RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL 15 NOVEMBER 2020

TOPIC: TEMPTATION

MEMORY VERSE: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it”. — 1Corithains 10-13

BIBLE PASSAGE: JAMES 1:12-16

INTRODUCTION: In the Bible, the word ‘temptation’ primarily donates a trial in which men has a free choice of being faithful or unfaithful to God (Gen. 22:1). Secondarily, it signifies allurement or seduction to sin. The latter is a desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment, that threatens long-term goals.

Temptation is one of the most familiar experiences of a true child of God and no one can totally escape from it. Even our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted (Matthew 4:1 Hebrews 4:15).This is why the lord taught us to include in our daily prayer the petition, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

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LESSON OUTLINES
1. SOURCE OF AND REASONS FOR TEMPTATIONS
2. HOW DO TEMPTATION ARISE?

SOURCE OF AND REASONS FOR TEMPTATION

God never tempts any man although He may give permission to the devil to do so when He is certain that the end result would be to His glory (James 1:13). In which case, He sets the boundaries (Job 1:1-12; 2:6). The actual sources of temptation are: Satan (Matt. 4:1); The flesh (James 1:14); Evil associations (Proverbs 1:10) and Carnal Christians (Matt. 16:22-23).
When can God allow temptations to our way? The answer are simply:

1. When he whats to test our faith (James 1:2-3).

2. When he wanted to test our obedience (Gen. 22:1)
God permits temptation to know the depth of our love and the sincerity of our testimonies that we would obey Him in all things at all times. It is easy to say that we love God and that he can do all things.

It is only at the time of severe trails that we can discover if we mean what we say or not. However, in all this cases, God always provides a way for us to overcome (1Cor. 10:13). Of course, there are temptations that we bring upon ourselves though the lust of the flesh (1John 2:15-17).

HOW DO TEMPTATION ARISE?

Temptation can come though many avenues. We shall list a few of them to know how to watch out. Temptations can come though:

1. Poverty or prosperity (Proverbs 30:8-9).

2. Discouragement (Psalm 42:11; 1Kings 19:4).

3. Pride, the case of Nebuchadnezzar’s fall (Dan. 4:39).

4. Pleasure, that led Demas astray (2Tim. 4:10)

5. Desire for power, that brought a curse on Simon Magus (Acts 8:19).

6. Lust after women, that ruined Solomon and caused the anger of God against David (Nehemiah 13:26, 2Sam. 11:2-4).

7. Love of money or greed for material possessions that ruined Achan and led to the destruction of Gehazi and Judas his Iscariot (Joshua 7; 2Kings 5; 1Tim. 6:9-10; John 13:21-30).

CONCLUSION
To be tempted is not a sin. However, to yield to temptation is a sin.

QUESTIONS
1. Identify the primary sources of temptation.
2. Mention five pointers to temptation.