Weekly Bible Lessons

Notes

Scripture, unless otherwise indicated, is taken from THE HOLY BIBLE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. All rights reserved.

All comments, enquiries and suggestions may be directed to: The Head, Educational Resource Development Department Freeman Centre for Missions and Leadership Development, P. O. Box 413, Kumasi, Ghana. Telephone: (03220) 23014, 20968 Email: [email protected]

Copyright © The Methodist Church Ghana

July - December 2012

128 1 The Weekly Bible Lessons is produced biannually by the Educational Resource Development Department of the Freeman Centre for Missions and Leadership Development of The Methodist Church Ghana, under the supervision and over- brought out – sight of the Board of Ministries of the Church. This booklet is designed to facili- They were instructed to go to Bethlehem and “make a careful search for the tate and enhance organised group Bible studies, within group (class) meetings child” They were told to report back their findings to King Herod, and they and personal devotion. had no idea about the king’s evil intentions about the child. Review Editor

Note that, they were going about their search as any seeker would do, but in Our Writers all of it, God was absolutely in control. When they left Jerusalem to go to The following writers made significant contributions to this edition of Bethlehem, the mysterious star appeared again, and “went ahead of them until Weekly Bible Lessons, July - December 2012. it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed (V. 9-10) Right Rev. Professor O. Safo-Kantanka, BSc., MSc., PhD., Diocesan Bishop, Kumasi Diocese. Are you earnestly seeking the Lord as these wise men did, then you can be Very Rev. (Mrs). Comfort Ruth Quartey-Papafio, MTS., ThM., sure that the ‘star’ that should lead you to your destination will surely re- Effiakuma Circuit, Sekondi Diocese. appear. Rev. Daniel Kwasi Tannor, BA., MPhil., Duayaw Nkwanta Circuit, Sunyani Diocese Sometimes we get to a point where the search seems laborious and appear Rev. Harry A. Awortwi, BSc., never to end. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. The star you Asuoyeboa Circuit, Kumasi Diocese. first saw will certainly re-appear, because you have taken the step of faith to Rev. Kwame Amoah Mensah., B.Ed., seek for Jesus whose mysterious star you first saw. Evangelism Coordinator, Sekondi Diocese. Very Rev. Samuel Kofi Osabutey, M.A., BIBLE READINGS Director, Lay Ministries Division & Freeman Centre. Monday Matthew 1:18-25 An Angel visits Joseph about the virgin Very Rev. Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo, BA., PhD., birth Chaplain, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. Tuesday Matthew 2: 1-8 The Magi follows the supernatural sign Very Rev. Christopher Andam, BA., MSc., Wednesday Matthew 2:9-12 The star returns to lead the way Kumasi Circuit, Kumasi Diocese. Thursday Matthew 2:13-18 The supernatural redirection of the Very Rev. Isaac Kweku Sam, BA., MPhil Magi Tamale Circuit, Northern Ghana Diocese Friday Matthew 2:19-23 An angel gives direction for the Very Rev. William Mpere-Gyekye, BA., MAR., ThM protection of the baby Tema North Circuit, Tema Diocese Saturday Luke 1:46-56 Mary’s song of praise Very Rev. Charles Ekuban, MTh Pankrono Circuit, Kumasi Diocese

2 127 Our Guest Writer: It therefore seems that the Three Wise Men were astrologers, because they had ability to interpret the unusual movement of the stars and other objects in space. Rev. Theodore M. Asare President/CEO, Theovision International Scientists who have to deal with ‘space’ always come face to face with the enormity of the universe and the fact that what we know is very little compared to what exists. Some of such scientists have the humility to acknowledge that there must Editorial Staff be a God of creation behind this vast expanse of space and the objects in them. Editors: Two things may be noted about these three wise men. Very Rev. Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo, BA., PhD., When they saw the mysterious star and put an interpretation to the event, they Chaplain, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. were prepared to act in response to what they had seen. Many people will end up in eternal damnation, because of their failure to act on Very Rev. Samuel Kofi Osabutey, M.A., what they became convinced of about God at one point in their lives. Director, Lay Ministries Division & Freeman Centre. Others will lose some opportunity that God offers them in life that could have made all the difference in their life, but they failed to act on what they had come to Editorial Assistant: Mr. Richard E. Amissah, Jnr., know and been convinced of. Administrative Officer, Freeman Centre

“and have come to worship him” (v.2) Review Editor: Rt. Rev. Prof. Osei Safo-Kantanka, There are some people who live their lives by daily going to read from the Diocesan Bishop, Kumasi Diocese. Newspaper columns, on astrology entitled “Let the Stars Be Your Guide” Paul wrote thus about such people; Published by: “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created Freeman Centre things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen”. (Rom 1:25)

Very Rev. Samuel Kofi Osabutey, M.A., These three men are described as “wise” because they refused to sit in their Director, Lay Ministries Division & Freeman Centre laboratories and get excited about their findings, but they moved “to worship” the

God who created the stars. Join the “wise men” who are seeking the Jesus whose mysterious star continues to shine across the globe and you will never be the same, and your “scientific” study will bring meaning to your life.

And the star ….went ahead of them (v.9) The writer of the Book of Hebrews made this profound statement about faith in God.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Heb. 1:6) These wise men took a step of faith to seek for the king who has been born. They did what was in their power to do. They traveled to Jerusalem They went to the king and innocently asked about the king who had been born King Herod instituted a search on their behalf and the necessary information was

126 3 WEEKLY BIBLE LESSONS - SYLLABUS FOR 2011-13 REFLECTIONS The prophecy of Joel was that when the Holy Spirit is poured; “Your sons and For the past three years, we have moved away from the World Coun- daughters will prophecy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions” (Joel 2:28) The outpouring of the Holy Spirit has already taken place at cil of Churches Common Syllabus and developed our own in order to Pentecost and so we should expect God to speak to us through all these deal with topics relevant to our needs. supernatural means.

We thank God for the wide acceptance that this approach has re- Have you ever had any experiences which could be described as angelic visitation? ceived. Do you have any examples to share with your group?

While not entirely departing from this approach, we would like to Do you think God often reveals things to you through dreams? Does this happen quite often and do they often happen as revealed to you? Do you recall any introduce some variation. In this new approach, our major emphasis situations where you failed to instruct or advise some people based on your dream will be on what I call the ‘expository teaching’ approach. and it led to undesirable consequences? Essentially, it involves choosing some passages or books in the Bible and carrying out an exposition on them to bring out the relevant is- Do you have the gift of interpretation of dreams? Remember, Joseph had this gift sues involved. from childhood and he developed it for the good of others including Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Daniel also prayed for wisdom to interpret dreams and God granted it to In this way, when a book or passage is completed, we shall be satis- him. How can these gifts be nurtured or allowed to grow in the Methodist Church fied that we have exhausted all that we can learn at this time from the Ghana? particular book or passage. PART II: A MYSTERIOUS STAR LEADS THE MAGI

Another emphasis will be character study which will enable us to SCRIPTURE LESSON: MATTHEW 2 learn from the failures and successes of Biblical characters. INTRODUCTION But we shall not completely abandon the ‘topical approach’ as rele- One astounding event in the whole Christmas story which takes us into the realm vant topics shall be handled in the same way as we did before. Some of the supernatural is the visit of the Magi and the mysterious star that led them. It topics will also be repeated for emphasis. provides a lesson on how God leads his people and gives them direction in the realm of the supernatural. Let us examine the story, as found in Matthew 2.

We pray that the Lord will continue to direct us the writers and bless EXPOSITION you abundantly through your study of the Weekly Bible Lessons. We saw his star (v.2) There are about three scientific disciplines that are related to the study of stars. Rt. Rev. Prof Osei Safo-Kantanka These are defined as follows; Review Editor. Astrology - the study of the movements and positions of the sun, moon, planets and stars, and the skill of describing the expected effect that these are believed to Instructions For Use: have on the character and behavior of humans. This volume of Weekly Bible Lessons contains 26 Lessons. The lessons which Astronomy – the scientific study of the universe and of objects which exist follow the old format are divided into nine sections: Key Verse, Scripture Lesson, naturally in space, such as the moon, the sun, planets and stars. Background, In Depth, The Word in Our Lives, Test Yourself, Discussion Ques- Astrophysics – the type of astronomy which uses physical laws and ideas to explain the behavior of the stars and other objects in space.

4 125 tions, Bible Lesson Application and Daily Bible Readings. The goal of these les- sons is to provoke Bible Study group (class) members to think more seriously Week 52 about their faith. Therefore, it is not necessary to complete all the sections of each Beginning lesson. Your group should study a different lesson for each week. Each group December THE SUPERNATURAL IN THE member should read and study each lesson, whenever possible, before the group 23, 2012 CHRISTMAS STORY-II meets. Group Leaders: When preparing your lessons, consult each section for your own personal study. Later, when you are leading your group meeting use only those sections that will be best for your group.

INTRODUCTION The New Format for the Weekly Bible Lessons: Some of the lessons in this edition have been based on a new format which con- sists of the following arrangements: This week we examine two episodes in the whole drama about the birth of Jesus to show how the supernatural power of God was revealed in the events. Key Verse: Wherever appropriate, a Biblical passage which brings out the key issues being discussed has been quoted. Members are encouraged to make this the THEME: Zechariah and Elizabeth in the realm of the supernatural Memory Verse.

When the time had fully come (Gal. 4:4) God visited this couple who had been waiting Scripture Lesson: The selected Bible passages may not deal directly with the for God to move in their life, but they had to face the challenge of meeting God in the topic under discussion, but they provide information that relates to the issue. supernatural. They are to be read, but may not necessarily form the basis of the write-up.

Introduction: This gives the reason why the topic needs to be discussed. ANGELIC VISITATION You never know when your angelic visitation shall take place and Zechariah and Exposition: This constitutes the main body of the write-up. It is expected that Elizabeth never expected that, that was how God was going to deal with them. The the leader would have read the lesson and lead the class in understanding the ex- angel Gabriel was sent to bring the answer to Zechariah’s prayer which had been heard, position just as they would have done with the In-Depth in the Old Format. but he failed to recognize his time of visitation. The Word in Our Lives: This section deals with the Christian response to the Let’s spend some time looking at the ministry of angels in the life of the Christian. Let issue under discussion. The leader must ensure that this is made clear to the group me ask you; “Do you believe in angels?” Angels are for real and the Christmas story is so that they can respond appropriately to the issues. Sometimes The Word In full of angelic visitations Our Lives is incorporated in the Exposition, it being so closely linked to the The Angel Gabriel visits Zechariah (Lk1:11-20) issues under discussion. One of the chief angels, Gabriel was sent to deliver a message of hope to Zechariah who had apparently given up on something he had always been praying about. Discussion Questions: The questions raised under this section are to promote discussion by the entire group. The leader must avoid lecturing at this point, so Zechariah failed to recognize ‘his hour of visitation.’ that everybody can contribute meaningfully to the discussion. The Angel Gabriel Visits Mary (lk.1:28-38) Six months after visiting Zechariah to deliver the message of hope, the angel Gabriel Bible Lesson Application: This section is very crucial. It actually confronts visited Mary to deliver the message of God’s favor to her. The angel went to her and the group members to individually and privately act on each topic. They do so by said; “Greetings you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you” taking certain relevant steps to practically live out the main lesson (s) of the week An Angel visits Joseph (Matt. 1:20) and share their experiences with others. While Gentleman Joseph became confused about what had happened to his fiancée, and was planning to break the planned marriage secretly in order not to bring shame to Mary, God sent an angel, probably the same Gabriel to deliver a message of encouragement, fortitude and direction to him. The angel appeared to him in a dream and cleared his confusion. (Note that dreams are also one of the ways in which God visits us in the realm of the supernatural)

124 5 without fighting. Daily Bible Readings: There is a special reading for each day of the week Praising God before the event is an expression of our faith in God, and on the theme for that week. Many people find these daily readings excellent 3. for their daily devotions; they throw more light on the theme for the week. God is delighted in his children who do so. Do not allow the weight of the problem or unbelief to shut your mouth or become dumb for a period as happened to Zechariah.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS Monday Luke 1:5-17 Zechariah resigns himself to his fate of childlessness Tuesday Luke 1:18-25 Zechariah fails to enter into the realm of the supernatural Wednesday Luke 1:26-38 Mary is urged to enter into the supernatural realm Thursday Luke 1:39-45 Elizabeth confirms the prophetic message for Mary Friday Luke 1:57-66 The birth of John the Baptist Saturday Luke 2:1-7 The birth of Jesus

6 123 Table of Contents waited for far too long. Again his faith had moved from the supernatural to human reasoning. The biological facts did not endorse the possibility of the couple giving birth Week Topic Scripture Date Page to a child. Paul told the Corinthians; Town Planning and the Revelations 29:9-12; 27 Mess in our Cities - Who July 1, 2012 11 “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a 22:1-3 demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, is to Blame? but on God’s power.” (I Cor. 2:4-5) Zechariah had failed to be moved from what human wisdom had to say to what God’s 28 The Plastic Waste Menace Deuteronomy 23:9-14 July 8, 2012 18 power can do. There are two issues in the Angel’s message to Zechariah “Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.” The Samaritan Woman - 29 The Testimony of a Trans- John 4:4-20 July 15, 2012 23 “You did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time” formed Life - I Let us now examine what the Angel said would be the consequence of Zechariah’s lack of faith in the supernatural which resulted from the fact that, he had failed to recognize The Samaritan Woman - that our timing is not the same as God’s own timing. 30 The Testimony of a Trans- John 4:21-30 July 22, 2012 27 God was not going to refuse to fulfill his word because of Zechariah’s unbelief. God formed Life - II has a purpose for each of our lives and he will fulfill it in his own time (Ps. 138 8b), Jonathan Attempts Great irrespective of our faith or lack of it. This depicts the sovereignty of God. Your faith 31 1 Samuel 13:1-23 July 29, 2012 30 only helps to facilitate what God intends to do in your life. Things for the Lord - I The Angel also announced; “And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the Jonathan Attempts Great day this happens” 32 1 Samuel 1:1-23 August 5, 2012 34 Things for the Lord - II Why was he going to be dumb because of unbelief? It is with our mouths that we express our praises to God. Therefore if we cannot use our mouths to express the Pastor Parish Relation 33 Matthew 5:25 August 12, 2012 39 praises of God on an issue we have prayed about, then our mouths must be shut. S. O. 638 The importance of praising God in the face of our problems is clearly captured in these words; “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with 34 Officers of the Society Joshua 1:8 August 19, 2012 45 thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Baptism - Why is it Neces- 35 August 26, 2012 50 Zechariah praised the Lord and prophesied about his son and the Messiah’ but that was sary? after the event (the birth of his son), but Mary sang the Magnificat (Mary’s Song of September 2, Praise) before the event (the birth of her son). That was the major difference between 36 Baptism - Which Method? 54 2012 the two key players in the Christmas story-Zechariah and Mary. September 9, 37 Infant Baptism 59 MEDITATION 2012 1.Which of these two are you following with respect to the problems you are praying Confirmation - What does September 16, 38 Acts 8:14-17 64 about-Mary or Zechariah? it Represent? 2012 2.There are many accounts of individuals and groups that have overcome enemies just September 23, 39 Cry, My Beloved Country Lamentations 2:11-16 69 by singing and praising God. Joshua and the Israelites did it at Jericho, King 2012 Jehoshaphat and King Hezekiah also experienced the same victory when they formed what may be described as “militant choirs” to lead the army, and they conquered

122 7 Table of Contents take away sickness from among you and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. Week Topic Scripture Date Page I will give you a full life span” (Ex 23:25-26) Why then was this righteous couple not experiencing this blessing in their life? Such a situation raises a lot of questions in our minds. Have we not prayed enough? Dealing with Sibling September 30, 40 Obadiah 1-9 74 Have we done anything wrong to deserve this? Does God answer prayers and if yes, Rivalry 2012 why not mine? When the Angel Gabriel visited Zechariah, he told him; “Your prayer has been 41 Handling of Family Feuds Obadiah 15:-19 October 7, 2012 78 heard” (v. 13). This means that the couple had been seriously praying to God about their problem, but apparently there had been no answer. God’s Reaction to Edom’s October 14, There is a lot of evidence in the Bible to show that, God hears our prayers but the 42 Ezekiel 35:1-14 82 Attitude 2012 answer to our prayer may not be instant. He answers us in His own good time. But that is where the difficulty is—the period of waiting. Psalm 130; Micah 7:8- October 21, 43 Forgiveness Gives Strength 86 20 2012 WAITING In Psalm 27, David spoke confidently of the fact that God answers prayer. He wrote; Stewardship, the Basis of October 28, 44 Luke 16:1-14 91 “I am still confident of this, that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the Generosity 2012 living.” Then he added this exhortation; Stingy (“Armstrong”)Nabal 1 Samuel 25:1-11, 18- November 4, Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (v.13-14) 45 95 and “Generous” Abigail 19, 35-38 2012 Two types of “waiting” may be identified. The first is the waiting that just whiles away the time. The Generosity of the November 11, “To while something away”, means, ‘to spend time in a relaxed way because you have 46 2 Kings 4:8-37; 8:1-6 98 Shunamite Woman 2012 nothing to do or you are waiting for something else to happen.’ This kind of waiting accepts that nothing is likely to happen, but we wait anyway. Another way to describe this situation is described as ’resignation’ which is defined as Generosity - Lessons from November 18, 47 2 Corinthian 8:1-14 102 follows; John Wesley's Life 2012 “To resign yourself to something means, to make yourself accept something that you do not like because you cannot change it.” The Media and its November 25, Had Zechariah got to this point of resignation as he prayed to God about raising a 48 Relevance to Church Habakkuk 2:14 107 2012 Growth family? The couple had waited for so long, and had prayed for many hours, had probably visited many prayer camps or special retreat centres, and yet nothing had Choosing our National happened. 1 Kings 15:11-15; December 2, 49 Leaders - What are the 111 16:23-26 2012 Moreover, they looked at the biological realities—the fact that Elizabeth had grown Issues past the age of fertility for women and Zechariah too was old. Human reasoning made it impossible for them to expect that they would raise a family of their own. Computerization and December 9 50 Numbers 11:5a, 44-46 115 Church Statistics 2012 PART II: THE CONSEQUENCES OF ZECHARIAH’S UNBELIEF IN THE SUPERNATURAL The Supernatural in the December 16, 51 Luke 1 & 2 120 We have already established that Zechariah’s refusal to believe the Angel Gabriel was Christmas - I 2012 because he had reached a point where he no longer believed the supernatural could happen to him and his wife. The Supernatural in the December 23, 52 Matthew 2 124 So he asked the Angel; Christmas - II 2012 “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years” As already discussed, his response to the Angel’s message was because they had 8 121 Week 51 GENERAL INTRODUCTION Beginning December THE SUPERNATURAL IN THE It is a pleasure to once again present you with yet another 16, 2012 CHRISTMAS STORY-I edition of your popular Bible study companion, the Weekly Bible Study material.

As usual, the topics presented are varied ad they relate to issues INTRODUCTION of the Environment, the Church, national issues, especially the When an event has taken place over two thousand years ago, it is possible to lose the impending presidential and parliamentary elections. supernatural aspects of the event and keep on with the mere celebration. The following two lessons are therefore taken from the book, “Living in the Realm of the Three issues which have received major emphasis in this Supernatural”, by Rt. Rev. Prof. Osei Safo-Kantanka, to highlight the supernatural edition are: - nature of the Christmas event. (i) Baptism and Confirmation - we have dealt with the necessity, the method, why infant baptism and what

confirmation represents. The story of the birth of Jesus begins with the birth of John the Baptist. The two births are lessons in the supernatural in which we see angelic visitations, dreams, the (ii) The Book of the Prophet Obadiah which deals with involvement of the Holy Spirit, etc. The two births also take us into a deeper level of the issue of forgiveness in relation to Israel and Edom the supernatural. John’s birth is one level of the supernatural and we cannot believe the and how this relates to family feuds has been discussed. supernatural birth of Jesus if we fail to grasp the supernatural in John’s birth (iii) Stewardship and Generosity - The link between these PART I: Zechariah and Elizabeth-The Experiences of a couple in the supernatural two concepts has been illustrated with the lives of Biblical characters, and John Wesley’s teachings on PASSAGE: Luke 1 & 2 money, which he demonstrated in his life.

EXPOSITION There are motivational topics derived from the lives of the What was supernatural about the birth of John the Baptist and what can we learn from Samaritan woman and Jonathan. There are also topics on the it? Let’s begin by answering the question; Who were Zechariah and Elizabeth? impending elections and modern ICT and Church Growth.

