RCCG YAYA Sunday School Students Manual 26 October 2025 Lesson 8 – Faith And Science
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TOPIC: Faith And Science (RCCG Sunday School Manual For Young Adults And Youths (YAYA)
MEMORY VERSE: “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” – Colossians 3:13 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Daniel 1:3-4 (KJV) (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 26 October 2025 HYMN)
3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;
4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
INTRODUCTION: Faith and science are often portrayed as opposing forces, with the assumption that belief in one negates the validity of the other. This perception overlooks the possible harmony between faith and science. By exploring both concepts, we can understand and appreciate how they complement and enrich each other.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- THE CONCEPTS
- THE HARMONY
1. THE CONCEPTS
Faith is a personal and spiritual belief, often centred on trust in a higher power or divine being (Acts 17:23; Jonah 3:5). It involves accepting truths that may not be practically provable but are embraced through spiritual conviction, tradition and personal experiences (Daniel 3:16-18, Hebrews 11:3; Acts 9:3-6). For many, faith provides meaning, purpose and moral guidance (Hebrews 11:1, 7-8).
Conversely, science is the discovery and orderly classification and exposition of the phenomena called nature. It is the systematic study of the natural world through observation, experimentation and evidence-based reasoning to build a body of knowledge.
Through keen observation of the natural world, Solomon explained botanical, zoological and even aquatic phenomena (1 Kings 4:33). Noah also followed precise measurement and construction instructions revealing an innovative engineering skill that saved lives (Genesis 6:14-16). The Book of Job contains profound observations of nature, animals, the weather and the cosmos (Job 38-39). Daniel was trained in the wisdom and knowledge of the Babylonians which included astronomy (Daniel 1:19-20).
Despite these instances, there is a common misconception that faith and science are mutually exclusive. These views can lead to unnecessary tension, playing down how faith and science can coexist.
2. THE HARMONY
Many of the greatest scientific minds e.g., Francis S. Collins, Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, Gregor Mendel, etc. were also people of faith. Their faith motivated their inquiry, and their discoveries did not diminish their belief in God. Although some have placed their discoveries and inventions above the living God, they refused to acknowledge Him (Psalm 53:1-2). The belief that the universe is orderly and governed by consistent laws, which can be discovered stems from a faith-based worldview (Ecclesiastes 3:1; Genesis 8:22; Isaiah 40:25-26).
Similarly, science can deepen faith by revealing the complexity and beauty of the natural world. For instance, the discovery of the earth as spherical by science deepens the divine insight of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 40:22). Discoveries in astronomy, biology, and physics can inspire awe and wonder, leading believers to marvel at the intricacy of creation (Psalm 19:1-6). Understanding the vastness of the universe, the complexity of life, and the precision of natural laws can strengthen the belief in a purposeful Creator (Proverbs 3:19-20).
While science helps explain the “how” of natural phenomena, faith addresses the “why” providing a framework for understanding the deeper aspects of living things that science alone cannot fully explain. For instance, while science says trees grow by taking in sunlight, water, carbon dioxide and the water process of respiration, faith provides insight into God creating trees to provide food for man (Genesis 2:9a). However, our faith in God should be absolute since we trust that He is a perfect Creator (Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 18:30), while our belief in science should be intellectual. Science can be useful in making discoveries of the truth about natural phenomena but, it is also prone to errors because it depends on limited mortal men.
CONCLUSION: When approached with an open mind, faith and science can complementarily offer deeper insights into the mysteries of existence and make life a lot better.
QUESTIONS
- Explain briefly the concepts of faith and science.
- In what two ways are faith and science in harmony?
FURTHER READINGS:
Sunday: Isaiah 40:25-26 (KJV)
25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
Monday: Proverbs 3:19-20 (KJV)
19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
Tuesday: Psalm 19:1-6 (KJV)
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
Wednesday: Isaiah 40:22 (KJV)
It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
Thursday: Psalm 53:1-2 (KJV)
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. 2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
Friday: Daniel 1:19-20 (KJV)
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
Saturday: Daniel 3:16-18 (KJV)
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
ASSIGNMENT: Identify five creations, and state the ‘how’ of each (science) and the ‘why’ (faith) (5×2=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?
