RCCG HOUSE FELLOWSHIP LEADER’S MANUAL (LESSON 39) SUNDAY 24TH OF MAY, 2020

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TOPIC: END OF THIRD QUARTER/INTERACTIVE SESSION

SUMMARY OF LESSONS TAUGHT IN THIRD QUARTER (LESSON 27 – 38)

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LESSON: TWENTY – SEVEN (27)
TOPIC: BY THEIR FRUITS, YOU SHALL KNOW THEM
BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 7:15-20

MEMORY VERSE: “Wherefore by their fruit ye shall know them”. Matthew 7:20.

INTRODUCTION:
Our bible text today (Matthew 7:15-20) is a powerful warning from Jesus that there are many who will come in His name who are actively seeking to lead us away from the truth, and we are to be on guard against this. Also in Matthew 12:33-37, He Illustrated with a tree known by its fruit and says that in the day of judgement, people will be judged by their words. He is saying here that fruit are the words that are produced i.e fruits is the product of inner life.

LESSON OUTLINES:
A tree and it fruit (Luke 6:43-45, Matthew 12:23-37)
The fruit of a fig tree are figs, the fruit of a grape vine are grapes and the fruit of a prophet is his prophecy. Every good tree bear good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

TWO KINDS OF TREE

1. Tree that produces the fruits of sin. Galatians 5:19-21
2. Tree that produces the fruit of the holy spirit. Galatians 5:22-23.

MORE BIBLE VERSE ON FALSE PROPHETS:

1. Prophets that prophecy lies. Jeremiah 23:25-32
2. False Christs and false prophets. Mark 13:22-23, 2 Peter 2:1-3.
3. Do not believe every spirit. 1 John 4:1-6.
4. Beware of other gospel that is not of Christ. Galatian 1:8-9.
5. Beware of false apostles, deceitful workers. 2 Corin.11:13-26.
6. God spoke through moses in Deut.13:1 – 5 and Deut.18:20-22.

SUMMARY: Be sensitive watch what you allow into you. Not all that shine is Gold.*

CONCLUSION: We must be grounded in the Word of God for us to be able to discern good fruit from the bad ones and also to distinguish good from evil (Colossians 2:6-10). Being grounded in the Word of God will not only allow us to bear godly fruits, but will also allow us to recognize the same when we see it. Also, praying constantly and allowing Holy spirit to guide our life is very important.

LESSON: TWENTY – EIGHT (28)
TOPIC: THERE IS JUDGMENT AFTER DEATH.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 16:19 – 31

MEMORY VERSE: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Hebrew 9:27.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: There are instances in the BIBLE where God exercised judgements. In Genesis 18 and 19, on the same visit, he dropped a generational blessing to the righteous and a fire of destruction in the house of the wicked. In Genesis 18, in response to Abraham’s prayer to know if God will mete out the same judgment to the wicked and the righteous, He said that He will not treat the righteous person the same way He treats the wicked. That should remove the fear of any righteous person who is scared of going through the same judgment with the wicked. This tells us about three judgments:

LESSON OUTLINES:
THE JUDGMENT AT DEATH – Separation of the wheat from the tares. Hebrew 9:27, Matt. 13:24-30. Immediately after death, there is a judgment to decide who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. In our Bible text, Lazarus died and was taken to heaven by angels but when the rich man died, he was buried and kept going down until he opened his eyes in hell. The determination is: Have you accepted Jesus Christ and determined to live for Him? John 3:17-21.

1. THE JUDGMENT OF THE RIGHTEOUS
   The judgement seat of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 22:11-12; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15. We are not saved by works but we are saved for works. These works will be judged as well as the motives.
2. THE JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED: ‘The Great White Throne Judgement’. Revelation 20:11-15. Wicked according to this verse is anyone who has not accepted Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savior. John 3:36 says that during this judgment there will be a high display of God’s wrath with no hope for mercy.

SUMMARY: Live uprightly because after life is judgement.

CONCLUSION: Life is measured and metered. It is therefore limited by time and other variables such as sickness, death etc. Human beings are not wired to live for eternity in this flesh. Death the ultimate full stop to life does not necessarily follow any sequence. Adult die, infants die, elders die, women die, men die all in no particular order. The Bible does not support the doctrine of incarnation. It is written in Hebrew 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” The question now is if death comes today, are you prepared to face God’s judgment?

