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.

2013 JULY WEEK FOUR STUDY / ACTIVITY

WEEK 30: Sunday July 28, 2013.

Prayer Time – Pray for the salvation of family members and friends

The Cell Leader should ask the Cell members to name persons in their family or friends who do not know the Lord.

 

• Pray that the Lord will set them free from any bondage that has blinded their minds to the Gospel.
• Pray that the Lord will reveal himself to them wherever they may be.
• Pray that their hearts will be quickened to the Gospel.
• Pray for boldness to share the Gospel with them.
• Ask Cell members to bring out other Prayer Points. 

2013 JULY WEEK THREE STUDY / ACTIVITY

WEEK 29: Sunday July 21, 2013.

Study Discussion on Work-God Prospers Diligent Work

Main Text: Genesis 26:12-22

Memory Verse: Genesis 26:22

Introduction: This lesson is the concluding part of our studies on work. The focus is on what we can call honest work for which we should devote our time and energy.

We need to see work as a form of worship we render to God because: 

*He gives us our skill – (Ex. 36:1).        

*He gives us our work – (Gen. 2:15)

*He promotes us and blesses our work –(Ps. 75:6-7)

*He gives us our success e.g. Joseph – (Gen. 39:2-3)

*He gives us our earnings and wealth – (Deut. 8:18)

*He blesses us with resources and opportunities – (1 Chr. 29:12)

Examples of Work that Christians can undertake

¨      Professions like being a Lawyer, Medical Doctor, Teacher/Lecturer, Architect, Civil and Mechanical Engineer, Pharmacist, Accountant, Agriculturalist (Farmers), Nurse, Caterer, Fashion Designer etc. can be attained by Education.

¨      In the Forces’ work such as the Army, the Air Force, the Police Service, Fire Service, Prisons Service, Customs, Immigration etc. one can only rise high in rank through Education.

¨      There are artisans like the Auto Mechanic, Auto Electrician, Masons, Painters and Decorators, Driver-Mechanic, Seamstress, Hairdressing, Refrigeration, Mechanic, Business, Trade and Commerce.

¨      Unskilled Labour e.g. ‘kayayei’/ ‘paaopaa’ (porters), truck pushers, farm hands, laborers etc.

Discussion Questions

1. What work did Isaac do according to verse 12?
2. How did God bless the work of Isaac according to verse 12?
3. What other work did Isaac do according to verse 14?
4. What other work did Isaac do according to verse18?
5. What did Abimelech say in verse 16 to testify that God had blessed Isaac?
6. What lessons can we learn from the attitude of Isaac to work?
7. How can we know the difference between acceptable work and unacceptable work?

Conclusion

From the discussion so far, we have recognized that God as the source and promoter of work. Therefore, we should please God at our work places so that we can get a very good reward. Whatever level of work we find ourselves in, we must be encouraged to keep upgrading ourselves to higher levels for our current level is not God’s ultimate for us.

2013 JULY WEEK TWO STUDY / ACTIVITY

WEEK 28: Sunday July 14, 2013.

Study Discussion on Work - Building Sound Working Relations

Main Text: Matthew 25:14-30

Memory Verse: Matthew 25:21

Introduction

Often it is possible for individuals to work on their own to make a living. However, sometimes it becomes necessary to work within the following arrangements: Working with others as colleague employees; working with others as an employer; and working with someone as partners and joint owners of the business. Each of the scenarios calls for good relationship.

 

Relationship between the Christian Worker and Employer

¨      Obey your employer as you would obey Christ. (Col. 3:23-25)

¨      Respect your employer, even those who are harsh to you – (1 Pet. 2:18).

¨      Serve him/her with all your heart – (Eph. 6:7).

¨      Serve faithfully. Don’t hide sales or embezzle funds – (Matt. 25:21).

¨      Don’t gossip or say bad things about your employer – (Prov. 20:19).

¨      Expect your ultimate reward from God not man – (Eph. 6:7-8).

Relationship between the Christian Worker and Fellow Workers

¨      Be cooperative and accommodating.

