RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL LESSON FOURTEEN 2ND DECEMBER 2018 – CHRISTIANS AND POLITICS (PART 1)

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL LESSON FOURTEEN 2ND DECEMBER 2018 – CHRISTIANS AND POLITICS (PART 1)

*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: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” – Proverbs 29:2

BIBLE PASSAGE: Nehemiah 5:14-19

Nehemiah:5.14
Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the governor’s provisions.
Nehemiah:5.15
But the former governors who [were] before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.
Nehemiah:5.16
Indeed, I also continued the work on this wall, and we did not buy any land. All my servants [were] gathered there for the work.
Nehemiah:5.17
And at my table [were] one hundred and fifty Jews and rulers, besides those who came to us from the nations around us.
Nehemiah:5.18
Now [that] which was prepared daily [was] one ox [and] six choice sheep. Also fowl were prepared for me, and once every ten days an abundance of all kinds of wine. Yet in spite of this I did not demand the governor’s provisions, because the bondage was heavy on this people.
Nehemiah:5.19
Remember me, my God, for good, [according to] all that I have done for this people.

INTRODUCTION:
Generally, politics can be described as the methodology and activities associated with running a government, an organisation or a movement.

Politics is all about influence. It is this influence that further births positive or negative changes in the lives of the people.

The involvement of Christians in politics is neither secular, nor beyond the ideologies of Christianity because it is the desire of God that believers take charge and have influence here on earth (Genesis 1:28; Matthew 5:13-16). Also Read – Open Heaven 3 December 2018

LESSON OUTLINES
1. Misconceptions about politics
2. Why should Christians be involved in politics?

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT POLITICS

Some Christians are of the opinion that, since our kingdom is not of this world, we do not have to be involved in any political activity in the world we presently live in (John 17:14).

This is not the whole truth but a misconception aimed at robbing us of our godly heritage of dominion (Psalm 8:6; 1Peter 2:9; Revelations 5:10). Also Read – Open Heaven 4 December 2018

Here are some reasons for the misconception or wrong notions about involvement of Christians in politics;

1. Politics is a dirty game and a worldly affair.
2. Political involvements will take one to hell.
3. All politicians are liars, corrupt and promiscuous.
4. It is an opportunity to embezzle money or amass wealth unlawfully.
5. Most politicians are fetish or occultic.

WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE INVOLVED IN POLITICS?

In order to disabuse our minds as Christians about our active involvement in politics, we need to consider the following reasons objectively:

1. It is the desire of God that believers take charge and have influence here on earth (Deuteronomy 28:13). We are to take the lead and allow kingdom values to shape our society (Matthew 5:13-16).

2. The leaders we elect, or fail to elect have great influence on our freedom, well-being and the fulfilment of our God-given mandate. They can choose to protect our right to worship and spread the gospel, or prevent us from exercising such rights (Esther 4:14; Daniel 6:7). Also Read – Open Heaven 5 December 2018

3. Politics like other sectors of national developments (Health, Finance, etc.), should be explored to ‘’teach all nations’’ in order to demonstrate the exemplary life and flavour of godliness (Daniel 6:1-3; Matthew 28:19-20).

4. The involvement of godly Christians in politics will reduce corruption, disorderliness, mischief and other socio-economic vices in the society (2Chronicles 14:1-6; Proverbs 29:2).

5. To effect positive and lasting changes that will benefit the society (Genesis 41:33-40; Proverbs 14:34).

CONCLUSION
God is still looking for the righteous few, in order to uplift our nations (Genesis 18:32).

QUESTIONS
1. Mention 4 misconceptions believers have about politics
2. Why should Christians be involved in politics?