2-4 new (Corrected) - apcwo.org · • Compositi on of the Bible • Revelati on of the Bible •...

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Contents

Lesson 1 God’s General and Special Revelation (Bibliology) Pg 5

Lesson 2 Bible Is Divine (Bibliology) Pg 17

Lesson 3 Doctrine of Sin Pg 26

Lesson 4 Doctrine of Salvation—Regeneration Pg 38

Lesson 5 Doctrine of Salvation—Eternal Security Pg 50

Lesson 6 Life After Death (Doctrine of Eschatology) Pg 59

Lesson 7 The Second Coming (Doctrine of Eschatology) Pg 68

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God’s General and Special Revelation (Bibliology)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES• To explain the three ways God provides general

informationaboutHimself.

• To show that specific information about God isavailableonlyintheBible.

• Tostressthe importanceofstudyingandmeditatingontheBible.

SCRIPTURE PORTIONPs. 19:1-4; Acts 17:26-27; Rom. 1:20, 2:15 (General

RevelationofGod)

MEMORY VERSERom.1:20:ForsincethecreationoftheworldGod’sinvisiblequalities—Hiseternalpoweranddivinenature—havebeenclearlyseen,beingunderstoodfromwhathasbeenmade,sothatpeoplearewithoutexcuse.

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Biblical Doctrines

Materials Needed:

• Chalk-piece

• Ball

• 2marbles(ofdifferentcolors)

• Glass

RECAP• Whatdidwelearnaboutlastweek?

• RecitetheMemoryVerseforlastweek.

INTRODUCTION

In the followingweeks,we’ll study some important BibleDoctrines:

• DoctrineoftheBible

• Doctrine of Sin

• DoctrineofSalvation

• Doctrine of Last Things

‘Doctrine’isasetofbeliefs.Overthenexttwoweeks,we’llbelookingatwhatweChristiansbelieve abouttheBible

Note to the Facilitator

DoctrineoftheBibleisavasttopiccoveringmanydifferentissues.However,we’lldealwithonlythefollowingaspectsinbrief:

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1God’s General and Special Revelation (Bibliology)

Primary Level

• Divine Revelation of the Bible—General and SpecialRevelation

• DivineOriginoftheBible—BiblecamefromGod

Junior Level

• InspirationoftheBible

• InerrancyoftheBible

• CanonicityoftheBible

Senior Level

• CompositionoftheBible

• RevelationoftheBible

• InterpretationoftheBible

ATTENTION GETTER

Acti vity: Roll It

Marktwospotsonthefloorwithachalk-piece,andnamethem‘earth’and‘moon’(Placethespotsmoreorlessclosetoeachother).Placeaball(labeledas‘sun’)somedistancefromthetwospots.

Next,takeouttwomarbles(ofdifferentcolors)andexplainthatthesearetheearthandthemoon.

First Att empt:

Placethetwomarblesinaglass.Askachildtooverturntheglass so that themarbles roll outonto thefloor.Observe

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whetherornot the twomarbles travel to theexact spotsfixedforthem,andthencometoadead-stop.(Thechancesofthishappeningareveryremote!)

Second Attempt:

Askavolunteer to shoot the twomarbles,oneatatime,whileremainingseatedinhis/herchair.Themarblesmustrollontotheirrespectivespots,andthencometoastandstill(Therearegreaterchancesofsuccessinthissecondattempt,ifthevolunteerisveryskilfulwithmarbles).

Third Attempt:

Askavolunteertopickupthetwomarblesandplacethem,byhand,exactly in their respectivespots. (This shouldbeeasytoaccomplish).

Explain:

Youmust have noticed in the first two attempts that themarbleswere unable to reach their exact positions. Theytended to roll away to the right or left. Sometimes themarbleswent tooclose to the ‘Sun.’Andsometimes theymovedveryfarfromthe‘Sun.’

However,whenthe thirdvolunteerdeliberatelypickedupthemarblesandplacedthemintherightplace,theyfinallygotintoposition.Nowfinallytheywereattheexactdistancefromthesunthattheyshouldbe.

The Planets in the Solar System

Somescientiststeachthattheplanetscameintoexistencebythemselves,andsimplyrolledaroundinspaceatfirst.Then

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later, they began to arrange themselves into a particularorder.(Fromourpersonalexperiencewiththetwomarbles,wecanseehowunrealisticthisis).

TheBible,ontheotherhand,teachesthatGodpersonallyplacedeachplanetinitsexactposition.Theplanetsdidn’trollintopositionontheirown.

Positi on of the Earth and Moon

We specifically believe thatGod himself placed the earthandtheotherplanetsinposition,becausethe positi on of the earth and moon is so perfect!Theearthandmooncouldnothaveaccidentallyrolled intosuchperfectpositionsontheirown.

The Earth is located at exactly the right distance from the sun.

• Iftheearthwereanyfurtherawayfromthesun,wewouldallfreeze.

• Anycloserandwewouldburnup.

Evenafractionalvarianceintheearth’spositiontothesunwouldmakelifeonearthimpossible.

Theearthremainsthisperfectdistancefromthesunwhileitrotatesaroundthesunataspeedofnearly67,000mph.Itisalsorotatingonitsaxis,allowingtheentiresurfaceoftheearthtobeproperlywarmedandcooledeveryday.

Inthesameway,ourmoonistheperfectsizeanddistancefromtheearthfor itsgravitationalpull.Themooncreatesimportantoceantidesandmovementsothatoceanwaters

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donotstagnate,andyetourmassiveoceansarerestrainedfromspillingoveracrossthecontinents.

Make a Point:

Amarbledoesn’tplaceitselfinperfectpositiononit'sown.The twomarbleswereable to reach their exactpositionsonlywhensomebodydeliberatelyplacedthemthere.

Inthesameway,theearthandmooncouldn’thaveplacedthemselvesinthecorrectpositionontheirown.Theirexactpositioningprovesthat‘Someone’placedthemthere.Andweknowthis‘Someone’tobeGod.

In thisway,many things inNature (including theplanets)provethatGodexists.

TEACHING CONTENT

GENERAL REVELATION

1. NATURE tells us that GOD EXISTS

Read Aloud:

Ps. 19:1-4: TheheavensdeclarethegloryofGod;theskiesproclaim thework of His hands. Day after day they pourforthspeech;nightafternighttheyrevealknowledge.Theyhavenospeech,theyusenowords;nosoundisheardfromthem.Yettheirvoicegoesoutintoalltheearth,theirwordstotheendsoftheworld.

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Ask:

V.1 says, “The skies proclaim the work of His hands.” How do the skies do this?

The exact position of the planets proves that someonedeliberatelyplacedeachoneinaparticularposition.Inthisway,theskiesproclaimthatGod’shandscreatedeverythingintheskies.

Explain:

Somepeopleask, “Howcan I know ifGodexists?”Whenthey look at how much detail and perfection has goneinto the making of each litt le object in creation, they’llautomaticallyrealizethat‘Someone’specificallymadeeachofthem.Thesethingsdidn’tsimplycomeintoexistenceontheirown.

In this way, even though the planets in the sky, and theflowers in the garden don’t have mouths to speak, theysilentlyinformusthattheCreatorcarefullymadeeachtinypartofthemandplacedthemintheirspecificpositions,sothattheywouldfunctionperfectly.

2. NATURE tells us that GOD CARES

Read Aloud:

Acts 14:17: YetHehasnotlefthimselfwithouttestimony:Hehasshownkindnessbygivingyourainfromheavenandcropsintheirseasons;Heprovidesyouwithplentyoffoodandfillsyourheartswithjoy.

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• When we study creation, and see its detail andperfection, we realize that ‘Someone’ specificallymadeeachpartofit.

• Second, we also notice that this Creation has beengiven to ‘everybody.’

Goddoesn’tgivethewarmthofthesunlighttoonlyafewgoodpeople.Heallows the sunand rain toprovidegoodcropstoboththehonestandthedishonest.

This shows us that God loves and cares for each of us,irrespective of whether we’re good or bad. So nobodyneedstoworryandthink,“DoesGodlovemeornot.”Ifthesunlightandrainarebenefitingyouinthesamewaytheybenefitothers,ifyou’reenjoyingvegetablesandfruitsjustlikeeverybodyelse,thenitprovesthatGodlovesyoujustasmuchasHeloveseverybodyelse.

3. OUR CONSCIENCE teaches us GOD’S VALUES

Read Aloud:

Rom. 2:15: They show that the requirements of the lawarewrittenontheirhearts,theirconsciencesalsobearingwitness,andtheirthoughtssometimesaccusingthemandatothertimesevendefendingthem.

Accordingtotheseverses,deepinourhearts,allofuscansensewhatisrightandwhatiswrong.

• Forinstance,peopleallovertheworldsenseintheirheartsthatit’swrongtomurdersomeone.

• In the sameway,whenpeople tell a lie, theymakesurethatnobodyfindsoutthey’velied.That’sbecause

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theysenseintheirheartsthatthey’vedoneawrongthing,andprefertohidetheirwrongdoing.

SoGodrevealsHimselftousinthreeways:

• ThroughNature,GodshowsusthatHeexists.

• ThroughNature,GodshowsusthatHelovesallofus.

• ThroughourConscience,Godshowsuswhatisrightandwrong.

This is called ‘General Revelation.’ Through these threemethods,GodgenerallyshowspeoplewhoHeisandwhatHeexpectsfrompeople.

Then, if people have a desire to knowmore about God,theycanturntotheBible.IntheBible,Godgives‘SpecificRevelation’aboutHimself.Heexplainsindetail,whoHeis,andwhatHehasdonetohelpandbenefitus.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONSNote: All discussion questi ons must be answered by the children, and NOT by the teacher. The guidelines given here are only meant to assist the teacher during the discussion.

What are the three ways in which God provides general informati on about himself?

• ThroughNature,GodshowsusthatHeexists.

• ThroughNature,GodshowsthatHelovesandprovidesforallofus.

• ThroughourConscience,Godshowsuswhatisrightandwrong.

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If Creation and our own Conscience tells us about God, and about what is right and wrong, then why do we need the Bible at all? Why don’t we simply stop reading the Bible? Whentravellingdowntheroad,Imayseearoadsignthatsays, “Waterfalls Ahead.” This road signmakesme awarethatthewaterfallexists.ButifIwanttoenjoythewaterfall,I’ll actually have to drive down to thewaterfall. Standingnexttotheroadsignwillnothelpmeenjoythewaterfall.

