RCCG YAYA Sunday School Students Manual 25 June 2023 Lesson 43 – Biblical Fast
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TOPIC: Biblical Fast (RCCG Sunday School Manual For Young Adults And Youths (YAYA)
MEMORY VERSE: “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:” Daniel 9:3 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Daniel 10:2-3 (KJV) (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 25 June 2023 HYMN)
2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
Also Read:
– RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 25 June 2023: Deferred Hope
– RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 25 June 2023 – Deferred Hope
– RCCG YAYA Sunday School Teacher Manual 25 June 2023 – Biblical Fast
– Open Heaven 25 June 2023 – Spiritual Superiority
INTRODUCTION: Fasting, in the Bible, is total abstinence from pleasure-giving activities for a set time for the purpose of devoting oneself to seeking God. While there are many ways believers could fast, too often the focus is on abstinence from food. In this lesson, we shall examine different types of biblical fast, basic cautions, and reasons for fasting.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- TYPES OF FAST IN THE BIBLE
- REASONS AND BASIC CAUTIONS
1. TYPES OF FAST IN THE BIBLE
1 Food fast – This is abstinence from food/drinks. It may take the form of:
i. Regular fast: This is done by abstaining from all food, both solid and liquid. (2Chr.20:3). The fast is usually broken daily or periodically (Jer. 36:6).
ii. Partial fast: This is inspired by Prophet Daniel. All meat and animal products are disallowed. The Daniel Fast includes vegetables, legumes, whole grains, seeds, and water.
These guidelines are based on Daniel’s request of “nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink” (Dan. 1:8-14).
iii. Absolute or full fast: Where no food or water is consumed (Esth. 4:16; Acts 27:33). For instance, Moses, Elijah, and the Lord Jesus Christ did a forty-day absolute fast (Deut. 9:9; 1 Kgs. 19:7-8; Lk. 4:2).
- Sex fast – The Bible also makes reference to ‘sexual fast’ (Ex. 19:15), married couples can mutually agree to abstain from sex for a short period of time in order to devote themselves to prayers (1Cor. 7:5).
- ‘Pleasure’ fast – Another way is to confine or isolate oneself from people and pleasurable things to a place as a means of worship, studying the Bible, and praying to God for a purpose (Lk.2:36-37; 5:16).Time alone with God requires discipline and avoidance of distractions.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention which of these fast they have had.
2. REASONS AND BASIC CAUTIONS
Fasting is far more about focus on God than abstinence from food or other things that give pleasure (Zech.7:5). Also, people fast for various reasons. Some for spiritual strength (Isa.40:30-31), supernatural revelation, wisdom and understanding (Ezr.8:21; Dan.9:22), supernatural breakthrough (Zech.8;19) repentance from sinful ways (Joel 2:12-13; Dan.9:3-5), spiritual hunger and demonstration of love for God’s people and burden for souls (2Cor.11:27-28; Matt.5:6) and sharing with the poor and destruction of wicked works, among others (Isa.58:6-7). Fasting helps to subdue the flesh (1 Cor.9:27), to bridle your tongue, to tame your temper and to move ‘stubborn mountains’ (Matt.17:14-21).
Believers should exercise some caution while fasting. For instance, fasting should be limited to a set time and for a clear purpose (1Cor.7:5; Esth.4:16). It is neither intended to punish the body nor a dieting method (Isa.58:5) but to redirect attention to God. It is a period to give up self – indulging activities – for a deeper fellowship with God (Matt.4:1-2). Anyone can fast, but some may not be able to fast from food-maybe for health related issues. However, everyone can temporarily give up something in order to draw closer to God (Ex.19:15).
Biblical fast is to be done in a spirit of humility and joyfulness (Matt. 6:16-18). It should not be to manipulate God or do evil (Isa.58:4; Acts 23:21). In breaking an ‘absolute and long fast,’ warm liquids, (not carbonated drinks) are advised and should be taken in bits.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Does inability to spend quality time in prayer nullify fast?
CONCLUSION: Ask God for wisdom (Jam.1:5) as regards how and for how long and what purpose He wants you to fast.
QUESTIONS:
- Mention the types of fast in the Bible
- Mention three reasons why believers fasted in the Bible.
FURTHER READING:
Monday: Matthew 21:22 (KJV)
22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Tuesday: 1 Corinthians 7:5 (KJV)
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Wednesday: Exodus 34:28 (KJV)
28 And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.
Thursday: 1 Samuel 7:6 (KJV)
6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
Friday: Isaiah 58:2 (KJV)
2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
Saturday: 2 Corinthians 6:5 (KJV)
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
Sunday: Matthew 14:23 (KJV)
14 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention five benefits you have derived or will derive from biblical fast (2×5=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?
