CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – Topic: LIVING AN EXCEPTIONAL LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN IN TODAY’S WORLD – Church of God Mission International – DATE: SUNDAY 25th, FEBRUARY 2024
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
God has equipped the believer with all he needs to live an exceptional life
DATE: SUNDAY 25th, FEBRUARY 2024.
HYMN: S.S & S 524 “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”
TOPIC:
LIVING AN EXCEPTIONAL LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN IN TODAY’S WORLD
TEXT: Prov 22:29; Dan 6:3; Matt 5:14-16; Phil 1:10; 4:8; Titus 2:7-8;1Pt 2:9
INTRODUCTION:
The moral standards of the world today have reached unprecedented low levels. There is so much permissiveness even in christian circles and some people no longer bother about the process of getting anything but erroneously believe that the end always justifies the means. The Bible foretold that perilous times would come, people will become increasingly evil and that the righteous will be in danger for obeying God. However, in this era of decadence, the Christian is still called to be holy, uphold his integrity and live exceptional lives that glorify God. By strength shall no man prevail but by the help of the Holy Spirit and a consistent commitment to excellence, this is possible even in times like these.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this study are to:
- Know what it means to live an exceptional life as a Christian
- Understand what a Christian living entails
- Outline some hinderances to Christian living
- Know the consequences of not living an exceptional life
- Understand the benefits of living an exceptional life as a Christian in today’s world.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE AN EXCEPTIONAL LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN ? Other words for exceptional are superior, excellent, admirable and outstanding. To live as others around us who do not know God is not noteworthy because that is ordinary or to be expected. When one does something very well or performs well above average consistently, it becomes worthy of note- that is an exceptional life. To consistently produce excellent results, not only in action, but in tonight and speech is expected of a Christian. An exceptional life is not a life that is good in one area and deficient in another area but is one that over time, most of the time demonstrates a conduct that is outstanding and consistent with godly principles in all areas. The man/woman who lives an exceptional life must be above board, pleasing God first and then man. He may not be loved and accepted by everybody but as the Bible enjoins, the world should not be able to accurately hold any accusation against that individual (1Pt 3:16). The person must be an example in every area of his life.
QUESTION 2
WHAT DOES CHRISTIAN LIVING ENTAILS ? The quest for riches and recognition has driven many people to commit abominable Acts as foretold in scriptures (1Tim 6:10). Christian living is not one that is focused on acquiring material wealth or success to the detriment of one’s soul and relationship with God. The Bible is repleted with examples of people who defied the odds to live lives that were pleasing to God– Joseph (Gen 39:9), Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Dan 3:12-26; 6:3-23), Abraham (Rom 4:3), Job (Job 1:22), Paul(2Tim 4:7) and indeed, our perfect example Jesus Christ (Mk 7:37). Christian living entails deliberately shunning the evil pleasures of this sinful world and totally focusing our attention on christ-the author and finisher of our faith. Moreover, the Christian should:
I. Be dedicated in service, doing everyday things with dedication, regardless of whether we are being observed or not (Eph 6:6)
II. Give his best effort in everything he does as to the Lord (Col 3:23)
III. Guard his heart with all diligence to ensure that he does not begin to reason behave like the world (Prov 4:23)
IV. Rely on the Holy Spirit for divine assistance (Deut 8:28; Heb 13:6)
V. Be humble in service to God and man. Whatever we do and are good at, the glory must go back to God
VI. Redeem the time and use God given opportunities wisely and expeditiously because time is not a renewable resources
VII. Deliberately and consciously put in time, money and effort to win souls and get outstanding results that will bring glory to God and blessan too.
VIII. Submit to training, education and mentorship
IX. Meditating on the word of God for instruction for living, pray and sincerely and remove every trace of pride from his heart.
QUESTION 3. ENUMERATE SOME HINDERANCES TO CHRISTIAN LIVING.
Life itself is full of distractions that can provide excuses for not doing the right thing. The Bible says in Eccles 11:4 that, he that observe the weather will not show and by implication will have nothing to reap during harvest.
A. Laziness: This is a major hinderances to Christian living. Some people do not want to make the effort needed to succeed in anything, they do not want to pay the price but they desire the results or benefits. Exceptional result whether in spiritual or physical matters require hardwork. We must not hide behind grace as an excuse not to engage in labour, God Himself said that He will bless the work of our hands (Deut 28:12)
B. Apathy: This is a lack of interest or motivation to do something. It can stem from the fact that we believe that what we are doing is not important enough or will not yield meaningful results, therefore, we do it lackadaisically (without putting any real effort into it). The Bible enjoins us not to despise the days of small beginnings (Zach 4:10). No matter how insignificant we may think what we are doing is,let us do it to the best of our abilities and to the glory of God.
C. Get rich quick Syndrome: This unfortunately has become the bane of our society in recent times. Some people no longer want to work with their hands but want to get rich very quickly no matter the means. The Christian must heed the warning of the Bible that those who desire quick riches will pierce themselves with many sorrows (1Tim 6:10). The believer must work hard putting his trust in God who alone can give true and lasting wealth.
D. Lack of the fear of God: Unfortunately, even some professing christians no longer have the fear of God. They live as they choose and shun the admonitions of scriptures believing that they can get away with anything. The Bible very clearly states that God is not mocked, whatever a man sows that shall he also reap (Gal 6:7)
C. THE CLASS SHOULD MENTION OTHERS
QUESTION 4. CONSEQUENCES OF NOT LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
The individual will not be a light to his generation
I. Such a life will not glorify God and hence will not be pleasing to Him
II. He will not have a good testimony and will be a poor example of the believers
III. Such a person will not have good success
IV. Such an individual may miss eternity with God.
QUESTION 5. BENEFITS OF LIVING AN EXCEPTIONAL LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN
I. Men will see your good work and glorify God (Matt 5:16)
II. He will be a good example to other believers (1Tim 4:12)
III. Evangelism will be easier for him
IV. He will be a blessing to the church and society.
V. God will continually bless the labour of his hands
VI. He will make heaven
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
Exceptional living is expected from every believer in Christ. The grace of God and the Holy Spirit have been made available to us to give us an advantage over those who do not know God. We must therefore focus our energies on doing to the best of our abilities whatever we lay our hands on to do. Our God is the God of excellence and as His children we cannot do less. Exceptional living is a conscious choice we must make and we must be ready to pay the price to the glory of God.
MEMORY VERSE:
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”
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