RCCG YAYA Sunday School Students Manual 11 May 2025 Lesson 37 – Church Shift
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TOPIC: Church Shift (RCCG Sunday School Manual For Young Adults And Youths (YAYA)
MEMORY VERSE: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” – Matthew 28:19 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 8:26-31 (KJV) (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 11 May 2025 HYMN)
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
Also Read:
– RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 11 May 2025 – Welfare Evangelism
INTRODUCTION: The word “church” is a translation of the Greek word ‘’ekklesia,’’ which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of church is not that of a building, but of people (Romans 16:5a; Acts 14:27). The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head (Ephesians 1:22-23). The body of Christ is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) until Christ’s return. In the course of history, the Church has evolved drastically and an understanding of the dynamic approach of doing church is termed “Church-Shift.’’ These are the transformations the Church must go through without distorting its purpose.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- The Purpose Of The Church
- Doing Church Differently
1. THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH
Every church is driven by something: tradition, finances, programmes, personalities, events, seekers and even buildings. Regardless of the model of the Church, the original purpose must be understood. These are worship (Acts 2:46-47), fellowship (Acts 2:42), discipleship (Acts 6:1a), ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12), and mission (Acts 15:22). These are derived from the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Do you think the church is fulfilling her purpose?
2 DOING CHURCH DIFFERENTLY
Our mandate as the Body of Christ is not just to gather to worship and fellowship, it is to move strongly into every sphere of society: Academics, Politics, Civil/Public service, Entrepreneurship, Sport etc (John 17:18). Church indeed is the training ground for people who will influence the world around them (2 Timothy 2:2) but the Church must be missional. Being missional is to reach people who may not be able to join our conventional churches, with the message of the gospel (Romans 10:13-14). While we gather in our church buildings, there are souls existing virtually on the internet – the Social Media platforms and physically on the Streets, marketplaces, Motor/Relaxation parks, Correctional Centres, Sports Centres, Hospitals, ghettos/slums, etc. waiting for the Church to come to them. Therefore, all Christians should be involved in the Great Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20) reaching the unchurched, the poor and the vulnerable (Acts 2:45, Matthew 25:37-40).
Reconciling people to God is the focus of being God’s agent in the world (2 Corinthians 5:20); and as believers, we should carry the mission of God into every sphere of human lives. We are all missionaries sent into the world as ‘salt and light’ (Matthew 5:13-16). If we will concentrate on building people, God will build the church.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: How can you help in doing church differently?
CONCLUSION: While gathering for worship and fellowship is paramount, we need to take the Church to the people who may not be able to gather with us. The Church must shift.
QUESTIONS
- Mention at least three purposes of the church.
- Identify at least five ways to do church differently.
FURTHER READING:
Sunday: Acts 2:42-47 (KJV)
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 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, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Monday: Acts 8:29-39 (KJV)
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Tuesday: John 3:16 (KJV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Wednesday: Matthew 16:18 (KJV)
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Thursday: Luke 15:31 (KJV)
And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Friday: John 15:16 (KJV)
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Saturday: Ephesians 3:10 (KJV)
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
ASSIGNMENT: Identify a place where you can start a fellowship to raise new disciples for Jesus Christ. (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?
