RCCG LOWER JUNIOR ZEAL FOR AGE 13-19 STUDENT’S MANUAL 21ST OF JANUARY, 2024

[16]Rejoice evermore.

[17]Pray without ceasing.

[18]In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

CENTRAL TRUTH: Give thanks to God; pray and give as sacrificially as you can, to appreciate God.

INTRODUCTION: Tomiwa was registered for some external exams and he discovered recently that his parents went to the extent of selling some of their property to register for the exam. This got him so worried because of the stories he had heard over time of people failing these exams and having to do them two to three times before making it. Now he is not just writing one but about three of these exams and he just does not know what to do to make sure he does not fail any of them.

He got to Church on Sunday and his teacher was teaching in Sunday School about the power of prayer – that if only we believe, God is able to answer our prayers. He held on to this point and decided that apart from ensuring he didn’t miss any of his tutorial classes, he would make it a point of duty to pray about these exams daily. As he prayed, he started finding favour with his teachers, who took a special interest in him and gave him more attention. He started remembering and understanding all that he was taught and when he wrote the exams, he passed them all with distinctions. He was so happy that he testified in Church for the first time; his dance during the praise and worship period was special and he called each of his teachers to thank them specially, after which he sent them a small gift each, given by his parents.

Giving of thanks is an attitude that shows that we really value all that God has done for us. It must therefore become a culture for us to always appreciate God by giving, in form of money as well as dedicating your time and energy to the work of God.

Thanksgiving is a celebration in acknowledgment of divine favour from God – Ps. 107:1.

Prayer is the words a person says when they speak to God. One of the ways our appreciation to what God has done can be expressed is through prayers – Phil. 4:6.

Sacrificial Giving: Sacrificial giving is giving that goes beyond our means for the love of another, and unto the Lord! Sacrificial giving entails:

• Giving beyond our means – 2 Sam. 24:24.

• Giving not measured by how much you have given but how much you have left – Lk 21:4.

• Giving the first and best, not our leftovers – Gen. 22:12.

1. Prayer of Thanksgiving for other believers – Eph. 1:16; Phil. 1:3-4.

2. …………………………….

3. Prayer of thanksgiving for the Shepherds (Pastors, teachers) the Lord has placed over us.

4. Prayer of thanksgiving for our parents and family.

1. …………………………….

2. Sacrificial offering is giving an offering that is not convenient – 2 Chro 1:6.

3. It can also be said to be an offering that costs you something significant – 2 Sam 24:24.

• ………………………….

• Offering which can be provided by savings our parents or from our personal

• ………………………….

• Volunteering to do services before God or joining the work force in Church – such as the choir, cleaning, ushering, evangelism etc

LIFE APPLICATION: There is nothing too small or too big to give to God; what matters is your motive behind giving it. If God could appreciate the widow’s mite over the Pharisee’s big offering, how much more yours. Look out for things you can give or do in the house of God, just to appreciate Him for what He has done and will still do as He has promised in His word to us.

CONCLUSION: Appreciation starts from the heart and a heart without God cannot appreciate Him nor go to the extent of giving to Him in appreciation. Only a heart of flesh that has encountered the Salvation of Christ can be grateful and look out for ways to express this gratitude to God.

TODAY’S LESSON REFLECTION:

What truth have you learnt in today’s lesson?

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Write down one way in which you are going to apply what you now know.

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