RCCG JUNIOR ZEAL (AGES: 9-12) TEACHER’S MANUAL SUNDAY 10TH OF JANUARY, 2021 LESSON NINETEEN (19)
TOPIC: REVISION 3
•Revise the previous lessons with the Children.
•Ask them questions to ensure lessons have been well understood.
•Tell your class to review the previous lessons during the wee before the revision day.
SUMMARY OF LESSONS 13-18
LESSON THIRTEEN (13)
TOPIC: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LOVE OF CHRIST
BIBLE TEXT: 1 John 4.8 -13
MEMORY VERSE: John 3.16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
INTRODUCTION: God sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, into the world that we might live through Those who do not reject the love of Christ shall inherit the kingdom of God. The love of Christ gives us eternal life.
STUDY GUIDE:
A: THE LOVE OF CHRIST:
1 It refers to the love of Jesus Christ demonstrated on the cross by dying for our sins.
2 It refers to the love of Christ demonstrated by giving us the power of the Holy Ghost after His resurrection.
3 It refers to the love of Christ shown by the promise of eternal life to those who believe.
B: IMPORTANCE OF THE LOVE OF CHRIST:
1 He first loved us and He expects us to love others. John 15:12
2 It makes us to love Him in return for His sacrifice for us. Ephesians 5:2
3 God the father brought about the work of salvation through Christ. Isaiah 6:8
4 Christ willingly sacrificed Himself based on His love and obedience to the father. John 10:17
5 His love unites the body of Christ together. John 13:34
6 His love gives us perfect love. 1 John 4:18
7 His love makes us to trust God more. Matthew 12:21, Matthew 2:13
8 His love makes us a better Christian for we bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23
CONCLUSION: The love of Christ brought about eternal life for us.
INVITATION: You can only show the love of Christ to others by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
ACTIVITY: Mention 5 (five) ways you can demonstrate the love of Christ.
LIFE APPLICATION: The love of Christ compels us to show love to others, to love Him too, for He first loved you. His great love brought you salvation. Luke 19:10
LESSON FOURTEEN (14)
TOPIC: RECIPROCATE GOD’S LOVE
BIBLE TEXT: Mark 12.30; Isaiah 49:8-10
MEMORY VERSE: Matthew 22.37 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
INTRODUCTION: God loves mankind by the gift of salvation He bestows. He has called us to shine His light to those in darkness and in prison. He promises us mercy, provision and shelter from sun and heat. We in return must love Him with all our heart, mind and soul.
STUDY GUIDE:
A: HOW TO RECIPROCATE GOD’S LOVE:
1 Be born again. John 3:3
2 Obedience to His words. Romans 16:19
3 A life of repentance. Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17
4 To preach the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:16-18
5 To love God with all our heart, soul and might. Deuteronomy 6:5, Mark 12:39
6 To keep His comments. John 13:15-21
7 To love our neighbours as we love ourselves. Matthew 22:39
8 We should glorify Him. Psalm 96:9
9 We should fear Him. Deuteronomy 6:13
10 We should thank and praise Him. Psalm 150, Psalm 100
11 We should believe and thirst for Him. Psalm 42:2, Genesis 15:6
B: BENEFITS OF RECIPROCATING GOD’S LOVE:
1 It is a way to show to God our appreciation of His love.
2 It perfects our miracles.
3 It makes God love us the more.
4 It draws us closer to God.
5 It opens doors for more of God’s blessings in our lives.
C: WHY DO CHILDREN FAIL TO RECIPROCATE HIS LOVE?
1 Ignorance of God’s love and sacrifice.
2 Pride
3 Forgetfulness: People can easily forget the goodness of God, especially when they are now successful, see king Saul.
4 When experiencing difficult times like failure and sickness, see Job’s wife.
5 When blindfolded by the devil. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
6 When they still love to continue in their sins.
CONCLUSION: The love of Christ brought about eternal life for us.
INVITATION: You can only show the love of Christ to others by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
ACTIVITY: Mention 5 (five) ways you can demonstrate the love of Christ.
