COP 2018 BILBE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 28

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE
WEEK 28 – SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 15, 2018.

TOPIC: YOUTH MINISTRY WEEK – LIFESTYLE CHOICES

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 Samuel 2:12-25; 30-34
Memory Verse: But as He who called you is holy; you also be holy in all your conduct. – 1 Peter 1:15 (NKJV)

Introduction

God looks upon behaviour more than a show of religion. He looks at character more than position. There have been many recorded instances where those charged with a sacred responsibility have been guilty of horrible sins. For instance, some church leaders in a reputable church teamed up to steal from the Church’s coffers. They were caught when a minister visited their church and paid tithes in foreign currency. The minister decided to inquire of the day’s proceeds, only to be given a figure far below what he gave. Today’s discussion focuses on lifestyle choices the sons of Eli made in contrast to that of Samuel, the consequences thereafter and the lessons we can draw as future leaders of the Church.

Questions for Discussion

1. What were Eli’s sons doing wrong? Verse 12-17
2. What other wrong did Eli know about his sons? Verse 22
3. What were the consequences of the sins of Eli and his sons? Verses 30, 31, 33, 34
4. Do our choices have negative effects on other believers? Discuss
5. How would you avoid being mustered by negative life choices?

Conclusion

God has set eternity in the hearts of humans. Intuitively, each sound person knows what is right and what is wrong. The sons of Eli were no exception here, yet Hophni and Phinehas had no respect for the LORD’s sacrifice – they took part of it before the rest was offered to God on the altar. They also incited a servant to forcefully take meat from people offering sacrifices. Worse still, they seduced the women who helped at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Eli was fully aware of these gross misconducts but refused to properly deal with his sons. By this, he honoured his sons more than God. The result of these sinful acts was total annihilation of their family line (1 Samuel 4:11, 18, 20; 1 Kings 2:26, 27). Life offers many choices, but choosing to serve God through a godly walk has eternal dividends.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 HOME CELL OUTLINE
WEEK 28 – SUNDAY EVENING, JULY 15, 2018.

TOPIC: DO NOT BE A HYPOCRITE 

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: Matthew 23:27-28
Memory Verse: You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. – Matthew 15:7-8

Introduction

The study for today highlights one of the valuable virtues that we should seek to live by - honesty. It helps us to be true to God, to others and to ourselves in what we do and say. The Jewish law considered anyone unclean if they touched anything belonging to the dead. In view of this, the Pharisees were careful to have their tombs (place of burial for the dead) white-washed or painted every year so that being easily discovered, no one would accidentally come into contact with them. Painted white and bright, the tombs looked clean and beautiful on the outside but within, they contained the bones and decaying bodies of the dead.
Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites and likened them to whitewashed tombs. In our discussion today, we shall find out the reason for this characterisation of the Pharisees and discuss the subject of hypocrisy.

Questions for Discussion

1. How did Jesus describe the Pharisees? Verse 27
2. What are the characteristics of hypocrites? Mark 12:38-40, Matthew 6:2, 5, 16
3. In your view, why did He call them hypocrites and whitewashed tombs?
4. In what ways can our lives be described as whitewashed tombs or hypocritical?
5. What have you learnt from today’s study?

Conclusion 

Jesus described the Pharisees as hypocrites and whitewashed tombs. He did so because of their double standards and dual personalities. Hypocrites pretend to have virtues, moral or religious principles, which they do not actually possess (Matt. 23:27-28). They pay more attention to their reputation than their character and as such, feign a desirable public image which conceals their true character (Matt. 6:2, 5, 16). Hypocrites are very elaborate in observing religious rites while their hearts remain distant from God who is the object of worship (Matt. 23:23-24). 162
They are self-righteous, extol their own virtues and are critical of other people’s shortfalls of which they are equally guilty (Luke 18:9-14). This blinds them to their need of repentance and the Saviour. We can be described as hypocrites if we exhibit the above traits. We must therefore refrain from these characteristics as we strive to remain in Christ.

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE
Week 28 (Sunday 15th July to Saturday 21st July, 2018) 
1. Sunday: Proverbs 26-28
2. Monday: Proverbs 29-31
3. Tuesday: Ecclesiastes 1-4
4. Wednesday: Ecclesiastes 5-8
5. Thursday: Ecclesiastes 9-12
6. Friday: Song of Solomon 1-4
7. Saturday: Song of Solomon 5-8

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