BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

SEPTEMBER 2012 SUBJECT: FAITHFULNESS INTRODUCTION: The subject for our Bible Study this month is Faithfulness, and this outline highlights teachings by our man of God, on the subject matter.

The outline is in 4 parts. Part 1 defines faithfulness; highlights the synonyms of faithfulness and unfaithfulness, and explains why we should be faithful. Part 2 teaches on faithfulness as the character and nature of God, and sheds light on the exemplary faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Part 3 highlights examples of faithful men in the scriptures; and well also learn about being faithful in persecution. Part 4 concludes with lessons on areas we can manifest faithfulness, the benefits of faithfulness and the consequences of

unfaithfulness.

All Bible study class teachers and cell leaders are to ensure that the members have their Bibles; all the Scriptures in the outline are read during the meeting; and the members look into their Bibles while the Scriptures are read. In addition, remember to pay attention while reading Scriptures; read slowly and carefully to be sure that what youre reading is actually what is in the Bible.

TABLE OF CONTENT 1. Faithfulness Part 1 3 2. Faithfulness Part 2 5 3. Faithfulness Part 3 9 4. Faithfulness Part 4 13 5. Lessons16

- FAITHFULNESS (PART 1)
Introduction: Defining Faithfulness It is important to know that faith and faithfulness do not mean the same thing. The word faithfulness comes from being faithful which means to be: 1. Steadfast in attention or allegiance; this refers to loyalty. 2. Firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty; this refers to being conscientious. 3. True to the facts, to a standard or to an original.

A definition of faithfulness to meditate on is: Faithfulness is commitment with purpose of positive distinction.

Faithfulness can also be defined as being committed to a cause, person or message in such a way as to be dependable.

Some synonyms of faithfulness are: Commitment Allegiance Attachment Dedication Devotion Constancy Fidelity Loyalty Steadfastness

An unfaithful person on the other hand is: Disloyal Fickle Perfidious Treacherous

Traitorous Recreant

From the definitions above, it is easy to see that we should choose to be faithful. A person who is described as faithful is someone: who has unswerving adherence to a person or a thing. who has a firm resistance to temptation, to desert or betray. who is impervious to influences that will weaken his resolve and defends the cause that he stands for.

Why should we be faithful?

Man is a spirit and is in the class of God. Gods plan for man from the beginning was for man to have Gods attributes and characteristics, and for man to live on the earth like God. That was Gods plan before the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden, when Adam was unfaithful and lost his fellowship with God. In Christ Jesus, our fellowship with God was restored and we were brought to a higher class of fellowship as life giving spirits (1 Cor 15 v 45 NIV).

God has deposited himself in us and He expects to see His character in us. The character of God is built in us through His Word and the Word of God is given to us to create in us and for us, the qualities of deity. We are truly born of God and have the same nature with Him.

We should therefore consider being faithful because the Bible says that God is faithful; faithfulness is part of Gods personality and nature. Faithfulness is from God and of God. If God wasnt faithful, then we shouldnt consider being faithful.

In part 2, well study The faithfulness of God.

- FAITHFULNESS (PART 2)
THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD God is faithful to his Word. There is none greater than God. God gives us His Word and always proves His character of being faithful to His Word. Deuteronomy 7 v 9: Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations. Psalm 36 v 5: Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and your faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Psalm 119 v 89 90: For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. Lamentations 3 v 22 23: It is of the Lords mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 1 Corinthians 1 v 9: God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Hebrews 10 v 23: Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 1 Corinthians 10 v 13: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Other scriptural references on the faithfulness of God are: 1 Thessalonians 5 v 23 24; 2 Thessalonians 3 v 3: 2 Timothy 2 v 13 (KJV and NIV).

Some people are not committed to what they say; their words are neither dependable nor reliable. Such people are unfaithful and their words cannot be trusted. You can trust that God is always faithful; He is reliable, dependable, unwavering, steadfast and committed to His Word and would always keep to His Word. If He has said it, Hell do it and keep His Word.

It is important for us to recognize that the faithfulness of God may not work for us just because God is faithful; God is faithful to His Word but the Word of God will mean nothing to you until you accept it. God talks all the time but until you hear Him, whatever He is saying will mean nothing to you. You need to have the Holy Spirit to connect with God to hear Him and act on His Word. When you act on Gods Word, He stands faithful to His Word and His Word comes to pass in your life.

You must have Gods Word in you and Hell prove His character of faithfulness in your life.

THE FAITHFULNESS OF JESUS Jesus was faithful and faithfulness was and is His character.

We earlier defined faithfulness as being committed to a cause, person or message in such a way as to be dependable and also as commitment with purpose of positive distinction.

From this definition of faithfulness, we can see that faithfulness brings uniqueness to your character, with clarity of purpose, a definiteness and direction.

