CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – Topic: THE ORGANIC CHURCH – Church of God Mission International – SUNDAY 20th August 2023
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
DATE: SUNDAY 20th AUGUST 2023.
HYMN: S.S & S 506 “Blest Be The Tie That Binds”
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
The mission of the church of Jesus Christ is to preach the gospel of salvation to the entire world
TOPIC:
THE ORGANIC CHURCH
TEXT:
Lk 4:18-19; Eph 1:22-23; 3:6; 5:23,30; 1Pt 2:5-7
INTRODUCTION:
The Church is the body of Christ made of believers all over the world. In Paul’s epistles to the church in Ephesus, he described the church as a body, meaning that it is alive and organic because Christ, the head of the church is alive. The mission of the church is the enlargement of God’s Kingdom on earth.
In this study, we shall consider among other things, how the church can strategically carry out the mandate of soul winning.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are to:
- Examine the mission of the church
- Understand the responsibility of the church
- Discuss how the church can remain a missionary community
- State how the church can demonstrate godly virtues in our present world and
- Explain the benefits of an organic church
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1. WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH ? (Jn 20:21; Acts 1:8; 1Tim 2:1-4; Lk 19:10)
A major mission of the church of which Jesus Christ is the head is to win souls for the kingdom. This is to be accomplished through the Holy Ghost baptism (Acts 2:1-4) in fulfilment of His promise in Acts 2:8. Thus, believers have been sent out to every corner of the globe to bring souls to the kingdom of God
Signs and wonders are to accompany/follow believers as they preach the Gospel (Mk 16:17-18). This was characteric of the Lord Jesus’ ministry while on earth.
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38). Evangelism is the “heartbeat” of God and as His body, we should engage in it.
QUESTION 2. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHURCH ? (Matt 5:14; Acts 1:8; 10:38)
One of the characteristics of a living being is to reproduce it kind. As the body of Christ, the church should be alive to the “heartbeat” of God which is evangelism. This is the only way to reproduce our kind and populate the kingdom of God. It is also an organic (living) church that can impact other lives. Jesus called the church, the “light of the world” (Matt 5:14). Therefore, we should add value and meaning to this present world. It is the church that is energized by the Holy Ghost to do good, and heal all that are oppressed of the devil. The demonstration of this power of the Holy Ghost in the lives of believers is indicative of the fact that the church is alive and healthy.
Also Read: Open Heaven 19 August 2023 – FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT V
QUESTION 3. HOW CAN THE CHURCH BE A MISSIONARY COMMUNITY ? (Matt 7:7-8; Psa 2:8-9)
The church can become a missionary community through intercessory prayer. There is power in prayers. The church can make impact through steady, consistent and vigorous prayers. Therefore, she should wake up to a more concerted intercessory prayer for all (saved and unsaved).
There is need to consistently develop leaders through training and mentorship, leaders who will keep the flame of evangelism aglow till the Lord Jesus comes.
The church should wake up in the eares of soul winning (Rom 13:11).
QUESTION 4. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE VIRTUES THAT THE CHURCH SHOULD DEMONSTRATE IN OUR PRESENT WORLD ? There are some godly virtues that the organic church of this present age must manifest in order to make impact. The church must demonstrate Acts of love and kindness (Matt 25:34-36; Jn 13:34-35). The Christian faith was built on the foundation of love. The practical demonstration of love among believers is the proof that we are the followers of Christ. It is a viable vehicle for soul winning.
Also, the organic church must practice the culture of sacrifice. Jesus sacrificed His life for us by dying for us even when we were yet sinners (Jn 15:13; Rom 5:8). Believers should sacrifice their time, talents, money and other resources of comfort for other members of the church.
Truth and integrity are virtues that gradually fading away from the church. Like Joseph (Gen 39:6-9), members of the church should maintain a good image of themselves and the church. Let not the name of Christ be blasphemed among unbelievers because of us (Rom 2:24).
Finally, the church should learn to demonstrate courage in the midst of troubles, trials, travails and challenges of the contemporary times/society. David demonstrated courage and faith in God when he faced Goliath (1Sam 17:45-50)
QUESTION 5. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS/GAINS OF AN ORGANIC CHURCH (Jn 15:5; Acts 2:47)
When the church is alive, it must bear fruits. The fruits of the Spirit will be evident and everyone in the body will be spiritually nourished. Such a church will be effective in soul winning. This will translate to more converts being added to the church. God’s blessings would be poured upon the church so that no one would suffer lack.
Above all, we shall at the end of all things be ushered into the joy of the Lord to spend eternity with Him
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
The mission of the church is the spread of the gospel. The church has gone through several setbacks, persecutions and lots more. In spite of these, the church remains the most powerful organ to carry out the works of Christ on earth. Thus, the church must continue to be alive to her responsibilities until the Lord Jesus comes.
MEMORY VERSE
Acts 10:38 “
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
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