RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ MANUAL 16 JANUARY 2022
LESSON TWENTY (20)
TOPIC: PERSPECTIVE OF SELF-DEFENCE
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 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.
Read: Open Heavens 16 January 2022
MEMORY VERSE: “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand. Psalms 149:6
BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 22:35-38
[35]And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
[36]Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
[37]For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
[38]And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
LESSON INTRODUCTION: As Christians, we believe that God is able to protect us from both physical and spiritual attacks (Ps.7:10; Zech.12:8). We must be trusting and dependent like little children toward God and He must be our strength and safety (Ps.28:2).
However, in the world today, crime and violence are on the increase. Christians are like sheep among wolves (Matt.10:16). In most cases, they are in the most vulnerable state partly due to Christ’s injunction in Matthew 5:39 and Paul’s words in Romans 12:17-21.
OUTLINES
1. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SELF-DEFENCE?
2. WHAT SHOULD A CHRISTIAN DO?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SELF
DEFENCE
Self-defence is defined as “protecting oneself from injury at the hand of others.” Self defence involves preserving one’s own health, life and property when it is threatened by the actions of others (Neh. 4:7-23; Lk.11:21).
There is a distinction between self-defence and vengeance, retaliation or reprisal attack. Self-defence is taking neither about vengeance nor about premeditated attack on others. The commandment of Jesus to “turn the other cheek” (Matt.5:39) has to do with our response to personal slights and offences.
Some situations may call for self-defence, but not retaliation in kind. The context of the command of Jesus is His teaching against the idea of “eye for eye, and tooth for tooth (verse 38). Our self-defence is not a vengeful reaction to an offence. In fact, many offences can simply be absorbed in forbearance and love (Rom.12:17-21).
The Bible gives some clues about God’s attitude toward self-defence: “If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft” (Ex.22:2-3).
Two basic principles taught in this text are the right to own private property and the right to defend that property. Also, Jesus explicitly commands His followers to buy a sword, even if they have to sell their cloak to do so (Lk.22:35-38).
Jesus knew that there would be a time when His followers would be threatened, and He upheld their right to self-defence. However, Jesus told Peter not to use his sword because He must be arrested, put on trial and die (Matt.26:51-52). Jesus took prudent measures to protect Himself from harm until it was time for Him to die.
WHAT SHOULD A CHRISTIAN DO?
The Bible never forbids self-defence (Ps.144:1), and believers are allowed to defend themselves and their families (1 Sam.30:1-8; Acts 7:24). The proper use of self-defence has to do with wisdom, understanding and tact.
We must have wisdom that comes from Heaven regarding when to fight back and when not to, so as not to make a dangerous situation worse (James 1:5;3:17).
The full exercise of the right to self-defence depends on the situation. No one should be too quick to use deadly force against another, even someone who means to do harm.
Deadly force is expected to be a last resort in the event of a panicked “surprise attack” scenario where the victim is confused and disoriented.
A godly person should try to restrain the attacker rather than an immediately resort to killing him. It is important for every Christian to undergo some basic trainings on safety and self-defence.
CONCLUSION: The shepherd risks his life by combating wild animals that threaten the flock (1Sam.17:34-36). A pacifist or fearful shepherd would soon have no flock.
QUESTIONS
1. What does the Bible say about self-defence?
2. Should a Christian defend himself against physical attacks?
FURTHER READINGS: MON: Neh.4:7-23; TUE: Matt.5:3; WED: Rom.12:17-21; THUR: Ex.22:2-3; FRI: Luke 22:35-38; SAT: Matt. 17:22-23; SUN: Ps.144:1.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) Bible characters that were attacked physically and how they responded to the attack. Give scriptural reference for each.
