Oikia Christian Center Membership Manual v1

Oikia Christian Center Membership Manual
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1
THE BASICS OF SALVATION 1 – WHO IS A CHRISTIAN? 2
THE BASICS OF SALVATION 2 – FORGIVEN AND REDEEMED 4
THE BASICS OF SALVATION 3 – THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISM 6
THE BASICS OF SALVATION 4 – FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST 8
THE BASICS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH – BY HIS WORD 10
THE BASICS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH – EFFECTIVE PRAYER 12
NOW THAT YOU ARE SAVED – A MEMBER OF THE BODY (PLACE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH) 16
NOW THAT YOU ARE SAVED – WITNESSES OF CHRIST (SOUL WINNING) 14
NOW THAT YOU ARE SAVED – AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST (WALKING IN THE SPIRIT) ERROR! BOOKMARK
NOT DEFINED.
NOW THAT YOU ARE SAVED – SERVANTS OF CHRIST (HOW TO SERVE GOD) ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT
DEFINED.
Manifesting the glory of the risen Christ, demonstrating the influence of the Spirit
The Basics of Christianity 1 – The Christian, A New Creation
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this class is to ensure that you clearly understand and can explain who a
Christian is and how a person becomes a Christian.
INTRODUCTION
In recent times, many different people have given varying definitions to what Christianity is,
and what it means to be a Christian. However, we see from the scriptures, that the first
mention of the word, Christian, was to describe disciples of Jesus Christ who were
assembled at Antioch (Acts 11:20 -26).
“Christian” was used by non-members of the church of Jesus Christ to describe men and
women who believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, acted like Jesus, and followed his teachings
(Acts 11:20-26, Acts 26:22-29, Acts 4:13). Nonetheless, in the Bible, the title used by
Christians to refer to other Christians were “Believer” or the New Creation (Acts 2:30-44,
Acts 4:32, 2 Corinthians 5:14-19).
WHO IS THE NEW CREATION?

• The New Creation is any man or woman who believes that Jesus is the son of God (the
Word of God made flesh), that he came to this world as a Man, to die for the sins of the
world; that he rose after 3 days in the grave, and he is alive forever more (Mark 16:15-
20, 1 Corinthians 15:1-5, Romans 10:8-13, Acts 10:38-45).
• The New Creation is saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ Jesus alone, to
the glory of God (Matthew 1:21, Ephesians 2:4-9, John 3:17-18, 2 Timothy 1:9-10)
• The New Creation is born again, of the Word and Spirit of God (John 3:1 -20, 1 Peter 1:1-
5, 1 Peter 1:18-25, 1 John 5:1)
• The New Creation has been forgiven of all his sins by God (2 Corinthians 5:17-18, Acts
5:31, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:13, 1 John 2:12)
• The New Creation is a child of God and a member of God’s family (John 1:12-13, Romans
8:14-17, Ephesians 2:13-19)
• The new creation is a citizen of the kingdom of God (Colossians 1:12-13, 1 Thessalonians
2:12, Hebrews 12:27-28)
• The New Creation is free from the bondage and authority of sin and Satan (Colossians
1:12-14, Romans 6:6-10,
• The New creation has power over sin and Satan (Ephesians 1:19- 23, Acts 1:8, Matthew
28:18-19)
• The New creation has been reconciled and now, has direct access to God (Romans 5:1-
10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:11-18)
• The New Creation has everlasting life (John 3:16)
WHY WAS THE NEW BIRTH NECESSARY?

• Adam had disobeyed God and sinned (Genesis 2:15, Genesis 3:1-24)
• Because of Adam’s sin, sin entered in the world and all of Adam’s offspring were under
the dominion of sin (Romans 5:12-21)
• Adam’s sin gave authority to the Devil and made him (the Devil) the god of this world (1
John 3:7-10, Hebrews 2:14-15, Ephesians 2:1-3)
• Because of Adam’s sin, mankind was separated from God (Romans 1:21-22, Ephesians
4:17-18, Ephesians 2:14-19)
• For mankind to be restored and reconciled to God, God needed to take care of sin and
change the nature of man (Ephesians 2:15-17, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
• The new birth was the God’s way of restoring man and reconciling man to himself (2
Corinthians 5:16-19, Ephesians 2:1-8)
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE NEW BIRTH (SALVATION)?

