Sunday School 03/8/2026

Topic: Refuse Complacency

Memory Verse

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot:
I wish you were either cold or hot. ” Rev 3:15

Lesson Text

Lesson Introduction

Complacency is a subtle but powerful obstruction on our journey in Christendom. It often manifests as satisfaction with the status quo which can lead to stagnancy in our walk with God. Prov. 1:32 ESV says that the complacency of fools will destroy them. The focus of our study today is to examine the profound wisdom offered by the Bible on how to identify and overcome complacency so that we can live a vibrant and purpose driven life.

Lesson Outline

A: LUKEWARM FAITH.
B: CALL TO ACTION

A: Lukewarm Faith

A lukewarm faith is one that isn’t fully committed to God (Rev. 3:15-16). It is also the type of faith that is proclaimed but not acted upon or that is acted upon only to check the box. Remember that faith without (acceptable) works is dead (Jam. 2:26). Complacency leads to lukewarmness which in turn leads to lack of growth.
In our text, we see the two tribes of Joseph launched a bitter complaint to Joshua insisting that they deserved a greater inheritance because they were great in population. The issue wasn’t with Joshua not wanting to allot them more land. The issue was with them being lukewarm instead of taking action. Let’s take a closer look:

1.They blamed Joshua for their condition – Num. 13:8 shows that Joshua was from the same tribe so the excuse of whether he was impartial due to tribal difference wasn’t there for them to use. It is evil to introduce tribalism into the house of God.
2.They expected special treatment – Since Joshua was from the same tribe, they expected him to give them preferential treatment but Joshua wasn’t having it.
3.There is a place for contentment (1 Tim. 6:6-8), but that should not be mistaken with the place of striving for more. Even those who consider themselves to be wise can yet be wiser. Isa. 5:2
So what was the issue? Thev failed to realize that all they needed to take possession already lied inside of them; in their abilities. In vs 17 of the text,Joshua had to let them realize that there is more land available to them but they will have to do the work in driving out the Cannanites.
Likewise, we must do the work and bear the fruits met for repentance. Matt 3:8, 1 Jn 3:7

B: Call to Action

Salvation is by faith but work must follow (Eph. 2: 8-1 0). For example, a student who fails to study will be comforted by the Holy Spirit when they
fail. So what then is needed from us?

Do the work – Reaching your potential requires hard work and diligence. Prov. 22:29
Study to know the mind of God. 2 Tim. 3:16
Press more and more into greater heights in God. Heb 5:13-14
Knock off laziness – The people were at ease in Zion (Amos 6:1). They did not want to do anything. Remember, laziness ends in poverty. Prov. 10:4
Be willing to engage the enemy to secure your possession (Deut. 2:24). We are not to shy away and give up when faced with the enemy. We are at war with powerful forces (Eph. 6:12-18). David confronted Goliath and won the victory for the people of Israel and also for his destiny (1 Sam. 17). The Christian life is that of fighting—we are called soldiers. The enemy is strong but our God is stronger. He has also equipped us to win. We have the armor of God (Eph. 6) and the Holy Spirit. 1 Jn. 4:4
Build up your faith. Jude 1:20

Conclusion

God is against complacency, and if our lives are to shine and reach the fullness of what it was designed for, we cannot afford to live a complacent life. According to Jam. 2:14, it is not enough to just have faith. We need our faith to be shown by works. James 4:17 says “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” So from now, we should avoid all those excuses and take possession of that which is ours.

Question

In what ways do believers show complacency?
How can you fight complacency?