WHY DO THE RIGHTEOUS SUFFER? We encourage you to take your study very seriously and apply the lessons to your life for maximum benefit. God richly bless Luke 1:6 describes the couple as follows; you as you study His word! “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both REVIEW EDITOR well along in years.” Raising a family is one of the expectations of every married couple. This God-fearing couple therefore expected that God would bless them with their own children. However, the years passed and their expectation had not been met. God has given us many promises about his blessings for married couples and as a priest, Zechariah and his wife would have known these promises. Let’s look at one of them;

“Worship the Lord your God and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will

120 9 God loves statistics and we must do so too.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. The author declares that the church is sick of “Statistics – phobia” What is your reaction to this assertion? 2. Why is it wrong for a church that wants to obey the Great Commission to THE CHRISTIAN AND ignore the importance of keeping and analyzing accurate records on church THE ENVIRONMENT membership? 3. Does your Society/Circuit have a Computer? Why have the leadership failed to utilize it for keeping records. Are you underutilizing your society/ God gave us the mandate to be responsible for circuit/computer? the Environment (Gen. 1:26-28) 4. If your church secretary lacks the skill in the use of the computer beyond mere typing, what is being done about it? The most obvious evidence of our failure to 5. In some of our dioceses, special statistical software were developed and fulfill this mandate is the mess we have in our made available but nearly all the Circuits and Societies failed to show interest. What accounts for this attitude? towns and cities with regards to sanitation and other environmental issues. BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION

Examine your own attitude towards statistics or church growth in numbers. We have therefore repeated two studies to How can you help in contributing to have good statistics in your church? bring to the fore the concern about the environment. Lack of planning or adherence to DAILY BIBLE READINGS laid out plans is a major cause of the mess. Monday Romans 1:18-21 God communicates by nature Tuesday Romans 3:1-2 We are entrusted with conveyed God’s How do we deal with the Plastic waste word menace? Come out with practical solution for Wednesday 2 Corinthians. 1:4-6 We communicate by our own your locality. life’s example Thursday Ephesians 6:21-22 Keeping in touch with fellow believers Friday I Thessalonians 1:4-6 God’s best communication method

10 119 or how you are failing. It is only when you have collected good data that the Week 27 TOWN PLANNING AND THE computer can be of use to you. That is why people say of the computer; “Garbage Beginning in, garbage out”. July 1, MESS IN OUR CITIES - WHO IS There are now “softwares” or computer programmes that enable you to put the 2012 data in your Class Book on the computer and find out what is happening in your TO BLAME? church. The following statistics are examples: i. What have been the increases or decreases in our numbers over the past year, 5 years, 10 years etc. KEY VERSE: 10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and ii. The computer can produce graphs and other pictorial representations high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven which can help your church to plan. from God. 11It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a iii. What about the churches finances? – How can you keep track of how well very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. REVELATIONS 21:10,11 you are doing over the years, how many people are paying tithes or contributing to the church’s finances etc? SCRIPTURE READINGS: REVELATIONS 21:9-12; 22:1-3 REVELATIONS 21: 9One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the “STATISTICS – PHOBIA” IN THE METHODIST CHURCH seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the A phobia is defined as; “an extreme fear of a particular thing or situation, especially wife of the Lamb." one that cannot be reasonably explained.” 10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed 11 me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone It seems to me that the average caretaker or even minister in the Methodist Church with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, has a phobia (strong dislike) for statistics. This is because some church leaders have like a jasper, clear as crystal. wrongly assumed that financial assessment to societies and circuits is linked to the 12It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. size of the membership. As a result of this wrong assumption, many Circuit/ On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Society statisticians do not take their statistical returns seriously. There are also indications that some ministers do not check data submitted to them or do not get REVELATIONS 22: 1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as involved at all. clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood It is on record that at some Synods and Conferences the church’s statistics have the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And been rejected because of apparent inaccuracies, and the fact that even the casual the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. observer would recognize that our statistics do not represent the reality. It is 3No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be probably inaccurate that after nearly 180 years of existence, the Methodist Church in the city, and his servants will serve him. Ghana cannot boast of 1 million members. We are probably around 600,000 as the statistics show. One congregation in Seoul, South Korea probably has more members than we have. Isn’t it time for us to get more serious with statistics, since INTRODUCTION God is a statistician? Our scripture lesson gives us a picture of the most ideal city we could ever imagine - the “new Jerusalem”. This city specially built by God, we are told, radiates and possesses the Glory of God. This city demonstrates a sense of The church, especially in the urban areas, is doing well in using the computer to project hymns to enhance our singing and worship services. But the computer is orderliness and serenity none can compare. there to help us capture the growth in numbers of our church and handle our finances to ensure real growth. We need to change our attitude towards statistics. We are told of a river of life, bright as crystal, which is unpolluted and wonderful trees with variety of fruits which yield each month giving an 118 11 indication of high environmental sanity and making the trees highly productive. In this city we are told that nothing can be accursed. of God. Churches that do not take the Great Commission seriously hardly

What then can we say of our cities and towns here in Ghana? Can the same experience growth in this area. story be told of us? What are we doing wrong and how can we arrest this situation? GOD AND STATISTICS Statistics is defined as; “information based on a study of the number of times In this study we are going to look at our Ghanaian situation to ascertain something happens or is present”. As a science, it is defined as; “the science of whether our towns are being planned properly or if development of towns using information discovered from studying numbers.” The information provided precedes planning and what role we can play as Christians to avert the situation. by statistics is very crucial in planning and no leader can do a good job if he/she ignores statistics. That is why Governments have Departments of Statistical For the purpose of this study, Biblical Times are going to be compared with Services which undertake censuses and provide other information based on their our Ghanaian situation and under the Ghanaian situation we will be looking at study of numbers. God is also interested in Statistics. The fact that the fourth book the pre-colonial era, colonial era and the modern/post colonial era. of the Bible is called “NUMBERS” should shame any Christian leader who does EXPOSITION not take statistics seriously. The Israelites had moved out of Egypt and were EXAMPLE OF TOWN PLANNING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT camped at Sinai, and God instructed Moses to count the people. They needed to know the size of the ‘army’ that could lead them in the conquest of the land. The 1. DURING THE TIME OF MOSES: Decisions on how towns and cities major interest was in the men who were 20 years and above. You come across the should be planned were directed by the priest with instructions from God. taking of censuses and other statistical issues of many places in the Bible. Some of the factors considered were the following: i. Access to the Tabernacle: The tent (Tabernacle) was the centre of the EARLY CHURCH AND STATISTICS construction of the camps during Mosaic times because religion was The Book of Acts clearly shows that God is interested in statistics. If the apostles extremely important to the people. They camped around the tabernacle for had not done proper counting how could they have known that, “3000 were added easy access to the centre of worship. The tribes were also arranged around to their number that day” (Acts 2:41) the tabernacle while in the wilderness. Moses, Aaron, sons of Aaron and the sons of Levi were the closest to the tabernacle, followed by the twelve Note also the following: tribes of Israel. Numbers chapter 2 gives the arrangement in detail. i. “And the Lord added to their number daily those who are being saved” (Acts 2:47). THE ARRANGEMENT OF TRIBES AROUND THE TABERNACLE WHILES IN THE WILDERNESS ii. “But many who heard the message believed the Lord and the number of men grew to about 5,000” (Act 4:4). iii. “More and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number” (5:14). iv. “The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7) Note that the apostles were counting the numbers of males, females, the number of priests etc. and were recording them accurately.

THE COMPUTER AND STATISTICS

The computer is a machine and cannot create statistics unless you feed it with the data you have collected. It has the capacity to store and analyse the data you have collected, and give you information that can help you know how well you are doing Source: Life Application Bible – New King James Version (NKV) 12 117 he Levites were put very close to the tabernacle in order that they could serve Can this machine therefore be excluded from the administrative life of the church, the priest Aaron. (Nu 3:5-8). if we want to be efficient? This week we look at the various aspects of church life in which the computer cannot be left out. We will focus more on statistics and ii. Safety: Cities of refuge were to be half-day walk from any location so that church growth. the people could easily assemble there in times of trouble. In the Bible times, there were about 35 of such cities. These cities were almost always situated on EXPOSITION hill tops with valleys which served as their source of protection and defence, AREAS OF CHURCH GROWTH an example being Jericho which was built on a hill making it very difficult to There are four aspects of church growth – Conceptual, Organic, Incarnational and access in times of war. They were set up for people who committed crimes Numerical. accidentally to flee to until their trial (Nu 35:9-15). Some of such cities were Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth, Golan, Kedesh and Shechem. They are briefly defined as: iii. Protection of sites / Preservation of nature: King Nebuchadnezzar was  Conceptual – the church grows in knowledge a great developer. He was known as a city builder who did not neglect nature  Organic – the church grows in fellowship in his efforts to develop. He said this of Babylon “ Is not this the great  Incarnational – the church grows in its impact on the surrounding Babylon, I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the community. glory of my majesty?” (Dan 4:30). Jerusalem is another example of a city built  Numerical – the church grows in numbers with regards to nature, beautiful to view. Psalm 122 gives a description of  Acts 2:43-44 captures these various aspects of the growth of the Early Jerusalem as a beautiful city. Church. 2. THE GHANAIAN SITUATION: NUMERICAL GROWTH Planning of the built environment in Ghana will be examined from three Of the four areas of church growth, Numerical Growth is the easiest to measure. It angles: the pre-colonial, colonial and the post colonial eras. is the area where the computer can best help us to assess the situation in our PRE-COLONIAL ERA: In this era, there were no town and country planners; churches. however towns had a plan. There are four sources of numerical growth i. Security: This was the basic factor considered in building towns in the pre-colonial era. Settlements were clustered together so that 1. Transfer Growth – This is growth resulting from church members or residents will serve as a source of security for one another. Christians who join new congregations as a result of change in where they ii. Protection of sites / preservation of nature: Sometimes trees and stay. They may also change the denomination altogether for one reason or grasses were planted to serve as embankment, during the raining another. This type of growth does not really advance the kingdom of God, season, against erosion and flooding. Some trees were also planted to because it is simply “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” serve as source of shade for the people in the community for relaxation.

2. Biological Growth – This is where parents pass on the faith to their children COLONIAL ERA: In this era, professional planners or the Town and Country who remain in the church. If parents of families in the church succeed in this Planning Department had been established by the colonial rulers and the unit area then the church shows growth. led in the planning of our cities and towns.

3. Conversion growth – This is growth in numbers that results from i. PLANNING OF TOWNS BY THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING Evangelism. This is the most crucial for the advancement of the kingdom DEPARTMENT: Towns were planned with respect to all the necessary

116 13 facilities and amenities needed for comfortable and satisfactory life by the people in the community. The facilities and amenities provided for Week 50 in the planning of towns were: means of transportation, education, Beginning protection / security, commercial centers or markets, recreational December COMPUTERIZATION AND centers, hospitals or health centers, water and sanitation and electricity. 9, 2012 Ash Town and Adum, which are suburbs in the central area of the CHURCH STATISTICS Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti region, are examples of such model towns which were created in the colonial era. Adum, for instance, was set up as a commercial town, hence adequate allocation was made for KEY VERSE: Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and the location of shops and stores as compared to the other land uses. It families, listing every man by name, one by one – NUMBERS 1:2 is also characterized by the proper layout of roads with streets and lanes. PASSAGE: NUMBERS 1:1-5A, 44-46

1 The LORD spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first POST – COLONIAL / POST INDEPENDENCE ERA: One major feature day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. He of this era was the planned development of towns and cities during the said: 2 “Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, First Republic. The best example is Tema, built as an industrial town, listing every man by name, one by one. 3 You and Aaron are to count according to their and the building of estates and flats around the country. For example, divisions all the men in Israel who are twenty years old or more and able to serve in the Kwadaso Estate, Dechemso Estate, Ahinsan Estate, all in Kumasi. We army. 4 One man from each tribe, each of them the head of his family, is to help you. can also site the estate buildings in Koforidua, Dansoman and Kaneshie 5 These are the names of the men who are to assist you: Estates in Accra. In Accra local estates were also built under Gen. Kutu Acheampong, former Head of State in Ghana. Other estates and NUMBERS 1:44 These were the men counted by Moses and Aaron and the twelve leaders flats have been built in other parts of the country. The problem with of Israel, each one representing his family. 45 All the Israelites twenty years old or more the building of these estates and flats was that they did not suit the who were able to serve in Israel’s army were counted according to their families. 46 The family system operating here in Ghana (that is, the extended family total number was 603,550. system). The flats were made up of two bedrooms which could not support residents since Ghanaians practice and also enjoy having large INTRODUCTION families. Again population increase has contributed in putting pressure Whether you know how to use it, may not have seen it before, the computer still has on the facilities built in this era. something to do with your life. It is defined as “an electronic machine which is used for storing, organizing and finding words, numbers, and pictures, for doing calculations and for controlling other machines.” MODERN ERA: In this era, town planning is still handled by the Town and Country Planning Department. This then raises a number of questions about the mess in our cities. The following are evidence of When you go to the Bank and the computer is “down” you can’t have your money. the mess we find in our cities: Senior High School admission is now known to be determined by “the computer”. i. Buildings, including chapels, which are constructed in water ways Radio stations, playing of music at funerals etc. are all controlled by the computer. In the shops, the computer is there. The flight of aeroplanes is controlled by the are a common phenomenon in this era, which results in computer. There are now very little aspects of our lives where the computer has flooding. Consequently, resources and human life are lost. nothing to do. ii. Facilities and amenities are provided with little attention to the rapidly growing population. The resultant effects are intense

14 115 pressure on these facilities and deep seated filth which have been DAILY BIBLE READINGS Monday Joshua 1:10-18 Duty of citizens to new leaders very difficult to address by various governments. Tuesday Nehemiah 5:1-13 Rights of citizens iii. Again rapidly growing population has resulted in congestion in Wednesday Jeremiah 29:1-9 Exiles to subject themselves to government cities and towns leading to haphazard development of Thursday 1Samuel 12:13-15 Citizen’s responsibility structures in unauthorized areas and slums. This has Friday Daniel 3:1-30 Civil disobedience resulted in the current congestion – decongestion cycles. Saturday Luke 20:21-25 Paying Taxes iv. Poorly planned road networks and poor traffic regulatory Sunday 1Peter 2:13-17 Christian citizenship systems have also contributed to traffic jams and its related economic challenges. Again the lack of access roads has made it extremely difficult to link up communities. In emergency situations such as the outbreak of fire, it is hardly possible f o r fire personnel to intervene.

WHY THE MESS The above situation (mess) has come about as a result of certain basic problems with the systems of operation as outlined below.

i. The effectiveness of the Town and Country Planning Department: The population of Ghana has almost quadrupled since independence leading to population pressure on the few facilities that have been created. In some situations, this has led to the creation of “slums” (building without provision of basic facilities) such as the “Sodom and Gomorrah in Accra”. This brings to question the effectiveness of the Town and Country Planning Departments and their ability to manage development. After 50 years of independence, not much has changed and what used to exist has deteriorated. The Town and Country Planning Department seems to have lost its effectiveness ii. Rezoning: This term refers to the change of original land use to other land uses. The most affected land use in this regard are recreational areas and sometimes educational sites. With population increase, these land uses are mostly converted to residential land use and sometimes commercial land use. iii. The role of traditional rulers: The problem of increased population coupled with the desire of people to build has resulted in the double sale of land by some of our traditional rulers. This is a practice which is causing a lot of problems in our towns and cities today.

114 15 Ghana is a secular state, but as Christians we must have standards in assessing the THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE political parties and the candidates. The Church cannot and should not give an • As Christians, our desire to build should not override the endorsement to any political party or candidate. But as individual Christians we can find out if they follow the Davidic or Jeroboam standard. importance of doing the right thing. We should ensure that we are following the building regulations and that our lands for DISCUSSION QUESTIONS development are properly acquired 1. The David standard shows that there cannot be any politician without some • Christian workers who are found in the town planning sector failings, but what must we look for beyond these failings in our parties and (Planners, Architects, Building Technologists, Surveyors, etc) candidates? should ensure that they help their clients to do the right thing 2. Jeroboam made a very wise move which enabled him to control the people with respect to town planning. They should work as unto God in their worship of God. Why was this a fundamental flaw which and not unto man. overshadowed all his achievements? How do we identify and avoid the • Christians should serve as “watch dog” members of society, that Jeroboam type of leader? 3. Why are democratic elections a better way to change leaders than uprisings is, if they see someone doing the wrong thing they should or coups d’etat? correct them or report to the authorities; for someone 4. Some political parties consider certain parts of the country as their “World building in a waterway today will lead to flooding in their Bank”. Why is it wrong to vote on the basis of ethnicity? homes or someone else’s home tomorrow. a. What are the other considerations which guide Ghanaians in their • We must aspire to a high degree of sanitation, for it is said voting patterns? How good and useful are these considerations? “cleanliness is next to godliness”. b. Do you think morality should be one of such considerations? 5. Read Proverbs 16:33 – In the light of the passage, why is it wrong and even CONCLUSION a sin for a Christian not to vote in democratic elections? In other words, why is apathy towards elections a sin? In Revelations 21 and 22, we are told of a New Jerusalem which we are 6. Rehoboam is said to have failed to prove himself as a leader on the going to inherit. In the New Jerusalem – God’s own city, we identify following issues; intense planning with great aesthetics. There are rivers clear as crystal  Servant Leadership and trees with fruits and leaves for the healing of the people. As  Ability to connect or relate to the concerns of the people Christians therefore, we have to ensure in our own small ways to  Being an agent of change replicate this ideal city here on earth so that we can easily fit into the  Being proactive rather than reactive New Jerusalem. How relevant are these issues in choosing National Leaders in Ghana? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Is God really concerned about proper town planning in our BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION cities? Give a reason for your answer. a. As the electioneering or campaigning goes on assess the candidates on 2. How can the challenges of town planning be solved in what they stand for, pray for God’s guidance to give us the right leaders Ghana? and when the time comes, go out and vote as your Christian responsibility. b. Discuss the insights of today’s lesson with a non-Methodist Christian and 3. Who do you think is to be blamed for the mess in our cities and share the results with your group. why? What positive benefits we achieve with proper planning of our cities and towns? 4. In your view, what should be the Christian reaction to the mess 16 113 EXPOSITION in the planning of our cities and towns in Ghana? David and Jeroboam compared The two scriptural passages chosen are commentaries on the reign of two kings – King Asa of Judah and King Omri of Israel. BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ groups should not only be concerned about security but In assessing the reigns of the kings, the historian always had two standards with which also about other issues that affect their communities. Based on this week’s they were compared. The following two phrases are used depending on the lesson what can you and your neighbours do to ensure proper performance of the king: planning and a healthy environment in your community? Share your “he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord as his father David had done” OR reflections with your group “he did evil in the eyes of the Lord, walking in the ways of Jeroboam and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit.” DAILY BIBLE READINGS Monday Jeremiah 29:4-7 God is interested in good The important thing here is that, there was a yardstick with which the performance of planning the kings was measured. Tuesday Ezra 7:25-26 Obey the laws of the land Wednesday Psalm 122:1-5 Jerusalem is beautifully built The David Standard Thursday Isaiah 22:1-4 Unplanned town, full of Why was David the standard for the good kings? In assessing King David, the commotion historian wrote, Friday Isaiah 22: 10-14 Consult Town and Country “For David had done what was right in the eyes of the Lord and had not failed to keep any of the Lord’s commands all the days of his life – except in the case of Uriah the Planning Department before Hittite” (IKs. 15:5) building. David’s failings are not covered up, but his overall performance especially in relation to Saturday Psalm 122:5-9 Seek the prosperity of your his personal relationship to God and his obedience to God’s commands were worth town emulating.

Before he died, David spoke about how we can assess good leadership, as recorded in 2 (Samuel 23:3-4). (our key verse) Two issues are raised: i. Did the leader rule in righteousness and in the fear of God? ii. Did the leader help the people to realize their potential?

The Jeroboam Standard Why was Jeroboam the standard for the bad kings? Jeroboam was a very crafty politician who thought that in order to outwit his competitors or the rulers in Jerusalem, he must set up two golden calves in Bethel and Dan so that the people will no longer have to go down to Jerusalem to worship God there. This move was politically wise, but it became a sin, as the first commandment which says only God must be worshiped was broken. (I Ki 12:25-33). Therefore any king who went off from the law of God was compared to king Jeroboam.

112 17 Week 28 Week 49 Beginning Beginning CHOOSING OUR NATIONAL July 8 THE PLASTIC WASTE December LEADERS – WHAT ARE 2012 2, 2012 MENACE THE ISSUES

KEY VERSE: For the LORD your God moves about in your camp to protect you and KEY VERSE: The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: 'When one to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, 4 he is like the light among you anything indecent and turn away from you. DEUTERONOMY 23:14 of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.' 2 SAMUEL 23:3, 4. SCRIPTURE LESSON: DEUTERONOMY 23:9-14 DEUTERONOMY 23: 9 When you are encamped against your enemies, keep away from SCRIPTURE LESSON: I KINGS 15:11-15; 16:23-26 everything impure. I KINGS 15:11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David 10 If one of your men is unclean because of a nocturnal emission, he is to go outside had done. the camp and stay there. 12 He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his 11 But as evening approaches he is to wash himself, and at sunset he may return to the fathers had made. camp. 13 He even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, 12 Designate a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself. because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa cut the pole down and burned it 13 As part of your equipment have something to dig with, and when you relieve in the Kidron Valley. yourself, dig a hole and cover up your excrement. 14 Although he did not remove the high places, Asa’s heart was fully committed to 14 For the LORD your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver the Lord all his life. your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you 15 He brought into the temple of the Lord the silver and gold and the articles that he anything indecent and turn away from you. and his father had dedicated.

REVIEW OF PREVIOUS STUDIES 1 KINGS 16:23 In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri became king of In the Health and Sanitation Section of the Jan-June 2008 issue of the Weekly Bible Israel, and he reigned twelve years, six of them in Tirzah. Lessons, we discussed topics that are closely related to this week’s topic. 24 He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents1 of silver and built a city on the hill, calling it Samaria, after Shemer, the name of the former owner of the We would like to repeat some sections of the June 8, 2008 study entitled ‘Cleanliness hill. and Godliness’ for emphasis, because we believe these are very important issues that 25 But Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord and sinned more than all those before affect our daily lives. him. 26 He walked in all the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat and in his sin, which he had BACKGROUND caused Israel to commit, so that they provoked the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger The need to keep our environment clean has become a major topic for discussion in by their worthless idols. the media. Many communities undertake clean-up campaigns now and then and the television sometimes highlights these events to serve as an example for others to INTRODUCTION emulate. The stakes are very high for all the political parties for this year’s elections. But the power rests in our individual choices, on Election Day. In spite of these efforts, our streets are littered with plastic waste and our gutters are choked with garbage, some of the containers sometimes contain human excreta. The This week, we examine the issues that should guide us in the choices we make in voting for our presidential and parliamentary candidates. 18 111 considered foreign is now real and more acceptable to the natives. One elder situation in our cities and towns is so desperate that an observer suggested that the commented during a listening session that “God now speaks our language, no country's quest to become a middle-income nation may not be achieved if good one can cheat on us by translating God’s word in his own way’. environmental practices are not adopted. God abhors dirt and he may turn away from unhealthy surroundings. It is therefore our responsibility to keep our environment Even those individuals who prefer to read the Holy Scriptures realize that clean. listening to Bible MP3 recordings at home or travelling provides many new opportunities to incorporate the Scriptures into their life and the lives of others THE WORD IN OUR LIVES around them. The technology offered from an online Bible allows listeners to Today’s passage shows that clear instructions on cleanliness were to apply even when hear God's Word in a language that they understand best and is an effective tool the Israelites were out of their homes and camped in war. This means that we cannot for sharing the truth and power of God's Word. have any excuses such as poverty or lack of resources for keeping our environment unclean and unhealthy. But what do we see? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  The refuse container is sited near the lorry station; the residents pile up whatever 1. Do you think the TV and Radio are important tools for the spread of the waste they have, including faecal material in polythene bags. The bags burst and the Gospel? How committed are you to support such a ministry? stench that comes from the waste is unbearable to the residents, for the container 2. How willing are you to spend money to buy a Church magazine such as is not emptied for a while. Methodist Times, The Christian Sentinel, Asempa Dawuro, etc. and read?  Auntie Ama sells roasted plantain at a spot near the public toilet. Her food is 3. Have you ever purchased a church-produced cassette or CD to listen to such patronized by pupils whose compound is near the toilet. messages? What impact did it make on your life?  A person dies of an infectious disease. The doctor asks the relatives to bury him 4. Today, are our local churches witnessing in the power that Christ promised? immediately; the relatives disobey the rule and lay him in state for people to file In what ways can our local Methodist churches within the various circuits past before burial. effectively carry out the Great Commission through the effective use of the  A person goes out and shakes hands with friends at a funeral, some of whom have print/electronic Media? Are there any obstacles to tackle? smeared their hands with a unpleasant odour. He goes back home and instead of 5. How much has Technology helped the church (the body of Christ) to fulfill washing his hands thoroughly, dips it in water and eats. the Great commission? Matt 28: 19-20. How can individual churches contribute to this?  Ama sweeps the compound and dumps the rubbish into a nearby gutter. 6. There are still unreached relations, friends, neighbors and communities in  Drivers and travelers at a lorry station go behind a vehicle and urinates there. The our country. In what ways can we as individuals take advantage of this huge vehicle moves away and the sun shines on the urine; the stench that emanates from resource in technology to help reach these groups? the heat is offensive and unbearable.

BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION Examine your own use of any ICT tool. How can you use this tool to spread the In applying the lesson, we asked that you, “Formulate a plan of action for keeping your gospel? List this and share with the class. community clean” and put it into practice. What did you do about it? The Plastic Waste Menace DAILY BIBLE READINGS Over the years, plastic sheets and bags have replaced leaves, paper, baskets, etc., as Monday Romans 1:18-21 God communicates by nature efficient means of packaging and carrying various items.

Tuesday Romans 3:1-2 We are entrusted with conveyed God’s word There are also the sachets and bottles for water and plates, cups and spoons are all Wednesday 2 Corinthians. 1:4-6 We communicate by our own life’s example made of plastic which are convenient to use and can be easily disposed of. Thursday Ephesians 6:21-22 Keeping in touch with fellow believers Friday 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6 God’s best communication method Indeed, plastic bags and containers have really come to help in many aspects of our domestic and social lives.

Plastics are not bio-degradable

110 19 In the past when we used paper and leaves as wrappers, they could be dropped anywhere or swept and sent to the rubbish dump and they would rot and turn into 8:4). On foot, by sea, and by letter, the Gospel message spread from Jerusalem to the organic soil, which could be used to fertilize crops. This is because these materials can ends of the earth. Technology is helping to fulfill the command and prophecy. be broken down by micro-organisms. There is the need to raise laborers for the harvest field and the church ought to build their members and prepare them for action, encourage and train them to use the huge Plastics are not like that. They cannot be broken down by micro-organisms. It is technological tools that are now available and affordable. reported that plastic products take 50 to 80 years to decompose when left in the environment. This is an important fact which we must remember whenever we indiscriminately THEOVISION INTERNATIONAL’S USE OF TECHNOLOGY drop plastics. In Ghana in particular and Africa in general about 60% of the people cannot read. The only means therefore that the word of God can reach these oral folks is through It is estimated that in Ghana, about 270 tonnes of plastic waste is generated in a day the ear and in their heart language. This is where the audio Bible comes in handy. and only 2% is recycled. So where does the rest go, if not to pollute the environment? Audio Bibles offer a solution to the challenge of the over half the people on the planet today who cannot read the Word of God for themselves. By taking advantage SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS of the conveniences offered in today's electronic world, the Bible MP3 and Bible on The effects of indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste are many and include the CD are shared using CD, DVD players, and computers and the Bible can now be following:- carried out onto the mission field using electronic playback devices with multiple 1. When these plastics end up in the streets and water ways, the streets are power sources such as solar power. Through these methods, the Word of God is littered, gutters and sewage are choked, creating huge environmental and expanding into the farthest reaches of the world and being shared in audio format for sanitation problems. the benefit of all. This has been the passion and core ministry of Theovision 2. Livestock take in these plastic bags and are choked and killed. International, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Ghana but with offices in 3. When they end up in the sea and other water bodies, fish and other Nairobi and Lagos for the past twenty years and over. aquatic animals are choked and killed. 4. They remain undecomposed in the soil and negatively affect the texture and Theovision International is reaching the non-reading African using technological fertility of the soil. devices ranging from simple cassette, tapes to solar-powered audio play back digital devices such as Megavoice, Asempadaka (Good News Box) and Bible Sticks (similar It takes a lot of money to go back and collect all these plastics for proper disposal. For to a pen drive). These are all new innovations of modern ICT which have made example, when on July 22, 2004 Ghana declared a war on plastic waste in Accra, it scriptures accessible in remote corners of the continent. was going to cost US$1.5m for recycling and the bulk was to pay for those who would collect the plastics. Theovision was founded in 1989 by Rev. Theodore M. Asare. The organization has staff with professional skills in sound engineering, radio, television, media training, OUR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY audio visual production who uses modern technology to promote the Word of God. 1. Anytime you drink sachet-water and drop the plastic, you must remember To date, the organization has produced audio Bibles in 33 Ghanaian and over 250 that you are causing a menace which will outlive you! African languages and are using these to reach people in Village communities and churches, schools, hospitals and prisons. 2. Whenever you throw a plastic container or wrapper anywhere, remember

that you are causing huge economic loss to the country. IMPACT 3. When someone throws plastics away indiscriminately and you do not point The impact of the Audio Bibles cannot be overemphasized. The benefits are out the error in his/her action, you have become a partner in crime against the tremendous and impressive. Listeners testify that the hearing of God’s word in their country and humanity. mother tongue has transformed their lives. The power of the word has brought about 4. We must ensure that in our churches, District Assemblies, institutions, work restoration of family relationships, strengthened and reconciled many broken places, markets, etc., there are garbage bins in which people can drop their marriages. plastic and other wastes. Through the listening, many people have been converted to Christianity and several churches planted. Because the Bible is in the local tongue, Christianity which was once

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OUR CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY Biblos.com, my personal favorite, offers all the features of a parallel text, a lexicon, a There are few areas where there is such an urgent need for what we believe in to agree concordance, multiple commentaries, an atlas, and many other essential study features - with what we do than in the destruction of the environment with plastic products. all for free. If you have ever stocked your library, you know how much those books cost at the bookstore. Such free information makes in-depth Bible study much more Christians believe in a Creator God who has given us the responsibility to take care of accessible. Technology is also a huge time saver. Why spend five minutes looking his creation. “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let through a concordance for that verse you are trying to find when you can search one of them rule over… God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in these websites and find it in five seconds? number; fill the earth and subdue it…” (Ge. 1:26-28).

The Internet is also a useful place to find articles, sermon outlines, videos, and You cannot be a Bible-believing Christian and not be concerned about the destruction recordings. Many faithful churches keep websites with these useful tools on them. One of the environment. You need to answer a few questions: can download a great sermon and put it on CD or iPod and listen to it in the car. One 1. Are you concerned about bush-fires which destroy the environment? can also subscribe to an e-mail list that sends out good, Bible articles. 2. Are you concerned about the indiscriminate felling of trees and the Technology is useful in the teaching itself. Just as one may download articles and depletion of the forests? recordings, one may upload them as well. Consider the numbers. On the average 3. Are you concerned about the destruction of the environment by mining Sunday, in the average local church, between a dozen and a few hundred people will companies, galamsey miners, sandwinners, etc? hear a sermon. Video that sermon and upload it to YouTube - and the potential 4. Are you concerned about the depletion of the ozone layer and its consequences? audience goes from hundreds to hundreds of millions. Will that many people watch it?

Probably not! But someone who is searching for the truth - in both the traditional and DISCUSSION QUESTIONS/WHAT DO DO the Google sense - can find it. The problem we face is real, what we need are solutions. Therefore your group must

spend part of its time discussing SOLUTIONS to the problem. The gospel message may be shared through social networks in various ways. Some

Christians blog about spiritual topics. Others use Facebook to invite people to Bible studies and lectureships. Some people who would never set foot in a church are willing 1. What can your group/congregation do? to discuss spiritual matters over the Internet. 2. What can your community do? In all these ways, and many more, we can use technology to study, teach and preach the Draw your ACTION PLANS including the following:- Gospel. Let’s hit the “on” switch and get to work! a. Education – Creating awareness of the menace A word of caution! There are many false teachers in the digital “pulpit.” Do not believe anything b. Practical steps to removing the menace without searching the scriptures to see if it is true. Keep the Berean mind (Acts 17:10-11).  Let this be on the Agenda for the Leader’s Meeting. Draw a Composite Plan. Send us a copy. We will publish and publicise some of the best plans. WHAT CHURCHES OUGHT TO BE DOING  Execute your Plan. As believers, Jesus wants us to properly understand His mission and fully take advantage of the opportunities presented to us by modern means (ICT) of making BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION known the message of the Savior’s love. Resolve today that you will actively help to stop this menace, and that you will no longer drop plastics indiscriminately. God bless you and your group as you do so! The key verse of Habakkuk chapter 2 and verse 14 is a prophesy in which God gave believers a vision of how the Great Commission was going to be accomplished. We are DAILY BIBLE READINGS living at a period when this prophesy is actually bieng fulfilled through the medium of Monday Deuteronomy 23:9-14 Proper disposal of human excreta technology. Tuesday Leviticus 13:47-59 Dispose off unclean materials Wednesday Leviticus 13:38-46 Quarantine those with infectious diseases The Scripture says “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing Thursday Leviticus 14:33-53 Action over dangerous and contaminated structures them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching Friday Genesis 3:17-19 Nature is cursed them to observe all that I have commanded you,” (Mat. 28:18,19a). This Saturday Romans 8:18-25 Nature awaits its redemption command of Jesus set the course for the apostles and ordinary Christians alike (Acts

108 21 Week 48 Beginning THE MEDIA AND ITS November RELEVANCE TO CHURCH 25, 2012 GROWTH.

BE MOTIVATED! KEY VERSE: For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14

The story of the Samaritan woman’s INTRODUCTION In the span of 50 years, many changes have occurred in the way the Gospel is spread. interaction with Jesus shows how we try Years back, the most common way for people to get news was through newspapers and to hide our true self until we come under radio. the searching mirror of the Holy Spirit Today many people who were reading newspapers now go on the Internet for news. who convicts us. Today we have cyberspace, cell phones that capture video, and music downloads, social networks like face book, text messaging and blogs, handhelds and podcasts. There are perhaps few inventions that have had a greater impact on the world than the It also reveals the freedom that Christ printing press, invented by the inspired Johannes Gutenberg around 1436. The printing brings into our lives. When we open up to press enabled knowledge, including that contained in the Holy Bible, to be shared more him. widely than ever before. From its beginnings, the Church has used the power of the printed word to spread the Jonathan’s statement; “Nothing can message of the Gospel throughout the world. The Lord, over the centuries, has had a hand in inspiring people to invent tools that facilitate the spreading of the Gospel. The hinder the Lord from saving, whether by Church has adopted and embraced those tools, including print, broadcast media, and the many or by few” (I Sam 14:6) is a Internet. challenge to those of us who use lack of money and other excuses, for our failure HOW ARE THESE MARVELOUS INVENTIONS USED TO FURTHER to attempt great things for God and THE WORK OF THE LORD? In our information age, a message can be sent from Texarkana to Timbuktu to Tibet in country. seconds. Many Bible translations and commentaries are available for free in the public domain through ICT. Bible study material, reference tools, and sermons may be published to and printed from the Internet. All of these things may even be done easily. When Wycliffe translated the Bible into the common tongue in the 1380’s AD, it enjoyed a wide circulation. When Gutenberg made a leap forward in publishing technology by inventing the printing press in the 1450’s, the first book he printed was the Bible. Reformers and restorers used the printing press to produce many copies of the Bible and instruction tracts.

The dissemination of the Bible on the Internet is no less significant. Websites like biblegateway.com offer dozens of Bible translations in 50 languages. Youversion.com,

22 107 Week 29 Beginning THE SAMARITAN WOMAN – July 15, THE TESTIMONY OF A TRANSFORMED LIFE (I) 2012 (Don’t hide your true self)

KEY VERSE: 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no MISCELLANEOUS husband,” she replied. JOHN 4:16-17 TOPICS SCRIPTURE LESSON: JOHN 4: 4-20 4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, The topics discussed under this theme near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and are varied. They include: Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a 1. Appreciation of statistics and the drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman role of ICT in our worship and said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you Church Growth. knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing 2. The Christian has a responsibility to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you to vote in the Parliamentary and greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did Presidential elections. What are also his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the issues on which you base your the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” choices? 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come 3. The Christmas story is presented back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you with emphasis on the say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you 19 supernatural. now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” 27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

INTRODUCTION In the Gospels Jesus Christ taught in a variety of ways. While he frequently spoke to the multitudes, he also spent considerable time in one-on-one conversations. He paid

106 23 particular attention to the individual. John’s Gospel account reveals one such incident. The record of Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman is therefore an important lesson for us in one-on-one evangelism. churches. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). In this pattern, we see how Jesus ultimately reached the point of satisfying the woman’s real spiritual needs. In this first lesson, we see how the woman tried to elude the real They were to advocate for the disadvantage in the society: For Wesley, giving involves the raising of issue that confronted her. She tried to hide her true self. How did Jesus handle the our voices on behalf of the voiceless, the marginalized and the vulnerable in the society. We are to situation? That is what we study this week. offer our insight and influence for their benefit. Christians are to advocate for the disadvantaged when they are confronted with exploitation and injustice. IN DEPTH JOHN 4:7-9. When Jesus requested for a drink from the woman, she resorted to the DISCUSSION QUESTIONS long-standing ethnic or tribal differences between the Jews and the Samaritans. In his 1. What are the areas of priority in Christian giving in Ghana? reporting, John has given us a lot of background information about this conflict. The woman was attempting to divert attention from the personal interaction to an issue 2. The welfare system in our church depends on the “No Contribution No which could end in an unhealthy debate between them. Chop” concept. How can you as an individual go beyond that to see and VERSES 10-14: Jesus drew the woman’s attention to himself and the gift of God. We meet the needs of the less privileged in our societies? need Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit to 3. How can individuals and your society support the Methodist orphanage enable us lead the Christian life. But the woman failed to appreciate what Jesus was (Rafiki) at Gyahaadze? saying and went back to the issue of religion. She asked whether Jesus was greater than 4. Caring for the poor is a major theme of Scripture. How can Christian their ancestor Jacob who gave them the well. But Jesus was not talking about the water giving be beneficial to the poor and pleasant to God? contained in the well. Some people put more emphasis on “which church they 5. Read 2 Cor. 8:14; 9:11. What do these passages teach us on God’s purpose attend”, than on their relationship with the Lord. for blessing us financially? VERSES 16-17A. Jesus knowing that the woman did not understand the spiritual issues he was addressing moved on to challenge the woman about her life. Many people hide behind religion, church membership, denominationalism, etc to cover the emptiness in BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION their lives. The woman was doing the same when Jesus challenged her about her This week identify a needy person in your family, church and community. See how married life. you can remedy the situation in the light of this week’s lessons. VERSES 17B-18. In our witnessing, we need the Holy Spirit to give us discernment in order to deal with the real issues that confront our “clients”. DAILY BIBLE READINGS Jesus hit the nail right on the head, when she told the woman the very details of her Monday Matthew 17:24-27 Payment of the Right Tax failed married life. Tuesday Matthew 25:35-45 Give in support of the needy in the Church Wednesday 1 Timothy 5:3-16 Meet you Family Needs VERSES 19-20: For the first time, the woman realized that she was not dealing with an Thursday 3 John 5-8 Hospitality to the Ministers of the Word ordinary man. She acknowledged that Jesus must be a prophet, but she run back to hide Friday Luke 14:12-14 Expect Nothing in Return to your Giving behind religion again. In effect, she was saying, you may have your own religion or Saturday 2 Cor. 9:6-8 You will Abound in Every Good Works spirituality, but my denomination or Church is equally good. The question is; what are you using as a screen to hide your real need for Jesus. The woman needed to be set free, but she was trying to hide.

THE WORD IN OUR LIVES The account of the story of Jesus’ conversation with the woman of Samaria portrays him as having crossed cultural barriers. This is a clear contrast to those ancient, and of

24 105 course, some modern ideas which were/are anti-womanhood. Jesus Christ is the great Wesley Lived for the Disadvantage in the Society liberator of women. After five centuries of hostility and hatred, Jesus risked his reputation by speaking to this woman. He broke the tradition that afternoon with a Wesley held the view that giving involves friendship with the poor. He considered simple request, “Will you give me a drink?” (v.7). This is the reason why it was regular visitation to the poor as indispensable for Christian discipleship and spiritual necessary for Jesus to go to Samaria. The woman's coming to the well was no formation. For him proximity to the poor changes one’s priorities. So he lived and ate accident. There are no chance meetings in the world that is ruled by a living God who with the poor. is always seeking to draw lost humanity to himself.

Under Wesley’s leadership, the London Methodists had established two homes for Too many people are living in sin. They are confronted with the painful truth of their widows in the city. They were supported by offering taken at the band meetings and at wretchedness. Yet they try to impress God and human beings. And as they do that the Lord’s Supper. In 1748, nine widows, one blind woman, and two children lived they wallow in guilt. Jesus came for sinners, for those as outcast as the Samaritan there. woman and for those caught up in filthy choices and unsuccessful dreams. He did not come for the self-righteous but for those who feel their need for salvation. In 1776, the English tax commissioners inspected his returns and wrote him the following letter: “We cannot doubt but you have plate for which you have hitherto We all have areas in our lives that we wish were different. Areas we don’t want to talk neglected to make an entry.” In other words, they were saying a man of his standing definitely about. We’d rather put forth our best at all times. We put up an impressive image must have some silver plate in his house and were accusing him of failing to pay excise tax on it. Wesley before our own eyes, before others, and before the Lord. This is the false self that replied: “I have two silver spoons at London and two at Bristol. This is all the plate I have at present, denies and hides the “unlovable” in us, for fear we might be rejected for what is really and I shall not buy any more while so many around me want bread.” In fact there is every indication inside of us. But the Lord does not seek to relate with an impressive image, but with a that Wesley identified himself with the needy. All the money he earned went into charity. He reported contrite spirit. God is always pursuing our hearts. And at just the right time, he will that he never had 100 pounds at any time because he was cautious of not laying up treasures on earth. address our true, needy self if we respond to His gift by dropping our pretenses and Wesley died in 1791, and it is indicated that the only money he had as at the time was what was used exposing our need. to pay those who carried his casket. Wesley has really left a heritage for the church and for that matter the Methodists globally. When Jesus comes He reveals our thirst. He exposes our true self, and reveals our deepest need. Jesus compelled the Samaritan woman to face herself. When He comes Wesley entreated people to give their wealth the way God intended to us He compels us to face our true selves and reveals our deepest spiritual needs. He He had the view that anyone whose income exceeded the basic necessities of life and always reveals what He sees in our hearts. personal obligations was rich and therefore was to give the excess to meet the needs of others. He therefore enjoined his audience to give priority to the following instructions: There is no need to try to hide who we really are before God, but to be honest, and They were to provide for their needs and those of their families: The believer must make sure his family admit we are sinners. After all he knows us inside out. We need to acknowledge our has the necessities and conveniences of life - food to eat and clothes to wear, and enough to keep the whole life story - the light side and the dark. In admitting our dark side we learn who family healthy (1 Timothy 5:8). He also enjoined all believers to ensure that their families have enough we are and what God’s grace can do for and with us. Later the Samaritan woman will to live on if something were to happen to the breadwinner. tell her town folks, “Come see a man who told me all things I ever did!” (v. 29).

They were to meet the needs of others: John Wesley entreated the early Methodists to give DISCUSSION QUESTIONS away each year all they had after providing for their own necessities. That is after the Christian has provided for the family, the creditors, and the business, the next 1a. “There are no chance meetings in the world that is ruled by a living God.” obligation is to use any money that is left to meet the needs of others. He saw Discuss: Christian giving as aid to the poor and needy in the society. b. In what sense is it true that the Samaritan woman's coming to the well was no accident? They were to give to the "household of faith: Wesley also entreated his audience to give to 2. When Jesus asked the woman for a drink was he really thirsty, or he was just other Christians, which we assume includes the organized work of the Lord in starting a conversation?

104 25 3. Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, (Verse 13). Discuss this statement in view of the fact that the "thirst" in man's soul is a and the neighbour. As we end our study of John Wesley’s financial principle of “give spiritual thirst. all you can” we want to examine how he himself lived out that principle. 4. In what ways do we try to hide our true selves from God? How do we often use religion or denominationalism as a cover for our true self? EXPOSITION 5. How is the story of the Samaritan woman relevant to modern life? Wesley Generated Money for the Poor Wesley decided to cut down his expenses so that he could have more money to give BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION to the poor. He recorded that in one year his income was 30 pounds(£30) and his Think of an area or areas in your life where you feel condemned or you fear living 28 pounds (£28), so he had 2 pounds(£2) to give away. The next year his rejection…where you don’t feel like you are perfect. You need to come to God in income doubled, but contrary to what some people do, he managed to live on 28 humility and truth. There is no need to hide. There is no need to lie. There is no need pounds (£28), so he had 32 (£32) to give to the poor. The third year his income to feel condemned. Share your testimony with your group or a friend. jumped to 90 pounds(£90). Instead of letting his expenses rise with his income, he kept them at 28 pounds (£28) and gave away 62 pounds (£62). In the fourth year he DAILY BIBLE READINGS received 120 pounds (£120), but as before, his expenses were 28 pounds(£28), so his giving rose to 92 pounds(£92). To him the Christian should not merely tithe but give Monday John 3: 1-8 Jesus converses with Nicodemus away all extra income once the family and creditors were taken care of. He believed Tuesday John 1: 43-51 Nathaniel meets Jesus that with increasing income, what should rise is not the Christian’s level of living but Wednesday Acts 9: 1-6 Saul encounters Jesus the level of spending. It is therefore not surprising that even when John’s income rose Thursday Matthew 10: 1-6 Jesus instructs his disciples not to go to to over 1,400 pounds(£1,400); he lived on 30 pounds (£30) and gave away the surplus. any Samaritan town Friday Matthew 9: 18-22 Jesus heals a sick woman Wesley's giving spirit was so high that he died with virtually nothing left in his coffers. Saturday Matthew 15: 21-28 Jesus and the Canaanite woman According to Richard Heitzenrater, in his book, “The Poor and People Called Sunday Matthew 19:16-24 Jesus and the rich young man Methodist”, “when Wesley died in 1791, six bearers who were paid one pound each carried him to his grave, therefore depleting his personal resources.”

Wesley’s Simple Lifestyle A critical look into Wesley’s lifestyle reveals that he led a simple lifestyle so that he could save a lot of money and be generous to others. He limited his expenditures by not buying the kinds of things thought essential for a man of his stature. • impulse buying • extravagant lifestyle • gluttony and drunkenness • expensive furniture and buying status symbols (things that will arouse the envy of others) among other things.

