RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL 23 JULY 2023

LESSON FORTY SEVEN (47)
TOPIC: BEWARE OF FALSE MINISTERS

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?

MEMORY VERSE: “But there were false
prophets also among the people, even as
there shall be false teachers among you,
who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,
even denying the Lord that bought them,
and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” 2 Peter 2:1.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 7:15-20

[15]Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

[16]Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

[17]Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

[18]A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

[19]Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

[20]Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: In the bid to make ends meet, falsehood is fast becoming the order of the day. Just as there are internet fraudsters i.e. scammers, quack practitioners. etc., there are Some ‘ministers’ whose god is their belly (Phil.3:18-19). Their coming victims of their antics.

OUTLINES:
1.DESCRIPTION OF FALSE MINISTERS
2. AVOID BEING A VICTIM

1. DESCRIPTION OF FALSE MINISTERS
On the surface, it is difficult to spot a false minister because even Satan masquerades as an angel of light and his ministers’ cover-up as servants of righteousness (2Cor.11:14-15). However, Jesus warned us that “false Christs and false prophets” will come and will attempt to deceive even God’s elect (Matt. 24:23-27).

Some of the ways by which the Bible describes false ministers can help true believers recognise them. False ministers deny the divinity, sacrifice and humanity of Christ (1Jn.4:1-3). Even when they minister or pray in ‘Jesus’ name,’ their hearts are far away from God (Matt.15:8).

Such ministers corrupt the gospel for selfish interest or to justify their immoral lifestyles (Phil.3:19; 2Cor.2:17, Mic.3:11). Some of these false ministers ‘called’ themselves into the ministry or sometimes derailed from God’s call to deceive gullible people (1Jn.2:19).

They do not preach the complete gospel (Bible doctrines) – Gal.1:6-9, 2Cor.11:4. They are not just false in their ministrations but also false in their living (Matt.7:15-20). Some replace the preaching of the gospel with motivational talks and philosophies of men (Col.2:8).

There are those who cause divisions among brethren (Rom.16:17-18) while others are out to exploit unsuspecting members (Acts 20:29-30). They trivialise the matters of eternity, preach what people want to hear and hardly preach holiness, Heaven, hell, etc. (Isa.30:9-11, 2 Tim.4:3-4). They usually perpetuate falsehood in the name of miracles (Matt.24:24).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should discuss how the church can halt or repel the activities of false ministers.

2. AVOID BEING A VICTIM
Many people walk into the web of false ministers due to:
1. Lack of knowledge (Isa.5:13, Hos.4:6).

2. Impatience (Ps.27:14, Heb.10:36).

3. Despair in the bid to get rich quick (1Tim.6:9-10)

4. Anxiety about what the future holds.

5. Quest to find answers to certain crucial life questions (1Kgs.22:6-8).
To avoid being a victim of false ministers, children of God should be watchful (Matt.26:41), prayerful (Jam.5:16b), sober (1 Pet.5:8), patient (Lk.21:19), rooted in the word of God (Col.3:16), filled with the Spirit of God (Rom.8:6) and be able to discern the spirits in operation at every instance (1Jn.4:1, Matt.24:4-5). Anyone that is already a victim should retrace their steps back to Christ and cry for help (Matt.11:28-30, Ps.46:1).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Mention what should be done not to become a victim.

CONCLUSION: The best way to guard yourself against falsehood and false ministers is to know the truth (Jn.8:32). To spot a counterfeit, study the real thing.

QUESTIONS:
* How can false ministers be best described?
* Mention four (4) keys to entering falsehood.

FURTHER READINGS: MON: 2Cor4:1-6. TUE:
2Cor. 11:1-4, 13-15. WED: Matt. 7:15-20. THUR:
Gal. 1:6-9, FRI: 2 Tim.4:3-4. SAT: 1Jn.4:1-3.
SUN: 2 Cor. 2:14-17

ASSIGNMENT: Can a true minister of God
become a false minister? Identify five (5)
causes (2×5=10 Marks).