LESSON: FORTY SEVEN (47)
TOPIC: PERILOUS TIME

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

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old 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?

BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Timothy 3:1-5
[1]This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
[2]For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
[3]Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
[4]Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
[5]Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

MEMORY VERSE: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2Timothy 3:1.

INTRODUCTION: The translated word for “perilous” in 2Timothy 3:1 is ‘chalepos’, which means troublesome, dangerous, fierce, dreadful, etc. The term, last days, refers to the period between Christ’s ascension into Heaven and His second coming. Perilous times constitute part of the last days. The ‘last days’is not just a prophecy. It started from the days of the Bible (1John.2:18-19). The importance of the prophecy and warning against the perilous times cannot be over-emphasised because we are living in the fulfilment of these perilous times. The purpose of this study is to carefully consider the writing of Paul to Timothy in 2Timothy 3:1-5 on the things that characterise the Perilous Times and the position every believer in Christ should take.

OUTLINES:
1. CHARACTERISTICS OF PERILOUS TIMES
2. CAUTION FOR BELIEVERS

1. CHARACTERISTICS OF PERILOUS TIMES
According to Paul, the conduct of the people will reveal perilous times. Some people will be lovers of their selves (2 Timothy 3:2) i.e. they will be self-centred (Philippians 2:21); covetous – having lust of the eyes, craziness for wealth and materialism (Luke 12:15;); boasters – expressing vain glory (Psalms 10:3); proud – valuing themselves above all others (Proverbs 21:4); blasphemers – those who speak immorally of God and sacred things (Mark.3:29); disobedient to parents – disrespecting and dishonouring parents both physically and spiritually (Romans 1:30); unthankful – not appreciating God and others for good deeds (Romans 1:21); unholy- not pleasing God (Jude 18).
Furthermore, 2Timothy 3:3 says some people will be without natural affection – no family affection and lack of tender love (Romans 1:31); trucebreakers – treacherous and betraying true friendship; False accusers – character assassination (Proverbs 10:18); incontinent – without self-control (2 Peter 2:14); ‘fierce’ – wild or violent, having or displaying an intense, ferocious aggressiveness (Psalms 11:5); despisers of those that are good – All forms of lies, evil speaking against true believers and godliness (Nehemiah 2:19).
2Timothy 3:4 also makes mention of traitors – a betrayer of trust (Acts 7:52); heady – reckless or headstrong (Proverbs 21:29a); lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God- All forms of immorality and ungodliness that satisfy the flesh (Philippians 3:19).
In addition, 2Timothy 3:5 speaks of them as ‘Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof’ – Being religious but not victorious above sin, outwardly looking good but inwardly rotten in unrighteousness (Matthew 23:27).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Each student should mention one characteristic of the perilous times.

2. CAUTION FOR BELIEVERS
Scriptures admonish believers living in this ‘last days’ to turn away from all ungodly practices in order not to be caught in the web of the perilous times (2 Timothy 3:5). As believers, we must receive the prophecies/warning and be conscious of it at all times. We must separate from the company and fellowship of people with the characters above (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). We must avoid all forms of carnality and false doctrines (Romans 8:6-7; Ephesians 4:14). We must be watchful and be prayerful to guard against deception and temptation to sin (Matthew 26:41; 2Corinthians 2:11). We must release ourselves to the Holy Spirit and be sensitive to His leading (James 4:7; Romans 8:14).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What roles can believers play to ensure they remain in the faith in this period.

CONCLUSION This is a perilous time; every believer that wants to get to heaven must heed the warning, and be careful to live a separate life from the world and false brethren to please God.

QUESTIONS:
* What events will characterise the perilous times?
* What scriptural cautions are believers to adhere to during perilous times?

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) measures you have put in place to overcome the perilous times (2×5=10 Marks).

LESSON: FORTY SEVEN (47)
TOPIC: PERILOUS TIMES

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

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old 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: O God, please help me to be watchful in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
[1]This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
[2]For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
[3]Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
[4]Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
[5]Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

MEMORY VERSE: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2Timothy 3:1.

INTRODUCTION: The translated word for “perilous” in 2Timothy 3:1 is ‘chalepos’, which means troublesome, dangerous, fierce, dreadful, etc. The term, last days, refers to the period between Christ’s ascension into Heaven and His second coming. Perilous times constitute part of the last days. The ‘last days’is not just a prophecy. It started from the days of the Bible (1John.2:18-19). The importance of the prophecy and warning against the perilous times cannot be over-emphasised because we are living in the fulfilment of these perilous times. The purpose of this study is to carefully consider the writing of Paul to Timothy in 2Timothy 3:1-5 on the things that characterise the Perilous Times and the position every believer in Christ should take.

