C.A.C Sunday School Manual For June 27 and July 4, 2021, Lesson 11 for Upper Elementary, Lower Elementary and Pre – Elementary classes

MEMORY VERSE: But he who endures to the end shall be saved – Matthew 24:13 (RSV).

LESSON OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain the word persecution, and what Jesus said about it; and

2. state what to do about persecution and during persecution.

Each time you listen to, or watch the news you hear of Christian and pastors who have been killed. You also get to hear of how Christians’ farms have been destroyed and how their homes have been burnt and so, they had to run away into unknown place.

All these things done to Christian are done to them because they believe in Jesus. Jesus had already told the disciples (that includes myself and you) that Christians would be made to suffer and even be killed, simply because they are light, while those who kill them are darkness. The Christians are the Church, so any attack against Christian is against the Church.

However, as Christians, we need not be afraid because Jesus said “I have overcome the world”. Jesus is with His Church and so the Church will overcome at last.

FIRST WEEK: THE PERSECUTION

The Church is in trouble because of persecution. Persecution seems to pursue someone, or a group of people in such a way that will injure, grieve or even kill them because of what someone believes or his religion.

Persecution of the Church means lots of trouble for Christians. Persecution means they will be punished, beaten, disgraced, mocked, molested, cheated, denied their privileges and sometimes killed.

On daily basis, Christians are persecuted in Nigeria, Africa and the world. Persecution can come in form of denying people their rights. Some Christians were not given good jobs because they refused to change their names to the names of other religion. Some students were not given admission into higher institution all because they were Christians. Sometimes, Christians get sacked in their offices for no reason other than that they are Christian. And of course, some Christians adult and children are killed because they are Christians.

The major reason why the devil persecutes the Church is to make Christians turn away from Church and go to the hell. He also does this to make sure that people get scared of preaching the gospel. But the apostles’ persecution was great.

Jesus already said this, that the Church of Christ will be persecuted. He said persecution will take place when the time of His second coming is near. So having the Church persecuted simply means that these are the last days. Or also means that every word of Christ is true and will definitely come to past, or means every of His words will happen as He has said it means what He said about His coming back again is true. He will come back. Don’t let the liars and blasphemy of the end time deceive you.

If you are a true child of God, you will have your own portion of the persecution. You may be abused, mocked, and even hated all because you are a Christian. Do not worry, just remember that Jesus is with you and will eventually make you to spend time with Him.

LESSONS

1. Persecution is what every Christian should expert during this time

2. Persecution makes Christians stronger spiritually. The more they persecute the Church, the stronger Christians pray to their God and preach the gospel.

SECOND WEEK: THE APOSTLES ARE PERSECUTED

In the early Church, that is, when the apostles of Jews were still alive and leading the church, there was persecution.

After Jesus had resurrected and was back to His Father in heaven, the Church started. God was using the Church to get people saved from the power of hell, healed, delivered and blessed. But of course, the devil wasn’t happy, so he raised people to persecute the Church; the apostles and other followers of Jesus, especially those in Jerusalem.

The persecution led to the death of a disciple called Stephen. Stephen was stoned to death during the persecution of the Church. Stephen became a martyr because he defended his faith in Jesus even when he was being stoned to death.

After the death of Stephen, a man named Saul, was so wicked in persecuting the Church. Saul made sure that every Christian that he caught were either killed or put in prison. To be factual, Saul made the Church to see hell. Some of them had to run to other towns where they were preaching the gospel.

But guess what, the Christians never stopped loving and serving Jesus. They did not star serving another god or go into another religion, Truly, they ran away to other parts of the world, but the moment they got there, they started preaching the gospel and so many people were giving their lives to Christ.

One of the disciples, Philip ran to Samaria and God used him greatly to bless people. What the disciples did is what God wants us to do if we are persecuted. Make sure whatever happens, you do not stop following and serving Jesus. Pray and do remember to tell others about Jesus. Also make sure you are close to other Christians.

