RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 9 March 2025 TOPIC: Christian Couples And In-Laws
OPENING PRAYER: Father, teach me how to live peaceably with my in-laws. (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 9 March 2025 HYMN)
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: The teacher should review the previous week’s lesson.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Ruth 2:8-12 (KJV)
8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:
9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.
12 The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.Christian-themed motivational products
MEMORY VERSE: “And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.” – Exodus 18:7 (KJV)
LESSON INTRODUCTION: Christian couples are expected to live according to the dictates of God’s word. For instance, the Bible tells us that a man should leave his parents and cleave to his wife (Genesis 2:24). This shows that a line must be drawn between the families from which both partners originated and the new family the couple is building. Also, the Bible admonishes us to honour our parents (Ephesians 6:2-3) and be good to all men; which include our in-laws. In-laws are people related to us by marriage and we should relate with them with godly wisdom (James 3:17).Christian-themed motivational products
LESSON AIM: To teach the ideal relationship between couples and their in-laws.
TEACHING OBJECTIVES:
Through this study, students are expected to:
Learn how to relate with their in-laws.
Understand how to build cordial relationships with their in-laws.
Know how to maintain boundaries in marriage.
TEACHING PLAN:
To achieve the above-stated objectives, the teacher should:
a. Allow the students to recite the memory verse, read the Bible passage, contribute to the discussion; do class activities and the assignment.
b. Allow the Assistant Teacher to see to the well-being of the class, and mark attendance and assignment.
c. Teach the lesson outline, summarise, conclude, evaluate the lesson and give an assignment.
TEXT REVIEW: Ruth 2:8-12
Mention five lessons you can learn from the relationship between Ruth and Boaz.
i. …………………………………………………………………………
ii.…………………………………………………………………………
iii. ……………………………..……………..………………….……
iv. ………………………………………….……………………..……
v. …………..…………………………………………………………
LESSON OUTLINES:
BUILDING A CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP
THE THIN LINE
1. BUILDING A CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP
A. Let us learn from Ruth’s relationship with her mother-in-law.
i. She placed her in the position of her biological mother.
ii. We must treat our in-laws like our own blood relations.
B. In our relationship with in-laws, Christian couples should, therefore:
i. Avoid Preconceptions: Do not have a biased perspective against your in-laws. Be open-minded in your dealings with them (Romans 12:10, 16; 1 Peter 3:8).
ii. Refuse to act like strangers: Do well to let your in-laws see you as another child of theirs and not a stranger (Exodus 18:7-9; Proverbs 18:24).
iii. Stay off damaging rules: Make sure you avoid rules that can destroy the relationship with your in-laws (1 Timothy 5:1-2; Judges 14:11-13, 18-20). Be wise in all decisions relating to your in-laws especially in speech (Psalm 34:13; Colossians 4:6).
iv. Treat in-laws as important people and avoid strife (Philippians 2:3). Exhibit maturity and patience with in-laws (2 Corinthians 6:4).
v. Remain humble and encourage mutual submission (1 Peter 5:5; Ephesians 5:21). Always seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14; Romans 12:18).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention any behaviour that can cause misunderstanding between married couples and their in-laws
2. THE THIN LINE
A. While it is important to establish a cordial relationship with in-laws, it is equally important that in-laws give some breathing space to their married sons or daughters to build a godly home with little or no external interference (Colossians 3:21; Matthew 19:4-6).
B. In-laws, especially the couple’s parents can counsel (Exodus 18:19-24; Proverbs 11:14) and prayerfully support their children in marriage without necessarily imposing their views (Ephesians 6:4).
C. The married couple should be allowed to make their own decisions.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: As an in-law, how do you relate with the married couples in your family?
CONCLUSION: Christian couples must relate with their in-laws in love and as salt/light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14), be at peace, and remain humble at all times (Hebrews 12:14).
QUESTIONS:
Mention four ways couples can build cordial relationships with their in-laws.
What roles should in-laws play in maintaining the thin line with their married sons or daughters?
EVALUATION: Students should mention four ways couples can build cordial relationships with their in-laws and the roles in-laws should play in maintaining the thin line with their married sons or daughters.
CLOSING PRAYER: Dear Father, protect our marriages from any negative force.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention two (2) people in the Bible who had good relationships with their in-laws with biblical references (5×2=10 Marks)
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