LESSON AIM: To study the characteristics of the perilous times and some cautions for believers.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES:Through this lesson, students should be able to:
a. Understand the characteristics of the perilous times.
b. Discover some cautions for believers against the period.

TEACHING PLAN: To attain the above-stated objectives:
A. Students should:
a. Take the opening prayer.
b. Recite the memory verse.
c. Read the Bible passage.
d. Participate in class activities.

B. The Assistant teacher should:
a. Guide the students to take the opening prayer, read the Bible passage, and recite the memory verse.
b. Conduct the class.
c. Mark the attendance (in the class).
d. Mark the assignment.

C. The teacher should: a. Explain the two lesson outline. b. Administer the two class activities. c. Summarize, conclude, and evaluate the lesson. d. Give the assignment and lead the closing prayer.

TEXT REVIEW: 2 Timothy 3:1-5
The teacher should identify any 10 features of the perilous times according to the passage.
i. ………………………………………………ii……………………………………………….
iii. ……………………………………………
iv. …………………………………………….
iii. ……………………………………………
v. .…………………………………………….
vi. …………………………………………….
vii. ……………………………………………
viii. .…………………………………………
ix …………………………………………….
x. …………………………………………….

OUTLINES:
1. CHARACTERISTICS OF PERILOUS TIMES
2. CAUTION FOR BELIEVERS

1. CHARACTERISTICS OF PERILOUS TIMES
According to Paul, the conduct of the people will reveal perilous times. These characteristics are indicated below:
i. Some people will be lovers of their selves (2 Timothy 3:2) i.e. they will be self-centred (Philippians 2:21).
ii. Covetous – having lust of the eyes, craziness for wealth and materialism (Luke 12:15).
iii. Boasters – expressing vain glory (Psalm 10:3).
iv. Proud – valuing themselves above all others (Proverbs 21:4).
v. Blasphemers – those who speak immorally of God and sacred things (Mark 3:29).
vi. Disobedient to parents- disrespecting and dishonouring parents both physically and spiritually (Romans 1:30).
vii. Unthankful – not appreciating God and others for good deeds (Romans 1:21).
viii. Unholy – not pleasing God (Jude 18).
ix. Lack of natural affection – no family affection and lack of tender love (2 Timothy 3:3, Romans 1:31).
x. Trucebreakers – treacherous and betraying true friendship.
xi. False Accusers – character assassination (Proverbs 10:18).
xii. Incontinent – without self-control (2 Peter 2:14).
xiii. Fierce – wild or violent, having or displaying an intense, ferocious aggressiveness (Psalm 11:5).
xiv. Despisers of those that are good – All forms of lies, evil speaking against true believers and godliness (Nehemiah 2:19).
xv. Traitors – a betrayer of trust (2 Timothy 3:4; Acts 7:52).
xvi. Heady – reckless or headstrong (Proverbs 21:29a).
xvii. Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God- All forms of immorality and ungodliness that satisfy the flesh (Philippians 3:19).
xviii. ‘Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof’ (2 Timothy 3:5)- Being religious but not victorious above sin, outwardly looking good but inwardly rotten in unrighteousness (Matthew 23:27).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Each student should mention one characteristic of the perilous times.

2. CAUTION FOR BELIEVERS
Scriptures admonish believers living in this ‘last days’ to
i. Turn away from all ungodly practices in order not to be caught in the web of the perilous times (2 Timothy 3:5).
ii. Receive the prophecies/warning and be conscious of it at all times.
iii. Separate from the company and fellowship of people with the characters above (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).
iv. Avoid all forms of carnality and false doctrines (Romans 8:6-7; Ephesians 4:14).
v. Be watchful and be prayerful to guard against deception and temptation to sin (Matthew 26:41; 2 Corinthians 2:11).
vi. Release ourselves to the Holy Spirit and be sensitive to His leading (James 4:7; Romans 8:14).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What roles can believers play to ensure they remain in the faith in this period.

CONCLUSION: This is a perilous time; every believer that wants to get to heaven must heed the warning, and be careful to live a separate life from the world and false brethren to please God.

QUESTIONS:
* What events will characterise the perilous times?
* What scriptural cautions are believers to adhere to during perilous times?

EVALUATION: What are the signs of perilous times and the cautions for the believers?

