RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ MANUAL SUNDAY 23RD OF OCTOBER 2022 LESSON EIGHT (08)

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

O how I love Thee well,

I am happy, it makes me glad

To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

Thy friendship suits me well,

Both young and will sing Thy song,

We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

Christ was Thy first teacher,

The Holy Spirit, great teacher,

Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

This testimony is sure,

That God, the Father Almighty,

Poured His blessings on me

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

Though the sun be so bright,

Or if the clouds be black with rain,

I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

I rejoice to see Thee,

Will thou pass over me today?

Without my being blest?

MEMORY VERSE: “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:10.

[26]And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

[27]So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

[28]And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

INTRODUCTION: The word dominion means “rule or power over.” God has sovereign power over His creation and has also delegated the authority to mankind to have dominion over the works of His hands (Gen.1:26; Ps.8:6). However, some Christians are passive and do not see that God wants the Church to take charge of and revamp their societies. Instead, they only see the command for believers to preach the gospel as in Matthew 28:19-20 and wait for God to implement social reforms Himself.

1. DOMINION THEOLOGY

2. DISPOSITION OF CHRISTIANS TO POLITICAL DOMINION

2. DOMINION THEOLOGY

1. Dominion theology refers to a line of thought with regards to the role of the church in contemporary society; it holds that Christians should rule all areas of society, personal and corporate by the Law of God. This belief is based on Genesis 1:28, which says, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion …” This verse is a divine mandate to claim dominion over the earth, physically, spiritually, economically, politically, etc. (Lk.19:13). This theological idea about Christians having political dominion has its root in the nature of God and reality, the importance of justice, the value of freedom, and a rich understanding of the human person as created in the image of God (Ps.82:6; Jn.10:34), made for flourishing (Ps.92:12-13), and called to an eternal destiny (Rom. 8:30).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should discuss why some believers do not take the lead.

2. DISPOSITION OF CHRISTIANS TO POLITICAL DOMINION

The political docility of Christians of the early church could be traced to the fact that Israel and some gentile nations were under the colonial rule of the Roman Empire and Christians were taught to be in subjection to the authorities that be (Rom.13:1): at best, they were to pray for those in power and could not participate in the politics of their time (1Tim.2:1-2). This might have been responsible for why Christians hesitate to be actively involved in the politics of our days, whereas, the God we believe and serve is interested in the way the world is governed (Gen.1:28).

Satan stole the “keys of dominion” when he deceived Adam and Eve. Then, when Christ gave the “keys of the kingdom” to Peter in Matthew 16:19, it was a sign that dominion had been returned to man. Now it is our job to “take back” what is rightfully ours. Political dominion is a must for Christians and not an option because the earth is our place of dominion, not Heaven (Ps.115:16). Christians have to occupy strategic political positions to be at the helms of affairs for positive influence.

While it is true that we belong to a heavenly kingdom that is not of this world, we are still numbered among the people in this world and are subjected to the rules and systems of its government (Jn.17:15-16). We indeed seek another home, (Heb.11:10, 14; 13:14) but that should not be an excuse to be nonchalant about our present abode and refuse to take responsibility for its governance (Ps.115:16). It is also true that the world is passing away (1Cor.7:31) but we should not forget that we will also give an account of how it is managed before it passes away (1Jn. 2:17).

Therefore, it should be of concern to Christians to be a part of ‘high level’ decision making processes to ensure that justice is done, biblical principles are upheld and the Christian faith survives and is preserved (Ps.33:5; Mic.6:8). As the salt and light of the world (Matt.5:13-16), when we engage ourselves in politics and government, we speak out for those who cannot speak and defend the rights of the poor and needy (Prov.31:8-9).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should identify areas where they want to make changes if they had the privilege of being in power.

CONCLUSION: All Christians are political, whether we realize it or not. If we choose not to engage in politics, it is a vote for the status quo – the way things are.

* 1. All Christians are political, whether we realize it or not. If we choose not to engage in politics, it is a vote for the status quo – the way things are. Mention three (3) dispositions of Christians to political dominion.

ASSIGNMENT: Students should list five (5) reasons some Christians are afraid of being involved in politics. (2×5=10 Marks)