Topic: GOD’S PROMISES FOR OUR NATION [Church of God Mission International] SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL 6 June 2021
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CGMi ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
DATE SUNDAY, 6TH JUNE, 2021.
TOPIC GOD’S PROMISES FOR OUR NATION
TEXT 2 CHRON. 7:11-16; ISAIAH 1:17-20, PROV 14:34
HYMN S. S. & S. 513, “O God, our help in ages past… “
CENTRAL THOUGHT God’s promises manifest in a nation that upholds Godly standard
INTRODUCTION
God’s commitment to keeping His promises is total and eternal. He is faithful in making good His promises (Heb. 10:23). Any nation that lives in total obedience to God is always blessed and become the envy of other nations. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people”.
Unfortunately, many people in our country do not have the fear of God in their hearts, hence we have increased violence, crimes, and corruption. But God, our merciful Father is willing to bless and restore our nation to
greatness. However, there are conditions and
other related issues attached to His promises
which shall be discussed in this study.
Generally, believers should not allow the present troubles to overshadow the reality of God’s promises (Heb. 4:1-3). We must Continue to remember God’s
promises that brings peace in times like this.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, we shall be able to:
- discuss the Christian’s attitude towards the spiritual state of his nation;
- identify the various ways God has demonstrated His love for our nation
- discuss the given role the Christian should play in the realization of God’s promises to his/her nation;
- identify and explain what God has promised our nation and the conditions attached.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q.1 WHAT SHOULD BE THE CHRISTIAN’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE SPIRITUAL STATE OF HIS NATION? (NEH 1:1-4)
Most nations in the world today have fallen short of God’s expectation; as a result, they are not fully experiencing God’s promises. Like Nehemiah in our text we should labour in
prayers/intercession for God to “restore” our nation to a godly Spiritual State. This
restoration should first begin with the church, guided by godly principles and Standard. (2 Chron. 7:14). Efforts should be made to remove all shameful vices in the Church. This would bring glory to God and restore the reality and power of God’s presence among his people. Believer in Christ should live by example in his/her community. Christians should
intercede for fellow believers, counsel those who have “fallen down” in the spirit of
meekness and love. Individuals and groups should embark on aggressive evangelism that will lead to winning of other souls not yet
in the fold. The restoration of the church in a nation will open the door for the fulfillment of God’s promises to that nation.
Q2. DISCUSS THE VARIOUS WAYS GOD HAS DEMONSTRATED HIS LOVE FOR OUR NATION?
God is love (1 John 4:8b) and full of loving
kindness for individuals and the nations. He first demonstrated His love by allowing the grace of salvation to appear unto us. This grace has brought many ‘sons” to God in our nation in spite of our wickedness.
°Politically, our nation has not been doing well, yet God in His unfailing love has kept us together as indivisible nation. If not God on our side what has happened to this
country politically would have turned many other countries in pieces.
°Economically, the country called Nigeria has been tagged in international communities
as one of the poorest nations of the world. This is due to mismanagement of the abundant resources (human and material) God deposited in our nation. Many material
resources are being discovered to be tapped in the land of Nigeria-This is God’s
love in action.
°Socially, our loving Father has giving us opportunity to live together despite our differences in language, religion and culture. The gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ can be preached anywhere in our nation, though there are pockets of resistance in some parts of the country. Believers in Christ should utilise the God given “open window” to evangelise
communities in our nation. This will boost our spiritual wellbeing as a people, as more
people will be set free from satanic manipulations.
°Health wise, God has been so good to us as a nation. He has taken us through so many
epidemics and pandemics that have ravaged a number of countries of the world.
°the class should discuss others specific to their nation.
Q3. DISCUSS THE ROLES OF THE CHRISTIAN IN THE REALISATION OF GOD’S PROMISES TO HIS NATION
(a) Prayer. Jeremiah 29:7; 1 Tim. 2:1-4; Isaiah 62:6-7:
Prayer to the Lord for the peace of our nation is one role every Christian should play to actualise God’s promise. In particular supplication, intercessions and giving of thanks should be made to God for all people including all in authority, in order to reap the benefit of good governance; praying that the gospel will spread and God’s people will be
protected. Our prayer, like a reminder can activate the promises of God for our nation.
