RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL
SUNDAY 28TH OF APRIL, 2024
LESSON THIRTY FIVE (35)
TOPIC: THE “WAITING ROOM”
BIBLE PASSAGE: Lamentations 3:24-26.
[24]The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. [25]The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. [26]It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
MEMORY VERSE: My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. Psalms 62:5.
INTRODUCTION: Waiting on God is not only difficult, but sometimes, it seems impossible. We want things to happen in our timing, according to our plan, but God does not operate on our schedules (Isaiah 55:8-9). God wants us to wait on Him in eager anticipation, knowing that He is with us and in control of our lives. He will do what He has promised. He will rescue and save us. He is always working for our good, even when we do not feel His presence or understand the situation (Romans 8:28).
OUTLINES:
1. THE “WAITING ROOM” AND ITS BLESSINGS
2. THINGS TO DO IN THE WAITING ROOM
1. THE “WAITING ROOM” AND ITS BLESSINGS
The “waiting room” is the place of seeking God’s intervention over a situation or condition (Psalms 40:1). It is the gap between God’s promises and their fulfilment (Genesis 21:2; Romans 4:18-21). It is the space between “crying” for a change and God’s response to the cry (Jonah 2:2; Lamentations 3:55-58). It is where we prepare for the next phase of the journey (Genesis 28:10-16).
Waiting is unavoidable (Psalms 145:15); at one point or the other, we all have to wait on God for something (Psalms 130:5-6). Waiting will not be forever (2Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:18). Sometimes, God puts us in the “waiting room” against our will to allow us to change (Jonah 1:17). At other times, God uses the “waiting room” to test our commitment and grow our faith (Psalms 66:10-12). The ability to wait on the Lord comes from being confident and focused on who God is and what He is doing (Philippians 1:6).
Some blessings accrue to us when we are in God’s waiting room. We learn and experience trust (Romans 4:21). Waiting renews our strength (Isaiah 40:31); builds our faith and confidence in God (Romans 4:19-20); takes away shame (Isaiah 61:7); builds patience (James 1:3), makes us authorities as we showcase His glory (Job 23:10).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Biblical examples of people who waited on God.
2. THINGS TO DO IN THE WAITING ROOM
How we emerge from God’s waiting room is dependent on our attitude. Waiting on God requires us to put aside our ways of doing things, and trust His timing and plans (Psalms 90:4). We should not alter God’s timetable by going contrary to His will (Job 14:14; Hebrews 12:2). We must be sure of God’s direction (Psalms 37:23; Isaiah 30:21). We should be thankful for what God will do in our situation (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). We need to also learn to be content and patient (Hebrews 6:15; 10:36). We should be of good courage (Psalms 27:14), actively seeking God in prayer and studying the word of God (1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalms 130:5). We need to consciously take actions as directed by the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 3:5-6). We must channel our strengths to other areas of interest, our lives must not revolve around our challenges.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Discuss why some people decide to take shortcuts instead of waiting on God.
CONCLUSION: Remember that delay is not denial. You are in God’s waiting room, and He is at work.
QUESTIONS:
* Identify four benefits of being in God’s waiting room.
* Mention three things to do in the waiting room
ASSIGNMENT: Identify five people in the Bible that wait on God and were not ashamed with scriptural reference each (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?