Methodist Church Nigeria Weekly Adult Sunday School / Tonic Manual For June 9, 2024: Topic – Handing Down Faith
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METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA
WEEKLY ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL/TONIC MANUAL
WEEK/TONIC 23
JUNE 9, 2024
TOPIC: HANDING DOWN FAITH
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 8:4-11
OBJECTIVE: To inspire passion and hunger in us to hand down our faith to the younger-generation.
INTRODUCTION
One of the ancient ways to preserve a culture, history or tradition was by telling or formulating stories. The patriarchs never passed away without passing unto their children the history and genealogy of their linage and still demand them to pass it on to their children. This has been one sure means of handing down faith and precious stories surrounding a nation and their religion.
Christianity is not an exemption. If Christian faith will not die in our time, then we must consciously and strategically take responsibility of engaging the younger generation with the word of God. Modern technological inventions could also be engaged to preserve our doctrinal and other emerging Christian historicity. Books, audio, video and computer are all present day means of storing information for generations. As we study, may we be deliberate in taking responsibility in handing our precious faith to the generation that follows.
POINTS FOR CONVERSATION
1. From the following passages, discuss the need for handing down faith. 1 Sam. 8:4-5; Num. 27:15-18; 2Tim. 4:6; Jude 2-3.
2. As people called Methodist (church), discuss how we can effectively hand down our most precious faith to the next generation. 2Tim. 2:2; Matt. 28:19-20, Proverb 22:6.
3. Practically examine how concerted discipleship can enhance efficient handing down of our faith. Act 2:42.
CONCLUSION
Many big churches in the recent past are dwindling in strength and influence because they neglected the labour of handing over the faith entrusted to them to the next generation. They focused on building structures instead of building people and handing down their most holy faith. This is comparable to what happened to the generations that followed Joshua (Read Joshua 2:10). It is unfortunate that today, many countries in North Africa and Asia Minor that were hitherto strongholds of Christian faith have become Islamic territory. MCN must go back to the foundation of the church (Scriptural holiness) and make investment for her future.
MEMORY VERSE: “They said to him, “You are old, and your son’s do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” 1 Sam 8:5
ACTION POINT: Be a mentor to someone today.