WELCOME (15minutes)
Choose one of the following icebreakers:
(If you have first-time guests, begin with a round of introduction and warmly welcome the new visitors.)
Passing A Roll of Toilet Paper
Have everyone sit in a circle. Pass a roll of toilet paper to the person on your right (or left) and merely say “Take as much as you think you need and pass it to the next person”. Don’t offer any more information. Once the roll of toilet paper has gone around the group, say to the group, “For every square that you tore off, tell the group something about yourself.”
Celebrating National Day
In your cell, take turns to share with one another how you celebrated National Day.
Transition to Worship:
Let’s come and worship our Lord! Let our praises fill the air!
WORSHIP (20 minutes)
You may use the following suggested worship songs:
- Forever Reign (E)
- Awesome In This Place – Hillsong (D)
- What A Beautiful Name (D)
- Living Hope (A)
Do give some time to wait upon the Lord for the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Encourage the release of the gifts of the Holy Spirit - words, visions, tongues and interpretation of tongues - to minister to the people who are present.
Transition to Word:
Holy Spirit, right now quieten our hearts to ponder over Your word. May Your truth spur us on to seek to be like Jesus and do what Your word says.
WORD (45minutes)
Memory verse of the week: Philippians 4:19 (NIVUK)
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Sermon Title: Chosen
By Rev. Poh Wee Long on 10-11 Aug 19
Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 16: 1-13 (NIV)
1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.”10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
Introduction
The passage we have just read is the account of David being anointed by a prophet of God, Samuel, to be the next king of Israel after king Saul. From this account, we can clearly see that David was chosen by God to become the next king of Israel. Consider the opening verse of this passage:
1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
It is clear from this passage that David was God’s choice to be the next king or leader of Israel. From this passage and last weekend’s sermon, we can glean some lessons on how God chooses His leaders. And these lessons are likewise applicable to us as believers and disciples who are called by God to be used by Him. The three lessons that we can learn are:
- God’s choice is SOVEREIGN
- God’s choice is SURPRISING
- God’s choice is SPECIFIC
Discovery and Understanding Questions:
Q1. God’s choice is Sovereign. Consider the passages 1 Samuel 8:4-9, 13:13-14, 16:1-13, and 17:34-37. What is one key lesson we can learn here?
A1. 1 Samuel 8:4-9 – This is the account when God warned the nation of Israel on the consequences of them rejecting God as king but asking for a human king. Despite this, the choice for the first king of Israel, Saul, was still sovereignly decided by God.
1 Samuel 13:13-14 – Due to king Saul’s pride and disobedience, God decided sovereignly to remove him as king and to choose for Himself, a man after His own heart.
1 Samuel 16:1-13 – God sovereignly chose David over his brothers, despite the latter seemingly possessing better qualities than David.
1 Samuel 17:34-37 – In God’s sovereignty, God knew David to be a man after His own heart. This passage shows us that even in his youth, David knew God intimately and he had faith in God when others did not. This will be seen again when David fearlessly confronted Goliath in the name of God when the army of Israel trembled.
A key lesson we can take away is that the authorities in church, and even in the governments of the world are also sovereignly chosen by God. Romans 13:1 reminds us that all authorities that exist on earth are established by God. We are therefore to be in subjection to these governing authorities and not to resist them (v2) because opposing them is akin to opposing the ordinances of God.
Q2. God’s choice is Surprising. Consider the passages 1 Samuel 16:6-10, Exodus 4:19, and Numbers 12:3. What is one key lesson we can learn here?
A2. 1 Samuel 16:6-10 – Starting with Eliab, we see God rejecting all of David’s older brothers who were more highly esteemed than him. Even Samuel thought highly of Eliab. However, God’s word is that unlike how other people judged by superficial appearance, God would not. Indeed, God’s choice of David was surprising to all as his status in the family was incomparable to his brothers and he was even initially left out of the anointing service.
Exodus 4:19, Numbers 12:3 – Moses was also an unlikely candidate. But God saw the potential in him and his heart of humility.
A lesson we can learn here is that God has a track record of choosing those whom the world does not think are useable, suitable or adequate. Why? Because God wants to show to the world that out of these whom the world thinks is the “weak” or “foolish”, He will display His power and glory through them.
Q3. God’s choice is Specific. Consider the passage 1 Samuel 16:12-13. What is one key lesson we can learn here?
A3. 1 Samuel 16:12-13 – God made His choice of David clear and specific, without a doubt. The prophet Samuel was sent specifically to a place in Bethlehem, to a specific house i.e. the house of Jesse and to look for a person whom God had chosen. In fact, until David appeared on the scene, everyone had to stand and wait for him to appear. The atmosphere would have been so perplexing to the family of Jesse, but God would have it no other way – that David would be made clear that he was the anointed one.
A lesson here is that even if others cannot remember us, or if they do not think that you are called or you are suitable, but if God has indeed chosen you, He will never forget about you.
Application Questions:
Break into smaller groups, share, pray and minister to one another.
Q1. What should be our response as leaders and members to last weekend’s sermon?
- Pray for one another to have the right heart to accept and submit willingly and joyfully to those whom God has placed over us e.g. CLs, G12L, Pastors, SPs.
- Encourage those who are challenged to take up certain leadership position but are struggling because of certain reasons e.g. family commitment, feelings of inadequacies. Indeed, if the Lord has chosen, He will surely be with you and resource you.
Q2. Leaders, with great effort, rally everyone to attend coming Sunday’s Installation Service. We will hear something special on how God has set up DSP Daniel Khong and Pastor Serene Tang to be the next SP and DSP respectively.
Family Altar Time (F.A.T.)
