RCCG YAYA SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL 11 MAY 2025

LESSON THIRTY-SEVEN (37)
TOPIC: CHURCH SHIFT
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?

BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 8:26-31 NKJV
[26] Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert.
[27] So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship,
[28] was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.
[29] Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”
[30] So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
[31] And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.
MEMORY VERSE: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 (NKJV).
INTRODUCTION: The word “church” is a translation of the Greek word ‘’ekklesia,’’ which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of church is not that of a building, but of people (Romans 16:5a; Acts 14:27). The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head (Ephesians 1:22-23). The body of Christ is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) until Christ’s return. In the course of history, the Church has evolved drastically and an understanding of the dynamic approach of doing church is termed “Church-Shift.’’ These are the transformations the Church must go through without distorting its purpose.
OUTLINES:
1. The Purpose Of The Church
2. Doing Church Differently
1. THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH
Every church is driven by something: tradition, finances, programmes, personalities, events, seekers and even buildings. Regardless of the model of the Church, the original purpose must be understood. These are worship (Acts 2:46-47), fellowship (Acts 2:42), discipleship (Acts 6:1a), ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12), and mission (Acts 15:22). These are derived from the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Do you think the church is fulfilling her purpose?
2. DOING CHURCH DIFFERENTLY
Our mandate as the Body of Christ is not just to gather to worship and fellowship, it is to move strongly into every sphere of society: Academics, Politics, Civil/Public service, Entrepreneurship, Sport etc (John 17:18). Church indeed is the training ground for people who will influence the world around them (2 Timothy 2:2) but the Church must be missional. Being missional is to reach people who may not be able to join our conventional churches, with the message of the gospel (Romans 10:13-14). While we gather in our church buildings, there are souls existing virtually on the internet – the Social Media platforms and physically on the Streets, marketplaces, Motor/Relaxation parks, Correctional Centres, Sports Centres, Hospitals, ghettos/slums, etc. waiting for the Church to come to them. Therefore, all Christians should be involved in the Great Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20) reaching the unchurched, the poor and the vulnerable (Acts 2:45, Matthew 25:37-40).
Reconciling people to God is the focus of being God’s agent in the world (2 Corinthians 5:20); and as believers, we should carry the mission of God into every sphere of human lives. We are all missionaries sent into the world as ‘salt and light’ (Matthew 5:13-16). If we will concentrate on building people, God will build the church.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: 1How can you help in doing church differently?
CONCLUSION: While gathering for worship and fellowship is paramount, we need to take the Church to the people who may not be able to gather with us. The Church must shift.
QUESTIONS
* Mention at least three purposes of the church.
* Identify at least five ways to do church differently.
FURTHER READING: SUN: Acts 2:42-47; MON: Acts 8:29-39; TUE: John 3:16; WED: Matt. 16:18; THUR: Luke 15:31; FRI: John 15:16; SAT: Eph.3:10.
ASSIGNMENT: Identify a place where you can start a fellowship to raise new disciples for Jesus Christ. (10 Marks).