RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL LESSON EIGHT SUNDAY 20TH OCTOBER 2019
TOPIC: DYNAMICS OF GRACE (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 friend 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:
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. –Titus 2:11
BIBLE PASSAGE: EPHESIANS 2:4-10
Ephesians:2.4
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
Ephesians:2.5
even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
Ephesians:2.6
and raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus,
Ephesians:2.7
that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians:2.8
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God,
Ephesians:2.9
not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians:2.10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
INTRODUCTION:
The word translated ‘Grace’ in Hebrew is ‘chen’, which means to bend or stoop in kindness to another as a superior to an inferior (Genesis 6:8). The Greek word for Grace is “charis” and has the idea of ‘graciousness in manner, action or words’ (Luke 4:22).
It connotes something beyond the ordinary course of what can be expected and therefore commendable (1Corinthians 15:10).
When used in reference to God, it is the benevolent action of Him stooping down to us in kindness to reach us in our needs and convey upon us a benefit. His grace has been termed ‘unmerited favour’ but it is more than an attitude of favour or mercy.
LESSON OUTLINES
1. Understanding Grace
2. How To Receive Grace
UNDERSTANDING GRACE
‘Grace’ connotes many things. It is often described as God’s favour towards the unworthy or His benevolence on the undeserving (Romans 5:8-10) translated into action that releases the enabling power into our lives (1Corinthians 15:10).
Grace signifies the gift bestowed upon man for salvation (Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11) and for service (Ephesians 3:7-8; 4:7). It is also a virtue to be manifested (2Corinthians 8:7) and a benediction to be enjoyed by believers in Christ (Ephesians 6:24). Grace helps in time need (Phil. 4:19; Hebrews 4:16) and enables us to do exploits (Daniel 11:32; Philippians 4:13).
The covenant of grace differs considerably from Old Testament covenants under law. While the law blessed ‘the good’, grace saves ‘the bad’. The law accuses and convicts, ‘Grace’ cancels bonds and relieves the debtor (Romans 6:14).
Paul describes ‘Grace’ as the appearance of the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man (Titus 2:11; 3:4). God shows both mercy and grace but they are not exactly the same. Mercy withholds a punishment we deserve; grace gives a blessing we do not deserve.
HOW TO RECEIVE GRACE
Basically, the grace of God can be received through the following ways but not limited to these:
1. By accepting God’s love towards all men (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).
2. By believing in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10), through God’s mercy and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (1Timothy 1:13; Hebrews 4:16; Matthew 9:13).
3. By exercising our faith, no matter how little, at all times (Matthew 17:20; Romans 1:17).
4. By being humble before God (James 4:6; 1Peter 5:5).
5. By loving the Lord Jesus with all of our hearts (Ephesians 6:24).
6. Through sufferings and trials arranged for us by God (Romans 8:28; 1Peter 5:10; 2Corinthians 12:9).
7. Through the prophetic words of prayer contained in the Bible or spoken to us by our spiritual heads and fellow believers in Christ (Psalm 107:20; Acts 20:32; 2Timothy 4:22; 1Thessalonians 1:1).
CONCLUSION
Grace is the spring and source of all benefits received from God (Romans 11:6). God’s grace should not be taken for granted (Romans 6:1-2; Galatians 2:21).
QUESTIONS
1. Explain your understanding of grace
2. Mention five ways grace can be received.
Father let grace never stop in my live
Lord, I thank You for Your abounding grace in my life, I am very grateful Jesus.
Thank You, Father for Your Grace towards me.
I have received the grace of God by exercising my faith each time l travel to see my children in school and his Mercy abound too