RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL SUNDAY 5TH MARCH 2023

*1.* 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.

*2.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

Thy friend friendship suits me well,

Both young and will sing Thy song,

We long for Sunday School.

*3.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

Christ was Thy first teacher,

The Holy Spirit, great teacher,

Does manifest in thee.

*4.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

This testimony is sure,

That God, the Father Almighty,

Poured His blessing on Thee

*5.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

Though the sun be so bright,

Or if the clouds be black with rain,

I’ll be in Sunday School.

*6.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day

I rejoice to see Thee,

Will thou pass over me today?

Without my being blest?

Heavenly, Father please teach me how to break free from poverty in the name of Jesus.

MEMORY VERSE: “All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him”. –Proverbs 19:7

9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

Generally, poverty can be described as a state of being extremely poor. Poverty can take different forms: mental, spiritual, material or financial. In the context of material/financial possessions, poverty is said to exist when people lack the means to satisfy their basic needs. Scriptures clearly state that even brethren of the poor hate him (Proverbs 19:7) and that poverty can destroy the poor (Proverbs 10:15). What then causes poverty and how can a believer break free from it?

TEXT REVIEW: PROVERBS 6:9-11

From the above-stated passage,

i. What are those thing which the sluggard should do?

………………………………

……………………………….

ii. What are the consequences of slumbering?

……………………………

……………………………

i. The teacher should ask the students to mention the forms of poverty they are aware of.

ii. The teacher should classify and raise discussions on poverty as outlined below and allow the students to make contributions accordingly.

A. *PERSONAL ATTITUDE*

i. Laziness/Idleness. (Proverbs 10:4;19:15).

ii. Poor attitude to work/work ethics. (Proverbs 14:23; 2Thessalonians 3:10).

iii. Lack of self discipline. (Proverbs 12:27).

iv. Stubbornness. (Proverbs 13:18).

v. Worldliness and frivolous persuits. (Proverbs 21:17;28:19).

vi. Limitation mentality. (Proverbs 23:7a).

vii. Drunkenness and gluttony. (Proverbs 23:21).

B. *NATURAL DISASTERS*:

i. Famine, floods, droughts. (Genesis 12:10).

ii. Health-related challenges/epidemic. (Mark 5:25-26).

iii. Fire outbreaks. (Job 1:16).

iv. Death of a benefactor. (2Samuel 4:4).

C. *OPPRESSION*

i. Poor wages/Delay wages/Refusal to pay wages. (Leviticus 19:13; 1Timothy 5:18).

ii. Exorbitant interest rates on loans. (Exodus 22:25).

D. *SPIRITUAL CAUSES*:

i. Consequences of sin (Deuteronomy 28:15-21).

ii. Wrong belief that poverty is equal to holiness or Godliness.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1

The class should discuss other causes of poverty not included in the above classifications

BREAKING FREE FROM POVERTY

The following information could lead a person out of poverty:

i. Discover and pursue your purpose for living. (Proverbs 22:29).

ii. Improve yourself in your chosen career, vocation or trade. (Proverbs 18:15; 24:4).

iii. Create multiple streams of income (Ecclesiastes 11:2).

iv. Solve people’s problem.

v. Acquire additional knowledge through re-skill and upskill. (Proverbs 9:9; Ecclesiastes 10:10).

vi. Believe in your ability to perform. (Phil 4:13).

vii. Be a generous giver. (Proverbs 11:24).

viii. Pay your tithes, first fruit and offerings regularly. (Malachi 3:10-12; Proverbs 3:9-10).

ix. Pray and study the word of God for direction. (Psalm 37:23).

x. Don’t live on debt, borrow only to invest (Proverbs 22:7).

Students should discuss other godly ways to be free from poverty?

SUMMARY

To be free from poverty is to identify the particular root cause (s) and deal with the cause (s) in a godly way.

CONCLUSION

Poverty is not pre-destined, therefore, change your mindset towards material wealth knowing that God gives the ‘power’ to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18).

CLOSING PRAYER

Heavenly Father, please give me enough riches and honour and send poverty far away from me.

ASSIGNMENT

Give five (5) dangers of poverty (2×5=10 Marks).