RCCG Sunday School Teacher's Manual 18 February 2018 Lesson 25 - Turning The Tide

TOPIC: TURNING THE TIDE [SUNDAY, 18TH FEBRUARY 2018]

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, please restore the captivity of our country and its people. Let our land experience rejoicing again.

MEMORY VERSE: ‘’Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad" - Psalm 53:6

BIBLE PASSAGE: Psalm 126:1-6

1 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.

5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

INTRODUCTION:

At least five possibilities exist in having a turning point in one's life. These are when things go from bad to good, good to bad, bad to orse, good to better and a combination of any two or more of these categories. Obviously, these possibilities are determined by the decisions we make and the circumstances in which we find ourselves in our abilities and limitations (1Chronicles 4:9-10). The tide can have a negative or positive turn. May the Lord turn the tide in our favour as we study today, in Jesus' name.

TEXT REVIEW: PSALM 126:1-6:

David wrote this Psalm in celebration of the return of God's people from captivity.
David explains that the Lord Himself was behind the return and that was why it was like a dream. PS 126:1

Six things happen when the captives return:

i. People's mouth are filled with laughter. PS 126:2

ii. People begin to sing praises to God. PS 126:2

iii. People begin to give testimonies of God's great acts. PS 126:2

iv. People begin to experience rejoicing and gladness. PS. 126:3

v. Harvesting in joy prevails over sowing in sorrow. PS. 126:5-6

vi. Sowing seed is accompanied by bumper harvest.

I am very sure God has determined to turn the Tide of our land from scarcity to bumper harvest with this lesson.

LESSON OUTLINES:

1. It has happened before

2. It can happen again

IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE

The tide has turned in different directions for different people from time immemorial:

i. From bad to good - A certain man by the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9). The woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-29). Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52). Jabez (1Chronicles 4:9-10).

ii. From good to bad - King Saul (1Samuel 13:13-14; 15:22-23, 28; 16:14). Samson (Judges 15:16; 16:20-21, 25-28). Eli (1Samuel 2:27-32). Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:6, 16-19, 23).

iii. From bad to worse - Judas Iscariot (Matthew 27:2-5). Michal (2Samuel 6:20-23). Gehazi (2Kings 5:20, 25-27).

iv. From good to better - King Solomon (1Kings 3:4, 13; 10:1). Elisha (1Kings 19:19-21).

v. Combination of turning points - King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:1-2; 4:30-37). Peter (Luke 5:3-11; Mark 14:66-68; Acts 2:14, 41; 5:16).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1:

Mention examples of people from the Bible whose tide turned from good to bad and from nothing to excellence/best.

IT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN

i. Teacher should ask students who had experienced change of tide to give their testimonies briefly.

ii. Teacher and Assistant Teacher can share their testimonies too.

iii. Teacher should explain the under- listed factors which can bring about change of tide for good.

i. Repent, turn from your sinful ways and turn to God (2Chronicles 7:13-14).

ii. Return and ask for mercy if you are already backslidden (Ezekiel 33:10-13).

iii. Restitute so that God can make good what is bad for you (Joel 2:25).

iv. Redress, seek after God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 12:2; Psalm 121:1-8).

v. Re-fire, do not quit, and keep trying as things can be better (Ephesians 3:20).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2:

What do you think is responsible for tides turning from bad to worse for some people?

SUMMARY:

The Tide had turned before and can turn again.

CONCLUSION:

God will turn our tide for good soon.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Father, turn our tides right.

ASSIGNMENT:

identify any five(5) tides that need to turn urgently in our society. Suggest what to be done to turn them right.