RCCG Sunday School Teachers Manual Lesson 41: 14 June 2026

²⁵Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
²⁶When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
²⁷Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

MEMORY VERSE:

“Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.” John 13:23

LESSON INTRODUCTION

John the Beloved, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, stands as a figure of deep faith and unparalleled devotion. He was born around 6 AD, in Galilee.

He was one of the sons of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21) and a brother to James. He and James were originally fishermen on the Lake of Genesaret i.e. Sea of Galilee (Luke 5:1-10). His mother’s name is Salome.

He died around 101 AD, in Ephesus, Asia Minor. His life, marked by visions and profound writings, reveals a heart dedicated to love, truth, and the hope of eternal life.

TEACHER’S DIARY

LESSON AIM:

To draw out lessons from the life of John the Beloved.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this study, students should be able to:

Know the background of John the Beloved.
Understand the character and achievements of John the Beloved.
Explain and apply the lessons from the life of John the Beloved.

TEACHING PLAN:

To achieve the above-stated objectives, the teacher should:

Allow the students to recite the memory verse, read the Bible passage, contribute to the discussion, and do class activities and assignment.
Allow the Assistant Teacher to see to the wellbeing of the class, and mark attendance and assignment.
Teach the lesson outline, summarise, con-clude, evaluate the lesson and give assignment.

TEXT REVIEW: John 19:25-27.

This passage shows the unusual bond and trust that existed between Jesus and His disciple- John the Beloved.

When at the point of death on the cross, Jesus handed over the responsibility of His mother’s care to John the Beloved. It narrates that:

i. There stood by the cross of Jesus… V25.
ii. When Jesus therefore saw…V26.
iii. Then He said to the disciple…V27.

TEACHING METHOD:

The Lecture Method.

TIME MANAGEMENT:

The teacher should apply the two-lesson outline teaching time.

LESSON OUTLINE 1: HIS CHARACTER AND ACHIEVEMENTS

The Character Called John the Beloved

1. John wrote the Gospel of John, three epistles (1st, 2nd and 3rd John), and the Book of Revelation.

2. Jesus nicknamed him and his brother James “Boan-erges,” which means ‘sons of thunder’ (Mark 3:17).

3. Concerned for the honour of Jesus, but they were impatient and over-zealous (Luke 9:53-55).

4. He was equally over-ambitious for spiritual honour and glory (Mark 10:35-40).

HIS ACHIEVEMENTS

1. John the Beloved was one of the three disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus (Matthew 17:1).

2. He was also one of the three witnesses to Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37).

3. He had access to some ‘classified’ information from Jesus that others could not have (John 13:23-26).

4. He was the only disciple at the foot of the Cross with the women and Mary, Jesus’ mother, and at Jesus’ command took Mary into his care (John 19:25-27).

5. Generally, he was believed to be the “other disciple” who ran with Peter to see the empty tomb (John 20:2-4).

6. He was among the 120 who were baptized with the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:13-14; 2:1-4).

7. He was with Peter at the healing of the lame man in the temple (Acts 3:1-3).

8. He went with Peter to visit the new disciples in Samaria, they both ministered the Holy Spirit baptism to the people (Acts 8:14-17).

9. Exiled to the Isle of Patmos (Revelation 1:9), and there Christ appeared to him and showed him “things which must be hereafter” (Revelation 1:1-3; 4:1).

10. He was known as the disciple “whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1:

The class should discuss whether there was any probable reason(s) Jesus loved John that much.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: LESSONS FROM HIS LIFE

Like John the Beloved, Believers should be:

1. Zealous for good works i.e. God’s work (Revelation 1:9; Galatians 6:9).

2. Loyal and ready to help (John 19:25-2Z; Galatians 6:2).

3. Concerned for the honour and glory of God and not our own (Mark 10:35-40; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

4. Encouraged to stay close to Christ even when things go against us, God may have more for us (Revelation 1:9; Romans 8:28).

5. Hardworking and resourceful. John was a fisherman before Christ called him and he wrote five books of the New Testament (Mark 1:16-20).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2:

Students should mention other lessons from the life of John the Beloved

CONCLUSION: RCCG Sunday School Teachers Manual 14 June 2026

The faith and devotion demonstrated by John the Beloved are worthy of emulation.

EVALUATION:

Mention five ways of dealing with past occurrences.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Father, help me to be loyal and zealous for Your work.

ASSIGNMENT: RCCG Sunday School Teachers Manual Lesson 41

Mention two (2) personal lessons you have learned from John the Beloved (5×2=10 Marks).

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RCCG Sunday School Teachers Manual Lesson 41: 14 June 2026