God's Honour Roll. AG Sunday School Manual. 23/07/2023

Study 1: GOD’S HONOUR ROLL

Text: Prov 4:1-13; 9:9-10; Dan 1:1-20; Col 3:23-24

Key Verse: Proverbs 4:13
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. (NIV)

Focus

Learning opportunities surround us. Some, like learning a new song or game, are fun. Others aren’t – or don’t seem to be. Some students enjoy school. They like learning new things about themselves and the world. Other students have difficulty appreciating their educational opportunity – they see school as a forced captivity; they’re just serving their time.

Students who feel this way may be frustrated because they don’t see the reason why they are taught. Others struggle because their learning styles don’t match their teachers’ presentation methods. Some may be overwhelmed by the seemingly constant challenges facing them as Christian in an environment that has anti-Christian values and cultures. As you prepare for this study, consider your own attitude about education. Are you seeking to learn new things every day? Ask God to give you a student’s heart, as well as a heart for students.

The Basic Message: Explain to students

• WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?
Working hard in school can be a way to honour God and improve yourself.

• WHY DOESIT MATTER?
God expects us to take our spiritual and intellectual growth seriously.

• HOW DO I LIVE IT?
Accept the challenge to study hard, make good choices, and honour God with your attitude toward education.

Activity Option: LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

As students arrive, ask them a few rounds of questions from a trivia game. Then discuss these questions:
• Where or how did you learn the answers to the questions?
• How do you think your life would be affected if you didn’t have the opportunity to get an education?

>Guide: Explain that learning opportunities surround us. Some we may enjoy, like playing or learning new games. On the other hand, studying for a test may not be much fun at all. Regardless of how you view school, let’s look at ways you can make the most of it.

Study Overview: Explain that today’s study considers

• What it means to value instruction.
• How being a diligent learner brings honour to God.
• The rewards associated with learning.

lnform and Discuss

a). Doing Your Best

1. Read or ask a volunteer to read Prov. 4:1-6. Why is learning important? [Hint: Learning, especially those things that are intellectually stimulating, keeps the brain alive and active. It exposes the mind to knowledge (which is a fundamental resource of life that enables us to live life intelligently)and enhances our institutions and communities.

2. What do you think is difficult about school and the learning that takes place there? [Guide: Explain that there are things about school that can be tough, but school is still a necessary part of life. Choosing to make the best of an imperfect or tough situation is one of the ways to honour God with our attitude.

3. Read or ask a volunteer to read Daniel 1:1-7. What might have been some of the reasons that Daniel and his friends chose to be cooperative? [Hint: Possibilities include wanting to honour God, fear, and recognizing the opportunity before them. Regardless, they decided to do their best, despite the circumstances.

Guide: Explain that even though Daniel and his friends were in a situation not of their choosing, with God’s help they acted wisely and achieved greatness. Point out to students that the knowledge they’re gathering in school today might be helpful in the future to propel them into positions of leadership where God could use them to influence an entire nation or even the world.

b). Dealing with Challenges

1. Read or ask a volunteer to read Prov. 9:9-10. According to this passage, what’s the connection between learning and wisdom? Does learning automatically produce wisdom? [Hint: We gain wisdom by being teachable. God encourages lifelong learning. But wisdom is knowing what to do with knowledge, particularly as it relates to honouring God. Putting God’s Word into action is the first step toward gaining true wisdom.

2. Read or ask a volunteer to read Dan 1:8-14. What situations at school could tempt you to compromise your values as a Christian? How would you respond? [Note: Not all the choices students make at school deal with education issues. Other issues will arise, giving the opportunities to make wise choices – demonstrated by actions – that reflect their faith.

Guide: Encourage students to emulate Daniel, who worked within the existing boundaries of the culture where he was, but continued to give God the first priority. He followed the channels of the authority and respectfully made his request.

Teacher Hint: DEFILED FOOD? [The problem wasn’t that the food was full of dirt. The problem was that it wasn’t prepared according to the teachings of Israel’s Law (and may have been offered to idols). Keeping to God’s standards is one of the main ways we show our devotion to God (1 Sam 15:22; John 14:15, 23).

c). Learning Has Rewards

1. Read or ask a volunteer to read Pro 4:7-13. What determines a person’s success? [Hint: Students are likely to mention such things as luck, education, and knowing the right people. Hopefully, some will mention God and hard work. Although true success is hard to define, God’s Word tells us what is important – take hold of God’s instruction and consistently do our best out of love for God.

2. Read or ask a volunteer to read Dan 1:15-20. How might working hard in school improve your chances for the future? [Hint: It brings self- improvement, gives you a sense of accomplishment, and boosts your confidence. | It brings favour; for God rewards hard work and dedication even if no one else notices. | It usually leads to somewhere good; for there is often a direct link between hard work and opportunity.

Guide: Point out that hard work isn’t necessarily efficient work. In many cases, hardworking students could benefit from improved study habits. Students who struggle despite good study habits can ask God for help. He knows how important learning is and wants to help them as He helped Daniel. If they remain faithful and work diligently, God will help them.

3. Read or ask a volunteer to read Col 3:23-24. What do you think God expects of you in all areas of your life including academics? [Hint: God expects His children to value instruction and to do their best, working as if they are working for Him.

lnvolve Them: BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL

Explain that developing good study habits is one way to honour God. Have students write at least one good study habit they would like to develop or improve and how they plan to go about it. Then split the class into groups and have teens share school related needs and then pray with their groups for these need and their plans to develop or improve their study habits.

lnspire Them: Remind students THE BASIC MESSAGE of this study (pg 23), explaining WHAT the Big Idea behind the study is; WHY it matters, and HOW we can live the lesson captured in this study.

Ministry Activity: Discuss the students’ relationship with fellow Christians at school. Encourage them to think of these friends as family members in God’s family, who will help them to promote a good witness at school and lead unbelievers to the truth. Have them offer prayers for these friends.

Conclude the study by reminding students that the most important study they can undertake is the study of God’s Word. Remind them that God cares about every aspect of their lives including their struggles at school. Urge them to seek God’s help. And remind them their best is good enough.

Teacher Hint: Ask Yourself…

1. Do students understand the importance of making the best of their school situations?
2. Are they aware of the reward of giving education their best?
3. Have they had an opportunity to pray and commit to God their school-related challenges?

Daily Dew Drops
Mon: Delight in the Lord – Psalm 37:4
Tue: When God Be With You – Gen 39:2-6
Wed: Commit Your Work to God – Prov 16:3
Thu: Walk in Obedience – 1 Kings 2:3
Fri: Be Your Best – Luke 16:10-11
Sat: Just Remember God – Deut 8:18

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PS: I know you might agree with some of the points that I have raised in this article. You might not agree with some of the issues raised. Let me know your views about the topic discussed. We will appreciate it if you could drop your comment. Thanks in anticipation.

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