RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL LESSON THIRTY-FIVE SUNDAY, 29TH APRIL 2018: A SCRIPTURAL APPROACH TO FAMILY PLANNING
*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?
OPENING PRAYER
Father, help all married adults to plan their families in line with the word of God. Do not allow ignorance to ruin our families.
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
Psalm:127.3
Behold, children [are] a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb [is] a reward.
Psalm:127.4
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So [are] the children of one’s youth.
Psalm:127.5
Happy [is] the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their 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.
TEXT REVIEW: PSALM 127:3-5
i. The Lord builds the family like house. Psalm 127:1
ii. An expert who wants to build without God will labour in vain. Psalm 127:1
iii. The Lord gives children. Psalm 127:3
iv. Experts who thought they can use their skills to produce children will labour in vain. Psalm 127:1
v. Since children are gifts from God, those who receive the gifts and train them in the way they should go. Pro. 22:6 would enjoy the following benefits:
a. They will have reward for their exploits. Psalm 127:2-3
b. They will be strong and have courage in battle. Psalm 127:4
c. They will be happy. Psalm 127:5.
d. They shall not be ashamed. Psalm 127:5.
e. They will speak and the enemies will not be able to contend against them. Psalm 127:5.
f. They will enjoy sweet rest. Psalm 127:2
What happened when parents fails to train up the child? Such parents stand the great risk of trouble and sorrow at their old age. 1Sam 2:12-22
LESSON OUTLINES
1. The biblical view
2. Reasons for family planning
THE BIBLICAL VIEW
I. Class to discuss briefly the issue of family planning in the secular i.e
i. What the class understands by family planning.
ii. Benefit of family planning.
iii. Dangers related to it, etc
(Note) The discussion does not need medical expertise or competence. It is just to elicit information from the students.
II. Teacher should lead students through the scriptures to discover the premium which God places on children, fruitfulness and child bearing as indicated below:
a. God’s command is that we should be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28).
b. Children are great blessings from God (Psalm 127:3).
c. Children are weapons of defense (Psalm 127:4).
d. Children are ones pride and joy (Psalm 127:5; Proverbs 27:11).
e. God cherishes children as tools for propagating His kingdom (Mark 10:14-16).
III. Teacher should round off the session by pointing out to students that:
a. God does not want children to suffer because of inadequate care.
b. God does not want patents to suffer because of risk associated with mother’s health and child bearing
c. God does not want us to produce or bear children written cannot raise.
Note: (Jeremiah 29:11).
REASONS FOR FAMILY PLANNING
i. Every parent is required to consider how to take care of children before bearing them
ii. Parents must provide enough food, clothing, shelter and adequate education for their children. These consideration should help to determine how many children they need.
iii. Failure to consider these necessities of life would produce poverty in the family and society.
iv. Teacher should discuss the under-listed items which necessitate birth control ( NOT ABORTION).
a. Priorities and Necessities: This is to meet other pressing needs such as shelter, career, education, economy, etc (Proverbs 16:9).
b. Resources: Adequate provision is needed for every child. It is a sin to raise children you cannot cater for (1Timothy 5:8).
c. 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).
d. Pleasure: This may be to give room for marital/sexual intimacy (1Corinthians 7:3-5).
e. Government policy: Many nations have policy on the acceptable number of children for each family in order to regulate their population.
v. Teacher should discuss the need for those in need of family planning to consult medical expert to prevent medical hazard.
vi. Teacher should NOT recommend any approach or methods to any married student. All decisions on the matter should be left to the family to take.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1-2:
Students who participate in the discussion should he scored full marks for class activities.
SUMMARY
Bear only children you can care for
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).
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, do not let me be guilty of my children
ASSIGNMENT
Give five reasons why some people still continue to raise or bear children they know they can not cater for
