RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ MANUAL 17 JULY 2022

LESSON FORTY SIX (46)
TOPIC: SUICIDE FORBIDDEN

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 blessings

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?

Today’s devotional: Open Heaven 17 July 2022

Powerful Declarations: Powerful Declarations For Today 17 July 2022

Today’s Prayer Points: Prayer Points For Open Heavens 17 July 2022

Teens Devotional: Open Heavens For Teens 17 July 2022

OPENING PRAYER: Almighty Father, as we cast our cares and burdens to You please come and attend to them all. Please don’t let us be ashamed.

BIBLE PASSAGE: ROMANS 5:1-8

[1]Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

[2]By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

[3]And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

[4]And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

[5]And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

[6]For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

[7]For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

[8]But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

MEMORY VERSE: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7.

INTRODUCTION: Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death or deliberately killing one’s self. Research shows that approximately 90% of people who have died by suicide were suffering from a mental illness at the time. The most common mental illness reported is depression. Also, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship break-up or chronic pain and illness. In addition, experiencing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, and so on), discrimination or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behaviour. Intense sadness and/or hopelessness; not caring about activities that used to matter; withdrawal from family, friends, sports and social activities; substance (drug, alcohol) abuse are some of the common signs of suicidal thoughts.

TEXT REVIEW:
i. Believers through their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are blessed with peace.
ii. Through the same faith, believers have opportunity to rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
ACTIVITY: Teacher should identify four other privileges believers could access through their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ according to the Bible passage to the lesson.
i. ————————————————————–
ii. ————————————————————
iii. ————————————————————
iv. ————————————————————

LESSON OUTLINES:
1. THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF SUICIDE
2. ANTIDOTES TO SUICIDAL THOUGHTS/ATTEMPTS

1. THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF SUICIDE
i. The Bible views suicide as the same as murder, i.e. self-murder which is contrary to God’s commandment. (Ex.20:13).

ii. God gives and takes away life. No one has the right to do this. (Job 1:21).

iii. The Bible mentioned six examples of people who committed suicide. They were:
a. Abimelech (Judg.9:54).
b. Saul (1Sam. 31:4).
c. Saul’s Armour-bearer (1Sam. 31:4-6).
d. Ahithophel (2Sam.17:23).
e. Zimri (1Kgs.16:18).
f. Judas (Matt.27:5).

iv. The actions of these six people were in contravention of the word of God which says “thou shall not kill”. (Ex.20:13).

v. Some circumstances had led people in the past to the point of almost taking their lives. For instance,
a. Solomon’s endless pursuit of vanities led him to the point where he hated life. (Eccl. 2:17).

b. Elijah was pressurised by Jezebel to the point that he prayed that God would take his life. (1 Kgs.19:4).

c. Prophet Jonah was very angry when the sun scourged his head that he fainted and wished in himself to die. (Jonah 4:8).

d. Apostle Paul was pressed out of measure and was despaired of life. (2 Cor.1:8-10).

vi. These four people did not commit suicide despite their prevailing circumstances because:
a. Solomon feared and kept the commandment of God (not to take life). (Eccl. 12:13).

b. Elijah was comforted by an angel of the Lord. (1 Kgs.19:5;15).

c. Jonah received admonition from the Lord. (Jonah 4:1-3; Jonah 8:11).

d. Paul depended on God who was able to sustain him. (2 Cor.1:9-10).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Why did the six people in this lesson commit suicide?

2. ANTIDOTES TO SUICIDAL THOUGHTS/ATTEMPTS
i. Allow God to prove His love to you. (Rom.5:5).

ii. Remember that Jesus identifies with you in your time of troubles and humiliation. (Isa.53:2-6).

iii. Recall that Jesus suffered and died to remove your guilt and weight of sin. (Rom. 5:7-8; Rom.8:32).

iv. Believe and be assured that Jesus will forgive and repair your brokenness and restore your joy. (Isa.1:8; 2Cor.5:17).

v. Review your hope that Jesus will definitely rescue you if you trust Him and call on Him to help you. (Ps.61:1-2; Jer.33:3).

vi. Learn to say my “times are in Your hand” whether tough or easy. (Ps.31:15).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Despite the above-stated six points which provide ways to escape from suicide, why do people still take their lives?

SUMMARY: Do not kill yourself.

CONCLUSION: No matter how bad things are in your life, there is the God of love who is waiting for you to guide you through your tunnel of despair and out into His marvellous light.

EVALUATION:
i. What are the antidote to suicide?
ii. What is the Bible’s view on suicide?

CLOSING PRAYER: Almighty Father, we pray that those who are depressed and are planning to commit suicide will be healed in the name of Jesus.

ASSIGNMENT From the lesson introduction and contemporary environment, identify any five (5) sources of suicide.