Text- Act.20:17-27

Memory.

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

(Acts 20:22-23 KJV)

A. INTRODUCTION.

One of the most significant features of Apostle Paul’s life was his readiness to take risks for God. From the beginning of his ministry to the end of his life, Paul was ready to take any risk for the advancement of the gospel. Even when his life was at stake, Paul was ever ready to go ahead and take any step that will make people to know Christ.

B. PEOPLE WHO TOOK RISKS FOR GOD.

A close look at the scriptures will reveal to us that making a mark for God often requires taking definite risks. Let us look at the following examples in the life of some notable Bible characters.

i. Abraham.

Study Gen.22:1-14. Will you be able to take the risk that Abraham took just because God asked him to do so? Why?

ii. Ruth.

Study Ruth.1:1-17. Look again at verses 11-14, did it make any sense for the daughters in law of Naomi to follow her back to Israel? Comment on verses 16&17, would you have been able to take the risk which Ruth took?

iii. Elisha.

Study 1Kings 19:19-21. Elisha was a very successful farmer. The suddenness of his call through Elijah and subsequent winding up up of his entire agricultural enterprise was a great risk. Why do you think he was able to take the risk?

iv. Esther.

Study Esther 4:10-16. Esther knew that anyone who goes in to see the king uninvited risks certain death, but she took the risk.

v. Nehemiah.

Nehemiah took the risk of asking for the permission of king Artaxerxes to go and rebuild walls of Jerusalem (Neh.1:1-5; 2:1-3). How dangerous do you think that request was, knowing that Persia was a foreign country which conquered Israel and took them as slaves?

C. SOME REASONS WHY APOSTLE PAUL TOOK RISKS FOR GOD.

Discuss the following scriptures as the reason why Apostle Paul took the risks which he took for the cause of the gospel. If you believe like Paul in those scriptures, what kind of risk will you be able to take for God?

i. 1Cor.1:26-29. If you really believe this scripture, you will be able to risk taking any assignment for God.

ii. 1Cor.4:7. What is the risk that this scripture make you to take?.

iii. Rom.1:14-17. If you believe this scripture, what is it that may prevent you from preaching anywhere?

iv. 1Cor.9:16-18. What will a belief in this scripture make you to risk.

v. Rom.3:23-24. You will be able to risk preaching to the high and mighty knowing that there is no exception to the human need for the saviour.

vi. Rom.5:6-8. Paul was propelled by something in this scripture. What was it?

vii.Rom.8:14-17. A belief that you possess the spirit of adoption may make you to risk even death for the cause of the gospel because you are confident of your inheritance among the saints along with Jesus Christ.

viii.2Cor.5:1-4. What may this scripture lead you into?

ix. 2Cor.9:6-7. Comments?

x. Eph.1:18-22 – The scripture will make you able to risk anything for God knowing that the power backing you up is supreme.

D. CONCLUSION.

Paul even in the face of death was ready to move on propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts.21:11-14). How far can you even inconvenience yourself to do God’s will? The extent to which you can go depends so much on your foundation in the faith. How grounded are you in the gospel?

Lesson Five

HE IDENTIFIED HIS PURPOSE AND WAS FOCUSED ON IT.

Study verse.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14 KJV)

A. INTRODUCTION.

A focused person is someone who has identified his purpose and is doing everything not to allow distractions to shift his attention from it. Paul was evidently a focused person, who resolutely pursued his purpose to the end of his life.

B. IDENTIFICATION OF YOUR GOAL OR OBJECT OF FOCUS.

For anyone to become focused, he must first identify the goal and then be ready to sacrifice anything that may be competing with the goal.

i. Read Phil.3:7-14. What was the life goal of Paul? It may be summarized as “To know Jesus Christ and be found in Him”

What were the things that Paul did because of his goal?

ii. He counted everything that were gain to him to be loss for Jesus.(v7)

ii. He counted all other things as rubbish so that he might gain Christ.(v8)

iii. He did not rely on his own righteousness as found in the law but the righteousness which is in Christ.(v9)

iv. He kept committing himself to knowing Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.(v10)

v. He kept pressing on.(v12)

vi. He forgot the dirty past and reaching forward to those things ahead.(v13)

vii. He kept his eyes on the goal.(v14)

viii. Have you identified your own goal in ministry or your walk with God?

C. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS TO SACRIFICE TODAY TO KNOW CHRIST AND BE FOUND IN HIM?

If we want to get the results that Paul got, we also have to take those steps he took, and more. The following are some of the scriptures that might be helpful.

i. Rom. 12:1&2. What are you asked to do in the above scriptures?

How may you offer yourself a living sacrifice to God? What does it mean not to be conformed to the world by renewing your mind?

ii. Heb.12:1&2. How will you explain these two verses?

iii.Phil.4:8&9. Explain those things you are asked to think on. How can they help you to remain focused?

From your experience, identify other things which one may need to sacrifice in other to remain focused on his/ her goal in this Christian race.

iv………………..

v……………….

