RCCG Sunday School 2022

RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 16 January 2022 – Lesson 20

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TOPIC: Perspective Of Self-Defence (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 16 January 2022)

MEMORY VERSE: “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;” – Psalms 149:6

Also Read: Open Heaven 16 January 2022 – Returning To The Home Church Model

BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 22:35-38 (KJV) (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 16 January 2022)

35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

INTRODUCTION: As Christians, we believe that God is able to protect us from both physical and spiritual attacks (Ps.7:10; Zech.12:8). We must be trusting and dependent like little children toward God and He must be our strength and safety (Ps.28:2). However, in the world today, crime and violence are on the increase. Christians are like sheep among wolves (Matt.10:16). In most cases, they are in the most vulnerable state partly due to Christ’s injunction in Matthew 5:39 and Paul’s words in Romans 12:17-21.

LESSON OUTLINES:

  1. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SELF-DEFENCE?
  2. WHAT SHOULD A CHRISTIAN DO?

1. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SELF-DEFENCE?

Self-defence is defined as “protecting oneself from injury at the hand of others.” Self defence involves preserving one’s own health, life and property when it is threatened by the actions of others (Neh. 4:7-23; Lk.11:21).

There is a distinction between self-defence and vengeance, retaliation or reprisal attack. Self-defence is taking neither about vengeance nor about premeditated attack on others. The commandment of Jesus to “turn the other cheek” (Matt.5:39) has to do with our response to personal slights and offences. Some situations may call for self-defence, but not retaliation in kind. The context of the command of Jesus is His teaching against the idea of “eye for eye, and tooth for tooth (verse 38). Our self-defence is not a vengeful reaction to an offence. In fact, many offences can simply be absorbed in forbearance and love (Rom.12:17-21).

The Bible gives some clues about God’s attitude toward self-defence: “If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft” (Ex.22:2-3). Two basic principles taught in this text are the right to own private property and the right to defend that property. Also, Jesus explicitly commands His followers to buy a sword, even if they have to sell their cloak to do so (Lk.22:35-38).

Jesus knew that there would be a time when His followers would be threatened, and He upheld their right to self-defence. However, Jesus told Peter not to use his sword because He must be arrested, put on trial and die (Matt.26:51-52). Jesus took prudent measures to protect Himself from harm until it was time for Him to die.

2. WHAT SHOULD A CHRISTIAN DO?

The Bible never forbids self-defence (Ps.144:1), and believers are allowed to defend themselves and their families (1 Sam.30:1-8; Acts 7:24). The proper use of self-defence has to do with wisdom, understanding and tact. We must have wisdom that comes from Heaven regarding when to fight back and when not to, so as not to make a dangerous situation worse (James 1:5;3:17).

The full exercise of the right to self-defence depends on the situation. No one should be too quick to use deadly force against another, even someone who means to do harm. Deadly force is expected to be a last resort in the event of a panicked “surprise attack” scenario where the victim is confused and disoriented. A godly person should try to restrain the attacker rather than an immediately resort to killing him.

It is important for every Christian to undergo some basic trainings on safety and self-defence.

CONCLUSION: The shepherd risks his life by combating wild animals that threaten the flock (1Sam.17:34-36). A pacifist or fearful shepherd would soon have no flock.

QUESTIONS:

  1. What does the Bible say about self-defence?
  2. Should a Christian defend himself against physical attacks?

FURTHER READINGS:

Monday: Nehemiah 4:7-23 (KJV)
7 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, 8 And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. 9 Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. 10 And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. 11 And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. 12 And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you. 13 Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. 15 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. 16 And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. 17 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. 18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me. 19 And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. 20 In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us. 21 So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. 22 Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day. 23 So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.

Tuesday: Matthew 5:3 (KJV)
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Wednesday: Romans 12:17-21 (KJV)
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Thursday: Exodus 22:2-3 (KJV)
2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. 3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

Friday: Luke 22:35-38 (KJV)
35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

Saturday: Matthew 17:22-23 (KJV)
22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: 23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

Sunday: Psalm 144:1 (KJV)
Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) Bible characters that were attacked physically and how they responded to the attack. Give scriptural reference for each.

RCCG 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 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?