RCCG YAYA Sunday School Students Manual 8 September 2024 Lesson 2 – Alternative Spirituality
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TOPIC: Alternative Spirituality (RCCG Sunday School Manual For Young Adults And Youths (YAYA)
MEMORY VERSE: “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.” – Leviticus 19:31 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Isaiah 47:13-14 (KJV) (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 8 September 2024 HYMN)
13 Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.
14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.
Also Read:
– RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 8 September 2024 – The Deity Of Jesus (1)
– RCCG YAYA Sunday School Teacher Manual 8 September 2024 – Alternative Spirituality
– Open Heaven 8 September 2024: Marriage – A Blessing Or A Curse?
INTRODUCTION: Alternative spirituality is a loosely defined term generally used to describe spiritual practices that do not conform to true Christianity. It is largely characterised by some spiritual practices and rituals that are often chosen by the participants to fit their individual needs. In this lesson, we shall highlight some of them and scripturally view what our perspectives should be as believers.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- Alternative Spirituality Practices
- Scriptural Perspectives
1. ALTERNATIVE SPIRITUALITY PRACTICES
Astrology and the Zodiac is the “interpretation” of an assumed influence the starry hosts (and planets) exert on human destiny (Isaiah 47:13; Daniel 2:27). According to astrology, the sign you were born under, like Aquarius, Pisces, etc. impacts your destiny. Crystal sphere is the belief that a precious stone has an inherent power that can be used to man’s benefit like attracting wealth, rekindling romance, and warding off evil spirits or bad energy thus bringing good luck. Necromancy is the conjuring of the spirits of the dead to magically reveal the future or influence the course of events. In the Bible, necromancy is also called “divination,” “sorcery” and “spiritism” (Exodus 7:11; 2 Kings 17:17).
Others include practices like palm reading, spiritual bathing, playing some seemingly harmless games designed to initiate people into divination, visiting websites that promise to guide and reveal destiny to unsuspecting victims, perfumes and cosmetics capable of bringing good luck or warding off bad luck, visiting false Prophets, using charms, amulets, or talismans, etc. (Leviticus 19:26).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention other ungodly practices prevalent in their community.
2. SCRIPTURAL PERSPECTIVES
Astrology, crystal sphere as well as necromancy are forms of divination expressly detestable and forbidden in Scriptures (Deuteronomy 18:10-14). Stars, along with the sun and moon, were given for “signs” and “seasons” (Genesis 1:14). To “worship the starry host” is a clear violation of God’s law (Deuteronomy 4:19). The royal astrologers of the Babylonian court were put to shame by God’s prophet, Daniel (Daniel 1:20; 2:27).
Our wisdom comes from God, not the dead (James 1:5). Also those who are dead, either go to Heaven to rest or to hell for condemnation. Anything outside this is the conjuring of demonic spirits. Likewise, anything that seeks to manipulate the spirit world can be categorised as witchcraft. Witchcraft is named along with idolatry as ungodly behaviour (Galatians 5:19-21). All the aforementioned practices involve demonic manipulations and open the one who practices them to demonic attacks. It is worshipping created things rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).
The word of God is and must remain our guide through life (Psalm 119:105).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should share any alternative spirituality they have engaged in previously and its implication on their lives.
CONCLUSION: Every spirituality outside the will of Christ is false and demonic. It should not be embraced by true Christians.
QUESTIONS
- Mention three reasons believers should avoid any spirituality outside Christ.
- Give two examples of alternative spiritual practices that people get involved in.
FURTHER READING:
Sunday: 2 Timothy 3:8 (KJV)
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
Monday: Proverbs 6:23 (KJV)
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Tuesday: Jeremiah 10:14 (KJV)
Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
Wednesday: 1 John 5:20 (KJV)
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Thursday: 1 Thessalonians 1:9 (KJV)
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
Friday: Psalm 74:16-17 (KJV)
16 The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun. 17 Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.
Saturday: Daniel 2:47 (KJV)
The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) reasons Christians seek after other forms of spirituality outside Christ. (2X5=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?
