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 12th to Saturday 18th March, 2017)
- Sunday: Judges 6-8
- Monday: Judges 9-11
- Tuesday: Judges 12-15
- Wednesday: Judges 16-18
- Thursday: Judges 19-21
- Friday: Ruth 1-4
- Saturday: 1 Samuel 1-3
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