C.A.C Sunday School Manual For October 6, 2024 Lesson 37, Topic - THE GIFT OF MUSIC

C.A.C Sunday School Manual For October 6, 2024 Lesson 37, Topic - THE GIFT OF MUSIC

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CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH

Nigeria And Overseas

2024 SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

UNIT 5: GOD GIVES ADMINISTRATIVE GIFTS AND MORE*

THEME: SPIRITUAL POWER AND GIFTS FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST*

6th October, 2024

LESSON THIRTY-SEVEN

TOPIC:* THE GIFT OF MUSIC

MEMORY SCRIPTURE

"But now bring me a musician." Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him (2 Kings 3:15).

Music is a gift in the body of Christ. This should help gifted Christian musicians with the right attitudes to the exercise of their gifts; not selfishly, but with heaven in perspective.

BRIEF COMMENT

One of the gifts given by the Holy Spirit for the growth of the Church is the gift of Music. From age to age, people have consistently sought ways to worship God and experience His presence. The chosen ones and those who have walked closely with the Lord have effectively utilised the gift of music to access the supernatural. This is evident in the divine guidance, instructions and victories received (2 Kgs. 3:15). The significance of the gift of music cannot be overstated, and therefore, we cannot afford to disregard its role in today's Church. The days of witnessing healings, deliverances, and convictions of sin during choir performances in Church services seem to be less prevalent than in the early days of the Church. We pray that the Lord will restore such moments and continue to find the use use of the gift of music valuable in today's Church, in Jesus' name.

DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS

*Mon. Sep. 30:* Praise Him For His Love (Psa. 101:1)

*Tue. Oct. 1:* Praise Him With Shouts Of Joy (Psa. 66:1-4)

*Wed. Oct. 2:* Praise Him With The Instruments (Psa. 150:3-5)

*Thur. Oct. 3:* Praise Him With A New Song (Psa. 98:1-6)

*Fri. Oct. 4:* Praise Him Always (Psa. 34:13)

*Sat. Oct. 5:* Praise: Our Calling (1 Pet. 2:9)

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Any musician, choir inclusive, that cannot host God's presence while ministering is only an entertainer.

2. The gift of music shouldn't be perceived as a common gift to be utilised without caution. Lucifer, the wonderfully musically gifted, lost his position before God. The musically gifted Christian, if not spiritually guided, can also lose his. *3. BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Psalm 98:4-9.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

*AIM:* To re-emphasise the purpose of the gift of music and encourage its guided use in the body of Christ.

*OBJECTIVES*: By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:

i. identify some of the purposes of the gift of music; and

ii. mention the differences between a Christian musician and a non- Christian musician.

INTRODUCTION

*TEXTUAL SOURCE: GENESIS 4:21; EXODUS 15:19-21; 1 SAMUEL 16:16,17,18,23; 18:6-8; 2 KINGS 3:15-18; 2 CHRONICLES 20:1-5,20-24*

Blessed be the name of the Lord, in, and through Whom we have been undoubtedly blessed by His Word. The last lesson has succinctly enlightened our hearts on The Gift of Artistry. God initiates and funds projects. Also, we have been taught that God is the One who gives the gift of craftsmanship.

This week has the topic: *THE GIFT OF MUSIC.* We shall learn the significance of Music and how certain Bible characters maximised their God-given gift of Music to honour God and conquer kingdoms. The place of the gift of Music in our worship and its resultant effects on our relationship with God and fellow brethren are also emphasised.

As we sit at the feet of the Master to learn, may we enjoy His presence and be stirred towards a more acceptable and fulfilling worship life. Amen.

LESSON OUTLINE

I. THE WORSHIP TOOL

II. THE VICTORY TOOL

LESSON EXPOSITION

I. THE WORSHIP TOOL (Gen. 4:21; Exo. 15:19-21; 1 Sam. 16:17,18; 18:6-8)*

Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances (Exo. 15:20).

a) Music is a great gift of God to His people. It is the ability to use one's voice in singing praises to the Lord, or play a musical instrument to praise the LORD and for the benefit of others.

b) Gen. 4:21: The first musician in the Bible is Jubal, the son of Lamech. He is described as the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes.

c) Exo. 15:20,21: Miriam was a (female) musician who used her musical gift in leading the women to praise God for their victory over the Egyptians.

