RCCG JUNIOR ZEAL FOR 2024/2025 – AGE 9-12 TEACHER’S MANUAL – SUNDAY 16TH OF MARCH, 2024 – LESSON TWENTY NINE (29) – TOPIC: DEALING WITH ADDICTION
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RCCG LOWER JUNIOR ZEAL FOR 2024/2025
AGE 9-12 TEACHER’S MANUAL
SUNDAY 16TH OF MARCH, 2025
LESSON TWENTY NINE (29)
TOPIC: DEALING WITH ADDICTION
BIBLE TEXT: Psalms 46:1-7
[1](To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
[2]Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
[3]Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
[4]There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
[5]God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
[6]The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
[7]The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
MEMORY VERSE: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
LESSON AIM: To equip students with knowledge on the dangers of addiction and practical steps towards recovery.
CENTRAL TRUTH: Through the lesson, students should be able to:
- Understand the reality of addiction.
- Rely on God for strength to overcome addiction.
INTRODUCTION “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12 Although that verse applies to many situations in life, it is a perfect description of addiction. Addiction can be something that has control and power of you, something that controls your being, controls your personality and eventually could lead to a destructive action or tendency. Addictions come in many forms. We immediately think of alcohol and drugs when we hear the term but people can become addicted to many things: food, gambling, shopping, work, cigarettes, pornography, the internet, video games, smart phones, texting, pain medication and so on. One person described her addiction this way: “It was the best thing until it became the worst thing.” That could almost be a mantra for any addiction. It’s always that way. Whether it’s alcohol or something else, it’s always the best thing until it becomes the worst thing.
STUDY GUIDE
A. THE REALITY OF ADDICTION. Addiction is like a black hole. It pulls in everything good and only leaves feelings of hopelessness and loneliness. There are many ways to describe the progression of addiction and how a person becomes addicted, but let’s outline four-step process that seems to cover the main bases. Addiction begins with hurt, which leads to escape, which leads to deception, which leads to slavery.
1.) Hurt (Proverbs 18:14) This is part of the cycle of addiction. We cannot bear the emotional pain, and so we seek escape in our addiction. (James 1:14-15) When we are addicted, we experience this cycle of temptation, desire and sin over and over and over again. We eventually despair of ever breaking the cycle, but there is hope. Others have broken the cycle, and you can too. But you must first understand what it is you are doing and why. Addiction begins with hurt which then leads to escape.
ii.) Escape (James 1:13-14) This is one of the most insidious parts of addiction, the lies we tell each other and the lies we tell ourselves. We become experts at hiding our addiction. We hide it because we are afraid it will be taken away from us if it is discovered.
iii.) Deception (Jeremiah 17:9) This is one of the most insidious parts of addiction, the lies we tell each other and the lies we tell ourselves. We become experts at hiding our addiction. We hide it because we are afraid it will be taken away from us if it is discovered. And we don’t know that we can live without it. So we lie, we deceive, we manipulate, we blame, and in the process we lose all true sense of sell. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) And this is never more true than when we are talking about addiction. The addict’s two main tools are deception and denial. The alcoholic hides bottles around the house. The porn addict encrypts computer files on the hard drive and wipes the browsing history clean. The shop-a-holic keeps separate stashes of money and hides the receipts. The food addict purges in private, and the gambler lies about where all the money went.
iv.) Slavery (Genesis 4:7; Proverbs 23:29-35; Romans 6:16) Addiction begins with hurt, which leads to escape, which leads to deception, which leads to slavery. And this is really the main problem with addiction. It is bondage; it is dependency; it is slavery. Mark Shaw writes: “Physical addiction occurs when you repeatedly satisfy a natural appetite and desire with a temporary pleasure until you become the servant of the temporary object of pleasure rather than its master.” (Mark Shaw, The Heart of Addiction) God told Cain back in Genesis 4:7: “Sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you, but you must master it.” (Genesis 4:7) Addiction works the other way. Addiction desires to have you, and it becomes your master.
B. PRACTICAL STEPS TO OVERCOMING ADDICTION The weight of addiction becomes lighter when you seek a relationship with Christ. For you to overcome addiction, you need to take the following steps.
- Recognition of Sin: Acknowledge addiction as a manifestation of sin. In Romans 7:18-20, the apostle Paul speaks of the struggle with sin within himself. Understanding that addiction is a result of human brokenness is essential.
- Repentance and Confession: Turn away from the addiction through repentance and confessing it to God. In 1 John 1:9, it says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
- Renewal of Mind: Transform your thinking through the renewal of your mind. Romans 12:2 instructs believers to not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of their minds.
- Seeking Help: Seek support from fellow believers, pastors, or counselors. Galatians 6:2 encourages believers to carry each other’s burdens.
- Filling the Void: Replace addictive behaviors with healthy, God-honoring activities. Ephesians 5:18 advises believers to be filled with the Spirit, finding fulfillment and satisfaction in God rather than substances or harmful behaviors.
- Guarding Against Temptation: Guard yourself against temptation by fleeing from it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures believers that God provides a way out of temptation.
- Perseverance and Faith: Endure through the process, relying on faith and the power of God. James 1:12 promises a blessing to those who endure trials, and Philippians 4:13 declares that believers can do all things through Christ who strengthens them.
- Forgiveness: Forgive yourself and others for past mistakes and offenses. Ephesians 4:32 encourages believers to be kind and compassionate, forgiving others as God forgave them.
CONCLUSION: Addiction is a serious problem that affects society, families and individuals. If you are struggling with an addiction this morning, you need help. There’s no quick fix to your problem. It will take time and determination, but with God’s help and by applying these principles from God’s Word to your situation, you can have victory. Will you give your addiction to God this morning?
LIFE APPLICATION: Confess your addiction to your pastor today before it enslaves you.
INVITATION: Do away with your addiction, come to Jesus today.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
SUNDAY TITUS 2:1-8
MONDAY TITUS 2:9-15
TUESDAY TITUS 3:1-8
WEDNESDAY TITUS 3:9-15
THURSDAY PHILEMON 1:1-8
FRIDAY PHILEMON 1:9-16
SATURDAY PHILEMON 1:17-25
Open Heavens 2025 Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
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