MEANING AND MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SANCTIFICATION

TOPIC:MEANING AND MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SANCTIFICATION

                                                     LESSON ONE

MAIN IDEA:  Though very important in man’s relationship with God, sanctification is one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented Bible teachings.

STUDY TEXTS: “II Chron. 29:15-19, Rom. 6:20-22”

LESSON OBJECTIVE:       To teach believers that sanctification is something we cannot do without in the Christian race hence the reason every born again child of God should strive to possess it.

INTRODUCTION:

Sanctification is a definite work of grace after salvation. It means “to make sacred or holy; being set apart for a holy or religious use; to make free from sin or to cleanse from pollution. As a Christian experience, it is the act of God’s grace by which the affections of men are purified to love God above everything else.

Man is born with pollution and therefore needs to be cleansed. The believer though saved, needs to be cleansed from sin hence sanctification can also be referred to as the “circumcision of the heart”.

SUBJECT MATTERS:

1.                 Many unbelievers and church goers believe that sanctification or holiness is unattainable. They think and agree that man cannot be holy. (I John 3:7)

2.                 This is wrong because God cannot require from us what is impossible. God demands from us that believers should be holy as he is holy. (I Peter 1:15-16)

3.                 No one ever grows into salvation and baptism in the Holy Ghost as these Christian experiences are instantaneous. (Acts 10:42-44)

4.                 There are other people who believe that sanctification is a result of our works. (Eph. 2:8-9)

5.                 The truth is that just as we cannot work to deserve salvation so we can not work for our sanctification. (Eph. 2:8)

PRACTICAL LESSON:

All the discussions so far during the subject analysis can also fit into the practical lesson.

MEMORY VERSE:     “Matt. 5:48”

          Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

CLASS DISCUSSION:

1.                             Enumerate some of the misconceptions that people have about the subject of sanctification.

2.                             What are the proper viewpoints equally studied while considering the various misconceptions?

3.                             If holiness is possible, why do we see the generality of our youths living a wayward life?