We are looking at the purposeful commitment of Jesus Christ with clarity and distinction. We likewise are not just following Jesus blindly or hanging on to religion; were committed with purpose in following Jesus Christ.

It is important to know that faithfulness does not just work in your life; its a decision you make. You choose to be faithful and to have faithfulness in your character and build it in your spirit. You become a faithful person by choice, and youll know that youre faithful if you are.

Heb 3 v 1 2: Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the apostle and high priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him, as Moses was faithful in all his house.

In this scripture, we see the faithfulness of Jesus as a character; Jesus was faithful to God who appointed him. The Bible says we should be imitators of Jesus; we should have the character of Christ and be like him.

Heb 2 v 17: Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Jesus distinguished Himself and was faithful to God who appointed him. We can imitate this principle of life by which Jesus lived.

John 4 v 34: Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Revelation 1 v 5 : And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

Revelation 3 v 14 (NIV): To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of Gods creation.

In Part 3, well look through examples of other faithful men in the scriptures.

- FAITHFULNESS (PART 3)
EXAMPLES OF FATHFUL MEN IN THE SCRIPTURES Faithful men and women have always been the key to Gods program in the earth, and from the scriptures, we see that God did great things with their lives. Some examples of faithful men in the scriptures are:

1. Abraham:

God found Abraham to be faithful: Nehemiah 9 v 7 8;

Genesis 18 v 19; Galatians 3 v 9. 2. Moses: Moses was faithful in Gods house; he did everything that God asked him to do. God testified that Moses was more than a prophet and was faithful. Hebrews 3 v 1 2 , Numbers 12 v 6 -7. 3. David: Ahimelek, the priest of God, testified that David was a faithful man: 1 Samuel 22 v 14. 4. Daniel: Daniel 6 v 4 5 (NIV): Daniel was faithful; the scriptures say that he was neither corrupt or negligent. He was faithful in all his dealings. Daniel was true to God; his faithfulness was with direction and he was clear on who he was faithful to and what his faithfulness was about. He remained faithful to God even when he was persecuted by his government in things pertaining to God.

From the scriptures above, we can see that their primary allegiance, dedication, commitment and loyalty was first to God, then to others. You must be clear on what you are faithful to? Who you are faithful to? and why you are faithful? We should be stubborn against anything that is not consistent with the Word of God and choose to be faithful to God.

The principle of faithfulness is to be faithful to God first then to any other person that requires our faithfulness as long as it's consistent with Gods Word. 2 Corinthians 8 vs 1 - 5 (NIV): .......And they did not do as we expected,

but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with Gods will.

Learn and choose to be faithful wherever you are.

Some people in the New Testament were also described as faithful:

1. Tychicus: Ephesians 6 v 21; Colossians 4 v 7 2. Epraphas: Colossians 1 v 7 3. Timothy: 1 Corinthains 4 v 17 4. Onesimus: Colossians 4 v 9 5. Silvanus: 1 Peter 5 v 12 6. Saints at Colosse: Colossians 1 v 2

Other scriptural references of faithful men: Nehemiah 7 v 1- 2; Nehemiah 13 v 13; Isaiah 8 v 2.

Faithful people are entrusted with important responsibilities. You should be described as one who fears God above any other.

God has always looked for faithful men and women to carry out his program on the earth and God wont do much with your life, until youre faithful. He always looks for those who are faithful because faithfulness is His character and we must have His character in us. Faithfulness therefore should become our character.

FAITHFULNESS AND PERSECUTION The Bible tells us that all those that will live godly in Jesus Christ shall suffer persecution. Persecution may come from family members, friends, co workers or the government but you have to know that your primary allegiance is to

Jesus Christ; make it clear to yourself, in your spirit and never let that change. Our salvation became a reality when we confessed and declared the Lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives, and once Jesus becomes the Lord of your life, Hell share that place with no other (Romans 10 v 9).

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:1) and said that in the last days, perilous times will come; dangerous times. There shall be a time of trouble and persecution in the last days. We have to prepare ourselves because life in this world is not without challenges, but it is a blessing to be persecuted for righteousness and for the Name of Jesus.

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were also persecuted for righteousness and for their allegiance to the Lord. The story of Daniel in the lions den and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace are great encouragements for us. (Reference: Daniel 3) Be strong in your heart and be faithful like Daniel.

Those who are truly sent of God are faithful. Faithfulness is one of the hallmarks of a man that is sent of God. Being sent doesnt make you faithful, you are sent because youre faithful. You may have been called but until youre faithful, you will not be sent. You have to be proved faithful.

2 Timothy 2 v 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. 1 Corinthians 4 v 2: Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.

Jesus commits the gospel to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Faithfulness is in our spirit and it is important for us to choose to be faithful.

Galatians 5 v 22: The word faithfulness is used in some translations of Galatians 5 v 22 instead of the word faith. Both words are accurate in this context because faith is a product of our spirit and we received it when we were born again. Beyond that, faithfulness, which is the character of God is also in our spirits. We can walk in faithfulness because it is consistent with our new life in Christ Jesus. You must however choose to be faithful and let faithfulness have the right of way in your life.

In part 4, we look at different areas we can easily manifest faithfulness.

- FAITHFULNESS (PART 4)
There are several areas in which we can manifest the character of the faithfulness that is in our spirits. Like Abraham, we can become dependable and be faithful in the things of God, and like Moses, we can be faithful in all Gods house. Areas to manifest the character of faithfulness: 1. Faithfulness in our service in the house of God. 2. Faithfulness in using the gifts and abilities God has given to us. 3. Faithfulness in specific assignments the Lord gives us. 4. Faithfulness in the use of financial and material blessings that the Lord has granted us. 5. Faithfulness in evangelizing our world: we must be committed to winning souls. The distribution of Rhapsody of Realities during our Reach Out campaigns, for example, is our effort to spread the Word and evangelize our world, and we should be a part of this and be committed to it. Only faithful men and women will take the gospel to the ends of the earth. 6. Faithfulness in ministering to one another. 7. Faithfulness in our work place and in our business relationships: Be a positive contributor where you work. If your company is facing a challenge, open your mind to God and He will give you the answers so you can go back and give the solution. Become trusted and make your business prosper and move forward because youre a blessing everywhere you go.

BLESSINGS OF FAITHFULNESS AND CONSEQUENCES OF UNFAITHFULNESS

There are several blessings and advantages that come to us as a result of faithfulness.

Proverbs 28 v 20 : A faithful man shall abound with blessings

Proverbs 3 v 3 (NIV): Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man Psalm 31 v 23: O Love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

Luke 12: 42 - 44: 'And the lord said, who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

Luke 16:10 - 12: he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another mans, who shall give you that which is your own? Luke 19: 12 - 27

God measures your faithfulness in little things to determine your faithfulness for greater things. He measures your faithfulness with things in the earth as a determining factor for your faithfulness in the life to come. Whatever the Lord

has given to you should be used for His glory. Bring Him honour and glory, for those who are faithful will walk in glory. Faithfulness is a product of the human spirit and it is our nature to be faithful. Moreover, God requires that we are faithful.

Revelation 17:12 - 14: And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the lamb, and the lamb shall overcome them: for he is lord of lords, and king of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

From the scripture above we can see that it is not enough to be called, neither is it enough to be chosen. We must also be faithful, for with Christ the King of kings, are those who are called and chosen and faithful; and forever, they will be with the Lord. Amen.

In conclusion, other Scriptures on faithfulness are: Proverbs 14 v 5: A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. Proverbs 20 v 6: Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? Proverbs 11 v 13: A tale bearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE BIBLE STUDY ON FAITHFULNESS 1. Faithfulness is commitment with purpose of positive distinction and can also be defined as being committed to a cause, person or message in such a way as to be dependable. 2. We should consider being faithful because the Bible says that God is faithful. Faithfulness is from God and of God. If God is faithful, then we should consider being faithful. 3. You can trust that God is always faithful; He is reliable, dependable, unwavering, steadfast and committed to His Word and would always keep to His Word. 4. Faithful men and women have always been the key to Gods program in the earth. 5. Jesus was faithful to God who appointed Him and the Bible says we should be imitators of Jesus. 6. The principle of faithfulness is to be faithful to God first then to any other person that requires our faithfulness. 7. God measures your faithfulness in little things to determine your faithfulness for greater things.

Questions: 1. Faith and Faithfulness mean the same thing A. True B. False ANS: B 2. a. b. c. d. e. The following are synonyms of faithfulness except: Commitment and allegiance Loyal and recreant Attachment and Dedication Devotion and Dependability Loyalty and steadfastness

ANS: B 3. a. b. c. d. e. An unfaithful person is : Fickle and disloyal Perfidious and treacherous Traitorous and recreant All of the above A and B

ANS: D 4. a. b. c. d. e. A faithful person has the following qualities except: Unswerving adherence to a person or a thing Denies the course he/she stands for Firm resistance to temptation, to desert or betray Is impervious to influences that will weaken his/her resolve None of the above

ANS: B 5. a. b. c. d. e. We should consider being faithful because: Faithfulness is from God and of God Faithfulness will cause men to love us God is faithful All of the above A and C

ANS: E

6. a. b. c. d. e.

Our primary dedication and loyalty should be to: Our leaders in the house of God The President of our country God and His Word Our parents and family All of the above

ANS: C 7. It is possible to have true faithfulness without faith

a. True b. False ANS:B 8. What is God faithful to? a. Our prayers b. Our jobs c. His Word d. Our promises e. C and D Ans: C