COP - 2016 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL OUTLINE WEEK 12 (20/03/16)

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2016 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 12 – SUNDAY MORNING, MARCH 20, 2016

TOPIC: JESUS CHRIST, OUR ELDER BROTHER

Main Text: Hebrews 2: 14-18

Memory Verse: Hebrews 2: 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

Introduction

Brotherliness in the natural sense involves blood relations among individuals. It deals with common destinies as well as common aspirations and values. In the spiritual sense, however, brotherhood involves spiritual birth by the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ is significant for the fact that he chose to become like us in all things. For this reason He is our elder brother in redemption.

Discussion Questions

1. For what natural reason did Jesus Christ share in our humanity? Verse 14a

2. For what redemptive reasons did Jesus Christ share in our humanity? Verse 14b-15

3. Why was Jesus Christ made in every way like His brothers? Verse 17

4. Why is Jesus Christ able to help His brothers when they are tempted? Verse 18

5. In what ways can you say that Jesus Christ is indeed your elder brother?

Conclusion

Easter reminds Christians the world over of the shame, pain, agony, and death of Jesus Christ on the cross. These are things we all try to avoid. And if any of our loved ones is caught in any shameful act we try to avoid being identified as their relation or friend. But Easter is not all about suffering, loneliness, and rejection. It also comes with songs of God’s love for humanity, Jesus’ sacrificial death, his burial and resurrection. Indeed his resurrection sheds new light on mankind’s afterlife. It gives assurance to all of us who believe in Jesus Christ that we shall also resurrect to eternal life if we die before the rapture. This assurance is also for believers who have gone into glory. Easter is also a time for jubilation and evangelism for believers in Christ. It reminds us of the death of Jesus, our Elder Brother to destroy the devil, overcome the power and sting of death, and secure our release from bondage to sin. A new dawn was opened for mankind to be reconciled to God. For the unbeliever, to celebrate Easter without sober reflection on the need for cleansing by the blood of Jesus is mere waste of time, energy, and constitutes self-deception.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2016 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 12 – SUNDAY EVENING, MARCH 20, 2016

ACTIVITY: SERMON DISCUSSION / PASTORAL CARE GROUPINGS & VISITATION

On this day, members could share the sermon heard in church, consider how to implement them practically and pray. Members could then meet their pastoral care leader or visit one another.

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COP – 2016 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL OUTLINE WEEK 11 (13/03/16)

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2016 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 11 – SUNDAY MORNING, MARCH 13, 2016

TOPIC: GOD HAS SPOKEN

Main Text: Hebrews 1: 1-14

Memory Verses: Hebrews 1: 1-2. In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days, He has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

Introduction

God has since creation revealed himself to humanity in various ways and at various times. He has revealed Himself to us through creation and His Word. However, his final revelation to mankind is through his Son, Jesus Christ who, having provided purification for the sins of humanity, “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Various tribal groups have their versions of purification. The idea of purification especially in Africa is to deal with sin in the community and secure peace with divinities. The Akuapem, in Ghana call it Odwira, while the Ga in Ghana, call it hetsuumT. But such purifications often involving animal sacrifices are mere shadows of the real purification which Jesus provided once for all peoples and for all times.

Discussion Questions

1. How did God speak to our forefathers in the past? Verse 1

2. How has God spoken to humanity in the last days? Verse 2

3. When did Jesus sit at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven? Verse 3

4. What does purification mean to believers in relation to His presence?

5. How have you benefitted from God’s final purification through his Son?

Conclusion

The purification that Jesus provided for humanity is unique. First it was achieved through the sacrifice of God’s own Son who shares deity with God in all things (He is one with God in creating and sustaining the universe). It involves the shedding of blood which is without blemish. It shows the sovereignty of God in dealing once and for all with the struggles of humanity with sin. Purifications thus allows to go into his presence and to communicate with God. It is this outstanding purification that gives meaning to Easter. As we plan to celebrate another Easter with activities like conventions, picnics, family reunions, and other social activities, we should not lose sight of the essence of Easter as revealed to us by God through His Son.

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2016 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 11 – SUNDAY EVENING, MARCH 13, 2016

TOPIC: YOU MUST FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER (THE PARABLE OF THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT)

Main Text: Matthew 18:23-35

Memory Verse: Matthew 18:35 - This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.

Introduction

The parable of the unmerciful servant demonstrates that the master was not happy with the wicked servant. He failed to forgive his fellow servant, even though the master had earlier forgiven him a greater debt. The lesson of forgiveness is one that has been clearly taught in the Bible as crucial for salvation. When Jesus was teaching the disciples to pray, he taught them to ask the Father to forgive them their trespasses as they also forgave those who trespassed against them (Matt. 6:12). Jesus added a profound statement, For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matt. 6:14-15 NIV). This parable clearly emphasizes the need to forgive those who offend us.

Discussion Questions

1. Who is the king in this parable and who are the servants?

2. State how much debt the servant owed his master? (Verse 24)

3. What various things were needed to be sold before the debt could be paid? (Verse 25)

4. Compare the debt of the unmerciful servant to that of his fellow servant and give your impression.

5. Why do you think the unmerciful servant refused to forgive his fellow servant?

6. How do we sometimes behave like the unmerciful servant?

7. What lesson have you learnt from the parable about forgiveness?

Conclusion

The amount of debt Jesus has forgiven us cannot be compared to any evil a fellow human being will commit against us. The Bible says,”... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We are also much aware that the wages of sin is death. But through mercy, He who knew no sin paid our debt and forgave us our trespasses. In the parable, the unmerciful servant refused to forgive his fellow servant because he did not appreciate what had been done for him by his master. If we appreciate what Jesus did for us by way of dying on the cross to set us free from the bondage of sin and its consequences, we will easily forgive people who offend us.

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