COP 2017 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 13

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2017 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 13 – SUNDAY MORNING, MARCH 26, 2017.

TOPIC: DEVELOPING INTIMACY WITH GOD THROUGH PRAYER

Main Text: Luke 5:3, 15-16

Memory Verse: Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed - Luke 5:15-16

Introduction

Jesus’ ministry on earth was marked with a life of consistent intimate fellowship with God. Prayer preceded every stage of His ministry – daily activities and major assignments. Jesus ensured that the demands of the multitude and His itinerant ministry did not drown His priority for constant communion with God through prayer. For Jesus, prayer was a lifestyle and not a need-based activity. Thus, His fellowship with God was regular, predictable, continuous and ceaseless. The Father desires intimate fellowship with His children. Thus, like Jesus, we must seek constant fellowship with Him through prayer and meditation.

Questions for Discussion

1. What did the crowd seek from Jesus? Verse 15

2. What did Jesus do in the midst of the pressure from the multitude? Verse 3

3. How can we make prayer a lifestyle and not a need-based activity?

4. Do you have time set for intimate fellowship with God? Explain.

5. What lessons have you learnt from Jesus’ fellowship with the Father, and how will you apply them?

Conclusion

With multitudes pressing on Him for teachings and the miraculous, it was possible for Jesus to have neglected His devotional life. Yet, none of these could drown His priority for constant communion with God. Jesus often withdrew from the pressures of life to be with the Father in prayer. In like manner, we must consciously make time despite our busy schedules to be alone with God in prayer. Prayer must not be an emergency fortress we run to only in times of trouble. Rather, the desire to have intimate fellowship with God must drive us to regular communion with Him through prayer. There are higher heights and deeper truths in God that can only be accessed through constant fellowship in prayer. This is the way our Master Jesus went and we His servants must follow His example.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2017 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 13 – SUNDAY EVENING, MARCH 26, 2017.

TOPIC: DISTRICT / LOCAL / CELL INPUT

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE

Week 13 (Sunday 26^th March to Saturday 1^st April, 2017)          

1. Sunday:          1 Samuel 25-27         
2. Monday:         1 Samuel 28-31         
3. Tuesday:        2 Samuel 1-3 
4. Wednesday:   2 Samuel 4-7
5. Thursday:      2 Samuel 8-11           
6. Friday:           2 Samuel 12-13
7. Saturday:       2 Samuel 14-15

Week 14 (Sunday 2^nd to Saturday 8^th April, 2017)

1. Sunday:          2 Samuel 16-18         
2. Monday:         2 Samuel 19-20         
3. Tuesday:        2 Samuel 21-22         
4. Wednesday:   2 Samuel 23-24
5. Thursday:      1 Kings 1-2    
6. Friday:           1 Kings 3-5
7. Saturday:       1 Kings 6-7

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COP 2017 BIBLE STUDY& HOME CELL WEEK 12

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2017 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 12 – SUNDAY MORNING, MARCH 19, 2017.

TOPIC: THE CHRISTIAN’S DEVOTIONAL LIFE

Main Text: Mark 1:35–38

Memory Verse: Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed - Mark 1:35

Introduction

The practice of daily personal devotions is one of the most important spiritual disciplines a Christian must cultivate. Daily devotions or quiet time is the discipline of seeking the Lord daily through His word (Bible Reading, Meditation, and Memorization of Scriptures) and prayer. During personal devotions, God speaks to us, prunes, refreshes, renews, strengthens and clothes us with virtue that enables us to serve in His kingdom. Jesus Christ, our perfect model, often withdrew to solitary places to commune with God.

Questions for Discussion

1. What did Jesus do in the morning as recorded in Mark 1:35?

2. Why did Jesus leave the house for a solitary place? Verse 35

3. Why were the disciples looking for Jesus? Verses 35-37

4. ‘Everyone is looking for you.’ How can this statement be a hindrance to consistent personal devotions as a Christian? Verse 37

5. How would you emulate the example of Christ in dealing with hindrances to consistent and effective personal devotions?

Conclusion

Early in the morning, Jesus rose up, left His comfort zone, and located a place with minimal distractions for prayer and meditation. Though it is not mentioned that Jesus read scripture in His devotions, it could be inferred that He meditated on the word of God. Aware of the pressures of daily life, Jesus devised a strategy that dealt with the expected hindrances to His personal devotional time with God. Rising up early meant that He could observe His devotions and still have ample time for His daily assignments. Also, by leaving the house for a solitary place, He was sure to avoid distractions from family, friends and help seekers. Jesus’ example shows that we cannot stride by chance into a life of consistent and effective personal devotions with God. Following His example in this regard requires intentional planning, sacrifice and discipline.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2017 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 12 – SUNDAY EVENING, MARCH 19, 2017.

TOPIC: CALLING THE FAMILY TOGETHER (FAMILY DEVOTIONS)

Main Texts: Acts 10:24–33; Luke 11:1– 2

Memory Verse: … Lord teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples - Luke 11: 1b

Introduction

Devotion is loyalty to a person or enthusiasm for an activity. In the Christian life, devotions could be time set by a person or family where they seek the face of the Lord in prayer, reading of the Word and fellowship. It is one of the means by which Christians show their love and loyalty to God by spending time with Him on a daily consistent basis. Jesus was committed to having personal devotions with God and He sometimes did it with the disciples. One day after His prayer, the disciples asked that He taught them how to pray. From the account in Acts, Cornelius called together his family to hear the Word of the Lord from Peter. On that occasion, the family and friends who were gathered received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This shows the importance of family devotions.

