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

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 (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.

INTRODUCTION:

According to the 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 a 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 harms a child is asking for God’s anger (Mark 9:42).

LESSON OUTLINES:
1. Forms of child abuse
2. Signs and prevention of child abuse

FORMS OF CHILD ABUSE

Basically, child abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional.

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 (1 Kings 3:19, 25-26; Mark 9:42).

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. (2Samuel 13:10-15).

EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE: Includes teasing, bullying, threatening, verbal abuse (such as cursing, belittling, constantly finding fault), etc. (1 Samuel 17:26-28; Colossians 3:21).

SIGNS AND PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE
These are some of the signs that a child is being abused: aggressive behaviour, low self-esteem, sleeping difficulties, unexplained bruises, burns or swellings, lack of concentration and criminal inclinations. Child abuse may eventually lead to deformation or death.

Prevention of child abuse may take the following forms:
1. Early education, identification and intervention.
2. Break the silence, report any abuse.
3. Train a child in a godly way (Proverbs 22:6).
4. It is not every wrong that should be met with capital punishment.

CONCLUSION:
Child abuse is a menace that must be dealt with holistically in the fear of God. Children are precious to God and must be well taken care of (Psalm 127:3).

QUESTIONS:
1. Mention three forms of child abuse.
2. State at least two ways of preventing child abuse.

Click to read previous RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual April 15th, 2018 Lesson 33 — Conflict Management In The Family

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: Our Basic Need [Billy Graham’s Devotional Friday April 20, 2018]

. . . he hath set his love upon me . . . — Psalm 91:14

A basic need of mankind is affection. Those who “abide in Him” are objects of God’s affection and love. You cannot say that you are friendless when Christ has said, “Henceforth I call you not servants … but I have called you friends” (John 15:15). To you who lament the fact that you have been bereft of affection and love in this life, I happily commend Christ. He loved you enough to lay down His life for you. Not only that, but by His atonement upon the cross, He purchased the favor of God in your behalf, and now through Him you may be the recipient of the grace and love of God without measure.

Prayer for the day: Thank You for Your love, Father, that no matter where I am—in whatever situation—You are there, loving me.

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: The Art of Forgiveness [Our Daily Bread 20th Friday April, 2018]

Read: Luke 15:11–24, Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 9–11; Luke 15:11–32

While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

One afternoon I spent two hours at an art exhibit—The Father & His Two Sons: The Art of Forgiveness—in which all of the pieces were focused on Jesus’s parable of the prodigal son (see Luke 15:11–31). I found Edward Riojas’s painting The Prodigal Son especially powerful. The painting portrays the once wayward son returning home, wearing rags and walking with his head down. With a land of death behind him, he steps onto a pathway where his father is already running toward him. At the bottom of the painting are Jesus’s words, “But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion” (v. 20 kjv).

I was deeply moved by realizing once more how God’s unchanging love has altered my life. When I walked away from Him, He didn’t turn His back, but kept looking, watching, and waiting. His love is undeserved yet unchanging; often ignored yet never withdrawn.

We all are guilty, yet our heavenly Father reaches out to welcome us, just as the father in this story embraced his wayward son. “Let’s have a feast and celebrate,” the father told the servants. “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (vv. 23–24).

The Lord still rejoices over those who return to Him today—and that’s worth celebrating!

Prayer: Father, as we receive Your love and forgiveness, may we also extend it to others in Your name.

God’s love for us is undeserved yet unchanging.

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

This message was written By David C. McCasland [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

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Topic: You Are Called To Succeed [TREM’s Devotional Friday April 20, 2018]

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8 KJV

Stop making excuses for your failure. Your failure begins from the moment you felt that somebody made you fail. That is when you really failed. When I read Joshua 1:8, it is clear that my success or failure is not contingent on what any person does or does not do. The critical thing is what I do with what is in the book. Reading that passage, I saw the success principle. “This book”, represents information. “Shall not depart out of my mouth”, that speaks of confession. “Meditate therein day and night”, that means you should fill your thoughts with the Word consistently. When you have done that, then you, not God, shall make your way prosperous.

Through the Word of God, I can make my way prosperous. So stop calling somebody. Stop making excuses. Enough of excuses, feed on the Word, then go out there and make your way prosperous. Get into the Word and build your life on it so that you can be all that God wants you to be.

There is no person in the world that God has not earmarked for greatness. There is a deposit in you that somebody is waiting on and you are sitting down making excuses. Rise up and be what God has called you to be. The days of failure are over. You are called to succeed. You are a success waiting to happen. What was in Abraham is in you. “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29 KJV). You are an heir according to the promise. You are loaded. You are too loaded to fail.

Further Reading: Psalm 1:1-3, Deuteronomy 28:2-12

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 2 Samuel 9-11; Evening- Luke 15:11-32

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.

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Topic: Be Supernatural God’s Way [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Friday April 20, 2018]

And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me?… Lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. – Exodus 14:15-16

If you hang around God very much, it won’t be long before you’ll start wanting to do things the world considers supernatural. You’ll start wanting to lay hands on the sick and have them recover. You’ll start wanting to cast out demons. You’ll start wanting to cast mountainous problems into the sea.

What’s more, you can do it if you want to!

How? Not by jumping out and “trying” to do supernatural things, but by obeying God one step at a time. By doing the things He’s already given you power to do.

