OPENING PRAYER: Father, give me the understanding of what Your Kingdom is all about.
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: The teacher should allow the Assistant teacher to review the lesson for the previous week.
MEMORY VERSE: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Chronicles 29:10-12 (KJV)
10 Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
11 Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.
12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
LESSON INTRODUCTION
The kingdom of God is also known as the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 19:23-24). The concept of the kingdom of God takes on various shade of meaning in different passages of the Scripture.
A general understanding of God’s kingdom programme will help every believer key into the plan and purpose of God for mankind.
Moreover, the concept of the kingdom of God is generally considered to be the central theme of Jesus’ teaching.
TEXT REVIEW: Chronicles 29:10-12
David, while eulogising God before the congregation, declares Him as the God of their father, Israel. v10.
i. He goes further to say that greatness ……….. v11a.
ii. He acknowledges that ………………… v11b.
iii. Also, riches and honour ………………. v12a.
iv. In God’s hand ……………………,,………. v12b.
LESSON OUTLINES
- ASPECTS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
- SEEKING THE KINGDOM OF GOD
1. ASPECTS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
God’s kingdom comprises three aspects: a Universal kingdom, a Mediatorial kingdom, and a Spiritual kingdom.
A. UNIVERSAL KINGDOM: This is God’s eternal sovereign rule over all that exists; the entire universe (Daniel 4:3). In this kingdom, God rules in absolute sovereignty over all His Creation (Psalm 47:2, 7-8).
B. MEDIATORAL KINGDOM: God uses divinely chosen human representatives to speak on his behalf and stand in gap of for His people.
i. The Scripture records the special encounters and insights given to these representatives about God’s will for mankind and His provision to save sinners.
ii. The Mediatorial kingdom will end with the thousand-year (millennial) reign of Christ upon the earth (Revelation 20:4-6).
iii. This will be the concluding link between human history and the eternal kingdom (Revelation 21 & 22).
C. SPIRITUAL KINGDOM: This kingdom is an invisible kingdom that exists in the heart of believers in Christ Jesus (Luke 17:20-21). Jesus said His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36).
i. He preached that repentance is necessary to be a part of the kingdom of God (Matthew 4:17).
ii. The kingdom of God can be equated by the sphere of salvation that must be entered into by being born again (John 3:5-7; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
iii. It is the Scriptural realm over which God reigns as king, or the fulfillment on earth of God’s will (Matthew 6:10).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Is there any difference between the kingdom between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven? Discuss (Teacher should use Matthew 19:23-24 as a guide).
2. SEEKING THE KINGDOM OF GOD
In this Sermon on the Mount Jesus admonishes His audience to first seek the kingdom of God and it’s righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
A. To seek the kingdom of God is to, as a matter of priority:
i. Hunger and thirst for the rule and reign of God in our lives with Jesus being in charge (Matthew 5:6; 6:9-10).
ii. Be willing to submit totally and obey His will as we come under the lordship of Christ and He is in control of our lives.
B. The main benefit of the kingdom is the forgiveness of sins (Acts 3:19; 5:31). It is not rules or regulation but “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What are the practical steps you want to take, to seek God more this year?
CONCLUSION: We are equally commanded to witness to others that the kingdom of God is open to all who will surrender their lives to Jesus (Matthew 3:2; Mark 16:15-16).
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, please give me the grace to abide in your kingdom forever.
ASSIGNMENT: Identify 10 scriptural references in the Book of Matthew where the kingdom of Heaven is likened to natural things (1×10=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?
Action Point
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