WEEK THREE
CALL OF DISCIPLESHIP

Who is a disciple?
A disciple is a person who learns from a person who is believed to be noble, exceptional, more knowledgeable than others or more advance or having special features from whom people are accustomed to learn. Discipleship is the process of being a follower, student or learner of a master or teacher.

a. Call of disciples and their responses – (Matthew 4:18 – 25; Matthew 9:9-13, Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 1:16-20, Mark 2:13-17, Luke 5:1-11)

After the baptism and temptation of Jesus, He fully began His ministry. The first assignment was to get people he would work with and also train to be like him and probably take over from him when time is ripe. In Matthew 4:18-25, Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee when He saw Simon Peter and Andrew his brother, who were fishermen. They were casting their net and Jesus called them saying, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately, they left their nets and followed him. Going further, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zeb′edee and John his brother, in the boat with Zeb′edee their father, mending their nets. He also called them and immediately they also left the boat and their father, and followed him. (See also Mark 1:16-20)
From there, He went with his disciples preaching the gospel of kingdom in synagogues across Galilee and healing diseases and infirmities among the people. People got to hear about him and great crowds of people followed Him from Galilee and the Decap′olis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.

In Matthew 9:9-13, while passing by, Jesus saw a man, called Matthew sitting at the tax office and He said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. Jesus went with His disciples to his house and they sat at table. Many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, the criticized him saying to his disciples that, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard it and said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ I came, not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (See also, Mark 2:13-17)

In Matthew 10:1-4, the Bible lists out the names of the disciples of Jesus whom He gave authority to cast out unclean spirits and heal every disease and infirmity. The disciples are;
1. Simon, who is called Peter,
2. Andrew his brother;
3. James the son of Zeb′edee,
4. John his brother;
5. Philip
6. Bartholomew;
7. Thomas
8. Matthew the tax collector;
9. James the son of Alphaeus,
10. Thaddaeus;
11. Simon the Cananaean,
12. Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Luke’s Account of Calling the Disciples: Luke 5:1-11
Luke has a slight different account of the call of the four disciples. In Luke 5:1-11, While Jesus was teaching the word of God by the lake of Gennesaret, the people pressed on to hear more. Jesus saw two boats by the lake with their fishermen washing their nets outside the boat. He got into the boat that belonged to Simon and asked him to put the boat out a little from the land.

When He finished speaking, He said to Simon “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered and said, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” When they let down the net, they enclosed a great shoal of fish to the extent that their nets were breaking. They beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. When they came, they filled the two boats with fish until they began to sink. Seeing all that happened, Simon Peter was surprised and all the people with him. He fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” James and John, sons of Zeb′edee, who were partners with Simon also fell at Jesus’ knee. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” When they came back to shore and had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

b. Importance of call of disciples to Jesus’ Ministry
(Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-19; Luke 5:10)
1. The disciples were the ones Jesus sent on different errand
2. It was the disciples that Jesus commissioned to carry on with the assignment of preaching the kingdom of God
3. The disciples were the ones that kept the ministry of Jesus alive even after He was crucified.
4. Jesus used the disciples to connect to others who He couldn’t reach.

THE GREAT COMMISSION
Matthew 28:18 – 20 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

Mark 16:15-19 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

WEEK TWO
TEMPTATION OF JESUS CHRIST
a. Meaning of Temptation
Temptation may be defined as pressure applied to your mind with the aim to create wrong emotions which will eventually lead to wrong actions. It may also be described as a tactical act of making someone to do something that is wrong.

b. Synoptic account of Temptation of Jesus Christ
(Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)
The Temptation of Jesus according to Matthew’s account – Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights so he was hungry. Then the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

The devil took him to the holy city, set him on pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will give his angels charge of you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said answered him again saying, “It is written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”

Thirdly, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. Then he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Begone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
Then the devil left him and angels came and ministered to him.

The Temptation of Jesus according to Mark’s account – Mark 1:12-13
Jesus was driven into the wilderness by the Spirit. He was there with the wild beast for forty days and was tempted by Satan. Afterwards angels ministered to Him.

