Rape and Incest, Violated Innocence. AG Teen Sunday School Manual

 

Text: 2 Sam13:1-22; Lam 3:22-26; Ezek 18:21-23; 2 Cor 1:3-4; Gal 6:1-5

 

 

KEY VERSE: Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

 

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. (NIV)

 

Focus

Sexual tragedies (e.g. rape and incest) leave emotional scars that can last a lifetime. Those who believe in Jesus may wonder why God allowed such a terrible thing to happen to them.

 

Those who don’t know Jesus may try to overcome the pain of their abuse alone.

 

Many struggle with guilt, shame, embarrassment, anger and depression. This study focuses on the hope and compassion God offers to people who are hurting.

 

 

Pray for the students in your class, especially for those who may be dealing with rape or incest that has happened in their own lives; and pray equally for the rest of the class to allow God to use them to minister to those who are hurting.

 

Also ask God to help you be sensitive to the needs of your class as you try to minister.

 

The Basic Message: Explain to students…

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?

God gives hope to people affected by rape and incest.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Victims of rape and incest can find hope through compassionate Christians and God’s healing power.

HOW DO I LIVE IT?

Understand that God wants to restore victims of rape and incest, and be ready to demonstrate Christ’s love to these victims.

Activity Option: WOULD YOU RATHER?

Ask students the following questions to spark discussion.

 

Explain that the answer “neither” is not an option. 1) Would you rather eat a live spider or swim through a pool full of rotten eggs? 2) Would you rather be known as a gossip or a coward?

 

Discuss the students’ answers briefly. Then explain that, fortunately, life gives more options to choose from when making decisions.

 

However, hundreds of thousands of people each year are robbed of their right to make their own decisions about their sexual lives when they become victims of rape and incest.

 

Teacher Hint: Definitions

•Rape – sexual intercourse that is perpetrated by force and without Consent.
•Incest – sexual intercourse with a family member, one of those family members often being a child.

 

Study Overview: Explain that today’s study considers…

How sexual abuse affects its victims.
How God brings hope and healing to the victims of rape and incest.

 

What can we do to help restore those who have been affected by sexual abuse?

 

Inform and Discuss

a). Destructive Impact

1. Read or ask volunteers to read 2 Sam 13:17-19. How do you think being raped or sexually molested affects a person emotionally?

 

Hint: Often, the victims are left feeling ashamed and angry.

 

Some may even blame themselves, thinking that they brought the incident upon themselves or that it was somehow their fault.

 

Some even experience depression and flashbacks.

 

2. How do you think being raped or sexually molested affects a person’s relationship later on in life? [Hint: Victims may have a difficult time trusting people after being abused.

 

They may develop a distorted view of sex that can negatively affect their marriages.

 

They may lash out at others in an attempt to cope with the pain and anger of being abused. Sexual abuse can also affect the way a person views God.

 

Guide: Explain that rape and incest have devastating effects on victims and their families.

 

These victims need to know that God loves them and cares for them no matter what. He wants to heal them and rebuild their lives.

b). Hope for the Brokenhearted

1. Read or ask a volunteer to read 2 Cor 1:3-4. What are some ways God comforts people? [Hint: God comforts people through many different means such as the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and other Christians

 

Guide: Read or ask a volunteer to read and summarise Lam 3:22-26.

 

Explain that God’s love is our source of hope. No matter what happens in life, we can count on His mercy and compassion.

 

Christians are part of God’s plan to offer comfort and compassion to those in need.

 

2. What can you do to minister to victims of rape or incest?

 

Hint: Encourage them to seek counselling, show them genuine Christian love and acceptance, assure them they are beautiful and valuable to God, and help them deal with issues of self-acceptance and forgiveness of the perpetrator.

 

c). Forgiving the Perpetrator

1. Read or ask a volunteer to read and summarise Ezekiel 18:21-23. How do you think God feels about those who sexually abuse others?

Guide: Point out that rape and incest are regarded by most people as one of the worst crimes that can be committed.

 

God sent Jesus to die on the cross to save the souls of all people, even those who commit such terrible crimes.

 

He does not approve of their actions, but He promises to forgive them if they repent and ask for forgiveness.

 

Note: God doesn’t want to see anyone die in their sin. He desires that everyone repent and ask for forgiveness.

 

2. Why can it be difficult for a victim of sexual abuse to forgive the perpetrator?

 

Hint: Forgiveness doesn’t come easily because sexual abuse is so destructive.

 

Fear that the perpetrator might continue committing such crimes often stands in the way of a victim offering forgiveness.

 

Guide: Explain that when a victim chooses not to forgive, they hurt no one but themselves.

 

Unforgiveness leads to bitterness and hatred. Forgiveness is not an easy thing to offer, and it may take time, but it is an important part of overcoming the trauma of sexual abuse.

 

3. Read or ask a volunteer to read Gal 6:1-5. What do you think it means to “carry each other’s burdens”?

Guide: Point out that, as the body of Christ, we are called to restore a brother or sister who has sinned.

 

Restoration means leading him or her to a place of true repentance and into a committed relationship with Christ.

 

This does not mean that a known sex offender is qualified to be involved in ministering to others in the local church, even if he has been forgiven.

 

Trust must be earned but may never be fully restored.

 

Thus, bearing one another’s burden in the case involves helping the recovering person avoid situations that could be sources of temptation.

 

Note: While Christians should offer forgiveness, the legal and emotional consequences for sin remain.

 

 

Involve Them: MY RESPONSE

Divide the class into SMALL GROUPS. Tell each group to brainstorm ways they could respond if they found out their friend had been raped or sexually abused by a family member.

 

Encourage them to think of actions as well as words. Allow the groups to share their answers with the rest of the class.

 

Remind the students that it is important to be patient and compassionate toward those who are working through the emotional pain of sexual abuse or rape.

 

Emphasize the importance for victims of rape and incest to seek counseling from a qualified Christian counselor to help them heal emotionally and learn how to deal with the aftereffects of such an experience.

 

 

Inspire Them: Remind students THE BASIC MESSAGE of this study (pg 44), explaining WHAT the Big Idea behind the study is; WHY it matters; and HOW we can live the lesson captured in this study.

 

Ministry Activity: SECOND CHANCE

Lead the students in prayer for both the victims of rape and incest and the perpetrators.

 

Focus on asking God to heal the victims and help them be able to forgive, and asking God to help the perpetrators come to know Him and repent of their sins.

 

Conclude the study by reminding students that there is hope after sexual abuse.

 

God can and does restore victims and perpetrators when they come to Him with sincere hearts.

 

Teacher Hint: Ask Yourself.

1. Can students explain some of the lasting repercussions rape and incest have on victims?
2. Do students understand how God gives hope and healing to those victims?
3. Can students name ways God can use them to restore victims of rape and incest?

 

 

Daily Dew Drops

Mon: Chosen of God – John 15:16
Tue: Manage Your Thought – Prov 23:7
Wed: Higher Thoughts – Isa 55:8-9
Thu: Loved – Isa 43:4; Jer 31:3
Fri: Forgive – Eph 4:31-32
Sat: Hope in God – Psalm 42:11; Jer 29:11

 

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