RCCG Sunday School Student’s Manual 17th July 2022 – Lesson 46 (Suicide Forbidden).
RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUALTOPIC: Suicide Forbidden
MEMORY VERSE: 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 5:1-8 (KJV)
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
LESSON INTRODUCTION: Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death or deliberately killing one’s self. Research shows that approximately 90% of people who have died by suicide were suffering from a mental illness at the time. The most common mental illness reported is depression. Also, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship break-up or chronic pain and illness. In addition, experiencing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, and so on), discrimination or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behaviour. Intense sadness and/or hopelessness; not caring about activities that used to matter; withdrawal from family, friends, sports and social activities; substance (drug, alcohol) abuse are some of the common signs of suicidal thoughts.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF SUICIDE
- ANTIDOTES TO SUICIDAL THOUGHTS/ATTEMPTS
1. THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF SUICIDE
The Bible views suicide as equal to murder (self-murder). God is the only one who is to decide when and how a person should die. We should say with the Psalmist, “My times are in thy hand…” (Psalm 31:15). God is the giver of life. He gives, and He takes away (Job 1:21). The Bible mentions six specific people who committed suicide: Abimelech (Judges 9:54), Saul (1 Samuel 31:4), Saul’s armor-bearer (1 Samuel 31:4-6), Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23), Zimri (1 Kings.16:18) and Judas (Matthew 27:5).
Suicide, the taking of one’s own life, is ungodly because it rejects God’s gift of life. No one should presume to take God’s authority upon them to end his or her own life. Some people in Scripture felt deep despair in life. Solomon, in his pursuit of pleasure, reached the point where he “hated life” (Ecclesiastes 2:17). Elijah was fearful and depressed and yearned for death (1 Kings.19:4). Jonah was so angry at God that he wished to die (John.4:8). Even the apostle Paul and his missionary companions at one point were under great pressure that resulted in despair (2 Corinthians 1:8).
However, none of these men committed suicide. Solomon learned to fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Elijah was comforted by an angel, allowed to rest, and given a new commission (1 Kings.19:5,15). Jonah received admonition and rebuke from God (John.4:1-3,8-11). Paul learned that, although the pressure he faced was beyond his ability to endure, the Lord can bear all things (2 Corinthians 1:9).
2. ANTIDOTES TO SUICIDAL THOUGHTS/ATTEMPTS
According to the Bible, suicide is a sin (Ex.20:13). Therefore, if you or anyone around you expresses suicidal thoughts or exhibits self-harming behaviours, seek pastoral and professional help. In addition, the following steps may help to rescue anyone having suicidal thoughts.
Take a few moments to consider letting God prove His love to you (Romans 5:5).
Know that Jesus identifies with you in your time of rejection and humiliation (Isaiah 53:2-6).
Jesus Christ endured suffering and shame so that you might have all your sins forgiven and your weight of guilt removed (Romans 5:7-8; Romans 8:32).
Know that Jesus will forgive and repair your brokenness and restore your joy if you humbly receive Him as your Saviour (Isaiah 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Be assured that Jesus will always come to your rescue whenever you are in trouble if only you cry to or call upon Him (Psalm 61:1-2; Jeremiah 33:3; Psalm 50:15).
According to the Bible, suicide is a sin (Exodus 20:13). Therefore, if you or anyone around you expresses suicidal thoughts or exhibits self-harming behaviours, seek pastoral and professional help. In addition, the following steps may help to rescue anyone having suicidal thoughts.
Take a few moments to consider letting God prove His love to you (Romans 5:5).
Know that Jesus identifies with you in your time of rejection and humiliation (Isaiah 53:2-6).
Jesus Christ endured suffering and shame so that you might have all your sins forgiven and your weight of guilt removed (Romans 5:7-8; Romans 8:32).
Know that Jesus will forgive and repair your brokenness and restore your joy if you humbly receive Him as your Saviour (Isaiah 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Be assured that Jesus will always come to your rescue whenever you are in trouble if only you cry to or call upon Him (Psalm 61:1-2; Jeremiah 33:3; Ps.50:15).
CONCLUSION: No matter how bad things are in your life, there is the God of love who is waiting for you to guide you through your tunnel of despair and out into His marvellous light.
QUESTIONS:
What is the biblical view of suicide?
Mention the antidotes to suicidal thoughts/attempts.
FURTHER READING:
Monday: Matthew 27:5 (KJV)
5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Tuesday: Psalm 125:1-2 (KJV)
1 They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. 2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
Wednesday: Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Thursday: Isaiah 12:2-6 (KJV)
2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. 5 Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. 6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
Friday: Isaiah 26:3-4 (KJV)
3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:
Saturday: Matthew 6:25-34 (KJV)
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Sunday: Matthew 21:21-22 (KJV)
21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
ASSIGNMENT: From the lesson introduction and contemporary environment, identify any five (5) sources of suicide.
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?
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
