RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual For April 2, 2023 Lesson 31: Topic – Christian Social Responsibility
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TOPIC: Christian Social Responsibility
OPENING PRAYER: Father, help me to shine and let people glorify Your name through my good works.
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE:
Students should recall what they learned through the lesson on financial intelligence and mention how the lesson has impacted them.
MEMORY VERSE: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Leviticus 19:9-10 (King James Version)
9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.
LESSON INTRODUCTION: The God-man relationship is characterized by his holiness, justice, love and mercy among others. Our relationships with one another and society have to be patterned according to the character of God (Matthew 22:36-39). Therefore, it is our responsibility as God’s people to care for those around us (1John 3:10). The attempt of the church to show love and alleviate the sufferings of the people in her immediate environment/community is termed Christian Social Responsibility.
TEXT REVIEW: LEVITICUS 19:9-10
From the above stated passage:
i. How does the Almighty God cater for the poor? ……………
ii. How should believers cater for the poor? …………
iii. Is there a place for poor people in the Bible? ………….
LESSON OUTLINES:
- MEANING AND BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES
- BENEFITS OF CHRISTIAN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
1. MEANING AND BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES
A. MEANING OF CHRISTIAN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR)
i. CSR is a faith-based obligation to meet societal needs through the demonstration of love that positively impacts communities and individuals.
ii. CSR is rooted in Christianity.
Therefore, the Church should be an example for the world to follow. (Matthew 5:16).
iii. It is an initiative to foster community relations and to partner with the government in achieving the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
iv. CSR could be in the areas of provision of basic social amenities, healthcare delivery/facilities, education, media, business support, art/entertainment, governance, sports, etc.
v. It involves strategically assessing societal challenges and developing appropriate structured programmes to cater for them.
B. BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES OF CSR
CSR is a core part of the ministry of the Church. It is not a 21st century concept; it has its origin in the Bible. For instance:
i. God instructed the harvesters at farms and those who glean to leave some harvest for the poor. (Leviticus 19:9-10)
ii. God orders reapers and gleaners to remember the poor and the strangers in their harvest. (Leviticus 23:22).
iii. The Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated Christian Social Responsibility by providing surplus food for about five thousand (5000) men without women and children. (Matthew 14:15-21).
iv. The Apostle (Early Church) used their wealth to take care of those in need (Acts 2:44-45).
v. The Church can follow the pattern of the Apostles, the Lord Jesus and the farmers/harvesters to provide for the needs of the poor and the strangers.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1:
What are the difference between Corporate Social Responsibility and Christian Social Responsibility?
2. BENEFITS OF CHRISTIAN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
i. It enables people to actually see and know the meaning of God’s love (1John 3:16-18).
ii. It meets the needs of the less privileged in society.
iii. It promotes evangelism and entrenches the Church of God in the hearts and minds of the people we come across (Matthew 5:16).
iv. It embraces responsibility for sustainable actions and encourages a positive impact on the environment. (Mark 12:33).
v. It compliments government’s efforts in improving and sustaining the standard of living of people in their immediate community (James 2:14-16).
vi. It will enable the Church to build a good relationship with the Community (Galatians 6:10).
vii. It helps believers to represent Jesus physically in their communities (Proverbs 13:17; 2 Corinthians 5:20).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2:
What are the disadvantages of not engaging in Christian Social Responsibility on regular basis?
SUMMARY:
CSR is rooted in the word of God and has great benefits to the world at large.
CONCLUSION:
Christian Social Responsibility is not to seek commendation from men but to show the love of Christ and be a blessing to our community.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, help us to cater for the poor in our society.
ASSIGNMENT:
Clearly state five (5) areas your church can engage in Christian Social Responsibility to meet the needs of the people in your immediate community (No Mark).
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?