TOPIC: A Scriptural Approach Family Planning [Sunday, 29th April 2018]

OPENING PRAYER: (Scroll down for SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN)

Bible Passage: Psalm 127:3-5 (KJV)

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

MEMORY VERSE: “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Psalm 127:3

LESSON INTRODUCTION: According to the World Health Organization (WHO) “Family planning allows individuals and couples to anticipate and attain their desired number of children and the spacing and timing of their births. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of involuntary infertility.” It is important to examine God’s plan for the institution called “family” and to understand the reasons for us to also plan our families.

OBJECTIVES
i. Discover the biblical view on family planning.
ii. Understand reasons for family planning.

TEXT REVIEW: PSALM 127: 3-5
The Lord builds the family like ‘a house. Psalm 127:1
An expert who wants to build without God will labour in vain. Psalm 127:1
The Lord gives children. Psalm 127:3.
Experts who thought they can use their skills to produce children will labour in vain. Psalm 127: 1
Since children are gifts from God, those who receive the gifts and train them in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6)would enjoy the following benefits:
a. They will have reward for their exploits. Psalm 127:2-3
b. They will be strong and have courage in battle. Psalm 127:4
c. They will be happy. Psalm 127:5.
d. They shall not be ashamed. Psalm 127:5
e. They will speak and the enemies will not be able to contend against them. Psalm 127:5
f. They will enjoy sweet rest. Psalm 127:2 What happens when parents fail to train up the child? Such parents stand the great risk of trouble and sorrow at their old age. I Sam. 2:12-22

LESSON OUTLINES

Lesson Outline 1: THE BIBLICAL VIEW
I. Class to discuss briefly the issue of family planning in the secular i.e.
i. What the class understands by family planning.
ii. Benefits of family planning.
iii. Dangers related to it, etc. (Note) The discussion does not need medical expertise or competence. it is just to elicit information from the students.

II. Teacher should lead students through the scriptures to discover the premium which God places on children, fruitfulness and child bearing as indicated below:
a. God’s command is that we should be fruitful and multiply. Gen. 1:28.
b. Children are great blessings from God. Ps. 127:3.
c. Children are weapons of defense. Ps. 127:4.
d. Children are ones pride and joy. Ps. 127:5; Prov. 27:11.
e. God cherishes children as tools for propagating His kingdom. Mk.10:14-16.

III. Teacher should round off the session by pointing out to the students that:
a. God does not want children to suffer because of inadequate care.
b. God does not want parents to suffer because of risk associated with mother’s health and child bearing.
c. God does not want us to produce or bear children we cannot raise. Note: Jeremiah 29:11.

Lesson Outline 2: REASONS FOR FAMILY PLANNING
i. Every parent is required to consider how to take care of children before bearing them
ii. Parents must provide enough food, clothing, shelter and adequate education for their children. These consideration should help to determine how many children they need
iii. Failure to consider these necessities of life would produce poverty in the family and society.
iv. Teacher should discuss the under-listed items which necessitate birth control (Not Abortion).

a. Priorities and necessities; This is to meet other pressing needs such as shelter, career, education, economy, etc. Prov. 16:9.
b. Resources: Adequate provision is needed for every child. It is a sin to raise children you cannot cater for.1 Tim. 5:8.
c. Health, especially of the mother: If and when the fife of the mother is at risk, birth control should be considered. Eph. 5:28-29.
d. Pleasure: This may be to give room for marital and sexual intimacy. 1Cor. 7:3-5.
e. Governmental policy: Many nations have policy on the acceptable number of children for each family in order to regulate their population.
v. Teacher should discuss the need for those in need of family planning to consult medical expert to prevent medical hazard.
vi. Teacher should NOT recommend any approach or methods to any married student. All decisions on the matter should be left to the family to take.

Class Activity 1-2:

Students who participate in the discussion should be scored marks for class activities.

SUMMARY: Bear only children you can care for.

CONCLUSION:
God’s plan for man is to be fruitful and multiply – Gen. 1:28. However, we must be wise and ensure that we raise children that we can cater for. Pro.4:7; Eccl. 10:10b

EVALUATION:
Identity the reasons for family planning.

CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, do not let me be guilty of my children.

ASSIGNMENT:
Give five reasons why some people still continue to raise or bear children they know that they cannot cater for.

Read previous RCCG Sunday School Teacher’s Manual Here

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 old 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 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?

The post RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 29th April 2018 Lesson 35 – A Scriptural Approach Family Planning appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Assurance Of Victory [DCLM Daily Manna Saturday April 28, 2018]

Text: Jeremiah 20:7-18 (KJV)

Key Verse: “But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten” (Jeremiah 20:11).

MESSAGE:

A girl was walking home alone on a dangerous road after school hours, when she saw a man hanging around suspiciously. She prayed God to see her through. Later that night as she watched the news on television, she recognized the man on the dangerous alley being paraded and questioned by the police. He had raped and murdered a girl at the spot. He told the officers that another girl had passed by the moments before. Asked why he did not attack the first girl, he said there was a man walking beside her! God is with us, closer to us than we can ever imagine. He is infinitely greater than our fears and the enemy!

Jeremiah found himself in a perplexing situation. He was like a lone ranger hated by everyone around him because of his stand for the truth. He felt deceived and unjustly lured into ministry because he could not see God standing with him during times of trouble. He opted to quit but the compelling power of God made it impossible for him. “…But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones…” He almost saw himself a failure.

If God has appointed you, you cannot fail as long as you stay within the determined territory of His appointment. No power will be able to stand before you if you are truly converted and divinely ordained to accomplish a mission.

We must display an iron-cast resolve to serve God. Jesus did not promise a trouble-free life for His followers. His promise is “…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen”. This understood, the wise servant should live a wholesome life of holiness and serve the Lord till the end.

Thought For The Day: A Refuge and Strength is God for the fully surrendered.

Bible Reading in one Year: Psalms 81; 88; 92-93

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

Flatimes’ Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

The post DCLM Daily Manna 28 April, 2018 by Pastor Kumuyi – Assurance Of Victory appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Giving Life All It Takes [Seeds of Destiny Saturday April 28, 2018]

Scripture: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house. – Acts 20:20

Thought For The Day: “When you give life all it takes, it gives you all it contains.”

Our present life is not a rehearsal for a future life but a reality. The challenge is, there are many people who draw themselves back from doing what they should do. This is not supposed to be so.

Now, let me give you seven key thoughts on maximizing your life:

i) “When you give life all it takes, it gives you all it contains” Papa Oyedepo.
Life cannot give you what it contains until you give it all it takes.

ii) The best of life answers to the best of man
Whatever you do in life – whether you are a manager of a company or a cleaner in an organization; the best of life answers to the best of your input, including time and effort.

iii) Average input cannot produce excellent outcome
You cannot give average and expect to end in excellence

v) What you sow determines what you will reap
Those who sow mediocrity will reap obscurity; those who sow quality reap notability. Daniel was a man of quality who reaped notability.

vi) God Rewards Excellence
God rewards excellence with prominence, abundance and means.

Beloved, my counsel is, whatever you do; give it all it takes. Your habit determines your habitat. The way you behave affects what you become. Refuse to do a shabby job; pay attention to details.

Remember this: “When you give life all it takes, it gives you all it contains”

Assignments:
1. Approach everything you do with a mentality of quality and excellence.
2. Pay attention to details in everything you do.

Prayer: O Lord, I ask for the baptism of an excellent Spirit. Help me Lord, to give life all it takes, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: GIVING LIFE ALL IT TAKES.

Daily Bible Reading: Judges 8:18 to 9:21, Luke 23:44 to 24:12, Psalm 99:1-9, Proverbs 14:9-10

Amazing Fact: Women are born better smellers than men and remain better smellers over life.

