Pulpit Curriculum
July 24th – July 30th, 2022
Verse of the Week
Acts 23:16-17 (ESV)
16 Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.”
Going Deeper
Review Acts 23:12-35
1a) When we are being unjustly attacked, how can we demonstrate our trust in God as our defender?
1b) Discuss whether trusting God to intervene in our situations means that we should not seek to defend ourselves in any way
2a) Identify three (3) scripture verses about how God protects His children from harm. What principles can you apply to your life from these scriptures?
2b) Isaiah 54:17 tells us that the weapons formed against the children of God will not prosper. How can we rationalize this and other scriptures about God’s interference in the plans of the enemy, when it looks like He is not doing anything about our situation?
3a) Discuss God’s divine protection in the context that Christians don’t seem immune to accidents, persecution, or death.
3b) With reference to scripture, consider whether sinful acts/disobedience remove us from God’s protection?
Assess Your Life
1) How would you rate your level of confidence in God for his intervention in situations where you are being unjustly treated or attacked?
a) ) I am not at all confident that God will intervene on my behalf.
b) I believe that God can intervene in situations, but I am not sure that He wants to do it for me personally.
c) Sometimes I seem to have confidence in God, and at other times I am overcome by fear.
d) As I spend more and more time reading and memorizing scripture, my confidence in His ability and desire to intervene on my behalf is growing.
e) I am completely condident in God to intervene in situations on my behalf and to give me the victory.
2) What factors may be hindering you from being completely confident in God to intervene in situations on your behalf?
Application
1 What actions can you take to strengthen your faith in God’s ability and desire to defend you?
I)
II)
III)
2 Of the list above, which one(s) will you be intentional about working on this week?
I will ask
Sermon Main Points
As defenders of the faith, we must:
- Trust in God’s divine interference
- Trust in God’s divine protection
What stood out for me in this sermon?
God has a way of interfering in the plans of enemy.
God’s interference is always for the benefit of His children.
God exposes evil and protects His children. According to Job 5:12, “He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.
You may not know the reason that things are happening to you but you know that God is in control.
What is something I can do to remember this?
5 Day Study Plan
Use the Inductive Bible Study method to study these scriptures this week and remember to share with someone else.
Follow these steps
1. Observe the text. (What does the text say?)
2. Interpret the text. (What does the text mean?)
3. Apply the text. (What can I do as a result of what I have learnt?)
Day 1 - Proverbs 3:5-6
Day 2 - Psalm 112:6-7
Day 3 - Isaiah 41:10-12
Day 4 - Matthew 6:26-27
Day 5 - Jeremiah 17:5-8
For best results, this content should be read and prepared privately and then disccussed in your small group or with family / friends. We were not created to do life alone - get connected with a small group and grow together.
Harvest Bible Chapel Barbados - 2022