RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 3RD OCTOBER 2021 – Lesson 5.
TOPIC: Integrity
MEMORY VERSE: Proverbs 20:7
The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Daniel 6:1-5
1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;
2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
INTRODUCTION: The Hebrew word translated “Integrity” means the condition of being without “blemish. It connotes completeness, perfection, sincerity, soundness, uprightness, wholeness”. Integrity is a practise of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. It is standing for the truth regardless of its consequences (Job 2:9-10; Dan. 3:16-18). It is also when a person works his talk (1 Sam. 12:2-4). Although integrity comes with diverse challenge challenges, yet, it is so important and highly rewarding.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- Importance of integrity
- Biblical instances and rewards of integrity
1. IMPORTANCE OF INTEGRITY
Integrity should be the core quality of every believer’s life. It is a fundamental proof of one’s belief in the gospel of our Lord Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17, Hebrews 4:15) and also prove to others that one is a child of God (Luke 4:1-4). Integrity is a character which makes a person not to waiver (Job 2:9). Through integrity, a person becomes not just confident but also reliable to family members, subordinates and superiors (1 Samuel 12:3-4). Integrity makes a person to be honest in character, honour, their words, promises and b3 committed to responsibilities (Joshua 2:12-14, 6:22-23). It helps a person to recognise his/her weakness, take responsibilities for actions or inactions (2 Samuel 12:13) and take necessary corrective action for failure without minding the cost (Genesis 26:8; 9-11).
It makes a person to be consistently truthful (Luke 16:10). Integrity will help you gain respect and trust from your peers and leaders.
2. BIBLICAL INSTANCES AND REWARDS OF INTEGRITY
Searching through the bible, we find characters that are classical examples of integrity. Below are some of them;
- Abimelech, the king of Gerar (Genesis 20:3-7)
- Joseph (Genesis 47:14)
- Prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 12:3-4)
- King David (1 Kings 9:4)
- Job (Job 2:3; 9-10)
- Apostle Paul (Acts 20:32-33)
- The Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:30)
Integrity, despite its challenges in the world we live in, has numerous rewards.
God will vouch for the person (Genesis 18:19, Job 2:3) and keep the fellow from falling into sin (Genesis 20:5-6). Also the fellow will live in peace (Psalms 37:37) and enjoy divine guidance (Proverbs 11:3). A person of integrity will enjoy unprecedented promotion, favour and good success (Genesis 41:39-41). He will also enjoy divine provisions (Psalms 84:11). God will preserve (Psalms 25:21-22, Daniel 6:20-22) and give him generational blessings (Proverbs 20:7)
CONCLUSION: It is impossible to have real integrity without Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. Therefore, we must be in Christ to exhibit integrity. It is highly rewarding.
QUESTIONS:
- Mention some importance of integrity.
- Mention people of integrity in the bible
FURTHER READING:
Monday: Proverbs 20:1-7 (KJV)
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. 2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. 3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. 4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. 5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. 6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? 7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
Tuesday: Proverbs 11:1-5 (KJV)
1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight. 2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. 5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
Wednesday: Psalm 37:37 (KJV)
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
Thursday: Luke 4:1-4 (KJV)
1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Friday: Daniel 6:1-5 (KJV)
1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; 2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. 3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
Saturday: Genesis 26:9-11 (KJV)
9 And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife; and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her. 10 And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us. 11 And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.
Sunday: 1 Samuel 12:2-4 (KJV)
2 And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day. 3 Behold, here I am: witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. 4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand.
ASSIGNMENT:
Identify five areas of life where you can be known for integrity.
