RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual April 29th, 2018 Lesson 35 — A Scriptural Approach To Family Planning

MEMORY VERSE: “Lo children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward” – Psalm 127:3

BIBLE PASSAGE: Psalm 127:3-5

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

INTRODUCTION:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Family planning allows individuals and couples to anticipate and attain their desired number of children and the spacing and timing of their births. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of involuntary infertility”. It is important to examine God’s plan for the institution called “family” and to understand the reasons for us to also plan our families.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. The biblical view
2. Reasons for family planning

THE BIBLICAL VIEW
The biblical view on family planning can be traced to the importance that God places on fruitfulness and child bearing. These include the fact that:
1. God’s command is that we should be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28).
2. Children are great blessings from God (Psalm 127:3).
3. Children are weapons of defense (Psalm 127:4).
4. Children are ones pride and joy (Psalm 127:5; Proverbs 27:11).
5. God cherishes children as tools for propagating His kingdom (Mark 10:14-16).
However, God’s plan of fruitfulness and multiplication does not call for the suffering or neglect of any child in this world (Jeremiah 29:11).

REASONS FOR FAMILY PLANNING
God has given man the grace for increase and procreation. However, wisdom demands that man should consider the need to cater for the children God gives which must include provision of food, shelter, education, etc. The reasons for birth control may differ from one family to another. These include:

1. Priorities and Necessities: This is to meet other pressing needs such as shelter, career, education, economy, etc (Proverbs 16:9).
2. Resources: Adequate provision is needed for every child. It is a sin to raise children you cannot cater for (1Timothy 5:8).
3. Health, especially of the mother: If and when the life of the mother is at risk, birth control should be considered (Ephesians 5:28-29).
4. Pleasure: This may be to give room for marital/sexual intimacy (1Corinthians 7:3-5).
5. Government policy: Many nations have policy on the acceptable number of children for each family in order to regulate their population.
If believers in the Christian family have reasons for family planning, they should consult with the appropriate professionals in that field for proper counseling and recommendations.

CONCLUSION:
God’s plan for man is to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). However, we must be wise and ensure that we raise children that we can cater for (Proverbs 4:7; Ecclesiastes 10:10b).

QUESTIONS
1. What are the biblical views on family planning?

2. Mention five reasons given for birth control.

Open Heaven 29 April 2018 Sunday – IT CAME TO PASS

Open Heaven 29 April 2018 Memorise:And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. Matthew 10:22

Read: 1st Peter 1:1-9 Open Heaven 29 April 2018

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Open Heaven 29 April 2018

Bible in one year: 1st Samuel 3-5, Hebrews 7

Hymnal: Sing hymn 10

MESSAGE – OPEN HEAVEN 29 APRIL 2018 SUNDAY DAILY DEVOTIONAL

There is a phrase commonly used throughout the whole Bible which should serve as comfort to all Christian pilgrims, particularly when they are passing through situations that are not so pleasant. That phrase is the title of today’s devotional – “It came to pass”.

To someone using this devotional today, all your challenges shall pass in Jesus’ Name. The Lord Jesus Christ did not promise us that the Christian walk would be a wall in the park. He actually promised us persecutions and trials as part of the Christian experience (John 16:33, Mark 10:30).

He even said in Matthew 10:22 that a time will come when will be hated all men. Be aware that this time is fast approaching. What is expected of us is endurance and long-suffering. As God would have it, long-suffering is part of the fruit of the Spirit, which is made manifest in our lives as we daily walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

Know for sure that from the inception of the Christian faith, believers in Christ have always faced trials of cruel mocking, scourging, imprisonment and even death. Nevertheless, be encouraged by the words of Apostle Peter to some brethren who were also going through trials and persecutions:

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trials of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1st Peter 1:6-7

OPEN HEAVEN 29 APRIL 2018

Just as the trying periods of the heroes of faith who have gone ahead of you “came to pass”, yours also will come to pass. Let your gaze be set on the reward that is ahead of you, which the Holy Spirit spoke of in James 1:12, saying;

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

In Revelations 22:12-14, the Lord also spoke of the reward we will receive, having endured unpleasant situations in this world. Beloved, the Lover if your souls, Jesus, will soon appear; be of good cheer therefore because all your trials of faith will soon be over. Just make sure you do not deny the faith.

Don’t be like Demas who loved this present world and forsook the Lord (2nd Timothy 4:10). May the Lord keep you holy till His appearing in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point – Open Heaven 29 April 2018

Father, please let me not lose sight of the rewards that await me at Your appearing. Please grant unto me the grace to endure to the very end.

OPEN HEAVEN 29 APRIL 2018 SUNDAY HYMN

SING HYMN 10 – MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE

My faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamp of Calvary,

Savior divine!

Now hear me while I pray

Take all my guilt away

Oh, let me from this day

Be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart

Strength to my fainting heart

My zeal inspire!

As Thou hast died for me,

Oh, may my love to Thee

Pure, warm, and changeless be,

A living fire!

While life’s dark maze I tread,

And griefs around me spread,

Be Thou my guide;

Bid darkness turn to day,

Wipe sorrow’s tears away,

Nor let me ever stray

From Thee aside

When ends life’s transient dream,

When death’s cold, sullen stream

Shall o’er me roll;

Blest Savior, then in love

Fear and distrust remove;

Oh, bear me safe above,

A ransomed soul