Keep on praying by yielding to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
(b) Preaching the Gospel of Christ.(Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim. 4:2-5): We must not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ (the good news). It is the message of salvation and has life-changing power and it is for everyone. Here Christian has a role to preach the gospel of Christ everywhere, anytime, to any person. Our duty is to preach and teach, and God saves all who hear and believe the gospel. Preaching the gospel is the supreme task the Church and its members have been given.
(c) Salt of the Earth and Light of the World.(Matt 5:13-16): Recognise that your life has either a positive or negative effect, so live responsibly to bring glory to
God. We should live for Christ, so we will glow like lights showing others what Christ is like. Don’t shut your light off from the rest of the
world, rather be a beacon of truth to bring the light and promises of God upon the Land, so that they can be drawn to the Lord Jesus Christ.
(D) Watchman. (Jere. 6:17; Ezek. 33:7-9): In ancient Israel watchmen were usually stationed on the wall to warn
people of danger and the approach of messengers (2 Sam. 18: 24-27). Prophets were also called watchmen. Prophet Ezekiel was a spiritual watchman for the house of Israel. He was to warn them that each person is responsible for his/her own behaviour. Today, the Lord has set us apart as watchmen
who should hear the word of God and warn the people of the world/nations of the
danger of not heeding the message. It is our
responsibility to hear well and deliver the message accurately without distortion.
(e) Active Role in Electoral Process. The Christian’s role in the matter should be to
shine as Iight by demonstrating integrity,
uprightness, and accountability either as a voter or an official or a candidate.
Accomplish your duties as unto the Lord and men shall see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. Remember the words of our Lord in Mk. 8:36 “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and loose his own soul?”. Prov 29:2 says, “When the righteous are in authority, the
people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
Q4. READ THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES AND HIGHLIGHT WHAT GOD HAS PROMISED OUR NATION AND THE CONDITIONS ATTACHED (2 CHRON 7:14; ISAIAH 1:17-20)
This verse of Scripture (2 Chron. 7:14), set forth some of the stipulations for Israel to experience God’s blessing. Scripture makes it very clear that there are consequences for sin. Like Nehemiah (Neh.1:4-10), we must identify the sins of our city or nation and
confess them to God in humility. This is the action that God directs when we pray for our nation. The promise of God to our nation in 2 Chron. 7:14 is extended to God’s chosen people (those called by His
name): if they will humble themselves by admitting their sins, pray to God, asking for
forgiveness; seek God continually; and turn from sinful behaviour; then God will hear, forgive and heal their land.
True repentance is more than talk, it is a changed behaviour. Whether we sin individually, as a group, or as a nation, following these steps will lead to forgiveness. He is willing and able to completely remove every trace and stain of sin. (1saiah 1:18). God will answer our earnest prayers, Amen.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
For the promises of God to be realised in our
nation, we must not only be good citizens but also influence our society for the better. This we must do, for when the church abandons her responsibilities to the nation, things get worse as we all share in the perils of the people. We will not lack assistance when we come to God in humility, seeking help.
God promises to listen to every prayer offered in the right attitude. God is always available when we meet His conditions for forgiveness. If we are willing and obedient,
God’s word assures us that Christ will forgive and remove our most indelible stains
(Psalm 51:1-7). For the spiritual state of our nation to meet God’s standard, righteousness in all facets of our national life, is the key and Christians should play a pivotal role in this regard for we are the light and salt of the
earth. For instance, Christians are to learn to do good, seek justice, rebuke the oppressors,
defend the fatherless, plead for the widow, resist and flee from every appearance of evil, and be a beacon of light and truth.
MEMORY VERSE: 2 CHRON. 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land”