TOPIC: Gideon [Sunday, 13th May 2018]

OPENING PRAYER: Father, turn my fear to courage. Let the Holy Spirit give me strength to become a mighty man of valour. (Scroll down for SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN)

Bible Passage: Judges 6: 11 -16 (KJV)

11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

12 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

13 And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

14 And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.

16 And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

MEMORY VERSE: “And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.”. – Judges 6:12

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Gideon, also called Jerubbaal, (Judg. 6:29, 32), was of the tribe of Manasseh. He was the son of Joash, of the family of Abiezer. Judg. 6:11. He was a valiant and prudent judge of Israel, particularly the Eastern and Northern tribes, (B. C. 1249 to 1209). He resided in Ophrah, east of the Jordan, a region often ravaged in harvest-time by the wandering tribes on its eastern border. Being called of God to deliver his people, and encouraged by signs from heaven, he defeated the Midiantites, and caused Israel to dwell in safety for many years. Gideon had many wives and seventy sons, Judges 8:30. He also had a son named Abimelech by a concubine in Shechem, Judges 8:31. Died in “a good old age, and was buried in the sepulcher of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites”. Judges 8:32.

TEXT REVIEW: JUDGES 6:11-16

WORDS OF COURAGE AND ASSURANCE

Statement of courage and assurance can bring an abrupt end to years of oppression and intimidation. In today’s story, five statements of assurance brought the Israelites out of seven (7) years of pains inflicted upon them by the Midianite oppressors, Judge6:1-5. These life-restorkg statements are stated below:

i. The Lord is with you. Judges 6: 12a.
ii. You area mighty man of valour (not a coward). Judges 6:12b.
iii. Go in this your might Judges 6:14a
iv. You will save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Judges 6:14b.
v. I have sent/commissioned you. Judges 6:14c.
The teacher’s words to students in affliction must bring light of hope and recovery of destiny. Towing the path of excuse given by the shekels as Gideon did in Judges 6:13, may prolong the pains. Teacher should be so sure of his God and present same to those in affliction. Joshua said, “We are well able” Number 13:30. The three Hebrews said, “Our God is able.” Dan. 317. Therefore we are well able to win the battles through God on our side. Judges 7:25.

Lesson Outline 1: CHARACTER AND ACHIEVEMENTS

A. HIS CHARACTER
i. He was humble.
ii. He did not believe he could be qualified for God to use because his family was poor and least Judges 6:15
iii. He was encouraged and strengthened by the angel of the Lord. Judges 6:12,14
iv. The angel of the Lord described him as “a mighty man of valour. Judges 6:12.
v. God commissioned him through his angel to “save Israel Judges 6:14.
vi. God gave him a proof that he would be with him through a sign from the angel. Judges 6:16-24.

B. HIS ACHIEVEMENTS
i. He was able to pull a large number of soldiers in his army. (22,000 men).
ii. He obeyed and believed God to reduce the army to only 300 soldiers. Judges 7:24
iii. He fought with this few number of soldiers and defeated the Midianites.
iv. He brought an end to the 7 years of Midianite’s oppression. Judges 6:1
v. He destroyed the altar of Baal. Judges 6:28.

Class Activity 1: Why do you think people are reluctant to submit themselves to the calling of God? I.

Lesson Outline 2: LESSONS FROM HIS LIFE
i. Christians must always be ready. God may call you at any time to accomplish His purpose. lsa.6:8.
ii. You must always remember that God “gives grace to the humble” James 4:6.
iii. God gives us the power to do whatever He tells us to do, no matter how difficult it may seem to be. Phil. 2:13; 3:14.
iv. Courage in the face of adversity can accomplish great things. Deut31:6.
v. Victory over the battles of life is not achieved through human ability but through divine interventions. Zech.4:6; Exo.14:13-14; 2Chr. 20:17.

Class Activity 2: Why is courage essential for believers to carry out divine order?

SUMMARY:
We need God to win our battles. We need to hear His voice for right strategies to win.

