RESTITUTION (Part One)
Today’s Lesson
Prayer Point - Students should ask the Lord for grace and wisdom to make restitution of things which were wrongfully possessed.
Previous Knowledge - Assistant Teacher should review last Sunday School lesson. Teacher should mark the workbook.
1. Opening
A. BIBLE PASSAGE-Luke 19:1-10
B. Memory Verse - "And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold." Luke 19:8
C. Lesson Introduction - Restitution is commanded by God to enable us follow peace with all men. It is an act of putting right what has been done wrongly. It is divine restoration of all things to their original order. In this lesson, we shall consider what restitution is and its blessings.
TEACHER'S DIARY
A. Lesson Aim - To study the significance of restitution in the life of Christians.
B. Teaching Objectives and Lesson Plan
i. At the end of the lesson, students should be able to explain what restitution is.
ii. They should be able to apply the lesson correctly and obtain its blessings.
To achieve these objectives, teacher should explain what restitution is, the role and the blessings of restitution. Teacher should conclude by encouraging students to restitute their ways.
C. Text Review- Luke 19:1-10
Zacchaeus' efforts, which involved running and climbing a tree to see Jesus, produced joyful result because the Lord located him on the tree and blessed him. His household too enjoyed the blessing of salvation because he was resolute to restore what he had taken forcefully in four folds. Teacher should note that to "run" and to "climb" require efforts and energy. Similarly, to make restitution may not be easy because of the cost involved and or the crowd but the crowd may not share in the joy when it comes. It is the one who made the restitution that will dine with the Lord.
D. Teaching Method – Teacher should use lecture method.
E. Time Management - 15 minutes for Opening, 30 minutes for Lesson Outline, Summary, Conclusion and Assignment, 15 minutes for General Review.
2. Lesson Outlines
i. LESSON OUTLINE 1 WHAT IS RESTITUTION?
i. It is the act of putting right what has been wrongly done.
ii. It is returning of what has been forcefully or deceitfully acquired. iii. It is repairing things damaged at will.
iv. It is giving equivalent compensation to loss or pains inflicted on neighbours.
v. It is spiritual exercise which precedes clear conscience and good testimony.
ii. LESSON OUTLINE 2. RESTITUTION AT VARIOUS DISPENSATIONS
i. Restitution has been taught at various dispensations.
ii. It was practiced before the time of Moses. Lev. 6:1-6; 24:21; Numbers 5:6-8
iii. Moses taught it and it was written as a commandment.
iv. It was observed during the dispensation of kings and prophets. 2 Sam 12:1-6; 2 Kings 8:1-6 v. Restitution was practiced in the days of the Lord Jesus and that of the Apostles. Luke 19:8-10; Philem.1 :7-12
vi. It is required to be observed in our days too.
Class Activity - Why do you think a lot of people are reluctant to make restitution of their ways?
ii. LESSON OUTLINE 3 - THE BLESSINGS OF RESTITUTION
If believers would restitute of their ways according to the word of God, they would be entitled to the following blessings:
i. Favour from God. Luke 2:52 ii. Speedy answers to prayers. Luke 11:9
iii. Fearlessness. Psalm 27: 1 iv. Healing Psalm 107:20
v. Anointing for exploits. Acts1 0:38 vi. Hearing from God from time to time.
vii. Heavenly provisions. Psalm 132:15-16.
Class Activity 2 - What are the blessings of restitution? Read: Exodus 22: 1-5; Psalm 105:15
SUMMARY - God wants His children to restore things they have wrongly acquired so that they can be blessed according to His word.
CONCLUSION - If you have taken what is not yours, please return it so that your prayers may not be delayed or hindered.
ASSIGNMENT - See assignment in the workbook.
RESTITUTION (Part Two)
Today’s Lesson
Prayer Point - Students should pray to the Lord to lead them to specific areas of their lives where restitution is necessary.
Previous Knowledge - Review questions: What is restitution?