• You heard and believed the gospel that Jesus died for your sins and that God raised him
up again for your salvation (Romans 10:8-13)
• In believing the gospel, God counts the sacrifice and status of Jesus Christ for you. Once
identified in Christ, you have died his death (for sin), been buried with him, and God has,
together with him, raised you up again. Now, you are alive in him forever (Romans 6:1-
6, Colossians 2:12-13)
• At the New birth, God fulfils his promise in Ezekiel 36:24-27 by cleansing you of sin,
taking away your old nature, and giving you his Spirit.
CONCLUSION
• “Christian” is not just an appellation, title, or the signifier of a member of a social group.
• A Christian is anyone who has believed the gospel of Jesus Christ, has received
forgiveness of sins, and now has the Spirit of God. A Christian is anyone who has been
saved by Jesus Christ.
• A Christian is a child of God, a member of God’s kingdom and has direct access to God.
RECOMMENDED SERMONS
• Salvation 1 – 4 by Pastor Femi Olaleye
• Scarlet Thread by Pastor Femi Olaleye
• Jesus, the only way
• Christ, the only way to salvation by Pastor Deb
The Fervent Christian Life by Pastor Jide, CRC 2022
Fruitful vine 1-3 (Character of a Christian) by Pastor Femi
ASSIGNMENT
Write a 200-word summary of the sermons Scarlet Thread Parts 1 and 2
The Basics of Christianity 2 – The Christian, Forgiven and Redeemed
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this class is to ensure that you clearly understand how God, in Christ Jesus,
has forgiven the Christian of their sins, and how God’s forgiveness liberates the Christian to
live a life of honor and glory to God.
INTRODUCTION
Despite being saved by grace, many believers labor under the heavy burden of sin, in
thoughts and actions, the guilt that follows and a fear of the heavy hand of punishment
from God.
However, we see from the scriptures that God’s desire is that the believer should not
wallow in sinful thoughts nor activities. Furthermore, like a Father, God wants the believer
to relate with Him by grace and faith, and not in guilt and fear.
ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD

• In the beginning, Adam disobeyed God and sinned. Sin is to fall short of the standard
that God has set (Genesis 2:15, Genesis 3:1-24, Romans 5:12 - 17)
• Because of Adam’s sin, sin entered in the world and all of Adam’s offspring were under
the dominion of sin. All sinned and were short of God’s standard (Romans 3:23, Romans
5:12-21)
• The penalty for sin was death (separation from God and corruption on the earth) and
because of Adam’s sin, every man born of Adam was subject to death (spiritual and
natural)
JESUS PAID THE PRICE FOR THE SINS OF ALL MANKIND

• Because all had sinned and were to pay the wages of sin, we needed a perfect savior
who did not have any sin
• Jesus was not born of the seed of man, so he was not subject to the sins of Adam. His
divine life was sufficient payment for the sins of all men
• Jesus died on the cross to pay for the sins of all men,
• Jesus resurrected, and stands as both the payment for sins and the advocate for all who
believe
FORGIVENESS OF SINS CANNOT BE EARNED, BUT RECEIVED ACCORDING TO GOD’S GRACE

• God does not discriminate or measure sin for man. Any man guilty in one, is guilty in all
• The righteousness of man is like filthy rags before God, inadequate, because man, by his
nature, is a sinner
• God’s promise of forgiveness is for those who rely on God to forgive their sins. God’s
forgiveness comes by grace, not works
• The believer in Jesus has received forgiveness of sin by grace, from God
• God no longer counts the sin of a believer, and has purged his conscience of guilt and
shame.
THE BELIEVER HAS BEEN REDEEMED FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN AND DEATH
• Redemption is a release from bondage which is effected by payment of a ransom.
• Although Salvation is free for the believer, it however cost God his only begotten Son.
John 3:16
• Jesus’ death is the price that was paid to redeem us from the grip of sin and death. By his
sacrifice, he has purchased every man from the hands of sin and death (1 Cor 6:20
• Everyone who believes in Jesus now belongs to God. We are redeemed. We are his
purchased possession. Eph1:14
THE BELIEVER HAS THE ABILITY TO LIVE FREE OF SIN, GUILT AND FEAR
• Forgiveness of sins is an inheritance of the believer (Acts 26:18)
• It is based on the blood of Jesus. Jesus offered his life as payment for our sins. It is on this
basis that we have forgiveness (Matthew 26:28, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:43)
• The forgiveness of sins that we have covers the past, present and future (Romans 3:24-
25, Hebrews 10:11-19)
• Forgiveness cannot be earned. It is to be received and acknowledged (Romans 4:1-8)
CONCLUSION
• In Eden, Adam sin and all of humankind fell into the condemnation of sin and death
• To redeem man, God had to pay the penalty on man’s behalf
• Man had sinned
RECOMMENDED SERMONS
• Salvation by Pastor Femi Olaleye https://t.me/oikiacc/133
• Christ, the only way to Salvation by Pastor Femi Olaleye https://t.me/oikiacc/688
• Forgiveness of Sins by Pastor Femi Olaleye https://t.me/oikiacc/244
ASSIGNMENT
Write a 200-word summary of the sermon “Forgiveness of Sins” by Pastor Femi Olaleye
The Basics of Christianity 3 – The doctrine of baptism
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this class is to clarify the scriptural position on baptism and how it relates to
the salvation of men. At the end of the class, you will understand what it means to be
baptized, the spiritual significance of baptism and God’s plan for men and baptism.
INTRODUCTION
Despite being saved, many believers do not understand the place of baptism in the salvation
conversation. Like many other ordinances established in the Old Testament, God used
baptism as a teaching aid to describe what he was going to do for mankind through Jesus
Christ.
Now that Christ is risen, we, as believers, must understand the importance of baptism
among other subjects of doctrine in order to appropriately practice, teach and correct
baptism as it was practiced in the Acts of the Apostles
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
• Baptism (from the Greek “baptize” means to dip, to submerge or to immerse a thing in
another, usually a fluid (or water). The first time we see the specific word used in
scripture is in Matthew 3, referring to the ministry of John the Baptist, who was the son
of Zacharias and Elisabeth, and a cousin to Jesus Christ.
• It is important to note that John the Baptist came as a forerunner to Jesus, and his
ministry was to point to the reality of what God was to do in and through Jesus Christ
(Luke 1:14-17, Luke 3:4-6, Matthew 3:1-4).
• John preached and practiced baptism in water, as a shadow of a future where God will
cleanse the sins of men and bring them to repentance by baptizing them with the Holy
Ghost (Matthew 3:11-16, Acts 19:4). Baptism in water was a sign to the people of Israel
of the work that Jesus Christ was coming to do, to notify them ahead of the plan of God
and convince them to turn away from the law and their sins unto Jesus, the perfect
Saviour.
• It is important to note that the scriptures did not record that Jesus himself baptized any
man, although his disciples did.
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST

