Christian Education

MEMORY VERSE: “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” – Proverbs 10:12

BIBLE PASSAGE: Proverbs 15:1-7

LESSON INTRODUCTION:

Violence can be defined as “extreme force, action intended to cause destruction, pain or suffering, widespread fighting, injustice, wrong etc. While domestic violence is an act or threatened act of violence upon someone with whom the perpetrator is or has previously been in intimate relationship (Prov.27:4; Eccl. 7:9).Other terms used for domestic abuse include domestic abuse, battering and family violence. This ranges from use of abusive/derogatory, physical assault to the use of dangerous weapons. It has been observed that some family members, in spite of the proclaim, still engage in acts of violence against one another. Therefore, we need to find out why this is so and remedies to this act.

 LESSON OUTLINES

LESSON OUTLINE 1: FORMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

8. Physical Violence: This include flogging, bullying, battering, stoning, strangling, pushing, kicking, slapping, punching, hitting, confinement, assault with weapons, destruction of victim’s personal property/possessions or treat to do so, and murder. Gen. 4:8.
9. Verbal Abuse: This include verbal threats or intimidations to gain compliance, instilling fear or further violence, yelling or screaming, constant harassment and name calling.1 Sam. 20:30.

iii. Sexual violence: This include sexual assault (forcing someone to participate in unwanted/unsafe or degrading sexual activity), sexual harassment (ridiculing another person to try to limit their sexuality). Sexual exploitation (such as forcing someone into sex hawking). 2 Sam.:12-14.

23. Psychological Violence: Such as smoking, imitating, isolating, threatening, intimidating and exclusion from meaningful events. 2 Sam.13:22-23.
24. Emotional Violence: Such as rejection, pretending not to notice one’s presence. Gen. 21:9-11.
25. Economic Violence: This include withholding economic resources (such as money), stealing from or defrauding a partner, withholding physical resources such as food, clothes, necessary medications or shelter from a partner or children, preventing a spouse from working or choosing an occupation. 1 Tim. 5:8

vii. Religious Violence: This include preventing one’s spouse from practicing his/her religious or spiritual belief, forcing the children to be reared in a faith that a spouse has not agreed to, using a spouse religious or spiritual belief to manipulate him/her. Dan. 3:14, 20

2: CAUSES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

1. Economic hardship, unemployment, stress, provocation by the spouse.
2. Emotional/psychological issues such as depression, desperation, feeling of insecurity, suspicion and fear. Sexual infidelity, etc.
3. Character defects (jealousy, anger) alcohol and drug related issues, insincerity and deception/failed expectations.
4. Complex issue (inferiority/superiority).
5. Failure to yield to divine instructions. Gen.4:4-8.
6. Third party/interference from family, friends, colleagues, etc.
7. Environmental factors, spiritual attack, generational curses, etc.

CONCLUSION: If there is no peace in the home, the society will also be void of peace. Let us identify the root cause of violence in our families and deal with it prayerfully.

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.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Mark 10:13-16.

INTRODUCTION: According to the Merriam Webster’s dictionary, a child is “a young person. Child abuse is when a child is intentionally harmed by an adult or another child – it can be over a time frame or can also be a one-off action. It can be physical, mental, sexual, or emotional and it can happen in person or online. It can also be a lack of love, care, and attention this is neglect. The Bible tells us that whosoever harms a child is asking for God’s anger Mark 9:42.

OUTLINES

1. FORMS OF CHILD ABUSE

2. IDENTIFYING AND PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE

1. FORMS OF CHILD ABUSE

 Children are precious to God and must be well taken care of Ps. 127:3. Basically, child abuse can be physical, sexual, or emotional.

PHYSICAL ABUSE: Can be causing physical harm to a child as an act of discipline or chastisement, throwing objects, poisoning. child exploitation (trafficking, child enforced labour), neglecting to give the child 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 Kgs. 3:19, 25-26.

SEXUAL ABUSE: This is when any person engages a child any sexual activity such as fondling a child’s sexual organs engaging the child in any immoral activity such as pornography rape, defilement of the child, etc. 2 Sam. 13:10-15. 

EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE: Includes teasing,bullying, threatening, verbal abuse (such as cursing, belittling,constantly finding fault), etc. Col. 3:21.

2.IDENTIFYING AND PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE 

These are some of the signs that a child is being abused:

a) unexplained changes in behaviour or personality b) becoming withdrawn

c) seeming anxious

d) becoming uncharacteristically aggressive e) lacks social skills and has few friends, if any/low self esteem

f) poor bond or relationship with a parent

g) knowledge of adult issues inappropriate for their age h) running away or going missing

i) always choosing to wear clothes which cover their body

i) Sleeping difficulties 

k) unexplained bruises, burns or swellings,

l) lack of concentration

m) Inclination to do bad things

Child abuse most certainly will influence the child’s health education, and relationships.

Prevention of child abuse can be achieved by:

1. Government parenting skills.

2. Improved quality of childcare. 
3. Break the silence, call it out immediately, report any abuse.
4. Early and quick involvement of Social Services
5. 5. Improved quality of childcare
6. Train a child in a godly way Prov. 22:6.
7. When a child does something wrong the child should be corrected in love and not by severe punishment.
8.  Parents should always pray over their children daily.

CONCLUSION

Child abuse is one of the shames of our society and it should be stopped at all costs. Our children are our future, and they should be cherished and loved, to produce well balanced adults of tomorrow that we will be proud of.