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RCCG HOUSE of Prayer, 13 Moshood Kusimo Street, Mediga-Ayobo, Lagos (2026)

23/08/2024

*OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

*DATE: SATURDAY AUGUST 24TH 2024*

*THEME: KNOW YOURSELF*

*MEMORISE:*

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” - (1 Peter 2:9)

*READ: PSALM 139:13-14 (KJV)*

13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:*

EZEKIEL 5-8

*MESSAGE:*

Many-a-times, the devil whispers things into our ears to deceive us so that we will not walk in the identity and authority that God has given to us. This is why it is necessary to know who you truly are in Christ. A king’s son that does not know who he is will beg for food even in his father’s palace. You must know who you are, and you can only know this when you see yourself the way God sees you. How does God see you?

If you are confronted by a situation that seems tough and the devil is trying to tell you that you will not win, remember what the Bible says in Romans 8:37: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Even though that situation may have conquered some people in the past, it cannot conquer you because you are more than a conqueror through Christ who loved you and loves you forever. Sometimes, the devil will tell you that you are not good enough to be at the top or achieve your goals. Laugh and quote Deuteronomy 28:13 to him:

*“And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath;...”*

The Bible says that you will be above only, so there is no space for you at the bottom; the only space available for you as a child of God is above, and you will take your place, in Jesus’ name.

The devil can say whatever he wants, but when you know the truth, you will not listen to him or accept his lies. When you know the real you in Christ, you will ignore whatever the devil says because you know that he is a liar (John 8:44). As you ignore him, your actions and thoughts will also follow suit. You will not let his lies dictate what you do or what you don’t. His words must not shape your thoughts concerning what you believe about yourself or not.

The devil is too small to control the thoughts and actions of a believer. Your living, moving and being must be in God and not in any other counsel as we see in Acts 17:28:

*"For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring."*

*KEY POINT:*

When you know your true identity in the Scriptures, the devil will not be able to deceive you again.

*HYMNAL: 6 - I AM SO GLAD THAT OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN*

1 I am so glad that our Father in heaven
Tells of His love in the Book He has given;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.
Refrain:

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

2 Though I forget Him and wander away,
Kindly He follows wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me. [Refrain]

3 O, if there's only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song in eternity be:
O, what a wonder that Jesus loves me! [Refrain]

20/08/2024

*OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

*DATE: WEDNESDAY AUGUST 21ST 2024*

*THEME: HANDLING PERSECUTION*

*MEMORISE:*

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” - (Matthew 5:44)

*READ: JOHN 15:18-21 (KJV)*

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep your's also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:*

LAMENTATIONS 1-2

*MESSAGE:*

As long as this world remains, every true child of God will face persecution because the devil is the prince of this world (John 14:30). You must therefore be well-equipped to handle persecutions so that they won’t derail you from your race to heaven.

The devil persecutes you as a child of God because he wants you to deny Christ, and the only way to pass through persecution without denying Christ is to be well-grounded in Him. Therefore, before persecutions come and before the devil launches his attacks, you must be well-rooted in Christ by studying God’s word, memorising it, and praying without ceasing. The depth of a tree’s root determines if it will remain standing during a storm. If you don’t want persecution to bring you down, you must be deeply rooted in God’s word. Those who fail in times of persecution are those who were not as intimate with Christ as they should have been before persecution came.

Long ago, there was a missionary in a foreign land where Christians were being persecuted. On her wedding day, the local police raided the missionary base and arrested her in her wedding dress. She kissed the handcuffs they put on her and said, “Lord, I didn’t know you were so jealous over me and wouldn’t let me marry anyone else. How beautiful is your wedding ring to me!” She was so in love with Christ that her wedding being invaded meant nothing to her; she saw the handcuffs as wedding rings. That is the kind of intimacy you must have with Christ so as not to deny Him in the face of persecution.

When people compromise after facing a little persecution, like not being promoted at work because of their Christian values, I shake my head because I know that they were never really rooted in Christ. Christians who are truly rooted in Christ rejoice when they are persecuted because they know they are blessed (Matthew 5:10-12). They see persecution as a sign that they are a terror to the devil, and that excites them; they want to cause him even more terror. Persecution drives them to do more for God against the kingdom of darkness. In Acts 5:41, the disciples rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus’ name. In 1 Peter 4:13, we are told to rejoice that we are partakers of Christ’s sufferings. Don’t let persecution weigh you down; let it become fuel for you to do more for God.

*REFLECTION:*

Are you deeply rooted in Christ such that you can withstand the storms of persecution when they come?