Inthesameway,CreationandourConsciencearelikeroadsigns.TheymakeusawarethatGodexists.ButifwereallywanttoenjoyGod,wehavetogotoHimpersonally.WhenwereadtheBible,itgivesusexactinstructionsonhowtoknowtheLordpersonally,andhowtoenjoyalltheblessingsthatHehasforus.

So,CreationandConscienceare“GeneralRoadSigns”givingus general information aboutGod. But the Bible gives usspecificinformationonHOWwecanpersonallyenjoyGod.

We studied that through our Conscience, God shows us what is right and wrong. But some people say, “My conscience is telling me that speaking lies is okay.” So does our conscience really tell us what is right and wrong?Asdiscussedabove,CreationandConsciencegiveusgeneralinformationaboutGod.Butduetosinfulness,pressuresoflife,andchangingfeelings,peoplemayreadthisinformationwrongly.

• For instance, in themorning, a personmay look atthebeautiful sunrise and say, “Godexists.”But thatevening,ifastormandlightningstrikeshishouse,hemaysay,“Goddoesn’texist.”

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• In the sameway, if aperson is feeling very inspiredand religious after attending a church service, hisconscience may prompt him to speak the truthwhenthepastorasks,“Whydidyoucomelatetothechurch?”Butthenextday,ifhe’slatetotheofficeandhisbossasks,“Whydidyoucomelatetotheoffice?”he’llprobablyliewithoutfeelingevenremotelyguilty…becausetodayhe’snot feelingvery“religiousandinspired.”

SoCreationandConsciencearegeneralroadsignsthatsay,“Godexists.RightandWrongExists.”However,forgreaterdetailsaboutwhothisGodis,whatHeislike,andwhatHebelievesisrightandwrong,we’llneedtoturntotheBible.

Our feelings change every day. So we may misread theinformationprovidedbyCreationandourConscience.Butthe Bible never changes! So we need to study our Bibleeveryday,andpracticeallthatitteaches.

In some parts of the world, people have not even heard about Jesus or the Bible. How can these people know for sure that God exists?

According to Rom. 1:20, Creation clearly shows that aCreator-God exists. Moreover, the conscience of eachpersonwhisperstohimwhatisrightandwhatiswrong.

So,evenapersononaremoteisland,whohasneverheardofJesusortheBible,willknowinhisheartthatGodexists.AndhewillsenseinhisheartthatthisGodexpectshimtoliveacertainway.

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Then,ifthispersonhasagenuinedesiretoknowthisGodpersonallyandbeginstosearchforHim,theBiblepromisesthattheLordwillrevealhimselftothisperson.

Acts17:26-27says,“FromonemanHemadeallthenations...Goddid this so that theywouldseekHimandperhapsreach out for Him and find Him,thoughHeisnotfarfromanyoneofus.”

TheLordmayrevealHimselftothispersonthroughdreams,visions,angels,etc.OrtheLordmaysimplysendamissionaryto that island, to teach thisperson the truthabout Jesus.Then once the person starts studying the Bible, GodwillspeaktohimdailythroughtheBible

SonobodyneedstodiewithoutknowingtheLord.

APPLICATION

CreationandConscienceprovidegeneralinformationaboutGod.ButforspecificinformationonwhatGodhasdoneforusandhowtoworshipHim,weneedtoknowtheBible.

So make a commitment to spend time everyday readingyourBible.

CLOSE WITH PRAYER

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES• ToteachthateveryverseintheBibleisdirectlyfrom

God,inspiredbyHim.

• To stress the importance of reading the Bible forourselvesandhearingfromGod.

SCRIPTURE PORTION

2Tim.3:16;2Pet.1:21;Acts17:11-12(TheBible isGod’sOwnWords).

MEMORY VERSE

2Tim.3:16:AllScriptureisGod-breathedandisusefulforteaching,rebuking,correctingandtraininginrighteousness,sothatpeoplearewithoutexcuse.

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Biblical Doctrines


• What are the three ways in which God provides generalinformationaboutHimself?

• Howmanyof you spent enoughtime studying yourBiblethisweek?MentionanyonespecificrevelationthatGodgaveyoufromtheBible.

• RecitetheMemoryVerseforlastweek(Rom.1:20).

INTRODUCTION

TherearemanyevidencesthattheBibleisanentirelyuniquebook,quiteunlikeanyotherwork.TheuniqueclaimswithintheBibleitselfbearwitnesstoitsunusualcharacter.Somethirty-eighthundredtimestheBibledeclares,“Godsaid,”or“ThussaystheLord”(e.g.Ex.14:1;20:1;Lev.4:1;Num.4:1;Deut.4:2;32:48;Isa.1:10,24;Jer.1:11;Ezek.1:3;etc).

So today,we’ll focuson the importanceofunderstandingthattheBibleisdirectlyfromGodandnotmerelywrittenbyhumans.

ATTENTION GETTER

Activity: Martin Luther and the Bible

Narrate the story using the Pictures provided in the Student Workbook:

TodaywehavesomanyBiblesathome!Butdidyouknowthatonceuponatime,ordinarypeoplewerenotallowedtohaveaBibleorreadit?

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Inthe13thand14thcenturies,theRomanCatholicChurchdidnotallowpeopletoreadtheBible,becausetheydidn’twantpeopletodiscoverthegreattruthswrittenin it.TheChurchtaughtpeoplethattheymustpaylotsofmoneytobuy sheetsofpaper called ‘indulgences’ [Picture 1 in the Student Workbook]. Anybodywho bought an Indulgencewastoldthattheirsinswereforgiven,andthattheycouldnowgotoheaven.

Becausethepeoplecouldn’treadtheBibleandfindoutthetruth,theybelievedwhatevertheChurchwastellingthem.Inthisway,theChurchmadealotofmoney.

MartinLuther,amonkwholivedatthattime,wasveryangrytoseetheChurchtreatingpeoplethisway.Beingamonk,hehadaccesstotheBible,andheknewthattheBibletaughtverydifferentthingsabouttheforgivenessofsins.

So Luther pinned up a sheet on the main church door,tellingpeople about all thewrong things that theChurchwas teaching [Picture 2 in the Student Workbook]. Soon,manypeoplestoppedbuyingIndulgences,andtherevenuesofthechurchreduced.

This greatly upset Pope Leo X who declared that MartinLuthershouldbegivenadeathsentence[Picture 3 in the Student Workbook].WhenElector Frederickheard aboutthis,hesentagroupofhorsemento‘kidnap’Luther.ElectorFrederick was a very powerful man and he faked this‘kidnapping’sothathecouldhideMartinLutherinhisbigpalace.


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While staying at the palace, disguised as Knight George[Picture 4 in the Student Workbook], Luther translatedtheLatinBible intoGerman,thecommonlanguageofthepeople.HethenprintedmanycopiesoftheGermanBibleand gave it out to the common people [Picture 5 in the Student Workbook].

AsaresultofMartinLuther’sefforts,manypeoplecametoknowthatsalvationispossibleonlythroughJesusChrist.

Ask:

Why do you think Martin Luther wanted everybody to read the Bible? Isn’t it enough to listen to a nice sermon in church? Why must we read it for ourselves everyday?(Encourage the children to write down their answers in the Student Workbook. Explain the importance of finding out God’s truths by reading the Bible daily).

TEACHING CONTENT

ThewordscontainedintheBiblearedirectlyfromGod.Itdoesn’t simply contain the ideas and thoughts of humanwriters.

• 2Tim.3:16:AllScriptureisGod-breathedandisusefulfor teaching, rebuking, correcting and training inrighteousness.

Ask:

What do you think, “God-breathed” means?(Askthechildrenfortheiropinions).

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Explain:

Thisword is used in the Scriptures only in this particularverse. It isa compoundword, combining thewords ‘God’and‘breath.’

Inotherwords,eachwordintheBiblehasbeenprovidedbyGod.Peopledidn’twritethesewordssimplybecausetheyfeltlikewritingthem.Forexample,Matthewdidn’tjustsitdownandwriteanaccountofthelifeandteachingsofJesusonhisown.God,throughtheHolySpirit,guidedtheprocess.

That’snottosaythatGodjustputalltheBiblewritersinatranceandmadetheirhandsmove.ItjustmeansthatGodshowedeachwriterwhatwordstouseandhowtoorganizethewrittencontentinaparticularorder.

• 2Pet.1:21:Forprophecyneverhad itsorigin in thehumanwill,butprophets,thoughhuman,spokefromGodastheywerecarriedalongbytheHolySpirit.

Bible Facts

Writers:

God inspired fortydifferentpersons towrite thedifferentbooks of the Bible. Among the writers were Moses, apoliticalleader;Joshua,amilitaryleader;David,ashepherd;Solomon,aking;Amos,aherdsmanandfruitpicker;Daniel,aprimeminister;Matthew,ataxcollector;Luke,amedicaldoctor;Paul,arabbi;andPeter,afisherman.SoGodusedavarietyofpeopletowritetheBible.

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Places:

The Bible was written in different locations and under avariety of circumstances. In fact, it was written in threecontinents:Europe,Asia,andAfrica.

Paulwrote fromaRomanprison aswell as from the cityofCorinth—bothinEurope;Jeremiah(andperhapsMoses)wrotefromEgypt inAfrica;mostoftheotherbookswerewritten in Asia. Moses probably wrote in the desert,David composed his Psalms in the countryside, SolomoncontemplatedtheProverbsintheroyalcourts,Johnwroteas a banished person on the island of Patmos, and Paulwrotefivebooksfromprison.

Time Period:

The Bible is unique because it was written over a spanof 1500-2000 years. Moses very likely recorded Genesisaround1400BC,whereasJohnmayhavewrittenthebookofRevelationaslateas80-90AD.

Aswecansee,theBiblewaswrittenbydifferentpeopleandmostofthemdidn’tknoweachother.DavidnevermetPeter,andDanielneverknewPaul.Inspiteofthis,it’sincrediblethatthewordswrittenbythesedifferentpeopletalkofthesame God, in the same ways, without contradicting oneanother!

ThiswaspossibleonlybecausetheHolySpiritguidedalloftheminwritingtheBible.

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Key Verses:

Acts 17:11-12:

NowtheBerean Jewswereofmorenoble character thanthose inThessalonica, fortheyreceivedthemessagewithgreateagernessandexaminedtheScriptureseverydaytosee ifwhatPaul saidwas true.Asa result,manyof thembelieved,asdidalsoanumberofprominentGreekwomenandmanyGreekmen.

According to these verses, why did the Bereans keep checking up their Bibles?

