RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL 2 JUNE 2019

TOPIC: THE FINGER OF GOD (PART 1)

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.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds 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?

MEMORY VERSE: ‘’Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said” – Exodus 8:19

BIBLE PASSAGE: Exodus 8:16-19

Exodus:8.16
So the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the land, so that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.’ ”
Exodus:8.17
And they did so. For Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
Exodus:8.18
Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. So there were lice on man and beast.
Exodus:8.19
Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This [is] the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had said.

INTRODUCTION:
The finger of God has been used both literarily and figuratively in the Bible. It brings about supernatural happenings beyond human comprehension. We need to understand what the finger of God represents and how it works for us as individuals in our relationships with God.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. The finger of God described
2. It is of mercy and judgement

THE FINGER OF GOD DESCRIBED

The finger of God can be described as the expression of God’s creative power and authority over His creation (Psalm 8:3). Also, the finger of God has been literarily on some occasions in the Bible e.g. in the writing of the Ten Commandments on stones (Exodus 31:18), the display on the wall (Daniel 5:5,25), etc.

Whenever the finger of God comes into manifestation, it exposes man’s limitations. Sometimes, the enemies of God’s people need to see the finger of God in action to acknowledge His supremacy (Exodus 8:19). Also Read – Open Heavens 2 June 2019

The display and direction of God’s finger usually depend on man’s disposition to his Maker. However, God sometimes directs His finger as He wills (Romans 9:15,18). Hence, the finger of God can manifest for mercy, judgement, war, comfort, deliverance, etc.

IT IS OF MERCY AND JUDGEMENT

God’s finger of mercy was seen in the lives of some characters in the Bible. For instance, Joseph (Genesis 39:21-23), the prodigal son (Luke 15:18-20), the adulterous woman (John 8:2-11).

Judgement involves the dispensing of deserved punishment for wrong doing. God’s finger of judgement was also seen at the Red Sea encounter (Exodus 14:26-28), Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25), King Herod (Acts 12:22-23), Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:3-5,9-10).

There are also instances of God’s finger of judgement and mercy occurring either concurrently or sequentially: Cain (Genesis 4:9-15), Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30-36), etc. The above instances clearly show that God can still extend His finger to us in similar manner. Also Read – Happy New Month Prayers

If we turn to Him we will see His finger of mercy but if we turn away from Him, His finger of judgement is imminent and inevitable (2Chronicles 7:13-14, Isaiah 55:7, Ezekiel 33:11).

CONCLUSION
Having understood what the finger of God is, you need to decide whether to enjoy its mercy or face its judgement.

QUESTIONS
1. Describe the finger of God.
2. Give instances of God’s finger of mercy and judgement.