RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 12 June 2022 – Lesson 41
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TOPIC: Digital Evangelism (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 12 June 2022)
MEMORY VERSE: “For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.” – 2 Samuel 14:14 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Hebrews 10:21-24 (KJV) (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 12 June 2022)
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Also Read:
RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 12 June 2022: Digital Evangelism
RCCG House Fellowship Leader Manual 12 June 2022 – The Significance Of Holy Communion
Open Heaven 12 June 2022 – Workers Are Blessed
LESSON INTRODUCTION: As at January 2020, total world population stood at 7.75 billion, smart mobile phone users are about 5.19 billion, internet users 4.54 billion and active social media users 3.80 billion. Statistics also shows that every minute, about 1 million people log unto Facebook, 3.8 million searches are made on Google, 4.5 million videos are viewed on YouTube and 347 thousand users scroll on Instagram.
The Bible is clear that anyone who has a personal encounter with Jesus is called to be His witness (Mk.16:14-15, Acts 1:8). With the emergence of new digital technologies and internet/social media platforms, digital evangelism is an effective means of reaching the world with the Gospel.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- BIBLICAL VIEW OF DIGITAL EVANGELISM
- OPTIMISING THE DIGITAL WORLD FOR EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP
1. BIBLICAL VIEW OF DIGITAL EVANGELISM
Simply put, digital evangelism is about strategically and intentionally using the internet and social-media platforms through communication gadgets like smart-phones, pads/tablets, computers, video cameras and other digital devices to preach the gospel or share our Christian experience with others. It is about extending our divine calling/ministry beyond the physical walls of the Church (Acts 1:8; 2 Cor.5:17-18). We can infer from Mark 5:18-19 that Jesus wants us to spread the gospel of salvation to our friends using the trending means.
Obviously, Jesus Christ did not follow merely one method of spreading the gospel. In various ways, He sought to gain the attention of the multitude. For instance Jesus used the boat of Peter as ‘platform’ to teach the multitude (Lk.5:1-3) and on another occasion, He climbed the mountain to gain enough coverage (Matt.5:1-2). While Apostle Paul, travelled from city to city and wrote many letters using the printing press available during the era of Reformation. This means that we should study, plan, and devise methods to reach the people where they are using the means and tools available in this era (1Cor.9:21-23). In this era, through a simple communication device we hold in our hands, we can reach and teach the world (Matt.28:19-20).
2. OPTIMISING THE DIGITAL WORLD FOR EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP
There are definitely positive aspects of social networking. It has surmounted great hurdles and barriers of the most hostile communities of the world, even those against the gospel. For Christians, social media sites can be productively harnessed for ‘kingdom expansion’.
Reconnecting with old friends and increasing our sphere of influence can lead to evangelistic opportunities unavailable elsewhere. Social media allows us to re-enter the daily lives of people we may have lost contact with and open up new avenues for sharing Christ. As such, we can influence the views of others by what we post, bringing encouragement and spiritual guidance to others and using friends’ lists, Facebook/WhatsApp status updates or tweets to pray regularly for friends and their needs (Heb.10:24-25).
Social media and modern technologies have eased entry into the world of telling stories, sharing ideas, and expressing thoughts through creative visual content to a wide audience. We can all be writers, content-creators and publishers now. This means that when it comes to creating content for evangelism and discipleship, the role is no longer restricted to pastors, theologians, and other trained professionals. Therefore, making use of digital means to further the gospel work means that more church members can be missionaries. The presence of the Church online will be stronger, and more people will know of the saving love of Jesus.
CONCLUSION: Digital evangelism should be incorporated with traditional forms of evangelism. It does not replace traditional methods such as one-on-one, mass, tracts evangelism, etc. (Matt.28:19-20).
QUESTIONS:
- Mention some of the digital platforms that can be used in spreading the gospel.
- How can you optimise the digital world for evangelism and discipleship?
FURTHER READING:
Monday: Proverbs 11:30 (KJV)
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Tuesday: Mark 13:10 (KJV)
And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
Wednesday: Mark 16:15 (KJV)
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Thursday: John 1:23 (KJV)
He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
Friday: Matthew 16:5 (KJV)
And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
Saturday: Hebrews 10:24-25 (KJV)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Sunday: 1 Corinthians 10:33 (KJV)
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) things that may discourage people from going into the mission field or becoming a missionary.
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?
