RCCG House Fellowship Leader Manual 25 July 2021, Lesson 47– RETALIATION

RCCG House Fellowship Leader Manual 25 July 2021, Lesson 47– RETALIATION

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL
LESSON FORTY-SEVEN
SUNDAY 25TH JULY 2021

TOPIC: RETALIATION

SUNDAY SCHOOL 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 friend 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 blessing on Thee
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?

MEMORY VERSE: “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD”. — Leviticus 19:18

BIBLE PASSAGE: ROMANS 12:17-21

Romans:12.17
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
Romans:12.18
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans:12.19
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but [rather] give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance [is] Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Romans:12.20
Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Romans:12.21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

INTRODUCTION
Retaliation is a violent response to an act of harm or perceived injustice. To retaliate is to do something harmful or negative, to get revenge for some harm; to fight back or respond I kind to an injury or affront. Both the Hebrew and Greek word translated “vengeance”, “revenge”, and “avenge” have the idea of punishment in their root meaning. The question of non-retaliation or non-violence is often discussed in relation to Matthew 5:38-44.

LESSON OUTLINES

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT RETALIATION?
THE PROPER CHRISTIAN ACTION

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT RETALIATION?

The Bible has much to say about retaliation (revenge, avenge or vengeance) that contradicts everything that feels right to many people (Isaiah 55:9). For instance, in Romans 12-19, believers are not expected to pay any evil done against them. Proverbs 25:21-22 and Romans 12:20 admonish us not to stoop low to the level of the offender. Believers should learn not to join their offenders in their errors (Romans 12:21; Matthew 5:39). Hebrews 10:30 also teaches us not to take matters out of God’s hands and insist on fixing things ourselves.

THE PROPER CHRISTIAN ACTION

Matthew 5:38-44 serve to drive home the point that a Christian, rather than avenging himself upon a brother who has done him a personal wrong should love his enemies, bless those that curse him, do good to those that hate him, and pray for those who despitefully use and persecute him. Self-vengeance has no place in the Christian life; we should allow God to bring his vengeance on our enemies rather than taking vengeance ourselves (Romans 12:19).

As believers, we must resist the impulse to retaliate but rather live at peace with all men as much as possible (Romans 12:18). Our job as Christians is to forgive, not to retaliate (Luke 6:27-31). When we follows God’s commands to love, forgive and do well those who wrong us (Matthew 5:44), we can trust that our Defender will do what is right (Psalm 20:1; Zachariah 12:8). We can also set healthy boundaries in destructive relationships (2Corinthians 6:17; Proverbs 22:24; Ezra 10:11) and make our ways pleasing unto God (Proverbs 16:7).

CONCLUSION
The scripture enjoins us to live peaceably with all men as much as possible. Romans 12:18

QUESTIONS