Study Material
1. OBEDIENCE
Scripture Portion : I Sam 15:22-23
Memory Verse : Genesis 16, Genesis 17:1
Story:
• God Promised Abram a son through Sarai
• Abram thought God was acting slowly
• So When Sarai Suggested to him to have a child through Hagar the slave woman. Abram did not ask God about the matter.
• He did it as it was a normal practice those days.
• But it was a clear act of disobedience
• God did not speak to Abram for almost 14 years
• He lost valuable communion with God even though he was blessed for a long time.
There is no substitute for having a close relationship with God but to obey God in everything.
Self Analysis:
1. What are the areas of disobedience in my life
2. Do you have a close relationship with God? Does He speak to you?
3. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you if there is any person, thing or habit which is making you disobey Him.
4. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you repent completely without compromise in those areas.
Conclusion:
1. All believers must obey all that they know to be God’s will. Without obedience, no relationship with Jesus is possible.
2. In matters of obedience, no one can deceive God with words because he looks into the heart.
3. Communion with God is a gift from him. If we trample it through conscious disobedience or compromise or independent action, it can be lost permanently or for years.
4. Spiritual gifts can be manifested and spiritual activities like praying, giving can be done by a person who is disobedient to God in certain areas but all those activities mean nothing to God.
If God finds a obedient servant, He has found a man after His own heart.
2. PRAYER
Scripture Portion : I Sam 1:10-20 Mark 14:36, 38
Story:
• Hannah had no children
• She was troubled, so she went to God
• She poured her heart out
• After prayer, she was no longer sad
• God heard her prayer and answered it
• Jesus prayed to the Father in the garden of Gethsamanae
• He asked the Father that the cup be taken away
• But His prayer was not answered
• Jesus had to drink the cup
• The only answer He received was strength to endure
• Because God did not answer that prayer, that cup has
become a blessing to millions
• Jesus always prayed & taught us to pray according to the will of the Father in heaven
Self Analysis:
1. Are you comfortable in spending time in prayer alone with God?
2. Is it a one sided conversation or does God speak to you? Do you spend time listening to God?
3. What are your hindrances for prayer?
4. Ask the Holy Spirit to pour in you the Spirit of prayer
Conclusion:
1. Prayer is the union of a believer’s will with the will of God to accomplish the purposes and desires of God.
2. Anyone practicing deliberate sin cannot stay in God’s presence long enough to enter into a deep fellowship with God. Sin will make us hurry away from God’s presence into the presence of man where they are more comfortable.
3. God often speaks to the believers who wait before him anxiously begging Him to speak. When we are alone with God, we can expect to be told intimate things.
4. Jesus prayed all his life. Before ministry, during ministry, throughout the night early in the morning, in the Garden of Gethsamanae. Even on the cross and now at the right hand of the Father. So we must evaluate the importance of prayer and strive to pray as it should be the topmost priority of any believer.
3. BIBLE READING
Scripture Portion : 2 Chronicles 34:14-33
Memory Verse : Psalms 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Story:
• Israelites were the first people on the earth to receive the written word of God in form of TORAH through Moses.
• But over the years they had forgotten the Book of the law of the Lord.
• The Book was found during the reign of King Josiah by Hilkiah the priest.
• The Book was read to the king and he tore his robes hearing about what was written in the book.
• They realized that the Lord’s anger would be poured on those who do not keep the words or fail to act in accordance to what is written in the book.
• So the king sent his officials to prophetess Huldah, the wife of Shallum, keeper of the wardrobe to find out what God wanted them to do.
• She was not afraid to speak the word of God even to the king. Though it was not good news.
• God told king Josiah that because he humbled himself and his heart was responsive when the word of the LORD was read to him. God will not bring disaster during his life time.
• King Josiah acted immediately by calling all the people from the least to the greatest in Jerusalem and read the words of the Book.
• He also renewed the covenant with God that he will follow the Lord with all his heart and soul and also made all the people renew their covenant with God.
• He removed all the detestable idols in Israel and He followed God as long as he was alive.
Self Analysis:
1. Do you read the Bible Every day, chapter by chapter? Or do you randomly read a chapter or verse? Do you jump chapters when you read story books or subject?
2. Do you believe that the Bible is truly the word of God and do you hear God speak to you through the Bible?
3. Think of one time when God spoke to you through a verse and how it helped you. Do you respond to the word of God like Josiah?
4. Meditate Isaiah 55 with the 13 questions.
Conclusion:
1. We need to read and mediate God’s word to know the ways of God and keep away from sin. (Ps.119:11.)
2. The word of God also helps us distinguish between God’s voice, Satan’s voice and our own voice.
3. It is the only book that tells about our future hope. It gives us a glimpse of our destiny and eternal life in heaven.