He spent little though he earned more. He spent only on necessities – food, clothing and shelter. It can be said conveniently that he was really modest when it came to spending. As a result he became one of the wealthiest people in England.

26 103 Week 47 Week 30 THE SAMARITAN WOMAN – THE TESTI- Beginning Beginning November GENEROSITY – LESSONS FROM July 22, MONY OF A TRANSFORMED LIFE (II) 2012 18, 2012 JOHN WESLEY’S LIFE (The Lid is Broken)

28 KEY VERSE: But just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in KEY VERSE: Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of said to the people,29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this giving. 2 Corinthians 8:7 be the Messiah?” John 4:21-30

SCRIPTURE LESSON: 2 CORINTHIANS 8:1-14 SCRIPTURE LESSON: JOHN 4: 21-30 8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 3 joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they salvation is from the Jews. urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made 24 a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” excel in everything —in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. he will explain everything to us.” 8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” poverty might become rich. 10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him. by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. 13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that INTRODUCTION there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, In last week’s lesson we learned how in her encounter with Jesus the Samaritan woman so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, tried to hide her true self from him but was gradually helped by Jesus to come to terms with her true identity. We continue our lesson this week as we examine the effect that INTRODUCTION was produced as Jesus opened the spiritual eyes of the woman to her need. (Read last week’s introduction). Wesley enjoined his audience to lead lives that will help them generate and save a lot of income that they can be generous to others. For him, giving is rooted in the very nature and activity of God. It is an expression of grace, God’s unmerited love poured IN DEPTH out to humanity in Jesus Christ. Love for God therefore, implies giving oneself to God This discussion is a continuation of Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman. You may want to review last week’s In Depth, before studying this week’s analysis.

102 27 JOHN 4:21-24 Jesus did not allow the woman to escape at the point when he touched the core issue DISCUSSION QUESTIONS of her life which he had been trying to hide. 1. How sensitive are you to the needs of those who work in the Lord’s (i) “You Samaritans worship what you do not know…” (v.22) by this one vineyard? What special needs do they have that you could meet? statement, Jesus brushed aside all the arguments the woman had been making 2. Elisha’s reciprocal concern for the Shunammite woman demonstrates the about the differences between the Samaritans and Jews about true religion. kind of concern we should have for others. What concerns should church (ii) “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will leaders have for their members? worship the Father in spirit and truth…” (v. 23-24). By this stamen, Jesus drew 3. Giving implies reaching out to the needy. On what basis should Christians the woman’s attention to what really matters. It is not the Church we attend, choose whom to help? (see I Tim. 5:3-8, Gal 6:10) but how we relate to God and how we worship him. 4. The generosity of the Shunamite woman was rewarded. What rewards are Was the woman worshiping God in truth? Was she merely hiding behind religion? promised to those who give faithfully of their substance? What was the level of her spirituality? These are the issues Jesus was drawing her attention to. BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION VERSES 25: How did the woman react to the clear statement of Jesus about true The Shunammite woman’s concern for Elisha shows the kind of concern we spirituality? should have for others and the Lord’s work. This week, identify someone in “I know the Messiah is coming. When he comes” The woman was now convicted. the community, the church or at your work place and help the person out of She had no more defenses, but she wanted to postpone her decision to the future. his or her personal problem(s). VERSE 26: Jesus would not allow a convicted sinner to run away. So he declared; “I who speak to you am he”. DAILY BIBLE READINGS VERSES 28-30. The lid was now broken. The woman left her jar and went to the town Monday Exodus 25:2-3, 36:2-7 Freewill Offering to give a testimony about what had happened to her. “Could this be the Christ?” – Tuesday 1 Corinthians 9:1-14 Give in Support of Church This woman was now drawing her people’s attention to the Messiah who they all Workers expected. Wednesday 2 Corinthians 8:1-4 Generosity Encouraged Thursday 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 Give Regularly and Systematically THE WORD IN OUR LIVES Friday 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 The Lord Gives in Return to As Sloyan rightly puts it, Jesus never approached people “randomly or casually but as Your Generosity possible bearers of witness to him to whole populations.” A foreign, single woman Saturday 2 Kings 7:7-16 God Rewards Your Generosity who had had five husbands, and was now living with a man who was not her husband was the one Jesus chose to bring a town in Samaria to him so that they could say, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world.”

When you come face to face with Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and surrender to Him as your Saviour, you want to "leave your pot" and go out and tell everyone (John 4: 28- 30). “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” When Christ changes your life, you want to go and tell others that they too may come and see for themselves.

Many people’s hearts are thirsty and yearning for the “living water” which only Jesus

28 101 can give. Jesus always met with those who had honest questions or needs on their terms regarding the place, method of access, or style of communication. He never, however, child was raised back to life when he died. changed His message or altered the way in which He loved. As believers we must learn God Providentially Controls the Events in Life (8:1-6): The story didn’t to make Christ’s message relevant, to anticipate divine appointments, and to be ready to end there. Elisha announced the coming of a seven-year famine. The family show that the life Jesus offers is desirable and attractive. was given information to travel and escape the famine that came on the land. So they went to dwell with the Philistines - the rich low grain-growing plain Having answered the call of the Holy Spirit, and having come to faith in Christ, we along the seacoast of Judah. It was always a land of plenty. Moreover, if food need to reach out to others as Christ’s witnesses in a lost and dying world just like the failed there, it was easily imported by sea from the neighboring Egypt. During Samaritan woman did. As she experienced conviction of her sin, she turned to God for the Shunammite's absence in Philistia, her dwelling and her grain-fields had answers. He then directed her to Himself. Then she took the message to others. The been appropriated by some one who refused to restore them. At the very woman left a believer and became an evangelist to many in that city. moment Gehazi was describing the wonderful resurrection miracle, the mother of the child walked into the throne room determined to appeal to the king. In DISCUSSION QUESTIONS those days, it was common for people to bring such problems directly to the 1. Why is it important that in our witnessing, we draw people’s attention from Church king and he would decide how property should be divided. The fact that labels, like Orthodox, Pentecostals, Evangelicals, Charismatics to the spiritual thirst Gehazi stood there as witness to her ownership of the land made it easy for in people’s lives? the king to pass judgment. He authorized the officials to return her property to her along with whatever income she had lost because of her absence. The 2. Can witnessing be complete if it does not end up and centre on Christ? Give your death of the boy turn out to be a blessing in disguise. reasons. 3. Can anybody claim to know Christ if he/she does not have a testimony about a THE WORD IN OUR LIVES change in his/her life? Give reasons. The Shunamite woman and the husband determined to facilitate the work of 4. How does this woman show that witnessing is not to be restricted to “professional” the Prophet Elisha. Similarly, every Christian should have their thoughts for evangelists and ministers? giving. Ones life’s purpose for giving might be any of the following: 5. We are called ambassadors in 2 Corinthians 5:18-20. (An ambassador is one who is  to facilitate the great commission appointed to represent his country in a foreign land.) Reflect on the duties of an  to give to the poor in the society ambassador. How do these relate to the Christian life and to witnessing about your faith in Christ?  to support brilliant but needy students

 to support the ministerial brethren and other workers in the BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION church Think of at least one person whom God led you to evangelise during the past week.  to care for the sick How did you respond? Share your experience with your group.  to support some social institutions that exist for the public good  to give a street child eduction or a trade DAILY BIBLE READINGS Monday Luke 9: 23-26 Not being ashamed to witness for Christ To do this it behooves on the individual Christian to include in his or her Tuesday Matthew 28: 16-20 The Great Commission personal budget what percentage of his or her income he or she intends to Wednesday 2 Corinthians 5: 18-20 Ambassadors for Christ spend on such projects. To do this the individual has to maximise his or her income and consult with people knowledgeable about ministry and select the Thursday Acts 9: 10-16 Saul chosen to witness to the Gentiles best organization to support. Friday John 20: 1-18 Mary Magdalene witnesses about Jesus Saturday Luke 9: 1-6 Twelve disciples sent out by Jesus

Sunday Acts 1: 1-8 The Holy Spirit to empower for witnessing

100 29 Week 31 woman about it, and she told him. Then he assigned an official to her case and Beginning JONATHAN ATTEMPTS GREAT said to him, “Give back everything that belonged to her, including all the July 29, income from her land from the day she left the country until now.” 2012 THINGS FOR THE LORD - I EXPOSITION The Shunamite woman sees a need and fulfils it (vv.8 – 13): Shunem was about twenty miles northwest of Abelmeholah, Elisha’s hometown, and twenty- KEY VERSE: I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. five miles or so beyond Shunem was Mount Carmel. The average traveler on PSALM 3:6 foot could cover fifteen to twenty miles per day, so Shunem was a perfect halfway point for rest whenever Elisha was going to Mount Carmel to pray. The SCRIPTURE LESSON: I SAMUEL 13:1-23 Shunamite woman was not only great in standing and wealth, but also in perception. She realized that Elijah often passed that way on his ministry trips I SAMUEL 13: 1 Saul was thirty[a] years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-[b] two years. 2 Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand to Mount Carmel to pray, meditate and seek the Lord in new ways. She also were with him at Mikmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with discerned that he was a man of God, and she wanted to serve the Lord by Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes. serving His Prophet. In consultation with the husband she provided the prophet and his servant a chamber with a lamp, a table and chair, and a bed. 3 Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. She also saw to it that the two were adequately fed. She did this out of kindness Then Saul had the trumpet blown throughout the land and said, “Let the Hebrews and because she sensed a need. 4 hear!” So all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel has become obnoxious to the Philistines.” And the people were summoned to The couple demonstrates understanding of stewardship and generosity: join Saul at Gilgal. 5 The Philistines assembled to fight Israel, with three thousand[c] The woman understood the importance of giving one’s material resources for chariots, six thousand charioteers, and soldiers as numerous as the sand on the the support of God’s work or the church. She demonstrated that she was not seashore. They went up and camped at Mikmash, east of Beth Aven. 6 When the the owner of her personal or material possessions but God. As a result she saw Israelites saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, herself as a steward. It becomes easy to give when one understands the owner- they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns. 7 Some steward relationship he enjoys with God’s property. By their generosity the Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul remained at couple promoted the work of God by providing the needed resources for the Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. 8 He waited seven days, the extension of the gospel, the relief of human needs and many others. time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. 9 So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And The woman gave birth to a son at the word of the prophet (vv.11 – 17): Saul offered up the burnt offering. 10 Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel Showing hospitality to a man of God has its rewards (Hebrews 13:2), but Elisha arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. 11 “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul wanted to do something to show his appreciation for what the couple had done. replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the As they had no child of their own, it would be a great blessing if they were to set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, 12 I thought, ‘Now the have one. The prophet promised that, like Sarah, she would have a son despite Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s the age of her husband. The woman did not want to have her hopes raised only favor. ’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” 13 “You have done a foolish to be disappointed. But the prophet’s words were fulfilled, and the following thing, ” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; year she gave birth to a son. if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own The Great Sorrow (vv. 18 – 28): The boy grew, but tragically one day he was heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s struck down by some disease that caused his death in the mother’s arms. The command.” 15 Then Samuel left Gilgal[d] and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin, and Saul woman though devastated, laid her dead son on the bed of the man of God and counted the men who were with him. They numbered about six hundred. 16 Saul and set out to find Elisha. This suggests that the woman had faith that there was still his son Jonathan and the men with them were staying in Gibeah[e] in Benjamin, while something he could do to bring the child he had given her back to life. The

30 99 the Philistines camped at Mikmash. 17 Raiding parties went out from the Week 46 Philistine camp in three detachments. One turned toward Ophrah in the Beginning vicinity of Shual, 18 another toward Beth Horon, and the third toward the November THE GENEROSITY OF THE borderland overlooking the Valley of Zeboyim facing the wilderness. 19 Not a 11, 2012 SHUNAMITE WOMAN blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears! ” 20 So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles[f] sharpened. 21 The price was two-thirds of a shekel[g] for sharpening [h] KEY VERSE: “... I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of plow points and mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening forks and God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a axes and for repointing goads. 22 So on the day of the battle not a soldier with lamp for him. Then he can stay here whenever he comes to us” (2 Kings 4:9-10) Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them. 23 SCRIPTURE LESSON: 2 Kings 4:8-17; 8:1-6 Now a detachment of Philistines had gone out to the pass at Mikmash. 2 KINGS 4:8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. 9 She BACKGROUND: As part of their faith journey to the Promised Land, the said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of Israelites faced a lot of enemies. One such enemy was the Philistines whose God. 10 Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair superior army, in terms of numbers and equipment, overwhelmed the and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”11 One day Israelites. when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. 12 He said to his servant Gehazi, “Call the Shunammite.” So he called her, and she stood before him. This was the situation that the newly installed King, Saul found himself. He 13 Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what apparently lost hope and did not know what action to take. What do you do can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of under this situation when the leadership is paralyzed and does not know what the army?’ ”She replied, “I have a home among my own people.” 14 “What can be done to do? It is here that we see Jonathan who attempted to fight the Philistines for her?” Elisha asked. Gehazi said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.” 15 Then trusting in God. For this and the next week, we examine the faith based Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16 “About this courage of Jonathan in attempting to attack the Philistine and how God time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord!” she rewarded his faith. objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!” 17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her. IN DEPTH: 1 SAMUEL 13:5, 17-22 In order to appreciate the enormity of the situation the Israelites faced, we 2 KINGS 8:1 Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Go must first examine the strength of the Philistine army. away with your family and stay for a while wherever you can, because the LORD has decreed a famine in the land that will last seven years.” 2 The woman proceeded to do THE PHILISTINE ARMY as the man of God said. She and her family went away and stayed in the land of the VERSE 5: The size and equipments of the Philistine army is given – 3,000 Philistines seven years.3 At the end of the seven years she came back from the land of chariots; 6,000 charioteers, soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore. the Philistines and went to appeal to the king for her house and land. 4 The king was talking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, and had said, “Tell me about all the VERSE 17-18: The Philistine army was in three detachments or battalions, each great things Elisha has done.” 5 Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had of which was to attack from a different direction. restored the dead to life, the woman whose son Elisha had brought back to life came to appeal to the king for her house and land. Gehazi said, “This is the woman, my lord THE ISRAELITE ARMY the king, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” 6 The king asked the VERSE 19:22: Note how over the years, the Philistines had ensured that the

98 31 Calebites are cholerics. People with this temperament are achievers but have Israelites did not develop any industries that could help them develop this weakness shown by Nabal, unless they are touched by the transforming military equipments. power of the Holy Spirit. Even agricultural equipments such as ploughs, mattocks, axes and sickles had to be imported, repaired and sharpened in Philistine cities at a cost. Such achievers often get married to women who contrast the negative aspects of their character. Abigail is described as “an intelligent and beautiful woman.” VERSE 2: Note the size of the Israelite army – 3,000 men divided into two The way she acted proved her intelligence and also showed the contrast detachments. Saul commanded 2,000 men while Jonathan, commanded 1,000 between her and the husband. Couldn’t the husband have benefitted from men these virtues found in his wife? VERSE 3: Jonathan attacks “the hornet’s nest.” An ‘outpost’ is defined as, a place, especially a small group of buildings or a town, which maintains the The death of Nabal, and Abigail’s eventual marriage to David shows that it authority or business interests of a distant government or company”. pays to have a generous heart. Therefore Geba was the symbol of the authority of the Philistines over Israel. How does Jonathan dare to attack the outpost and not let sleeping dogs lie? All achievers, all who have a fair share of the world’s resources must take to heart the following advice by Paul; “Command those who are rich in this VERSE 3-4: It is encouraging to know that Saul did not blame his son for present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so attempting such a great thing. The summons to Israel together for war even uncertain but to put their hope in God…” (I Tim. 6:17-19) talked about Saul and not Jonathan. This support by the leadership for what Jonathan had attempted is very encouraging. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS VERSE 6 – 7: We are told here about the panic that went around in the 1. The name Nabal means; ‘Fool’. What evidence is there in 1 Samuel 25 to Israelite camp when they responded to Saul’s summons for war. prove that he really proved that he was a fool? VERSE 8-9: The religious aspect is brought in to show how Saul under 2. The name Abigail means, ‘My father’s joy’. What is the proof. that Abigail pressure from his panicked, ill-equipped army could not wait for the right was a source of joy to her household as seen in 1 Samuel 25? religious rituals to be performed. 3. How was it possible for Nabal and Abigail to be so different in their attitude towards their possessions. What lesson can marriage couple learn The subsequent events show that, even though God did not approve of from this? Saul’s impatience and failure to act calmly under pressure, He did not condemn Jonathan or Saul for attempting to remove the heavy burden the 4. How can achievers learn to be generous and sympathetic to those who don’t have? Philistine imposed on them. God is not against us, if we challenge the status- quo in order to free ourselves from bad, and heavy-handed rule. BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION VERSE 15 & 22: When the battle came to be fought, the Israelites had run Examine your attitude in respect of ‘giving’. Note that giving is a spiritual away from Saul-only 600 men remained. And on the day of the battle, on exercise of ‘sowing’ which can affect your relationship with God – Remember Saul and Jonathan had spear/sword-what a miserable army! this: “whoever sows sparingly (stingily) will also reap sparingly, and whoever It is clear then that, without God’s supernatural intervention Israel was no sows generously will also reap generously.” match for the Philistines. What happens next and how Jonathan again attempted great things for God will be the subject of our discussion for next DAILY BIBLE READINGS week. Monday Genesis 18: 1-15 The three visitors to Abraham and Sarah Tuesday Deuteronomy 8: 1-20 Do not forget the Lord Wednesday I Kings 17: 7-24 A Generous widow’s son raised to life THE WORD IN OUR LIVES Thursday Matthew 21: 33-44 The Parable of the Tenants Jonathan’s challenge of the status-quo however dehumanizing it may have Friday Acts 9: 36-43 Dorcas’ generosity rewarded been has many lessons to teach us, especially in Africa and in the church. When things don’t work, who has the courage to challenge long-held traditions which perpetuate our bondage and poverty? There are many aspects of our culture which enslave us, but who dare challenge them? 32 97 failed him and he became like a stone. 38 About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal and he died. Take education as an example – Our colonial masters took us through grammar-type education and we continue to produce lawyers, politicians, INTRODUCTION administrators, etc. Who is ready to break the cycle and emphasize technology Last week we begin our new series on Generosity in line with John Wesley’s sermon on or technical education to prepare us for an industrial take-off? In our rural money, which he instructed us as follows: Gain all you can, Save all you can and Give all areas, the pupils continue to fail their BECE exams in large numbers and the you can. teachers continue to receive their salaries. Who in the village is ready to We also established from our last week’s study that without a sense of stewardship challenge the status-quo and free our rural children? In our families, towards material blessings, it becomes difficult to be generous. The two concepts are organizations, churches, etc who is “angry” enough to challenge the rot, lack strongly linked. This week, we illustrate the concepts with the life of a husband and his of progress and the indiscipline? Jesus was angry enough to take the whip and wife who lived under the same roof, but had very different attitudes towards stewardship chase out the clerical leaders of his day from the temple. God is waiting for and generosity. those who want to bring about change so that He can use them.

IN DEPTH DISCUSSION QUESTIONS I SAM. 25:2-3: We are introduced to the Nabal family. The family was very wealthy. Nabal was a descendant of Caleb. No wonder then that he was an achiever, and had 1. What are some of the personal challenges that we often face in our work become wealthy. But his attitude towards material blessings was in contrast to that of his place, home, church and community? beautiful and intelligent wife as they story reveals. 2. How can we trust God in the midst of these challenges? 3. Was Jonathan wise in initiating an attack on the Palestine outpost? Explain VERSE 8: “Since we come at a festive time” There are two reasons why David expected your response. that Nabal will give him and his men the food he requested for 4. What lessons can one learn from Jonathan’s behavior? (i) They had protected Nabal’s sheep and shepherds from thieves in the pasture lands. One good turn deserves another. (ii) Everybody shows good will to even strangers on festive occasions such as BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION Christmas. So they expected that Nabal would be generous even to strangers. Think about one key lesson you have learnt from this story. Share this with a VERSES 10-11: The excuse Nabal gave for not being generous is not different from the friend. excuses many stingy people give. It was not true that Nabal did not know about David, but he used that as an excuse. VERSES 18-19: The way Abigail acted showed the contrast between her and the husband in terms of how they viewed material possessions, yet they lived under the same roof. VERSES 35-38: It never pays to be mean and selfish. Nabal acted foolishly and paid DAILY BIBLE READINGS heavily for it. Monday Ephesians 6:10 Be strong in the Lord Tuesday 2 Chronicles 15:7 Don’t give up THE WORD IN OUR LIVES Wednesday Psalm 3:6 Facing ten thousand The story of Nabal has important lessons for those who are achievers. He was a Calebite, and therefore he had the ‘achievement spirit’ in him as his ancestor Caleb (Numb. 13:26- Thursday Psalm 112:8 Study hearts do not fear 33). But the problem with achievers is that they don’t have any sympathy for “non- Friday Isaiah 52:1 Put on your strength achievers”, and they think any help to such people will make them more lazy. Saturday Isaiah 41:10 Our God is sufficient Nabal is described as “surly and mean in his dealings”. ‘Surly’ means; “bad-tempered, Sunday Isaiah 57:10 Weary, but winning unfriendly and not polite” ‘Mean’ is also defined, in the following ways; (1) “not willing to give or share things, especially money.” (2) “unkind or unpleasant”

(3) “frightening and likely to become violent”

96 33 Week 32 Week 45 Beginning JONATHAN ATTEMPTS Beginning STINGY (ARMSTRONG) NABAL August 5, GREAT THINGS FOR THE November AND “GENEROUS” 2012 4, 2012 ABIGAIL LORD - II

KEY VERSE: “Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have KEY VERSE: Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving whether by many or by few. I slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where? SAMUEL 14:16. Abigail lost no time. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep ------and loaded them on donkeys” I SAMUEL 25: 11 -& 18. SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: I SAMUEL 14:1-23 SCRIPTURE LESSON: 1 SAMUEL 25: 1-11, 18-19, 35-38 I SAMUEL 14: 1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, 1 SAMUEL 25: 1 Now Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and mourned for him; and let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David moved down into the Desert of 2 Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With Paran.[a] 2 A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. 3 him were about six hundred men, among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. ephod. He was a son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the 3 His name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and 4 LORD’s priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left. On each side of the beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was Calebite. 4 While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. 5 called Bozez and the other Seneh. One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the 5 So he sent ten young men and said to them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him 6 other to the south toward Geba. Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, in my name. 6 Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will act in And good health to all that is yours! 7 “‘Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few. ” your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat them, and the whole time they were 7 “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing. 8 Ask your own servants and they will tell you. and soul.” 8 Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them Therefore be favorable toward my men, since we come at a festive time. Please give see us. 9 If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.’” 9 When David’s and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David’s name. Then they waited. 10 Nabal will be our sign that the LORD has given them into our hands. ” 11 So both of them answered David’s servants, “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews servants are breaking away from their masters these days. 11 Why should I take my are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” 12 The men of the outpost shouted to bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson. ” So coming from who knows where?” Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the LORD has given them into the hand of Israel.” 13 Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor- 1 SAMUEL 25: 18 Abigail acted quickly. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs[a] of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and followed and killed behind him. 14 In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys. 19 Then she told her killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre. 15 Then panic struck the whole servants, “Go on ahead; I’ll follow you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal. army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and 1 SAMUEL 25: 35 Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and [a] 16 the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God. Saul’s lookouts at Gibeah in said, “Go home in peace. I have heard your words and granted your request.” 36 When 17 Benjamin saw the army melting away in all directions. Then Saul said to the men who Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He were with him, “Muster the forces and see who has left us.” When they did, it was was in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until daybreak. 37 Then Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there. in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all these things, and his heart 34 95 18 Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (At that time it was with the Israelites.) God will require us to account for our stewardship one day soon just like [b] 19 While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased the steward in our text was required to. Basically, we need to understand more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” that whatever possessions we have rightly belong to God and the best way 20 Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the to manage them is to use them to serve God by generously helping others Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords. 21 Those Hebrews and generously contributing to fulfilling the purposes of God. By that we who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them to their will be using what we cannot keep to gain heavenly treasures. camp went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 When all the Israelites who had hidden in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines 23 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS were on the run, they joined the battle in hot pursuit. So on that day the LORD 1. In what ways do we and our resources become are the property of saved Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven. God? 2. How can we use our resources to make eternal friends? BACKGROUND: Last week we saw how Jonathan took the initiative to attack the 3. All that I have belong to me for I worked hard to acquire them. Discuss this Philistines inspite of the fact that Israel was no match for the large, and well-equipped statement in the light of this week’s lesson. Philistine army. 4. In what ways does being a good steward help us to be generous?

