RCCG YAYA Sunday School Teacher Manual 1 June 2025 Lesson 40 – Crisis Of Identity
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TOPIC: Crisis Of Identity (RCCG Sunday School Manual For Young Adults And Youths (YAYA)
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, please help me to understand who I am. (Scroll down for RCCG YAYA Sunday School 1 June 2025)
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: The teacher should allow the assistant teacher to review the lesson for the previous week.
MEMORY VERSE: “And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” – Genesis 32:28 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Judges 6:11-16 (KJV)
11 And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
13 And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
14 And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.
16 And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.
Also Read:
– RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 1 June 2025 – The Covenant Meal
INTRODUCTION: There are three fundamental questions every human asks about their existence in life: Who am I – a question of identity; Why am I here – a question of purpose; Where do I go from here – a question of eternity. Apart from the name some people bear, they find it difficult to answer the question of identity when confronted by some circumstances. This challenge creates a crisis of identity. An identity crisis is defined as a period of uncertainty in a person’s life. This crisis occurs when a person’s sense of identity becomes insecure and unstable and this can happen at any time.
LESSON AIM: To teach how to overcome identity crisis.
TEACHING OBJECTIVES: Through this study, students should be able to:
a. Define identity crisis.
b. Mention at least four indicators of identity crisis with biblical examples.
c. Explain how to overcome the crisis of identity.
TEXT REVIEW: Judges 6:11-16.
The conversation between Gideon and the Angel of God in this passage clearly shows that the former was going through a crisis of identity at the time.
A. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon assuring him of God’s presence and called him a ………………………………………..Vs 11-12.
B. Gideon being in doubt about God’s presence asked why God allowed them to be suffering in the hands ……………………………………….V13.
C. The Angel told Gideon to go in that might, and deliver ……. because he has been …….V14.
D. Again, Gideon demonstrated low self-esteem and lack of faith when he said:
i. Behold,…………………………..
ii. …am I ………………………………V15.
E. God promised Gideon that He will ……..V16.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- Indicators With Biblical Instances
- Overcoming Identity Crisis
1. INDICATORS WITH BIBLICAL INSTANCES
A. Since man is a created being (Isaiah 64:8), only the Creator – God, can adequately describe what He has created (Isaiah 45:11-13). Therefore,
i. A drift away from a personal relationship with God is a major indicator of an identity crisis. Adam and Eve fell for the trick of the devil on their being like God (Genesis 3:1-5).
ii. Identity crisis makes us question the purpose and meaning of life (Isaiah 45:9). Gideon raised questions about his worth even when God wanted to use him to deliver Israel (Judges 6:11-15).
B. Other indicators of identity crisis include:
- Low self-esteem – Saul felt lost and aimless when Samuel told him he would be king over Israel (1 Samuel 9:19-21, 10:21-22).
- A feeling of insecurity – Jacob felt insecure and struggled to get the blessings of the firstborn despite the prophecy of dominion over Esau (Genesis 25:23, 30-34, 27:15-19, 32:4).
- Lack of fulfilment – At some point, Peter felt unfulfilled after he forsook his fishing business to follow Jesus (Luke 5:9-11; Matthew 19:27-29).
- Anxiety and fear – Peter also denied his identity in Christ because he was nervous and afraid (Matthew 26:69-74).
- Emotional instability – Naomi fell into the web of emotional instability after the loss of her husband and sons (Ruth 1:20-21).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should share their experience of identity crisis.
2. OVERCOMING IDENTITY CRISIS
A. A divine revelation of who we are is the ultimate remedy for the crisis of identity.
i. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham (Genesis 17:4-5).
ii. Sarai’s to Sarah (Genesis 17:15-16).
iii. Jacob’s to Israel (Genesis 32:27-28).
iv. Simon’s to Peter (Matthew 16:17-18).
Through those names, God gave new beginnings, new hopes, and new blessings.
B. A divine encounter is equally important.
i. Saul of Tarsus was identified as a persecutor of the Church and an ardent enemy of believers in Christ (Acts 8:1-3), but his identity changed when he encountered Christ and he was later identified as Paul the Apostle (Acts 9:3-6; Galatians 1:1).
ii. It is only in Christ that our true identity can be unveiled (2 Corinthians 5:17).
iii. Just as demons asked for the identity of the sons of Sceva, we can only be bold to declare who we are if we are on the Lord’s side (Acts 19:13-16).
iv. We must know who God says we are and stand our ground when challenged by circumstances and/or the devil (1 Peter 2:9, Acts 22:25-29, Revelation 1:6).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Who are you? Class should discuss.
CONCLUSION: Having a sense of identity gives us a sense of belonging. Who are you?
EVALUATION: How can you overcome the crisis of identity?
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, help me to live in the reality of who you say I am.
ASSIGNMENT: State five (5) likely experiences of someone struggling with an identity crisis (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?
