THEME: THE REIGN OF GOD: CHILDREN AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD
SUB-THEME: Traits of Negative Behaviours in Children (5)
TOPIC: Disrespectful
TEXT: Proverbs 20:20; 30:17.
AIMS:
i. to expatiate on the concept of disrespect,
ii. to expose consequences of being disrespectful and
iii. to study the consequences of disrespectful to God and to parents
INTRODUCTION
Disrespect is to show lack of respect in the way that one speak or behave to someone. A disrespectful child shows attitudes of rudeness, being impolite, being offensive, not keeping to terms, not keeping to time, not honouring agreements, etc. Children are expected to respect their parents and elders by giving them special honour. It is very pertinent that we know that God our maker also deserves our respect. The scriptural texts today made us understand that there are curses attached to being disrespectful. A life that disrespects is in danger of being short-lived.
STUDY GUIDES
1. What does it mean to be disrespectful? How do you identify a disrespectful child?
2. Read Judges 14:1-3 and discuss on how Samson behaved in a disrespectful manner.
3. How can a Christian be disrespectful to God our Father? Exo. 20:12; Prov. 20:20; 30:17; Mark 7:9-10.
4. Compare Judge Nu 6:2-3 with Jdg. 13:3-4, 14:8-9 and Judge 18:30-31 also 2Sam 15:10 with 2Sam18:9, 14 and identify the consequences of being disrespectful.
5. Describe how disrespectful attitudes are displayed in our contemporary churches.
CONCLUSION: Samson died prematurely because of his disrespect to the law of God concerning the Nazirite’s vow. He ate from the dead carcass of a lion. (Judge 14:8-9 Comp Lev 21:1) while Absalom died prematurely because he disrespected his father. Parents should endeavour to model their children towards the path of respect through which they will position them to respond appropriately to God as they grow up.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: A disrespectful soul is a soul at risk.
MEMORY VERSE: Prov 30:17
“The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it”
