RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL 29 DECEMBER 2024

LESSON EIGHTEEN (18)
TOPIC: LONELINESS

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?

OPENING PRAYER:.Lord Jesus, let me always know that You are with me.

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Kings 19:2-4, 9-10.
[2]Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
[3]And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
[4]But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
[9]And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
[10]And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

MEMORY VERSE:.“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10.

INTRODUCTION: Loneliness has been recognised as a significant social and public health issue. The Hebrew word translated “desolate” or “lonely” in the Old Testament means “one alone or only; one who is solitary, forsaken, and wretched.” Loneliness is the feeling of being disconnected from others, even when surrounded by people. It can lead to feelings of sadness, despair, and emptiness. This universal human experience, can affect us spiritually, emotionally, and physically. It is therefore necessary for us to explore the issue of loneliness and the guidance to overcome it.

LESSON AIM: To teach the students the intricacy of loneliness.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES:.Through this lesson, students should be able to:
• Understand what loneliness means.
• Know how to get out of loneliness.

TEACHING PLAN: To achieve the above-stated objectives, the teacher should:
a. Allow the students to recite the memory verse, read the Bible passage, contribute to the discussion, and do class activities and assignments.
b. Allow the Assistant Teacher to see to the well-being of the class, and mark attendance and assignment.
c. Teach the lesson outline, summarize, conclude, evaluate the lesson and give assignments.

TEXT REVIEW: 1 Kings 19:2-4, 9-10.
This text contains the story of how Elijah ran for his life after he was threatened by Jezebel. He became frustrated and lonely. Read the text and fill in the gaps appropriately:
i. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. V2.
ii. …..…………………………………………..V3.
He expressed his frustration:
iii. …………….…………………………………V4a.
iv. ……….………………………………………V4b.
v. ….………………………………………………V4c.
vi. ………………..……………………………V9a.
vii. ………………………………………………V9b.
He started expressing his loneliness:
viii. He said, …………………………………V10a.
ix. ……………………………….…………………V10b.
x. ….………………………………………………V10c.
xi. They seek ………………………………V10d.

OUTLINES:
1. UNDERSTAND LONELINESS
2. GETTING OUT OF LONELINESS

1. UNDERSTAND LONELINESS
The teacher should allow the class to discuss the process of becoming lonely.
A. Loneliness creeps into people’s lives (regardless of age, gender, or background) changing their perception about life and the people around them. Chronic loneliness has been linked to increased stress, depression, anxiety, and a higher risk of certain physical health problems. This rampant phenomenon becomes fatal when it leads to the death of the victim. Emotional and social disconnections play a significant role in luring people to loneliness. Hence, one can be successful yet lonely.
B. Examples of those who showed signs of loneliness in the Bible:
i. Elijah (1 Kings 19:10),
ii. David (Psalm 25:16) and
iii. Paul (2 Timothy 4:16).
C. One of the strategies Satan and his agents have successfully used against people is to give them reasons to believe everybody hates them. Elijah said, “…I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
D. Some people fall into loneliness and depression because they spend their time hunting for enemies thereby, finding it difficult to trust anyone, even their spouse: they suspect people around them (Ecclesiastes 7:21-22). Being alone without positively engaging one’s time can cause the flesh or the devil to occupy us. Secret sins thrive in lonely moments (Psalm 19:12).
E. Other reasons people become lonely are being too introverted, inferiority complex, inability to manage failure or fear of failure; stigmatization, inability to bond, lack of or a break in fellowship with God, etc.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Have you ever felt lonely, what caused it?

2. GETTING OUT OF LONELINESS
Anyone feeling lonely has to be intentional about getting out of it.
A. Some ways out include the following:
i. Find reasons to be alive and happy (Nehemiah 8:10).
ii. Stop seeing yourself as a failure, you can do all things (Philippians 4:13).
iii. Stop feeling like the whole world is against you, everybody has their problems (Galatians 6:5).
iv. Learn to forgive yourself for past errors, you are not the worst person on earth (Isaiah 1:18).
v. Stop feeling abandoned by God, He will never leave you (Deuteronomy 31:8; Isaiah 49:15-17).
vi. Hold on to your faith: with God, all things are possible (Luke 1:37).
vii. Do not stay away from good friends and family (Psalm 133:1; Proverbs 18:24).
viii. Watch your mind gate: do not allow evil thoughts to play on your mind (Proverbs 4:23).
ix. Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22).
B. Excessive usage of social media is also associated with feelings of loneliness and social isolation, hence, relate more with people physically.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should discuss with the class what they are doing to avoid loneliness and to be happy always.

CONCLUSION: If you or someone you know is lonely, reaching out to friends, and family, or seeking professional support can make a big difference. Also, remember that as a Christian, the cure for any kind of loneliness is the comforting fellowship of Christ.

QUESTIONS:
* Mention four factors you understand on loneliness.
* Identify five things you can do to escape loneliness.

EVALUATION: Briefly discuss the causes of loneliness.

CLOSING PRAYER: Almighty God, I receive Your joy into my heart in Jesus’ name. I declare that the joy of the Lord is my strength.

ASSIGNMENT: Give five tips to getting out of loneliness (2×5=10 Marks).