RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
LESSON SEVENTEEN
SUNDAY, 25TH DECEMBER 2016
TOPIC: GOD'S CHASTENING
MEMORY VERSE: ‘’If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not ." - Hebrews 12:7
BIBLE PASSAGE: Hebrews 12:5-12
INTRODUCTION:
To chasten is to correct or discipline someone, often with the use of some pretty sharp punishment for the purpose of moral improvement (Proverbs 19:18; 23:13). We need to consider God's chastening and what He (God) as our Father expects from us in response to the chastisement we receive from Him (Deuteronomy 8:5). Note that chastisement is not meant for destruction. A parent chastises the child he or she loves (Proverbs 3:12; 13:24).
LESSON OUTLINES
1. Purpose of divine chastening
2. Biblical examples
PURPOSE OF DIVINE CHASTENING
God's chastening is an expression of His love which He uses to check us and to ensure that as His children, we are living right with Him. Though painful, it eventually yields the fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11). It is a test of true love: a corrective measure and not a punitive one (2Samuel 7:14-15; Psalm 118:18). It is also to help us grow and bring about revival in the church (Hebrews 12:10). Divine chastening brings about restoration in order for us to continually have fellowship with God and ultimately reign with Him (Isaiah 26:16). It is to prepare us as vessels unto honour for God's use (2Timothy 3:16-17). We must not despise God's chastening as dear children lest we be condemned with the world (Proverbs 3:11; 1Corinthians 11:32).
BIBLICAL EXAMPLES
We need to consider some characters in the Bible that endured God's chastening and became better for it. They include:
1. David - God chastened him for committing adultery with Bath-sheba and killing Uriah, her husband (2Samuel 11:4, 16-17; 12:9-10, 18-20).
2. Nebuchadnezzar - God dealt with him for ascribing the glory due to God to himself. He was later restored after acknowledging God as the almighty (Daniel 4:29-36).
3. Moses - Moses was chastised for not fully believing God with regards to his calling and failing to observe the token of God's covenant with Abraham (Exodus 4:14, 24-27; Genesis 17:11).
4. Paul - God chastised Saul for persecuting the church, but he was restored as a chosen vessel (Acts 9:1-16).
5. Jonah - For attempting to run from his responsibility towards the salvation of the city of Nineveh, God made a fish to swallow him for three days until he repented (Jonah 1:1-4,17; 2:10; 3:1-2).
CONCLUSION:
If we fail to yield to God's chastening, the consequence can be grievous. Let us learn from the examples of Eli (1Samuel 2:30; 3:12-13; 4:17) and King Saul (1Samuel 15:26; 16:1).
QUESTIONS
1. Why did God chastise His children?
2. Mention five Biblical examples of people chastised by God.