COP 2016 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 41

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2016 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 41 – SUNDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 9, 2016

TOPIC: IDENTIFYING FALSE PROPHETS

Main Text: Matthew 7:15-20

Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:13-14. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

Introduction

This year, as we study about hearing and obeying God’s voice, it is necessary to learn to discern the ‘wrong voice.’ In the following few weeks, we will learn how to identify the voice of false prophets. Bible warns us to beware of false prophets because they disguise themselves like angels of light, just like the devil, even though they are angels of darkness. The Bible describes them as ‘ravenous wolves in sheep clothes’. The good news is that, a sheep bleats while a wolf howls. Thus, a careful observation of the character and voice of false prophets will betray their true identity and help you recognise them. A true prophet and false prophet may look alike in appearance, but their fruits will separate them. We must therefore follow the instructions of scripture to identify false prophets by their fruits.

Discussion Question

1. Identify two things the Bible compares false prophets to in the passage? Verses 15 & 17.

2. Identify ways in which both good and bad prophets could look alike.

3. What distinguishes a bad prophet from a good one? Verses 16 & 20.

4. Why does the Bible warn us to beware of false prophets?

5. What will you do personally to beware of false prophets?

Conclusion

Trees are generally identified by their fruits. A mango tree cannot produce orange. Matthew 12:33-35 further explains that if you make a tree good, its fruit will also be good but if the tree is corrupt, its fruit will also be corrupt . In like manner, false prophets can be distinguished from good prophets by their fruits. True prophets and false prophets may look alike in appearance, ministration and accomplishments. Here again, their fruits will determine their credibility. Fruit as used here refers to character as stated in Galatians 5: 22-23. It is also important to examine the biblical basis of their utterances and discern the spirit backing their operations because familiar spirits can also make accurate predictions. In order to see through their deception, we must read the Word of God and pray daily as well as desist from moving from one prayer meeting to the other in search of prophetic messages.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2016 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 41 – SUNDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 9, 2016.

TOPIC: THE PRODIGAL SON (THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON)

Main Text: Luke 15:11-13

Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 4:10, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

Introduction

This parable, which has been named “The Prodigal Son”, contains a number of lessons that demand our attention as Christians. In the first place, the younger son demands his portion of the estate while his father was still alive and goes away from the oversight and authority of his father to “do his own thing”. He is representative of the Christian who finds the authority of God oppressive or restrictive and, therefore, backslides. He goes far away to spend his inheritance in wild living. A prodigal person is one given to wasteful and reckless expenditure especially of money. The backslidden Christian will find himself wildly spending his time, money, gifts and other resources on sexual immorality, impurity, lust and evil desires (Col. 3:5). Others involve themselves in bad company, obscenity, foolish talk and coarse joking which are out of place (Eph. 5:4).

Discussion Questions

1. What did the younger son say to his father? (Verse 12).

2. What did he do with his portion of the inheritance? (Verse 13)

3. What does it mean to be prodigal?

4. ‘The Prodigal Son represents the backslidden Christian’. Discuss.

5. What are some behavioural traits a backslidden Christian is likely to exhibit?

6. Why do some Christians backslide?

Conclusion

Backsliding Christians usually find the loving care of God and his authority over their lives oppressive, and they desire the evil worldly liberties. They long for the pleasures of sin that the world offers. Demas deserted Paul because he loved this world (2Tim. 4:10). The apostle Paul mentions some traits of the worldly Christian in Colossians 3:5 and Ephesians 5:4.

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