C.A.C SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL FOR SEPTEMBER 19 & 26, 2021 LESSON FIVE : TOPIC - WHEN KNOWLEDGE INCREASE GLOBALLY
C.A.C SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL FOR SEPTEMBER 19 & 26, 2021 LESSON FIVE : TOPIC - WHEN KNOWLEDGE INCREASE GLOBALLY
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CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH WORLDWIDE
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
(KINGDOM OF GOD FAMILY)
THEME: IN TIME LIKE THIS
UNIT TWO : POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC WAR
Date : 19th & 26th, September, 2021
Lesson : FIVE
TOPIC: WHEN KNOWLEDGE INCREASE GLOBALLY
Memory Scripture
But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase
(Daniel 12:4).
It is the Word of God that knowledge would be on the increase in these end times (Dan. 12:4). Just make sure you aren't going down the drain with the knowledge that exalts itself against God and His things (1 Tim. 6:20; cf. 2 Cor. 10:5).
BRIEF COMMENT
God does not tolerate redundancy, but He has established a platform for all individuals or groups to develop and increase in knowledge (cf. Psa. 139:14). Imperatively, man must conform to God's agenda to be able to activate His provision for all round development, by applying the knowledge God has made available. Activating this knowledge allows man to see things from the perspective of God's greatness and love for all (1 Cor. 12:8). The Living Bible renders our Memory Scripture, Daniel 12:4 thus, But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase. The word "knowledge" daath (Hebrew) can refer to physical or spiritual knowledge. Even though it mostly describes godly knowledge, it can also refer to the knowledge of man being cut off from God, as they are ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Jer. 10:14). Also, the phrase run to fro, or rush here and there (NLT) can refer to travelling, or movement from one physical place to the other (2 Chr. 16:9; Jer. 5:1; Amos 8:12). What that means is that people shall be on the move to seek knowledge.
However, the bone of contention is the kind of knowledge be sought --- physical, spiritual, metaphysical, scientific, or technological. Nevertheless, the Bible talks about how the earth would be filled with the knowledge of God as the water covers the sea (Isa. 11:9) in the end-time. May the Holy Spirit assist us to increase in God's knowledge beyond our increase in any other kind of knowledge, to the salvation of our souls, in Jesus' name (Amen).
Devotional Bible Reading For Week One
Mon. 13: The Heavens Declare God's Glory (Psa. 19:1-6)
Tue. 14: The Law Declare God's Wisdom (Psa. 19:7-14)
Wed. 15: The Lord's Knowledge Is Unfathomable (Psa. 139:1-6)
Thur. 16: The Wise Store Up Knowledge (Prov. 10:14)
Fri. 17: The Excellece Of Wisdom Declared (Eccl. 7:11-14)
Sat. 18: The Loveless Knowledge Is Nonsense (1 Cor. 13:1-3)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
1. The greater our knowledge outside and without God, the greater the woe that is coming upon our world.
2. Knowledge in Christian sense is a gift from God (spiritual gift). It is revelatory in nature (1 Cor. 12:8). Amassing knowledge outside of, and without God will only continually plunge man into the mire of terrible disasters.
3. When a child is allowed to gather academic knowledge of various kinds on an increasing level without commensurate knowledge of God and His ways, such a child is being prepared to become a monster in the society, in the nearest future.
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Isaiah 11_22; Hosea 4:6
AIM AND OBJECTIVES.
AIM: To help the learners know that this time is the time of global increase in knowledge in all spheres, with its attendant implications.
OBJECTIVES: At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
i. defend that knowledge is a God-given gift to execute God's projects;
ii. prove that the application of knowledge outside God leads to chaos and anti-God agendas;
iii. show that with increased knowledge, the whole world is becoming more and more of a community (global village); and
iv. prove that increase in the knowledge of God is the only way to drive humanity into peaceful haven.