LESSON: TWENTY – NINE (29)
TOPIC: RESTITUTION.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Exodus 22:1 – 15

MEMORY VERSE: “Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth [part] thereof, and give [it] unto [him] against whom he hath trespassed.” Numbers 5:7.

LESSON INTRODUCTION:
God Himself not Man included restitution as part of His Law for Israel. Restitution is the act of returning or restoring to the original owner something that was either stolen or taken unlawfully. Restitution is all about righting the wrongs earlier committed. For example, if a man has stolen an animal, it is recommended that he had to repay double the animal’s market value.
Restitution in the Bible is such that you have to pay back over and above what you have taken unlawfully.

LESSON OUTLINES:
Three Things Restitution Will Do Include:

1. It helps to ease any pain you have caused
2. It will help the offended person to be more forgiving
3. Makes you more likely to think before you do it again.

In Numbers 5:7, when someone is robbed, the guilty person was required to restore to the victim what has been taken and even pay an additional interest or penalty.

SUMMARY: Restitution can help you to have a peace of mind from all your wrong doings.

CONCLUSION: When we have wronged others in whatever way, physically, emotionally etc. we should look for ways to set things right and if possible leave the victim even better off than before the offence. A wrong that is not restituted according to God’s prompting can lead to hell.

LESSON: THIRTY (30)
TOPIC: DIVINE MERCY AND FAVOUR
BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 15: 29-39

MEMORY VERSE: “Thou shalt arise, [and] have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.” Psalm 102:13.

LESSON INTRODUCTION:
Mercy is the ability to forgive and forget the sins of others. It may also be defined as an act of being compassionate to others, especially those who ordinarily would not have been forgiven. Jonah 2:1-10, Jonah 4:2. Favour, on the other hand, is an act of kindness performed or granted out of goodwill to others. 1Chronicle 28:4, 1Kings 3:7. Divine mercy and favour therefore is God’s ability to forgive human beings their sins and thereafter show kindness willingly, without any string attached to it. 1 Kings 3:6.
We pray that more than what we know, the master teacher, that is the holy Spirit, will reveal more, to us as we study together, In Jesus Name. Amen

LESSON OUTLINES:
CHARACTERISTICS OF DIVINE MERCY AND FAVOUR.
The under listed characteristics distinguished divine mercy and favour of mankind:

1. It is God’s prerogative, exclusively, to decide who is qualified to receive His mercy and favour. Romans 9:15-16, Matthew 17: 14-19, 1 Samuel 2:26, Matthew 20:30-34.
2. Man cannot have mercy and show favour unto someone unless ordained by God. Esther 2:15-17, 1Samuel 2:26.
3. Man’s mercy and favour are always done with strings attached.
4. They are also with ulterior motives.
5. God’s mercy and favour once he makes the statement, it’s performance is guaranteed.
6. God’s mercy endureth forever. 1 Chronicles 16: 34.

EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO ENJOYED MERCY AND FAVOUR OF GOD
i. David. 1 Samuel 16:1,22, Psalm 18:50, 2 Samuel 7: 9-15.
ii. Isrealites. Psalm 44:1-3, Exodus 14:17-30, Isaiah 54:7-8, Jeremiah 30:18, 33:26, Exodus 12:36, Psalm 106:45&46.
iii. Virgin Mary. Luke 1:27-31.
iv. The Two (10) lepers. Luke 17:12-19.
V. Blind Bartimeaus. Mark 10:46-52.
Vi. The man sick of Palsy. Mattew 9:1-7.
Vii. The Two (2) blind men. Matthew 9:27-30.
Viii. The woman of Cannan. Mattew 15:22-28.
ix. Great Multitudes. Mattew 14:14-21.
x. Esther. Esther 5:2-8.
xi. Joseph. Genesis 39:21.
xii. Samuel. 1Samuel 2:26.
xiii. Daniel. Daniel 1:9.

SUMMARY: God’s mercy is ever sure.

CONCLUSION:
Divine Mercy and favour is God’s ability to forgive human their sins and therafter show kindness wiilingly without any string attached to it. 1king 3:6. God’s mercy endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16: 14.

LESSON: THIRTY – ONE (31)
TOPIC: TITHE IS SCRIPTURALLY OBLIGATORY AND NOT OPTIONAL
BIBLE PASSAGE: Malachi 3: 6-18.

MEMORY VERSE “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].” Malachi 3:6-18.

LESSON INTRODUCTION:
Tithe is One-tenth of income in monetary terms. It is also one tenth of the produce of what we get from farm or any production man is involved in. Before making it a law, the Patriarch Abraham has given a tithe to God’s priest through Melchizedek, (Genesis 14:20).

