THE
CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE
WEEK 2 – SUNDAY MORNING,
JANUARY 14, 2018.
WE CARE DAY
TOPIC: THE
WEIGHTIER MATTERS
Review of Previous Lesson
(5 Minutes)
a. What did you learn
from the previous lesson?
b.
How did you apply it to your life?
Main Text: Matthew
23:23
Memory Verse: He
has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. –
Micah 6:8
Introduction
This study brings out
clearly the fact that we cannot serve God on our own terms. Faithfulness in
service comes through knowing and doing His will. The Pharisees were so
particular about tithing that they tithed on everything including spices (mint,
anise and cumin); thus, they took pride in counting and tithing. On the other
hand, matters of the law that Jesus described as weightier were of little
concern to them. In today’s study, we shall examine what these weightier
matters are and how we can attend to them just as we do to other matters.
Questions for Discussion
1. How did the Pharisees
tithe and what had they neglected? Verse 23a
2. What was the problem
with the approach of the Pharisees? Verse 23b
3. What advice did Jesus
give the Pharisees on tithing? Verse 23
4. What are the weightier
matters and why do people often neglect them?
Conclusion
Tithing on garden spices
required a great deal of work but the Pharisees were ready to do it. Meanwhile,
issues of justice, mercy and faith which were basic to the law had been
neglected (Mic. 6:8). Jesus referred to these as weightier matters because they
constitute the spirit of the law (Matt 22:35-40). Also, they touch on the
purpose of the law – man’s responsibilities toward God and fellow humans. (Zec.
7:9; Ro 13:8). Faith is towards God while justice and mercy are our
responsibilities to mankind (Gal 5: 14, 1 Tim. 1:5). Tithing is important, but
it must be practised alongside justice, mercy and faith. Failure to do so makes
religion pointless and the observance of rites and ceremonies meaningless (Hos.
6: 6, Prov. 21:3, Isa. 1:13-17). Christ expects us to pay attention to the
weightier matters in our daily lives while still attending to other issues such
as tithing.
************************************************************************
THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST –
2018 HOME CELL OUTLINE
WEEK 2 – SUNDAY EVENING,
JANUARY 14, 2018.
TOPIC: TAKING ADVANTAGE
OF THE POOR AND VULNERABLE
Review of Previous Lesson
(5 Minutes)
a. What did you learn
from the previous lesson?
b. How did you apply it
to your life?
Main Text: Mark
12:38-40
Memory Verse: Don’t
take advantage of the poor just because you can; don’t take advantage of those
who stand helpless in court. – Proverbs 22:22 (GNT)
Introduction
The way we treat our
fellow humans in society is a measure of our love and reverence for God. This
study highlights how we should relate with others, especially the weak and
helpless. One of the major themes of the Bible is the manner in which people
take advantage of the vulnerable. The Pharisees were guilty of this shameful
act. They pretended to have interest in the welfare of widows. They convinced
them to commit the management of their properties to them as trustees, only to
defraud them. Are such practices prevalent in our society today? Do religious
leaders twist scriptures to cheat the poor and vulnerable? In this study, we
shall examine how people plunder the easily deceived, poor and needy under the
cloak of religion.
Questions for Discussion
1. How did the Pharisees
behave? Verse 38-39
2. What did the Pharisees
do to the widow’s? Verse 40, Matt. 23:14
3. How do you understand
the phrase “devouring widows’ houses”? Verse 40
4. In what ways do some
religious leaders defraud the poor and needy of their possessions?
5. How can we refrain
from taking advantage of others in the body of Christ?
Conclusion
The Pharisees offered
long prayers to impress people of their extraordinary piety, and to win support
for their religious duties. Jesus condemned this hypocrisy (Matt. 23:14).
Defrauding the vulnerable under the guise of helping them through prayers,
counselling or consultancy service is akin to “devouring widows’ houses”. Also,
playing on the emotions of the poor and manipulating people to give is similar
to the extortion practised by the Pharisees (Prov. 22:22). Religious leaders
must avoid personal interest in dispensing services to the poor, vulnerable and
helpless in society (Phil. 2:3-5; Jas. 3:15). Also, we must use the right
methods, exercise great sensitivity and strike the right balance in raising
funds to support church projects.
************************************************************************
READ
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE
Week
2 (Sunday 14th to Saturday 20th January, 2018)
- Sunday: Genesis 26-28
- Monday: Genesis 29-30
- Tuesday: Genesis 31-33
- Wednesday: Genesis 34-36
- Thursday: Genesis 37-39
- Friday: Genesis 40-42
- Saturday: Genesis 43-45
No comments:
Post a Comment