RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 17 October 2021 – Lesson 7
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TOPIC: Beatitudes: The Meek And The Hungry (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 17 October 2021)
MEMORY VERSE: “The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.” – Psalms 22:26
Also Read: Open Heaven 17 October 2021 – The Unchangeable Changer
BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 5:5-6 (KJV) (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 17 October 2021)
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
INTRODUCTION: The beatitudes describe the ideal disciple and his rewards, both present and future. Having discovered that the beatitudes are a series of eight blessings spoken by Jesus in Matthew 5, we shall do some exposition on verses 5 and 6 in this study.
LESSON OUTLINE:
- BLESSED ARE THE MEEK
- BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST
1. BLESSED ARE THE MEEK
‘Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth’ (Matthew 5:5).
The word ‘meek, from the original Greek language ‘praus’ refers to mildness, gentleness of spirit or humility. It was used to describe ‘reining in a stallion’. It is the idea of a horse being controlled by a bit and bridle. The horse is choosing to submit to authority.
This is meekness. It is power under constraint. “Meekness” is a humble attitude that expresses itself in the patient endurance of offences. Meekness is humility toward God and toward others. In other words, it is having the right or the power to do something but refraining for the benefit of someone else (Eph. 4:1-2). It is power under control.
Meekness is not weakness. A weak person cannot do anything but a meek person can do something but chooses not to (Prov.16:32; 25:28).
Being too hasty in word and deed are possibly two of the most frequent weaknesses in people. A meek person would consider his actions before he acts hastily (James 1:1 21: 3:13). The cultivation of this spirit is enjoined (Col.3:12; 1Tim. 6:11; Zeph. 2:3), and is exemplified in Christ (Matt.11:29), Abraham Gen.13:8-12: 16:5-6), Moses (Num.12:3), David (Zech. 12:8; 2 Sam. 16:10,12), and Paul (1Cor. 9:19)
Peculiar promises are made to the meek. (Matt. 5:5 Isa 66:5). The humble would receive far greater than the arrogant and prideful. Not only do the meek enjoy more of life on earth because of their ability to be content, but they will possess the earth after Jesus’ return and triumphant entry. The meek are blessed.
2. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled’ (Matt.5:6). An ardent desire for anything is often represented in the Scriptures by hunger and thirst (Ps.42:1). As the body has its natural appetites of hunger and thirst for the food and drink suited to its nourishment, so has the soul (Ps.63:1-2). When the soul be- gins to hunger and thirst after righteousness or holiness, which is its proper food, we know that it must be purified by the Holy Spirit, and be made a partaker of that living bread (John 7:37-32), or perish everlastingly.
A desire for the blessings of pardon and peace; a deep sense of sin, and want, and wretchedness, is also represented by thirsting (Isa.55:1-2). Those who hunger and thirst, after the full salvation of God, will be blessed, satisfied and well-fed.
Those that are lost sinners and strongly desire to be holy shall be filled. Christ has made provision to satisfy all who truly desire to be holy (John.4:14; John.6:35; Ps.17:15).
Those that hunger and thirst after righteousness are blessed.
CONCLUSION:
If you are meek, you will be satisfied with the blessings of God on earth and filled with heavenly blessings.
QUESTIONS
- Who are the meek?
- Who are the hungry and thirsty?
FURTHER READINGS:
Monday: Numbers 12:3 (KJV)
(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
Tuesday: Psalm 22:26 (KJV)
The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
Wednesday: Psalm 149:4 (KJV)
For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Thursday: Proverbs 3:34 (KJV)
Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
Friday: Proverbs 16:19 (KJV)
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Saturday: Luke 6:29 (KJV)
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
Sunday: Romans 12:3 (KJV)
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
ASSIGNMENT: Students should mention five (5) people who showed exemplary hunger and thirst for righteousness in the Bible. Give Bible references.
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?
