OPEN HEAVEN 19 DECEMBER 2022 MEMORIZE: But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6

OPEN HEAVEN 19 DECEMBER 2022 BIBLE READING PROVERBS 11:24-25

24, There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

25. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

OPEN HEAVEN 19 DECEMBER 2022 MESSAGE

Ecclesiastes 3:2 says: “a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;” When a fellow fails to plant when he should, he will not harvest at the normal time. Furthermore, Proverbs 20:4 says: “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.”

If you dont plant when you ought to, you would have nothing to harvest. If you want a bountiful harvest, you must be willing to sow bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6 says: “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

A long time ago, when The Redeemed Christian Church of God was still quite small, I used my salary to pay most of the staff and had nothing left. At some point, I had to go into early retirement in order to carry out my duties as General Overseer more effectively and I had a lot of expectations concerning my gratuity.

In the middle of all my plans, I remembered that I had not asked God for what to do with the gratuity, so I did. God told me to divide the money into three parts: each part was to go to a different ministry.

None of these ministries was the one I was leading! This broke my heart, but God assured me that He would be my Source. It has been over forty years now and up to today, He has never failed me and I know He never will.

Bountiful harvests will cost you big seeds. If the Lord is asking you to give bountifully, He is planning to reward you bountifully. You will not lose your opportunity, in Jesus name.

OPEN HEAVEN 19 DECEMBER 2022 KEY POINT

Father, please reveal to me what seed I need to sow and where, in order to receive a bountiful harvest.

OPEN HEAVEN 19 DECEMBER 2022 HYMN

DEEPER, DEEPER IN THE LOVE OF JESUS
1 Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.

Refrain
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher ev’ry day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy word.

2 Deeper, deeper! blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.

3 Deeper, deeper! tho’ it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.

4 Deeper, higher, ev’ry day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.

OPEN HEAVEN 19 DECEMBER 2022 BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: HEBREWS 1:1-14 , HEBREWS 2:1-18 , HEBREWS 3:1-19 , HEBREWS 4:1-16 , HEBREWS 5:1-14

OPEN HEAVEN 20 DECEMBER 2022 MEMORIZE: Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; Galatians 4:1

OPEN HEAVEN 20 DECEMBER 2022 BIBLE READING 2 TIMOTHY 2:1-4

1. Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

OPEN HEAVEN 20 DECEMBER 2022 MESSAGE

We see from our memory verse today that an heir is likened to a servant if that heir is still a child. In the same vein, the devil will toss around a child of God if he or she is not mature. This alone tells you that spiritual maturity is a must for every child of God.

There are people who have been born again for 10 years yet God has not healed even a headache through them. How are they to get developed? 1 Peter 2:2 says: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

The more of Gods word you consume, the more mature you become spiritually. As you keep studying your Bible from day to day, you will be steered by the Spirit in the word of God to do all the other things needed for your spiritual growth.

If you spend quality time studying your Bible, you will hate sin; you will fast and pray regularly, love your neighbour as yourself, and many other qualities of mature Christians will be built in you.

Don’t waste the time you should spend building your relationship with God on frivolities. Don’t eat when you should be fasting. Don’t sleep when you should be praying. Don’t spend time on entertainment, when you should be studying your Bible.

A woman who does not take responsibility to grow her relationship with God, but wants to marry a God-fearing man, is just wasting her time. A good father will not allow his committed son to marry a wayward lady. Also, if the devil meets you as a baby Christian, that is trouble.

A woman had a dream where a mad man came to her doorstep and started knocking furiously. She opened the door and chased the mad man away, but he stayed there and kept saying, Leave me alone. Leave me alone. It is your husband I have come to see.

In the dream, the husband came to the door, saw the mad man and allowed him to come into the house. This womans husband fell sick and died a few months later. Had the husband been spiritually mature enough, he would have chased that mad man away in the spirit realm.

My beloved, don’t leave your spiritual life unattended to; there are terrible consequences for remaining spiritually immature.

OPEN HEAVEN 20 DECEMBER 2022 KEY POINT

The more spiritual exercises you do, the faster you grow spiritually and the more power you have over the devil.

