C.A.C SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL FOR MARCH 23, 2024 : TOPIC – EDIFICATION, MATURITY AND PERFECTION OF THE SAINTS
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CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH Nigeria And Overseas
2024 SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
THEME: SPIRITUAL POWER AND GIFTS FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST
LESSON TEN : 24th March, 2024
TOPIC: EDIFICATION, MATURITY AND PERFECTION OF THE SAINTS
MEMORY SCRIPTURE : Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel (1 Corinthian 14:12).
We are individually spiritually gifted that by the gifts we might build up the body of Christ, individually and corporately, unto Christly maturity till we all attain Christ- specified perfection.
BRIEF COMMENT : When one is enthusiastic about spiritual gifts, this enthusiasm W Th becomes commendable when it is directed towards edifying the Church and advancing Christian knowledge and practices. The desire for gifts that uplift, nurture and perfect believer aligns with God’s intended purpose for bestowing these gifts. This principle is applicable to all users of spiritual gifts, as exemplified by Paul, who urged the Corinthians to prioritise being a blessing to the Church through their God-given gifts over personal spiritual gratification.
DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS
Mon. 18: Spiritual Maturity Is Our Mandate (Eph. 4:13)
Tue. 19: Spiritual Gifts Are For Edification. (1 Cor. 14:3)
Wed. 20: Spiritual Gift Of Prophecy Edifies (1 Cor. 14:1,3,5)
Thur. 21: Simple Spiritual Gifts Edify (1 Cor. 14:6)
Fri. 22: Sign Of Tongues To Unbelievers (1 Cor. 14:22)
Sat. 23: Spiritual Orderliness In Church’s’ Meeting. (1 Cor. 14:26)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
1. Spiritual gifts are essential for Church edification, as they bring the body of Christ to perfection in Christ.
2. Enlightening, strengthening and encouraging the body of Christ are paramount in Christ’s heart as He gives His spiritual gifts.
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Exodus 31:2-6
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
AIM: To establish the fact that spiritual gifts are for the edification the Church.
OBJECTIVES: By the end of the lesson, the learners should:
i. be able to explain what it means to edify, mature and perfect saints and
ii. have begun to practise God’s purpose of giving us His gifts-to edify and help the Church to grow in her faith and attain Christ likeness.
INTRODUCTION
TEXTUAL SOURCE: 1 CORINTHIANS 14:3,12; 2 CORINTHIANS 10:8 EPHESIANS 4:11FF; TITUS 2:1FF
We praise God for the preceding lesson that revealed God’s deliberate intention of bestowing spiritual gifts on Christians in order to bring glory to Himself, immediately and ultimately. Thank God for the Palm Sunday this year. Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem for the events that comprise the Passion Week. This culminated in His eventual crucifixion-the perfection of our redemption. By this, He has given His Church gifts (Eph. 4:8ff). These gifts are divinely given to serve some purposes in the body. We have been examining these. We will look at another purpose why God bestows spiritual gifts on us. God purposefully poured out His Spirit and gifts in this end time (Joel 2:28) to build up Christ’s body, causing it to mature unto the full measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Gifts are not for ostentation. God, in His infinite mercy, will enlighten us as we study at His feet, in Jesus’ name. Amen. by instructions concerning the duties of believers in the world (3:1-11), and then final instructions and greetings (3:12-15).
LESSON OUTLINE
I. EDIFICATION AND MATURITY OF BELIEVERS
II. PERFECTION OF THE SAINTS
LESSON EXPOSITION. 1.
