What Christian's Believe

Right now I'm going through a Discipleship course at my church that helps ground Christian's better in the Word of God. I'd like to share it with you...but if you do it please remember not to rush through it! Take your time and truly study...you will learn a lot more that way.

So...Week 1 - Daily in the Word

"Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart."

You will need - 1 notebook
1 Bible

*These steps are to be completed daily.
*Please designate a page for each day in you notebook.
*Leave a page blank if a day is missed.
*Have a specific passage to study (i.e. 1 John, John, Psalms 119)
*Read until the Holy Spirit speaks to you through a passage.

Step #1 - Write the day and date at the top of a page in you notebook.
Step #2 - Write out the verse or verses that speak to you.
Step #3 - Answer one or more of the following questions as they apply to the verse or verses you've written in your notebook.

What sin should I keep away from?
What promise can I call my own?
What command can I enjoy?
What blessing can I learn from?
What failure can I learn from?
What victory can I win?
What thought about God, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit can I learn?
What attitude can I adopt?
What do I need to be faithful to?

Step #4 - Write our a prayer that reveals your response to the things the Lord has taught you.

    A. What can I praise God for?
    B. What does God want me to do?
    C. How should this passage change the way I think or live?
    D. How does this passage change my attitude?

Example:

Day and Date: Thursday, January 6, 2011

Special Verse(s): Psalms 119:2, "Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart."

Question: What do I need to be faithful to?

The Lord is offering me in this verse, an opportunity to be blessed. In order to be blessed, I am to be faithful to 2 things. #1. I am to faithfully keep the Lord's testimonies...and #2. I am to faithfully seek the Lord with my whole heart. I can do these 2 things each day as I read and study God's word and as I talk to the Lord in prayer.

Prayer: Lord, I know the joy of being blessed by you. As I ready your Word and talk to You in prayer. Please help me each day to seek You with my whole heart and to faithfully keep your words. Please show me someone today that I can share with, the joy of a relationship with you.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Week 2 - "What is the Significance of the Bible in My Life?"
What separates Christianity from any "religion" in the world is its claim to an absolute authority from God. Having the Word of God is essential to a Christian's growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The standards by which we as Christians are to govern the details of our individual lives are found in the pages of the Word of God.

The purpose of this lesson is to acquaint you with the basics of the Bible and how it relates to everyday life. This should lead to an understanding of how its principles are to guide every facet of your personal walk with Jesus Christ.

I. The Word of God is infallible and therefore, absolutely reliable.

A. The very words of God are inspired.
II Timothy 3:16-17; Proverbs 30:5-6

B. The very words of God are preserved.
Psalm 12:6-7, 119:160; Matthew 5:17-18, 24:35; Isaiah 40:8; Proverbs 22:20-21; John 10:35

C. The very words of God are not to be changed by man.
Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19; Deuteronomy 4:2; John 12:48; I Timothy 6:3-5

D. The very words of God are more sure than the audible voice of God. This is a very critical point. It must be understood that all "experiences" are to be judged by an infallible standard which is greater than any experience. Peter said the Word of God was MORE SURE than the physical appearance and audible voice of God.

See II Peter 1:16-21 compared with Matthew 17:1-9.
Refers to Old Testament

Therefore, which translation of the Bible you use is critically important. While many modern translations and paraphrases attempt to make the Bible more readable, they sacrifice the integrity of the very words of God.

II. The Word of God is active in salvation.

A. I Peter 1:23 says we are born again "by the word of God." The Word of God is the agent which brings about the new birth.

B. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith;..." Romans 10:17 says "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

C. Speaking to the brethren, James 1:21 says the Word of God is "...able to save your soul."

D. Paul's summary of the gospel contains three parts, all ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES.

I Corinthians 15:1-4

1. Jesus Christ died for our sins.

2. Jesus Christ was buried.

3. Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

E. You must believe what the Bible says about sin, your condition, and God's plan of salvation in order to be saved.

III. The Word of God is spiritually discerned.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God."
      I Corinthians 2:9-16

B. The Holy Spirit of God will guide you into all truth. He offers other instruments to aid in teaching such as books, tapes, and preachers. Remember, truth is always revealed by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, any believer indwelt by the Holy Spirit can learn the Bible.
     John 14:26, 16:13-15

IV. The Word of God has a unique history.

A. The Bible has a total of 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.

B. The Bible was written through more than 40 men.

C. The Bible fits together perfectly as if written by one man because the author of all 66 books is the Holy Spirit.
      II Peter 1:21

D. The Bible was written over a time span of about 2,000 years.

E. The Bible is totally accurate in matters of history, of prophecy and of every issue of life. There are no contradictions in the Bible.

V. The Word of God has had a profound impact on human history.

A. "The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
       Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter.
      Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.
      Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given to you in life, will be open at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with its holy contents."
      - Anonymous

B. "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without the Bible." - George Washington

C. "I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given man." - Abraham Lincoln

VI. The Word of God is your absolute, infallible guide for life.

A. Every major purchase (car, appliance, etc.) is accompanied by an owner's manual which tells you how to operate it. If you don't go by the book, it won't work.

B. The Bible is God's "owner's manual" for your life. God would not save you and call you to service without clear, exact directions. You must go "by the book". .
Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 3:5-6

VII. The Word of God accomplishes many purposes in the life of a Christian.

A. The Word of God equips you for service. "That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good words."
       II Timothy 3:16-17; Ephesians 6:10-18

B. The Word of God sustains you. It is often associated with different foods. See Job 23:12 and Jeremiah 15:16. It is a complete and balanced diet.

       1. Milk I Peter 2:2
       2. Honey Psalm 119:103; Proverbs 16:24
       3. Apples Proverbs 7:2, 25:11
       4. Bread Luke 4:4
       5. Water Isaiah 55:10-11; Ephesians 5:26
       6. Meat Hebrews 5:12-14; I Corinthians 3:1-2
       7. Vegetables Psalm 78:24

C. The Word of God keeps you clean to please God.
       Psalm 119:9-11; John 15:3

VIII. Basic questions

A. Where should I start reading?
       As a young Christian, focus on the primary places which deal with your new relationship with your Heavenly Father. The Gospel of John, the Epistle of I John and Psalm 119 are excellent places to begin.

       1. The Gospel of John is written that you might believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. John 20:3
   2. The Epistle of I John is written that you might have complete assurance of salvation. I John 5:13
       3. Psalm 119 is written to establish your love for the Word of God.

B. What if I find something I don't understand?

       1. You will find many things you do not understand. Don't get frustrated. Wait for God to reveal it in His time. John 16:12
       2. The most important thing is to live what you do understand. God will not give you more than you are capable of handling. As you put into practice the things you are learning, God will entrust you with more.

Week #2 Questions:

1. What are three scriptures demonstrating you have God's preserved Word in your hands?

2. According to I John 4:1 We are not to believe every ________, but are to ____ the Spirits whether they are of God: because there are many ______________________ gone out into the world.

3. The Word of God is active in our salvation. Briefly explain how the following verses apply.

A. I Peter 1:23

B. Romans 10:17

C. James 1:21

4. Paul lists three key elements of the Gospel in I Corinthians 15:1-4. How do we know they are true?

5. We learned from lesson #3 that the _____ ______ __ ______ guides unto all truth. The Bible is also learned by ________ scripture with _______ and depending on God's Spirit to teach you.

6. According to I Corinthians 2:9-16, why can't lost people properly understand what the Bible teaches?

7. The Bible is likened to God's "owner's manual" for your life. Briefly explain why this is true.

8. What are the major purposes of the Word of God in the Christian's life?

9. From II Timothy 3:16-17, we understand all scripture is profitable for the following.

10. Your physical body needs food in order to function properly. Your spiritual body needs food also. Give two scripture references that show us this.

11. Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:

II Peter 1:21; Psalm 119:9; II Timothy 3:16-17

Note: Many popular attitudes about the Bible are:

1. The Bible is just another religious book written by men.

2. The Bible can only be understood by the clergy or by years of formal education.

3. In order to understand the true meanings of scripture, you must study Greek and Hebrew.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should understand these attitudes are false and why.

Write down any question(s) you may have concerning the subjects in this lesson. Share them with your pastor...of feel free to comment them on here and I will do my best to get you an answer!

Your Story.....

So the next step in "What Christian's Believe" is to write out YOUR story!
Write out how you got saved, anything you remember about it (where you were, what you said, what you were wearing, exact date or time, etc.), and then explain why you want others to have what you have. Tell only what you know for sure...not what others have told you. Make it into a story...Your Story!
If you can't give a testimony of your Salvation because you aren't Saved, it's never to late! Get it corrected right now! :) Don't worry about what others will think...most will be happy for you, and those who aren't...well it's their loss. Even if you are a pastor's child or spouse, raised in church, etc....it's OK. There are many famous Gospel singers, pastor's and spouses, PK's and MK's (preacher's/missionary's kid), and just people raised in church that FINALLY decided to get Saved late in life...I know several personally.
If you just aren't sure if you're a child of God...make sure of it today! Open up your heart to Jesus and get in His Word. If you need to, talk to me or a Christian leader you know.
Finally, feel free to share your story on here! I'd love to read it, and I know others will too! :D

Week 3 - "Salvation"

Introduction

Throughout history, God has given every individual a chance to accept his eternal plan of salvation. Sadly, most people have rejected it and will suffer forever.

Accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour is the most important decision you will ever make during your lifetime!

Instead of being destined for hell, you will now spend eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ. Now you have a reason to live with eternal results. He has filled the emptiness inside.

The devil also knows of your new life in Jesus. His desire for you to reject God's salvation is no longer in effect. However, he will now exert every effort to keep you from growing close to God and fulfilling God's plan in your life.

These discipleship lessons are designed to help you begin your new life in Jesus Christ. They are to help you understand what your relationship to God is, how to communicate with Him, how to apply basic Bible principles to your life, and how YOUR life can be an influential witness and testimony of God's Grace.

Salvation:

What happened when I got saved and what is my new relationship with God?

Your decision to trust Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior is the greatest decision you could ever make. However, it is very unlikely you understand the true significance of what has happened in your life.

The purpose of this lesson is to explain briefly what took place and how your decision has affected your basic relationship to God.

I. There are only two spiritual families in the world.

A. The Devil's family.

1. John 8:44 speaks of a group of people who are "of your father the devil." - see also John 8:38.

2. You enter this family by birth through your physical father, who is ultimately a descendant of Adam. Genesis 5:3 shows that the descendants of Adam are born in Adam's image and likeness which is that of a fallen sinner.