Questions for Discussion

1. What is family devotion? 128

2. Discuss the benefits of family devotions. Luke 11:1; Acts 10:44

3. What did Cornelius do to receive Peter? Acts 10:24

4. What major activities go into a family devotion? Luke 11:1; Acts 10:34-38

5. How would you setup an effective family devotion?

Conclusion

Family devotions is a consistent time set by families, friends or dependents in a household for prayer, worship, fellowship and sharing God’s word. The disciples of Jesus requested to be taught to pray when they observed Him praying. This means people can learn Christian disciplines like prayer, Bible study and preaching that enhance spirituality during family devotions. Though devotions could be held at any convenient time, early morning devotions before family members go out to engage in the activities of the day is the best. As seen in the example of Cornelius’ household, devotions could involve an opportunity for people to respond to the message, confess Christ or even receive the Holy Spirit baptism. Effective family devotions should not be limited to routine methods of prayer and short exhortations but a real encounter with the Holy Spirit.

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE

Week 12 (Sunday 19^th to Saturday 25^th March, 2017)      

1. Sunday:          1 Samuel 4-7 
2. Monday:         1 Samuel 8-10
3. Tuesday:        1 Samuel 11-13         
4. Wednesday:   1 Samuel 14-15
5. Thursday:      1 Samuel 16-17         
6. Friday:           1 Samuel 18-20
7. Saturday:       1 Samuel 21-24  

 
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COP 2017 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 11

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2017 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 11 – SUNDAY MORNING, MARCH 12, 2017

MCKEOWN MISSIONS WEEK

TOPIC: GENEROSITY TOWARDS GOD’S WORK

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Memory Verse: And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us - 2 Corinthians 8:5

Introduction

Sustaining the work of Missions involves praying, sending and giving. Thus, to secure the progress of the work of missions in the church, we must excel in sending missionaries, giving to Missions and praying for missionaries. For this reasons, structures exist in the Church of Pentecost for these three areas of support mentioned. However, these structures require our immense support to function and run effectively. In today’s study, we shall examine how the churches in Macedonia gave themselves and their substance in support of the work of Missions. 

Questions for Discussion

1. How did the Macedonian churches demonstrate the grace that God gave to them? Verses 1-2

2. How did the churches in Macedonia give? Verses 3-4

3. What enabled them to give beyond their ability? Verse 5

4. What structures exist in the Church of Pentecost for financial support and prayer for Missions?

5. How can we be generous with our resources like time, money and talents among others in support of Missions?

Conclusion

The manner in which we use our financial resources, time and talents tells a lot about our relationship with God. The Macedonian churches were not endowed with so much physical wealth but their relationship with God resulted in their rich generosity towards His work. Structures exist in the Church of Pentecost for the support of Missions. While the sending of missionaries is the sole prerogative of the Executive Council, the areas of prayer and financial support for Missions depend very much on us. In the area of prayer, the church has designed a chart that details the prayer requests of the various Mission Nations. In addition, Wednesday of every communion week is set aside for prayer support for missionaries. In the area of financial support, Missions Offering is given every Communion Sunday to support the work of Missions. Also, the annual McKeown Missions’ Week celebration helps to raise funds to support the work of Missions. Like the Macedonian churches, we must continue to give our resources generously in support of the work of Missions.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2017 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 11 – SUNDAY EVENING, MARCH 12, 2017.

TOPIC: GENEROSITY, THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 8: 9

Memory Verse: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends - John 15:13

Introduction

In all matters of Christian character and virtue, the example of Christ is the standard to be followed. During His life on earth, Christ demonstrated generosity to various groups of people which culminated in the giving of His life to humankind. In general, generosity refers to the quality of selflessness, liberality in giving and the willingness to give your time, money, energy, talents or efforts for the benefit of others. This flows from a pure intention to seek the interest of others and not the desire to be seen and noted for acts of kindness. Our study will enable us identify the marks of generosity as demonstrated by Jesus.

Questions for Discussion

1. How do you understand generosity?

2. How does Christ’s earthly ministry and death demonstrate generosity? Verse 9

3. What was Jesus’ motive for all the sacrifices he made for humankind? Romans 5:8-11

4. Taking Christ as an example, what should be our motives for acts of generosity?

5. How would you apply lessons from today’s study to your life?

Conclusion

To be generous means to be selfless, liberal in giving, kind and willing to meet the needs of others. Jesus gave up the glory that was rightfully His. He emptied Himself of His divine nature and privileges and took the form of man to enable Him fulfil the mission of saving humankind from eternal damnation. In Christ’s example, we can identify selflessness, sacrifice, liberality and the willingness to meet a need. Further to this, His motive was not to seek glory for Himself but the salvation of humanity. As followers of Jesus, His generosity and motive ought to serve as an example for us. Thus, our motives for helping people must be sincere and pure and should spring up from a genuine love. Our acts of generosity must be devoid of selfish motives, public show of religiosity and the desire to project ourselves (Matt 6:2-3).

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE

Week 11 (Sunday 12^th to Saturday 18^th March, 2017)      

1. Sunday:          Judges 6-8     
2. Monday:         Judges 9-11   
3. Tuesday:        Judges 12-15 
4. Wednesday:   Judges 16-18
5. Thursday:      Judges 19-21 
6. Friday:           Ruth 1-4
7. Saturday:       1 Samuel 1-3

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