RCCG YAYA Sunday School Teacher Manual For July 16, 2023 Lesson 46 — Topic – Conscience
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TOPIC: Conscience
OPENING PRAYER: Father please circumcise my heart in Jesus name
MEMORY VERSE: “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.” – Acts 24:16 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 2:1-15 (KJV)
1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
INTRODUCTION: The Greek word translated “conscience” in all New Testament references is suneidesis, meaning “moral consciousness.” The conscience is defined as that part of the human psyche that induces mental anguish and feelings of guilt when we violate it and feelings of pleasure and we’ll being when our actions, thoughts, and words are in conformity to our value systems (John 8:9).
TEXT REVIEW: ROMANS 2:1-6; 21-25
Paul the apostle, in his letter to the Romans, charged them on integrity and good conscience saying:
A. Anyone who is judging another must be sure he is not guilty of the same offence ………………..v1.
He goes further to admonish them saying;
i. but we know …………v2.
ii. and do you think ………….v3.
iii. ……………..v4
B. He says that their hardness and impenitent heart has made them gather wrath for themselves against the day of wrath and God will reward their deeds……….v5&6.
C. in verse 21-25, he asked them serious questions on self appraisal. Kindly read and summarise below:
i. …………………….v21
ii. …………………….v22
iii. …………………….v23
iv. …………………….v24
v. …………………….v25
LESSON OUTLINES
- THE CONCEPT OF CONSCIENCE.
- CLASSES OF CONSCIENCE.
1. THE CONCEPT OF CONSCIENCE
Teachers should emphasise the fundamental truths about conscience as stated below:
A. The New Testament concept of conscience is more individual in nature and involves three major truths.
i. First, conscience is a God-given capacity for human beings to exercise self-evaluation (Acts 23:1; 24:16).
ii. Second, the conscience is a witness (Romans 2:14-15; Romans 9:1) and a base for holiness and sincerity (2Corinthians 1:12). It witnesses both before God and men (2Corinthians 5:11).
iii. Third, the conscience is a servant of the individual’s value system. An immature or weak value system produces a weak conscience, while a fully informed value system produces a strong sense of right and wrong.
B. In a Christian’s life, the conscience can be driven by an inadequate understanding of scriptural truths and can produce feelings of guilt and shame disproportionate to the issues at hand. Maturing in the faith strengthens the conscience.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1
Students should discuss what their experiences have been with their conscience.
2. CLASSES OF CONSCIENCE.
Teacher should identify the kinds of conscience and their impacts:
A. Seared with hot iron: The New Testament identified a conscience that is “seared” or rendered insensitive as though it had been burnt with a hot iron (1Timothy 4:1-2). Such a conscience is hardened and calloused, no longer feeling anything.
Impacts: A person with a seared conscience no longer listens to it’s promptings and can commit sin with recklessness, deceive himself into thinking all is well with his soul, and treat others insensitively and without compassion (Exodus 5:1-9).
B. Clear and right conscience: A clear and right conscience is that inner freedom of spirit that comes from knowing that you are right with God and with other people (Acts 23:1; Matthew 5:23-24).
Impacts: As Christians, we are to keep our consciences clear (2 Corinthians 4:2) by obeying God (Psalm 119:11) and keeping our relationship with Him in good standing. We do this by the application of His word (John 17:17), renewing (Romans 12:2), and by softening our hearts continually.
C. Weak conscience: This conscience is redeemed but can still be influenced by sin and weakened by wrong information. We are to consider those whose consciences are weak by treating them with Christian love and compassion (1 Corinthians 8:12).
Listen to your conscience and do not make excuses for wrongdoings (1 Corinthians 10:29).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2
What do you understand by a weak conscience?
CONCLUSION
Every believer must exercise a living conscience that pleases God and is not offended by men
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, please renew the right spirit within me.
ASSIGNMENT
What are the steps you take when your conscience pricks you? Mention at least five. (No Mark).
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 friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and 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 be 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?