RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL 9 MARCH 2025

LESSON TWENTY-EIGHT (28)
TOPIC: CHRISTIAN COUPLES 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 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: Father, teach me how to live peaceably with my in-laws.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Ruth 2:8-12.
[8]Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:
[9]Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
[10]Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
[11]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.
[12]The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
MEMORY VERSE: “And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.” Exodus 18:7.
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 and the new family the couple is building. Also, the Bible admonishes us to honour our parents (Ephesians 6:2-3) and be good to all men; which include our in-laws. In-laws are people related to us by marriage and we should relate with them with godly wisdom (James 3:17).
LESSON AIM: To teach the ideal relationship between couples and their in-laws.
TEACHING OBJECTIVES:
Through this study, students are expected to:
• Learn how to relate with their in-laws.
• Understand how to build cordial relationships with their in-laws.
• Know how to maintain boundaries in marriage.
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; do class activities and the assignment.
b. Allow the Assistant Teacher to see to the well-being of the class, and mark attendance and assignment.
c. Teach the lesson outline, summarise, conclude, evaluate the lesson and give an assignment.
TEXT REVIEW: Ruth 2:8-12.
Mention five lessons you can learn from the relationship between Ruth and Boaz.
i. …………………………………………………………………………ii. ………………………………………………………………………… iii. ……………………………..……………..………………….……
iv. ………………………………………….……………………..……
v. …………..…………………………………………………………
OUTLINES:
1. BUILDING A CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP
2. THE THIN LINE
1. BUILDING A CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP
A. Let us learn from Ruth’s relationship with her mother-in-law.
i. She placed her in the position of her biological mother.
ii. We must treat our in-laws like our own blood relations.
B. In our relationship with in-laws, Christian couples should, therefore:
i. Avoid Preconceptions: Do not have a biased perspective against your in-laws. Be open-minded in your dealings with them (Romans 12:10, 16; 1 Peter 3:8).
ii. Refuse to act like strangers: Do well to let your in-laws see you as another child of theirs and not a stranger (Exodus 18:7-9; Proverbs 18:24).
iii. Stay off damaging rules: Make sure you avoid rules that can destroy the relationship with your in-laws (1 Timothy 5:1-2; Judges 14:11-13, 18-20). Be wise in all decisions relating to your in-laws especially in speech (Psalm 34:13; Colossians 4:6).
iv. Treat in-laws as important people and avoid strife (Philippians 2:3). Exhibit maturity and patience with in-laws (2 Corinthians 6:4).
v. Remain humble and encourage mutual submission (1 Peter 5:5; Ephesians 5:21). Always seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14; Romans 12:18).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention any behaviour that can cause misunderstanding between married couples and their in-laws
2. THE THIN LINE
A. While it is important to establish a cordial relationship with in-laws, it is equally important that in-laws give some breathing space to their married sons or daughters to build a godly home with little or no external interference (Colossians 3:21; Matthew 19:4-6).
B. In-laws, especially the couple’s parents can counsel (Exodus 18:19-24; Proverbs 11:14) and prayerfully support their children in marriage without necessarily imposing their views (Ephesians 6:4).
C. The married couple should be allowed to make their own decisions.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: As an in-law, how do you relate with the married couples in your family?
CONCLUSION: Christian couples must relate with their in-laws in love and as salt/light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14), be at peace, and remain humble at all times (Hebrews 12:14).
QUESTIONS:
* Mention four ways couples can build cordial relationships with their in-laws.
* What roles should in-laws play in maintaining the thin line with their married sons or daughters?
EVALUATION: Students should mention four ways couples can build cordial relationships with their in-laws and the roles in-laws should play in maintaining the thin line with their married sons or daughters.
CLOSING PRAYER: Dear Father, protect our marriages from any negative force.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention two (2) people in the Bible who had good relationships with their in-laws with biblical references (5×2=10 Marks)