COP 2016 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 38

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2016 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 38 – SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

TOPIC: HOW TO HANDLE SUFFERING

Main Text: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Memory Verse: I Cor. 10:13. No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Introduction

In our previous studies, we considered Christian suffering and the 3 sources of suffering: natural, Satan or God. In this last lesson on suffering, we will consider what our response to suffering should be. In the midst of pain and suffering, many cry: “if God so loves, why did He let this happen?”, “if he cares, why doesn’t He do something?”, “Why did He desert me?” Throughout scripture, servants of the Lord have experienced one suffering or the other. No matter the source of our suffering, it is for a purpose and we must seek to understand it and learn from the experience. The mark of maturity in a Christian is not freedom from pain but total trust during pain. Our passage today will help us know how to handle suffering.

Discussion Questions

1. From the passage, how should we view sufferings? Verse 12

2. Why should you rejoice in the midst of your sufferings? Verse 13.

3. How do you rejoice in the midst of suffering? Discuss.

4. How do you understand verse 15?

5. Share any experience where you suffered for the cause of Christ and the outcome.

6. What should be your attitude during periods of suffering? Verse 13, 19.

Conclusion

Having completed the study on the sources of suffering, how then should we respond to suffering? From our main passage, we are to rejoice, praise God that we bear the name of Christ, commit ourselves to God and continue to do good. In every case of suffering, believe that God cares deeply for you no matter the circumstances; expect God to give you the grace necessary to bear your affliction until deliverance comes; do not complain about suffering, do not question God, accept it graciously; ask God to show you the purpose of the suffering and always remember that your High Priest is interceding for you. Indeed, the momentary troubles cannot compare with the eternal glory that awaits us (2 Cor. 4:17).

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2016 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 38 – SUNDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016.

ACTIVITY: SERMON DISCUSSION/ PASTORAL CARE

GROUPINGS & VISITATION

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COP 2016 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 37

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2016 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 37 – SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 11, 2016

SOURCES OF SUFFERING - GOD

Main Text: Acts 4:36-5:1-11

Memory Verse:  Proverbs. 3:11-12. My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; for whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Introduction

In both the Old and New Testaments, God is presented as sometimes chastening His children through various kinds of suffering. When God is presented as the source of the suffering, it could be as a result of no wrong done (as the case in Paul’s thorn in the flesh- 2 Cor. 12:7-12) or as a result of sin (the sickness and death of David’s child-2 Sam. 12:13-18). Like a loving parent, God chastises His children not because He delights in doing so but because it is necessary; to correct us (Heb. 12:9), that we may be partakers of His Holiness (Heb. 12:10), that we may yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness (Heb. 12:11) and so that we will not be condemned with the world (1 Cor. 11:32). Our study focuses on Ananias and Sapphira who were chastised by God for wrong doing. 

Discussion Questions

1.      What was the intention of Ananias and Sapphira in selling their property?

2.      What wrong did Ananias and his wife do? Verse 2

3. According to Peter, why did Ananias do what he did? Verse 3
4. Why do you think Ananias lied to Peter?
5. How did the death of Ananias and Sapphira affect the whole Church? Verse 5, 11.
6. What lessons have you learnt about God chastening His children?

Conclusion

In our study, Ananias had a good intention but allowed Satan to fill his heart to lie to God. He could just have stated that he used some of the money but rather he tried to look good in the eyes of the leadership (may be because of Barnabas’ example-Acts 4:36). Indeed, the death of Ananias and Sapphira brought great fear to the whole Church. It is likely, that incident did not happen again in the Church.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2016 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 37 – SUNDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 11, 2016.

TOPIC: THE RICH FOOL (THE PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL)

Main Text: Luke 12:13-21

Memory Verse: Luke 12: 15, Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

Introduction

According to Paul, the love of money and, by extension, wealth is a root of all kinds of evil. The biblical writers were so much aware of its power and influence that they spent a great deal of time on the subject. In His ministry, Jesus devoted a lot of His teachings on the consequences of wrong desire for material possessions. Greed and selfishness are some of the vices that make people pursue material gains and reject God in all they do. Jesus told this parable to sound a note of warning about the tendency to love money.

Discussion Questions

1.           What was wrong with the rich man’s decision? ( verse  18)

2.           Why did God call him fool and demanded his life that very night? (verse 19 & 20)

3.           How will it end with anyone who stores up things for himself but is mean towards God? (verse 20)

4.           How do you understand the statement, “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”?

5.           What would you have done with your wealth if you were the rich man?

6.           What should be your attitude towards money?

Conclusion

Jesus taught that, if not handled well, riches and material possessions can hinder us from entering into the Kingdom of God. As Christians we have to be on guard against all kinds of greed and concentrate on God’s special concern for the poor. By so doing, we will save our souls from the damning effects of wealth.

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