LIFE APPLICATION: The love of Christ compels us to show love to others. To love God and to show this by:
1 obeying Him,
2 serving Him and
3 loving other people around you.
LESSON: FIFTEEN (15)
TOPIC: BE OBEDIENT TO GOD
BIBLE TEXT: John 14:15-21; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10*
MEMORY VERSE: Isaiah 1:19 “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land”
INTRODUCTION: Jesus Christ emphasized that whosoever keeps his commandment is the one that love Him and God will also love him in return. God is a just God and He will punish those who do not accept and obey the gospel of
Jesus Christ.
STUDY GUIDE
A. WHAT IS OBEDIENCE?
1. According to Holman’s illustrated Bible dictionary, biblical obedience is to hear Gods word and act accordingly
2. Biblical obedience means to hear, trust, submit and surrender to God and his word.
3. Obedience is submitting to God’s will
4. Obedience is hearkening to a higher authority.
B. IMPORTANCE OF OBEDIENCE
1. To follow Jesus example
2. It is an act of worship – Romans 12:1
3. There is a great reward for obedience – Luke 11:28, James 1:22-25
4. lt proves we are Gods children – 1John 5:2-3
5, It shows we have faith in God – Jude 1:24
6. Obedience is better than sacrifice – 1 Samuel 1522-23
7. Obedience brings joy and blessing – Deuteronomy 28:1-14
8. Disobedience can lead to sin and death Romans 5:19, 1 Corinthians 15:22
9. Obedience saves life – Deuteronomy 30:9
10. It makes you fulfil your destiny – Genesis 41:41
C. BIBLICAL OBEDIENCE
1. Jesus Christ – Luke 22:42, Philippians 2:5-7
2. Abraham – Genesis 12
3. Joseph – Genesis 39:12
Apostle Paul – Acts 26:19
5 Mary – Luke 1:26-27
D. HOW TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD
1. Surrender your life to God.
2. Love God with all your heart.
3. Study His words daily and be a doer of the word of God.
4. Don’t procrastinate but be prompt in your obedience.
5. Choose wisely your friends, evil communication corrupt good manner
6. Never query the word of God.
7. Let the word of God mixed with faith in you.
CONCLUSION: Believers are called to a life of obedience
INVITATION: You need to know God for you to be able to obey Him
ACTIVITY: Mention 2(two) consequences of disobedience.
LIFE APPLICATION: Obedience to God proves that you honour and respect your heavenly father. When you do the will of God, you receive God’s blessing. John 15:14 Jesus calls you His friend if you obey His commands.
LESSON SIXTEEN (16)
TOPIC: BEAR FRUITS OF REPENTANCE
BIBLE TEXT: Luke 3:3-14*
MEMORY VERSE: Matthew 3:8 “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance”
INTRODUCTION: John the Baptist preached on repentance. Repentance is a change of mind from serving the devil to serving God. John the Baptist baptised people in the river Jordan as assign of repentance. After baptising them in the river Jordan, he commanded them to change from their old ways of sin to a holy life with God.
STUDY GUIDE:
A: WHAT REPENTANCE IS NOT:
1 Conviction of sin is not repentance. A sinner can be deeply convicted and still not repent. Acts 24:24-25
2 Sorrow of sin is not repentance. It is possible to be sorry for sin and yet not to repent of sin. 2 Corinthians 2:7
3 Hatred of sin is not repentance. Repentance includes hatred for sin but it is possible to hate sin and yet not turn from it.
4 Promising to be better is not repentance but taking steps.
B: WHAT IS REPENTANCE?
1 Repentance is a change of mind, feeling, purpose and conduct. It is to leave the sins I loved before and to embrace a new life in Christ Jesus.
