RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT'S MANUAL
LESSON FORTY-SIX
SUNDAY 14TH JULY 2019

TOPIC: THE PREPARED BRIDE

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 friend 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 be 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?

MEMORY VERSE: "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ".-- 2Corinthians 11:2

BIBLE PASSAGE: Revelation 19:7-9

Revelation:19.7
"Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."
Revelation:19.8
And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Revelation:19.9
Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed [are] those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."

INTRODUCTION:
Just as marriage is the union between the bride and the bridegroom, so is the Union between the church and Christ (Ephesians 5:32). A wise bride will prepare herself for the coming of her husband (Matthew 25:1-10). In like manner, Christ expects the Church to be prepared for His coming (Revelations 21:2). The bride is the body if believers known as the Church that trusts in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and have hope of eternal life.
Jesus Christ is the bridegroom who had sacrificially and lovingly chosen the church to be His bride (Ephesians 5:25). The bride of Christ must therefore understand the reason for, and the rudiments of her preparation.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. How to be prepared
2. Why must we be prepared?

HOW TO BE PREPARED

To qualify as the bride of Christ, the following must happen in your life in accordance with the word of God.

1. Confess your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour. (John 3:3, 5, 16).

2. Let holiness be your lifestyle. (1Peter 1:15-16; Hebrews 12:14).

3. Avoid self-indulgence and worldly lifestyle. (2Timothy 3:1-5).

4. Avoid being lukewarm. (Revelations 3:15-16).

5. Be led by the Spirit and possess your vessel in sanctification. (Galatians 5:16, 25; 1Thessalonians 4:4).

6. Grow in faith and understanding. (Colossians 1:9; 1Corinthians 14:20).

7. Serve the Lord faithfully and diligently to the end. (Luke 12:42; 9:62; 1Corinthians 4:2).

8. Be an additive soul winner. (Matthew 28:19; Prov. 11:30; Daniel 12:3).

9. Watch and pray. (Mark 13:33; 14:38; Luke 21:36).

10. Earnestly desire the coming of the Lord and be ready to go the extra mile. (Matthew 25:1-13; 2Corinthians 5:2).

WHY MUST WE BE PREPARED

As the bride of Christ, we must be prepared for Him in order:

1. Not to be caught unaware. (Mark 13:33; Matthew 24:44).

2. To be presented spotless, and without wrinkle to Christ. (Ephesians 5:27).

3. To be with Christ and reign with Him at His second coming. (1Thessalonians 4:15-17).

4. To be part of the glorious wedding of the lamb. (Revelation 19:6).

5. To receive the crown of righteousness as a reward. (2Timothy 4:7-8; Matthew 16:27).

6. Not to be condemned and judged with the world. (1Corinthians 11:32; Matthew 25:10).

7. To enter into His rest eternally. (2Thessalonians 1:7; Hebrews 4:11).

CONCLUSION
The bride (the church) and the bridegroom (Jesus Christ) shall be officially wedded at rapture (Isaiah 62:5). Be prepared till the end.

QUESTIONS

1. How should we be prepared as the bride of Jesus Christ?

2. Mention five reasons we need to be prepared