• This refers to the immersion of a man into the body of Christ upon believing the gospel.
This baptism is the reality of the shadow practiced by John the Baptist. It is made
possible only by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and is a work of the
Holy Spirit of God almighty.
• Baptism into the Holy Ghost is the birthing of the New Creation – the New Birth (John 3)
THE IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISM IN CHRISTIANITY

• We see a foreshadowing of baptism in the Old Testament in God’s deliverance of men
through Noah’s Ark (Genesis 7, 1 Peter 3:20-21), in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt
through the Red Sea (Exodus 9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-4), and in the washings unto
consecration under the law (Exodus 40:12-15, Numbers 8:5-7).
• Baptism signifies a purification of man, washing away of his sins, and a sanctification of
the believer unto God (Ephesians 5:26-27, Titus 3:5-8)
• The baptism of water signified the identification of sinful man in the death and burial of
Jesus Christ, and the translation of man into new life with Jesus Christ (Romans 6:2-6,
Colossians 2:11-16)
• Baptism was a type and shadow of the union of the man in Christ and the Spirit of God
(Galatians 3:26-27, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14)
IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY FOR SALVATION?

• Salvation is a work of God and requires no input from man other than faith in what God
accomplished with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 3:16-18, Mark
16:15-20, Acts 10:42-44, Romans 10:8-11). Salvation only requires that a man hear the
gospel and believe it.
• Before the death of Jesus Christ, men were baptized, but that baptism could not save
men. After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the disciples / apostles, sometimes, baptized
men who had believed as a public show of an inward faith. In every instance, the men
believed the gospel first, and then, they were baptized by the disciples (Acts 2:41-44,
Acts 8:12-14, Acts 9:18, Acts 10:43-48)
• Jesus did not preach baptism as a condition for salvation and the apostles did not always
baptize those who believe (John 4:1-2, 1 Corinthians 1:13-16)
• The baptism of the Holy Ghost is distinct from Water Baptism and does not require
water to be effective (Matthew 20:22-23, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16). Jesus promised the
baptism of the Holy Ghost in Acts 1:5, and when it came (Acts 2:1), there was no need
for water.
CONCLUSION
• Baptism means to submerge or immerse a body into another. Before the resurrection of
Jesus, it referred to the immersion of a man into water to signify the purification of that
man from sin.
• Water baptism was instituted by John the Baptist, although further types of water
washing, and sprinkling were seen in the Old Testament. John prophesied and Jesus
attested that his ministry was to baptize men with the Holy Ghost.
• Holy Ghost baptism is the immersion and union of a man into the Spirit of God. This
baptism is a work of the Holy Ghost alone and is a product of man’s faith in the gospel of
Jesus Christ.
• Water baptism is not necessary for salvation, but can be practiced as an outward show of
one’s salvation and decision to follow Jesus
RECOMMENDED SERMONS
• Baptism by Pastor Adeoluwa Adeniji https://t.me/oikiacc/406
ASSIGNMENT
• Write a 200 word essay on how Jesus baptized men with the Holy Ghost
The Basics of Salvation 4 – Filled with the Holy Ghost
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this class is to provide you with an introduction to the Holy Ghost and His
role in the life of the believer
WHO IS THE HOLY GHOST?

