3(a) Topic: Why must we love others?
1 John 4:7-21
True Love
Commentary
Verse 7
We should obey the command and love each other. Love is part of the character of a Christian. The Christian is a child of God. The child of God receives this love from the *Father.
We should love other Christians because love comes from God. God is the origin of this love. God makes us able to love each other although by nature we may not do so.
All those who have this love are born of God. This love is not just an attitude of love. It is a love that acts. Those people who are born of God will love each other. Love proves whether we are born of God. Those who love know God.
Verse 8
Love is the test of whether a person knows God. If we know God, we will love other Christians. If we do not love the Christians then we do not know God. The reason for this is that God is love.
Love is not a description of God. He is so much more than love. But it is part of his nature and character. All that God does, he does in love.
Verse 9
God showed his love for us and for all people. He sent his only Son, whom he loves, into the world. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived among us. He showed us the love of God.
Jesus is God the Son. He became a man and he lived on earth. God sent him for this purpose, that by Christ we might live. He died for us and for our *sins. God raised him up from death. And God now gives *eternal life with Jesus.
Verse 10
This love is not the same as any other kind of love. In the *Greek language, John used a different word for this love. It is not the normal human love. It is a love that comes from God. God is the only origin of such love. God loves us although we did nothing to deserve his love. Our love is merely a reaction to his love. This is opposite to what the false teachers may have taught.
Love is this: that God loved us. God’s love shows what true love is. We know true love by what God has done for us. He loved us before we loved him. We cannot love him unless he gives us his love.
This is what God did because of his love for us. He sent his Son to die for our *sins. When Jesus died, he removed our *sins from us. But Jesus rose up from death to life again. So by the *Lord Jesus, we can have life and we are able to love God.
Verse 11
As God loved us so much, we ought to love each other. He showed his love when he sent his Son to die for us. We should love in the same manner as God does. We should be ready in love to give ourselves for each other.
Verse 12
The false teachers said that they had seen God. They said that they had special knowledge about God. This cannot be true, because no person has ever seen God. What they said was false.
John tells us to love those people that we can see. We do not see God with our eyes. But we do know him when we love each other. And, as we love each other, we love God. Our love is the evidence that God lives in us.
God does not live in us because we love each other. Rather we love each other because God lives in us. But we do know him when we love each other.
When we love like this, God’s love has achieved its purpose in us. He has created love in us that is like his love. The love that God has produced in us is good and complete. We all share the same love with God and with each other.
Verse 13
We cannot see God but we do know him. We know that we remain in him. We know that he lives in us. We can know this because God has given his Spirit to us.
Verse 14
Nobody has seen God. But we have seen that the *Father sent Jesus. John and his friends were there when Jesus lived among them. They saw the Christ with their own eyes. They knew that he was the Son of God. They knew that the *Father had sent him. All who believe can know this truth. We do not see it with our eyes. But we know it by *faith. We know that the *Father sent his Son Jesus to this world.
The reason that God sent Jesus was to save people from *sin and death. By Jesus, people can be free and receive a new life with God.
All the people of the world have *sinned. Their *sins have separated them all from God. Jesus Christ died for the *sins of all people. What he has done is sufficient to *save each one of them. But to benefit from what Jesus has done we must accept it. We must trust in him.
Verse 15
God lives in those who believe. They agree that Jesus is the Son of God. They believe the truth that God sent Jesus. Jesus came to *save the people of the world. If they believe in the *Lord Jesus, they will receive a new life. This life is in God.
Verse 16
Christians can be sure that the love of God is real. They can depend on it. They know that God loves them. His love can never fail. God loves all people but not just in general. God loves each person and each one is precious to him.
The writer says again that God is love (1 John 4:8). God’s nature is to love and to act in love. His love comes from his own character. The cause of his love is not the person whom he loves. He loves because he is love.
A person who has this love lives in God. And God lives in him. The love that God gives will reach out to other people.
Verse 17
We love God and we Christians love each other. We live in God. God lives in us. This gives us confidence for that future day when God is the judge.
Love is complete in us when we love God. This is the confidence that we have in him.
As we love God and each other, love achieves its purpose. It will develop in us. And we will be more mature in love. This is what God intended it to do for us.
The day is coming when God will be the judge of all people. That day will be the end of the world, as we know it. We can be confident that God will decide for us. This is not because of what we have done. It is because we have the life of Christ. He has taken away all our *sins because he loves us.
We have confidence because we are like Christ. As Christ lives in God, so by him we also live in God. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. By him, we are children of God. As God loves the Son, so he also loves us. Jesus lived here on earth in the *Father’s love. And we live in the *Father’s love too.
