MEMORY VERSE: “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:1 (KJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 8:5-8 (KJV) (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 19 November 2023)

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

LESSON INTRODUCTION

Pleasing God is or should be, the goal of all believers-all who call upon the name of Christ for salvation. The requirements for all who want to please God are that they must seek God by faith, walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh, and walk worthy of their calling in obedience and submission to the will of God.

LESSON OUTLINES:

1. WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
2. LIVING BY FAITH AND OBEDIENCE

1 WALKING IN THE SPIRIT

Paul reminds the believers in Rome that they who are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:8). So, the first step in pleasing God is to accept the sacrifice for sin that He provided in the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Only then are we “in the Spirit” and not “in the flesh.” We do this by faith because “…without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6).

In Romans 8, Paul explains the difference between the sinful nature and the nature of those regenerated by the Spirit. Those who are still in their sin have their minds set on sinful desires, whereas the ones regenerated by Christ have a completely new mind that is controlled by the Spirit and desire to live by following Him (Romans 8:6-8). So the first step for believers in pleasing God is to be sure we are walking in the Spirit, not in the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: From today’s Bible passage, share in your dialect how you can please God.

2. LIVING BY FAITH AND OBEDIENCE

Furthermore, we must live by faith (Hebrews 10:38; 11:6). God cannot be pleased with those who draw back from Him because they have no confidence in Him (Hebrews 10:39) or they doubt the truth of His declarations and promises (2 Corinthians 1:20), or who do not believe that His way is right and holy and perfect (Psalms 18:30). The requirement of faith and confidence in God is not unreasonable; it is just what we require of our children and spouses, and it is an indispensable condition of our being pleased with them. So it is with God.

Therefore, pleasing God is a matter of living according to His preceptsand commandments, and doing so in love (John 14:15). The Epistles are God’s plan for believers and are filled with exhortations to display throughout our lives the behaviour that is pleasing to God: Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. (1 Thessalonians 4:1).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should discuss why Christians are to live by faith.

CONCLUSION: God wants us to please Him, and He makes it possible for us to please Him. We do these things by the power of His Spirit who lives in our hearts.

QUESTION

1. What does it mean to walk in the spirit to please God?
2. Explain the role of faith in pleasing God.
   ASSIGNMENT: Mention five instances you exercised faith in God and He was glorified. (2×5=10 marks).

RCCG 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?