The Temptation of Jesus according to Luke 4:1-13
When Jesus returned from Jordan, He was full of the Holy Spirit. Then the Spirit led him into the wilderness where he was for forty days. He ate nothing for those forty days. There the devil tempted him. At the end of the forty days, he was hungry. Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” But Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”
The devil took him up, showed him all the kingdoms of the world and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it shall all be yours.” Jesus answered him and said, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”

Finally he took Jesus to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple. There he told him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; 10 for it is written, ‘He will give his angels charge of you, to guard you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” But Jesus answered him saying, “It is said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”

It was then the devil departed from him having ended the temptation.

c. Significance of each of the three Temptations
Each of the temptation has its own significance.
(i) Turning stone to bread – This test Jesus’ ability not to be controlled by food. A lot of people allow what to eat to determine what they do. Jesus said, you shall not live by bread but you should make up your mind only to please God.

(ii) Jumping down from the pinnacle of the temple – This shows that we are not in this world to show off or to test the powers God has given us. It is not right to think that because you are a child of God, you can just do anything and get away with it parading the grace of God in your life. That will amount to testing God.

(iii) Bowing down to worship the devil – This shows that we should not exercise love for material things of the world because they are vain glory. The real wealth we have in life can only be got from God.

d. (i) Temptations in the world today
Many people are tempted today. Many do the wrong things because they are hungry. Some have become prostitutes, some tell lies and some have compromised their faith in this same way.

Secondly, a lot of people say, if I am a child of God, let something happen. A lot of people believed that since they are children of God, they can do and get away with things or be treated special more than anyone else.

Finally, a lot of people have sold their hearts out to the devil. Many have gone into cyber crime, join different cults and do some imaginable things by dedicating their hearts to the devil all because they want to live ‘big’.

(ii) Ways of overcoming temptation of sin today
(a) The only way of overcoming temptation is by dedicating your hearts to God. Make up your mind to only please God and not please yourself or make yourself feel too important.
(b) Do not be carried away by what other people has. Be contented with what you have and where you are and hope that at God’s time, He will make you what He wants you to be.
(c) Do not let hunger lead you to do things that are unworthy. Plan your life today so that your tomorrow will not be plagued by failures and regrets.

(iii) Means Jesus used to overcome the three temptations
Jesus overcame the three temptations because;
(a) He knows the word of God well
(b) He has dedicated His life to please God alone
(c) He is humble and not self-conceited. He does not see himself better than other people

WEEK ONE:
TOPIC: THE BAPTISM OF JESUS CHRIST

a. Meaning and Purpose of baptism
Baptism is a Christian sacrament by which a person is submerged in water as a sign of spiritual cleansing process. It is often done for new believers and as a sign of commencement of a spiritual walk in the faith.

b. Synoptic account of baptism of Jesus Christ –
(Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22)
The Baptism of Jesus according to Matthew’s account: Matthew 3:13-17
Jesus came from Galilee to meet John at the River Jordan to be baptized by him. When John saw him, he declined and said, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” So he consented and Jesus was baptized. As He was coming out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

The Baptism of Jesus according to Mark’s account: Mark 1:9-11
Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As he came out of the water immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, saying “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.”

The Baptism of Jesus according to Luke’s account – Luke 3:21-22
Jesus came to be baptized like everyone else. While he was praying, the heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.”

c. Significance of baptism of Jesus Christ to Christian faith
The Baptism of Jesus Christ implies that;
1. It is an example to every believer that everyone must be baptized. It underscores the importance of baptism to Christian faith.
2. It represents the death to sin and resurrection to life which Jesus Christ represents
3. It signifies the beginning of the ministry of Jesus
4. It is also a sign of humility that status is not an excuse.

WEEK 9
GOD’S CARE FOR HIS PEOPLE
PROTECTION
i. God’s protection over Israelites – Exodus 14:10 – 34
Protection is the act or process of keeping something safe. God always protect his children from dangers. He preserves the lives of those who fear and trust Him.
In Exodus 14:10-34, the Bible records how God protected the Israelites from Pharaoh and the Egyptians. When they were at the Red Sea and the Egyptians were approaching, the Israelites told Moses that, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?” Moses replied them by saying, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be still.” Then by a miraculous move, the Lord protected the children of Israel. The angel of the Lord that was leading the Israelites went behind them and became a cloud of darkness to the Egyptians that they could not move towards the Israelites all the night and in the morning watch the Lord clogged the wheels of their chariots and they were unable to catch up with the Israelites. Then the people of Israel walked through the Red Sea on dry ground while Pharaoh and the Egyptians soldiers drowned in the Red Sea.