Theywanted to find outwhether or not Paul’s teachingswerecorrect.Sowheneverhe taught themanythingnew,theycheckedtheirBiblestomakesurethatGodhadtaughtthesamethingintheBible.

Because the Bible contains words given directly by God,they preferred to believe the Bible rather than believe ahuman teacher. After checking, they found out that PaulwasteachinginagreementwiththeBible.

On the other hand, when the people in Martin Luther’stimesdidthesamething,theydiscoveredthattheteachingsoftheirchurchleaderswascompletelywrong.

Soit’sveryimportantforustoreadtheBibleanddiscoverBibletruthsonourown.


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According to these verses, what was the result of the Bereans reading their Bibles daily?WhentheyreadtheBibleontheirown,Godspoketothemin their hearts. This helped them to believe in Jesus andacceptHimasLordandSaviour.Inthisway,theirliveswerechanged.

It’s good to listen to Pastors and Sunday School teachersteachingtheWordofGod.ButwhenwereadtheBiblebyourselves,Godbeginstospeakdirectlyintoourhearts.ThisincreasesourfaithinGodandhelpschangeourlives.

Jam. 4:11 says that we shouldn’t gossip about others or criticize them. Do we have to follow this teaching today? Is this James’ commandment or God’s commandment?

WehavetoobeyeverycommandmentwrittenintheBible,becausethesecommandswerenotjustwrittenbyhumanwriters.

These are commandments directly from God. So if weignoredthem,we’dbedisobeyingGodHimself!

APPLICATION

IftheBibleisdirectlyfromGod,thenwemustboldlyclaimthepromisesGodhasmadetous,andenjoytheminourlives.PickoutsomespecificBiblepromisesthatyou’dliketoclaimforyourownlifethisweek.

Similarly if theBible is accurate, thenwemust take eachcommandment of God literally. For example, Eph. 4:26commands,“Donotletthesungodownwhileyouarestillangry.” So this means that I can’t hold a grudge against

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anotherperson,andkeeponbroodingoverwhattheyhavedoneforafewweeks.Godexpectsmetoforgiveandforgetthat day itself!

Pick out some specific Bible Commandments which yousenseGodwantsyoutoobeyinthecomingdays.

CLOSE WITH PRAYER


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Doctrine of Sin

LEARNING OBJECTIVES• Toexplainthatsinis“missingthemark.”

• To teach that we’re born with a sinful nature thatmakesussin.

• To show howwe can overcome sin and temptationthroughtheWordofGod.

SCRIPTURE PORTION

1Jn.3:4;Rom.6:23,7:12-14;Jam.2:10;1Jn.2:16,Eph.6:17(DefeatingSinandTemptation).

MEMORY VERSE

Eph.6:17:TakethehelmetofsalvationandtheswordoftheSpirit,whichisthewordofGod.

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Materials Needed

• 3Photocopiesofthe“DonkeySheet”

• Some sketch pens

• Scarf


• WhydidtheBereanJews,inPaul’stime,keepcheckinguptheScriptures?

• WhymustwereadtheBibleforourselveseveryday?Isn’titenoughtolistentoanicesermoninchurch?

• RecitetheMemoryVerseforlastweek(2Tim.3:16).

INTRODUCTION

TheDoctrineof Sin is calledHamartiology. It is the studyof sin, and deals with how sin originated, how it affectshumanity, and what it will result in after death. To sinessentially means to "miss themark."We all miss God'smark of righteousness (Romans 3:23). Hamartiologyexplainswhywemissthemark,howwemissthemarkandtheconsequencesofmissingthemark.We’lldiscusssomeofthesethingsbrieflytoday.


TheDoctrineofSingenerally focuseson the foundationalconceptsofOriginalSin,theChristian’sconflictwithsin,andtheprovisionthatGodhasmadetokeepusfromthepath

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ofsin.We’lldealspecificallywiththefollowingconceptsateachagelevel:

Primary Level

• DefinitionofSin—MissingtheMark

• ThreeTypesofSin—Lustoftheflesh,thelustoftheeyes,andtheprideoflife

• OvercomingSinthroughtheWordofGod

Junior Level

• Concept of Original Sin

• CrucifixionofSinfulNatureontheCross

• OvercomingSinbyRenewingourMinds

Senior Level

• Concept of Original Sin

• StrategytoovercomeSin—SubmitandResist

• SpiritualArmourandtheWeaponsofWarfare

ATTENTION GETTER

Activity: The Donkey’s Tail

Takeaphotocopyofthe“DonkeySheet”totheclass(TheclipartoftheDonkeyhasbeenattachedtotheendoftoday’slesson).

Ablindfoldedvolunteermustsketchthedonkey’stailexactlyatthepointwherethe‘x’ismarked.Theotherchildrencanguidethevolunteerverbally,inlocatingtheexactspot.

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Take a few extra photocopies so that more children can try theactivity.

TEACHING CONTENT

The Danger of ‘Sin’

• 1Jn.3:4says,“Everyonewhosinsbreaksthelaw;infact,sinislawlessness.”

• Romans 7:12-14 says, “… the law is holy, and thecommandment is holy, righteous and good …Nevertheless, in order that sinmight be recognizedas sin, [the law] used what is good to bring aboutmy death, so that through the commandment, sinmightbecomeutterlysinful.Weknowthatthelawisspiritual;butIamunspiritual,soldasaslavetosin.”

Accordingtotheseverses,thelawsandcommandmentsofGodareutterlyholy,righteousandgood.GodgaveusthesecommandmentstoshowusthatnoneofusareobeyingallofHislawscorrectly.Wemaybeobeyingsomeofthem,butnotallofthem.

According to the Bible, if we break even one of His holycommandments,itsequaltobreakingallofthem.

• Jam.2:10:Forwhoeverkeepsthewholelawandyetstumblesatjustonepointisguiltyofbreakingallofit.

Missing the Mark

Someone who keeps all the laws and commandments of God is like a personwho is right on themark. It’s like a

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personwhoisabletodrawthedonkey’stailatexactlytherightspot.

Evenifyoudrawthetailalittlebittotheleftorright,theanimal’stailwouldbeinthewrongplace!Whenyoudrawawayfromtheexactspot,you“missthemark.”

In the same way, if you commit one little sin, you’re nolonger“onthemark.”Onelittlesincanmoveyouawayfromthemark.

• Rom.3:23:…forallhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod.

All of us sittinghere have committed at least one sin I’msure. That one sin makes us sinful, and according to theBible, sinful peoplemust be punishedwith eternal deathinhell. (TheBiblereferstoseparationfromGod inhellas‘death.’Itgoesfarbeyondmerephysicaldeath).

• Rom.6:23:Forthewagesofsinisdeath...

Mostofthepeopleinourschoolsandneighborhooddon’trealizethegreatdangerthey’re in.Theydon’trealizethatthepunishmentforasinglesiniseternaldeathinhell!Theybelievethey’regoodpeoplebecausetheyhaven’tmurderedanyone or joined a gang. But even speaking a small liemakesyousinful,justthewaymurderingsomebodymakesa gangster a sinner!

ThisiswhyJesuscameto‘save’us.Hewantedto‘save’usfromtheconsequencesofoursinfulactions.Toachievethis,Jesustookourpunishmentonthecross,dyingonourbehalf.

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BecauseJesushasdonethisforus,allthosewhoacceptHimasLordandSaviour,andmakeacommitmenttoliveforHimalone,willbe‘saved.’They’llnotbesentawaytohellafterphysicaldeath.

Sin and the Salvati on Package

Satandoesn’twantustoenjoythebenefitsofoursalvation.Soheusessintotemptusandkeepusunderhiscontrol.

Satanprimarilybrings threekindsof temptations intoourlives,tokeepusunderthebondageofsin.

• 1Jn.2:16:Foreverythingintheworld—thelustoftheflesh,thelustoftheeyes,andtheprideoflife—comesnotfromtheFatherbutfromtheworld.

Lusts of the Flesh:

Satanbringsustemptationsthatseemtosoundverygood,feel very good, or taste very good. For instance,wemayfeel tempted to watch or listen to movie songs that are notcleanandgood.Whenwefeel irritatedandangry,wefeelstronglytemptedtoscreamandshoutatpeople,andsayrudethings.Somepeoplemayfeeltemptedtotryoutharmfulsubstanceslikecigarettesandalcohol.

SatanusestheselustsofthefleshtotemptusintosinningagainstGod. IfwelistentoSatananddothesethings,westayunder thebondageof sin,andunderSatan’scontrol.We fail to enjoy the blessings and benefitsGodwants togiveus.

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Lusts of the Eyes:

Satan also temptsus to spendall ofourtimeandenergyover things that seem to promise happiness and complete satisfaction. For instance, a Christian may feel temptedtoneglecthis studies andBible-reading to spendmostofhistimeinfrontoftheTV.Anothermay lookatthefancygadgets his classmate possesses and feel tempted to steal them.Satanpromises that ifwecommit sinsof this type,we’llgainhappiness.

Pride of Life:

Third,Satantemptsustodoourownthing,ratherthanlistentoGod. For instance, apersonmay think, “I knowwhat’sbest formy life. I’ll dowhat I want. I don’twant to takeorders fromGod.” This is a thought fromSatan. Similarly,whentheLordconvictsusofasin,wemaymakeahundredexcuseswhyitwasalrighttocommitthatsin;wemayrefusetoadmitourmistakeandcorrectourways.All this isduetopride,whichmotivatesustorebelagainstGodandnotsubmittoHim.

The Word of God

IfwegiveintothetemptationsthatSatanbrings,weremainunderthecontrolofsinandsatan.SinandsatanblockusfromgettingtheblessingsthatGodwantsustohave.

Soit’simportantforustoovercometemptation.AndwecanmainlydothisthroughtheWordofGod.

• Eph.6:17:TakethehelmetofsalvationandtheswordoftheSpirit,whichisthewordofGod.

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Everytime,satantemptedJesusbyofferingHimsomethingthatwasagainstGod’swill,Jesusrespondedbysaying,“Itiswritten…”Inotherwords,JesuschosetobelievewhattheBiblesaysandobeyit,ratherthanbelievewhatsatanwassaying.

WhenwechoosetobelieveGod’sWordandstandonit,itkeepsusfarfromsin.

SobybelievinginandpracticingtheWordofGod,wecanovercomealltheconsequencesofsin,andjoyfullywalkinGod’sabundantlife.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Note: All discussion questi ons must be answered by the children, and NOT by the teacher. The guidelines given here are only meant to assist the teacher during the discussion.

