Young Adult only (Love Assembly )Sunday School 3 April 2022

Topic: The Christian Entrepreneur 

MEMORY VERSE: “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” – Proverbs 22:29

BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 16:14-15 (KJV) 

14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

INTRODUCTION:

Entrepreneurship has been described as the capacity and willingness to develop, organise and manage a business venture along with any of its risk in order to make a profit. Christian entrepreneurs are needed to live out a Christ-like ethic in the business world. The Bible has many examples of entrepreneurs who in their time exhibited godly characters. It is important to know what should characterise an ideal entrepreneur.

LESSON OUTLINES:

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF ENTREPRENEURS

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN IDEAL ENTREPRENEUR

1. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF ENTREPRENEURS

There are many biblical entrepreneurs within scripture. For instance, Abraham was a prosperous business man trading in livestock, silver and gold (Gen.13:1-3). Isaac was an outstanding farmer that grew mightier than a whole nation (Gen.26:12-16). Jacob was a creative livestock manager (Gen.30:31-43). Elisha was a successful farmer before he was called into full time ministry (1Kgs.19:19). The Apostle Peter was a commercial fisherman. He was in partnership with his brother Andrew building a fishing business (Matt.4:18). The Apostle Paul had a tent making business (Acts 18:3.) Lydia, the first convert to Christianity in Europe, was a self-employed merchant, selling purple – expensive clothing materials (Acts 16:14-15). Job was a very industrious farmer. The livestock Job had in his enterprise would have allowed him to launch many business ventures (Job 1:2-3).

The epitome of biblical entrepreneurship is the Saviour of humanity, Jesus the Christ. Jesus used his entrepreneurial passion in the social area of life (Acts 10:38). Today, we call this area the “not-for-profit industries”. Jesus employed his purpose to transform humanity. Jesus was a change catalyst in the life-transformation industry.

2. CHARACTERISTICS OF AN IDEAL ENTREPRENEUR

Ability to recognise opportunity. Entrepreneurs try their hands on opportunities that are by-passed to others. These opportunities may include meeting the demand that is not currently met, pushing up a product that is much better than what is currently in the market and solving a problem or annoyance that consumers have.

Entrepreneurs recognise opportunities where they are and they utilise them by producing products or rendering services that will fill the vacuum identified.

Desire for independence. One of the consistent characteristics of an entrepreneur is his desire for independence. What it means is that an entrepreneur would want to work for himself/herself rather than work for others. They want to take decisions on their own (Prov.18:1).

Self-confidence. There are two characteristics of an entrepreneur that lead him into having self-confidence (1Sam.17:32-37).

a.Self-motivation. Entrepreneurs set their own goals rather than having them set by their bosses. Since these goals are set by entrepreneurs, it means that they will be motivated to achieve those goals.

b.Self-discipline: Every entrepreneur should have self-discipline, if not, the business will fail. These are confident people who believe in what they are doing and believe that the job is worth doing.

Willingness to take risks. Any entrepreneur is a risk taker; they take calculated risks whether formally or informally. Mostly they take risk informally because they make calculation within their brain on what to buy, keep and sell later. They equally try to figure out the probability of success of their business. Once they are convinced that it is high, they will go into such business. Entrepreneurs are not tired of trying. If they invest in a business and they fail, they can try again or venture into another business so that they can succeed (Prov.24:16; Eccl.11:1).

Constantly learning. There is always something you do not know and something else that has just been discovered. Both are essential for entrepreneurs. You cannot build a business around something you do not know about, and you cannot improve products and services using outdated methods. Entrepreneurs are always on the prowl to learn more about what they do and what the competitors are working on.

CONCLUSION: God wants His children to have dominion in the business world. Make up your mind to be a godly young entrepreneur.

QUESTION:

Mention four (4) biblical examples of entrepreneurs and their respective occupation.

Mention four (4) characteristics of an ideal entrepreneur.

FURTHER READING:

Monday: Proverbs 22:29 (KJV)

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

Tuesday: Mark 1:16 (KJV)

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

Wednesday: Luke 4:18 (KJV)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Thursday: Proverbs 15:14 (KJV)

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

Friday: Ecclesiastes 8:1 (KJV)

Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

Saturday: Proverbs 18:1 (KJV)

Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

Sunday: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10 (KJV)

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

ASSIGNMENT: Students should mention five (5) benefits of having one’s personal business

Sunday School 3 April 2022 for Adult church members only

TOPIC: Holy “Matri-Money” (Part 1) 

MEMORY VERSE: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” – 1 Timothy 6:10

BIBLE PASSAGE: Deuteronomy 28:1-13 (KJV) 

1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.

10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.

11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Money is the major means of catering for our everyday needs and it is capable of meeting virtually all physical needs. One major reason couples get divorced is financial disagreement. This is very difficult to believe until one begins to feel the pool of financial tensions in the home. Usually, the conflict may not appear to be directly about money but a closer look would reveal that the fight is about priorities, values, dreams, and trusts which are all linked with finances. The Bible caution us about our attitude towards money. 1 Timothy 6:10

LESSON OUTLINES:

OURS VERSUS YOURS AND MINE

HONESTY AND TRUST

1. OURS VERSUS YOURS AND MINE

God owns all riches (Hag.2:8). It is His desire that His children prosper (3Jn.2; Ps.1:3). He gives us the power to get wealth (Deut.8:18; Isa.45:3). Money in marriage should not be individually owned. Whatever God has joined together, money should not separate (Matt.19:4-6; Eph.5:29-32). Whatever the husband earns belongs to the wife. Likewise, what the wife has belongs to the husband. This is because both husband and wife are one flesh (Eph.5:31; Gen.2:24). In marriage, the financial policy or principle should be entirely different from when one is single. There are new financial demands apart from providing for two instead of one. One’s order of priority in terms of needs would change. Therefore, in Christian marriage, money should no longer be YOURS AND MINE BUT OURS.

2. HONESTY AND TRUST

Financial success in marriage demands honesty and total trust between the two spouses (1Cor.13:7). There should be no lies about income and expenses (Col.3:9) or withholding of spending information. For some, shared bank account and pay cheque remove doubt and encourages mutual trust. For others, separate accounts with openness and sincerity, works (Matt.19:5-6). What is important, irrespective of the class of account couples decide to adopt, is to relate with one another in honesty, trust and understanding.

CONCLUSION

Money, if rightly handled and managed in marriage, will act as a lubricant to the overall success of the marriage. However, the mishandling or mismanagement of money which is a principal evil (1Tim.6:10), will wreck the home and could be the root of a broken marriage.

QUESTION

Who is the key to financial prosperity in marriage?

Who is the key to financial prosperity in marriage?

FURTHER READING:

Monday: Matthew 19:6 (KJV)

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Tuesday: 1 Timothy 4:1 (KJV)

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Wednesday: Romans 13:9 (KJV)

For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Thursday: 1 John 1:6 (KJV)

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

Friday: Revelation 21:8 (KJV)

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Saturday: James 5:12 (KJV)

But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Sunday: Exodus 23:2 (KJV)

Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

ASSIGNMENT:

Mention five (5) reasons some couples fight because of money.