In Deuteronomy 14:22-25, God also instructed on tithe to the extent that he clearly suggested Monetizing it if it would be cumbersome for his people to carry to the place of worship. Jesus mentioned the giving of tithe in the New Testament and did not abolish the giving of tithe, Matthew 23:23. Therefore if Jesus did not stop it, why are we subjecting it to academic debate even among the clergy. Give God’s tithe back to Him today, and see if He will not open the window of blessing unto you and even rebuke devourers.

LESSON OUTLINES:
LESSONS OF TITHE GIVING

1. Because tithe is commanded of God it is scriptural. Numbers 14:22-25.
2. Tithe is obligatory; hence Abraham, the father of faith did not deprive himself of its inherent blessing. Genesis 14:20.
3. Not giving your tithe amounts to robbing God, but will a man rob God? Malachi 3:8.
4. Not giving tithe attracts curses. Malachi 3:9.
5. Tithe must be full; hence Abraham did not take anything from his full or complete tithe. Genesis 14:20.
6. God challenges Man to put him to test for overflowing blessings if you are found faithful in the area of tithe. Malachi 3:10.
7. The promise of rebuking devourer that may come against our overflowing blessings. Malachi 3:11.
8. You and your nation shall become delight and be called blessed. Malachi 3:12.

SUMMARY: Tithing is an obligation that a son must fulfill to his Father. We are stewards of what God owns, NOTHING MORE.

CONCLUSION: One important test of God’s wonders today is found in giving, it is obligatory because God called evaders robbers and a curse is laid, do you want to continue as a robber unto God and be cursed, God forbid. I reject it for you and yours in Jesus Name.

LESSON: THIRTY-TWO (32)
TOPIC: REMEMBERING JESUS CHRIST THROUGH HOLY COMMUNION
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

MEMORY VERSE: “And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me” Verse 25 “After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24-25.

LESSON INTRODUCTION:
Holy Communion is a symbolic service for every baptized member of the body of Christ called the church. The symbolic materials used are, the bread which, represents the body or flesh of Christ and the wine which represents the blood of Jesus Christ. The Bible did not specify how many of this symbolic service should be held within the month, week or days but verse 25 “….as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me”. This scripture suggests it should be done regularly and the essence of it is to Remember Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ particularly His sacrifice and victory.
This special service was instructed by Jesus Christ Himself as we read from our text above. The body and blood of Jesus are worth remembering because of what these two component parts of Jesus’ life mean to Christians. So, whenever we serve Holy Communion, we do remember Jesus Christ.

LESSON OUTLINES:
REASONS WHY WE SHOULD REMEMBER HIM

1. Because He received 39 strokes of the cane on our behalf to take away all our bodily afflictions.
2. The bread taken reminds us of His promises to take away our afflictions.
3. The wine also reminds us of the promises to take away our sins.
4. Holy is also a place and time to reconcile and renew our commitment and vows with Christ’s Kingdom and receive all the promises of God that came through Christ.
5. The body and the blood of Jesus are major sources of miracles. The sacred and holy service of Holy Communion encourages many to ask for grace to always experience the presence of God through Christ and to prevent the evil of the son of perdition.

SUMMARY: Holy Communion helps in proclaiming the Death and Resurrection of our Lord to the world and His remembrance in the heart of every believer.

CONCLUSION: The remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ through Holy Communion is no longer an option for Christians but it is a command from the captain of the host of Heaven, and if He has commanded, there are various things He wants to use the encounter to do which He may not do in other services.

LESSON: THIRTY-THREE (33)
TOPIC: COME OVER TO MACEDONIA AND HELP US: A CALL INTO THE MISSIONS FIELD
BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 16:4-10

MEMORY VERSE: “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us”. Acts 16:9

LESSON INTRODUCTION:
Some traits that distinguished Paul as a great missionary in our text will be discussed.

LESSON OUTLINES:

1. Paul has plans for missions: (covering new grounds for Christ), and consolidation of already founded churches. We can’t be so engrossed with conquering new territories that we let the already conquered one slip away and we can’t be so carried away with the already conquered territories that we forget the yet to be conquered ones. Who knows if the army that the anti christ is going to gather to fight Christ at Armageddon are the territories or the souls the church has failed to conquer or win. Christ said, those who are not with Him are against Him.
2. Paul was sensitive to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit stopped him twice from going to places he had planned to go to and he obeyed. He was not wise in his own eyes as to disobey the leading of the Holy Spirit.
3. Paul was a man of prayer: This is no news. After the Spirit stopped him twice, he prayed to know where He would go. This was his disposition since his encounter with the Lord on the way to Damascus (Acts 9:6). The result of his prayers opened a window for him to see where he was needed most – Macedonia. His obedience resulted in first and second Corinthians, first and second Thessalonians and the Philippians.