OPEN HEAVEN 20 DECEMBER 2022 HYMN

OPEN HEAVEN 20 DECEMBER 2022 BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: HEBREWS 6:1-20 , HEBREWS 7:1-28 , HEBREWS 8:1-13 , HEBREWS 9:1-28

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. That line in the song means different things to different around the world.

To some it is just a regular end of year Thanksgiving, and others take it as the longest break they get from work.

While some make a lot of money from Christmas, others spend the entire year’s savings on it.

But what really is Christmas?

You should be sure of what (or who) you’re celebrating in the midst of the noise and abuse of the holiday going on in the world.

Christmas is beyond the happy holidays the world calls it.

Over the years, the message behind Christmas might have been lost to activities and ungodly practices, but it doesn’t mean it has lost the reason it is being celebrated.

So what then is Christmas? Christmas is the day set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Call it Jesus’ birthday and you’ll be very correct.

25th December is not the actual day Jesus was born, but from speculations and study and research on the happenings that took place around the time of his birth, it points towards December on the Gregorian calendar.

So why must we celebrate Christmas? The first and only answer is: why not?

Jesus Himself speaking in the only elaborate sermon he gave about being born again said to Nicodemus in John chapter 3 verse 16: ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…’

That is Christmas.

It was the day God gave Himself to the world He loved. Yes, he was born to die, that was the completion of the gift, but without being born he wouldn’t have been able to die.

So we don’t just give thanks for his death and resurrection, the gift of the son was a package that kept unfolding, from his birth till his resurrection.

So again I answer the question of why we celebrate Christmas with: why not?

At his birth, the angels declared: Glory to God in the highest, peace on Earth and goodwill to men.

God had finally executed his peace plan and not just brought in his peace to the Earth, he came himself to make peace with the earth and didn’t just give us peace, He is our peace.

Peace personified had finally come to the Earth to make peace by giving himself as a peace offering, and like a preacher said, ‘when God was to bring peace and make peace with the earth, he smuggled it in as a baby’. That’s a huge reason, if not the only reason to celebrate Christmas.

In our next article, we will share a few beautiful things you can do during Christmas. Would you like to read that article?

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 17 DECEMBER 2022 MEMORIZE: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 17 DECEMBER 2022 BIBLE READING MARK 16:15-18

15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 17 DECEMBER 2022 MESSAGE

The name Jesus is the most powerful name in Heaven and on earth. The name carries so much authority and is capable of doing what Jesus Himself can do. Some years ago, a woman demonically attacked with a terrible cough was brought to one of our Church programmes.

A simple prayer was prayed for her in the name of Jesus and she was healed immediately. The agent who afflicted her with the infirmity wondered how she got healed because the one who prepared the charm for her said the sickness had no cure. Thus she asked the woman how she got healed.

The liberated lady told her adversary that she got her liberation from the Church. The adversary then begged her to take her to Jesus. She did; there, the adversary confessed her sins and became born again.

The name of Jesus brings healing, deliverance, salvation and miracles.Whenever you are in trouble, call the name. Whenever you are confused and you don’t know the way to go, call the name of Jesus. However, the name might not work for you if you don’t have a relationship with the Bearer. Are you born again?

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 17 DECEMBER 2022 ACTION POINT

The name Jesus is the most powerful in Heaven on earth.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 17 DECEMBER 2022 HYMN

IN CHRIST ALONE

1. In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

2. In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live.
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

3. There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

4. No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here, in the power of Christ, I stand.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 17 DECEMBER 2022 BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: REVELATION 8:1-13 , OBADIAH 1:1-21

TOPIC: DIVINE LEADING AND GUIDANCE (PART 1)

LESSON SIXTEEN (16)

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

OPENING PRAYER: Father, let my spirit be in connection with you all the time.

MEMORY VERSE: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye”. Psalm 32:8

BIBLE PASSAGE: PSALM 37:3-7

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

INTRODUCTION: Divine leading is about being directed by God. Being led or guided by God is a necessary key for Christians. It is the only way to fulfill God’s will and every of our decision-making processes (2 Kings 3:11). Therefore, we need to learn the avenues through which God leads and guides His people. Moreover, in this dispensation, the leading and guidance of the holy spirit are both inevitable and indispensable.

TEXT REVIEW: PSALM 37:3-7
The Psalmist in this chapter, carefully reeled out how the godly should conduct their lives and the result of such. In this admonition, he says:
i. When you trust in the lord and do Good, you will dwell in the land and be fed,…………….v3
ii. When you delight yourself in the lord, He will………..v4.
iii. When you commit your way………….v5.
iv. ……………v6.
v. When you rest…………v7.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. AVENUE FOR DIVINE LEADING AND GUIDANCE
2. RECOGNISING DIVINE LEADING AND GUIDANCE

1. AVENUE FOR DIVINE LEADING AND GUIDANCE
It is important to note that God, in his sovereignty, can adopt any or several means to lead and guide those who put their trust in him. Here are some of them:
A. Through the word of God (1Samuel 3:21; Hebrews 1:1-2).

B. Through a witness of the spirit (Romans 8:14; 16). The witness of the spirits can also come in form of god’s peace the passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7)..

C. Through the voice of the spirit. This is beyond just a witness; it is hearing.
i. This hearing can be inward (which means no one else, around you, hear it). The Bible calls it is ‘still small voice’- like the sound of a gentle whisper (1Kings 19:12).
ii. Sometimes the voice comes in the midst of a godly thought (Acts 10:19)
iii. The voice of the spirit can also be outward, in which case you will look around as if you heard or somebody else heard what you are hearing (1Sam. 3:3-5; Acts 9:3-5)

D. Though revelations – dreams, visions, trance (Joel 2:28).
i. Dreams can come from your thoughts (Eccl. 5:3) or the devil – scary and tormenting (nightmares) or from God – insightful, instructional, or revelational (Job 33:14; 17). Dreams happen when you are fully asleep (day or night).
ii. Vision can come when you are awake and see something like a still or motion picture (day or night) – Daniel 2:19.
iii. Trance is like the average between a dream and a vision (you are half awake, half asleep) when the physical senses seem to be suspended (Acts 10:10-11).

E. Through ordain situation or circumstances (Proverbs 24:30-34; Jeremiah 18:1-6). God can take you by all through a happening to give you a clear direction for Life.

F. Through prophetic utterances and confirmations (Hosea 12:10). However, believers are cautioned against living at the mercy of prophecy (1John 4:1)

G. Through diverse means as deemed fit by God (Hosea 12:10)

2. RECOGNISING DIVINE LEADING AND GUIDANCE
A. The Holy Spirit takes on the role of a guide and counselor, leading us in the way we should go and revealing God’s truths (Luke 12:12).

B. One of the most important ways to recognize the Holy Spirit guidance is to be familiar with God’s word.
i. The Bible is the ultimate source of wisdom about how we should live (2Timothy 3:16), and believers are to search the scriptures (John 5:39), meditate on them, and commit them to memory (Psalm 1:2).
ii. The word is the “sword of the spirit” (Ephesians 6:17), and the spirit will use it to speak to us (John 16:12-14) to review God’s will for our lives. He will also bring specific scriptures to mind at times when we need them the most (John 14:26).

C. We must always test our inclinations against the scriptures. This is because the Holy Spirit will never push us to do anything contrary to God’s word (1Corinthians 14:33). If it is conflicts with the Bible then it is not from the Holy Spirit and should be ignored.
i. It is also necessary for us to be in continual prayer with the father (1Thessalonians 5:17)
ii. Not only does this keep our hearts and minds open to the Holy Spirit’s leading but it’s also allows the spirit to speak on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: The class should discuss more on how to recognise divine leading and guidance.

SUMMARY: As much as it is important
for believers to be led by God, knowing how
He leads and how to recognise His leading is
much more important.

CONCLUSION: If you are not led and
guided by God, you will wander and get lost
in the wilderness of life. Let God lead you.

EVALUATION: The teacher should ask
the students to explain what they understand
by divine leading and guidance.

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, let the holy Spirit always lead and guide me in Jesus name.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) dangers of ignoring diving leading (2×5=10 Marks).