3. You inherited your sin nature from your father Adam. Romans 5:12 states, "Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."

4. Romans 5:12 also states that as a result of your sin you are to die.

a. Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death..."

b. 1 Corinthians 15:22: "in Adam all die..."

B. God's Family.

1. John 1:12-13 says, "But as many as receive Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

"But as many as receive Him" --- Your decision to trust Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour.

"To them gave He power to become the SONS of GOD" --- Our entrance into God's family.

"Even to them that believe on His name" --- A biblical belief marked by faith and repentance.

"Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man." --- It is not a physical birth.

"But of God" --- It is a spiritual birth.

2. You also enter God's family by birth; but it is a spiritual birth by your Heavenly Father. John 3:3 states "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."

3. This new birth puts you into God's family in exactly the same way your physical birth puts you into your father's family. You are now a son of God by birth!

4. As a result of your new birth, you have inherited God's divine nature and you now have eternal life.

a. John 6:47: "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life."

b. John 3:36: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life."

c. 1 John 5:12: "He that hath the Son hath life."

II. Being in God's family separates you from the devil's family.

A. Your body is now a temple of the Holy Ghost. God's Holy Spirit lives inside you. 1 Corinthians 6:19

B. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 commands you as a believer to maintain a difference between yourself and the lost.

C. Your new life is perfectly summarized in 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ."

III. You now have a new relationship with God, you are a member of his family!

A. He is your Heavenly Father and you are His child. 1 John 2:1 says, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

B. Now that you are saved, God no longer deals with you as a sinner, but as His child.

C. This relationship is pictured by the earthly relationship between a father and a child.

1. A good father loves and cares for his child. 1 Peter 5:7

2. A good father protects his child. Matthew 18:6

3. A good father provides for his child. Philippians 4:19

4. A good father guides and teaches his child. John 14:26

5. A good father helps his child. Psalm 46:1

6. A good father will not discourage his child. Colossians 3:21

7. A good father disciplines his child. Hebrews 12:5-11

8. A good father feeds his child. Matthew 4:4

9. A good father has a plan for his child. Romans 8:28-29

D. A good father will NEVER do anything to purposely hurt his child. He will do only those things that will help in the growth and maturing process. Your Heavenly Father operates in the same way, only his ways are perfect. Unlike earthly fathers who sometimes err, God never makes a mistake in His dealings with His children. Matthew 7:11 "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?"

IV. You did NOT lose your physical nature at the time of your spiritual birth.

A. This is obvious in that you are still alive.

B. You now have two natures.

1. Old nature - physical, sinful, in Adam's image.

2. New nature - spiritual, perfect, in God's image.

C. Both natures are present constantly. The one that will control you is the one that you feed the most!!!

1. Colossians 3:5-10

2. 2 Corinthians 4:14-18

V. Basic questions.

A. Will I sin after I am saved? Yes, you still have your old sin nature. Romans 7:25

B. How does my sin affect my relationship with my Father? God does not kick you out of His family. When you sin, He disciplines you as a child. Hebrews 12:5-11

C. What should I do when I sin?

1. Confess it and trust the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse you. 1 John 1:6-10; Proverbs 28:13

2. Repent from it (turn away from it) and ask God to give you a hatred for that sin so you can revenge all disobedience by doing what is right. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Week 3 - Questions:

1. Who are the two spiritual fathers mentioned in John 8:38? give a scripture to support both answers.
    A.
B.

2. How does an individual enter the devil's family?

3. How does an individual enter into God's family?

4. Why are people sentenced to die after their physical or first birth?

5. List three verses that promise you eternal life?
A.
B.
   C.

6. List two reasons why a Christian in God's family is different than a non-Christian in the devil's family.
A.
B.
   C.

7. God now deals with you as His __________ rather than a ____________.

8. Your new relationship with God can be seen through the earthly father and child relationship.
List nine ways God deals with you as His child.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.

9. Briefly explain the two natures you now possess.
A.
B.

10. What would be the one reason for one nature to overpower the other nature?

11. When a Christian chooses to continue in a particular sin, what can he expect from God?

12. According to I John 1:9 when we confess our sins to God, then He will _____________ us and ____________ us from all unrighteousness.

13. Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:

Romans 5:12; John 3:3; I John 1:9

NOTE: In many churches today, some popular teachings are:

1. All mankind is part of one large family of God.

2. All mankind must earn their way to Heaven.

3. All mankind can get to Heaven through any way they choose.

4. If there is such a thing as sin, it must be confessed to another person or a church leader.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should understand these teachings are false and why.

Write down any question(s) you may have concerning the subjects in this lesson. Share them with your pastor...of feel free to comment them on here and I will do my best to get you an answer!

Week #4 "Eternal Security"

"Now that I am saved, can I ever lose my salvation?"

Once you have settled the question of salvation as the Bible declare it - by grace through Jesus Christ - it is imperative you understand how this decision has affected your life.

In lesson #2 we learned there are only two spiritual families on this earth, God's and the devil's. We learned that we were born into the devil's family at the time of our physical birth and we are born into God's family when we receive Jesus Christ as our savior. (John 1:12-13) In this lesson we will discuss the state of the new believer in God' family from the biblical facts, settle the question of the eternal security of the Christian.

I. The testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ is clear on this subject.

A. Jesus Christ promises, "...him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37) God will not cast you out of his family under any circumstances.

B. John 10:27-29 makes it clear no man can cause you to lose your salvation because God your Father is greater than all men.

II. Salvation does not depend on your works, but on the grace of God.

A. Salvation is by grace through faith and not by works. It is a GIFT from God. No one can lose salvation because no one can earn salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9

B. Galatians 3:10 and James 2:10 tells if we had to do anything to keep salvation we would lose it easily. Yet, II Timothy 1:12 assures us it is Jesus Christ who keeps us, not we ourselves.

C. Galations 2:21 states clearly if we could become righteous by anything we do, then Jesus Christ's death was a waste.

III. There is nothing that can separate you from your salvation.

Romans 8:38-39 says, "For I am persuaded, that neither..."

A. "Death" - you can't lose it when you die;

B. "Life" - you can't loose it while you are alive;

C. "Angles" - can't take it from you;

D. "Principalities" - The government can't take it from you;

E. "Powers" - the devil can't cause you to lose it;

F. "Things Present" - nothing happening right now can take it away;

G. "Things to come" - nothing in the future;

H. "Height" - nothing above you;

I. "Depth" - nothing below you can make you lose it;

J. "Nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

IV. Your salvation is secure because of your new relationship to God.

A. Your relationship is now a father/child relationship by birth.

Review John 1:12-13

B. When you were born physically, there was a record made of your birth called a birth certificate. When you were born again, a record was also made. I John 5:11-13

C. Your birth certificate was marked with a seal. Your spiritual birth is sealed by the Holy Spirit of God. Ephesians 1:13, 4:30

D. You will always be your earthly father's child because you were born of his seed. You could leave the country, disown each other, change your name, or never see him or hear from him, or even think about him for the rest of your life but it will never change the fact that he is your father. The same is true of your Heavenly Father. You can die but you can never be unborn. Your birth is fixed forever - both physically and spiritually. Even God himself can not change this fact.

V. Basic questions.

A. How can I know for sure I am saved? --- The epistle of I John is written for this purpose. I John 5:13 says, "These things I have written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; That ye may know that you have eternal life,..." As a new Christian, I John should be a primary focal point to help you grow and to settle this issue.

B. What if I don't feel saved?

1. Your salvation is not based on feelings. It is based on the objective factual truth of the Word of God.

a. I John 3.20 says, "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." God knows if you are saved or not, even when you have doubts, negative thoughts and feelings of being lost.

b. Doubts should always be addressed. Take them to God and he will show you how to handle them. God wants you to know that you are saved more than you want to know! If you continue to struggle with doubts, seek council from your pastor. --- I John 4:18

c. Titus 1:2 says, "In hope of eternal life, which is God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began."

Just believe what God has said! --- I John 2:25

Week #5: BAPTISM

“Now That I am Saved, Where Do I Start?”

      Virtually all religious denominations teach some form of baptism as part of their doctrine. The diversities in their teachings are wide. This lesson is intended to give the Bible’s clear and definitive teaching on the subject so you can understand perfectly what God’s intention is regarding baptism.

I. God commands you to be baptized.

Baptism is the first act of obedience in service to the Lord.
      Anyone can be baptized, it takes no special talents or effort.

Jesus set the example Himself by submitting to baptism
      before He began His public ministry.

     Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-ll; Luke 3:21-22

In Matthew 3:13-15 it is clear Jesus was baptized in
      obedience to God’s plan. In verse 15 HE SAID, “---
      Suffer (allow) it to be so now; for this it becometh
      us to fulfill all righteousness.” This point of submission
      and obedience is the single most important thing to realize
      regarding baptism.

Some Bible characters who submitted to baptism after
      salvation.

       1. The Ethiopian eunuch. Acts 8:36-39

2. The apostle Paul. Acts 9:18

3. The Philippian jailer and his house.   Acts 16:25-33

II. Baptism has a clear purpose.

Several types of baptism are mentioned in the Bible.
                  In each case, physical baptism pictures a truth. The
                  important point to consider is the picture portrayed
                  by baptism.

Romans 6:1-7 (specifically verses 3-4) shows the two
                 purposes of baptism.

It pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of
     Jesus Christ.

It is a public testimony of the new convert’s
     identification with Jesus Christ through the death,
     burial, and resurrection which is how you were
     saved. It identifies you with the Lord Jesus Christ.

   Every believer should be baptized.

The clearest case of an individual’s baptism in the Bible
     is the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-39. In verse 36 the
     eunuch asked. “….what doth hinder me to be baptized?”
     Philip then answered with the condition of baptism in
     verse 37, “….If thou believest with all thine heart, thou
     mayest.” Then the eunuch’s response sealed the matter,
     “…I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

The only requirements for baptism are the same
     requirements for salvation found in Romans 10:9-10.

Heart belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.


Confession that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.

There are NO cases of baptism in the Bible of anyone
     but believers.

Some other instances of baptism immediately after
     salvation include:

Acts 8:12

Acts 18:8

There is only one biblical method of baptism.

Again, Acts 8:26-39 gives the clearest example. In verses
            38-39, BOTH Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch went down
            into the water and came up out of the water.

In Matthew 3:16 Jesus was baptized in the same manner.

