Alternative Spirituality. RCCG Sunday School Teachers.

OPENING PRAYER: Father, help me not to be ignorant of the tricks and gimmicks of the devil in Jesus’ name.

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: The teacher should allow the Assistant teacher to review the lesson for the previous week.

MEMORY VERSE: “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.” – Leviticus 19:31 (KJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: Isaiah 47:13-14 (KJV)

13 Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.

14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.

LESSON INTRODUCTION

Alternative spirituality is a loosely defined term generally used to describe spiritual practices that do not conform to true Christianity.

It is largely characterised by some spiritual practices and rituals that are often chosen by the participants to fit their individual needs.

In this lesson, we shall attempt to highlight some of them and scripturally view what our perspectives should be as believers.

LESSON AIM: To teach the students about other forms of spirituality prevalent in the world and the scriptural stand on them.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

a. Explain what it means to engage in alternative spirituality.

b. Distinguish between biblically acceptable and unacceptable spirituality.

c. Name some of the alternative spiritualities.

TEACHING PLAN:

To achieve the above-stated objectives, the teacher should:

a. Allow the students to recite the memory verse, read the Bible passage, contribute to the discussion, do class activities and assignments.

b. Allow the Assistant Teacher to attend to the well-being of the class, mark attendance and assignments.

c. Teach the lesson outline, summarise, conclude, evaluate the lesson, and give an assignment to the students.

TEXT REVIEW: Isaiah 47:13-14.

Concerning God’s judgement on the Babylonians (by extension, everyone who put trust in wisdom, sorceries, magic, etc,. instead of the Holy One of Israel), the prophet Isaiah declares:

i Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.V13.

ii. Behold, they shall …………………………………………V14a.

iii. The fire ………………….……………………V14b.

iv. They shall ……………………………..V14c.

v. There shall ……………………………………V14d.

LESSON OUTLINES:

ALTERNATIVE SPIRITUALITY PRACTICES

SCRIPTURAL PERSPECTIVES

1. ALTERNATIVE SPIRITUALITY PRACTICES

The teacher should explain some of the alternative powers people seek today:

A. Astrology and the Zodiac is the “interpretation” of an assumed influence the starry hosts (and planets) exert on human destiny (Isaiah 47:13; Daniel 2:27). According to astrology, the sign you were born under, like Aquarius, Pisces, etc., impacts your destiny.

B. Crystal sphere is the belief that a precious stone has an inherent power that can be used to man’s benefit, like attracting wealth, rekindling romance, and warding off evil spirits or bad energy, thus bringing good luck.

C. Necromancy is the conjuring of the spirits of the dead to magically reveal the future or influence the course of events. In the Bible, necromancy is also called “divination,” “sorcery”, and “spiritism” (Exodus 7:11; 2 Kings 17:17).

D. Others include practices like:

i Palm reading, visiting false Prophets, spiritual bathing, etc.

ii. Playing some seemingly harmless games designed to initiate people into divination

iii. Visiting websites that promise to guide and reveal destiny to unsuspecting victims

iv. Perfumes and cosmetics capable of bringing good luck or warding off bad luck

v. Using charms, amulets, or talismans, etc. (Leviticus 19:26).

2. SCRIPTURAL PERSPECTIVES

A. Astrology, crystal sphere, as well as necromancy, are forms of divination expressly detestable and forbidden in Scripture (Deuteronomy 18:10-14).

i. Stars, along with the sun and moon, were given for “signs” and “seasons” (Genesis 1:14).

ii. To “worship the starry host” is a clear violation of God’s law (Deuteronomy 4:19).

iii. The royal astrologers of the Babylonian court were put to shame by God’s prophet, Daniel (Daniel 1:20; 2:27).

B. Our wisdom comes from God, not the dead (James 1:5).

i Those who are dead either go to Heaven to rest or to hell for condemnation. Anything outside this is the conjuring of demonic spirits.

ii. Anything that seeks to manipulate the spirit world can be categorised as witchcraft.

iii. Witchcraft is named along with idolatry as ungodly behaviour (Galatians 5:19-21).

C. All the aforementioned practices involve demonic manipulations.

i. They open the one who practices them to demonic attacks.

ii. It is worshipping created things rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).

D. The word of God is and must remain our guide through life (Psalm 119:105).

QUESTIONS:

Mention three reasons believers should avoid any spirituality outside Christ.

Give two examples of alternative spiritual practices that people get involved in.

EVALUATION: The teacher should ask the students to mention three alternative spiritualities they know and state what the scriptures say about them.

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, I come out of every ungodly and satanic spiritual practice in Jesus’ name.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five reasons Christians seek other forms of spirituality outside Christ. (2×5=10 marks).