RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL – LESSON: FOURTY-FIVE – DATE: SUNDAY 9TH JULY 2023
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RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL
LESSON: FOURTY-FIVE
DATE: SUNDAY 9TH JULY 2023
TOPIC: APOSTASY
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 friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and 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 be 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?
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty Father, please help all your children to continue to value the grace of God upon their lives.
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
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.
INTRODUCTION
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 border context of embracing an opinion that is contrary to one’s previous religious beliefs. It is an act of refusing continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith. One who undertakes apostasy is known as an apostate.
TEXT REVIEW: HEBREWS 6:4-6
The teacher should identify five nature of people who would be difficult to be renewed again into repentance by human efforts according to the above-stated Bible passage: for example:
i. People who were once enlightened
ii. …………………..
iii. ………………….
iv. ………………….
v. …………………..
LESSON OUTLINES
- THE CHARACTERISTICS
- THE DANGER AND HOPE
THE CHARACTERISTICS
A. The teacher should define “apostasy” as defection, departure, rebellion, disaffiliation, abandonment or renunciation of a religion or faith by a person.
B. The teacher should identify two major forms of apostasy as follows:
i. Falling away from the key and true doctrines of the Bible into heretical teachings that claim to be “the real” Christian doctrine.
ii. Renunciation of the Christian faith which results in a full abandonment of Christ. Heb. 10:29.
C. The teacher should identify and explain the following characteristics of the apostates.
i. They ignore the biblical warning of God’s judgement on sin. Rom. 15:4.
ii. They do not learn from the records of what God did to fallen Angels and wicked nation. Jude 1:6; 2Pet. 2:4; Gen. 19:24-25.
iii. They are moral perverse, rebellion, Defile of the flesh.
iv. They speak evil against people and things they do not understand like spiritual beings and dignitaries. Jude 1:8-10.
v. They are ignorant about God or have become ignorant of God.
vi. They proclaiming false visions and have become self-destructive, self-satisfying, fault-finding, grumblers.
vii. They use flattery and arrogant expressions and mock God. Jude 15-18.
viii. They ignore God and His word like Cain
ix. They are greed and deceitful like Balaam.
x. They rebel against spiritual authorities and directives like Korah (Jude 1:11).
xi. Apostates are sensual (Jude 1:10).
xii. 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.
THE DANGER AND HOPE
A. DANGER
i. The apostate eventually falls away and departs from the truth of God’s word and His rightousness. 1Jn. 2:19.
ii. It can be deduce from Hebrews 6:4-6 that it is impossible to restore apostates back to the faith (by human efforts).
B. HOPE FOR AN APOSTATE
i. The apostate can still return to God who can do all things. Luke 1:37; Jer. 32:27.
ii. The apostate who repents of his/her apostate and humbly and genuinely call on God will receive forgiveness. 2Chr. 7:14; 2Cor. 7:10; 1Jh. 1:9.
C. CAUTION
i. 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.
SUMMARY
Believers should avoid apostasy totally and those who have departed should cry to God for mercy and restoration.
CONCLUSION
Apostasy is a dangerous trend that can lead to a point of no return. Be watchful.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, we know that nothing is impossible for You, therefore, restore the apostates in our society in the name of Jesus.
ASSIGNMENT
Identify five (5) things the church of God can do to help apostates (2×5=10Marks).
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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