CLOSING PRAYER: Almighty God, please carry me on Your wings and do not let me perish in these perilous times.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) measures you have put in place to overcome the perilous times (2×5=10 Marks).

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 19 JULY 2024 MEMORISE: For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Hebrews 2:18

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 19 JULY 2024 BIBLE READING READ ROMANS 12:1-2

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 19 JULY 2024 MESSAGE

The world is filled with so many distractions that can hinder a child of God from focusing on his or her purpose.

Pressure abounds in families, schools, churches, neighborhoods, etcetera, but you have been called to stand out for God in the midst of pressure.

Are you experiencing peer pressure, and your friends are encouraging you to do things that are wrong or things that make you feel uncomfortable?

You may feel that not doing their bidding will make them unfriend you. However, if you are a Christian, God wants you to honour Him by living a life that Pleases Him and not your friends. He expects you to look less like your friends and more like Jesus.

Do you know that even Jesus experienced pressure and temptations when He was on the earth? He, however, overcame them.

Therefore, whenever you’re tempted, know that Jesus knows exactly how you feel, andHe wants you to resist worldly pressure by His Grace.

If you have fallen into pressure, Jesus wants you to confess your sins now and promise notto go back to them again. Ask for His help to stand firm and not give in to pressure.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 19 JULY 2024 REFLECTION

Would you rather be like the world or Jesus?

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 19 JULY 2024 HYMN 45 O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

1.O God, Our Help In Ages PastOur Hope For Years To Come Our Shelter From The Stormy
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 AII its Sons Away
They Fly Forgotten, As A Dream Dies At The Opening Day

6.O God, Our Help In Ages PastOur Hope For Years To Come Be Thou Our Guard While Trouble Last
And Our Eternal Home

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 19 JULY 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 CHRONICLES 28:1-29:30 ROMANS 5:6-21

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 18 JULY 2024 MEMORISE: But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 18 JULY 2024 READ: 1 Timothy 6:6-8

6. But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Prayer Points For Open Heavens 18 July 2024

Powerful Declarations For Today 18 July 2024

Open Heavens 18 July 2024 THURSDAY

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 18 JULY 2024 MESSAGE:

Greed is the desire to have something at all costs. Gehazi, in 2 Kings 5:22-27, was filled with covetousness and greed. He ran after Naaman and lied to him, saying that his master wanted a gift.

After he got the gifts, he hid them and returned to his master, but nothing was hidden from the Lord. His master confronted him for his greed and cursed him.

If you have an excessive desire for material things and you fail to control it now, it will affect your future negatively and also affect your walk with God.

It is good to appreciate what others have, but don’t get to a point where you begin to strive to get those things at all costs, as this may lead to other sins.

Greedy people are selfish and will stop at nothing to see that everything good comes to them, even if they get them through crooked means.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 18 JULY 2024 KEY POINT: Don’t be greedy.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 18 JULY 2024 HYMN 56:

NEARER, MY GOD TO THEE

1. Nearer, My God, To Thee,
Nearer To Thee;
E’en Though It Be A Cross
That Raiseth Me,
Still All My Song Shall Be,
Nearer, My God, To Thee,
Nearer, My God, To Thee,
Nearer To Thee!

2. Though Like The Wanderer,
The Sun Gone Down,
Darkness Be Over Me,
My Rest A Stone,
Yet In My Dreams I’d Be
Nearer, My God, To Thee,
Nearer, My God, To Thee,
Nearer To Thee!

3. There Let The Way Appear
Steps Unto Heaven;
All That Thou Send’st To Me
In Mercy Given;
Angels To Beckon Me
Nearer, My God, To Thee,
Nearer To Thee!

4. Then With My Waking Thoughts
Bright With Thy Praise,
Out Of My Stony Griefs
Bethel I’ll Raise;
So By My Woes To Be
Nearer, My God, To Thee,
Nearer To Thee!

5. Or If On Joyful Wing
Cleaving The Sky,
Sun, Moon, And Stars Forgot,
Upward I Fly,
Still All My Song Shall Be,
Nearer, My God, To Thee;
Nearer To Thee!

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 18 JULY 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34 Romans 4:13-5:5

OPEN HEAVEN 19 JULY 2024 MEMORISE: As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Psalms 127:4

OPEN HEAVEN 19 JULY 2024 READ: Psalms 127:3-5

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

OPEN HEAVEN 19 JULY 2024 MESSAGE

Today’s memory verse says that children are like a young man’s arrows. Young men can shoot arrows far ahead of them to ward off the enemy or any dangerous animal in their path.

