Youths Sunday School Manual 30 July 2023

TOPIC: Beware Of Deceit 

MEMORY VERSE: “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” – 1 Peter 2:22 (KJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 13:6-10 (KJV) 

6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.

10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

INTRODUCTION: The word deceit is a Greek word ‘Dolos’ derived from ‘Dello’ meaning to bait; this literally refers to a fishhook, trap, or trick which are various forms of deception. Deceit is a deliberate attempt to mislead, trick, snare, or bait other people, by telling lies. Baiting the trap is an attempt to catch the unwary victim. It is a desire to gain an advantage or preserve a position by deceiving others; the intentional misleading or beguiling of another. In the Scriptures, it is categorised with other forms of wickedness, such as cursing (Ps.10:7), hatred (Prov.26:24), theft, covetousness, adultery, and murder (Mk.7:21-22; Rom.1:29).

LESSON OUTLINES:

ATTRIBUTES OF DECEIVERS

BELIEVERS’ DISPOSITION TO DECEIT

1. ATTRIBUTES OF DECEIVERS

Deceit describes the quality of the man who has a tortuous and a twisted mind; one who cannot act in a straightforward way; someone who stoops to devious and underhand methods to get his own way; a person who never does anything except with some kind of ulterior motives. Deceit is an attempt to trap or to trick and thus involves treachery. Deceit is a lie (Ps.119:118).

The Bible clearly states that:

Some workers are deceitful (2Cor.11:13; Jer.14:14; 23:26).

Hypocrites and false witnesses devise deceit (Job 15:34-35; Prov.12:17).

The wicked are full of deceit (Rom.1:29). They devise it (Ps.35:20; Prov.12:5); utter it (Ps.10:7; 36:3); work it (Prov.11:18); increase in it (2Tim.3:13); use it to each other (Jer. 9:5); delight in it (Prov. 20:17).

Deceit is a characteristic of the antichrist (2Jn.7).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Have you once met a deceitful person? Describe their personality.

2. BELIEVERS’ DISPOSITION TO DECEIT

Deceit comes from the heart (Mk.7:21-22). It is one of the characteristics of an unregenerated heart (Jer.17:9). Deceit leads to lying (Prov.14:25); often accompanied by fraud and injustice (Ps.10:7; 43:1). Hatred is often concealed by deceit (Prov.26:24-26).

God abhors deceit (Ps.5:6). Our Lord Jesus Christ was also free from deceit (Isa. 53:9; 1 Pet.2:22) and believers must equally abhor it to enjoy abundant life in Christ (1 Pet.3:10; Ps.24:3-4). We must intentionally purpose against deceit and avoid it (Job 27:4; 31:5); pray for deliverance from those who are deceptive (Ps.43:1; 120:2; Ps.72:14); beware of those who teach it (Eph.5:6; Col.2:8); and lay aside every appearance of deceit (2 Col 4:2; 1 Thess.2:3).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: How can we protect ourselves from deceivers?

CONCLUSION: There is blessedness in being free from deceit (Ps.24:4-5; 32:2) and there is punishment for being deceitful (Ps.55:23; Jer.9:7-9).

QUESTIONS:

1 What are the attributes of deceit and deceivers?

2 What should be the believers’ disposition to deceit?

FURTHER READING:

Monday: Matthew 26:4 (KJV)

And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

Tuesday: 1 Peter 3:10 (KJV)

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Wednesday: Romans 1:29 (KJV)

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Thursday: Mark 7:21 (KJV)

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Friday: Acts 13:10 (KJV)

And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

Saturday: 2 Corinthians 12:16 (KJV)

But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

Sunday: 1 Thessalonians 2:3 (KJV)

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five things you will do to avoid being deceived by people (2×5=10 marks).