(a) Outline Paul's teachings on dignity of labour.... | WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 2009

Question 1 Report

(a) Outline Paul's teachings on dignity of labour. [7 marks]

(b) Give four roles the Church can play to encourage productivity among Christian Youth. [8 marks]

Answer

(a) Paul's teachings on the dignity of labour (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; Ephesians 4:28)

Paul commanded believers to keep away from any brother who is idle (living in idleness) and does not work.
He pointed to his own example: he and his companions did not eat anyone's bread without paying, but worked night and day with toil and labour so as not to be a burden to anyone.
He laid down the firm rule: "If anyone will not work, let him not eat."
He rebuked those who were not busy working but were busybodies, meddling in others' affairs, and charged them to work quietly and earn their own living.
He taught that every believer should aspire to live quietly, mind his own affairs, and work with his hands, so as to be dependent on nobody and to command the respect of outsiders.
He taught that the thief must steal no longer but rather labour, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may have something to share with the needy.
The dignity of labour therefore means work is honourable, God-ordained, a means of self-support and of helping others, and no one should be lazy or parasitic.

(b) Four roles the Church can play to encourage productivity among Christian youth

Provide vocational and skills training through workshops, technical centres and apprenticeships to equip youth for productive work.
Offer financial support such as loans, grants, seed capital and cooperative schemes to help young people start businesses.
Provide mentorship, career guidance and counselling, linking youth with experienced professionals and role models.
Teach the biblical dignity of labour and honesty, discouraging idleness, get-rich-quick schemes and fraud, while dignifying all lawful work.

Answer Details

(a) Paul's teachings on the dignity of labour (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; Ephesians 4:28)

Paul commanded believers to keep away from any brother who is idle (living in idleness) and does not work.
He pointed to his own example: he and his companions did not eat anyone's bread without paying, but worked night and day with toil and labour so as not to be a burden to anyone.
He laid down the firm rule: "If anyone will not work, let him not eat."
He rebuked those who were not busy working but were busybodies, meddling in others' affairs, and charged them to work quietly and earn their own living.
He taught that every believer should aspire to live quietly, mind his own affairs, and work with his hands, so as to be dependent on nobody and to command the respect of outsiders.
He taught that the thief must steal no longer but rather labour, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may have something to share with the needy.
The dignity of labour therefore means work is honourable, God-ordained, a means of self-support and of helping others, and no one should be lazy or parasitic.

(b) Four roles the Church can play to encourage productivity among Christian youth

Provide vocational and skills training through workshops, technical centres and apprenticeships to equip youth for productive work.
Offer financial support such as loans, grants, seed capital and cooperative schemes to help young people start businesses.
Provide mentorship, career guidance and counselling, linking youth with experienced professionals and role models.
Teach the biblical dignity of labour and honesty, discouraging idleness, get-rich-quick schemes and fraud, while dignifying all lawful work.

(a) Outline Paul's teachings on dignity of labour. [7 marks] (b) Give four roles the Church can play to encourage productivity among Christian Youth. [8 mar...