C.A.C Sunday School Manual For May 2 and 9, 2021, Lesson 8 for Upper Elementary, Lower Elementary and Pre -Elementary classes

MEMORY VERSE: My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent – Proverbs 1:10 (RSV)

Lesson Objectives: At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. retell the story of Ananias and Saphira correctly and state its lesson; and

2. say categorically that God punishes sin.

In today’s story, we shall see to the danger of allowing ourselves to fall into temptation by partnering with someone to commit sin.

It is a dangerous thing to join or agree with someone to commit sin, because God rewards all our actions based on what every individual does.

It is normal for you to be tempted, but terribly dangerous for you to fall into temptation. This is because falling into temptation gives devil an opportunity into your life and can/may take you away from God. Learn how to stay strong during temptation, especially at a time like this.

During the time when Apostles: Peter and others were leading the church, so many church members were giving generously to God. Some people even sold their houses and lands and brought it to the apostles, who were leading the church (Acts 4:34-37).

In our text, we saw Mr. Ananias. He was a church member. Mr. Ananias sold his land too, with the aim of bringing the money to the church.

But Mr Ananias played a prank, a very bad one, that cost him his life. Ananias did not bring the total amount of which he sold the land. He however brought the money and gave the impression that he brought all the money.

The Holy Spirit who knows all things revealed this to Peter. Peter challenged Ananias about this deceit. He made it known to him that he has lied to the Holy Spirit; while Peter was talking Ananias fell down and died.

Mr. Ananias was no doubt a Christian, because he was a member of the church, yet he fell into temptation. Do you know why? Because he wanted to “belong.” He wanted to be praised and appreciated like those who have sold their land before. Whenever you want to give or do anything for God in the church, make sure you don’t lie about it and don’t do so because you want to be praised. It can be dangerous.

In this end time, the devil makes it appear as if is just a normal thing to tell lies and deceive people, even your parents and the ministers of God. But it is not funny; it is falling into temptation. Being untruthful and deceitful in your words and actions will only make God very angry with you and He will be very far away from you because God is truth. Do not make lies and deceit your habit. It gives you a bad identity. Choose to be truthful.

1. You will be tempted but you should pray and watch always, not to fall into temptation.

2. Don’t give to God because you want accolade and praises. Give to God with all your heart.

3. Stay from habit of likening. Be truthful and prayerful.

May 8, 2021

The name of Mr. Ananias wife was Saphira and they were both members of the early Church. Three hours after Mr Ananias had been buried; Saphira came around to the Church. Poor Saphira! She didn’t know what had happened to her husband. Peter asked Saphira how much they sold their land. Peter must have mentioned the amount to him by her husband and Saphira said, yes the land was sold for the amount

Saphira’s answer shows that herself and her husband had planned to lie to the apostles about the selling price of their land. Peter rebuked Saphira too. The Holy Spirit struck her dead and she was buried beside her husband. Saphira fell into the temptation of cooperating with someone to commit sin. She should have corrected her husband in love and advised that they tell the truth about the cost of their land. Perhaps, she told him and he did not listen, then Saphira should still have told Peter the truth. May be Saphira also loved to be seen as a giver too.

How many times have you done the same? In this end times, children come together to plan and do evil. They plan and pretend to be sick, so that they can get money from their parents. They call such plans team work. You need to be bold for Christ and say no to invitation of sinners, even if they are on your church or you meet with them during camp programmes. You should be contented with what you have, while you pray and work harder to be who God wants you be to. Covetousness and not being confident with yourself can force you do cooperate with people and commit sin.

Don’t forget that sin has multiplied these last days. It amply means sin comes in different forms. You can see a lot of evil cooperation on social media. Do not join them.