• The Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit) (‘Ruach Elohim’ or ‘Hagios Pneuma’) refers to the
invisible Spirit of God.
• The Holy Ghost is not just an influence, or power, or wind. The Holy Ghost is the eternal
God (Hebrews 9:14), omnipresent (Psalms 139:7), omniscient and all-powerful
• He is the force behind the creation of the world seen in Genesis 1:2 and behind the
resurrection of the body of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:11-13)
THE HOLY GHOST AND THE CHRISTIAN

• The Holy Ghost is the promise of God to every man who believes the Gospel (John 7:37-
39, John 14:16-18, Acts 2:33-38)
• The Holy Ghost is the God’s agency for the new birth. Every believer is born of the Spirit
of God (John 3:5-8, Romans 8:14-17)
• The Holy Spirit is the seal of the believer’s salvation, the guarantee that he has an
inheritance in God (Ephesians 1:13-14, 1 John 4:12-13)
• The Holy Ghost in the believer is power for witnessing Christ (Acts 1:8)
• The Holy Ghost is given to the believer as a comforter and guide. He abides in and with
the Christian forever (John 14:17-20)
• The Christian has been made a temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 2
Corinthians 6:14-17)
• The believer is in union with the spirit of God (1 Corinthians 6:17-18)
• The Holy Ghost bears witness of the salvation of God in Christ Jesus (John 15:26-27, 1
Corinthians 2:10-12, Romans 8:15-16)
• The Holy Spirit provides guidance and direction for the Christian life
RECEIVING THE HOLY GHOST

• The Holy Spirit is received when a man believes the gospel (John 7:37-39, Acts 2:33-38, 1
John 5:1-13)
• The expressions of the Spirit may be imparted / activated in one Christian by the laying
on of hands by another Christian (Acts 9:12, Acts 19:6)
FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST – OPERATIONS OF THE SPIRIT

• The Holy Ghost supplies the believer with insight into the heart of God, utterance and
power (1 Corinthians 12, Acts 1:8)
• Every believer has received the gift of the Spirit, and consequently, access to all the
operations of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
• Scripture, in 1 Corinthians 12-14 records various operations of the Spirit of the God
which can be broadly categorized into 3:
o Revelation – this refers to the operations of the Holy Ghost that supplies
supernatural insight and knowledge to the believer. This may include revelation of
things that have happened in the past (Acts 5:1-7), those in the future (Acts 27:10-
11), and an accurate discernment of supernatural operations (Acts 16:16)
o Utterance – this refers to the operations of the Holy Ghost that supplies divinely-
inspired utterance to the believer. Expressions under this include Tongues (Acts 2:4,
Acts 10:44-46), the interpretation of tongues (Acts 2:6, 1 Corinthians 12:10) and
prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:10, Acts 11:28)
o Power – this refers to the operations of the Holy Ghost that cause changes in the
natural world including healings and other miracles (Acts 3, Acts 9:40-42)
• The operations of the Holy Ghost are given as signs of the resurrection and exaltation of
Jesus Christ, and as proofs that God is with Christians (Mark 16:16-18, Acts 1:8, Acts
4:29-33)
TONGUES AND INTERPRETATIONS

• Tongues (also called New Tongues) were promised by Jesus Christ as a sign to follow all
those who believe a.k.a Christians (Mark 16:16-18) and were the first distinct sign
demonstrated after the indwelling / infilling of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4)
• Tongues are a heavenly language that is unique to those who believe and used for
communication with God (1 Corinthians 14:2-4). The man (believer) who speaks in
tongues speaks unto God and he edifies (builds up) himself
• Tongues can be used as an instrument for prayer and for praise (1 Corinthians 14:15-16)
• Because Tongues are an operation of the Spirit of God, the understanding of Tongues
can only be given by the same Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 14)
• Every believer can and should speak in Tongues. In the Scriptures, the foundational
apostles of Jesus Christ placed great emphasis on ensure believers spoke in Tongues
(Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44-45, Acts 11:15-17, Acts 19:2-7).
• However, since speaking in Tongues does not bless the understanding (mind) of any
listener, believers are instructed to interpret their tongues whenever they address the
congregation (1 Corinthians 14:21-29).
FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST – FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

