RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual For March 14, 2021 – Lesson 28 : Topic – Theology Of Retirement
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TOPIC: Theology Of Retirement
MEMORY VERSE: “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” – Psalm 90:10
BIBLE PASSAGE: Numbers 8:23-26 KJV
23 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
24 This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation:
25 And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more:
26 But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.
INTRODUCTION: According to the common state of life, man has between seventy and eighty years to live on the general average (Psalm 90:10). We can therefore deduce that life is lived in four quarters. Twenty years each. “0 to 20” years is the first quarter (Formative years), “21 to 40” years is the second (Creative years), “41 to 60” is the third (Consolidating years, and “61 to 80” is the fourth (Retirement years). The body begin to fall apart in the fourth quarter signalling the need to slow down or stop some activities, hence the need for retirement. Retirement, therefore, is the withdrawal from one’s position or occupation or from one’s active working life.
LESSON OUTLINES
1. WHY AND HOW SHOULD A CHRISTIAN RETIRE?
2. WHAT TO DO IN RETIREMENT.
1. WHY AND HOW SHOULD A CHRISTIAN RETIRE?
We may not stay in paid work until the end if our lives, and we may not work at the same pace and for the same hours we did when younger, but work will be part of our lives until we go to be with the lord. That retirement is the only alternative for many who have jobs that give little satisfaction is surely not a sufficient response to work. Retirement can be a godsend for those who do hard physical work that us difficult, if not impossible, to do as they grow older. It is a divine pattern of giving others the opportunity to inject new ideas, contribute their quota and improve on the good legacy you are leaving behind. It is designed to help you hand over the baton to the next generation especially if God grant you the grace not to die in active service (on the job). Moses handed over Joshua (Numbers 27:18, 22), Elijah to Elisha (1Kings 19:16), Paul to Timothy (2Timothy 2:1-2, 4:7-8).
Although their is no biblical principle that a person should retire from his work when he reaches a certain age, there is the example of the Levites and their work in the tabernacle. In Numbers 4, the Levite males were number for service in the tabernacle from age 25-50 years old, and after age 50, they were to retire from regular service. They could continue to “assist their brothers” but could not continue to work (Numbers 8:24-26).
Christians should therefore, invest wisely and save up for retirement year with the aim of living well and leaving an inheritance for generations to come (Proverbs 21:20; 2Corin. 12:14). As a believer, the greatest thing to “save up” is one’s spiritual heritage, which can be passed on the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Christian should save money for perceived future needs such as when no longer generating income. Before retirement, you should provide for yourself financially through work (2Thess. 3:10; Proverb 6:6-8). When considering how to save for retirement, it is a good to pray over the matter, search the scriptures on the appropriate use of money and meet with a financial advisor to counsel you on viable and trusted investment opportunities.
2. WHAT TO DO IN RETIREMENT
Even though we may retire from our vacation (even “full-time” Christan ministry), we should never retire from serving the Lord, although the way we serve Him may change. There is the example of two very old people in Luke 2:25-38
(Simeon and Anna) who continued to serve the Lord faithfully. Anna was an elderly widow who ministered in the temple daily with fasting and prayer. Retirees can teach, counsel, fellowship and mentor by relating how God has worked in their lives (Titus 2:2-5). Retirement is the perfect time to connect with family and friend. (Proverbs 18:24). Retirees can travel, visit some places for recreation or do some light physical exercises like walking or working in the garden to keep body and soul moving.
Retirement can also be a perfect time to learn something new, rekindle/an old hubby or do something that is of interest (but less. strenuous). Retiree can also volunteer to continue to contribute in an area that matters to them and for the success of others. If you are done working for others, you can possibly start your own business (in your field of experience) and have people work for you or carefully invest some of your retirement benefits in business or charity organizations with proven integrity.
Hence, retirement years are not to be spent solely in the pursuit of pleasure (1Timothy 5:6). Our dependency should always be on God. Generations of descendants can be impacted by the faithful prayers of an elderly family “patriarch” or “matriarch. ” Prayer is perhaps the most fruitful ministry outlet for those who have retired.
FURTHER READING:
Monday: Luke 12:16-21 (KJV)
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Tuesday: Titus 2:2-5 (KJV)
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Wednesday: 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (KJV)
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
Thursday: Proverbs 21:30 (KJV)
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Friday: Numbers 8:24-26 (KJV)
24 This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: 25 And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more: 26 But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.
Saturday: Numbers 27:18 (KJV)
18 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;
Sunday: 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV)
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
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?