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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