RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 26 January 2025 – Lesson 22 - Topic: Suicide: Not An Option

RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 26 January 2025 – Lesson 22 – Topic: Suicide: Not An Option

RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 26 January 2025 – Lesson 22

TOPIC — Suicide: Not An Option (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 26 January 2025)

MEMORY VERSE: “If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.”– Job 14:14 (KJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: Jonah 4:1-6 (KJV) (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 26 January 2025)

1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

2 And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

Christian books

3 Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.

4 Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?

5 So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.

6 And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.

Christian books

Also Read:
– RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 26 January 2025 – Suicide: Not An Option

INTRODUCTION: Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s death or deliberately taking one’s life. Some of the common signs of suicidal thoughts are intense sadness and/or hopelessness; not caring about activities that used to matter; withdrawal from family, friends, sports, and social activities; and substance (drug, alcohol) abuse.

LESSON OUTLINES:

THE BIBLICAL VIEW AND INSTANCES
CAUSES AND ANTIDOTES TO SUICIDAL THOUGHTS/ATTEMPTS

1. THE BIBLICAL VIEW AND INSTANCES

God is the giver of life: He gives, and He takes away (Job 1:21). God is the only one who should decide when a person dies. Therefore, suicide is ungodly and equal to murder (self-murder): it rejects God’s gift of life. No one should presume to take God’s authority and thus, end his or her life (Ezekiel 18:4). Some people committed suicide in the Scriptures: Saul (1 Samuel 31:4), Saul’s armour-bearer (1 Samuel 31:4-6), Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23), Zimri (1Kings 16:18) and Judas (Matthew 27:5).

Christian books

Some others 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 (1Kings 19:4). Jonah was so angry at God that he wished to die (Jonah 4:8). Apostle Paul and his missionary companions at one point were under great pressure that resulted in despair (2Corinthians 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, 15-16). Jonah received admonition and rebuke from God (Jonah 4: 8-11). Paul learned that, although the pressure he faced was beyond his ability to endure, the Lord can help us to bear all things (2 Corinthians 1:9).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Have you ever had suicidal thoughts, how did you pull through?

2 CAUSES AND ANTIDOTES TO SUICIDAL THOUGHTS/ATTEMPTS

The most common cause of suicide is depression resulting from mental illness. 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-ups, 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.

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 may help to rescue anyone having suicidal thoughts.

Develop coping strategies to deal with stressors (people and situations) – Proverbs 24:19.
Seek professional counsel to guide you out of any crisis (debt, loss, etc.)- Proverbs 11:14.
On problems related to marriage, know that your life should be more valued and protected than material or any other investment that has been put in. Make up your mind not to die before your appointed time (Exodus 23:26b).
Be hopeful. Always remember that no condition is permanent (Job 14:7).
Be assured that Jesus identifies with you in your time of rejection and humiliation (Isaiah 53:2-5) and will always come to your rescue, repair your brokenness, and restore your joy if only you call upon Him (Psalms 61:1-2; 50:15).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What are you doing to avoid depressing and suicidal thoughts?

CONCLUSION: No matter how bad things are at present, like Job, wait on God till your change comes (Job 14:14).

QUESTIONS

What is the biblical view of suicide?
Mention the antidotes to suicidal thoughts/attempts

ASSIGNMENT: Make this positive confession to yourself every morning: “I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” Psalm 16:8-9. (No Mark).

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?

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.

ALSO READ: CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW US ON TWITTER ⊗ OPEN HEAVEN ⊗ JOEL OSTEEN DEVOTIONAL⊗ ABOVE ONLY ⊗ OUR DAILY BREAD ⊗ SEEDS OF DESTINY ⊗ JOYCE MEYER DEVOTIONAL ⊗ RHAPSODY OF REALITIES ⊗ JOHN HAGEE ⊗ MFM DAILY DEVOTIONALUTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST⊗DCLM DAILY MANNA ⊗ JOHN PIPER DEVOTIONAL ⊗