RCCG Sunday School Students’ Manual 26 June 2022 – Lesson 43
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LESSON FORTY THREE (43)
TOPIC: PROCESSING RESTITUTION
- RCCG Sunday School Students’ Manual 26 June 2022, Lesson 43
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.
- O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and 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 blessings -
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be 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?
MEMORY VERSE: “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.” Ecclesiastes 10:10.
BIBLE PASSAGE: GENESIS 20:1-18
RCCG Sunday School Students’ Manual 26 June 2022 || INTRODUCTION:
Sometimes, moving forward may be difficult until we have made the past right. This is important for those who realise that their sin has wounded others and are as genuinely sorry as they are eager to obey and please God.
OUTLINES:
1.CAUTION AGAINST RUSHING INTO RESTITUTION
2. HOW TO PROCESS RESTITUTION
1. CAUTION AGAINST RUSHING INTO RESTITUTION
It is good to sincerely decide to make right the wrongs of the past. However, sometimes in our rush to obediently cooperate with God, or to selfishly get out from under a load of guilt and regret, we rush headlong into the act of restitution and end up making a bigger mess instead of cleaning things up (Prov. 26:12; 29:20).
Many stories of restitution often end in great sadness instead of reconciliation. Hastily plunging into restitution can easily make new wounds and frequently they are bigger than what we are trying to correct.
2. HOW TO PROCESS RESTITUTION
When we finally make the decision to make amends for a wrong we have done, there are a few wise steps to consider so that our attempt to make things right does not make them worse instead.
1. Counsel: It is best to seek advice before proceeding with restitution, so that an advisor can guide us through the correction. There may be legalities that need to be considered and sometimes restitution does not need to be made (Prov.11:14; 19:20).
2. Scope: The general rule is that restitution can be as broad as the offence. A private offence is settled in private and a public one needs to be settled in public e.g. social media (Lk.19:8; Acts 16:37).
Outside of getting some counsel, those who are not part of the problem or solution should not be involved in the process. If a thing is between you and God, keep it there except maybe with a trusted partner (1Jn.1:9; James 5:16). If the thing that needs to be made right includes a legality, a Christian legal expert may need to be involved (Lk.12:58; 1Cor.6:1).
- RCCG Sunday School Students’ Manual 26 June 2022
Sometimes, when civil laws have been broken, it requires a more severe punishment in the form of corrective measures or even imprisonment. This ensures the payment has been sufficient, especially when what was taken or damaged cannot be replaced because no financial/material price is sufficient. Note that peculiar cases should be handled with the help of a matured and trusted Christian counsellor/Pastor.
3. Wait: Restitution is often best made after time is given a chance to work a deeper healing, allowing your heart to soften. Patience and self-control are two of the fruit of the spirit (Gal.5:22-23) and when dealing with a long standing hurt, it is usually best to pray our heart into a better state before proceeding with the restitution (James 1:4).
4. Substitution: If it is not possible to make restitution to the offended person, you find a relative or give it to the Lord. Counsel will help you decide what is appropriate.
5. Restitution not reconciliation: Occasionally, reconciliation is not the goal. The relationship may never go back to where it was before the disagreement or wound. We cannot control how people respond and we must not express disapproval if our efforts are rejected. Reconciliation is certainly desirable in most cases, but there are some situations where, even though we have apologised, it would be unhealthy or unwise for us, and maybe for them, to resurrect the previous relationship (Gen.33:12-17). (RCCG Sunday School Students’ Manual 26 June 2022)
CONCLUSION: Restitution gives peace of mind to those who will honestly do it.
QUESTIONS:
1. What are the cautions against rushing into restitution?
2. How can you process restitution?
FURTHER READING: MON: James 1:4. TUE: Lk.12:58. WED: 1Cor.6:1. THUR: Gen.33:12-17. FRI: Gal.5:22-23. SAT: 1Jn.1:9. SUN: James 5:16.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) things you should not do when restituting.
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