LESSON: SIXTEEN (16)

TOPIC: DIVINE LEADING AND GUIDANCE (PART 1)

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

MEMORY VERSE: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye”. – Psalm 32:8

BIBLE PASSAGE: PSALM 37:3-7

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

INTRODUCTION: Divine leading is about being directed by God. Being led or guided by God is a necessary key for Christians. It is the only way to fulfill God’s will and every of our decision-making processes (2Kings 3:11). Therefore, we need to learn the avenues through which God leads and guides His people. Moreover, in this dispensation, the leading and guidance of the holy spirit are both inevitable and indispensable.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. AVENUE FOR DIVINE LEADING AND GUIDANCE
2. RECOGNISING DIVINE LEADING AND GUIDANCE

1. AVENUE FOR DIVINE LEADING AND GUIDANCE
It is important to note that God, in his sovereignty, can adopt any or several means to lead and guide those who put their trust in him. Here are some of them:
1. Through the word of God (1Samuel 3:21; Hebrews 1:1-2).

2. Through a witness of the spirit (Romans 8:14; 16). The witness of the spirits can also come in form of god’s peace the passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).

3. Through the voice of the spirit. This is beyond just a witness; it is hearing. This hearing can be inward (which means no one else, around you, hear it). The Bible calls it is ‘still small voice’- like the sound of a gentle whisper (1Kings 19:12). Sometimes the voice comes in the midst of a godly thought (Acts 10:19) the voice of the spirit can also be outward, in which case you will look around as if you heard or somebody else heard what you are hearing (1Sam. 3:3-5; Acts 9:3-5)

4. Though revelations – dreams, visions, trance (Joel 2:28). Dreams can come from your thoughts (Eccl. 5:3) or the devil – scary and tormenting (nightmares) or from God – insightful, instructional, or revelational (Job 33:14; 17). Dreams happen when you are fully asleep (day or night). Vision can come when you are awake and see something like a still or motion picture (day or night) – *Daniel 2:19.* Trance is like the average between a dream and a vision (you are half awake, half asleep) when the physical senses seem to be suspended (Acts 10:10-11).

5. Through ordain situation or circumstances (Proverbs 24:30-34; Jeremiah 18:1-6). God can take you by all through a happening to give you a clear direction for Life.

6. Through prophetic utterances and confirmations (Hosea 12:10). However, believers are cautioned against living at the mercy of prophecy (1John 4:1)

7. Through diverse means as deemed fit by God (Hosea 12:10)

2. RECOGNISING DIVINE LEADING AND GUIDANCE

The Holy Spirit takes on the role of a guide and counselor, leading us in the way we should go and revealing God’s truths (Luke 12:12). One of the most important ways to recognize the Holy Spirit guidance is to be familiar with God’s word. The Bible is the ultimate source of wisdom about how we should live (2Timothy 3:16), and believers are to search the scriptures (John 5:39), meditate on them, and commit them to memory (Psalm 1:2).

The word is the “sword of the spirit” (Ephesians 6:17), and the spirit will use it to speak to us (John 16:12-14) to review God’s will for our lives. He will also bring specific scriptures to mind at times when we need them the most (John 14:26). Therefore, we must always test our inclinations against the scriptures. This is because the Holy Spirit will never push us to do anything contrary to God’s word (1Corinthians 14:33).

If it is conflicts with the Bible then it is not from the Holy Spirit and should be ignored. It is also necessary for us to be in continual prayer with the father (1Thessalonians 5:17) not only does this keep our hearts and minds open to the Holy Spirit’s leading but it’s also allows the spirit to speak on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27).

CONCLUSION: If you are not lead and guided by God, you will wonder and get lost in the wilderness of life. Let God lead you.

QUESTIONS:
1. Mention four (4) avenues of divine leading and guidance.
2. How can believe is recognised divine leading and guidance?

FURTHER READINGS: MON: Eph.6:18. TUE:
Acts 1Z:11, WED: Rom.15:14. THUR: Prov.3:3-
5. FRI: Acts 2:1Z. SAT: Jn. 14:16. SUN:
Rev. 1:16.

TOPIC: LEADERSHIP: MEANING AND THEORIES

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

MEMORY VERSE: “So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.” Psalm 78:72(NKJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: MATTHEW 20:25-28

25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

INTRODUCTION: Everything rises and falls with leadership. The more skillful and effective the leadership, the better the group or organisation runs, and the more the potential for growth increases. While some argue that leaders are born, the making of a true leader is not a ‘sprint’ but a ‘marathon’. It is therefore expedient to carefully and painstakinly learn about leadership and be skilled in the art.