ii. God’s protection over an individual – Daniel 6: 16 – 23
Also in Daniel 6: 16 – 23, the Lord also divinely protected Daniel from the den of lions. Some of the king officials were jealous of the kind of growth Daniel experienced in Babylon during the reign of King Dairus. They connived together to set Daniel up but they found nothing against him. They knew about Daniel’s prayer life so they engineered a law which forbids anyone from praying or making any request from anyone except from the king for the next thirty days. After the law was passed, Daniel did not alter his prayer life rather he left his windows open and continued his prayers as usual.

Then the conspirators reported him and though reluctantly, the king ordered that he be thrown into the lions’ den. The King even said to Daniel that, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” The King was sad because of the matter and he couldn’t sleep. Early the next morning, he went to the lions’ den and discovered Daniel was still alive. Daniel reported to the King and said, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.” The king ordered that all the conspirators and their families should be thrown into the lions’ den and the lion feasted on them.

ii. God’s protection available for all people at all time – Psalm 91
God’s protection is available to everyone even in this present day. This is confirmed in the prayers of the Psalmist in Psalm 91:1-16. God protects those who:
1. trust in Him and obey His commands
2. call on Him
3. love Him and keep themselves connected to God.

REVISION AND EXAMINATION

WEEK 8
GOD’S CARE FOR HIS PEOPLE
PROVISION
i. God provided for His people –
God provides for the needs of His people. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:7, that we should cast all our anxieties on Him (God) for He cares for us. We see in the Bible how God cared for His people.
Food
In Exodus 16: 1 – 21, the Bible records how God provided food for the Israelites by raining bread from heaven for them (Manna). The Israelites were complaining of hunger and comparing the times they were in Egypt to the times they were now hungry in the wilderness. God rained down Manna enough for a day’s portion. On the sixth day, God gave them twice as much as they gather daily. The Lord also gave them quails for meat in the evenings and bread in the mornings. God instructed them to take just what would be enough for them and their families. Moses instructed them not to take more than they could eat, but some disregarded Moses warning. Whatever they take extra became bad before the next day. They gather as much in the mornings and once the sun is hot, the bread melts away.

Water – Exodus 17: 1 – 7
In Exodus 17:1-7, the children of Israel were thirsty when they got to the wilderness of Sin and they camped at Rephidim. They complained against Moses in their usual manner. In Exodus 17:3, they said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?” Moses cried to God and the Lord told him to take some elders with him and pass before the people and then with his rod, he should strike the rock at Horeb at the presence of God. And Moses called the name of the place Massah and Mer′ibah, because of the faultfinding of the children of Israel, and because they put the Lord to the test by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” However, one thing Moses did not do, was to acknowledge the presence of God at Horeb.

Light for the night journey and Shade for sunny day’s journey – Exodus 13:20 – 22
Also all through the journey of the Israelites, God was with them as Pillar of fire by night and pillar of clouds by day. The pillar of clouds leads them during the day and the pillar of fire gave them light at night so that they would travel night and day without stopping. In Exodus 13:22, “the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.”

ii. God provided substance for Elijah and Zarephath widow during drought
(1Kings 17:1-16)
God also provided for Elijah and the widow of Zarephath during the years of great famine in Israel. Elijah, the Tishbite declared by the word of God that there would be no rain for three and a half years and it came to pass. This caused great famine in the land. However God told him to go eastward and camp by the brook of Cherith, where He would send ravens to feed him and he would drink from the brook. The Bible records in verse 6 that ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and in the evening; and he drank from the brook.
When the brook dried up, the Lord told him to go to Zarephath where he met a widow who was preparing her last meal. She had no hope for other meals after this. Elijah spoke to her to give him water to drink and hereafter asked for a morsel of bread. The woman told him that what she had was her last meal for her and her son and thereafter, wait for death to take them because of the hunger in the land. Elijah still instructed her to bring food for him and thereafter they would have enough to last them until the famine was over. In 1Kings 17:15-16, the Bible records that she did according to what Elijah told her and they never lacked food till the famine was over.

iii. God requires our obedience to effect His provision.
To enjoy divine provision from God, we must obey God’s words. It is in the obedience that the reward of provision lies.
(a) Abraham (Genesis 22:1-13): Abraham obeyed God to sacrifice his son even though it was a test of his faith. This made God swore to bless him. God replaced his son with a ram for the sacrifice.

