COP 2018 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 43

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 43 – SUNDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 28, 2018.

TOPIC: LIVING AT PEACE WITH ONE ANOTHER

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 18:15-17

Memory Verse: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. – Matthew 5:9

Introduction

Conflict is present in every human institution. It occurs in the home, office, market, government and also in the church. Conflict on its own is not negative; however, it is how we respond to conflict that makes it either constructive or destructive. Jesus Christ provides a model response to the challenge of conflict resolution. He teaches us not to harbour grievance but rather amicably try to resolve issues. The systematic approach Jesus provides ensures that conflicts are resolved. A positive and creative response to conflict would help those involved to learn about their own weaknesses and those of others.

Questions for Discussion

1. What is the first step to be taken in conflict resolution? Verse 15

2. What is to be done if the first step fails? Verse 16

3. How can the Church ensure that conflicts are resolved?

4. What are some of the causes of conflict in the Church?

5. Why should conflicts be resolved in the Church?

Conclusion

In some human settings, people like to speak with others concerning a particular grievance instead of speaking with the one who offended them, thus spreading the rift between them. Jesus instructed that, the first action to be taken is to speak with the offender alone. Unresolved conflicts lead to withdrawal. Some of the causes of conflicts include discrimination, temperamental differences, intolerance, and disrespect for other people. It is important to point out that if conflicts are left unresolved for a long time, it would have a damaging effect on inter-personal relationship and institutional communication. Our Lord Jesus therefore gives a model which will help us if followed.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 43 – SUNDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 28, 2018.

TOPIC: HEALING FROM 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: Luke 9:37-42

Memory Verse: He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. – Matthew 10:1

Introduction

Science and Technology have done much good to humanity. In today’s world, massive advancement has been seen in the health care delivery system. Curative and preventive measures have been put in place against many sicknesses and diseases that adversely affect human health. In spite of the good the health sector is doing, there is no medical remedy for a person whose spirit is possessed by the enemy. Jesus had an encounter with a child who was possessed by an evil spirit, resulting in the infliction of pain on his physical body. He was being destroyed. Divine healing came to the child when he finally met the Christ.

Questions for Discussion

1. How many children did the man who asked for healing from Jesus have? Verse 38

2. What were some of the things the evil spirit did to the child? Verse 39

3. What lessons can the Church draw from Jesus’ response to the disciples? Verse 41

4. How can modern medicine administer healing to someone possessed with an evil spirit?

Conclusion

The demon-possessed boy was the only child of his father. An evil spirit caused him to scream, threw him into convulsions and made him foam at the mouth. The Disciples of Christ were unable to heal the boy. Jesus attributed this to their unbelief. The Church must seek to deepen our faith in the Lord in things we ask from Him. Modern medicine may have some sort of temporary relief to the body of someone possessed. However, complete healing of the human spirit comes from the Lord alone.

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE

Week 43 (Sunday 28^th October to Saturday 3^rd November, 2018)           

1. Sunday:          Luke 2-3
2. Monday:         Luke 4-5        
3. Tuesday:        Luke 6-7        
4. Wednesday:   Luke 8-9
5. Thursday:      Luke 10-11    
6. Friday:           Luke 12-13
7. Saturday:       Luke 14-16

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COP 2018 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 42

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 42 – SUNDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 21, 2018.

TOPIC: PENSIONS DAY – PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT

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: Genesis 41:28-36

Memory Verse: But in the summer, ants gather all of their food and save it. So when winter comes, there is plenty to eat. – Proverbs 6:8 (ERV)

Introduction

Retirement is a period of inactive work. It may come naturally at old age, as a result of sickness, accident or natural disaster. The Church of Pentecost celebrates Pensions Day and contributes generously to the Pensions Fund to remember our ministers who have retired from active service. On this day, we shall highlight the importance of planning for retirement through a discussion of Joseph’s advice to Pharaoh in Genesis 41:3-37.

Questions for Discussion

1. According to the passage, was Egypt going to have plenty food forever? Verse 29-31

2. What were the people instructed to do during the years of abundant harvest? Verse 34

3. What was the purpose of storing food during the years of plenty? Verses 35, 36

4. How can we plan for years of inactivity and retirement?

5. What have you decided to do now to meet your needs when you are not working?

Conclusion

Meeting expenditure on health, food and shelter can be challenging when our regular sources of income cease due to incapacitation or retirement. However, with a good retirement plan carried out right from a young age, such challenges can be dealt with comfortably. The people gave portions of their farm produce for seven years for storage. These ‘savings’ prevented what could have been a deadly famine in Egypt and the world at large. The seven years of abundance can be likened to our years of active service when our streams of income are regular and substantial. On the other hand, the years of famine represent times of inactivity due to old age or ill-health. When we plan for the years of scarcity, we will be able to deal with the challenges they present. Storing food from the first year of plenty suggests that, the earlier we start planning and saving for our retirement, the bigger the returns would be on our investment to support us through the period of retirement.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 42 – SUNDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 21, 2018.

TOPIC: DIVINE HEALING AND MEDICATION

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: 2 Kings 20:1-7

Memory Verse: And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. – 2 Kings 20:7 (KJV).

