RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 16 August 2026 – Lesson 50
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TOPIC: The Resurrection (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 16 August 2026)
MEMORY VERSE: And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. – Daniel 12:2 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: John 5:28-29 (KJV) (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 16 August 2026)
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
INTRODUCTION: Scripture reveals that resurrection is a reality and this life is not all that there is. While death is the end of physical life, it is not the end of human existence. Everyone will be raised from the dead, but not everyone will share the same destiny (Acts 24:15; Matthew 25:46). The New Testament reveals further details of separate resurrections for the just and the unjust.
LESSON OUTLINES
- THE FIRST RESURRECTION
- THE SECOND RESURRECTION
1. THE FIRST RESURRECTION
Revelation 20:4-6 mentions a “first resurrection” and identifies those involved as “blessed and holy.” The second death (the lake of fire, Revelation 20:14) has no power over these individuals. The first resurrection, then, is the raising of all believers. It corresponds with Jesus’ teaching of the “resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14) and the “resurrection of life” (John 5:29).
The first resurrection takes place in various stages:
- Jesus Christ Himself, the “first fruits” Corinthians 15:20), paved the way for the resurrection of all who believe in Him (1 Peter 1:3). Christ’s resurrection is the basis of the Christian’s certainty that all people who have died will one day be raised to face fair and even-handed judgement by Jesus Christ (Acts 17:30-31).
- The saints who slept were raised after Christ’s resurrection to make an appearance in Jerusalem (Matthew 27:50-53).
- There will be the resurrection of “the dead in Christ” at the Lord’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:16). It will occur at the time of the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The apostle Paul explained that not all Christians will die, but all will be changed, i.e., given “resurrection-type” bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). Christians who are alive and those who have already died will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him always.
- The resurrection of the believers in Jesus who died during the tribulation and the martyrs at the end of the tribulation (Revelation 20:4). Some of the people left behind on earth will repent during this time and trust in Jesus as their Saviour. Tragically, most of them will pay for their faith in Jesus by losing their lives (Revelation 6:9-11; 7:9, 13-14). These will be resurrected at Christ’s return (second phase) to reign with Him for a thousand years on earth (Revelation 20:4, 6).
- Isaiah 65:17-20 suggests another resurrection at the end of the millennium. Some believers may die a physical death during the millennium.
2. THE SECOND RESURRECTION
This is the resurrection of those who rejected Jesus as their Saviour; they will experience the second death or eternal separation from God. It is the raising of all unbelievers and the wicked, judged at the great white throne before being cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). It corresponds with Jesus’ teaching of the “resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29).
CONCLUSION: What great rejoicing will attend the first resurrection! What great anguish at the second! What a responsibility we have to share the Gospel! (Jude 23-24).
QUESTIONS:
- Mention the stages of the first resurrection.
- Describe the second resurrection.
FURTHER READINGS:
Sunday: Matthew 28:5-6 (KJV)
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Monday: Revelation 20:4-6 (KJV)
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Tuesday: John 11:25-26 (KJV)
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Wednesday: Romans 8:11 (KJV)
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Thursday: Revelation 6:9-11 (KJV)
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Friday: 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (KJV)
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
Saturday: Acts 17:30-31 (KJV)
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
ASSIGNMENT: List the five (5) stages of the first resurrection (5×2=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?