Likewise, your children are to go ahead of you into your future to make it more pleasurable. If you train your children well, when they are older, they will take care of you in your old age.

My mother and father did not have formal education. My family was called poor, even by the poor people in our village. The day my father bought an umbrella, we all celebrated in our house; that is how poor we were.

However, even though we were very poor, my parents managed to send me to school. They sold their properties till there was nothing else to sell.

That was the best decision they ever took because sending me to school brought the family out of poverty.

Today, the name ‘Adeboye’ is known around the world because my parents used the money from selling their properties to pay my school fees.

Spend your money wisely; invest in your children because they are the arrows you will send to your future.

They will be there for you when you are old, and when you are long gone, the results of your investment in them will still be obvious.

There is an adage in Yorubaland that says that if you decide to build a house rather than build your child, the child you refused to build will sell off the house you built.

Choose to send your children to the best schools you can afford. Choose to spend quality time with them to teach them the basic principles of life and God’s word. No investment in your children ever expires.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 says that better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof. It is better to wear rags now and train your children than to wear! the best clothes and leave your children untrained.

It doesn’t matter what you wear today; if your children are well-trained, they will buy you the best clothes and cars and even build houses for you when they get older.

Beloved, training your children well is important if you want to enjoy long-term prosperity and peace of mind.

OPEN HEAVEN 19 JULY 2024 REFLECTION

Are you doing your best when it comes to training your children?

OPEN HEAVEN 19 JULY 2024 HYMN 1

ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME

OPEN HEAVEN 19 JULY 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 20-24

OPEN HEAVEN 18 JULY 2024 MEMORISE: Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18

OPEN HEAVEN 18 JULY 2024 READ: Ephesians 5:3-8

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

OPEN HEAVEN 18 JULY 2024 MESSAGE

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

The above passage says that God destroys fornicators; He destroys them Himself. If a believer does not want God to destroy him or her, he or she must avoid fornication by all means.

When fornication comes knocking on the door of your heart, you must flee! How do you flee fornication? First, stay away from anything that can lead to fornication.

Don’t stay in secluded places alone with someone of the opposite sex. Don’t have immoral conversations with that fellow who claims to be your friend because evil communication corrupts good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33).

If someone is making sexual advances at you, run! Don’t give room for the fellow to try and convince you at all.

When Potiphar’s wife was trying to get Joseph to sleep with her, he ran for his dear life (Genesis 39:7-12).

Beloved, there is no point in Christians entering into romantic relationships if the mutual intention is not marriage – a relationship like that is a time bomb, waiting to blow up its participants.

If you cannot tell your pastor that you want to go into a relationship with someone, then you must not go into that relationship.

A child of God should not have casual romantic relationships, rather, he or she should have a fiancé or fiancée.

If you are mature enough to get married, and the desire to have sexual relations is getting so much that it is difficult to cope, then get married.

God sanctions sexual relations only within the confines of marriage. To avoid the destruction that comes with fornication, it is better that you get married.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 7:9, “But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”

There is absolutely nothing worthwhile to gain or enjoy from fornicating; the result is always destruction.

If you don’t believe me, ask Samson or Reuben. They will tell you that if they could reverse time, the only thing they would change about their lives is that they would avoid fornication.

OPEN HEAVEN 18 JULY 2024 KEY POINT

There is absolutely nothing worthwhile to gain or enjoy from fornicating; the result is always destruction.

OPEN HEAVEN 18 JULY 2024 HYMN 1

ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME

OPEN HEAVEN 18 JULY 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 15-19

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 17 JULY 2024 MEMORISE: …for them that honour me l will honour.,and they that despise me shall be lightlyes teemed. 1 SAMUEL 2:30

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 17 JULY 2024 BIBLE READING 1 SAMUEL 2:12-17

12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.

13 And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;

14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself.
So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.

15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.

16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.

17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 17 JULY 2024 MESSAGE

To dishonour someone is to intentionally disrespect a person whom you should respect.

Prophet Eli’s children grew up knowing The Customs of worship in the presence of God.

They watched their dad and other priests minister to God and His people, and they saw how offerings and sacrifices to Go Were handled with honour and reverence.

However, they dishonoured God by Abusing His offering, violating women in the temple,and disregarding their father’s office and ministry. They enjoyed living a carefree life until destruction came upon them.

