RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual For February 3, 2019 , Lesson 23 : Topic – Hope for the Widows and Orphans
TOPIC – Hope for the Widows and Orphans
OPENING PRAYER: Father, help me and my parish to be involved in the welfare programs for the less privilege, fatherless and widows.
MEMORY VERSE: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” – James 1:27
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Timothy 5:3-16 KJV
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
LESSON INTRODUCTION:
A widow is a woman who has lost her spouse by death and usually has not remarried.
Orphans are children whose parents are dead, or for whatever reasons are not there in their lives (unknown, or have permanently abandoned them).
God loves and cares very deeply for widows and orphans. He, therefore, commands us to protect and care for these people in our churches and communities. Psalms 82:3.
Orphans are children whose parents are dead, or for whatever reasons are not there in their lives (unknown, or have permanently abandoned them).
God loves and cares very deeply for widows and orphans. He, therefore, commands us to protect and care for these people in our churches and communities. Psalms 82:3.
TEXT REVIEW: 1 TIMOTHY 5:3-16
A. WIDOWS INDEED
i. Widows indeed are widows who are solitary dependent and without support. 1 Tim. 5:3.
ii. They (widow indeed) fix their hope only on God and persevere in supplication day and night 1 Tim.5:5.
iii. Widows indeed must have good reputation and are devoted to good work always 1 Tim. 5 :10.
iv. Widows indeed must be supported by the church. 1 Tim. 5:16.
ii. They (widow indeed) fix their hope only on God and persevere in supplication day and night 1 Tim.5:5.
iii. Widows indeed must have good reputation and are devoted to good work always 1 Tim. 5 :10.
iv. Widows indeed must be supported by the church. 1 Tim. 5:16.
B. WIDOWS
i. They have children. 1 Tim. 5:8
ii. Their children must support them. 1 Tim. 5:8.
ii. Their children must support them. 1 Tim. 5:8.
C. YOUNG WIDOWS
i. They should go and get married and bear children. 1 Tim.5:14.
ii. They should not be busy body or give occasion to Satan.1 Tim.5:13-15.
iii. They should not be enrolled on the list of the church to take care of or become burden to the church. 1 Tim.5:11, 16.
ii. They should not be busy body or give occasion to Satan.1 Tim.5:13-15.
iii. They should not be enrolled on the list of the church to take care of or become burden to the church. 1 Tim.5:11, 16.
The bible made the clarifications to support widows indeed and liberate young widow from falling into temptations and to relieve burden on the church.
2 LESSON OUTLINES
LESSON OUTLINE 1: GOD’S DISPOSITION
Teacher should explain the following points to the students and allow them to make contributions to each of the points.
i. God is highly concerned about orphans and widows, that is why He is called the Father of the fatherless and protector of widows. Psalms 68:5.
ii. God hears them when they cry and does not want them to be maltreated or afflicted. Exodus 22:22-24.
iii. Anyone who maltreats them is looking for God’s trouble.
iv. God wants believers to defend, sustain and relieve the widow and orphans. Isa. 1:17, Psalms 146:9.
v. God Himself provides and preserves widows who trust in Him. Deut. 10:18; 26: 12-13 and Jer. 49:11.
ii. God hears them when they cry and does not want them to be maltreated or afflicted. Exodus 22:22-24.
iii. Anyone who maltreats them is looking for God’s trouble.
iv. God wants believers to defend, sustain and relieve the widow and orphans. Isa. 1:17, Psalms 146:9.
v. God Himself provides and preserves widows who trust in Him. Deut. 10:18; 26: 12-13 and Jer. 49:11.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Class to discuss what it means to neglect, abuse or take advantage of widows and orphans.
LESSON OUTLINE 2: OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
A. The church and the family have responsibilities towards the orphans and the widows who are usually vulnerable.
Class should discuss the role of the church and family in this regard:
Class should discuss the role of the church and family in this regard:
1. The Family
i. Family should take care of the orphans as a duty/responsibility of God. 1 Tim.5:4.
ii. Family should not enslave or abuse them, rather family must care for and help them. James 1:27.
ii. Family should not enslave or abuse them, rather family must care for and help them. James 1:27.
2. The Church
i. Church should identify the widows and orphans and give them necessary support. Gal.6:10.
ii. Church should institute special welfare scheme for widows and orphans. Acts 6:1-6.
ii. Church should institute special welfare scheme for widows and orphans. Acts 6:1-6.
3. Family and Church
Collaborative effort of the families can provide great relief to their needs and save them from becoming destitute.
B. The teacher should call the attention of the students to the following biblical guides and directives to the young widows and physically strong orphans:
i. Young widows and physically strong orphan should engage themselves in productive ventures to meet their needs. 1 Tim. 5:9.
ii. Young widows are encouraged to to remarry. 1 Tim.5:4.
iii. Young widows and orphans should avoid any social or moral vices that could tarnish their image(s) and that of the church. 1 Tim.5:13.
iv. Young widows and orphans should be good examples for younger women in the family with proof of good work, prayer and faith. 1 Tim.5:10,15.
ii. Young widows are encouraged to to remarry. 1 Tim.5:4.
iii. Young widows and orphans should avoid any social or moral vices that could tarnish their image(s) and that of the church. 1 Tim.5:13.
iv. Young widows and orphans should be good examples for younger women in the family with proof of good work, prayer and faith. 1 Tim.5:10,15.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Class should suggest ways by which more widows and orphans could be assisted.
SUMMARY: Widows and orphans must be supported.
CONCLUSION: Do not close your ears to the cry of the widows and orphans. Assist them in church and around you. Widows and orphans should not be lazy. They should also learn to trust God.
EVALUATION: What is the family and church responsibilities to widows and orphans?
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, help us to support widows and orphans.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention ten (10) ways by which widows and orphans could be helped, and select one for implementation
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?