LESSON OUTLINE
1. LEADERSHIP DESCRIBED
2. LEADERSHIP THEORIES

1. LEADERSHIP DESCRIBED

Many scholars have attempted to define or describe the term ‘leadership’. For instance, leadership is said to be a relationship between those who aspire to lead and those who choose to follow (John 21:3). Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal (Mark 3:14).

Leadership is any behaviour that influences the actions and attitude of others to achieve certain results (Genesis 7:5-7). Societal values determine whether the leadership of a an individual is positive or negative (Isaiah 9:16), based on the goals and results being pursued and on the means used to influence others.

Christian leaders leadership is an interpersonal behaviour (John 10:27;12:26). It is a relationship between a ‘mature’ Christian (who is willing to take responsibility) and a group of believers in Christ (who are willing to be responsible followers) with the aim of influencing them to achieve the common goal of doing God’s will in this world and making it to Heaven (1Corinthians 11:1;Luke 9:57).

A leader is someone who can see how things can be improved and Who rallies people to move towards that better vision. Leaders can work towards making their vision a reality while putting people first. Just being able to motivate people is not enough – leaders needs to be empathetic and connect with people to be successful. Leaders do not have to come from the same background or follow the same part. Future leaders will actually be more diverse, which brings a variety of perspectives.

2. LEADERSHIP THEORIES

Various leadership theories have emerged over the year and in attempt to explain the complexities of leadership. The following theories offer a diverse and representative view of leadership:

1. “Great leader” theories: in great leader theories assume that great leaders are born not made (Jeremiah 1:5; Judges 13:5).

2. Traits theory: similar in some ways to “great leader” theories, trait theories assume that people inherit certain behaviours, quality, and traits that make them suited for leadership (2Kings 14:1-3).

3. Situational theories: situational theories proposed that leaders will demonstrate a particular style of leadership depending on the given situation (1Corinthians 9:19-20)

4. Behavioral (functional) theories: behavioral theories of leadership are based on the belief that leaders are made, not born (the opposite of the “great leaders” theories) *Daniel 1:8, 20-21;6:1-3*

5. Transactional theories: transactional theories focus on the principle that followers are motivated by a system of risk and reward. If individuals or teams achieved their identify goal(s), they will be rewarded and if they do not succeed, they will be punished (Matthew 25:14-30).

6. Transformational theories: transformational theories are based on the idea that leaders motivate their followers. This will inspire team members of followers to perform for the good of the team (John 14:12-14).

CONCLUSION: Every man has a trait of leadership and them. Discover yours with the help of the Holy Spirit and make up your mind to be a leader after God’s heart.

QUESTIONS:
1. Give three(3) distinct definition of leadership
2. Identify five leadership theories.

ASSIGNMENT: Students should write five erroneous descriptions of leadership in the world system.

Beloved, we are glad you could join in today again, we look forward to your engagement everyday as always. Please, say these declarations in faith and believe God for a performance.

Note: These prayers are spiritual and can only be understood and fully enjoyed by God’s children. If you want to be blessed from these prayers, you must first, surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, by saying this prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I come before You today with a broken and contrite heart full of repentance. Please, forgive me all my sins. Today, I surrender my life to You, I believe that Jesus is Lord and I confess it with my mouth. Jesus, come into my life and save my soul from eternal destruction in hellfire. In Jesus’ name I pray.”

If you joined in that life-changing prayer! Kindly reach us today: [email protected] for guidance on how to grow in Christ.

Join today’s Devotion: Open Heavens 16 December 2022

Today’s Prayer Points: Prayers points for Open Heavens 16 December 2022

Today’s Powerful Confession: I confess today that the children that the Lord God has given me are for signs and wonders. They are not for pain, sorrows, affliction, or shame. They are God’s battle axe and His weapon of war. My children are filled with the Holy Spirit and are untouchable for the enemy in Jesus’ name, Amen. Hallelujah!

DAILY DECLARATION

Awake, O sword, against my adversaries, and against the man that stands against my life, smite him and let his camp be destroyed in the name of Jesus.

I decree right now: that the Almighty God converts every child giving their parents trouble, in Jesus name.

I decree and declare that the blood of Jesus is upon my children and therefore every evil that sees them flees in the name of Jesus!

