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.

.

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”

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………………..

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viii…………….

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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?