RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL – Y.A.Y.A. EDITION – LESSON: FORTY-THREE – DATE: SUNDAY 25TH JUNE 2023
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RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL
Y.A.Y.A. EDITION
LESSON: FORTY-THREE
DATE: SUNDAY 25TH JUNE 2023
TOPIC: BIBLICAL FAST
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
Father, please open my heart to understand more about fasting and prayers.
MEMORY VERSE: “Then I set my face towards the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:” – Daniel 9:3(NKJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: DANIEL 10:2-3
2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
INTRODUCTION
Fasting in the Bible, is total abstinence from pleasure giving activities for a set time to devote oneself to seeking God. While there are many ways believers could fast, too often, the focus is on abstinence from food in this lesson, we shall examined different types of Biblical fast, basic cautious and reasons for fasting.
TEACHING REVIEW: DANIEL 10:2-3
Prophet Daniel was a man full of God’s spirit and wisdom. In many ways, he proved his unwavering devotion to God. One of such ways is through fasting. This passage records that:
i. He mourned for three weeks, … V2
ii. He ……. V3a
iii. .. ……….. V3b
iv. Neither did he ……. V3c
v. Till ……. V3d
LESSON OUTLINES
- TYPES OF FAST IN THE BIBLE
- REASONS OF BASIC CAUTIOUS
TYPES OF FAST IN THE BIBLE
Teacher should emphasize the following types of fasts in the Bible.
A. Food fast- This is abstinence from food/drinks. It may take the form of:
i. Regular fast: This is done by abstaining from all foods, both solid and liquid (2Chronicles 20:3). The fast is usually broken daily or periodically (Jeremiah 36:6)
ii. Partial fast: This is inspired by prophet Daniel. All meat and animal products are disallowed. The Daniel fast includes vegetables, Legumes, whole grains, seeds, and water. This guidelines are based on Daniel’s request of “nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink” (Daniel 1:8-14)
iii. Absolute or full fast: Where no food or water is consumed (Esther 4:16; Acts 27:33). For instance, Moses, Elijah and the Lord Jesus Christ did a 40 days absolute fast (Deuteronomy 9:9; 1Kings 19:7-8; Luke 4:2).
B. Sex fast: The Bible also make reference to ‘sexual fast’ in Exodus 19:15. Married couple can mutually agreed to abstain from sex for a short period to devote themselves to prayers (1Corinthians 7:5)
C. ‘Pleasure’ fast – Another way is to confine or isolate oneself from people and pleasurable thing to a place as a means of worship, studying the Bible and praying to God for a purpose (Luke 2:36-37; 5:16). Time alone with God require discipline and avoidance of distractions.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1
Students should mention which of these fast they have had
REASONS OF BASIC CAUTIOUS
A. Fasting is far more about focus on God than abstinence from food or other things that gives pleasure (Zachariah 7:5). People fast for various reasons, Here are some of them:
i. Spiritual strength (Isaiah 40:30-31),
ii. Supernatural revelation, wisdom and understanding (Ezra 8:21; Daniel 9:22),
Iii. Supernatural breakthrough (Zachariah 8:19)
iv. Repentance from sinful ways (Joel 2:12-13; Daniel 9:3-5),
v. Spiritual hunger and demonstration of love for God’s people and burden for souls (2Corinthians 11:27-28; Matthew 5:6) and
vi. Sharing with the poor and destruction of wicked works among others (Isaiah 58:6-7 )
vii. Subduing of the flesh (1Cor. 9:27),
viii. Bridling of the tongue, taming of the temper and moving ‘stubborn mountains’ (Matthew 17:14-21).
B. Believers should exercise some caution while fasting: For instance;
i. Fasting should be limited to a set time and for a clear purpose (1Corinthians 7:5; Esther 4:16).
ii. It is neither intended to punish the body not a dieting methods (Isaiah 58:5) but true redirect attention to God.
iii. It is a period to give up self-indulgent activities for a deeper fellowship with God (Matthew 4:1-2).
C. Believers should take note of the following:
i. Anyone can fast, but some may not be able to fast from food, may be for health related issues.
ii. However, everyone can temporarily give up something to draw closer to God (Exodus 19:15).
iii. Biblical fast is to be done in a spirit of humility and joyfulness (Matthew 6:16-18).
iv. It should not be to manipulate God or do evil (Isaiah 54:4a; Acts 23:21).
v. In breaking an ‘absolute and long fast,’ warm liquids (not carbonated drinks) are advised and should be taken in bits.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2
Does inability to spend quality time in prayer nullify fast?
CONCLUSION
Ask God for wisdom (James 1:5) as regards how and for how long and what purpose He wants you to fast.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, help me to always keep my focus on you as I add fasting to my prayers in Jesus name
ASSIGNMENT
Mention five (5) benefits you have derived or will derive from fasting (2×5=10 Marks)
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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