2 Confession of sin, contrition for sin and consecration to a new way of life.
3 Sorrow for sin and a determination to lead a holy life.
4 Turning away from sin and a turning toward God.
5 To turn to God and turn from evil.
C: HOW REPENTANCE IS BROUGHT ABOUT:
1 Repentance is a divine gift. Acts 5:30-31
2 Through the preaching of the gospel. Matthew 12:41
3 The goodness of God leads to repentance. Romans 2:4
4 The sorrow of life brings people to repentance. Psalm 78:34
5 The emptiness of life makes some to repent. Luke 15:17
D: EVIDENCE OF REPENTANCE:
1 Bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23
2 Truthfulness. Luke 3:13
3 Not doing violence to people. Luke 3:14
4 Not accusing people falsely. Luke 3:14
5 Contentment with ones wages. 1 Timothy 6:6
6 Obedience to the word of God. Romans 6:16
E: BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF REPENTANCE:
1 The prodigal son. Luke 15:18-20
2 The tax collector. Luke 18:13
3 City of Nineveh. Jonah 3:6-8
4 Apostle Paul. Acts 9:6, Acts 9:20
CONCLUSION: Living a holy and godly life is the only sign of a repentant heart. First you need to give your life to Christ. Now is the time to repent. 2 Peter 3:9
INVITATION: To tell other people genuinely about Christ, you need first to give your life to Christ.
ACTIVITY: Mention 5 (five) things ou need to repent from.
LIFE APPLICATION: Repentance is a change of heart that manifests in a change to godly character. Check your actions, thoughts and ways daily. Is there anything you say, do or think that makes God unhappy? Ask God to forgive you and to give you the power to forsake them. Be deliberate and intentional to be a changed and better person always.
LESSON: SEVENTEEN (17)
TOPIC: BEAR FRUITS OF CHARACTER
BIBLE TEXT: Galatians 5:22-23
MEMORY VERSE: Ephesians 5.9 “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.”
INTRODUCTION: A lot of people did not actualise their dreams in the Bible simply because they lacked character. A good example of such a person is Samson. Although he was a very powerful man, he lacked self-control and disobeyed constantly God till he ended up in the camp of the Philistines. Character is who we are on the inside and as children of God, God wants us to live a completely balanced life both internally and externally. We are to glorify God in our thoughts and actions and in our bodies which are the temple of God. This can be achieved by depending on the Spirit of God.
STUDY GUIDE:
A: WHAT IS THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?
1 The fruit is the evidence of the Spirit filled sanctified life.
2 A life characterised by good works through the power of the Holy Ghost.
3 A developed christian character.
The fruit of the Spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit’s presence and working in the lives of maturing believers and it is listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Fruit refers to the natural product of a living thing. Paul used the word fruit to help us to understand the product of the Holy Spirit, who lives inside every believer. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is produced by the Spirit, not by the Christian. As physical fruits need to grow and ripen, so does the Spirit’s fruit in our lives need to grow and mature. The Holy Spirit gives us the power we need to reject the old sinful desires which are weeds, which hinder the growth of the Spirit’s fruit in us.
As we give the Spirit more control of our lives, He begins to do in and through us what only He can do. He shapes us and grows us to look like Jesus. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).
B: WHAT IS CHARACTER?
1. Mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.
2. Moral strength.
3. Habits or traits peculiar to a person or individual.
C: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT:
1. Love: True love is a choice and not a feeling. Love always seeks the welfare of others. It is the primary key to everything. It is the bookend that helps us hold the other fruit in place. This love surpasses human understanding and causes a person to be filled with the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:18-19). The divine characteristics of this kind of love are detailed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. It is patient and kind. It never fails.
2. Joy: This is the fruit that represents a great delight or happiness caused by something exceptional, good and satisfying. Joy gives spiritual strength. Hebrews 12:2
3. Peace: Peace means a state of rest or tranquillity. It also denotes peace with God, with man and with ourselves. We maintain peace with God by believing and trusting Him and by not sinning. We maintain peace with our fellow men by not allowing strife to be a part of our relationships with other people. We maintain peace with ourselves by being happy with who we are and by refusing to live in guilt and condemnation.
4. Longsuffering: This means long and patient endurance in times of trouble, injury or provocation. Longsuffering is love on trial. It makes you to be emotionally strong and forgive others. Colossians 3:13
5. Gentleness: It means being moderate and kind. It also means the absence of harshness or severity. This is illustrated in 1 Thessalonians 2:7
6. Goodness: This is moral excellence or virtue. God is the ultimate example of goodness. Goodness is holiness put into practice and results from knowing God. Goodness enables you to do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27) as well as those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10). It is the goodness and the grace of God that leads people to repentance.
