Apologising Correctly. RCCG Sunday School Teachers

Adeniyi SalauOctober 19, 2022

0 0 5 minutes read

What Is Covered

Apologising Correctly. RCCG Sunday School Teachers

Opening Prayer: Almighty Father, please help us to be humble enough to accept our faults whenever we offend and tender apology as appropriate.

Previous knowledge: The teacher should allow the students to share what they learned from the previous week’s lesson.

BIBLE PASSSAGE: 1 SAMUEL 15:12-26.

Memory Verse: “Let us, therefore, follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another”. -Romans 14:18.

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INTRODUCTION

Originally, the word ‘apology’ (or apologia in Greek) means a defence, excuse, or justification in speech or writing, as for a cause or doctrine. However, towards the end of the 16th Century, there was a twist in the use of the word “apology” to mean a written or spoken expression of one’s regret, remorse, or sorrow for having insulted, failed, injured or wronged another.

As Christians, we know we are meant to be kind, loving, humble and respectful (Eph. 4:32). One true test of this is how we handle situations when we have been wronged or wronged by others. A lot of people find it hard to admit when confronted with the wrongs they have committed. Some may even find it harder to ask someone for forgiveness especially when they feel the other person shares in the blame.

Lesson Aim: To study how to apologise correctly.

Teaching Objectives: Through this lesson, students should be able to discover how to apologise correctly.

TEACHING PLAN: To achieve the above-stated objectives, the teacher should:

a. Explain why the sentence “I am sorry” is not enough.

b. Explain the correct way to apologise.

c. Allow the Assistant Teacher to see to the well-being of the class, and mark attendance and assignment.

d. Teach the lesson outlines, summarise, conclude, evaluate the lesson and give assignments to the students.

Text Review: 1 Samuel 15:12-26.

From this passage, the following points could be deduced with regards to the lesson topic, apology.

King Saul offended God by disobeying His instruction.
The prophet Samuel confronted him with his mistake.
King Saul pretended he had done no wrong. v13.
The prophet Samuel proved his point with evidence of the “bleating of the sheep” v14.
King Saul shifted the blame on his soldiers who he referred to as “the people” vs 15,21.
Even when the judgement was pronounced on him in v23, he still transferred his error to the people. He said, “I feared the people”. v24.

ACTION REQUIRED: In addition to King Saul’s stubborn attitude according to v23, the teacher should mention any other wrong attitude of King Saul according to the Bible passage for the lesson.

i………………………………………………………………….

ii………………………………………………………………

iii…………………………………………………………………

iv………………………………………………………………

v……………………………………………………………….

TEACHING METHOD: The teacher should combine lecture and discussion teaching methods.

Time Management: Teachers should apply two-lesson outlines of teaching time.

LESSON OUTLINE 1: WHY ” I AM SORRY” IS NOT ENOUGH

I. Some people find it difficult to even say “sorry” to spouses, friends, colleagues, family and God’s servants (1 Sam 15:15; 1 Sam 15:21).

ii. Some people find it difficult to even say am “sorry” to the Almighty God. It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good” (1 Sam. 3:18; 1 sAM. 2:31-36).

iii. Some people however only say “sorry” to ease tension without accepting their wrongs or mistakes. This is called “fauxology” i.e false apology (Gen. 50:15-18).

iv. False apology is unacceptable to God because it is wrong. (1 Sam. 15:24-26).

v. Saying “sorry” in most of the time is like following protocol, a Band-Aid” to cover the pain inflicted on others without actually making things right.

vi. It is wrong to shift or dismiss responsibility with “I am sorry”.

vii. Saying “sorry” is a mere lip decoration(Is. 29:13-14).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Why do you think that people pay lip service with “sorry”.

LESSON 2: CORRECT APPROACH

A. Wrong Approaches

“I was wrong, but you were wrong too”. This is incorrect because you are not taking full responsibility for your offence.
“If I have been wrong, please forgive me”. To use if, before your apology means that you are saying, “I am not really convinced that I was wrong”. Therefore it is not a real apology.
“I am sorry I know I lost my temper, but you make me do it”. This is wrong because you are not taking responsibility for your wrongdoing but putting the blame on the other person.
“I said I was sorry. What more do you want from me?” The apology is not correct because the tone is aggressive, not remorseful and may not give the offended enough time to heal.

B. Correct Approaches

I. Apologises with full responsibility (Luke 15:18-19).

ii. Ask for forgiveness and reconcile (Matt. 5:23-24).

iii. Make restitution where necessary.

Significance of Correct approach to Apologising.

i. It is a symbol of humility (James 4:10).

It should be accorded priority (Matt. 5:23,24).

Biblical Example Of Right Apology

i. The prodigal son’s apology to his father (Luke 15:17-20).

ii. Jacob’s apology to Esau (Gen. 32; Gen. 33).

Example to correct statement of apology “I was wrong in losing my temper and for talking to you the way I did”.

NOTE: You do not owe anybody for accepting the Lord Jesus as your Lord and personal saviour or for living a holy life (1 John 3:21).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students to give hypothetical examples of wrong and right statements of apology.

SUMMARY: Apologise correctly and genuinely to the offenders.

CONCLUSION: We should learn to say a “responsible sorry” to those we offend.

EVALUATION: What are the differences between wrong and right apologies?

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, help us to do what we have learned according to your words in the name of Jesus.

ASSIGNMENT: Five the five (5) similarities between apology and restitution (2*5=10Marks).

Action Point
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