RCCG JUNIOR ZEAL MANUAL 15TH DECEMBER 2019: SHOWING FORTH HIS GLORY THROUGH FORGIVENESS
MEMORY VERSE:
Matthew 6:12 – “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
BIBLE TEXT:
Luke 15:11-32
11 And He said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
CENTRAL TRUTH: You have to forgive others if you want God to forgive you your sins.
INTRODUCTION
Read – Open Heavens 15 December 2019 Sunday
Read – Open Heavens 16 December 2019
Forgiveness is the act of pardoning an offender. In the story of the prodigal son, the father forgave the son that has squandered his inheritance with riotous living.
He gave him a new robe, ring and shoes on his feet. He made celebration for his safe return, but we see on the other hand the older brother that was angry and didn´t want to go in to celebrate his junior brother´s safe return.
STUDY GUIDE:
A. WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?
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B. BENEFITS OF SHOWING FORGIVENESS
1. The Lord will forgive us our sins. – Matthew 6:14-15, Colossians 3:13
2. Peace with God. – Romans 8:1
3. We will obtain mercy.
4. Rescued from darkness. – Colossians 1:13-14
5. We become covenant children. – Matthew 26:28
C. IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS
– it clears the obstacles between you and God. – Matthew 6:14-15
– it shuts the enemy out of your life.
– it removes burden from us.
– ………………………………………………. Matthew 9:6
– ………………………………………………… 1 John 1:9 ……………………………………… 2 Thessalonians 1:6
– it makes God to forgive us. – Matthew 11:25
LIFE APPLICATION: Remember God´s forgiveness and forgive. We forgive others when we let go of resentment and give up any claim to be compensated for the hurt or loss we have suffered.
CONCLUSION: Ephesians 4:32 explains why it is important to forgive others. God desires that we forgive those that have wronged us. When we fail to forgive, we are the ones who suffer the most and it will negatively affect our relationship with God. This might block the flow of the Holy Spirit.
INVITATION: Before you can have the grace to forgive others, you must be forgiven by God through Jesus Christ. – John 1:12
DAILY DEVOTIONAL:
1. SUNDAY – John 21:15-21
2. MONDAY – John 21:22-25
3. TUESDAY – Acts 1:1-11
4. WEDNESDAY – Acts 1:12-20
5. THURSDAY – Acts 1:21-26
6. FRIDAY – Acts 2:1-13
7. SATURDAY – Acts 2:14-21
