Topic: Love in Action [Billy Graham’s Devotional Saturday April 21, 2018]

Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ . . . — Ephesians 5:2 (TLB)

There is no doubt that we need social reform. If success is ever to be realized, our generations must work together and listen to each other, which is one of the first requirements of cooperation. At this point, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is relevant as the great reconciler. The Apostle John, in his first epistle, declared, “To you, young men, I have written,” and, “To you, fathers, I have written.” This is to the young activists and to the old guard, “It is by this that we know what love is: that Christ laid down His life for us. And we in our turn are bound to lay down our lives for our brothers. But if a man has enough to live on, and yet when he sees his brother in need shuts up his heart against him, how can it be said that the divine love dwells in him? My children, love must not be a matter of words or talk; it must be genuine, and show itself in action. This is how we may know that we belong to the realm of truth” (1 John 3:16-19, NEB).

Prayer for the day: Father, when someone disagrees with my opinions, may my love not be determined by rhetoric, but by the all–encompassing love of Your Son, 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.

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Topic: Open These Windows [Teens Open Heavens 21, April 2018]

Memorise: Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. – Matthew 18:18

Read: 2 Chronicles 7:11-14 (KJV)

11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king’s house: and all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.

12 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.

13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Bible In One Year: 2 Samuel 1-3, Luke 18:1-17

MESSAGE:

Heaven has windows which can be open or shut. If shut, there will be no rain. Rivers will begin to dry up and this will bring famine and death. One way by which God judges people is by shutting the windows of Heaven over them. In Amos 4:6-9, God says He can open heavenly windows for some and shut it over some. This means that while some people are crying that things are too hard for them, others are feasting, celebrating and saying that things are really good. May the Lord open the heavenly windows over you in Jesus’ name.

God’s anointed prophets can also open or close heavenly windows. This is one reason why you must carefully relate with a genuine man of God. One pronouncement is all that the Heaven is waiting for to open or shut the windows over a person, city or nation. Do you know that as long as you remain in right standing with God, and please Him in all you do, you can leave open heavenly windows over your life? You can also command open the windows already shut. This is one key that believers have, but many have not been using. Pray for the power today!

Action Point: Pray that God will open the windows of Heaven over you and your loved ones today.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Teen Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye’’

Hymn 3:

1. There shall be showers of blessing
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing
Sent from the Savior above

Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy drop ’round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

2. There shall be showers of blessing
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

3. There shall be showers of blessing
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us a refreshing;
Come now and honour Thy Word.

4. There shall be showers of blessing
Oh that today they might fall,
now as to God we are confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.

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TOPIC: Child Abuse [Sunday, 22th April 2018]

OPENING PRAYER: Father, save our children from all manners of child abuse. Heal those children who have been abused. (Scroll down for SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN)

Bible Passage: Mark 10:13-16

13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

MEMORY VERSE: “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6

LESSON INTRODUCTION: According to Merriam Webster’s dictionary, a child is “a young person especially between infancy and youth”. Child abuse is any maltreatment of a child which causes him/her harm. Such action can also take the form of child neglect or failure to protect a child from danger especially by a parent or other care-giver. The Bible does not use the word abuse but tells us that whosoever hams a child is asking for God’s anger. Mark 9:42.

TEXT REVIEW: MARK 10:13-16
OFFENCE TO LITTLE CHILDREN
The Lord pronounced a huge judgement on those who offend the little ones who believed in Him. Words like “Millstone were hanged on his neck and were drowned in the depth of the sea” Matt. 18:6 were found in Jesus’ pronouncement of judgement.
The offence in today’s Bible passage was that the disciples of Jesus rebuked those who brought the children to be touched and the Lord was greatly displeased with their action-Mark 10:13-14. God has been very mindful of children and He places high premium on them. The scriptures support this position in the following examples:
I. He provided water for Ishmael when he cried. Ger. 21:16-20.
II. He accepted the ownership of children and mated them His heritage. Psalm 127:3
III. He compared children to arrows in the hand of the mighty. Psalm 127:4. He helped Elisha to raise the dead son of the Shunamite woman. 2 Kings 4:16-35.
IV. He carried them on the shoulder and blessed them. Mark 10:16.
V. He appoints angels to them who beholds God’s face. Matt.18:10.
VI. He assured them of the Kingdom. Mark 10:14-15 If God values children like this, then, those who plan to abuse them are looking for His trouble and before long they will find what they are looking for. Matt. 18:6