We are on this earth. Christ is not on this earth now. We are here to be his agents and to bring other people to God.
Verse 18
Fear is in contrast to the confidence that love brings. There can be no fear in perfect love. Love gives confidence in God. So as love grows in a person, the fears will disappear.
Perfect love is the love that God has for us. It is the love between God and the Christian. Because we love, we do not fear. Because God loves us, we have nothing to fear. Love is perfect when it is complete and mature.
Fear has to do with the future and the unknown. (The ‘unknown’ means future events that we do not expect.) There is the fear of death. The love of Christ overcomes this fear. Christ brings us the promise of new life. There is the fear of punishment for all that we have done wrong. But Christ has taken all the punishment for our *sins. His perfect love takes away all that would make us afraid. In love, we can be certain about the future. The unknown is in the control of God, who loves us.
Those who do not love God are right to be afraid. The day is coming when God will be their judge.
Verse 19
We Christians love God and we love each other. But our love is a grateful reaction to God’s love. We love because he loved us first. We could not love if God had not loved us first. He has given us his love. So, we are able to love. He has provided us with the power to love by his love.
The love with which we love is not our own. We do not create it, nor do we have the power to express it.
It is always the love of God. It is his love in us. We live in the *Father. And we live in Jesus the Son. So this love also becomes our own love. With this love, we can love God. We also love each other with the same love.
Verse 20
Some people said that they loved God. But they did not really love the Christians. What they said was false. They were not telling the truth. If we love God, we will love other people. If we do not love our Christian *brothers and sisters, we do not love God. Our love for other Christians shows that we love God.
We love because God loves us. God’s love in us makes us able to love each other. This is the test of our love for God. We may say that we love God. However, if we fail to love each other, we do not really love God. We can see each other but we cannot see God. It is easier to love those whom we can see. It is not so easy to love God whom we have not seen. If we fail to love each other, we have failed to love God.
To John, either we love or we hate. To hate here means anything less than pure love. And love will always show itself in actions.
Verse 21
The first command is that we should love God. But to love God is to love our Christian *brothers and sisters. We cannot separate the two loves. They are one. If we love God, we will obey him. And his command is that we love each other.
Guidelines:
According to the passage(commentary above):
Key pointers:
Christians should love each other
God loved us. He sent Jesus.
Christians should love each other because God loves us
We know that God lives in us
We know that God sent Jesus to rescue us
Real Christians believe that Jesus is God’s son
We can depend on God’s love
We are not afraid, because of God’s love
We love other people because God loved us first
Someone who hates other people does not love God
Useful questions:
What is the difference between a home with and without love?
Is God the only source for love?
If a person states that he or she is a Christian, but shows his lack of love through his bitterness and unforgiving spirit, should we affirm that he is a Christian?
How did God show us His love?
What are we told to do in 1 John 4:11? What makes Christians able to comply to this command?
Why might John bring up the subject of the Holy Spirit in 1 John 4:13
Can other people from different religions know God and His love? (1 John 4:15)
Does 1 John 4:17 tell us that a person is saved by the way he loves? Please explain.
Share how John says that fear and love work along with each other. (1 John 4:18)
Why is it important that we love, as John writes in 1 John 4:19, because He first loved us?
Application
Choose to forgive people even if they offend you. It will make it easier for you.
Here are four characteristics of God’s love. Name one that you want to better understand and apply to your life. Start praying about it regularly. Name one particular place that you will begin to exercise His love by His grace.
• Enabling (that we might live through Him)
• Other Seeking (not that we loved God)
• Self-Initiating (but that He loved us)
• Sacrificial ( sent His only begotten Son; our propitiation)
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Lesson 3: HOLINESS 3(a)
Main theme: Relationship with God
Lesson 3: HOLINESS
3(a) Topic: Why must we be holy?
1 Peter 1:13-2:3
Be Holy
Discussion Questions:
· Cite instances of God’s Holiness.
· What character traits of yours are similar to that of your parents?
· What are some attributes of Christ that we need to follow in order to be holy?
· How has your lifestyle reflected the holiness of God this past week?
· Do you think that being holy is a proof of our love? Rate on a scale of 1-10 how much you love the Lord.
· "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord" (Heb12:14), is it a must to be Holy?
· So how should Christians live their lives?
· Are you ready to meet Christ?
· What does it mean to “live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear”(v 17)?
· What makes loving others deeply and actively possible?(v 23-25)
Application for the week:
We have learnt that as Christians, holiness is a must. In what areas of our lives can we strive to be holy this week?
