Good evening everyone,

Please see attached the next study outline in this Quarter’s Theme of “The Foundation of the Christian Faith”  The topic is “ Sin and its consequences with the main text being Genesis 3:1-24.

Key Learning Points

1. Satan seeks to change our perspective about God first and then our behavior. Sin begins with a rebellious attitude toward God, which leads to a rebellious act.  Sin is conceived as unbelief, and then grows into disobedience
2. Sin opened the way to pain and toil; childbirth became painful and work toilsome. Gen 3:16-19
3. Sin also robbed man of his unbroken relationship with God and brought death – man was removed from the haven God created for him in the garden (Gen 3:22-24).  That relationship can only be restored through the Lord Jesus Christ – whose death and resurrection broke the power of sin and death.

Yours in His love and service

Brethren,

How are you doing? Welcome to the month of June.

We continue with our quarter series on The Power of God at Work in us. This time, we consider a matter which is a stumbling block for both believers and unbelievers – the usefulness of obeying the law regarding salvation. We shall be considering this matter under the topic The Law Cannot Save From Sin.

Key Learning points are:

1. The law cannot save because the binding characteristics of the law puts one who relies on the law under the strongest possible obligation to adhere to it 100% 
2. The reality of humans is that we are utterly depraved and lost. And the law, as good as it is, is neither able to produce righteousness in us, nor the desire to pursue what is right in the sight of God.
3. The Law was never given to save or to sanctify. Rather it was given to reveal our sinfulness and condemnation, and to drive us to Christ.

See attached outline for your further reference.

Brethren,

I trust you are well and encouraged in the Lord.

We continue with our quarter series on The Power of God at Work in us. Last week we saw how death came through Adam, but life came through Jesus Christ. This week, we continue on that thread as we look at the topic: Dead to Sin, Alive to God. As you read the text and work through the study, you will realize how important it is for a believer to know his or her position in Christ as it relates to living the Christian life. And how this knowing (or lack of it) is at the root of the idea some have that God’s grace is a licence to sin. 

Key Learning Points are:

1. Our unity with Christ through baptism into death and through resurrection unto life is what makes us dead to sin and alive to God. It is a position that putting faith in Him elevates us to and empowers us to walk in the newness of life, no longer slaves to sin.
2. Considering ourselves dead to sin but alive to God, is a deliberate and daily thing just like taking up our cross daily and following Him. If we focus our attention to being alive to God, His kingdom, and purpose, then the attraction to sin becomes dim and we would not let sin have dominion over us. 
3. The only way to not let sin have dominion over us is to continually present our mortal bodies as instruments of righteousness to God and not instruments of unrighteousness to sin. The choice is ours.

See attached outline for your further reference.

Brethren,

I trust this meets you well?

This Sunday, we conclude our series on the life of this amazing man, David. We have been looking at his life to try to figure out why God declared him to be a man after His heart. David indeed is an extraordinary man. But just before we start thinking that he was too good to be true, there is the matter of Bathsheba. And that is where we conclude the series as we look at David to learn a thing or two about ‘Sin and Repentance.’

Key Learning points include:

1. All sin is primarily against God and is first conceived in the heart. And we are all vulnerable to sin. Therefore, we must guard our hearts with all diligence to avoid being swept away by the deceitfulness of sin and of our thoughts and desires.
2. King David did his best to conceal his sin. But all attempts failed, including having Uriah killed. We must remember that even if we can conceal our sin from others, God sees and knows our every thought and action. We cannot hide or run from God.
3. Rather than trying to conceal or deny our sin, God wants us to repent by acknowledging and confessing our sins. God readily accepts genuine repentance. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

See attached outline for your further reference

May God give us hearts that are steadfast in following after Him.

Our quarter series on the Person and work of the Holy Spirit continues this Sunday with a look at the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting the world of sin. See attached for your reference and preparation.

May I encourage us to find time to look through the outline so that our study time (online or in-person) will be enriched.

Key Learnings should include:

1.     Without the Spirit’s conviction, fallen human beings will never be aware of their sinfulness because their minds have been blinded and their understanding has been darkened. Therefore, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin. This is the conviction that pricks the hearts of the unbeliever and draws him/her to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

2.     The Holy Spirit shows people their sin with the express purpose of reconciling them to God. The devil, on the other hand, does it to condemn to shame people into running away from God. As we minister the word to the unbelieving world, we should pray for and rely on this convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit rather on our persuasion.

3.     Apart from helping the world see their sin, the convicting work of the Holy Spirit also helps the sinner see their need for a Savior in Jesus Christ. Without being aware of our sinfulness, we will never believe we have a need of a Savior, which means we will never repent of our sins and give our life to the Lord Jesus.