THE CHURCH OF
PENTECOST – 2016 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE
WEEK 34 – SUNDAY
MORNING, AUGUST 21, 2016
TOPIC:
SOURCES OF SUFFERING - THE FALL
Main Text: Gen. 3:1-19
Memory Verse: Gen. 3:17 Then
to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have
eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of
it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the
days of your life.
Introduction
In some parts of
the world, it seems that all kinds of calamities and sufferings are attributed
to the works of sorcerers, witches and the devil. This has led to the situation
where many Christians become so focused on the devil in their prayers. It is so
sad that sometimes, when the prayer meeting is not focused on dealing with the
enemy, attendance is low. Unfortunately, some ministers have taken advantage of
this ignorance to exploit Church members. This is not right. It is important to
understand the sources of suffering so that we can relate better to them when
they arise. In the next three studies, we shall seek to answer the questions, who
or what is responsible for the suffering? Is it the work of God
Himself? Is it Satan? Is it simply natural consequences in a world of cause and
effect? In today’s study, however, we shall consider the natural causes of
suffering.
Discussion
Question
1. How did the
disobedience of Adam and Eve affect:
a. Nature (Verses 14, 17, 18)
b. The woman (Verse 16)
c. The man (verse 19)
2. Do the
effects of the fall affect us today? Rom. 8:18-23
3. Practically,
how is the fall responsible for some of the sufferings today?
4. How do our actions
and decisions sometimes cause others to suffer?
5. What lessons
have you learnt today?
Conclusion
After the fall
(Gen. 3:14-19), the world has never been perfect. The universe and its systems,
together with the living things and the human beings are groaning (Rom.
8:18-23). Although Jesus has redeemed us from the fall, we live in the
“already-but-not-yet” (i.e. our redemption has not yet been consummated). So we
are still subject to the “fallen nature of the world”. Thus, we suffer from
some of the natural consequences. For instance, old age comes with its
associated diseases (loss of vision, loss of memory due to the dying of the
brain cells, weaknesses, menopause etc.). Natural occurrences like floods and
earthquakes can affect us and even kill our loved ones. These could be due to
the consequences of the fall. Related to the natural cause is the fact that the
world is now governed by natural laws; laws of cause and effect, laws of sowing
and reaping among others. When these laws are violated, the natural
consequences occur, for instance a car accident caused by someone else’s carelessness.
************************************************************************
THE CHURCH OF
PENTECOST – 2016 HOME CELL OUTLINE
WEEK 34 – SUNDAY
EVENING, AUGUST 21, 2016.
ACTIVITY: SERMON DISCUSSION/PASTORAL CARE, GROUPINGS
& VISITATION
