RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL 21 JANUARY  2023, Lesson 21 – INTENTIONAL PREMARITAL RELATIONSHIP (COURTSHIP)

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RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL
Y.A.Y.A. EDITION
LESSON: TWENTY-ONE
DATE: SUNDAY 22ND JANUARY 2023

TOPIC: INTENTIONAL PREMARITAL RELATIONSHIP (COURTSHIP)

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Christ was Thy first teacher,
   The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
   Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   This testimony is sure,
   That God, the Father Almighty,
   Poured His blessing on Thee
5. 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.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   I rejoice to see Thee,
   Will thou pass over me today?
   Without my being blest?

OPENING PRAYER
Father, help me to be intentional about my relationship.

MEMORY VERSE: “Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, please let down your pitcher that I may drink; and she say, Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink -let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master”. — Genesis 24:14(NKJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: GENESIS 24:1-7

1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.

2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

3 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.

5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?

6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.

7 The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.

INTRODUCTION
Studies have shown lots of break-ups in premarital relationships because many of the relationships were accidental rather than intentional. Some started the premarital journey (courtship), without purpose, vision, and adequate guidance from God and good counselors. As a result, the whole experience become moribund.

TEACHING REVIEW: GENESIS 24:1-7

This scripture is a conversation between Abraham and his chief servant on his purposeful plan to get a wife for his son.
i. Abraham is becoming so old and God has blessed him in all things, so he summon his eldest servant.. V1&2
ii. He made his servant swear by God of heaven and earth not to get a wife for his son among the Canaanite daughters where he dwells.. v3
iii. But from…….. V4
iv. ……. V5
v. ….. V6
vi. Abraham prayed that God of his father’s who had helped him in time past will send His angel ahead and help the servant get a wife for his son,……. V7

LESSON OUTLINE

1. THE COMPOSITION
2. THE BENEFITS

THE COMPOSITION

Question:
What does an ideal gas relationship involve?

Answer:

1. An ideal premarital relationship/courtship should be made up of two full-grown adult (male and female) who have a vision of establishing a godly home (Genesis 2:24).
2. It should be purposeful and not wishy wishy.
3. There is a goal of marriage in sight (Genesis 2:18).
4. It should be filled with realistic dreams and not a ‘eldorados’ (Genesis 24:40).
5. The two of them should take time to build a structure with a good base so they will not major on the minor (Luke 6:48).
6. The two adults should have a good understanding of each other (Proverbs 24:3).
7. It should be deliberate and pure (Matthew 5:8a; Hebrews 13:4).
8. It should well planned with full details of how to move from one point to another (Isaiah 28:10).
9. It progresses by the he day from just seeing each other from a distance to becoming close friends (Song of Solomon 1:14).
10. It should be fun-field and built on trust

THE BENEFITS

Question:
What are the benefits?

Answer:
The following are some of the numerous benefits of an intentional premarital relationship during courtship:

1. It provides a Solid Marital Foundation: if the relationship is well established or grounded, it will serve as a template for the couple on getting married (Psalm 11:3). As a result any kind of wind does not blow the marriage away (Proverbs 10:25)
2. It makes room for a Direction-Driven relationship: There is a real realistic destination in mind. The details of the relationship are known to the two parties involved. They are on the same page (Genesis 29:20-21)
3. The relationship will be filled with hope and assurances: it will be devoid of uncertainty and full of realistic expectations and optimism (Genesis 29:18)
4. A progressive and flourishing adventure will be experienced (Psalm 92:12).
5. There will also be peace and joy in the relationship: it is void of struggles because there are only two mature adults with positive intention (Philippians 4:7; Genesis 24:67)

CLASS ACTIVITY 2
Students should mention the dangers of being unintentional and accidental in premarital relationships

CONCLUSION
An intentional premarital relationship during courtship ultimately leads to a good and godly marriage

CLOSING PRAYER
Father, please help me to be intentional in my courtship in Jesus name

ASSIGNMENT
Mention five key challenges of premarital relationship (2×5=10 Marks)

Open Heavens 2021 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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