RCCG Sunday School Student’s Manual 24th April 2022 – Lesson 34.
TOPIC: Christianity And Governance
MEMORY VERSE: Revelation 5:10
“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 13:1-6 (KJV)
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
LESSON INTRODUCTION:
The opinion held by some Christians that if they were going to follow Christ, they must be quiet and withdrawn from things happening on the earth, negates the will of God as spelt out in the Scripture. As a matter of fact, Christ has called believers unto a life of influence, control and dominion (Ps.8:6).
They are to take charge (Matt. 5:15-16) and the issue of governance is no exception. As the light of the world, they are to dispel the darkness of unrighteousness, sycophancy, etc. which are the order of the day, in present day governance systems of the world.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- THE VIEW OF GOD ON GOVERNANCE
- WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN GOVERNANCE
1. THE VIEW OF GOD ON GOVERNANCE
God instituted governance. It is not a secular concept or people’s creation. God is the ultimate Governor who delegates the function to humans (Ps.22:28; Dan.4:34). It is one of the purposes for which the spirit-being called man was created (Gen.1:26). It is a calling and manifestation of the gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor.12:28; Rom.12:8).
It is a tool for orderliness and sanity (Titus 1:5; 1Cor.14:40; Ex.18:21). It is instituted by God for administration, justice and general welfare of citizens (Ps.72:4, 13; 1 Tim. 2:2). Like marriage, it is instituted by God and should be submitted to (Mk.12:17; Rom.13:1-2). Governance is servant hood. It is a means of serving the governed (Matt.20:25-28). Governance is a ministry and governors are ministers of God (Rom. 13:3-4; 1 Cor.12:28).
2. WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN GOVERNANCE
a. It is part of our inherent design as believers (Gen.1:26; Matt.5:15-16).
b. To effect positive and lasting change (Gen.41:46-57).
c. It stands out the nation among other nations (Prov.14:34).
d. To make righteous laws and decrees that lead to national progress (Mk.6:27; Lk. 2:1).
e. It is obeying God’s ordinance of submission to authority (Heb.13:17, 1Pet. 2:13-14; Rom.13:1-2).
f. It brings blessings and breakthrough on the nation and fulfilment for her citizenry (Prov.11:10).
g. Governance is God’s institution and the word of God. So, people of God should not be kept out of God’s institution (Rom.13:1-6).
h. To avoid paying the costly price of bad leadership (2 Sam.23:3; Prov.22:9).
CONCLUSION: Believers should take their rightful place in deciding the destiny of their nations and turn the kingdom of this world to the kingdom of our God which is God’s divine mandate for us.
QUESTIONS:
- What is God’s view on governance?
- Mention five (5) reasons Christians should be involved in governance?
FURTHER READING:
Monday: Genesis 1:26 (KJV): And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Tuesday: Exodus 18:21 (KJV): Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
Wednesday: Proverbs 20:28 (KJV): Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
Thursday: Proverbs 29:14 (KJV): The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
Friday: Psalm 2:6 (KJV): Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Saturday: Judges 8:22 (KJV): Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.
Sunday: 1 Corinthians 7:17 (KJV)
But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention any five (5) points that discourage believers from getting involved in governance.
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
