multi-channel amp

i just bought a 4-channel amp for my 4 door speakers.  i have a couple of questions on wiring.

for starters, i am going to mount it under the passenger seat, (the battery is already on that side) and i have the power, ground, and remote turn on lead's already hooked up, but not to the amp yet.

i was wondering how do i run the speaker wire to the speakers from the amp?  also, how do you connect the speakers into the entire set up? do you have to connect them to both the head unit and the amplifier, or only the amplifier?

also, how (and how many) and where do i run the rca cables? to what do they connect to (from the amp)?

any help on this would be greatly appreciated!!! thank you very much to those who contribute!!!