RCCG YAYA Sunday School Students Manual 22 June 2025 Lesson 43 – Christian Virtues
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TOPIC: Christian Virtues (RCCG Sunday School Manual For Young Adults And Youths (YAYA)
MEMORY VERSE: “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” – 2 Peter 1:3 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Peter 1:3-7 (KJV) (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 22 June 2025 HYMN)
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
INTRODUCTION: There are two root words in Greek translated to virtue. The first is dunamis as in Luke 6:19; 8:46 meaning miraculous power. The second is arête meaning ‘moral excellence’ or ‘goodness.’ In the context of the latter, “virtue” is a right inner disposition. A disposition is a tendency to act in certain ways. It is not an impulse but a settled habit of mind. Virtues are general character traits that provide inner sanctions on our particular motives, intentions, and outward conduct.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- Attaining Virtue
- The Desire To Excel
1. ATTAINING VIRTUE
Our God is excellent in all ways (Psalm 76:4). He expects His children to be like Him (1 Peter 1:15-16). Hence, the main aim of a Christian should be to walk to please God. Virtue is attainable only if we follow the divine guidelines (Philippians 4:8).
Second Peter 1:5-7 tells us how to attain virtue. It is like a ladder; the attainment of one leads to the next, and so on. The sequence begins with faith and ends with love. Without faith, nobody can have virtue. Faith supplies moral excellence as taught in the Bible (Hebrews 11:6). After we have attained some knowledge, we add self-control, or self-discipline (1 Corinthians 9:27). This is the opposite of the excesses of the world. Perseverance means to view the unfolding of time with God’s eyes (Hebrews 12:2). Godliness means that we have a very practical awareness of God in every aspect of our life (1 Timothy 6:6; 2 Peter 1:3).
Kindness is described here as “Philadelphia,” the kind of love that we have for brothers and sisters. The most magnificent virtue of all: is Christian love. This love is “agape” and results in self-sacrificing action for another (1 Corinthians 13; 1 John 3:16).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: What virtue(s) do you need to add to your life to become excellent?
2. THE DESIRE TO EXCEL
The desire to excel comes with the recognition of excellence and consciousness to never fall short of it. The goal is to be like Jesus Christ because He is the glory of God revealed (Hebrews 1:3). This desire to excel also involves a willingness to give up lesser things to achieve a greater goal (Matthew 19:16-26) and preparedness to work hard towards perfection (Matthew 17:15-21). There must also be a readiness to be taught, not only by those who are in a higher position but by anyone regardless of position or age (1 Corinthians 1:19-29).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What are the things you need to give up to achieve excellence?
CONCLUSION: Now we see that if we indeed have these virtues as an integral part of our being, and if they continue to increase as we apply them, then we shall lead a fruitful life for Christ.
QUESTIONS
- What is the will of God for His children?
- How will you recognise the desire to excel in you?
FURTHER READING:
Sunday: Ephesians 4:24 (KJV)
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Monday: Romans 6:19 (KJV)
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Tuesday: 2 Corinthians 7:1 (KJV)
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Wednesday: Psalm 76:4 (KJV)
Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.
Thursday: Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Friday: 2 Peter 1:3 (KJV)
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Saturday: Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
ASSIGNMENT: What are the likely causes of the absence of godly virtues in the lives of some Christians? (2X5=10 Marks).
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 friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and 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 be 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?
