TOPIC: Hero Worship [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 26 January 2020]
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MEMORY VERSE: “25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.” – Acts 10:25-26 (scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 26 January 2020 HYMN)
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BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 14:8-15 KJV
8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:
9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
LESSON INTRODUCTION: Heroes are persons noted for courageous acts or nobility of character: persons who, in the opinion of others, have special achievements, abilities, or personal quantities and are regarded as role models or ideals. It becomes so beautiful and profiting when we allow lessons from the experiences of such persons to transform us and also help others. However, to hold them in such high esteem to the extent of having foolish a d excessive admiration for them such that we devote our lives to them will amount to worshipping them (Rom.
1:25).
OUTLINES
- SOME DIMENSION OF HERO WORSHIP
- DANGERS OF HERO WORSHIP
SOME DIMENSION OF HERO WORSHIP
- Ancestral worship: This is a religious belief involving practices in which prayers and offerings are made to the spirits of dead relatives who were believed or perceived to have lived exemplary lives with great social distinction during their life time. They are believed to have influence on the lives of their descendants who worship them to gain their favour. In essence, they act as ‘gods’. This belief is unscriptural because the bible makes it clear that the souls of the dead either go to Heaven or hell: they do not remain in the natural world (Heb.9:27).
- Worship of Saints: This involves religious practices in which prayers are made through some of the saints of old to God. There is no instruction in the bible that those who have gone into Heaven should be revered. We are to follow their examples, not to worship them (Ex.20:4-5; Rom.1:25). The followers of the Lord God refused to be worshipped (Acts 10:25-26; 14:8-15).
- Worship of angels: Angels are ministering agents and should not be turned into objects of worship (Rev.19:10; 22:8-9).
- Worship of celebrities: This happens when people patterned their lives after celebrities e.g politicians, musicians, movies stars sport-men, philosophers and even preachers, regardless of heir deficiencies. (Rom.1:25).
The only super hero that ever lived on earth to be worshipped is Jesus because:
- He is God – Heb.1:8; John 1:1,14; 10:30.
- He is the perfect image of God who lived San exemplary life, worthy of emulation – John 14:7-11
- He has a name that is above all other names – Phil.2:9-11.
- He lives forever – John 8:58; John 14:7-11.
- All beings (Angels & Man) are commanded to worship Him – Heb. 1:6; 12:2; Matt.2:2,8,11; Rev.5: 12,14.
- Only God Himself could have done the supernatural works that He did – Matt.14:26-33; 28:16-17; John 9:35-38.
DANGERS OF HERO WORSHIP
Allow us he students to express their opinion about the inherent danger of ‘Hero worship’. Guide the class through the following points:
a. It could the hero incur the wrath of God since it is tantamount to idolatry (Acts 12:21-23).
b. It expresses carnality (1 Cor.3:4-5)
c. It could lead to living another’s person’s life atb the expense of fulfilling one’s destiny. (1 Sam.18:3-4).
d. It could make someone fall into the error or limitations of the hero if care is not taken (1 Kings 22: 51-52).
e. It could lead you disappointment or heartbreak when the inadequacies of the hero are discovered (Jeremiah 17:5).
CONCLUSION: We should draw line between honouring our heroes and worshipping them. Any time we ascribe something that belongs to God to someone else, it is idolatry.
QUESTIONS:
- Identify four dimensions of hero worship.
- State five dangers of hero worship.
FURTHER READING:
Monday – 1 Kings 22:25
Tuesday – 1 Samuel 18:3-4
Wednesday – Acts 12:21-23
Thursday – 1 Corinthians 3:4-5
Friday – 1 Samuel 14:6
Saturday – Joshua 11:23
Sunday – Hebrews 11: 1-40
ASSIGNMENT: Mention the names of five (5) human-heroes, that had lived (or still living), whose followers seem to have turned to objects of worship as gods.
RCCG 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 friendship suits me well,
Both young and old 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 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?