Grade 10 - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
Grade 10 - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
Grade 10 - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
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Sunday School Curriculum <strong>Grade</strong> <strong>10</strong><br />
Week 1 – Ti<strong>the</strong>s and <strong>the</strong> First Fruit<br />
Objective:<br />
To understand <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> tithing as a commandment and as an expression <strong>of</strong><br />
thanksgiving and honor to God.<br />
To help <strong>the</strong> students develop <strong>the</strong> habit <strong>of</strong> tithing and giving <strong>the</strong> first fruit.<br />
Memory Verse:<br />
―She put in all that she had to live on‖ (Luke 21:4).<br />
References:<br />
St. John monthly magazine, Vol. 12, No. 123, April 2000 - California<br />
St. John monthly magazine, Vol. 11, No 119, December 2000 - California<br />
―Bring Me <strong>the</strong> ti<strong>the</strong>s and try Me‖ - <strong>the</strong> first issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> series <strong>the</strong> blessings <strong>of</strong> heaven<br />
and <strong>the</strong> gifts <strong>of</strong> men.<br />
The life <strong>of</strong> Anba Abram <strong>of</strong> Fayom: The lover <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> poor - Gerges Rafla<br />
Introduction:<br />
Tithing means giving one tenth <strong>of</strong> everything we have to God. Tithing and <strong>of</strong>fering are<br />
necessary and important commandments representing one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> three basic elements <strong>of</strong><br />
Christian worship <strong>of</strong> which Christ talked about in His Sermon on <strong>the</strong> Mount saying, ―when<br />
you give alms…‖ (Mat<strong>the</strong>w 6:2), ―when you pray….‖ (Mat<strong>the</strong>w 6:5) and ―when you fast…‖<br />
(Mat<strong>the</strong>w 6:16). Almsgiving is <strong>the</strong>refore one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> three basic elements <strong>of</strong> Christian worship<br />
and service.<br />
Lesson Outline:<br />
Tithing in <strong>the</strong> Bible<br />
From <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> time man has instinctively felt <strong>the</strong> grace <strong>of</strong> God upon him and felt<br />
indebted to God for everything he has. He felt compelled to show his love and gratitude by<br />
<strong>of</strong>fering back something <strong>of</strong> what God gave him. King David expressed this when he said,<br />
―What shall I render to <strong>the</strong> Lord for all His bounty to me‖ (Psalms 116: 12) and ―…for all<br />
things come from You, and <strong>of</strong> Your own we have given You‖ (1 Chronicles 29:14).<br />
Consider <strong>the</strong> first two sons <strong>of</strong> Adam; Cain made an <strong>of</strong>fering <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fruit <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> earth to <strong>the</strong><br />
Lord and his bro<strong>the</strong>r, Abel, <strong>of</strong>fered <strong>the</strong> firstling <strong>of</strong> his flock and <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir fat portions (Genesis<br />
4:4). Consider <strong>the</strong> sacrifice <strong>of</strong>fering <strong>of</strong> Noah and Job (Genesis 8:20 and Job 1:5) or Abraham<br />
who <strong>of</strong>fered ti<strong>the</strong>s and almost <strong>of</strong>fered his own son as a sacrifice (Genesis 22:<strong>10</strong>-12). Now<br />
tithing is only part and not all <strong>of</strong> almsgiving. The Jews were required to <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>the</strong>ir ti<strong>the</strong>s,<br />
firstlings and vows.<br />
Originally tithing was <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fering <strong>of</strong> one tenth <strong>of</strong> all <strong>the</strong> fruit <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> land and <strong>of</strong>fspring <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
animals to <strong>the</strong> Lord. The first time we read about it was in <strong>the</strong> life <strong>of</strong> our fa<strong>the</strong>r Abraham<br />
when he met with Melchizedek (<strong>the</strong> priest <strong>of</strong> God <strong>the</strong> Most High) and gave Him <strong>the</strong> tenth <strong>of</strong><br />
everything (Genesis 14:20). The second time was in Jacob‘s dream <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ladder when he<br />
THE GREAT FAST <strong>10</strong>7