Today In History: 28/04/1686 – The first volume of Isaac Newton’s “Principia Mathamatic” was published

Quote: Excellence is our heritage; mediocrity is a misrepresentation of the Divine Nature. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP by Dr Paul Enenche.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Seeds of Destiny by Pastor Paul Enenche“

Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Pastor Paul and Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

The post Seeds of Destiny 28 April 2018 by Pastor Paul Enenche: Giving Life All It Takes appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: You Are Free From Every Captivity [TREM Devotional Saturday April 28, 2018]

“And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the self same day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt”. (Exodus 12:41 KJV)

In Christ, you have been delivered and set free from all forms of satanic bondage. The devil will never see your face again. The challenge you’re faced with now, will not cause you pain anymore. Those things that have been terrorizing you will never see your face again. Those things that you have been afraid of will never see your face again. If the blood of lambs brought deliverance from Egypt, much more shall the blood of Jesus, the Son of God guarantee your freedom.

The time is up for every Pharaoh in your life. The Pharaoh that has withstood you for years, hindering your progress and delaying the manifestation of God’s grace even after God has spoken, shall let you go. You are set free from this moment. You are set free from the shackles of depression, intimidation, frustration and limitations. You are set free! It is a new day for you! Rejoice and celebrate your victory. Something is beginning afresh. By virtue of our relationship with Jesus, He is the head and we are His body. Whoever touches you has touched Christ. We are the apple of His eyes. The devil is in trouble! Your battle is His battle and He will fight for you.

From this moment forward, your fear will fear you. From this moment forward, every attack against your life is nullified. Issues and challenges around your marriage are settled. I declare that yokes are destroyed, fetters are loosed and chains are broken. Things are being reversed in your favour. Every counsel taken together against you shall come to nought. When they speak, it shall not stand because God, the Almighty God, is with you. I see you going from victory to victory.

Further Reading: Exodus 12:29-42, Colossians 1:12-13

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 1 Kings 3-5; Evening- Luke 20:1-26

If you missed yesterday devotional click to read “TREM’s Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

The post TREM Devotional 28 April 2018 by Dr. Mike Okonkwo – You Are Free From Every Captivity. appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: On-the-Job Training [Our Daily Bread 28 Saturday April, 2018]

Read: 2 Timothy 1:6–14, Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 3–5; Luke 20:1–26

Of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 2 Timothy 1:11

When my son’s teacher asked me to serve as a chaperone for their science camp, I hesitated. How could I be a role model when mistakes littered my past, when I still struggled, stumbled, and slipped into old bad habits? God helped me love and raise my son, but I often doubted He could use me to serve others.

Sometimes I still fail to recognize that God—the only perfect One, the only One who can change hearts and lives—transforms us over time. Then the Holy Spirit reminds me how Paul encouraged Timothy to embrace his on-the-job training, persevere in faith, and use the gifts God had given him (2 Timothy 1:6). Timothy could be courageous because God, his power source, would help him love and be disciplined as he continued to grow and serve those within his sphere of influence (v. 7).

Christ saves and empowers us to honor Him with our lives, not because we have special qualifications but because we’re each valuable members of His family (v. 9).

We can persevere with confidence when we know our role is to simply love God and others. Christ’s role is to save us and give us a purpose that extends beyond our small vision of the world. As we follow Jesus daily, He transforms us while using us to encourage others as we share His love and truth wherever He sends us.

Prayer: Lord, thanks for affirming we can depend on You completely as we share You cheerfully, confidently, and courageously.

Knowing our Power-Source personally gives us confidence in our role as servants to the King.

Insight:

In today’s reading Paul notes how God has “called us to a holy life” (2 Timothy 1:9)—a life set apart for Him. Such a life involves God’s calling and our obedience. So Paul urged Timothy to “fan into flame” his spiritual gift (v. 6).

What does it mean to “fan into flame” our gift? One key is to acknowledge God in everything. Perhaps we need to trust Him in a big trial. We may need to acknowledge Him in “trivial” matters. As we give Him our huge challenges and the aggravating details, He completes His work in us. He loves us enough to work on us for a lifetime. Tim Gustafson

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE”

This message was written By Xochitl Dixon [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

The post Our Daily Bread (ODB) Devotional 28 April 2018 – On-the-Job Training appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Follow Your Dream [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Saturday April 28, 2018]

And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee. – Exodus 3:11-12

Have you ever had a Holy Spirit-inspired dream, a dream of doing something really great for Jesus? A dream of being so prosperous, for instance, that you can finance a nationwide revival? A dream of leading thousands of people to the Lord?

