COP 2018 BIBLE STUDY AND HOME CELL WEEK 25

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 25 – SUNDAY MORNING, JUNE 24, 2018.

TOPIC: TAKING PUBLIC REBUKE IN GOOD FAITH

Review of Previous Week’s Lesson (5 Minutes)

a. What did you learn last week?

b. How did you apply it to your life?

Main Text: 1 Timothy 5:19-21

Memory Verse: Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly so that others may take warnings. – 1 Timothy 5:20

Introduction

One of the core values of the Church of Pentecost is Church Discipline. Discipline can be defined as training to act in accordance with rules or as an instrument of correction in religious communities. In the light of this, we are cautious as the body of Christ not to condone and connive with sin. All efforts must be put in place to maintain personal and corporate holiness among the Saints of Christ. From today’s study, we shall discuss public rebuke as a means of bringing sanity among the people of God.

Questions for Discussion

1. According to the passage, how should we handle accusations? Verse 19

2. What should be done to those who engage in sin? Verse 20

3. Why should those who sin be rebuked publicly? Verse 20

4. How should these instructions be observed? Verse 21

5. What is your understanding of the term public rebuke?

Conclusion

Accusations are charges of wrong doings or offences. In handling issues relating to Church Discipline, church leaders and those in authority must have enough evidence brought by two or three witnesses. Those who engage in open sin must be rebuked publicly so that others may be warned. Apostle Paul warned church leaders and the body of Christ to keep these instructions without partiality and to do nothing out of favouritism. Public rebuke is the expression of sharp disapproval of an open sin or something evil. The purpose of public rebuke is to admonish or correct an action that is evil and also to serve as a deterrent to others. The saints of Christ need the shepherding spirit and integrity of heart with skilfulness (Psalm 78:72) to exercise this disciplinary measure.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 25 – SUNDAY EVENING, JUNE 24, 2018.

ACTIVITY: VISITATION AND HOUSE-TO-HOUSE EVANGELISM

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE

Week 25 (Sunday 24^th June to Saturday 30^th June, 2018)

1. Sunday:          Psalms 79-84 
2. Monday:         Psalms 85-89 
3. Tuesday:        Psalms 90-95 
4. Wednesday:   Psalms 96-102
5. Thursday:      Psalms 103-105         
6. Friday:           Psalms 106-108
7. Saturday:       Psalms 109-115

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COP 2018 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 24

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 24 – SUNDAY MORNING, JUNE 17, 2018.

TOPIC: THE DISCIPLINE OF GOD

Review of Previous Week’s Lesson (5 Minutes)

a. What did you learn last week?

b. How did you apply it to your life?

Main Text: Hebrews 12:5-11

Memory Verse: No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:11

Introduction

Public rebuke is a disciplinary measure to deal with sin and false accusations in the body of Christ. In today’s lesson, we will look at our attitude towards God’s discipline and the benefits associated with enduing it faithfully and sincerely. Our passage clearly establishes that the Lord disciplines those He loves and punishes everyone He accepts. It is often said that in a society without discipline, anarchy is bound to occur. Knowing some disciplinary measures guides our lives and ministries as believers even as we continue to abide in Christ.

Questions for Discussion

1. According to the passage, how should we consider discipline? Verse 5-6

2. What should be our attitude towards discipline? Verse 7

3. Why should human fathers discipline their children? Verse 8

4. Why does God discipline those He accepts as His children? Verse 10-11

5. What practical lessons have you learnt from the study?

Conclusion

As saints abiding in Christ, God is calling us to accept discipline and not to lose heart or take it lightly. Our attitudes should be asking God to give us grace to endure. God’s discipline is for our good so that we can share in His holiness. Discipline produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have gone through it. God is calling us to accept discipline that may be meted out to us by the Church for our own good, though it may be very painful. Discipline is meant to shape, transform and make us better persons.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 24 – SUNDAY EVENING, JUNE 17, 2018.

TOPIC: CHURCH DISCIPLINE

Review of Previous Week’s Lesson (5 Minutes)

a. What did you learn last week?

b. How did you apply it to your life?

Main Text: Hebrews 12:14-17

Memory Verse: See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. – Hebrews 12:15

Introduction

In our previous study, we looked at our attitudes toward provocation. In today’s lesson, we will explore some disciplinary measures God, through the Church of Pentecost uses in efforts to maintain personal and corporate holiness. It is important to know these disciplinary measures so as to guide our lives and ministries.