Guidelines (commentary):
Key pointers:
Christians must prepare their minds, so that they can obey God.
They must have a clear mind about how to live as Christians.
Children often look like their parents and behave like them. Christians are now children of God, because God is their Father in heaven. Therefore as God is holy, we His children must be like Him.
To be holy means to be completely separate from all sin and evil. It also means to belong to God alone.
The Holy Spirit makes them holy (verse 2). This does not mean that Christians can their lives completely without sin. It means that with God’s help they try hard to avoid all sin and evil in every part of their lives.
Christians can pray to God as their Father. But he does not deal with other people in a different way. He does not judge people by what their faces look like. Instead, God judges all people by his standard of what is good and evil.
· To fear God does not mean to be afraid of him. It means that Christians should respect and obey God because he is great and holy. Peter again reminds Christians that they are strangers in this world. Their true home is in heaven.
· ‘God has bought you’. Sometimes a person pays money so that a slave or a person in prison can have freedom. God paid so that people can have freedom from their life of sin and death. He did not pay with money, but with the precious blood of his only Son, Jesus. Leviticus 17:14 says that the life of an animal is in its blood. So, the ‘precious blood of Christ’ refers to his death on the cross. To be ‘precious’ means to have great value and honour. Romans 6:23 says, ‘The wages of sin is death’. Jesus died to forgive sins. Christians will now live for ever and their spirit will never die.
Every day, Christians must obey the truth. This will make their life pure.
· As Christians become purer in their lives, they will have a deeper love for each other. They will not have evil thoughts and feelings about other Christians. To have sincere love means they really care about other people. They mean what they say. People are not sincere when they just pretend to love other people.
‘Have a sincere love for all Christians’. The Greek word for ‘love’ in this sentence describes the love that brothers and sisters have for each other in a family. All Christians are members of one very big family. God is their Father.
So continue to love each other deeply from your heart’. This word ‘love’ comes from another Greek word that describes the pure love of God. This love always gives more than it takes.
· Verses 24-25 come from Isaiah 40:6-8. All people, even great people, will die. Their physical body will die, just as grass and flowers die. But God’s words will live for ever. When people accept the word of the Lord, their spirit will live for ever.
Lesson 3: HOLINESS
3(a) Topic: Why must we be holy?
1 Peter 1:13-2:3
Be Holy
Discussion Questions:
· Cite instances of God’s Holiness.
· What character traits of yours are similar to that of your parents?
· What are some attributes of Christ that we need to follow in order to be holy?
· How has your lifestyle reflected the holiness of God this past week?
· Do you think that being holy is a proof of our love? Rate on a scale of 1-10 how much you love the Lord.
· "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord" (Heb12:14), is it a must to be Holy?
· So how should Christians live their lives?
· Are you ready to meet Christ?
· What does it mean to “live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear”(v 17)?
· What makes loving others deeply and actively possible?(v 23-25)
Application for the week:
We have learnt that as Christians, holiness is a must. In what areas of our lives can we strive to be holy this week?
Guidelines (commentary):
Key pointers:
Christians must prepare their minds, so that they can obey God.
They must have a clear mind about how to live as Christians.
Children often look like their parents and behave like them. Christians are now children of God, because God is their Father in heaven. Therefore as God is holy, we His children must be like Him.
To be holy means to be completely separate from all sin and evil. It also means to belong to God alone.
The Holy Spirit makes them holy (verse 2). This does not mean that Christians can their lives completely without sin. It means that with God’s help they try hard to avoid all sin and evil in every part of their lives.
Christians can pray to God as their Father. But he does not deal with other people in a different way. He does not judge people by what their faces look like. Instead, God judges all people by his standard of what is good and evil.
· To fear God does not mean to be afraid of him. It means that Christians should respect and obey God because he is great and holy. Peter again reminds Christians that they are strangers in this world. Their true home is in heaven.
· ‘God has bought you’. Sometimes a person pays money so that a slave or a person in prison can have freedom. God paid so that people can have freedom from their life of sin and death. He did not pay with money, but with the precious blood of his only Son, Jesus. Leviticus 17:14 says that the life of an animal is in its blood. So, the ‘precious blood of Christ’ refers to his death on the cross. To be ‘precious’ means to have great value and honour. Romans 6:23 says, ‘The wages of sin is death’. Jesus died to forgive sins. Christians will now live for ever and their spirit will never die.
Every day, Christians must obey the truth. This will make their life pure.