(b) Elijah (1 Kings 17: 10 – 16): Elijah obeyed God by going to according to the word of God when he went to the Brook of Cherith and also when he went to Zarephath to meet the widow.

(c) Israelites (Exodus 16:19): The Israelites were also required to obey God for the provision of the manna even though some disobeyed.

(d) Zarephath widow (1 Kings 17: 10 – 16): The widow obeyed Elijah, knowing fully well that he was speaking by the word of God.

iv. Why provisions were stopped. (Joshua 5:11 – 12, 1Kings 4: 1 – 6)
There are instances in the Bible where God seized provisions for his people. This is as a result of the people disobedience to God’s words and the neglect of God’s instructions.
Joshua 5:6
1Kings 4:6

WEEK 7

GOD’S CARE FOR HIS PEOPLE
GUIDANCE
i. God guided his people, the Israelites – Exodus 13:17-22, Joshua 8:1 – 22
Exodus13:17-22
Guidance is a act of directing the ways of a person especially for the purpose of ensuring the safety and proper development and well being of that person. God acts as a guide for His children especially those who believe and serve Him. In Exodus 13: 17 – 22, the Bible records that after Israel left Egypt, God led all through until they came to the Red Sea and beyond. In verse 21 – 22, the Bible records that, “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night; 22 the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

In Joshua 8: 1 – 22, the Bible records that after the death of Moses, God was still with the Israel, while Joshua was leading the people. God led them to battle and they conquered the king of Ai with thirty thousand soldiers. Joshua divided his men into groups. While the others were hiding, about five thousand men pretended to attack Ai. Once the Ai soldiers advanced against them, they ran. As the Ai soldiers were pursuing them, the others hiding came out and destroyed the nation by fire. When the men of Ai looked back and saw their city destroyed, they lost courage deeply depressed. Then the army of Israel turned back and attacked them. Since they were left confused at the middle, they lost the battle and they were all killed.

ii. God guides His people today – (Hebrew 1:1, Matthew 11:27 – 30)
God still guide His people today. In Hebrew 1:1-2, the Bible records that, “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Today, God guides us by His words, the words of Christ and by the Holy Spirit.
Also in Matthew 11:27-30, Jesus encouraging the people said, “All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” This shows that we cannot achieve anything tangible outside God.

Those who believe, follow and trust God will be guided by Him all the time.

WEEK 7

GOD’S CARE FOR HIS PEOPLE
GUIDANCE
i. God guided his people, the Israelites – Exodus 13:17-22, Joshua 8:1 – 22
Exodus13:17-22
Guidance is a act of directing the ways of a person especially for the purpose of ensuring the safety and proper development and well being of that person. God acts as a guide for His children especially those who believe and serve Him. In Exodus 13: 17 – 22, the Bible records that after Israel left Egypt, God led all through until they came to the Red Sea and beyond. In verse 21 – 22, the Bible records that, “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night; 22 the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

In Joshua 8: 1 – 22, the Bible records that after the death of Moses, God was still with the Israel, while Joshua was leading the people. God led them to battle and they conquered the king of Ai with thirty thousand soldiers. Joshua divided his men into groups. While the others were hiding, about five thousand men pretended to attack Ai. Once the Ai soldiers advanced against them, they ran. As the Ai soldiers were pursuing them, the others hiding came out and destroyed the nation by fire. When the men of Ai looked back and saw their city destroyed, they lost courage deeply depressed. Then the army of Israel turned back and attacked them. Since they were left confused at the middle, they lost the battle and they were all killed.

ii. God guides His people today – (Hebrew 1:1, Matthew 11:27 – 30)
God still guide His people today. In Hebrew 1:1-2, the Bible records that, “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Today, God guides us by His words, the words of Christ and by the Holy Spirit.
Also in Matthew 11:27-30, Jesus encouraging the people said, “All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” This shows that we cannot achieve anything tangible outside God.

Those who believe, follow and trust God will be guided by Him all the time.

