RCCG Sunday School Teacher’s Manual 1st October 2023 (Lesson 5)
TOPIC: The “Shepherd” And His “Sheep”
OPENING PRAYER: Father, give me the grace to surrender to You as my “Shepherd”
MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 100:3 (KJV)
“Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
BIBLE PASSAGE: Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
LESSON INTRODUCTION:
Psalm 23 is an expression of our confidence and trust in the lord. Each verse reveals the close relationship David shared with God. Metaphorically, David portrays God as a loving “Shepherd”. This is because being a shepherd himself; he knows what it means to cater for the flocks. The imagery of God as “THE SHEPHERD” is common throughout the Old and New Testaments. Therefore, every believer should understand the place of God in their lives as the “Shepherd,” what it means to be a “sheep” and how to rely solely on God.
TEXT REVIEW: PSALM 23:1-6
A. The psalmist uses the imagery the Shepherd and the sheep to capture the fundamentals of his relationship with his maker and declare that:
i. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not ……… V1
ii. He makes …………………… V2
III. He restores ……………….. V3
iv. Yeah, though I walk ……. V4
v. Thou …………………………… V5
vi. Surely …………………………….. V6
LESSON OUTLINES 1: THE BELIEVER AS A “SHEEP”
The term “sheep” in this context, is used metaphorically for believers (Psalm 100:3).
A sheep is someone who obediently follows and relies on the Lord Jesus Christ – “The Shepherd” (John 10:14).
A Christian has to subject himself to the leadership of the “Great shepherd” who surely has his interest at heart (Hebrews 13:20).
Like the sheep, a believer needs God:
i. For daily provisions – both spiritual and physical (Luke 11:3) Matthew 7:9-11);
ii. For protection from predators (John 10:11-12);
iii. For direction on the right parts (Proverbs 16:9), etc.
A believer needs the “Shepherd” to save him from hirelings” – false prophets, fake pastors, heretical teachers, apostates apostles, greedy evangelists, etc.
Where the “sheep” only see green grass, the Shepherd see hidden dangers. Hence, without the “Shepherd the “sheep” is in trouble (1Kings 22:17).
Also, a sheep need the Shepherd
i. whenever life is hard (Psalm 27:13);
ii. in time of anxiety (Matthew 6:25-26);
iii. For safety (Psalm 125:2);
iv. When downcast (Psalm 43:5);
v. for help (Psalm 121:1-2)
Therefore, believers should always call on God as their Shepherd (Romans 10:13).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should mention other times the sheep may need the Shepherd.
LESSON OUTLINE 2: GOD AS “THE SHEPHERD”
A shepherd is a person who tends herds-someone who feeds and guards herds of sheep.
A shepherd’s primary responsibility is the safety and well-being of the flock.
Like David, believers in Christ can call God their Shepherd (Psalm 80:1; Isaiah 40:11).
Jesus Christ also calls himself the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11). In fact, Hebrews 13:20 call Him “the great shepherd”.
Our Shepherd perform his all-important role in the following ways:
i. He leads us out and in so that we find pasture and safety (John 10:9).
ii. He knows how to take care of our needs and in the course of His grace, and providence leads us in the way in which we should go (Psalm 84:11; Isaiah 30:21).
iii. He watches over us and keeps us from being destroyed by ravenous beast (John 10:10-11)
iv. When we stray, he brings us back (Matthew 12:11).
v. Just as the Shepherd bring the flock to the shade in time of scorching heat, God becomes our refuge in type of persecution and affliction (Psalm 91:4).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: To enjoy the blessings of the great Shepherd, we must humbly follow as responsive sheep.
CONCLUSION: To enjoy the blessings of the Great Shepherd we must humbly follow as responsive sheep.
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, grant me the grace to follow Your leading all the days of my life.
ASSIGNMENT: Write five differences between a sheep and a goat (2×5=10 marks)
RCCG Sunday School HYMN
- 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. - 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. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
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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