· As Christians become purer in their lives, they will have a deeper love for each other. They will not have evil thoughts and feelings about other Christians. To have sincere love means they really care about other people. They mean what they say. People are not sincere when they just pretend to love other people.
‘Have a sincere love for all Christians’. The Greek word for ‘love’ in this sentence describes the love that brothers and sisters have for each other in a family. All Christians are members of one very big family. God is their Father.
So continue to love each other deeply from your heart’. This word ‘love’ comes from another Greek word that describes the pure love of God. This love always gives more than it takes.
· Verses 24-25 come from Isaiah 40:6-8. All people, even great people, will die. Their physical body will die, just as grass and flowers die. But God’s words will live for ever. When people accept the word of the Lord, their spirit will live for ever.
Lesson 2: HOLY SPIRIT 2(a)
2(a) Topic: Why do we need the Holy Spirit?
John 16: 5-16
Who is the Holy Spirit?
Guidelines:
According to the passage:
The Holy Spirit is
A counselor
One who convicts the world of guilt
The Spirit of truth
A link to God
An interceder (Romans 8:26-27)
Discussion Questions:
Have you experienced the Holy Spirit?
Why would Jesus want the Holy Spirit to replace him?
Is the Holy Spirit your conscience? If so, why do non-Christians have a conscience?
How does the Holy Spirit act as a Spirit of truth?
Which of the three roles does the Holy Spirit represent in your life?
How does the Holy Spirit glorify God?
Application for the Week:
The Holy Spirit is the messenger from God, have you set aside time to hear His voice? The more you make the effort to listen, the more sensitive you are to His voice.
John 16: 5-16
Who is the Holy Spirit?
Guidelines:
According to the passage:
The Holy Spirit is
A counselor
One who convicts the world of guilt
The Spirit of truth
A link to God
An interceder (Romans 8:26-27)
Discussion Questions:
Have you experienced the Holy Spirit?
Why would Jesus want the Holy Spirit to replace him?
Is the Holy Spirit your conscience? If so, why do non-Christians have a conscience?
How does the Holy Spirit act as a Spirit of truth?
Which of the three roles does the Holy Spirit represent in your life?
How does the Holy Spirit glorify God?
Application for the Week:
The Holy Spirit is the messenger from God, have you set aside time to hear His voice? The more you make the effort to listen, the more sensitive you are to His voice.
Lesson 1: PRAYER 1(a)
Main theme: Relationship with God
Lesson 1: PRAYER
1(a) Topic: Why Pray?
James 5:13-18
The Prayer of Faith
Guidelines:
According to the passage:
What are some instances where we should pray?
Is Prayer powerful?
What do you usually pray about?
In times of trouble, do you look to God straight away or?
Discussion Questions:
What are some instances where God answers your prayer?
Why does James ask us to pray in so many different situations? (i.e. even when we are happy)
If you have not forgiven someone, would God still answer your prayer?
Will praying more increase its effectiveness? (Luke 18 on Persistent Prayer)
Application for the Week:
Encourage the cell to commit to
Praying at all times: when we are happy/ sad/ angry
If we love someone, we would want to communicate with them and build a relationship with them- Prayer is a way to communicate with God and develop a deeper relationship with Him.
Lesson 1: PRAYER
1(a) Topic: Why Pray?
James 5:13-18
The Prayer of Faith
Guidelines:
According to the passage:
What are some instances where we should pray?
Is Prayer powerful?
What do you usually pray about?
In times of trouble, do you look to God straight away or?
Discussion Questions:
What are some instances where God answers your prayer?
Why does James ask us to pray in so many different situations? (i.e. even when we are happy)
If you have not forgiven someone, would God still answer your prayer?
Will praying more increase its effectiveness? (Luke 18 on Persistent Prayer)
Application for the Week:
Encourage the cell to commit to
Praying at all times: when we are happy/ sad/ angry
If we love someone, we would want to communicate with them and build a relationship with them- Prayer is a way to communicate with God and develop a deeper relationship with Him.
Lesson 4: LOVE 4(b)
4(b) Topic: How do we Love?
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Love Never Fails
Discussion Questions:
In society, what does the word "love" mean?
But what does true love actually mean according to the passage? How do they differ from societal interpretation of love?
What do you consider to be the most outstanding characteristic of Biblical love?
Why do you think Love is the greatest?
Who has truly loved you with an unselfish love? Have you loved your family and friends with an unselfish love?
How would you summarize what he is trying to say about spiritual gifts in this section? What is God's primary example of love? (Rom 5:8) And what other specific character qualities are revealed in that example?
