RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 26 June 2022: Processing Restitution

RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 26 June 2022 Lesson 43: Processing Restitution

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RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 26 June 2022 TOPIC: Processing Restitution

OPENING PRAYER: Almighty father, please guide us through your spirit to restitute according to your will in the name of Jesus Christ. (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 26 June 2022 HYMN)

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE:
Teacher should allow students to review the previous week’s lesson.

MEMORY VERSE: “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.” – Ecclesiastes 10:10 (KJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 20:1-18 (King James Version)

1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.

2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.

4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?

5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.

6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.

8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.

9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.

10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?

11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.

12 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.

13 And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.

14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.

15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.

16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.

17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.

18 For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham’s wife.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Sometimes, moving forward may be difficult until we have made the past right. This is important for those who realise that their sin has wounded others and are as genuinely sorry as they are eager to obey and please God.

LESSON OUTLINES:

1. CAUTION AGAINST RUSHING INTO RESTITUTION
2. HOW TO PROCESS RESTITUTION

1. CAUTION AGAINST RUSHING INTO RESTITUTION

i. A person may want to restitute in perfect obedience to the word of God. (Gen. 20:7).

ii. Another person may wish to restitute to free his/her mind from guilt of sin. (Luke 19:8).

iii. Whichever reason, caution must be applied to avoid guilt and regret. (Prov.26:12; Prov. 29:20).

iv. Class to discuss with hypothetical or real life illustrations of how to make restitution without appropriate guidance by the people of God who are vast in the knowledge of the subject matter.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: What did Abimelech give to compensate his error of taking Sarah and why? (Gen. 20:2, 7, 14 & 17).

2. HOW TO PROCESS RESTITUTION

Teacher should explain steps to consider to avoid costly mistakes in restitution:

i. Counsel: it is best to seek advice before proceeding with restitution, so that an advisor can guide us through the correction. There may be legalities that need to be considered and sometimes restitution does not need to be made. (Prov.11:14; Prov.19:20).

ii. Scope: The general rule is that restitution can be as broad as the offence. A private offence is settled in private and a public one needs to be settled in public e.g. social media. (Luke 19:8; Acts 16:37). Outside of getting some counsel, those who are not part of the problem or solution should not be involved in the process. If a thing is between you and God, keep it there except maybe with a trusted partner. (1Jn.1:9; James 5:6.) If the thing that needs to be made right includes legality, a Christian legal expert may need to be involved. (Luke 12:58; 1Cor.6:1).

Sometimes, when civil laws have been broken, it requires a more severe punishment in the form of corrective measures or even imprisonment. This ensures the payment has been sufficient, especially when what was taken or damaged cannot be replaced because no financial/material price is sufficient.
Note that peculiar cases should be handled with the help of a matured and trusted Christian Counsellor/Pastor.

iii. Wait: Restitution if often best made after time is given a chance to work a deeper healing, allowing your heart to soften. Patience and self-control are two of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5:22-23) and when dealing with a long standing hurt, it is usually best to pray our heart into a better state before proceeding with the restitution. (James 1:4).

iv. Substitution: If it is not possible to make restitution to the offended person, you find a relative or give it to the Lord. Counsel will help you decide what is appropriate.

v. Restitution Not Reconciliation: Occasionally, reconciliation is not the goal. The relationship may never go back to where it was before the disagreement or wound. We cannot control how people respond and we must not express disapproval if our efforts are rejected. Reconciliation is certainly desirable in most cases, but there are some situations where, even though we have apologised, it would be unhealthy or unwise for us, and maybe for them, to resurrect the previous relationship. (Gen.33:12-17).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Mention three things you should do when restituting?

SUMMARY: Restitute wisely.

CONCLUSION: Restitution gives peace of mind to those who will honestly do it.

EVALUATION: Why must you exercise caution when restituting?

CLOSING PRAYER: Almighty Father, help all Your children in need of restitution to take appropriate steps with wisdom in Jesus’ Name.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) things you should not do when restituting.

NOTE:

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RCCG Sunday School HYMN

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 friendship suits me well,
   Both young and old 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 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?