As seen previously, the key to baptism is a picture of
     death, burial and resurrection. The only way to bury
     someone is to completely cover them. The biblical
     method of baptism is complete immersion. No one in
     the Bible ever sprinkled, just as no one is truly buried
     if they have only been sprinkled with dirt.

Baptism is essential for your spiritual growth.

It is NOT essential for salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it
            clear a man is saved by grace through faith without works
            - including baptism.

It IS essential for service and spiritual growth, Matthew
28:19-20 ( the Great Commission)) proves it is essential.
     Baptism is an integral part of the Great Commission and
     precedes teaching.

     *C. Before anyone can be taught to follow Jesus Christ, there
            must be willingness to submit to the first act of obedience.
            If a person refuses to obey the Lord in the first point, there
            will be a problem in obeying any future points.

           Matthew 3:13-15

VI. Basic question. Where should I be baptized?

Since baptism is a public profession of your faith in Jesus
Christ, most often it will be publicly in front of the local
church. But it does not have to be. For instance, the Lord
Jesus Christ was baptized in the Jordan River. The actual
place of baptism is not important. The public testimony
of your identification with the Lord Jesus Christ is the
important point.

Questions:

Give the key reason why God instructs the Christ to be
           baptized.

In Matthew 3:13-15, Jesus was baptized to demonstrate His   _________________and _________________to God
    and His plan. Jesus fulfilled this before He began His
     _________________________.

List three men who were baptized after salvation in the New
    Testament.

     A.

     B.

     C.

What are the purposes for baptism found in Romans 6:3-4?

      A.

      B.

Acts 8:36-37 the Ethiopian eunuch had to fulfill two
     requirements before he could be baptized. What were
     the two requirements?

     A.

     B.

How do we know the Ethiopian eunuch and Jesus were
          not baptized by sprinkling of water?

          A.

          B.

What does baptism by complete immersion in water
     picture?

Baptism is essential in order for the Christian to
           _____________and _____________________.
           Also, one must be willing to submit to baptism in order to
           be ______________________to follow Christ.

Is baptism essential for salvation?__________________
     Give a scripture reference for this.

Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:

Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 8:36-39; Roman 6:1-7

NOTE: There is much false teaching among religious groups
concerning baptism. The Christian should be aware of some of
them.

Man must be baptized in order to be saved.
Baptism by sprinkling is just as meaningful
     as immersion.
Babies should be baptized into God’s family or
     into “the church.”

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should
understand these teachings are false and why.

    Week #6: THE HOLY SPIRIT

“What Are the Functions and Attributes of the
Holy Spirit in My Life?”

   The day you received the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, the Holy Spirit of God took up permanent residency inside your body. The third person of the trinity is perhaps the most
misunderstood and ignored part of a Christian’s relationship with God.

   The purpose of this lesson is to give you a basic understanding of what the Holy Spirit of God does in your life.

The Holy Spirit has a specific residence.

*   The Holy Spirit of God dwells inside your body if you are
      saved. He came in at the moment of salvation and took up
     permanent residency.

God gives His Spirit to dwell in you.

         John 14:16-17, Galatians 4:6

Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

         I Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:22

The Holy Spirit has specific functions.

The Holy Spirit convicts of sin. John 16:7-9

He convicts the lost of sin to bring them to salvation.

He convicts the saved of sin to keep them clean and
     show them how to live for Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit creates and regenerates the new believer.

The Holy Spirit is active in creation.

               Revelations 4:11, Job 33:4

You became a new creature when you were born again
     by the Holy Spirit.

    John 3:3-8

The Holy Spirit is the seal of your salvation.

         Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30

The Holy Spirit bears witness to you of your salvation.

              I John 4:13 - Romans 8:16

The Holy Spirit teaches you the Bible

             John 14:26; 16:13-15; I Corinthians 2:9-10

The Holy Spirit intercedes in prayer for you.

       Romans 8:26-27 - Ephesians 2:18

The Holy Spirit comforts you in time of need.

             John 14:15-18; II Corinthians 1:3-4; II Timothy 1:7

The Holy Spirit empowers you to serve God.

              Zechariah 4:6; Ephesians 3:16; II Corinthians 4:7

The Holy Spirit gives discernment in decision making.

             I Corinthians 2:11-16

The Holy Spirit produces specific results.

The Holy Spirit of God produces a set of character
     qualities as you give your life to Him and walk in His
      power. This set of character qualities is called the fruit
      (singular) of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. It is singular
      because ALL of these qualities are produced at the same
      time by a close relationship with the Holy Spirit.

The fruit of the Spirit consists of nine qualities that can
            be broken down into three categories.

INWARD (witness to self)

Love

Joy

Peace

OUTWARD (witness to others)

Longsuffering

Gentleness

Goodness

UPWARD (witness to God)

Faith

Meekness

Temperance

What is “being filled with the Spirit” and how can I
     accomplish this?

Allow God to control your life. The filling of
                 the Holy Spirit is NOT you getting more of
                 the Holy Spirit. You received all of HIM at
                 the time of salvation. It is the Holy Spirit
                 getting more of you.

                 Romans 14:7-9

Saturate your mind with the Word of God. The
     result of this will be a joyous heart attitude toward
     God. (Colossians 3:16) Therefore, a person who
     saturates his mind with the Word of God will be
     filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)

BE PATIENT AND CONSISTENT! Being
               controlled by the Holy Spirit does not happen
               overnight. It is a life-long process of spiritual
               growth through obedience to God’s Word.

                   Galatians 5:16-18; Romans 8:1; John 8:29

How do I understand the difference between conviction and
     guilt?

“conviction” is God pointing out that something is
     wrong so you can make it right.

       Isaiah 1:18

“Guilty feelings” are caused by the devil accusing you
     of being unworthy. If you believe the devil rather than
     God, your walk with God will be hindered.

      “We should believe our beliefs and doubt our doubts”

      Revelations 12:10

Questions:

Where does the Holy Spirit dwell? List three scripture
                 references to support your answer.

When does the Holy Spirit come into the believer’s life?

Why does the Holy Spirit convict the lost of sin?


How does the Holy spirit convict the Christian of
    sin?

What is the difference between conviction and guilty
                 feelings?

                 Conviction:

                 Guilty Feelings:

List seven other ways that the Holy Spirit works in
     the life of the Christian.

     A.

     B.

     C.

     D.

     E.



                F.

               G.

What is the result of the Holy Spirit in your life?

Galatians 5:22-23 lists for us the ______________
     of the _____________________. These qualities
     are produced in the Christian by a _____________
     ________________with the _________________.

In order for the Christian to be “filled with the Spirit,”
     time must be invested in learning and living the
     _______________________________.

True or False

I must get more of God’s Holy Spirit each
     day.   _________

Being controlled by the Holy Spirit is a life-
     long process of spiritual growth.________

Romans 8:1 teaches you must walk after
     the flesh. __________

John 16:13 shows us the Holy Spirit will
     guide us into all truth.______________

Romans 8:26-27 shows us the Holy Spirit
     intercedes for us in our prayers unto
     God. __________

Explain briefly the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:

I Corinthians 6:19-20; Galatians 5:22-23;
Galatians 5:16

Note: In many churches today some popular teachings are:

A Christian does not get all of the Holy Spirit at salvation.
The Holy Spirit can leave you if you sin.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should
understand these teachings are false and why.

Week # 7: PRAYER

“How Important is Prayer in My Life?”

    A Christian is only as strong as his prayer life. When you read the Bible, God speaks to you. When you pray, you speak to God. Your personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ cannot grow without proper communication. Prayer is simply your direct communication to God.

    The purpose of this lesson is to acquaint you with the basics of a proper prayer life so these lines of communication can be open and effective.

Prayer has specific purposes.

Prayer gives you the ability to communicate with God.

    Hebrews 4:16

B. Prayer gives you peace of heart and mind.

         Philippians 4:6-7

Prayer draws you close to God so He can prove His
     sufficiency for every need.

God know exactly what you need even before you ask.

            Matthew 6:8

God allows needs to come into your life so He can draw
     you to Him.

       Psalm 50:15

Prayer must have a specific place in your life.

It is absolutely essential to recognize you have needs in your
    life that only God can meet. Therefore, you must make
    prayer part of your life.

   Revelation 3:16-17

It is absolutely essential to give thanks in everything,
     including the difficult times of your life.

     I Thessalonians 5:18; Romans 5:3-5; I Peter 3:12-15

It is essential to develop a consistent prayer attitude where
     your first reaction in a difficult moment is to go to God in
     prayer.

     1 Thessalonians 5:17

Prayer follows specific principles

The Bible provides basic guidelines.

Pray always - develop a lifestyle of communicating
     with God.

     1 Thessalonians 5:17; Luke 18:1

Don’t repeat the same words over and over.

              Matthew 6:7

Talk to the Lord as a friend because that’s what He is -
     your friend!

     John 15:13-14; Exodus 33:11; Proverbs 18:24

Realize you have DIRECT access to God personally.
     You do not need to go through any other person to
      talk to God

     I Timothy 2:5; Ephesians 2:18

Always focus on maintaining a proper relationship with the
     Lord Jesus Christ. There are certain things that can hinder
     your prayers.

Unconfessed sin. Isaiah 59:1-2; Psalm 66:18

An unforgiving spirit. Matthew 6:14-15

Bitterness toward your mate (as well as others).
     1 Peter 3:7

Not asking. James 4:2

Asking with selfish or other wrong motives.
     James 4:3; Proverbs 21:13

Insensitivity to the Word of God.
             Proverbs 28:9

Romans 8:26-27 makes it clear we don’t always know how
     or for what to pray. That is why the Holy Spirit intercedes
     for us in prayer.

Prayer follows a specific pattern 1 Timothy 2:1

Supplication - urgent requests. This is when you seek to
     discover God’s plan in a specific matter.

      II Corinthians 12:7-10; Matthew 26:36-44

Prayers - specific requests rooted in God’s Word.
    Philippians 4:6 says to “…let your requests be made
    known unto God.” Too many prayers are wasted
    because they are so general and not biblically based.

    For example: “God, please give me a blessing.”

    “Which one? How do you want me to bless you?”

Intercessions - prayers for others. This is important to keep
    your motives pure and keep your selfish eyes off yourself.

    I Samuel 12:23

Giving of thanks - appreciation for God. Psalm 100:4
     makes it clear we enter the presence of God through
thanksgiving and praise.

Prayer should follow specific practices in your life.

Make a list to help you remember. Otherwise your prayer
     life will not be consistent.

B. Keep a list of answered prayers to reinforce your faith in
     God’s ability to answer.

Basic questions.

