Memory Verse.

Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11 ASV)

A. INTRODUCTION.

Much of what we know about the power and the efficacy of the name of Jesus was revealed to us in the Pauline epistles. Perhaps due to the powerful encounter which marked the beginning of his ministry as was recorded in Acts 9:1-6, Paul held the name of Jesus in such awe and demonstrated the efficacy of the name in a unique way.

B. POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

Study the following statements of Apostle Paul about the name of Jesus and explain your own understanding of the those scriptures concerning Jesus Christ.

i. Acts. 17:24 -31.

ii. Rom.1:1- 6.

iii. Rom.1:16&17.

iv. Rom.3:21-26.

v. Rom.8:37-39.

vi. Rom.13:11-14.

vii. 2Cor.5:9&10.

viii. Eph.1:7-12.

ix. Eph.2:19-22.

x. Eph. 3:8-12.

xi. Phil.2:5 – 11.

xii. Col.1:13-18.

xiii. Col.2:4-10.

xiv. Col.2:11-17.

xv. Col.3:1-10.

xvi. 1Thess.4:13-18.

xvii. 1Thess.5:1-11.

C. A COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE COVER.

A careful study of the scriptures above reveals the name of Jesus as a akin to a comprehensive insurance cover.

i. If you agree, give reasons why you agreed.

ii. In your own view, what are the reasons why Apostle Paul had such an in depth knowledge and trust in the name of Jesus Christ?

iii. What are some of the strategies which you may use to draw closer to Jesus so that you may reap some of those benefits which Paul apparently enjoyed?

D. CONCLUSION.

The life and teachings of Apostle Paul reveals to us the rich inheritance that we have in the name of Jesus. Any Christian who knows the depth of the efficacy of this powerful name will definitely live a victorious life which will be devoid of fear of what the enemy may do, be confident of the overcoming grace available to him in the face of challenges and will be sure of his eternal security. How much faith do you have in the name of Jesus?

Memory verse.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Romans 3:23-24 KJV)

A. INTRODUCTION.

Grace may be defined as the unmerited favor of God which was made possible for all believers through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote extensively upon this important concept in the Christian faith.

B. PAUL ON GRACE.

Read Rom.3:23-28)

i. According to this scripture, is there any tribe or nation that is excluded from the grace of God?

ii. What brought the grace of God to everyone to enjoy?(Rom.3:24)

iii. What did God use the blood of Jesus for concerning our sins?(Rom.3:25)

iv. What is the place of faith in our access to grace?(v.25-28)

v. What does Rom.4:9 make us to realize?

vi. How do you understand Eph.1:7?

vii. What did the grace of God make Apostle Paul to do in 1Cor.15:9&10? If the grace of God allowed Paul to do so much, what is the message it has for you?

viii. What is the role of Abraham in our access to grace?(Rom.4:13-17)

C. GRACE AND CONTINUOS SIN.

Many believe that since the grace of God enables believers to have the forgiveness of sins, they believe that they can still go into sin even as children of God.

i. Please read Rom.6:1&2 to know the position of Apostle Paul on this. How do you understand the scripture?

ii. Read Rom.6:3-10 and explain the concept of the ‘old man’

iii. Explain Rom.6:11.

iv. In what ways may you allow sin to reign in your mortal body? (Rom6:12)

v. What is the counsel in v.13&14?

vi. Read and explain v.15&16.

vii. What kind of death is does sin lead to? (v.23)

D. CONCLUSION.

Apostle Paul was a propagator of the grace of God. He explained in in such a way that makes the freedom from sin which the death of Jesus Christ signifies to become so clear to believers. Yes, grace gives us freedom and boldness to have access to God but we must ensure that sin no longer reign in our bodies since grace is not a license to sin.

Memory Verse.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16 KJV)

A. INTRODUCTION.

Right from the beginning of the ministry of Apostle Paul to the end of his life, he was a testifier of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Either he was standing before kings or commoners, Paul was never hesitant in opening his mouth to preach the gospel. The great commission as commanded by Jesus in Mark 16:15 was his watchword and this is a trait that we must imbibe from his life.

B. HOW IMPORTANT IS WITNESSING?

i. When you witness, it demonstrates that you are proud of your God (2Kg.5:2-3) and you are sure that He is reliable.

ii. When you witness, you are demonstrating your obedience to the Great Commission (Mk.16:15)

iii. When you witness, it shows that you are not ashamed of whom you have believed (Mark 8:38; 2Tim.1:8)

iv. Why did Peter feel that it was important to witness?(Acts10:38-43)

C. APOTLE PAUL AS AN EXAMPLE FOR US.

i. Read Acts 9:18-22. Paul immediately after baptism started testifying of Jesus. When last did you witness to anyone?

ii. Read Acts 26:19-23. What are your comments.

iii. Why did king Agrippa make the comments he made in Acts 26:24?

iv. Make comments on Acts 26:28.

v. How will you explain Rom.9:15& 16.

vi. Paul said that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ Rom.1:16, don’t you think that many people are not testifying because of shame?

