TOPIC: THE HOLY SPIRIT

TEXT: ACTS 16:1-10

INTRODUCTION

The Holy spirit is an immortal person that dwells in the lives of every believer on earth. The Holy Spirit is the third in
person after Jesus Christ(the son of God). It is pertinent to know that every child of God has the holy spirit dwelling in
them. As Christians, we converse with the holy spirit daily such that He counsels us, comforts us, guides us and above all
teaches and inspires us about God’s word.

TOPIC OUTLINES

1. WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

2. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
3. HOW TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
4. HINDRANCES BRIDGING THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM DWELLING IN MAN
5. IMPORTANCE OF WALKING WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
6. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHOM THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELT IN THEM

OUTLINE 1: WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

The Holy spirit is a teacher dwelling in the hearts of every believer on earth. The holy spirit was sent to us in place
of Jesus Christ after His ascension to heaven. In other words, He reproves us when we are wrong, He guides us not
to fall into temptations.

OUTLINE 2: CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

(a) He is a comforter John 14:16

(b) He is a teacher John 14:26
(c) He brings unison among Christians Acts 2:3-4
(d) He is our companion 2Corinthians 13:14

OUTLINE 3: HOW TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

(a) Recognize Him.

(b) Acknowledge His presence
(c) To be sensitive to His leading
(d) Meditate on God’s word. Acts 6:4b
(e) Avoid falling into sin. Acts 5:9
(f) Praying consistently. Acts 6:4a
OUTLINE 4: HINDRANCES BRIDGING THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM DWELLING IN MAN
(a) One who has not accepted Jesus yet.
(b) Living in sin despite he has given his life to Christ.
(c) Resisting the holy spirit. Eph 4:30
(d) Not being sensitive to his leading.

OUTLINE 5: IMPORTANCE OF WORKING WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

(a) Through him crooked ways become straight.

(b) We grow more in wisdom to deal with the issues of life. Acts 4
(c) We become thorns in the flesh of the wicked in the kingdom of darkness. Acts 16:16-18
(d) We become honourable before God and man.
(e) We have access to divine revelation. 1Cor 2:10
(f) We are being guided by Him. John 16:13

OUTLINE 6: BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHOM THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELT IN THEM

(a) The Apostles Acts 2

(b) Stephen Acts 7:55-56
(c) Barnabas and Saul Acts 13:2
(d) David 1Sam 16:13

CONCLUSION

For us as Christians to defeat and overcome the power of the flesh, we must work zealously with the holy spirit this
season and beyond.

TOPIC: DISOBEDIENCE
TEXT: GEN 3:16-24

INTRODUCTION
Disobedience is an act of going against a will or commandment as stated by an authority. In other words,
disobedience is an inhibition in the attitude of a man to do the things which displeases both God and man. 1Sam
15:23; made it known that the spirit of disobedience is synonymous to that of witchcraft. An act of disobedience to
God’s word, makes Him(God) to turn away from man, causes his wrath to come upon man and as such leaving man
in a perpetual bondage.

TOPIC OUTLINE:
1. CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF DISOBEDIENCE
 2. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO DISOBEYED GOD
3. THINGS WE SHOULD DO HAVING REALIZED WE HAVE DISOBEYED GOD
4. BLESSINGS ACCRUED TO THOSE WHO DO NOT DISOBEY GOD

OUTLINE 1: CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF DISOBEDIENCE

CAUSES:

(a) We disobey due to influence from the negative or wrong set of persons. Ps 1:1
(b) To satisfy one’s lustful desires. Gen 3
(c) Pride
(d) Seeking to please others

EFFECTS:

(a) Hard labour(losing God’s provision)

(b) It brings hardship.
(c) Loss of divine fellowship
(d) Untimely death

OUTLINE 3: BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO DISOBEYED GOD

(a) Adam & Eve Gen 3:17
(b) Jonah Jonah 1:10-15
(c) The Israelites Joshua 5:6
(d) King Uzziah 2Kings 15:5
(e) Annanias and Sapphirra Acts 5:1-11
(f) King Saul 1Sam 28: 15-18
(g) Hophni & Phinehas 1Sam 2:27-36