Sadly, many teenagers today are toeing the lines of Hophni and Phinehas. They make jest of men of God, refuse to give offerings and tithes, and chat online or with friends while in God’s presence.

All these are acts ofdishonour to God. It is sadder that many of these teenagers are children of pastors and ministers.

Beloved, if you have dishonoured God in anyway, please go on your knees now and Ask Him for mercy because any fellow who has this trait of the end time will not reign With Jesus when He comes back to the earth.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 17 JULY 2024 KEY POINT

Do not disrespect God; always honour His Presence’s.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 17 JULY 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 CHRONICLES 24:1-26:11 ROMANS 4:1-12

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 17 JULY 2024

HYMN 41 JESUS, MY LORD, MY GOD, MY ALL

1. Jesus, My Lord, My God, My Al,
Hear Me, Blest Saviour, When I Call;
Hear Me, And From Thy Dwelling
Place
Pour Down The Riches Of Thy
Grace;

Refrain:
Jesus, My Lord, I Thee Adore;
Oh Make Me Love Thee More And
More.

2. Jesus, Too Late | Thee Have Sought;
How Can | Love Thee As I Ought?And How Extol Thy Matchless Fame,
The Glorious Beauty Of Thy Name? [Refrain]

3. Jesus, What Didst Thou Find InMe,
That Thou Hast Dealt So
Lovingly?
How Great The Joy That Thou Hast Brought
So Far Exceeding Hope Or Thought! [Refrain]

4. Jesus, Of Thee Shall Be My Song,
To Thee My Heart And Soul Belong;
All That I Have Or Am Is Thine,And Thou, Blest Saviour, Thou Art Mine. [Refrain]

OPEN HEAVEN 17 JULY 2024 WEDNESDAY: THE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE

OPEN HEAVEN 17 JULY 2024 MEMORISE: And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18

OPEN HEAVEN 17 JULY 2024 READ: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

OPEN HEAVEN 17 JULY 2024 TODAY MESSAGE

Our memory verse tells us clearly that marriage was established primarily for companionship.

God made a help meet for Adam, not a competitor. Any marriage where the husband and wife compete against each other will not stand because Mark 3:25 says that a house divided against itself shall not stand.

Husband, your wife is a gift from God to help you achieve His purpose for your life.

You must create the environment that encourages her to help you rather than compete with you. If not for my wife’s help and the grace of God, I would not have achieved all I have achieved in ministry today.

Ask God to give you the wisdom to know what to do to get your spouse to help you.

I always encourage and give room for my wife to help me. I don’t hide things from her, rather, I hand some things over to her to handle.

After major programmes like our annual conventions, I buy her gifts to say, “Thank you for your support.” This encourages her to help me more in subsequent programmes.

Wives, stop trying to compete with your husbands.

Don’t follow the recent worldly trend that is seeking to overturn the roles of husbands and wives in marriages. Don’t turn your marriage into a competition where there is a winner and a loser.

One person’s win is a win for both of you. The more impact your spouse makes, the prouder you should be. In Proverbs 31:23, the Bible says that a good wife makes her husband proud. Husband, if your wife is making an impact in places of authority, you should hold your head up high; it does not reduce you as a man; it enhances you. It shows that you know how to nurture talent well, and things flourish in your hands.

Let all involved parties play their part in ensuring a successful home.

If every footballer on a field tries to be the striker so that they can boast of the number of goals they score, who will be the goalkeeper and ensure that the opponent doesn’t score against them? The fact that you are a defender does not make you any less valuable than the striker. Play your part, and you will both enjoy the rewards of success.

Don’t leave your duty post to compete with your teammate and end up losing in life entirely. Handle your role, support your spouse, and your entire family will win at the end of the day.

OPEN HEAVEN 17 JULY 2024 KEY POINT

It is better to be a defender in a winning team than to be a star player in a losing team.

OPEN HEAVEN 17 JULY 2024 HYMN 30

WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD`

OPEN HEAVEN 17 JULY 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 12-14

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OPEN HEAVEN 16 JULY 2024 MEMORIZE: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1

OPEN HEAVEN 16 JULY 2024 Read John 8:1-11

1. Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

2. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

3. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

4. They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

5. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

6. This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

7. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

8. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

9. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

10. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

11. She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

OPEN HEAVEN 16 JULY 2024 MESSAGE

It is quite terrible that some people judge individuals who have made mistakes just so they can feel better about themselves.

Their goal is to boost their self-esteem rather than admonish the people who made the mistake or bring them to Christ.

