Providing Biblical Guidance About Alcohol Abuse to Churches in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

This project develops a curriculum that provides biblical guidance about alcohol abuse among young adults and then implements the teaching through a training course in five Baptist Churches in Abia state. Chapter 1 introduces the project looking at context, rationale, purpose, and goals. Chapter 2 develops a biblical and theological foundation that establishes that alcohol abuse disrupts God’s design of people as His image-bearers. The chapter examines several prominent issues such as these: people were made to worship God and enjoy his creation, find joy in God in contrast to that in creation, the human body is seen as the temple of God in contrast to alcohol abuse, people were made to contribute to meaningful work in their community, and to have self-control over their minds, bodies, habits, and attitudes. Chapter 3 looks at the theoretical, historical, and practical issues related to alcoholism and its abuse in Nigeria. It recognizes alcohol abuse as a sin and form of idolatry and further examines the historical, socio-cultural, economic, and health perspectives of alcoholism in Nigeria. Moreover, it suggests some practical guide to counsel and build leadership and skill training among young adults in Abia state. Chapter 4 outlines the implementation with a survey and a six-week training session through zoom that aims at equipping young adults with biblical counseling tools that will help engage alcohol abuse victims. Chapter 5 gives an analysis and reflection of the entire project.