RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ MANUAL 6 NOVEMBER 202

LESSON TEN (10)
TOPIC: CHRISTIANS AND POLITICS (PART 2)

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 on me

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?

Adults devotional: Open Heaven 6 November 2022

Powerful Declarations: Powerful Declarations For Today 6 November 2022

Today’s Prayer Points: Prayer Points For Open Heavens 6 November 2022

Teens Devotional: Open Heavens For Teens 6 November 2022

OPENING PRAYER:
Father, please let all those who rule over us be just, ruling in the fear of God.

BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 SAMUEL 23:1-4

[1]Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,

[2]The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

[3]The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

[4]And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.

MEMORY VERSE:
“The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” 2Samuel 23:3.

INTRODUCTION: In our previous lesson, we highlighted some misconceptions held by some Christians in some circles. We also examined some of the reasons Christians should be involved in politics from the biblical perspective. In today’s lesson, we shall attempt to guide Christians with genuine intentions on how to be practically involved in politics and avoid pitfalls.

LESSON AIM: To study more about Christians’ involvement in politics.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES:
Through the lesson, students should be able to:
a. Understand how to be involved in politics.
b. Discover things to watch out for in politics.

TEXT REVIEW: When David was about to depart to eternity, he gave the following instructions to those who aspire to lead others: Vs 1-2.
i. Such fellow must be ………………………….V3a.
ii. He/she must ……………………………………………………V3b.
iii. He/she must be like………………………….V4.

OUTLINES:
1. HOW TO BE INVOLVED IN POLITICS
2.THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN POLITICS

1. HOW TO BE INVOLVED IN POLITICS
The teacher should treat the outline under two sub-outlines.
A. Getting involved:
i. It is your civic right and responsibility under the law to vote and be voted for. (Titus 3:1; 1Pet.2:13-14; Deut.1:13).
ii. Eligible Christians should get registered with relevant electoral bodies.
iii. Be a card-carrying member of any political party of your choice.
iv. Wield your influence on the choice of representative for the elective position. (Ex.18:21).
v. Go out and vote rightly during the election.

B. How to join a political party of your choice
In addition to other possible information:
i. Visit the website of the parties

ii. Visit the Secretariat of your chosen party.

iii. Study the party’s ideology and manifesto.

iv. Fill out a party registration form.

v. Supply/provide necessary documents as required.

vi. Make necessary payments as stipulated.

vii. Obtain your membership card.

viii. Attend party meetings regularly.

ix. Actively participate in discussions and strengthen your voice.

x. Have the burden/passion to serve the people
and solve their problems. (Neh.2:1-5; 1Sam.17:29, 34-37).

xi. In order to succeed in politics, Christians should read books and attend seminars/conferences on leadership/politics (Prov.16:16).
xii. It is also important to be mentored by a seasoned Christian political leader (Prov.1:5; 11:14).

xiii. You can prayerfully join or support advocacy groups. (Est.4:8, 13-14).
iv. You can form a political party with people of like minds. (1Sam.22:2; Dan.2:49).
Christians should note that it is their civic right and responsibility under the law (Tit.3:1, 1Pet.2:13-14) to vote and be voted for (Deut.1:13). Therefore, every eligible Christian should register with the relevant electoral body in order to participate during elections. In addition, it is important for Christians to be ‘card-carrying’ members of any political party of preference. By so doing, Christians can contest and be voted into elective positions or influence the choice of their representatives for elective positions (Ex.18:21).

To join a political party, you need to get information. Visit the websites of the parties available in your country or the respective party secretariat within your locality. Go through their detailed profiles to know the party’s ideology and manifesto. Fill out a party registration form and provide supporting documents/payments as may be required. A membership card will be issued to you as confirmation. Attend party meetings regularly and actively to be a voice to be reckoned with.

Christians aspiring for elective leadership positions should be sure to have a leading, burden or passion to serve the people and solve problems (1Sam.17:29; 34-37, Neh.2:1-5).
To succeed in politics, Christians should read books and attend seminars/conferences on leadership/politics (Prov.16:16). It is also important to be mentored by a seasoned Christian political leader (Prov.1:5; 11:14).
Christians may also prayerfully join or support an advocacy group (Est.4:8, 13-14) or form a political party with people of like-minds (1Sam 22:2, Dan.2:49).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Do we need money to form a political party or to be actively involved in politics? Why or why not?

2. THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN POLITICS
i. Desist from any thought or act of wickedness. Politics is not a do-or-die affair. (Prov.16:12).

ii. Avoid prayerlessness (Jam.5:16b-18; Ps.91:15; Dan.6:10). Our adversary is not resting, be sober and vigilant. (1Pet.5:8).

iii. Shun all foolishness: Get the necessary qualifications or experience (Jam.1:5; 1Sam.17:34-37) and act wisely. (Matt.10:16).

iv. Never dabble into politics without a godly burden or passion. (Neh.2:1-5).

v. Avoid compromise: stand by your godly virtues and principles (1Cor.10:31).

vi. Distinguish yourself and do not be hypocritical. (1Cor.6:17; Rom.12:2).

vii. Do not be lured into cultism or bad caucus in
the name of ‘belonging,’ seeking relevance or power to outwit others (1Cor.15:33).

viii. Beware of the negative influence of political god-fathers (Prov.12:5; 25:26).

ix. Be resolute in the face of persecution and propaganda. (Neh.4:3, 6; Neh.6:5-7; Dan.6:11-14).

x. Avoid abuse of power. Do not be tyrannical. (2
Chron.26:16-18).
Christians who are into politics, or aspiring to hold political posts, should be prayerful and watch out for pitfalls to avoid soiling their garments (1 Cor.15:33). They should, therefore:
1. Desist from any thought or act of wickedness. Politics is not a ‘do or die’ affair (Prov.16:12).

2. Avoid prayerlessness (Jam.5:16b-18, Ps. 91:15, Dan.6:10). Our adversary is not resting, be sober and vigilant (1 Pet.5:8).

3. Shun all foolishness: get the necessary qualifications or experience (Jam.1:5, 1Sam.17:34-37) and act wisely (Matt. 10:16).

4. Never dabble into politics without a godly burden or passion (Neh.2:1-5).

5. Avoid compromise: stand by your godly virtues and principles (1Cor. 10:31).
6. Distinguish yourself and do not be hypocritical (1Cor.6:17; Rom. 12:2).

7. Do not be lured into cultism or bad caucus in the name of ‘belonging,’ seeking relevance or power to outwit others (1Cor.15:33).

8. Beware of the negative influence of political god-fathers (Prov.12:5; 25:26).

9. Be resolute in the face of persecution and propaganda. (Neh.4:3,6; Neh.6:5-7; Dan 6:11-14).

10. Avoid abuse of power. Do not be tyrannical (2 Chron. 26:16-18).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Why should Christians be prayerful in their political aspirations?

SUMMARY:.Be involved in politics and don’t soil your garment. (1 Cor.15:33).

CONCLUSION: Join a political party today and be a Christian of influence.

QUESTIONS:
* Mention ways to be involved in politics.
* List five (5) things to watch out for in politics.

EVALUATION: How can you be involved in1 politics? (ii) What are the cautions to beware of?

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, let Your children in politics shine as a light to dispel every work of darkness.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention ten (10) things you will do if you become a Governor. (No Mark).