OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TEENS MONDAY 23TH APRIL 2018: CONFESSION AND HEALING

MEMORISE: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John
3:15

Please read: Mark 2:1-12

MESSAGE:
During a trial of faith, God wants to know how elastic your faith is. And so He brings about
some situations that will take your faith beyond
certain limits: sometimes, even to a breaking point. To remain intact, keep your faith in the
Lord and always remember that His grace is sufficient for you.

However, there are many sufferings and hardships that come about as a result of a hidden sin or yet to be confessed sin.

When you sin and hide it, you are only killing yourself inside little by little. The Bible says that any man who hides his sin will not prosper. There are many things you may have been praying for with no
results all because you have refused to repent from that one hidden sin you have been indulging in.

Never attempt to hide any sin from God; it is foolishness to hide a thing from the God who is
everywhere at all times.

Hiding things from God will disconnect you from Him. And the worst thing that can happen to any believer is to be
disconnected from God.

ACTION POINT:
Confess any hidden sin to God and ask Him for the grace to live above that sin.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Samuel 7-9
Luke 19:1-28

Hymn 7
1. I am Thine 0 Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Chorus
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!

4. There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.

Open Heaven 23 April 2018 – DELIVER US FROM TEMPTATION

Memorise: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine us the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:13

Open Heaven 23 April 2018 Read: Matthew 26:37-41 (KJV)

26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul
is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell
on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is
willing, but the flesh is weak.

Bible in one year: Judges 17-18,
Philemon

The Name of Jesus is infused with so
much power that it can deliver from every form of satanic bondage. The devil’s weapon of choice to lead men into bondage is temptation, but the use of the Name of Jesus in the place of prayer is able to deliver from this weapon of the
enemy.

Since the Lord has given us the go-ahead to pray in His Name for anything we need, deliverance from temptation falls under the category of things we can ask for, and we will surely be delivered if we do (John
14:14 ).

Confirming this truth, our Lord
Jesus Christ taught the disciples to pray
against temptation (Matthew 6:9-13 ),
Furthermore, at the Garden of Gethsemane, our Lord instructed His three closest disciples to put into practice what He had taught them on prayer in order to overcome temptation. In Matthew 26:41 , He said to them,

“ Watch and pray ,
that ye enter not into temptation : the spirit indeed is willing , but the flesh is weak .”

There are many lessons we can learn from today’s Bible reading, one of which is that
temptation is a reality of life. The tempter has been at work right from the Garden of Eden and he has not retired. Another lesson is that the tempter and his temptations are no respecters of any person; they did not even spare Jesus Christ. The Bible in Luke 4:1-2a says

“ And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness , Being forty days tempted of the devil.”

It is noteworthy that although Jesus Christ was full of the Holy Ghost, the devil still tempted Him. Thank God He defeated the
tempter! I pray that you will not be
overcome by the tempter in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 23 April 2018

Every believer in Christ should therefore take the Lord’s injunction to watch and pray against temptations very seriously. We can overcome temptation if we would pray against it in the Name of Jesus. We must be prepared to shield ourselves against the wiles of the tempter.

Ordinary church members, workers,
ministers and pastors are all targets of the tempter. Learn from the experience of the disciples. Shortly after Jesus Christ instructed them to watch and pray, temptation indeed came. Unfortunately, they were all asleep, and they could not resist the urge to run away after their Master was arrested.

Open Heaven 22 April 2018

One of the only two disciples who managed to fellow closely behind even denied the Master (John 18:15-17 ). Pray that the Lord will give you victory over any temptation that comes your way in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 23 April 2018 Prayer Point
Father, please shield me from the arrows of temptation and deliver me from all
forms of evil.

Open Heaven 23 April 2018 Sing hymn 5 I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

I have decide to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross
Before me;
The world behind me, the cross
before me;
The world behind me, the cross
Before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL LESSON THIRTY-FOUR SUNDAY:APRIL 22, 2018: CHILD ABUSE

Open Heavens 22 April 2018

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?

PRAYER: Father, save our children from all manners of child abuse.
Heal those children who have been abused.

BIBLE PASSAGE:Mark10:13-16
13.And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14.But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
15.Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16.And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

MEMORY VERSE:”But whose shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6

LESSON INTRODUCTION:According to Merriam Webster’s dictionary, a child is “a young person especially between infancy and youth”. Child abuse is any maltreatment of a child which causes him/her harm. Such action can also take the form of child neglect or failure to protect a child from danger especially by a parent or other care-giver. The Bible does not use the word abuse but tells us that whosoever hams a child is asking for God’s anger. Mark 9:42.

