RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual For April 14, 2019 Lesson 33 : Topic – Spiritual Breakthrough
TOPIC: Spiritual Breakthrough
OPENING PRAYER: Father, please grant me spiritual breakthrough today.
MEMORY VERSE: “And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.” – 2 Kings 2:15
BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 9:1-9 KJV
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
LESSON INTRODUCTION:
Generally speaking, a spiritual breakthrough is an experience of a new and unprecedented level of spiritual state/status. 2 Kings 2:11-15. In Christian circles, a spiritual breakthrough can be described as a time when a person is saved, gains a deeper understanding of biblical truth, receives answers to prayers, or wins over a besetting sin. John 8:32. The idea of a breakthrough suggests a preceding struggle that finally peaks and finds resolution. Acts 9:1-9.
TEXT REVIEW: ACTS 9:1-9 – “FROM NEGATIVE TO POSITIVE”
The Church experienced a great breakthrough in the conversion of Saul who later became Paul.
i. The Lord is a God of breakthrough and can change a “God’s adversary/sinner” to a “God chosen vessel”. Acts 9:15-16.
ii. A typical example of church spiritual breakthrough was an instance when a hardened soul is converted and now becomes a mighty instrument to preach the gospel where others could not reach.
Paul preached in many countries like Damascus, Cyprus, Ephesus, Antioch, etc. and carried the gospel to the highest authority like Agrippa, Caesar, Felix, Festus, etc. Acts 9:20-22.
iii. The Redeemed Christian Church of God experienced a great spiritual breakthrough when Pastor E.A. Adeboye assumed duty as the General Overseer and through this single divine catch, the local church with a few members now has presence in well over 180 nations of the world with millions of members.
iv. Spiritual breakthroughs could also take a form of miracles as Paul once lost his sight and recovered it not by medical consultation but by laying of hands. Acts 9:17-19.
v. Spiritual breakthrough occurs when the Lord shows himself in awesome manner to confound the wisdom and wiles of the prudent and the wicked. Acts 9:4-6.
2 LESSON OUTLINES
LESSON OUTLINE 1: BIBLE INSTANCES
i. The Pentecost experience. Acts 2:3-14.
ii. Saul of Tarsus’ encounter with Jesus. Acts 9:1-9.
iii. The answer to Daniel’s prayers. Dan. 10:11-13.
iv. Elisha’s anointing. 2 Kings 2:9-15.
v. The removal of the curse placed on the city of Jericho. Joshua 6:26; 2 Kings 2:19-22.
vi. The Apostles’ working of miracles. Acts 5:15-16; 19:11-12.
vii. Peter’s experience on the roof top. Acts 10:9-15.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Members should mention any spiritual breakthrough they had encountered.
LESSON OUTLINE 2: HOW TO EXPERIENCE IT
i. It is God’s exclusive reserve to bring about spiritual breakthrough. Psalms 115:3.
ii. God can choose any one because of His mercy. Romans 9:15-16.
iii. The following requirements are very important for a spiritual breakthrough:
a. Commitment and sacrificial life. 2Kings 2:1-14.
b. Fervent prayers, fasting and perseverance. Matt. 17:2; James 5:17-18.
c. Endurance to hardship, focusing on Jesus. Heb. 12:1-2.
d. Focusing on Heaven as the ultimate. John 14:1-6.
SUMMARY: Bible based spiritual breakthrough is attainable if we are ready to abide by Biblical principles.
CONCLUSION: Spiritual breakthrough is the mother of all breakthroughs as it depicts the believers’ access into the spiritual realm to control the physical. John 3:27.
EVALUATION: How can your church experience constant spiritual breakthroughs?
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, give me my own spiritual breakthrough.
ASSIGNMENT: Class should meet for at least one (1) this week and pray for spiritual breakthrough of members.
RCCG 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 friendship suits me well,
Both young and old 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 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?