RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT'S MANUAL
LESSON THIRTY-FIVE
SUNDAY, 29TH APRIL 2018

TOPIC: A SCRIPTURAL APPROACH TO FAMILY PLANNING

*SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN*

*1.* O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

*2.* O Sunday School, on the Lord's day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

*3.* O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

*4.* O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.

*5.* O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I'll be in Sunday School.

*6.* O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

MEMORY VERSE: ‘’Lo children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward" - Psalm 127:3

BIBLE PASSAGE: Psalm 127:3-5
Psalm:127.3
Behold, children [are] a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb [is] a reward.
Psalm:127.4
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So [are] the children of one's youth.
Psalm:127.5
Happy [is] the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

INTRODUCTION:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Family planning allows individuals and couples to anticipate and attain their desired number of children and the spacing and timing of their births. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of involuntary infertility". It is important to examine God's plan for the institution called "family" and to understand the reasons for us to also plan our families.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. The biblical view
2. Reasons for family planning

THE BIBLICAL VIEW
The biblical view on family planning can be traced to the importance that God places on fruitfulness and child bearing. These include the fact that:
1. God's command is that we should be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28).
2. Children are great blessings from God (Psalm 127:3).
3. Children are weapons of defense (Psalm 127:4).
4. Children are ones pride and joy (Psalm 127:5; Proverbs 27:11).
5. God cherishes children as tools for propagating His kingdom (Mark 10:14-16).
However, God's plan of fruitfulness and multiplication does not call for the suffering or neglect of any child in this world (Jeremiah 29:11).

REASONS FOR FAMILY PLANNING
God has given man the grace for increase and procreation. However, wisdom demands that man should consider the need to cater for the children God gives which must include provision of food, shelter, education, etc. The reasons for birth control may differ from one family to another. These include:
1. Priorities and Necessities: This is to meet other pressing needs such as shelter, career, education, economy, etc (Proverbs 16:9).
2. Resources: Adequate provision is needed for every child. It is a sin to raise children you cannot cater for (1Timothy 5:.
3. Health, especially of the mother: If and when the life of the mother is at risk, birth control should be considered (Ephesians 5:28-29).
4. Pleasure: This may be to give room for marital/sexual intimacy (1Corinthians 7:3-5).
5. Government policy: Many nations have policy on the acceptable number of children for each family in order to regulate their population.
If believers in the Christian family have reasons for family planning, they should consult with the appropriate professionals in that field for proper counseling and recommendations.

CONCLUSION:
God's plan for man is to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). However, we must be wise and ensure that we raise children that we can cater for (Proverbs 4:7; Ecclesiastes 10:10b).

QUESTIONS
1. What are the biblical views on family planning?
2. Mention five reasons given for birth control.