Sun. 1/6/2014
Quarter’s Theme:REVIVAL IN THE CHURCH
Unit 1 Theme: The Necessity Of Revival (Lessons 1-6)
RESPONSIBILITY MONTHS
1/6/2014 LESSON 1
REVIVAL PROMISED
Memory Verse: If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face; and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven; and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chro. 7:14) NKJV
DAILY BIBLE READING
I Will Pour Out My Spirit
Joel 2:25-29
Whatever the number of years a congregation spends without experiencing the manifestation of God’s move, they are wasted years. They are years devoured by all manners of devourers. It is not part of God’s plan for His children to labour in vain but that they should eat and be satisfied. To ensure that the Church is not stranded in the wilderness, God promises to pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Note that no category of persons is left out of the Holy Spirit experience – old or young, male or female. Revival in a congregation should involve all categories of members. When the Church is revived, every member is empowered to become a useful vessel in God’s hand – a vessel of honour prepared unto every good work.
Point of Emphasis: The work of the Holy Spirit is a major means used by God to revive a Church.
Prayer Point: Pour Your Holy Spirit upon all members of our Church, O God.
BACKGROUND
The people of God were accused of not giving God the steadfast love He desired.
In 2 Chronicles 7:14, a plea was made to them that they should humbly repent
of their sinful ways to remove the hinderance to their prayer. This week’s lesson focuses on God’s promise of a revival. To this end, believers are enjoined to turn from their sinful ways to enjoy God’s benevolence.
NOTES ON THE TEXT
I. IF YOU ARE HUMBLE: 2 CHRO. 7:12-14
Prayer attracts God’s attention. This is the second appearance of God to Solomon. The first, being the night when he had requested for wisdom in prayer and after the dedication of the temple. 2 Chro. 7:1 attests the fact that after Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering…
A careful look at our text gives us some clues which will make God’s presence in the midst of His people a reality. These include:
§ Verse 12 – God made His appearance to people who pray. God appeared to Solomon the night he prayed and was assured of answer to his prayer. The answer was based on the specific things he requested from God in the prayer of dedication (2 Chro. 6:1-end).
§ God chose to answer the prayer of His people in His temple. This is a demonstration that God endorses and loves corporate prayer.
§ The pre-requisite for believers prayer to be answered is that they should be humble (2 Chro. 7;14). Solomon displayed this. Despite his position as a king, he knelt down and prayed in the presence of the whole nation of Israel. God answers people who pray with humble heart.
II. IF YOU REMOVE THE STUMBLING BLOCKS – ISA. 57:14-18
Isaiah portrayed the hypocrisy of the Israelites saying that they talked as if they wanted to follow God’s ways but at the end followed their own desire. He however, told them what they should do to have God’s approval.
· They should remove every obstacle on their way to enhance God’s visitation.
· God is holy, He dwells in the high and holy place. He is with the downtrodden who are crushed and humble. He has solution for the backsliders who will remove their stumbling blocks (sin).
· God doesn’t want the lives of those He had created to grow faint in His presence, therefore, He is ever ready to help and will not remain angry forever if they can repent.
· God’s promise of restoration in verse 18: “I will heal, lead and restore comfort” are enough for sinners to have contrite and humble spirit to prepare the way for God’s return.
III. IF WE FOLLOW TO KNOW THE LORD – HOS. 6:1-3
Hosea clarified the desired relationship he wished to have: he made a call for repentance with himself inclusive “come, and let us return to the LORD”. He knew God to be a Restorer”… Even though He has wounded us, He will bandage our wounds. Verses 2 – 3 affirms that God will surely revive, raise up and make us to live in His presence if we desire to learn of and know the LORD. The onus rests on us to follow Him (God) because He will come to water our ground and refresh us again.
CONCLUSION
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, neither His mercies come to an end. He identifies with our infirmities, knowing fully that we are mortals. He promised revivals in the days of Solomon, Isaiah, Hosea etc on the conditions that they should be humble and that they should remove stumbling blocks (sin) and should desire to know Him. He healed their land and restored them. God’s acts of love is still available for us. We must not pay a lip service to this golden opportunity. Let’s use it now.
QUESTIONS
1. What can we use to attract God’s attention?
2. What does God require from us that will make our prayer to be answered?
3. Can God heal and restore the backslider? How?
4. How can you substantiate that God doesn’t want the lives of those He had created to grow faint?
5. What does Hosea 6:2-3 suggest to you?
French
DIMANCHE 1/06/2014
JE REPANDRAI MON ESPRIT
JOEL 2:25-29
Quel qu’en soit le nombre d’années qu’une congrégation passe sans avoir expérimenté la manifestation de la présence de Dieu, elles en sont des années de perte. Elles sont des années dévorées par toutes sortes de dévoreurs. Cela ne fait pas partie du plan de Dieu pour ses enfants de travailler en vain mais qu’ils doivent plutôt manger et être satisfaits. Pour s’assurer que l’église ne soit pas retrouvée en ‘rade’ dans le désert, Dieu a promis de verser son esprit sur toute chair. Note qu’aucune catégorie de personnes n’est exempte de l’expérience du Saint-Esprit – jeunes ou adultes, mâles ou femelles. Le réveil dans une église doit impliquer toutes les catégories de membres. Quand l’église est ranimée, chaque membre est fortifié pour devenir un instrument utile dans les mains de Dieu – un instrument d’honneur prêt à toute bonne œuvre.
Point essentiel : L’œuvre du Saint-Esprit est un grand moyen utilisé par Dieu pour ranimer une église.
Axe de prière : Dieu, répands ton esprit sur tous les membres de notre Eglise.