We studied that if a person breaks even one small commandment, he is desti ned for eternal punishment in hell. But what if a person never sins (just like Jesus)? Will that person automati cally go to heaven?Ecc. 7:20 says, “Indeed, there is no one on earth who isrighteous,noonewhodoeswhatisrightandneversins.”

In factDavid explains thatwhen a baby is born, it’s bornwitha sinfulnature.AdamandEvepassedon their sinfulnaturetoalltheirdescendants.

• Ps. 51:5: Surely Iwas sinful atbirth, sinful from thetimemymotherconceivedme.

Nopersonisabletoliveasinlesslife,becausethesinfulnatureinsidethemmakesthembeginsinningataveryearlyage.

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If we all have a sinful nature that makes us sin from an early age, then what hope do we have? Won’t all of us end up in hell?WedeserveeternalpunishmentinhellifwebreakevenonesmallcommandmentofGod.However,Jesuswantedtosaveus.SoHetookourpunishmentuponHimself,ontheCross.

So thoseofuswhoaccept JesusasLordandSaviour,andmake a commitment to follow and obey Him, are now‘saved.’We’llnotbesenttohellafterdeath.

How do you think the Word of God can help me when I’m tempted to neglect my studies or neglect my Bible reading?TheWord of God renews our minds. The more we readGod’s Word, the more we get to know what God thinksaboutdifferentthings.

Forinstance,GodsaysthatifweputHimfirstinourlives,He’lltakecareofallourneeds.

• Mt. 6:33: But seek first His kingdom and Hisrighteousness,andallthesethingswillbegiventoyouaswell.

MoreoverGodsaysthatthosewhoarelazywillnotenjoytherewardswhichhardworkingpeopleenjoy.

• Pro.12:27:The lazydonot roastanygame,but thediligentfeedontherichesofthehunt.

When we read the Bible regularly, we’ll learnmany newtruthslikethese.Whenwefirmlyholdontothesetruths,refusing to believe satan’s tempting lies, we’re able toovercomesin.

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• Forinstance,whenI’mabouttositdownformyBible-reading,ImaybetemptedbyaninterestingprogramonTV.ButifIchoosetobelieveMt.6:33,Icanfirmlysaytosatan.“ItiswritteninMt.6:33thatifIplaceGodfirstinmylife,He’llmeetallmyneeds.SoIchoosetoturnofftheTVratherthanbelieveyourliesthattheTVprogramwillbenefitmemore.”

• In the same way, when I’m tempted to neglect mystudies, IcansaytoSatanconfidently,“AccordingtoPro.12:27,IwillnotgainanybenefitsifIchoosetobelazy.IwanttolistentoGod’swarningandnotloseoutonmybenefits.”

Whenwe believeGod’sWord and choose to act upon it,satan isunable to temptus into sinning.This setsus freefromthecontrolofsin,andwe’reabletofreelyenjoyGod’sblessings.

How can the Word of God help me when I’m about to lose my temper? God’sWordsays,“Agentleanswerturnsawaywrath,butaharshwordstirsupanger”(Pro.15:1).

SowhenIfeeltheurgetorespondangrilytosomeone,IcaninsteadchoosetobelievewhattheBiblesaysandpracticeit.

When people treat us badly and we feel angry, satanimmediatelyjumpsinandtemptsustosayallkindsofangrythings. At thatmoment, speaking angrywords ‘feels’ liketherightthingtodo.

Butifwechoosetoignorethesesinfulfeelingsandinsteadrespondgently,justastheBiblesuggests,satanwillnotbeabletogaincontroloverus.

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WhenwechoosetobelieveGod’sWordandpracticeit,theLordwillturnthingsaroundforusinHisperfecttime,inHisperfectway.Wedon’thavetoscreamorshoutatpeopletogetwhatweneed.

APPLICATION

Reflect fora littlewhileand thinkof thesins that troubleyou the most. What are your main areas of weakness,whereyoualwaysfailtoobeyGod?Isitintheareaofangermanagement? Is it laziness? Is it back-answeringorbeingrudetoyourparents?

After you’ve identified yourweaknesses, take the help ofelderstoidentifykeyBibleverseswhichdiscusstheseissues.

(A Google search is the simplest way of locating relevant Bible verses. Eg.: You can type the words “Bible verses on Anger” to get a detailed list).

Memorizetheseversesandbeginpracticingthem,sothatsatanwillnotbeabletocontrolyouinfuture.

CLOSE WITH PRAYER

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Acti vity: The Donkey’s Tail

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• To explain the difference between salvation and amereresolutiontochangeoneself.

• Toteachthatregenerationleadstoa“newcreation.”

• Toinstructonhowtoputoffthe‘oldself’andputonthe‘newself.’

SCRIPTURE PORTION

Jn.3:3,6;2Cor.5:17;Phil.2:13;Eph.4:22-24(BeingBornAgain).

MEMORY VERSE

2Cor.5:17:Therefore,ifanyoneisinChrist,thenewcreationhascome:Theoldhasgone,thenewishere.

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• What are the threemain typesof temptation satanusestokeepusundersin’sbondage?

• Thisweek,didyouuseanyBibleversestoovercomesin?Giveexamples.

• RecitetheMemoryVerseforlastweek(Eph.6:17).

INTRODUCTION

According to the broadest meaning as used in Scripture,the term salvationencompassesthetotalworkofGodbywhich He seeks to rescueman from the ruin, doom andpowerofsinandbestowsuponhimthewealthofHisgraceencompassingeternallife,provisionforabundantlifenow,andeternalglory(Eph.1:3-8;2:4-10;1Pet.1:3-5;Jn.3:16,36;10:10).

Over the next two classes, we’ll deal with some basicconceptsthatformapartoftheDoctrineofSalvation,suchasRegeneration,EternalSecurity,Atonement,etc.


DoctrineofSalvationisavasttopiccoveringmanydifferentissues.However,we’lldealwithonlythefollowingaspectsinbrief:

Primary Level

• Regeneration

• Eternalsecurity

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Biblical Doctrines

Junior Level

• God’sRedemptionPlan

• ConceptofForgiveness

Senior Level

• Process of Salvation (Justification, Sanctification andGlorification)

• Concept of Grace of God

ATTENTION GETTER

Activity: Lion or Sheep?

SomeofyoumighthaveheardthestoryofLeotheLion.Leowasbroughtupbyafamilyofsheepfromthetimehewasalittlecub.Sohethoughthewasasheep,justlikehissheep-brother,Lambert.

• Hebleatedlikealamb(thoughhisvoicetendedtobemoreloudandrough).

• Heategrasslikealamb.

• And likea lamb,heshiveredandtrembledwhenheheardthewolfinthemountains.

EventhoughtheothersheepexplainedtoLeothathewasalion,hesimplycouldn’tbelievethem!

The Student Workbook contains a jumbled list of Sheep facts and Lion facts. Can you guess which facts pertain to Leo the Lion, and which ones pertain to Lambert the Lamb?(Give the children a minute to complete the activity).

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TEACHING CONTENT

SomepeoplethinkthatsalvationislikeaNewYearResolution.Theythinksalvationisallaboutmakingaresolutiontostartlivingagoodandgodlylife.

However in reality, salvation is something far greater. Itdoesn’tjustinvolveadecisiontochangeourhabitsandlivebetter.Itinvolvesbeing“bornagain.”It’salmostlikeasheepbeing“bornagain”intoalion.

Read Aloud:

Jn. 3:3:Jesusreplied,“VerytrulyItellyou,noonecanseetheKingdomofGodunlesstheyarebornagain.”

Jn. 3:6:Fleshgivesbirthtoflesh,buttheSpiritgivesbirthtospirit.

Explain:

JesusexplainedtoNicodemusthatonlythosewhoare“bornagain”canenter intoheaven.Hethenwentontoexplainthatapersoncanbe“bornagain”onlythroughtheSpirit.

We learnt last week that all of us are born with a sinfulnaturethatmakesussinagainstGod.

We try again and again to stop sinning and start living a holy life.Butagainandagain,wefail.

We can compare this to a sheep that tries again and again tostopbleatingandstartroaring.However,thesheepfailsagainandagaininitsattemptstoroarpowerfully,becauseit’sasheep.

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Thissheepwouldbeabletoroarpowerfullyanddriveawayallthewolvesonlyifitchangedintoareallion.Inthesameway,we can stop sinning and live holy lives only ifwe’rechangedintoholypeople.

So this is what God does for us.When a person acceptsJesusasLordandSavior, theHolySpiritchangesus intoa“newcreation.”

• 2Cor.5:17:Therefore,ifanyoneisinChrist,thenewcreationhascome:Theoldhasgone,thenewishere!

TheHolySpirit‘regenerates’usintoanewperson.

NEW CREATION

WhentheHolySpirit‘regenerates’usintoa“newcreation,”weacquirenotonlyadeeper desiretoloveandobeyGod,butwealsoacquirethepowerweneedto loveandobeyHim.

• Phil.2:13:ForitisGodwhoworksinyoutowillandtoactinordertofulfillHisgoodpurpose.

It’salmostasifahelplesssheephasbeentransformedintoa powerful lion, and it can now efficiently deal with anywolves that come its way!

Ask:

Leo was convinced that he was a lamb. What do you think was his usual reaction when he heard a pack of wolves coming down the mountain?(He’dhide in thebushesandhopethewolvesdidn’t spothim).

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Explain:

AlotofChristiansbehavelikepoorLeo.EventhoughtheLordhastransformedthemintoa“newcreation”theystillbelievethattheyareweakandhelpless.Whensatantemptsthem,theythinkthey’retooweaktoresisthimandtheyfallintosin.

Soit’sveryimportantforustorealizewhoweare.

THINK like a NEW CREATION

Read Aloud:

Eph.4:22-24:Youweretaught,withregardtoyourformerwayoflife,toputoffyouroldself,whichisbeingcorruptedbyitsdeceitfuldesires;tobemadenewintheattitudeofyourminds;andtoputonthenewself,createdtobelikeGodintruerighteousnessandholiness.

Explain:

Intheseverses,theChristianistoldtostopbehavinglikehis“oldself”.The“oldself”wouldincludethewrongattitudes,feelingsandpracticesthatthepersonhadbeforehebecameabeliever.

God reminds the person that he has now been changedintoa“newcreation.”Anewcreationhasgodlyattitudes,feelingsandpractices.

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Biblical Doctrines

DISCUSSION QUESTIONSNote: All discussion questions must be answered by the children, and NOT by the teacher. The guidelines given here are only meant to assist the teacher during the discussion.