OUTLINE 4: THINGS WE SHOULD DO HAVING REALIZED WE HAVE DISOBEYED GOD

(a) Acknowledge that you have sinned. Rom 3:23
(b) Ask for forgiveness genuinely.
(c) Make a decision on not to disobey Him again.
OUTLINE 5: BLESSINGS ACCRUED TO THOSE WHO DO NOT DISOBEY GOD
(a) Safety Isaiah 26:3
(b) Answered Prayers Romans 10:13
(c) Health to thy flesh Proverbs 4:20-22

CONCLUSION
As true followers of Christ, we ought to hearken diligently to God’s word and observe to do according to all He’s
commanded us. Moreover, when we disobey him, we should learn to admit our wrongs and humbly ask for His
forgiveness.

TOPIC: FORGIVENESS
TEXT: MATTHEW 18:23-35

INTRODUCTION
Forgiveness is the act of pardoning an offender. In the Bible, the Greek word translated “forgiveness” literally
means “to let go,” as when a person does not demand payment for a debt. Jesus used this comparison when he taught his
followers to pray: “Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is in debt to us.” (Luke 11:4)
Likewise, in his parable of the unmerciful slave, Jesus equated forgiveness with canceling a debt.—Matthew 18:23-35.
We forgive others when we let go of resentment and give up any claim to be compensated for the hurt or loss we
have suffered. The Bible teaches that unselfish love is the basis for true forgiveness, since love “does not keep account
of the injury.”—1 Corinthians 13:4, 5.

TOPIC OUTLINES:
1. WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?
2. HOW TO FORGIVE SOMEONE
3. BENEFITS ACCRUED TO FORGIVENESS
4. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO ASKED FOR FORGIVENESS

OUTLINE 1: WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?

Forgiveness can be defined as the readiness of an individual who has been erred to have mercy. Jesus Christ, while on
earth has described what it entails to forgive or have a forgiven heart. Hence, as true believers and hearers of God’s
word, we are expected to forgive others when we are being offended, and by so doing we tend to be obedient children of
God’s word and can enjoy the fullness of God’s blessings.

OUTLINE 2: HOW TO FORGIVE SOMEONE

(a) Always remember that you are forgiven by God. Matthew 6:14
(b) Understand the word of God about forgiveness. Matthew 6:12, 14-15
(c) Recognize the benefits of forgiving. Matthew 6:14, 15.
(d) Be empathetic. All of us are imperfect. (James 3:2) Just as we appreciate being forgiven, we should likewise forgive
the mistakes of others.—Matthew 7:12.

OUTLINE 3: BENEFITS ACCRUED TO FORGIVENESS

(a) We are in position to receive forgiveness from God. Matthew 7
(b) We become relived of that burden of pain.
(c) God can fully dwell in us and use us mightily for his work.
(d) All round open doors.
OUTLINE 4: BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO HAD THE HEART OF FORGIVENESS
(a) David Ps 51
(b) Joseph and his brothers. Genesis 45
(c) Parable of the unmerciful servant. Matthew 18:23-35
(d) Jesus Christ. Luke 23:34

CONCLUSION
God instructs us all to forgive those who errs us, because he has forgiven us. Forgiving a person who has hurt you
so deep doesn’t mean you trust them. Rather, it means you trust God and willing to abide by his word.

TOPIC: BRIDLING THE TONGUE AS CHRISTIANS

TEXT:JAMES 3: 1-12

INTRODUCTION
A genuine believer must be cautious of what he says be it in public or private. As matured Christians, we are

expected to control our tongue, for it shows the measurement of our maturity against the standard of our

master(Jesus Christ). For instance and in reality, when a patient visits the doctor for a health complaints, one of the

things he examines is the individual’s tongue. So, by looking at your tongue, a doctor can tell a great deal about

your physical condition. Similarly, by one’s speech, we learn quite a bit about a person’s spiritual condition as well.