Questions for Discussion

1. Mention two qualities a believer must aspire to have. Verse 14

2. What are the consequences of falling short of the grace of God? Verse 15

3. Mention the groups of people we are not to be associated with. Verse 16

4. What should be done to those who continue to live in sin and exhibit godless behaviour?

5. What lessons have you learnt from this passage?

Conclusion

As believers in Christ, God expects us to live in peace with everyone and to be holy - for without it no one will see the Lord. We are admonished not to fall away from the grace of God as this causes trouble and defiles many. The godless and sexually immoral are examples of those who are not abiding in Christ. Those who continue to live with sin or lead others into it are likely to be rebuked publicly. When there are no signs of repentance, other strict disciplinary measures could be meted out to them. These may include suspensions (temporary removal or restriction of a member from a position or benefit especially as punishment), revoking of office (withdrawal or reversal of an officer from a call as a form of punishment) – in some extreme cases, ex-communication (termination of ties or any form of fellowship with an individual or group as a form of punishment) from the church.

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE

Week 24 (Sunday 17^th June to Saturday 23^rd June, 2018)

1. Sunday:          Psalms 43-48 
2. Monday:         Psalms 49-54 
3. Tuesday:        Psalms 55-60 
4. Wednesday:   Psalms 61-67
5. Thursday:      Psalms 68-71 
6. Friday:           Psalms 72-75
7. Saturday:       Psalms 76-78

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COP 2018 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 23

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 23 – SUNDAY MORNING, JUNE 10, 2018.

TOPIC: FORGIVENESS

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 18:23-35

Memory Verse: Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. – Matthew 6:12

Introduction

It is important to understand that forgiveness must start first with us. The parable of the unmerciful servant demonstrates that the master was not happy with the wicked servant. He failed to forgive his fellow servant, even though the master had earlier forgiven him a greater debt. The lesson of forgiveness is one that has been clearly taught in the Bible as necessary for our relationship with God. He forgives us our sins based on how we forgive those who wrong us. Jesus added a profound statement, For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14-15). Today’s study emphasises the need to forgive those who offend us.

Questions for Discussion

1. Who do the king and the servant in this parable respectively represent? Verse 23

2. What was the difference between the debts of the two servants? Verses 24 and 28

3. Why do you think the unmerciful servant refused to forgive his fellow servant?

4. What practical lessons have you learnt from the parable on forgiveness.

Conclusion

The amount of debt Jesus has forgiven us cannot be compared to any evil a fellow human being will commit against us. Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. We are also much aware that the wages of sin is death. But through mercy, Jesus, who knew no sin, paid our debt and forgave us our trespasses. In the parable, the unmerciful servant refused to forgive his fellow servant because he did not appreciate what had been done for him by his master. If we appreciate what Jesus did for us by his death on the cross to set us free from the bondage of sin and its consequences, we will easily forgive people who offend us.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 23 – SUNDAY EVENING, JUNE 10, 2018.

TOPIC: AN EYE FOR AN EYE, A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH

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 5:38-42

Memory Verse: If you love me, you will obey what I command. – John 14:15

Introduction

Our study today is about leaving vengeance for God. Sometimes we find it difficult to refrain from evil conduct or retaliating when we are provoked. Normally, it feels good to either insult back or fight back when provoked. On the other hand, we sometimes feel as if we have lost our reputation or sense of reasoning when we do not retaliate during provocation. A Pastor shared a story of how he insulted back a public bus driver when the man provoked him. As soon as he reacted, the driver retorted, ‘Even a Pastor?’ He recounted how bad that day was for him. Jesus gave a sermon (not just a casual talk) on a mountain. His desire is that all His listeners everywhere would learn to overcome evil with good, even in this corrupt world.

Questions for Discussion

1. What is Jesus’ view on the teaching, ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’? Verses 38, 39

2. What did Jesus mean when He said, ‘if someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also’? Compare verse 39 and John 18:22, 23

3. How often do believers give to whoever asks from us without turning our backs on them? Compare verse 42 and 2 Thessalonians 3:10

4. A minister of the gospel calls for the imprisonment of a member caught stealing from the Church. Discuss and compare verse 39 and 1 Corinthians 6:1-7

Conclusion

Jesus’ view on an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is to help us not to take the laws into our own hands. He expects us to show mercy rather than demand our human rights, regardless of how we go about it. Turning the other cheek when we are slapped isn’t just literal. Jesus himself did not do that when He was slapped (John 18:22, 23). However, He wants us to realise the usefulness of overcoming evil. The clarion call to us is to avoid any form of vengeance. Nonetheless, when our lives are threatened we are either expected to escape (John 10:34-39) or defend ourselves lawfully.

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE

Week 23 (Sunday 10^th June to Saturday 16^th June, 2018)

1. Sunday:          Psalms 8-14   
2. Monday:         Psalms 15-18 
3. Tuesday:        Psalms 19-24 
4. Wednesday:   Psalms 25-30
5. Thursday:      Psalms 31-34 
6. Friday:           Psalms 35-37
7. Saturday:       Psalms 38-42

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