RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 18 November 2018 Lesson 12 – The Home Church

TOPIC: The Home Church OPENING PRAYER: Fathers help all your children worldwide to truly care for one another. (Scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 18 NOVEMBER 2018 HYMN) PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: Teacher should reflect/comment on the performances of students in the 1st Quarter review exercise. MEMORY VERSE: “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,” – Acts 2:46 (scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 18 NOVEMBER 2018 HYMN) BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 16:15-19 KJV (RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 18 November 2018) 15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) 16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. 17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such. 19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Also Read: Open Heaven 25 November 2018 – Mercy versus Judgement

LESSON INTRODUCTION: A common feature in the early church was the presence of home churches or house fellowship in the residences of believers. No matter how highly placed you were or what office you occupied in the main church, you either belonged to a home church or had a thriving one in your house. Even Apostle Peter belonged to one. Acts 12:11-17. LESSON AIM: To study the reasons and benefits of home churches. TEACHING OBJECTIVES: Through the lesson, students should be able to: (i) Discover why home churches are important. (ii) Discover the benefits of home church. TEACHING PLAN: To achieve the above-stated objectives, teachers should: (i) Allow students to take the opening prayer, read the bible passage, recite the memory verse, make contributions to the lesson; do class activities and the assignment. (ii) Allow Assistant teacher to conduct the class, grade performance, mark attendance and assignment and close the class session with the closing prayer. (iii) Reflect on the 1st Quarter Review exercise, teach the lesson outlines, conclude, evaluate the lesson and give assignment. TEXT REVIEW: 1 COR. 16:15-19 – “ALEXANDER OR STEPHANAS”. The same Apostle Paul who commended Stephanas berated Alexander the Copper Smith for doing much harm to him (Paul). He said “Alexander the Copper Smith did me harm, may the Lord repay him according to his work”. 2 Tim. 4:14. What did Stephanas and some others do to attract commendation? (i) Stephanas was addicted to the ministry of the saints. 1 Cor. 16:15. (ii) They (Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus) supplied what was lacking to Paul. 1 Cor. 16:17. (iii) They refreshed Paul’s spirit and that of the church. 1 Cor. 16:18. (iv) They (Aquila and Priscilla) were a blessing to the ministry of the word. Acts 18:26. Apostle Paul commended them in such strong term as, “submit to such and to everyone that helped us and labored.” 1 Cor. 16:20. Paul further said, “therefore, acknowledge ye them that are such.” 1 Cor. 16:18. Who therefore said that your labour of love and that of your entire household was not recognized or acknowledged? Do not desist if you are Stephanas, heaven bears record that you are serving. Continue please. TEACHING METHOD: Teacher should use lecture teaching method. TIME MANAGEMENT: Teacher to share teaching time equally between two (2) lesson outlines bearing other items in mind. LESSON OUTLINES LESSON OUTLINE 1: WHY THE HOME CHURCH? (i) Home church is the extension of the local assembly to homes. Acts 2:46. (ii) It is a convenient and good caring unit to reach and care for every members. 1 Cor. 16:15, 18; Acts 16:40. (iii) Need of members are easily recognized and met. Rom. 16:1-6. (iv) It reduces burden on the main church or pastor as issues are addressed promptly and timely by the home/house fellowship leader. Exodus 18:3. CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Why is attendance in some home centers dropping? LESSON OUTLINE 2: BENEFITS OF HOME CHURCHES (1) Every activity which takes place at the main church can take place at the home church. Such activities are: (a) Salvation of souls. Acts 2:40-42. (b) Water baptism. Acts 10:47-48. (c) Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts. 10:44-6. (d) Healing of the sick. Mark 2:1-4, 11-12. (e) Fasting and prayer. Acts 12:5,12. (f) Divine visitation/presence. Acts 2:1-5. (g) Sharing of the word of God. Acts 10:34-35. CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What can individual (you and class members) do to bring about growth and development to the house fellowship in your localities? SUMMARY: Home, church is an integral part of the main church. God is also present there. CONCLUSION: The home church does not only sustain the church growth but also cares for the individual members of the church. EVALUATION: Why is the home church important? CLOSING PRAYER: Father, help me to play my role well to ensure growth and development of the home church in my area. ASSIGNMENT/PROJECT: All home fellowship centres in your church, should in agreement, do something to support the main church. Those who participate should score 10 marks. Read previous RCCG Sunday School Teacher’s Manual Here NOTE: Flatimes.com EMPLOYS EVERYONE TO PURCHASE THE HARD COPY TO SUPPORT RCCG EDUCATION (SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT). THE SOFT COPY (ONLINE) IS JUST TO HELP EASY ACCESS. GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU DO SO.

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 18 NOVEMBER 2018 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 old 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 blessing on Thee. 5. 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. 6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, I rejoice to see Thee, Will thou pass over me today? Without my being blest?