*HYMNAL: 10 - IN CHRIST ALONE*

1 In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my Light, my Strength, my Song
This Cornerstone, this Solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

2 In Christ alone, Who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This Gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

3 There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

4 No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

19/08/2024

*OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

*DATE: TUESDAY AUGUST 20TH 2024*

*THEME: HANDLING SUCCESS*

*MEMORISE:*

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” - (1 Peter 5:8)

*READ: 1 SAMUEL 18:6-15 (KJV)*

6 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.

7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.

11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

12 And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

13 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

15 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.

*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:*

JEREMIAH 51-52

*MESSAGE:*

I discussed handling failure properly yesterday. However, handling failure properly is not the only factor that can affect success in life; there is also the need to learn how to handle success correctly. Many people have eventually failed in life because they did not know how to handle their success.

In 1957, a man won £75,000 in a lottery. In those days, you could buy a flat in London for a tiny fraction of that sum. One day in the early 1980s, somewhere in Western Nigeria, I saw a man that was wearing rags, sitting beside a building that had collapsed in half. I asked the fellow who was driving me, “Who is that fellow?” He said, “That is the man who won £75,000 in 1957.” The man had great prosperity but did not know how to handle it, so he ended up poor. A popular proverb inspired by Proverbs 21:20 says that a fool and his prosperity are soon separated. If a fellow is not wise enough to handle success, it can turn out to be the beginning of great failure.

Don’t get over-excited when success comes. Many people start rejoicing and partying after a victory, forgetting that the devil never relaxes. What actually happens is that the devil becomes more determined to bring such people down. Don’t miss prayer meetings or your personal devotion because you are celebrating a victory. Yes, you won the battle, but the enemy is not dead yet; he is still roaming, looking for whom to devour (1 Peter 5:8). You should increase your commitment to God after every victory and not the other way around.

The devil knows that after successes, people are likely to relax, so he usually attacks them during such periods. After David killed Goliath, he raised King Saul up against him. It was after Elijah called down fire from heaven that Jezebel swore to kill him (1 Kings 19:1-3). When you attain success in a particular thing, you must not relax. You must remain alert and ready for battle. Don’t let success distract you from the end goal that God has called you to achieve.

One great success we had in RCCG was a programme called Lekki ‘98, where over six million people gathered in one place to worship God. Immediately after that programme, we doubled our missionary efforts, sending missionaries to new territories. We immediately started planning the next edition of the programme, and today, we have held much bigger programmes because we doubled our efforts and did not relax after our success.

*KEY POINT:*

When success comes, that is the time to work more, not the time to relax.

*HYMNAL: 26 - THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING*

1 There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

2 There shall be showers of blessing
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

3 There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord!
Grant to us now a refreshing;
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

4 There shall be showers of blessing;
O that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

5 There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.

17/08/2024

*OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

*DATE: SUNDAY AUGUST 18TH 2024*

*THEME: UNDER YOUR FEET*

*MEMORISE:*

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” - (Ephesians 2:6)

*READ: MARK 16:16-18, EPHESIANS 1:18-23 (KJV)*

*MARK 16:16-18 (KJV)*

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

*EPHESIANS 1:18-23 (KJV)*

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:*

JEREMIAH 49

*MESSAGE:*

There was a man in my village called Kaka, who was the leader of the occultists. It was generally believed that he single-handedly protected the town from all forms of evil, and he was feared by all. When we wanted to open the RCCG parish in my village, the place we found suitable for a rally was close to Kaka’s house. Surprisingly, when an altar call was made during the rally, Kaka came out of his house to give his life to Christ - he had been listening to the worship session and sermon. Later that night, he came to my Father in the Lord, Pa Josiah Akindayomi, and said, *“The way you spoke about your God, He must be really powerful.” Papa said, “Very, very powerful.” Kaka said, “In that case, now that I have given my life to Jesus, I would need help with an idol in my house called shigidi. It is an effigy that has been in my family for generations and that we send out at night when we want to kill someone. It is so dangerous that we must not sleep until it returns, and we must kill a ram to welcome it. Upon its return, it will step on the ram’s blood and drink it. Thereafter, it will return to its position and become just like an ordinary effigy. I am afraid of the trouble that might follow if I throw shigidi away.”*

Papa decided to send me over to remove the effigy. I went to Kaka’s house with the pastor of our parish in Ilesha and a church worker that I thought to be a strong prayer warrior. When Kaka saw me, he felt sorry for me, “Ahhh, Adeboye’s son, you are the one they sent?” When my colleagues saw shigidi, they ran out of the house, leaving me alone with the effigy. It was smeared with blood and adorned with all manner of charms. I said a prayer, broke the effigy into pieces, removed the shrine in front of the house, and threw everything into a river. After three weeks, I returned to my village and visited Kaka at home. When he saw me, he shouted, “You are still alive?!” That was 1975. I am still alive almost five decades after.

