COP 2017 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 35

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2017 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 35 – SUNDAY MORNING, AUGUST 27, 2017.

TOPIC: BREAKING THROUGH CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS BARRIERS

Main Text: John 4:5-26

Memory Verse: There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus - Galatians 3:28

Introduction

Culture constitutes the ideas, behaviours and customs of a group or community of people. Each ethnic group has its own peculiar cultural behaviours. These behaviours could create cultural barriers that may hinder healthy inter-ethnic relations, or promote conflicts and wars. Also, some tribes do not encourage inter-marriages. These behaviours also existed in the days of Jesus Christ between the Jews and the Samaritans. Jews considered themselves closer to God and saw the Samaritans as outcasts. They had nothing in common. It is against this backdrop that Jesus demonstrated that such cultural barriers must not exist in the kingdom of God. In this study, we will learn how the Lord’s interaction with the Samaritan woman brought salvation to a whole city.

Questions for Discussion

1. Who was Jesus speaking with? Verse 7

2. What was the woman’s reply and why? Verse 9

3. Under what circumstances do we hear such replies in our societies?

4. What was the outcome of the interaction between Jesus and the woman? John 4:39-40

5. In what ways will the study help you to relate better with others from different cultural backgrounds?

Conclusion

Though we come from various cultural backgrounds, we should not allow our differences to create divisions and conflict. Some parents sometimes refuse inter-marriages with the reason that the two tribes involved have nothing in common. As indicated in our memory verse, once we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, we become one people with no wall of division. The interaction between Jesus and the Samaritan woman led to the salvation of Samaria. As Christians, we should promote peace and allow the Gospel we preach to cut across all cultural barriers.

************************************************************************

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2017 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 35 – SUNDAY EVENING, AUGUST 27, 2017.

ACTIVITY: DISTRICT / LOCAL / CELL INPUT

************************************************************************

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE

Week 35 (Sunday 27^th August to Saturday 2^nd September, 2017)           

1. Sunday:          Ezekiel 1-4     
2. Monday:         Ezekiel 5-9     
3. Tuesday:        Ezekiel 10-13
4. Wednesday:   Ezekiel 14-16
5. Thursday:      Ezekiel 17-19
6. Friday:           Ezekiel 20-21
7. Saturday:       Ezekiel 22-23

DOWNLOAD THIS STUDY