TEXT REVIEW: MARK 10:13-16
OFFENCE TO LITTLE CHILDREN
The Lord pronounced a huge judgement on those who offend the little ones who believed in Him. Words like “Millstone were hanged on his neck and were drowned in the depth of the sea” Matt. 18:6 were found in Jesus’ pronouncement of judgement.
The offence in today’s Bible passage was that the disciples of Jesus rebuked those who brought the children to be touched and the Lord was greatly displeased with their action-Mark 10:13-14. God has been very mindful of children and He places high premium on them. The scriptures support this position in the following examples:
I. He provided water for Ishmael when he cried. Ger.. 21:16-20.
II. He accepted the ownership of children and mated them His heritage. Psalm 127:3
III. He compared children to arrows in the hand of the mighty. Psalm 127:4. He helped Elisha to raise the dead son of the Shunamite woman. 2 Kings 4:16-35.
IV. He carried them on the shoulder and blessed them. Mark 10:16.
V. He appoints angels to them who beholds God’s face. Matt.18:10.
VI. He assured them of the Kingdom. Mark 10:14-15 If God values children like this, then, those who plan to abuse them are looking for His trouble and before long they will find what they are looking for. Matt. 18:6

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL LESSON THIRTY-FOUR SUNDAY, 22ND APRIL 2018: CHILD ABUSE

LESSON OUTLINES:
Lesson Outline 1:FORMS OF CHILDABUSE
Child abuse takes different forms:
i. Physical Abuse:Can be excessive beating of a child especially one that leaves him/her with marks, throwing objects, poisoning, child labour (trafficking, hawking), neglecting to give the child basic necessities of life such as food, clothing, shelter, education, health care, etc. It also includes use of drugs, alcohol or any substance that will cause the child distress. 1Kgs. 3:19, 25-26; Mk. 9:42.
ii. Sexual Abuse:This is when any person engages a child in any sexual activity such as fondling a child’s sexual organs, engaging the child in any immoral activity e.g. pornography, rape, defilement of the child, etc. 2Sam. 13:10-15.
iii. Emotional/Psychological Abuse: Includes teasing, bullying, threatening, verbal abuse (such as cursing, belittling, and constantly finding fault), etc. 1Sam. 17:26-28; Col. 3:21.

Class Activity 1: Identify any other signs and prevention of child abuse in our society.

Lesson Outline 2: SIGNS AND PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE
A. Signs of Child Abuse
i. Aggressive behaviour.
ii. Low self-esteem.
iii. Sleeping difficulties
iv. Unexplained bruises.
v. Burns or swellings.
vi. Lack of concentration.
vii. Criminal Inclinations.

Child abuse may eventually lead to deformation or death.

B. Prevention of child abuse may take the following forms:
i. Early education, identification and intervention.
ii. Break the silence, report any abuse.
iii. Train a child in a godly way. Prove 22:6.
iv. It is not every wrong that should be met with punishment.

Class Activity 2: Identify any other signs and prevention of child abuse in our society.

SUMMARY:No child should be abused under any guise.

CONCLUSION:Children are very precious to God and should be well taken care of.

EVALUATION:
i. What is child abuse?
ii. How can it be controlled?

CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, make our society child-loving in Jesus’ name.

ASSIGNMENT:

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL LESSON THIRTY-FOUR SUNDAY, 22ND APRIL 2018: CHILD ABUSE

*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?
MEMORY VERSE: ‘’But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” – Matthew 18:6
BIBLE PASSAGE: Mark 10:13-16
Mark:10.13
Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought [them.]
Mark:10.14
But when Jesus saw [it,] He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
Mark:10.15
“Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Mark:10.16
And He took them up in His arms, put [His] hands on them, and blessed them.
INTRODUCTION:
According to the Merriam Webster’s dictionary, a child is “a young person especially between infancy and youth”. Child abuse is any maltreatment of a child which causes him/her harm. Such action can also take the form of a child neglect or failure to protect a child from danger especially by a parent or other care-giver. The Bible does not use the word abuse but tells us that whosoever harms a child is asking for God’s anger (Mark 9:42).
LESSON OUTLINES
1. Forms of child abuse
2. Signs and prevention of child abuse
FORMS OF CHILD ABUSE
Basically, child abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional.
PHYSICAL ABUSE: Can be excessive beating of a child especially one that leaves him/her with marks, throwing objects, poisoning, child labour (trafficking, hawking), neglecting to give the child basic necessities of life such as food, clothing, shelter, education, health care, etc. It also includes use of drugs, alcohol or any substance that will cause the child distress (1Kings 3:19, 25-26; Mark 9:42).
SEXUAL ABUSE: This is when any person engages a child in any sexual activity such as fondling a child’s sexual organs, engaging the child in any immoral activity e.g. pornography, rape, defilement of the child, etc. (2Samuel 13:10-15).
EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE: Includes teasing, bullying, threatening, verbal abuse (such as cursing, belittling, constantly finding fault), etc. (1Samuel 17:26-28; Colossians 3:21).
SIGNS AND PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE
These are some of the signs that a child is being abused: aggressive behaviour, low self-esteem, sleeping difficulties, unexplained bruises, burns or swellings, lack of concentration and criminal inclinations. Child abuse may eventually lead to deformation or death.
Prevention of child abuse may take the following forms:
1. Early education, identification and intervention.
2. Break the silence, report any abuse.
3. Train a child in a godly way (Proverbs 22:6).
4. It is not every wrong that should be met with capital punishment.
CONCLUSION:
Child abuse is a menace that must be dealt with holistically in the fear of God. Children are precious to God and must be well taken care of (Psalm 127:3).
QUESTIONS
1. Mention three forms of child abuse.
2. State at least two ways of preventing child abuse.

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL LESSON THIRTY-FOUR SUNDAY:APRIL 22, 2018: CHILD ABUSE