RCCG YAYA SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL LESSON: THIRTY-ONE (31) FOR SUNDAY 2ND 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 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?

1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judeh, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

In relation to mental health, the Bible has a lot to say about the heart, mind, and the condition of the soul. Health is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a complete state of physical, mental, and social well being: it’s not just the absence of disease or infirmity. Mental health is important, as it affects the whole being (Prov. 4:23). This lesson addresses mental issues and possible solution.

Praying for death is like a suicide attempt as we could see Elijah vehemently asking the Lord to take away his life in this passage (vs 4).

The teacher should identify the reason Elijah slipped into this kind of kind of state of mind (or so depressed).

A. Teacher should ask the students what they understand by’mental health’.

Mental Health is a state of well-being in which every individual can carry out four roles:

i. Realise his/her potentials

ii. Cope with the normal stress of life

iii. Work productively

iv. Participate meaningfully in the community.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

B. Mental ill-health on the other hand is a psychological disorder affecting one’s mood, thinking, and behaviour. The term mental illness covers a broad range of disorders from mild depression to schizophrenia – a condition that impairs a person’s ability to think, feel, process, and respond to life situations in an appropriate way. Mental illness can distort our view of God, others, and contribute to sinful behaviours.

C. There are some cases of emotional issues in the Bible such as:

i. depression (1Kgs. 19:1-4; Jonah 4:3),

ii. loneliness (1Kgs. 19:10),

iii. hopelessness (1kgs. 17:9-12),

iv. suicide (Matt. 27:5),

v. rejection (1Sam. 18:7-8),

vi. insanity (Mk. 5:1-5), etc.

How do you identify someone with a mental illness?

A. God’s desire for believers is to live a peaceful and fulfilled life (Gen. 25:8; Jer. 29:11). However, there are some believers who are not operating in this realm of God’s intention for them. This may be as a result of some of these factors:

i. childhood abuse (Prov. 17:22b),

ii. trauma/neglect (2Sam. 13:19),

iii. loneliness (1Kgs. 19:10),

iv. discrimination/oppression (Jam. 2:6),

v. poverty (Prov. 10:15),

vi. loss of loved one (2Sam. 18:33),

vii. debt (Prov. 22:7),

viii. low self-esteem (Num.13:33),

ix. heavy workload/severe stress (1Sam. 30:4,6),

x. family challenges (Gen. 34:30), etc.

In some cases, spiritual forces have a direct effect on mental health (1Sam. 16:14; Mk. 5:1-5).

B. To overcome mental ill-health and enjoy emotional well-being, believer’s must understand that:

i. Failure and challenges are part of human life (Prov. 24:16; Rom. 8:28; Jam. 1:2-4).

ii. It is important to invest in good social networks and godly relationships (2Sam. 9:1).

iii. Loneliness and isolation which are risk factors for depression and suicidal behaviour should be avoided (Prov. 17:22).

iv. Good sleep helps the brain restore itself (Lk. 8:23a).

v. Regular exercise expunges toxic chemicals from the body (1Tim 4:8).

vi. Drug abuse (Self-medication) is not an option for good health.

vii. Healthy thoughts are necessary always (Phil. 4:8).