CHILDREN STS LESSON 10 REPENTANCE AND FRUIT-BEARING
Text: Luke 13:1-9
In our Bible passage, certain people reported to Jesus that Pilate, the governor of Judea had killed some Galilaean worshippers and mixed their blood with the blood of the animals sacrificed to their god. This was a wicked and cruel act. Jesus answered them that they should not think that those who died suddenly were worse sinners than another Galilaeae II S. He said. “Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”. To stress the importance of repentance, Jesus further told them about the eighteen people who died unexpectedly when the tower of Siloam collapsed on them. These too were not worse sinners than others in Jerusalem. He sounded the warning that all sinful boys and girls should not delay in repenting of their bad ways; in case they die suddenly, they will not go to hell.
Another lesson is that if a very brilliant child failed examinations repeatedly, or mishap happened, you should not think that such a child is the worse sinner and you are holier than him or her. Such a time calls for self-examination of one’s life and prompt action to make one’s way right before God, repent of evildoings to escape God’s judgment. Also, you should not quickly jump into conclusion to judge, criticize or gossip about others’ problems. Pray, for God is “...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance…“ (2 Peter 3:9).
Fruit-bearing is the godly character seen in the life of a genuinely repentant and born-again child of God (Matthew 7:20). Jesus is being reproduced in him or her.
- CALL TO REPENTANCE: Luke 13:1-5; Matthew 3:1-3; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 3:19
Repentance is turning away completely from all sins and accepting that Jesus died and shed His blood on the cross to take away your sins. It also means turning away from Satan to follow Him as your Saviour and Substitute. It is a change of personality and conducts. Repentance is not:
(i) Remorse – that is, being sorry without having mind to stop sinning.
(ii) Attending church regularly.
(iii) Changing place of worship.
(iv) Paying tithes and offering and giving alms.
(v) Observing fasting and praying.
(vi) Being baptized in water.
To be saved from sins, you must repent. Therefore:
(i) Realise you are a sinner (Romans 3:23),
(ii) Be sorry and confess all your sins to God (1 John 1:9).
(iii) Ask God for forgiveness and cleansing in the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 9:22).
(iv) Invite Jesus into your heart to be your Saviour, Lord and Friend (Revelation 3:20).
(v) Forsake your sins (Proverbs 28:13).
(vi) Ask for grace to go and sin no more and thank Him for saving you as you believe.
- CONDITIONS AND IMPORTANCE OF FRUIT-BEARING:
Luke 13:6-8; Matthew 7:16-20; 3:8; Isaiah 5:1-4
The Bible reveals to us that a tree is known by its fruits. Mango fruits are seen on a mango tree not on pawpaw tree. A person is compared to a tree; that is, as he grows up in every area of his life, he is to produce fruits. His characters and behaviour must be visible and seen: to be productive, fruitful, profitable, attractive, juicy, beautiful to be desired to draw others to him and Jesus.
Jesus spoke about a tree not bearing fruit for three years after being nursed and cared for by the farmer. It portrays waste of resources, hindering progress, bringing sorrow, shame, frustration, discouragement and death. Eventually, the farmer brought ray of hope to be received, a time to plan and seek God for guidance. The farmer had to put more manure for the tree to be fruitful
A child who is unsuccessful academically despite all assignments given, extracurricular lessons and tutorials is not bearing fruit. The result will be frustration, discouragement, disappointment on the part of the parents and teachers or giving up in the end. A friend of Jesus who is not showing hunger and thirst for sanctification, Holy Spirit baptism and winning sinners for Jesus Christ will not be bearing fruit.
For academic revival, the child needs encouragement, diligent study, faith in God and prayer for divine revelation. Spiritually, remember that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is for you to be saved and bear fruit for His glory. Therefore, hold unto His promises and prayer for you to be sanctified. Study and meditate on God’s word and pray through that your life will bear the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22,23)
You will also grow in grace and maturity by adding to your faith, virtue (moral excellence), knowledge, perseverance, love and brotherly kindness. Also, you must make restitution to make your life right with people you have offended. In summary, the conditions for fruit-bearing are repentance, faith and total obedience to God’s word.
These are the examples of those who repented in the Bible:
(i) Zaccheaus (Luke 19:1-10).
(ii) Saul of Tarsus (Acts) 9:3-9).
(iii) The Philippian jailor (Acts 16:27-34).
(iv) The Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-38).
Your fruitful life will attract others to Jesus and God will delight in you and empower you to do exploits by His grace.
- CONSEQUENCE OF NEGLIGENCE AND REWARDS FOR THE REPENTANT:
Luke 13:9; John 15:1,2; 1 John 3:8; Hebrews 2:3
The Bible makes us to know that everyone both adults and children will die one day not knowing the time (Hebrews 9:27), after that, it will be judgment. As a sinful child, do not al delay your repentance. The result of negligence of repentance will be:
(i) God’s anger and judgment (Psalm 7:11; John 3:36).
(ii) Satanic oppression and affliction (Deuteronomy 28:31-34),
(iii) No fellowship with God and no power to pray to overcome temptation, sickness and hardship (Deuteronomy 28:15,21- 24).
(iv) Unanswered prayers (Isaiah 59:1,2).
(v) Everlasting punishment in 1 hell-fire (Revelation 20:15; 21:8).
The rewards for genuine repentance and fruit-bearing life are:
(i) God will be glorified (John 15:8).
(ii) Many souls will be won for Jesus Christ.
(iii) The children church will increase c numerically and spiritually,
(iv) God’s power, presence and peace will abound the more.
(v) Eternal life in the end, for you will escape the punishment for spiritual unfruitfulness. Be wise and willingly repent now.
QUESTIONS:
- What must be your attitude to a child who suffers calamity unexpectedly?
- What is repentance?
- Mention God’s provisions for the sinful child to repent and be saved.
- Narrate the steps he/she must take to be a partaker of the provisions.
- Mention five of the nine fruit of the Spirit to be seen in a fruit-bearing child.
- The rewards of fruit-bearing are:
(i)__________________ (ii)____________________ (iii)___________________________________
MEMORY VERSE: “And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, becausethey suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish“ (Luke 13:2,3).
LESSON: Repentance from sin is the only way to salvation and fruitful life in Jesus Christ.
THOUGHT: I will abide in Jesus Christ and His word to bear much fruit.
ACTIVITY: Sword drill – Isaiah 1:18,19; Acts 3:19; John 15:5; Galatians 5:22,23; Romans 6:22
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 228 -OH WHY NOT TONIGHT?
CHORUSES:
(1) No, you can’t get to heaven without S. A. L. V. A. T. 1. O. N.
(2) It is no longer I that liveth, but Christ that liveth in me
(3) Jesus must be honoured in my life every day.
HOMEWORK: Write in your homework book five things to do to bear fruit.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meanings of these words. You can use your dictionary.
- Mishap 2. Negligence 3. Repentance 4. Fruitful 5. Temperance