RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL 26 SEPTEMBER 2021

LESSON FOUR (04)
TOPIC: SANCTIFICATION

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 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: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
[9]Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

[10]Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

[11]And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Sanctification simply means to make holy, pure and separated unto God. It is the second work of grace after salvation. It attacks and removes the root of sin.

It is a progressive work of God in man that makes him freer and freer from sin and like Christ in his actual life (1Thess.5:23; Rom 8:13). Though often neglected, understanding sanctification is vital for a thriving Christian life

LESSON OUTLINES:

1. STAGES OF SANCTIFICATION
2. MEANS AND BENEFITS OF SANCTIFICATION

STAGES OF SANCTIFICATION
There are three stages of sanctification for believers.

The first is *Positional Sanctification*. At this stage, believers through the Holy Spirit are brought out of darkness into the light and our position before God has been changed forever from being an unbeliever to a believer, from Sin to Holiness and from the old life to a new life (1 John 3:9; 1 Cor. 6:11). No longer dead in trespasses, but are made alive together with Christ (Romans 6:11; Eph. 2:5). It is an initial moral change, a break from the power and love of sin (Romans 8:2).

The next stage is *Progressive sanctification*. This increases throughout life. It occurs in the process of daily spiritual renewal (Rom.12:2; 1Cor.13:5). As we grow in grace, we are gradually but steadily changing to be more like Christ (John.17:17; 2 Cor. 3:18)

The final stage is *Ultimate Sanctification* This is completed at death (for our souls) and when the Lord returns (for our bodies). Our sanctification will never be completed in this life because we continue to battle with the flesh. So, when we die as saints, our souls are finally free from the indwelling sin and are made perfect and when the Lord returns to give us our resurrection bodies, then our sanctification will be complete.

MEANS AND BENEFITS OF SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification represents a believer’s victory over the flesh (Rom.7:24-25), the world (1 John 5:4) and the devil (James 4:7). Believers are sanctified through the following:

1. God (1 Thess. 5:23).

2. The Word of God. The truth of God’s word taught, sung, preached, studied, and read is one of the surest means by which the Spirit brings about change in our lives (John 17:17).

3. Blood of Jesus (Heb. 9:13-14; 1 John 1:7, 9).

4. The Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thess. 2:13).

5. Fellowship with brethren. God brings about our change through the gifts and graces of brothers and sisters in Christ (Prov. 27:17; Heb. 10:25).

6. Suffering and struggle. Though we do not relish it, suffering and struggles work towards our growth to perfection like Christ (Heb.5:8). Difficulties prompt us to rely on God (Rom.5:3-5; Rom.8:28).

7. The Believer’s willingness and readiness to submit to God (Rom.8:13; Phil.2:12-13).

B. The benefits of sanctification are many: A sanctified believer will enjoy the ability to easily resist temptation because there is a renewed hatred for sin and inner lust. Sanctification fosters intimacy with God, increases spiritual strength and stability (Ps. 15:1-5).

It also aids ‘clean record’ for believers i.e. the enemies will not have foothold over such (John 14:30). Sanctification helps believers to be humble and submissive to God and to constituted authorities (Jam. 4:6-7).

Other benefits include: Attraction of God’s favour and man (John 7:38). Enjoyment of prayer times and increased faith for answered prayers, having right standing before God (Acts 24:16) and pure intentions of actions and words.

CONCLUSION: Sanctification is an integral part of the Christian growth, every child of God must earnestly desire it.

QUESTIONS
1. What are the stages of sanctification?
2. What will a Christian benefit from sanctification?

FURTHER READINGS: MON: Ps.15:1-5. TUE: 1Thess.5:23-24. WED: Heb.10:19-25. THUR: John 17:17-19. FRI: Eph 2:4-10. SAT: 1 Cor. 6:9-13. SUN: Romans 7:24-25

ASSIGNMENT: List with Bible references, five (5) means of sanctification.