2015 JUNE WEEK FOUR LESSON

SUNDAY MORNING, JUNE 28, 2015.

WEEK 26

THE MINISTRY OF VISITATION

Main text: Acts 9:10-18

Memory verse: Acts 15:36 “Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing”

Introduction

Paul the Apostle in our memory verse and text is a good example to follow. He was committed to the act of visitation because he himself benefited immensely from the visit of Ananias whose prayer restored his sight. Visitation is crucial for the development of the church. Some people leave the church; others become cold and nominal Christians because nobody visits them in their time of affliction or pain. This study seeks to encourage members to visit one another and to promote fellowship in the church.

Discussion Questions

1. In which city was Ananias? Acts 9:10

2. Where did the Lord command Ananias to go? Acts 9:11

3. Why was Ananias reluctant to visit Saul? Acts 9:13

4. What are some of the things that prevent people from visiting one another?

5. What happened to Saul after Ananias’ visit? Acts 9:17-18

6. Two people should share their personal experience on how they have been blessed through the visit of someone.

Conclusion

Ananias’ visit to Saul did not only bring restoration of physical sight to Saul but also enriched his spiritual experience. Saul was blind and confused; the visit by Ananias gave him hope that he could not buy with money. Many people in our church are suffering from all kinds of “blindness and confusion”. Paul in his ministry visited as many of his converts as he could as demonstrated by our memory verse. Pro. 11:25 says, “He who waters shall himself be watered”. Let us therefore follow Paul as he says “let us go again and visit our brethren…..and see how they do”.

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2015 JUNE WEEK THREE LESSON

SUNDAY MORNING, JUNE 21, 2015.

WEEK 25

STEWARDS OF GOD’S FLOCK (II)

Main text: Ezekiel 34:1-16

Memory verse: Ezekiel 34:3 “You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock”.

Introduction

The Lord Jesus expects His stewards to take proper care of those in His household. Church leaders are stewards of God’s flock. They will account for the flock God has put under their care. In today’s reading, we encounter stewards who take delight in caring for themselves other than the flock of God. Stewards are expected to take good care of resources their masters place in their care. Accordingly, stewards should be gentle in handling God’s flock and ensure that they do not drive the sheep away. Rather they should lead and guide the sheep. Our study today looks at some irresponsible behaviour of some stewards and what God expects from stewards of His flock

Discussion Questions

1. Who should shepherds take care of? Eze. 34:2

2. What are some responsibilities of shepherds? Eze 34:4

3. What happens when stewards neglect their responsibilities? Eze. 34:5-8

4. How does the Lord discipline irresponsible stewards of His flock? Eze. 34:10

5. What does the LORD expect from stewards of His flock? Eze. 34:11-14

6. How do you assess yourself as a steward of God’s flock?

Conclusion

The growth of The Church of Pentecost has largely been attributed to the presence, availability and hardwork of committed lay leaders. Today, many people in the church find themselves in some leadership office like; elder, deacon, deaconess, cell and Bible study leaders as well as committee and ministry leaders. All of these people have been mandated to take care of God’s flock like God would; rescue them, provide pasture for them (feed them with the word of God), bind their wounds and guide them with love. God will remove irresponsible stewards and shepherd His own flock Himself.

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2015 JUNE WEEK TWO LESSON

SUNDAY MORNING, JUNE 14, 2015.

WEEK 24

STEWARDS OF GOD’S FLOCK (I)

Main text: 1 Peter 5:1-4

Memory Verse: Keep watch over yourselves, and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God which he bought with his own blood. (Acts 20:28-30)

Introduction

Christian leadership is another important aspect of stewardship. In the main text, the Apostle Peter charges leaders to watch over the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made them stewards. Paul repeats the same charge to the Ephesian elders in his departure address. Acts 20:28. Leadership in the church at whatever level should be seen as a very important task of stewardship over God’s flock. The Christian leader is expected to tend the flock by guiding, feeding and protecting them, under the guidance of the Chief shepherd, the Lord Jesus himself.

Discussion Questions

1. Christian leadership is a form of stewardship. Discuss

2. In Acts 20:28, what did Paul ask the leaders to do?

3. What does tending the flock involve?

4. What is the reward of Good Christian leadership? 1 Peter 5:4

5. In what practical way can you be a good Christian leader?

Conclusion

Our lesson today focuses on the Christian leader as a steward, an overseer over God’s flock. This function involves feeding the flock through God’s word, loving them, leading them by word and deed and protecting them through prayer and intercession. The church as

God’s household needs good stewards to take care of God’s people.

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