THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2022 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE: WEEK 29

 THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST – 2022 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

WEEK 29: SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2022

INTERCEDING FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH

Main Text: Colossians 4:2–12

Memory Verse: Epaphras who is one of you sends his greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you that you may stand firm in the will of God, mature and fully assured. – Colossians 4:12

Introduction

In the previous lesson, we concluded that intercession is one great opportunity God has given us to shape the character and destiny of nations. We also observed that there was no one to stand in the gap when God sought for one. Often, everyone thinks someone is interceding for the local church.

However, it could happen that no one is actually standing in the gap. To avoid such situations, we must all become intentional about interceding for the local church. In the passage read, Epaphras displayed the admirable trait of interceding continually for the churches in Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our lesson today seeks to highlight this quality with the view to encouraging everyone to get involved in interceding for the local church.

Questions for Discussion

1.      What was Paul’s request to the believers in Colossae? Verse 2–4

2.      Who was Epaphras and what was he doing for the church in Colossae? Verse 12

3.      How do you understand the statement Epaphras ‘wrestling in prayer’? Verse 12

4.      How significant is the content of Epaphras’ prayer to church growth and discipleship?

5.      Outline some prayer points for intercession in the local church.

Conclusion

Raising intercessors for the local church is crucial for the possessing the nations agenda. Knowing the value of intercession, Paul requested for prayers from the church in Colossae (Col. 4:3–4). He commended Epaphras as one who wrestled continually for the church. To wrestle in prayer means to agonise, become distressed or labour persistently in prayer for the will of God to be done.

Though Epaphras was not physically present, he was consumed by the desire to see the believers mature and grounded in Christ. It is important to note that teaching and intercessory prayer are complementary and indispensable for the task of raising disciples (Gal. 4:19, Eph. 1:16–18).

In view of this, we must highlight the importance of intercession and invite individuals to respond to this noble cause. This should cut across all age groupings and ministries in the local church. Every individual must stand and be counted among those who wrestle in prayer for the family, local church and nations.

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