This led to a war between the two nations. Israel was obviously the underdog. What BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION did Jonathan do under the situation? What step of faith did he take at this time and This week, take some time to reflect deeply on your use of possessions and what was the consequence of his sole action? We examine Jonathan’s move in detail determine what your reaction will be if you were called upon to account for this week your stewardship sometime next week.

Share your findings with your class members. IN DEPTH DAILY BIBLE READINGS 1 SAMUEL 14:1 Monday Psalm 24:1-2 God’s absolute ownership The two armies were pitched against each other. We don’t know how long they had Tuesday Deuteronomy 8:10-18 God gives ability to produce waited for the attack. (Note that before David came on the scene, the two armies had wealth waited 40 days, 1 Sam. 17:16) Wednesday Nehemiah 5:15-18 Modeling Generosity For a second time, Jonathan decided to break the stalemate and attack another Thursday John 3:16-18 The most Generous gift outpost of the Philistines. Friday 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Extravagant Generosity He needed the support of his aide-de-camp who proved to be a great help and a Saturday 2 Corinthians 9:10-15 Blessed to be a blessing source of encouragement to Jonathan Why did Jonathan refuse to tell his father of his intention? This is the second time, he made the bold move without his father’s knowledge, but the effect of his move involved everybody.

VERSE 6: Jonathan like his friend David had no respect for the Philistines who did not worship the Covenant God and yet were lording it over God’s people. They both referred to them as “uncircumcised” meaning they were not part of the covenant people of God. (see 1 Sam. 17:26) Christians who are jealous for the name of God will attempt great things for God. Jonathan’s faith in God is like that which his friend David expressed when he met the challenge of fighting Goliath (see 1 Sam. 17:34-37).

94 35 VERSE 7: “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” Every leader needs a close friend little things proves that one can be trusted to be faithful with much. The and helper – an aide-de-camp- who can help him/her to accomplish his/her dreams. opposite of this is also true. The second principle is that no one will commit eternal resources to one who fails to be faithful with temporary wealth. Based VERSE 8:12a: THE SIGN:- Jonathan wanted to have a sign from God that he was on the right path. We all need this assurance. For Jonathan, a positive sign was that he was to on these principles, God, who owns every pesewa of the wealth we have, will move to the Philistine camp and not sit idle. We may never be able to see God’s not trust us with the endless treasures of heaven if we are not trustworthy stewards of riches God has given us. God will not commit his true riches to us direction for our lives, if we are not prepared to move. if we fail to use it according to his will and purposes for us and through us in VERSE 12b-14: Jonathan shows that it is only those who are prepared to add hard work the lives of others. to their faith and prayer who will see God’s victory in their lives. Jonathan and his armour-bearer had to climb the cliffs, using hands and feet, before they could reach the THE WORD IN OUR LIVES: Philistine camp and deliver the first attack, in which 20 men were killed. It was Mensah’s first paycheck since he started working and he was excited. He VERSE 15: “It was a panic sent by God.” The weapons that the Lord uses can never be began to spend it mentally. Half of it would be set aside to support his mother understood by humans. Last week, we pointed out the size of the Philistine army and and siblings. With the rest, he planned to buy a new shirt and a necktie, and how well equipped they were. then he would have enough to last him till the next payday. VERSE 16-22: The rest of the story shows how the Israeli army just followed what the Lord had done after Jonathan had made the move to trust God for a great victory. Suddenly he remembered he had planned to give some of his earnings, at least VERSE 23: “So the Lord rescued Israel that day.” The use of the verb “rescue” here is 10 percent to the Lord. He also remembered his promise to buy a football for appropriate, because without God’s intervention brought about by Jonathan’s faith and the Sunday school children. Then there was the old widow in his move, Israel would have been destroyed, completely. neighbourhood whom he had decided long ago to provide at least one decent Psalm 124 is probably the right conclusion for what the Lord did as a result of meal daily. Working the mental mathematics made Mensah realize that if he Jonathan’s move. intends to do all of what he had planned, he would need more that his monthly paycheck. He was then tempted to drop the idea of helping others THE WORD IN OUR LIVES and concentrate on spending all the money on himself.

In his book “The Purpose Driven Life”, Rick Warren makes it clear that each human person has a God-given assignment to fulfill. It was at this point that the recent lesson at Class Meeting drifted across his mind. From that lesson, he recalled that apart from God owning everything there is in this world, he also provides the ability to create wealth (Deut. 8:18). In our attempt to fulfill this assignment to serve God and humanity we will meet with Further, God enjoins believers as stewards, to use whatever resources we have opposition, hurdles and roadblocks that will stand in our way. In such situations, we are to help others (2 Cor. 9:11). It dawned on Mensah that God has done so much to make choices as to trust God? The people around us, Our family, Our close friends? for him. He remembered he had even asked God for a job. He whispered a Do we look at the problems or do we look up to God? short prayer of thanks to God and decided there and then that he will have to Someone has said when faced with a seemingly big problem, look up to God. The more sacrifice the new shirt and tie so he can generously help others in imitation of you look up to God, the more the problem becomes smaller, and God becomes bigger. the gracious generosity God has extended to him. The peace that flooded his This must be Jonathan’s attitude in today’s scripture lesson. soul convinced him that he had made the right decision.

On all fronts Israel was no match for their enemies, the Philistines. Israel was ill- Mensah’s decision on the use of his money contrasts sharply with the culture resourced, demotivated, and unorganized. They were under a weak and faithless leader - of the world, which was portrayed by the shrewd steward. That attitude takes Saul life for granted and makes human beings the owners and centre of everything. People who exhibit this attitude fill their homes with so-called luxuries, some of which they don’t even have time to enjoy. They forget that human beings We can learn from Jonathan’s response to this hopeless situation: are not the owners of the earth’s resources; that we are mere stewards and

36 93 In our previous editions, we have discussed the first two rules. In this edition we discuss the third rule; “Give all you can.” But that is where we encounter problems, He relied on Godly direction instead of man’s wisdom. As he followed God’s because we find it hard to be generous because of our lack of understanding of plan, God intervened to bring confusion into the enemy camp. stewardship. Our first lesson in this series, therefore examines the link between the concept of stewardship and generosity. He strengthened himself in the Lord (v16). Jonathan knew that the Lord

does not need numbers to accomplish His purposes, but He does honour IN DEPTH great faith. In order to understand the parable Jesus gave we need to understand who a steward is.

He took a bold action that led to the enemy retreating. Only our bold actions What is stewardship? can prevent what seems to be big problems in our way, to reduce. The history of stewardship dates back to the ancient world when many household chores were accomplished with human labour. Wealthy families would hire or purchase human beings to do all the work in the home. Some of these servants often proved His bold action led to affirmation by others, who saved his life from an ill – quite trustworthy and skilled. When this happens, the owner or master would commit conceived oath. Some one has said the world will not applaud those who see some or all of his property to such a servant to manage. The servant-manager then took all the problems, but those who take the steps to solve the problems. This is care of the property and utilised it as the master instructed. Respected as a leader and true in personal, national, and church life. granted much independence in his work, such a servant-manager was called a steward. The aforementioned attitudes are what we all need to adopt if we are to Though the concept of stewardship predates the Christian faith, it took on a new and attempt great things for the Lord whether in our personal, or national life, or extensive meaning when Jesus compared the believer to a faithful and wise manager whom in the church. the master puts in charge of his servants (Luke 12:42). The Apostle Paul also, describes believers as servants of Christ and those entrusted with the secret things of God (1 Corinthians DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 4:1). The Christian understanding of stewardship is based on the biblical fact that,The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the 1. Do you think Jonathan was wise to take only his armor – bearer with him seas and established it upon the waters (Psalm 24:1,2). Thus for us as Christians, there is on a battle front? Explain your response. nothing we can rightly call our own. Who we are and have become and all we have, 2. What lessons can one learn from the actions of Saul in this passage? including our very lives and existence belong to God. We are merely the caretakers. 3. How should the Christian prepare for the battles of this world? 4. What attitudes do you think we should have if we are to attempt great things for the Lord? LUKE 16:1-2: Until the owner of the business came back probably from his travels, how had the manager handled the business? BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION (a) His dealings with the debtors suggest that he had behaved as if he was not accountable to anybody. Find a friend who is discouraged about a situation in life and share with him (b) “Give an account of your management” – This is a call which every steward has to or her what you have learnt this week. respond to at one point or another. (c) This order from the owner may come at a time when the manager may not expect. DAILY READINGS It is therefore important that as stewards, we stay in readiness to give account of our Monday Isaiah 8:12-14 Fearing wrong things stewardship. Tuesday Luke 18:12-14 Prayer arguments courage VERSES 3-10: The way this shrewd manager handled the company’s debtors showed Wednesday Psalm 44:8 Moving ahead inspite of circumstances that he had not even prepared for his own future and behaved all along as if he was not a steward accountable to someone else. Thursday 1 Thess. 2:1-2 Boldly facing opposition VERSES 11-12: There are two principles in these verses. The first is that being faithful in Friday Ephesians 3:13 Do not lose heart

92 37 Week 44 Beginning October 28, STEWARDSHIP, THE BASIS KNOW YOUR METHODIST 2012 OF GENEROSITY CONSTITUTION

KEY VERSE: So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will The real life of the Church is found, trust you with true riches? LUKE 16:11 not at the Conference, Diocesan or SCRIPTURE LESSON: LUKE 16:1-14 Circuit levels, but at the Society level. LUKE 16: 1 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about The Society or local congregation is at you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ the grass root level and we need to 3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. understand how it operates. Issues I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— 4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’ 5 “So he called in raised include the following: each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’  Who are the officers of the society 6 “‘Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied.“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, and what does the constitution say sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.’ 7 “Then he asked the second, ‘And how about how they are selected and much do you owe?’“‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied.“He told him, ‘Take your their tenure? bill and make it eight hundred.’ 8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing  How we handle potential conflicts with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain between the clergy and lay is friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal handled under SO 638 of the dwellings. 10“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and Constitution? whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you Take your time to study other related property of your own? 13“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one issues in the Constitution. and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” 14The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.

INTRODUCTION In his sermon entitled; “The use of Money.”, John Wesley gave three simple and important rules on the use of money by Christians. The rules are; “Gain all you can, Save all you can and Give all you can.

38 91 Week 33 Beginning UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHURCH August 12, THE METHODIST CONSTITUTION 2012 OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY

KEY VERSE: This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you meditate on it day and night, that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for STEWARDSHIP AND then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. JOSHUA GENEROSITY 1:8

Lack of appreciation of the fact that we INTRODUCTION: Since we are studying the constitution of the church, let us begin to define what a constitution is. In simple terms, a constitution may be defined as a system or are only stewards of whatever we have can body of laws and principles according to which a state is governed, or under which a state lead we are only stewards of whatever we exists or functions. It is not meant to circumscribe people: have can lead to a life of selfishness and insensitivity to the needs of those around The spirit of every constitution is to serve as a guide, in the day to day activity of a us. particular group or organization etc. The Constitution and Standing Orders (SO) of the Methodist Church Ghana therefore, means a set of rules prepared by the church to help Examples have been given to demonstrate guide the behaviour of its members. that there are rewards in being generous. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism On Page 3 of the 2000 edition of the Constitution, the introduction to the constitution says: taught and practiced immense generosity “It is a book for every member of the church. It is a necessary hand book for the new member and arising out of his appreciation of the old alike. It sets down the regulations that should guide each member in his or her personal life stewardship. as a Christian and those that should direct the corporate life of the church. It is not intended for hurried reading, but for careful and prayerful study. It will be necessary to consult it when cases of Jesus taught: “It is more blessed to give Constitutional difficulties arise”. than to receive.” This week we shall discuss how the church is run at the society level. We begin with the Leader’s Meeting.

Leaders’ Meeting: It is the highest decision making body in a well established society in the Methodist Church Ghana. It is made up of persons, whose lives and conduct are proven and tested as men and women of repute. Men who have accepted Jesus Christ as their saviour and Lord and could be an example to people both in and outside the church. There are two types of leader’s meeting: a. The Regular Leader’s Meeting – SO721(1) A Leaders’ Meeting shall be formed wherever possible in every society (or for a group of societies) and shall be held

90 39 regularly. Regularly here means, there must be constant meeting to discuss the church, at a time suitable for the area. b. Special Leader’s Meeting - The Leaders Meeting as a court of Discipline S.O. 721 (2) or making enquiry into the character of the leaders S.O. 723. The DAILY BIBLE READINGS membership of the two are not the same. Monday Genesis 33:4-15 Forgiveness wins back the lost Tuesday Genesis 45:8-15 Strength in forgiveness i. The composition of 721 (1) is as follows; The Minister and Wednesday Numbers12:1-13 Be ready to forgive close relatives who probationers appointed to the Circuit; Any Supernumerary Minister, offend Diocesan catechist or caretaker having pastoral responsibility for that Thursday Acts 7:54-60 Forgive those who maltreat you out of society; The class leaders, Assistant class leaders and leaders of Junior hatred. Society Classes; the society stewards, Poor Fund stewards, Chapel Friday 2 Timothy 4:11-16 Forgiveness restores fellowship stewards, any Circuit steward whose membership is in the society Saturday James 5:14-16 Forgiveness helps in our healing concerned. Representatives of the society (or societies) in accordance with the regulations of S.O. 730; The Supt. of the Sunday school; Representatives of organizations duly recognized by Conference, Secretaries of committees of the society (see S.O. 733). Every proper leaders meeting should be chaired by a minister. ii. The Composition of the second type of leaders meeting is as follows: The Minister and probationers/Deacons appointed to the Circuit; Any Supernumerary Minister, Diocesan catechist or Caretaker having pastoral responsibility for that society. The class leaders. The society stewards. In all disciplinary matters the Supt. Minister shall preside, or shall appoint one of the ministers in full Connexion stationed in the Circuit to preside. In such a case the minister so presiding shall keep the Circuit Supt. fully informed of all business transacted, and leave to the Circuit Supt. all final decisions in discipline cases.

Another requirement of Leaders’ meeting is that all members of Leaders’ meeting shall not be less than eighteen years of age, and shall have been full members for at least two years, immediately prior to appointment and if married, they shall have complied with requirement of S.O 742 3c which requires every office holder in the church to have his marriage blessed. S.O. 742 3c states “ All Catechist, Local Preachers, Leaders and Stewards shall, if and when they marry, do so in Church or seek blessing of the marriage in Church shortly afterwards. When such blessing is for any valid reason impossible, the office bearer shall be required to affirm before the Local Preachers’ Meeting of Leaders’ Meeting his/her acceptance of the Christian law of marriage for himself/herself. Those who are married but fail to seek blessing in Church or to make the required affirmation shall after due warning be excluded from office.

The basic difference between the two is that not all leaders belong to the second one. Only leaders with class books are members when functioning as a court of discipline.

40 89 of his inheritance. You do not stay angry for ever, but delight to show mercy. Functions of the Leaders Meeting – Ref. S.O. 722 a. To assist the Minister in the pastoral oversight of the society and generally to advise THE WORD IN OUR LIVES him/her on all matters concerning the society. b. To care for the children in the society and to provide the necessary classes for their FORGIVENESS IS NOT A SIGN OF WEAKNESS nurture for full membership. Forgiveness is seen as a sign of weakness because of the fact that man has the instinct c. To encourage adults to become members of the church, to arrange preparation and the natural desire to pay back for evil done to show his strength. classes for church membership and to arrange further teaching for newly received members to attain full membership status, (S.O.706, 707, 708). Make reference from It is this erroneous attitude which the Edomites had for generations against Israel. the Constitution for the rest of the functions. When Jacob returned and met his brother Esau, it was obvious that, Esau too had been blessed and did not need Jacobs’s gifts (Gen. 33). Responsibilities of Class Leaders: Ref. S.O. 725 - To share with the Minister the But over the generations, their attitude was to show that they were strong and could responsibility for the spiritual and pastoral oversight of a Christian community pay back Israel for the wrong Jacob (Israel) committed against their ancestor Esau connected with the society; To meet the members of his class weekly and to visit those (Edom). Others would also say that; “if you want me to forgive, I will, but you can’t who are sick or in trouble; To receive from his/her members monies authorized for the ask me to forget” If forgetfulness does not go with forgiveness, we keep a record of support of the church and pay them promptly to the society steward or other the sins, we habour ancient hostilities and we do not behave like children of God. authorized person.

Psalm 130:4 emphasizes that; God is feared, not because he is able to pay back our Class leaders are expected to note these very well. wrongs, but because he is able to forgive. Why don’t you try it this time round and S.O. 725 (7) - Any leader who is absent from his/her society for more than a quarter, prove that, it is not through vengeance that your strength and power and respect are without adequate reason shall cease to be a leader. revealed, but through your ability to forgive. S.O. 725 (8) – No leader shall have power to insert any name in a Class Book or remove any name from the Class Book, but he/she may bring before the leaders DISCUSSION QUESTIONS meeting the names of any who desire to become church members. 1. Matthew 6: 14,15; Why is it necessary for us to forgive those who offend us?

2. Mark 11: 25 In the light of this passage what is the effect on prayer of our failure to forgive others? In a number of occasions insertion of new names and names of diliquent or deceased 3. Matthew 18: 21 What led Peter to ask this Question? Discuss this in the light of members has been a feature of some leaders, and has been a source of worry and the today’s lesson conflict, especially between ministers and leaders. This should be avoided, and the right 4. What is our understanding of forgiving seventy times seven? things done, to stop conflicts and tensions. 5. Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; What does the example of the Lord’s forgiveness teach us? Stewards: In our constitution we have three types of stewards namely: the society 6. In what ways does forgiveness demonstrate strength while vengeance steward S.O. 726, Chapel Stewards S.O. 728 and Poor Fund stewards S.O. 727. Check demonstrate weakness? these references for their functions. Steward – He/She is one whose care is committed to the management of a household. BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION Gen. 43:19, Luke 16:1. Reflect on the difficulties you may have in readily forgiving others. How has this bitter attitude affected your relationships. Ask God to give you the grace and take the first step in forgiving the one who offended you. Functions of Society Steward - To be in attendance to receive the preacher before a service and if he or she fails to come, to make suitable arrangements for the service. To see that the announcements to be made are in proper order. To see that collections are duly taken up, to receive the collections and enter them in a book provided for the

88 41 purpose, to forward them without delay to the person authorized to receive hands over their mouths and their ears will become deaf. them or if so required place them without delay in the bank account of the 17 They will lick dust like a snake, like creatures that crawl on the ground. They will society or Circuit, and to have the totals announced on the following Sunday. come trembling out of their dens; they will turn in fear to the LORD our God and will To attend the Leaders Meeting and Quarterly Meetings to which he/she is be afraid of you. responsible for the discharge of his /her duties – (see Constitution S.O. 726). 18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. 19 You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all Poor Fund Steward: S.O. 727 - To make all necessary arrangements for the our iniquities into the depths of the sea. administration of the Lords Supper. To assist the minister in caring for the 20 You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, poor and sick. To attend the Leader’s Meeting. (see S.O. 727). as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago.