Salvation includes making a commitment to give up sins and follow Jesus. A New Year Resolution too, can include making a commitment to give up sins and follow Jesus.

So, in what way is Salvation different from a New Year Resolution? PeoplemakeallkindsofgoodNewYearResolutions:

• Toexercisedaily

• Tostudybetter

• Tobemoreholy,etc.

However, there’s no guarantee that they’ll be able to successfully keep these resolutions without breaking them.

In the sameway, even if Imake a resolution to sincerelyfollow Jesus and obey Him, there’s no guarantee that I’llkeepit.

Salvation,ontheotherhand,comesfrom

• believing that Jesus is the only God who can washawaymysins;

• believingthatJesus istheonlyOnewhocanchangemeintoanewandholyperson;and

• believingthatJesusistheonlyOnewhocangivemethepowertoliveaholylife.

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WhenweplaceourtrustinJesus,inthisway,theHolySpiritcomes intousand ‘regenerates’us intoanewperson.Webecomepersonswiththedesire and powertoloveandobeyGod.

That moment onwards, God begins to work inside us,changingusandmakingusmoreandmoreChrist-like.

So, inthecaseofaResolution, it’s lefttoustotryandkeeptheresolution.Butinthecaseofsalvation,weputourtrustinJesus,andHebeginstochangeusafterHehasregeneratedus.

ThereforeaResolution to“livebetter”cannot takeme toheaven. But believing in Jesus and being regenerated byHim,willdefinitelyresultineternallife.

Why did Jesus tell Nicodemus that he could enter heaven only if he was “born again”?

Why is it so important to be “born again”?

NicodemusprobablyaskedJesuswhathemustdotoenterheaven. Jesus said to him, “Very truly I tell you, no onecan see the KingdomofGod unless they are born again”(Jn.3:3).Inotherwords,JesuswassayingthathoweverhardNicodemustriedtoenterheaven,hewouldn’tbeableto.Asinfulhumanisasinfulhuman;hecannevermakehimselfholyenoughtoenterheaven.

It’sliketheexampleofasheep.

• Asheepisasheepandalionisalion.

• Aftermuchtrainingandexercise,asheepmaygatherup all its strength and try to defeat awolf; but it’lleventuallybetorntopieces.

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That’sbecauseasheepisasheep;howeverhardittries,itcannotbecomealion.

Ifasheepwantstosuccessfullydefeatawolf, ithastobefirst“bornagain”intoalion.Onlythenwillithavethepowerandskillofalion,andbeabletokillthewolf.

So Jesuswas trying to tell Nicodemus that unless he got“bornagain”intoa“newcreation,”hewouldnotbeabletotrulyliveaholylifeorenterheaven.

WhenweacceptJesusasLordandSaviour,Heregeneratesusintoanewcreation.Hemakesuspureandholyinsideourspirit.Thismakes itpossible forus toenterheaven.Afterregeneration,theLordalsobeginstoworkinus,changingusandmakingusmoreandmorelikeHim.

We discussed the importance of putting off the ‘old self’ and putting on the ‘new self.’ How do we do this on a daily basis? Puttingoffthe‘oldself’involvesputtingoffoldattitudes,oldfeelingsandoldpractices.

Forinstance,Imayhaveanattitudeofpessimism.

• The next time I catch myself being pessimistic andthinking, “I know nothing goodwill ever happen tome,”Ichoosetomakeaconsciouseffortto“putoff”thiswrongattitude.

Instead IaskGodtohelpmemaintainapositiveattitude,and I teachmymindsaying,“TheBibledeclaresthatGodlovesme andwill do good things forme. So I choose tobelievethistruth.”

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• When I change my thinking in this way, it leads toachange inmy feelingsandbehavioraswell. I stopbeing negative and puttingmyself down, and I alsostart displaying greater confidence, because now IbelievethatGodisonmyside.

Sotherearethreestepsinvolvedinputtingoffthe‘oldself’andputtingonthe‘newself’:

• I consciously choose to stop practicing the wrongattitudeorwrongbehaviour.

• IaskGodtohelpmestartpracticingtherightattitudeorrightbehaviour.

• Then,IteachmymindwhattheBiblesays,andchoosetobelievewhattheBiblesays.

How can I put off anger, and put on the love and gentleness of God, on a daily basis?WhenIfeelangerrisingwithinme,Iimmediatelychooseto“putoff”theanger.

• I choose to stop myself from responding with angry wordsorphysicalviolence.

• Next,IshootanurgentprayertotheLord,askingforstrengthtocontrolmyself.

• ThenIbegintoremindmyselfoftheBibleversesonanger.For instance,Pro.15:1says,“Agentleanswerturns awaywrath, but a harshword stirs up anger”I choose to believe thewisdom of this verse, and Ichoose to speak gently to the other person—eventhoughI’mfeelingveryangry.

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When I choose to believe theWord of God and practiceit in thisway, the power ofGodwill helpme to respondcorrectly.He’lldivinelyhelpmedealwiththeanger,givingmetherightwordsandtherightattitudethatIneedatthatmoment.

How can I put off rebellion and disobedience, and put on the ‘new self’?Attitudesofrebellionanddisobediencearedevelopedearlyin childhood, when we’re three to four years old. Afterbecoming a “new creation” we may continue practicingthesewrongattitudes;butGodwantsustoputthemoff.

Whenmyparentorteacherasksmetodosomething,theimmediatethoughtinmymindmaybeabig‘NO.’

• However, God wants me to choose obedience. SoI must ask God to give me the willpower to obeycheerfully.

• AfterprayingtoHim,ImustbelievethatHe’llindeedprovidemethestrengthtoobey,andImustgoaheadandstartdoingwhateverIwasaskedtodo.

• Every time rebellious thoughts come tomymind, Imust remindmyself of what the Bible teaches. Forinstance, Eph. 6:2-3 says, “Honour your father andmother…sothatitmaygowellwithyou…”

Yourmind probably says that it’s better to rebel becauseparents and teachers are so unreasonable and cruel.Howeverteachyourmindthatthingswillgowellwithyouifyouchoosetohonourandobeythem.

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If you teach your mind this Bible truth and practice it,yourattitudeandfeelingswillbegintochange.Overtime,the rebelliousness will fade away, and you will begin toexperienceallthewonderfulbenefitsofobedience.

APPLICATION

WhenweacceptedJesusasLordandSaviour,theHolySpiritregeneratedusintoanewcreation.However,wecanbeginto enjoy all the advantages of being a new creation onlywhenwestartputtingoffthe‘oldself’andputtingonthe‘new self.’Otherwise, everything continues to remain thesameinourlives;andwedon’tgettoenjoyalltheblessingsthatGodhasreservedforus.Whatagreatlossthatwouldbe!

CLOSE WITH PRAYER

Lead the children in prayer as they recommit their lives to a lovingandjustGod.Alsopraywiththosewho’remakingacommitmenttofollowJesusforthefirsttime.

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Doctrine of Salvation–Eternal Security

LEARNING OBJECTIVES• Toassurethatsalvationcannotbelost.

• Toexplainthemeaningof“sealedbytheHolySpirit.”

• ToteachabouttheintercessoryworkofChrist.

SCRIPTURE PORTION

2 Cor. 1:21-22; Jn. 10:29; Rom. 2:4, 8:34; 1 Jn. 2:1, 3:9(SealedbytheSpirit).

MEMORY VERSE

2Cor.1:21-22:…Heanointedus,setHissealofownershiponus,andputHisSpiritinourheartsasadeposit,guaranteeingwhatistocome.

Materials Needed:

• Buttonswithdifferentembossedpatterns

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• Candleandmatchbox

• Envelopes

• Paper Slips

• Playclayofdifferentcolors

• RedSealingWax

• Sealing Stamp

• Sketch pens


• How is Salvation different frommaking a New YearResolution?

• Thisweekdidyou“putonthenewself”inanyareaofyourlife?Giveexamples.

• RecitetheMemoryVerseforlastweek(2Cor.5:17).

INTRODUCTION

According to the broadest meaning as used in Scripture,thetermsalvationencompasses thetotalworkofGodbywhichHe seeks to rescueman from the ruin, doom, andpowerofsinandbestowsuponhimthewealthofHisgraceencompassingeternallife,provisionforabundantlifenow,andeternalglory(Eph.1:3-8;2:4-10;1Pet.1:3-5;Jn.3:16,36;10:10).

Withinabriefdurationof twoclasses,we’redealingwithsome basic concepts that form a part of the Doctrine

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of Salvation, such as Regeneration, Eternal Security,Atonement,etc.

ATTENTION GETTER

Activity: Sealed!

Ifyouhaveaccesstoredsealingwaxandaseal-stamp,youcanshowthechildrenhowenvelopesareofficially sealedandstamped.

Also,takesomeenvelopesandpaper-slipsforthechildren.Askthechildrentowriteathankyounotetotheirparentson a slip of paper. (You can help themwith thewording.Eg.:ThankyouforteachingmeaboutJesus,thankyoufordroppingmetoschooleveryday,etc.)

Ask them to place their thank you note in an envelopeand seal itwith fake sealingwax (play clay).Buttonswithembosseddesignscanbeusedtopresspatternsinthe‘wax’.

TEACHING CONTENT

SEALED BY GOD

LastweekwediscoveredthatwhenweacceptJesusasLordandSaviour,Heregeneratesus intoanewcreation.Todaywe’ll learnofonemorething thatGoddoes forusat thetimeofsalvation.

Read Aloud

2 Cor. 1:21-22:…Heanointedus,setHissealofownershiponus,andputHisSpiritinourheartsasadeposit,guaranteeingwhatistocome.

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Explain:

Sealed

Anofficialsealwillusuallyhavetheemblem(thedesign)oftheowner.Whentheownerputsthissealonanenvelope,everybodywholooksattheemblemunderstandsthatthisenvelopebelongstothatparticularowner.

Iftheownerisapowerfulman,nobodywilldaretobreakthesealandstealthedocumentsintheenvelope.

It’s the samewith us, in a spiritual sense. At the time ofsalvation,GodsealsuswithHisHolySpirit.HedoesthissothatallprincipalitiesandpowerswillknowthatwebelongtotheLord,andnobodycanstealusawayfromHim.

• Jn. 10:29:MyFather,whohas given them tome, isgreater thanall;noonecan snatch themoutofmyFather’shand.

Guaranteed

Accordingtotheseverses,theHolySpiritsealsusnotonlyforourprotection,butalsotoguaranteethatwe’llreceiveeverythingthatwaspromised.We’lluseasimpleexampletounderstandthisbetter.

