PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: The teacher should allow the Assistant Teacher to review the previous week’s lesson.

BIBLE PASSAGE: MATTHEW 7:15-20.

[15]Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

[16]Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

[17]Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

[18]A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

[19]Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

[20]Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

 

MEMORY VERSE: “But there were false
prophets also among the people, even as
there shall be false teachers among you,
who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,
even denying the Lord that bought them,
and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” 2Peter 2:1.

II. LESSON INTRODUCTION

In the bid to make ends meet, falsehood is fast becoming the order of the day. Just as there are internet fraudsters i.e. scammers, quack practitioners. etc., there are Some ‘ministers’ whose god is their belly (Phil.3:18-19). Their coming victims of their antics.

IV. TEXT REVIEW: Matthew 7:15-20.

-The teacher should identify any five descriptions of false teachers and prophets as
illustrated by the Lord using two types of trees in the passage.
i. …………………………………
ii. …………………………………
iii. …………………………………
iv. …………………………………
v. …………………………………

LESSON OUTLINES
LESSON OUTLINE 1: DESCRIPTION OF FALSE MINISTERS

A. False ministers are servants of sin and the
devil who pretend to be servants of righteousness. So, it is difficult to spot them on
the surface. 2 Cor.11:14-15.

B.The Lord Jesus warned believers of the evil purpose and intentions of false ministers to deceive people especially the elect. Matt.24:23-27.

C. Some Biblical Descriptions of False Ministers.
i. They deny the divine nature, sacrifice and
humanity of Jesus Christ. 1 Jn.4:1-3.

ii. They honour the Lord in their lips but their
hearts are far away from God. Matt. 15:8.

iii. They corrupt the gospel because of their
immoral life style and selfish interest. Phil.3:19: 2Cor.2:17; Mic.3:11.

iv. They were not called by God. Rather, they call themselves to achieve their own objectives.

v. They deliberately derail into error to conceive and ensnare people. 1John 2:19.

vi. They do not preach the complete gospel
doctrines of Christ. 1Cor.15:1-4; and Gal.1:6-9; 2 Cor.11:4.

vii. They live a life of pretence and falsehood.
Matt.7:15-20.

viii. They replace the truth of the gospel with motivational talks and philosophies of men. Col.2:8.

ix. They cause divisions among brethren.
Rom.16:17-18.

x. They exploit and extort and milk their followers. Acts 20:29-30.

xi. They trivialize the core issue of eternity and place premium on secular things.

xii. They hardly preach on holiness, heaven and hell. Isa.30:9-11; 2 Tim.4:3-4.

xiii. They perform false and fake miracles. Matt.24:24.

 

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should discuss how the church can halt or repel the activities of false ministers.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: AVOID BEING A VICTIM

i. Lack of knowledge. Isa.5:13; Hos.4:6.

ii.Impatience. Ps.27:14; Heb.10:36.

iii. Despair in a bid to get rich quick. 1 Tim.6:9-10.

iv. Anxiety about what the future holds.

v. Quest to find answers to life’s crucial issues. 1 Kgs.22:6-8.

B. Precautions/What to do not to become a
victim.

The teacher should state the following precautions:
i. Be prayerful. James 5:16b.

ii. Be watchful. Matt.26:41.

iii. Be sober. 1 Pet,.5:8.

iv. Be patient. Luke 21:19.

v. Study the word of God and be deeply rooted in it. Col.3:16.

vi. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Rom.8:6.

vi. Discern the spirit in operation. 1Jn.4:1;
Matt.24:4-5.

viii. Retrace your steps if you are already sliding away from the truth and ask Christ to
help you. Matt.11:28; Ps.46:1.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Mention what should be done not to become a victim.

CONCLUSION

The best way to guard yourself against falsehood and false ministers is to know the truth (Jn.8:32). To spot a counterfeit, study the real thing.

EVALUATION: Mention the characteristics of false ministers. How can you avoid being
a victim?

CLOSING PRAYER: Almighty God, please hold me to the end.

ASSIGNMENT: Can a true minister of God become a false minister? ldentify five (5)
causes (2×5=10 Marks).