d) 1 Sam. 16:17,18: David was very gifted in music. This is evident in the numerous compositions of Psalms and songs that play a very important role in our worship and spirituality today, connecting us to our essence-God (Psa. 98:1-7; 150:1-5; Eph. 5:19).

e) 18:6-8: Any music that doesn't lead us to express praise to the glory of our Creator and draw us closer to Him shouldn't be welcomed in the Church (2 Chr. 5:12-14; Am. 6:4-8).

f) Spirituality is not the hallmark of excellence, yet, mediocrity is not a fruit of the Spirit. Make a full proof of your gift by developing and nurturing it (2 Tim. 4:5).

g) The gift of music is one of the gifts given to the Church for fellowship and expression of our worship. Thus, it must be spiritually guided so as to fulfil its purpose.

*II. THE VICTORY TOOL (1 Sam. 16:16,23; 2 Kgs. 3:15-18; 2 Chro. 20:1-5,20-24)*

Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated (2 Chro. 20:22).

a) 2 Chro. 20:1-5: Obedience to divine instruction guarantees victory. How many years would it have taken to break the wall of Jericho with human tools? God chooses the strategy He wills to deliver our victory to us (cf. Exo. 14:13-14; 1 Sam. 2:9; Psa. 20:7).

b) vv. 20-21: ...the priests shall blow the trumpets... The blowing of the trumpet signifies victory celebration, not battle (v. 2). An attitude and act of praise unto God is a proof of our faith in His promises.

c) 1 Sam. 16:16,23: The tormenting spirit was from the LORD. Thus, only a man with the gift of music by the Spirit of the LORD would calm it and stop its activity-deliverance (cf. Matt. 12:24ff).

d) 2 Kgs. 3:15-18: ...when the musician played, ...the hand of the LORD came upon the prophet, bringing the solution to the persistent problem of lack of water (v. 16) as well as an assurance of the God-prepared victory for Kings Joram and Jehoshaphat (vv. 18-19).

e) 2 Chro. 20:20-24: These God-appointed gifted singers, led by the spiritually guided King Jehoshaphat, were divinely used to bring about the needed victory to the people...not a single enemy had escaped (v. 24b NLT).

f) The popular saying, "Whenever prayer seems not working, try praise", is a derivation of several testimonies from God's children.

g) Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. To live a perpetually victorious life, the gift of music must be spiritually and regularly employed, or utilised.

LESSONS DERIVED

1. The gift of music is a gift that allows us to worship our Creator, as it lifts our spirit and brings us closer to God's presence.

2. When we employ the gift of music, we stand to enjoy the record victory God has for us over seemingly difficult life's challenges.

QUESTIONS

1. What differentiates a gospel musician from a non-gospel musician?

2. Is the gift of music properly utilised in our churches today?

SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

*ANSWER TO QUESTION 1*

* Refer to the lesson exposition.

* The life of the gospel musician must reflect Jesus.

* Gospel musicians reveal biblical truth through their music.

* The music of gospel musicians brings men closer to God's presence and in fellowship with Him.

ANSWER TO QUESTION 2:

* Refer to the lesson exposition.

* The gift of music is not given to all. However, this should not limit our worship of YAHWEH.

* The proper use of the gift of music in our churches can be witnessed where emphasis is being laid on all-round growth of Church musicians/choristers.

* The gifted should prioritise fellowship in the secret place above public appearance/ministration i.e., fellowship above showmanship.

* Church leaders should encourage their musicians through sponsorship/support for music training/conferences.

LIFE APPLICATION

There was a musically gifted young adult, who for money and social class, associated himself with an ungodly music group as a member (2 Cor. 6:14). Due to his outstanding gift, he became a threat to the group and was later murdered at a very young age. Many non-gospel musicians started in the Church choir. And there are some whose music is questionable, though they spice up their music with scriptures. Such individual's music no longer carries power (1 Kgs 1:18), but propagate mere words, worldliness, fame and luxuries. The gift of music is to glorify God and edify the Church. Every Spirit-gifted musician must know that though the gift may not be revoked, the soul may be lost forever.

CONCLUSION

Glory be to God for the unquantifiable blessings which God has lavished on us again as this lesson ends. We have been refreshed and challenged in our knowledge of purpose of the gift of music to the Church. We pray that God's praises will never cease from our lips in Jesus' name.