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
- According to Peter, why did Ananias do what he did? Verse 3
- Why do you think Ananias lied to Peter?
- How did the death of Ananias and Sapphira affect the whole Church? Verse 5, 11.
- 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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