SUMMARY:
Every believe has been to called unto mission work.

CONCLUSION:
There may be no one calling in your dreams, but people are calling for helps in the streets, in the villages, in the creeks, in the deserts, in the cities etc; if you are sensitive to the Holy Spirit, you will know where to go to and what to do. May be the Holy Spirit is also stopping you from going somewhere so that you can answer the call to missions. Maybe He is stopping you from spending on something so that you can sponsor mission’s activities.

LESSON: THIRTY-FOUR (34)
TOPIC: WE ARE SAVED TO RECONCILE SOULS BACK TO GOD
BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Corinthians 5:18 – 21

MEMORY VERSE: “And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation”. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

LESSON INTRODUCTION:
‘SAVED TO SERVE’ is the motto of a Christian Missionary Agency. A man saved from an impending doom or danger will always be grateful and would be willing to go out there especially when he knows that there are still a lot of people in his FORMER CONDITION. Once you are saved by His grace, the next prayer is to ask for grace to come upon you to know what to do in the journey ahead.

LESSON OUTLINES:
REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE UP THE RECONCILIATION MINISTRY

1. Man in his natural state is a FALLEN MAN and cursed.
2. SIN IS IN THE NATURE OF MAN WHEN BORN INTO THE WORLD.
3. No man in sinful state can achieve or fulfill his purpose.
4. The result and end of sinful life is death whether we like it or not.
5. There is solution to the sinful state and curse-carrying life, Christ is the solution.
6. Sin is not the problem however, if is the rejection of Christ as Saviour that sends people to hell.
   The Reconciliation Ministry is for all, salvation is the main item of the Gospel and the most important message delivered to man, what are you doing about it. Taking action means enlarging God’s Kingdom and making heaven to rejoice over you. The reconciliation ministry means joining the Army of God to fight the kingdom of darkness that is increasingly expanding. The actions or work involve:
7. Telling the helpless and hopeless man of the love of God.
8. The covenant of blood as propitiation for sins.
9. Failed man needs to look up to Christ.
10. Surrendering their helpless situation to Christ work on the cross.
11. Taking step towards life in Christ and in the spirit.

SUMMARY: The work of reconciliation is compulsory for every believer.

CONCLUSION: The essence of our salvation is to show the light by taking action to reconcile everyone possibly back to God through Christ work and love on the cross. The great commission as given in Matthew 28:18-20 is the only task for Christians until He comes back. What are you doing with your salvation, it is a gift or talent, the master is coming back, what have you used your talent of salvation to do, you are ONLY saved to help reconcile others to God.

LESSON: THIRTY-FIVE (35)
TOPIC: HOUSE FELLOWSHIP CENTERS AND CHRISTIAN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 2:38-47, Matthew 25:31-45, Acts 2:38-47.

MEMORY VERSE:
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord: and that which he hath given will he pay him again”. Proverbs 19:17

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Historically, Christian Social Responsibility has always been in the Church and other mediating agencies which have mainly helped the poor. Christians’ social responsibility involves the practical care for individuals and families, following the example of Jesus and the Apostles. Acts 9:36-41

LESSON OUTLINES:
MEANING OF SOME KEYWORDS:
HOUSE FELLOWSHIP: House Fellowship can be defined as a meeting in the house, an office, market place, underneath tree, a section of the school compound, etc, where believers (of different levels of spiritual maturity) and unbelievers gather at an agreed and at a particular day and time of the week to share The Word of God as well as praying for one and another.

CHRISTIAN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Is a moral (internal) concern with the injustice in the society, including poverty, discrimination, segregation, oppression. Such concern is followed by (external) action in the form of social assistance or social service. Social assistance is provided to help those in need (the oppressed, the underprivileged, the poor, handicapped and disabled persons, victims of family violence, new immigrants), through financial support or volunteer work.