INTRODUCTION
TEXTUAL SOURCES: EXODUS 31:1-11; JOB 21:22; PROVERBS 2:6; DANIEL 12:4; ROMANS 1:18FF; PHILIPPIANS 3:1FF; 1 CORINTHIANS 2:9; 1 TIMOTHY 6:20; 2 TIMOTHY 3:16; 2 PETER 1:3
Thank God for the experience of lesson four, titled, MAD RUSH FOR WORLDLY WEALTH. In it, we were made to know why people rush to have wealth and the consequences afterwards. Believers are encouraged and commanded to seek wealth, God's way, and are charged to follow the example of father Abraham in relation to seeking wealth, and get glued to His covenant of blessings.
Lesson Five, the first in unit two, is a 2-week lesson meant for this week and the next. The fact remains that when God's Word says knowledge shall be on the increase (Dan. 12:4), it would happen, and is already happening. However, this does not mean there should be crazy for the knowledge faithfully values in its context? We must allow the knowledge of God and His Word to remain in us, to prevent the negative effects of this increased knowledge to derail.
We shall see how the Bible describe the knowledge that will increase and how knowledge will eventually increase. We shall also discuss modern-day knowledge against the Bible-based knowledge, to draw our conclusion on the suitable knowledge for us as God's children. Though men failed to retain God in their knowledge, they have acquired various knowledge through modern technology, both for their pleasure and to their detriment. Because of this, many say, "There is no God." Are they not really fools (Psa. 14:1-3)?
May we be patient and humble enough to receive all that the Holy Spirit has for us in His Word, in Jesus' name. Amen.
INTRODUCTION TO EACH DIVISION
This lesson broken into two divisions (I and II), with each division further divided into A and B.
DIVISION I: THE BIBLE PREDICTS THE INCREASE
This division presents us with what God actually predicted about increase on knowledge. It also talks about the manifestation of God's predictions. As we can see, the world is racing for increase in knowledge. No wonder the craze for it at all cost, even at the expense of the God of knowledge who predicted the increase. This shall be studied along the line of the Bible texts, Exodus 31:1-11; Job 21:22; Proverbs 2:6; Daniel 12:4; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Peter 1:3.
DIVISION II: THE ACTUAL INCREASE
Division II deals with two different trends: modern day knowledge speaks of the technological, scientific and all other forms of secular knowledge the world is crazy about today. This, simply, has dragged the world further into godliness, corruption, wickedness and all sorts of evil, because, in spite of the fact that it makes things easier, convenient, and faster, it plunges the world farther away from the Creator of the universe, hence the indispensability of the Bible-based knowledge/, wisdom. This and many more are what this division is set to discuss.
LESSON OUTLINE
I. THE BIBLE PREDICTS THE INCREASE
A. KNOWLEDGE: THE BIBLE'S DESCRIPTION
B. KNOWLEDGE: WOULD BE ON THE INCREASE
II. THE ACTUAL INCREASE
A. MODERN-DAY KNOWLEDGE
B. BIBLE-BASED KNOWLEDGE
LESSON EXPOSITION
I. THE BIBLE PREDICTS THE INCREASE (Exodus 31:1-11; Job 21:22; Proverbs 2:6; Daniel 12:4; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Peter 1:3)
September 19th, 2021
The meaning of something is very important in getting to know about it. One major feature that separate the Bible from other books is the ability to correctly predict the future. In fact, the Scripture contains wealth of prophecies that were made years before they were fulfilled. The prediction of increase in knowledge shows that God does exist and He is in control of all things. The good news about this is that, some people will understand and be ready for the Lord when He returns.
A. KNOWLEDGE: THE BIBLE'S DESCRIPTION (Exod. 31:1-11; Job 21:22; Prov. 2:6; 2 Pet. 1:3).
And I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship (Exod. 31:3).
i. Prov. 2:6: Knowledge is general awareness, or possession of information, facts ideas, truths, or principles. It is of, and from God, and He gives it freely by His Spirit (1 Cor. 12:8).
ii. Job 21:22: God's knowledge and wisdom are unsearchable and unfathomable. No one can teach Him. Therefore, scientists don't create/invent anything. They only discover what God has created and put in place in the first instance.
iii. For instance, long before scientists ever agree that the earth is spherical and suspended on nothing, God's Word clarified (Job 26:7). The Bible foresaw radio and TV before their invitations (Job 38:35; Rev. 11:8-10).