• The Holy Ghost also provides the believer the ability to live above sin and demonstrate
God’s character (Galatians 5:16-26)
RECOMMENDED SERMONS
• Concerning Spirituals by Pastor Femi Olaleye
• Pneumatology by Pastor Femi Olaleye
• The Doctrine of Tongues by Pastor Femi Olaleye
Growing up spiritually – By His Word
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this class is to help you understand what spiritual growth is, why every
believer should grow spiritually and the role the Word of God plays in spiritual growth. The
class also seeks to inspire you to commit to an intentional plan for your spiritual growth.
INTRODUCTION
• When most of us were younger and studied introductory biology, we learnt that one of
the key characteristics by which you can identify a living thing is growth. Every living
thing grows and evolves one way or another throughout its natural life.
• Similarly, believers are to grow spiritually. Upon salvation, a man receives the life of God
with eternal impact. However, we don’t always see the tangible impact of this new birth
in the man physically or naturally.
• For the full extent of what a believer has received spiritually to be visible or tangible,
that believer needs to grow up spiritually.
WHAT SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS

• Spiritual growth is not an increase in the size of a man’s spirit, rather, the process by
which a believer conforms more and more to the image of Jesus Christ, resembling him
in effectiveness, character, and conduct (Ephesians 4:13-15).
• The culmination of spiritual growth is in a believer’s ability to closely resemble Jesus
Christ and to teach others to do the same (Hebrews 5:12-14, Ephesians 4:13-32).
• Hebrews 5 lets us know that there is a natural progression of growth for every believer,
from being a newborn babe to full maturity. However, not every believer grows at the
same pace. Further, it is possible for a believer to stagnate and be underdeveloped, or
worse, to retrogress (2 Peter 3:17-18).
• Just as growth, for babies, is dependent on the child’s intake of required nutrients, for
spiritual growth, the scriptures prescribe a very specific diet – the diet of the word (1
Peter 2:1-2, James 1:21).
THE DIET OF THE WORD

• Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 2:1-2 instructs believers to desire the sincere milk of God’s word
that they may grow thereby. In 2 Tim 3:15-17, Paul instructs Timothy to continue in the
scriptures as they provide instruction, correction, and reproof.
• The Word of God is the foundation for a successful Christian life; we are commanded to
meditate on it day and night. We should desire to know the Word of God so that we
might know more of God and grow to maturity.
• The Word of God is revealed unto us through the Holy Scriptures. The Holy Scriptures
(holy writings) refer to the writings of the prophets and what they contain. The Holy
Bible is a compilation of the different books of scriptures, comprising 66 books that span
thousands of years, and different dispensations, all of which have the revelation of Jesus
Christ at their center (Luke 24:24-27, John 5:35-40)
• The scriptures are inspired by the Spirit of God, contain historical facts, prophecies, and
instructions that provide a complete revelation of God, his greatness and mercy, his
salvation plan, how men can access God’s mercy and how believers should conduct their
lives.
• Although Bibles are physical, the content of the scriptures is spiritual material. Feeding
on the scriptures reveals the believer’s new identity to him and transforms him into that
same image. The systematic study of the scriptures and the understanding will put at
your disposal the distilled wisdom of God revealed through the ages (2 Timothy 2:15, 2
Timothy 3:14-17)
• The scriptures also reveal God’s thoughts and heart, helping believers renew their minds
and align their thinking to God’s thinking. As we see God’s goodness and grace through
the gospel and are renewed in our minds to think in alignment with God’s thoughts, we
can then act in a way that pleases Him and blesses others. This is truly spiritual growth:
that we become like Jesus in all things (Rom. 8:28–29).
HOW TO FEED ON THE WORD

