RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ MANUAL 22ND OF JANUARY 2023 LESSON TWENTY ONE (21)

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?

OPENING PRAYER: Father, help me to understand the importance of consistent prayer life in Jesus’ name.

[39]And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

[40]And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

[41]And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

[42]Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

[43]And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

[44]And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

[45]And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

[46]And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

MEMORY VERSE: “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.’’ Luke 18:1.

INTRODUCTION: ‘Plugged-in knees’ simply refers to a life of constant prayers. A consistent and persistent prayer life was a regular practice and more of a lifestyle by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This exercise was pressed upon us more frequently by our Saviour, thus He encouraged His disciples to be fervent, consistent, and persevere in the place of prayer (Lk.18:1). He even propounded the parable of an unjust judge, who was overcome by an unrelenting widow, to do her justice contrary to his inclination (Lk.18:1-7).

TEXT REVIEW:

This scripture narrates Jesus’ encounter with His disciples on Mount Olives when He went to pray in preparation for the cross.

A. Jesus went, as He so often did, to Mount Olives. V39a.

i. Jesus’ disciples ……………………………………….V39b.

ii. When Jesus was at the place, He asked them to ……………………V40.

iii. Jesus withdrew and kneeled ………………………………………….V41b.

B. As Jesus prayed:

i. To the Father saying ……………………..V42.

ii. There appeared ………………………………………….V43.

iii. Being in an agony ……………………… ………………………V44.

C. When Jesus rose up:

i…………………………………………………………V45.

ii. He said to the disciples, ………………..V46.

OUTLINES:

1. THE NEED FOR PERSISTENT PRAYERS

2. HOW TO PRAY REGULARLY

1. THE NEED FOR PERSISTENT PRAYERS

A. ‘Plugged-in’ is to engage wholeheartedly in a task or to be connected.

B. The need for ceaseless prayers is therefore emphasised in the Bible (1Thess.5:17) for various reasons. Some of these are:

i. To keep the communication line between God and His children open (Ps.55:17).

ii. To be filled with the power of the Holy Ghost and be bold (Acts 4:31).

iii. To be guided when there is a need to take a decision (Acts 1:24) or find direction (Gen.24:12).

iv. For believers in Christ to enjoy the fullness of joy promised them by God all the time (Jn.16:23-24).

v. To stand though, the days are evil (Eph.5:16) and full of sin, error, subtle heretical seducers and sharp persecutions (2Tim.3:13-14; Matt.24:12-13).

vi. To stay connected to the parent stock, as a branch, and be fruitful. (Jn.15:5-6).

vii. To be able to withstand and confront the forces of wickedness that seek to destroy God’s children (Eph.6:12-13).

viii. To cast out unclean spirits (Matt.17:19-21).

ix. For restoration (Jdg.16:28) and when agonized (1Sam.1:10).

x. To bring the flesh under (Matt.26:41; 2 Cor.10:3-5) and always look up unto God (Ps.5:3).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should discuss whether it is important to pray constantly when everything seems fine.

We pray frequently when we:

i. Take prayer as a daily task (Ps.5:3; 55:17).

ii. Deliberately pray in the Spirit (Eph.6:18).

iii. Live in the reality, that there is a need to pray without ceasing (Mk.14:38).

iv. Put God first on any issue by contacting Him through prayers (Ps.37:5).

v. Are actively involved in praying always (Col.1:9).

vi. Give ourselves to prayers (Ps.109:4).

vii. Delight in God when praying (Job 22:26-27).

viii. Pray with confidence that God hears and answers will come (1Jn.5:14-15).

ix. Pray everywhere (1Tim.2:8).

We pray frequently when we take prayer as a daily task (Ps.5:3; 55:17). Deliberately pray in the Spirit (Eph.6:18). Live in the reality, that there is a need to pray without ceasing (Mk.14:38). Put God first on any issue by contacting Him through prayers (Ps.37:5). Be actively involved in praying always (Col.1:9). Give yourself to prayers (Ps.109:4). Delight in God when praying (Job 22:26-27). Pray with confidence that God hears and answers will come (1Jn.5:14-15). Pray everywhere (1 Tim.2:8)

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Are there places or situations a Christian cannot pray?

SUMMARY: The need to give ourselves to persistent prayer cannot be over emphasised.

CONCLUSION: Constant prayer is a necessity for a close walk with God.

* Why should believers pray?

* How can believers pray regularly?

EVALUATION: Why do we need to be persistent in our prayers?

CLOSING PRAYER: Why do we need to be persistent in our prayers?

ASSIGNMENT: Mention at least five (5) benefits you have derived from prayer (No mark).