1. Have confidence in God and in yourself.

2. Don’t lie to the minister of God.

3. Don’t do things that will make people to invite you to join them in sinning.

QUESTIONS

1. Mention 5 ways of lying and deceiving people at this end time.

2. Say 2 reasons why people give to God.

3. How can you prevent yourself from falling into the world temptation?

MEMORY VERSE: That he might present the church to himself in plandour without spot or wrinkle or any such thing that she might be holy and without blemish – Ephesians 5:27 (GNB)

Lesson Objectives: At the end of the lesson, students should be able:

1. learn how to hold onto their faith in Jesus when temptation knocks;

2. identify how the tempter (Satan) works to attack a child of God; and

3. learn the dangers in giving in to temptations.

Flee Temptation before it sends you to an early grave.

To give in to temptation is to do something that is wrong or bad, eve

n when you know that it is not good for you to do it.

May 1, 2021

As believers, we must face different types of problems, tribulations and temptations but we must not allow these or anything I.e money, wealth, food, cars, house, and beauty of this world to shift our attention away from the Lord Jesus Christ. Ananias and Saphira failed and fell before God.

There are people who have dedicated their lives to be used against the children of God. These types of people may give you money, sweet, biscuits or lollipop to deceive you and rob you of your destiny and glory in Christ. Do not listen to them, don’t allow anyone to deceive you with the things of this world. Hold onto your love for Jesus and He will never let you down. Once you decide to stand for Jesus, He will not allow you to be put to shame. Because of money, Ananias and Saphira gave up their love for Jesus by lying before God and His servant

Flee from things that are tempting, and read your Bible, always.

1. Temptation must come our ways to test our love for Jesus.

2. Ananias and Saphira failed in their temptation, we must not fail as Christians.

3. We must not be deceived with the worldly things but hold unto Jesus Christ.

May 8, 2021

Ananias and Saphira sold their piece of land to help the needy but they lied that it was the whole money they brought to the temple, after keeping half of the money at home.

They were not forced to donate their belongings; it was a decision between the husband and the wife (Ananias and Saphira). Instead of them to confess that it was half of the money that they brought to the temple, they lied that it was all the money they brought.

When the apostle asked him again, he refused to say the truth, he fell down in the temple and died immediately. God hates every form of sin and disobedience. Learn how to be honest in whatever you do or whenever you are sent on an errand. Let the fear of God and His Words fill your heart.

Check your life, what type of sin can you find there? Is it lying, stealing, fighting, cheating, immorality, etc.? God is not happy with sin. Do everything possible to avoid falling into temptation. If you yield to temptation like Ananias and Saphira, it can kill and shorten one’s life, it can also destroy one’s destiny and glory. Be warned!

1. Giving in to temptation is dangerous.

2. God hates every form of sin i.e lying, stealing, hypocrisy, etc.

3. Ananias and Saphira lost their lives due to unfaithfulness.

1. What is temptation?

2. What can we do to avoid falling into temptation?

3. Mention some of the danger in yielding to temptation.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, uphold me to the end and don’t allow me to give up my love and faith in You.

There was much unity love and care in the early church. They shared their properties, money, houses, etc., with the poor and needy. Many of them sold their needy. Many of them sold their lands and possessions and gave out the money to the needy. All these they did willingly without anybody forcing them to do it. There was a couple (husband and wife) in that church called Ananias and Saphira. They also sold their possession and brought half of the money to the Temple. They lied to the Apostles that it was all the money that they brought. They lied to God and God’s people.

They can decide to give out half of the money since God loves a cheerful giver, but their sin was how they lied before God and His servants that, it was all the money that they presented.

God was angry with them and he stroked Ananias, so that he died. His wife also joined her husband to lie; she also died right there before the people of God.

Do not lie but be faithful in everything you do. We cannot hide anything from God; He sees and knows everything about us

Learn how to be honest, even in dangerous situations. You must say the truth.

Stop telling lies because liars are children of the devil and they will go to hell together, unless they repent and give their lives to Jesus and breakaway with the devil. Don’t follow or make friends with anyone you find living an unfaithful life. It is well with you.

MEMORY VERSE: Don’t give the devil a chance – Ephesians 4:27 (GNB)

PRAYER: Lord, uphold mey, never to give up my faith in You in Jesus’ name.