TOPIC: The Home Church [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 18 November 2018]

MEMORY VERSE: “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,” – Acts 2:46 (scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 18 NOVEMBER 2018 HYMN)

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 16:15-19 KJV (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 18 November 2018)

15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.

18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

INTRODUCTION: A common feature in the early Church was the presence of home churches or house fellowship in the residences of believers. No matter how highly placed you were or what office you occupied in the main church, you either belonged to a home church or had a thriving one in your house. Even Apostle Peter belonged to one (Acts 12:11-17).

LESSON OUTLINES
1. Why the home church?
2. Benefits of home churches

WHY THE HOME CHURCH?
Today, the home church is recognised as the extension of the local assembly (Acts 2:46). It is a convenient unit where every member of the church could be reached and catered for. It is, therefore, a good caring unit (1Corinthians 16:15,18; Acts 16:40). The areas of care or need are easily identified in a home church or a house care fellowship (Romans 16:1-6). The home church leader would have addressed issues that would have been brought to the main church (Exodus 18:21-23).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Why is attendance in some home centers dropping?

BENEFITS OF HOME CHURCHES
The church is a place of prayer, healing, worship, baptism of the Holy Spirit and preparation for water baptism. Therefore, every activity that can take place in the regular church can also take place in a home church. These include: salvation of souls (Acts 2:40-42); Water baptism (Acts 10:47-48); baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-46); healing the sick (Mark 2:1-4,11-12); fasting/prayer (Acts 12:5,12); divine visitation/presence (Acts 2:1-5); sharing of the word of God (Acts 10:34-43).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What can individual (you and class members) do to bring about growth and development to the house fellowship in your localities?

SUMMARY: Home church is an integral part of the main church. God is also present there.

CONCLUSION: The home church does not only sustain the church growth but also cares for the individual members of the church.

QUESTIONS:
1. Mention reasons the home church is necessary.
2. What are the benefits of a home church?

Also Read: RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 11 November 2018, Lesson 11

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 18 NOVEMBER 2018 HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

Topic: Reward Of Piety [DCLM Daily Manna 16 November 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: 1 Samuel 20:24-34 (KJV)

Key Verse: “Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?“ (1 Samuel 20:30).

MESSAGE:

When we speak, the state of our heart is revealed, whether it is good or evil. Though the human mind may not be read accurately, words from the mouth with corresponding actions from the heart’s meditations adequately reveal the yearnings and the intents of the heart.

This statement seems to find relevance in our text today. David was convinced that Saul had evil intentions against him but Jonathan was doubtful of it. The vicious remarks and reactions of Saul to David’s good intentions betrayed the evil in his heart. In the opening verses, we cannot fail to notice the reverence with which Jonathan related with his father. He stood up while the king came in to have his seat at the table. David did not show up at the religious sacrifice. An intuitive feeling of danger kindled by providence made him to flee into hiding that night.

Saul was sure from his knowledge of David’s constancy, that he could not have kept himself away from religious duties without an acceptable cause. This comment by Saul is a remarkable tribute to David’s fidelity to holy principles and a challenge to every Christian today (1 Peter 2:12). Holy and righteous principle in life and conduct is our sure route of escape from divine wrath and judgment.

Avoid self-management. Cling to that which is righteous, holy and pious. Let it be written concerning you that you displayed the rarest of virtues, because of your abiding relationship with Christ.

Thought For The Day: Godly virtues secure.

Bible Reading In One Year: Acts 1-3

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

Flatimes’ Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

Topic: Learn To See Beyond The Immediate [TREM Devotional 16 November 2018]

“And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.” Genesis 50:24, 25 KJV

Joseph was not just a dreamer; he was a man that could see beyond the immediate. At a time when it didn’t look like it will ever happen, he told his brothers God is going to visit you in this land. That is the power of somebody who sees beyond the immediate. He said God is going to visit you in this land. Though all these things are coming against you, don’t bother about it, a visitation is coming. God is going to give you the land He promised your father. Therefore, when I die, don’t bury me in Egypt. Take my bones with you when God visits you because I know that God is surely going to visit you. It didn’t look like it but Joseph was fully persuaded of it.

