RCCG YAYA Sunday School Students Manual 14 April 2024 Lesson 33 – Drug/Substance Abuse
Click HERE for Previous RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual
TOPIC: Drug/Substance Abuse (RCCG Sunday School Manual For Young Adults And Youths (YAYA)
MEMORY VERSE: “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” – Proverbs 25:28 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Ephesians 5:6-12 (KJV) (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 14 April 2024 HYMN)
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
Also Read:
– RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 14 April 2024: Broken Homes
– RCCG YAYA Sunday School Teacher Manual 14 April 2024 – Drug/Substance Abuse
– Open Heaven 14 April 2024 – In One Accord
– RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 14 April 2024: Broken Homes
INTRODUCTION: Drug or substance abuse is the maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress. People use illicit (hard) drugs for different reasons. Stimulants (cocaine, nicotine, caffeine, etc.) speed up messages travelling between the brain and the body. They make one feel awake and energized. Depressants (Alcohol, heroin, codeine, Tramadol, inhalants, etc.) reduce the level of stimulation and arousal. They slow down a person’s ability to respond to unexpected situations. Hallucinogens (ecstasy, cannabis, etc.) cause profound distortions in a person’s perceptions of reality, otherwise known as hallucinations. The usage of drugs in itself is not evil but abuse.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- EXCUSES AND EFFECTS
- ANTIDOTES TO DRUG/SUBSTANCE ABUSE
1. EXCUSES AND EFFECTS
There are several excuses for the prevalence of drug/substance abuse among youths. Some of which include:
- Peer Pressure (1 Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 1:10).
- Undue Exposure: Youths tend to practice what they watch others do (Exodus 23:2). Also, exposure to high-risk jobs could lead to drug misuse.
- Curiosity: Many youths want to indulge in DIY (do it yourself) in order to have a feeling of the effect of the drugs (Romans 1:24).
- Unpleasant situations: Wrong belief that drugs will ameliorate the seemingly unpleasant situation (Proverbs 24:10; Ecclesiastes 7:14).
- Family Breakdown: Dysfunctional family may encourage drug abuse (Luke 11:17b).
The adverse effect of drug/substance abuse can be biological (Liver damage, Cancer of the lungs, Diabetes, impotence, infertility, accidents, and eventual death); psychological (Depression, Psychosis, suicide, low self-esteem, personality changes, etc.); social (unfulfilled dreams, marital disharmony, financial difficulties, relational problems, irrational decisions, etc.); spiritual(Prayerlessness, lack of interest in the things of God, apostasy, spiritual death, etc.). Summarily, destruction awaits anyone engaging in drug/substance abuse (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should disclose if they always consult a physician before using any drug.
2. ANTIDOTES TO DRUG/SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Christians are all required to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us including our earthly bodies (1 Peter 4:10). As Christians, our bodies are not our own – we “have been bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We need to be sober and avoid being ensnared through deception (1 Peter 4:7). 1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us that “…evil communications corrupt good manners.” It is therefore, expedient to keep godly friends (2 Corinthians 6:14; Psalm 1:1) and flee from youthful lust (2Timothy 2:22). Parents/guardians must be positive role models and be familiar with their children’s friends (Titus 2:7). Intentional teaching of the undiluted word of God (Romans 14:19), mentoring and discipleship, (2 Timothy 2:2) should be put in place to forestall the spread of drug/substance abuse.
Peradventure you are already involved; know that there is a way out. Pray to God for forgiveness and seek help from a pastor and/or professional. Do not let the devil deceive you that it is too late (James 5:16).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should make a conscious effort to reach out to anyone they know who is suffering from drug/substance abuse.
CONCLUSION: All hands must be on deck to fight drug/substance abuse.
QUESTIONS:
- What is drug/substance abuse?
- Mention two effects of drug/substance abuse.
FURTHER READING:
Sunday: John 9:31 (KJV)
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Monday: Psalm 10:17 (KJV)
Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
Tuesday: Joshua 10:12 (KJV)
Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
Wednesday: Numbers 11:2 (KJV)
And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire was quenched.
Thursday: Psalm 34:15 (KJV)
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
Friday: John 9:31 (KJV)
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Saturday: 1 Samuel 12:18 (KJV)
So Samuel called unto the Lord; and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.
ASSIGNMENT: Suggest what the church can do to put an end to drug abuse (2×5=10 marks).
SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
- 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. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee - 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. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