1. Opening
A. BIBLE PASSAGE - Exodus 22:1-13
B. Memory Verse - "And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold." Luke 19:8
C. Lesson Introduction - One of the biblical evidences of genuine repentance is restitution. It is only a genuinely converted believer that can take steps to make restitution of wrongs which were made at the time of ignorance. It is the desire of God for us to correct past wrongs which are correctable. In this lesson, we shall consider some of them.
TEACHER’S DIARY
A. Lesson Aim - To study specific areas where restitution is necessary.
B. Teaching Objectives and Lesson Plan
i. At the end of the lesson, students should be able to discover specific areas of their lives which require restitution and make restitution accordingly.
ii. To achieve the objective, teacher should explain the areas of life that requires restitution with examples. Teacher should conclude by encouraging students to make restitution of their ways.
C. Text Review - Exodus 22: 1-13
The following laws guiding restitution are stated in today's text.
i. Anyone who kills or steals an ox or a sheep and sells it shall restore five oxen for an ox or four sheep for a sheep. Verse 1
ii. A thief shall fully restore whatever he or she stole or, he or she shall be sold for the theft. Verse 3
iii. Grazing in another man's field shall attract restitution with the best of His own field. Verse 5 own field. Verse 5
iv. Stealing whatever you are required to save will be repaid in double folds, particularly money. Verse 7 -8.
v. Setting fire on another farmer's field shall attract full restitution.
vi. All trespasses shall attract restitution. Verse 9
vii. Cheating shall attract restitution. Verse 11-12
A. Teaching Method - Teacher should use lecture method.
E. Time Management - 15 minutes for Opening, 30 minutes for Lesson Outline, Summary, Conclusion and Assignment, 15 minutes for General Review.
2. Lesson Outlines
i. LESSON OUTLINE 1. WHY MAKE RESTITUTION?
(a.) Restitution is important for the following three reasons:
i. It is the Lord's commandment.
ii. The need to have clear conscience towards man and God
iii. It is evidence of our genuine conversion and our readiness to obey the scriptures.
ii. LESSON OUTLINE 2· EXAMPLES OF RESTITUTION IN THE BIBLE
i. Abimelech
ii. Joseph's brothers.
iii. Old Testament kings and prophets.
iv. Zacchaeus and others.
NOTE - Teacher should fix the scriptures below: Gen. 20:6-9; Gen. 50:15-19; I Kings 20:34; Neh.5:11-12; Luke 19:8-9; Acts 23:1-5
Class Activity 1 - Teacher should allow anyone who is WILLING to share his restitution experience/ testimony to do so. However, if there is none, the class should discuss dangers of doing what is not right. Class can do both if there is enough time.
iii. LESSON OUTLINE 3 - SOME SPECIFIC RESTITUTION TO MAKE·
i. Stolen items should be returned to the owner.
ii. Official items which were converted to our use must be returned to the office.
iii. God's money tithes and first fruits which have been converted for personal use must be repaid.
iv. All cases of willful damage must be replaced.
v. Quarreling must be settled while good and godly friendship is restored.
vi. Make restitution of lies and falsehood by confessing them and by exposing the truth.
vii. Marriage forcefully contracted must attract restitution.
viii. Deception and tricks to take what does not belong to you including your neighbour or friend's spouse must attract restitution.
ix. Other items listed in the "Teacher's Diary" could be included on the list of items that should attract restitution.
NOTE - Teacher to fix these scriptures appropriately on the above points Leviticus 6:2-5; Luke 19:8; Mal 3:8; Lev. 5:14-16, Exodus 21 :18-19; Matt 5:2325; Matt. 18: 15-17; 2 Sam 16:5-8, 19, 18-20, Acts 23:1-5; Luke 3 3:8; Gen. 20:14; Romans 2:13-16
Class Activity 2 - What can you make restitution of?
Summary: The Lord wants every believer to make restitution of their ways and be reconciled to God.
Conclusion: God can help you if you are determined to restitute.
Assignment: See assignment in the workbook.