At one time or another, you probably have, but perhaps you backed away from it. You thought, Oh my, I couldn’t do that. Satan’s kept me defeated for so long I have a poor self-image.

If so, I have some good news for you. If you’ll believe God, even a poor self-image won’t keep you from success. Look in the book of Exodus and you’ll see a man who proved that. His name was Moses.

Moses didn’t have a very good self-image. He’d made a terrible mistake early in his career. It was a mistake that drove him into the wilderness and kept him there for 40 years herding someone else’s sheep.

He’d once dreamed of being a deliverer of God’s people, but no more. As far as he was concerned, he was finished…a failure…a flop!

But God didn’t think so. In fact, when God came to Moses in that wilderness, He didn’t ask for Moses’ credentials. He didn’t mention his shady history. He just told him to go see Pharaoh and tell him to let God’s people go.

Moses, however, was still wrestling with his poor self-image. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” he stammered.

You know what God said in response? He just said, “Certainly, I will be with thee.”

You see, it didn’t matter who Moses was. What mattered was that the living God was with him. The same thing is true for you today. You don’t need a history of successes behind you to answer God’s call. You don’t need a string of spiritual credentials. All you need is the presence of the Lord.

Think about that when the devil tells you you’re a failure, when he says you’ll never be able to do what God has put in your heart to do. Put him in his place. Tell him it doesn’t matter who you are because the living God is with you.

Then dare to follow your dream!

Scripture Reading: Exodus 3:1-14

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s Daily Devotional Here’’

This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith – prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.

The post Kenneth & Gloria Copeland Devotional 28 April 2018 – Follow Your Dream appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: Degrees Of Denial [Andrew Wommack Saturday April 28, 2018]

Matthew 10:33, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”

Text: Matthew 10:32-33

This word “deny” can mean a variety of things from as little as “to assert the contrary of” to “to disavow; disown.” For example, we can see that it must have been the lesser type of denial which was committed by Peter because God certainly forgave Peter’s sin and continued using him. In Hebrews 6:4-6, the Lord states that there is no repentance from total denial of the Lord (Heb. 10:29). Therefore, even though Peter denied (asserted he did not know) the Lord, he did not disown or disavow the Lord.

No believer desires to deny our Lord, but failing to provide for spiritual health is the first step in that direction. Remembering this will help motivate us to seek the Lord as we know we should. It takes more than desire; it takes preparation. We have all been taught how to rely on ourselves, but we have to learn anew how to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Eph. 6:10). Just as in the physical realm, muscles have to be exercised to become strong, so we have to exercise ourselves unto Godliness (1 Tim. 4:7).

Many people have been tormented by fear in thinking that they have denied the Lord because of some type of sin in their life. However, God looks on the heart (1 Sam. 16:7) and, regardless of how offensive our actions or words might be, if there is still a place in our hearts where we honor Him, He will not deny us (2 Tim. 2:12-13).

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Andrew Wommack’s Daily Devotional HERE

This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).

The post Andrew Wommack’s Devotional 28 April 2018 – Degrees Of Denial appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: The Unpayable Debt [Billy Graham’s Devotional Saturday April 28, 2018]

Who gave himself for our sins . . . — Galatians 1:4

Years ago King Charles V was loaned a large sum of money by a merchant in Antwerp. The note came due, but the king was bankrupt and unable to pay. The merchant gave a great banquet for the King. When all the guests were seated and before the food was brought in, the merchant had a large platter placed on the table and a fire lighted on it. Then, taking the note out of his pocket, he held it in the flames until it was burned to ashes. The king threw his arms around his benefactor and wept. Just so, we have been mortgaged to God. The debt was due, but we were unable to pay. Two thousand years ago God invited the world to the Gospel feast, and in the agonies of the cross, God held your sins and mine until every last vestige of our guilt was consumed.

Prayer for the day: In gratitude I kneel before You, Lord Jesus Christ.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Billy Graham’s Daily Devotional HERE

Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.

The post Billy Graham Devotional 28 April 2018 – The Unpayable Debt appeared first on Flatimes.