RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 18 July 2021 – Lesson 46
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TOPIC: Spiritual Awakening (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 18 July 2021)
MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:6
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8 KJV (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 18 July 2021)
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
INTRODUCTION: Spiritually, sleep could either be caused naturally (Proverbs 3:24) or supernaturally (Genesis 2:21). Sleep is also used as a figurative expression of death (John 11:11-13), spiritual weakness or lukewarmness (Ephesians 5:14). Spiritual sleep is considered dangerous for any believers. This calls for spiritual awakening, i.e. waking up from spiritual sleep.
LESSON OUTLINES
- SIGNS AND DANGERS OF SPIRITUAL SLEEP
- REMEDIES FOR SPIRITUAL SLEEP
1. SIGNS AND DANGERS OF SPIRITUAL SLEEP
There are signs or indicators of spiritual sleep that every believer should watch out for. When you notice that you are: more interested in the things of the world or vigorously pursuing wealth (1John 2:15; Ecclesiastes 5:10); manifesting more of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21); not hungry for spiritual food (Colossians 3:15-16); no longer impacted by the word of God (Isaiah 6:9-10; Jeremiah 15-16); no longer praying or hearing the voice of God (Romans 11:7-8); no longer thirsty for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). In addition, you may be sleeping spiritually when you think you do not need to learn(Proverbs 18:2; Galatians 6:3); pursuing fame or self-glory (Jeremiah 45:5); unmindful of danger(Judges 16:16-25; Jonah 1:3-5); lack commitment in spiritual relationships with spiritually-minded Christians (Hebrews 10:25).
If you are asleep spiritually you cannot discern spiritual matters (1 Corinthians 2:11-14; Proverbs 29:18). By implication whatever you cannot see you cannot get (Genesis 13:14-18; Jeremiah 17:5-6). You are open to spiritual attack(1 Kings19:1-8; Matthew 13:24-30) and sudden destruction ( Acts 20:9-12; Judges 4:17-21). You will become weak (Judges 16:20) and bring disappointment (2 Timothy 4:10). You can miss divine appointment (Matthew 25:1-12).
2. REMEDIES FOR SPIRITUAL SLEEP
The Bible calls for spiritual awakening especially for believers that are slumbering or already asleep in spiritual matters (Romans 13:11). Why should and how can such believers wake up?
One clear reason for spiritual awakening is the nearness of the second coming of Jesus Christ (Romans 13:11b; Matthew 24:42-44). Believers should also note that we are children of light and of ‘the day’ and not of ‘the night’ nor of darkness (1Thessalonians 5:5). To enjoy the true light in Christ, those that are sleeping spiritually must wake up (Ephesians 5:14). Another reason to awake from spiritual sleep is to receive deliverance from the snare of the devil (2Timothy 2:26). Believers should wake up spiritually because, we are in the season of harvest of souls into God’s kingdom (Luke 10:2). Also, it is a time of war and the enemy is wide awake (Matthew 13:25; 1Peter 5:8).
1 Corinthians 15:34 charges every believer to awake to righteousness, strive to know God and stop sinning. If you claim to be a believer in Christ, you must constantly check your lifestyle habits to know whether you are slumbering or sleeping spiritually (2Corinthians 13:5; Luke 21:34). Watch and pray constantly in order to remain spiritually alert (Luke 21:36; Matthew 26:41).
CONCLUSION: Learn to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit in order not to sleep spiritually. If you are already sleeping, wake up.
QUESTIONS
- What are the signs and dangers of spiritual sleep?
- Mention the remedies for spiritual sleep
FURTHER READINGS:
Monday: Zechariah 8:20-23 (KJV)
20 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: 21 And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. 22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. 23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
Tuesday: Micah 4:1-2 (KJV)
1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Wednesday: Habakkuk 3:2 (KJV)
2O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
Thursday: Isaiah 32:15 (KJV)
15 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.
Friday: Joel 2:28 (KJV)
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Saturday Acts 2:17 (KJV)
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Sunday: Isaiah 44:3 (KJV)
3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
ASSIGNMENT: Mention any five things which God can do to wake the believers from their sleep.
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?
