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RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 3 February 2019 Lesson 23
TOPIC: Hope for the Widows and Orphans [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 3 February 2019]
MEMORY VERSE: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” – James 1:27 (scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 3 February 2019 HYMN)
Also Read: Open Heaven 3 February 2019 – It’s Not A Sin!
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Timothy 5:3-16 KJV (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 3 February 2019)
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
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16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
LESSON INTRODUCTION:
A widow is a woman who has lost her spouse by death and usually has not remarried.
Orphans are children whose parents are dead, or for whatever reasons are not there in their lives(unknown, or have permanently abandoned them).
God loves and cares very deeply for widows and orphans. He, therefore, commands us to protect and care for these people in our churches and communities. Psalms 82:3.
LESSON OUTLINES
- GOD’S DISPOSITION
- OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
GOD’S DISPOSITION
God is highly concerned about orphans and widows. He is called ‘the father of the fatherless and protector of widows’. (Psalms 68:5). God does not want them to be afflicted or badly treated. He hears them when they cry (Exodus 22:22-24).
God says anyone who maltreats them may invite His wrath. To maltreat could be to ‘neglect, abuse or take advantage of’. God wants us to defend them( Isa. 1:17). He sustains and relieves the widows and orphans.(Psalms 146:9).
God makes provisions for them in His law( Deut. 10:18; 26:12-13). He preserves the orphans and expects widows to trust Him. (Jer. 49:11).
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Widows and orphans are usually vulnerable and need to be helped
Family members and the church as a body have a crucial role to play in the well-being of orphans and widows.
Family members are enjoined to take care of orphans and widows so that they will not suffer. This is seen a proof of their commitment to God. (1 Tim. 5:4).Orphans should not be abused or enslaved but should be helped. The bible makes it clear that our service to God is not complete if we neglect the care for orphans and widows (James 1:27). Therefore, Christian should identify with the orphans and widows in the church by giving them necessary support (Galatians 6:10). A special welfare scheme should can be instituted for widows and orphans as done in the early church (Acts 6:1-6).
However, widows that are still physically strong and mentally active should not resign to fate, rather, they should get busy to meet the needs of the family (1 Tim. 5:9). They should be good examples to younger women in the family. Young widows are encouraged to remarry (1 Tim. 5:14). They should desist from social or moral vices that could tarnish their image(s) and that of the church. (1 Tim.5:13).
CONCLUSION: Do not close your ears to the cry of the widows and orphans. Assist them in church and around you. Widows and orphans should not be lazy. They should also learn to trust God.
QUESTIONS
- What is God’s disposition to widows and orphans?
- Describe your responsibilities to widows and orphans.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention ten (10) ways by which widows and orphans could be helped, and select one for implementation.
For Further Reading: Deuteronomy 14:28; 24:17; Proverbs 15:25.
Also Read: RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 27 January 2019, Lesson 22
RCCG Sunday School 3 February 2019 HYMN
- O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 3 February 2019, Lesson 23
