RCCG YAYA SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL SUNDAY 23RD OF APRIL, 2023

*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 friend 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 blessing on Thee

*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?

9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep

10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

INTRODUCTION: Generally, poverty can be described as a state of being extremely poor. Poverty can take different forms: mental, spiritual, material or financial. In the context of material/financial possessions, poverty is said to exist when people lack the means to satisfy their basic needs. Scriptures clearly state that even brethren of the poor hate him (Proverbs 19:7) and that poverty can destroy the poor (Proverbs 10:15). What then causes poverty and how can a believer break free from it?

While poverty can be in categories or degrees, several factors can be responsible for it:

1.Personal attitude which includes laziness/idleness (Prov.10:4; 19:15); Poor work ethics (Prov.14:23; 2Thess.3:10); Lack of self-discipline (Prov.12:27); Stubbornness (Prov.13:18); Drunkenness and gluttony (Prov.23:21); Worldliness and frivolous pursuits (Prov. 21:17; 28:19); Limitation mentality (Prov.23:7a).

2. Natural disasters (famine, floods, droughts, etc.) – Gen.12:10, health challenges (Mk.5:25-26), fire outbreaks (Job 1:16), death of a benefactor (2Sam.4:4).

3. Oppression of others: Examples of oppression that can cause poverty include delayed wages (Lev.19:13; 1Tim.5:18), exorbitant interest rates on loans (Ex.22:25-27).

4. Spiritual causes of poverty include: Repercussion of sin (Deut.28:15-21) and wrong spiritual concepts as some believers equate poverty to holiness.

You need to discover your purpose for living and diligently pursue it (2Pet.1:10; Prov.22:29). Gather sufficient information on how to improve yourself in your chosen career, vocation, or trade (Prov.18:15; 24:4). Be intentional about creating multiple streams of income (Eccl.11:2). Find a problem around you that you can solve that will earn you good money. Acquire additional skills: re-skill and up-skill (Prov.9:9). Believe in yourself and have the ‘I can’ attitude (Phil.4:13).

Essentially, breaking free from poverty requires giving (Prov.11:24): pay your tithes and offerings (Mal.3:10-12), first fruit (Prov.3:9-10), give to the less privileged. Pray and study the word of God to know His perfect will for you in all your life’s endeavours (Ps.37:23). Stop living on debts, borrow only to invest (Prov.22:7).