RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS MANUAL
(LESSON TWENTY-FOUR)
SUNDAY 12TH FEBRUARY 2017

TOPIC: FIRSTFRUITS

MEMORY VERSE: "Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.” – Proverbs 3:9

BIBLE PASSAGE: Exodus 13:12-15

INTRODUCTION:
First fruits are in various types. Our God asks us to give Him all and all we have to submit. In this lesson, we want to know what first fruits are, how to give it and benefits of giving first fruits.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. What are first fruits and how are they given?
2. Benefits of giving first fruits

WHAT ARE FIRST FRUITS AND HOW ARE THEY GIVEN?
First fruits are in three categories:
1.The first fruit of increase (Proverbs 3:9-10). For example, increase in salary (the difference between the old and new salary).
2.The first fruit sacrifice (Genesis 22). God told Abraham to sacrifice Issac, his only son. This means the entire January salary, for instance. The difference between the first fruit of increase and the first fruit sacrifice is in divine response. In the first fruit increase, God promised that your barn will burst while in the first fruit sacrifice, your blessing will become global, they will be irreversible and they will extend to your generations yet unborn (Genesis 22:15-18).
3.Redemption of the first male child (Exodus 13:13; 34:20; Numbers 18:15-19). The first child belongs to God. You can redeem him with a price.
The first fruit is for the Chief Priest. Dedicating first fruits to God is a way of thanking Him for providing them.

BENEFITS OF GIVING FIRST FRUITS
Our perfect example is Abraham (Genesis 22:15-18). When he kept the commandment according to Proverbs 3:9, God lifted him. So He promised to lift as many as will keep or obey His voice on the matter of first fruits as on every other commandments. Abraham honoured God and he was mightily blessed (Genesis 24:35-36). Hannah honoured God with Samuel and she had five more children (1Samuel 2:21). Solomon honoured the Lord with a thousand burnt offerings at the beginning of his regime as the king of Israel. For this, God visited him and blessed him with what money cannot buy (1Kings 3:3-14).

CONCLUSION
A first fruit of every type is what God asks from His children and this is a way of declaring our love for Him; and to thank Him for His blessings. To pay our first fruits is to be established more firmly in His covenants with us.

QUESTIONS:
1. What are first fruits?
2. What are some benefits from paying our first fruits?