LESSON OUTLINES:
Lesson Outline 1: FORMS OF CHILD ABUSE
Child abuse takes different forms:
i. Physical Abuse: Can be excessive beating of a child especially one that leaves him/her with marks, throwing objects, poisoning, child labour (trafficking, hawking), neglecting to give the child basic necessities of life such as food, clothing, shelter, education, health care, etc. It also includes use of drugs, alcohol or any substance that will cause the child distress. 1Kgs. 3:19, 25-26; Mk. 9:42.
ii. Sexual Abuse: This is when any person engages a child in any sexual activity such as fondling a child’s sexual organs, engaging the child in any immoral activity e.g. pornography, rape, defilement of the child, etc. 2Sam. 13:10-15.
iii. Emotional/Psychological Abuse: Includes teasing, bullying, threatening, verbal abuse (such as cursing, belittling, and constantly finding fault), etc. 1Sam. 17:26-28; Col. 3:21.

Class Activity 1: Identify any other signs and prevention of child abuse in our society.

Lesson Outline 2: SIGNS AND PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE
A. Signs of Child Abuse
i. Aggressive behaviour.
ii. Low self-esteem.
iii. Sleeping difficulties
iv. Unexplained bruises.
v. Burns or swellings.
vi. Lack of concentration.
vii. Criminal Inclinations.

Child abuse may eventually lead to deformation or death.

B. Prevention of child abuse may take the following forms:
i. Early education, identification and intervention.
ii. Break the silence, report any abuse.
iii. Train a child in a godly way. Prove 22:6.
iv. It is not every wrong that should be met with punishment.

Class Activity 2: Identify any other signs and prevention of child abuse in our society.

SUMMARY: No child should be abused under any guise.

CONCLUSION: Children are very precious to God and should be well taken care of.

EVALUATION:
i. What is child abuse?
ii. How can it be controlled?

CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, make our society child-loving in Jesus’ name.

ASSIGNMENT:
Why is child abuse rampant in many so many societies today? Give 5 reasons and solutions.

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?

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Topic: Take Care Of Your Children [Open Heavens 21 April 2018, Saturday]

Memorise: “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” – Proverbs 27:23

Read: Ephesians 6:1-4(KJV)

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Bible in One Year: Judges 12-14, Titus 1.

MESSAGE:

We are mandated in today’s memory verse to diligently look after our flock. The succeeding verses outline the great rewards that accrue from doing this. Proverbs 27:26-27 says,

“26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. 27 And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.”

There is something striking about these verses of Scripture. If taking care of animals attracts so much reward, how much more would we be rewarded when we heed God’s commandment to care for our children? Unknown to many people, one of the reasons why God decide to bless Abraham so much was Abraham’s determination to transfer his worship, fear and obedience of the Almighty to his children. Genesis 18:19 says,

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

Abraham was wise enough to see to it that not only his children but all his household servants as well knew the Lord and feared Him.

When we take time to care for our children spiritually and physically, we will be happy for it. The daughter of Pharaoh who adopted Moses made a profound statement, when she handed him over to his mother, which we should take note of. In Exodus 2:9 she said:

“…Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages…”

When we see children as the Lord’s heritage and not as our possessions, we will be careful to train them for God and not for ourselves (Psalm 127:3). When we do this, their original Owner will reward us handsomely. Proverbs 23:24-25 mentions some of these rewards:

“24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. 25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.”

Beloved, only children trained in the fear of the Lord will grow up to be righteous and wise. So, take care of your children by instilling the fear of the Lord in them, and serve as a role model of the righteousness of God to them.

Prayer Point: Father, please give me the wisdom and ability to take care of the children You put in my care to the glory of your Name.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Open Heavens 20 April 2018 Friday — No Food For The Lazy Man

Hymn 17: God, Give Us Christian Homes

1. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the Master’s will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty Your love has wrought;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

2. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

3. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the mother, in caring quest,
Strives to show others Your way is best,
Homes where the Lord is an honored guest;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

4. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

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