CONCLUSION:
Often times, when God wants to accomplish a great task, He does not call the qualified but qualifies the called.

EVALUATION:
What moral lesson did we learn from Gideon?

CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, give me courage to do your word as directed. Let me win all my battles.

ASSIGNMENT:
Mention five strategies which believers can use to break the oppressions of the adversaries.

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?

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Topic: He Changes Us [Billy Graham’s Devotional Saturday May 12, 2018]

. . . that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel. — Ephesians 6:19

The word “mystery” means beyond human knowledge or understanding. God’s mysteries baffle the unbelieving, but bless the believer. The mystery of righteousness, like some of the other great mysteries of God, we cannot comprehend, but we know it works. We stand amazed at this great mystery which enables God to change the human heart, its attitudes, its desires, and its nature.

God, a holy God, who loves righteousness and hates wickedness, through a process of redemption has refashioned us in the image of Himself. How marvelous! For generations He has been applying His righteousness to the hearts of men. Even in our time, with its complexities of living, God is in the business of changing men and women by the mystery of righteousness.

Prayer for the day: Give me Your boldness to tell others the secret of eternal joy in Jesus Christ.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Billy Graham’s Daily Devotional HERE

Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.

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Topic: Dead Works [Andrew Wommack Saturday May 12, 2018]

John 6:28, “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?”

Text: John 6:24-29

All throughout history, mankind has been seeking ways to do the works of God. Everyone has a knowledge within them of the reality of God (Rom. 1:18-20), and a desire to be right with Him. However, just as with these Jews, few agree with the Lord as to how to do it. These Jews were willing to do something to obtain salvation, but they were not willing to commit themselves to Jesus and accept His gift.

This is one of the major differences between Christianity and the religions of the world. Religion is willing to make sacrifices to obtain right standing with God, but Christianity recognizes our complete inability to ever do enough to save ourselves and calls for total faith and reliance on what Jesus did for us.

No one deserves salvation. It cannot be earned by what the Bible calls “dead works” (Heb. 6:1; 9:14). Dead works include all religious activities, good deeds, or charity that one may do as a means of being justified before God.

Faith towards God and what He has done through Christ Jesus is the only means of receiving His free gift of salvation. He only asks us to believe.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Andrew Wommack’s Daily Devotional HERE

This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).

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Topic: Take the Time [Our Daily Bread 12 Saturday May, 2018]

Read: Luke 19:1–10, Bible in a Year: 2 Kings 15–16; John 3:1–18

Come down immediately. I must stay at your house today. Luke 19:5

Rima, a Syrian woman who had recently moved to the United States, tried to explain to her tutor with hand motions and limited English why she was upset. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she held up a beautifully arranged platter of fatayer (meat, cheese, and spinach pies) that she had made. Then she said, “One man,” and made a swishing sound as she pointed from the door to the living room and then back to the door. The tutor pieced together that several people from a nearby church were supposed to visit Rima and her family and bring some gifts. But only one man had shown up. He had hurried in, dropped off a box of items, and rushed out. He was busy taking care of a responsibility, while she and her family were lonely and longed for community and to share their fatayer with new friends.

Taking time for people is what Jesus was all about. He attended dinner parties, taught crowds, and took time for interaction with individuals. He even invited Himself to one man’s house. Zacchaeus, a tax collector, climbed a tree to see Him, and when Jesus looked up, He said, “Come down immediately. I must stay at your house today” (Luke 19:1–9). And Zacchaeus’s life was changed forever.

Because of other responsibilities, we won’t always be able to take the time. But when we do, we have a wonderful privilege of being with others and watching the Lord work through us.

How have others taken time for you? How might you show Jesus’s love to someone this week?

The best gift you can give to others may be your time.

