessons from his life and ministry.
LESSON OUTLINES
- Brief History And Character
- Achievements And Lessons From His Life/Ministry
1. BRIEF HISTORY AND CHARACTER
Peter, born in Bethsaida (John 1:44), was a fisherman by profession (Luke 5:1-2). His original name was Simon; Jesus renamed him Cephas, which is a transliteration of the Aramaic word for rock or stone and identical in meaning with Peter in Greek (John 1:42). He was one of those Jesus chose as His followers (Matthew 4:18-20). He was ordained to be one of the twelve disciples of Jesus called apostles (Mark 3:14-16; Luke 6:13). He was commissioned to lead the other disciples at the departure of Christ (Matthew 16:18; John 21:15-17). He was married before he became an Apostle (Luke 4:38; Matthew 8:14). According to tradition, Peter died as a martyr, being crucified upside down in Rome because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus Christ.
Peter had a character of obedience, he left everything he had and followed Christ (Matthew 4:22, Luke 5:11). Although, he is known for being rash, impulsive, speaking and acting without thinking; he always took to corrections (Mark 8:31-33; John 18:10-11). He also had a heart of flesh, quick to repent from his misdeeds (Luke 22:61-62).
2. ACHIEVEMENTS AND LESSONS FROM HIS LIFE/MINISTRY
Peter was the first to catch the revelation that Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew 16:15-17). Peter had the opportunity to be on the Mount of transfiguration where Elijah and Moses appeared and conversed with Jesus (Mark 9:2-6). After his Holy Ghost baptism on the day of Pentecost, he preached and 3,000 souls were saved in his first sermon (Acts 2:14,37,41). On another occasion, he preached and about 5,000 men believed. He had a rugged faith in His Master, Jesus Christ and was able to walk on the sea (Matthew 14:25-29). Peter’s confidence in God is revealed in the healing of the lame man at the gate called beautiful (Acts 3:1-7). He became so anointed that multitude were added to the church and many sick folks were healed through the casting of his shadow (Acts 5:14-16)
There are lessons to be leant from the life and ministry of Peter. Believers should lean to heed God’s call, leave everything that can hinder you from serving God and follow Him (Matthew 19:29). Faith in Christ can accomplish anything if we keep our eyes ‘off the storms’ surrounding us (Matthew 14:28-31; Hebrews 12:2). As children of God, we should be thoughtful to speak and act intelligently (James 1:19; Colossians 4:6). Like in the case of Peter when he denied Christ, God will forgives of even the most grievous sins if we confess and genuinely repent (Hebrews 4:16). We can glorify God not only by our lives but also in death (Philippians 1:20-21; Romans 8:17).
CONCLUSION: Christians should allow God to grow them like he groomed Peter from a baby Christian to the carrier of anointing
QUESTIONS:
- Briefly describe the life and character of Peter the Apostle.
- What are his achievements and the lesson to be learned from His life?
FURTHER READING:
Monday: Acts 9:40 (KJV)
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
Tuesday: Acts 15:7-11 (KJV)
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Wednesday: 1 Corinthians 1:12 (KJV)
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
Thursday: Acts 2:37-38 (KJV)
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Friday: Acts 3:12 (KJV)
12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
Saturday: Matthew 14:28-29 (KJV)
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Sunday: Matthew 18:21 (KJV)
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
ASSIGNMENT: Mention five ways by which the study on Peter has influenced your life.
RCCG Sunday School HYMN
- 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. - 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. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee. - 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. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?