CHRISTIANS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FROM THE BIBLE (OLD TESTAMENT)

1. It is among the most powerful calls from God to help those who are in need Proverb 21:13
2. God cares about the poor and the oppressed Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Psalms 146:7-9, particularly widows and orphans Isaiah 1:16-17, Exodus 22:22-24
3. God acts by devising programs to reduce increasing inequality between the rich and the poor, such as Jubilee year when everyone could return to their original land which must have been lost Leviticus 25:10-17
4. God denounces the rich and the powerful for oppressing the poor Isaiah 3:14-15; Jeremiah 5:26-29; Ezekiel 16:49; Amos 2:6-7; 5:11-12
   Oppressing a poor man insults God Proverb 14:31; 17:5
   God encourages action by associating righteousness to one who promotes justice and acts fairly in society Ezekiel 18:5-9

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT:

1. The ministry of Jesus is a demonstration of evangelism and social assistance hand-in-hand. In Jesus’ public ministry, He went about teaching as well as helping the poor Luke 18:22 and healing.
2. The social ministry of Jesus was followed by His disciples Act 3:5
3. Social assistance to fellow Christians is a priority 1 John 3:17, but also to non-believers Galatians 6:10
4. Jesus warns those who neglect the poor in Matthew 25:41-45
5. There are treasures in Heaven in helping those in need. 1 Timothy 6 :18-19
6. By helping them, we are preaching Christ to them. Luke 4:18-19

SUMMARY: It is our responsibility to ensure that no one is in need.

CONCLUSION: Our house fellowship centres are also known as care centres as we demonstrate practical love of Christ of the early Church. Members with challenges such as financial, academic, medical, spiritual etc find assistance from their centres because of its small membership size than big churches with their large membership.

LESSON: THIRTY-SIX (36)
TOPIC: DON’T DESPISE LITTLE BEGINNING
BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 2:4-9

MEMORY VERSE:
“Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.” Job 8:7

LESSON INTRODUCTION:
The birth, not the prophecy of the birth, of Jesus Christ was lucidly described in the Gospel according to Saint Luke. We were told that Jesus Christ was born in the Manger, because there was no space to accommodate the Mother and Father of Jesus Christ even though it was obvious that Mary was about to deliver.
A Manger is a place where troughs containing livestock feeds are kept for animals to eat. Ordinarily, a common person belonging to the lowest class of people cannot even consider this place for delivery of a baby. But this written off place was where Jesus Christ was born. The Saviour of the whole world came into this World in a very lowly manner. From this humble beginning Jesus Christ went on to fulfill the mandate of God for his life.

LESSON OUTLINES:
LESSONS FROM THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST INCLUDE

1. Starting our lives from a very humble beginning was not against God’s will, it allows God to fulfill His plans for us right from that age.
   Jeremiah 1:4-5, Matthew 23:12
2. It teaches us about the need to imbibe humility as a way of life. 1 Peter 5:5, Romans 12:10, Proverbs 15:33
3. God appoints ministering angels for all children, and they guide them to accomplish their destinies, because at that stage in life, they have not committed any sin coupled with the fact that they do not know their right hand from the left. Matthew 18:10,Luke 1:9, 1 Corinthians 3:9
4. God is always ahead of the enemy and so He will not allow us to be harmed when we are still small. Matthew 2:13-14
5. When we are growing up, trials and temptations will come, and if we do not loose focus of Him and we keep all His statutes and Commandments, then we will be great in life. Hebrews 12:2, Isaiah 43:2 & 3, Matthew 4:1-11, Philippians 2:12-14
6. If we live a life that is pleasing to God, He will fight our battles and give us victory. Job 42:12, Romans 8:37
7. We need to humble ourselves and allow God to exalt us. 1 Peter 5:6, Philippians 2:6-11

SUMMARY:
God can lift the humble from littleness to greatness and so also, keep the proud to a state of nothingness.

CONCLUSION:
Our Lord Jesus Christ started from a very humble beginning and ended great even within the limited space of time that He was here on earth. He fulfilled the purpose for which He came into His world. If God had made provisions for us to be protected at our small age, then it shows that the ALMIGHTY GOD wanted us to start our lives that way. He has made provisions for us to also end great provided we Key in into His plans for us. I pray our latter end shall be greatly increased than our beginning in Jesus Name. Amen.

LESSON: THIRTY-SEVEN (37)
TOPIC: STAGNATION IS NOT YOUR PORTION
BIBLE PASSAGE: John 5:5-9

MEMORY VERSE:
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward” Exodus 14:15

LESSON INTRODUCTION:
Stagnation is the state of being at a spot for a very long time without achieving any progress either spiritually, physically or otherwise. This is actually against the purpose of God for our lives. It is devil’s tactics to employ stagnation first and foremost then gradually move to discouragement in the process of making someone to commit suicide, and end up in hell fire. Holy Spirit will teach us the more in Jesus Name. Amen.