EDIFICATION AND MATURITY OF BELIEVERS (1 Cor. 14:3,12; 2 Cor. 10:8; Eph. 4:11,12)
But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men (1 Cor. 14:3).
a) Pentecost saw the manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s gift, edification of the people, and evidence of church expansion. The same should continue in the Church (Acts 2:1-11; 10:46; 19:6; 1 Cor. 14:5,13).
b) 1 Cor. 14:3,12: The principle of edification, exhortation and comfort to all doesn’t apply to prophecies alone. Every spiritual gift should be used in the body to edify (enlighten, instruct, improve), exhort (inspire, urge) and comfort (bring relief to) God’s people.
c) Eph. 4:11-12: God has given us these gifts to equip us to do better work for him, building up the Church, the body of Christ, to a position of strength and maturity (TLB). They aren’t for frivolities!
d) 2 Cor. 10:8: Paul affirmed that his spiritual gifts and authority were given to him for edification and not for your destruction. Edification uplifts, inspires and comforts listeners, and is a key characteristic that distinguishes the genuine exercise of the gifts.
e) Our gifts are also for edification-driven growth and maturity, i.e. getting to the level where we take the solid food of God’s Word without taking offence (Heb. 5:14). It happens:
* behaviourally-becoming like Christ and growing in His knowledge dge (Rom. (Rom. 8:29; 12:1; 1 Cor. 3:10-11);
* functionally-being active members of His body (Rom. 12:6-8; Eph. 2:10; 1 Pet. 4:10,11); and
* congregationally-linking individual growth with church growth (Eph. 4:11-16).
II. PERFECTION OF THE SAINTS (Eph. 4:12ff; Tit. 2:1ff)
….to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13).
a) Eph. 4:12ff: The essence of using our gifts to equip the saints for the work of ministry and edifying of the body of Christ (v. 12) is that we all might come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure asure of the st stature of the fullness of Christ-our very destiny (Rom. 8:29).
b) v. 14: Where these gifts are really fulfilling God’s desire, God’s people are no longer little children, tossed and carried about by false doctrines perfection through which We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray (GWT).
c) vv. 15,16: The perfection the exercise of our gifts should effect among us is that which leads us into speaking the truth in love and assists us to grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ (cf. Rom. 8:29).
d) The gifted have the mandate to feed other believers with the solid food of God’s Word. Our gifts should nourish other believers to perfection. The gifted enjoy the life of God. They should help the saints (believers) with the sole aim of becoming perfect like the Master, Christ, ultimately.
e) Tit. 2:1ff: Paul here admonishes the older ones to use their gifts to help the younger ones to experience perfection in the way of Christ (cf. 2 Tim. 2:21).
LESSONS DERIVED
1. God’s goal in giving us these gifts is to edify and help the Church grow in her faith so that she can more closely resemble Christ.
2. The spiritual gifts are to make the Church grow to perfection; not for ostentation.
QUESTIONS
1. Enumerate and explain some people’s wrong perceptions in the display of their God-given gifts. What is the way out?
2. How can you use your spiritual gift to perfect the people of God?
SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
ANSWER TO QUESTION 1
* Pretending to have a special gift from the Holy Spirit and that no other person can get such gift among the congregation.
* Commercialisation of the gifts: People are asked to pay money before they can see them for prayers, healing, counselling, etc.
* False interpretation of the Bible and prophecy.
* Thinking they have power to predict the future.
* Exploiting gifts for personal gain.
* Using gifts as a means to manipulate others.
* Engaging in prideful display of spiritual gifts.
The way out.
Having an encounter with the Lord and developing a relationship with Him is the major solution to this problem. This helps one comprehend that whatever gifts he/she has are from God, and must be used purposefully in accordance with the will of the Giver.
ANSWER TO QUESTION 2 •
* Refer to part ll of the lesson exposition.
* Discover your gifts.
* Dedicate your gifts to God.
* Develop your gifts.
* Deploy your spiritual gifts.
LIFE APPLICATION
In Philippians 3:12a, Paul humbly admitted that even after over 20 years of being a Christian, he hadn’t reached spiritual perfection. He longed for spiritual maturity, which he defined as a deep and fully developed relationship with Jesus Christ, particularly emphasising the desire “to know Him.” Paul believed that this longing for Christ is a common trait among spiritually mature persons. He implied that achieving this level of maturity is facilitated through the use of spiritua gifts within the community of believers,
CONCLUSION
The edification, maturation and perfection of the saints involve the T theredity of guiding believers indes period of the sainty to spiritual adulthood. This is precisely the purpose of spiritual gifts. Just as we are not born as fully-grown adults, we must “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18a). With this we conclude this impactful 10th lesson in this series.
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