LESSONS

1. God allows persecution and He is with us always, so we should not be afraid. If we are afraid, we should pray to Him to help us.

2. We must pray for and send help to Christians who are persecuted seriously. Tell your teacher to tell you more about them and how you can help them.

3. The persecution of the Church was greater. Some were burnt in oil, some were thrown to lions as food, some were cut into two. But God was with them. He will be with you too.

QUESTIONS

1. List 5 ways by which the Church can be persecuted.

2. What are the things God is expecting from you when you are persecuted?

PRAYER: Lord, strengthen Your Church to be able to stand faithful in times of persecution.

MEMORY VERSE: But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison (Acts 8:3)

LESSONS OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson the pupils should be able to:

1. stand for Jesus, no matter the persecution;

2. Hold onto their faith in the face of peril; and

3. be bold and courageous to preach anytime.

Persecuting cannot kill the church; or can only fuel the spread of the Church

INTRODUCTION

The church in Jerusalem faced a lot of problems and persecutions, most especially, from a teacher of the law, named Saul.

The problem was too much whereby many of them were killed, including Stephen who was stoned to death.

But in all thia troubles, the Church stood for Christ and never stopped preaching the gospel of Christ.

WEEK ONE: THE PERSECUTION

June 27, 2021

The Christians in Jerusalem suffered persecutions in the hand of a man, named Saul. The reason why they suffered persecutions was because they believed and preached the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

One day, they stoned one of them, called Stephen to death (7:54-60). Likewise, they killed and placed many of them in jail (prison) only because of Jesus whom they served.

Accepting Jesus does not mean we will not face problems and persecutions. Jesus Himself told us that in this world we will face persecutions but we should be of good cheer, He has overcome the world (John 16:33). This helped the Christians to spread themselves to different places and preached.

LESSONS:

1. Despite being persecuted, the Church stood for Christ.

2. Being a child of God does not free us from persecution.

3. As a child of God, we must be able to suffer with Christ.

WEEK TWO: THE APOSTLES ARE PERSECUTED

July 4, 2021

The Church did not deny Jesus, despite the troubles and persecutions. Do you know what they did? They went about preaching the gospel of Jesus from one town to another, even as they were scattered everywhere.

Whatever we are passing through in life, we must continue to witness Christ to the people within and around us. Remember that Jesus is with us in any situation. Only trust in Him and hold onto your faith in Him, He never disappoints you. Even at the point of death, hold onto Jesus like Stephen.

The Church did not relent in preaching and many souls were won for Christ with many signs and wonders, such as healing, deliverance, etc.

LESSONS

1. Problem or persecutions must not stop us from preaching the gospel of Jesus.

2. Nothing should separate us from Jesus’ love (Rom. 8:35-39)

QUESTIONS

1. What happened to the Church at Jerusalem?

2. Why were the Christians persecuted in Jerusalem?

3. What was the Church’s action to such peril?

PRAYER: My Lord Jesus, help me to hold onto my faith in You, even in the face of persecutions in Jesus’ name

There was a peril (danger) against the Church which was at Jerusalem, which led to the death of Stephen who was stoned to death. This caused a great fear in the Church and they scattered everywhere throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. Everyone was afraid and in a great fear. But in all these, the power in the name of Jesus helped and sustained them. Are you facing any fear or challenges? Jesus will help you whenever you call upon Him.

It was amazing that the Church, as they went abroad, did not fail to preach the gospel of Jesus; they were spreading the good news that Jesus is the Lord and saviour of the world. As they preached, many believed and there were records of many miracles and wonders among the people.

Wherever we are facing in life, we must not allow such problems to take our hearts away from Jesus. In peril or danger, we must speak and preach the gospel of Jesus even at the point of death.

Don’t be afraid or shy to talk about your Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to the unbelievers. Jesus has the power to help and to deliver you.

MEMORY VERSE: But Saul tried to destroyed the church, going from house to house, he dragged out the believers, both men and women and threw them into jail Acts 8:3 (GNB)

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to preach even when in danger.