• You spend time hearing the Word, listening to a skilled teacher e.g. your pastor, cell
leader, etc. (Luke 24:45, Matthew 7:29, Ephesians 4:11-15, James 1:21-25). A skilled
teacher of God’s word has learned by training, study and experience to properly discern
the truth in scripture and can help open your understanding.
• You spend time reading and studying God’s word (James 1:21-25, 2 Timothy 3:14-17,
Ephesians 3:4, Colossians 4:16). Studying the scriptures from yourself protects you from
falling prey to men’s deception in the name of the Lord (Acts 17:10-12)
• You keep God’s word forefront in your mind by meditating on it (Psalms 119:11, 1
Timothy 4:14-15, Joshua 1:8). Meditating on God’s word ensures that you keep it in
memory and allow it to form the basis for your subconscious.
• You do God’s word. James 1:22-24 lets us know that anyone who does not do God’s word
is simply deceiving himself and only the doer of God’s word will be blessed in all his deeds
• Note, whenever you approach God’s word, learn to approach it with reverence and holy
fear
CONCLUSION
• Spiritual growth, stability and independence are all dependent on a believer’s consistency
and application to the study and meditation on the Word of God. Failure to study God’s
word will leave a believer ignorant of God’s promises, purpose and will, bringing spiritual
underdevelopment.
• A believer without a relationship with the Holy Scriptures will be carnal, worldly, and
vulnerable to the deception of the Devil. Commitment to regular study of God’s Word
makes us strong and healthy spiritually. It also keeps us stable during destructive winds of
doctrines around the world today.
RECOMMENDED SERMONS
• Growing up Spiritually – Rev. Femi Olaleye- https://t.me/oikiacc/589
• The Word of God – Rev. Femi Olaleye - https://t.me/oikiacc/278
• How to grow spiritually- Pastor Adeoluwa Adeniji- https://t.me/oikiacc/283
• The Word and You – Pastor Adeoluwa Adeniji - https://t.me/oikiacc/599
• Growing up – Pastor Jide Akande - https://t.me/oikiacc/588
ASSIGNMENT
Write out a plan for your study of the word for the year and find an accountability partner to
share this with. (Plan should be submitted along with the name of your accountability partner)
The Basics of Spiritual Growth – Effective Prayer
OBJECTIVE
This class is aimed at introducing you to the subject of prayer, the reason we pray, and the
pattern laid down in the scriptures for believers to follow in prayer. At the end of the class,
each student should understand why we pray, know how to pray effectively, and be able to
develop and maintain a culture of prayer.
INTRODUCTION
• Prayer is one of the most frequently conducted activities throughout the scriptures,
predating even the incarnation of Jesus Christ; however, when Jesus walked the earth as
a man, his disciples asked him to teach them to pray. What this means is that there was a
way Jesus prayed that was distinct from the way the disciples had always known to pray
(Matthew 6, Luke 11).
• What this also shows us is that prayer can be taught and learned. Jesus’ response to their
request as well as Apostle James, in James 4:3, also let us know that there is a right and a
wrong way to pray.
WHAT IS PRAYER?
• Prayer is not merely a religious rite but a 2-way communication with the Almighty God.
Like every communication, prayer involves 2 parties and content.
• Prayer is how we communicate our needs, emotions, thoughts, and desires to God, and
also receive God’s need, emotions, thoughts and desires. It is not merely an attitude, or a
thought, Scriptural prayer involves the vocalization of words, however loud or quiet (Luke
11:12).
• There are different types of prayer to God, depending on the content. These include
enquiry (Judges 20:27, 1 Samuel 10:22, 1 Samuel 23:2), request / supplication (1 Samuel
13:12, 1 Kings 8:28-33, Acts 1:14), Prayer of Faith (John 16:23-23, Mark 11:22-24), among
others.
WHY SHOULD WE PRAY?
• Prayer is an act of fellowship with God, and a demonstration of our reliance on God’s
wisdom, direction, and ability for our lives (Acts 4:28-30, Matthew 26:36-41, 2 Chronicles
7:14)
• Prayer is an instruction to all believers from God (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:17,
Ephesians 6:12-18, James 5:13-16)
• Prayer is how we bring God’s will to pass in our lives on the earth. Prayer is how we get
the intervention of the supernatural in the earth (1 Timothy 2:1-4, Colossians 4:2-4, Acts
4:28-30)
• Prayer is how we keep ourselves in the love of God and receive strength to overcome
temptation (Matthew 26:41, Jude 1:19-21)
PRAYING THE RIGHT WAY
• We pray to the God (The Father) in the name of Jesus (Matthew 6:9, John 14:13-14, John
16:23-24, Acts 16:18). God is who we pray to, not men, not other saints. The name of
Jesus is the believer’s authority and our guarantee to answered prayers
• When we pray, we must be clear about our desires, and specific in what we ask (Matthew
7:7-11, Mark 11:23-24, Matthew 21:21-22)
• We pray in faith, not doubting (Mark 11:22-24, James 1:5-8). This is not the same thing as
hopeful speaking, optimism, or positive confession. Faith is rooted in what God has said
(scriptures and prophecy) and done (Romans 10:17)
• We pray consistently and continuously (Colossians 4:2-6, Romans 12:12, 1 Thessalonians
5:17, Luke 18:1)
CONCLUSION
• Prayer is two-way communication to God. We talk to God and he talks back.
• Prayer is not an avenue for the expression of our selfishness but rather it is how you use
God’s power to bring to manifestation God’s will on earth.
• Prayer is not optional; Every believer is instructed to pray often and prayer is an
expression of our dependence on God.
• Prayer is effective when it comes from a heart of faith (Mark 11:22). This faith is built by
knowing what the bible says about you.
• Prayer requires your focus and a strong desire to see the fulfillment of what you have
prayed for.
• God’s instruction for us is to pray and he has shown a willingness to answer our prayer.
RECOMMENDED SERMONS
• Latent Potency of Prayer – Pastor Deb Afuye (https://t.me/oikiacc/625).
• Laws of Prayer (Desire) – Rev. Femi Olaleye (https://t.me/oikiacc/291)
• Precise Knowledge for Receiving – Rev. Femi Olaleye (https://t.me/oikiacc/299)
• Laws of Prayer (Persistence) – Rev. Femi Olaleye (https://t.me/oikiacc/300)
Assignment
• Using 4 examples of prayer from the Old Testament and New, outline the components of
effective prayer.
Now that you are saved – Witnesses of Christ (Soul
Winning)
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this class is to show you the importance of being a witness of Christ and to
inspire you to a life of personal evangelism
INTRODUCTION
Believers have not been saved to be silent about their faith. God loves all men and desires
that all men be saved; the only way for God to get this done is through the gospel in the
mouth of believers.
As believers, we must awaken to the great trust and responsibility God has placed in us, and
take our position in this vital partnership with God to expand the household and kingdom of
God on the earth.
WITNESSES OF CHRIST
• The last recorded statement we have of Jesus, before his ascension, was the promise of
the Holy Ghost to the believers, and an instruction to preach the gospel (Matthew 28:18-
20, Mark 16:15-20, Acts 1:8)
• The word “Witness” from the Greek word ‘martus’ means one who has observed a great
event and can recount its happenings in detail. As believers, we have partaken of the grace
of God, benefited from his mercy, and can recount this to others so they may be partakers
also (Luke 24:47-48, Acts 2:32, Acts 5:29-32, 1 John 1)
• To bear witness of the testimony of Jesus Christ is to preach the gospel, to announce the
good news of his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to all who would listen. This
testimony, the gospel, is the power of God to save any man who believes (Romans 1:16-
18, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, 1 Corinthians 15:1-3, Romans 10:8-14)
• Evangelism / witnessing is a responsibility God places on all believers (Mark 16:15-18)
regardless of tribe, creed, or race. The one who preaches the gospel is a soul-winner
(Proverbs 11:30) because he rescues men from condemnation and death (Jude 1:22-23)
HOW TO BE A GOOD SOUL-WINNER
• The soul-winner is compassionate (Jude 1:22, Matthew 9:36), aware of the ravages of sin
and the eternal destiny of those who have not believed the gospel of Jesus Christ (John
3:18-20)
• The soul-winner arms himself with the knowledge of the gospel, the instrument of
salvation. He is able to preach in season, and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2)
• The soul-winner is tenacious and selfless, seeking not his own will, but God’s will (Acts
20:22-24)
• The soul-winner must be tactful; recognizing the peculiarities of his audience and adapting
his delivery to them, while retaining the integrity of the core of the message (1 Corinthians
9:19-23)
• A good soul-winner must be prayerful, relying on the Spirit of God for boldness, for
utterance and for strength (Acts 4:27-32, Luke 10:1-2, 2 Thessalonians 3:1, Ephesians
6:18-19, Colossians 4:2-4)
HOW TO EVANGELIZE
• Show the prospect that all have sinned and need salvation (Romans 3:23, John 3:18-19,
Romans 6:23)
• Show them that God loves them and introduce what Christ has done for them i.e., he died
for their sins, he rose again, and he is alive forevermore (Romans 5:5-10, John 3:14-18,
Ephesians 2:1-7, 1 Corinthians 15:1-3)
• Show the prospect that if any man believes in Jesus and accepts him as savior, his sins will
be forgiven (Mark 16:15-16, John 3:16-17, John 1:11-13, Acts 2:38-41, Acts 10:43-44,
Romans 10:8-12)
• Answer any questions the prospect may have (Acts 19:8-10)
• Once the prospect accepts salvation, take down their contact so that you can follow them
up, invite them to church and train them in the way of the faith (Acts 2:41-47)
• If the prospect has not believed, take down their contacts so you can pray for them, and
return to preach to them again. Remember, although we evangelize, it is God who saves
(Acts 19:10)
• Evangelism can either be mass (one-to-many) or personal (one-on-one)
RECOMMENDED SERMONS
• Sold out by Pastor Femi Olaleye
Now that you are saved – A member of the body (Place of
the local church)
OBJECTIVE
This class is aimed at communicating the importance of the local church in God’s plan for
mankind. At the end of the class, each student should understand the purpose of the church
and how they ought to feature in it. Furthermore, this class will provide you a brief history
of Oikia Christian Center and what we stand for.
INTRODUCTION
• Although Salvation is first and foremost a private affair, a relationship between a man and
God, found only in Jesus Christ, throughout the scriptures, we see a great emphasis placed
on the place of the congregation in worship, and in fulfilling God’s will.
• When Jesus was on the earth, he gathered to himself, disciples, whom he referred to as
his brethren (Mark 3:33). Furthermore, we see that after Jesus ascended, the disciples
remained together, as one body, in one accord.
WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
• In Matthew 16:18, Jesus, in response to Peter’s revelation of the Christ, mentions that he
will build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail
• The word ‘church’ comes from the Greek word ‘Ecclesia’ which means “Called out.” The
church is a body of people called out from the world to be separate in Christ (1 Corinthians
1:2)
• The church refers to the global body of believers with Jesus as its head (Colossians 1:18,
Ephesians 1:21-23, Ephesians 5:23). It is the reality of the shadow, which was the
congregation of the people of Israel, that is, all God’s people gathered into one body
(Ephesians 1:10, 2 Thessalonians 2:1)
• Every believer is a member of the global church, of the body of Christ (Romans 12:4-5, 1
Corinthians 12:12-13). No one believer, by themselves, is the church
THE LOCAL CHURCH
• The Local church refers to a local assembly of believers / Christians, gathered under the
authority of a shepherd / teacher in the faith (Acts 8:1, Acts 9:31, Romans 16:1-5, 1
Corinthians 1:2)
• The purpose of the local church is the maturing and equipping of the saints for the
Christian life and the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12:27-29)
• While all believers are a member of the global church, every believer ought to be part of,
and submitted to a local church (Hebrews 10:25)
WHY YOU SHOULD BE A PART OF A LOCAL CHURCH
• It is God’s will for us (Psalms 68:5-7)

