RCCG House Fellowship Leader Manual 7 February 2021, Lesson 23 – The Contest Of The Two Simons

Click HERE for Previous RCCG Manual

TOPIC: The Contest Of The Two Simons (Scroll down for RCCG House Fellowship 7 February 2021 Anthem)

OPENING PRAYER: Father, please help my heart to be right with You always.

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: The leader can ask one of the members to summarise lesson 22 taught last week.

MEMORY VERSE: But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. – Acts 8:20

BIBLE TEXT: Acts 8:14-24 (KJV)

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: What is contest or encounter? This connotes a fight or conflict that must be won and the person must humble himself/herself for God to take over his/her heart. This is what Simon the sorcerer did not do until he met with Simon Peter, though Simon the sorcerer was claiming to have surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ like others did in the land of Samaria when Philip preached to them. However, he did not let go sorcery which was his former practice and handiwork that was of the devil. Though his physical appearance blended with the people of God, baptised with them, yet his mind was to take the new discovered power and add it to his magic for more powers. Jesus Christ said in the Bible that no one can put a new wine into old bottles: else the new wine will burst the bottles (Mark 2:22). This was the case, when the Holy Spirit revealed Simon the sorcerer’s heart to Simon Peter.

LEADERS DIARY:

LESSON AIM: To examine the characters of those who pretend to be Christians but are not.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, members should be able to:
i. Distinguish between the true believers in Christ from the pretenders.
ii. And continue to stand by the truth.

TEXT REVIEW: ACTS 8:14-24
i. Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing.
ii. Don’t monetise the gifts of the Spirit.

TEACHING METHOD: Use the discussion method.

TIME MANAGEMENT: Share the teaching time using the suggested time schedule.

LESSON OUTLINES: There is one outline:

HIGHLIGHTS OF SOMEONE WHO HAS NOT ENCOUNTERED JESUS CHRIST:

1. Any person claiming to be born again but still committing sin. – Romans 6:1-2
2. The person is easily enticed by the things of the world. – Romans 12:2; John 17:15-16; 1 John 2:15-17
3. The person loves darkness rather than light. – John 3:19-21
4. The works of the flesh are manifested in the person. – Galatians 5:17-21
5. The person will always trivialise God’s word. – Matthew 24:35; Luke 21:33

ACTIVITY: Is it possible to differentiate between the true believers in Christ from the pretenders?

SUMMARY: Please don’t behave like Simon the sorcerer in your house fellowship centre or your parish, for God searches the heart. – Jeremiah 17:10

CONCLUSION: If you are there in the church or in the house fellowship centre pretending to be born again, please repent today so that you can experience the time of refreshing. – Acts 3:19

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Thank God for the salvation of your soul.
2. Father, please take away every work of darkness from me today.
3. Father, please expose every work of darkness in your Church today.
4. Pray for Daddy G.O. and his family.
5. Individual prayers.

ASSIGNMENT: Diligently carry out all the daily tasks outlined in the GOLDEN DIET below.

GOLDEN DIET FOR THE WEEK: (print or write it out so that you can participate daily):

MONDAY:
Give yourself quality time to meditate on the action of Simon the sorcerer inline with the book of Acts 8:5-24.

TUESDAY:
Take an ample time today to search through your heart whether it meets God’s standard.

WEDNESDAY:
Pray that the Holy Spirit should reveal to you every part of your life that needs a touch from the Lord.

THURSDAY:
1 John 2:15-17 – In what area are you attracted to the world or where does the world still attract you? Please have a rethink.

FRIDAY:
Condition your heart from today to please God.

SATURDAY:
Go out for evangelism today.

SUNDAY:
Give thanks to the Lord for your deliverance.

House Fellowship Anthem

1. I love this family Of God,
   So closely knitted into one,
   They have taken me into their arms
   And ‘am so glad to be
   A part of this great family
2. I bless this family of God,
   So greatly prospered by the Lord,
   They have taken me into their arms
   And ‘am so glad to be
   A part of this great family
3. I know this family of God,
   So deeply rooted in the word,
   They have taken me into their arms
   And ‘am so glad to be
   A part of this great family
4. I see this family of God,
   So highly lifted above all,
   They have taken me into their arms
   And ‘am so glad to be
   A part of this great family
5. Come and join this family of God,
   So highly favoured by the Lord,
   They have taken me into their arms
   And ‘am so glad to be
   A part of this great family

SUGGESTED TIME SCHEDULE
10 minutes for Opening Prayer, Praise and Worship
10 minutes for Testimonies
15 minutes for Bible Discussion
15 minutes for General Prayers
10 minutes for Questions & Answers
5 minutes for Welcoming New Members
10 minutes for Announcements, Offering, House Fellowship Anthem & Closing Prayers.
Total – 60 Minutes (1 Hour)

AUTHOR:
Pastor E.A. Adeboye.
The General Overseer of, The Redeemed Christian Church Of God.