RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL 9 APRIL 2023
*LESSON THIRTY-TWO (32)*
*TOPIC: MENTAL HEALTH*
*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: Father, heal anyone whose health is challenged in Jesus’ name.
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: Students should review the previous week’s lesson by recalling the lessons acquired.
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Kings 19:1-4
[1]And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
[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.
MEMORY VERSE: “From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.’ Isaiah 1:6
LESSON INTRODUCTION: The Bible
does not explicitly speak on the topic of
mental health. However, it does have a lot to
say about the heart, mind and the condition
of the soul. Health is defined by the World
Health Organization (WHO) as a complete
state of physical, mental and social well-being: it is not just the absence of disease or infirmity. Mental health is important, as it affects the whole being (Prov 4:23) This lesson addresses mental issues and possible solutions
TEXT REVIEW: 1 Kings 19:1-4.
Praying for death is like a suicide attempt
as we could see Elijah vehemently asking the
Lord to take away his life in this passage (Vs 4).
The teacher should identify a few reasons why Eliiah was depressed.
LESSON OUTLINES
LESSON OUTLINE 1: MENTAL HEALTH DEFINED
i. The teacher should find out what the students understand by “being healthy” “being unhealthy” and “mental illness”
ii. The teacher should define mental health according to the World Health Organization (WHO) as follows:
“A state of well-being in which every individual can carry out four roles:
a. Realize his/her potentials
b.Cope with the normal stress of life
c. Work productively
d. Participate meaningfully in the community
iii. The teacher should define mental ill-health as follows: *“A psychological disorder affecting one’s mood, thinking and behaviour”*
iv. The teacher should state that mental health includes: our emotional, psychological and social well-being.
A. CAUSES OF MENTAL ILLNESS
-The teacher should identify the under listed items as some of the factors that can lead to mental ill-health and comment briefly on them.
i. Child abuse. (Prov.17:22b).
ii. Trauma/Neglect. (2 Sam.13:19).
iii. Loneliness. (1 Kgs.19:10).
iv. Discrimination/Oppression. (James 2:6).
v. Poverty. (Prov.10:5).
vi. Death/Loss of loved one(s) (2 Sam.18:33).
vii. Debt. (Prov.22:7).
viii. Loss of courage/low self-esteem. (Num.13:33).
ix. Stress/Heavy workload. (1 Sam. 30:4, 6).
x. Difficulties/Challenges. (Gen. 34:30).
xi. Spiritual forces. (1Sam.16:14, Mark 5:1-5).
B. SOLUTIONS TO MENTAL ILLNESS
i. People should understand that failure and
challenges are part of human life and should
therefore prepare for them. (Prov. 24:16, Rom. 8:28, Jam.1:2-4).
ii. Investing in a good social network and
godly relationships are important. 2sam. 9:1
iii. Loneliness and isolation which are risk
factors for depression and suicidal behav-
iour should be avoided. (Prov.17:22).
iv. Good sleep helps the brain restores itself.
(Luke 8:23a).
v. Regular exercises expunge toxic chemicals from the body.
(1 Tim.4:8).
vi. Drug abuse (self-medication) is not an option for good health
vii. Healthy thoughts are necessary always.
(Phil.4:8).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2:
The teacher should ask students to mention briefly how believers can live a peaceful, fulfilled and healthy life. (Gen.25:8; Jer.29:11).
SUMMARY: God’s desire for all His children is to be healthy; body, soul, and spirit.
CONCLUSION: Good mental health is necessary for good daily living. Therefore, take care of your health (body, soul and spirit).
EVALUATION: What are the causes and solutions to mental ill-health?
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, please heal your children who are battling with mental ill health in the name of Jesus.
ASSIGNMENT: Identify five (5) Bible characters (in line with the lesson outline 1) who had emotional issues and indicate the outcome of their issue whether POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE (2×5=10 Marks).