4. So we must read the Bible with great joy because the King of the Universe speaks to us through it. We must be determined to hear Him speak and also do what He says.
4.Holy Spirit’s Anointing
SCRIPTURE PORTION : NUMBERS 11 & I COR. 12.
MEMORY VERSE: ACTS 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be me witness in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.
Story:
· Jesus promises to His disciples the Holy Spirit who is the counselor. John 10:7
· When Jesus rose again from the dead, He breathed on His disciples and said receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:22
· The Upper room experience is one external sign and evidence of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. But the disciples already received the Holy Spirit.
· In the Old Testament also the Holy Spirit came into people, but only for a specific time for a specific task.
Eg. Moses, Samson, Jepthah and Daniel.
· But in the last days the Bible says, God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Joel 2:12, Acts 2:17.
· How to know if you have the Holy spirit in you.
· You receive the Holy Spirit when you receive Jesus in your heart.
· You are able to pray.
· You are able to hear God. Numbers 11:16
· You will have humility. Numbers 12:3
· You will have power and boldness. Acts 1:8
· You will have signs.
· We can quench the Holy Spirit.
Self Analysis:
1. Has He been a part of your life but now has He been quenched or grieved.
2. Have you received the sign of tongues which is the initial evidence.
3. What other sign do you want or desire from the Holy Spirit to operate in your life.
Conclusion
1. We receive the Holy Spirit on the day, we accept Christ as personal savior, as he is the seal on us until the day of redemption. II Cor. 1:22.
2. Do not confuse the speaking tongues alone as the presence of the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues enables the Holy Spirit to pray secrets to the father. Therefore, it is a vital part of prayer. I Cor. 2:12,13.
3. Jesus said that all other sins will be forgiven except when you speak against the Holy Spirit. Therefore we need to be very careful. Matt. 12:32.
5. BAPTISM
Scripture Portion : John 3:1-21
Memory Verse : John 3:3.
“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
Story:
• A Pharisee and an important Jewish leader came to see Jesus at night. His name was Nicodemus.
• Nicodemus wanted to know the truth as he found that there was something about Jesus.
• What Jesus told him was very surprising to him.
• Jesus told unless a man is born again, he cannot be in God’s kingdom.
• Nicodemus could not understand what being born again meant.
• Jesus said we must be born from water and the Spirit. Human life comes from human parents. But our spiritual life comes from the Spirit.
• Baptism is not a custom or a ritual, it is an external manifestation of an internal change.
• It is a command of God that we should obey, even Jesus obeyed it when he was in earth.
Self Analysis:
1. Have you fulfilled the command of God by taking immersion baptism at a knowledgeable age.
2. Has your spiritual life changed after baptism or was water baptism a ritual.
3. Have you become a new creation with your old life buried under water, rising up to a new life, new level of faith and new spiritual life.
4. If you have not taken baptism what is stopping you from taking baptism and fulfilling God’s command.
Conclusion:
Ö Our first birth was from earthly life. Our second birth is from eternal life.
Ö You have to believe that when you take baptism your old sinful life is completely cleansed. (Acts 2:38) and you are openly declaring that you belong to Christ and not the world.
Ö Once you are born again, you become a part of the kingdom of God. Now you will have to live according to the kingdom principles and not worldly principles.
Ö You need to have the assurance that you are truly born again and will have eternal life in heaven.
6. OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS
Memory Verse : I Cor 10:13 Scripture Portion : Judges 16, Matthew 4
• Temptation is a situation where God allows a person to be tested by the Devil and the outcome determines whether our evil fleshly desires are stronger in us or our love for God and our faith in him stronger.
• Starting from Eve, Joseph, David, Daniel, Samson, Jesus and so on the Bible gives us many examples of people who overcame and also failed when they faced temptations.
• Today we will see one example who failed and one who overcame.
• The Spirit of God led Jesus to be tempted in the desert by Satan.
• Satan knew that Jesus was hungry so he tempted him with food.
• Satan always tries to make us fall into sin in our weak spot.
• Everyone has their own weakness. It may vary with time and situations.
• It was not wrong for Jesus to eat after 40 days of fasting but the real temptation was deeper than just eating.
• Satan tempted Jesus by making him doubt who God has made him to be.
• He tempted him by making him doubt the word of God and was trying to make him obey his words. He does that by twisting the truth just a little bit. ( Eg : Eve). He always questions our faith in God. (Gen 3:1)
• He tempted him with the pleasures of the world to deviate Jesus , from the love he had for God and take a shortcut to success and give up on the relationship with God.
• But Jesus overcame the temptation by resisting the devil with the word of God.
