RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ MANUAL 7 AUGUST 2022

LESSON FORTY NINE (49)
TOPIC: THE DAYS OF TRIBULATION

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,
ọThy 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 blessings

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?

OPENING PRAYER: Almighty Father, help us to hold on to You to the end, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Mark 13:19-26

[19]For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

[20]And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

[21]And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

[22]For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

[23]But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

[24]But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

[25]And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

[26]And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

MEMORY VERSE:
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” Matthew 24:21.

INTRODUCTION: The word, tribulation, means trouble or suffering. There are different kinds of tribulation mentioned in the Bible. These include: the tribulation of the disciples in the world (Jn.16:33); tribulation because of acceptance or obedience to the word of God (Matt.13:21); the tribulation on the way to the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22; Matt.7:14); earthly tribulation that is common to all (Job 5:6,7); tribulation on evil doers (Rom.2:9) and the great tribulation (Matt.24:21).

The focus of the lesson is the Great Tribulation. The Bible says it is “the mother” of all tribulations. The hardship, turmoil, distress and perplexity that would be experienced in the days of the great tribulation are unprecedented. What is the great tribulation all about? When will it be? What are the events in the days of tribulation?

TEXT REVIEW:
The following shall characterise the days of the great tribulation.
i. Uncommon affliction. (Mark 13:19).

ii. Confusion about location of Christ. (Mark 13:21).

iii. False Christ and prophet. V.22.

iv. Fake wonders and seducing tendencies. V.22.

ACTIVITY: Teacher should identify any other five strange happenings that will characterise the period of great tribulation from the passage.
i. ———————————————————–
ii. ———————————————————
iii. ———————————————————
iv. ———————————————————
v. ———————————————————

LESSON OUTLINES:
1. UNDERSTANDING THE GREAT TRIBULATION
2. EVENTS IN DAYS OF GREAT TRIBULATION

1. UNDERSTANDING THE GREAT TRIBULATION
Teacher should explain the following identities which are the flagship of the great tribulation:
i. Great tribulation is also called the times of Jacob’s trouble (Jacob’s means the nation Israel). (Jer.30:7).

ii. The unbelieving Jews and Gentiles will partake in the great tribulation (but he i.e. Jacob, shall be saved out of it). (Jer.30:7b).

iii. It will begin after the church has been raptured and the “man of sin” i.e. the antichrist, has been revealed. (2Thess. 2:3-7).

iv. The time of the great tribulation is the “seventieth week” of the seventy weeks of Daniel. (Dan.9:24).

v. The seventy weeks are sectioned into three as follow:
a. The first seven weeks. (Dan.9:25).
b. The next sixty two weeks. (Dan.9:25).
c. The last one week. (Dan.9:25).

vi. In the last “one week” one day represent one year. Therefore, the duration of the tribulation is seven (7) years. (Dan.9:27).

vii. The first half of the one week (three and a half years) will be for full physical manifestation of the antichrist (when Antichrist will make covenant with Israel). (Dan. 9:27).

viii. The last half of the week (three and a half years) is the period when the antichrist will break his covenant, cause great abominations and desolation in the temple of God. (Dan.9:27; Dan.11:36; Matt.24:16).

ix. At the end of the second three and a half years, Christ will come again (the second coming of Christ) to reign on earth. (Mark 13:24-26; 2Thess. 2:8).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students to mention key points about the great tribulation according to Lesson Outline 1.

2. EVENTS IN DAYS OF GREAT TRIBULATION
The great tribulation will witness series of significant but terrifying events.
These include:
i. Unprecedented religious persecution of those who missed rapture. (Matt.24:21-22).

ii. Unparalleled global religious deception. (Matt.24:24-28).

iii. Untold global economic problems, in which only those who receive the mark of the Beast can buy or sell. (Rev.13:17-18).

iv. Series of unrighteous and abominable religious practices. (2Thess.2:3-4 & 10).

v. Intense temptation all over the world. (Rev.3:10).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Mention the identities of great tribulation according to Lesson Outline 2.

SUMMARY: There are troubles for the unbelievers.

CONCLUSION: Those who have received Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour and keep themselves holy till He comes at rapture shall be delivered (through rapture) from the days of the Great tribulation. However, the sinners and the backsliders are faced with the danger of the Great tribulation. Beloved, are you truly saved from sins? Examine yourself today and be sure!

EVALUATION: What are the nature and time of the great tribulation?

CLOSING PRAYER: Almighty Father, save me from the calamity of the great tribulation. Take me to heaven when You come.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention ten (10) things about the events of the great tribulation.