Does God answer all my prayers?

           Yes, but not always the way or at the time you expect. As
            we learned in lesson one, God is your Heavenly Father and
            all His ways are perfect. There will be times when in His
            infinite wisdom the best answer to prayer will be “NO” or
            “NOT YET”. In those times, simply trust Him.

How important is it to pray for others?

Paul prayed for others continually (Romans 1:9)
     and requested prayer on many occasions.

     Hebrews 13:18; II Thessalonians 3:1

Samuel said it was a sin against God not to pray for
                others.

               I Samuel 12:23

           An example of effectual pray for others is how a preacher
           from England, George Mueller, prayed for the salvation of
           several people for up to 60 years. When Mr. Mueller died,
           some of these people were still lost. However, there were
           some saved at his funeral and many others were saved
           within the next year. This leads to the next point. Keep
           at it and be faithful. The full results of your prayers will
           never be known completely in this lifetime.

Should I try to change God’s mind when I pray?

         No. The purpose of prayer is to conform you to His
         will, not the other way around.

Questions:

What is the result of a good prayer life?

Prayer keeps you close to God so He can prove His sufficiency
     for your every need. What do the following verses teach us
     about God and our needs?

Matthew 6:8

Psalm 50:15

Revelation 3:16-17

According to I Thessalonians 5:18, we are to give thanks in
    everything. This includes the ________________________
    of our lives.

What should be your first reaction in a tough situation?

There are some primary guidelines concerning prayer. Briefly
     explain them from the following verses.

I Thessalonians 5:17

Matthew 6:7

Exodus 33:11

List the things that will interfere with your prayer life.

    A.

    B.

    C.

    D.

    E.

    F.

What are two ways that help you keep your prayer requests in
     order?

     A.

     B.

God answers your prayers but not always the way you expect.
     His answer will sometimes be _________________or
     _________________.

We are instructed not to pray to idols or to another person.
     Explain I Timothy 2:5 in light of this truth.

What is something prayer does NOT accomplish?

Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

         Key Memory Verses:

I Timothy 2:5; Psalm 66:18; I Thessalonians 5:18

NOTE: In many churches today, some popular teachings are:

People should pray to idols, saints, or others.
If you pray long enough or hard enough. God will
    change His mind and do what you want.
The best prayers are those which have been written
     by others and are just “said” by you.
Prayer must be at a set time in a set format.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should
understand these teachings are false and why.

Week #8: THE WILL OF GOD

“How Do I Find God’s Will for My Life?”

    A famous preacher once said a successful man is a man who finds out what God wants him to accomplish with his life and then fulfills it. This is a very profound statement. The true measure of a person’s success is not social status, a bank account, influence, or fame. It is simply doing what God wants.

    The purpose of this lesson is to give you a clear understand-
ing of what the will of God is, as revealed in the Bible, so you can begin to accomplish those things that are important to Him.

Understand the difference between God’s will and God’s plan.

The will of God concerns our spiritual development.

          It is never connected with a set of rules, a geographical
          location, or a specific ministry.

The plan of God concerns our spiritual deployment.

         God has a specific plan for you as an individual. This plan
         is the specific directions God will give in the circumstances
         of your life.

Understand the biblical dimension of God’s will.

God wills specific things for your life.

I Thessalonians 4:3-7 - We are to live holy lives.
     God desires our sanctification.

II Peter 3:9 - We are to be witnesses as we under-
    stand God is not willing that any should perish.
    All lost people are out of the will of God regardless
    of what else they may do.

I Thessalonians 5:18 - We are to give thanks in
     everything.

I Peter 2:13-15 We are to submit to every ordinance
     of man. However this must be balanced by the next
     point.

Romans 12:1-2 - We are not to be conformed to this
    world but transformed by the renewing of our minds.
    (Submission to the ordinances of man is to maintain
    a proper testimony to lead others to Christ. At the
    same time, your life is to be transformed to live by
    a higher standard to please God.)

Ephesians 6:5-8 - We are to serve those in authority from
     the heart, with pure motives, as if we are serving Jesus
     Christ.

Ephesians 5:15-17 - We are to redeem the time. Quit
    wasting time! Make use of the small amount God has
    given you.

     B. God’s will for every believer is to be conformed to the
           image of the Lord Jesus Christ and can be summarized
           as follows.

I Timothy 2:3-4 SALVATION

I Peter 4:1-2 SANCTIFICATION


Ephesians 1:3-5 GLORIFICATION

Understand God’s direction in your life by the three resources
      He has provided.

He has given you the Holy Spirit to indwell you and
     direct your life.

      Galatians 5:25; John 16:13; I Corinthians 2:9-10

He has given you the Word of God as your absolute
           authority in every detail of life. You must learn to
           saturate your mind with God’s thoughts.

           Philippians 2:5; Romans 12:1-2; Isaiah 55:6-11

He has given you the local church which is organized to
     equip you for life and ministry. Through other believers
     He provides you wise counsel.

Ephesians 4:11-12

Understand God’s priority in the details of your life.

Obedience to God’s will is more important than the
     discovery of God’s plan.

     You must be in conformity to the will of God before
      He will direct you in the specifics of life. Your priority
      should be to fulfill the will of God in your daily life
and then trust Him to guide you in the detailed plan,
step by step.

God is more interested in what you are than in what you
     do.

He is infinitely more interested in your being the type
of person He wants you to be rather than your doing
“mighty works for Him.” Be what He wants you to be
and he will show you what to do.

Philippians 2:13

Basic questions

Why doesn’t God reveal all the details of His direction
     for me now?

1. It would overwhelm you before you got started.

You may not be equipped to handle it now. God will
      reveal what you can handle when you are ready.

You may not be the type of person God wants you to
     be yet.

God wants you to be patient as He works in your life
     spiritually. As time goes on and you begin to grow
     in your Christian walk, your interests, talents and desires
     will grow and change. This is illustrated by the old
     questions asked of children, “What do you want to be
     when you grow up?” If all the five-year olds in America
     were surveyed on this question, then forced to stick with
     their answer, in 20 years there would be nothing but
     firemen, policemen, and nurses. Be patient and
     consistent in fulfilling God’s will for your life.
     He will be faithful to guide.

B. Why does God allow seemingly “bad” things to happen
       in my life?

Occasionally things happen in a Christian’s life which
     do not appear to be good.

God will allow suffering in the lives of His children
     to perfect them, although He would prefer they did
    not have to suffer.

     I Peter 3:15-18, 5:10; II Corinthians 12:6-10

From Lesson 1, we learned our Heavenly Father will
     never make a mistake as He deals with His children.

     Matthew 7:11; Romans 8:28

God allows all of us to make our own choices in life - both
      good and bad.

We have a free will.

                   Revelation 22:17

God will not force anyone to do anything. God offers
     salvation and lays down the principles for a godly
     life. However, if we exercise our free will and reject
     salvation, the result is suffering the consequences.

     Galatians 6:7-8

Questions:

What is the difference between God’s will and God’s plan?

God also has a specific _________________for your life,
     which involves his ________________________.

What did God give you that allows you to make decisions,
     both good and bad?________________________

God has given everyone a free will, therefore He will not
     force you to do anything. But when you reject God’s
     salvation or direction, what is the result?

God has a will for mankind. List seven things God
     specifically wills.

     A.

     B.

     C.

     D.

     E.

     F.

    G.

Summarize God’s will for your life as a Christian. Give
     scripture references to support your answer.

What must be active in your life as a believer to fulfill
     God’s will and receive His direction in life?

     A.

     B.

     C.

Before God will give His direction in your life what must
     take place?

According to I Peter 5:10, God allows Christians to go
     through suffering so they might be more.

     A.

     B.

     C.

     D.

Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:

Romans 12:1-2; I Peter 3:17; II Peter 3:9

NOTE: There is much confusion today about the will of God. Some popular beliefs are:

The will of God is different for every individual.
The will of God has to do with specific, physical
     matters.
God has predetermined what will happen (fate)
     and our free will has no bearing on the matter.
Problems in a Christian’s life are always the
     results of sin in our life.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should
understand these beliefs are false and why.

Week #9 : THE LOCAL CHURCH

“What is the Purpose of My Involvement
in a Local Church?”

    God has established three major institutions on this earth; the family, the civil government, and the local church. It is the local church which has been commissioned by God to carry out His purpose in reaching the lost and perfecting the saved. Therefore, God’s plan for a Christian will always be fulfilled best when connected with the local church.

    The purpose of this lesson is to impress upon you the central role which the church should play in your everyday life.

Understand the biblical definition of the local church.

It is NOT a building. Acts 14:27
We worship God in spirit and truth. John 4:24

Our bodies are the temple of God. I Corinthians 6:19

     B. It is NOT a denominational group of congregations.

A local church is a body of men and women who have
     been saved and called by God to serve in a specific
     area. The Church is the body of Christ - the saved
     multitudes from every nation.

Writing to saved people, Paul states clearly in
     I Corinthians 12:27, “…ye are the body of Christ.”

Paul compares the church body to the human body
     in I Corinthians 12:14-27.

Each member has a different function - verses
     14-20.

No one member can function alone - verse 21.

Each member’s contribution is important -
    verses 22-24.

A properly functioning body operates in a single
     unit - verses 25-27.

Understand the biblical function of the local church.

According to Acts 2:41-47, the first local church in the
          Bible was organized for the following purposes.

Teaching the Word of God - verse 42.

Fellowship with other believers - verse 42.

Prayer - verse 42.

Observance of the two ordinances of the church;
     baptism - verse 41 and the Lord’s supper - verse 42.

Testifying to God’s grace and power - verse 43.

Mutual assistance and ministry - verses 44-45.

Reaching out into the community - verses 46-47.

Glorifying and praising God - verse 47.

The first priority of the local church is to edify (build up,
     teach, and strengthen) the saints.

     Ephesians 4:11-16

Understand your function within the local church.

      During your Christian life you should grow through three
      broad and general stages as outlined in Ephesians 4:12.

You are to be perfected as a saint. This is a time to
     observe and learn.

       Your first priority should be submission to the teaching
       of the Word of God and learning to be the person God
       wants you to be.

       Matthew 11:28-30

You are to do the work of the ministry. This is a time to
      participate.

      In time, you will naturally grow to the point where you can
      begin to serve and take on some basic function through
      the already established ministries of your church.

      Matthew 4:19; James 1:22-25

You are to edify the body of Christ. This is a time to
     lead.

     As your growth continues you should reach the point where
     you can begin to minister to others in the same way others
     have ministered to you.