• It is called the house of God and the pillar for truth. It is God’s will for reaching men and
sustaining them (1 Timothy 3:15-16)
• In the local church, we benefit from the gifts God has placed within the body (1
Corinthians 12:27-29, Ephesians 4:11-16)
• In the local church, we are prepared for ministry, trained, and sent (Acts 13:1, Acts 8:5-8,
Acts 8:14-17)
• We are strengthened by the brethren and our faith is protected from deception (Hebrews
3:12-13, Romans 1:11-12)
OIKIA CHRISTIAN CENTER, THE LOCAL CHURCH FOR YOU
• Oikia Christian Center is a vibrant Christian Assembly with multiple campuses in Lagos,
Ogun State, United Kingdom, USA, Hungary, and many more coming
• We are a ministry committed to the 5 purposes of the global church – Worship,
Evangelism, Discipleship, Fellowship and Ministry / Service (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:42-
45)
• Our vision statement is “Connecting, growing, serving humanity.” We connect people to
God, help them grow in the faith and serve humanity with the gospel. This we do by
“Manifesting the glory of the risen Christ and demonstrating the influence of the Spirit”
• We believe that
o There is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4, Mathew 16:15-17)
o Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Word of God made flesh (Matthew 1:19-25, Hebrews
1:1-3)
o All men need salvation, and Jesus is the only way to salvation (Romans 3:23, John 14:4-
6)
o Jesus Christ was the lamb of God, he died and rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-
3, Acts 10:38-42)
o All who believe in Jesus shall be saved (John 3:16-18)
o The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to every man that believes in Jesus (John 7:37-39)
o Jesus is coming again (Acts 1:11)
• Our core values are Righteousness, Excellence, Accountability, and Love.

