The Power Of Perseverence Persistence And Progress - Leader

THE POWER OF PERSEVERENCE

THE POWER

OF

YOUNG ADULT CELLS JULY 2006

PERSEVERANCE

IMPT NOTE:

The important thing in this lesson is to encourage members to take active steps to apply these 3 keys into their lives. Recap the 3 points at the end to help members remember them. Make sure they bring one or two action points home to be followed up next week.

HOOK (10 Mins)

Divide the cell group into two opposing camps. Challenge them to a test of endurance, for example the group that can stand on one leg the longest, or squat on ball of feet or lift a heavy object the longest wins. (Note: you can devise your own test of endurance but it should requires some teamwork in order to win.) Give the winning team a prize or the pride of winning. (if no budget).

Leader’s Notes Objective: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: 1. Remember 3 Keys to an enduring Christian walk or ministry. 2. Evaluate your Christian walk and ministry on these 3 Keys. 3. List 3 things that you can do to help you in your Christian walk and ministry.

Ask the cell group what does it takes, what factors are involved that they see in the winning team that cause them to win? Ask them to list down the keys/factors to winning the endurance test? Use this activity to lead into the lesson: 3 Keys to an Enduring Christian Walk or Ministry. YOU MAY HAND OUT THE LESSON NOTES AT THIS TIME. Briefly explain that in Acts 18, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth and this was perhaps one of the lowest point in his life. Recall some of the major events/problems/difficulties that happened to him in Acts 16, 17 and 18. Tell them that in Acts 18, Paul’s discouragement came mainly from 3 factors: Large Strain of the Work - (Corinth) Little Success of the Work - (no results) Lonely Service of the Work – (no friends with him) Say: “But yet, how did Paul succeeded in turning the situation around and plant a church in immoral Corinth?” Tell them that we can learn 3 Keys from Paul’s life in having an enduring Christian walk or ministry.

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. Acts 18:1-5

LEARNING ACTIVITY (30 Mins) If your group has more than 6 persons, you may divide them into 3 groups and let them answer part A, B and C. Of course, some questions are meant for whole cell discussion and you may want to bring the question out for everyone to answer.

A)

Partnership of Friends Get the groups presenting to read the Scriptures. From this passage, in what ways do you think the 4 people mentioned were of a great encouragement and support to Paul? Aquila and Priscilla were new friends Paul made. They were likeminded, in same trade as Paul, provided him work and therefore support and funds for his work. They identified with each other. He is no longer serving alone but having a partnership in ministry. Silas and Timothy reunited with Paul (old friends) who already knew him and understood him. It encouraged Paul to see his disciple (Timothy) share in his ministry. So, he was released to focus and devote himself exclusively to preach.

When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to Member’s Notes Page 1 of 3

THE POWER OF PERSEVERENCE

YOUNG ADULT CELLS JULY 2006

What is the implication for your life? Discuss. In your times of discouragement/ when ministry load is heavy, God knows your needs and encourages you through friends (old and new) who support you against opposition, help you focus on what God wants you to do and share in your load. You are not alone. Who are the people in your life who had encouraged you just as they did to Paul? Share. Get members to share who some of these people are to pause a moment to give thanks to God for them and pray for them. You can close this time with a prayer before moving on.

them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles. Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. Acts 18:5b-8

Who can you be an encouragement to? Get members to think of specific people they can encourage and how they can do so. You may not need to get them to share.

B)

Persistency of Purpose (10Mins) Read Acts 18:5b-8. Read also Acts 9:15-16, 1 Cor 9:24-27. In what ways do you see that Paul was persistent in his purpose? He devoted himself exclusively to one purpose. He mentioned that it was his responsibility to preach to the Jews. In face of opposition, he continued to preach to the gentiles and moved next door without giving up. Why do you think Paul could be so persistent despite the opposition he faced, remembering that he was experiencing one of the lowest points in his ministry? The 4 four friends encouraged and supported him and gave him strength to continue. He held on to the vision and purpose God gave him and chose not to give up. What were some things that helped you to persist in your purpose during the challenging times in your ministry/ Christian walk? Get members to share to remind them of God’s faithfulness to them and also encourage other members.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city. So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. Acts 18:9-11

What does it take to stop you from persisting in God’s purposes for you? This is to help members identify what can stop them from persisting in God’s purposes for them and cause them to give up. Take time to encourage them to hold on to God’s promises for them and respond in faith to God. This will help you understand what discourages your members. How do you think God would want you to deal with each of these issues (if any)? This is for you to facilitate and allow them to think biblically for themselves on how to respond to God. Respond and encourage them appropriately. Do not be quick to give suggestions. Speak to them in private if you think they need further encouragement.

C)

Promises of God (8Mins) Read Acts 18:9-11 Why do you think this vision was necessary for Paul? He was fearful for his life, discouraged, doubtful about what God has called him to do. He needed assurance from God. What assurance(s) did God give to Paul? Member’s Notes Page 2 of 3

THE POWER OF PERSEVERENCE

YOUNG ADULT CELLS JULY 2006

Assurance/ promise of presence (I will be with you), of protection (no harm will come to you) and of power (keep on speaking, do not be silent). Are you in need of an assurance or a fresh vision from God now? Take time to encourage and pause and pray with them. Conclude by saying that there will be challenges in our ministry and Christian walk. There may be things that discourages us or cause us to want to give up what God has called us to do as we serve in ministry. We need to choose not to give up. Let’s trust God for friends. Even a great man like Paul goes through discouragement and is in need of support from people. Recap the 3 keys. We need to persist and be faithful in what He called us to do. God knows our needs. We need to remember and give thanks often to God for His promises and assurance to us of His presence, protection and power!

IV. Conclusion (7Mins) Pray for one another in the cell if anyone is lacking these 3 keys and is going through a challenging time right now. Think of some people in the ministry whom you know are going through a difficult time right now. Write down some steps to encourage them in this week and pray for them right now.

Ask members if there were times in their ministry where they identified with Paul? Ask how have they responded to God in those times? Affirm members of their sharing. Take time to ask how the Lord has encouraged them in those times. Encourage them appropriately. 0.5

Member’s Notes Page 3 of 3