Avoiding Generational Departure: RCCG Sunday School Teachers

Opening Prayer

Father, help my generation not to depart from the ancient landmark of faith and godliness.

Previous Knowledge

Teachers should review the previous week’s lesson by paying attention to the outlines and the conclusion.
Bible Passage: 1 Sam 2:12-17
Memory Verse: “Remove not the ancient landmark, which fathers have set” – Prov 22:28

Lesson Introduction

God has laid down principles for children’s upbringing which must not be departed from. (2 Timothy 2:19). The anger of God kindles upon children who disobey God. (Ephesians 5:6, Ecl 10:8). The role of parents is therefore crucial to the fulfillment of God’s plan and purpose for his children (Deuteronomy 6: 6-9). While there are records of children raised in godly ways who remained on that narrow path, the Bible also has records of those who departed from the path of truth.

Lesson Aim

To study how to avoid generational departure.

Teachers Objectives

Through this lesson, students should be able to:

Understand why believers should not depart from godly principles which our fathers of faith had laid down.
Discover the very steps to take to avoid generational departure.

Text Review: 1 Samuel 2:12-17

“Now the sons of Eli were the sons of Belial 1 Sam:2:12

Teacher’s Activity

Identify five things which (the priests) did which were a clear departure from the customer, of the true priest of God.

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Teaching Method

Teachers should use the discussion teaching method for lesson outline 1 and the lecture teaching method for lesson outline 2.

Lesson Outlines

Children That Departed from Godly Upbringing
Teachers should first explain what “generational departure” means
⇒It is a departure from Godly upbringing 2 Timothy 2:19
⇒It is the removal of the ancient landmark which our fathers of faith have set. Prov 22:28
⇒It is a deliberate refusal to obey the word of God with the attendant consequences Eph 5:6, Eccl 10:8
II. The Teacher should group the class into five groups and distribute to each group the examples of people who departed from goldy parents.
III. Teachers should allow each group to read the scriptures attached to each name of those who departed from God’s foundation and point out their ungodly deeds.
a. Samson: Judges 13:3-5; 14:1-3, 8-9, 16: 16-17
b: Hophni and Phineas, sons of Eli: 1 Sam 2: 12-17, 22; 4:11
c. Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aron: Lev 10:1, Numbers 26:61
e. Demas 2 Tim. 4:10
IV. Teachers should make corrections where necessary.

NOTE: The group activities also represent Class Activity

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Samuel 2:12-17 KJV (RCCG Sunday School TEACHER Manual 28 March 2021)
12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.
13 And the priest’s custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.

16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: God has laid down principles for children’s upbringing which must not be departed from (2 Timothy 2:19). The anger of God kindles upon children who disobey God (Ephesians 5:6; Ecclesiastes 10:8). The role of parents is therefore crucial to the fulfilment of God’s plan and purpose for his children (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). While there are records of children raised in godly ways who remained on that narrow path, the Bible also has records of those who departed from the path of truth.

TEXT REVIEW: 1 Samuel 2:12-17
“Now the son of Eli were the sons of Belial”. 1 Sam. 2:12.
TEACHER’S ACTIVITY: Identify five things which they (the priests) did which were a clear departure from the custom, of the true priest of God.
i. ………………………………………………………………..
ii. …………………………………………………………….
iii. ……………………………………………………………
iv. ……………………………………………………………
v. …………………………………………………………….
LESSON OUTLINE:

CHILDREN THAT DEPARTED FROM GODLY UPBRINGING
HOW TO AVOID GENERATIONAL DEPARTURE

LESSON 1: CHILDREN THAT DEPARTED FROM GODLY UPBRINGING
i. A teacher should first explain what “generational departure” means:
a. It is a departure from godly upbringing. 2 Timothy 2:9
b. It is the removal of the ancient landmark which our fathers of faith have set. Proverbs 22:28.
c. It is a deliberate refusal to obey the word of God with attendant consequences. Ephesians 5:6, Ecclesiastes 10:8

ii. Teacher should group the class into five groups and distribute to each group the examples of people who departed from godly parents.
iii. Teacher should allow each group to read the scriptures attached to each name of those who departed from godly foundations and point out their ungodly deeds:
a. Samson (Judges 13:3-5; 14:1-3; 8-9; 16:16-17).
b. Hophni and Phinehas; son of Eli (1 Sam. 2:12-17, 22; 1 Sam. 4:11).
c. Solomon (1 Kings 11:4-7; Eccl. 1:1; Eccl.2:10-11).
d. Nadab and Abihu; sons of Aaron (Lev. 10:1; Num. 26:61).
e. Demas (2 Tim. 4:10).
iv. The teacher should make corrections where necessary.

NOTE: The group activities also represent Class activity 1
LESSON OUTLINE 2: HOW TO AVOID GENERATIONAL DEPARTURE
The teacher should explain each of the points stated below to the students:
To keep our children on the path of righteousness, parents have the following obligations to fulfil:
i. Love God wholeheartedly (Deut. 6:4-6). Have a deep personal relationship with God. You cannot pass on to your children what you do not possess (John 14:21;15:10; John 5:3).
ii. Teach your children about God diligently. (Deuteronomy 6:7-9). If God’s Word is on your heart continually, then you will be talking about it constantly with your children (Proverbs 4:3-4, Ephesians 6:4).
iii. You need to answer your children’s questions about God and the Christian life (Deuteronomy 6:20-25; 1 Peter 3:15)
iv. Focus on obeying and pleasing God only (Deuteronomy 6:17-18) and also train your children, in agreement with your spouse, to please God in all their endeavours.
v. Live out and model a godly lifestyle before children (James 5:12; Matthew 5:16-17; Titus 2:7; 1Peter 5:3).
vi. Discipline your children in love (Heb. 12:6; Prov. 3:11-12).
vii. Inculcate emotional stability but do not indulge your children (Prov. 19:18; Colossians 3:21).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: How can each of the seven (7) points stated above prevent generational departure?
SUMMARY: If we learn from the mistakes of others, as indicated in lesson outline 1 and apply the seven (7) principles stated in outline 2, then we shall not fall into the trap of generational departure.
CONCLUSION: To avoid generational departure, leave a good legacy for your children.
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, help all my parents to lead their children to Christ. Do not allow parents to lead their children away from the generational truth about God.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) things that can lead to the problem of generational departure.