RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL LESSON FIFTY-ONE SUNDAY 19TH AUGUST 2018 ETERNAL REWARDS


*SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN*

*1.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

*2.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

*3.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

*4.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.

*5.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

*6.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

OPENING PRAYER
Father, help me to serve you faithfully to receive my rewards

MEMORY VERSE: “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” – Matthew 19:29

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1Corinthians 9:16-27

1 Corinthians:9.16
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!
1 Corinthians:9.17
For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
1 Corinthians:9.18
What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.
1 Corinthians:9.19
For though I am free from all [men,] I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
1 Corinthians:9.20
and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those [who are] under the law, as under the law, that I might win those [who are] under the law;
1 Corinthians:9.21
to those [who are] without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those [who are] without law;
1 Corinthians:9.22
to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all [men,] that I might by all means save some.
1 Corinthians:9.23
Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with [you.]
1 Corinthians:9.24
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain [it.]
1 Corinthians:9.25
And everyone who competes [for the prize] is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a perishable crown, but we [for] an imperishable [crown.]
1 Corinthians:9.26
Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as [one who] beats the air.
1 Corinthians:9.27
But I discipline my body and bring [it] into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

INTRODUCTION:
The scriptures say do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain. It also says the labourer is worthy of his reward. So, God has a reward for all that make it to the kingdom. We shall one day cross to the other side where we shall have exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2Corinthians 4:17; Psalm 37:34; Psalm 91:.

TEXT REVIEW: 1COR. 9:16-27
Some conditions or requirements to receive rewards (crown of glory) for preaching the gospel are stated below:

i. When the preacher does not make profit for preaching the gospel.
ii. When the preacher become the servant of all. 1Cor. 9:18-19
iii. When the preacher become weak to gain the weal
iv. When he or she is Jews to the Jews and Gentile to Gentiles to gain them.
v. When the preacher become all things to all men that he might save them all.
vi. When the preacher keeps the body under subjection.
vii. When the preacher is certain and focused
viii. When he or she is temperate in all things. 1Cor. 9:24-27
Such willing preacher who fulfills these conditions will never be cast away but will surely receive rewards from God Almighty after the end of the age. 1Cor. 9:27

LESSON OUTLINES
1. Types of reward
2. Other types of reward

TYPES OF ETERNAL REWARDS
Jesus Christ prepared various types of crowns for faithful servants
These crowns are:

i. The crown of life for faithful servants who endure temptations and overcome evil with good. (James 1:12). (Revelations 2:10).

ii. Incorruptible crown for those who patiently run the race to Heaven and are temperate in all things. 1Cor. 9:24-25.

iii. The crown of rejoicing for soul winners. 1Thess. 2:19

iv. The crown of glory for true Pastors, Missionaries and Teachers of the word. 1Pet. 5:4

v. Crown of righteousness for those who are earnestly expecting the coming of the Lord. 2Tim. 4:8

CLASS ACTIVITY 1
Students should compare the earthly rewards with eternal rewards.

OTHER TYPES OF REWARD
Apart from crowns and leadership positions in His kingdom as kings and priests, the believer will also be privileged to:

i. Reign with Christ (Romans 8:17-18).

ii. Behold His face (Psalm 17:15; Revelations 22:4).

iii. Inherit all things (Revelations 21:7).

iv. Shine as a star (Daniel 12:3).

v. Be a pillar in the temple of God (Revelations 3:12).

vi. Have access to the tree of life (Revelations 22:1-5; 22:14).

vii. Be glorified with Christ (Galatians 4:7).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2
Students should mention the type of crowns they expect in Heaven and explain what they are doing at present to receive the rewards.

SUMMARY
The above stated crowns and privileges are for faithful believers who endure to the end. They could be obtained if they patiently and faithfully hold on to Christ to the very end.

CONCLUSION
The greater we serve Him, the greater our reward will be. If we serve Him, He will reward us. Therefore, serve Him diligently