.

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

Please follow, share and like us: