RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL 26 SEPTEMBER 2021

RCCG Sunday School Teacher’s Manual 26 September 2021 Lesson 4 – Sanctification

TOPIC: Sanctification

OPENING PRAYER: Father, help me to know how to live a pure life. (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 26 September 2021 HYMN)

MEMORY VERSE: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:23

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Sanctification simply means to make holy, pure and separated unto God. It is the second work of grace after salvation. It attacks and removes the root of sin. It is a progressive work of God in man that makes him more and more free from sin and like Christ in his actual life (1Thess.5:23; Rom 8:13). Though often neglected, understanding sanctification is vital for a thriving Christian life

TEXT REVIEW: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians affirms that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.
A. He outlines those who will not enter the kingdom of God as follows:
i. Fornicators, adulterers, …V9.
ii. Thieves, ….V10.

B. He goes further to say that some of them (believers) were part of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God. V11a.

C. But they (believers) are …V11b.

LESSON OUTLINES:

LESSON OUTLINE 1: STAGES OF SANCTIFICATION

There are three stages of sanctification for believers.

1. Positional sanctification: at this moment;
   a. Believers through the Holy Spirit are brought out of darkness into the light (1 Peter 2:9; Col.1:13).
   b. The believers’ position before God has been changed forever from being an unbeliever to a believer, from Sin to Holiness and from the old life to a new life (1 John 3:9; 1Cor.6:11). Believers are no longer dead in trespasses, but are made alive together with Christ (Romans 6:11; Eph. 2:5)
   d. It is an initial moral change, a break from the power and love of sin (Romans 8:2).
2. Progressive sanctification: This increases throughout life.
   a. It occurs in the process of daily spiritual renewal
   (Rom.12:2; 1Cor.13:5).
   b. As we grow in grace, we are gradually but steadily changing to be more like Christ (John.17:17; 2 Cor. 3:18)
3. Ultimate Sanctification: This is completed at death (for our souls) and when the Lord returns (for our bodies).
   a. Our sanctification will never be completed in this life because we continue to battle with the flesh (Gal.5:17; Rom.7:15)
   b. When we die as saints, our souls are finally free from the indwelling sin and are made perfect (1 Cor.15:52).
   c. When the Lord returns to give us our resurrection bodies, then our sanctification will be complete (1Jn.3:2).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: What stage of sanctification are you presently?

LESSON OUTLINE 2: MEANS AND BENEFITS OF SANCTIFICATION

A. Means of sanctification: Sanctification represents a believer’s victory over the flesh (Rom.7:24-25), the world (1 John 5:4) and the devil (James 4:7). Believers are sanctified through the following:

1. God (1 Thess. 5:23).
2. The Word of God. The truth of God’s word taught, sung, preached, studied, and read is one of the surest means by which the Spirit brings about change in our lives (John 17:17).
3. Blood of Jesus (Heb. 9:13-14; 1John 1:7, 9).
4. The Holy Spirit (1Pet.1:2; 2Thess. 2:13).
5. Fellowship with brethren. God brings about our change through the gifts and graces of brothers and sisters in Christ (Prov. 27:17; Heb. 10:25).
6. Suffering and struggle. Though we do not relish it, suffering and struggles work towards our growth to perfection like Christ (Heb.5:8). Difficulties prompt us to rely on God (Rom.5:3-5; Rom.8:28).
7. The Believer’s willingness and readiness to submit to God (Rom.8:13; Phil.2:12-13).

B. The benefits of sanctification are many:

1. A sanctified believer will enjoy the ability to easily resist temptation because there is a renewed hatred for sin and inner lust (1John 3:9).
2. Sanctification fosters intimacy with God, increases spiritual strength and stability (Ps. 15:1-5).
3. It also aids ‘clean record’ for believers i.e. the enemies will not have foothold over such (John 14:30).
4. Sanctification helps believers to be humble and submissive to God and to constituted authorities (Jam. 4:6-7).
   Other benefits include:
   i. Attraction of God’s favour and man (John 7:38).
   ii. Enjoyment of prayer times and increased faith for answered prayers (1 John 5:14-15).
   ii. Having right standing before God (Acts 24:16).
   iv. Pure intentions of actions and words (Titus 1:15).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should briefly narrate their sanctification experience.

SUMMARY:
Sanctification is a lifetime experience with great benefits. Every child of God must be willing to have this experience.

CONCLUSION:
Sanctification is an integral part of the Christian growth, every child of God must earnestly desire it.

EVALUATION:

1. What are the stages of sanctification?
2. What will a Christian benefit from sanctification?

CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, keep me sanctified in You always.

ASSIGNMENT:
List with Bible references, five (5) means of sanctification.