Lesson Introduction – Governance is an act of administration: leading and exercising authority over a group of people. God has called us into a life of influence, control and dominion. Gen 1:28
Christians are to take charge and the issue of governance is no exception. As the light of the world, we are to dispel the darkness of unrighteousness, sycophancy, etc. Matt 5:15-16
Romans 13:1-6 transfers the following responsibilities to the governed.
- Subject/submission to authority (respect) Rom 13:1
- Obedience to power (afraid of power). Romans 13:2-3
- Payment of tax (payment of tribute). Romans 13:6-7
- Do that which is good (law abiding). Romans 13:3
The same scriptures confers the following responsibilities to those in government.
- Judge/punish evil work (justice). Romans 13:3,4
- Reward good work (reward/award). Romans 13:3
- Ordained to do only what is good to the citizenry (Rule of law/fairness). Romans 13:4
- Attending continually to needs (welfare). Romans 13:6
Let the government and the governed be guided.
Lesson Outlines
Lesson outline A – The view of God on governance
- God is the ultimate power who delegates functions to human beings, Romans 13:1, Genesis 45:8, Genesis 1:26.
- Governance/Government/Ruling is a calling of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:8
- Governance/ruling is a machinery for orderliness and sanity. Titus 1:5, Judges 21:25
- God instituted governance for administration of justice and general welfare of citizenry, Psalm 72:4
- God commanded the governed to submit to those in authority (the government). Romans 13:1-2, Ephesians 6:5-8.
- God instituted governance as a means of serving the governed i.e to govern is to serve. Matthew 20:25-28
Activity – What are those services which government should provide for its citizenry to make it relevant to the people?
Lesson outline B – Why Christians should be involved in governance
- To provide/effect positive and lasting change. Genesis 1:26, 41:33-38
- To make righteous laws and decrees which will promote national progress. Proverb 14:34
- To bring blessing and breakthrough to the citizens. Proverbs 11:11
- To avoid paying costly price for bad leadership. Romans 13:12
- It is God’s will and instruction. 1Peter 2:13-15
Lesson outline C – Biblical examples of those who governed.
- Noah and the civil governance. Genesis 9:1-3
- Joseph and the Egyptian government. Genesis 41:40-41
- Joshua and the administrative style of governance. Joshua 1:1-3; Judges 2:7
- Deborah triumphant administration in the days of intimidation and adversity. Judges 4:4; 15-16.
- Nehemiah liberal administration for reconstruction and prosperity. Nehemiah 5:14-15.
- Daniel’s position as “Chief of Governors” and the First President (Parliamentary and Presidential) provided administration of direction and excellence to Babylon. Daniel 2:48
Summary
God wants His children involved in governance to fulfill His mandate and for the best of the governed. The Bible contains examples of God’s children who governed and left indelible footprints in the path of history. Citizenry too have their duties to provide for good governance. Therefore, governance involved the government and the governed.
Conclusion
God instituted governance; it is not a secular concept or people’s creation. Believers should therefore take their rightful place in deciding the destiny of their nations and turn the kingdom of this world to the kingdom of God which is God’s divine mandate for us.
