RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 20 March 2022 – Lesson 29
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TOPIC: Christian Couple And In-Laws (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 20 March 2022)
MEMORY VERSE: “And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.” – Ruth 2:11
BIBLE PASSAGE: Ruth 1:1-18 (KJV) (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 20 March 2022)
1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
3 And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.
7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
9 The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
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INTRODUCTION: Christian couples are expected to live according to the dictates of God’s word. For instance, the Bible tells us that a man should leave his parents and cleave to his wife (Genesis 2:24). This shows that a line must be drawn between the families from which both partners originated from and the new family the couple is building. However, the Bible admonishes us to honour our parents (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16) and do good to all men especially the members of our household (Galatians 6:10). It should be noted that in-laws are people related to us by marriage and we should deal with them with godly wisdom (James 3:17).
LESSON OUTLINES
- BUILD A CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP
- THE THIN LINE
1. BUILD A CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP
Let us learn from Ruth’s relationship with her mother-in-law. She placed her in the position of her own biological mother. We must treat our in-laws like our own blood relations. In relating with in-laws, Christian couples should therefore:
- Avoid preconceptions: Do not have a biased perspective of your in-laws. Be open and free in your dealings with them (Romans 12:10,16; 1Peter 3:8).
- Avoid acting like strangers: Do well to let your in-laws see you as another child of theirs and not a stranger (Proverbs 18:24; John 15:15).
- Avoid damaging rules: Make sure you avoid rules that can destroy the relationship with your in-laws (1Timothy 5:1-2). Be wise and all decisions relating to your in-laws, especially in speech (Psalms 34:13; Colossians 4:6).
- Treat in-laws as important people and avoid strife (Philippians 2:3). Exhibit maturity and patience with in-laws (2Corinthians 6:4).
- Remain humble and encourage mutual submission (1Peter 5:5; Ephesians 5:21). Always seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14 Romans 12:18).
2. THE THIN LINE
While it is important to establish a cordial relationship with in-laws, it is equally important that in-laws give some breathing space to their married sons or daughters to build a godly home with little or no external interference (Colossians 3:21; Matthew 19:4-6). In-laws especially parents of the couple, can counsel (Proverbs 11:14 Proverbs 19:20-21) and prayerfully support their children in marriage without necessarily imposing their views (Ephesians 6:4). The married couples should be allowed to make their own decisions.
CONCLUSION
Christian couples must relate with their in-laws in love and as light/salt of the world (Matthew 5:13-14). Live at peace and remain humble at all times (Hebrews 12:14)
QUESTION
- Mention four ways couples can build a cordial relationship with their in-laws.
- What roles should in-laws play in maintaining the thin line with their married sons or daughters?
FURTHER READINGS:
Monday: Matthew 5:14 (KJV)
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Tuesday: Luke 5:13 (KJV)
And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
Wednesday: Romans 12:18 (KJV)
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Thursday: Hebrews 12:14 (KJV)
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Friday: Philippians 2:15 (KJV)
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Saturday: 1 Timothy 5:13 (KJV)
And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
Sunday: Ephesians 5:25-33 (KJV)
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
ASSIGNMENT: List out five (5) factor which may bring affection between couples and their in-laws.
RCCG 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 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?
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