RCCG Sunday School Teachers’ Manual 3 July 2022

RCCG Sunday School Teachers’ Manual 3 July 2022 | Lesson 44: Apologising Correctly

RCCG Sunday School Teachers’ Manual 3 July 2022

TOPIC: Apologising Correctly

OPENING PRAYER: Almighty Father, please help us to be humble enough to accept our faults whenever we offend and tender apology as appropriate.

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE:
Teacher should allow students to review the previous week’s lesson.

MEMORY VERSE: “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” – Romans 14:19 (KJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Samuel 15:12-26 (King James Version)

RCCG Sunday School Teachers’ Manual 3 July 2022

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Originally, the word ‘apology’ (apologia in Greek) means a defence, excuse, or justification in speech or writing, as for a cause or doctrine. However, towards the end of the 16th century there was a twist in the use of the word ‘apology’ to mean a written or spoken expression of one’s regret, remorse, or sorrow for having insulted, failed, injured, or wronged another.

As Christians, we know we are meant to be kind, loving, humble and respectful (Eph.4:32). One true test of this is how we handle situations when we have been wronged or wrong others. A lot of people find it hard to admit when confronted with the wrongs they have committed. Some may even find it harder to ask someone for forgiveness especially when they feel the other person shares in the blame.

TEXT REVIEW: 1 Samuel 15:12-26.

From this passage, the following points could be deduced with regards to the lesson topic, apology.
I. King Saul offended God by disobeying His instruction.
ii. Prophet Samuel confronted him with his mistake.
iii. King Saul pretended that he had done no wrong. V13.
iv. Prophet Samuel proved his point with evidence of the “bleating of the sheen’. V.14.
v. King Saul shifted the blame on his soldiers who he referred to as “the people”. Vs. 15,21.
vi. Even when the judgement was pronounced on him in Verse 23, he still transferred his error on the people. He said, “I feared the people…V.24.

ACTION REQUIRED: In addition to King Saul’s stubborn attitude according to Verse 23, teacher should mention any other wrong attitude of King’s Saul according to the Bible passages for the lesson.

RCCG Sunday School Teachers’ Manual 3 July 2022 LESSON OUTLINES:

LESSON OUTLINE 1: WHY “I AM SORRY” IS NOT ENOUGH

i. Some people find it difficult to say “sorry to spouse, friends, colleagues, family and God’s servants. (1 Sam.15:15; 1 Sam.15:21).
ii. Some people find it difficult to even say am “sorry” to the Almighty God – It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good”. (1 Sam. 3:18; 1Sam.2:31-36).
iii. Some people however only say “sorry” to ease tension without accepting their wrongs or mistakes. This is called fauxpology” i.e false apology. (Gen.50:15-18).

iv. False apology is unacceptable to God because it is wrong. (1 Sam.15:24- 26).
v. Saying ‘sorry” in most of the times is like following protocol, a Band-Aid to cover the pain inflicted on others without actually making things right.
v. It is wrong to shift or dismiss responsibility with “I am sorry”
vi. Saying “sorry” may only temporarily cover pains which may soon exhume if such ”sorry” is a mere lip decoration. (Isa.29:13-14).

RCCG Sunday School Teachers’ Manual 3 July 2022

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Why do you think that people pay lip service with ”sorry?”

LESSON OUTLINE 2: CORRECT APPROACH

A. Wrong Approaches:
The following statements are wrong approaches to apologising:
i. “I was wrong, but you were wrong too.” This is incorrect because you are not taking full responsibility for your offence.
ii. “If I have been wrong, please forgive me”. To use “if” before your apology means that you are saying, that you were not really convinced that you were wrong.” therefore, it is not a real apology.

iii. “I am sorry I lost my temper, but you made me do it”. This is wrong because you are not taking responsibility for your wrong-doing but putting the blame on the other person.
iv. “I said I was sorry. What more do you want from me”? This apology is not correct because the tone is aggressive, not remorseful and may not give the offended enough time to heal.

RCCG Sunday School Teachers’ Manual 3 July 2022

B. Correct Approaches
i. Apologise with full responsibility. (Luke 15:18-19).
ii. Ask for forgiveness and reconcile. (Matt.5:23-24).
iii. Make restitution where necessary.

C. Significance Of Correct Approach To Apologising
i. It is a symbol of humility. (James 4:10).
ii. It should be accorded priority. (Matt.5:23-24).

D. Biblical Example Of Right Apology
i. The prodigal son’s apology to his father. (Luke 15:17-20),.
ii. Jacob’s apology to Esau. (Gen.32; Gen.33).

E. Example to correct statement of apology “I was wrong in losing my temper and for talking to you the way I did”.

NOTE: You do not owe anybody apology for accepting the Lord Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour or for living a holy life. (1 John 3:21).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students to give hypothetical examples of wrong and right statements of apology.

SUMMARY: Apologise correctly and genuinely to the offenders.

CONCLUSION: We should learn to say a “responsible sorry” to those we offend,

EVALUATION: What are the differences between wrong and right apology?

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, help us to do what we have learned according to Your words in the name of Jesus.

ASSIGNMENT: Find five (5) similarities between apology and restitution.

RCCG Sunday School Teachers’ Manual 3 July 2022 | Lesson 44