RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 17 May 2026 – Lesson 37
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TOPIC: The Broken Window Theory (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 17 May 2026)
MEMORY VERSE: Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:21 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 (KJV) (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 17 May 2026)
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
INTRODUCTION: The Broken Window Theory posits that small, unchecked problems can lead to large and widespread issues. It suggests that “when an environment is in disarray, it only gets worse if not attended to because disorder invites more disorder.” The faster you fix a broken window, the less likely another one will turn up broken. As Christians, we can apply this theory by addressing small and seemingly insignificant issues and weaknesses in our lives, relationships, careers, families etc. before they escalate. Today, we will explore how to apply this theory to the family.
LESSON OUTLINES
- APPLICATION TO PARENTING
- APPLICATION TO MARRIAGE
1. APPLICATION TO PARENTING
Parents are to be intentional in raising sound children in a seemingly unchecked society. Watch out for the following and treat them as soon as discovered:
- Sibling rivalries: Teach your children to love one another and avoid unhealthy competition (Romans 12:9-10; Ephesians 4:32).
- Avoid the blame game: Teach your children to always take responsibility for their actions rather than trade blame (Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 5:20).
- Refusal to apologise correctly: Teach your children to apologise correctly as this goes a long way to keep friendship. (Proverbs 25:11).
- Preferring a child over others: Show equal love to all your children and not run a divided home like Isaac and Rebecca (Genesis 25:28).
You may consider adopting some of these rules in raising your children instruct them to do the dishes before going to bed; clean up spills immediately; make their bed upon rising; keep the bathroom clean (Deuteronomy 23:13-14); never leave piles of dirt on the floor; dress decently; keep their person clean, remember “cleanliness is next to godliness;” go to bed at a reasonable hour; arrive early for appointments. Pray with your children daily and eat at least one meal together each day.
2. APPLICATION TO MARRIAGE
In marriage, small, unchecked issues can lead to bigger problems if not addressed (Song of Solomon 2:15). Neglecting small cracks in our relationship can lead to a broken marriage. We need to relate with each other in understanding, especially in the area of communication, intimacy and finance (1 Peter 3:1, 7). It is important to build a strong marital relationship as we consider the following:
- Address conflicts promptly and completely (Ephesians 4:26-27). Small conflicts can lead to greater division.
- Practice love and respect (Ephesians 5:33; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
- Communicate effectively (Proverbs 15:1).
- Embrace intimacy and spend quality time together (Genesis 26:8; Song of Solomon 2:10).
- Maintain financial transparency and prudence (Proverbs 21:5; Luke 14:28).
- Avoid unnecessary suspicion: stop thinking or expecting your spouse to do terrible things. This portrays a feeling of insecurity (1 John 4:18).
CONCLUSION
Do not leave issues unattended to; small actions today can prevent bigger problems tomorrow.
QUESTIONS
- How is this theory applicable to parenting?
- In what ways is this theory applicable to marriage?
FURTHER READINGS:
Sunday: Romans 12:9-10 (KJV)
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Monday: Proverbs 21:5 (KJV)
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
Tuesday: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (KJV)
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Wednesday: Genesis 25:28 (KJV)
And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Thursday: Proverbs 28:13 (KJV)
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Friday: Ephesians 4:26-27 (KJV)
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.
Saturday: Proverbs 25:11 (KJV)
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
ASSIGNMENT: List five (5) points on applying this theory to marriage (2×5=10 Marks). See less
RCCG Sunday School HYMN
- 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. - 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. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
