C.A.C SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL FOR , JUNE 12 & 19, 2022 UNIT THREE, LESSON ELEVEN : TOPIC –GUARD YOURSELF FROM ERROR AND DESTRUCTION 

For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted you may well put up with it! (2 Corinthians 11:4)

Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing, lest you fall prey. They are rampant in the church with their falsehood.

Paul the apostle warned the brethren in the church at Corinth, and by extension, those of us today against, the danger of false gospellers who are already infiltrating and almost hijacking the faith which was once delivered to us (cf. 1 Tim. 6:12; Jude 1:3). ‘Different’ gospels are always painted to look like the original of Christ Jesus. But remember that not all that glitters is gold. Paul, seeing the Corinthian’s readiness to listen to false reachers who came after he had visited them with the truth, admonished and warned against giving them their ears, for doing so would turn their hearts against the true Jesus and salvation

False prophets are so from their spirit, though they come with excitements, spiritual advantages and privileges. Apostle Paul was sure of himself and his theology of Jesus whom he had known for years. Are you sure of your Jesus and the salvation He freely gives you that will make you stand firm in Him and His Word? Charismatic prophets and preachers who are not sent of God, but by their bellies and what they want to become, should not take away the truth you have received from God-sent ministers of the gospel. Therefore, he chided them: Why would they give so much attention to false gospellers

Many a times, believers in Christ give more and quick attention to vanities than things of eternal value (cf.?Matt. 6:19-21). You are accepting falsehood because they align with your carnal desires. But note this: Preachers of another Jesus/gospel are from the antichrist, and agents of the pit of hell. Be warned!

DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS FOR WEEK ONE

Mon. 13: The Carnal Man Detests Spiritual Things (1 Cor. 2:14)

Tue. 14: The False Teachers Are Proliferating (2 Pet. 2:1)

Wed. 15: The False Prophets Speak Destruction (Deut. 18:20)

Thur. 16: The False Prophets Will Be Doomed (Ezek. 13:9)

Fri. 17: The Perilous Times Are Here — Beware! (2 Tim. 3:1-4; 4:3-4)

Sat. 18: The Wise Emulate The Bereans (Acts 17:10, 11)

1. The Scripture is God’s gift and manual for us to overcome the perils of falsehood in this end time. Use it wisely!

2. It is pathetic today, that some ‘great’ ministers of the gospel have proposed to write another so called contemporary Bible. Sadly, some others are running after demonic books like the 6th and 7th Books of Moses, Book of Mormon, etc., all in the name of craving deeper knowledge about God. Oh! Beware!

2. You must regularly take in the Word of God in increasing measures so as to have the spiritual stamina and tools to combat every form of falsehood on your way.

AIM: To show how and why believers in Christ should secure their hearts against prevalent errors and destruction of the end time.

OBJECTIVES L: At the end of this lesson, it is expected that learners should be:

i. able to show the place of God’s Word in securing the Christian’s heart against invading falsehood;

ii. all out to warn people against the dangers inherent in having affinity with false doctrines prevalent around us;

iii. more carefully the way they handle God’s Word to avoid misrepresenting the Bible that is the means of detecting and avoiding falsehood; and

iv. showing signs of resolution to uncompromisingly keep every appearance of falsehood far away from them.

Hallelujah! God has graciously brought us to the conclusion of lesson Ten, FROM BABES TO FULL GROWN CHRISTIAN, Where we have learnt to be born by the incorruptible and enduring Word of God. This would makes us grow in Him to the kind of maturity He desires for us. In it, we learnt that it is important to desire growth, and grow unto maturity, whereby we can understand all that pertains to the doctrine of Christ. This gives us stability, such that we cannot be blown away by the wind of falsehood and ungodliness. It is our hope that we have all grasped the lessons the Holy Spirit wants us to learn. Amen.

This week and the next, by the grace of God, we shall be discussing a new topic, titled GUARD YOURSELF FROM ERROR AND DESTRUCTION. The Scripture does not hide it from us, at all, that falsehood in different forms, even in churches, is terribly invading our world. It is prevalent. We are charged to guard against the invading falsehood. This is only possible when we hold the Bible in the highest esteem it deserves as the Word of God. No one can be thoroughly equipped to do good works, if he/she has not been bathed without God’s Word. However, there are people who have chosen to be false, with their deceitful tendency and pranks. They lure with fake mouth-watering promises. We are warned to beware of and desist from these dangerous elements.

Moreover, there is the danger of misrepresenting God’s Word. This also, we must guard against. Thank God, we are not left in the dark as to how we can avoid misrepresentation of God’s Word, which the false people are known for. Christians are warned to know them and run from these peddlers of falsehood. May we be enabled by the power of Jesus’ Word and Spirit to choose the path of growing in Christ’s grace and knowledge, so that we can escape their godless escapades. Amen.

This is another 2-weeks lesson that is also broken down into two divisions, I and II. Each of these divisions is further divided into A and B.

This section is a discourse of 2 Tim. 3:13-17 and 2 Pet. 2:1-22. It is broken down into parts. Part A is titled The Scripture Is True, and B, The Dangers Of False Doctrine. The Bible is God’s inspiration through His accredited writers, to be believed and used as the measuring rule in the matters of life and godliness. There we can grow to the stature of Christ, for no false gospellers will assume this stage and state, but will be punished and condemned in the end.