Chapel Steward: S.O. 728 - To be responsible for seeing that the buildings INTRODUCTION belonging to the society are well cleaned and lighted and that they are opened For the past three weeks, we have been studying the sibling rivalry between Jacob and for appropriate meetings. To see that the buildings and the furniture are Esau which ended up in a family feud between their descendants, the Israelites and the maintained in an adequate state of repair. To report to the Leader’s Meeting Edomites. At the root of the family feuds, is one party’s inability or unwillingness to upon the state of the property belonging to the society. forgive and forget. This week, we examine the issue of forgiveness and find out whether it is a sign of weakness as some perceive it to be. TENURE OF OFFICE - Tenure relates to the period within which one functions in a certain capacity. For the Methodist Church Ghana, all society IN DEPTH officers have one year to service in any capacity, but shall be eligible for PSALM 130 reappointment, safe the steward who could serve for five years continually, VERSES 1-2: The psalmist is crying unto God for mercy. His hope for deliverance is in and cannot exceed his term, Ref. S.O. 724 (2) which states inter alia God. VERSE 3-4: But the psalmist who needs God’s help knows that he has sinned against “All Society Officers and Class Leaders shall be appointed for one year only, but the Lord. How can he then expect deliverance from God. His hope is in this important shall be eligible for reappointment. The term of office of a steward shall not exceed attribute of God – He forgives and forgets. five years continuously”. VERSES 5-6: Because he is dealing with the God who does not keep record of his It is hoped that readers and the entire Laos of the Methodist Church will children’s sins, he is able to wait for the Lord to vindicate his cause. observe this and do as the Constitution says so as to avoid conflicts. VERSES 7-8: God’s unfailing love , enables him to redeem his people Israel inspite of all Leadership or office holding by our Standing Orders is not for life. It is their sins. expected that those who have been stewards or leaders for a long time, should be prepared to give way to others and back the young or new ones up MICAH 7:7-20 with their prayers and experience. It should also be noted that respective This passage also gives hope to Israel to await the Lord’s deliverance because God Leaders’ Meetings should put measures in place to honour, honest and forgives sins. dedicated Leaders and Stewards, so that, the act of giving way for others to VERSE 9: Acknowledges that Israel has sinned against God. come, after serving one’s term will be without any hitches and ill feeling. VERSE 10: The surrounding nations see Israel suffering and know that, she has been Such honours are necessary so that, succeeding generations will be happy abandoned by the God against whom she had sinned. They ask; “Where is the Lord our that their efforts for serving the church will not be in vain. God? VERSE 10: But Israel has this hope that God will visit her inspite of her sins, and they Voting in the church: Voting in the church is very necessary as with will be ashamed when that happens. prayers, we are able to know the mind of God. (Acts 1:23-26) about the VERSE 18: Why would God deliver his sinful people. The prophet celebrates and puts election of Mathias). The Church’s Constitution permits voting to be done, his hope in this important attribute of our God which makes him different from all other gods; “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant

42 87 Week 43 but requires that only men and women of 18 years and have been full Beginning members for at least one year shall be competent to take part in any election. October 21, FORGIVENESS GIVES Let us refer S.O. 730 (3) which states inter-lia 2012 STRENGTH “only members who are not less than 18 years of age and who have been for not less than one year in continuous membership shall be competent to take part in election of representatives”.

KEY VERSE: But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. Psalm 130:4 THE WORD IN OUR LIVES There was tension between a minister and his society steward over the burial SCRIPTURE LESSON: PSALM 130; MICAH 7:8-20 of a delinquent member. The minister wanted the deceased member buried 1 Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; with full honours in the church. The steward vehemently opposed it. The 2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. society steward said the deceased had been a delinquent member for two years, 3 If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? and since he has not been seen at the church for these number of years, “he 4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. ceases to meet”. The steward and the leader of the deceased said even if a 5 I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. consideration could be given, for the church’s participation in the burial, it 6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning more than would be done outside the chapel, or in the open or a choice of an area by the watchmen wait for the morning. family. 7 Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. The minister was insistent. The minister asked; “Did you visit him?” The 8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. leader was asked how many times he visited him. The Leader’s response was

that, he saw him everyday in town and that he was not sick. The minister MICAH 7:8-20 quoted S.O. 165 to support his claim that, the leader has not done due Micah 7:8 Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. diligence. The Minister said if he had been informed he would have visited him Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. and counseled him. Henceforth the minister said, no leader has the right to 9 Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD’s wrath, until he pleads my declare a member “cease to meet” without reference to the Leader’s Meeting. case and upholds my cause. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his The constitutional provision, which was read, silenced the steward and the righteousness. deceased person was given a full burial service. Is the Minister right or wrong 10 Then my enemy will see it and will be covered with shame, she who said to me, for giving the deceased member full burial service? For the answer to this “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her downfall; even now she will be question, see SO 165 quoted below. trampled underfoot like mire in the streets. 11 The day for building your walls will come, the day for extending your boundaries. 12 In that day people will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, S.O. 165 - CONTINUED ABSENCE FROM CHRISTIAN even from Egypt to the Euphrates and from sea to sea and from mountain to FELLOWSHIP mountain. Any member, Catechumen or Adherent who without sufficient reason absents himself/herself 13 The earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants, as the result of their from the meetings of Christian Fellowship, (which for full members includes the Lord’s deeds. Supper) shall be visited both by his Leader and his Minister in order that full opportunity 14 Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, which lives by for his return to fellowship may be afforded. The name of any member, Catechumen or itself in a forest, in fertile pasturelands.[a] Adherent who by prolonged absence from our assemblies serves himself from the Christian Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in days long ago. community shall be removed from the class book or community roll by the Minister, acting in 15 “As in the days when you came out of Egypt, I will show them my wonders. consultation with the Leaders Meeting. ”16 Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their power. They will put their

86 43 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 14 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: While the whole earth rejoices, I will make 1. Why is it difficult in some of our societies to find people who satisfy all you desolate. the Constitutional requirements for leadership? What should be done in this case? BACKGROUND Edom and Israel were descendants of two brothers, Esau and Jacob. Between these 2. Enumerate and discuss some of the causes for conflicts in our Leaders brothers there had been contention even in the womb, and they lived generally in a Meetings and how knowledge of the Constitution helps resolve them? state of enmity. The rivalry between them had been bitter as Esau had seen Jacob as 3. What should be some of the basic qualification of a class leader? Explain a cheat who had used foul means to usurp his rights. The rivalry and hatred had your answer using the Bible to support your point? gone down through their descendants. This hatred of Israel by Edom had an an- cient origin and did not appear to abate. It was because of its ancient roots that God BIBLE LESSONS APPLICATION was not happy with Edom’s attitude. In the past two weeks we have been studying The Society Leaders meetings and Circuit Quarterly meetings should plan the the consequences of sibling rivalry and family feuds and we shall continue to see study of the Constitution in their Society and Circuit calendar respectively. God’s attitude towards those who harbour such ancient hostility. Does your Leaders Meeting have a calendar to regulate the activity of the society? IN-DEPTH Ezekiel 35:1–4: The Prophet receives specific instructions to prophesy against Edom. DAILY BIBLE READINGS The prophecy is this: God is against Edom and He is emphatic on the destruction Monday Exodus 20:1-9 Observe your part of the covenant with He is about to bring on Edom. The first oracle is little more than a bare announce- God ment of God’s opposition to Mount Seir and his intention to destroy it. “Mount Tuesday Acts 15: 6-19 The Council of Jerusalem Seir” was not a single peak but rather the highland region southeast of the Dead Sea Wednesday Acts 15:19-21 The Gentiles have equal access to and Edom was sometimes referred to by that name. Christianity. VERSE 5: God establishes the grounds for Edom’s punishment. They have har- boured an ancient hostility and delivered their Brothers, the Israelites to the sword Thursday Exodus 18:1-9 Respect for our in laws rather than help or rescue them. Friday Exodus 18:13-20 Jethro Counsels Moses – Don’t do the VERSES 6-9: Since Edom did not hate bloodshed but delivered Israel to the sword, work alone. now bloodshed will follow Edom and their towns will be desolate. Their citizens Saturday Exodus 18:21-27 Moses gives heed to his Father in law slain by the sword will fill and overflow the land. The familiar because … there- fore structure of indictment sets out the key charges against Edom and details the judgment. VERSES 10-12: Edom’s anger had stretched to Israel and Judah and God was going to act against Edom because of her attitude towards Israel and Judah. The anger and envy against them were as a result of the hatred that had been harboured all through their generations. Edom’s land-grab is condemned. Two nations refers to Israel and Judah as separate kingdoms. Punishment is presented as poetic justice: just as Edom treated Israel and Judah, so it will be treated in turn. VERSE 13: Edom had gone to the extent of boasting against God and speaking against Him and God had heard all this. VERSES 14-15: Edom was to be made desolate at a time that the rest of the world was rejoicing. This was because of the fact that at a time that Israel was being made desolate, Edom was rejoicing. God keeps emphasizing that He was taking this ac- tion against Edom so that all may know that “I am the Lord”. The theme of deri-

44 85 Week 34 Week 42 Beginning UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHURCH: Beginning GOD’S REACTION TO August 19, THE METHODIST CONSTITUTION October 14, 2012 2012 EDOM’S ATTITUDE S.O. 638 PASTOR PARISH RELATIONS

8 KEY VERSE: Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be KEY VERSE: Because you cherished perpetual enmity, and gave over the people of Israel prosperous and successful. JOSHUA 1:8 to the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, at the time of their final punish- ment; 6 therefore, as I live, says the Lord GOD, I will prepare you for blood, and blood shall pursue you; because you are guilty of blood, therefore blood shall pursue you. Eze- INTRODUCTION kiel 35:5-6 This week we continue our studies on the church’s Constitution, our emphasis is on Pastor Parish Relation SCRIPTURE READING: EZEKIEL 35:1-14 S. O. 638. 1 The word of the LORD came to me: 1. What is Pastor Parish Relation Committee: It is a body set up by the church to 2 “Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir; prophesy against it help solve internal problems such as conflicts in the church.

3 and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against you and make you a desolate waste. 2. How did it start? 4 I will turn your towns into ruins and you will be desolate. Then you will know that I am In the 1980’s there were several cases, in which church members and even the LORD. ministers took the church to court. There were also difficulties in dealing with ministers and stewards and other lay people. The church, by the power of the Holy 5 “‘Because you harbored an ancient hostility and delivered the Israelites over to the Spirit felt that it was not right for the outside world to deal with issues affecting the sword at the time of their calamity, the time their punishment reached its climax, church. “There is a saying that God wanted the Church to be in the world, but 6 therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I will give you over to blood- Satan also wants to put the world into the Church by causing conflicts” To shed and it will pursue you. Since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue forestall such matters, the church needed to put up a body which will help curb you. such negative incidents. 7 I will make Mount Seir a desolate waste and cut off from it all who come and go. 8 I will fill your mountains with the slain; those killed by the sword will fall on your hills This body which the church put up is the Pastor Parish Relationship Committee and in your valleys and in all your ravines. S.O’s. 638. The church had already put in place a pastoral committee S.O. 152 9 I will make you desolate forever; your towns will not be inhabited. Then you will know which states inter-alia; that I am the LORD. “a pastoral committee which shall play the roles of counseling and investigations in 10 “‘Because you have said, “These two nations and countries will be ours and we will cases involving Ministers shall be set up when the need arises at the Society, Circuit, take possession of them,” even though I the LORD was there, and Diocese and Connexional levels. This committee shall consist of not less than 11 therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I will treat you in accordance five and not more than seven members, both Lay and Ministerial who shall be with the anger and jealousy you showed in your hatred of them and I will make myself persons of experience and sound judgment in general and in the Church and known among them when I judge you. Society. The Committee shall appoint a Chairman and Secretary as and when necessary”. 12 Then you will know that I the LORD have heard all the contemptible things you have said against the mountains of Israel. You said, “They have been laid waste and have been The two S.O. namely 638 and 152 are designed to bring peace into the life of the given over to us to devour. ” church. That is peace between Pastors and lay and the lay and lay members. In all 13 You boasted against me and spoke against me without restraint, and I heard it. 84 45 these, it is expected that members will be of sober temperament and to allow the presence of the Holy Spirit to bring peace into the church. low your pride and be that person. Think about what the future holds if you do not mend this. (Read Matt. 18: 15-16, 21-22 ) It must be noted that from scripture we can deduce that Jesus was concerned  Think of how this feud is affecting the rest of the family. Are there other about Conflict Resolution. He was aware that, we as human beings are very family members or children caught up in the middle? Think of the un- vulnerable, and there was bound to be conflicts and disturbances. Jesus’ concern necessary stress you may be putting on others. was that we as his followers should be able to resolve issues amicably. (Ref. Matt. 5:  Reach out to your family member and ask them to talk to you. Start with 21-26.) Jesus meant that we should be able to forgive and forget about the offences an apology for whatever part you may have played in the feud. Take re- committed against each other (Ref. Matt. 18:21-22.) sponsibility for your actions. Explain why this relationship is important to you and affirm your love for the other person. It is therefore expected that, the church from society, Circuit, Diocese and  If the parties in the feud can't see eye to eye, then perhaps a third party Connexion, will follow the example of Jesus, so that there will be peace in our life can help come up with a plan that will lead to a solution. as Christians.  Create some boundaries where you can begin to heal the relationship, 3. S.O. 638 (1) Composition: but you're not allowed to bring up the source of the feud.

It is a Committee made of distinguished lay persons, may be with proven DISCUSSION QUESTIONS competence. The constitution supports that the membership of the committee 1. Is it right for Christians to settle scores by being hostile to those who should be five or a maximum of seven. once behaved wickedly towards our brothers and sisters who have gone

before us? Explain your answer. 4. Their functions are as follows: 2. Is it wrong to protect the hard won image of our families or religion by a. To confer and counsel with the minister and staff in making an effective applying a little force or being violent, especially, if it is the only way for- ministry by being available for counsel, keeping the ministry and staff advised ward? concerning conditions within the society or circuit as they affect relations 3. Discuss the suitability of keeping your distance from a family feud in or- between the minister and people and continually interpreting to the people the der to maintain peace in the household. nature and function of the ministry. 4. “…The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it b. To counsel with minister and staff on matters pertaining to their relationship will be done to you,….” Will Christians be punished for unresolved feud with the society/Circuit and including priorities to be given in the use of their or rivalry if they are not the cause of its occurrence? time and still in relation to the goals and objectives of the society/Circuits’ mission and demands upon the ministry. BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION Is there any long standing hatred between your tribe/religion and any other 5. Has the Pastor Parish Relation Committee achieved any success: Yes since tribe/religion? Do you also hold on to tribal/religious conflicts thereby perpet- 1990, there have not been any serious case involving ministers and Lay and as well uating the feuding relationship? Ask yourself whether it is right for Christians as lay and lay. It is hoped that this Committee will be established in all societies, to to behave that way. Think of and suggest what you can do in your own small help resolve conflicts and issues, which may arise. The church, as a divine and way to contribute to fixing the problem. human institution progresses when there is peace. DAILY READINGS 6. Why is it that some societies are not able to form such a committee? Sunday John 13:14 Love; the new commandment a. Lack of competent personnel. Monday Romans 12:19 Vengeance is the Lord’s b. Lack of knowledge by some about the existence of this Standing Order. Tuesday Matthew 5:21-22 Do not hate your brother/sister c. Some think that, since no case had arisen at their society, the Committee has Wednesday Ephesians 4:25-27 Do not prolong your wrath no relevance now. They want a case to happen before they establish the Thursday 1 Peter 3:8-9 Do not repay evil with evil Friday Romans 12:14-16 Do not curse your enemies Saturday Matthew 5:9 God blesses peace makers 46 83 Committee. But our caution is that, we should avoid adhoc formation of A feud begins when one family member feels that their role, share or influence such a body. It should be in place, so that, the composition will not be far does not allow them to feel respected. They often result from unhappy family fetched when there will be the need. relationships These are further aggravated by land disputes, chieftaincy disputes and political rivalries, especially in our contemporary society . Proliferation of 7. A big question could be asked, whether the Pastor Parish Relations firearms, lack of law enforcement and credible mediators in conflict-prone areas, Committee is necessary. and an inefficient justice system further contribute to intensification of family Yes, it is necessary, because the church is made up of vulnerable people who can feuds. sin against God and against their neighbours and therefore we need to put a Resolution of Family Feuds Committee in place to help resolve problems, which could divide the church. Family feuds are either resolved, unresolved, or reoccur. Although the majority Great successes have been achieved, the church has experienced some amount of of these cases remain unresolved, there have been many resolutions through peace and Court cases between pastors and lay people have been curtailed since different conflict-resolving bodies and mechanisms. 1990 till now. Formal methods may involve official courts, local government officials, police, and the military. CONCLUSION Constitutions don’t work for themselves. Human beings make it work. To be able to Indigenous methods to resolve conflicts usually involve elder/leaders who use sustain the peace of the church, we need to respect our Methodist Constitution, and local knowledge, beliefs, and practices, as well as their own personal influence, societies and Circuits are exhorted to establish Pastor Parish Relations Committee in to help repair and restore damaged relationships. their respective areas of operation. Let us conclude with the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi as follows: The most effective approach is the Hybrid Mechanism, which often includes the collaboration of government, religious, and traditional leaders in resolving con- Lord make me an instrument of thy peace. flicts through the formation of collaborative groups. Furthermore, the institu- Where there is hatred let me sow love tionalization of traditional conflict resolution processes into laws and ordinances Where there is injury let me sow pardon has been successful with the hybrid method approach. Where there is doubt let me sow faith Other conflict-resolution methods include the establishment of ceasefires and Where there is despair let me sow hope the intervention of youth, women and other voluntary organizations. Such Where there is darkness let me sow joy methods are normally used for conflicts and feuds that have assumed national or international dimensions. O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek to be consoled as to console, to be loved as to love, to be understood as to understand; THE WORD IN OUR LIVES Fixing Your Feuds For it is by giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned and it is in Conflict is a normal part of every human relationship, but rivalries left unre- dying that we are born to eternal life. solved can eventually develop into hardened attitudes and bitter feelings that will hinder chances of the children becoming friends in later life. Understanding THE WORD IN OUR LIVES the causes of sibling rivalries will help you keep the battles down to a minimum Two sisters were fighting over the property bequeated to them by their late parents. and help restore peace to your home. Here are some of the more common caus- The case brought a lot of untold troubles to these sisters; eventually, the case spiralled es of rivalries. to their children. There was always a period of tension. One of the two sisters was a  Choose to forgive. Holding on to a grudge will only eat you up inside and Methodist, the other was not. cause huge family rifts. The Leaders of the particular society, in which the sister worships, invited the two  It needs one of the parties to step up to close the gap. One of them must sisters to meet the society’s Pastor Parish Relation Committee. On the appointed day, make the first move, the first compromise, to heal the relationship. Swal-

82 47 dered Jerusalem. Enemies passing though a city's gate signified the loss of its the sister who was not a Methodist responded to the invitation and met the self-rule. In the reign of Jehoshaphat (B. 914) the Edomites attempted to in- Committee. But the one who herself was a Methodist member, never vade Israel, but failed. (2Ch 20:22) They joined Nebuchadnezzar when that attended the meeting. king besieged Jerusalem.

The effect of unresolved feud, the unfortunate example of Edom When the information of the sister’s failure to respond to the invitation by (Obadiah 6-9 ) the Committee reached the Minister, he was so furious that, he also never God apparently had become angry with Edom for the wicked treatment to extended invitation to the sister; he straight away suspended her for one year. Israel. God considered the Edomites as guilty as Jerusalem's invaders because The sister protested and some of the church members also criticized the the Edomites failed to help their brethren. For their cruelty at this time they minister for not exercising patience. What do you think about the Church were fearfully denounced by the latter prophets. (Isa 34:5-8; 63:1-4; Jer 49:17) member’s refusal to respond to the invitation by the Pastor Parish Obadiah whose name means “servant (or worshipper) of the Lord prophesied Committee? What do you also say about the minister’s action? against Edom” and announced the destruction of Edom because of her pride and sin against Judah. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Is the Parish Pastor Relationship committee necessary? Explain your Unresolved feud heightens hatred which could lead to violent behaviours. answer. Hostilities against our neighbours are considered sinful and punishable by God. 2. What other methods, would you like to suggest for solving problems or conflicts in the church? Feud 3. Is Jesus’ method of conflict Resolution in Matthew relevant today? Feud is a long-running argument or fight between parties—often groups of (Matt. 18:21-22 & 5:21-26) people, especially families or clans. Feuds begin because one party (correctly or 4. How can we secure peace in the church? incorrectly) perceives itself to have been attacked, insulted or wronged by an- other. Intense feelings of resentment trigger the initial retribution, which caus- BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION es the other party to feel equally aggrieved and vengeful. The dispute is subse- quently fuelled by a long-running cycle of retaliatory violence. This continual Societies should endeavour to put in place Pastor Parish Relationship cycle of provocation and retaliation makes it extremely difficult to end the feud Committee. Expertise of person selected is very crucial. At the society peacefully. Feuds which frequently involve the original family members and/or meeting the functions of Pastor Parish Relation Committee and other associates, can last for generations and may result in extreme acts of violence. Constitutional provision could be discussed. The church should not be They can be interpreted as an extreme outgrowth of social relations based in ignorant about the rules governing them. family honour.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS Examples of Family Feud 1. The Arab–Israeli conflict refers to political tensions and open hostile Monday Genesis 13:1-8 Be a peace maker. ties tie between the Arab peoples and the Jewish community of the Tuesday Genesis 45:1-10 Joseph’s forgiven attitude towards his Middle East brethren. 2. Israel-Palestine violent disagreements Wednesday Exodus 20:10-20 Respect your neighbour. 3. Muslims and Christians violent co-existence in Northern Nigeria Thursday Exodus 21:1-6 Let slaves be free. 4. Abudus-Andanis in Northern Ghana Friday Matthew 6:21-26 Let peace prevail. 5. Nkonya and Alavanyo in the Volta Region of Ghana

Saturday Matthew 5:1-11 Blessed are the peace makers. Causes of Modern Family Feuds The causes of family feuds are varied. The trigger of conflicts range from petty offenses, such as theft and jesting, to more serious crimes, like homicide.

48 81 Week 41 Beginning October 7, HANDLING OF 2012 FAMILY FEUDS

KEYS VERSE: See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION – grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12 :15 THE BIBLICAL BASIS SCRIPTURE LESSON: Obadiah 15 – 19 15 “The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head. 16 Just as you drank on my holy hill, so all the nations will drink continually; they will The issue of Baptism has been drink and drink and be as if they had never been. 17 But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his comprehensively treated in this edition. What inheritance. are the traditions and practices of the 18 Jacob will be a fire and Joseph a flame; Esau will be stubble, and they will set him on different denominations about baptism and fire and destroy him. There will be no survivors from Esau.” The LORD has spoken. what is the Methodist tradition? 19 People from the Negev will occupy the mountains of Esau, and people from the foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will occupy the fields of Ephraim and Samaria, and Benjamin will possess Gilead. Is infant Baptism biblical? Answers to all these questions have been provided in the BACKGROUND Last week we looked at this relationship between Esau and Jacob as a classical example write-ups. of sibling rivalry. This week’s study treats another form of dispute which affects families – F a m i l y F e u ds. Before we say a word about family feuds however, let us refresh What does Confirmation represent for our minds on the bitter relationship between Esau and Jacob. Jacob with the help of Churches which practice Infant Baptism? Rebecca cheated his elder brother. Esau did not forgive Jacob, and he harboured, in his Does it have any Biblical basis? In our heart, resentment against him. Esau’s hatred against Jacob passed on to his posterity, thus the descendants of Esau (the Edomites) hated the descendants of Jacob (Israel). practice of confirmation, have we missed the Some of the bad things Edom did to Israel are as discussed below. essential elements and how do we regain these? Take your time to study these and be EXPOSITION Edom denies Israel passage (Numbers 20:14-21) well-informed. Moses’ plea sent through a special delegation appointed from Kadesh to the king of Edom, to solicit from the kindred nation a friendly and unimpeded passage through their land was vehemently rejected. Inspite of Moses’ reminder to the king of Edom of the blood relationship with Israel, Edom refused to permit the Israelites to pass through their land. (Numbers 20:14-16).