That’s how it happened with Moses. He didn’t have the power to divide the Red Sea. But he did have the power to stretch his rod out over it. And when he did that in obedience to the Lord’s command, the Holy Spirit did the rest.

It will be the same way with you. When you start doing your part, the Holy Spirit will do His and supernatural things will start happening around you.

What is your part? Feeding on the Word. Praying in the spirit. Listening to what the Spirit of God says to you. As you do those things, as you begin to move as God impresses you to move and take your direction from Him, you’ll flow in the supernatural as naturally as a bird flies in the air.

You won’t struggle and strain and try to “part the sea.” You’ll just trust the Lord and stretch out your rod…and watch the miracles roll.

Scripture Reading: Exodus 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 20 April 2018 – Be Supernatural God’s Way appeared first on Flatimes.

Topic: The Sower’s Efforts [Teens Open Heavens 20, April 2018]

Memorise: He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. Proverbs 28:19

Read: Matthew 13:3-8 (KJV)

3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Bible In One Year: 1 Samuel 30-31, Luke 17:20-37

MESSAGE:

The parable of the sower is an interesting story that is still relevant to us today. In life, everyone attempting to move to the next level is a sower, and the seeds are his efforts. As a person who is in school, you are always attempting to move to the next level or the next class, and this makes you a sower. Your efforts invested in reading, doing assignments and preparations are the seed sown towards realization of your goal. There are many things that can steal your seeds before it grows, and leave you empty handed. Laziness is a very dangerous thing in the life of a student, and it is something you must be very careful of. Procrastination is another thing that kills your seed. When you are supposed to read, or do your assignments and you postpone it, you might end up not doing it at all, which would impact you negatively down the road.

Your seed is very important to you as a sower, because it is an investment in your future. Put maximum efforts into reading, studying, doing your assignments and attending classes when due. Your seed will yield 100 fold in Jesus’ name.

Action Point: If your effort towards success is not commensurate with your expected level of success, it will breed disappointment. Step up your effort in every area of your life.

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

Hymn 2:

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

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: The Greatest Question [DCLM Daily Manna Friday April 20, 2018]

Text: Psalm 15:1-5 (KJV)

Key Verse: “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?” (Psalm 15:1).

MESSAGE:

Many people live as if they would continue on the earth forever. Their ambitions, plans, conduct and dispositions are all earth-bound. They labour endlessly to be acclaimed as masters of the universe. Their thoughts never stretch beyond this realm of the flesh. They are at best mildly irritated, and at worst frightened by any talk of life after life. They wilfully side-step the greatest question of what happens after this life.

It takes only the wise to ruminate on the fact that life cannot possibly end here on earth. David knew this, and he acknowledged that the greatest thing that can happen to any man is to be reunited with his Creator when life on earth comes to an end. He sought to know those that would be privileged enough to reside in God’s holy Hill. The response he got from God was just as simple as it was profound. God told him that the upright, who are not slanderous, who do not perpetrate evil against others, but who stand against evil people; those that honour God, who are truthful, trustworthy and are not exploitative or fraudulent, have their place reserved in heaven. “He that doeth these things shall never be moved,” the Lord told David.

All men will live forever, although not all will end in the same destination. Some will turn up in hell to serve punishment eternally for their sinful conducts. Others will spend eternity – time without end – in heaven. To enjoy this privilege, you should turn away from all things that contravene His holy standards. Accept the ultimate price Christ paid for your sins, receive Him as your Saviour, and live to please Him for the rest of your life.

Thought For The Day: Jesus is the answer to life’s greatest question.

Bible Reading in one Year: Psalms 121; 123-125; 128-130

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.

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Topic: Living To Worship And Serve God [Seeds of Destiny Friday April 20, 2018]

Scripture: This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. Isaiah 43:21.

Thought For The Day: To worship God is to make Him your reason for existence.

Our anchor Scripture makes it clear that we exist to worship and serve God. The implication of this is, until you worship and serve God with your life, you cannot maximize your life or make the most of it.

Now, what does living to worship and serve God mean?
1. It is living to spend and be spent for God
When you live to worship and serve God, you spend your time and energy for Him.

2. It is making God the sole reason for your existence
When you live to worship and serve God, you make Him the preeminent reason for your existence and you pour out your life for Him.

3. It is being excited with the things of God
One who lives to worship God is excited when it is time to pray; he is happy with anything that has to do with God.

4. It is being absolutely dedicated to God
When you are absolutely dedicated to God, people would tell you that you are wasting your life, energy, resources or time for God. Every lover of God is a life waster in the eyes of men of the world. But such a ‘waste’ of life is the best form of wastage on earth.

My counsel is, live to worship and serve God; decide to give God pleasure with your life. Run the errands of God and do His biddings.

Remember this: To worship God is to make Him your reason for existence.

Assignments:
1. Decide to give God pleasure with your life, energy, time and resources.
2. Maintain an unbroken relationship with God.

Prayer: O LORD, I ask for the grace to give You pleasure with my life, time, energy and resources. Help me to live solely to worship and serve You, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: MAKING THE MOST OF LIFE (PART 1).

Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 21:1 to 22:20, Luke 20:1 to 26, Psalm 89:1 to 13, Proverbs 13:15 to 16

Amazing Fact: An eye is composed of more than 2 million working parts.

Today In History: 20/04/1940 – The First electron microscope was demonstrated by RCA

Quote: To get to the Top, you must give top priority to your relationship with God. 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.

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