Topic: EXAMINE YOUR MOTIVE [Church of God Mission International] ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL9 October 2022

Topic: EXAMINE YOUR MOTIVE [Church of God Mission International] ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL9 October 2022

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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL

DATE: SUNDAY 9th OCTOBER 2022

TOPIC: EXAMINE YOUR MOTIVE

TEXT: Jeremiah 17:9-10; 2 SAMUEL 11:2-9-13; James 4:3

CENTRAL THOUGHT: Our motive determine the appropriate divine reward for each of our actions.

HYMN: S, S & S 577, “I need Thee every hour”

INTRODUCTION
Actions are the practical manifestation of some internal imaginations or
thought processes. These internal thoughts are the registers of the motives
behind the action. Motives may be explicit or ulterior depending on whether they are expressed or concealed.
Motives could be worthy or evil in nature. Whatever the case, it is not easy to tell with certainty the type of motive
behind the action or aspiration of other people. Many do things for various reasons, not minding the effect it may have on others. As children of God, the
thoughts we harbour in the process of an action is of monumental consequence in
the sight of God (Matt. 5:28). The expression of our faith is expected to reflect in both and outward inner
purity discipline. But today some are
contented with just outward compliance while conceiving different form of inner
contradictions. It is necessary for every
believer to maintain a healthy balance between our actions and our motives. This will exempt us from the sin of
hypocrisy and pretence. How and why we should eagerly desire this balance constitutes the focus of this study.

LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this lesson are to:
1.explain the meaning of motive;

List the manifestations of wrong motives;

3.give scriptural examples of expression of wrong motives;

Explain the expected motive of a believer;
discuss how believers can uphold right motives;.
list the dangers in having wrong motives; and

7.list the blessings of operating with right motives.

BIBLE TRUTH:

Q1a. WHAT DOES THE WORD ‘MOTIVE’ MEAN
In the context of this study, Motive is defined as the stimulus to an action. It is the underlying reason for doing something and the real reason that moves a person to action. Motive is an
emotion operating on the will and causing it to act. It is the inner drive or impulse.

Q.1b. HOW CAN ONE EXAMINE AND MODERATE HIS MOTIVES AS A BELIEVER? (2 Cor. 13:5; Phi 4:8)
As Christians, motives must be examined at all times to ensure that we are not derailing. Regular examination and moderation of motives are necessary aspects of the faith; and these can be accomplished through:

(a) meditative analysis of one’s actions and the practice of self restraint and self-control;

(b) indebt study, confession and obedience to the undiluted word
of God;

(d) active involvement and
commitment to the service of
God:

(e) being in fellowship and
keeping company with believers;

(f) devotion to prayers,
intercessions and supplications on regular basis;

(h) discretional use of media outlets and other sources of entertainment to avoid evil communication;

(i) display of genuine love for God, His church and the household brethren.

Q2. IDENTIFY SOME FACTORS THAT CAN LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF WRONG MOTIVES AMONG CHRISTIANS.
Wrong motives refer to personal/reasons and drives that contradict the word of God, is self-serving or causes injury to
someone else. Wrong motives can begin to manifest in the life of a believer when any of the following is allowed to hold
Sway for long:
(a) When the spirit of unforgiveness and bitterness is given room to brood and
reproduce (Heb. 12:15; Rom 3:14).

(b) When a believer succumbs to the character of envy and malice (Col. 3:8; Titus 3:3).

(c) When a believer submits himself to the spirit off mammon and is subsequently Overcome by the love of money (1 Tim. 6:10).

(d) When greed and materialistic tendency dominate an individual (2 Kings 5:21-22).

(e) When a believer’s orientation
is self first and self always, wrong motives will begin to develop.

(f) when a believer is given to the worldly concept of rivalry and competition instead of complementation.

(g) the effect of pressures of life,
when not properly managed, can
lead to subtle development of wrong motives.

(h) Believers who have the habit
of staying away from fellowship and those who keep wrong company are prone to develop parochial motives for their actions.

Q 3. GIVE SOME SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES OF DISPLAY OF WRONG MOTIVES.

(a) Amnon the son of David (2 Sam 13:1-15): Immorality and carnal lust was his real motive. He used the cover of ill-health to have his way. He paid dearly for it.

(b) Absalom (2 Sam. 13:22-30; 15:1-6): In the first passage, his motive was Vengeance, but he used party for princes as a cover. In the second passage, his motive was to usurp the throne by
projecting himself as good.

from the warfront was to cover a sin/crime and not to know how the war was progressing.

(d) Judas (Mark 14:43-46): He kissed Jesus Christ and called him ‘Master’, but his real motive was to identify Him to
the enemies.
In all the examples above, the ulterior motive was different from what the main action portrayed. However, all the
deceivers paid dearly for their wrong motives.

Q4a.WHAT QUALITIES SHOULD GOVERN THE MOTIVE OF A BELIEVER?
Some motives are so subtle that it is difficult to classify them as good or bad. But in summary a believer’s motive must be tested on the following:
(a) powered by love for God and love for the brethren (1 Cor.13:1).

(b) brings pleasure and glory to God, and not reproach (Col.3:23-24)

(d) it carries unalloyed loyalty and allegiance to God (Matt. 6:24)

(e) it agrees with the written
word of God.

Q4b. HOW CAN A BELIEVER DEVELOP RIGHT MOTIVES?
The skill of developing right motives are acquired overtime through attention to the following:

(a) Study and obedience of the
word of God (Acts 20:32).

(b) Being heavenly focused and
sacrificial living (Rom. 12:1-2).

(d) Being in fellowship with
other brethren and keeping good
company (Acts 2:46; 1 Cor. 15:33)

(e) Having Jesus Christ as the perfect example and model (Heb. 12:2).

(f) Being prayerful (Col. 4:12)..

Q5a.WHAT THE ARE DANGERS FOR A BELIEVER WHO HAS WRONG MOTIVES?
The dangers associated with Wrong motives are more impactful for believers than non-believers. It can result in hurtful
experiences, perdition and destruction of lives (1 Tim. 6:9). It can constitute a hindrance to prayers (James 4:3) and deny us of the much-needed answers. It
injures relationship and erodes trust and confidence among brethren. It steals the peace of an individual and of a system. It
leads to misplacement of trust in
God to material things and contributes to divisions in the church. Above all, it will
definitely result in eternal damnation if not promptly addressed (Rev. 21:8).

Also Read: Open Heaven 9 October 2022 Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – TREAT THE POOR RIGHT II

Q5b. WHAT ARE THE BLESSINGS IN DEVELOPING RIGHT MOTIVES? Heb. 6:10; Jeremiah 17:10
Where right motives prevail, believers receive God’s blessings for their sacrifices, the level of trust and confidence among brethren is enhanced.
The church grows in quality and in numbers, a true atmosphere of love persists and the peace of God prevails in the lives of believers. Also, hindrances to
prayers are reduced and eternal life becomes achievable.

DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Every human being has the capacity for pretence and ability to hide actual motives behind an action. Motives define the acceptability or otherwise, of
anything before God, and attracts
the appropriate divine reward for
our actions. Motives provide the
moral compass for the navigation of the true direction of our actions. Greed, excessive materialism and unforgiveness are breeding grounds for evil motives..

MEMORY VERSE: PROV
4:23
“Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.

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