TOPIC: Bearing Fruits That Will Abide [Sunday, 10th June 2018]

OPENING PRAYER: Father, let me bear fruits that will abide forever. (Scroll down for SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN)

Bible Passage: Acts 16:1-5 (KJV)

1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

MEMORY VERSE: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” – John 15:16

LESSON INTRODUCTION:
There is a need for an extra spiritual effort on the soul saved to get them established, localized in a church fellowship and mobilized until they too become soul winners. The Master did not just command us to bear fruits but that the fruits may abide Jn.15:16.There is nothing compared to the worth of a soul won into the kingdom of God. Lk.15:4-7.

TEXT REVIEW: ACTS 16:1-5
Apostle Paul in his missionary journey to Derba and Lystra came in contact with a family comprising of a Jewish mother, a Greek father and a son.

i. The Jewish mother was a believer who was convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and author of salvation.
ii. The Jewish mother yielded obedience to Christ. (Acts 16:1) No further details was given on the Greek father.
iii. The son had reputation of faith like the mother. He believed in the Lord Jesus and all the brethren in Iconium and Lystra knew him for his faith in the Lord. Acts 16: 2
iv. When Paul saw Timothy and his faith in the Lord, he desired to work with him in the missionary trips and assignment. He was circumcised(not to be saved) but because of the Jews who knew that the father of Timothy was a Greek. Acts 16:3.
v. Paul explained further his reason, for circumcising Timothy, not to satisfy the Jews or spite the Greek, but to win all to Christ. He said “I became a Jew to the Jews that I might gain the Jews and to them that are under the law as under the law that I might gain them…. That I might gain the weak I became as weak…. I became all things to all men that by all means they might be saved. (I Cor; 9:20-22). Paul and the new missionary, Timothy, began to move from churches to churches, from regions of Phrygia to Galatia from Mysia to Bithynia to Troas, etc, establishing the believers in faith. The result of the exploit was awesome. The number of faithful brethren increased daily. Acts 16:4-8.

Lesson Outline 1: FRUIT BEARING IS A MUST FOR THE BELIEVER

i. God elected and saved us primarily to bear fruits for Him. John 15:16, Romans 7:4
ii. Failure to bear fruit for Christ will lead to eternal loss of fellowship with Christ. John 15:1-2; Matt. 3:10.
iii. The devil used his wiles and devices such as persecution, tribulation and worldliness to prevent believers from bearing fruits. Matt. 13:18-22
iv. Whenever believers fail to bear fruits, God is disappointed. Luke 13:6-9, Luke 19:20.

Class Activity 1: Identify other reasons why some believers are not bearing fruits for Christ.

Lesson Outline 2: ABIDING FRUITS IS CHRIST’S COMMAND
i. Christ ordained believers to bear abiding fruits. I John 15:16
ii. Believers must concentrate efforts towards conceiving, maturing and multiplying of the fruits. Col 1:28
iii. Believers fruits can abide through the follow up of the souls ministry.
iv. The early Church Apostles namely: Paul, Timothy, etc sold out themselves to follow -up of soul ministry. Acts 2:46: 15:36; 16:5; 18:18-23; Eph. 1:15-18; Philippians 2:19-20
v. The follow-up of souls strategies include: visitation of the converts, spending time with the converts, praying for the converts, Bible studying with the believers as the Holy Spirit leads.
vi. The results of the follow- up of soul work include: confirming or establishment of the faith of the believers in Christ, increase in the number of converts who believe the truth (Bible).Act. 2:41-47; Act 16:5

Class Activity 2: What are the other means of follow-up of souls which can be adopted by believers of today?

SUMMARY:
Believers must bear abiding fruits.

CONCLUSION:
The Lord’s command is that all born again Christians should bear fruits and more importantly that the fruits should abide. Having examined some basic principles, it is only worth it to put into practice all things taught in this lesson. Call on the Holy Spirit today and He will help you in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

EVALUATION:
What do you understand by bearing abiding fruits for the kingdom of God?

CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, let me bear abiding fruits to your kingdom now and forever more.

ASSIGNMENT:
Find out five things which the Church/believers have neglected with regards to follow-up of souls for Christ.

Read previous RCCG Sunday School Teacher’s Manual Here

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 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?