Example:

Let’sassumethatarichmancomestomeetmeandpromisestogiftmeonecrorerupees.ButhowcanIbesurethatheisn’tsimplybluffingormakingfalsepromises?TomakesurethatIdon’thaveanysuchdoubts,heimmediatelytakesoutfivethousandrupeesfromhispocketandhandsitoverto

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me.Thisfivethousandisnottheentireamount.It’sjusta‘guarantee’thatheisgoingtogivemetherestofthemoneyintheweekstocome.

Inthesameway,theLordhaspromisedusmanythingsinHisWord.Wemayhavedoubtswhetherthesepromisesaretrue.Wemaywonder ifGodwill rememberHispromiseswhenwecryoutforhelp.WemaywonderifHe’llreallytakeus to heaven.Wemaywonder ifwe’ll truly be honouredwithacrownonedayinheaven.

Topreventdoubtslikethis,theLordhasgivenustheHolySpirit, to live insideus.BecauseHeis living insideusrightnow,wehavetheassurancethatHe’lldoalltheotherthingsHehaspromisedaswell.

Read Aloud

Rom. 8:34: Whothenistheonewhocondemns?Noone.ChristJesuswhodied—morethanthat,whowasraisedtolife—isattherighthandofGodandisalsointercedingforus.

1 Jn. 2:1: Mydearchildren,Iwritethistoyousothatyouwillnotsin.Butifanybodydoessin,wehaveanadvocatewiththeFather—JesusChrist,theRighteousOne.

Explain:

EverytimewesinagainstGod,satanaccusesusbeforeGodanddemandsthatwebereturnedintohishands—sothathecancontrolusanddestroyus.However,JesuswhoisseatedatGod’srighthand,intercedesforusanddeclaresthatwe’re

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innocent.BecauseHehasalreadytakenthepunishmentforalloursinsupontheCross,HeaskstheFathertodeclareusinnocent.Inthisway,satanisunabletostealusawayfromtheLordanddragustohell.

Thereforewecanhavefullassurancethatwewillneverloseoursalvation.


If I’m never going to lose my salvati on, does this mean I’m now free to commit any number of sins? Will I sti ll go to heaven?OnceapersonissavedbyJesus,nobodycansnatchhimoutoftheFather’shands.Becausetheirfutureinheavenisnowguaranteed,somepeoplebegintocommitallkindsofsins.TheyfeelcomfortabledoingthisbecauseGodwillanywaytakethemtoheaven.

However, these people are ignorant of 1 Jn. 3:9, whichexplains that true believers will not continue to sinhabitually.Becausetheyhavebecomeanewcreation,theywillgraduallybegintochange…They’llnotliveincontinuousanddeliberatesin.

• 1Jn.3:9:NoonewhoisbornofGodwillcontinuetosin,becauseGod’sseedremainsinthem;theycannotgoonsinning,becausetheyhavebeenbornofGod.

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If a person has not changed in any way after saying thesalvationprayer,thisprovesthatthepersonneverbecameanewcreationinthefirstplace.Maybehesimplysaidthesalvationprayerwithoutreallymeaningit.Maybehedidn’tmakeatruecommitmenttogiveuphissinsandfollowJesus.

Becauseour future inheaven is secure,wemustbefilledwithgratitudeanddoourbesttogetridofeverythingsinfulinourlives.ThisistheusualresponseoftrueChristianswhohavebeenregeneratedintoanewcreation.

• Rom.2:4:Ordoyoushowcontemptfortherichesofhiskindness,forbearanceandpatience,notrealizingthatGod’skindnessisintendedtoleadyoutorepentance?

What if I commit a sin after getting saved? Will I lose my salvation and end up in hell?

EverytimeIsinagainstGod,satanaccusesmebeforeGodanddemandsthatIbereturnedintohishands—sothathecancontrolmeanddestroyme.However,JesuswhoisseatedatGod’srighthand,intercedesformeanddeclaresthatI’minnocent.BecauseHehasalreadytakenthepunishmentforallmy sins upon the cross, He asks the Father to declaremeinnocent.Inthisway,satanisunabletostealmeawayfromtheLordanddragmetohell.ThereforeIcanhavefullassurancethatI’llneverlosemysalvation.

• 1Jn.2:1:Mydearchildren,Iwritethistoyousothatyouwillnotsin.Butifanybodydoessin,wehaveanadvocatewiththeFather—JesusChrist,theRighteousOne.

SowheneverIsin,IjustneedtogotheLordandadmitthatIhavesinned.IcanthenaskforforgivenessandrequestHis

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helpinnotrepeatingmysin.TheLordwillcleansemeofmysinandhelpmetodobetternexttimeI’mtempted.

• 1 Jn. 1:9: If we confess our sins, He is faithful andjustandwillforgiveusoursinsandpurifyusfromallunrighteousness.

Do you think Christi ans have an invisible seal marked on their foreheads—showing that they’re sealed by the Holy Spirit?There’snoBibleversesayingthatChristianshaveaninvisiblemarkofanykind(somespecificpeoplewillbegivenamarkin the end times for a specific purpose, but that’s NOTNOW).

JesusdescribedtheHolySpiritasbeing invisible—likethewind. Nobody can see the wind, but they can sense itspresencewhenit’sblowing.

• Jn.3:8:Thewindblowswhereveritpleases.Youhearitssound,butyoucannottellwhereitcomesfromorwhere it isgoing.So it iswitheveryonebornof theSpirit.

In the same way, there may not be any visible mark onChristians,showingthey’resealedwiththeHolySpirit.ButthedemonscanclearlysensetheHolySpiritinsideaperson.

• Acts16:16-17:…weweremetbyafemaleslavewhohadaspiritbywhichshepredictedthefuture…ShefollowedPaulandtherestofus,shouting,“ThesemenareservantsoftheMostHighGod,whoaretellingyouthewaytobesaved.”

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APPLICATION

Becausewe’resealedwiththeHolySpirit,wewillnotloseoursalvation.HowcanweexpressoutgratitudetoGodforthis?Whataresomespecificthingsyoucando(ornotdo),toshowyourgratitudetoGod?Reflectonthesethings,anddemonstrateyourgratitudetoGod.

CLOSE WITH PRAYER


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Life After Death (Doctrine of Eschatology)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES• To explain about the intermediate and ultimate

destinationofallhumans.

• ToteachwhattheBiblesaysaboutheavenandhell.

• TourgechildrentomakeacommitmenttoChrist.

SCRIPTURE PORTION

Lk. 16:19-31; Mt. 10:28; Rom. 6:23; Mt. 18:8; Rev. 21(HeavenandHell).

MEMORY VERSE

Mt.10:28:Donotbeafraidofthosewhokillthebodybutcannotkill thesoul.Rather,beafraidof theOnewhocandestroybothsoulandbodyinhell.

Materials Needed:Sheetsofpaper;afewpairsofscissors

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• What does it mean to be “sealed by the Holy Spirit?” [-ItmeansthatnobodycansnatchusawayfromGod -TheHolySpirit inus, isproof thatGodwillgiveus

everythingthatwaspromised].

• If I commit a sin after getting saved, will I losemysalvationandendupinhell?

• RecitetheMemoryVerseforlastweek(2Cor.1:21-22).

INTRODUCTION

ThewordEschatologyliterallymeans“StudyofLastThings”:

• Itstudiestheintermediateandultimatestateofboththerighteousandthewicked,and

• Itstudiesthevariouseventsthatleaduptothefinalestablishment of the Kingdom of God (includingChrist'sSecondComing,theresurrectionofthebody,thefinaljudgments,etc).

Inthissession,we’llspecificallystudywhathappenstomanafterdeath(theintermediateandultimatestateofhumans).


DoctrineofEschatology isavastandcomplex topic,filledwithmanycontroversies.Therefore,we’lldealwithonlythefollowingaspectsinbrief:

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Primary Level

• Heaven,HellandtheNewJerusalem

• TwostagesoftheSecondComing—RaptureandRuleon earth

- ResurrectionofBelieversandUnbelievers

- JudgmentofBelieversandUnbelievers

- HowtoprepareourselvesforJesus’Return

Junior Level

• DetaileddescriptionofHeaven/Hell (including Third Heaven, Temporary and Permanent

Hell)

• BriefOutlineofEndTimeevents (FromtheCreationofIsraelState—thelatterpartof

theTribulation)- PreparingourselvesforJesus’Return

Senior Level

• Preparing for the Second Coming (Parable ofUnpreparedServant)

- Judgment Seat of Christ and Great White ThroneJudgment

- LevelsofRewardsforBelievers

- LevelsofPunishmentforUnbelievers

• BriefOutlineofEndTimeevents (FromthelatterpartoftheTribulation—theCreation

ofaNewHeavenandEarth)

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Preparing ourselves to rule in the Millennial Kingdom(ParableofTalents)

ATTENTION GETTER

Activity: The Cross or Hell

Teach the children tomake a Cross, and the word ‘Hell’,usingasinglepieceofpaper:

Foldthetoprightcornertotheleftsideofthepaper,forminga triangle, then thepointat the top leftover to the rightsideofthepaper.Nowitlookslikeahousewithapitchedroof.Thenfolditalongthehorizontalsothatitlookslikeanarrow.Folditagainalongthehorizontaltomakeathinnerarrow.

Afterunfoldingthepaper,you’llfindacross.

Next,youcanputalltheotherpiecestogethertomakethewordHELL.

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TEACHING CONTENT

The Rich Man and Poor Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31)

Jesustoldthattherewasonceaveryrichman.Hehadfancyclothesandeverythinghewanted.HenevertooktimeforGod.Helivedforhimselfandthethingshewanted.

Outside the richman’s fence was aman named Lazarus.Hedidn’t havemuch. Lazarus had a lot of sores andwasverysickandhungry.Hewassohungrythathewantedthecrumbsthatfelloffoftherichman’stable.

OnedayLazarusdiedandtheangelstookhimuptoheaven.Therichmanalsodied,buthewentdowntohell.TherichmancouldseeLazarusandothersinheaven.TherichmancalledtoFatherAbrahaminheavenandsaidtohim,“HavepityonmeandsendLazarustodiphisfingerinthewaterandtouchmytongue.Iamhurtinginthisfire.”

Abrahamcalledbacktotherichmanandsaid,“Rememberthatinyourlifeyouhadgoodthings,whileLazarusreceivedbadthings.NowLazarusisincomfortandyouarehurting.Thereistoomuchspacebetweenwhereyouareandwhereweare;wecannotcometoyouandyoucannotcometous.”