The Edomites ridiculed the Israelites when they were suffering (Obadiah v. 10-15) The Edomites' sin was that they failed to help the Israelites in their hour of need (cf. Luke 10:31-32). Instead they stood aloof and watched joyfully as Israel's invader plun-

80 49 Week 35 word, but we would not wait for His time. The result is that we bring untold Beginning trouble upon others and ourselves. It is not enough to believe what the Lord has BAPTISM – WHY IS IT said, we must wait patiently for Him (Psalm 37:7). August 26, 2012 NECESSARY? Isaac may also take a portion of the blame, because he too showed partiality in his affection to the children. “Isac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob (Gen. 25:28). This difference in the attitude of the parents was a recipe for the bitter rivalry that took place in the home. INTRODUCTION The Christian rite of baptism though accepted by all denominations is interpreted Conclusion differently by each group. This discussion will be based on the Wesleyan understanding Conflict is a normal part of every human relationship, but rivalries left of baptism. We will look at the origin, meaning and its relevance to Christian life. unresolved can eventually develop into hardened attitudes and bitter feelings that will hinder any chances of our children becoming friends in later life. Understanding the causes of sibling rivalries will help you keep the battles down We shall also look at how the Methodist Church classifies its members in relation to to a minimum and help restore peace to your home. baptism as found in the Constitution and Standing Orders (S O)701(2).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS EXPOSITION 1. What were the main causes of the intense rivalry between the Edomites Means of Grace and the Israelites? What lessons should parents learn from it? When Wesley discusses the channels for spiritual growth or ways of deepening our 2. Was Edom wrong for debarring the Israelites from passing through their relationship with God, he always refers to them as the means of grace. By these he means land? If yes why and if no why should God be angry with Edom ? the God-ordained channels by which his grace reaches us and enables us to advance in 3. What role should parents play to diffuse future tension between their our Christian life. The chief of these means are prayer - both in private and public children? worship; reading, hearing, and meditating on the Scriptures; baptism, and receiving the 4. Is sibling rivalry a common feature in our contemporary society? What Lord's Supper - eating bread and drinking wine in remembrance of Him. Other means of could be the possible causes and how can we resolve sibling rivalry? grace Wesley particularly emphasized were compassionate ministry, Christian conference, BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION and covenant renewal. He believed that God had ordained these as the ordinary channels What differences exist between you and your siblings. Give a sober reflection to of conveying his grace to human souls. things you do which you think may not please your brothers and/or sisters. As a parent can you ponder over your life to check if in time past and even now, you Baptism have created some sort of division among your children or wards. Resolve to It is the initiatory rite which brings the believer into covenant with God. It was instituted play a peace broker’s role and try to make moves to bringing unity between your by Christ. Wesley regarded baptism as a means of grace obligatory upon all Christians, as children. Jesus himself showed by example. Baptism according to Wesley is included in the whole design of Christ's Great Commission, and it must, therefore, remain in Christ's Church DAILY READINGS until the end of the world. Sunday Mark 2:7-11 Jesus has the power to forgive Monday 1 John 2:10-15 You can’t love God while hating your brother Baptism is part of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). Those who follow the Lord Tuesday Matthew 6:12-15 Forgive as the Lord forgives in baptism are showing their faith by their obedience, are testifying that they have left Wednesday Matthew `18:22-27 We must always forgive their old lives behind. When Christians are, in faith, obeying the Lord in baptism we are Thursday Matthew 5:44-45 Love and pray for your enemies making a public statement that we are no longer going back to our old slavery because Friday Hebrews 8:12 Forgive and forget we are now and forever the Lord’s. Saturday Leviticus 19:17 Hate not your brother/sister

50 79 parental attention may increase in adolescence. One study found that the age group 10 to 15 reported the highest level of competition between siblings. Baptism is administered by means of water. Any valid baptism must be done in the Sibling rivalry can continue into adulthood and sibling relationships can change name of the Trinity because that was the expressed command of Jesus Christ. dramatically over the years. A recent research has shown that, approximately one-third of adults describe their relationship with siblings as rivalrous or distant. However, From the above discussions it is evident that the Methodist tradition of the Act of rivalry often lessens over time. At least 80 percent of siblings over age 60 enjoy close Thanksgiving to God after child birth is different from the rite of baptism. The ties. former is a thanksgiving to God for the gift of a child, assurance of God’s love for all, and our need of God’s blessing and help in the nurturing of our families. We Some causes of Sibling Rivalry also use the Act to welcome the child into the congregation. Methodists don't • Growing children compete to define who they/are as an individual. As they dedicate infants because we don't have a doctrine that calls for dedication. We discover who they are, they try to find their own talents, activities, and interests. either baptize them or leave them alone. They want to show that they are separate from their siblings. This sometimes causes friction between siblings The covenantal view of baptism • When children feel they are getting unequal amounts of parents attention, Baptism is a sign of the covenant we have with God and also the means by which discipline, and responsiveness, they then accuse each other. we enter into that covenant. Wesley wrote; ‘By baptism we enter into covenant with • Children may feel their relationship with their parents is threatened by the arrival of God.’ Just as circumcision was a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham and Israel another child so is baptism the sign of the covenant. Adult candidates or catechumens for baptism shall be examined by the minister as their faith in Christ, their acceptance • Children who are hungry, bored or tired are more likely to become frustrated and of Christian truth and practice and willingness to accept the responsibilities of start fights. Stress in children’s lives can shorten their fuses, and decrease their membership of the Church. (SO 707) ability to tolerate frustration, leading to more conflict.

• Family dynamics play a role. For example, one child may remind a parent of a The Benefits of Baptism relative who was particularly difficult, and this may subconsciously influence how the parent treats that child. 1. As to the benefits of baptism, Wesley said that through baptism we are engrafted into Christ, into the new covenant of God, being admitted into the • How parents treat their children and react to conflict can make a big difference in Body of Christ. Also, at baptism the guilt of original sin is washed away from how well siblings get along. us, by the application of the merits of Christ's death.

2. By baptism we enter into a covenant with God; into that everlasting covenant, The Role of Parents in sibling rivalry which He has commanded forever, (Psalm 51:9) Rebecca played a major role in the rivalry between Esau and Jacob. She took sides and supported Jacob to overshadow his elder brother. She was the architect behind the 3. By baptism we who were by nature children of wrath’ are made the children of incident of Jacob using fraudulent means to take the blessings meant for his elder God brother Esau. (Gen. 25) 4. By baptism we are received by Christ into the congregation of His flock and May be Rebecca’s decision was informed by the prophecy that the elder son would share the heritage of grace and truth which He has bestowed upon it. serve the younger. The Bible tells us that even coming out of the womb, the babies 5. The significance of baptism is an initiation into the Kingdom of God. It wrestled for pre-eminence. Esau was born first. Traditionally the firstborn is given the marks that moment where God makes that person a part of the birthright, the family leadership, double share of the inheritance, and the spiritual Kingdom. They are not a part of just a local congregation but a part of the headship of the family. Like Sarah, Rebecca tried to help God quicken his action on the Kingdom of God. promises He gave. CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERSHIP But if Rebecca and Jacob had been willing to wait on God’s timing, what a difference it would have made. The birthright would have been Jacob’s anyway, and yet In every society or congregation, the members are classified into Junior members, relationships would have been cordial. We also do the same thing! We take God at his Full members, Catechumens and Adherents. SO 701(2) states that the latter two are connected to the church and are not full members as the first two categories. Who

78 51 then are adherents and catechumens? reprimand Edom. Lessons for the next four weeks will treat marred relationships Who is an Adherent in the Methodist Church? (SO 702: 5) which due to people’s inability to forgive their offenders, potentially degenerate into An adherent in the Methodist Church is a person who is attached to a society and seeks hostile behaviours toward the feuding parties In today’s lesson we shall look at sibling the fellowship and nurture of the Church but is unable for one reason or another to rivalry and the role of parents in this phenomenon. accept the full discipline of membership. He/She may be baptized or not. Who Were the Edomites Such members who fall under the status of Adherents are not full members of the society. However, the The Edomites were the descendants of Esau (Gen 25:19 - 27; 45) and lived in strong Church welcomes them into fellowship, accepts responsibility for their spiritual nurture and is always mountain fortresses. They became prosperous through agriculture, cattle, and the ready to receive them as full members when they can accept the conditions of full membership. taxes they levied on passing caravans. The name Edom was given to Esau, the first- born son of Isaac and twin brother of Jacob, when Esau sold his birthright to Jacob

for a meal of lentil pottage. The country which the Lord subsequently gave to Esau The consequence of such membership is that they cannot hold any Church office and was hence called "the country of Edom," (Gen 32:3) and his descendants were called also cannot partake of the Lord’s Supper. Some examples of adherent members are Edomites. Edom was wholly a mountainous country. The Edomites came to be those who have two wives, women who become second wives and those under the known by the Greek name Idumaea, and the people as Idumeans. Edom was also discipline of the Church. If a member engages in the sale of hard drugs and alcoholic called Mount Seir. beverages which the Methodist Church is strongly against such a person can be classified as an adherent. Some of these persons start as full members but later lose The relationship between the Edomites and the Israelites. their grounding in the teachings of the Methodist Church and so end up as adherents There was a long history of enmity between Edom and Israel. The sad thing is that so long as they remain in the Church. the two nations originated out of two brothers—Esau and Jacob. The hostility began in an argument over birthright. Esau's bitter hatred for his brother Jacob for Who is a Catechumen in the Methodist Church? (SO 706) fraudulently obtaining his blessing appeared to have been inherited by his posterity. These are inquirers from other faiths who have not come to the full understanding of This division caused the Edomites to forbid Israel to cross their land during the the doctrines of the Methodist Church. Catechumen is a word that means those being Israelites' Exodus from Egypt. During the time of Obadiah however, the controversy given instructions in the faith and practices of the Methodist Church. When such centered around trade routes. The king’s highway ran all the way from Damascus to persons express the desire to be members of the Methodist Church they shall be under Egypt. Whoever controlled the highway, controlled the flow of goods and became instruction for a period which shall normally be not less than six and not more than wealthy. twelve months. During the period of instruction the Catechumens shall be nurtured and prepared to receive the sacraments of baptism and the Holy Communion. Any Sibling Rivalry Catechumen who after a period of instruction does not proceed to baptism shall be Sibling rivalry is the jealousy, competition and fighting between brothers and sisters. transferred to the list of Adherents. In modern terms the catechumens are the new Siblings generally spend more time together during childhood than they do with converts who come to the society and would need instructions before they are baptised parents. The sibling bond is often complicated and is influenced by factors such as and received into full membership. parental treatment, birth order, personality, people and experiences outside the family. According to child psychologist Sylvia Rimm, sibling rivalry is particularly intense when children are very close in age and of the same gender, or where one child is The Duties of Members, Catechumens and Adherents – (SO 709: 1-4) more intellectually gifted. Sibling rivalry is a concern for almost all parents of two or All full members, Catechumens and Adherents shall accept the appropriate discipline of more children and how parents handle the problem may either heighten or reduce the the Methodist Church, and are expected to use as regularly as possible the means of animosity. grace, public and private, namely, the worship of God in the congregation, the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, Class Meetings, Society Meetings, prayers and Bible Sibling rivalry could start early and it may continue throughout childhood, which can reading. All members of the Christian Community shall be instructed in the need to be very frustrating and stressful to parents Adolescents fight for the same reasons give in proportion to their means towards the support of the Church. This provision younger children fight, but they are better equipped physically, emotionally and requires that catechumens and adherents are not exempt from the financial intellectually to hurt and be hurt by each other. Fighting with siblings as a way to get

52 77 Week 40 contributions to the Church. They shall be instructed in the need for contributing to Beginning the support of the Church and shall be asked to pay Church levies when they have September 30, DEALING WITH understood this Christian obligation. 2012 SIBLING RIVALRY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. If a new convert said; “I am offering myself for baptism because Jesus commanded it”. Do you think this is a good enough reason for baptism? Give KEY VERSE: "You should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune, reasons. nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in 2. The Constitution enjoins us to instruct enquirers for some period before the day of their trouble." OBADIAH VERSE 12 baptism. Why do you think this is necessary? 3. Make a clear distinction between the following:- Catechumens, Adherents and SCRIPTURE LESSON - OBADIAH 1-9 Full and Junior members.

The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Sovereign LORD says about Edom —The vision 4. Why is it necessary to move on to become a full member of the Church? of Obadiah. This is what the Sovereign LORD says about Edom —We have heard a 5. Is becoming a full member, a license to lead our Christian life in anyway we message from the LORD: An envoy was sent to the nations to say, “Rise, let us go against want? Give reasons. her for battle” “See, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised. BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION 3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks[a] How is your baptism keeping you in constant covenant with God? Would you like and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to take this chance to renew the covenant? to the ground?’ 4 Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD. DAILY BIBLE READINGS 5 “If thieves came to you, if robbers in the night— Monday Mark 16:16 Baptize All Believers oh, what a disaster awaits you!— would they not steal only as much as they wanted? If Tuesday Acts 2: 38 Repent and be Baptized grape pickers came to you, would they not leave a few grapes? Wednesday Acts 10:48 Converts Baptized 6 But how Esau will be ransacked, his hidden treasures pillaged! Thursday Acts 22:16 Baptism is an Expression of Repentance 7 All your allies will force you to the border; your friends will deceive and overpower you those who eat your bread will set a trap for you,[b] but you will not detect it. Friday Acts 2:40-41 Baptism as the Rite of Entry 8 “In that day,” declares the LORD, “will I not destroy the wise men of Edom, those of Saturday Romans 6:4 Buried with Christ understanding in the mountains of Esau? 9 Your warriors, Teman, will be terrified, and everyone in Esau’s mountains will be cut down in the slaughter.

INTRODUCTION Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, is a dramatic example of God’s response to anyone who would harm God’s children. The Edomites were blood relatives of Israel. They were rugged, fierce, and proud warriors with a seemingly invincible mountain home. Of all people, they should have rushed to the aid of their northern brothers. Instead, they gloated over Israel’s problems, captured and delivered fugitives to the enemy, and even looted Israel’s countryside. These they did because of the long standing feud between Edom and Israel. Obadiah was thus raised as a prophet to

76 53 Week 36 Beginning September 2, BAPTISM – WHICH METH- 2012 OD?

INTRODUCTION This week we will discuss the modes of baptism based on the scriptures and more importantly on the several precedents set by the Early Church that the Church today THE PROPHET OBADIAH AND THE would be wise to follow. While all Christian Churches agree on the necessity of baptism PROBLEM OF FORGIVENESS as discussed last week, different denominations carry out baptism in different ways. Are all these methods acceptable or do they all have scriptural basis? Family feuds are not uncommon in Africa, and EXPOSITION especially when they are associated with Baptismal formula Chieftancy issues lead to the destruction of life and property. Jesus commanded the apostles to baptize converts "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matt. 28:19). This Trinitarian formula sets limits on The Book of the Prophet Obadiah (a one-chapter valid Christian baptism. Any baptism performed by a cult or sect that denies the Trinity book) deals with the family feud between Israel is invalid. It assures the person being baptized that the baptizer is acting not on his own and Edom arising from the sibling rivalry between authority, but on God's authority. Jacob and Esau. How did God react to this and how can we learn from this? The next four lessons Timing of baptism deal with “the consequences of ‘harboring and The biblical accounts show a convert in the days of the Early Church was always ancient hostility.” baptized immediately after conversion or at least as soon as possible. The Ethiopian eunuch was saved while he and Philip were riding in a chariot. Philip stopped and baptized him as soon as they found a place where there was enough water (Acts 8:27- 39).

The practice of immediate baptism changed with time when non-Jews became converts. In contemporary times adult candidates for baptism go through a period of instructions before they are baptised. Such people are known as catechumens in the Methodist Church. Regarding the practice of water baptism in the Early Church, William A. BeVier writes: In the first century most of the converts were from Judaism and baptism immediately followed profession of faith. By the third and fourth centuries most converts were pagans and a period of instruction was set up between profession and baptism, generally of three years duration but sometimes less. The early converts had to go through this long period of instructions because it was preparation into full membership of the Church and for the Lord’s Supper. It was more or less like the confirmation classes of today.

54 75 What about the mode of baptism? What will God do? This is a very hotly debated topic within the Church. Many methods are used but which  He will hear our prayers methods are the correct methods of baptism? The simple fact is that the Scriptures give  He will forgive our sins us absolutely no explicit instructions on how or when baptism is to be done. We know  He will heal our land. that Jesus himself was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Beyond this we know very little about the methods of baptism used in the New Testament. The DAILY BIBLE READINGS arguments become intense when the Greek word baptizo can mean anything from moist to underwater and Early Church documents indicate that three drops of water were the minimum, and any more than that was sufficient for baptism. Also the oldest symbol for John the Baptist is a scallop shell, indicating that he likely poured water onto those who were baptized.

Three kinds of baptism have been widely practiced, these include: sprinkling, pouring, and immersion. The earliest statement of how baptism was performed came from the Didache. The Didache was a manual that was written around 70 AD.

From the Didache ". . . baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in living (running) water. But if thou hast not living water, then baptize in other water; and if thou art not able in cold, then in warm But if thou hast neither, then pour water on the head thrice in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit But before the baptism let him that baptizeth and him that is baptized fast, and any others also who are able; and thou shalt order him that is baptized to fast a day or two before."

The Didache authorizes two forms of baptism. Its preference is for triple immersion. However, if there is not enough water, triple pouring is proper. We note, however, as long as water was applied in some way the Early Church felt that it was effective baptism. It is quite obvious from this Early Church document that mode was not an issue. Identification with Christ through the symbolic use of water was the important stress, not how it was administered. This flexibility is witnessed elsewhere in the writings of the Church Fathers.

Tertullian in North Africa "A person is dipped in water and is sprinkled and then rises again." This seems to indicate both immersion and sprinkling.

Hippolytus in Rome "A candidate stands knee-deep in water while a deacon pours the water over his head or presses his head down into the water." This seems to suggest both pouring and immersion

74 55 Modes Let us look in detail at the three different methods of baptism called sprinkling, pouring, and immersion. “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and Sprinkling or Aspersion grief”. (I Sam. 1:15-16) Sprinkling is otherwise known as aspersion. Many mainline Protestant churches use Shouldn’t we follow Hannah’s example in our approach to prayer for our this method and administer it normally to infants. A newborn child in the country and for other things about which we are burdened? congregation is brought to the baptismal font, where the minister takes water and Don’t let us take prayers for our country lightly, for we shall enjoy peace sprinkles it over the child's head or face to allow the flow of water. We can find no and safety in her peace. real explicit reference of this method of baptism in the Bible. Those who adhere to “Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children…” this method of baptism note in the Old Testament that the priest sprinkled blood on Lifting our hands to the Lord in prayer means that, we surrender, and the altar and see this as a foreshadowing of baptism. There is little to or reference to admit that without God’s help, there is nothing we can do. We do so, sprinkling being used as a method of baptism until the Middle Ages though. calling for His Divine intervention. And when we do this in faith as Paul exhorted us, things begin to happen. Pouring or Affusion Paul wrote; The next method of baptism that we will look at is pouring or affusion. Affusion is “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger the method by which the water is poured over the candidate’s head as he stood in or disputing” (I Tim. 2:8) water or on the ground and allowed to run over the face and be caught in a bowl. Here again there is no explicit reference to this in the New Testament. We can see Let the men in our churches and fellowships take the leadership in this from the writings of the early Church Father’s that pouring could be substituted for prayer crusade for our country, and God will see us through. immersion if the person could not able to be immersed on account of extenuating circumstances. THE WORD IN OUR LIVES Christians are exhorted to “pray without ceasing” (II Thess. 5:17). In normal times, this will do. But situations may arise which call for more than Immersion or submersion ordinary prayer. When the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t heal a The third and final type of baptism is immersion or submersion. This method has the boy with evil spirit; Jesus replied; “This kind can come out only by prayer most scriptural basis of all the methods of baptism. It is probable that Jesus was and fasting” (Mk. 9:28-29) baptized by immersion in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. As well as having scriptural support this method of baptism also has almost unanimous support from Let us be guided by the Lord’s promise given to Israel in 2 Chr. 7:13-14 and the Church Fathers. This method gives us the best picture of Christ’s death, burial, as churches and fellowships cry out to the Lord for the healing of our land. and resurrection. Immersion can also be submersion. In immersion, the candidate “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the stands with part of his body submerged in the baptismal water which is then poured land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name will over the remainder. This form is the most prevalent depicted in early Christian humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will pictorial representations. Submersion is the form in which water completely covers I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” the candidate’s body. What to do: The symbolism of the Modes  Let’s humble ourselves-i.e fast. As Peter points out in his second epistle, the physical process of baptism has no  Let’s pray to the Lord. spiritual value in itself (1 Peter 3:21). Mere contact between water and skin  Let’s seek the face of the Lord-travailing prayer. accomplishes nothing except perhaps to remove dirt. The physical process is  Let’s turn from our evil ways. significant only in its symbolism, and the symbolism is rich indeed. Each mode is rich

56 73 in symbolism. Pouring depict the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians Lam. 2:18 “...let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, your 12:13; Acts 2:17, 38). The conscience being sprinkled clean is imaged in eyes no rest... In Lam. 2:13, Jeremiah asked the daughter of Zion; “who can sprinkling (Hebrews 9:13-21; 10:22). Submersion portrays union with Jesus’ heal you?” death and resurrection (Romans 6). Baptism by immersion depicts the washing away of sin (Acts 22:16). Dipping in water illustrates the convert's cleansing by In this section, Jeremiah lists the intense suffering that was going on in the the blood of Christ. It pictures identification with Christ's death, burial, and country. Let’s look at some of them;- resurrection (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12). “your children who faint for hunger at the head of every street” “Should women eat the fruit of their womb, the children of their tender car THE METHODIST CHURCH AND MODES OF BAPTISM (V. 20a) The Methodist Church does not choose between the modes so as to require a The young and the old, the young women and young men have fallen by the particular form of baptism. In our doctrine, baptism is an essential component sword (V. 21) of discipleship. It is necessary for church membership, and valid baptism There is terror on every side (V. 22) includes water, administered in the name of the Triune God (Father, Son, and The priests and prophets are killed in the sanctuary of the Lord (V. 20b) Holy Spirit) by authorized persons. This ordinarily occurs in the presence of the congregation. What should the daughter of Zion do in the face of this severe suffering? Jeremiah calls for prayer. Methodists believe in washing, dipping and sprinkling. However we believe that But Judah cannot get out of her misery through ordinary prayer. Jeremiah there is no expressed biblical precept for one of these methods. There is no one suggests the following:- example for which one can conclude for dipping rather than sprinkling or “Let tears stream down like a torrent day and night…” pouring. The Methodist liturgy for the rite of baptism recommends no one Have you ever been moved to tears to pray for the sin and misery that goes method, but calls for any that is convenient and or requested by the candidate. on around us? When Nehemiah heard about the misery Jerusalem was in, The rubrics of the baptism rites mention that ‘the minister shall take the young child this is what he did; into his/her hands and where possible, and sprinkle water upon him/her, or pour the water “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned generously and visibly on the child’s head, or dip the child in water three times… and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven”. (Neh. 1:4) “Give yourself no rest, your eyes no respite…” Isn’t it time, at least in this year of elections to bring our beloved country DISCUSSION QUESTIONS before the Lord each day? Let churches and Christian groups form PRAYER 1. Read the following biblical passages in the New Testament and find out CHAINS so that there will be people crying unto the LORD for peaceful how the word translated baptise could be used to explain immersion or elections in 2012, every hour of the day. otherwise. (Mark 7:4; 1 Corinthians 10:2) “Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches!” 2. How would you respond to the statement that identification with Christ Jesus showed by his example that, at certain crucial times, solitary prayer and through the symbolic use of water is the important issue in baptism and not prayer vigils may be called for if we want to experience breakthroughs? (Mk. how it was administered? 1:35, 6:46) 3. Effective baptism in the Church does not look at the methods of Should we not follow his example by organizing special prayer vigils application. Discuss commonly called “All-Night Prayer Meetings” where churches and Christian 4. Why is it relevant to instruct adult converts before baptism and groups spend the night-hour crying unto the Lord for our country? “Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord…” confirmation? When Hannah entered the Temple, she was described as follows; “In bitterness of soul, Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD” But the high priest Eli thought she was drunk. This is how Hannah responded to Eli;

72 57 BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION Week 39 If you were baptised as an adult reflect on your baptism. What major changes Beginning have taken place in your Christian life since? If you were baptised as a child can September 23, CRY, MY BELOVED you talk of any identification with Christ since you were confirmed? Share with 2012 your class members. COUNTRY

DAILY BIBLE READINGS Monday Matthew 28:19 Baptize in the Name of the Father, the Son INTRODUCTION and the Holy Spirit. In a number of African countries, parliamentary and presidential elections have led to Tuesday Acts 8:36- 38 Water as the Medium of Baptism violence and intense suffering for their people. In Ghana, we have sometimes come to Wednesday 1 Corinthians 12:13 Baptized into One Body the brink of violence and destruction and we are not immune to what has happened in Thursday Colossians 2:11-12 Buried and Raised with Him neighbouring countries. Friday 1 Peter 3:20-21 Spiritual Cleansing Saturday Galatians 3:26-26 Clothe with Christ There is therefore a call for vigilance and prayer as we approach the 2012 Parliamentary and Presidential Elections in December, 2012.