7. Faithfulness: Faithfulness is the act of being faithful. Do what you say you are going to do. Be known as someone people can trust because you are reliable. It means being constant, loyal and showing a strong sense of duty or responsibility.
8. Meekness: Being humble and patient. Meekness is not being weak but rather servant-like submission to God and others in your care. Your spirit is free from rebellion and pride. Meekness can also be described as being free from pride and arrogance.
9 Temperance: Self-control, moderation or self-restraint in action or statement. It means having control over your entire being (body, soul and spirit). A person who has self-control is mild and calm. He avoids extreme behaviours.
CONCLUSION: Christian character is produced by the Holy Spirit that indwells believers, not by self efforts.
INVITATION: For you to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit you must accept Jesus Christ into your life.
ACTIVITY: Mention 5 (five) people in the Bible that borne the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
LIFE APPLICATION: When we allow the Holy Spirit to take total control of our lives, we will produce godly character. The fruit of the character reflects in how you relate with others and your behaviour. The word of God says that by their fruits we shall know them. What type of fruit do you bear?
LESSON EIGHTEEN (18)
TOPIC: BE HIS DISCIPLE
BIBLE TEXT: Matthew 4:18-19
MEMORY VERSE: John 1.43 “The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.”
INTRODUCTION: Training is the process by which a person is thought the skills that are needed for an art, profession or job. In today’s scripture, Christ did not just pick His disciples and sent them to work for Him, He said they should follow Him and He will make them fishers of men. Becoming a disciple of God means we would follow Him and trust in Him. Following God is not something we do and stop, it is something we do daily (Luke 9:62). So to become Christ disciples we must be ready to follow Him faithfully to the end.
STUDY GUIDE:
A: WHO IS A DISCIPLE?
•A disciple primarily refers to a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ.
•He is an imitator of both the life and the teaching of the master. 1 Corinthians 11:1
•Discipleship is a deliberate apprenticeship which makes the fully formed disciple a living copy of the master.
•A disciple engages in learning through instruction from another and is constantly associated with someone who has a character and a particular set of views. He adheres to the teachings of the master.
•A disciple of Jesus must learn to live and love like Him. Disciple also means other things like worshipper, servant and witness.
B: HOW DO I BECOME A DISCIPLE?
1. Recognise you are a great sinner and Jesus is the great Saviour. Isaiah 53:5
2. Fall in love with God. Mark 12:30
3. Read God’s Word daily and submit to it. Psalm 119:97
4. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Luke 12:12
5. Be involved in serving God in your church. 2 Corinthians 12:15
6. Keep godly company. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16
7. Tell others about Jesus. Mark 16:15
C: QUALITIES OF A DISCIPLE:
1. He must deny self. Luke 9:23
2. He sets his affection on heavenly things. Colossians 3:1-2
3. Obedience. Matthew 4:20
4. Acknowledge the Lordship of God. Matthew 16:16
5. Listen to Jesus instructions. Matthew 28:19-20
6. Believe. Mark 1:15
7. Love Jesus more. John 21:15-17
8. Commitment. Luke 14:33
9. Die to self interest. Galatians 2:20
10. Love God more than money and material things. Luke 16:13
D: BIBLICAL EXAMPLES:
1. Jesus – 12 disciples. Matthew 10:2
2. Moses – Joshua. Exodus 24:13
3. Apostle Paul – Timothy. 1 Timothy 1:18
CONCLUSION: Every true disciple of Christ must be Christ-like.
INVITATION: For you to be a disciple of Jesus Christ you must accept Him as your Lord and Saviour.
ACTIVITY: Mention 2 (two) benefits of being a disciple of Christ.
LIFE APPLICATION: There is a great price to pay if you want to be a disciple of Christ, like submission. Who do you look up for spiritual guidance? Be spiritual accountable to a mature Christian. Paul discipled Timothy, Moses discipled Joshua, Elijah discipled Elisha. Let Christ be formed in you.