C.A.C Sunday School Manual For February 4, 2024 : Topic – THE PROMISE OF SPIRITUAL POWER FOR US

2024 SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

THEME: SPIRITUAL POWER AND GIFTS FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST

LESSON ONE

4th February, 2024

TOPIC: THE PROMISE OF SPIRITUAL POWER FOR US

MEMORY SCRIPTURE

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Jesus promises us His power for us to do exploits for Him and His Kingdom.

BRIEF COMMENT

In Acts 1:8, Jesus imparted essential instructions to His disciples before His ascension. He told them that they would receive His Spirit and Power, enabling them to be His witnesses. Their duties extend beyond Jerusalem and Judea to include Samaria, and even the farthest regions of the earth. This verse represents the universal mission of the early Christian Church, emphasising the Holy Spirit’s role in spreading the Gospel across diverse cultures and geographical areas. It highlights the Christian faith’s ability to connect with people from different backgrounds, making it a cornerstone for evangelism and outreach, with the Holy Spirit as the catalyst for its realisation.

DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS

Mon. Jan. 29: God’s Provision For The Weak (Isa. 40:29-31)

Tue. Jan. 30: God’s Spirit Gives Abounding Hope (Rom. 15:13)

Wed. Jan. 31: God’s Power Shown Through Preaching (1 Cor. 2:4-5)

Thur. Feb. 1: Holy Spirit Empowers For All Things (Php. 4:13)

Fri. Feb. 2: Holy Spirit Gives Power For Virtues (Col. 1:11)

Sat. Feb. 3: Holy Spirit Gives Full Power (2 Tim. 1:7)

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

1. The Commissioner commissions and guarantees power to the commissioned.

2. The authority and responsibility to empower and ensure the success of the commissioned lie with the Commissioner. The trust and support vested in the commissioned reflect the Commissioner’s dedication to their success and the fulfilment of their mission.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 40:29.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

AIM: To help us recognise that God’s intention is for His people to possess spiritual abilities.

OBJECTIVES: By the end of this lesson, the learners should:

i. be able to give an account of both the OT and NT promises of power;

ii. be able to state the purpose of the promised spiritual power; and

iii. be more eager to thirst for, and seek God’s power.

INTRODUCTION

TEXTUAL SOURCE: JOEL 2:28; LUKE 24:48,49; ACTS 1:8

We give glory to God Almighty for leading us into another lesson in this series. Last week, we discussed the topic: HOLY SPIRIT: THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF GOD. It is believed that you have already begun to thirst for God and His Spirit.

The topic for consideration today is: THE PROMISE OF SPIRITUAL POWER FOR US. The promise of spiritual power offers a captivating journey into the depths of our inner selves, transcending the material realm and tapping into a wellspring of profound energy and enlightenment. It beckons us to explore the uncharted territories of our consciousness, inviting us to unlock hidden potentials, connect with universal truths, and go into a deeper connection with the Almighty God. It holds the potential to elevate us beyond the mundane and material, guiding us towards a profound connection with our inner essence and the limitless spiritual dimensions that surround us. It is an invitation to embark on a transformative journey that can enrich our lives, infuse our actions with purpose, and illuminate the path towards a more enlightened existence. That is what the promised spiritual power holds for us.

We shall look at this promise from both the Old and New Testament accounts as we pray that the Holy Spirit will undertake for us to achieve God’s objectives for us in this study.

LESSON OUTLINE

I. IN THE OLD TESIMENT

II. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

LESSON EXPOSITION

I. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT (Joel 2:28)

And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh… (Joel 2:28a)

a) Joel 2:28 is a well-known OT verse that speaks about the pronise of spiritual power and divine intervention. It discusses more about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and prophetic experiences. God foretold a time when He would pour out His Spirit on everyone, regardless of their social standing, gender, or age.

b) v. 28: …it shall come to pass… Indeed, a promise of spiritual renewal and empowerment of believers for spiritual service and communication with God; a foreshadow of the coming of the Holy Spirit which happened on the day of Pentecost (cf. Acts 2:1ff).

c) …I will pour… This outpouring of the Spirit is associated with various manifestations of spiritual revelation and power, such as prophesying, dreaming dreams and seeing visions.

d) …on all flesh… An all-inclusive outpouring of promised spiritual power and gifts would be available to people of all ages and backgrounds.

e) Overall, God’s active involvement in the lives of His people and the communication of His divine will, through the operation of the Holy Spirit is emphasised. It is of paramount importance that we must look forward to continued fulfilment of this promise.

f) God has long desired that humanity shares in His Spirit, for their total good and productivity, hence ne divine promise. How passionately do you desire and pursue the Power?

II. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT (Lk. 24:48-49; Acts 1:8)

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).

a) Acts 1:8: Just before His Ascension, Jesus clearly promised the gift of spiritual power to the disciples (and us) when the Holy Spirit comes; not just for personal empowerment, but for the purpose of being witnesses to His teachings and the Gospel message.

b) This promised spiritual power is to become the source of the disciples’ empowerment for mission and service. It is not merely physical, or worldly power, but a spiritual power that enables them to carryout their task of spreading the Good News and bearing witness to Jesus’ teachings and resurrection (Lk. 24:48-49).

c) Lk. 24:49:…endued with power from on high is a reference to the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 2:1ff). Jesus promises to endow us with His ability or quality. Indeed, He made enough provision for the task ahead of the disciples and believers in general.

d) The fulfilment of this promise is described in Acts 2, where the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost. This event marks the beginning of the Church and the empowerment of the disciples to boldly preach and spread the teachings of Jesus (Acts 3:1-10; 4:31).

e) The continuity of the gospel is hinged on the operational power of the Holy Spirit; hence, we must continually thirst for His satisfaction.

LESSONS DERIVED

1. The promise of spiritual power is linked to a deep connection with God and the ability to receive and communicate divine revelations.

2. The promise of spiritual power signifies a transformative experience that empowers individuals to serve God’s purposes in a unique and impactful way.

QUESTIONS

1. Briefly discuss ‘the promise of spiritual power’.

2. Why were Christians promised spiritual power and gifts?

SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

ANSWER TO QUESTION 1.

* Refer to the lesson exposition.

* The promise of spiritual power refers to the assurance that believers can receive divine, or supernatural strength, guidance and abilities to navigate life’s challenges, fulfil their purpose, and carry out their spiritual assignments-preaching of the gospel.

* The promise of spiritual power is closely associated with the Holy Spirit and the helief that He empowers believers to live out their faith and share it with others.

ANSWER TO QUESTION 2

* The promise of spirituel power and gifts is believed to serve various purposes, including empowerment for ministry, spiritual growth . and the demo istration of God’s love and g grace.

* Christians must therefore ensure the fulfilment of this promise in their lives, and sustain it through constant intimacy with God.

LIFE APPLICATION

The promise of spiritual power and gifts holds practical life applications for believers. You must recognise that as a Christian, you have been given spiritual gifts. It is expedient, therefore, to take the time to discover what they are, and how they can be used to serve others and build up the Body of Christ. This might involve self- reflection, prayer, corporate fellowship and seeking guidance from trusted mentors or spiritual leaders.

CONCLUSION

We thank God for success of lesson 3. The idea of spiritual power and gifts is not just a theory but a practical motivation for believers to serve others, strengthen their faith, and share God’s love with the world. We hope you will seek and receive this promise fully, in Jesus’ name.