RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 9 July 2023 – Lesson 45
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TOPIC: Apostasy (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 9 July 2023)
MEMORY VERSE: “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” – Hebrews 10:29
BIBLE PASSAGE: Hebrews 6:4-6 (KJV) (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 9 July 2023)
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
LESSON INTRODUCTION: Renouncing one’s faith is ‘apostasy.’ The term apostasy comes from the Greek word ‘apostasia’ meaning ‘defection,’ ‘departure,’ ‘revolt’ or ‘rebellion.’ Apostasy is the formal disaffiliation from, abandonment of, or renunciation of a religion by a person. It can also be defined within the broader context of embracing an opinion that is contrary to one’s previous religious beliefs. It is an act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognise a religious faith. One who undertakes apostasy is known as an apostate.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- THE CHARACTERISTICS
- THE DANGER AND HOPE
1. THE CHARACTERISTICS
In the context of the Christian faith, there are two main forms of Apostasy: one is a falling away from key and true doctrines of the Bible into heretical teachings that claim to be “the real” Christian doctrine while the other is a complete renunciation of the Christian faith, which results in full abandonment of Christ (Heb.10:29).
Jude’s description of the character of the first Century apostates explains why he so strongly opposed them. Some believers today are toying the paths of the apostates of Jude’s day, ignoring scriptural warnings of past judgments on sins (Rom.15:4) such as that of unbelieving Israelites, fallen Angels (Jude 6; 2Pet.2:4), Sodom and Gomorrah (Jude 7; Gen.19:24-25).
They are becoming ungodly by moral perversion, defilement of the flesh, rebellion, boldly speaking evil against people and things they do not understand such as spiritual beings and dignitaries (Jude 8-10). They are ignorant about God, proclaiming false visions, self-destructive, grumbling, fault-finding, self-satisfying, using arrogant words and false flattery and they make a mockery of God (Jude 15-18). They ignore God and His word like Cain, practising greed and deceit like Balaam and rebelling against spiritual authorities like Korah (Jude 11). Apostates are sensual (Jude 19). They deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Titus 1:15-16).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should discuss the problems an apostate could bring to the body of Christ in particular and society at large.
2. THE DANGER AND HOPE
Ultimately, an apostate eventually falls away and departs from the truth of God’s word and His righteousness (1Jn.2:19). We can deduce from Hebrews 6:4-6 that by human intervention, it is impossible to renew those who abandon their Christian faith. However, the Bible makes it clear that with God nothing shall be impossible (Lk.1:37; Jer.32:27). Therefore, if a child of God abandons his faith for whatever reason (including apostasy), there is but one route of return -that of repentance, acknowledgement of wrong and the humble petition for God’s pardon (2Chron. 7:14; 2 Cor.7:10; 1 Jn.1:9).
It is critical, now more than ever, that every believer prays for discernment, combat apostasy, and contend earnestly for the faith that was once and for all delivered to the saints.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: The class should discuss how a true believer can guard against sliding into apostasy.
CONCLUSION: Apostasy is a dangerous trend that can lead to a point of no return. Be watchful.
QUESTIONS:
- What characterises apostasy?
- How dangerous is apostasy?
FURTHER READINGS:
Monday: Hebrews 10:26-29 (KJV)
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Tuesday: 1 Timothy 1:19 (KJV)
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
Wednesday: 1 Timothy 4:1 (KJV)
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Thursday: 2 Timothy 4:4 (KJV)
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Friday: Hebrew 3:12 (KJV)
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Saturday: 2 Peter 3:17 (KJV)
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
Sunday: Jude 15-18 (KJV)
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. 17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
ASSIGNMENT: Identify five (5) things the church of God can do to help apostates (2×5=10 Marks).
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?
Open Heavens 2021 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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