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viii…………….

ix………………

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CONCLUSION.

One of the greatest virtues that we may learn from the life of Paul is the ability to remain focused in spite of all distractions. This is a virtue which each and everyone of us must learn if we really want to finish well in our Christian race. Distractions must come but it takes someone who is as resolute as Paul to remain on course. Are you such a Christian?

LESSON 3: DEPTH IN DEVOTION

Memory Verse

Philippians 3:10

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

A. INTRODUCTION.

One of the greatest lessons which we may learn from the life of Apostle Paul is that of depth in his devotional life. This may be accessed through a study of the prayers of Paul. Most of our prayers are focused on our physical needs but the prayers of Paul are so rich, thereby demonstrating the depth of his spiritual life. In this study, we are going to look at some of the major areas that Paul prayed over.

B. PAUL PRAYED FOR GODLY LIVING.

Study the following scriptures and comment on their meaning and implications on the life of the believer.

i. Phil.1:9-11. What are the things that are excellent in the life of a believer?

ii. Phil.4: 8-10. Take some time to look at the points that Paul asks you to meditate on, in this scripture. What was does v.9 reveal to you about the character of Apostle Paul?

iii.1Thess. 3:12-13. Paul prays in v.13, ‘…that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness’ What in your own words does the statement mean?

iv. 1Thess. 5:23. Please comment on this scripture.

v. 2Thess. 1:11. How do you understand the prayer of Paul in this scripture?

vi. 1Tim.2:1-3. In this scripture, part of godly living is to pray for those in authority. Why is this important?

C. PAUL PRAYED FOR KNOWLEDGE.

Another area of focus in the prayers of Paul, are the prayers for knowledge. A careful look at his epistles reveal his belief that knowledge is important for depth in spiritual matters. Take time to ponder and discuss the following prayers of for knowledge;

i. Prayers for increased knowledge of the LORD: Eph.1:17; Phil.3:8-10

ii. Prayers for the knowledge of His will: Phil.1:9&10; Col.1:9.

iii.Prayers for the knowledge of His love: Eph.3:17-19.

iv.Prayers for the knowledge of the hope of His calling and the riches that we have in Him: Eph.1:18; Phile.1:6.

vi.Prayers for the knowledge of His power: Eph.1:18-22

vii. In your own words, why do you think that knowledge is important in the things of God? ( For instance, if you don’t know the knowledge of the will of God, you will be praying amiss)

D. PAUL PRAYED FOR GRACE AND PEACE.

Prayers for grace and peace are so prominent in the epistles of Paul. Check the following scriptures;

1Cor.1:3; 2Cor.1:2; 2Cor.13:14; Gal.1:3; Gal.6:18; Eph.1:2;

Eph.6:23-24; Phil.1:2; Phil.4:23; 1Thess.1:1b

1Thess.5:28; 2Thess.1:2; Tit.1:4; Phile.1:3; 2Thess.3:16.

i. Grace is defined as God’s unmerited favor. It is such an important concept in the Bible that it is mentioned up to 170 times. It means God doing for us things we don’t deserve. Grace may also be viewed as God’s sufficiency or God’s fullness in the life of the believer(2Cor.12:9; 2Cor.9:8) Why do you think that Paul was always praying for grace on behalf of the believers in his epistles?

ii. Peace in a general sense is a state of quietness and freedom from agitations or disturbance by the passions such as fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like. How important is peace to the growth of your relationship with God?

E. CONCLUSION.

The prayers of Apostle Paul in his epistles is a demonstration of his depth in walking with God. His devotional life must have really been deep going by the amount of unselfish prayers he prayed for the saints and for himself. How is your own prayer life? Is it just about physical things you want God to do for you or mainly about the unseen things (2Cor.4:18)

LESSON 2: HE WAS ON FIRE FOR GOD.

Memory verse

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16 KJV)

A. INTRODUCTION.

One of the greatest factors that made Paul to have such an impact in ministry was his enthusiasm. Paul could never be ignored; anywhere he spoke, people were either for or against him. In Eccl.9:10, we are told to do whatever we do with our might. Also in Rev.3:15,16, &19, lukewarmness is condemned vigorously by God. In fact we are told that those who are neither cold nor hot would be vomited by God!

B. PAUL’S ENTHUSIASM.

The ministry of Paul was without equal in enthusiasm as demonstrated by his words and actions in ministry.

i. Read Rom.12: 11. What is the counsel of Paul in this scripture?

ii. The love of Christ compels me’ (2Cor.5:14-15). One major thing that enthusiasm does is that even when others have been discouraged, you are compelled to move on.

iii. All the persecutions could not dampen the morale of Paul (2Cor.11:24-27)

Try to compare the inconveniences you might have gone through for the sake of the gospel with that of Apostle Paul. What are your comments?

iv. Because of his enthusiasm, he was able to always hold his audience spellbound with his compelling words. Even kings could not resist the words of Paul (Acts.26:28&29)

v. Read 2Tim.4:6-8. When you consider the fact that Paul wrote this scripture at a time that death was certain, what are your comments?

C. WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF YOUR OWN ENTHUSIASM?

Knowing fully well that your impact in the Christian race depends heavily on your enthusiasm for the cause of the gospel. Your enthusiasm however depends on the depth of your conversion. There are many christians whose conversion experience is not really deep. The depth of your conversion will;

i. Make old things to pass away in your life. In 2Cor.5:17, we are made to understand that if you are in Christ, old things will pass away and all things will become new. Your experience of old things that has passed away and the newness of present way of life and experiences contribute in no small measure to you catching fire for God. Paul was a terrible persecutor of the saints before his conversion but after, he became the greatest propagator of the gospel. Can you remember an old thing that has passed away in your life?

ii. Make you to discover new gems in the word of God. Your discovery of the efficacy of the word of God may make you to catch fire for God (2Tim.3:16&17; 2Tim.4:2-4)

iii. Makes you to be less fearful of persecutions and threats.

iv. Heighten your expectation of being with Jesus in heaven (Jn.14:1-3)

v. May make you to acquire the boldness that others don’t have in the things of God.

Discuss other signs of catching fire for God which the depth of your conviction may make you to have.

vi. Saying No! to ungodliness

vii. Strong relationship with God.

viii. Feel God’s presence more

ix.

x.

D. SPIRITUAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.

Spiritual fire extinguishers are those factors that contribute to making one’s enthusiasm for God to go down. In your own reasoning, what are those factors that may act as fire extinguishers in the life of a Christian?

i. For adults.

ii. For youths.

iii. For those in leadership positions.

CONCLUSION.

One of the greatest factors that contributed to Apostle Paul’s success in ministry was his enthusiasm for the gospel. He was simply put on fire for God. It was evident in his life that his conviction was deep and total. How deep is your own conviction? How has it fired you up for exploits in the kingdom?

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Lesson One

HE SUSTAINED HIS TURNING POINT.

Memory verse

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Acts 9:6 KJV)

A. INTRODUCTION.

Everyone that has ever been used by God had a past, and a turning point. The difference between those mightily used by God and others is the degree with which they submitted themselves at the place of encounter and use the experience as a TURNING POINT for their journey with God. Paul was such a person, who despite his terrible past submitted himself at the place of encounter and used it as a TURNING POINT for his life and ministry.

B. THE LIFE OF PAUL BEFORE THE TURNING POINT.

Read Phil.3:5&6 and answer the following questions;

Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Philippians 3:5-6 KJV)

i. Who is a Pharisee?

ii. When Paul said he persecuted the church, you may have a feel of it through Acts 7:51- 8:3. If you were in his shoes, how easy would it have been for you to turn round and become a disciple of Jesus?

iii. What do you understand by Paul saying; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless?

iv. What was your own life before your encounter with Jesus?

C. THE ENCOUNTER THAT BECAME PAULS TURNING POINT.

Read acts 9: 1-8

i. Describe the encounter that became the turning point of Paul’s life.

ii. Read and discuss 2Cor.11:22-33 as one major reason why encounter does not become TURNING POINT for many people.

iii. What are those things which are preventing you from continuing the way you started with God?

iv. Can you make a decision now?

D. FACTORS THAT PREVENT MANY FROM CONVERTING THEIR ENCOUNTER TO TURNING POINT.

Discuss each of the following as factors that prevent many from using their encounter as the turning point of their journey with God;

i. Procrastination- When you postpone what you should do for God to a more convenient time.(Pr.27:1)Paul never allowed that in his life.

ii. Wrong Counsel- The counsel you take from others may be wrong because they don’t have your background and unique experiences. They may also advice you out of selfishness and envy (1Kg.13:11-24)

Paul did not allow wrong counsel to distract his attention(Acts 26:24)

iii. Doubt- When you doubt what God asks you to do, probably because of the circumstances around you.(Jam.1:6) Paul was so sure of his calling that there was no doubt in his heart.(Acts 29:19)

iv. Self underestimation- When you underestimate what God can do through you.(Jdg.6:15&16)Paul never saw anything as being impossible(Phil.4:13)

v. Fear- Sometimes the sheer magnitude of the assignment makes you to be terrified of the potential effect of your assignment (Is.41:10) Paul was never afraid of the dangers ahead of him(Acts 20:22-24)

vi. Bad company- When your friends are not going in the same direction with you, they may wrongly influence you. Paul believed that your conduct may be affected by people you relate with. (1Cor.15:33)

vii. Adversity- In the face of adversity, many turn back from following Jesus but despite all that Paul went through, he continued to serve his master.

viii. Discouragement- There are things that ma

viii. Sin- The greatest demobilizer that can prevent one from sustaining his turning point is sin. Paul believed that holiness is vital to the walk of faith.(Eph.1:4)

E. CONCLUSION.

Many had encounter with God and started greatly in the assignment that God gave them but later on gradually