     II Timothy 2:2

    These three stages can be roughly compared to the stages of
       physical growth: childhood, youth, and adult. BE
       PATIENT! This process takes time. Just be sure to remain
       faithful to God’s established institution - the local church.

Basic questions:

         If God moves me to another location, how do I find the
         particular local church through which God will want me to
         serve?

Pray about it! Ask God to lead you to the right church.

             James 1:5

Observe the qualities of a particular church and compare
             them with the biblical requirements of a church.

Is there evidence of soul winning?

                  Matthew 7:20; Acts 2:47

Does the church leadership believe and teach the Bible
     as the Word of God and the infallible guide for life?

      Titus 1:9

Is the membership encouraged to read and study the
     Bible as much as the leadership?

     Acts 17:10-12

Do the people minister to the needs of others?

                  Acts 6:1

Does the church send out and support missionaries?

                 Acts 13:1-3

Questions:

What are the three institutions God has established on earth?

      A.

      B.

      C.

List some things that a church is NOT

Define the following terms:

Local church

The Church

In 1 Corinthians 12:14-27, Paul teaches that in many ways the
    church body is similar to the ________________________.
    List five parts of the body mentioned in this passage of
    scripture.

    A.

    B.

    C.

    D.

    E.

List four basic similarities between the church body and the
    human body.

    A.

B.

C.

D.

The first local church in the bible was at Jerusalem. In Acts 2:
     41-47 we see this local church functioning. List the functional
     purposes found in this passage of scripture.

      A.

      B.

      C.

      D.

      E.

      F.

      G.

      H.

What is the most important priority of a local church?

There is a proper order to follow as you function in the
     church body. List the three general stages connected with
     spiritual growth.

     A.

     B.

     C.

How do these three stages of spiritual growth match up with
     the three stages of physical growth found in I John 2:12-14?

     A.

     B.

     C.

The Christian should be ___________________because
       growing spiritually is a process which can only be properly
       accomplished with the established _________________
       of the ______________________________.

When a Christian is looking for a place to worship and serve,
       what qualities should be evident in that church?

       A.

       B.

       C.

       D.

Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:
Ephesians 4:11-12; I Corinthians 12:27; II Timothy 2:2

NOTE: Many churches today are not fulfilling God’s plan because their primary attitudes are:

In order to really learn the Bible you need to go to a Bible
     College.
The primary purpose of a local church is to be a social or
     political organization.
The local church is primarily for weddings, funerals, and
     religious holidays.
Only the “leadership” of the church is charged with any
     responsibility of meeting people’s spiritual needs.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should
understand these attitudes are false and why.

Week #10: OTHER CHRISTIANS

“What is My Relationship to other Christians?”

    As we learned in lesson I, when you got saved, you moved from the devil’s family to God’s family. Spiritually, you now have
a new family with many brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.

    We saw how the church is likened to a body in the previous lesson and in this lesson we will study the special relationship which you now have with your spiritual family. This lesson is designed to give you a clear understanding of how the body of Christ operates as a family unit.

You have both a family and functional relationship to other
     Christians.

Other Christians are your brothers and sisters in Jesus
     Christ. Be sure to understand, only those in Jesus Christ
     (saved people) are your brothers and sisters regardless of
     any other factors. Likewise, those NOT in Jesus Christ (lost
     people) are not your brothers and sisters regardless of any
     other factors.

     Romans 8:29; I John 3:1-3; Romans 9:8;
     Hebrews 2:9-12

Other Christians are your fellow laborers in service for
     Jesus Christ.

     I Corinthians 3:5-10

You share certain responsibilities with other Christians.

We are to pray for each other. Almost every one of Paul’s
     letters opens with a prayer for those to whom he is writing.

     I Thessalonians 1:2-3; II Timothy 1:3

We are to minister to each other.

Physically

For those in your immediate family

                    Galatians 6:10; Romans 12:13

For the entire body of Christ.

                     Acts 11:27-30

   2. Spiritually

                Galatians 6:1-2; Romans 15:1-2; Hebrews 13:3

We are to encourage and edify one another.

            I Thessalonians 5:11

We are to serve one another with humility.

            Philippians 2:3-4; Matthew 20:25-28

You have a personal responsibility to maintain a biblical
       attitude toward other Christians.

You should love them.

             I John 3:14-16; I Peter 4:8

You should be patient with them.

             Romans 15:5-7

You should be sensitive to their needs.

             I John 3:17-18; James 2:15-16

You should be forgiving of them.

              Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13

You have a part in a biblical fellowship that unites
       Christians.

Fellowship is sharing our common life in Christ.

“Fellowship” is a term commonly used by Christians
     generally referring to getting together for activities
     or times of sharing common interests. However,
     this is only a small part of true fellowship.

While fellowship is sharing things in common, true
     biblical fellowship goes FAR BEYOND just a meal
     or an activity. It is the sharing of life and ministry with
     other believers through the person of the Lord Jesus
     Christ.

      Philippians 1:3-6; 2:1-2

The essential elements of true biblical fellowship are
     not physical matters (such as social status, friendship,
     common interests, etc.) but are the biblical essence
     of the common life and mission we share.

Fellowship involves many aspects of Christian living.

Prayer - II Corinthians 1:11

Faith - Romans 1:12

Ministry - II Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 2:9

Suffering - Philippians 3:10; I Peter 4:13, 5:1

Doctrine - Acts 2:42; Romans 16:17

Fellowship is maintained by the practice of biblical
     character qualities.

Humility - Philippians 2:3-8

Honesty - Ephesians 4:25; II Corinthians 4:2

Love - John 13:35; Galatians 5:13-15

Hospitality - Titus 1:8; Acts 2:42, 46-47

Fellowship among believers must be based on your
     fellowship with Christ.

* You must learn to have personal fellowship with Him
     before your fellowship with others believers will be
     proper. True biblical fellowship is rooted in the
     elements listed above (prayer, faith, ministry, suffering,
     doctrine) as we come together in our fellowship in the
     person of Christ.

     I John 1:3-7; I Corinthians 1:9-10

What if another Christian offends me?

      Unfortunately, this will probably happen to you if you spend
      any time with your brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Just
      as in your physical family, there will be times of offense, hurt,
      and disagreement within the body of Christ. The Bible gives
      us directions dealing with all situations. In serious cases of
      offense, the following principles provide a definite progression
      to deal with such matters.

Privately take the offense directly to the other party first
     and try to settle it between yourselves.

     Matthew 18:15

If the matter is not resolved privately, take a mature
     believer with you as a mediator in the situation. This
     person should be able to bring an objective evaluation
     and give balance in dealing with the offense.

                Matthew 18:16; I Corinthians 6:1-5

Do NOT go to the lost world to settle a spiritual
     problem within the body of Christ.

     I Corinthians 6:6

Go to the authorities if a crime has been committed.

                 Romans 13:1-5

If this matter still cannot be resolved, take it to your pastor
    so the offending party has the opportunity to submit to
    the structure of the church.

    Matthew 18:17

Be prepared to support church discipline.

              Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 5:9,11; II Thessalonians
              3:6, 14; I Timothy 6:5

Commit the situation to the pastoral leadership of the
     church. They will handle it justly as the Holy Spirit leads
     through the structure God has established.

      Hebrews 13:7, 17

While you should be ready to forgive your brother or sister
      if there is true repentance, reconciliation and restoration
     cannot take place without this repentance on the part of
     the offending party. God made forgiveness possible when
     Christ died and rose again.

      That forgiveness becomes operative only when we repent
      and receive His forgiveness.

          Matthew 18:21-22; Luke 17:3; Colossians 3:13

Pray for your brother.

               Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:14

Though you are ready to forgive when the offense is dealt
     with biblically, be certain you do not enter into sin by
     harboring bitterness in your heart in the meantime.

       Hebrews 12:14-15

Questions:

List the two primary aspects of your relationship with other
     Christians.

      A.

       B.

List four responsibilities you have toward other Christians
     and give a scripture reference that best defines each point.

       A.

       B.

       C.

       D.

List four attitudes you should have toward other Christians
    and give a scripture reference that best defines each point.

       A.

       B.

       C.

       D.

What does the term “fellowship” mean?

The essential elements of true biblical fellowship are not
     __________________matters, but pertain to the essence
     of the common _______________and _____________
     we share.

List five areas of true fellowship and give a scripture
     reference for each.

     A.

     B.

     C.

     D.

     E.

List four character qualities needed in the Christian’s life
     in order to participate in true fellowship with other believers.

     A.

     B.

     C.

     D.

True or False

True biblical fellowship is based on exact doctrinal
     beliefs. __________

True biblical fellowship is possible with a lost
     person. _______________

We must have fellowship with Jesus Christ before we
     can have fellowship with other Christians._________

In the event another Christian offends you, list three
     principles which should govern your actions in attempting
     to resolve the matter.

     A.

     B.

     C.

In the event your brother refuses to help resolve a problem,
      what should you do?

Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:

Ephesians 4:32; I John 3:14-15; I John 1:7

NOTE: Among many Christians today, the following attitudes
             prevail.

We are not to associate with Christians who do not believe
     exactly as we do.
“Fellowship” must be centered around a meal or an activity.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should understand these attitudes are false and why.

Week #11: GIVING

“What is the Meaning of Giving and What Are
My Responsibilities in this Area?”

    Giving is an extremely controversial subject in Christianity today largely due to the severe pressures exerted on God’s people to give to so many worthy causes. This is perhaps one of the most misunderstood subjects in Christianity.

    Before you can properly understand the nature of New Testament giving, you must understand one fact clearly. God does not need your money - He owns everything.

    This lesson will deal with your responsibility in stewardship of your life as well as your resources.

Biblical giving begins with your life.

God bought you with a price, His blood, and you belong to
     Him.

     I Corinthians 6:19-20

God commands you to present your body as a living
     sacrifice, not just your pocketbook.

     Romans 12:1

God will always bless your gift. But a willing mind and
     heart with a life committed to serve God must accompany
     financial giving in order for God to bless you.

     II Corinthians 8:3-5, 12; Exodus 25:2

Biblical giving accomplishes several purposes.

Giving proves the sincerity of your love for Jesus Christ.

         II Corinthians 8:8

Giving develops an attitude of grace. It takes so special
     talents or abilities to give, only grace.

    II Corinthians 8:6-7, 9:8

Giving is an investment in eternal riches, removing your
     focus from earthly riches which will eventually fade away.

     Philippians 4:17; Matthew 6:19-21

Giving shows that God is your priority.

         Exodus 22:29-30, 13:12-13, 34:19-20, 26

Giving shows your dependence upon God to bless all of
     your substance, not just what you give to Him. Simply
     giving God your leftovers does not show your trust in
     Him.

     Proverbs 3:9-10

Biblical giving has a clear destination.

Biblical giving first supports God’s missions through the
     the local church.

That is what it means to bring God’s tithes into the
     storehouse - it is God’s structure through which He
     accomplishes His mission in the world.

      Malachi 3:8-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2

The tithe has to be brought to the storehouse so there
     is meat in God’s house. That is God’s priority.

       Galatians 6:10

Biblical giving can reach beyond the local church but
      must not conflict with your responsibility toward it.

Obviously, anyone is free to give to causes outside
     the local church. But you cannot count that as
     tithing because it is the local church which is
     central in God’s plan.

Any giving outside of the church should never be
    done at the expense of the work of the church. God will
    lead you in all giving to the church - time and service
    as well as money.

    II Chronicles 31:11-12; Deuteronomy 12:5-7

Bring your giving to the place where God’s servant’s
     can use it to take care of the house God has bought
     as they follow His Spirit. Otherwise, we are robbing
     God.

    Malachi 3:8

Biblical giving is how God intended to meet practical needs
      in and through the local church.

Church leaders are supported by your biblical giving.

           I Corinthians 9:11, 13-14; Galatians 6:6;
           I Timothy 5:17-18

Other works of God are supported through your biblical
     giving to your local church.

      Philippians 4:15-16; I Corinthians 16:1-2

Those within the church body who are UNABLE to
     support themselves are helped through your biblical
     giving to the local church.

      Acts 6:1; I Timothy 5:16, 9-10

Those who receive such help should have proven
     themselves faithful under New Testament guidelines.

These needs should be confirmed by your pastor.

Other needs will be met by your biblical giving as
     determined by the leadership of your church.

    II Corinthians 8:4; Acts 11:27-30

Biblical giving is systematic and grows as you grow. You begin by giving your life. Your giving is to be out of a
     willing heart and because you love the Lord Jesus Christ.

     II Corinthians 8:4-5

     Let us examine types of giving from the Bible:

The tithe - this is for management.   Tithing was
     practiced by God’s people even before the law of
     Moses. We see this when Abraham paid tithes
     to Melchizedec. The tithe was one-tenth of a
     person’s income. In addition, it had to be taken off
     the top (first fruits). Even though it was such a small
     amount, it was given first to show God was the priority.

     Exodus 23:16, 19; Deuteronomy 26:2

     The test of a right relationship with this church is that
     a person starts tithing.

       I Corinthians 16:1-2

The principles of the Old Testament establish patterns
     for our relationship with God.

    I Corinthians 10:11; Romans 15:4

The goal is tithing is to aim for transformed lives by
     funding the general budget of the church - the many
     logistical necessities to assure the smooth and un-
     interrupted functioning of the local church.

    B. Offerings - this is for ministry. The goal of giving is to
expand the church’s ministries by funding the special
projects and ministries established through your church.

This is where a person can mature in giving and go above
the tithe (ten percent of income) to give an offering to support the things he or she does in ministry together with
others.

II Corinthians 8:6-7, 9:1, 11-13

Sacrificial Giving - this is for missions. The goal of
        sacrificial giving is to provide you with spiritual vision
        by funding the budget of missionaries your church sends
        out or approves.

        A person grows to go above the offering for his ministry
        and makes a sacrifice to support someone else in a mission
        endeavor of the church. Sacrificial giving is a cell-function
        based on a relationship with someone who is sent out. It
        gets missionaries to places you cannot personally go.

        Philippians 4:15-18

        A young Christian should establish discipline in his life
        in all areas. Structure in giving is laid out in the New
        Testament. These principles of biblical funding are
        structured in His likeness - as a trinity.

       (WARNING) Failure to be obedient to God in giving is
       an indicator of a poor steward and someone who is
       obviously not qualified for ministry responsibility and
       leadership in the local church. I Corinthians 4:2;
       II Corinthians 8:7-8, 10-11

Biblical giving is subject to biblical truth.

Give as God has prospered you. Don’t concern yourself
     with the giving of others, just give according to the
     amount God has blessed you.

     I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 8:12

Remember at all times the law of sowing and reaping.

           II Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 6:7-9

True New Testament giving goes much further than a
     simple “tithe”. It includes offerings and sacrificial
     giving. It concerns turning over complete control of
     your life and resources to Jesus Christ. If God has
     control of your life, He will find His mission through
     control of your resources. All of the above principles
     of giving can be applied to your time and service as
     well as your money.

God’s will is that we be conformed to the image of
     the Lord Jesus Christ.

    Romans 8:29

God’s essential nature is giving, manifested in the
    person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

    John 3:16; I John 4:10; II Corinthians 8:9

When you give according to biblical principles,
     you will manifest the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ
     in your life resulting in God being glorified through
     you.

     II Corinthians 9:8-15; I Chronicles 29:8-13

Basic questions.

How can I be sure I am giving to the right things and
     that my money (and time) is being used as God would
     have it?

Build your giving (time, service and money) around
     the local church. It is Christ’s structure to accomplish
     His mission in the world.

Our pastors are accountable to our people. Since you
     are not mailing money to some far-off “electronic
     church” you can see how the money is being spent
     up close. If you have prayerfully sought God’s
     leadership in choosing a local church and you have
     followed the principles in His Word, then you ought
     to trust the leaders of the church to handle this matter
     properly.

    II Corinthians 8:20-21

What should I do now?

Make giving to and through your church a priority over
    any other organization.

Make biblical giving your goal. Don’t be an indis-
     criminate giver. Call the church office and request
     personal offering envelopes.

Offering envelopes will help you to be organized
     in your giving. You won’t forget if you have done
     it or not.

Offering envelopes will provide you a record of
    your giving. This can lower your income taxes
    and leave you more money for your family and
    ministry.

Offering envelopes will provide the church a record
     of your giving. This is important for designating
     offerings above your tithe.

Make growth an objective in your giving. Learn to pro-
     gressively mature in this important area of your life.
     The tithe is God’s prescribed beginning point. An
     offering is growing to give above your tithe. It is
     a voluntary expression of your thankfulness and love.

Questions:

Give one reason from your own studies in the Bible why you
     believe God doesn’t need your money.

Before you consider giving any money to the Lord’s work, you
     must give of yourself first. List three reasons for this:

    A.

    B.

    C.

List three reasons for giving your resources:

     A.

     B.

     C.

The Christian should first give of his time, service, and   resources to the local church. Briefly explain why this is true.

List four areas in which money is to be used by the local
    church. Give a verse that best defines each point.

    A.

    B.

    C.

    D.

Your giving should begin by ________________________
     ____________ ______________________.

Briefly detail the three types of giving found in the Bible.

     A.

     B.

     C.

If God has control of your _______________, He will fund
     His mission through control of your ________________.

Explain what true New Testament giving is:

Who benefits the most from giving.   God, the church, the
      pastor, or the giver?

Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:

II Corinthians 9:7; Matthew 6:21; II Corinthians 8:9

NOTE: From many pulpits, and on many radio and television
shows you will hear the following teachings regarding giving.

The Christian’s primary responsibility is in giving his money.
Christians are obligated to give to any good cause.
If you cannot give cheerfully, then you should not give at all.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should under-
stand these teachings are false and why.

Week #12: MONEY AND
POSSESSIONS IN GENERAL

“What Should Be My Attitude
Toward Money and Possessions”?

      One of the greatest temptations we face as Christians in
America is the tremendous materialism in our culture. We are geared to think success is measured by the abundance of our material wealth. In reality, a man’s success is measured by fulfilling God’s plan for his life as we saw in a previous lesson.

      The Bible has a great deal to say about your attitude toward physical possessions. The object of this lesson is to determine how God would have you deal with this matter in light of biblical principles

Wealth, or the lack of it, does not affect your relationship with
     God.

Money is not the issue, but rather your attitude toward money.

The Bible does NOT say money is the root of all evil. It
     says “…the LOVE of money is the root of all evil…”

     I Timothy 6:10

This is very important to understand. Spirituality is
               NOT measured by either the abundance OR the lack
               of material goods. Nowhere in the Bible does God
               specifically condemn anyone simply for having money.
               Instead, he deals with their heart attitude.

Money was not a problem for key biblical characters who
     were wealthy.

Solomon was the wealthiest man in history, yet observe his
            conclusion of this matter.

            Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Job was the wealthiest man of his day (Job 1:3), yet when
     all his wealth was gone, observe his attitude.

     Job 1:20-22

Even the Lord Jesus Christ was accompanied by a group
    of wealthy women who materially provided for Him.

    Luke 8:1-3; John 12:3

Wealth, or the lack of it, can interfere with your relationship
     with God when you make that your focus.

You must trust in God rather than wealth or possessions.

          Mark 10:23-27; Proverbs 11:4, 28

You must set your affection on heavenly treasures rather
     than earthly possessions.

     Matthew 6:19-21; Colossians 3:1-4

You must not measure your own or another’s spiritual
     walk by material possessions.

     Luke 12:15; I Samuel 16:7

You must not set your objective in life to earn as much
     money as possible.

     Proverbs 23:4; Ecclesiastes 5:10-12

You must trust God to provide for your needs rather than
     think you can provide for yourself.

    Philippians 4:19; Deuteronomy 8:10-18

Wealth, or the lack of it, demands proper biblical attitudes.

BE CONTENT with what you have.

           To be content is not to grudgingly resign yourself to
           accept your state. Being content is to realize whatever
           you have been given is a blessing and to rest, satisfied
           in God’s provision. This is the most important attitude
           you can possess toward wealth and possessions.

We are to be content with our possessions.

               Hebrews 13:5; I Timothy 6:8

We are to be content in whatever state we find our-
               selves, resting in the Lord Jesus Christ.

               Philippians 4:11 - Note that Paul wrote these words
               while in jail!

Realize there are many things far more important than
     money and which money cannot buy.

     1. Wisdom

          Proverbs 16:16

A righteous life.