(Cell Leader: Encourage your members to be faithful in keeping the weekly F.A.T. and refer them to this segment of the 4Ws for suggestions for their F.A.T. A possible time for the F.A.T. is after a meal together, say during the weekend.)
Use either of the icebreakers in the WELCOME segment above and select worship songs that are meaningful to your family. If they are old enough, ask your children to select the songs and lead worship, and take this opportunity to teach them skills in waiting on God, praying and leading with a servant’s heart and as a willing vessel for God.
After worship, you may wish to:
- Discuss last Sunday’s Family Bible Study in the Living Life journal, or
- Review your children’s take-home materials from GKidz, or
- Review and discuss this week’s memory verse, or
- Have one person read 1 Samuel 8:4-9, another person, Numbers 12:1-10, another person, 1 Samuel 16:6-13, and another, 1 Samuel 17:34-40.
With reference to the Introduction and the Discovery and Understanding Questions of the WORD segment above, lead in the following discussion.Question: Answer this hypothetical question: If I were God, I will…..
[Let your family members share freely. Some may talk about changing their physical appearance, intelligence, the family they were born in, or deserving to be chosen as the prefect/captain/prize-winner or promoted instead of someone else, etc. The Bible says in Isaiah 55:8-9 that God’s thoughts and His ways are not our thoughts and our ways, but are higher than ours. While we sometimes wish our lives could be different, we must be careful not to reject what God has given us, including the leaders in our lives. Rejecting God’s leaders amounts to rejecting God (1 Samuel 8:7) and may lead to terrible consequences (Numbers 12:10). We should rest secure knowing that God’s choices are not just sovereign, but because His loves us, His choices are actually best for us.]Question: Why do we think so differently from God? How can we learn to think more like God?
[Let your family members share freely. Share that God is the only One who can look into the deepest recesses of people’s hearts. He is also able to see into the future, of things and of people. On the other hand, we can only see what is external and from the past (c.f., 1 Samuel 16:6-13). To think more like God, we need to read the Bible and pray with a listening ear. As we go through our daily lives, we should learn to constantly be asking God: What are You thinking/feeling about this situation/person? And check that against the Word of God.]Question: How can we grow in confidence in God’s choices and in submission to them?
[Let your family members share freely. Besides learning to grow in alignment with God’s thoughts through the suggestions to the question above, we can also learn to recognize specific signs which God will show us. In King David’s case, even as a young shepherd, he learnt to fight enemies (1 Samuel 17:34 -37). He also fought and killed Goliath in an exceptional manner (1 Samuel 17:38 – 40). When God chooses to use someone, He will also empower that person (1 Samuel 16:13). On the issue of relating to leaders, God does not ask us to follow them blindly, but wants us not only to firstly accept that His choices may be surprising to us, secondly to be sensitive to signs that He will show, and finally to approach the matter with the right attitude – not comparing/complaining/criticizing but instead to pray and encourage our leaders.]End by praying for each other, that we will grow in submission and alignment to God’s sovereign choices. Pray also for the salvation of pre-believing family members, relatives and friends.
Transition to Works:
Let’s continue to focus on the work that God has given us by continuing to follow-up on the following:
WORKS (15minutes)
- COH – Harvest of Souls
Although it’s been almost three months, do continue to pray for the assimilation of all the new converts and those who have rededicated their lives at the rallies. Pray also for all these converts and guests to be invited to our services this weekend, so that we can successfully consolidate them into our church and cells.
- Happiness Group (幸福小组)
For those from the pilot launch, do continue to build relationship with your ‘BEST’ and encourage them to attend our weekend Services. Challenge them to get baptized and sign them up for the next baptism. To download baptism forms, click on this URL link: www.fcbc.org.sg/pastoral-care/baptism. Press on with the consolidation of your BESTs!For those who will be involved in the Happiness Group Round 1 (19 Aug to 24 Nov), step up prayers even as preparations have been made to launch your Happiness Group after G12 Asia Conference. Continue to plan activities to connect with your potential BESTs, and meet up with your Happiness group members to pray, plan, bond and team-build.
- 3x3 Prayer
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the strongholds that bind the people. Ask Him to set up divine appointments for us to minister His power over them (words of knowledge, healing, helps, etc.). Pray for one another to have boldness, courage and obedience to follow through.
- Inviting Friends to our Services
Continue to encourage one another to invite pre-believing friends to our weekend Services. Make time to listen to ‘The Voice of God’ for prophetic utterances that speak to our pre-believing friends’ circumstances as a prelude to inviting them. In addition, take some time to discuss, plan an activity and pray toward achieving the goal you have set as a cell.
- Connecting with your pre-believer friends
Create opportunities to do so - invite them for lunch/dinner/to go for a show; offer to babysit; buy groceries for them; buy them birthday gifts; do special things to make them feel loved and honored.
- Consolidation of New Converts
Consolidate those who have accepted Christ - contact them via phone calls; meet up with them over a meal; make house visits; introduce them to members of the cell and invite them to fellowship with the faith community during cell meetings and celebration Services. Make them feel belonged.Introduce them to LifeClass. LifeClass is an exciting package of equipping that guides new believers through the foundations of their faith and leads them into a life-transforming encounter with Jesus. It does this through nine weeks of personal study, combined with fun and interactive classroom sessions of Bible teaching and an Encounter Weekend. It replaces the former Pre-Encounter Class, Encounter Weekend and Post Encounter. Please check out the Equipping page at our website or Mobile App. Visit https://www.fcbc.org.sg/equipping/event-listing for more details.
Announcements:
Please visit https://www.fcbc.org.sg/bulletin/ or our FCBC app for more details.