RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ MANUAL 10 JULY 2022

LESSON FORTY FIVE (45)

TOPIC: UNDERSTANDING OF THE TIMES

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 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 blessings

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

Though the sun be so bright,

Or if the clouds be 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?

MEMORY VERSE: “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.” 1 Chronicles 12:32.

BIBLE PASSAGE: ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8

[1]To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

[2]A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

[3]A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

[4]A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

[5]A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

[6]A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

[7]A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

[8]A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

INTRODUCTION: Orderliness is one of the characteristics of our God. There is time for everything and He has made everything beautiful in His time. Like the sons of Issachar, Christians must constantly pray for the wisdom and grace to understand the time and how to act accordingly in life (1 Chron.12:32).

OUTLINES:

1. UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES

2. IT IS NOT YET TIME TO REST

1. UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES

Apart from the list of events that characterise times and seasons in the third chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes, believers are clearly admonished in Scripture to watch and act wisely (Mk.13:33). For instance, God wants believers to discern:

1. The seed (sowing) time and harvest time (Gen.8:22; Gal.6:7-9).

2. The time of God’s favour (Ps.102:13; Isa.40:2).

3. The time to praise and trust God (Ps.34:1; Ps.62:8; Job 14:14).

4. The time to awake out of spiritual sleep or slumber (Rom.13:11; Eph.5:14; 1Cor.15:34).

5. The time to serve God diligently (Eccl.12:1; Jn.9:4).

6. The perilous time (2 Tim.3:1-7; 1 Tim.4:1; 2 Pet.3:3).

7. The time of judgment (2 Pet.2:9; 2 Pet.3:7).

2. IT IS NOT YET TIME TO REST

As believers, we must realise that we are sojourners here on earth and at the close of age we shall give account of our pilgrimage (Heb.11:13; 1Pet.2:11). This is why our Lord, Jesus said “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (Jn.9:4). It is true that God is not against rest after labour (Mk.6:31; Eccl.5:12).

However, believers should not rest before time (1Kgs.13:7-9) or give up on their calling (1Kgs.19:4). The king’s business requires haste (1Sam.21:8). Therefore, the hour to work is now (Ps.119:60; Eccl.12:1). It is dangerous to rest or give up in the battle front with the enemy around (1Pet.5:8; Matt.13:25) No matter the situation, God has the solution. He is beautiful for all situations (Ps.48:1-2; Eccl.3:11).

CONCLUSION: To live daily in God’s will and fulfil purpose, a believer must understand the times and act appropriately.

QUESTIONS:

1. What do we mean by understanding the time?

2. Why is it not yet time to rest?

FURTHER READING: MON: Ps.38:9. TUE: Jn.9:4. WED: Ps.3:1. THU: Matt.10:39. FRI: 1Cor.15:58. SAT: Jn.5:39. SUN: Isa.6:8-9.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) advantages of understanding or knowing the times.