RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ MANUAL 20 MARCH 2022

LESSON TWENTY-NINE (29)
TOPIC: CHRISTIAN COUPLE AND IN-LAWS

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 friend 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?

Today’s devotional: Open Heaven 20 March 2022

Powerful Declarations: Powerful Declarations For Today 20 March 2022

Today’s Prayer Points: Prayer Points For Open Heavens 20 March 2022

OPENING PRAYER: Almighty Father, please help couples to maintain a healthy relationship with their in-laws.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Ruth 1:1-18

1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

3 And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.

7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judeh.

8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;

13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

MEMORY VERSE: “And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore”. Ruth 2:11

INTRODUCTION: Christian couples are expected to live according to the dictates of God’s word. For instance, the Bible tells us that a man should leave his parents and cleave to his wife (Genesis 2:24). This shows that a line must be drawn between the families from which both partners originated from and the new family the couple is building.

However, the Bible admonishes us to honour our parents (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16) and do good to all men especially the members of our household (Galatians 6:10). It should be noted that in-laws are people related to us by marriage and we should deal with them with godly wisdom (James 3:17).

TEXT REVIEW: Ruth 1:1-18.
After the death of Mahlon and Chilion, Ruth did five things that where exemplary to Christian couple’s relationship. Teacher should identify them as indicated in the Bible passage for the lesson.
i. …………………………..
ii. ………………………….
iii. ………………………….
iv. ………………………….
v. …………………………..
Please apply answers to your teaching.

LESSON OUTLINES 1: BUILD A CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP
Question: What should Christian couples do to build a cordial relationship with their in-laws?
Answer: Teacher should give and explain the five points stated below as answers:

a. Avoid preconceptions: Do not have a biased perspective of your in-laws. Be open and free in your dealings with them (Romans 12:10,16; 1Peter 3:8).

b. Avoid acting like strangers: Do well to let your in-laws see you as another child of theirs and not a stranger (Proverbs 18:24; John 15:15).

c. Avoid damaging rules: Make sure you avoid rules that can destroy the relationship with your in-laws (1Timothy 5:1-2). Be wise and all decisions relating to your in-laws, especially in speech (Psalms 34:13; Colossians 4:6).

d. Treat in-laws as important people and avoid strife (Philippians 2:3). Exhibit maturity and patience with in-laws (2Corinthians 6:4).

e. Remain humble and encourage mutual submission (1Peter 5:5; Ephesians 5:21). Always seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14 Romans 12:18).

Question: Teacher should now ask students to explain why the Christian couples should behave in the five ways stated above.
i. For instance, point number 5 says “be humble” why?
Answer: if either couples, say wife for instance, is proud and show arrogance to the husband’s parent; it could provoke separation or disaffection to the wife
ii. Teacher and student should discuss the remaining four points.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Why do you think some couples do not build cordial relationship with their in-laws?

LESSON OUTLINES 2: THE THIN LINE
A. In-laws too should show cordial relationship to their son-in-law and daughter-in-law using the following guidelines.

i. They should avoid external interference in the affairs of the couple and allow them build godly home. (Colossians 3:21; Matthew 19:4-6).

ii. They could give the couple counsel and support them with prayers without necessarily imposing their views. (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 19:20-21).

iii. They should allow the married couple takes their own decisions as responsible adults.

B. Teachers should ask students to explain why the in-laws should be guided with the above-stated points.
i. For instance, point number ‘3’ which states that couples should be allowed to take their own decision. This is essential beacuse it will enable them think deep before taking decisions knowing fully well that they would be held accountable for their mistakes.

ii. Teachers and students should discuss the remaining two points.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Why do you think some parents like to impose their views on their sons and daughters in-law?

SUMMARY: Both the couples and in-laws have crucial roles to play in maintaining cordial relationship.

CONCLUSION: Christian couples must relate with their in-laws in love and as light/salt of the world (Matthew 5:13-14). Live at peace and remain humble at all times (Hebrews 12:14)

EVALUATION: What role do couple and in-laws have to play to ensure cordial relationship?

CLOSING PRAYER: Almighty Father, please help all couples to relate well with their in laws in Jesus name.

ASSIGNMENT: List out five (5) factor which may bring affection between couples and their in-laws.