               Proverbs 28:6, 16:8; Psalm 37:16

A good night’s sleep

               Ecclesiastes 5:12

God’s Word

               Psalm 119:14,72, 127

Good health

               Luke 8:43-44

Quietness and peace

               Ecclesiastes 4:6; Proverbs 15:16, 17:1

Don’t forget God if He blesses you physically

               Deuteronomy 6:10-12; Proverbs 30:7-9;
               Revelation 3:17

Realize if God takes all your wealth away, your relationship
     with Him should be the same

           Job 1:20-22

Don’t be envious of someone else’s wealth

              Psalm 49:16-17; Exodus 20:17

Stay away from “get rich quick schemes”

              Proverbs 20:21; 28:20, 22

     G. Realize the media and advertising have a tremendously
          negative, materialistic influence on you. Guard yourself.
          Make sure your major desires are spiritual instead of
          physical.

Strike a proper balance in your attitude toward money and
     possessions.

Proverbs 11:1 says, “A false balance is abomination to
     the Lord…”

The same Bible that says not to worry about your
     physical provisions in Matthew 6:25-34 also says
     in I Timothy 5:8 if a man doesn’t provide for his
     family he is worse than an infidel.

The same bible that says “…the love of money is the
     root of all evil…” also says “…the laborer is worthy
     of his reward.” I Timothy 5:17-18

These are not contradictory statements, but balancing
     principles to show you how to handle physical
     possessions

Basic questions: What will God provide for me?

God promises to provide your NEEDS.

              Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:25-34

Those NEEDS will be physical as well as spiritual.

You must discern between NEEDS and WANTS. This
     is a very difficult thing to do, especially in our society.

Compare the following verses on needs and wants:

Needs - James 2:15-16; Hebrews 4:15-16;
    Mark 2:25

Wants - Psalm 23:1; Proverbs 13:25; Philippians
     4:11; James 1:4

Questions:

Does the amount of wealth you have determine whether or
     not God is pleased with you? ________________
     Briefly explain.

What can we learn about man and money from I Timothy 6:10?

Two men in the bible who were very wealthy had an attitude
     that was uncommon among others. What was so different
     about their attitude concerning wealth?

Solomon

Job

List five wrong attitudes toward money that will interfere with
    your relationship with God. Give a scripture verse that helps
    you best understand each wrong attitude.

     A.


     B.

     C.


     D.


     E.

What is the most important attitude you should develop toward
     physical possessions?

What does the apostle Paul teach us through the attitude dis-
     played in the following verses?

Hebrews 13:5

I Timothy 6:8

Philippians 4:11

List six important things that money cannot buy and that only
     God can give you.

    A.

    B.

    C.

    D.

    E.

    F.

List five other attitudes you should develop toward money and
    physical possessions.

    A.


    B.

    C.

    D.

    E.

God promises to provide your needs, not necessarily your
     __________________. Your needs are both __________
    as well as ___________________. Give some examples
    of your needs and wants. Use the verses provided for each
    on page 7 as well as your own personal studies.

    Needs:

   Wants:

Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:
Philippians 4:11; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 3:2

NOTE: Some common attitudes regarding physical possessions
              are:

If you get enough material wealth, you will be satisfied.
God must be pleased with wealthy people for Him to have
     blessed them so much.
A wealthy person must have violated God’s laws to obtain
     his wealth.
Your worth as a person is measured by your material wealth.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should understand these attitudes are false and why.

Week #13: DEALING WITH SIN

"How Do I Overcome Sin in My Life?"

      A famous preacher once said that when a saved person begins to battle sin in his own life, he enters a combat so intense it makes World War II look like a Sunday School picnic. This truth is not evident to a young Christian. As you grow, however, you will more completely realize the intensity of the struggle.

      As we saw very briefly in lesson one, when you got saved you became two people. Your old man in Adam's image has a sinful nature and your new man in Christ Jesus has God's image. This lesson is designed to help you combat the sin nature of the old man.

1.       Understand the nature of sin.

          A.       Sin is breaking God's law.

                     I John 3:4

          B.       Sin is any unrighteousness.

                     I John 5:17

          C.       Sin is anything done apart from faith.

                     Romans 14:23

II.       Understand why you sin.

          A.       You sin because you inherited a sinful nature from Adam.

                     Romans 5:12; I Corinthians 15:45-49

          B.       You sin because your old nature draws you into sin.

                     James 1:13-14; Romans 7:14-25

          C.       You sin as a result of temptation in three major areas which
    are outlined in I John 2:15-16. Jesus was also tempted in
                      these three areas, yet without sin as stated in
                      Hebrews 4:15.

The lust of the flesh-Eve was tempted in this point in
       Gensis 3:6 when she saw that the tree was “ good for
       food.” Jesus was tempted in this point in Matthew 4:3
       when the devil tried to get Him to turn stones into
       bread.

The lust of the eyes-Eve was tempted here when she
                            saw the tree was “pleasant to the eyes”. Jesus was
                            tempted when the devil showed Him all the kingdoms
                            of the world and promised to give them to Him in
                            exchange for worship.

The pride of life-Eve fell to the temptation "to be
       desired to make one wise”. Jesus overcome the
       temptation to cast Himself down to prove the angels
       would take care of Him.

III.      Understand how God views your sin.

           A.       God judged your sin at Calvary.

                      II Corinthians 5:21

           B.       God will chastise you as a father chastises his child if you
                      continue to sin.

                      Hebrews 12:5-11

           C.       God will allow you to reap according to what you have sown.

                      Galatians 6:7-8

IV.      Understand how you can overcome sin.

Accept responsibility for your sin. Your sin is your own
       fault, not anyone else’s. You will never correct anything
       until you face up to responsibility.
                       Proverbs 28:13

            B.       Don't allow sinful thoughts to control your mind.

                       II Corinthians 10:5

            C.       Don't make provisions for the flesh.

                       Romans 13:14

            D.       Realize you are dead to sin in Jesus Christ. Dead men
                       cannot sin.

                       Romans 6:6-13; Colossians 3:1-10

            E.       Judge your sin. Agree with God that it is sin.

                       I Corinthians 11:31-32

            F.       Confess your sins to God.

                       I John 1:9

            G.       Hide God's Word in your heart to battle sin.

                       1.       I Corinthians 10:13 says God has made a way of
                                 escape from temptation

                       2.       That way of escape is found in Psalm 119:9-11. It is
                                 the Word of God.

                       3.       Jesus Christ overcame His temptation by quoting.
                                 scripture.

    4.     The only sure way of overcoming sin in your life is
             through the power of the Word of God as you hide
             it in your heart and apply it to your life.

            H.       Trust God's promises to cleanse you and to fight your battle.
                       for you.
                       II Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 4:15-16

             I.        Walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.

                       Galatians 5:16-25; Romans 8:1-8

*          J.         REPENT! If you have true godly sorrow concerning your
                        sin, repentance will follow naturally. After you have done
                        all these things listed above, do not go back to your sin,
                        but rather turn from it. Ask God to give you a hatred for
                        that sin and then do not go back to wallowing any more.
II Corinthians 7:10-11; II Peter 2:22; Romans 6:1-2; Proverbs 8:13

V.       Basic questions: How do I keep the influences of a sinful world
           from affecting me?

Don't involve yourself with sinful activities. Of course, you
       must associate with lost people in order to try to win them,
       but don’t get involved in their sin.

                                            Ephesians 5:5-12

Separate yourself from the ways of the world and follow the
        Lord Jesus Christ.

            II Corinthians 6:14-18; James 4:4

Realize "separation" is also a positive thing. Not only are you
       to be separate from the world, but you are to separate yourself
       UNTO the Gospel.

                      Romans 1:1

Questions:

1.       List three definitions of sin.

          A.

          B.

          C.

2.       Why do we have to battle sin?

          A.

          B.

          C.

Briefly explain in your own words what the apostle Paul is communicating to us in Romans 7:14-25.

4.     All sin originates from one of three categories. List the three that are seen in I John 2:16.

          A.

          B.

          C.

5.       Match the above categories with the three things that Eve saw in Genesis 3:6

          A.

          B.

          C.

Match the above categories with the three areas in which
          Jesus was tempted by the devil in Matthew 4:1-11

          A.

          B.

          C.

7.       List three ways that God looks at your sin.

          A.

          B.

          C.

8.       Why must you accept responsibility for your sin?

9.       List three ways that help minimize the influence of a sinful world on your life.

          A.

          B.

          C.

10.     Briefly explain the instruction given to us in the following verses.

           A.     Romans 13:14

           B.     I Corinthians 11:31-32

           C.     I John 1:9

            D.     II Corinthians 7:1

11.      Jesus Christ overcame His temptation by quoting scripture (Matthew 4:3-11). What do the two following verses teach us about this?
           A.     I Corinthians 10:13

           B.     Psalm 119:11

12.      Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:

Psalm 119:11; Hebrews 4:15; Romans 6:11

NOTE: In many churches today, some popular teachings are:

1. There are "big sins" and "little sins".
2. Sometimes you have to sin because someone else forces you to.
3. Our sins can be forgiven by other men if we confess to them.
4. If I sin bad enough, I can lose my salvation.
5. There is a "sin unto death" or an " unpardonable sin" I can commit.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should understand these teachings are false and why.

Week #14 : LIBERTY IN CHRIST

"Since All My Sins Are Forgiven, Am I Free to Do As I Please?"

       The New Testament is very clear that as saved people you are no longer bound by law to please God. You are now under His grace. Many people, however, take this freedom as an opportunity to sin, thinking they are free to do as they wish.

       The purpose of this lesson is to help you understand just what your liberties in Jesus Christ are and what lines need to be drawn in your life in relation to your actions as a child of God.

I. Your freedom is liberty to do God's will, not license to sin.

                                            John 8:36

You are free from the Old Testament law to do what is
            right, not what you want.

                              Romans 6:12-18, 8:2; Galatians 3:24-25

Your liberty is not so you can feed your sinful
           flesh.

                                           Galatians 5:13

                    2.       Your liberty is so you can serve God.

                               I Peter 2:16

         B. Your free to make your own choices.

Good decisions should be made from a pure
           heart exercising faith in God's Word.

                                     Romans 14:22; Titus 1:15

Bad decisions will certainly bring consequences,
          but will not result in loss of your salvation.

                              You are eternally secure in Jesus Christ. If you
                              have genuinely placed your trust in Him as your
                              Savior, you cannot go to hell. You will go to
                              heaven regardless of what you do and whether
                              you like it or not.

