RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ MANUAL 17 OCTOBER 2021

LESSON SEVEN (07)
TOPIC: BEATITUDES: THE MEEK AND THE HUNGRY

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 friendship suits me well,
Both young and old 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. 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.

READ >> OPEN HEAVEN 17 OCTOBER 2021

BIBLE PASSAGE: MATTHEW 5:5-6

[5]Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

[6]Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

MEMORY VERSE: “The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live forever.” Psalms 22:26.

INTRODUCTION: The beatitudes describe the ideal disciple and his rewards, both present and future. Having discovered that the beatitudes are a series of eight blessings spoken by Jesus in Matthew 5, we shall do some exposition on verses 5 and 6 in this study.

LESSON OUTLINE:

1: BLESSED ARE THE MEEK
2: BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

‘Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth’ (Matthew 5:5). The word ‘meek, from the original Greek language ‘praus’ refers to mildness, gentleness of spirit or humility. It was used to describe ‘reining in a stallion’. It is the idea of a horse being controlled by a bit and bridle.

The horse is choosing to submit to authority. This is meekness. It is power under constraint.

“Meekness” is a humble attitude that expresses itself in the patient endurance of offences. Meekness is humility toward God and toward others.

In other words, it is having the right or the power to do something but refraining for the benefit of someone else (Eph. 4:1-2). It is power under control.

Meekness is not weakness. A weak person cannot do anything but a meek person can do something but chooses not to (Prov.16:32; 25:28).

Being too hasty in word and deed are possibly two of the most frequent weaknesses in people. A meek person would consider his
actions before he acts hastily (James 1:1-21: 3:13).

The cultivation of this spirit is enjoined (Col.3:12; 1 Tim. 6:11; Zeph. 2:3), and is exemplified in Christ (Matt.11:29), Abraham Gen.13:8-12: 16:5-6), Moses (Num.12:3), David (Zech. 12:8; 2 Sam. 16:10,12), and Paul (1 Cor. 9:19).

Peculiar promises are made to the meek. (Matt. 5:5 Isa 66:5). The humble would receive far greater than the arrogant and prideful.

Not only do the meek enjoy more of life on earth because of their ability to be content, but they will possess the earth after Jesus’ return and triumphant entry. The meek are blessed.

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND
THIRST

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled’
(Matt.5:6). An ardent desire for anything is
often represented in the Scriptures by hunger
and thirst (Ps.42:1).

As the body has its natural appetites of hunger and thirst for the food and drink suited to its nourishment, so has the soul (Ps.63:1-2).

When the soul begins to hunger and thirst after righteousness or holiness, which is its proper food, we know that it must be purified by the Holy Spirit, and be made a partaker of that living bread (John 7:37-32), or perish everlastingly.

A desire for the blessings of pardon and peace; a deep sense of sin, and want, and wretchedness, is also represented by thirsting (Isa.55:1-2).

Those who hunger and thirst, after the full salvation of God, will be blessed, satisfied and well-fed. Those that are lost sinners and strongly desire to be holy shall be filled.

Christ has made provision to satisfy all who truly desire to be holy (John.4:14; John.6:35; Ps.17:15). Those that hunger and thirst after righteousness are blessed.

CONCLUSION: If you are meek, you will be satisfied with the blessings of God on earth and filled with heavenly blessings.

QUESTIONS
1. Who are the meek?
2. Who are the hungry and thirsty?

FURTHER READINGS: MON: Num. 12:3. TUE: Ps.22:26. WED: Ps.149:4. THUR: Prov.3:34. FRI: Prov.16:19. SAT: Lk.6:29. SUN: Rom.12:3.

ASSIGNMENT: Students should mention five (5) people who showed exemplary hunger and thirst for righteousness in the Bible. Give Bible references.