• Samson also was tempted in his weakest spot, which was women (judges 16:4, 5).
• Satan wanted to overpower him by finding out the secret of the strength that God had given him.
• Satan does not know everything about us but he roams like a roaring lion seeking for an opportunity to devour anyone who is weak ( I Peter 5:8)
• Though Samson was strong physically to kill a lion he was not strong spiritually to kill the roaring lion the devil.
• He went to the women again and again, and thought that his physical strength was enough to protect his spiritual secret.
• But he was wrong, one day he gave up his secret and he was overcome.
• The good news is he got one more chance. Our God gives us so many changes and wants us to be more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.
Self Analysis:
1. What is your one weak spot that you keep falling again and again? Romans 7: 15
2. What is the source through which this temptation comes to you?
3. At the time when the temptation comes are you able to hear the voice of your Spirit that is guided by the Holy Spirit and obey it or are you obeying the voice of your flesh which is guided by the evil desires of this world (Romans 8:12, 13)
4. Ask God to give you the grace and strength to overcome the sins that you are committing (II Corinthians 12: 9)
Conclusion:
Ö Keep a check on the input gates to your heart (eyes, ears, touch) in order to control the evil desires that will cause you to be tempted. James 1: 12 – 14
Ö God allows certain temptations to in our life that Satan brings to know our heart , to make our love stronger for him, to build our perseverance and to build others. Luke 22: 31, 32
Ö Storing the word of God and spending atleast one hour in God’s presence is a must to overcome sin. Mark 14:38
Ö We have a God who is able to deal gently with those who are going astray and keep falling as He himself was subject to many weaknesses. Hebrews 5: 2, 3
Ö Only those who endure till the end can receive the crown kept for them in heaven. Till the end of our life we will be tempted but with the help of the Holy Spirit who will be with us always we can overcome. Revelation 3:10, 11
7. EVANGELISM
Scripture Portion: Daniel 6, Matthew 28:19,20
Memory Verse : Mark 16:20
Story:
• Daniel came to Babylon as a slave but God exalted him to become a highest ruler. He served under 4 kings (6:3)
• All the kings acknowledged that he was smart, knowledgeable, ten times better and talented man.
• Also they all praised the God of Daniel and said that the Spirit of the Holy God is in him.
• He was not a pastor but a busy government official who practiced kneeling, praying and thanking God 3 times at a day in upper room (6:10). He also had time to read scriptures and fast and pray. (9:1)
• In his work no one could accuse him as he was trustworthy, not lazy and was truthful (6:4).
• He was not afraid of losing his life for the sake of his relationship with God.
• If we stand for God, kings will run to us and hungry lions will go on diet for us (6:19).
• Daniel never shares about God but Darius calls Daniel, a servant of the living God and has faith in Daniel’s God. (6:20).
• King Darius shares about Jehovah to all and praises the God of Daniel. (6:26,27).
• God will do supernatural things for His children to prove that He is with us. More than our words, it is through our lives that we can evangelize people and bring them to Jesus.
Self Analysis:
? Do you have the desire to share the good news about Jesus to non- believers?
? Are you ashamed to share about Jesus?
? Is your Evangelism more of words and less of life?
? What are the hindrance from sharing the Gospel?
? What are some supernatural things that has happened or you have seen in your life that proves Jesus is with you?
Conclusion:
Ö Our unshakable relationship with God in a daily basis is the key to evangelizing others.
Ö A True and uncompromising life of a Christian is the best way to show that we are serving a Holy God who is watching over us and with us.
Ö It is our duty to fulfill the great commission that God has given us to spread the good news to all.
Ö Without the power of the Holy Spirit, we cannot be witness.
Ö The only thing that we can take to our eternal life in heaven is souls. So go bring them to Christ.
8. WILL OF GOD
Scripture Portion : Jonah 1
Memory Verse : 1 John 2:17. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. NIV.
Story:
• Jonah receives a word from God to go to Nineveh.
• Even though he knew the perfect will of God, he wanted to run away from God’s presence and go to Tarshis.
• He paid for his own ticket, went and hid himself deep down in the ship to Tarshis
• On the way God caused a great storm to arise, so the ship was about to sink.
• Jonah knew that this problem came because of him to all the others. So he volunteered to be thrown out of the ship when the lot fell in his name.
• When he was thrown into the sea, God commanded a big fish to swallow Jonah and take him to the place where God wanted Jonah to be.
Verses to Ponder.
1. John 4:34
2. Romans 12:2
3. Psalms 143:10
4. Psalms 86:11
5. Acts 17:26.
Self Analysis:
1. How can we find out the will of God?
Through His voice, Written word, Circumstance, Spiritual authority.