The people who attempted to stone the adulterous woman in John 8:1-11 were just like this. They did not expect that Jesus would put the searchlight of righteousness on them; He humiliated them as they planned to humiliate her.

When we correct someone just to show how righteous we are, we are attacking their self-esteem, adding to the weight of guilt they already bear, and making it more difficult for them to come to Christ.

God turns against people who condemn others to prove that they are righteous. When Jesus sees a fallen soldier in His army, He wants to help the fellow up.

If He discovers that other soldiers are throwing stones at the fellow to kill him or her completely, He turns against those soldiers to defend the one who is wounded.

It is unfortunate that many Christians use their superiority complex to hand their own brothers and sisters over to the devil.

For example, who is a young Christian girl supposed to turn to if she becomes pregnant out of wedlock? Fellow believers or unbelievers?

In most cases, her church members might call her a prostitute and make her feel unwanted, while unbelievers may show her care and understanding.

When soldiers are wounded, they need people to help them dress their wounds so they can stand up again.

If the people they get help from are from the enemy’s camp, they may never return to their own camp again.

This is why many backsliders keep going deeper into sin. They think that they will no longer find forgiveness and acceptance in the church, so they backslide completely.

The Holy Spirit is still drawing them toward the church, but they are reluctant to go back out of the fear of being condemned by the people who should show love to them the most.

Beloved, if a fellow believer falls, don’t condemn the person. Don’t turn such a person into an object of gossip, rather, get other Christians together to pray and follow up on the fellow until he or she comes back to God.

This was the testimony about Job in Job 4:3-4. Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

OPEN HEAVEN 16 JULY 2024 ACTION POINT:

Show love to any believer you know that may require encouragement by calling or sending a message to say you will always be there for him or her.

OPEN HEAVEN 16 JULY 2024 HYMN:

1. The great Physician now is near,
The sympathising Jesus;
He speaks the drooping heart to cheer,
Oh, hear the voice of Jesus.

REFRAIN:
Sweetest note in seraph song,
Sweetest name on mortal tongue;
Sweetest carol ever sung,
Jesus, blessed Jesus.

2. Your many sins are all forgiven,
Oh, hear the voice of Jesus;
Go on your way in peace to heaven,
And wear a crown with Jesus.

3. All glory to the risen Lamb!
I now believe in Jesus;
I love the blessed Saviour’s name,
I love the name of Jesus.

4. His name dispels my guilt and fear,
No other name but Jesus;
Oh! how my soul delights to hear
The charming name of Jesus.

OPEN HEAVEN 16 JULY 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ISAIAH 9-11

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 16 JULY 2024 MEMORISE: Do all things without murmurings and disputing: Philippians 2:14

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 16 JULY 2024 READ: Philippians 2:14-16

14. Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

16. Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 16 JULY 2024 MESSAGE:

One particular year December, i queried God that He had not done anything special for me since the beginning of the year.

I explained to Him that if He had given me evident miracles that year, I would have probably had reasons to be grateful.

Thankfully, God was not angry with me or at my complaints. He simply told me to take a pen and jotter to write down all He would remind me of.

After ten minutes of writing all His benefits that I had forgotten, I fell flat on my face, asking for His forgiveness over my ingratitude.

Ingratitude is a sin that begins from complaining and murmuring about the things you don’t have while ignoring the blessings that you have.

In Exodus 16:1-4, the children of Israel did this in the wilderness, and God was not happy with them.
If you are quick to complain about everything, then you should ask God for forgiveness.

If you find it difficult to thank God for the daily blessings you enjoy or say ‘thank you’ to someone who did something good to you, you should ask God for mercy because you are exhibiting a sign of the end time.

Note that where you are right now, and the things that you have are other people’s prayer

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 16 JULY 2024 PRAYER POINT:

Father, please help me to show gratitude to You and other people at all times.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 16 JULY 2024 HYMN 37:

LET US WITH A GLADSOME MIND

1. Let us, with a gladsome mind,
Praise the Lord, for He is kind;
For His mercies shall endure
Ever faithful, ever sure.

2. Let us sound His name abroad,
For of gods He is the God;
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.

3. He with all-commanding might
Filled the new-made world with light;
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.

4. All things living He doth feed;
His full hand supplies their need;
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.

5. He His chosen race did bless
In the wasteful wilderness;
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.

6. He hath with a pious eye
Looked upon our misery;
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.

7. Let us with gladsome mind
Praise the Lord, for He is kind;
For His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 16 JULY 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32 Romans 3:9-31