RCCG Sunday School Teachers’ Manual 26 June 2022 – Lesson 43
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LESSON FORTY THREE (43)
TOPIC: PROCESSING RESTITUTION
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?
OPENING PRAYER: Almighty Father, please guide us through Your Spirit to restitute according to Your will in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
BIBLE PASSAGE: GENESIS 20:1-18
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.
RCCG Sunday School Teachers’ 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.
LESSON OUTLINES:
1. CAUTION AGAINST RUSHING INTO RESTITUTION
2. HOW TO PROCESS RESTITUTION
1. CAUTION AGAINST RUSHING INTO RESTITUTION
i. A person may want to restitute in perfect obedience to the word of God. (Gen. 20:7).
ii. Another person may wish to restitute to free his/her mind from guilt of sin. (Luke 19:8).
iii. Whichever reason, caution must be applied to avoid guilt and regret. (Prov.26:12; Prov. 29:20).
iv. Class to discuss with hypothetical or real life illustrations of how to make restitution without appropriate guidance by the people of God who are vast in the knowledge of the subject matter.
RCCG Sunday School Teachers’ Manual 26 June 2022, Lesson 43
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: What did Abimelech give to compensate his error of taking Sarah and why? (Gen. 20:2, 7, 14 & 17).
2. HOW TO PROCESS RESTITUTION
Teacher should explain steps to consider to avoid costly mistakes in restitution:
i. 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; Prov.19:20).
ii. 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. (Luke 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 5:6.) If the thing that needs to be made right includes legality, a Christian legal expert may need to be involved. (Luke 12:58; 1Cor.6:1).
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.
- RCCG Sunday School Teachers’ Manual 26 June 2022
iii. Wait: Restitution if 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).
iv. 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.
v. 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 Teachers’ Manual 26 June 2022
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Mention three things you should do when restituting?
SUMMARY: Restitute wisely.
CONCLUSION: Restitution gives peace of mind to those who will honestly do it.
EVALUATION: Why must you exercise caution when restituting?
CLOSING PRAYER: Almighty Father, help all Your children in need of restitution to take appropriate steps with wisdom in Jesus’ Name.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) things you should not do when restituting.
Thank you for reading RCCG Sunday School Teachers’ Manual 26 June 2022, Lesson 43
