LESSON 20 16th
January, 2022.
BIBLICAL
PERSPECTIVE OF SELF-DEFENCE
OPENING PRAYER: Father, You
are my shield, please protect me from all attacks.
PREVIOUS
KNOWLEDGE:
Teacher should review the lesson for the previous week.
TODAY’S LESSON
1. OPENING
I. BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 22:35-38.
II. MEMORY VERSE: “Let the high praises of God
be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand.” Psalms
149:6.
III. LESSON INTRODUCTION: As
Christians, we believe that God is able to protect us from both physical and
spiritual attacks (Ps.7:10; Zech.12:8). We must be trusting and
dependent like little children toward God and He must be our strength and
safety (Ps.28:7). However, in the world today, crime and violence are on
the increase. Christians are like sheep among wolves (Matt.10:16). In
most cases, they are in the most vulnerable state partly due to Christ’s
injunction in Matthew 5:39 and Paul’s words in Romans 12:17-21.
TEACHER’S
DIARY
I. LESSON AIM: To teach the
students their right to Self-defence.
II. TEACHING OBJECTIVES: At the
end of this lesson, students should be able to:
a. Define
the term self-defence.
b. Explain
the difference between self-defence and retaliation.
c. Give
biblical clues about God’s attitude towards self-defence.
d. Learn the
proper use of self-defence.
III. TEACHING
PLAN: To achieve the above-stated objectives, teacher
should:
a. Allow the students to recite the memory verse, read
the Bible passage, contribute to discussion, do class activities and
assignment.
b. Allow the Assistant Teacher to see to the well-being
of the class, mark attendance and assignment.
c. Teach the lesson outlines, summarise, conclude,
evaluate the lesson and give assignment to the students.
IV. TEXT REVIEW: Luke 22:35-38.
Jesus, in an attempt to prepare His disciples for the
challenges ahead, had the following conversation with them:
A. Jesus said unto
them, when I sent you without a purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any
thing? V35a.
i. And they
said..................................................................................V35b.
ii. Then He said to them, he that
.........................................................V36a.
iii. And he that
.....................................................................................V36c.
B. Jesus also said:
i. What is written
................................................................................V37a.
ii. The things
concerning Him................................................................V37b.
C. The Disciples said:
i. Lord, behold
.....................................................................................V38a
ii. Jesus said unto
them ..........................................................................V38b.
V. TEACHING METHOD: Question and Answer
Teaching Method.
VI. TIME MANAGEMENT: Teacher should
apply two-lesson outlines teaching time.
2.
LESSON OUTLINES
LESSON OUTLINE 1: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SELF-DEFENCE?
1. Question: What is
self-defence?
Answer:
Self-defence is defined as "protecting oneself from injury at the hand of
others." Self-defence involves preserving one's own health, life and
property when it is threatened by the actions of others (Neh.4:7-23;
Lk.11:21).
2. Question: Is there
any distinction between self-defence and vengeance?
Answer: Yes,
there is a distinction between self-defence and vengeance (retaliation or
reprisal attack). The difference can be explained in the following ways:
a. Self-defence
is neither about taking vengeance nor about premeditated attack on others.
b. Jesus’
command to “turn the other cheek” (Matt.5:39) has to do with our
response to personal slights and offenses.
c. Some
situations may call for self-defence, but not retaliation in kind.
d. The
context of Jesus’ command is His teaching against the idea of “eye for
eye, and tooth for tooth” (Verse 38).
e. Our
self-defence is not a vengeful reaction to an offense.
f. Many
offenses can simply be absorbed in forbearance and love (Rom.12:17-21).
3. Question:
Are there Biblical clues about God’s attitude towards self-defence?
Answer:
Yes, for instance:
i. “If the
thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no
guilt for his bloodshed. If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for
his bloodshed.” (Ex.22:2-3). Two basic principles taught in this text
are the right to own private property and the right to defend that property.
ii. Jesus
explicitly commands His followers to buy a sword, even if they have to sell
their cloak to do so (Lk. 22:35-38). Jesus knew that there would be a
time when His followers would be threatened, and He upheld their right to
self-defence.
iii. However,
Jesus told Peter not to use his sword because Jesus must be arrested, put on
trial and die (Matt. 26:51-52).
iv. Jesus
took prudent measures to protect Himself from harm until it was time for Him to
die (Lk.4:28-30).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students
should discuss the ways Jesus protected Himself from harm until His appointed
time to die. Teacher should guide the class with the following scriptures (Jn.8:59;
Jn.10:39).
LESSON OUTLINE 2: WHAT SHOULD A CHRISTIAN DO?
1. Question: Does the
Bible forbid self-defence?
Answer: No, the
Bible never forbids self-defence (Ps.144:1).
2. Question: Are
believers allowed to defend themselves?
Answer: Yes,
Believers are allowed to defend themselves and their families (1Sam.30:1-8;
Acts 7:24).
3. Question: Are
there proper use of self-defence?
Answer: Yes. The
proper use of self-defence has to do with wisdom, understanding and tact. We
must have wisdom that comes from heaven regarding when to fight back and when
not to, so as not to make
a dangerous situation worse (James 1:5; James 3:17).
4. Question: Are
there cautions to the full exercise of the right to self-defence?
Answer: Yes, the
cautions are:
i. The full
exercise of the right to self-defence depends on the situation (Ex.22:2-3).
ii. No one
should be too quick to use deadly force against another, even someone who means
to do harm (Matt. 26:51-52).
iii. Deadly
force is expected to be a last resort in the event of a panicked “surprise
attack” scenario where the victim is confused and disoriented.
iv. A godly
person should try to restrain the attacker rather than an immediate resort to
killing him.
v. It is
important for every Christian to undergo some basic trainings on safety and
self-defence (Prov.4:7).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students
should mention the available platforms/institutions where people can be trained
on safety measures and self-defence.
3. SUMMARY: There is
a clear difference between self-defence and vengeance. Believers are allowed to
defend themselves and their families from attacks but should do so with
caution.
4. CONCLUSION: The
shepherd risks his life by combating wild animals that threaten the flock (1Sam.17:34-36).
A pacifist or fearful shepherd would soon have no flock.
5. EVALUATION: Teacher
should ask the students to explain the biblical perspective of self-defence
6. CLOSING PRAYER: Father,
let me always find a way of escape from all attacks in Jesus’ name.
7. ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) Bible characters that were attacked
physically and how they responded to the attack. Give scriptural reference for
each. (2X5=10 Marks).
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