Adult Teacher July-December 2022 October 16 2022 LESSON 16 TRUE FREEDOM IN THE SON
BELOW ARE TOPICS FOR THE 16TH OCTOBER SCHOOL MANUAL ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH
- CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH NIGERIA LESSON 14 SUNDAY 2ND OCTOBER 2022
- ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Adult Teacher October 16 2022 LESSON 16 TRUE FREEDOM IN THE SON
- RADIANT LIFE TEACHER GUIDE-TEENS SUNDAY SCHOOL RESOURCE SEASON 13 October 16 2022
Memory Verse: John 8:31-32
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (KJV).
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Adult Teacher October 16 2022 LESSON 16 TRUE FREEDOM IN THE SON
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Central Truth
True freedom from sin is found in Christ alone.
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The Lesson Outline
1. Slavery or Sonship?
John 8:31-36
A. Knowing Christ
B. Finding Freedom in Christ
2. Who Is Your Father?
John 8:37-47
A. Your Father Is Not Abraham
B. Your Father Is the Devil
3 The Divinity of the Son
John 8:48-59
A. Greater Than Abraham
B. Promise to Abraham
Fulfilled
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Teaching Goals
1. Impart and Reinforce Knowledge: Explain what Jesus meant in saying that His followers would experience true freedom.
2. Influence Attitudes: Challenge students to recognise and value the connection between seeking truth and living in freedom.
3. Influence Behaviour:
Encourage students to make discipleship an ongoing pursuit abiding in Christ and obeying His Word.
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Introducing the Lesson
Begin class by discussing this question: “How do you define freedom?” Note that while answers may vary as to the kind of freedom discussed, people often focus on what they are free to do rather than on what they are free to avoid or reject. Today’s lesson examines what it means to lack spiritual freedom. We will discover that even good people often have a distorted view of themselves, not recognising their spiritual need. However, these good people are in need of freedom that only Jesus can give.
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The Holy Scriptures
John 8:31-59
[31]Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;[32]And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
[33]They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
[34]Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
[35]And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
[36]If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
[37]I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
[38]I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
[39]They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
[40]But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
[41]Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
[42]Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
[43]Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
[44]Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
[45]And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
[46]Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
[47]He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
[48]Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
[49]Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
[50]And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
[51]Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
[52]Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
[53]Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
[54]Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
[55]Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
[56]Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
[57]Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
[58]Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
[59]Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
Commentary and Application
1. Slavery or Sonship?
A. Knowing Christ-John 8:31-32
John 8:31-32 lays out a crucial characteristic of those who are disciples,
or followers, of Jesus
Christ. Note that Jesus Connected holding to His teaching and being His
disciple. By being this kind of follower, a true follower who knows Christ, a person can find truth and freedom. Jesus instructed that His disciples “continue in [His] word” (verse 31, KJV).
Jesus clarified that a one-time belief did not in itself equate with being His disciple (John 8:31 KJV). Rather, such belief serves as a starting point. The disciple’s faith is tested over time as he or she continues to believe and obey Jesus’ Words. The person who perseveres is a disciple of Jesus.
Jesus further explained that those who hold to His teaching will know the truth (verse 32). Here, the Concept of “knowing” is used in the sense of “coming to know, thus
pointing to knowledge that is learned through experience. Knowing the truth is more than a mental exercise, although it does involve the intellect. Knowing is a “whole-person” activity,
that touches body and soul. It includes accepting Christ and His
teaching as truth, then acting on those beliefs through an ongoing lifestyle. Knowing the truth connects belief and behaviour.
The result of knowing the truth: spiritual freedom. Jesus promised that His disciples would be set free from the bondage of sin. Sin holds real power over the unbeliever. Without Christ, there is no hope of gaining freedom from sin or escaping its consequences. But Christ empowers us to resist the forces of sin, even as we look forward to everlasting life in a sinless heaven.
Questions for Application
What does it mean to abide in Christ’s Word?
Describe what it means to have freedom from guilt and bondage to sin.
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B. Finding Freedom in Christ- John 8:33-36
Rather than finding comfort in Jesus” words, many in the crowd were offended. These Jews identified so deeply with being physical heirs of Abraham that they could not see their spiritual need. Jesus offered to rescue them from the slavery of sin, but their trust in their heritage kept them from recognising who He is and why they needed freedom. They could not
understand that being descendants of Abraham was insufficient (John
8:33).
