Bible Study II : Moving Forward Today

BIBLE STUDY II

Topic: Moving Forward Today

Text: Exodus 14 : 12-18

INTRODUCTION

The journey of life is not designed to be static. It is rather ordained to be a continuous movement to purpose and destiny fulfillment where ever you are now as an individual or a group of persons or an organization or a church is definitely not the ultimate but a launch pad towards greater heights. This was the message of Moses to the Israelites as they on a glorious exit from Egypt – the land of misery, slavery and oppression. Though it took them lots of efforts to be able to connect with Moses – their sent-man, yet they moved on but at a point in time in the course of their movement they got intimidated by the strains and encumbrances along the way. Fear gripped them and they toyed with the idea of going back to where they had left.

Moses stood in the gap, allayed their fears and received a divine instruction that they should move forward. The fact is that when one steps out to move forward heavens will back one up and seemingly captors will be held captive.

QUESTIONS / DISCUSSION

1.    What does it take to move forward in life and ministry?

i.              Taking to God’s specific instruction for your situation. Psalm 32:8, Isaiah 30:21.

ii.             Avoid complacency or luke warmness. Proverb 15:19, Rev. 3:16-18.

iii.            Readiness to endure hardship. II Timothy 2:3.

iv.           Avoid grumblings and complaints. Phil. 2:14, Number 11:1-3.

v.            Commitment to prayers and thanksgiving. Col. 4:1-2.

2.    Discuss the role good mentorship can play in motivating one to move forward. II Chronicle 26:3-8, II Kings 2:5-11.

3.    Discuss the significance of good counsel and adequate information to one’s resolve to move forward? Proverbs 8:14, 15:22, I Kings 22:3-6, Psalm 16:7, Proverb 21:16.

4.    Discuss the relevance of gifts and potentials as motivating factors to move forward. II Timothy 1:6, Rom. 11:29, Proverbs 18:16.

5.    What is our ultimate destination? Heb. 11:8-10, Rev. 20:22-26.

CONCLUSION

Moving forward indeed implies ascending higher towards higher stakes in spirituality, soul winning, life career, creativity instincts, new inventions, new insights etc. The more you are poised to take to the right attitude to move forward, the more you are backed up to checkmate hurdles and keep moving. So, develop a positive mindset and don’t turn what is suppose to be your “bus-stop” to a destination.

MEMORY VERSE

“Let us go forward, then, to mature reaching and leave behind us the first lessons of the Christian message” Heb. 6:1a.

PRAYER

Adesegun Akitoye
http://spiritualhymnsong.blogspot.com

Bible Study I : A Higher Level of Relevance

BIBLE STUDY I

Topic: A Higher Level of Relevance

Text: Exodus 33 : 1-2

INTRODUCTION

The book of Exodus gives us a vivid account of the movement of the people of Israel from one place to another with a start off point being Egypt. Their movement though literally a movement from captivity to liberty could also be described as movement from lower pedestal of life to a higher one. The truth is that God is very much interested in placing his children “high above all others”. “if you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth” Deut. 28:1. Today if we are ready God will surely lead us to the topmost platform of relevance, impact and importance in our respective callings.

The big question is “Are we ready”?

QUESTIONS / DISCUSSION

1.    Examine the passages listed below and discuss the scriptural promises of higher levels for children of God in relation to contemporary issues today? Deut. 28:1, 12-13, Deut. 26:19, Exodus 23:20, Isa. 58:14, Isa 60:1-3.

2.    What must we do to move on to a higher level of relevance?

i.              Pay close attention to God’s word. Psalm 1:1-3.

ii.             Listen to what the spirit of God says. Hab. 2:1-3, Psalm 85:8.

iii.            Engaging one’s mind proactively. Gen. 11:1-6, Proverb 27:19.

iv.           Be submissive to authority and be loyal to your superior. Roman 13:1.

v.            Devoting oneself to prayer. Col. 4:1-2.

3.    Discuss the place of humility and modesty in our quest for higher levels of relevance. James 4:6, I Peter 5:5-6, Philip 4:5-7.

4.    What is the correlation between one’s dream and higher level of relevance. Gen. 37:5-9, 41:39-40, Psalm 37:3-4.

CONCLUSION

The bottom line is that God had deposited in all His children strong potentials  to move on to higher places of relevance.

It takes a positive mindset and ability to key into God’s word via admonitions, instructions and counsel to get there. These is enough room for you to operate at the top. Brace up to be there for the top is free.

MEMORY VERSE

For exaltation comes neither from the east not from the west nor from the south, but God is the judge : He puts down one, and exalts another. Psalm 75:6-7.

PRAYER

Adesegun Akitoye
http://spiritualhymnsong.blogspot.com

Benediction : Recessional Hymn E822 : Onward! Christian soldiers

1.    BENEDICTION (MINISTER)

2.    RECESSIONAL HYMN EMHB 822

1.    Onward! Christian soldiers,

Marching as to war,

With the Cross of Jesus

Going on before.

Christ, the royal Master,

Leads against the foe;

Forward into battle,

See!  His banners go.

Onward! Christian soldiers,

Marching as to war,

With the Cross of Jesus

Going on before.

2.    At the sign of triumph

Satan’s host doth flee;

On then, Christian soldiers,

On to victory!

Hell’s foundations quiver

At the shout of praise;

Brothers, lift your voices,

Loud your anthems raise.

3.    Like a mighty army

Moves the Church of God;

Brothers, we are treading

Where the saints have trod.

We are not divided,

All one body we,

One in hope, in doctrine,

One in charity.

4.    Crowns and thrones may perish,

Kingdoms rise and wane,

But the Church of Jesus

Constant will remain.

Gates of hell can never

 ‘Gainst that Church prevail;

We have Christ’s own promise,

And that cannot fail.

5.    Onward then, ye people!

Join our happy throng;

Blend with ours your voices

In the triumph song:

Glory, laud, and honour

Unto Christ the King!

This through countless ages

Men and angels sing.

Adesegun Akitoye

http://spiritualhymnsong.blogsport.com

 

Communion : Thanksgiving : Administration : Hymn E718 : Jesus we look to Thee

1.    COMMUNION THANKSGIVING – ADMINISTRATION (MINISTER)

2.    CONCLUDING COMMUNION PRAYER (MINISTER)

3.    NOTICES

4.    CLOSING HYMN EMHB 718

1.    Jesus, we look to Thee,

Thy promised presence claim;

Thou in the midst of us shalt be,

Assembled in Thy name.

2.    Thy name salvation is,

Which here we come to prove;

Thy name is life and health and peace

And everlasting love.

3.    We meet, the grace to take

Which Thou hast freely given;

We meet on earth for Thy dear sake,

That we may meet in heaven.

4.    Present we know Thou art,

But O Thyself reveal!

Now, Lord, let every bounding heart

The mighty comfort feel.

5.    O may Thy quickening voice

The death of sin remove;

And bid our inmost souls rejoice

In hope of perfect love!

Amen.

Adesegun Akitoye
http://spiritualhymnsong.blogspot.com