RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ 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

OPENING PRAYER: Father, You are my shield, please protect me from all attacks.

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.

MEMORY VERSE: “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand. Psalms 149:6

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.

TEXT REVIEW: Luke 22:35-38

Jesus, in an attempt to prepare His disciples
for the challenges ahead, had the following
conversation with them:
A. Jesus said unto them, when I sent you without a purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything? V35a.
->i. And they said …….. v35b.
->ii. Then He said to them, he that …..V36a.
->iii. And he that ………. V36c.

B. Jesus also said:
->i. What is written ………..V37a.
->ii. The things concerning Him…V37b.

C. The Disciples said:
->i. Lord, behold ……….V38a
->ii. Jesus said unto them ……….V38b.

LESSON OUTLINE 1: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SELF-DEFENCE?

1. Question: What is self-defence?
Answer: 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).

2. Question: Is there any distinction between self-defence and vengeance?
Answer: Yes, there is a distinction between
self-defence and vengeance (retaliation or reprisal attack). The difference can be explained in the following ways:

->a. Self taking defence is about neither
vengeance nor about premeditated attack on others.

->b. Jesus’ command to “turn the other cheek” (Matt.5:39) has to do with our response to personal slights offenses.

->c. Some situations may call for self-defence, but not retaliation in kind.

->d. The context of Jesus command is His
teaching against the idea of “eye for eye, and tooth for tooth” (Verse 38).

->e. Our self-defence is not a vengeful reaction
to an offense.

->f. Many offenses can simply be absorbed in forbearance and love (Rom.12:17-21).

3. Question: Are there Biblical clues about God’s attitude towards self-defence?
Answer: Yes, for instance:

->i. “if the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed” (Exo. 22:2-3). Two basic principles taught in this text are the right to own private property and the right to defend that property.

->ii. Jesus explicitly commands His followers to buy a sword, even if they have to sell their cloak to do so (Luke. 22:35-38). Jesus knew that there would be a time who His followers would be threatened, and He upheld their right to self-defence.

->iii. However, Jesus told Peter not to use his sword because Jesus must be arrested, put on trial and die (Matt. 26:51-52).

->iv. Jesus took prudent measures to protect Himself from harm until it was time for Him to die (Luke 4:28-30).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should discuss the ways Jesus protected Himself from harm until His appointed time to die. Teacher should guide the class with the following scriptures (Jn.8:52; Jn.10:39).

LESSON OUTLINE 2: WHAT SHOULD A CHRISTIAN DO?

1. Question: Does the Bible forbid self-defence?
Answer: No, the Bible never forbids self-defence (Ps.144:1).

2. Question: Are believers allowed to defend themselves?
Answer: Yes, Believers are allowed to defend themselves and their families (1 Sam.30:1-8; Acts 7:24)

3. Question: Are there proper use of self-defence?

Answer: Yes. 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; James 3:17).

4. Question: Are there cautions to the full exercise of the right to self-defence?
Answer: Yes, the cautions are:

->i. The full exercise of the right to self-defence depends on the situation (Ex.22:2-3).

->ii. No one should be too quick to use deadly force against another, even someone who means to do harm (Matt. 26:51-52).

->iii. 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.

->iv. A godly person should try to restrain the attacker rather than an immediate resort to killing him.

->v. It is important for every Christian to under, some basic trainings on safety and self-defence (Prov.4:7).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should mention the available platforms/institutions where people can be trained on safety measures and self-defence.

3. SUMMARY: There is a clear difference between self-defence and vengeance. Believers are allowed to defend themselves and their families from attacks but should do so with caution.

4. CONCLUSION: The shepherd risks his life by combating wild animals that threaten the flock (1 Sam.17:34-36). A pacifist or fearful shepherd would soon have no flock.

5. EVALUATION: Teacher should ask the students to explain the biblical perspective of self-defence

6. CLOSING PRAYER: Father, let me always find a way of escape from all attacks in Jesus’ name.

7. ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) Bible characters that were attacked physically and how they responded to the attack. Give scriptural reference for each.