RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ MANUAL FOR SUNDAY 6TH OF AUGUST, 2023; DYNAMICS OF GRACE (PART 1)

OPENING PRAYER: Almighty Father, please help me to remain in You and enjoy the grace of God throughout my life in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Ephesians 2:4-10.

[4]But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

[5]Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

[6]And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

[7]That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

[8]For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

[9]Not of works, lest any man should boast.

[10]For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

MEMORY VERSE: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: The word translated ‘Grace’ in Hebrew is chen,’ which means to bend or stoop in kindness to another as a superior to an inferior (Gen.6:8).

The Greek word for ‘Grace’ is ‘charis” and it

connotes something beyond the ordinary course of what can be expected and therefore commendable (1Cor.15:10). When used in reference to God, it is the benevolent action of Him stooping down to us in kindness to reach us in our needs and convey upon us a benefit. His grace has been termed ‘unmerited favour’ but it is more than an attitude of favour or mercy.

Also read; rccg-sunday-school-students-manual-for-sunday-30th-of-july-2023

LESSON AIM: To study the dynamics of grace.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES: Through the lesson, students should be able to:

a.Understand the meaning of grace.

b.Discover the requirements to receive grace.

TEXT REVIEW: Ephesians 2:4-10.

* The teacher should identify five things God did for the believer through Christ in reference to the passage.

* The teacher should identify five things God did for the believer through Christ in reference to the passage.

i. …………….…………………

ii. …………….………………..

iii. …………….………………..

iv. …………….………………..

v. …………….………………..

LESSON OUTLINES

LESSON OUTLINE 1: UNDERSTANDING

GRACE

A.The teacher should ask students to mention what they understand by the term “grace.”

B.The teacher should explain the meaning of

grace in the light of the following:

i. Grace is God’s favour towards the unwor-

thy or His benevolence on the undeserving.

Rom. 8:5-10.

ii.Grace is God’s favour translated into action

that releases the enabling power into our lives. 1 Cor.15:10.

iii. Grace is God’s gift of salvation for mankind. Eph.2:8; Titus 2:11,

iv. The enabling power of God for service Eph.3:7-8; 4:7.

v. Grace is the virtue which believers manifest. 2Cor.8:7.

vi. Grace is the benediction which believers

enjoy in Christ. Eph.6:24.

vii.Grace is the divine help which believers

receive in the time of need. Phil.4:19; Heb.4:16.

viii. Grace is the divine ability to do exploits.

Dan.11:32; Phil.4:13.

ix. Grace is the appearance of kindness and

the love of God our Saviour towards man.

Titus 2:11; 3:4.

C.The teacher should identify some significant differences between the law in the Old Testament and grace in the New Testament

as stated below:

i. The law blessed “the good” the Old

Testament but grace save “the bad” in the

New Testament.

ii.The law accuses and convicts the offenders in the Old Testament but grace cancels bonds and relieves the debtor. Rom.6:14.

D.The teacher should point out that the difference between Mercy and Grace is that

0mercy withholds a punishment we deserve;

grace gives a blessing we do not deserve.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should discuss the relationship among “Law”, “Grace” and “Mercy.”

LESSON OUTLINE 2: HOW TO RECEIVE

GRACE

The teacher should enumerate the following ways by which grace can be received as indicated below:

i. By accepting God’s love towards all men.

John 3:16; Rom.5:8.

ii.By believing in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom.10:9-10) through God’s mercy and the

fellowship of the Holy Spirit. 1 Tim.1:13; Heb.4:16; Matt.9:13.

iii. By exercising our faith (no matter how little) at all times. Matt. 17:20; Rom.1:17.

iv. By being humble before God. James 4:6;

1 Pet.5:5.

v. By loving the Lord Jesus with all our hearts. Eph.6:24.

vi. Through sufferings and trials arranged for us by God. Rom.8:28; 1 Pet.5:10; 2 Cor.12:9.

vii.Through the prophetic words of prayer

contained in the Bible spoken to us by our

spiritual heads and fellow believers in Christ.

SUMMARY: The Almighty God gives grace for those who fulfil certain conditions.

CONCLUSION: Grace is the spring a source of all benefits received from God (Romans 11:6). God’s grace should not be taken for granted (Rom.6:1-2; Gal.2:21).

EVALUATION: What is grace and how can a person receive it?

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, do not let me lose Your grace.

ASSIGNMENT: List (10) things you have accomplished by grace (1×10=10 Marks).