Notes:
The necessity and advantage of the grace of love(v1-3) The excellence represented by its properties and effects(v4-7); and by its abiding and its superiority(v8-13).
Application:
Biblical love is a general character quality common to all believers not a Spiritual gift like other gifts of service are. Let us remind ourselves to check and see if this love dwells in our hearts.
To Love, we must put aside our selfish desires and ambitions, and consider others more important than ourselves. How can we love others with our actions this week?
Guidelines:
The problem in discussing "love" is that it has become such a generalized vague term. These days if someone says, "I love you", you can't tell whether they want to help you out or simply have sex with you! The entertainment industry uses the word mostly to describe a sexual feeling. And in Popular feel-good Christianity, "love" seems to have been trivialized to simply mean having a good feeling about someone. In such a community to correct someone for sin is interpreted an act of hatred.
The most essential aspect of Biblical love is HUMILITY. Notice how central "humility" is to the character qualities described in vs. 4, 5. Without humility there is no love.
Perseverance is character quality inevitable for those born of God. And he who endures to the end will be saved. Yet continuing to endure in our faith despite the trials is seldom viewed as a practice of Christian love.
While spiritual gifts are temporary to meet the needs of the church, in eternity, we will be made perfect and complete and will be the very presence of God. We will no longer need spiritual gifts, so they will come to an end. On the other hand, love endures forever.
Faith is the foundation and content of God’s message; Hope is the attitude and the focus; Love is the action. When faith and hope are in line, you are free to love completely because you understand how God loves.
Commentary:
http://www.bcbsr.com/books/1cor13.html
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Love Never Fails
Discussion Questions:
In society, what does the word "love" mean?
But what does true love actually mean according to the passage? How do they differ from societal interpretation of love?
What do you consider to be the most outstanding characteristic of Biblical love?
Why do you think Love is the greatest?
Who has truly loved you with an unselfish love? Have you loved your family and friends with an unselfish love?
How would you summarize what he is trying to say about spiritual gifts in this section? What is God's primary example of love? (Rom 5:8) And what other specific character qualities are revealed in that example?
Notes:
The necessity and advantage of the grace of love(v1-3) The excellence represented by its properties and effects(v4-7); and by its abiding and its superiority(v8-13).
Application:
Biblical love is a general character quality common to all believers not a Spiritual gift like other gifts of service are. Let us remind ourselves to check and see if this love dwells in our hearts.
To Love, we must put aside our selfish desires and ambitions, and consider others more important than ourselves. How can we love others with our actions this week?
Guidelines:
The problem in discussing "love" is that it has become such a generalized vague term. These days if someone says, "I love you", you can't tell whether they want to help you out or simply have sex with you! The entertainment industry uses the word mostly to describe a sexual feeling. And in Popular feel-good Christianity, "love" seems to have been trivialized to simply mean having a good feeling about someone. In such a community to correct someone for sin is interpreted an act of hatred.
The most essential aspect of Biblical love is HUMILITY. Notice how central "humility" is to the character qualities described in vs. 4, 5. Without humility there is no love.
Perseverance is character quality inevitable for those born of God. And he who endures to the end will be saved. Yet continuing to endure in our faith despite the trials is seldom viewed as a practice of Christian love.
While spiritual gifts are temporary to meet the needs of the church, in eternity, we will be made perfect and complete and will be the very presence of God. We will no longer need spiritual gifts, so they will come to an end. On the other hand, love endures forever.
Faith is the foundation and content of God’s message; Hope is the attitude and the focus; Love is the action. When faith and hope are in line, you are free to love completely because you understand how God loves.
Commentary:
http://www.bcbsr.com/books/1cor13.html
Lesson 3: HOLINESS 3(b)
Main theme: Relationship with God
Lesson 3: HOLINESS
3(b) Topic: How do we become Holy?
Colossians 3:1-17
Rules for Holy Living
Holiness attracts people like a magnet. This obviously is not a common picture of the word. Holiness shines in the darkness to remind us of how things should have been and what they will be one day. There is beauty in holiness. It's the beauty of seeing God's kingdom grow here on earth as God's followers live out his intended plan.
Discussion Questions:
What is your mental picture of the word “holiness”?
How is setting your mind and heart on Christ related to what he has already done for us (v1)?
What does it mean to set your heart on things above?
We get all too used to “earthly nature” clothing (v5-11), which aspect of your old nature feels like a comfortable old T-shirt to you now?
Which aspect of Christ’s character do you need to clothe yourself with, in relation to your parents? Your siblings? Your friends?