Beloved, the devil and his demons are under the feet of even the smallest child of God. You are a part of the body of Christ, and Ephesians 1:21 says that Christ is seated far above all principality and powers.

*KEY POINT:*

Never ever be afraid of demons that you can trample under your feet.

*HYMNAL: 1 - ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME*

1 All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all!

2 O seed of Israel's chosen race
now ransomed from the fall,
hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all.
Hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all!

3 Let every tongue and every tribe
responsive to his call,
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all.
To him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all!

4 Oh, that with all the sacred throng
we at his feet may fall!
We'll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all.
We'll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all.

17/08/2024

*RCCG HOUSE FELLOWSHIP LEADERS' MANUAL*

*DATE: SUNDAY AUGUST 18TH 2024*

*LESSON FIFTY ONE (51)*

*TOPIC: THE LORD THAT SUSTAINS*

*HOUSE FELLOWSHIP ANTHEM*

1. I love this family of God,
So closely knitted into one,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

2. I bless this family of God,
So greatly prospered by the Lord,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

3. I know this family of God,
So deeply rooted in the word,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

4. I see this family of God,
So highly lifted above all,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

5. Come, join this family of God,
So highly favoured by the Lord,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family.

*OPENING PRAYER:*

Father, please increase the desire of our youth to know You more and let Your knowledge fill our homes in Jesus name.

*PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE:*

Leader should remind members the truth that, when Christ is in your home, there is marital bliss but when He is not, there are marital blows.

*MEMORY VERSE:*

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never let righteous be moved." Psalms 55:22

*BIBLE TEXT: GENESIS 21:14-20*

14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

15 And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.

16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.

17 And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

18 Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.

19 And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.

20 And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.

*LESSON INTRODUCTION:*

John 16:33 forewarned us that we will face challenges in the world but assures that at the end of it all, victory is certain because God is with us - Hebrews 13:5. God gives us strength and support physically and mentally during challenging situations. We therefore need to cast our cares and troubles on the Lord, because He cares for us - I Peter 5:7. When we cast all upon Him in times of illness, financial challenges, uncertainty, He will see us through and it will end in praise in Jesus name.

*LESSON AIM:*

To discuss God's faithfulness in all situations.

*TEACHING OBJECTIVES:*

At the end of the lesson, members should be able to: know that when all hope is lost, God is still there. know God is our very present help.

*TEXT REVIEW: GENESIS 21:14-20*

a. There is always divine response when you think all have forgotten you.

b. Your own provision can be exhausted but God's intervention will always end all your anxiety.

c. Whenever you cry to God, He will surely hear you.

d. When God is with you, you will grow and exceed all expectations.

*LESSON OUTLINE ONE: WHEN ALL HOPE IS LOST*

I. There is present help in time of trouble-Gen. 21:16-19; Ps. 46:1.

ii. Never let down your trust in divine ability - I Kings 17:9-15.

iii. Your supposed last meal can become your first - I Kings 17:9-15.

iv. Your situation can receive divine intervention - John 5:1-11.

v. There is always a word from God's throne to end the worst - II Kings 7:1.

vi. Hold on to God that owns cattle upon a thousand hills - Psalms 50:10.

vii. Wait for divine visitation - Genesis 30:22.

viii. Trust in God Almighty for His presence never cease- Heb. 13:5.

*LESSON OUTLINE TWO: HE IS YOUR VERY PRESENT HELP*

Psalms 46:1 tells us that God is our present help in trouble. This means that, He is with us to help us when we are going through challenges and problems. When we face challenges, we must note the following;

1. God reigns supreme over all situations - Psalms 99:1; 24:1, 2.

2. God cares for you; He will never abandon you - I Pet. 5:6, 7; Isa. 49:15.

3. God hears all "cries". (Psa. 22:24) even the cry of the poor, (Psa. 34:6).

4. God is an always present help - Psalms 46:1.

5. God has helped us before and can do it again - Hebrews 13:8.

6. God knows who to use to restore and meet all expectations - I King 17:7-9. 150

*ACTIVITY:*

List five biblical characters who witnessed instant divine intervention.

*SUMMARY:*

In times of troubles and tribulations, which will surely come, we should not lose hope. Neither God, nor His word can fail. He is the same yesterday, today and forever - Heb. 13:8. God is the present help, He showed up for Daniel (Dan. 6:22), the widow of Zarephath (I Kings 17:7-15), Hagar and Ishmael, (Genesis 21:17-18), He will definitely show up for you too.