Then the richmanaskedAbraham to send Lazarus tohisfamily’shousesohecouldtellthemhowtogettoheaven.Therichmandidnotwantanyonetobewithhimbecauseitwasaterribleplacetobe.

ThenAbrahamtoldtherichmanthathisfamilycouldreadtheBibleand listento theprophets.Hesaid that therich

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man’s family would not listen even if Lazarus was raisedfromthedeadtogotalktothem.

Whydid Jesus tell this story? Jesuswanted to tellus thattherereallyisaheavenandhell.Whenwediewewillgotooneofthem.Itisourchoice.IfwetrustJesusandbelieveinHim,wewillgotoHeavenandbewithGod.Ifwechoosetodowhatwewantandliveforourselves,insteadoftrustinginJesus,wewillnotbeinheaven.

Wewillnowdiscusssomeofthe important lessonswhichemergefromthistruestory.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Note: All discussion questions must be answered by the children, and NOT by the teacher. The guidelines given here are only meant to assist the teacher during the discussion.

Jesus said, “The rich man also died and was buried” (Lk. 16:22). Why do you think the rich man died? Didn’t he have money to pay the doctors and get well?Godhasfixedthenumberofdaysforeachpersontolive.Sowhenit’stimetodie,noamountofmoneyordoctorscanstopusfromdying.

• Heb. 9:27: … people are destined to die once, andafterthattofacejudgment.

Jesus said that after death, the rich man was “in torment” (Lk. 16:23). How can a dead person feel any pain?TheBibleexplainsthatonlythephysicalbodyofapersondies;theperson’ssoulcontinuestolive.Soifaperson’ssoul

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goestohell,hesuffersgreatly.Butifhissoulgoestoheaven,heenjoysgreatjoyandrest.

ThisiswhyJesussaid,“Donotbeafraidofthosewhokillthebodybutcannotkillthesoul.Rather,beafraidoftheOnewhocandestroybothsoulandbodyinhell”(Mt.10:28).

Why do you think people die? Did God invent death? Does God enjoy making people die?GodwarnedAdamandEvethatiftheysinned,deathwouldcome into theworld.BysinningagainstGod, theypassedontheirsinfulnaturetoallpeople,causingallpeopletosin.

Soitisoursinfulnessthatmakesusdie.

• Rom.6:23:Forthewagesofsinisdeath...

However, God has arranged for us to escape theconsequences of death. If we accept Jesus as Lord andSaviour,eventhoughwedie,wegettolivewithGodforeverandenjoyHim.

What kind of suff ering was the rich man facing in hell?• Hesaid,“Iaminagonyinthisfire.”

• Heseemedtobeextremelythirsty.

• Herealizedthathewasasinnerwhodidn’tdeserveany kindness. So hewaswilling to settle for even asingledropofwater.

For how many years do you think the rich man had to suff er in hell?

TheBibleclearlydescribeshellasbeing‘eternal.’Apersonwhochoosestogotohellwillhavetostaythere‘eternally.’

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• Mt.18:8: If your hand or your foot causes you tostumble,cut itoffandthrow itaway. It isbetter foryoutoenterlifemaimedorcrippledthantohavetwohandsortwofeetandbethrownintoeternalfire.

Thismeanstherichmanisinhelleventoday.Andhe’sgoingtostaythereforever.

Why do you think a ‘good’ God created a ‘bad’ place like Hell?Godcreatedhellasaplaceofpunishmentforthedevilandhisangels.HedidNOTcreatehellforpeople.PeopleendupinhellonlyiftheyrefusetoacceptJesusasLordandSaviour.

• Mt.25:41:ThenHewillsaytothoseonhisleft,‘Departfromme, you who are cursed, into the eternal firepreparedforthedevilandhisangels.

If we choose to follow Jesus, where do you think we will we spend our eternity?ThosewhoacceptJesusasLordandSaviour,gotoheavenafterdeath.Butoneday,aftertheSecondComingofJesus,theLordwillpresentuswithacitycalled‘NewJerusalem.’Allofuswillliveinthatcity,inthepresenceofGod,foreverandever.

• Rev. 21:27: Nothing impure will ever enter [thecity],norwillanyonewhodoeswhat is shamefulordeceitful,butonlythosewhosenamesarewrittenintheLamb’sBookofLife.

What does the Bible say about the New Jerusalem?About Lighting for the City (Rev. 21:23)? The City will notneed sunormoon for light.God’sGloryitselfwilllightuptheentirecity!

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About its Constructi on Materials (Rev. 21:18-21)? TheCitywas constructedwithpuregold, pearls, preciousstones,etc.

About life in the City (Rev. 21:4)?God will wipe away all tears, and there will be nomoredeath,suffering,crying,orpain.

APPLICATION

DependingonwhetherornotweacceptJesusasLordandSaviour,we’lleitherspendallofeternityinheaven(intheNewJerusalem)orinhell.

Make sure where you’re personally headed. Andmake acommitmenttotellotherpeopleaboutJesus,sothattheywon’thavetospendeternityinhelleither.

CLOSE WITH PRAYER


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The Second Coming (Doctrine of Eschatology)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES• Todescribethesequenceofeventsthatwillfollowthe

SecondComingofJesus.

• TohelpchildrenpreparefortheLord’sComing.

SCRIPTURE PORTION

1Thes. 4:16; Lk. 12:47-48,21:27; Rev. 1:7,20:5-6,13,22:12;Jn.5:28-29;1Cor.3:12-15,15:51-52;Phil.3:21;Mt.24:39-42;Jn.5:28-29(SecondComing,ResurrectionandJudgment).

MEMORY VERSE

Rev.22:12:Look,Iamcomingsoon!Myrewardiswithme,and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

Materials Needed:Bluecolorpencils/crayons

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• Whydoyouthinkpeopledie?DidGodinventdeath?

• Whydoyouthinka‘good’Godcreateda‘bad’placelikeHell?

• RecitetheMemoryVerseforlastweek(Mt.10:28).

INTRODUCTION

ThereismuchdebateontheEndTimesinChristiancircles.Some believe that Christ’s return will be immediatelyfollowedbytheresurrectionofallpeople,andthejudgment.OthersbelievethatChrist’sreturnwillbefollowedbya1000yearruleonearth,whichisthenfollowedbyjudgment.Andthentherearefurthervariationsofthesetwobasicoutlooks.

We at All Peoples Church (APC) believe that the SecondComing of Jesus takes place in two stages—including theRapture and the Establishment of theMillennial Rule onearth (Kindly refer to theAPC Statement of Faith—Points12and13).

ATTENTION GETTER

Activity: Blue Clouds

TheStudentWorkbookcontainsapictureofJesus.AskthechildrentodrawcloudsaroundJesusandcolourthemblue.


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Ask:

Why do you think we drew blue clouds around Jesus? Does any Bible Passage talk about Jesus in the clouds? (Letthechildrenmakeguesses).

TEACHING CONTENT

SECOND COMING OF JESUS

TheSecondComingofJesuswilltakeplaceintwostages.

STAGE 1—RAPTURE

TheBibleteachesthatsuddenly,oneday,believersallovertheworldwillhearaloudtrumpetsound.Inthatmoment,thegravesofbelieverswhohavediedwillopenup,andthebodiesofthesebelieverswillemergefromthegraves.Eventhebodiesofpeoplelostintheseawillcomeout.It’llbeashocking sight to see!

• Isa.26:19:Butyourdeadwilllive,Lord;their bodies will rise—letthosewhodwellinthedustwakeupandshoutforjoy.

• Jn. 5:28-29: Donot be amazed at this, for atime iscoming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out …

This is called the ‘Resurrection.’ As this wonderfulresurrection will happen to each one of us, let’s try tounderstanditingreaterdetail.

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Example:

Let’s assume that a lamebelieverwith one leg dies afterliving many years on this earth. When he dies, his spiritimmediatelygoestoheaventobewiththeLord.Hisbodywiththeonelegisthenburiedinsideagrave.Thespiritoftheman lives inheavenwithoutaphysicalbody,enjoyinghimselfinthepresenceoftheLord.

Onthedayof theRapture,evenas Jesus iscomingdownthrough the clouds, all those living in heaven will comedownalongwithHim—includingthebelieverwhousedtohaveoneleg.

• 1Thes.4:14:ForwebelievethatJesusdiedandroseagain, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

Inthatmoment,graveswillopenup,andthedeadbodiesofallbelieverswillcomeoutfromtheirgraves—includingthe“one-leggedbody”ofthisbeliever.Then,inthetwinklingofaneye,inamicro-second,allthebodieswillbetransformedintonewglorifiedbodieswhichareperfectineveryway.Sotheformerlylamebeliever,alongwithalltheotherbelievers,willgetabrandnewglorifiedbodyinthatmoment.Whatabeautifulandgloriousthingthiswillbe!

• 1Cor.15:52:…inaflash,inthetwinklingofaneye,atthelasttrumpet.Forthetrumpetwillsound,the dead will be raised imperishable,andwewillbechanged.

• Phil.3:21:…who,bythepowerthatenablesHimtobringeverythingunderhiscontrol,willtransform our lowly bodiessothattheywillbelikeHisgloriousbody.


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Resurrection of Living Believers

When the Rapture happens, there will still be manybelieverslivingontheearth(whohaven’tyetdiedandgonetoheaven).Thesepeoplewillfloatupintotheair,tomeetJesusasHeiscomingdown.Andinthetwinklingofaneye,theirbodiestoowillbetransformedintoglorifiedbodies.

• Mt.24:39-42:ThatishowitwillbeatthecomingoftheSonofMan…Twowomenwillbegrindingwitha hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Thereforekeepwatch,becauseyoudonotknowonwhatdayyourLordwillcome.

• 1Cor.15:51: Listen,Itellyouamystery:We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—inaflash,inthetwinklingofaneye,atthelasttrumpet.

Judgment of Believers

ImmediatelyaftertheSecondComingofJesus,allbelieverswill be judged. They’ll standbefore the Judgment SeatofChrist,andthethoughts,wordsandactionsofeachbelieverwillbecloselyexamined.EachpersonwillreceivearewardforonlythosethingsthatglorifiedGod.

Believers who did everything to please only themselves,ratherthanpleaseGod,willreceiveabsolutelynoreward.Theywillbehugelydisappointed!

• 1 Cor. 3:12-15: If anyone builds on this foundationusing gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay orstraw, theirworkwillbeshownforwhatitis,becausetheDaywillbring it to light. Itwillberevealedwith

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fire,andthefirewilltestthequalityofeachperson’swork.If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it isburnedup, thebuilderwillsufferlossbutyetwillbesaved—eventhoughonlyasoneescapingthroughtheflames.

