RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL 5 MARCH 2023

LESSON TWENTY SEVEN (27)
TOPIC: BREAK THE YOKE OF POVERTY

*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?

BIBLE PASSAGE: PROVERBS 6:9-11

[9]How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

[10]Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

[11]So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

MEMORY VERSE: “All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.” Proverbs 19:7.

INTRODUCTION: Generally, poverty can be described as a state of being extremely poor. Poverty can take different forms: mental, spiritual, material or financial. In the context of material/financial possessions, poverty is said to exist when people lack the means to satisfy their basic needs. Scriptures clearly state that even the brethren of the poor hate him (Prov.19:7) and that poverty can destroy the poor (Prov.10:15). What then causes poverty and how can a believer break free from it?

OUTLINES:
1. CAUSES OF POVERTY
2. BREAKING FREE FROM POVERTY

1. CAUSES OF POVERTY
While poverty can be in categories or degrees, several factors can be responsible for it:
1. Personal attitude which includes laziness/idleness (Prov.10:4; 19:15); poor work ethics (Prov.14:23; 2Thess. 3:10); lack of self-discipline (Prov.12:27); stubbornness (Prov.13:18); drunkenness and gluttony (Prov.23:21); worldliness and frivolous pursuits (Prov.21:17; 28:19); limitation mentality (Prov.23:7a) etc.

2. Natural disasters (famine, floods, etc.)-Gen.12:10, health challenges (Mk.5:25-26), fire outbreaks (Job 1:16), death of a benefactor (2Sam.4:4).

3. Oppression of others. Examples of oppression that can cause poverty include delayed wages (Lev.19:13; 1Tim. 5:18), exorbitant interest rates on loans (Ex.22:25).

4. Spiritual causes of poverty include the repercussion of sin (Deut.28:15-21) and wrong spiritual concepts as some believers equate poverty to holiness.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should discuss other causes of poverty not included in the above classifications.

2. BREAKING FREE FROM POVERTY
You need to discover your purpose for living and diligently pursue it (Prov.22:29). Gather sufficient information on how to improve yourself in your chosen career, vocation or trade (Prov.18:15; 24:4). Be intentional about creating multiple streams of income (Eccl.11:2). Find a problem around you that you can solve that will earn you good money. Acquire additional skills: re-skill and up-skill (Prov.9:9). Believe in yourself and have the ‘I can’ attitude (Phil.4:13).

Essentially, breaking free from poverty requires giving (Prov.11:24): pay your tithes and offerings (Mal.3:10-12), first fruit (Prov.3:9-10), and give to those that are less privileged. Pray and study the word of God to know His perfect will for you in all your life’s endeavours (Ps.37:23). Stop living on debts, borrow only to invest (Prov.22:7).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should discuss other godly ways to be free from poverty?

CONCLUSION: Poverty is not pre-destined, therefore, change your mindset towards material wealth knowing that God gives the ‘power’ to get wealth (Deut.8:18).

QUESTIONS:
* Mention four (4) factors responsible for poverty.
* How can believers break free from poverty?

ASSIGNMENT: Give five (5) dangers of poverty (2×5=10 Marks).