RADIANT LIFE TEACHER GUIDE TEENS SUNDAY SCHOOL RESOURCE SEASON 6 NOVEMBER 6 2022 UNIT 5

The teenage years are loaded with changing emotions. Yet, without the maturity and years of experience adults possess, teens are expected to make decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. Hormones surge, demands from school, home, and church keep piling up, and stress from relationships increase as they try to navigate the changeful waters between childhood and adulthood. It’s Iikely that all your students could tell about their daily battles with jealousy, hate, disappointment, or

frustration. Thankfully, however, God is a wonderful Father who

understands teens’ emotions and has provided a plan for dealing with them.

In this unit, you’ll help your teens learn how to replace the negative feeling of jealousy, hate, disappointment, or frustration with the positive emotions of contentment, love, hope, and patience. With God’s help and some practice, the teens in your class can learn how to deal with their constantly changing emotions.

*>>Activity Option:* Patience and Postage

Secure a list of missionaries supported by your church or district or contact your District Missions Coordinator for such a list. Have your class write letters to these faithful workers; encourage their patience as they communicate the gospel, and remind them that Christians back home are thinking about them and praying for them. Provide your students with as much information as possible about each missionary, allowing them to personalize the letters. Explain how these workers often find themselves in frustrating and seemingly hopeless situations. Include an offering with each letter if possible

*Unit 5: Dealing With Feelings*

*Study 1: Jealousy vs Contentment: The Battle of Possessions*

*Text: 1 Sam 18:1-4,6-12; 19:1-6; 20:13-17, 20-23,30-33,41-42*

Key Verse: Proverbs 14:30

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (NIV)

*>>Focus*

Ours is a world that seems dominated by the “I want what you have”

mentality. As a result, many of your students probably fight a battle against some kind of jealousy on daily basis. Contentment among both teens and adults, on the other hand, is a rare thing. The best way to battle jealousy is to find contentment in our walk with God. The more satisfying our relationship with God, the less we will crave things we don’t have – and the less we will envy those that have them. When we realize how much God has blessed us, we are better able to fight off the “grass is greener” mentality that leads to

jealousy. Jealousy brings nothing but frustration and hurt, but contentment brings satisfaction and happiness.

Jealousy is a matter of appetite and aspiration. As you prepare to present this study, consider your own contentment level. How satisfied with life are you? If you sense room for improvement, consider spending time in prayer, focusing your attention on what God has given you and thanking Him for it.

. . . .

¶ WHATS THE BIG IDEA?

Fulfillment in life comes from replacing human jealousy with godly Contentment.

¶ WHY DOES IT MATTER?

While jealousy damages both personal and spiritual relationships,

Contentment frees us to love God and others.

¶ HOW DO I LIVE IT?

Replace jealousy with generosity and selflessness.

*>>Activity Option: Wish List*

Distribute catalogs from several store or companies. Ask students to search the catalogs, find one or two items they want, and list them on the right side of the board. Then have them think of intangible things people desire (peace, joy, relationships, etc.), and list them on the left. Ask your students to identify the list that looks more appealing.

✓ Why do you think people want to possess those things listed on the right side of the board? [Hint: They think they will be happier if they have these things.]

✓ Do possessions bring happiness? Explain. [Hint: They can bring temporary satisfaction but not lasting happiness. Once people have an item they often loose interest and want something else.]

✓ What’s jealousy? [Hint: It involves hostility toward those who have what we want.]

✓ How do you define contentment? What would it take to make you feel content?

. . . .

Explain that today’s study considers:

Four ways Saul allowed Jealousy to enter his life.

Why it is important to focus on being content rather than jealous.

How to nurture our contentment by following Jonathan’s example.

>>Background Info: Who Was King Saul? [Make sure students understand that this Saul was not the Saul who became apostle Paul.]

*>>Teacher Hint: Poster Option*

Create two posters. Label the top of the first poster “Overcoming Jealousy” and list the following underneath: *Don’t Compare Yourself to Others;

*Avoid Evil Influences; *Combat Your Fear; *Control Your Anger. Label the second Poster, “Nurturing Contentment” and list the following underneath:

Be Generous; “See the Big Picture; “Put Others First; “Accept God’s Will

Stay Consistent. Refer to the posters as you discuss each point of the

lesson. They will provide a visual reminder to the students. If you couldn’t

create posters, write these lists on the board.

*>>Inform and Discuss*

a. How to Overcome Jealousy

>>Guide: Explain that King Saul’s behaviour reveals four causes of

jealousy: comparing oneself with others; allowing evil influences into our lives; fear, and uncontrolled anger. This can be seen in Saul’s reaction with David.

1. Read or have a volunteer read 1 Sam 18:6-9. How does comparing yourself to others make you feel? [Hint: You might look down on Someone if you feel you are doing better than that person. But if you feel the other person is superior, you can begin to feel jealous or form a

negative opinion of yourself.]

>>Guide: Explain that we can’t focus on becoming more like Christ when we’re jealous of others. We should appreciate their good qualities while

striving to be our best.]

2. Read or have a volunteer read Prov 14:30. How does envy “rot the bones? [Hint: If envy is allowed to grow, it can fester inside of us, keeping us from being happy or appreciating the many blessings we do enjoy. Focusing on what we don’t have leads to unhappiness.]

*>>Activity Option: Appreciation Aptitude*

Distribute paper and pens or pencils, and encourage students to respond to the following questions honestly. Allow some students to share their answers with the class.

