2013 AUGUST WEEK FOUR STUDY / ACTIVITY

WEEK 34: Sunday August 25, 2013.

CELL OUTREACH / EVANGELISM - Each Member Bring One unbeliever

The Gospel message is comprised of the sinfulness of man, God’s love for man, the death and resurrection of Jesus and the need to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

1. SIN

·         We Are All Sinners (Rom. 3:23; Isa. 64:6; Psa 69:5; Psa 51:5)  

·         We Need To Confess Our Sins (Pro 28:13; Hos. 5:15)   

·         Examples of Sin (Col 3:5-6;   Gal 5:19-21)  

2. GOD’S LOVE

·         God loved whiles we were still sinners (Rom 5:8)

·         God’s love made Him give us His Son (Jn 3:16)

3. JESUS’ DEATH AND RESURRECTION

·         Jesus came to save the lost (Lk 19:10; Gal. 4:4; 1 Tim.1:15)

·         Jesus lived a sinless life (2 Pet 2:22; Heb. 4:15)

·         Jesus died in our place ( 1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet 2:24-25)

4. THE NEED TO ACCEPT JESUS AS SAVIOUR

·         John 1:12

·         Romans 10:13

·         Acts 16:31

2013 AUGUST WEEK THREE STUDY / ACTIVITY

WEEK 33: Sunday August 18, 2013.

Worship Time - Shameless Worship

 

Text: 2 Samuel 6:20-22

 

Introduction

David was not concerned about what those watching thought of his worship. His reputation was of no concern to him. He was shameless in the outward expressions of his passion for God. True worshipers should be just as undignified as David in their outward expressions of worship. Though they may choose to express their worship differently from David, they should be willing to be shameless and unconcerned about what others think.

 

I recall times when I was at a local assembly and observed most of our mothers rolling on the ground in worship of God. They were simply shameless in expressing their worship before God.

 

Discussion

• Are you concerned about what others think of your outward expressions of worship? Discuss your answer.
• How would you demonstrate your shamelessness in your worship?
• Are you hesitant when you feel like lying prostrate or crying during worship? Discuss.

 

Lead the group to worship the Lord.

2013 AUGUST WEEK TWO STUDY / ACTIVITY

WEEK 32: Sunday August 11, 2013.

CAUSES AND MANAGEMENT OF GRIEF AND GRIEVING II

MAIN TEXT: Job 2:1-13

MEMORY VERSE: Romans 8:28

This lesson concludes our discussion on grief and grieving. We shall specifically look at the four broad ways in which people express grief. These expressions show our humanness, and remind us that we need one another in this life no matter our ethnic, political, and religious background.

Death of a loved one is a painful experience. Bereaved families grieve such a loss in diverse ways which include expression of intense sorrow by way of weeping, abstinence from food, and some forms of entertainment for a period of time. Generally, grief is expressed physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

• Physical expressions of grief often include crying and sighing, headaches, loss of appetite, difficulty in sleeping, weakness, fatigue, feelings of heaviness, aches, pains, and other stress-related ailments.
• Emotional expressions of grief include feelings of sadness and yearning. But feelings of worry, anxiety, frustration, anger, or guilt are also normal.
• Social expressions of grief may include feeling detached from others, isolating yourself from social contact, and behaving in ways that are not normal for you.
• Spiritual expressions of grief may include questioning the reason for your loss, the purpose of pain and suffering, the purpose of life, and the meaning of death. After a death, your grieving process is influenced by how you view death.

Discussion Questions

1. What would you do to deal with physical expressions of grief?
2. What would you do to deal with emotional expressions of grief?
3. What would you do to deal with social expressions of grief?
4. What would you do to deal with spiritual expressions of grief?
5. In what practical ways can we support people who are grieving?
6. How did Job’s wife support him in his moment of grief? Job 2:9

CONCLUSION

Intense grief can bring on unusual experiences. After a death, you may have vivid dreams about your loved one, develop his or her behaviors or mannerisms, or see or hear your loved one. In the case of Job he tore his robes, shaved his head and sat in ashes. Job 1:20.   If you feel fearful or stressed by unusual experiences after a loss, talk to your doctor and a mental health professional or your pastor experienced in grief counseling.

2013 AUGUST WEEK ONE STUDY / ACTIVITY

WEEK 31: Sunday August 4, 2013.

Discussion on Causes & Management of Grief & Grieving 1

Main Text: 2 Samuel 1:1-27

Memory Verse: Romans 8:28

Life is a journey of mountains and valleys. Christians should be prepared to go through it in the strength which God provides to his children. In this lesson and the next one we shall look at grief and grieving.

Grief is the emotional reaction to a significant loss. This often causes sorrow and heartache. Whether you lose a beloved person, animal, place, or object, or a valued way of life (such as your job, marriage, or good health), some level of grief will naturally follow. On the other hand, grieving is the process of emotional and life adjustment people go through after a loss. Grieving is a personal experience. Depending on who you are and the nature of your loss, your process of grieving will be different from another person's experience.

Discussion Questions

1. How can each of the following cause grief and grieving?

·         Death of a loved one.

·         Disability from a severe accident or illness.

·         Divorce or the end of a relationship.

·         Miscarriage or stillbirth.

·         The birth of a child with a birth defect.

·         Loss of independence after a serious accident or illness.

·         Improper and/or unexpected removal from office.

·         Job loss or Loss of opportunities to attain to set goals.

2. How can each of the above grief-causing factors be managed?

3. What other grief-causing factors do you know of?

4. What does the Word of God tell us about how to manage grief? Romans 8:35-39

Conclusion

Spirituality often is part of the grieving process. You may find yourself looking for or questioning the higher purpose of a loss. While you may gain comfort from your religious or spiritual beliefs, you might also be moved to doubt your beliefs in the face of traumatic or senseless loss. Individuals should find ways of expressing their grief.  We should use whatever mode of expression works for us. Talking, writing, praying, creating art or music, or being physically active, are all ways of expressing grief. For the Child of God total reliance on the promises of God helps us stand firm in times of grief.