RCCG Sunday School Student’s Manual 29th January 2023 – Lesson 22.
TOPIC: Biblical Fast
MEMORY VERSE: Daniel 9:3 (KJV)
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
BIBLE PASSAGE: Daniel 10:2-3 (KJV)
2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
LESSON INTRODUCTION: Fasting, in the Bible, is total abstinence from pleasure-giving activities for a set time, to devote oneself to seeking God. While there are many ways believers could fast, too often, the focus is on abstinence from food. In this lesson, we shall examine different types of biblical fast, basic cautions and reasons for fasting.
LESSON OUTLINES:
1. TYPES OF FAST IN THE BIBLE
1 Food fast-This is abstinence from food/drinks. It may take the form of:
i. Regular fast: This is done by abstaining from all foods, both solid and liquid. (2Chrn. 20:3). The fast is usually broken daily or periodically (Jer.36:6).
ii. Partial fast: This is inspired by Prophet Daniel. All meat and animal products are disallowed. The Daniel Fast includes vegetables, legumes, whole grains, seeds, and water. These guidelines are based on Daniel’s request of “nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink” (Dan.1:8-14).
iii. Absolute or full fast: Where no food or water is consumed (Est.4:16; Acts 27:33). For instance, Moses, Elijah and the Lord Jesus Christ did a forty-day absolute fast (Deut. 9:9; 1 Kgs.19:7-8; Lk.4:2).
2 Sex fast-The Bible also refers to ‘sexual fast’ (Ex.19:15). A married couple can mutually agree to abstain from sex for a short period to devote themselves to prayers (1 Cor.7:5).
3 ‘Pleasure’ fast – Another way is to confine or isolate oneself from people and pleasurable things to a place as a means of worship, studying the Bible and praying to God for a purpose (Lk.2:36-37; 5:16). Time alone with God requires discipline.
Scripturally speaking, is there a general rule to the time of breaking a fast?
2. REASONS AND BASIC CAUTIONS
Fasting is far more about focusing on God than abstinence from food or other things that give pleasure (Zech.7:5). Also, people fast for various reasons. Some for spiritual strength (Isa.40:30-31), supernatural revelation, wisdom and understanding (Ezr.8:21; Dan.9:22), supernatural breakthrough (Zech.8:19) repentance from sinful ways (Joel 2:12-13; Dan.9:3-5), spiritual hunger and demonstration of love for God’s people and burden for souls (2 Cor.11:27-28; Matt.5:6) and sharing with the poor and destruction of wicked works, among others (Isa.58:6-7).
Believers should exercise some caution while fasting. For instance, fasting should be limited to a set time and for a clear purpose (1 Cor.7:5; Est.4:16). It is neither intended to punish the body nor a dieting method (Isa.58:5) but to redirect attention to God. It is a period to give up self-indulging activities for a deeper fellowship with God (Matt.4:1-2). Anyone can fast, but some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics, for example). However, everyone can temporarily give up something to draw closer to God (Ex.19:15). Biblical fast is to be done in a spirit of humility and joyfulness (Matt.6:16-18). It should not be to manipulate or do evil (Isa.58:4a; Acts 23:21). In breaking ‘absolute and long fast,’ warm liquids, (not carbonated drinks) are advised and should be taken in bits.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Does the inability to spend quality time in prayer nullify fast?
CONCLUSION: Ask God for wisdom (Jam.1:5) as regards how and for how long and what purpose He wants you to fast.
QUESTIONS:
Mention the types of fast in the Bible
Mention three (3) reasons believers fasted in the Bible.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) benefits that can be derived from fasting (2×5=10 Marks).
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RCCG Sunday School manual is used in Sunday School Classes in the RCCG.
The RCCG Sunday school manual is written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye and is available online for easy access. See the previous RCCG Sunday school Manual for 2023 here