In verse 34 we once again see the expression “verily, verily” (KJV; “very truly,” NIV), reminding us that what follows is especially important. In this case, Jesus upended their trust in ancestry by declaring that everyone who practises sin is a slave to sin. Jesus used the analogy of slavery to emphasise that practising sin not only proves thai one is a sinner, but it also demonstrates that such a person is under the mastery of sin.
But Jesus did not leave His declaration at that. He had good news, too. His hearers need not
continue to be slaves to sin. Freedom from sin was not a matter of lineage or Law keeping. A son, as the heir of a
household, had the power to free slaves. As the Son over God’s house, Jesus has the ability to free sinners
from slavery to sin (verse 35).
Jesus’ hearers were enslaved to sin because of unbelief. They were in
bondage to traditions, as well as the in teachings of men such as the Pharisees. But Jesus could set them free.
Questions for Application
Why do you think it is hard for people to accept that they are Sinners
need of freedom ?
What are some ways Jesus has given you freedom from a particular Sin?
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Response to the Word
The Book of John does not teach that Christ’s disciples will never sin again (see 1 John 1:8-10). Rather, the person freed by Jesus is no longer subject to the weight and chains of sin. Take time to reflect on any areas in which you, may be prone to a particular sin., How does that sin produce bondage, and what does it mean to be free from it?
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2. Who ls Your Father?
A. Your Father Is Not Abraham- John 8:37-40
Jesus recognised that His hearers were physical descendants of Abraham (John 8:37). Yet their attitudes and actions demonstrated that they were not his children. Rather than exhibit godliness, they sought to kill the Son of God because they refused to receive His Word.
Jesus taught the things that He had been taught by the Father (verse 38). This provided an indelible
connection between what Jesus taught them and what the Father
requires of His children. Jesus’ hearers however, thought Jesus Spoke of their father Abraham (verses 39). So Jesus confronted them with the fact that they did not do as Abraham did. Abraham walked by faith. He acknowledged and sought to do what the Father told him to do. The fact that they plotted against Jesus showed that they were not
children of Abraham (verse 40).
A true son or daughter of
Abraham is one who is a spiritual descendant of Abraham (Galatians 3:7-9; 421-31; Hebrews 11:8-16). Sadly, the crowd hearing Jesus did
not understand that their hostility aimed at Him was ultimately hostility
against the Father Himself.
Questions for Application
What does it mean to have faith? (Note that Hebrews 11 provides
strong examples of faith.)
How would you respond if someone asked, “Who are you?” What would your response say about your faith?
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B. Your Father Is the Devil- John 8:41-47
If the Jews Jesus confronted were not the children of Abraham,
then who was their father? Jesus gave a startling answer: “You are doing the works of your own father… You belong to your father, the devil (John 8:41,44, NIV). Not only were they not children of God, despite their genealogical connection to Abraham, but they were actually
children of Satan. Their hearts betrayed this reality, in that they were
bent on murdering Jesus–the One sent by the Father. The devil has
always been a murderer and a liar. He demonstrated this first when his deception condemnation into the entire human race. This deception brought sin and was rooted in a lie about God and His intentions (cf.
Genesis 3).
Clarifying the contrast between children of God and children of the devil, Jesus emphasised that children of God have desires that line up with the Father’s desires (John 8:42) while children of the devil seek to follow the desires of the devil (verse 44). Children of God believe the truth (verse 45) while children of the devil follow the- way of lies
(verses 44-45). It is notable that the deceptiveness of Satan is seen in Scripture from beginning to end: Genesis through Revelation (See
Revelation 12:9).
Finally, children of God hear (listen to) the words of God (John 8:47), while children of the devil do
not listen to the words of God (verses 43,47). Jesus explained that,
ultimately, children of God are identified by their love for Jesus (verse 42). By hating Jesus and speaking lies about Him, Jesus’ hearers revealed their true father. It is noteworthy that John wrote of this further in his first Epistle (see 1 John 3:7-10).
Questions for Application
Why are some people unable to hear and accept the truth of God’s Word?
Why is it that people’s actions reveal who or what they really love?
Response to the Word
While most people resemble their parents in some way, some don’t
e want to be anything like their parents. They see their family history as something to avoid.
The believer’s spiritual lineage, however, is a good thing. Jesus taught that His people will take on the character of their spiritual Father. Their behaviour will reflect that they belong to Him. Take a moment to think about the ways your life resembles the ways of God. What are some ways you are being challenged to hear, accept, and follow God more closely?
