RCCG YAYA SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL
SUNDAY 9TH OF JULY, 2023
LESSON FORTY FIVE (45)
TOPIC: RENOUNCING THE FAITH
OPENING PRAYER: Almighty Father, please keep me from renouncing my faith in Christ.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Hebrews 6:4-6
[4]For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
[5]and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
[6]if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
MEMORY VERSE: “Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?” Hebrews 10:29 (NKJV).
INTRODUCTION: Renouncing one’s faith is ‘apostasy.’ The term apostasy comes from the Greek word ‘apostasia’ meaning ‘defection,’ ‘departure,’ ‘revolt’ or ‘rebellion.’ Apostasy is the formal disaffiliation from, abandonment of, or renunciation of a religion by a person. It can also be defined within the broader context of embracing an opinion that is contrary to one’s previous religious beliefs. It is an act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognise a religious faith. One who undertakes apostasy is known as an apostate.
TEACHER’S DIARY
LESSON AIM: To study the characteristics, danger and solutions to apostasy.
TEACHING OBJECTIVES: Through this lesson, students should be able to:
i. Understand the term ‘apostasy’
ii. Highlight the characteristics of apostates.
iii. Discover the danger and hope for an apostate.
TEXT REVIEW: The teacher should identify five natures of people who would be difficult to be renewed again into repentance by human efforts according to the above-stated Bible passage. For example:
i. People who were once enlightened.
ii. ………………………………………….
iii. …………………………………………
iv. …………………………………………
v. ………………………………………….
OUTLINES:
1. THE CHARACTERISTICS
2. THE DANGER AND HOPE
1. THE CHARACTERISTICS
The teacher should emphasise the following:
A. Forms of apostasy;
i. In the context of the Christian faith, there are two main forms of Apostasy:
ii. One is a falling away from key and true doctrines of the Bible into heretical teachings that claim to be “the real” Christian doctrine;
iii. The other, is a complete renunciation of the Christian faith, which results in a full abandonment of Christ (Heb.10:29).
B. Description of apostasy:
Jude’s description of the character of the first Century apostates explains why he so strongly opposed them. Some believers today are towing the paths of the apostates of Jude’s day;
i. they are ignoring scriptural warnings of past judgments on sins (Rom.15:4) such as that of unbelieving Israelites, fallen Angels (Jude 6; 2 Pet.2:4), Sodom and Gomorrah (Jude 7; Gen.19:24-25).
ii. They become ungodly by moral perversion, defilement of the flesh and rebellion.
iii. They boldly speak evil against people and things they do not understand such as Spiritual beings and dignitaries (Jude 8-10).
iv. They are ignorant about God; proclaiming false visions, self-destructive, grumbling, fault finding, self-satisfying, using arrogant words and false flattery.
v. They make a mockery of God (Jude 15-18).
vi. They ignore God and His word like Cain; they practice greed and deceit like Balaam, and rebel against spiritual authorities like Korah (Jude 11).
vii. Apostates are sensual (Jude 19). They deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Titus 1:15-16).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should discuss the problems an apostate could bring to the body of Christ in particular and the society at large.
2. THE DANGER AND HOPE
A. DANGER
i. The apostate would eventually fall away and depart from the truth of God’s word and His righteousness. 1John 2:19.
ii. It can be deduced from Hebrews 6:4-6 that it is impossible to restore apostates back to the faith (by human efforts).
B. HOPE FOR AN APOSTATE
i. The apostate can still return to God who can do all things. Luke 1:37; Jer. 32:27
ii. The apostate who repents of his/her apostasy and humbly and genuinely call on God will receive forgiveness. 2Chro. 7:14; 2Cor. 7:10; 1John 1:9.
C. CAUTION
i. Every believer must pray for discernment, combat apostasy, and contend earnestly for the faith that was once and for all delivered to the saints
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: The class should discuss how a true believer can guard against sliding into apostasy.
CONCLUSION: Apostasy is a dangerous trend that can lead to a point of no return. Be watchful.
EVALUATION: What characterises apostasy?
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, we know that with you nothing is impossible, therefore, restore the apostates in our society in the name of Jesus.
ASSIGNMENT: Identify five things the church of God can do to help apostates (2×5=10 marks).
SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. 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.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?