CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – Topic: FOCUS ON CHRIST: APOSTLE PAUL AN EXAMPLE – Church of God Mission International – SUNDAY 10th, MARCH 2024
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
It is only when we submit to God that we become useful vessels in His hands
DATE:
SUNDAY 10th, MARCH 2024.
HYMN: S.S & S 235 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
TOPIC:
FOCUS ON CHRIST: APOSTLE PAUL AN EXAMPLE
TEXT:
Acts 7:54-58; 8:1-3; 9:1-9
INTRODUCTION:
Believers are often faced with challenges: persecutions, trials, (both physical and spiritual), are but a few of these challenges. If one is not focused on Christ, he may end up being distracted. There is need for believers to depend on Christ the anchor of their hope, so as to achieve their goal. The Lord Jesus Christ has admonished us to learn on Him, for His toke is easy and His burden is light. We must be resilient as Paul was after his encounter with Christ.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this study are to:
- Know who Paul was before his encounter with Jesus Christ
- Study Paul’s activities after his encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ
- Understanding how focusing on Christ helped Paul in his ministry
- Understand the lessons we can derive from Paul’s Christian experiences
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1. WHO WAS PAUL ?
Paul was born as Saul, a jew in Tarsus, Asia minor. He was trained as a Rabbi but earned his living as a tent maker. A zealous Pharisee, who persecuted the early church until his encounter with the Lord Jesus while on his way to Damascus.
QUESTION 2A. DISCUSS PAUL’S ACTIVITIES BEFORE HIS ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS CHRIST.
Born as Saul of Tarsus, he grew up in a strict Pharisee environment, was committed to the persecution of the early church. Saul was a zealous Pharisee; The Pharisees have strong regards for the law of Moses and their traditions. They did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God and the promised Messiah. Saul was a lead actor in the persecution of the early church.
QUESTION 2B. WHAT LED TO HIS CONVERSION ?
Saul persecution of the early church was so severe that he stood as a witness to the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58-60). Following Stephen’s death, he obtained letters from the High Priest to the synagogue in Damascus, so that he could arrest followers of the way (believers in Christ Jesus) and bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. While on this mission he encountered the Lord Jesus Christ in a dramatic way. Please read Acts 9:3-8
QUESTION 3. COMMENT ON HIS ACTIVITIES AFTER THE ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST.
At the encounter with Christ, he received a different commission from the Lord to proclaim His name to the Gentiles, kings and the people of Israel. In addition, Christ told him how much he would suffer for His name.
Indeed his dogged approach to the preaching of the Gospel led him to meet with stiff opposition. He was beaten with rod, flogged, stoned, imprisoned, suffered cold, sleeplessness, hunger, shipwreck for Christ’s sake, in all these he was never discouraged (2Corin 11:24-27).
He was a fearless and radical promoter of Christ gospel as an example for us to follow
QUESTION 4. HOW DID FOCUSING ON CHRIST HELP PAUL TO PREVAIL IN ALL HIS MISSION ?
Paul was one example of a man who believed wholeheartedly in Christ and was committed to delivering the whole counsel of God to his hearers. He did not lose sight of the commission which he received from the Lord. He was a man so totally committed that he became submissive to the leading of the Holy Spirit each step of the way in his missionary journey.
QUESTION 5. HIGHLIGHTS SOME OF THE LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM THIS STUDY ?
From this study, we see that God’s eyes are on His church. He will defend, protect and preserve His church.
No one is beyond the saving grace of God. God can use anyone who makes himself available. Paul was selfless, and was not ashamed of the gospel, he preached the gospel without fear. Paul encouraged others and was passionate about helping.
CLASS SHOULD MENTION OTHERS
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
Paul’s zeal for the Lord should serve as an encouragement to us. His deep understanding of the Holy Sciptures should motivate us to the study of the word of God. His commitment to the commission he received from the Lord should challenge us in our individual commitment
MEMORY VERSE:
Philippians 3:14
“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
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