RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL 5 MARCH 2023

LESSON TWENTY SEVEN (27)
TOPIC: BREAK THE YOKE OF POVERTY

*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 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: Heavenly Father, please teach me how to break free from poverty in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE PASSAGE: PROVERBS 6:9-11

[9]How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

[10]Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

[11]So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

MEMORY VERSE: “All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.” Proverbs 19:7.

INTRODUCTION: Generally, poverty can be described as a state of being extremely poor. Poverty can take different forms: mental, spiritual, material or financial. In the context of material/financial possessions, poverty is said to exist when people lack the means to satisfy their basic needs. Scriptures clearly state that even the brethren of the poor hate him (Prov.19:7) and that poverty can destroy the poor (Prov.10:15). What then causes poverty and how can a believer break free from it?

TEXT REVIEW: Proverbs 6:9-11.
From the above-stated passage,
i. What are those things which the sluggard should do?————————————-
ii. What are the consequences of slumbering?
——————————————————–

LESSON OUTLINES
1. CAUSES OF POVERTY
2. BREAKING FREE FROM POVERTY

1. CAUSES OF POVERTY
i. The teacher should ask the students to mention the forms of poverty they are aware of.
ii. The teacher should classify and raise discussions on poverty as outlined below and allow the students to make contributions accordingly.

A. PERSONAL ATTITUDE:
i. Laziness and idleness. (Prov.10:4; 19:15).
ii. Poor attitude to work/work ethics. (Prov.14:23; 2Thess.3:10).
iii. Lack of self-discipline. (Prov.12:27).
iv. Stubbornness. (Prov.13:18).
v. Worldliness and frivolous pursuits. (Prov.21:17; 28:19).
vi. Limitation mentality. (Prov.23:7a).
vii. Drunkenness and gluttony. (Prov.23:21).

B. NATURAL DISASTERS:
i. Famine, flood, droughts. (Gen.12:10).
ii. Health-related challenges/epidemic. (Mark 5:25-26).
iii. Fire outbreaks. (Job 1:16).
iv. Death of benefactor. (2Sam.4:4).

C. OPPRESSION:
i. Poor wages/Delay wages/Refusal to pay wages. (Lev.19:13; 1Tim.5:18).
ii. Exorbitant interest rates on loans. (Ex.22:25-27).

D. SPIRITUAL CAUSES:
i. Consequences of sin. (Deut.28:15-21).
ii. Wrong belief that poverty is equal to holiness or godliness.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should discuss other causes of poverty not included in the above classifications.

2. BREAKING FREE FROM POVERTY
The following information could lead a person out of poverty:
i. Discover and pursue your purpose for living.
(Prov.22:29).

ii. Improve yourself in your chosen career, vocation and trade. (Prov.18:15; 24:4).

iii. Create multiple streams of income. (Eccl.11:2).

iv. Solve people’s problems

v. Acquire additional knowledge through re-skill and upskill. (Prov.9:9; Eccl.10:10).

vi. Believe in your ability to perform. (Phil.4:13).

vii. Be a generous giver. (Prov.11:24).

viii. Pay your tithes, first fruit and offerings regularly. (Mal.3:10-12; Prov.3:9-10).

ix. Pray and study the word of God for direction. (Ps.37:23).

x. Don’t live on debt, borrow only to invest. (Prov.22:7).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should discuss other godly ways to be free from poverty?

SUMMARY: Poverty is not pre-destined, therefore, change your mindset towards material wealth knowing that God gives the ‘power’ to get wealth (Deut.8:18).

QUESTIONS:
* Mention four (4) factors responsible for poverty.
* How can believers break free from poverty?

EVALUATION: How can poverty be dealt with?

CLOSING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please give me enough riches and honour and send poverty far away from me.

ASSIGNMENT: Give five (5) dangers of poverty (2×5=10 Marks).