How can your cell group help with your clothing selection?
Have you set yourself apart as the chosen people of God?
How are we to be the salt and light of this world?
Have you called on God’s power and grace to help you to remain holy and not fall back to our old ways?
Application of the week:
How can we help each other be holy as a cell?
What should we ourselves do in the pursuit of the holiness?
Has the Holy Spirit prompted you to throw away any “earthly” nature clothing? What are you going to do about it this week?
Commentary:
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=51&c=3&com=mhc
Lesson 3: HOLINESS
3(b) Topic: How do we become Holy?
Colossians 3:1-17
Rules for Holy Living
Holiness attracts people like a magnet. This obviously is not a common picture of the word. Holiness shines in the darkness to remind us of how things should have been and what they will be one day. There is beauty in holiness. It's the beauty of seeing God's kingdom grow here on earth as God's followers live out his intended plan.
Discussion Questions:
What is your mental picture of the word “holiness”?
How is setting your mind and heart on Christ related to what he has already done for us (v1)?
What does it mean to set your heart on things above?
We get all too used to “earthly nature” clothing (v5-11), which aspect of your old nature feels like a comfortable old T-shirt to you now?
Which aspect of Christ’s character do you need to clothe yourself with, in relation to your parents? Your siblings? Your friends?
How can your cell group help with your clothing selection?
Have you set yourself apart as the chosen people of God?
How are we to be the salt and light of this world?
Have you called on God’s power and grace to help you to remain holy and not fall back to our old ways?
Application of the week:
How can we help each other be holy as a cell?
What should we ourselves do in the pursuit of the holiness?
Has the Holy Spirit prompted you to throw away any “earthly” nature clothing? What are you going to do about it this week?
Commentary:
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=51&c=3&com=mhc
Lesson 2: HOLY SPIRIT 2(b)
2(b) Topic: How do we live by the Holy Spirit?
Galatians 5:16-26
Living by the Spirit
Guidelines
Which fruit of the Spirit are most applicable for another cell member?
Which do you need most?
Discussion Questions:
What are some acts of sinful nature prevalent in; your school; your circle of friends?
Why are you not ‘under the law’ (v.18)?
What does it mean to ‘keep in step with the Spirit’ (v.25)?
Application of the week
Living in sin is contrary to living in the Spirit. Thus, there is no compromise between the two. You are either in the Spirit, or in sin.
Galatians 5:16-26
Living by the Spirit
Guidelines
Which fruit of the Spirit are most applicable for another cell member?
Which do you need most?
Discussion Questions:
What are some acts of sinful nature prevalent in; your school; your circle of friends?
Why are you not ‘under the law’ (v.18)?
What does it mean to ‘keep in step with the Spirit’ (v.25)?
Application of the week
Living in sin is contrary to living in the Spirit. Thus, there is no compromise between the two. You are either in the Spirit, or in sin.
Lesson 1: PRAYER 1(b)
Lesson 1: PRAYER
1(b) Topic: How to Pray?
Matthew 6:5-14
The Lord’s Prayer
Guiding Questions:
According to the passage:
Why does God call those who pray to be seen by men hypocrites?
From the Lord’s Prayer, what should we include in our prayers?
V 9: Recognizing God’s authorityV 10: Surrendering to God’s Will
V 11: Asking for provision of our daily needs
V 12: Confession and Forgiveness
V 13: Deliverance from temptations
Discussion Questions:
Why does God want us to pray in our rooms instead of praying in front of others like the hypocrites?
Why do we pray even though God already knows what we need?
How to pray Effectively?
Have you forgiven anyone who sinned against you recently?
Why do think God sometimes do not answer our prayer?
Application of the week
The Hand Prayer (6 point prayer)
Thumb: Thanksgiving
Index finger: Leaders
Third finger: Family and Friends
Ring finger: Needy
Pinky finger: Yourself
Palm: The World
1(b) Topic: How to Pray?
Matthew 6:5-14
The Lord’s Prayer
Guiding Questions:
According to the passage:
Why does God call those who pray to be seen by men hypocrites?
From the Lord’s Prayer, what should we include in our prayers?
V 9: Recognizing God’s authorityV 10: Surrendering to God’s Will
V 11: Asking for provision of our daily needs
V 12: Confession and Forgiveness
V 13: Deliverance from temptations
Discussion Questions:
Why does God want us to pray in our rooms instead of praying in front of others like the hypocrites?
Why do we pray even though God already knows what we need?
How to pray Effectively?
Have you forgiven anyone who sinned against you recently?
