SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

O how I love Thee well,

I am happy, it makes me

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: ‭‭Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV‬‬

[12] Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

[13] Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

[14] I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

OPENING PRAYER: Father, let Your purpose for my life be fulfilled.

MEMORY VERSE:“Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:37 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: God does not waste resources. Hence, everything He created is for a purpose. The sun gives light and never ceases to shine (Psalm 136:7-9), the cloud gives rain in due season and trees provide food and shade accordingly (Leviticus 26:4). Other animals play their parts without hesitation. Amazingly, man struggles to understand and fulfil his purpose for living. The discovery, as well as fulfilment of divine purpose, is the focus of today’s lesson.

LESSON AIM: To teach the students how to fulfil purpose.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

a. Discover purpose. b. Know how to fulfil purpose.

TEXT REVIEW: Philippians 3:12-14.

A. Apostle Paul acknowledges that he has not achieved his goal. Hence:

i. He will continue to work towards ……………………………..v12.

ii …………………………………………v13a.

E. Because of the things He acknowledges above, He has decided to do the following:

i. ……………………………………..v13b.

ii. ……………………………………..v14.

OUTLINES:

1. DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE

2. LIVE TO FULFIL IT

1. DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE

A. Like Apostle Paul, once you become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), you must begin to crave for the understanding of your purpose for living on earth (Philippians 3:12).

B. That purpose has been predetermined by God before you were born (Jeremiah 1:5; Galatians 1:15). It is your duty to discover and fulfil it.

C. Here are some practical pointers to your purpose for living:

i. Potential: You need to identify your in-built ability, your talents, and God-given gifts (Ephesians 4:7). Find out the things you do with less stress e.g., singing, drawing, talking to a crowd, helping others, etc. The knowledge or skills you acquire in life should be to shape and sharpen your potential (Acts 7:22).

ii. Passion: What are those things you exceptionally have flare or zeal for, and do often? Build your vocation or career on such things. The things that get you excited, give you joy and satisfaction can lead you to the fulfilment of your purpose in life (Psalm 69:9; Colossians 4:12-13).

iii. Prayer: After you have identified your potential and the things you are passionate about, you need to pray for divine guidance, so that the world and the enemy will not hijack your purpose in life (Acts 9:1-2).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Share with the class your in-built abilities, talents and God given gifts that you have identified.

2. LIVE TO FULFIL IT

Teacher should allow the class discuss how to fulfil the purpose for living and guide the discussion with the following points.

These seven things will help every child of God fulfil his/her purpose in life.

1. Ask God to reveal His plan for your life to you (Jeremiah 1:4-5). Then, draw a vision and mission statement (Proverbs 29:18; Habakkuk 2:2).

2. Set achievable goals and pursue them (Acts 20:24). Take a step at a time and do not be mediocre (Psalm 37:23).

3. Identify and relate with people of like passion: learn from their mistakes and build on their success (2 Kings 2:1-2, 14).

4. Submit yourself for mentoring and counselling: do not claim to know it all (Acts 18:24-26; Proverbs 11:14).

5. Live as if you have just one more day on earth: do not procrastinate (Luke 9:61).

6. Focus your attention on God (Hebrews 12:2). Make sure all that you do is to His pleasing (Colossians 1:10).

7. Always return all the glory to God: do not ascribe anything to yourself (Isaiah 42:8).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Student should share with the class the practical things they are doing to fulfil purpose.

CONCLUSION: So many people live and die without leaving any positive mark. Be different. You are not a nonentity.

EVALUATION: Teachers should ask the students to discuss the practical pointers to the discovery of one’s purpose in life.

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, please give me the grace to play my part actively towards the fulfilment of my purpose in life.

ASSIGNMENT: Write five (5) people in the Bible who gave up their profession to fulfil their destiny with scriptural reference each. (2×5=10 marks).