¨      Don’t say bad things about your fellow worker to your employer – (Prov. 30:10).

¨      Respect and honour your fellow workers – (Matt. 7:12).

¨      Don’t plot with fellow workers to steal or do anything that will retard the progress of the work.

Discussion Questions

1. Who is the real owner of the work you do for a living?
2. What are you doing with the resources God has given you?
3. What is the relationship between you and your employer?
4. What is your relationship with your fellow employees?
5. What is your relationship with your employees?
6. What is your relationship with your business partners?

Conclusion

For lasting fruitful and cordial working relations Christians should be seen to set good examples in our various work environments. We should seek to promote good human relations and work ethics whether as employers or as employees. We should do the same when we are in partnership with others. Some building blocks for good human relations in the work environment are faithfulness, trustworthiness, and effective and efficient application of available resources.

2013 JULY WEEK ONE STUDY / ACTIVITY

WEEK 27: Sunday July 7, 2013.

Study Discussion on Work - The Reward of Hard Work

Main Text: Genesis 24:10-22

Memory Verse: Proverbs 10:4 “He becometh poor that worketh with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” ASV

Introduction

In this lesson, we will be treating the Christian’s attitude to work. Diligence in work brings in good returns of profit whilst slackness brings in poverty and untold suffering.

The journey from Mamre (in Canaan) to Nahor would have been approximately a five hundred mile trek. Travelling with ten camels over such a distance therefore required the availability of water to ensure both the survival of the animals and timely completion of the journey. On arrival also both the traveler and the means of transportation needed water to replenish what had been lost in the journey. Camels can drink 30 gallons of water in 10 minutes and  walk for as long as 100 miles (160km) a day.

Rebecca had the privilege to water ten camels. Unknown to her the animals were carrying goods for a hardworking young woman as bridal price. Her character was tested to the limit, but she proved her worth as someone who was worthy to receive the goods as her dowry. She was a hardworking woman.

Discussion Questions

1. Why did Rebecca readily offer to water the ten camels?
2. Why was Rebecca able to water the ten camels?
3. What major quality did the servant use to choose a wife for Isaac?
4. How did Rebecca present herself as someone worthy of a husband as Isaac?
5. What lessons do you learn from Rebecca’s attitude to work?
6. Who benefitted most after Rebecca had watered the camels?

Conclusion

 

As Christians we must be committed to excelling in whatever work we do – (Dan. 6:1-3). Like Rebecca we must be punctual to work, diligent in service, and faithful in doing God’s pleasure. Our ultimate goal should be to glorify God – (Col. 3:17-23). However, we need to rest when necessary – we don’t have to be workaholics. Gen. 2:2. Christian parents need among other things to inculcate in their children the dignity of labour. This helps children to grow up into responsible citizens who excel in their various fields of endeavor.

2013 JUNE WEEK FIVE STUDY / ACTIVITY

WEEK 26: Sunday June 30, 2013.

CELL OUTREACH - Organize a Social Action to serve as a Means of Evangelism

 Some social Actions/activities that can be embarked on

                                                              i.      Clean Up Exercise

                                                            ii.      Games

                                                          iii.      Visit to Clinics/Hospitals

                                                          iv.      Visit to the Aged, widows and orphans

 

2013 JUNE WEEK FOUR STUDY / ACTIVITY

WEEK 25: Sunday June 23, 2013.

The Father Seeks True Worshippers

Main Text: Genesis 6:9-22

Memory Verse: John 4: 23

Introduction

God is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. One would naturally think that, surrounded with such millions of angelic creatures, so much more fit to praise Him, God would not think of looking about on Earth to be satisfied with what imperfect worship we could render to Him. Yet, He just turns His back on it all, as it were, and searches out among us, a soul here on Earth that will worship Him in sincerity. This text should encourage us to worship in spirit and in truth since that act will cause God to notice us. Certainly, when the Father finds a true worshipper, He would shower His love and grace upon him/her.