Insight:

Jesus’s ministry is a remarkable contrast to our tendency to live a fast-paced life pulled in countless directions. Even though everyone needed Him, Jesus never seemed to rush. In Luke 8, while on the way to a dying child, Jesus lingers to heal a woman in the crowd (vv. 43–48), even though the child dies in the meantime (v. 49). Similarly, in John 11, after hearing His beloved friend was sick (v. 3), Jesus lingers (vv. 5–6). And in Luke 19, Jesus notices and takes the time to reach out to a man who had climbed a tree just to see Him (v. 4).

Jesus’s example reminds us that we don’t love others best through harried attempts to meet everyone’s needs, but rather when we’re fully present to those around us. Monica Brands

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE”

This message was written By Anne Cetas [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

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Topic: Preach Jesus Boldly [TREM Devotional Saturday May 12, 2018]

“And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.” Acts 11:20

Barnabas was the one who took Paul, brought him to the apostles and told them Paul was saved. The man (Paul) that left Jerusalem is not the same man that returned because he had an encounter with Jesus. No one believed in Paul except Barnabas.

In Acts 11:19, Philip and the entire apostles were scattered all over the place preaching the word and planting churches all over different cities. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene which when they had come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus (Acts 11:20). What were they preaching? They preached the Lord Jesus. Everything in the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation is about Jesus. It is the unveiling of Jesus. When you preach and Jesus is not unveiled, faith will never come. For faith, cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. That word of God means the words of Christ. When you go out on evangelism, don’t preach condemnation, preach Jesus. In your work place, preach Jesus. In your community, preach Jesus. Let them see Jesus in you.

All the apostles preached Jesus. Stephen preached Jesus. Philip preached Jesus. Paul preached Jesus. All of them preached Jesus. “And the hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord, then tidings of these things came to the hearing of the church which was in Jerusalem.” (Acts 11:21-22). We are called as believers to be witnesses of Jesus, not of other people’s sins or the challenges they are facing, but Jesus. Even without you saying anything, let people see Jesus in you. It bears repetition, we are called to be witnesses of Jesus.

Take a quality decision today that wherever you go, you will preach Jesus. Decide that your life will be the mirror-image of Christ. As the world sees Jesus in you, they will follow you and seek the God you serve.

Further reading: Acts 9: 19-31, Acts 11:19-24

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 2 Kings 15-16; Evening- John 3:1-18

“If you missed yesterday devotional click to read “TREM’s Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

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Topic: River of Revelation [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Saturday May 12, 2018]

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. – James 1:22

Have you ever been in the position in the past where every time you opened the Bible you received a river of revelation? Does it seem lately that the river’s run dry? If so, I strongly suggest that you backtrack to the last revelation God gave you. Back up and see if you acted on it, if you did what God showed you to do. If you didn’t, start again, digging in to that revelation and then putting it into action in your life. You’ll soon find new revelations are beginning to flow.

You see, revelation is most prolific when you are acting on the Word. I’ve discovered that for myself again and again. The more I act on the Word, the more I see into it. That’s why James 1:22 tells us to not only hear God’s Word but to do it!

It may seem that the things God has revealed to you are very insignificant. They may not even make good sense to your natural mind. But do them anyway! If you had insight into the spirit realm, you’d see they’re far more important than you think.

Open God’s Word anew today. Come before Him with expectancy of a fresh revelation of the Scripture and commit to Him to follow it up with actions of obedience. Be a doer of God’s revelations and not a hearer only and your river will never run dry.

Scripture Reading: James 1:22-27

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s Daily Devotional Here’’

This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith – prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.

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Topic: I Am Protected [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Saturday May 12, 2018]

…Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch. — Luke 5:4 NKJV

Spending time with God protects us from the attacks of our enemies. When I remember this, it helps me feel safe, and that is something we all desire.