2. Should we ask for God’s will only in the big matters like marriage, job, change of location or in every day activities like going to a place, or buying something?
3. Do you believe that as a child of God, nothing happen in your life unless God permits it?
4. Have you done something, thinking it is the perfect will of God but it did not have a happy ending?
Conclusion:
1. When we ask God sincerely to reveal His plan, He will do it one step at a time.
2. Not doing God’s will, will cause us to flee from God’s presence and losing a lot, it will be dangerous for us and for others.
3. Just because things seem greener on one side, do not take it as God’s will. Seek God and ask Him to lead you.
4. Doing God’s will does not always mean you will get what you want (eg. Jesus) even though things don’t work out on the earth. Remember it is heaven, and our eternal life that matters most.
9. PARENTS
Memory Verse : Mark 7:10 Scripture Portion : Mark 6:17-28
Story:
• We do not choose our parents. God chooses for us.
• In this story Herod is not the father of this girl.
• She comes from a broken family.
• Her mother is not leading a moral life. She has no example to follow.
• She was being used by her parents.
• Her step father was displaying her beauty to other men and enticing her with only half of his riches.
• She was really not accepted as his daughter.
• She was wise to go to her mother and ask blindly and obeyed her mother without thinking (Mark 6:24)
• We should be grateful for parents who love us and have not thrown us in the streets.
• We should be so grateful for parents who live for Jesus.
• We must obey our parents for our life to go well. (Exodus 20:12).
• We should help our parents till they die (Mark 7:11).
Self Analysis:
1. Do you honor your parents by obeying them?
2. Do you honor God by accepting God’s choice for you or do you think they are not the best for you?
3. Do you wish you were born in some other family?
4. Have you been hurt by comparison, partiality, immorality, abuse by the parents? It is time for you to allow God to deal with these areas and come out of it.
5. Have you hurt them by your words, actions in any way. If so ask the Holy Spirit to forgive you and also go to your parents and ask sorry.
Conclusion:
1. If you have not honored your parents, it means you are rejecting God’s wisdom and love for you.
2. If you have been hurt by your parents, it is time to forgive them because God says forgive and you will be forgiven. Matthew 6:14.
3. Even though a mother or father forgets her/his own child, God will never forsake them. He is our best father and He is able to fill the gap left by our parents in this world and in eternal life in heaven.
4. Honour God with all your heart, not by human rules but through God’s commands. Honour your parents, do not say cruel things.
5. Help your parents financially. What comes out from your mind, makes you who you are. Parents’ prayers are powerful.
10. FRIENDS
Memory Verse : JOHN 15:13
Scripture Portion : 1 Sam 20:14-17, 2 Sam 9:7
Story:
• God created human beings to have a friendship with us.
• Always two are better than one (Eccl. 4:9-12).
• God should be the centre of every friendship like that of David and Jonathan. (1 Sam. 20:42).
• If God is the centre then your friendship will last for Generations. (I Sam. 20:42).
• Their friendship was about giving.
• Their friendship was about trusting and keeping trust even when it hurts.
• Friendship is about doing whatever it takes to keep the relationship. (20:4).
• True friends are selfless (20:17).
• Friendship is feeling bad when others treat our friend badly and rejoicing when something good happens. (20:34).
• In a good friendship you must keep your word (20:35).
• Friendship is about respecting each other. (20:41).
• These are some good qualities we learn from David & Jonathan friendship.
SOME TIPS FOR GOOD FRIENDSHIPS:
1. Don’t make small issues big, let go and move on.
2. Do not accuse your friend always
3. In a conflict situation don’t ask why did you do that? Ask what happened.
4. We cannot change the other person, but we can change ourselves.
5. No matter who caused the problem, you are responsible how you react to the situation.
6. Always talk about an issue after the situation calms down.
7. Confront in private, praise in public.
8. Separate the action from the person. (Do not accuse the person character).
9. Do not bring up past actions when dealing with a present problem.
10. Make sure you always have something, encouraging to say to your friend.
11. Do not be negative always and avoid friends who are always a negative influence.
Self Analysis:
1. How many close friends and casual friends do you have?
2. Is God the center of your friendship? Does God have first place in your life?
3. Is your friend a positive influence in your life?
4. What is the problem you often face with your friends?
Conclusion:
Ö Be careful what you share with the friends. With prayer you, choose your friends.
Ö You must have friends who will be a positive influence in your life.
Ö If you have hurt your friends by being selfish of by your words, it is time to ask them to forgive you.
Ö If your friend does not know Jesus, your first priority is to pray for their salvation and introduce Jesus to them.
Ö Make sure your friends come to heaven with you because God will hold us accountable.