*CONCLUSION:*

When we are facing trials and tribulations, let us be comforted that we are not alone, God is with us (Psalms 46:1). He is able to deliver us out of difficulties. What we need to do is to hold onto Him and He will make us to triumph in Jesus name.

*PRAYER POINTS*

1. Father, thank You because You are the God of all creation.

2. Father, we thank You because we know our times are in Your hands.

3. Daddy we thank You because You have been the one sustaining us.

4. Father, please arise for us and deliver us from all troubles.

5. Lord, give me the grace to hold onto You in all trials and afflictions.

6. Father, please hear our cries whenever we cry and call on You.

7. Oh Lord, please give me victory over all challenges of life.

8. Lord, make us testimony of Your ability to save and deliver from troubles.

*ASSIGNMENT:*

Check on people around you facing trials and comfort them with gifts as a House Fellowship Centre.

*GOLDEN DIET FOR THE WEEK*

*MONDAY:* Numbers 11:1-Praise Him instead of complaining.

*TUESDAY:* Yahweh Sali (the God my Fortress) - II Samuel 22:2.

*WEDNESDAY:* Elohim Ezerli (God my helper) - Psalms 54:4.

*THURSDAY:* Yahweh Mephalti (God my Deliverer) - Psalms 18:2.

*FRIDAY:* Psalms 25:1-2.

*SATURDAY:* Psalms 27:1

*SUNDAY:* Zechariah 4:6-7

17/08/2024

*RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER'S MANUAL*

*Y.A.Y.A EDITION*

*LESSON FIFTY-ONE (1)*

*DATE: SUNDAY AUGUST 18TH 2024*

*TOPIC: THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH*

*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?

*OPENING PRAYER*

Father, don't let me pass away with this world; help me to live in the new heaven and earth.

*MEMORY VERSE:*

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up". – 2Peter 3:10 (NKJV).

*BIBLE PASSAGE: REVELATION 21:1-5*

1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

*LESSON INTRODUCTION*

In Noah's day, the world was destroyed with water, but God has promised that He would not more destroy the world with flood (Genesis 9:11). The end of the world described in *2 Peter 3:10* as the day of the Lord will occur after the final judgment by God (Revelation 20:7-10). This scripture reveals that the universe will be destroyed by fire. Therefore, believers should bear in mind that this present world will not last forever (Matthew 5:18).

*TEXT REVIEW: REVELATION 21:1-5*

The apostle Paul saw:

i. A new heaven and a new earth. *Rev. 21:1*

ii. That the first heaven and first earth had passed away. *Rev. 21:1*

iii. The very beautiful holy city called the new Jerusalem. *Rev. 21:2*, etc.

*ACTIVITY:*

Mention five things which apostle John heard according to *Rev. 21:3-4*.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

*LESSON OUTLINE 1: THE PASSING AWAY OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH*

i. The prophet Isaiah foretold the passing away of heaven and earth (Isa. 34:4; 51:6).

ii. This refers to the physical Heaven and earth - the material world and all it contains - but not to the inhabitants of heaven and earth. To "pass away" us to disappear or be no more.

iii. The "heavens" in 2Peter 3:10 refers to the physical universe - the stars, planets, and galaxies - which will be consumed by some kind of tremendous explosion, possibly a nuclear or atomic reaction that will consume and wipe out all matter as we know it.

iv. All elements that make up the universe will be melted in the "fervent heat" (2Pet. 3:12).

v. This will also be a noisy event, described in different Bible versions as a "roar" (NIV), a "great noise" (KJV), a "loud noise" (CEV), and a "thunderous crash" (AMP). There will be no doubt as to what happening.

vi. Everyone will see and hear it because we are told that "the earth and everything in it will be laid bare".

*CLASS ACTIVITY 1*

How should Believers prepare for the day when the world and elements would melt in fire.

*LESSON OUTLINE 2: EMERGENCE OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH*

i. In Revelation 21:1, John writes of a new heaven and a new earth in the eternal state, having seen that "the first heaven and the first earth had passed away" (Isa. 65:17; 2Pet. 3:13).

ii. God will create a "new heaven and a new earth" which will include the "New Jerusalem" (Revelation 21:2), the capital city of Heaven, a place of perfect holiness, which will come down from heaven to a new earth.

iiii. This is the city where the saint whose names were written in the "Lamb's book of life" (Rev. 13:8) - will live forever. Peter refers to this new creation as "the home of righteousness" ( 2Peter 3:13).