This division comes with a warning not to misrepresent the truth of God’s Word. We can only do this by guarding our hearts and motives. Part A discusses how we can avoid misrepresentation of God’s Word as scoffers have infiltrated the Church to mislead about Jesus and His second coming. To avoid their nefarious attitude, we must remember to hold on to the truth handed over to us by our fathers of faith. We are warned in part B not to align with errors that can make us fall from steadfastness. Growing in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is the antidote to falling into falsehood.

To invade is to come with such tenacity as to overwhelm what is on ground. Falsehood always comes with some paintings and decorations to make it appealing, but only to the feeble minds. You can only escape, if you already know the ORIGINAL–the truth of God’s Word. Determine to hold on to it.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16).

i. vv. 14-15: Many Bible readers and teachers misinterpret and misapply Scriptures because they fail to recognise its Origin, and so, are not wise. You tend to abuse what you don’t value aright.

ii. vv. 13-15: Falsehood is somehow prevalent in the world (v.13). The antidote is to hold out and stand by the sound doctrines of the Word (v. 14), whose Source is the Truth (Jn. 14:6), and is therefore able to make you wise for salvation… (2 Tim. 3:15).

iii. v.16a: God’s Word is the truth that silences falsehood. Why? How? It is given by inspiration of God who can never lie (Num. 23:19), thus giving it credence as true and ultimately reliable.

iv. God gave the Scripture published by holy men/women as led by the Holy Spirit (Psa. 68:11; 2 Pet. 2:16-21). It is not a concoction of personal ideas, imaginations, or speculations. Hence, the messages of the Bible are not sugar-coated, hearsay or delusion. All necessary truths are wonderfully revealed in it.

v. v.16b: It is therefore profitable. For what? It is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right (TLB). The Scripture is true; it reveals and sustains the Truth (Psa. 119:160; 2 Cor. 1:18).

iv. v.17: The Scriptures. Is God’s way of making us complete (mature), through the process of teaching, reproof, correction and instruction in Christ’s own righteousness. What has been your attitude to the Bible? You need amendments? Do it NOW!

vii. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ will prove you as Christians, for by flesh shall no man prevail (1 Sam. 2:9). To be profitable to the Ultimate Master, we need His Word to make mould and prove us until we assume the measure of the fullness of the stature of Christ (Eph. 4:13).

But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption (v.12).

i. vv. 1-3: False teachers peddle false knowledge — destructive heresies (v.1). Destructive, because they undermine the very foundation of our faith (v.1b). They are dangerous, and should therefore be avoided like plague, as they deceive people into godliness, thus bringing blasphemy to the way of truth (vv. 2,3). Paul warned the Ephesian church leaders to resist them (Acts 20:28-31).

ii. vv. 1,3: Falsehood wouldn’t go unpunished (cf. Prov. 16:5); the peddlers invoke on themselves swift destruction (v.1). Of course, their destruction does not slumber. Let falsehood continue flying. In no time, truth would catch up with, and overpower it.

iii. vv. 4-12: The specific references to some instances of God’s wrath on falsehood and wickedness in the past is a clear confirmation of the fact that the proponents of false doctrine cannot escape God’s wrath, if they don’t repent. They will soon be caught and destroyed, …will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness (vv.12-13).

iv. v. 13: False doctrine and teachers are spots and blemishes in Christ’s body. If they don’t repent, they would be destroyed like Balaam who loved the wages of unrighteousness (vv.15,16).

v. vv. 17-22: The mouth-watering promises of false teachers are vanity upon vanity, for they shall soon be taken in their pride. God hates falsehood, and deals with the false teachers/prophets, with their master (Jn. 8:44).

vi. The devil’s onslaught against Christians has never been so alarming, especially as we draw closer to the end of the age. Accept the grace of Jesus Christ today, and don’t wait until you find yourself with the devil in hell (cf. Rev. 14:10, 11; 19:20; 20:10).

LESSON DERIVED

1. The Bible is God’s authoritative Word to be studied and digested in order to combat the dangerous trend of falsehood in the world, in these end times.

2. False doctrines are proliferation. Believers should beware lest they be carried away by the damnable doctrines of the devil. Resist them!

The place of God’s Word cannot be over-emphasised in escaping the peril of false doctrines and their proponents. How can we get members to be more committed to our weekly Bible study meetings, Sunday school lessons and daily devotional materials?

* The Bible says, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path” (Psa. 119:105).

* The Church must make the teaching of God’s Word a priority (2 Tim. 2:15)

* New converts class should be taken seriously.

* Leaders must make all efforts to get the Bible in the hearts of members by practically talking about it, teaching it and living it out.

* Are all leaders aware of the Living Water Daily Devotional? We must start from our homes.

* Bible studies must be schedule to appropriate time for members, taking into consideration, location and type of business of members.

* Leaders must show good and godly examples by their prompt responses to Bible study and Sunday school periods. Some pastors do not attend. Let them sit with members sometimes.

* The members are what their pastor is, or is not. Pastors must be versed in the Word. Pitiful, some prophets turn the Sunday school period to revival.

* Leaders must constantly emphasise the place and importance of the Word in overcoming the period of falsehood.

* Leaders must take with utmost seriousness, preaching, teaching, exhortation, rebuke and reprove of themselves and their members (2 Tim. 4:2).