I declare that my children walk in dominion and power on this earth. They are untouchable by the enemy in Jesus name!

Fathers declare: I decree and declare that I am a good priest and protector over my children in Jesus name.

I decree and declare that every curse, evil pattern, or trait running down my family line is broken today. My children will not walk under such covenant in Jesus name!

I decree and declare that only manifold blessings, goodness and mercy flow into the life of my children. May they be blessed because they’re from me in Jesus name.

Thank You Father for your son Pastor E. A Adeboye, and how You keep using him world wide. Lord may Your grace be multiplied to him and may You cause an increase to every seed You have planted through him. I decree and declare may the wisdom and inspiration of the Almighty upon him never cease and the grace of God will continually dwell with him and his entire household, may they continue to enjoy Your faithfulness in the mighty name of Jesus.

I decree and declare heaven responds to these prayers and declaration as I say them and I receive answers in Jesus name.

Holy Spirit thank You for the intercessory team, thank You for Your power and presence in their midst, please continue to inspire the intercessory team for more prophetic declarations. Help them to continue to communicate Your heart even through these declarations, please continue to inspire them for more prophetic declarations in Jesus’ name.

Thank You Lord for everyone working on this platform (RCCGONLINE.ORG). Please Lord, perfect everything that concerns them and make them great in Jesus name.

Thank You Holy Spirit for all the testimonies and miracles coming through these prayers. May they be permanent in Jesus name.

Father, let everybody joining in to say this declarations all over the world experience great miracles throughout this month. May we have numerous testimonies in Jesus name.

Somebody shout Hallelujah!

See you tomorrow.

Beloved, we are glad you could join in today again, we look forward to your engagement everyday as always. Please, say these prayers in faith and believe God for a performance.

Note: These prayers are spiritual, this can only be understood and fully accessed by God’s children. If you want to be blessed from these prayers, you must first, surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, by saying this prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I come before You today with a broken and contrite heart full of repentance. Please, forgive me all my sins. Today, I surrender my life to You, I believe that Jesus is Lord and I confess it with my mouth. Jesus, come into my life and save my soul from eternal destruction in hellfire. In Jesus’ name, I pray.”

If you joined in that life-changing prayer, congratulations! Welcome to the family of God. Kindly reach us today via this email: [email protected]

Today’s Devotional: Open Heavens 16 December 2022

Powerful Declarations: Powerful Declarations For Today 16 December 2022

Today’s Powerful Confession: I confess today that the children that the Lord God has given me are for signs and wonders. They are not for pain, sorrows, affliction, or shame. They are God’s battle axe and His weapon of war. My children are filled with the Holy Spirit and are untouchable for the enemy in Jesus’ name, Amen. Hallelujah!

PRAYER POINTS

Thank You Father for a new day. Thank You for freshness and newness in my life. Thank You Lord for being my God. Be exalted forever in Jesus name.

Father, forgive me for every sin and shortcoming. Have mercy upon me in Jesus name.

Oh Lord, let every problem I have with my children come to an end today in the mighty name of Jesus!

Father in heaven, let every yoke over my children’s life be destroyed and scattered in the mighty name of Jesus!

Father let each and every one of my children come to the light of salvation and give their lives to Jesus Christ in the name of Jesus!

Every single day, ensure You cover your children with the blood of Jesus. Don’t wait until You see any signs of them misbehaving, cover them from now. The devils plan will fail over your children, in Jesus name.

Father, help me to be a good example for my children. Let me show myself in all respects to be a pattern and a model of good deeds and works, teaching what is unadulterated, showing gravity [having the strictest regard for truth and purity of motive], with dignity and seriousness in the name of Jesus.

Lord, let my instruction be sound and fit and wise and wholesome, vigorous and irrefutable in the name of Jesus.

Lord, let my actions lead my children the right way. Let me be a good leader in the name of Jesus.

Father, my I not be just a hearer and sayer of the Lord. May I be a doer of the Word in Jesus name.

Father, every evil trait that has been instilled in me by my parents and every evil traits I have instilled in my children, let them be burned away by the fire of the Holy Ghost in the name of Jesus.

Help me Lord to show my children true light. My children will never end up in darkness in Jesus name.

