2015 JULY WEEK THREE LESSON

SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 19, 2015.

WEEK 29

UNDERSTANDING PRE-MARITAL RELATIONSHIP (Courtship)

Main Text: Genesis 29:15-21

Memory Verse: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (I Cor. 10:31).

Introduction

The word ‘courtship’ is generally defined as the period during which a prospective couple develop a romantic relationship before getting married. Though the concept of courtship is in the Bible, it does not carry the same understanding as it is today. The concept as it is in the Bible refers to the period between a proposal made to marry each other and the time of engagement (traditional marriage) or marriage (by ordinance or law) devoid of any sexual relationship. Thus, in order to avoid the confusion of the term, we will prefer to use Premarital Relationship in the following studies. Other relationships between opposite sexes without a marital proposal could be designated Friendship. In today’s passage, we will learn about the pre-marital relationship between Jacob and Rachel.

Discussion Questions

1. Why did Jacob choose to marry Rachel? verse 17-18

2. For how long did their pre-marital relationship last? verse 20

3. Why did their pre-marital relationship last that long? Verse 15, 20.

4. From the passage, who were aware of their premarital relationship?

5. According to verse 21, was there any sexual relationship between them?

6. What lessons do you learn from the above passage about pre-marital relationship?

Conclusion

In the text above Jacob met Rachel and desired to marry her. He even informed Laban, the father of Rachel of his intention to marry his daughter Rachel, but did not have her as a wife immediately, though they all lived in the same vicinity. That period between his “proposal” to marry Rachel up to the seven years period when he took her as a wife is what is called pre-marital relationship. The Bible endorses any decent relationship between prospective couples and affirms any relationship prior to marriage that gives due reverence God, especially one that has the consent of the concerned families and the church and would be free from sex.

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2015 JULY WEEK TWO LESSON

SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 12, 2015.

WEEK 28

CAUSES OF NON PERFORMANCE

Main Text: Matthew 25:24-25

Memory Verse: 1 Cor 15:58 “Therefore my dear Brothers stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not vain”.

Introduction

In the reading, one servant was negligent and lazy. He refused to use his talents. The talents represent the totality of God’s investment in us, by way of gifts, abilities and responsibilities. God intends for his servants to use these endowments to work for His kingdom. His purpose for His servants is that they apply themselves and their talents to harvest souls for the kingdom. The Lord said “the fields are white but the workers are few”. The unfaithful servant cited some reasons why he was unfaithful. He stated that the Master was too harsh and demanding, that he was unfair and inconsiderate. His twisted assessment of his master caused him to apply his energies wrongly, burying his talent. He also cited fear as a reason for his non-performance. Either this servant was not well acquainted with his master or he was being deliberately malicious.

Discussion Questions

1. What do the talents represent?

2. Why does the master give us talents?

3. What was the bad servant’s assessment of the master?

4. Was the assessment by the servant of the master true? Vrs 21, 23

5. Why was the bad servant fearful?

6. How do you use your God-given talents?

Conclusion

Many people give excuses for their non-performance. Just like the unfruitful servant in the reading, excuses do not solve problems. God gives talents so we can work with them to transform lives. When a Christian under performs in the use of his or her talents, lives that need to be transformed stay unchanged.

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2015 JULY WEEK ONE LESSON

SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 5, 2015.

WEEK 27

LORD’S SUPPER DAY

There is no study outline provided for today. The day could be free or the District/Local could introduce any study that is relevant and peculiar to them.

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