A. List two talents or traits that God has given to you.

• How could those talents or traits be used to find success in your spiritual life?

• How can you use those talents or traits to glorify God?

B. List a talent or trait you admire and appreciate about one of your friends.

• How has your friend used that talent or trait for your benefit?

C. List a talent or trait you admire and appreciate about one of your family members.

• How has your family member used that talent or trait for your benefit

3. Read or have a volunteer read 1 Sam 18:10-11. Why is it better to appreciate others than to be jealous of them?

>>Guide: Explain that if we are not careful to live within, God’s plan, problems are bound to develop. Saul experienced this when his jealousy of David exploded into burst of violence. Jealousy can destroy lives. If you want to overcome it, you must confront your influences, embrace the good and get rid of the bad.

Read or have a volunteer read 1 Sam 18:12. [Hint: Although he was a powerful man, Saul became bitter and afraid because he felt threatened by David’s success and popularity.

4. What are some healthy ways to observe others’ strength without feeling bad about yourself? [Hint: When we know we are all valued by God, fear and resentment will be replaced with appreciation for other people’s special gifts, resources, and accomplishments.]

Read or have a volunteer read 1 Sam 20:30-33. [Hint: Instead of turning to God for help in controlling his feelings, Saul lashed out at his son. Uncontrolled anger leads to destructive behaviour.]

5. How can you control your anger? [Hint: Find the source of your anger

and ask God to help you deal with that source in a healthy way. Find acceptable outlets for redirecting our emotions (e.g., journaling, sports, arts). Talk to a trusted leader or family member.]

Divide your class into small groups. Provide each group with paper and pens or pencils, and have them develop a process for dealing with anger. Encourage creativity. Discuss how these steps can help people control their

anger. Emphasize the need to ask God for assistance.

• How could these steps have made Saul’s life different?

*b. How to Be Content*

Read or have a volunteer read 1 Sam 18:1-4 [Hint: Both Saul and Jonathan recognized David’s potential. Saul was jealous of anyone threatening his position. But Jonathan opened his heart to his friend; he was content, and didn’t resent David’s popularity.]

1. How does being generous lead to contentment? [Hint: Generosity shifts the focus from yourself to others from “what-l-can-get” to a whal-l-can-give” attitude.]

Read or have a volunteer read 1 Sam 19:1-6. [Guide: Explain that content people are secure, and they compliment others freely; jealous individuals

are threatened when others are praised. Jonathan focused on the “big picture” -he saw how David’s success benefited the nation. Other peoples success doesn’t threaten our chances for happiness. Rather, it can help us]

2. Why does putting others first make you feel more content than living

selfishly? Give examples.

3. Read or have a volunteer read 1 Sam 20:13. How can helping someone – especially a rival- change our attitude? [Hint: We develop love and

understanding for the person. Instead of seeing a competitor, we see him or her as a model or someone we could team up with to accomplish

great things.]

Guide: Emphasize that we need to pray for, speak well of, and help people who are the objects of our jealousy. By so doing, we would quench the fire of jealousy.]

4. Read or have a volunteer read 1 Sam 20:14-17, How does being Content help us, to accept God’s will? [Hint: Contentment means rejoicing in God’s plan for your life, no matter how much (or how seemingly little) you have. It also means rejoicing with others when they’re blessed with better circumstances or more possession than you, even as you prayerfully seek God’s direction.]

5. Read or have a volunteer read 1 Sam 20:20-23, 41-42. Why do you think it’s important for us to be consistent in our loyalty and contentment? [Hint: A hint of jealousy can destroy an otherwise

contented life.]

Note: After Jonathan was killed in a battle, David mourned the death of his best friend. He also remembered and kept his part of the covenant they made- he found Jonathan’s son, Mephiboshet, restored Jonathan’s land to him, and treated him with kindness, as if he were one of David’s sons (2 Sam 9:7).

*>>Involve Them: Keys to Contentment*

Distribute paper and pens or pencils. Refer to the posters you created or write on the board these keys to defeating jealousy and finding Contentment: avoid comparisons; Confront your influences; combat your fear, control your anger, be generous; be insightful, be selfless; be

accepting: and be consistent. Challenge students to fight jealousy by putting these keys into practice. Have them choose the area they want to improve most and develop a plan for that improvement in the coming days and weeks. Ask for volunteers to share their ideas.

*>Inspire Them*

Share with students “The Basic Message” of this study (pg 078), explaining WHAT’S the Big Idea behind the study; WHY it matters, and HOW we can live the lesson captured in this study.

RADIANT LIFE TEACHER GUIDE TEENS SUNDAY SCHOOL RESOURCE SEASON 6 NOVEMBER 6 2022 UNIT 5

Challenge students to think of ways they can be more content with their own lives. Divide the class and have each pair of students pray for each other, asking God to help them take the steps necessary to become more content individuals.

*Conclude* the study by challenging students to ask God to reveal ways they can live more generously and free from jealousy.

*>>Ask Yourself*

1. Can students give examples of ways they can overcome jealousy and be more content?

2. Do they recognize that jealousy, not only hurt their personal relationships but their relationship with God as well?

3. Do students realize that genuine fulfillment come from contentment rather than jealousy?

*THIS PUBLICATION IS A PRODUCT OF GENERAL COUNCIL TEENS SOLUTION DEPARTMENT ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA*