56 Bible Study lessons For the Kingdom Focused Christians

By Dr. Francis Ayodeji

This Bible study guide is for every leader or teacher of the word at home or in the church, House Fellowship, Private Study Group, or Cell group. A good Bible study guide or plan is needed to enhance the growth of the believer in this age of the church. This Bible study is for those who are focused on entering the Kingdom of God and not just those who are religious Christians. This is food for the adult believer who is making a conscious effort to make heaven.
This Bible study is designed to engage the listeners in the lessons through discussions, conversations, suggestions, real-life interactions, questions based on the relativeness of the topic to their daily lives. This will help the students to digest the Truth in the Word of God. 
The topics of the lessons allow them to unearth what is said concerning a particular thing in the Scriptures in regards to the Kingdom of God while making it relevant to their daily lives and common activities. The students can draw conclusions and answers to questions while applying what they've learned to their life in the church, outside the church, and what God is doing now in the age of the Body of Christ. The lessons will become real to them and this will help the topic be embedded in their memory. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emmanuel Multimedia House
• Release date: Jun 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201456313

Book preview

Lesson 1 - The Church Is Built On Love

Scripture Reference(s):

But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.- John 5:42

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.- Romans 5:5

You shall love your neighbor as yourself. - Romans 13:9

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. - Romans 5:5

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up’.  - 1 Corinthians 13:4

¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height ¹⁹ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen....... - Ephesians 3:18-21

BODY: Jesus Christ has only one church on earth which He has purchased with His blood and that church has requirements that must be met for anyone to become a member of that church. The Church of Christ is also called the body of Christ and the members are expected to manifest the power and the goodness of the kingdom of God on Earth. Our gathering in a building is only for us to stand together to worship and connect to the one true church while fulfilling our mandate in God.

However, every church has an assigned mandate or purpose. The church is a training ground and just like every training place on earth, there are different levels and grades, and each grade level serves to fulfill a purpose in those who attend its class. It is commonly known that God’s local churches are a place to distribute God’s knowledge, His laws, and His will so that they may be practiced daily. However, we tend to forget that the material that God used to build His church is LOVE. Whenever the spirit of love disappears among its members, Jesus Christ would not manifest in that church gathering anymore.

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him............ - 1 John 4:16

There are two areas where we the members of the church are chasing Jesus out of our local church and destroying the foundation of what was built in love. The first is local church disputes and discriminations within the members and even though some of these disputes get resolved, many still linger with bitterness while some are never resolved, and sooner or later, the church will either break up or members leave the gathering. Man’s pride, self-centeredness, having a controlling spirit, power tussles, position, and title seeking, has caused many to adopt the superiority complex which is a demonic spirit of discrimination and self-righteousness that does not come from God. The evidence of these demonic spirits in the members will prevent the manifestation of God’s love for the continual growth of the church. Many have become so pious and believe that they are the most spiritual and therefore must be respected accordingly. You see them wanting to lead the prayer or serve in places where they can be seen. It is a self-righteous spirit that must be discarded and not emulated. Only God elevates.

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. – 2 Matthew 6:5

The second is our discrimination and disregard of others or lack of love for other members of the body of Christ outside our local church, maybe in another local church or those who are yet to be members of the one big church whom Christ died for. We tend not to see those other denominations to be on the same journey in Christ as we are, and do not show them love as a Brother or Sister in the Lord always welcoming them? Many come across unbelievers at work, and they cannot manifest the love of Christ that is supposed to be in them, which would have drawn these people to the Lord. When the love of Christ is missing in our lives, we will find it hard to show mercy to others, feed the poor, or even give a helping hand without expecting something back. The richer some supposedly believers become, the more conceited they become. They believe that their wealth is just for them and for their enjoyment, forgetting that they have just been favored.

When you believe you should be showing to the world and the church how wealthy you are, giving gifts so that everyone can praise you for it, and for people to envy you, you do not possess the Love of Christ. You are serving the money (the God of Mammon) and not God. You should be showing the love of Christ, giving without being asked, and caring for the needs of others.

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech receive the hearts of the simple - Romans 16:17

Christ promises to build his church, and the foundation of this church was laid with his show of LOVE on the cross of Calvary. He asks us to continue building in love until he is ready to come back for His church. Christ will reward your acts done in love and will not condone the acts not done in love. Men’s failure to abide in the doctrine of Christ will cause many not to enter heaven even though they are born-again Christians and serving in the church. They will have no reward to stay in heaven.

For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:20

Let those who are building upon the already laid foundation, which is Christ, do so in line with the word of God.

¹Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. ² And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. - Ephesians 5:1-2

QUESTIONS:

1. Why do we think the body of Christ is struggling to stay as one?

2. Can you name a few acts that will manifest the love of God, that is not applied in the church?

3. What are the best ways to quickly resolve disagreements and conflicts within the local church?

4. What does God expect us to do to manifest the Love of God in us outside the local church? Name a few!

Life Application for Discussion:

1. What would be a great idea for the local church to embark on to manifest the love of God in the local church.

2. What programs and suggestions can we undertake as individuals to manifest God’s love outside the local church?

3. What programs can be suggested for the church and individuals to undertake to manifest God’s love in the community.

Prayer in Relation to Theme:

1. Lord Jesus, let your love manifest in my heart powerfully so that I can begin to cause it to flow into others in church and outside the church and people will see your love in and through me.

2. I am created in the image of God, and I know that God is love.  I too must become love. Father, transform my life to become the love that will be pleasing in your sight and the world will see the image of God in me.

3. Lord, use me as a vessel to fill the hearts of others with Love so that they may experience your love and glorify your Holy name.

Lesson 2 - The Love for Money - Serving God and Riches

Scripture Reference (s):

Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 19:23

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.- Matthew 6:24

"¹⁶Do not be overawed (sad and depressed) when others grow rich, when the splendour of their houses increases; ¹⁷ for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendour will not descend with them. ¹⁸ Though while they live, they count themselves blessed –and people praise you when you prosper ¹⁹ they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life. 20 People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish"- Psalm 49:16-20

Read also (Matthew 16:18, Acts 2, Ephesians 3:10)

BODY: In the scriptures for today Psalm 49: 20, it says something very important that we all miss, and it will be good if we take notice of it. It says if you have wealth and lack understanding, that person is like a beast that will perish. What understanding is the scripture referring to here? We know that God does not wants us to be poor but at the same time, it seems that there is a danger somewhere in wealth that we have to be careful about.

Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.- Matthew 19:23

What God is saying is that if their wealth not the priority of their life, the thing that they put ahead of God and if it is not used wisely to have it credited to them for righteous works in heaven according to the standards of God, and for the kingdom of God, it will take them to hell. For the wealthy, this is a hard task.

Many people will do anything including compromise their faith to get rich and yet they still call themselves believers. In Italy, the mobster blesses the church financially and so the Father blesses them too in return so they can continue their gambling and prostitution. In Africa, one quick way to make money is through the establishment of a church, since the initial outlay is relatively cheap, and with the little manipulation of the scriptures, money will start flowing in. This is true in many societies.

There are also those members, whose only assignment is to come to the church to take control of the church by their giving. They buy the control of the church, because they give the best offering, so they can decide the direction the church goes in and also tell the Pastor what to do. They would have showered the pastors with gifts, so he has to yield, yet they close their eyes to the members in the church who are in need.

While all this may seem to be common in the church everywhere, with no one saying anything about it, the owner of the church is watching in anger. We tend to forget that we are all on a journey and race to meet the requirements to enter heaven. We all now know that to be born again is not enough to enter into the kingdom of God, but we must achieve holiness and righteousness with righteous works following.

God has made it clear in His word that the weeds and the chaff will be separated with the help of the Holy angels. Unfortunately, many Christians are not ready to accept this truth. Many have developed a sense and mentality that chooses to accept every religious error preached without cross-checking the messages with what is written in the Bible. Christ has laws and guidelines for the individual and the church. The first law of God says, Love the Lord your God, with all your might, and with all your soul. Now if you do love the Lord with all your might and soul, you will realize that what God loves and desires the most is for souls to be saved and taught how to make heaven.

Unfortunately, these self-centered people are not for the salvation of the souls, but they are for their bellies and with sweet words, they easily mislead the gullible. The activities of the Apostles and the early church were driven by the love for the lost souls rather than money, which explains the reason why the body of Christ stood together strong and did not lack anything even through the persecution period. They sought and supported each other, giving out help in any way possible. They spoke in one voice, and they were united because of the right motive behind what they were doing.

When a church is set up as a commercial venture, the very purpose of the church is destroyed. When the members think only of money and have captivated the greedy pastor too, there is a problem. The doctrine of Christ and his Apostles will be distorted. The church is to reveal the manifold wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10); Our assignment has not changed from the beginning, and it is to lead the lost to the cross according to the simple plan of salvation for their souls as laid down in the Bible.

Useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. - 1 Timothy 6:5.

The church is not a money-making enterprise or a social club to unite rich members for the display of wealth and a unifying of hands to control the church of God. It is a soul-saving divine institute for the healing, training, and equipping of the saints. The mission also includes evangelism, benevolence, and edification of the members. Faithful adherence to the will of God in the church makes God glad, and the people will be satisfied in life. They will receive sufficiency that will be to the end of their sojourn on Earth.

QUESTION(S):

1. Why do you suppose people love to listen to the messages of Prosperity?

2. How can you tell if someone is all about their money and not about the things of God?

3. Even while seeking to be wealthy what is the best route to take concerning money and so that it is pleasing to God at the same time?

4. For those favored that have been rich, what should they do now? What does God expect of them?

Life Application For Discussion:

1. What should be our response and attitude to these kinds of prosperity Gospel preaching as individuals?

2. If you know of such a person what is the best thing to do to help them change and follow the pattern of God?

3. If you find that you are blessed financially and people around you seem to be pointing to you as not kingdom focused with your money, what should be your reaction?

Prayer in Relation to Content:

1. Lord open our eyes to see the truth of your Gospel concerning me and others who I have been looking up to because of their wealth, so that my desires and thoughts will not put me to shame on the day of judgement.

2. Lord, I seek your blessing to be made wealthy but help me so that the wealth will not take me to hell.

3. Lord make me a conduit and vessel to pour your blessing through, especially into the lives of many who are in need in this world.

Lesson 3 - Observing The Fulfillment Of Prophecy

Scripture Reference(s):

And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive - Matthew 13:14

"At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Everyone who is found written in the book. - Daniel 12:1

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. - Revelation 1:3

Read also: Titus 1:13-15 NKJV.

BODY: Several passages of the Bible show there will be a departure from the truth. Many so-called believers will have followed a new way of Christianity that no longer stand on holiness and righteousness which we are now seeing today. Many Pentecostal churches are now no different from the orthodox churches as their churches have become entertainment centers and they have become cold spiritually because they are following man-inspired theologies and man-made doctrines.

Their churches have become religious, the very thing which Christ did not want for His church. A church where the Spirit of God is missing.

Many Pastors have changed powers and crossed over to use the power of the enemy for miracles, signs, and wonders as that is what the church members want. The idea of seeking God and hearing from God for instructions and direction has become an outdated idea.

³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables. ⁵ But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. "- 2 Timothy 4:3-5

Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. - Titus 1:14

There are prophesies and there will continue to be prophesies that will come from the throne of heaven concerning all that will happen at the end times including all that God will do and allow. God has also warned us that there will also be people who will allow the enemy to use them to speak either against all this truth prophesied or make up their own stories while deceiving people with various signs and wonders (Matthew 7:21-23).

Their ultimate reward is everlasting damnation; however, God did not say he will stop them or prevent them from manifesting. They are Satan’s agents and Satan is the prince of this world because handed the authority over to him when man disobeyed God. The apostles equally noted that at these end-times, people would not endure sound doctrine, and will encourage their teachers to teach them what they want to hear and not what God wants them to know or hear. (I Timothy 4:1-2; Acts 20:29-31).

The purpose of God’s prophesy is to make you prepare your mind and make sure that you are always standing strong and ready for whatever may come, as every prophesy has no date or time that man can use to mark the appearance of it. Prophecies will never manifest when you are conscious of them happening or watching out for them.

Many are busy watching for when the rapture will happen, and some have stocked their house because they heard a prophecy that a storm is coming. What if the prophecy was not for their lifetime? Prophesy comes when we least expect it. In the time of Noah, only one man knew and even he did not know when the rains would start.

The prophecy will have either happened before you know that it had taken place as you will see it around you and by that time it will be too late to make any changes.  The key point to take hold of is that reading and studying the prophecies is for you to know what is coming so that when it does, you do not start panicking like the unbelievers, and that way, you will stay calm in the Lord because you know that God will protect and take care of His own.

It is also to warn you to make sure you are always standing right before God, staying steadfast against all that may come against your faith. Many will deny Christ at gunpoint or in times of hunger or persecution.

We must stay in true Holiness and not put on worldly desires, its music, and worldly fashion while our lives must be full of righteous work. The obedient servants of God would stand by what the scripture says. They will stay totally strong, trusting Christ, knowing that no matter what God may have allowed to happen on earth, He will always protect his bride which is His church. In the fear of the Lord, there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. (Proverbs 14:26)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. - Ephesians 6:10

QUESTIONS:

1. Should the believer be ignoring all these end-time prophecies and just continue with their lives as usual?

2. What is our responsibility to these End-time prophesies?

3. If the rapture happens tomorrow and you realize that you did not make it, would you understand why you missed it? It can happen to anyone! Check your life and answer truthfully!

Life Application for Discussion:

1. When COVID happened, what should have been our response in the church that would have pleased God?

2. How strong was our faith when we were caught and surrounded by the wave of fear that was hovering all over the world?

3. For those in healthcare, what was supposed to be their spiritual response and what should the responsibility of the church be towards them.

Prayer in Relation to Theme:

1. Lord send me your light and truth according to your word to me. Shine your light on me and let it reveal my true standing in you so that I can adjust myself in truth and sincerity, as I do not want to miss the rapture in Jesus’ name.

Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle. - Psalm 43:3 

2. Strengthen and uphold my spirit and Lord, increase my faith so that even through persecution, I will not deny you or waver at the slightest affliction.

3. Lord, help my unbelief and fears so that I will not put your name to shame in my life. Give me boldness and make me courageous in the power of the Kingdom of God.

Lesson 4 - Walking In Our Own Understanding

Scripture Reference(s):

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding - Proverbs 3:5

Do not overwork to be rich, Because of your own understanding, cease! - Proverbs 23:4

The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out.  – Proverbs 28:11

BODY: There is not a single person on earth who can say they do not have some kind of plan or idea of what they think they can do or might do to become rich or to earn a living. It might be following someone else’s plan, or it may be a new thing that no one has ever seen. The ability for man to have visions, ideas, and plans comes from the Lord, but we have to take note of three things.

The first is that there is a plan that is your God-assigned purpose in life.

2. That which you want to do, is the timing right for you to step into it, and is it meant and ordained for you?

3. Is it that which God will truly use to prosper you? God has created everyone