Back to: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES SS1
Welcome to class!
In today’s class, we will be talking about civic responsibility. Enjoy the class!
Civic Responsibility
Laws and orders are structures put in place to govern society. A society void of law and order is subject to misbehaviour from members of society. Since Christians are also part of society, they are expected to obey the laws and orders of society. Every believer is subjected to the authorities in his domain. Paul in his letter to Christians in Rome encouraged them to be subject to governing authorities. The letter was written to educate believers that their allegiance and support should not be limited to God alone. They need to respect their leaders and pay allegiance to the government on earth. With the understanding that no Government exists without the knowledge of God.
Unpatriotic actions and inactions from believers may attract the wrath or judgement of God. In other words, Paul admonishes Christians to respect their leaders and see them as the servants of God.
He also enjoined Christians to be subject to those in authority because they are not a terror to good conduct but to good. He explained that rulers are God’s servants to help us. But if we do wrong, they have reasons to be afraid. Leaders have the legal power to punish, and they will use it. They are God’s servants to punish those who do wrong. So, constituted authorities must be obeyed. Christians should obey the government, not just because they might get punished if they don’t, but because they know it is the right thing to do.
Christians should be taxpayers
Christians should also pay their taxes, rate and levies for the authorities are ministers of God attending to their well beings; he also advises them to give honour to whom honour is due and respect those in authority. “Render therefore to all their dues: a tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:7-8 He taught that those rulers are working for God, and they give all their time to the work of ruling.
Before Jesus Birth, his parents obeyed the instruction to go to their City to be taxed. Also, Jesus during his ministry on Earth, he paid taxes and encouraged others to follow in that path. At a certain time, Jesus and his followers went to Capernaum. There the men who collect the two-drachma Temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay the temple tax?” Peter answered, “Yes, he does.” Peter went into the house where Jesus was. Before Peter could speak, Jesus said to him, “The kings on the earth get different kinds of taxes from people. But who are those who pay the taxes? Are they the king’s children? Or do other people pay the taxes? What do you think?”
“…go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. Matthew 17:27
Believers should learn from our Lord Jesus in obedience to civil authority.
Apostle Paul and Apostle Peter gave the instructions that believers perform some of their responsibilities in society. From this lesson, we can learn that believers should not join those who pray for the death of their leaders rather they should be obedient to constituted authorities.
Evaluation
Highlight ways you think many Christians default in their Civic responsibility.
Assignment
Discuss Paul’s teaching on Civic responsibility and show how we can apply three instances in our daily living (SSCE June 1988).
In our next class, we will be talking about Good Citizenship. We hope you enjoyed the class.
Should you have any further question, feel free to ask in the comment section below and trust us to respond as soon as possible.
Ready to make school management and growth easy? Book your free onboarding session nowGet more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on Android [DOWNLOAD]
Get more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on iPhone [DOWNLOAD]