LESSON OUTLINES
EFFECTS OF STAGNATION

1. It erodes or destroys one’s courage and confidence and causes loss of hope in Christ Jesus.
2. One is subjected to alot of ridicule, shame and reproach.
3. It makes someone to loose relevance
4. One is left behind with his colleaques in life’s achievement.
5. Inability to fulfill one’s destiny, or not being able to live a fulfilled life.
6. It leads to discouragement and physical or spiritual death.
7. And many suffer untimely death because of their unending stagnation and often backslide to hell fire.

CAUSES OF STAGNATION
a. Generational or family curse. David’s children: 2 Samuel 12:1-11. Gahazi’s Children: 2 Kings 5:25-27
b. Self-inflicted. King Sual 1 Samuel 15:18-23, Samson: Judges 16:1-30, The Small Prophet and Old Prophet: 1 Kings 13:4-26, Micah: 1 Chronicles 15:29, Cain: Genesis 4:1-15.
c. Parent, Jabesh’s Mother: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
d. Sinful living. Immoral Act of Tamar: 2 Samuel 13:1-15
e. God’s Set time. Sarah getting pregnant: Genesis 21:1-3, The man born blind: John 9:1-3
f. Enemies: Prophet Elijah and Jezebel: 1 Kings 19:1-4

WAYS TO AVOIDING STAGNATION

1. Be prayerful and watchful. Mark 13:33-37
2. Be willing to go extra mile for what you believe in. John 14:1-4, Chronicles 20:20-22, Daniel 3:10-30.
3. Make the Words of God your guiding light. Psalms 1:1-3, Psalms 119:11, 105, 130, John 17:17
4. Make Jesus Christ your cornerstone. Ephesians 2:18-22, 1 Peter 2:6
5. Be obedient to the statutes and commandments of God through His Words and His Prophets. 1 Kings 2:3-4, Joshua 1:7-8, Psalms 119:6.
6. Be closer to genuine men/women of God. Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 15:22-24.
7. Be ready to go extra miles to win souls to His Kingdom. 1Corinthians 9:16-23, Proverbs 11:30b
8. Do all within your power to expand His Kingdom here on earth.

SUMMARY:
God’s thought for you is great. Say no to stagnant situation.

CONCLUSION:
In 3 John 1:2, God said, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”. God wants His children to prosper in soul, spirit and body. To prosper means not to be stagnant but to progress in every facet of one’s life.

LESSON: THIRTY-EIGHT (38)
TOPIC: YOUR HAIR CAN GROW AGAIN
BIBLE PASSAGE: Job 14:7-9

MEMORY VERSE: “Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.” Judges 16:22

LESSON INTRODUCTION:
Samson was one of the great spiritual giants of the Bible. No wine nor strong drink ever entered into his mouth. He belonged to the most consecrated group, the Nazarites. He was strong. He once took the jawbone of a donkey and slew 1000 men. He was a great leader that ruled Israel as a judge for 20 years. However, he fell into sin. He lost his hair and his power. His mistake had a great consequence on his ministry. It was as if all was lost when the connection between him and his source of strength was cut off. When his hair was cut and his eyes plucked out, it appeared as though he was finished. The giant who destroyed thousands with the jaw of an ass became an object of mockery and entertainment to his enemies. The Philippines never knew that while Samson was going through all these, his hair began to grow.

LESSON OUTLINES
HOW SHOULD BELIEVERS RESPOND TO TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS?
Luke 18:27 says “And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
And also in Mark 9:23 “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth”.

1. Get your hopes up, don’t give up hope. John 10:10
2. Get your eyes off your present circumstances. The bigger you make of your God, the smaller you make of your problems. James 1:17.
3. He is always available now to meet your needs. Matthew 28:20b
4. His thoughts towards you are thoughts of peace. Jeremiah 29:11
5. Put your hope in The Lord. Jeremiah 17:7-8

SUMMARY:
All hopes in God can never be lost.

CONCLUSION:
Whatever the case my be, all hope is not lost. Samson’s hair began to grow again. Your hair can grow again. Your anointing and spiritual gifts can be restored and rekindled again. You will be able to pray and fast again and avoid all forms of sinful associations. Don’t loose hope, keep your focus on the Author and the Finisher of our faith, He will surely do it.

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