iv. The Bible differentiates between the knowledge of God and that of the world (secular). The former is enshrined in His Word --- the Bible (Psa. 119:1ff; Rom. 4:23, 24; 2 Tim. 3:16), and is life
The latter is that premised on human philosophy. It can be dangerous when unduly pursed (Eccl. 1:18; 1 Tim. 6:20,21). Yet, it would be on the increase (Dan. 12:4).
v. 2 Pet. 1:3: Knowledge is power. It is through the knowledge of God that we have everything we need for life and godliness. He also disdain it, regrets (Hos. 4:6; Rom. 1:28). God expects that we would pursue secular knowledge in the manner and measure He approves of, to be better at our lives' careers and endeavours.
vi. Exod. 31:1-11: Knowledge comes from God as a spiritual gift for the furtherance of His business and people, here on earth (1 Cor. 12:8; cf. Jas. 1:5; 3:13-18).
vii. What a wonderful, unprecedented opportunity to individuals to be able to learn the Word of God that will help in preparing them for the end.
B. KNOWLEDGE: WOULD BE ON THE INCREASE (Dan. 12:4; 1 Cor. 2:9; 1 Tim. 6:20)
But you, Daniel shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase (Daniel 12:4).
i Dan. 12:4: That knowledge would be on the increase refers to increasing desire to know more about God - spiritual knowledge) and the world around us (secular knowledge).
ii. Out of curiosity, many would be running to and fro to discover what is in those sealed words and book (Dan. 12:4a), and the Implications for man's survival, through to eternity, hence the increased knowledge.
iii. This would be both positive and negative, as many would want to know God the more (cf. Phil. 3:9,10) --- positive, while others would want to know what God doesn't want them to know --- undue civilization --- negative (cf. Gen. 3:5-7; Isa. 14:12ff).
iv. 1 Cor. 2:9: Of course, God still has new things in mind for those who care to align with Him. After all, He is still in the business of making new things (cf. Isa. 65:17).
v. 1 Tim. 6:20: In order that we would not be caught in the negative web, we are warned about the increase in worldly knowledge (... what is falsely called knowledge) that will always oppose the Truth, God and His Word (Psa. 14:1).
vi. Knowledge, more than ever is power. Yet to maintain the power and strength of a nation, much is required than mere material or secularised knowledge.
LESSONS DERIVED
1. Godly knowledge described by God's Word is the most valuable gift man can possess. Get it!
2. To divorce knowledge from God is to continue to run on a collision course with one's Creator --- the foolishness many are currently wallowing in.
WORK TO DO
Discuss some strands of false knowledge that are gaining ground among believers today.
SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO WORK TO DO
1. 2 Timothy 3:1ff gives us answer to this question.
2. There is an idol man has never ceased to worship. It started in the Garden of Eden and continues till now. This is the false god of knowledge (abstract in nature).
3. The church has always been tempted to dull the sharp edges of the Christian faith, to abandon hard truth in the face of civilization and modern religious pressure.
4. Christians, men and women alike, not have office dresses that they believe make them look smarter but never portray them the way they appear in church. That is nothing but double standard (hypocrisy).
5. The opinion of ground shift with the use of modern-day applications has endangered the brief of waiting before God.
6. The use of projector for services has made so many Christians (or church goers) lazy as to opening the Bible most especially, the hard copy, personally again.
7. Do you know that some of the sources of this knowledge are connected to the devil? Not all knowledge is from God, hence His charge that we test all spirits (1 Jn. 4:1ff).
8. The wonderful and sophisticated edifices we build to taste today, is of great priority than the spiritual and human development of our members.
9. Added to the afore-discussed is the trend among some so called motivated speakers who pick management topics and galvanise them with Bible passages to exite their shallow, sometimes dead listeners. Dead preacher with a dead message to a dead congregation produces death in the real sense of the word.
C.A.C SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL FOR SEPTEMBER 19 & 26, 2021 LESSON FIVE : TOPIC - WHEN KNOWLEDGE INCREASE GLOBALLY
Reviewed by Muyiwa Abodunrin (Muyilight)
on
September 18, 2021
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Reviewed by Muyiwa Abodunrin (Muyilight)
on
September 18, 2021
Rating:
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