RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 29 September 2024 – Lesson 5
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TOPIC: My Enemy: “The Flesh” (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 29 September 2024)
MEMORY VERSE: “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” – Romans 8:8 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 7:18-22 (KJV) (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 29 September 2024)
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Also Read:
INTRODUCTION: ‘The world’ is our external enemy, but we have another enemy which is an internal enemy called, “the flesh.” Our enemy, the Devil, has “a stronghold” inside of us that cooperates with him in his battle against us (Matthew 13:25, 39a). This stronghold is our sinful nature which the Bible calls “the flesh.” The one controlled by the flesh is also referred to as natural man, carnal man, or old man.
LESSON OUTLINES:
1. THE “FLESH” DESCRIBED
“The flesh” is not our body, but the sinful nature that dwells in our body (Romans 8:13). One form of the flesh is ‘self.’ Before we were saved, ‘self’ was on the throne of our hearts (Romans 7:5; Ephesians 2:2-3). The moment we received Christ as our Saviour, He came to live in us (Galatians 2:20). However, ‘self’ did not move out. Not only is it still there, but it wants to continue its rule in our hearts (Galatians 5:17; Romans 7:18-19).
The Bible tells us three things about the flesh: ‘self’ will never obey God (Romans 8:7); sin comes from our sinful nature-the flesh (Mark 7:21-23); the flesh is Satan’s “stronghold” for sinning (Galatians 5:19-21).
Here are some of the ways ‘self’ expresses itself in people:
a. Self-pride: Declares himself as first and above all. He expects people to look up to and honour him (Exodus 5:2).
b. Self-love: Affirms that the person who should be loved more than anyone else is himself (Luke 12:16-20).
c. Self-pity: Believes that he is poor and not treated right. Always complaining and never satisfied (Exodus 16:2-3).
d. Self-righteousness: He is quite satisfied with his goodness and morality (1 Kings 19:14).
e. Self-will: Always wants to have his way. He will do what he wants to do and does not care whether it contradicts God’s will (Judges 14:3).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should mention other ways ‘self’ can express itself in a believer.
2. VICTORY THROUGH GOD
Since no sinner can come into the presence of God, our old sinful life must come to an end for us to become ‘a new person.’ God loves us and through His love, He did three wonderful things for us:
- He ended our old Self-life and created something entirely new i.e. something that sin cannot touch (Romans 6:6-7).
- He made us a new person in Christ. When Christ rose from the dead, we rose with Him as “new persons” in God’s new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- He gave Christ to us as our new Master. In Christ, we live to do the will of His Father (John 5:30).
As long as we are in our bodies, we can never get rid of self, but we can avoid being ruled by self. As believers, we can take the following steps to subdue Self: Choose to keep Self on the Cross (Galatians 5:24); make Christ our King (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) and live the Christ-life by bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Share with the class, other ways believers can subdue the flesh.
CONCLUSION: Be in control of your flesh with the help of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
QUESTIONS:
- Mention five ways self can express itself.
- What three things did God do to ensure our victory over self?
ASSIGNMENT: List five things “Self” said in Luke 12:16-19. (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?