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Adult Teacher October 16 2022 LESSON 16 TRUE FREEDOM IN THE SON
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3. The Divinity of the Son
A. Greater Than Abraham- John 8:48-55
The crowd did not respond positively to Jesus declarations. Instead, they hurled insults, calling Him a Samaritan and demon
possessed (John 8:48). These were two of the most degrading things they could have said about Him. The Samaritans, as half Jew and half Gentile, illegitimate, certainly not the true, righteous children of Abraham.
Rather than focus on the insults, Jesus spoke to His purpose for coming into the world: to glorify the Father (verses 49-50). They were in no position to judge; only the Father could do that.
Then Jesus said something that brought an even stronger negative response. His words in verse 51 identified Him as far superior to Abraham and the prophets, who had clearly done the will of the Father, yet had experienced death. Jesus claimed power over life and death. Such a claim only stoked their fervent accusations that He had a demon (verses 52-53). It was unthinkable that anyone would be greater than their father, Abraham.
Jesus responded by again speaking to His exaltation of the Father. He would not exalt Himself- the Father exalted the Son through the miracles He performed. However, Jesus hearers did not
believe this truth. They rejected His Word and therefore were not children of the Father (verses 54-55). To reject Jesus is to reject God.
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ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Adult Teacher October 16 2022 LESSON 16 TRUE FREEDOM IN THE SON
Questions for Application
What are some ways Christians glorify the Father?
What can we learn from Jesus about how to handle insults?
B. Promise to Abraham Fulfilled- John 8:56-59
This conflict between Jesus and His accusers reached its peak in John 8:56-59. The hostile crowd was clearly familiar with God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3. But they did not see, and could not accept, that Jesus was the answer to that promise. The “day to which Abraham looked forward was the appearance of the Messiah. Yet while many among the Jewish people of Jesus’ day believed that Abraham anticipated the Messiah,
many also rejected that Messiah when presented with His message and ministry.
The reference to Jesus not yet being fifty years old is telling (John 8:57). Ministers in the tabernacle stopped their ministry at age fifty
(see Numbers 4:3; 8:25). Since important issues were often left to such elders, the crowd may have been saying that Jesus was not old enough to counsel them. In short, they may have been looking for ways to reject His authority.
In response, Jesus boldly
declared, “Very truly I tell you.. before Abraham was born, am (verse 58, NIV). Notice that Jesus did not say, “Before Abraham was born, I was.” Jesus was giving a clear declaration of His Deity. He had moved from the claim of being Messiah to being God-the eternally existent “I am” (see Exodus 3:14). This passage forms one of Christ’s clearest declarations of His divinity found in Scripture.
Given their unbelief, it is perhaps not surprising that the crowd responded by seeking to stone Jesus (verse 59). This was the penalty for
blasphemy (see Leviticus 24:16). However, Jesus escaped by slipping away from the Temple area (John 8:59). Although His death would come at the hands of sinful men, it would not be by stoning, but by
crucifixion.
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Adult Teacher October 16 2022 LESSON 16 TRUE FREEDOM IN THE SON
Questions for Application
The Jewish crowd that opposed Jesus in John 8 could not accept a Messiah who did not fit their religious expectations. How can we avoid allowing our preconceived notions to
affect how we view God’s Word?
Is there anything in your life that hinders you from seeing Jesus for who He really is?
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Response to the Word
Jesus made it clear that He is indeed God. He is more than our great Teacher and Leader, and even more than just our Saviour. He is God Himself. He is the Author of life, and the One who grants true freedom to all. As such, He is worthy of our Worship. Take a moment at the close of class to praise Jesus Christ as God. As teacher, you may wish to give each person an opportunity to praise Jesus for something
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Call to Discipleship
In what specific areas do you long for freedom from sin and guilt? Have you grown complacent about some form of sin? Perhaps it exists only in mind or private practice, and therefore is easily hidden. Sometimes we need a reminder that Jesus came to transform His disciples into people who live in spiritual freedom.
Jesus said the path to this kind of life involves a pursuit of truth. There are many ways to pursue this truth: Study His Word, pray, and faithfully meet for worship with our fellow believers. However, truth is also pursued by applying God’s commands to our lives in private moments. We embrace our identity as God’s son or daughter by taking seriously Jesus’ call to discipleship.
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Adult Teacher October 16 2022 LESSON 16 TRUE FREEDOM IN THE SON
Ministry in Action
Conclude with prayer that the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of those blind to God’s truth, and that you would have a chance to share the gospel with such a person this week.
THIS PUBLICATION IS A PRODUCT OF GENERAL COUNCIL SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA