Anglican Bible study - STUDY 23, JUNE 5, 2022
STUDY 23
Anglican Bible study - STUDY 23, JUNE 5, 2022,PENTECOST SUNDAY JUNE 5 2022
Theme: THE LORD GOD AND THE REIGN OF PEACE
SUB THEME: Mandate of God to earthly rulers
TOPIC: Abstinence
TEXT: Gen 39:7-9
AIMS
i. to examine the need for self-control by leaders
ii.to study the positive effects of abstinence on governance.
INTRODUCTION
Today is Pentecost Sunday; a celebration of the day the Holy Spirit descended on the first Apostles and others gathered with them and they preached and won over 3,000 souls into Christ’s kingdom. Our theme today is very relevant to the works of the Holy Spirit. Abstinence is an act of self-restraint, self-control and self-discipline from food, drinks, sex and money. The study today will show that self-control is highly essential for any ruler or anyone aspiring to any position of authority. The benefits of abstinence can never be achieved if the Spirit of God is absent. The Joseph's choice of self-control helped to pave his way to rulership in Egypt.
STUDY GUIDE
1. Using practical illustrations in line with our text, explain Abstinence in your own words. How can the Holy Spirit help in this? See John 16:8.
2. Explain in your own way the positive effects of abstinence in the following passages. Daniel 1:15-17; Gen. 41:38 (39-44); Acts 8:17-19.
3. No doubt, Nigeria is suffering from a leadership problem. Examine and discuss Abstinence in view of Nigeria’s development. What is the way out? Hebrew 13: 5
4. Food for thought “Not all my wants can be beneficial to my Christian life. Discuss this in line with personal and communal peacefulness and 1Cor 6:12.
CONCLUSION
Human life is full of all kinds of temptations, and the Bible admonishes us as Christian's to abstain from every appearance and practice of evil. Instad we should focus our attention on Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “Not all my wants can be beneficial to my Christian life”.
MEMORY VERSE – 1Cor 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any”.