RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL 16 APRIL 2023

LESSON THIRTY-THREE (33)
TOPIC: MANAGING DIFFICULT PEOPLE

*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 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?

MEMORY VERSE: “It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.’’ Proverbs 20:3

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 13:7-11

[7]And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.

[8]And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

[9]Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

[10]And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

[11]Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: A difficult person may be one who is snobbish, argumentative, quarrelsome, selfish, insensitive or rude. Difficult people seem to know just how to “push one’s buttons” and stir up trouble. By difficult persons, we mean people with certain personality traits or emotional characteristics that make it difficult for you to relate with them. Difficult people can take many forms, however, it is expedient to learn how to manage them.

OUTLINES:
1. IDENTIFYING DIFFICULT PEOPLE
2. HOW TO MANAGE DIFFICULT PEOPLE

1. IDENTIFYING DIFFICULT PEOPLE
There are different types of difficult people.
i. The ‘Downers’: Those who always have something bad to say, they complain, criticize and judge. (2 Sam.6:20-21).

ii. The ‘Better Tanks’: Also known as know it all.” They are arrogant and usually think their opinion is superior on every issue. When they are wrong, they get defensive. (1Sam.2:3).

iii. The ‘Passives’: Also are known as “Push-Overs.” They do not contribute much to conversations or people around them and let others do the hard work. Luke 10:40

iv. The ‘Snipers’: These are quick attackers; they use rude comments, biting mockery or insults during interactions that cut people down.

v. The ‘Blame gamers’: Those who shift blame or give excuses for their wrongdoings rather than try to resolve problems. Gen.3:9-12

vi. The ‘Yes people’: They agree to every commitment, yet rarely deliver. You cannot trust them to follow through. Matt.21:28-30

vii. The ‘No People’: They are quick to point out why something will not work. They are flexible.
2Kgs.7:1-2

viii. The Dictators: They bully and intimidate, they are constantly demanding and brutally critical. 2 Chron.32:9-15

ix. The ‘Grenade Person’: This person, after a brief period of calm, explodes into unfocused ranting and raving about things that have nothing to do with the present circumstances. Matt.2:16

x. The ‘Perfectionist’: Someone who is not willing to settle for anything that is not perfect or does not meet extremely high standards.

2. HOW TO MANAGE DIFFICULT PEOPLE
Our response to difficult people should model the examples provided by Jesus. Here are some of the things we need to do:
1. Be calm. Avoid losing your temper or flaring up at difficult people Prov.14:29

2. Understand the person’s intentions. Try to identify the person’s trigger. Find out what makes them act difficult. 1Thess.5:21

3. Do a background check. Find out how others have been relating with the person. Eccl.1:13

4. Let the person know your intention. Sometimes, people are resistant because they think you are being difficult with them. Col.4:6
Col.4:6

5. Build a rapport: Try to establish a closer relationship with the person and learn about their families, hobbies, important dates, etc. Prov.18:24a

6. Go to a higher authority for resolution. Sometimes, the way to get along with the person may be through the top-down approach. Matt.18:15-17

7. Apply godly wisdom. Sometimes, wisdom demands that you learn how to avoid conflict with a difficult person or know when to walk away.

You need to be careful not to become the ‘difficult person’ yourself Prov.22:3

CONCLUSION: Dealing with difficult people is an exercise in patience, love, and grace.

QUESTIONS:
1. Mention three (3) types of difficult people.
2. How can believers handle difficult people?

FURTHER READINGS: MON: Eccl. 10:12. TUE:
1Jn.4:1. WED: Prov.27:12. THUR: Ps.94:4. FRI:
Prov.26:21, SAT: Ps.44:13. SUN: 1 Pet. 3:5.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) practical ways you have employed in handling difficult people (No mark).