Diphthongs
There are basically eight diphthongs in the English sound and these include the following

1. /ai/ as in buy, my site, fight
buy – /bai/ my – /mai/
site /sait/ fight – /fait/

2. /ei/ as in state, bake, mail, way
State – /steit/ bake – /beik/,
mail – /meil/ way – /wei/

3. /aʊ/ as in house, bow, brown, drought
house – /haʊs/ bow/baʊ/
brown/braʊn/ drought/draʊt/

4. /əʊ/ as in goat, cone, low, sew
goat – /gəʊt/, cone, – /kəʊn/
low, – /ləʊ/ sew – /səʊ/

5. /eə/ as in bare, bear, pair, mere, where, wear
bare – /beə/ bear – /beə/ pair – /peə/
mere – /meə/ where – /weə/ wear – /weə/

6. /iə/ as in ear, here, beer, peer, near
ear – /iə/ here – /hiə/ beer – /biə/
peer – /piə/ near – /niə/

7. /ɔi/ as in boy, choice, enjoy, oil
boy – /bɔi/ choice – /t∫ɔis/
enjoy, – /indȝɔi/ oil – /ɔil/

8. / ʊə/ as in tour, sure, pure, tourism
tour – /tʊə/ sure – /∫ʊə /
pure – / pjʊə / tourism – /tʊərizm/

WEEK NINE
SONSHIP
i. Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5)
Jesus always refers to God as His father, which automatically earned Him the affiliation as the Son of God. However before that, the Bible records in Matthew 3:17, the Bible records that a voice came from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Even the devil when tempting Jesus demanded that He prove His sonship in Matthew 4:3, even though Jesus did not give in to this temptation. The same confirmation was made at the Mount of transfiguration when Jesus was standing with two others believed to be Moses and Elijah. The disciples who went with Jesus, James, Peter and John also heard the same words, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him”. This leaves us no doubt that Jesus is the Son of God.

ii. Christians are also children of God. (Romans 8: 1- 39)
Paul also wrote in his letter to the Romans, that we all are also children of God. He stated that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death. Jesus was condemned to death in order to crucify our sinful nature so that we would no longer walk as sinful men but walk in the Spirit of God. He said in Romans 8: 5 – 7, that, “Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, indeed it cannot; 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
It is the Spirit of God that makes us sons of God. In verse 9, he says, “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” And in verse 14 – 16, he says that “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God for you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry “Abba Father,” it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

iii. Rights as citizens of Nigeria (1Peter 2:13-17)
Even as we are children of God, we are citizens of our various countries just as we are citizen of Nigeria. Peter when writing to Christians, he advised Christians to “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”
He advises that we should respect all constituted authority as all authority is from God to punish all offenders and to regard those who do right. He admonishes Christians to live as free men. However we should not use our freedom to do evil but always do what is right and live as servants of God, loving everyone and honoring the rulership.

WEEK NINE
SONSHIP
i. Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5)
Jesus always refers to God as His father, which automatically earned Him the affiliation as the Son of God. However before that, the Bible records in Matthew 3:17, the Bible records that a voice came from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Even the devil when tempting Jesus demanded that He prove His sonship in Matthew 4:3, even though Jesus did not give in to this temptation. The same confirmation was made at the Mount of transfiguration when Jesus was standing with two others believed to be Moses and Elijah. The disciples who went with Jesus, James, Peter and John also heard the same words, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him”. This leaves us no doubt that Jesus is the Son of God.

ii. Christians are also children of God. (Romans 8: 1- 39)
Paul also wrote in his letter to the Romans, that we all are also children of God. He stated that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death. Jesus was condemned to death in order to crucify our sinful nature so that we would no longer walk as sinful men but walk in the Spirit of God. He said in Romans 8: 5 – 7, that, “Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, indeed it cannot; 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
It is the Spirit of God that makes us sons of God. In verse 9, he says, “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” And in verse 14 – 16, he says that “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God for you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry “Abba Father,” it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

iii. Rights as citizens of Nigeria (1Peter 2:13-17)
Even as we are children of God, we are citizens of our various countries just as we are citizen of Nigeria. Peter when writing to Christians, he advised Christians to “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”
He advises that we should respect all constituted authority as all authority is from God to punish all offenders and to regard those who do right. He admonishes Christians to live as free men. However we should not use our freedom to do evil but always do what is right and live as servants of God, loving everyone and honoring the rulership.