Youths Sunday School Manual 23 July 2023

TOPIC: Conscience

MEMORY VERSE: “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.” – Acts 24:16 (KJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 2:1-15 (KJV)

1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

INTRODUCTION: The Greek word translated “conscience” in all New Testament references is suneidēsis, meaning “moral awareness” or “moral consciousness.” The conscience is defined as that part of the human psyche that induces mental anguish and feelings of guilt when we violate it and feelings of pleasure and well-being when our actions, thoughts, and words are in conformity to our value systems (John 8:9).

LESSON OUTLINES:

THE CONCEPT OF CONSCIENCE

CLASSES OF CONSCIENCE

1. THE CONCEPT OF CONSCIENCE

The New Testament concept of conscience is more individual in nature and involves three major truths. First, conscience is a God-given capacity for human beings to exercise self-evaluation (Acts 23:1; 24:16). Second, the conscience is a witness (Romans 2:14-15; Romans 9:1) and a base for holiness and sincerity (2 Corinthians 1:12). It witnesses both before God and men (2 Corinthians 5:11). Third, the conscience is a servant of the individual’s value system. An immature or weak value system produces a weak conscience, while a fully informed value system produces a strong sense of right and wrong. In a Christian’s life, the conscience can be driven by an inadequate understanding of scriptural truths and can produce feelings of guilt and shame disproportionate to the issues at hand. Maturing in the faith strengthens the conscience.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should discuss what their experiences have been with their conscience.

2. CLASSES OF CONSCIENCE

The New Testament identified a conscience that is “seared” or rendered insensitive as though it had been burnt with a hot iron (1 Timothy 4:1-2). Such a conscience is hardened and calloused, no longer feeling anything. A person with a seared conscience no longer listens to its promptings and can commit sin with recklessness, deceive himself into thinking all is well with his soul, and treat others insensitively and without compassion (Exodus 5:1-9).

A clear and right conscience is that inner freedom of spirit that comes from knowing that you are right with God and with other people (Acts 23:1; Matthew 5:23-24). As Christians, we are to keep our consciences clear (2 Corinthians 4:2) by obeying God (Psalm 119:11) and keeping our relationship with Him in good standing. We do this by the application of His word (John 17:17), renewing (Romans 12:2), and by softening our hearts continually. We consider those whose consciences are weak by treating them with Christian love and compassion (1 Corinthians 8:12). Listen to your conscience and do not make excuses for wrongdoings (1 Corinthians 10:29).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What do you understand by a weak conscience?

CONCLUSION: Every believer must exercise a living conscience that pleases God and is not offended by men.

QUESTIONS:

Describe the term ‘conscience’ from three biblical perspectives

Mention the classes of conscience

FURTHER READING:

Monday: Proverbs 28:1 (KJV) – The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Tuesday: Matthew 14:1,2 (KJV) – 1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

Wednesday: John 8:9 (KJV) – And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

Thursday Acts 23:1 (KJV) – And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

Friday: Acts 24:16 (KJV) – And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.

Saturday: 1 Corinthians 8:9, 12, 13 (KJV) – 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

Sunday: 2 Corinthians 4:2 (KJV) – 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

ASSIGNMENT: What are the steps you take when your conscience pricks you? Mention at least five. (No Mark).