RCCG YAYA Sunday School Teacher 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)
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, save the lost through me. (Scroll down for RCCG YAYA Sunday School 11 May 2025)
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: The teacher should allow the assistant teacher to review the lesson for the previous week.
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)
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 AIM: To teach students the dynamic approach of running a church.
TEACHING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
a. Understand the term “church-shift.” b. Know the purpose of the church. c. Learn the dynamism of church operations.
TEXT REVIEW: Acts 8:26-31.
Philip, after he had witnessed to a whole city and there was Holy Spirit baptism, had an angelic visitation. According to Acts 8:26-31, the teacher should identify the instructions given to Philip, his actions and the result.
A. What was the instruction given to Philip?…………………………..
B. What action did Philip take? …………………….
C. What was the result?………………………
LESSON OUTLINES:
- The Purpose Of The Church
- Doing Church Differently
1. THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH
A. Every church is driven by something: tradition, finances, programmes, personalities, events, seekers and even buildings.
B. Regardless of the model of the Church, the original purpose must be understood. These are:
(i) Worship (Acts 2:46-47), (ii) Fellowship (Acts 2:42), (iii) Discipleship (Acts 6:1a), (iv) Ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12), (v) and Mission (Acts 15:22).
C. 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
A. 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, Sports, etc (John 17:18).
B. Church indeed is the training ground for people who will influence the world around them (2Timothy 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).
C. 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.
D. 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).
E. 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.
EVALUATION: Students should mention at least three purposes of the church and identify at least five ways to do church differently.
CLOSING PRAYER: Dear Father, let your church continue to prosper under our watch.
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?
