Topic: Faith without works is dead- Church of God Mission International -CGMI ADULTS SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL 20 OCTOBER 2024

Topic: Faith without works is dead- Church of God Mission International – CGMI ADULTS SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL 20 OCTOBER 2024

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CGMI ADULTS SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL

CENTRAL THOUGHT:
Faith without works is dead

DATE: 20TH OCTOBER, 2024

SSS 706 “Onward Christian Soldiers

TOPIC: FAITH AND ACTION

TEXT: 1Sam. 14-20

INTRODUCTION:
It is important that every believer develop and exercise a deep-rooted faith in God. This is to be cultivated through fellowship with God and fellowship with fellow
believers, It is to be nurtured with the mentality of resilience, persistence and the winning attitude. This must further be backed up with a disposition of loyalty, fidelity and service in line with the word of God. Under King
Saul, Israel was engaged in war against the Philistines, who were better equipped with weapons of iron.
Jonathan, the first son of King
Saul under took some adventures of faith by deciding to visit the camp of the enemy. In this adventure he made sure that he had the backing of God. To the risk of his own life and that of his
armour-bearer, his presence
destabilized the entire host of the Philistines who fled in confusion, killing and trampling on themselves in the ensuing stampede.
The faith and subsequent action of
Jonathan, and how it brought
victory and relief to the nation of Israel shall be the focus of this study.

LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this study are to:-

Introduce the person of Jonathan;
Examine the prevailing situation between Israel and
Philistine at this time,
Identify the clements of Jonathan’s faith and actions; and
Discuss the result of Jonathans faith and action

BIBLE TRUTH:
Q1. WHO WAS JONATHAN?
1Sam.14:1; 19:2-4.
Jonathan was the eldest son of King Saul and possibly, his ‘crown prince’. He was a courageous and daring officer in the army of Israel under his father. He was loved by the rank and file of the army because of his sterling qualities. He was a bosom friend of David, and he did everything possible to save David from Saul’s rage. As an
army commander, his efforts
brought victory to Israel against
the Philistines. He died an
unfortunate death along with his
father and two of his brothers in
battle against the Philistines at
mount Gilboa. (1 Sam.3 1:2-8).

Q2. WHAT WAS THE PREVAILING CHALLENGE ISRAEL HAD WITH THE PHILISTINES ? (1Sam.13:16-
22).
There was hostility and war between Israel under King Saul and the Philistines. The Philistines were more advanced in metal technology, and Israel depended on them for weapons.
The Philistines had three bands of raiders who plundered Israel
regularly, The Philistines had
garrison (military out-post) in a city of Israel. Despair and fear was the atmosphere in Israel because of the Philistines.

Q3. READ 1 SAM.14:4-10 AND IDENTIFY THE KEY ELEMENTS
OF JONATHAN’S FAITH AND
THE ACTIONS THAT FOLLOWED?
While Saul and Israel encamped at Gibeah, the Philistine had their camp at Michmash. The Philistines were being provocative to Israel with their three bands of raiders. In the midst of these, Jonathan was not afraid and was confident of Victory. Courage was the first element of faith he displayed.
Next he took great risk by putting his life at stake. He spoke in confidence that the LORD will work for them. He operated in partnership agreement with his armour bearer, and both were on the same page as far as the
mission was concerned. Finally
they took time to confirm God’s
directive in this mission. All these steps were marks of faith.
Jonathan exhibited commensurate action that complements the faith already expressed. First he decided to venture into the camp of the Philistines, and for this he had to climb very difficult terrain. He boldly revealed himself to the
Philistines and at their unusual
invitation he entered their camp.
The Philistines he encountered got frozen, and he killed about 20 of them. In all this, he did not neglect to speak the word of faith in the God of Israel.

Q4, WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF JONATHAN’S FAITH AND ACTIONS ? (Sam.14:15-22).
Jonathan’s faith and actions in this context brought great relief and victory to the people of Israel. The sudden appearance of Jonathan and his armour bearer in the camp of the Philistines greatly perplexed the enemy. They concluded that they have been surrounded in a deadly enemy
trap and they gave up all hope of
survival. In the ensuing confusion in the camp of the Philistines many of them became casualties of themselves while the rest fled for their lives. The army of Israel was mobilized for a chase of the fleeing soldiers of Philistines. The Israelite dissidents who had joined the Philistine army rebelled and returned to Israel, while those who had gone into hiding for fear of the
Philistines came out, and joined in routing the enemy. Thus it was a day of great victory for Israel and they were also blessed materially from the spoils of war.

Q5. GIVE SOME INSTANCES OF FAITH WITHOUT ACTION.
Matt.7:21-23; James.2: 14-16.
It is very common and convenient for some believers to say they have faith but not in practice. Some of such are manifested in vocal expression of faith without corresponding obedience to the word of God and evidence of the fruit of the Spirit. It is to practice religion without sacrifice, to make
verbal expressson of love to the
needy without any material
assistance. Faith and action is to
practice what you preach and what you claim to believe.

WHAT LESSON CAN WE DRAW FROM THE FAITH AND ACTION OF
JONATHAN?
There are lessons we can draw from the exploits of Jonathan in this study. The first one is that risk can never be separated from faith. Faith is to be daring and courageous in the face of stiff opposition. The second is on the need to involve God in all our risk of faith. When God is involved, adventures of faith become interesting with positive out comes Jonathan’s persistence in the face of obstacles is instructive to every
believer that every adventure of
faith must carry along the virtue of persistence. The power of
agreement in faith matters is demonstrated by Jonathan and his armour-bearer. They were on the same page in faith and action. Further more, God does not require a multitude in faith and action to honour the expectation of His people. Faith Iike a grain of mustard seed in a genuine desire for divine intervention is the baseline of God’s expectation.

DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
There are numerous benefits to derive when we have faith and our faith is backed up with actions. It bestows the privilege of abiding in the love of God and having fullness of fellowship with the Father. Such
a believer will be fruitful in the
exploits of the kingdom. He will
enjoy the full measure of peace
and grace associated with doing
the will of God. He will be rewarded at the end of time with
eternal life where he will join the
saints triumphant to reign forever.

MEMORY VERSE.
James.2:26.
“For as the body without
the spirit is dead, so faith without
works is dead also.”

DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MON: Greater is He that is in
you. 1John.4:4.
TUE: Faith comes by hearing the
word of God. Rom. 10:17.
WED: Feeding from the word of
God. 2Tim.2:15; 1Pet.2:2.
THU: More than conquerors. Rom.8:37.
FRI: Be ye steadfast, unmovable. ICor. 15:58.
SAT: The just shall live by faith.
Rom. 1:17.CGMI ADULTS SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL

CENTRAL THOUGHT:
Faith without works is dead