Thank You for the benefactors and beneficiaries of Your great work on this platform (RCCGONLINE.ORG). Father I ask that fresh fire fall upon them, that they will be set ablaze for You.

Oh Lord, bless your son Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye for all his years of continual service, remember him, guide him on the path, help him remain focused, bless his entire household, and fulfill all Your promises for their liberation, ministry and family, in Jesus’ name.

Thank You Father for the intercessory team and the online platform (RCCGONLINE.ORG) and that which You have put in their hearts, I pray that You make them as flaming swords to bring men to Your kingdom and shut down the works of darkness in the name of Jesus.

Father, bless everyone dedicating their time to pray through these prayers & declarations at the point of their needs. Give them the grace to share/rebroadcast, in Jesus’ name.

Father, please uphold Your children working everyday on this platform (rccgonline.org) to prepare these prayers and declarations with Your right hand of righteousness and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, give them the grace to keep up with this good work of Faith, in the name of Jesus.

By faith, appreciate God for answered prayers. Your testimonies are undeniable in Jesus’ name.

Father, let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus’ name.

Submit yourself and your personal petitions to God. Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.

( Philippians 4:6)

In Jesus’ name I pray.

(John 14:13-14; 15:16)

Thank you Father for answered prayers.

(1 Thessalonians 5:18).

#GodBlessOurNation

These prayers have no expiry date! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name.

See you here tomorrow.

OPEN HEAVEN 16 DECEMBER 2022 MEMORIZE: Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. Zechariah 13:7

OPEN HEAVEN DECEMBER 2022 BIBLE READING JOB 1:4-5

4. And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

5. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

OPEN HEAVEN DECEMBER 2022 MESSAGE

Many atime, when the devil wants to attack a family, he goes by the principle that If you cannot get the trunk, go for the branches; if you cannot get the father, go for the son. If you cannot get the mother, go for the daughter. He then begins to attack the children.

In Matthew 15:21-28, the woman that came to Jesus Christ said, The devil is vexing my daughter. In Matthew 17:14-18, a man came to Jesus Christ and said, The devil is vexing my son. In 1 Samuel 2:22-36, the Bible tells us that it is the sons of Eli that destroyed his legacy.

For many Christians, the only problem they have is with their children. That will come to an end today, in Jesus name.

Many years ago, I was invited to preach to a group of eminent personalities in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria and I had prepared to minister on the topic You need a miracle. I was told to sit in the sitting room of the host while other guests arrived.

From where I sat, I could see four other sitting rooms in ascending order of splendour. I wanted to change my topic because I believed that this fellow did not need a miracle at all. God then spoke to me and said, The family needs a miracle more than you know.

They had one son and he was a drug addict. When his mother refused to give him any more money to buy drugs, he decided to deal with her and so, when she was travelling, he planted drugs in her handbag. She got to Britain before she was found out and arrested but she was able to wriggle her way out of the problem.

After the sermon, the Almighty God stepped into the situation, the boy gave his life to Christ, and the yoke was destroyed. I decree right now: the Almighty God will convert every child giving you trouble, in Jesus name.

Start covering your children with the blood of Jesus right from when they are young. The Bible says that the blood of Jesus has power to overcome the devil. When the devil sees the blood of Jesus on your children, he will run away.

Every single day, ensure you cover your children with the blood of Jesus. Don’t wait until you see any signs of them misbehaving, cover them from now. The devils plan will fail over your children, in Jesus name.

OPEN HEAVEN 16 DECEMBER 2022 KEY POINT

Start covering your children with the blood of Jesus every day from now.

OPEN HEAVEN 16 DECEMBER 2022 HYMN

O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

1. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

2. Under the shadow of thy throne,
Thy Saints have dwelt secure.
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure.

3. Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting thou art God,
To endless years the same.

4. A thousand ages in thy sight,
Are like an evening gone,
Short as the watch that ends the night,
Before the rising sun.

5. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream,
Dies at the opening day

6. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be thou our guide while troubles (life) last,
And our eternal home.

OPEN HEAVEN 16 DECEMBER 2022 BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: TIMOTHY 1:1-20, 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-15, 1 TIMOTHY 3:1-16 , 1 TIMOTHY 4:1-16, 1 TIMOTHY 5:1-25