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 10th June to Saturday 16th June, 2018)
- Sunday: Psalms 8-14
- Monday: Psalms 15-18
- Tuesday: Psalms 19-24
- Wednesday: Psalms 25-30
- Thursday: Psalms 31-34
- Friday: Psalms 35-37
- Saturday: Psalms 38-42
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