RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual for April 22, 2018 Lesson 34 : Topic — CHILD ABUSE

TOPIC: Child Abuse

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)

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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 handling 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.

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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.