COP 2018 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 49

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 49 – SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 9, 2018.

TOPIC: CHRISTMAS – TIME FOR THE LORD’S FAVOUR

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: Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:21

Memory Verse: The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ – Luke 1:28

Introduction

Christmas is a wonderful occasion. Some people see it as a period of merry-making, celebrations and joy. Others also think it is a period that many families go on vacations and make resolutions for the coming year. The nature of the occasion has made many business organisations adopt various strategies to cash in on the celebrants of this season. However, as Christians, Christmas offers us the opportunity to reflect on the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, which opened to us the door of salvation. The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ was the pinnacle of God’s plan to rescue mankind from the bondage of sin (Matt. 1:21).

Questions for Discussion

1. Who foretold the birth of Jesus Christ to Mary? Verse 26

2. What was the angel’s greeting to Mary? Verse 28

3. What was the response of Mary to the angelic greetings? Verse 29, 34, 38

4. How did the angel address Mary’s concerns? Verses 30-33, 35

5. How important is the birth of Jesus to you and the world?

Conclusion

The birth of Jesus was foretold by the angel Gabriel when he appeared to Mary, a virgin pledged to be married to Joseph in the town of Galilee. The angel greeted Mary with the Lord’s favour and assured her that the Lord was with her. Mary wondered what kind of greeting it was but the angel comforted her by helping her understand that the Spirit of the Lord would be upon her and what she would conceive shall be called the Son of the Most High God.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 47 – SUNDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 25, 2018.

ACTIVITY: VISITATION AND HOUSE-TO-HOUSE EVANGELISM

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE

Week 49 (Sunday 9^th December to Saturday 15^th December, 2018)        

1. Sunday:          2 Cor. 11-13
2. Monday:         Galatians 1-3 
3. Tuesday:        Galatians 4-6 
4. Wednesday:   Ephesians 1-3
5. Thursday:      Ephesians 4-6
6. Friday:           Philippians 1-4
7. Saturday:       Colossians 1-4

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COP 2018 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 47

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 47 – SUNDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 25, 2018.

TOPIC: THE NEXT LIFE

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: Revelation 2:10-11

Memory Verse: If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. – 1 Corinthians 15:19

Introduction

The Bible teaches us that when we die, our immaterial souls and spirits will be separated from our physical bodies. It is also clear from the Scriptures that there is judgment that will determine our eternal destiny. Many individuals encounter near death experiences and give similar accounts. They talk about seeing themselves leave their bodies, and this gives us an indication that, life surely does not end at death. Many Christians assume that after receiving Christ all that remains is a joyful entrance into heaven at death. Our study today seeks to throw more light on the need to be faithful servants of Christ in order to receive eternal rewards from Him. Our main text reveals the forms of reward believers will receive from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Questions for Discussion

1. Why are the believers encouraged not to be afraid? Verse 10

2. How faithful are believers expected to be? Verse 10

3. What form of reward are believers going to receive after death? Verse 10

4. Why will overcomers not be hurt by the second death? Verse 11

5. How can believers receive this reward and also escape from the second death?

Conclusion

One of the most important aspects of our salvation as Christians is that, salvation does not end here on earth. Our study today assures us that, no matter the challenges we go through to please our Saviour, there is a reward for us if we remain steadfast till the end. This crown of life is only one of the five crowns to be given to believers. Our faithful pursuit of God will surely yield fruitful results in the Next Life. The lesson for the believer is that, each of us will give an account of our time here on earth. As believers, we should not be afraid of death. One day, we will all meet again as saints. Therefore, what awaits the believer after death is a glorious future. We have to live our lives with this assurance in mind.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 47 – SUNDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 25, 2018.

TOPIC: HEAVEN – OUR ETERNAL HOME

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: Revelations 21:1-8

Memory Verse: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. – Revelation 21:1

Introduction

There are several meanings to the word Heaven as used in the Bible. The Heavens could describe the space within which the clouds, sun, moon and stars are located (Gen. 1:1. Psalm 8:3). Also, Heaven is used to indicate the abode of God and the angels. However, the focus of today’s study is Heaven, the promised eternal home of the redeemed where God will make His dwelling among them. The scriptures provide the clearest and most convincing argument for the existence of this eternal home. We shall therefore examine what is revealed in God’s word concerning the eternal home of the saved.

