Topic: THE CHURCH AND POLITICS  [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 2 October    2022

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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL

DATE: SUNDAY 2nd OCTOBER 2022

TOPIC: THE CHURCH AND POLITICS

TEXT: Rom 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2: 13-17

CENTRAL THOUGHT: The righteousness that exalts a nation can only come through the righteous

HYMN: S, S & S 879 , “Will your Anchor hold in the storms of life”

INTRODUCTION:
The subject of politics continues to elicit divergent views among Christians in
Nigeria. Many thinks of it as a dirty game that is incompatible with the faith,
while others feel that Christian participation is necessary to sanitize the
system and purge the society
of evil in high places. However, one fundamental truth is that participate or not Christians are affected by the
actions of those who are in it. They take decisions and use the commonwealth of us all according to the dictates of the
spirit that is in them. Politics has to do with how power and authority is bestowed and used by one over another. It takes the genuine fear of God to do this judiciously. The observable evil and darkness currently in the political arena must be challenged and defeated by
the forces of light. Time has come for the church and individual believers to take a prayerful look and encourage
better participation. The righteousness that exalts any nation must come from the righteous. This study is therefore, an
exposition on how practising Christians can exercise greater influence over the
society through politics.

LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this study are to:
1.explain the phrase ‘church and politics’

  1. proffer reasons for the apathy of many Christians towards politics;
  2. articulate the ideal Christian attitude towards politics;

4 discuss how the church can improve political participation;

5.identify some vices in the Nigerian political space;

  1. list the dangers of having the ungodly in politics; and

7.list the blessings of having the godly in politics.

BIBLE TRUTH:

Q1.WHAT IS POLITICS?
Politics is often seen in this clime by some as deceptive scheming and manipulative tendencies. “Playing politics” is often used to describe display of double standards, dishonesty or hidden agenda. This is totally wrong.
Politics refer to activities pertaining to the governance of an area. It is the scramble for power and authority and the mechanism that puts one person in a vantage position over others. It is the process of gaining authority and supervising the use of resources.
Politics serves as an avenue to promote one’s views and welfare, to create a formidable front for negotiation of power, make laws and influence policies and exercise lawful force against adversaries

Q2a.WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR CHRISTIAN APATHY TOWARDS POLITICS IN NIGERIA?
Christians have for long accepted the notion that politics is satanic, unholy and ritualistic, which of course is just wrong. However, the associated visible vices may give credence to this fallacy.
Such vices include violence and brazen idolatry. The testimony of few Christians who boldly ventured into politics has not
helped matters. Many were mortally wounded in their faith. The character and reputation of some key political actors in our nation have not been decent. The
financial implication of politicking is burdensome to honest men and women. The degree of risk and the fear of
failure is another factor. The final factor is the failure of the church to take a curious study of the implications of abstaining from politics and failure to encourage participation.

Q2b. WHAT SHOULD BE THE IDEAL CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE TOWARDS POLITICS? (Romans 13:1)
Christians should see politics from its original concept and purpose, and not from its distorted manifestations. It is a means to gain power and influence society. We should therefore show keen
interest and imbibe the need to participate actively. Soul winning is also achievable through high level control of
power by believers. It should be seen as one of the divine duties of the believer and should be approached from the view point of selfless service and not material
gain.

Q3. HOW DO WE IMPROVE POLITICAL PARTICIPATION BY THE CHURCH? (Prov. 14:34, 29:2).
A conscious and organized effort is needed if the church must be more active in the negotiation for authority. Advocacy and political sensitization must be put in place within Christian organizations. Networking and cross-bonding of Christian politicians should be encouraged to enhance capital
base and harness numerical force.
Furthermore, the Church must show more tangible support for Christian politicians through prayers. The church should be less demanding of financial
contributions from our political class and should encourage them to be upright. Formation of Christian political trust and foundation is not out of place.
Mentorship of younger ones for political consciousness is desirable through selfless leadership at lower levels such as class representatives, student union government, street and neighbourhood leadership and in service oriented voluntary associations.

Q4. WHAT SHOULD BE THE ATTITUDE OF CHRISTIANS TOWARDS THE FOLLOWING POLITICAL ACTIVITIES?

(a) National Census of Head count.
Christians must participate and mobilize others to do the same. We must not encourage fictitious enumeration.

(b) Membership of political parties.
Christians should be free to identify with party of their choice at their home ward levels according to the provisions of the
constitution.

(C) Voter registration should be seen as a duty for us and our family members that are eligible.

(d) Christians can join in canvassing of votes for their party or preferred candidates, but such must be personal and not directly from the pulpit due to members who hold a different opinion.

(e) Christians should also present
themselves at their polling booths to cast their votes. Christian apathy toward voting is ridiculous.

(F) Christians can hold elected or appointed political offices and should see that as extension of service to God.

(g) Christians can serve as members of an electoral commission and must serve
faithfully within the limitations allowed him.

Q5 LIST SOME PREVAILING VICES IN THE NIGERIAN POLITICAL SPACE. WHAT ADVICE FOR CHRISTIANS?
The vices in the Nigerian political
space are too numerous to exhaustively list them. Some of
them are:

  • Pre-election deceit and post-election denial of promises.
  • Cultism, idolatry, oath-taking
    and ritualism.
  • Godfatherism, imposition, injustices.
  • Violence, thuggery, killing,
    arson.
  • Vote buying, under-age voting,
    inflation of figures, stuffing of
    ballot boxes, hijacking of materials, etc.

-Parochial use of power by elected officials cronyism, clannish tendencies, nepotism.

  • Stealing and embezzlement of
    funds

-Muzzling and persecution of
opposition.
A child of God must detest and abhor all these vices and must also condemn and oppose them at all times

Q6a. LIST THE DANGERS OF HAVING THE UNGODLY IN POWER?
It is a calamity to any nation to have the ungodly in authority at any level. The consequences are devastating. There will be no trust between the populace and the government. Election will be like
war and decent people will stay away. Political violence, massive looting of treasury, poor service delivery, decay of basic social infrastructure, increase in ritual practices, god fatherism, unemployment, high crime rate, massive emigration of citizens, national indebtedness with no visible project, nepotism and sycophancy, and many more, will characterize that society. People will begin to wish they never had start the government. The church will be repressed by the poverty of members and the intimidation of the criminal cabal in power.

Q6b. LIST SOME BLESSINGS OF HAVING THE GODLY IN AUTHORITY . Prov. 14:34;
Prov. 11:11, Prov. 29:2
When men of character and integrity are in authority, the nation will experience peace, prosperity, healthy economy,employment opportunities,
reduced crime-rate, enhanced
national dignity, reasonable cost by
of living index, peaceful atmosphere for soul-winning and righteousness and church growth.
In conclusion, the people will be blessed and God’s name will be glorified.

DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:

It is good to intercede and agonize in prayers from outside the system, for the leadership of our Nation. Our participation in active sense as believers will be the first answer to those
intercessory prayers. The church must not withdraw from politics, but must make conscious efforts to regain lost grounds. The time to had start is now, with right information and advocacy, the gap can be closed gradually. In the unfolding cycle of the next political processbthe church must start now to
strategize for relevance. Politics is a duty to every believer, either in active form or in passive form.

Also Read: Open Heaven 2 October  2022 Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – EXPOSING DEMONIC OPERATIONS I 

MEMORY VERSE: Prov. 29:2
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

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