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THE BASICS OF SALVATION 1 – WHO IS A CHRISTIAN? 2

THE BASICS OF SALVATION 2 – FORGIVEN AND REDEEMED 4

THE BASICS OF SALVATION 3 – THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISM 6

THE BASICS OF SALVATION 4 – FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST 8

THE BASICS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH – BY HIS WORD 10

THE BASICS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH – EFFECTIVE PRAYER 12

NOW THAT YOU ARE SAVED – WITNESSES OF CHRIST (SOUL WINNING) 14

WHO IS THE NEW CREATION?

WHY WAS THE NEW BIRTH NECESSARY?

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE NEW BIRTH (SALVATION)?

ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD

JESUS PAID THE PRICE FOR THE SINS OF ALL MANKIND

FORGIVENESS OF SINS CANNOT BE EARNED, BUT RECEIVED ACCORDING TO GOD’S GRACE

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST

THE IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISM IN CHRISTIANITY

IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY FOR SALVATION?

WHO IS THE HOLY GHOST?

THE HOLY GHOST AND THE CHRISTIAN

RECEIVING THE HOLY GHOST

FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST – OPERATIONS OF THE SPIRIT

TONGUES AND INTERPRETATIONS

FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST – FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

WHAT SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS

THE DIET OF THE WORD

HOW TO FEED ON THE WORD

• It is God’s will for us (Psalms 68:5-7)

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