2015 APRIL WEEK TWO HOME CELL STUDY / ACTIVITY

SUNDAY EVENING, APRIL 12, 2015.

WEEK 15

LAZINESS, WHAT IS IT?

Smile Awhile: (focus on fellowship – 10 mins)

Lead cell members to share the longest hours of sleep they have had.

Into His Presence: (focus on worship – 10 mins)

Lead the cell members in a time of adoration to God as led by the Holy Spirit.

Digging Deeper: (Focus on Word – 40 mins)

Topic: LAZINESS I

Memory Verse: Prov. 10:4 – Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Main Text: 2 Thess 3:6-15

Introduction

The Bible has much to say about the vice of laziness. The word that is used many times in the Bible to depict the lazy person is “sluggard” and it means one who is habitually slow, lazy, or idle. The sluggard does not like to work, does not like to exert himself in any strenuous activity. The book of Proverbs describes the sluggard with many unsavoury statements. Laziness is a vice in any society because it breeds poverty and disease. It breeds envy and conflict. In the parable of the talents, the Lord describes the servant who refused to use his talents as lazy and wicked, Matt. 25: 26. When God placed man in the Garden of Eden, even in that paradise, God charged the man to “work it and take care of it (Gen: 2:15)

Discussion Questions

1. What is laziness?

2. Which group of people were the brethren charged to avoid? 2 Thess.3:6

3. What personal example did Paul ask the church to follow? 2Thess. 3:7,8.

4. What rule did Paul give the Thessalonian church? 2 Thess 3:10.

5. What was Paul’s instruction to the idle in the church? 2 Thess 3:12.

6. Is it good to keep giving to the lazy? Explain

7. How do we deal with laziness in our church and society?

Conclusion

2 Thess 3:6-15 warns strongly against laziness and idleness in the church. Paul sets himself as an example. While he taught and preached in the churches, he also worked to earn his keep. There were some people in the church who were just loafing and unwilling to work. Paul set down a rule in the Thessalonian church: If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (vrs 10); he charges the members not to associate with the sluggard in the church. These members because of idleness, go from house to house to gossip and slander, complain about the uncharitable nature of the church; they ask for gifts and sometimes even con people for money. Paul admonishes the church to warn such people and not to associate with them.

Stand with Me (focus on praying for members’ needs – 10 mins).

Members to pray for one another in turns for specific needs and for members who are unemployed.

Making Jesus Known (focus on evangelism – 10 mins)

Lead members to pray for the community, nation and also all mission fields that the glory of God would be seen. Also pray against spirits that distort the gospel to be put to shame.

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