Why do think God sometimes do not answer our prayer?
Application of the week
The Hand Prayer (6 point prayer)
Thumb: Thanksgiving
Index finger: Leaders
Third finger: Family and Friends
Ring finger: Needy
Pinky finger: Yourself
Palm: The World
Cell Member Exchange Day
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lesson 4: LOVE 4(c)
4(c) Topic: Loving our enemies
Matthew 5:43-48
Love for enemies
Discussion Questions:
Have you ever been wronged by others?
Do you have anyone you find hard to love? Why So?
What do we feel or how do we often react when someone sins against us?
What does Jesus say about how we should respond?
Are there any instances in your life where you have overcome wrong with doing good?
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says these familiar words, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Mtt 5:38-39),
Why do you think Jesus wants us do so even when it may seem like we are allowing others to take advantage of us?
What does it mean to be perfect?
MACS:
Take some time to pray for God’s strength and grace to help us love the unlovable.
Commentary(extracted from Life application Bible)
V43.44;
By telling us not to retaliate, Jesus keeps us from taking the Law into our own hands. By loving and praying for our enemies, we have overcome evil with good.
Jesus says we are to love our enemies. If you love your enemies and treat them well, you will truly show that Jesus is the Lord of your life. This is possible only for those who give themselves fully to God, only him can deliver people from natural selfishness. We must trust the Holy Spirit to help us show love to those for whom we may not feel lobe.
Matthew 5:43-48
Love for enemies
Discussion Questions:
Have you ever been wronged by others?
Do you have anyone you find hard to love? Why So?
What do we feel or how do we often react when someone sins against us?
What does Jesus say about how we should respond?
Are there any instances in your life where you have overcome wrong with doing good?
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says these familiar words, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Mtt 5:38-39),
Why do you think Jesus wants us do so even when it may seem like we are allowing others to take advantage of us?
What does it mean to be perfect?
MACS:
Take some time to pray for God’s strength and grace to help us love the unlovable.
Commentary(extracted from Life application Bible)
V43.44;
By telling us not to retaliate, Jesus keeps us from taking the Law into our own hands. By loving and praying for our enemies, we have overcome evil with good.
Jesus says we are to love our enemies. If you love your enemies and treat them well, you will truly show that Jesus is the Lord of your life. This is possible only for those who give themselves fully to God, only him can deliver people from natural selfishness. We must trust the Holy Spirit to help us show love to those for whom we may not feel lobe.
Bible Resources for Youth Leaders
Bible Resources for Youth Leaders
WRPF youth blog: YCN - Youth Cell News
Discussion question and lesson guidelines will be put up on this website.
www.wrpf-youth.blogspot.com> check lesson for this month (i.e. Holy Spirit for March)>Labels>click on “Lesson 2: Holy Spirit”
Questions to Ask weekly:
1) What has God been teaching or saying to you recently?2) What act of kindness have you done for a pre-believer recently?3) What temptation or trial have you faced recently?4) Who have you been mentoring; and what have you learned from your mentor recently?
Online Resources:
1) www.christianitytoday.com
2) www.sermoncentral.com
3) www.blueletterbible.com
WRPF youth blog: YCN - Youth Cell News
Discussion question and lesson guidelines will be put up on this website.
www.wrpf-youth.blogspot.com> check lesson for this month (i.e. Holy Spirit for March)>Labels>click on “Lesson 2: Holy Spirit”
Questions to Ask weekly:
1) What has God been teaching or saying to you recently?2) What act of kindness have you done for a pre-believer recently?3) What temptation or trial have you faced recently?4) Who have you been mentoring; and what have you learned from your mentor recently?
Online Resources:
1) www.christianitytoday.com
2) www.sermoncentral.com
3) www.blueletterbible.com
Lesson 3: HOLINESS 3(c)
Main theme: Relationship with God
Lesson 3: HOLINESS
3(c) Topic: What obstructs us from leading a holy life?
Passages: 1 Peter 1:13-2:3(Lesson 3 Week 1), Romans 12:1-2(Lesson 2 MACS), Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:1-17(Lesson 3 Week 2)
The above passages were used for the discussion questions; feel free to use any materials that are relevant to the topic.
Discussion Questions:
The first week’s topic was on being holy (1 Peter 1:13-2:3), so;
How has living a life that is ‘holy’ ever been difficult for you?
What is the main issue that makes it difficult/easy to lead a holy life?
How can this MAC group help you lead a holy life?
In order to change circumstances, one must first start with changing themselves.