Discussion Questions

1. How would you describe Noah? Gen. 6:9
2. How do you understand this statement? Gen. 6:9, 11
1. “Noah was a righteous man,
2. blameless among the people of his time and
3. he walked with God”.
3. Would you say Noah was a True worshipper in his time? Explain your answer.
4. From the following verses, discuss the marks of true worshippers with regards to;
1. Relationship with God-Gen. 6: 13.
2. The Covenant with God-Gen. 6:18.
3. Obedience to God-Gen. 6:22.
5. What blessing did Noah enjoy as a true worshipper?

Conclusion
According to 2 Chronicles 16:9a, ‘the eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.' God is seeking true worshippers. For the Bible to state that Noah was blameless among the people of his time, it indicates that he was a true worshipper. Thus, God revealed Himself to Him, established His covenant with him and showed him what to do in the days of adversity. Though the task was difficult, Noah did everything God commanded him.  True worshippers are righteous, blameless and walk with God.

2013 JUNE WEEK THREE STUDY / ACTIVITY

WEEK 24: Sunday June 16, 2013.

Practical Manifestation of True Worship

Main Text: Acts 10:34-46

Memory Verses: Ephesians 5:18-19

Introduction

In this lesson we shall look at practical manifestation of true worship, particularly songs, music in general and speaking in tongues in adoration.

·         The beautiful life of worship is the outflow of a heart and life: filled with the loving-kindness (mercy, grace, and favour) of God (Lk 6:45)

·         It comes out as a flow in every part of one’s life and from one’s mouth as meaningful Psalms, songs, or “speaking in tongues”  (I Cor. 14:15-17).

·         It expresses the union of the spirit of man and the Holy Spirit by which the overflow of the heart is poured forth in words or songs for enhanced prayer.

In times of socio-economic hardship and religious persecution practical manifestations of worship inspire young men and young women, Ministers of the Gospel, and even children to sing to praise God. What has been your experience? 

Discussion Questions

1. What was the practical manifestation of worship in the life of Cornelius and his household? Acts 10:46
2. In what ways do you think “spiritual songs” are practical manifestations of worship?
3. What other practical manifestations of worship are you familiar with?
4. In what ways do you see practical manifestations of worship in your life?
5. What is the necessity of speaking in tongues in worship?

Conclusion

To grow in and enjoy the benefits of true worship, the disciple of Christ should seek to walk in intimate fellowship with God. Flowing out of this relationship is the fullness of the Holy Spirit. This leads to practical manifestations of true worship such as speaking in tongues, spiritual songs, prophecy, and many others.

2013 JUNE WEEK TWO STUDY / ACTIVITY

WEEK 23: Sunday June 9, 2013.

The Disciple’s Reflection of the Life of Christ

Main Text: 3 John 1-12

Memory Verse: Romans 12:1

Introduction

Christ set us a perfect example of true worship while he was on earth. In this lesson we shall look at how as Disciples of Christ we can walk in his footprints.

We present ourselves as true Disciples of Christ when we believe in his ideas and principles of godliness, and commit ourselves to living as he did. Our utmost responsibility is to please Jesus, who is our Master, in everything we do. Just like Jesus we should be marked by absolute reverential fear towards God and his creation. This helps us:

·         to obey God without coercion, regardless of the cost

·         to relate cordially with our fellow humans unrestrained by relational gaps

·         to submit to one another regardless of differences in social status

For his love of money, fame, and power, an officer of a Pentecostal church teamed up with a member of the church to undermine the ministry of a colleague officer. Yet both conspirators speak in heavy tongues. In what ways can this ignoble act be in the will of God?

 Discussion Questions

1. How did Gaius’ life reflect that of Christ in worship?
2. How did Demetrius life reflect that of Christ in worship?
3. How did the life of Diotrephes reflect that of Christ in worship?
4. Why do some people find it easier to worship God with their lips than to do so with their lives?
5. How do you resemble Christ in the way you worship God?

Conclusion

True worship is further highlighted as follows:  If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (Jam 2:15-17 NKJV).