TOPIC OUTLINES

1. WHAT BRIDLING THE TONGUE MEANS

2. REASONS BEHIND UNBRIDLED TONGUE
3. CONSEQUENCES OF NOT BRIDLING THE TONGUE
4. WAYS TO BRIDLING THE TONGUE AS CHRISTIANS
5. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO PRACTICED THE HABIT OF BRIDLING THE TONGUE

OUTLINE 1: WHAT BRIDLING THE TONGUE MEANS

The tongue is a part in the mouth that aids mans speech. The bridling of the tongue means
controlling our tongue towards our inter-personal relationship with God and man daily. Many a
times, out of provocation or excitement some Christians uses negative words on themselves and on
others at large, and as such bring God’s wrath upon themselves. Hence, every believer is urged to
bridle his/her tongue to enjoy God’s blessings. Pro 21:23
OUTLINE 2: REASONS BEHIND UNBRIDLED TONGUE
(a) When one is angry or in a state of meriment.
(b) Uncontrolled emotion.
(c) Not grounded in the word of God.
(d) Not yielding to the lead of the holy spirit.
OUTLINE 3: CONSEQUENCES OF NOT BRIDLING THE TONGUE
(a) Shattered destiny
(b) Loss of lives.
(c) Delay in achievement of goals.
OUTLINE 4: WAYS TO BRDLING THE TONGUE AS CHRISTIANS
(a) Dedicate your mind, heart and tongue to God daily.
(b) Pray that God will give you an awareness of your words.
(c) Be cautious in terms of merriment or anger. 1Samuel 25:10-11
(d) Be submissive to the holy spirit.
(e) Be careful of the friends we keep. Proverbs 1:10
(f) Ask for forgiveness for any unloving words or attitudes.
(g) Cultivate using words that will encourage, comfort, edify and inspire people around you and the world at
large.

CONCLUSION
We should learn to bridle our tongue so as not to ruin our lives and that of others. Instead, we should cultivate the
habit of speaking graciously, using kind words as honey. Pro 16:24.

TOPIC: RENEWAL OF THE MIND

TEXT: GALATIANS 5:19-21

INTRODUCTION
Christians must subject their mind to perpetual renewal by consciously exposing it to healthy and edifying content,
always! There is no better tool for the accurate renewal of the believer’s mind than the word of God.
The mind of the man is a battleground of which every moral and spiritual battle is fought. The outward action of a
child of God is determined by a transformed mind whose inward spirit is rooted solely in the word of God.

TOPIC OUTLINES
1. WHAT DOES THE RENEWAL OF THE MIND MEANS
 2. WAYS BY WHICH WE CAN RENEW OUR MIND AS CHRISTIANS
3. BENEFITS DERIVED FROM THE RENEWAL OF THE MIND

OUTLINE 1: WHAT DOES THE RENEWAL OF THE MIND MEANS

Renewal of the mind describes the change in the reasoning of the Christian mind. In other words, a true and mature
believer desists from the things which displeases God by making concrete decision to serve God alone and to do
only those things he has commanded. Romans 8:6-10
OUTLINE2: WAYS BY WHICH WE CAN RENEW OUR MIND AS CHRISTIANS
a) Genuine repentance when we err. Ps 51:10
b) Let the word of God dwell in us richly. Jos 1:8
c) Obedience to the leading of the holy spirit. Jude 1:19-21
d) Praying continually Phil 4:6-7
OUTLINE 3: BENEFITS DERIVED FROM THE RENEWAL OF THE MIND
(a) One’s spiritual growth becomes strengthened.
(b) Longevity is certain.
(c) God’s grace begins to speak expressly in the life and career of the believer.
CONCLUSION
When a Christian practices the renewal of the mind, he becomes an enemy of the world and a true friend of Christ.
Subsequently, God is asking us to renew our mind so as to avert temptations of life.