Questions for Discussion

1. What will happen to the present heaven and earth? Verse 1

2. How do you understand the ‘Holy City’ or ‘New Jerusalem’ in verse 2?

3. What did the voice from the throne say? Verse 3

4. How will life in Heaven be like?

5. What is your personal conviction about the reality of Heaven?

Conclusion

The present heaven and earth will give way to the new heaven and earth (Rev 21:1). Out of the new heaven, God will usher in the Holy City or New Jerusalem on the new earth which will be the eternal home of the saved (Rev. 21:11-13). This Holy City or New Jerusalem as described by the Scriptures shines with the glory of God. The city has no need of a temple, sun or moon, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple and the glory of God gives it light. God will make His dwelling among men here and there will be neither sorrow, weeping nor death (Isa. 25:8). The unsaved, impure and anyone who does what is shameful will not enter the New Jerusalem. Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter Heaven. The reality of Heaven is a call for all to work out their salvation in eager expectation of the coming of Jesus Christ.

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE

Week 47 (Sunday 25^th November to Saturday 1^st December, 2018)        

1. Sunday:          Acts 20-23
2. Monday:         Acts 24-28     
3. Tuesday:        Romans 1-3   
4. Wednesday:   Romans 4-7
5. Thursday:      Romans 8-10 
6. Friday:           Romans 11-13
7. Saturday:       Romans 14-16

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COP 2018 BIBLE STUDY & HOME CELL WEEK 46

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 46 – SUNDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 18, 2018.

TOPIC: LIFE AFTER DEATH

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: Revelation 20:11-15

Memory Verse: If anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. – Revelations 20:15

Introduction

Humans are usually faced with the questions: “Where did I come from?”, “What am I doing here?”, “Where am I going from here?” Our answers to these questions have various implications for our lives here on earth. Christians can be assured that death is not something to be feared. Instead, death becomes our point of entry into heaven. One of the tenets of The Church of Pentecost is ‘The Second Coming and Next Life’ which deals with the subject. This clearly shows that the Church’s belief is that, life does not end here on earth but continues after death (John 5:28-29 and 2 Peter 3:11, Heb. 9:27). Our study today takes a brief look at what will happen to people after they die.

Questions for Discussion

1. What type of throne was seen by the writer? Verse 11

2. Which groups of the dead are described in verse 12?

3. How were the dead judged? Verse 12

4. What is the difference between the first resurrection and the second death. Verses 5 and 6

5. How should believers prepare for the Next Life?

Conclusion

The Akans of Ghana have a saying, “the ladder of death hangs on the neck of all human beings”. Death is the inevitable physical end of all humans. Our study today, however, reminds us that everything does not end at death. We shall all be judged after death based on the way we live in this life. Those whose names are not found in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire. This is termed the Second Death. The only condition for people to have their names written in the Book of Life is to believe on Jesus Christ and accept Him as their personal Saviour and Lord. It is also necessary for them to live a holy life as a proof of the inward transformation that took place after the new birth.

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THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2018 HOME CELL OUTLINE

WEEK 46 – SUNDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 18, 2018.

TOPIC: HELL IS REAL

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: Luke 16:19-31

Memory Verse: Then he will say to those on his left hand, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ – Mathew 25:41

Introduction

Many dispute the reality of Hell because they cannot imagine how a loving and caring God would send people to a place of eternal torment. The eternal destination of sinners as described by Jesus is neither a mere threat nor fiction. It is real. Words such as “Gehena”, “the pit”, “Abyss” have been used in the bible to describe Hell. The unsaved and workers of iniquity will go to Hell. Jesus spoke about Hell and its torments vividly. We shall therefore discuss one of Jesus’ descriptions of what happens in Hell.

Questions for Discussion

1. What happened to the rich man when he died? Verse 22-23

2. Can you describe the suffering of the rich man? Verse 24

3. Why did Jesus tell this story?

4. What would make a person go to Hell after judgement? Gal. 5:19-21

5. What have you learnt from today’s study?

Conclusion

The rich man went to Hell after death because he did not repent, (Luke 16:30) and not because of his riches. God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked. He desires that the wicked repents and turns to Him (2 Peter 3:9). However, in His just nature, He cannot leave sin unpunished. He therefore sent His son Jesus to pay the penalty of sin so that by faith in Him, men would be justified and receive eternal life (John 3:16). Those who reject this salvation are doomed for eternal damnation (Mark 16:16, Heb. 2:3). Their eternal home will be Hell where there is unimaginable suffering. The fire of Hell never dies and there is no way out or chance for repentance (Mark 9:43-49). Christians who indulge wilfully in sin and do not repent can go to Hell (Gal. 5:19-21). Jesus told this story to warn all about the fearful and painful torture that awaits people who reject the door of salvation or refuse to repent.

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READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR GUIDE

Week 46 (Sunday 18^th November to Saturday 25^th November, 2018)     

1. Sunday:          Acts 1-2
2. Monday:         Acts 3-4         
3. Tuesday:        Acts 5-6         
4. Wednesday:   Acts 7-8
5. Thursday:      Acts 9-12       
6. Friday:           Acts 13-16
7. Saturday:       Acts 17-19

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