RCCG Sunday School Students Manual 31st December 2017 Lesson 18 — The Fruit Of The Spirit: Meekness And Temperance

TOPIC — The Fruit Of The Spirit: Meekness And Temperance [Sunday, 31st December 2017]

MEMORY VERSE: “What will ye? Shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love and in the spirit of meekness?.” – 1 Corinthians 4:21

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

INTRODUCTION:

Meekness connotes a calm temper of mind, not easily provoked (James 3:13). The word meekness does not connote weakness. Rather, it involves humility and thankfulness toward God, and polite, restrained behaviour toward others. The opposites of meekness are anger, a desire for revenge, and self-aggrandisement. Temperance means properly, self-control, continence. Meekness and temperance shall be studied extensively, as parts of the characteristics of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, in this lesson.

LESSON OUTLINES:

1. Meekness

2. Temperance

MEEKNESS

Meekness is might restrained, humility and grace displayed. Human power under human control is a half-broken weapon in the hands of a child. However, meekness places our strength under God’s guidance. Meekness constrains and channels the power of our words and actions. To be meek is to recognise that God’s ways and thoughts are high above our own (Isaiah 55:9). It is to accept God’s worldview, reflecting the truth about the spiritual and the material worlds. When we are filled with the Spirit’s fruit of meekness, we will correct others with ease instead of arguing in resentment and anger. We will forgive readily (Matthew 18:23-35). Competition and sectarianism will disappear (Philippians 1:15-18). We will accept God’s judgment on people and issues.

The Bible mentions some peculiar promises made to the meek (Matthew 5:5; Isaiah 66:2). The cultivation of the spirit of meekness is also enjoined (Colossians 3:12; 1Timothy 6:11; Zephaniah 2:3). Meekness is exemplified in Christ (Matthew 11:29), Abraham (Genesis 13; 16:5-6), Moses (Numbers 12:3), David (Zechariah 12:8; 2Samuel 16:10,12), and Paul (1Corinthians 9:19).

TEMPERANCE

Temperance is the ability to control oneself. It involves a life of moderation and constraint against earthly desires and fleshly lusts. Salvation gives us freedom (Galatians 5:1) which includes freedom from sin (Romans 6:6). We need temperance as defence against forces of pleasure and lust (Romans 7:21-25). Temperance naturally leads to perseverance (2Peter 1:6). Temperance frees us from a guilty conscience (2Corinthians 4:2) and helps us to find the liberty to love and live as God desires (Galatians 5:13). Temperance includes the dominion over all evil tendencies and may denote continence, chastity, self-government, moderation in regard to all indulgences. The Holy Spirit in the heart makes a man moderate in all indulgences; teaches him to restrain his passions, and to govern himself; to control his evil propensities, and to subdue all inordinate affections.

CONCLUSION:

You can be like Jesus in meekness and temperance. Pray about it now.

QUESTIONS:

1. Describe meekness

2. What does it mean to be temperate?