*PERSPECTIVE*

Knowing that heaven and earth will pass away gives us perspective in life.

i. This world is not our home. "We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13).

ii. Jesus tells us to have the proper priorities (Matt. 6:19-20).

iii. Also Peter, after reminding us of the temporary nature of this world, says, wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spit, and blameless". (2 Peter 3:14).

*CLASS ACTIVITY 2*

Class member should identify common spot or stains which could tarnish the believers' life of holiness.

*CONCLUSION*

Believers should remain faithful to the end because there is hope of eternal life with God beyond this present world.

*CLOSING PRAYER*

Father,help me to always be pure and holy

*ASSIGNMENT*

List five (5) things you must be doing now in preparation for the new heaven and the new earth. *(2×5=10 marks)*

17/08/2024

*RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER'S MANUAL*

*LESSON FIFTY-ONE (1)*

*DATE: SUNDAY AUGUST 18TH 2024*

*TOPIC: THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH*

*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?

*OPENING PRAYER*

Father, don't let me pass away with this world; help me to live in the new heaven and earth.

*MEMORY VERSE:*

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up". – 2 Peter 3:10

*BIBLE PASSAGE: REVELATION 21:1-5*

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.

2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them [and be] their God.

4 "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."

*LESSON INTRODUCTION*

In Noah's day, the world was destroyed with water, but God has promised that He would not more destroy the world with flood (Genesis 9:11). The end of the world described in *2 Peter 3:10* as the day of the Lord will occur after the final judgment by God (Revelation 20:7-10). This scripture reveals that the universe will be destroyed by fire. Therefore, believers should bear in mind that this present world will not last forever (Matthew 5:18).

*TEXT REVIEW: REVELATION 21:1-5*

The apostle Paul saw:

i. A new heaven and a new earth. *Rev. 21:1*

ii. That the first heaven and first earth had passed away. *Rev. 21:1*

iii. The very beautiful holy city called the new Jerusalem. *Rev. 21:2*, etc.

*ACTIVITY:*

Mention five things which apostle John heard according to *Rev. 21:3-4*.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

*LESSON OUTLINE 1: THE PASSING AWAY OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH*

i. The prophet Isaiah foretold the passing away of heaven and earth (Isa. 34:4; 51:6).

ii. This refers to the physical Heaven and earth - the material world and all it contains - but not to the inhabitants of heaven and earth. To "pass away" us to disappear or be no more.

iii. The "heavens" in 2Peter 3:10 refers to the physical universe - the stars, planets, and galaxies - which will be consumed by some kind of tremendous explosion, possibly a nuclear or atomic reaction that will consume and wipe out all matter as we know it.

iv. All elements that make up the universe will be melted in the "fervent heat" (2Pet. 3:12).

v. This will also be a noisy event, described in different Bible versions as a "roar" (NIV), a "great noise" (KJV), a "loud noise" (CEV), and a "thunderous crash" (AMP). There will be no doubt as to what happening.

vi. Everyone will see and hear it because we are told that "the earth and everything in it will be laid bare".

*CLASS ACTIVITY 1*

How should Believers prepare for the day when the world and elements would melt in fire.

*LESSON OUTLINE 2: EMERGENCE OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH*

i. In Revelation 21:1, John writes of a new heaven and a new earth in the eternal state, having seen that "the first heaven and the first earth had passed away" (Isa. 65:17; 2Pet. 3:13).

ii. God will create a "new heaven and a new earth" which will include the "New Jerusalem" (Revelation 21:2), the capital city of Heaven, a place of perfect holiness, which will come down from heaven to a new earth.

iiii. This is the city where the saint whose names were written in the "Lamb's book of life" (Rev. 13:8) - will live forever. Peter refers to this new creation as "the home of righteousness" ( 2Peter 3:13).

*PERSPECTIVE*

Knowing that heaven and earth will pass away gives us perspective in life.

i. This world is not our home. "We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells" (2Peter 3:13).

ii. Jesus tells us to have the proper priorities (Matt. 6:19-20).

iii. Also Peter, after reminding us of the temporary nature of this world, says, wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spit, and blameless". (2Peter 3:14).

*CLASS ACTIVITY 2*

Class member should identify common spot or stains which could tarnish the believers' life of holiness.

*CONCLUSION*

Believers should remain faithful to the end because there is hope of eternal life with God beyond this present world.

*CLOSING PRAYER*

Father,help me to always be pure and holy

*ASSIGNMENT*

List five (5) things you must be doing now in preparation for the new heaven and the new earth. *(2×5=10 marks)*

RCCG HOUSE of Prayer

23/08/2024

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17/08/2024

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