Friday, February 17, 2017

COP 2017 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 8



THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2017 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE
WEEK 8 – SUNDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 19, 2017

TOPIC: JESUS CHRIST, TEMPTED YET WITHOUT SIN
Main Text: Matthew 4:1-11
Memory Verse: …but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin - Hebrews 4:15 (b)

Introduction
The New Testament provides enough evidence of the humanity of Jesus Christ. Believing that Jesus was human is one of the foundational beliefs of our Christian faith (1 John 4:2; 2 John 7). Like all humans, Jesus was born (Luk 2:7), He grew (Luk 2:40, 52), became tired (John 4:6), got thirsty (John 19:28) and hungry (Matt 4:2). He became physically weak (Matt 4:11; Luk 23:26). In the passage for our study, we will examine the humanity of Jesus Christ from the perspective of His temptations and how He handled them. This gives us a perfect example that even Jesus in His humanity faced all sorts of temptations and yet was without sin.

Questions for Discussion
1. What shows that Jesus Christ was human? Verses 2-330
2. Identify the kinds of temptations that came His way. Verses 3, 5-6, 8-9
3. How did Jesus Christ deal with the temptations He faced? Verses 4, 7, 10
4. Discuss the various temptations we face as Christians in contemporary times.
5. How does the word of God help us in overcoming temptations?

Conclusion
The temptations of Jesus showed the depth of His human nature. Even though He was the Word made flesh, He had to depend on the strength of the Word to overcome His temptations. The devil’s intention was to lead Jesus to disobey God. In contemporary times, we are saddled with temptations on morality, money, fame, and pride among others. It is our continuous dependence on God’s word that would enable us to overcome. When the devil could not have his way, he left Christ and so shall it be for us if we stand on the word of God to resist him (James 4:7).

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2017 HOME CELL OUTLINE
WEEK 8 – SUNDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 19, 2017.

TOPIC: JESUS CHRIST, OUR MODEL OF HOLINESS
Main Text: Hebrews 4:14-16
Memory Verse: …we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin - Hebrews 4:15b

Introduction
“To err is human” is a common saying that suggests all human beings have moral limitations and cannot live without wrong. Much as that is true, it is also true that those who accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour and follow Him could by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit live holy lives. It is possible to be holy because Christ set the example for us; He lived without sin though He was tempted in every way as we are being tempted. Since holiness is God’s nature, those who are born of Him can exhibit it. It has been said that to be holy is to be “wholly satisfied with Christ” and reflect His beauty and splendour.

Questions for Discussion
1. What role does Jesus play in our lives? V14
2. In which areas of life was Jesus tempted? Verse 15121
3. How did Jesus respond to the temptations of His time? Verse 15
4. Is it possible for us to be holy in this corrupt generation? Discuss
5. How would our holy living influence others?
Conclusion
Though He was God, Jesus came as man, lived on earth and suffered all the temptations we go through – lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the cravings of the sinful nature. However, He was without sin. He is our great high priest who made the most precious sacrifice for our sins before God and continually intercedes for us. Jesus lived such a holy life so, that among other things, He could be a Perfect Model for us to follow. When we focus on our high priest, keep to our confession and boldly depend on Him for strength, we will find grace to be true examples to others.

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE

Week 8 (Sunday 19th to Saturday 25th February, 2017)   
  1. Sunday:          Numbers 34-36         
  2. Monday:         Deuteronomy 1-2      
  3. Tuesday:        Deuteronomy 3-4      
  4. Wednesday:   Deuteronomy 5-7
  5. Thursday:      Deuteronomy 8-11    
  6. Friday:           Deuteronomy 12-15
  7. Saturday:       Deuteronomy 16-19
 
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COP 2017 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 7










THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2017 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE
WEEK 7 – SUNDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 12, 2017

TOPIC: JESUS, MY PERFECT EXAMPLE

Main Text: Matthew 3:11-17
Memory Verse: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” - John 14:6

Introduction

Miriam Webster’s Dictionary defines the word example as “a person or way of behaving that is seen as a model that should be followed.” It means that an example becomes the standard to measure a behaviour or action. All around us, there are many examples which shape, transform and inform our lives. Among the characters in scripture, we see that the Lord Jesus stands out in character, attitude, behaviour and conduct. The scriptures urge us to imitate Christ who alone is the way that leads us to God. For example, the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). We are also told in Philippians 2:5 to follow the example of Christ in humility. Christ Himself told His disciples to imitate His example in service (John 13:13). These and other examples make it clear that in all things Christ is the perfect example to follow.


Questions For Discussion
1. How different is Jesus’ baptism from that of John? Verses 11-12
2. What makes Jesus different from others? John 14:6
3. What kind of approval did Jesus have at His baptism? Verse 17
4. Pick out the divine and human elements of the Lord Jesus in the passage.
5. In what ways can we see the perfect example of Christ in the passage?

Conclusion

Everything points to the fact that Jesus Christ is the perfect example. From His birth to His death, He proved by His life, character and ministry that He is the benchmark for measuring human and godly standards. Jesus’ conduct was exceptional, His character impeccable and His calling divine. No wonder, He emphatically declared “I am the way, the truth and the life”. His uniqueness was unparalleled and this was affirmed all the more when at His baptism, the heavens opened and the Spirit descended upon Him like a dove. Then a voice said, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” The totality of the person of Jesus makes Him the perfect example we can emulate.



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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2017 HOME CELL OUTLINE
WEEK 7 – SUNDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 12, 2017.

TOPIC: THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST
Main Text: Philippians 2:6-11, Colossians 1:15-20
Memory Verse: Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah - Acts 2:36
Introduction
A story is told of a Christian passenger in a plane who refused to take an alcoholic beverage. When asked, he exclaimed that he is under the Lordship of his Master Jesus and serves dutifully 24 hours. Conscious submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is one of the gray areas in the lives of many professing Christians. It seems that many are comfortable to acknowledge Jesus as their Saviour because of His death and resurrection but find it difficult to accept Him as Lord. Hence, we live our lives as people who have been saved but are still ‘lords’ of our lives. The finality of the Christian faith, however, is to recognize the Lordship of Jesus Christ in the lives of all believers as alluded by Paul (Phil 2:9). The aim of this study is to help us to reflect on the Lordship of Jesus Christ, acknowledge it and bring ourselves completely under His rulership as we seek to be His worthy examples.
Questions For Discussion
1. How does Philippians 2:9-11 relate to the lordship of Jesus Christ?
2. What are some of the attributes of His lordship? Colossians 1:15-18
3. What does it mean to acknowledge Jesus as Lord?
4. Discuss the implications of not yielding to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Romans 6:16
5. In what ways can we yield to the lordship of Jesus?
Conclusion
The Lordship of Jesus Christ as indicated in this study is basically His reign and supremacy in our lives. This involves total submission, obedience and reverence for His person and willingness to yield to Him completely. We acknowledge his lordship by our righteous living, daily devotions in prayer and worship, church attendance, submission to our leaders, paying our vows, forgiving those who offend us and loving one another. As long as we submit to something else instead of Christ, that object becomes our Lord. We become true disciples of Jesus Christ when we consciously make Him Lord of our lives.

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE

Week 7 (Sunday 12th to Saturday 18th February, 2017)   
  1. Sunday:          Numbers 12-14         
  2. Monday:         Numbers 15-17         
  3. Tuesday:        Numbers 18-20         
  4. Wednesday:   Numbers 21-23
  5. Thursday:      Numbers 24-26         
  6. Friday:           Numbers 27-30
  7. Saturday:       Numbers 31-33 

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