UNLEASHING THE POWER OF THE CHURCH
Click here to download & print a PDF version of this curriculum!
GROUP AGENDA:
- Pray In
- Ask each person which service they watched on Sunday? 9am, 11am, or 1pm?
- Go over the lesson (Below)
- Ask everyone “What is one thing you learned today?”
- Give offering on the app
- Encourage P12 Leaders to meet with their group (and remind them to take attendance on Friday)
- Ask for prayer requests and pray out
UNLEASHING THE POWER OF THE CHURCH
ANNOUNCEMENT: Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Sunday October 18th! We are coming back to service on campus at the 9am and 11am services.
Today we’re going to talk about how to unleash the power of the Church. When we talk about the church, we are referring to the Body fo Christ; that’s you and I. We all belong to the Church, or to the Body of Christ. Let’s discuss what are role is as the Church.
The Church is: THE ARMY OF GOD.
Take a look at Matthew 16:18.
Matthew 16:18 (NLT) 18. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
“WE” THE CHURCH CANNOT BE CONQUERED, no matter what force comes against us.
GOD HAS GIVEN THE CHURCH FULL POWER AND AUTHORITY OVER THE ENEMY.
Somebody please read Luke 10:17-20
Luke 10:17-20 (AMP) 17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like [a flash of] lightning. 19 Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you.
QUESTION – Why is it so important for us to understand that we are an army?
THE CHURCH IS: A PLACE WHERE BELIEVERS MEET TOGETHER AND WORSHIP HIM.
Would someone like to read Acts 2:44-46?
Acts 2:44-46 (NLT) 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity. 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
QUESTION – What are the 2 main places the believers met? Why are these places important for our spiritual growth?
A. THE TWO MAIN PLACES WHERE BELIEVERS MEET:
1) THE TEMPLE.
2) HOMES.
QUESTION – WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEETING TOGETHER?
Here are 7 benefits for meeting together:
1) THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED AND SOULS ARE SAVED
It says in Acts 2:46-47 And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
When we meet together, we create an atmosphere for salvation. This is an important part of why we must meet together.
2) WE RECEIVE AND GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT.
Who wants to read Hebrews 10:25?
Hebrews 10:25 (ICB) 25 You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing. But you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the Day coming.
The word Encourage means: inspire with courage, confidence, to build up, reassure, restore, comfort, refresh, cheer up, assist, strengthen, smile upon,
QUESTION – How have you been encourage by meeting together?
3) WE EXPERIENCE GOD’S PRESENCE.
Someone please read Matthew 18:20.
Matthew 18:20 (AMP) 20 For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.”
The presence of God becomes more evident when we gather with other believers in Jesus’ name. We can experience another level of God’s love and power when we are around the Church.
4) WE USE OUR GIFTS TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER AND BUILD EACH OTHER UP.
1 Corinthians 14:26 (ESV) 26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
Who would like to read 1 Peter 4:10?
1 Peter 4:10 (AMP) 10 Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].
QUESTION – What are we supposed to use are spiritual gifts for?
5) WE FLOURISH.
Psalm 92:13 (JUB) 13 Those that are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
The word Flourish means: thrive, be successful, prosper, grow,
QUESTION – What do you think it looks like to “flourish?”
6) WE GET EQUIPPED FOR MINISTRY.
Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT) 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
Our job as the church is to do the work of the ministry, to disciple others, and to build up the church. Sometimes we wait for only church leaders to do that, but we are all called to do that.
QUESTION – Why is it important for all of us to build the church, rather than just the leadership?
7) WE GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORSHIP AND THANK GOD THROUGH OUR GIVING.
Somebody please read 2 Corinthians 9:7-8.
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (AMP) 7 Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]. 8 And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.
QUESTION – What do you get out of that scripture?
LAST QUESTION – What is one thing that you learned today?
GIVING
We just read a very important scripture about giving. We should each pray to the Holy Spirit and decide in our hearts what we should give. And as we do it, let’s do it cheerfully, knowing that our offerings go towards making a great impact in the Kingdom of God!
REMINDER: We are opening the doors on October 18th! Come to Sunday service at 9am or 11am! With Kids World and No Limits Youth!
How to Give:
1. Open the app and click give.
2. Change the fund to P12
3. Set up your tithe on recurring giving