Introduction

In our study today we will consider means that God has provided for our healing any time we fall sick. Some people believe that using medication demonstrates lack of faith in divine healing. Reference can be made to one 11-year-old girl called Kara Neuman in the United States of America, whose parents refused to treat her with anything other than prayer, leading to her eventual death. Similarly, many Christians are left in dilemma as to whether to trust God for healing with or without medication. The Church of Pentecost believes in divine healing but does not prohibit seeking medical care from qualified health practitioners.

Questions for Discussion

1. What happened to Hezekiah? Verse 1

2. What did he do and what was God’s response? Verse 2-5

3. How would you consider the direction to apply an ointment of figs? Verse 7

4. What is the position of Scripture concerning the use of medication?

5. What should we do when we get sick?

Conclusion

Hezekiah prayed to God for healing and God responded by extending his years. The prophet ordered him to apply an ointment of figs on his boil after which he recovered. The figs are known to have medicinal properties. It must be noted that, medical science is one provision God has made for our healing. God gives people knowledge to make scientific discoveries and leads others to discover herbs of medicinal value to improve the quality of life. As an example, the discovery of the Germ Theory in the 19th century led to the cure of many infectious diseases. Divine healing is God’s prerogative. It is advised that when one gets sick, fervent prayer should be made (Jas. 5:14-15); however, medical attention should not be prohibited. Divine healing and medical science are both tools in the hands of God. They must, therefore, be combined harmoniously with wisdom to realise God’s desire for us to experience good health (3 John 2).

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE

Week 42 (Sunday 21^st October to Saturday 27^th October, 2018) 

1. Sunday:          Matthew 27-28
2. Monday:         Mark 1-3       
3. Tuesday:        Mark 4-6       
4. Wednesday:   Mark 7-9
5. Thursday:      Mark 10-13   
6. Friday:           Mark 14-16
7. Saturday:       Luke 1

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COP 2018 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 41

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 41 – SUNDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 14, 2018.

TOPIC: THE TENETS OF THE CHURCH – SANCTIFICATION

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: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

Memory Verse: It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality. – 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Introduction

The Church’s tenet regarding Sanctification states, We believe in the sanctification of the believer through the working of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is the process by which people, articles or places are set apart or consecrated for the use of God. As part of the new birth experience, the believer is sanctified (set apart for God’s use) by the indwelling Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 1:2, Paul refers to the believers as those sanctified in Christ Jesus. Furthermore, it is God’s desire that every believer progressively grows in a life of holiness or sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3). This work is done by the Holy Spirit who gradually works out an inner transformation that results in purity, moral uprightness and holiness.

Questions for Discussion

1. What is Sanctification?

2. What is God’s will concerning the believer? Verse 3

3. What are some practices that do not produce personal holiness? Verse 4-6

4. Why did God call us to himself? Verse 7

5. Why are items and people set apart for God’s use?

Conclusion

God is depicted as one Who is holy. He sanctifies those who come to Him from their sins and evil desires by the power of the Holy Spirit. He then sets them apart for the Master’s use. This explains why articles and people chosen to be used in His service in the Old Testament were ritually consecrated for that purpose. In the New Testament, as part of the salvation package, the believer is initially sanctified by the Holy Spirit or set apart for God’s use. After this initial work of grace, God requires all believers to live by high standards of purity in all areas of our lives. This continuous and gradual inward change takes place as we allow the indwelling Holy Spirit to influence every department of our lives.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 41 – SUNDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 14, 2018.

TOPIC: DIVINE HEALING

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: 2 Kings 20:1-11

Memory Verse: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. – 3 John 2 (NKJV)

Introduction

One of the tenets of the Church of Pentecost is the belief in divine healing. We believe that the healing of sicknesses and diseases is provided for God’s people in the atonement. However, we do not oppose medication by qualified medical practitioners. There are some instances where no amount of medications would heal the sick. There are certain ailments too that require just medications. However, even in such cases once there is healing there is some level of divine intervention. For, the knowledge to arrive at such medications and the skill and expertise to handle such illness come from God. The story of King Hezekiah is one of the stories that depict how God extends His healing hand to those that call on Him, even through the use of medication.

Questions for Discussion

1. How did God refer to Hezekiah, the king? Verse 5

2. What manner of sickness was Hezekiah suffering from? Verse 7

3. Why do you think the prophet instructed the use of poultice/lump of figs to heal the king? Verse 7

4. How would you respond to people who oppose the use of medicine in times of sickness?

5. What has God said about healing for those who come to Him? Exodus 33:19; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9)

Conclusion

Hezekiah was a man God referred to as captain of His people. He suffered from an ailment that almost took his life, but the king prayed to God. This shows us the first step to take when we are sick. God made all trees and herbs, most of which are medicinal. The directive given by the prophet to use the figs is just a means God had decided to use to heal the king. Medicine itself is not bad, unless abused. Using medication to treat the sick is not an indication of lack of faith. Rather, it shows faith in the sovereignty of God.

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE

Week 41 (Sunday 14^th October to Saturday 20^th October, 2018) 

1. Sunday:          Matthew 10-12
2. Monday:         Matthew 13-14          
3. Tuesday:        Matthew 15-17          
4. Wednesday:   Matthew 18-20
5. Thursday:      Matthew 21-22          
6. Friday:           Matthew 23-24
7. Saturday:       Matthew 25-26

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