In his book “Cry, My Beloved Country”, Rt Rev Prof. O. Safo Kantanka relates our concern for peaceful elections to Jeremiah’s Lamentations, bringing out many lessons for our meditation. This week, we bring you excerpts from this book for our study and meditation as we prepare for the elections.

CRY OUT TO THE LORD FOR YOUR CHILDREN

SCRIPTURE LESSON: Lamentations 2:18-22 18 The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. You walls of the Daughter of Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, your eyes no rest. 19 Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner. 20 “Look, Lord, and consider: Whom have you ever treated like this? Should women eat their offspring, the children they have cared for? Should priest and prophet be killed in the sanctuary of the Lord? 21 “Young and old lie together in the dust of the streets; my young men and young women have fallen by the sword. You have slain them in the day of your anger; you have slaughtered them without pity. 22 “As you summon to a feast day, so you summoned against me terrors on every side. In the day of the Lord’s anger no one escaped or survived; those I cared for and reared my enemy has destroyed.”3

EXPOSITION

58 71 Wednesday Acts 10:23b-33 Peter explains the ministry of the Holy Week 37 Spirit Thursday Acts 10:34-48 The Holy Spirit confirms the house hold Beginning of Cornelius September 9, Friday Acts 19:1-7 The Ephesian Christians are baptized in 2012 INFANT BAPTISM the Holy Spirit Saturday Acts 2:36-41 The baptism of the Holy Spirit is for all Christians INTRODUCTION We are continuing our discussion on baptism. This week our focus is on Infant Baptism. Among Christians, there are two different opinions about who should be baptized. Some Christians believe people should only be baptized when they are old enough to understand what they are doing and make the choice to follow Jesus. Other Christians think that it is right to baptize children of Christian parents. They argue that it is not right to exclude babies and very young children from being in the Christian family just because they cannot yet understand what is going on. There is no verse in scripture which says infants must be baptized. By the same token, there is no verse that forbids the baptism of children. However, it must be stated that those who practice infant baptism do not support their position by giving undue authority to tradition or church history, but they do base their position on the word of God. The Methodist Church is one of those denominations which practice infant baptism. What is the basis for this?

EXPOSITION Biblical Basis The New Testament speaks of the establishment of a new covenant, mediated by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 8:8-10). A survey of the New Testament conveys that the sign of the New Covenant is baptism; Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). Proponents of infant baptism base their arguments on some New Testament incidents.

A. HOUSEHOLD BAPTISMS i. Lydia and her household Acts 16:11-15 talks about the conversion of Lydia in Philippi where we are told: One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshipper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. Here it was only Lydia who responded to Paul’s message yet her entire household was baptized based on her faith. Since children could be part of the household they would not be left out.

ii. The Philippian Jailer Paul and Silas were arrested, severely flogged and thrown into prison in Philippi. While

70 59 there they prayed and sang praises to God and a violent earthquake shook the to travel on the same flight to Accra. Everybody had an air – ticket which they had foundation of the building. The incident gave Paul and Silas the opportunity to previously purchased. Each time a passenger presented his ticket the attendant witness to the jailer. The Philippian jailer accepted the message of Paul and Silas and checked the name on a list she had in hand called manifest. They all received the immediately he and all his family were baptized (Acts 16:33). Here too children could be green light to go ahead for the flight. part of the household who were baptized. One man, however, was not given the permission. He was told to wait, and that he iii. The Corinthian Church. would be allowed on board if some “confirmed” passengers failed to turn out. What Paul made the following recollection about a household; “Yes, I also baptized the was wrong with this passenger? He had failed to confirm his flight with the airline. I household of Stephanas”. (1Cor. 1:16) clearly recollect that, the man never got on the flight even though he had bought a valid ticket. iv. Crispus’ household In Acts 18:8, it is written Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Is that not what confirmation in the church is all about? Baptism in infancy is Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. comparable to purchasing a ticket. But without confirmation, the ticket alone (infant baptism) does not help to get on the Jesus flight to heaven. B. Peter’s Address/Sermon at Pentecost Peter, on the Day of Pentecost said among other things: Repent and be baptized, every We all need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to be part of the Jesus flight to one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the heaven. Have you confirmed your flight? gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call (Acts 2:38-39). Children of believers are included in DISCUSSION QUESTIONS God’s covenant relationship with his people. 1. There is a lot of evidence to show that many Junior Members go through the confirmation process without making “conscious and definite response to Christ ARGUMENTS AGAINST INFANT BAPTISM in personal faith and commitment” (SO704(3). Why is this the case? The Baptists, Pentecostals and Charismatic churches do not accept infant baptism. 2 If the laying of hands during the Confirmation Service is to lead to the Infilling They argue that only adults who can profess faith in Jesus Christ must be baptized of the Holy Spirit or Baptism of the Holy Spirit with its accompanying and that the Bible never said infants must be baptized. Other arguments are: enduement with power and the spiritual gifts, why is that not happening to many  Circumcision was a sign and seal of physical birth, while baptism is a sign and of our candidates? seal of new birth. 3. In what ways can the confirmation classes be used to emphasize on the work of  John the Baptist baptized people who were also required to be circumcised. the Holy Spirit as the Apostles did when they visit new converts?  Baptism always has the prerequisite of repentance and faith, which are 4. How has this study helped you to appreciate the Methodist practice of Infant impossible for an infant. Baptism which is followed by Confirmation?  The New Covenant is not purely an expansion of the Old Covenant.  Infants do not have faith. BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION You may have gone through the process of infant baptism and confirmation long ago.  Baptism represents more than just physical washing, but being clean and having It is time to ask yourself the question Paul asked the Ephesian believers “Did you good standing before God – Romans 6. receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” If you cannot say yes in all sincerity, it is  Baptism is for the remission of sins, and infants are not capable of repenting. time to desire and pray for the Holy Spirit’s infilling and empowerment.  Jesus himself was baptized at the age of thirty (30).  The Great Commission speaks of believing as the qualification of baptism BIBLE READINGS (infants cannot believe) – Mark 16:16. Monday Acts 8: 14-17 The Samaria Christians are confirmed by

Churches that reject infant baptism require that those who join them from the Apostles denominations that baptize infants are rather baptized ‘for the first time.’ Tuesday Acts 10:1-8 Cornelius household to be confirmed by the Apostles

60 69 4. Is there a Biblical Basis for Confirmation POSITION OF SOME CHURCHES THAT PRACTICE INFANT BAPTISM The Bible clearly teaches that it is the indwelling Holy Spirit who gives us the assurance that we are God’s children. (Read Rom. 8:9, 16; Eph 4:30). It is therefore not surprising 1. The Roman Catholic Church that when the apostles heard that the Samaritans had believed the Gospel they sent The Roman Catholic Church considers baptism, even for an infant, so important that Peter and John to “Confirm” these believers. When they laid their hands on them, they parents are obliged to see that their infants are baptized within the first few weeks of received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17). birth and if the infant is in danger of death, it is to be baptized without delay. The Catechism of the. Catholic Church declares: ‘The practice of Infant Baptism is an Similarly, when Paul met a group of 12 believers in Ephesus, he asked them “Did you immemorial tradition of the church. There is explicit testimony to this practice from receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? They answered; “No, we have not even the second century on, and it is quite possible that, from the beginning of the heard that there is a Holy Spirit”. When Paul laid his hand on them, they also received apostolic preaching, when whole “households” received baptism, infants may also the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7). There are other examples in the Bible such as Peter in have been baptized.’ Cornelius’ house – reported in Acts 10. 2. The Eastern Orthodox Church Confirmation and the Holy Spirit They insist on the need to have infants baptized as soon as practicable after birth. For Can we then conclude that the real purpose of confirmation is to pray and lay hands on them too baptism is not merely a symbol but actually conveys grace. Baptism is a those who have been baptized as infants to receive the Holy Spirit? Let us read together sacrament because it is an instrument instituted by Jesus Christ to impart grace to its the confirmation prayer in the Methodist Liturgy. recipients. Infants are traditionally baptized on the eighth day, recalling the biblical injunction to circumcise on the eighth day. Confirmation Prayers: The declarations and the prayers of the officiating minister during confirmation service all go to show that the main purpose of the service is to 3. Lutherans repeat what the apostles or the Early Church did. In the Methodist Liturgy and Book of Lutherans practice infant baptism because they believe that God mandates it. They Worship the minister extends his / her hands towards the candidates and declares; adduce biblical passages in support of their position. For them baptism is a means of “By your power and grace O Lord strengthen these your servants that they may live as grace through which God creates and strengthens ‘saving grace’ as the washing of faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Increase in them your gifts of grace and fill them with regeneration (Titus 3:5) in which infants and adults are reborn. Since the creation of your Holy Spirit” faith is exclusively God’s work, it does not depend on the action of the one baptized, The minister is also to lay his or her hand on the head of each candidate and say one of whether infant or adult. Even though baptized infants cannot articulate that faith, three prayers which essentially say the same thing; Lutherans believe that it is present all the same. In the special section on infant “Lord, confirm your servant (Name) by your Holy Spirit that Christ dwelling in the inner baptism in his ‘Large Catechism’ Luther argues that infant baptism is God-pleasing person he or she may continue yours forever, Amen.” because persons so baptized were reborn and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Can we then not say that confirmation is about praying for the infilling of the Holy Spirit or what others refer to as Baptism of the Holy Spirit for the candidates? 4. Presbyterians/Reformed Churches Presbyterians and Reformed Christians believe that baptism is a symbol, as a wedding If that is so, then how can officiating ministers prepare themselves for the impartation ring is a symbol of marriage. The grace it conveys, however, is not justifying grace. service? How can the candidates also be prepared to “eagerly desire” and receive the Baptism, according to this tradition, does not produce Christians, but identifies the gifts and empowerment of the Holy Spirit? child as a member of the covenant of grace. Being a member of the covenant community does not guarantee salvation; though it does provide the child with many THE WORD IN OUR LIVES benefits, including that of one’s particular congregation consenting to assist in the Many airlines require that after you have bought your air-ticket, you confirm your flight raising of that child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. with them on the date you are scheduled to travel. Members of the church, including infants, are considered to be elect by faith unless and until they prove otherwise by committing apostasy. Many years ago, I was at the Heathrow Airport in London to go through the formalities for my flight on Ghana Airways to Accra. While there, some passengers arrived hoping Presbyterians see infant baptism as the New Testament form of circumcision in the Jewish covenant (Joshua 24:15). Circumcision did not create faith in the eight-day-old

68 61 sive speech picks up one of the main issues from ch. 25. As there, so here the speech 2. Who is a Junior Member? is more than simply taunting a vanquished people. God is himself the object of insult, a. SO704 (i) Junior Members are those who have been baptized in infancy or and this is unacceptable. childhood and who continue within the fellowship of the Methodist Church. The OBADIAH 10-14: God through the Prophet Obadiah brings to the fore, what one Leader’s Meeting shall periodically review the roll of such children. It shall satisfy itself should not do when one’s brother is in trouble or going through a crisis. Just as Esau that they are receiving all possible oversight, that they are given suitable instruction as pursued Jacob (Genesis 27–33), so Edom did violence against Judah. And instead of they are able to receive it and that, when they are old enough, they are encouraged to coming to the aid of their brother Jacob, the Edomites acted like the foreign invaders become full members. (Babylonians). By having cast lots for Jerusalem, the Babylonians treated Jerusalem, This means that children must move from Junior membership to Full Membership at Yahweh’s “holy mountain” (Obad. 16), like a commodity to be contested (cf. Jer. some stage, and this is what is commonly referred to as “Confirmation” 51:51; Joel 3:3; Nah. 3:10). you shall be cut off forever. Those who harm God’s peo- ple will eventually be destroyed. On the day that you stood aloof … you were like 3. How do Junior Members Become Full Members? one of them rebukes the Edomites, not for actively doing wrong but for failing to do SO704(3) makes this important statement about the conditions under which a Junior right—i.e., for failing to give military support to neighboring Jerusalem when it was Member becomes a Full Member. wrongly attacked. “When they have made conscious and definite response to Christ in Personal faith and OBADIAH 12–14 These verses spell out Edom’s deeds of violence: gloating over Ju- commitment, Junior Members may become Full Members” (Emphasis Mine) dah’s demise, looting, capturing fleeing fugitives, and delivering them up to the slave This provision in the constitution is very crucial to the Confirmation process that trade. The Edomites took advantage of Judah’s plight during the Babylonian crisis. takes place in our churches. It raises a very crucial question; But instead of past-tense verbal statements, Obad. 12–14 is written in the form of “How do we make sure that the candidates for the confirmation service fulfilled the warnings with eight prohibitions in the form of do not. Edom should cease its anti- requirement stated in SO704(3) above? Judahite hostilities before it is too late. Reconciliation was still available to Edom (see

Genesis 33). do not hand over his survivors. Apparently Edomites were capturing If we fail to achieve SO704(3) in the candidates for confirmation, would that not Judahite survivors and surrendering them to the Babylonian authorities. nullify the justification for infant baptism?

We may draw the following conclusions from our study of these passages:- Confirmation Classes One should not: SO704(3) suggests the following syllabus for the training of candidates for Look down on one’s brother on his misfortune Vs. 12 confirmation; and that this should take not less than six (6) months Rejoice over his destruction a. Stories from the Gospel Seize his wealth on the day of his disaster Vs. 12 b. The Apostle’s Creed Hand over your brother to his enemy Vs. 14 c. The Doctrine of the Methodist Church, the Catechisms As a result of the attitude of Edom against his brother, Israel, Edom will be covered d. Preparation for Holy Communion with shame and destroyed forever. Vs. 10 e. The responsibilities of Membership

THE WORD IN OUR LIVES Two other conditions are also required to be established. In some countries and communities and families, members harbour such resentment i. “The members should also be able to read intelligently in the vernacular” – How and hatred for each other as a result of ancient hostilities. Some may be perceived are we ensuring that Functional Literacy Programmes work in our churches to wrong doings of the past. These may have been wrongly reported by elderly rela- fulfill the above requirement? tions or handed down through generations. Some African Americans today harbour ii. “Before being received into Full Membership he / she shall be examined in the such ill feelings against Africans for betraying their ancestors and selling them into above subjects and his / her name shall be considered by the Minister and the slavery. Are such African Americans justified in hating today’s generation of well do- Leaders’ Meeting” – How seriously do our ministers and the Leaders’ Meeting ing Africans? Jacob, had embraced and kissed him (Genesis 33), and we do not find take this examination to ensure that the requirements of SO704(3) are fulfilled that he ever quarreled with him again. But the posterity of Esau would never be rec- before the service of public reception takes place? That is the crucial issue! onciled to the seed of Jacob, but hated them with a perpetual hatred.

62 67 Week 38 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Beginning CONFIRMATION – WHAT 1. Would you consider the hatred Edom had for Israel justified? September 2. Putting together all that Esau suffered from the hand of Jacob, why 16, 2012 DOES IT REPRESENT? should God rather punish Edom? 3. Do you recall any cases of ancient hostilities in your area? What was done to resolve them? 4. How are such cases being dealt with? KEY VERSE: Then Peter and John placed their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:17 BIBLE LESSONS APPLICATION Note that children will be more apt to imitate the vices than the virtues of SCRIPTURE LESSON: ACTS 8: 14-17 their parents, and to tread in the steps of their sin than in the steps of their ACTS 8:14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of repentance. Parents should therefore be careful not to set their children any God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. bad example. This week, examine yourself to see whether you are harbor- 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the ing any bitterness against someone and ask for God’s grace to deal with it, Holy Spirit, before it takes root. 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. DAILY BIBLE READINGS 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Monday Matthew 18:21-30 Forgive one another Tuesday Luke 17:4-4 Forgive one another without counting INTRODUCTION Wednesday Ephesians 4:29-32 Forgive one another as Christ forgave In our previous studies, we have established that the Methodist Church is one of those you churches which baptizes infants. We have established that Infant Baptism has a Biblical Thursday Mark 11:24-26 Forgive each other to facilitate your basis. The church also organizes Confirmation Services for members who have come of prayer age. Why is this necessary? How can we make it more meaningful and beneficial to the Friday 2 Cor. 2:6-10 Forgiveness restores fellowship candidates who go through it? We shall examine these issues this week. Saturday James 5:14-16 Forgiveness helps in our healing

EXPOSITION 1. What is the Christian Community? SO 701 defines the membership of the Methodist Society or congregation as follows A. SO 701(2) – The Society consists of the Junior Members and Full Members, who are members of the Methodist Church. B. SO 701(3) – Connected with the Society there are also Catechumens and Adherents and the term “Christian Community” is used to denote the Members, Catechumens and Adherents together.

We have already discussed in previous weeks that the society is made up of Full and Junior Members, and Catechumens and Adherents are connected with the members to constitute the Christian Community.

66 63 Jewish boy. It merely marked him as a member of God’s covenant people Israel. Likewise, baptism does not create faith; it is a sign of membership in the visible We administer Baptismal rites to young children on grounds of their parents’ covenant community. Children of professing Christians are members of the faith, to bring them up in the fear and true knowledge of God in Christ. It is visible church – the covenant community. for this reason that when they attain the age of discretion, they are permitted to make a public testimony to their faith in Christ for a confirmation of the 5. Methodists baptism conferred on them during their infancy. Methodists contend that infant baptism has spiritual value for the infant. John Wesley held that baptism is a means of grace but it is symbolic. Methodists view DISCUSSION QUESTIONS baptism as symbolic and believe that it does not regenerate the baptized nor 1. What is your understanding of a covenant? cleanse them from sin. Infant baptism is particularly illustrative of the Methodist 2. In what ways do you think circumcision is related to baptism? doctrine of prevenient grace. The principle is that The Fall of Man ruined the 3. Discuss the biblical reasons for infant baptism. human soul to such an extent that nobody wants a relationship with God. Thus 4. Does infant baptism automatically confer salvation onto the child? God takes the very first step in salvation, preceding any human effort or decision. 5. Why do you think, the tradition of the Churches over the ages must not Methodists justify infant baptism by this doctrine of prevenient grace, often be easily thrown away in this case? arguing that infant baptism is God’s promise or declaration to the infant that calls him to eventually believe in God’s promise for salvation. BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION Did you have doubts about infant baptism before this lesson? Have you now THE POSITION OF METHODIST CHURCH GHANA been convinced that infants can be baptized? Share with your group the The Methodist Church Ghana accepts and practices infant baptism. The Church reason why you think now infant baptism is biblical or traditionally accepted. believes that baptism is a sacrament or a means of grace through which the grace of God comes to his children and children must not be denied this grace. DAILY BIBLE READINGS Monday Genesis 17:1-4 God’s Covenant with Abraham The Constitution and Standing Orders of the Church 703 (1) notes that in infant Tuesday Genesis 17: 10 The Sign of the Covenant baptism parents accept the responsibility for the training of the child in the duties, privileges and doctrines of the Christian religion. Wednesday Mark 10:13-15 Jesus’ Invitation to Children Thursday Acts 16:13-15 Baptism of Lydia’s Household The notes on infant baptism in the Liturgy of the Methodist Church Ghana state as follows: ‘The Methodist Church is one of those Christian Churches that Friday Acts 16:25-34 Baptism of the Household of the Jailer administer Baptismal rites to infants. We do so because of our faith in the Creator Saturday Colossians 2:11-12 Circumcision not by Hands and Sovereign God who called us in his Son Jesus Christ into a Covenant Relationship with Himself. God’s covenant with the people He calls into this fellowship always embraces their children.

The Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 17 was ratified with the sign of circumcision when Abraham was ninety-nine years, yet the rite was to embrace all children of eight days old in his household. This covenant which makes us to become children of God is based not on our own merit, but on the merit of Christ, by reason of which we and our children are admitted to membership of the Church of Christ. It was for this reason Christ promised the Kingdom to young children in his famous loving words:

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matt. 19:14).

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