RCCG Sunday School Teacher’s Manual 16th October 2022 (Lesson 7)
TOPIC: Christians And Human Rights
OPENING PRAYER: Father, open my heart to the rights I have within the ambit of the law.
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE:
Teacher should allow students to review the previous week’s lesson.
MEMORY VERSE: Acts 22:25 (KJV)
“And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?”
BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 16:22-24,35-39 (King James Version)
Acts 16:22-24:
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
Acts 16:35-39:
35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
LESSON INTRODUCTION: The United Nations (UN) defines human rights as rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. As Christians, we must not just know the word of God but must be fully aware of what is available to us and others within the confines of the law that governs our society while we await our transition to Heaven (Hosea 4:6). This lesson highlights some basic values and principles of human rights with biblical validation and confirmation and also points out the Christian’s role.
TEACHER’S DIARY
LESSON AIM: To expose the church to scriptural validations of Human rights and the Christian’s role in entrenching them.
TEACHING OBJECTIVES: Through this study, students should be able to:
a. Know some of their constitutional human rights.
b. Understand scriptural validations for these rights
c. Identify the roles of a Christian in entrenching these rights
d. Know how to act against any violations of their rights.
TEACHING PLAN:
To achieve the above-stated objectives, the teacher should:
i. Allow the students to recite the memory verse, read the Bible passage, contribute to the discussion, do class activities and assignment.
ii. Allow the Assistant Teacher to see to the well-being of the class, mark attendance and assignment.
iii. Teach the lesson outlines, summarise, conclude, evaluate the lesson and give assignment.
TEXT REVIEW: The exemplary Apostle Paul spoke up against the violation of his and Silas’ constitutional human rights:
a. The multitude rose up against them; the magistrates tore their clothes and commanded their beatings V22.
b. After they had beaten them severally: V23a
i. The magistrate ………………………………V23b.
ii. The jailor ………………………………………V24.
iii. The magistrate …………………………….V35.
iv. The keeper of the Prison ………………V36.
c. But Paul (knowing his rights) ……..….V37.
d. And the sergeants………………… ………V38.
e. And they came …………….. ………………..V39.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES
- THE ROLE OF THE CHRISTIAN
1. BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES
A. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more.
B. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.
C. Therefore, our rights, as Christians, include the fact that:
- All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Therefore, all people in Christ are one and equal before God regardless of race, ethnicity, wealth, social class, status, and gender (Gen.1:27, Gal.3:26-28).
- Everyone, including Christians, has the right to life, liberty and security of person. As Christians, we must guard this right and be concerned about the affirmation of life, liberty and the security of the oppressed so that every person may live life in its fullness (Lk.4:16-19, Gal.5:13-14).
- Everyone (including Christians) has the right to recognition before the law everywhere (as a person), regardless of citizenship status (Acts 22:22-27).
- Everyone (including Christians) is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and any criminal charge against him. Hence, every believer is entitled to a fair and just judicial process (Lk.18:2-5; Deut.1:15-18).
- Everyone (including Christians) has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State. Also, everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country (Gen.12:1-3).
- Everyone (including Christians) has the right to freedom of opinion and expression (Num.27:2-4).
- Everyone (including Christians) has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association (Acts 2:1, 44). Every aspect of civil society, including religious life, depends on these freedoms.
- Everyone (including Christians) has the right to vote and be voted for. Irrespective of gender, we all have the right to play active roles in our nation’s political process (Deut.1:12-13; Acts 6:3).
- Right to work. People (including Christians) have the right to choose their work rather than have their employment commanded. They deserve decent conditions of work, equal pay for equal work (thus no discrimination), a decent, living wage, and the right to organise and form trade unions (1Tim.5:18).
- Right to rest and leisure: This is to protect workers’ rights (including Christians). No workday should be too long and periodic paid holidays should be available (Gen.2:1-3).
- Right to education: Everyone (including Christians) is entitled to at least an elementary education. Parents may choose the type of school their children go to, but they do not have the right to deprive their children of education (Lk. 2:46-47).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Do you know your rights? Share how you have exercised them.
2, THE ROLE OF THE CHRISTIAN
As a Christian, you should know your rights (Acts 22:25).
Therefore:
- Do not allow others to infringe on your right to live fully: avoid life-claiming/threatening situations and activities.
- With the guidance of the Holy Spirit (1Cor.12:7), engage in social impact activities as a ministry, call, career, or hobby to help others (Isa.61:1-3).
- You may start or join an advocacy group to speak up for what you care about (Prov.31:8-9).
- Vocalise and challenge the violation of your rights (Acts 16:35-39).
- Stay connected with social movements and stand up against discrimination.
- Expose the culprit and publish your encounter if necessary.
- Avoid jungle justice; allow a fair hearing.
- Promote equality and shun nepotism (partiality).
- Be ready to commit your time.
As a Christian, you should know your rights (Acts 22:25). Do not allow others to infringe on your right to live fully: avoid life-claiming/threatening situations and activities. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit (1Cor.12:7), engage in social impact activities as a ministry, call, career, or hobby to help others. (Isa.61:1-3). You may start or join an advocacy group to speak up for what you care about (Prov.31:8-9). Vocalize and challenge the violation of your rights (Acts 16:35-39). Stay connected with social movements and stand up against discrimination. Expose the culprit and publish your encounter if necessary. Avoid jungle justice. Allow a fair hearing. Promote equality and shun nepotism (partiality). Be ready to commit your time.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Has any of your rights been violated before? Share how you handled it.
SUMMARY: Know your human rights and exercise them.
CONCLUSION: Christians must not fail to advocate for truth, respect and compassion for humanity, man’s equality before God, and love for neighbours (Zech.7:9-10).
QUESTIONS:
Mention four (4) principles of human rights.
What are the roles expected of Christians concerning the principles of human rights?
EVALUATION: Mention five (5) things you can do to entrench your human rights.
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, I receive the boldness and insight to exercise my human rights in Jesus’ name.
ASSIGNMENT: List five (5) ways of seeking redress, when your legal rights are violated without being considered rude or getting into further trouble(s) (2×5=10 Marks).
RCCG Sunday School manual is used in Sunday School Classes in the RCCG.
The RCCG Sunday school manual is written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye and is available online for easy access. See the previous RCCG Sunday school Manual for 2022 here
