2012 JANUARY WEEK FIVE LESSON

                                                       THE NEED TO TEST PROPHECY

Main Text: 2 Peter 2:1-3

Memory Verse: 1 John 4:1

Click here for Pastor Peter Adjei's THE LORD IS THE DEFENDER

In modern day Pentecostal worship, prophetic utterances come forth from different categories of the congregation, i.e., young, old, men, women, clergy, and laity all purporting to come from God. In some instances these utterances give instruction and direction to the church and individuals to pursue certain lines of action. To avoid confusion in the house of God, there is a need to examine these prophetic utterances before the individual or Church takes any action.

What is the Meaning of “Testing Prophecy?”

This means to examine the content of the prophesy if they are of God. This is important because the Bible teaches that prophecy can originate from three sources.

a.      First Source: God through the Holy Spirit. (2 Pet 1:21)

b.      Second Source: the Human spirit or soul, or mind. (Jer 23:16)

c.      Third Source: Satanic or Demonic spirits. (Jer. 23:13)

It is also important to test prophecy because

·        There are less mature members who need to be protected from prophetic error.

·        Many false prophets are in the world operating with false spirits

·        There is a spirit of error that may seek to lead the people of God astray by manipulating prophecy

Points for Discussion 

1.      What are the sources of prophecy?

2.      Why is it important to test prophecy?

3.      Why would a person prophesy from his mind?

2012 JANUARY WEEK FOUR LESSON

THE GIFT OF PROPHECY

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 14:3, 2 Peter 1:20-21
Memory Verse: 2 Peter 1:21

You may select from any of the four (4) practice songs here

"for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

In both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, Prophets and Prophecy are mentioned many times. The gift of prophecy features prominently in the Scriptures. In contemporary times the prophetic ministry has taken a rather worrying dimension, hence the need to study it into
detail.

What Is Prophecy?
Prophecy is a supernatural gift conferred on a person by the Spirit of God, which gives the person the ability to speak the mind and counsel of God. 1 Cor. 14:3

Who Is A Prophet?
Generally, a prophet is one who operates in all the revelatory gifts (word of wisdom, word of knowledge and discerning of spirits) through visions, dreams and prophecy. He receives messages from the Lord and communicates these messages to the people. (Read : Acts 11: 27-28, 1 Cor 14:3, 24)
The prophetic message may come to:-
a. Tell God’s counsel concerning issues and situations
b. Foretell or predict future events
c. Comfort, edify, or encourage the Church
d. Convict and convince unbelievers

Points for Discussion
1. What is prophecy?
2. Who is a Prophet?
3. What are the distinguishing features of the prophetic message?

2012 January Week Three Lesson

SIGNS OF BEING LED BY THE SPIRIT (PART 3)
SATANIC ATTACK

Main Text: Acts 4:1-7
Memory Verse: Acts 14:22b
Click here for Two Songs for this Week
"We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

Apart from the signs discussed in our earlier lessons, another sign of being led by the Spirit is satanic attack, which includes the stirs that the devil causes against the propagation of the
gospel and Church growth. Satan works in opposition to the expansion of the Kingdom of God, and so seeks to oppose believers and the work of the church. He does this by attacks.

The following are some of the methods used to persecute the church as a body and individual believers as experienced by Paul-2 Cor. 11:23- 26, Acts 7:57
· Arrest and jailing
· Flogging
· Killings
· Nakedness

Points for Discussion
1. Is it possible for a Spirit-led person to face satanic attack and persecution in
his Christian life?
2. What are some of the ways by which Satan attacks Spirit-led Christians today?
3. What should be done when there is satanic attack?

2012 January Week Two Lesson

Signs of Being Led By the Spirit II- Church Growth


Click here for our song of the week being taught in English and Twi

Main Text: Acts 5: 12-16
Memory Verse: Acts 2:47b

When we are led by the Spirit, our lives attract others to Christ. This attraction leads to a great harvest of converts. People see our changed lives, listen to our testimonies and observe the miraculous signs that follow us. Then as a result they come to Christ leading to Church growth.

•Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost brought about 3,000 converts (Acts 2:41)
•The believers’ lifestyle also brought converts to the Church daily (Acts 4:46-47)
•Philip’s ministry also won many converts in Samaria (Acts 8:6-8, 14).

Points for Discussion
1.In terms of Church growth what happens when the Church is led by the Spirit?