RCCG House Fellowship Leader’s Manual 2 August 2020, Lesson 49 – Are You In The Right Company Of Friends?

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TOPIC: Are You In The Right Company Of Friends? (scroll down for RCCG House Fellowship 2 August 2020 Anthem)

PRAYER POINT: Father, Please help me to detach from unfriendly friends presently in my circle of influence.

Also Read: Open Heaven 2 August 2020 – Behold, He Cometh

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: Leaders should ask members to discuss why God is against Abortion.

MEMORY VERSE: “But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.” – 2 Samuel 13:3

BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Samuel 13:1-19, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (KJV)

2 Samuel 13:1-19;
1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.

2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.

3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.

4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.

5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.

6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.

8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.

9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.

10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.

12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.

13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.

14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.

16 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.

17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.

18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18;
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

INTRODUCTION:

A friend is someone who is emotionally close to somebody. A friend is somebody you open your heart to and take counsel from. His counsel may either be positively or negatively inclined. Right company of friends means friends who are willing to advise and influence your final decision positively.

As we dig deep into this topic, we pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal Himself as the Master Teacher. Amen.

TEXT REVIEW: 2 Samuel 13:1-19; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
i. You cannot give what you do not have
ii. Wrong company will give wrong advise
iii. Now is the right time to detach yourself
iv. Ensure you choose your friends, do not

A. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RIGHT COMPANY OF FRIENDS AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT:

1. Children of light must be in the company of children of light. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14
2. As children of light, their counsel for you is to encourage you to obey God totally and do His will. Psalm 33:8-12
3. You are assured of safety when you are in the company of good friends. Proverbs 11:14
4. Through wise counsel, deliverance, healing, promotion and good health is assured. Mark 2:1-5

B. CHARACTERISTICS OF WRONG COMPANY OF FRIENDS: LIGHT IN THE COMPANY OF DARKNESS. 1 KINGS 22:1-5; 1 KINGS 22:30-34

1. They expose you to lots of risks and danger. – 1 Kings 22:30-34
2. They will advise you against the wish of your creator. – 1 Samuel 13:3-5
3. Possibility of being influenced to go contrary to the will of God. – 1 Samuel 13:5-12
4. Consequences of the above negative actions may lead to death, both, spiritually and physically. – 1 Corinthians 11:30; Daniel 6:24; Genesis 37:26-29; 1 Kings 13:7-29
5. Consequences of the above negative actions may lead to rejection.
6. Such advice will lead to hell fire. – 1 John 3:10-15

SUMMARY:
Show me your friend, that is who you are.

CONCLUSION:
2 Corinthians 6:14-18. God commanded that children of light must not be entangled with children of darkness. It is not negotiable that one should be with the right company of friends always. For believers, the ultimate aim is to make heaven. We should therefore discern those friends that would help us to achieve the purpose of God for our lives; and consequently, we should watch the type of friends we keep.

ASSIGNMENTS:
Mention the characteristics of wrong company.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Father, please surround me with people of like minds that will fear You and do Your will at all times.
2. Father, please liberate all those who are in the wrong company of friends and have become tools of the devil.
3. Father, please deliver Daddy G.O. and his family from untimely death.
4. Father, consecrate us afresh and make us Your holy temple.
5. Father, we pray for Nigeria, please expose and disgrace any enemy parading as friends.
   allow them choose you.

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.