In Exodus 13, when God’s people were finally leaving Egypt, they collected his bones and took them along for burial in Canaan land. The man saw himself in the Promised Land; therefore, he refused to be buried in Egypt.

Beloved, there is a promise that God has made to you. Do you see yourself there? The promise of good health that God has made to you, do you see yourself there? Are you going to go without? No! Develop the habit of always seeing beyond the immediate challenges around you. You are too loaded to fail. Believers fail when they refuse to see themselves beyond the immediate crisis and troubles they are experiencing. I declare that you will make it. When others are going backward you will go forward. A people you do not know shall serve you.

Further Reading: Exodus 13:17-19, Joshua 24:32.

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Ezekiel 3-4; Evening- Hebrews 11:20-40

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

Open Heaven 16 November 2018 Friday Daily Devotional by Pastor E A Adeboye – Worship does it

Topic: Worship does it (Open Heaven 16 November 2018)

Memorise: “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”– John 4:23

Read: Matthew 15:21-28 (KJV)

21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.

27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.

28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 8-10, Luke 22:39-62

Open Heaven 16 November 2018 Friday MESSAGE:

Anyone who has a revelation of what worship does to true and genuine worshippers is blessed indeed. The story in today’s Bible text reveals the practical impact of worship. In that story, our Lord Jesus Christ was approached for help by a Syro-Phoenician woman whose daughter was grievously possessed by a demon. The Bible says He did not pay any attention to her, and so His disciples advised that He should just send her away. However, instead of sending her away, Jesus opened the door of opportunity to dialogue with her and bring her to the saving knowledge of the God of Israel. He said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” This was the hint this woman needed to turn the situation around. On hearing this, she did something which is the focus of our reflection today. Matthew 15:25 says:

“Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.”

This action by the Syro-Phoenician woman ensured that Jesus continued to hear her. In their ensuing dialogue, she demonstrated persistent faith which the Lord’s anointing could not resist. Jesus commended her faith which was borne out of spiritual humility, saying to her:

“O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” – Matthew 15:28b

There are many lessons to learn from this story, but central to these lessons is the art of worship. We should always remember that all men are the same before God, and the purpose of their existence is to worship their Maker. Whether mankind likes it or not, a day is coming when we shall all worship before God. Speaking concerning this, Psalm 86:9 says:

“All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.”

Our memory verse reveals that the Father seeks those who worship Him. Beloved, worship does what no other thing can do in the place of prayer. What can anyone do that would make God do what He wouldn’t have done otherwise? The answer is worship. David worshipped God and God established a dynasty for him. His son worshipped God through unprecedented sacrifice and got more than he bargained for (1 Kings 3:4-13). The Syro-Phoenician woman worshipped Jesus Christ and a dog outside the kingdom became a child of the kingdom. As a matter of fact, some dogs worship their owners and eventually eat from their master’s table! Beloved, I want to encourage you to always engage in genuine worship, and you will be amazed by the great breakthroughs you will begin to experience.

Open Heaven 16 November 2018 Friday Action Point:

Spend quality time worshipping God today and see how He will rise on your behalf.

Also Read: Open Heaven 15 November 2018 – Glory not in Self

Open Heaven 16 November 2018 Friday Hymn 1: Now Thank We All Our God

1. Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom His world rejoices,
Who from our mother’s arms
Hath bless’d us on our way
With countless gifts of love
And still is ours today.

2. Oh may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us in His grace,
And guide us when perplex’d
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next

3. All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son, and Spirit blest,
Who reign in highest heaven,
The One eternal God,
Whom earth and heav’n adore,
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.

Open Heaven 16 November 2018 Friday Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 16 November 2018 Friday Daily Devotional.

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.