02/08/2025
*ADULT TEACHER SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON JULY –DECEMBER, 2025*
August 3, 2025
LESSON 5
*PROBLEMS WITH FALSE TEACHERS*
>>MEMORY VERSE- 2 TIMOTHY 4:3-4
The time will come when they wil not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (KJV).
*>>CENTRAL TRUTH*
Christians can prepare to recognise and confront false teaching by growing in their understanding of God's Word.
>>THE LESSON OUTLINE
*1. Hold Fast to the Gospel*
A. Beware of Deceptive Teachers -2 Corinthians 11:1-4
B. Trust Reliable Teachers- 2 Corínthians 11:5-6
*2. Paul's Example of Leading in Love*
A. Gospel Proclaimed for Free- 2 Corinthians 11:7-9
B. Motivated by Love -2 Corinthians 11:10-11
*3. False Teachers Exposed*
A. Deceitful Workers- 2 Corinthians 11:12-13
B. Deceitful Workers Wil Be Judged -2 Corinthians 11:14-15
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>LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to: 1. Commit to studying the Bible so they can correctly understand and explain it.
2. Emulate those who minister with love.
3. Develop the practice of discerning whether teachers bear good or evil fruit.
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*>>Introducing the Lesson*
False teaching was one of the problems Paul addressed in 2 Corinthians. Chapters 10-13 include a defénce of his apostleship and message against false teachers. Paul's authoity to instruct and correct the Corinthians came from Jesus, who had called him to serve as an apostle to the Gentiles.
Plus, Paul was the messenger who had brought the gospel to Corinth in the first place. His instructions regarding false teachers remind us of the harm they cause and the
necessity of preserving the gospel.
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*The Holy Scriptures*
2 Corinthians 11:1-12
[1]Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
[2]For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
[3]But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
[4]For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
[5]For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
[6]But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
[7]Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
[8]I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
[9]And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
[10]As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
[11]Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
[12]But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
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*Commentary and Application*
*1. Hold Fast to the Gospel*
*A. Beware of Deceptive Teachers–2 Corinthians 11:14*
After defending his authority at length (2 Corinthians 10), Paul
considered it foolishness to have to continue commending himself to the believers in Corinth (11:1). But was motivated by his godly jealousy (verse 2). The Israelites were God's covenant people, a relationship He repeatedly compared to marriage (Isaiah 54:5).
The marriage metaphor carried over into the New Testament. Paul described believers as a bride and Christ as a bridegroom here in 2 Corinthians 11:2. Because of the false teachers in their midst, Paul feared the believers might stray from wholehearted devotion to the Lord (verse 3). Paul made his opinion of
these teachers clear: They are like the serpent who deceived Eve.
The serpent had caused Eve to question God's identity and motivation; the false teachers in Corinth used the same tactics. They proclaimed a different Jesus, a different Spirit, and a different gospel than what Paul had preached (verse 4). The Corinthians' belief in the true gospel had led to their pure and undivided devotion to Christ. But
I tolerating another gospel was putting that into jeopardy. Paul admonished them to listen to his message and stand firm in the truth.
We must never forget what Jesus said about the enemy of our souls: "There is no truth in him.
When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44), Satan's goal is to tum people away from God, to prevent reconciliation or destroy relationship however he can. He uses deceived people as tools to deceive others But growing in our understanding of God's Word is a powerful way to prepare ourselves to recognise and confront his lies.
*Questions for Application*
What clues might alert us that a teaching is false?
Why is God's Word our best tool for detecting false teaching?
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*B. Trust Reliable Teachers– 2 Corinthians 11:5-6*
Paul sarcastically described the false teachers in Corinth as "very chiefest apostles" (2 Corinthians 11:5, KJV; "super apostles," NLT). Bringing a different gospel to the church in Corinth, these false teachers likely tried to position themselves as superior to Paul. But he would not quietly submit to them. This was not a matter of personal pride, but of loving concern for his spiritual children in Corinth.
Paul admitted he might not have been a polished public speaker by Greek standards, but the content of his teaching was far superior to the false gospel being proclaimed ---regardless of the teachers' eloquence. Who would the Corinthians trust with their souls? The smooth --talking, self-seeking teachers worming their way into the church? Or the apostle who shared the gospel with them, lived it out before them, and never took any money from them?
Believers must listen to reliable teachers who faithfully proclaim the gospel and do their best to please God. While there is nothing wrong with using the latest methodology and technology to proclaim the gospel, the message must remain the primary focus. Methods and technology change. But the message must not change: it "is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16, NIV).
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*Questions for Application*
How can we make sure the message of the gospel is never overshadowed by the methods used to proclaim it?
What makes a teacher reliabie?
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*2. Paul's Example of Leading in Love*
A. Gospel Proclaimed for Free
*2 Corinthians 11:7-9*
Other apostles received support from the people they served (1 Corinthians 9:4-5). Did that mean Paul's status was lower? Paul answered that he had humbled himself and preached the gospel "without expecting anything return" (2 Corinthians 11:7). Why should the Corinthians object to this?
Paul called himself a spiritual father to the Corinthian believers (1 Corinthian 4:15). A father should not be a financial burden to his children, and Paul was resolute that he never would be. Instead of accepting support from the Corinthian church, he was supported by other churches (2 Corinthians 11:8). When money got tight, an unsolicited gift from the Macedonian believers covered his needs (verse 9). Perhaps Paul was using sarcasm when he said he "robbed" (verse 8) other churches, because a few verses later, he accused the false teachers of doing far more than robbing the Corinthian church: "You enjoy putting up with fools! You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face" (verses 19-20).