D. HINDRANCES TO WITNESSING.

There are three main hindrances which may prevent one from witnessing. They are shame, lack of boldness and ignorance.

i. What does the following scriptures say about shame in witnessing for Jesus Christ? Lk.9:26; 2Tim.1:8. In your own view, what are some reasons why someone may be ashamed of witnessing for Jesus Christ?

ii. Why were the disciples praying for boldness in Acts4:29?

iii. Any Christian who doesn’t witness is an ignorant person (Mk.16:15) Do you agree? Why?

iv. Paul witnessed in any circumstance in which he found himself (Acts17:22-31). Would you have been able to witness in the circumstance in which Paul found himself in the scripture?

vi. What is the place of innovation in witnessing?

E. CONCLUSION.

We need to learn from Paul, the ability to witness under any circumstances in which we find ourselves. How often do you witness? If you don’t witness, you are disobedient to the Great Commission.

Memory Verse.

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (II Corinthians 9:6-7 NKJV)

A. INTRODUCTION.

One of the important traits that we may imbibe from the life of Apostle Paul is that of giving. In this lesson, we are going to examine giving as important attribute which we must emulate in his life.

B. GIVING DEMONSTRATES LOVE AND COMMITMENT.

The level of your readiness to give demonstrates your commitment to a cause. The more you believe in or you are committed to a cause the more you will be ready to give towards the actualization of that cause.

Please take note of the following examples about giving;

i. When God wanted to know how committed Abraham was to Him, he was required to give his son Issac.(Gen.22:1&2)

ii. When God wanted to demonstrate His love for us, He gave us Jesus Christ.(Jn.3:16)

iii. When Jesus wanted to demonstrate His love for mankind, He gave His life.(Jn.15:13)

iv. When a man or woman is committed to a relationship, he or she will be ready to sacrifice anything for the sustenance of that relationship.

Giving may therefore be said to be the prove of love. The more you love a person or a cause, the more you are ready to give to that person or cause.

v. When the poor widow wanted to demonstrate her commitment to God’s kingdom, she gave all that she had as offering to God. (Mk.12:41-44)

1Jn.4:9&10; 3:16-18

C. APOSTLE PAUL AND GIVING.

i. Read Acts 20:35, what does it reveal about Apostle Paul’s perception to giving?

ii. What does he believe should should be the attitude of the giver? (Rom.12:8)

iii. Apostle Paul believed that your expected harvest should determine the volume of your giving(2Cor.9:6-8) Do you have testimony to share with the group concerning this?

iv. What is the promise in 2Cor.9:10?

vi. According to Paul, when you are asked to give, it is for you to receive blessings(Phil.4:17-19) Do you have a testimony which you can share with this group about giving?

D. CONCLUSION.

Apostle Paul was a giver who believed that giving is a proof of love and a gateway to blessings. This a trait which we must inculcate from the life of Paul if we want to have the kind of results which he experienced in ministry.

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Memory Verse.

Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:34-35 KJV)

A. INTRODUCTION

Diligence means constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken. It is a virtue that is absent in the life of many christians today as many are often too much in a hurry to do things excellently.

Apostle Paul was a diligent worker. Despite all that he achieved for God in the area of the propagation of the gospel, he still found time to work. His life is a real challenge to christians, both clergy and laity. There is need to be persistent in whatever we are doing either for God or in our secular vocations.

B. EXAMPLES FOR US IN THE SCRIPTURES.

The scriptures use the life of ant to counsel us in Proverbs 6:6-11. Study it and answer the following questions;

i. Explain in your own words verses 6-8.

ii. How will you explain youthful years as the summer of life? (v.8) If youthful years are the summer of life, what are some things that youth should do to prepare for old age which is the winter of life?

iii. How will you explain v.9-11? Apart from physical sleep, what are the other activities that represent oversleeping on the journey of life?

iv. How may oversleeping contribute to poverty in ones life?

Also, in Pr.22:29 the virtues of diligence is extolled again.

v. Why will diligence make a man to stand before kings?

vi. What is the implication of this on your own diligence in the assignments as a worker in your church or fellowship? (2Pet.1:10)

C. APOSTLE PAUL AS A DILIGENT WORKER.

The commitment of Paul to diligence is demonstrated in his writings;

i. Read Acts 18:3. Despite the great contributions of Apostle Paul to Christianity, he still found time to work as a tent maker. Comment.

ii. Read and make comments on Acts 20:34.

iii. Read and make comments on Acts 20:35.

Read 2Thess.3:6-12.

iv. What does Paul say about idleness?(v.6)

v. Make comments on verses 7&8

vi. What will you say about v. 9.

vii. If a leader does not live by example (v.10), will he be able to make the statement in verse 11?

viii. What was the final charge to those who are idle? (v.12)

ix. Was Paul saying that it is wrong for a Minister to be supported by the church? Discuss? (1Cor.9:6&7;13&14)

x. Despite Paul’s belief that he deserved to be supported by the church, he still went ahead to support himself, why? (v.15)

D. CONCLUSION.

Diligence at work is one of the lessons to be learnt from the life of Apostle Paul. Every assignment both in the church and the secular life must be given utmost attention as “there should be no food for the idle man”