Take a moment several times a day to simply turn your attention toward the Lord and say, “I know You are with me and that You are my Protector.” Then, take a few moments to dwell in that thought and let it comfort you. There is never a moment in your life when God is not with you.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for being with me at all times. Your Word says You will never forsake me, and You will protect me from those would harm me (see Hebrews 13:5). Help me to regularly spend time with You and daily focus on Your love and protection. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

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Topic: Good Or Bad Example [Teens Open Heavens 12, May 2018]

Memorise: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. – Matthew 5:16

Read: 2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)

18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Bible In One Year: 2 Kings 4-5, John 4:1-30

MESSAGE:

Whether we know it or not, our younger ones are watching us. The younger ones at home, church and school are copying everything they see us do. It is your choice to be good examples to them or bad examples. You must decide not to lead them astray. When you watch TV, your younger ones are taking note of the programs to watch when they are your age. When you use insulting words, your younger ones are memorizing the words to use when they get the chance to.

Don’t be deceived by thinking everyone has their separate lives to live, this is not true, we all influence each other even when we don’t try. If you are the first born of your family, you will probably be the greatest influencer of every other child in the family. By implication, the kind of family that you will be known as in the future depend on how you influence your younger ones today. Be a good example to them; teach them to love others, to be kind, to study their Bible, to pray, to be respectful and to be serious with their academics. Be a good example to your younger ones

Prayer Point: Lord Jesus Christ, help me to be a good example from today, and to be a good ambassador for you.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Teen Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye’’

Hymn 4:

I. God give us Christian homes!
Homes Where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the Master’s will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty Your love has wrought;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

2. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

3. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the mother, in caring quest,
Strives to show others Your way is best,
Homes where the Lord is an honoured guest;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

4. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the Children are led to know,
Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.

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Topic: The Power Of Instruction [Seeds of Destiny Saturday May 12, 2018]

Scripture: Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. Proverbs 19:20

Thought For The Day: Anyone who is too big to be instructed and directed is too small to fulfil destiny.

The relevance of direction to life and destiny fulfilment can never be overemphasized. Direction is key to destiny fulfilment; one thing that direction does is that it shows one the pathway to destiny.

This means, direction determines destiny. To reach where you are going, you must know where you are going and the way that leads there. Get this: to be under clear direction and instruction is to be guaranteed a solid destiny. Anyone who is too big to be instructed and directed is too small to fulfil destiny.

At the mountain of transfiguration, Jesus was instructed in a way by Moses and Elijah, because they came to tell him what was ahead of Him (Luke 9:31). Even though He created them, He humbled Himself enough to receive instructions or information from them.

Someone may be so proud that even though he is missing his way, he struggles to find it all by himself, thereby wasting time and energy, instead of simply asking for direction. If someone else wants to assist him by showing him the right way, he would cockily resist and say, ‘Relax. I know the road,’ only to reach the wrong destination and realize that it is too late.

Beloved, you will not miss road in life.

My counsel is, settle down to be instructed in order to fulfil your destiny.

Remember this: Anyone who is too big to be instructed and directed is too small to fulfil destiny.

Assignments:
1. Decide to shun the lifestyle of pride and arrogance.
2. Humble yourself to be instructed.
3. Decide to hear God’s instruction through your pastor so you can be directed in life.

Prayer: O Lord, I reject the lifestyle of pride and arrogance that hinders Your instruction. I receive the spirit of meekness in order to be instructed, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DESTINY CAPSULES (PART 3).

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 12:1 to 13:23, John 7:1 to 30, Psalm 108:1 to 13, Proverbs 15:4.

Amazing Fact: The eyes of a chameleon are independent from each other, allowing it to look in two different directions at once.

Today In History: 12/05/1965 – West Germany and Israel exchanged letters establishing diplomatic relations.

Quote: When you connect with instruction, you make discovery. When you make searches, you see secrets. Culled from 10 PRINCIPAL SECRETS OF PRINCIPAL PEOPLE by Dr Paul Enenche.

Don’t Forget To Attend: The Six over flooded services tomorrow by 6am, 7;20am, 8:40am, 10am, 11:20am & 12:40pm.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Seeds of Destiny by Pastor Paul Enenche”

Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Pastor Paul and Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities

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