RCCG YAYA SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL 1 OCTOBER 2023

 

LESSON FIVE (05)

TOPIC: SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES

 

*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?

 

BIBLE PASSAGE: Hebrews 13:15-16

[15]Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

[16]But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

 

MEMORY VERSE: “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5 (NKJV).

 

INTRODUCTION: Spiritual sacrifices replaced the material sacrifices of the Old Covenant (Exodus 29:36). No longer do we offer bulls, goats, and lambs on the altar (Hebrews 10:1-11). Our worship today involves the offering of spiritual sacrifices. What are these spiritual sacrifices and who qualifies to offer them acceptably?

 

OUTLINES:

1. SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES DESCRIBED

2. OFFERING ACCEPTABLE SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES

 

1. SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES DESCRIBED

Spiritual sacrifices are continuous offerings from believers to God in faith. They are words or deeds motivated by a desire to glorify God alone (Hebrews 13:16). Just as the smoke of the incense ascended in the sanctuary under the Old Covenant, so our spiritual sacrifices ascend to God (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 5:8).  These include the believer’s prayers, praises, will, body, time, treasures, talents, and spiritual gifts.

Therefore, the fact that the incense was always burning means we should always pray (Luke 18:1). Fasting is also a spiritual sacrifice that aids the believer’s prayer (Daniel 9:3). God created us to praise Him, and we must offer the ‘sacrifice of praise’ to Him continually (Hebrews 13:15).

Just as Jesus surrendered His will to the Father’s (Luke 22:42), so should we, though it’s an ongoing battle (Romans 7:18-20). Our talents and spiritual gifts are from God and should be offered for the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, and the edification of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:7, 11-12). Our treasures (financial/material) contribute to the spiritual sacrifices to be offered to God, the kingdom work on earth, the ministers of God, and the people in need (Philippians 4:18; Proverbs 19:17; Galatians 6:10). The apostle Paul also charges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices unto God (Romans 12:1).

 

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention the spiritual sacrifices they have made to God.

 

2. OFFERING ACCEPTABLE SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES

Believers constitute the new priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). Therefore, to offer acceptable spiritual sacrifices, we must appear before God sanctified (Psalm 24:3-4; Leviticus 10:1-3). We must present our bodies as ‘living sacrifices’ (Romans 12:1-2). Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). The believer’s body must be yielded to God as an instrument of righteousness (Romans 6:12-13). This implies that we are to maintain good sexual boundaries and refuse to use our bodies for theft, or to bring harm to another person (Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:12-13).

Spiritual sacrifices must be offered obediently (1 Samuel 15:22); willingly (2Corinthians 9:6); cheerfully (2Corinthians 9:7); timely (Ecclesiastes 11:6) and in reverence to God (Malachi 1:8).

 

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should share with the class how they have offered spiritual sacrifices in a timely manner.

 

CONCLUSION: Sacrifice is part and parcel of worship. Jesus promised us rewards for every kind action done in His name (Mark 9:41).

 

QUESTIONS:

* What are spiritual sacrifices?

* Mention ways believers can offer acceptable spiritual sacrifices to God.

 

FURTHER READING: Rom. 12:1. MON: Ps.15:1. TUES: Matt.5:24. WED: Ex. 25:2. THURS: Heb.6:10. FRI: Rom.6:13. SAT: Rev.20:12.

 

ASSIGNMENT

In line with today’s lesson, mention with biblical references, five (5) people who offered acceptable sacrifices to God. (2×5=10 marks).