Romans 12:2 tells us not to ‘conform any longer to the world’ and Ephesians 4:22 says to ‘put off our old self’
Can you identify how you have been ‘conforming to the world’ and any aspects in your ‘old self’ that you must ‘put off’?
After identifying the aspects in your life which you must put off in order to lead a holy life, what have you learnt from last week‘s lesson in leading a holy life? (Colossians 3:1-17)
Application for the Week:
From what you have learnt the past two weeks on being holy and rules for holy living, if you want to lead a holy life, you must first start by changing yourself. Then identify things in your life, be it in school or your group of friends, which have been a hindrance to you rather than a help.
Lesson 3: HOLINESS
3(c) Topic: What obstructs us from leading a holy life?
Passages: 1 Peter 1:13-2:3(Lesson 3 Week 1), Romans 12:1-2(Lesson 2 MACS), Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:1-17(Lesson 3 Week 2)
The above passages were used for the discussion questions; feel free to use any materials that are relevant to the topic.
Discussion Questions:
The first week’s topic was on being holy (1 Peter 1:13-2:3), so;
How has living a life that is ‘holy’ ever been difficult for you?
What is the main issue that makes it difficult/easy to lead a holy life?
How can this MAC group help you lead a holy life?
In order to change circumstances, one must first start with changing themselves.
Romans 12:2 tells us not to ‘conform any longer to the world’ and Ephesians 4:22 says to ‘put off our old self’
Can you identify how you have been ‘conforming to the world’ and any aspects in your ‘old self’ that you must ‘put off’?
After identifying the aspects in your life which you must put off in order to lead a holy life, what have you learnt from last week‘s lesson in leading a holy life? (Colossians 3:1-17)
Application for the Week:
From what you have learnt the past two weeks on being holy and rules for holy living, if you want to lead a holy life, you must first start by changing yourself. Then identify things in your life, be it in school or your group of friends, which have been a hindrance to you rather than a help.
Lesson 1: PRAYER 1(c)
Lesson 1 (c): Need for accountability
Matthew 6:5-14
The Lord’s Prayer
Guiding Questions:
According to the passage:
Have you ever tried to get away with something you knew was wrong?
What stops you from doing wrong/right?
When you hang out with your friends, are you inclined to do right or wrong?
Discussion Questions:
How do feel about the punishment Gehazi received?
Would Gehazi have acted differently if Elisha was with him? Why?
Why is accountability important?
Application for the week:
Get members in your MAC group to exchange contact numbers and account for each other throughout the week. ( i.e. sms “ have you done your quiet time?”)
Matthew 6:5-14
The Lord’s Prayer
Guiding Questions:
According to the passage:
Have you ever tried to get away with something you knew was wrong?
What stops you from doing wrong/right?
When you hang out with your friends, are you inclined to do right or wrong?
Discussion Questions:
How do feel about the punishment Gehazi received?
Would Gehazi have acted differently if Elisha was with him? Why?
Why is accountability important?
Application for the week:
Get members in your MAC group to exchange contact numbers and account for each other throughout the week. ( i.e. sms “ have you done your quiet time?”)
Lesson 2: HOLY SPIRIT 2(c)
Lesson 2(c): Letting the Holy Spirit take control
Romans 12:1-2
Life through the Holy Spirit
Guiding Questions:
According to the passage:
How has God shown His mercy in your life?
Discussion Questions:
How do you offer yourself as a living sacrifice?
What is a spiritual act of worship?
How is offering yourself as a living sacrifice a spiritual act of worship?
What does it mean to conform to the world?
How do we renew our minds and be transformed by the Spirit?
Application for the week:
Walking in the Spirit:
· Confession of sins
· Dedication by a person to do the will of God
· Involves both body and mind (v1; 1 Cor. 6:20; v2)
· Involves a lifelong transformation of the mind, where we think as God thinks
Constantly meditate on the word of God, so we would be sensitive to God’s will.
Romans 12:1-2
Life through the Holy Spirit
Guiding Questions:
According to the passage:
How has God shown His mercy in your life?
Discussion Questions:
How do you offer yourself as a living sacrifice?
What is a spiritual act of worship?
How is offering yourself as a living sacrifice a spiritual act of worship?
What does it mean to conform to the world?
How do we renew our minds and be transformed by the Spirit?
Application for the week:
Walking in the Spirit:
· Confession of sins
· Dedication by a person to do the will of God
· Involves both body and mind (v1; 1 Cor. 6:20; v2)
· Involves a lifelong transformation of the mind, where we think as God thinks
Constantly meditate on the word of God, so we would be sensitive to God’s will.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)