Topic: CHILD ABUSE – Church of God Mission International – CGMI ADULT SUNDAY MANUAL – SUNDAY 27th NOVEMBER 2022
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY MANUAL
SUNDAY 27th NOVEMBER 2022
HYMN:
S,S & S 607 “I Am Thine O Lord”
TOPIC:
“CHILD ABUSE “
TEXT:
Mk 10:13-16; Prov 19:18; Exo 22:22-24
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
Children are gifts from God to us to be nurtured and cared for (physically, spiritually and emotionally)
INTRODUCTION:
A child is any young human who is not yet an adult. It is the mandate of God to man, to reproduce his kind so as to replenish the earth. As gifts from God, it is the responsibility of man to train his children to fear God and live well adjusted lives in society. This he does through the process of training and instructions.
It is however, observed that some parents abuse their children in the name of correcting or training them. Hence, such children have been abused or violated physically, sexually or emotionally by these parents or other care-givers. It is believed that six out of every ten children have been victims of some form of abuse (https://www.unicef.org>Nigeria).
This study sets out to examine this ugly and devilish phenomenon and to recommend how believers can protect their children from becoming victims.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this lesson are to:
- Explain the meaning of child abuse
- Identify the forms of child abuse
- List the symptoms/signs of abuse in the life of the child
- Explains some preventive measures
- Discuss the consequences awaiting abusers and
- Discuss how victims of abuse can be helped
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1
WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE ?
Simply put, child abuse refers to the offence of harming or injuring a child. It means maltreatment of a child. This is often mistaken for discipline. While child discipline is scriptural (Prov 13:24; 19:18), inflicting injury on a child is outlawed. UNICEF states that a use or violence against children is common in homes, families, schools and communities where children ought to feel safe.
QUESTION 2
WHAT ARE THE COMMON FORMS OF CHILD ABUSE ?
The four main forms of child maltreatment are physical abuse, child neglect, sexual abuse and emotional abuse.
A). PHYSICAL ABUSE is characterized by the inflictions of physical injuries as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, burning, etc. The parents or others may not have intended to hurt the child, the injury may have resulted from excessive physical punishment
B). CHILD NEGLECT is characterized by failure to provide for the child basic needs such as denying healthcare, abandonment, eviction from home, allowing truancy, failure to enroll the child in school or exams, spouse abuse in the child’s presence, and allowing the child to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or use of other forms of prohibited drugs.
C). SEXUAL ABUSE involves having sexual intercourse with very young children. These are usually committed by people very close to the victims such as father’s, step fathers, brothers, friends, etc. Other forms of sexual abuse include rape, fondling with the child’s genitals, other body parts, commercial exploitation, prostitution, exposure of the child to pornographic materials etc.
D). EMOTIONAL ABUSE includes belittling the child, confining the child in a dark room and rejection of the child
QUESTION 3
WHAT ARE THE COMMON SIGNS OF AN ABUSED CHILD ?
Certain signals are indicative of cases of abuse of any child. In case of sexual abuse, the child may experience rash, a swelling or discharge on the private part. The child may also experience pain while passing urine. Such a child might begin to act strangely or suddenly become quiet with specific adults. In case of other forms of abuse, children might develop aggressive behaviours, low self-esteem, absent-mindedness, unexplained bruises, nightmares, depression, drug abuse, etc. Parents should be close to their children so that they easily identify any of these symptoms when they occur.
QUESTION 4.
HOW CAN CHILD ABUSE BE PREVENTED ?
Exemplary Christian living by parents is key to preventing child abuse in the home. One of the starting points of effective parenting is to lead our children to Christ early enough. Then teach or instruct them in God’s word (Prov 1:8). This should be done at all times, and in all places (Prov 22:6). Also, moderation in discipline is very essential (Phil 4:5; Prov 22:15). The use of the rod on the child should only be in exceptional cases of disobedience or rebellion and not for mistakes (e.g. breaking of plates/glasses). It is advisable for couples to hold hands together in one accord by prayers to deal with cases of rebellion or disobedience in any child.
In addition, parents should encourage their children with God’s love. Have positive view of your children, shower them with love and reward any positive behaviour manifested by your children (e.g. praises, gifts, good remark). This is one of the most powerful behaviour modification techniques. Also, any case of abuse observed in a child should be reported to the appropriate authorities. The fear of stigmatisation should not make a believer shield these culprits from the arm of the law.
QUESTION 5.
WHAT CONSEQUENCES AWAIT ABUSERS ?
Dire consequences await abusers. Such a person stands to face the wrath of God (Matt 18:6). Child abuse of any form is a criminal offence and abusers stand the chance of facing the wrath of the law (Rom 13:1-3). Their eternal end after this life’s journey is eternal condemnation, if they do not repent.
QUESTION 6.
HOW CAN VICTIMS OF ABUSE BE HELPED ?
The following steps might be helpful to the Helper:
I. Be calm and listen to the child carefully (Prov 18:13)
II. Show a feeling of compassion and empathy. This will encourage him/her to open up fully to you (Jas 1:19)
III. Encourage the abused with God’s love
IV. Take him)her to the doctor for appropriate medical assistance where necessary. It is also advisable to see a matured Christian counsellor and or professional counsellor to handle the spiritual/psychological after effects of abuse
V. The case should be appropriately incident with the police for thorough investigation
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
Child abuse is a menace ravaging the society and so many victims are suffering in silence. Children are given to us by God to care for and not to be brutalized or dehumanised. They areigjty arrows that we shoot ahead of us (Psa 127:3-5). We should therefore lovingly bring them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. We should have patience with them and correct them in love when they err. Brute force and denial of privileges should not be weapons to enforce compliance to rules. May all believers in Christ rise to say no to child abuse.
MEMORY VERSE
Philippians 4:5 “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord [is] at hand”.
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