RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ MANUAL 19 FEBRUARY 2023

SUNDAY

LESSON: 25

TOPIC: THE POWER OF CHOICE

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?

OPENING PRAYER: Father, teach me to understand the power of choice so that I will not learn the hard way.

BIBLE PASSAGE: GENESIS 13:8-13

[8]So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren.

[9]Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”

[10]And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar.

[11]Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.

[12]Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom.

[13]But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

MEMORY VERSE: “Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.” Job 34:4.

INTRODUCTION: Simply put, choice is the act of picking between two or more possibilities. The power of choice is the strong will to make a decision in the midst of several options. While it is generally opined that man is a choice being, Scriptures clearly establish that God has given man the power to choose (Josh.24:15). However, we live with the consequences of the choices we make whether good or bad. The onus, therefore, lies on us to make the right choices which in turn determine the course of our lives.

TEXT REVIEW: Genesis 13:8-13.

This Scripture recorded Abram’s choice (decision) not to allow strife over land to destroy the cordial relationship he had with his nephew – Lot. He approached Lot in an attempt to find a possible solution to end the strife that was gradually gaining momentum between them and their herdsmen.

A. Abram said unto Lot:

i …………………………………..V8a.

ii. …………….……………………..V8b.

iii. ………………………………..V9a.

iv. …………………………………V9b.

v. ..…………………………………….V9c.

vi. ………………………………..…V9dc.

B. Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld ………V10a.

i. That it was well …………………….…..V10b.

ii. Even as the garden ……………………..V10C. Then, ……………………………………………….V11a.

D. i. Abram dwelled ……………………………………………V12a.

ii. Lot dwelled ………………………………….V12b.

E. But the men of Sodom …………………V13.

OUTLINES:

1. COMMON CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES

2. FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE CHOICES

1. COMMON CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES

A. There are several choices we make in life with their attendant consequences. For instance:

i. The choices we make about food and exercise influence our physical health (Prov.25:16).

ii. The choices we make about our academic pursuits often affect our careers and occupations.

iii. The choices we make in reaction to life’s adversities affect our psychological well-being (Prov.24:10).

B. Other major choices we make in life include:

i. The choice of where to live/settle may determine the peace or discomfort, blessings or troubles we will have (Gen.13:8-11; 19:13; 26:1-2, 12-13);

ii. The choice of who we marry will determine the bliss we enjoy or the blows we endure (Prov.18:22; 31:28; Prov.21:19; 1Kgs.11:4).

iii. The choice of the friends we keep will determine how far we go and the quality of life we live (Prov.13:20; 18:24; 2Sam. 13:5; 10-14, 28-29).

iv. The choice we make to be different will determine whether or not we will stand out from the crowd (Dan.1:8, 19; Heb.11:24-26).

v. The choice we make whether to serve God or not will determine the eternal reward we will get (Josh.24:15; Rev.22:11-12).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: What can be done to forestall the consequence of a wrong choice that is already made?

2. FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE CHOICES

A. Many factors influence the choices we make in life.

i. Right Knowledge: We need to crave the right knowledge in order to be well informed (Prov.18:15).

ii. Self-control: It will help guide our choices and prevent us from making irrational decisions (Jam.1:19; 1 Sam. 25:10).

iii. Planning and Vision: We must make good plans and be guided by a good vision before we make a choice (Ruth 3:1-4; Prov.16:3, 9).

iv. Prayer: More importantly, prayers will enable us to key into the mind of God (1Sam.30:7-8; Ps.37:5, 23).

v. Correct Mind Frame: We must strive to always have the correct mind frame all the time (Prov.4:23).

B. Conversely, pride, hypocrisy, doubt and negative thoughts among others, will hinder us from making the right choices (Prov.11:2; Ps.10:4; Isa.32:6; Jam.1:8).

Many factors influence the choices we make in life. We need to crave for the right knowledge in order to be well informed (Prov.18:15). Self-control will help guide our choices and prevent us from making irrational decisions (Jam.1:19; 1Sam. 25:10). We must make good plans and be guided by a good vision before we make a choice (Ruth 3:1-4; Prov.16:3, 9). More importantly, prayers will enable us to key into the mind of God (1Sam.30:7-8; Ps.37:5, 23).

We must strive to always have the correct mind frame all the time (Prov.4:23).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2:

Students should discuss other factors that influence people’s choices.

SUMMARY:Our choices in life are influenced by many factors, but they are not without attendant outcomes.

CONCLUSION: If we have made a wrong choice in the past, it is time to forgive ourselves and move on with life as we make necessary corrections to avoid any repetition of such.

QUESTIONS:

* Give three (3) examples of life’s choices and their consequences.

* Mention some factors that can hinder us from making the right choices

EVALUATION: Mention the common choices and their attendant consequences.

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, please help me to make godly choices always in Jesus’ name.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) ways your choices have affected you either positively or negatively (2×5=10 Marks).