RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL Y.A.Y.A. EDITION LESSON: THIRTY-THREE DATE: SUNDAY 14TH APRIL 2024 – TOPIC: DRUG/SUBSTANCE ABUSE
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RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL
Y.A.Y.A. EDITION
LESSON: THIRTY-THREE
DATE: SUNDAY 14TH APRIL 2024
TOPIC: DRUG/SUBSTANCE ABUSE
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 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?
OPENING PRAYER
Dear Lord, we raise an altar if liberation for anyone under the yoke of drug abuse in Jesus’ name.
MEMORY VERSE: “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls”. – Proverbs 25:28 (NKJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Ephesians 5:6-12
[6]Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
[7]Therefore do not be partakers with them. Walk in Light
[8]For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
[9](for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
[10]finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
[11]And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
[12]For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.
INTRODUCTION
Drug or substance abuse is the maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress. People use illicit (hard) drugs for different reasons. Stimulants (Cocaine, nicotine, caffeine, etc.) speed up messages travelling between the brain and the body. They make one feel awake and energized. Depressants (Alcohol, heroin, codeine, Tramadol, inhalants, etc.) reduce the level of stimulation and arousal. Thay slow down a person’s ability to respond to unexpected situations. Hallucinogens (ecstasy, cannabis, etc.) cause profound distortions in a person’s perceptions of reality, otherwise known as hallucinations. The usage of drugs in itself is not evil but abuse.
TEXT REVIEW: Ephesians 5:6-12
According to the Apostle Paul’s admonition to the Ephesians;
A. Believers should be careful if deceitful words of men which attract ……….. V6.
B. He said they …………… V7.
C. He further said:
I. We are once ……………….. V8a.
ii. But now …………….. V8b.
iii. We must therefore walk …………….. V8c.
D. For the fruit of the spirit is …………… V9.
E. Finding out ……………….. v10.
F. We must have no fellowship ………… V11.
G. For it is shameful …………….. V12.
LESSON OUTLINES
- EXCUSES AND EFFECTS
- ANTIDOTES TO DRUG/SUBSTANCE ABUSE
EXCUSES AND EFFECTS
The teacher should ask the students the reasons for the prevalence of drug/substance abuse among youths.
The teacher should explain thus:
A. There are several excuses for the prevalence of drug/substance abuse among youths. Some of which include:
- Peer pressure (1Cor. 15:33; Prov. 1:10).
- Undue Exposure: Youths tend to practice what they watch others do (Exodus 23:2). Also, exposure to high-risk jobs could lead to drug misuse.
- Curiosity: Many youths want to indulge in DIY (do it yourself) inorder to have a feeling of the effect of the drugs (Rom. 1:24).
- Unpleasant situations: Wrong belief that drugs will ameliorate the seemingly unpleasant situation (Prov. 24:10; Eccl. 7:14).
- Family Breakdown: Dysfunctional family may encourage drug abuse (Luke 11:17b).
B. The adverse effect of drug/substance abuse can be:
- Biological (Liver damage, Cancer of the lungs, diabetes, impotence, infertility, accidents, and eventual death);
- Psychological (Depression, psychosis, suicide, low self-esteem, personality changes, etc.);
- Social (Unfulfilled dreams, martial disharmony, financial difficulties, relational problems, irrational decisions, etc.);
- Spiritual (Prayerlessness, lack of interest in the things of God, apostasy, spiritual death, etc.). Summarily, destruction awaits anyone engaging in drug/substance abuse (1Cor. 3:16-17).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1
Students should disclose if they always consult a physician before using any drug.
ANTIDOTES TO DRUG/SUBSTANCE ABUSE
The teacher should ask the students to suggest the antidotes to drug/substance abuse.
A. The teacher should explain as follows:
- Christian are all required to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us including our earthly bodies (1Pet. 4:10). As Christians, our bodies are not our own – we “have been bought with a price” (1Cor. 6:19-20).
- We need to be sober and avoid being ensnared through deception (1Pet. 4:7). 1Corintians 15:33 tells us that “…evil communications corrupt good manners.” It is therefore, expedient to keep godly friends (2Cor. 6:14; Psm. 1:1) and flee from youth lust (2Tim. 2:22).
- Parents/guardians must be positive role models and be familiar with their children’s friends (Titus 2:7).
- International teaching of the undiluted word of God (Rom. 14:19), mentoring and discipleship, (2Tim. 2:2) should be put in place to forestall the spread of drug/substance abuse.
B.Peradventure you are already involved; know that there is a way out.
i. Pray to God for forgiveness.
ii. Seek help from a pastor and/or professional.
iii. Do not let the devil deceive you that it is to late (James 5:16).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2
Students should make a conscious effort to reach out to anyone they know who is suffering from drug/substance abuse.
CONCLUSION
All hands must be on deck to fight drug/substance abuse.
CLOSING PRAYER
My God, I secure my loved ones against drug/substance abuse in Jesus’ name.
ASSIGNMENT
Suggest what the church can do to put an end to drug abuse (2×5=10 Marks).
Open Heavens 2024 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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