RCCG YAYA SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S’ MANUAL 3 SEPTEMBER 2023

LESSON ONE (01)
TOPIC: “CETHER”

*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 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: Psalm 91:1 (NKJV).
[1]He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
[2]I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
[3]Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.
[4]He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
[5]You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
[6]Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
[7]A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.
[8]Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
[9]Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
[10]No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
[11]For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
[12]In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
[13]You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
[14]“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
[15]He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
[16]With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

MEMORY VERSE: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: “Cether” is a Hebrew word translated as “secret place.” It literarily means “to hide or be concealed.” Other words for a secret place include shelter, covering, or a dwelling place. One who abides in the secret place of God dwells in a place of rest, lifted up above principalities and powers (Ephesians 1:20-21; 2:6). It is a place of His holy concealment in all things, where God reveals heavenly secrets to us. How then can we enter the secret place and enjoy the benefits?

OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, give me the understanding of abiding in Your secret place.

LESSON AIM:
To teach the students the importance of staying in the secret place of God.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES:
Through this lesson, students should be able to:
a. Understand what the secret place of God means and how to access it.
b. Know the benefits of dwelling in God’s secret place.

TEXT REVIEW: Psalm 91:1-16.
State 10 benefits of staying in the secret place of God.
i. ……………………………………….
ii. ..…………………………………….
iii. ..……………………………………
iv. ……………………………………..
v. ………………………………………
vi. ……………………………………..
vii. …………………………………….
viii. ……………………………………
ix. ……………………………………..
x. ….……………………………………

-Teachers should fill in the gaps from the passage during the preview exercise.

OUTLINES:
1. ACCESS TO THE SECRET PLACE
2..BENEFITS OF THE SECRET PLACE

1. ACCESS TO THE SECRET PLACE
The secret place of the Almighty is available to any believer who is willing to pay the price. We can enter through:
1. A continuous life of holiness (Psalm 15:1-5): This simply means absolute obedience to God’s word.
2. Praise, thanksgiving, and prayer of faith (Psalm 100:4. Jeremiah 33:3): We must endeavour to always praise God by faith.
3. A desire to remain in God’s presence (Psalm 27:4): God loves fellowship and we must not be in a hurry in His presence.
4. A life of absolute dedication to the Lord and avoidance of worldly entanglement (1 John 2:15; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18).
5. A pure heart (Psalm 24:3-4): We must avoid wandering thoughts.
6. Quietness and trusting confidence (Isaiah 26:3).
7. Avoidance of distractions (Matthew 6:6).
8. Transparent honesty to God (Psalm139:7-12).
9. A consecrated life (Leviticus 20:7).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should share their experience of fellowship with God.

2. BENEFITS OF THE SECRET PLACE
The benefits of dwelling in God’s secret place include:
1. A closer fellowship with God (James 4:8).
2. Access to classified information (Numbers 12:8; Amos 3:7).
3. A focused gaze on Christ and things of eternal value (Hebrews 12:2; Matthew 6:19-21).
4. A self-assessment of faith will be enhanced (2 Corinthians 13:5).
5. The fruit of the Spirit will take root, and be growing (Galatians 5:22-23).
6. Divine protection and deliverance (Proverbs 18:10).
7. Divine authority and attention (1 Kings 17:1; 18:37-40).
8. Access to supernatural breakthroughs (Exodus 14:21-22).
9. Divine provision made available (Psalm 84:11).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should narrate an experience they can never forget where they thought God had forsaken them but later discovered His abiding presence.

CONCLUSION: To enjoy the benefits of the secret place of the Most High, we must remain on the side of God.

EVALUATION: Students should mention five benefits of being in the secret place of God.

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, help me to always dwell in Your secret place.

ASSIGNMENT: Identify five (5) dangers of avoiding the presence of God (2×5=10 Marks).