RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ MANUAL 31 OCTOBER 2021

LESSON NINE (09)
TOPIC: BEATITUDES: THE PEACEMAKERS AND THE PERSECUTED

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on P ppl 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.

MEMORY VERSE: “But and if ye suffer for
righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not
afraid of their terror, neither be troubled” 1 Peter 3:14

BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 5:9-10.

[9]Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

[10]Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Matthew 5:9-10 are parts of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in which He says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.

This lesson attempts to explain who the peacemakers and the persecuted are, as well as why Jesus pronounced these peculiar blessings on them?

OUTLINES
1: BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
2. BLESSED ARE THE PERSECUTED

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall
be called the children of God” (Matt.5:9)
Generally, ‘Peacemakers’ are those who
strive to prevent contention, strife, and those who use their influence to reconcile
opposing parties, prevent lawsuits and hostilities, in families and neighbourhoods.

In the context of the relationship between God and man, those who witness for Christ, share their faith with their friends, and serve others in the name of Christ are the ambassadors for peace (2 Cor.5:18,20).

Those who bring the wonderful message of God’s peace to the world are “peacemakers” (Eph.6:15). Jesus calls them the “children of God” Furthermore, the term includes all who make peace between men, whether as individuals or as communities.

Those who worthily endeavour to make peace, even if they did not succeed at it are also peacemakers.Peacemakers shall be called God’s children because He is the God of peace (Rom.15:33; 16:20; 2 Cor.13:11); whose supreme purpose is to secure peace (Lk.2:14); and who gave His Son to be born into this world as the Prince of Peace (lsa. 9:6; Eph. 2:14).

The Spirit of God is the Spirit of peace. It is
by His Spirit that we are made His children. If we are not peacemakers, we do not have the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:14)

BLESSED ARE THE PERSECUTED

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt.5:10). To persecute, means literally to pursue, follow after, as one pursues a fleeing enemy. Here it means to vex, or oppress one, on account of his faith.

Persecution is never pleasant but involves
suffering and often severe pain (Rom. 8:18;
2Cor.4:9). Some people suffer for doing evil,
but that is punishment, not persecution.
Some are persecuted for reasons unrelated
to righteousness.

Jesus was not offering a general blessing to all victims of persecution for any cause. He offered it only to those who were persecuted for actively pursuing the kingdom of righteousness and because of their faith in Jesus Christ (Matt. 5:11; 1 Pet. 2:20).

Christians are not expected to seek or provoke persecution. However, we are to consider it a blessing, if in the honest effort to live righteously, others persecute us (2 Tim 3:12).

It is all evidence that we are the children of God and that He will defend us (2 Cor.4:9). To endure persecution for the sake of righteousness requires uncompromising faithfulness to God despite every threat and pressure (Rom.8:35-39).

Rather than feeling discouraged, dismayed, enraged,or depressed, believers who find themselves persecuted for openly living for Christ and His kingdom have good reason to rejoice and be glad for their reward in Heaven is great (Matt.5:11-12; Acts 6:8-15). They have evidence that they are Christians and are candidates of Heaven (Acts 7:55-59).

CONCLUSION: The peacemakers and those
that endure persecutions for Christ’s sake
are God’s blessed children.

QUESTIONS:
1. Who are the peacemakers?
2. Describe who the persecuted are.

FURTHER READINGS: MON: 1Pet. 3:8-13;
TUE: Matt. 5:11-12; WED: Matt.5:13-16;
THUR: 2Cor.4:7-11: FRI: 1Pet.2:13-20; SAT:
2 Tim.3:10-15; SUN: Acts.5:1-11

ASSIGNMENT: State five (5) distinctions
between punishment and persecution.