STAGE 2—JESUS’ RETURN TO THE EARTH

SevenyearsaftertheRapture,Jesuswillreturntotheearthinagrandandspectacularmanner.

Suddenly, unexpectedly,without any priorwarning, therewillbethesoundofagreatshoutfromtheskies.Canyouimagine it! People on the roads will probably stop theirvehicles and climb out to see what’s going on. All thoseindoorswillcomeoutsidewhentheyhearthisgreatsound.

And then a thundering trumpet soundwill blare throughthe skies as Jesus makes His appearance in the clouds.EverybodystaringintotheskieswillseeHimwiththeirowneyes—eventhosepeoplewhoinsistthatGoddoesn’texist.

• 1 Thes. 4:16: For the Lord Himself will come downfromheaven,with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, andthedeadinChristwillrisefirst.

• Lk.21:27: Atthattimethey will see the Son of Man coming in a cloudwithpowerandgreatglory.

• Rev. 1:7: Look, He is coming with the clouds,” and“every eye will see Him, even those who piercedHim;”


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Afterreturningtotheearthinfullpublicview,theLordwillruleontheearthfor1000years.Thistime-periodisgenerallycalledthe‘Millenium.’Attheendofthethousandyears,allunbelievers (bothdeadandalive),willberesurrectedandjudged.

Resurrection of Unbelievers

Justasinthecaseofthefirstresurrectionofthebelievers,again the graves will open up and the dead bodies ofunbelieverswill come out. All the unbelievers in hell willbe rejoined with their bodies. However, these bodies ofunbelievers don’t get transformed into glorified bodies.Theychangeintosomethingelse—intobodiesthatwillburnforever and ever in the Lake of Fire without turning intoashes.It’llbeahorriblypainfulwaytoliveforalleternity!

• Jn.5:28-29:…atime iscomingwhenallwhoare intheirgraveswillhearHisvoiceandcomeout—thosewhohavedonewhatisgoodwillrisetolive,andthose who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.

• Rev.20:5-6:(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) Thisisthefirstresurrection.Blessedandholyarethosewhoshareinthefirstresurrection.Theseconddeathhasnopoweroverthem,buttheywillbepriestsofGodandofChristandwillreignwithHimforathousandyears.

Judgment of Unbelievers

AlltheunbelieverswillstandbeforetheGreatWhiteThroneof Jesus. Here they will be assigned different levels of

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punishmentintheLakeofFire,basedontheleveloftheirsinfulness.

• Rev.20:13:Thesea gave up the dead that were in it,anddeathandHadesgaveupthedeadthatwereinthem,and each person was judged according to what they had done.

• Lk. 12:47-48: The servant who knows the master’swill and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. Butthe one who does not know and does things deserving punishmentwill be beaten with few blows.

PREPARING FOR THE SECOND COMING

Hide and Seek

(Taken from Calvary Chapel Ministries.)

ImagineyouareplayingagameofHideandSeek.Someonecountstotwentywiththeireyesclosedandyoumustfindaplacetohidewhiletheyarecounting.

• What if you tookyourtimeandwaiteduntil theyhad countedtothenumberfifteentobegintofindaplaceto hide?Chancesareyouwouldbecaughttryingtofindyourplacetohide.Youweregiventimetoprepareaplacetohide,butforsomereasonyoutookyourtimeandwereunpreparedwhentheseekercalledout,“Readyornot,hereIcome.”

NowthinkofJesusandHisreturn.Unlikethegameofhideandseek,Jesus’returnisrealandisnotagame.AsChristiansweshouldbelookingforwardtoHisreturn.


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• LikeHideandSeekwehaveallbeengivenplentyoftimetogetready.Thosewhodon’tpreparebyaskingJesus into their hearts will be caught unprepared.Sadly, thatmeans spending eternity separated fromGod.

NooneknowswhenJesusisgoingtocomeagainbutwecantrustthatHewill.AndthosewhopreparethemselvesforHisreturnwillberewarded.

How to prepare ourselves for Jesus’ Return

TherearefoursimplestepswecantaketoprepareforJesus’return:

1. Accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour

OnlythosewhorepentoftheirsinsandaskJesustoforgivethem,willenterheaven.MakeJesusyourLordandSaviour,sothatyouwon’thavetospendeternityinhell.

2. Always place God first

Always do whatever will please God—not whatever willpleaseonlyyou.Forinstance,youmayfeelliketellingalietoescapepunishment.ButpleaseGodbyspeakingthetruth—even if itmeans gettingpunished. If you do this, you’llreceiveagreatrewardinheaven.

3. Get rid of known sins

Mostofususuallyhaveoneortwosinsthatkeepdefeatingus.Forinstance,Imayhaveaverybadtemper.OrImaybeaveryselfishpersonwhorefusestosharewithothers.Godwantsmetoworkongettingridofallsuchknownsins.

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4. Work sincerely

Giveyourhundredpercenttoeverythingyoudo:

• If your parents give you a household chore, give ityourverybest.

• Studysincerelyanddon’tbelazy.

• Ifyougetachancetohelpsomeone,beaskindandlovingasyoucan.

ANY QUESTIONS ?

Thechildrenmayhavevariousdoubtsaboutdeath,heavenandtheafter-life.Reserveabout10minutestotackletheirquestionsontheseimportanttopics.

(If necessary, you can skip the Discussion Questions, anddevotemoretimetothequestionspersonallyraisedbythechildren.)


If a person rejects Christ before the Rapture, can he be saved aft er the Rapture?

Whenapersonwitnessesthedisappearanceofallbelieversfrom the earth, hemay becomewilling to believe in theteachingsoftheBible. IfsuchapersonexpressesadesiretoacceptJesusasLordandSaviour,theLordwilldefinitelyaccepthim.


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When Jesus returns in the clouds seven years after the Rapture, everybody will see Him with their own eyes, and realize that He is real. At this time, can people quickly make a choice to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour?ManyversesindicatethatoncetheSecondCominghappens,it’llbetoolatetogetsaved.

JesusdescribedHissecondcomingasa‘trap.’Allthosewhofail to acceptHimas Lord and Saviourbefore the SecondComingitself,willbecaughtinthetrapofHisreturn.Oncethey’recaughtinthistrap,it’stoolatetoberescued.

• Lk.21:34-36:Becareful,oryourheartswillbeweigheddownwithcarousing,drunkennessandtheanxietiesof life,andthat day will close on you suddenly like a trap.For itwillcomeonall thosewho liveonthefaceofthewholeearth. Bealwaysonthewatch,andpray thatyoumaybeabletoescapeallthatisabouttohappen,andthatyoumaybeabletostandbeforetheSonofMan.”

Somepeoplebelievethat it’s foolishanddumbtobelievein the existence of aGod thatwe cannot even see. Theyfeel‘ashamed’tobelieveinsomeonewhoseexistencecan’tbeprovedscientifically.WhenJesusreturns in theclouds,they’llfinallyhavealltheprooftheyneedtobelieveinHisexistence.Butat thattime, it’ll be too late.Because theywereashamedtobelieveinHim,HetoowillbeashamedtoacceptthemasHischildren.

• Lk.9:26:Whoever is ashamed of me andmyWords,the Son of Man will be ashamed of themwhenHecomesinHisgloryandinthegloryoftheFatherandoftheholyangels.

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FaithalonepleasesGod.ThesepeoplerefusetoplacetheirfaithinChristwithoutseeingHim;soHedisownsthem.

• Heb. 11:6: And without faith it is impossible to please God,becauseanyonewhocomestoHimmustbelievethatHeexistsandthatHerewardsthosewhoearnestlyseekHim.

• Rom. 8:24-25: For in this hopewewere saved.But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for whattheyalreadyhave?Butifwehopeforwhatwedonotyethave,wewaitforitpatiently.

The Bible teaches that even believers will be judged by Jesus. Does this mean that God may send some believers to hell?1 Cor. 3:12-15 explains that Godwill judge the thoughts,wordsanddeedsofeachbeliever.WhateverthepersonhasdonetoglorifyGodwillberewarded.However,everythingthat was done to please his own selfish interests will berejected.

SoifapersonneverbotheredtoglorifyGodthroughanyofhisthoughts,wordsanddeeds,everythinghehasthought,saidanddonewillbeburntupinGod’srefiningfire.However,hehimselfwillbesaved—becausehetrustedinJesusChristtosavehissoul.

1Cor.3:12-15:…thefirewilltestthequalityofeachperson’swork.Ifwhathasbeenbuiltsurvives,thebuilderwillreceiveareward.Ifitisburnedup,thebuilderwillsufferlossbutyetwillbesaved—eventhoughonlyasoneescaping throughtheflames.

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Optional Question

Jn. 5:28 says, “… a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out… ” So after death, do people continue to live inside their graves in the form of ghosts?

Deadpeopledon’thavepermissiontostayintheirgraves,orhaunt theearth in the formof ghosts. Theymust facetheconsequenceofheavenorhellimmediatelyafterdeath.This isexactlywhathappened in theStoryofLazarusandtheRichMan,which Jesusdescribed.While Lazaruswenttoheaven,therichmanwenttohell.Neitherofthemwasallowedtostaybackintheirgrave.

Onlythephysicalbodyofthedeadpersoncontinuestoliein the grave.When Jesus orders the bodies to comeout,theyhavetoobeyHiscommandandcomeforth.Thebodiesofdeadbelieverswillbetransformedintoglorifiedbodies,andbelieverswillliveinthem,inheaven.Thebodiesoftheunbelieverstoowillreturntothem,butthey’llcontinuallyburnintheLakeofFireforeverandever.

So the ghosts that some people claim to encounter aresimply evil spirits pretending to be a dead person. Deadpeopledonotliveingraves.

APPLICATION

Ask:

Westudiedfoursimplestepsthatwecantake,toprepareourselvesfortheSecondComingoftheLord.Whatarethey?

(Ask the children to recollect the four steps.)

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Reflectonhowyoucanpracticethesefourstepsinyourownlife…sothatyouwillbereadytomeettheLord.WhenHereturns,ifHefindsyouready,Hewillgiveyouagreatrewardandpersonallyhonouryouinfrontofeverybody!

• Rev.22:12:Look,Iamcomingsoon!Myrewardiswithme,andIwillgivetoeachpersonaccordingtowhattheyhavedone.

• Jn.12:26:MyFatherwillhonourtheonewhoservesme.

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