Perhaps Paul had expected that false teachers would try to take advantage of the Corinthian church. After all, it was Iocated in a port city full of idol worship, spiritualism, and rampant sin. When false teachers began ircling the church, Paul was ready for them. By proclaiming the gospel freely, Paul had set a standard by which the other teachers' intents could be measured. Paul proclaimed the gospel without being paid. The false teachers probably did not.
Ministers of the gospel should not be motivated by money. At the same time, churches should provide for their ministers. The gospel advances more effectively when churches and ministers alike practise proper financial management.
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*Questions for Application*
How can financial support allow a minister to more effectively advance God's kingdom?
Most Christians are not in full-time vocational ministry. What can they learn from Paul's example as they share the gospel?
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B. Motivated by Love
*2 Corinthians 11:10-11*
Paul accused the false teachers of proclaiming lies (2 Corinthians 11:4) while affirming that he proclaimed the truth of Christ. For that reason, he would not allow anyone to stop him from declaring his commitment to never receive money from the Corinthians (verse 10). Influenced by false accusations against Paul, the believers in Corinth had evidently forgotten why he had given up his apostolic right to their financial support (1 Corinthians 9) and his fiery pledge to them: "I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge" (verse 15).
While some might question Paul's motives in this matter, love for his spiritual children was the reason he chose not to accept an offering from them. If we can gain any applicable insights from his interaction with the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:13-38, loving concern was his motivation. Paul's tireless devotion to God's flock helped the church guard against false teachers and their deceptive strategies for drawing crowds (verses 28-31). As a father lovingly prepares and guides a child toward maturity, so Paul served, trained, and protected his beloved spiritual children in Corinth.
Most pastors serve because they love God and His people. They expect a fair salary that allows them to care for their families and generously help those in need. As one pastor explained from the pulpit, "You don't pay me to preach the gospel of Christ. I gladly do that for free. You pay me to do all the other stuff that comes with being a pastor."
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*Questions for Application*
Whose example have you followed as you've grown as a Christian?
How can you make it easier for your pastor to minister willingiy and not grudgingly (1 Peter 5:2)?
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*3. False Teachers Exposed*
A. Deceitful Workers
*2 Corinthians 11:12-13*
Paul was resolute that he would continue in his gospel ministry, refusing to accept money from the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:12). Did other ministers to the Corinthians claim they served just like Paul? Then they would also have to proclaim the gospel at no charge.
Paul understood the culture in Greece and the threat of predatory teachers who could undermine the faith of Gentile believers. The believers in Corinth should have been able to recognise deceivers if they simply looked at the evil fruit they produced (Matthew 7:15-20). Paul's free ministry produced good fruit: People were redeemed and delivered by the gospel of Jesus. The false teachers' for-hire ministry produced evil fruit: People were exploited and sold a false gospel (2 Corinthians 11:20).
In verse 13, Paul set aside the "super apostles" nickname to call them out for what they really were: false apostles. They might have claimed the status and privileges of apostles, but they were vicious wolves in sheep's clothing, "not sparing the flock" (Acts 20:29). Their purpose was to advance their own agenda rather than the cause of Christ.
No Christian is immune to the deception of false teachers, but here are some warning signs to watch out for:
• Do they manipulate you rather than motivating you?
• Do they teach you to rely on their messages (or products) rather than developing a closer relationship with Jesus?
• Do they promote t themselves instead of glorifying Jesus?
• Do they teach you to listen to your own heart or mind instead of listening to the Holy Spirit? By growing in our knowledge and understanding of God's Word, we can learn to recognise false teachers and the lies they peddle.
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*Questions for Application*
What are some of the false teachings that are currently popular in the media or in your location? How can you tell they are false?
How would you counsel a new Christian who is drawn to the ministry of a false teacher?
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B. Deceitful Workers Will Be Judged
*2 Corinthians 11:14-15*
Paul's blunt assessment of the false teachers may have surprised the Corinthians who had been taken in by them. But Paul unveiled the deceivers' true identity, revealing that these servants of Satan were merely imitating their master's ability to disguise darkness behind light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Throughout Scripture, light always represents righteousness. We live in the light because God has rescued us from the kiingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:12-14). We are people of light, which produces only goodness, righteousness, and truth (Ephesians 5:8-9).
In 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul referred to the serpent deceiving Eve: in verse 15, he referred to Satan's servants deceiving the Corinthian believers. It is possible that these false apostles were deciding between right and wrong for the Corinthian believers. Instead of bringing grace and freedom from condemnation through their teaching, the deceivers likely used guilt and fear to manipulate the believers.
These false teachers faced God's judgement for their wickedness. They would receive what their deceptive ways deserved. False teachers may enjoy the fruits of their deception for a time, but the day will come when they will be punished. Sometimes fraud will be exposed in the teacher's lifetime. But all of them will give account to God and receive His just judgement.
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*Questions for Application*
In what ways might Satan disguise himself as an angel of light?
What should Christians do if they encounter false teaching in the church?
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*Call to Discipleship*
We should prepare to recognise and confront false teaching by growing in our understanding of God's Word. False teachers often misinterpret and misapply single verses or short Scripture passages to support their claims. Their teaching may be full of sayings that sound spiritual while sidestepping the overarching message of the Scriptures. False teaching will almost always misrepresent the person and work of Jesus by portraying Him as not truly human, not fully God, or less than sufficient to provide salvation. Pay close attention when you hear suspicious teachings to make sure a different gospel is not being proclaimed.
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*Ministry in Action*
Share ideas with the class for recognising and confronting false teachings.
Cultivate relationships with ministers who lead in love. Learn how they follow Christ and imitate their examples.
Seek the Holy Spirit's help in discerning whether certain teachers bear good or evil fruit.
*THIS PUBLICATION IS THE PRODUCT OF SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA*
