RCCG YAYA SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL 23 APRIL 2023

SUNDAY
LESSON THIRTY-FOUR (34)
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 friend 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?

MEMORY VERSE: “All the brethren of the poor hate him: How much more do his friends go far from him! he may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him”. –Proverbs 19:7(NKJV)

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.

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 brethren of the poor hate him (Proverbs 19:7) and that poverty can destroy the poor (Proverbs 10:15). What then causes poverty and how can a believer break free from it?

LESSON OUTLINES
1. CAUSES OF POVERTY
2. HOW TO BREAK FREE

1. CAUSES OF POVERTY
While poverty can be in categories or degrees, several factors can be responsible for it:
1.Personal attitude which includes laziness/idleness (Prov.10:4; 19:15); Poor work ethics (Prov.14:23; 2Thess.3:10); Lack of self-discipline (Prov.12:27); Stubbornness (Prov.13:18); Drunkenness and gluttony (Prov.23:21); Worldliness and frivolous pursuits (Prov. 21:17; 28:19); Limitation mentality (Prov.23:7a).

2. Natural disasters (famine, floods, droughts, etc.) – Gen.12:10, health challenges (Mk.5:25-26), fire outbreaks (Job 1:16), death of a benefactor (2Sam.4:4).

3. Oppression of others: Examples of oppression that can cause poverty include delayed wages (Lev.19:13; 1Tim.5:18), exorbitant interest rates on loans (Ex.22:25-27).

4. Spiritual causes of poverty include: Repercussion of sin (Deut.28:15-21) and wrong spiritual concepts as some believers equate poverty to holiness.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Share with the class, the cause of poverty of anyone you know and what others should do not to fall into poverty.

2. HOW TO BREAK FREE
You need to discover your purpose for living and diligently pursue it (2Pet.1:10; Prov.22:29). Gather sufficient information on how to improve yourself in your chosen career, vocation, or trade (Prov.18:15; 24:4). Be intentional about creating multiple streams of income (Eccl.11:2). Find a problem around you that you can solve that will earn you good money. Acquire additional skills: re-skill and up-skill (Prov.9:9). Believe in yourself and have the ‘I can’ attitude (Phil.4:13).

Essentially, breaking free from poverty requires giving (Prov.11:24): pay your tithes and offerings (Mal.3:10-12), first fruit (Prov.3:9-10), give to the less privileged. Pray and study the word of God to know His perfect will for you in all your life’s endeavours (Ps.37:23). Stop living on debts, borrow only to invest (Prov.22:7).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Mention other things a believer can do to create wealth and avoid unnecessary borrowing.

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

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

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

FURTHER READINGS: MON: Hos.2:8. TUE: 1 Tim.6:17. WED: Prov.16:9. THUR: 1Thess.4:16. FRI: Heb.6:10. SAT: 1 Tim.6:18-19. SUN: 1 Cor.9:9.

ASSIGNMENT: Give five reasons people are poor financially and spiritually (2×5=10 Marks).?