                                  Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9

II. Your freedom has consequences for your personal life.

          A. Your choice to sin brings consequences.

                     1.       You will not bear fruit.

                                  John 15:1-8

                     2.       You will be chastened as God's child.

                                 Hebrews 12:5-11

                     3.       You will reap as you have sown.

                               Galatians 6:7-8

          B. Your choice to obey God brings consequences.

                     1.       You will reap holiness.

                                Romans 6:22

                     2.       You will reap glory.

                                Romans 8:12-18

                     3.       You will reap fruits of righteousness.

                                Philippians 1:9-11

                     4.       You will reap as you have sown.

                               Galatians 6:7-8; Ephesians 6:7-8

Your choice will result in glory to God one way or
       another. You will be either a vessel of honor or
       dishonor. The choice is yours.

                    II Timothy 2:20-21

III. Your freedom has consequences for those around you.

You are a testimony for good or for bad whether you
        want to be or not.

                     Romans 14:7

You are to avoid things which could cause a weaker
       Christian to stumble in his faith.

                     Romans 14:13-15; I Corinthians 8:9-13

   You are to avoid things which appear wrong even
        though they may not be wrong.

                     Romans 14:16; I Thessalonians 5:22

   You are to have a good testimony toward both saved
       and lost people.

                     Romans 14:18

                     1.       To the saved.

                               Acts 6:1-3, 16:1-2

                     2.       To the lost.

                               Colossians 4:5; I Timothy 3:7

The purpose of this is to influence them for
          good in the Lord Jesus Christ.

                               Acts 11:22-24; I Corinthians 9:19-23

IV. Your freedom has biblical boundaries.

          A. Some boundaries are clearly defined.

                     1. In relation to God.

                               Matthew 22:37-38

                     2.   In relation to parents.

                               Ephesians 6:1-3

                     3.   In relation to others.

                               Romans 13:8-9

          B. Some boundaries are not so clearly defined.

                     Even in so-called "gray areas", you can determine
                biblical boundaries through the application of God's
                Word. From a practical standpoint, you can do this by
                asking yourself questions based on biblical truth.

Am I being brought under the power of
          something that should not be controlling my
          life?

                               I Corinthians 6:12

                     2.       Am I edifying myself or others?

                               I Corinthians 10:23

                     3.      Can I ask God to bless it with a clear
          conscience?

                               Colossians 3:17; Acts 24:16

If the Lord returned at this moment, would I be
          ashamed?

                               I Corinthians 1:8; I Thessalonians 5:23

                     5.       Would it cause a brother to stumble?

                               Romans 14:13-15, 15:1-2

Would it be cause for a lost person to reject the
           Lord Jesus Christ as Savior?

                               I Corinthians 10:31-33

                     7.       Does my conscience condemn me for it?

                               I Peter 3:16; Hebrews 13:18; I Timothy 1:5

      What is good or right about this thing that I
           would allow in my life?

                               Philippians 4:8; Romans 14:23

V. Basic question: How do I achieve a balance between my
     liberties and other people's needs?

         You can achieve that balance ONLY through the power of
          the Holy Spirit as you walk with Him.

                         II Corinthians 3:6, 17; Romans 7:6

Questions:

As a Christian, are you free to do whatever you please?
          Briefly explain.

    2.       The Word of God draws some boundaries on our freedom.
           Explain those boundaries from each of the following verses.

          A.       Galatians 5:13

          B.       Romans 6:18

          C.       I Peter 2:16

3.       When you choose to sin, what are the consequences of your
          choice?

          A.

          B.

          C.

4.       God will get the glory from your life, either as a ____________or as
         a ___________________.

5.       List four ways that your freedom can influence people around you.

          A.

          B.

          C.


          D.

6.       You are to have a good testimony toward both saved and lost
          people. What is the reason for this?

7       List eight questions you can consider in setting the bounds of
         your personal liberty.

         A.

         B.

         C.

         D.

         E.

         F.

         G.

         H.

8.       What is the role of the Holy Spirit regarding you personal
          liberty?

9.       Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:

Galatians 5:13; Romans 15:1; I Corinthians 10:31

NOTE: In many churches today, some popular teachings are:

There is a "set of rules" a Christian must live by in order to please
          God.
2. You are free to do whatever you want regardless of how it affects other people.
3.   What you do has no real influence on other people.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should understand these teachings are false and why.

Week #15: MY JOB AND EMPLOYER

“What Should Be My Attitude Toward My
Job and My Employer?”

     Since the Bible is the final authority in everything you will ever encounter in life, it is no surprise it has a great deal to say about how you are to conduct yourself on your job. We spend about one-fourth of our adult life on the job and it is essential to your growth to learn how the Lord Jesus Christ would have you look at this area of responsibility. If you intend to be an effective servant of God, you must do so with all your life and not just three-fourths of it.

    This lesson is designed to help you be the type of employee (or
employer) God would have you to be.

Your job is merely part of your true calling to “full-time
     Christian serve.”

Your true vocation is to serve Jesus Christ.

                   Ephesians 4:1

You are an integral part of the body of Christ and your
     contribution is important. God expects every Christian
     to be involved in the Lord’s work.

     I Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:11-16

Your service for God is to be at all times, not just when
     you go to church.

     I Peter 3:15; II Timothy 4:2

II. Your job has a primary and practical purpose to support your
     ministry.

Your first ministry is to your family

              I Timothy 5:8; 3:5

     B. Your second ministry is to your church family.

                  Galatians 6:10

   C. Your third ministry is to reach the lost.

                   II Corinthians 5:20

       D. Your ministries are funded by your honest and sincere
          work.

          As we saw in a previous lesson, your resources should be
          yielded to God’s service. Those resources are to be used
          to glorify God through the above three areas.

*III. Your job should be a ministry opportunity, not just a job.

Your fellow workers are probably the greatest exposure
      you have to lost people.

Your life may be the only true witness of the Lord Jesus
      Christ they ever see.

Your life should be a light representing Jesus Christ.

                      Matthew 5:14-16

Your life should reflect the Bible.

                      II Corinthians 3:2

C. You will have a much greater influence on those you
     spend the most time with. Although total strangers are
     surely an opportunity for a witness, those who can see
     a consistent testimony of a Christian’s life are much
     easier to win.

IV. Your job demands biblical attitudes.

A. Serve as if the Lord Jesus Christ is your employer.

              Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-24

     B. Respect authority. Obviously, no employer will be
      correct in every point and you certainly can have
      disagreements; however, you are to submit to your
      supervisor’s leadership, using it as an opportunity
      to show a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ.

              Titus 2:9-10

Respect your company’s property - it does not belong
        to you.

               Leviticus 19:11

    D. Respect your company’s time -do eight hours of work
      for eight hours of pay.

     II Corinthians 8:21; Colossians 3:22

E. Do the very best you can to help the company succeed and
      make your employer look good.

      Romans 12:11; I Corinthians 10:24; Proverbs 10:4,
      18:9, 21:25, 22:29

Joseph is the greatest biblical example.    Genesis 39-50

In Potiphar’s house, Joseph was made master because God was with him

Genesis 39:1-6

He was made master of the prison because he did good work no matter what his position or situation

He became the third most powerful man in Egypt because He was a godly man

F. Mind your own business and don’t let someone else’s
       laziness affect you.

       I Thessalonians 4:11; II Thessalonians 3:10-13

V. Your job as an employer or supervisor also demands biblical
     attitudes toward employees.

Treat people justly and equally. Set standards for them
       consistent with those you set for yourself.

                       Colossians 4:1; Ephesians 6:9

B. Consider the needs of others without being consumed by
         your own self-interests.

                  Philippians 2:2-3

C. Consider the cost of “climbing the organizational ladder.”

A great Bible principle is ”He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much…” (Luke 16:10) Be sure you can handle what you have now.

2.Realize the more responsibility you have the more
        potential there is for problems to arise.

           James 3:1; Ecclesiastes 8:9

3.Realize the more responsibilities you have, the more time and    energy is demanded. Be sure any new responsibilities will not hinder your service for God.

                       II Timothy 2:4

Always maintain the attitude of a servant, even as a leader.

               Mark 10:42-45; I Corinthians 9:19, 10:33

VI. Basic questions

What if my job conflicts with spiritual matters?

There will always be some conflict of priorities between
     church activities and your work schedule. You cannot
     quit your job or take off work because of a few minor
conflicts. Remember, your job is a ministry opportunity. However, you must not use your job as an
     excuse to neglect your responsibilities to your church.
     You MUST maintain a balance in this area.

When your job responsibilities are contrary to biblical
       principles. Then you must draw a line.

Refuse to lie or steal for your employer or violate
       other clear commandments of God.

b. Guard against temptations on your job.

c. Don’t be influenced by sinful activities around you.

B. How do I handle “persecution” on the job?

Most “persecution” in our culture is a result of the
     Christian’s own ignorance or lack of personal
     commitment to the Lord. If you are being “persecuted”
     it is usually for one of two reasons your behavior is
     improper, or your proper testimony is an offense to
     someone.

                 I Peter 3:16-17

Expect a certain amount of adversity from the world
                 if you are truly serving Jesus Christ.

                            II Timothy 3:12

Learn how to commit that adversity to the Lord.

                           I Peter 2:18-23

C. What should I consider when looking for employment?

Have you taken the matter to God in prayer?

                    James 1:5; Philippians 4:6-7

Will the new responsibility destroy what God is trying
       to build in your life? This is a complex question. Don’t
       be afraid to seek wise counsel in this area from another
     brother in Christ whom you respect.

If you are being asked to move to another city, is there
      a church there which can continue to provide your
      spiritual needs? This is an extremely critical point! If
      this applies, review the principles in Lesson 8 on how to
      find a good local church in another city.

In looking for a change of jobs, are you running away
      from something you should be facing and trying to
      correct?

Questions:

Why are all Christians called into “full-time Christian service?”

      A.

      B.

      C.

The primary purpose of your job is to support your ministry.
         List three ministries you need to support.

     A.

     B.

     C.

Why should you view your job as a ministry opportunity?

     A.

     B.

     C.

What are attitudes you should have toward your company
          and/or supervisor?

     A.

     B.

     C.

     D.

     E.

     F.

List some principles you observe from Genesis 39:1-6 in the life
         of Joseph which had an impact on his master.

    A.

    B.

    C.

As an employer, what are some questions you should ask
         yourself concerning your attitude toward the people who work
         for you?

     A.

     B.

     C.

     D.

List three costs to consider when deciding whether or not to
         take a promotion.

     A.

     B.

     C.

What should you do when your job schedule does not allow you
          to be involved in church activities?

Jobs, at times, may contain responsibilities which violate
         biblical principles. List three areas of which to be aware.

    A.

    B.

    C.

     10. What should you consider if someone at work gives you a hard
            time concerning your Christian faith?

       A.

       B.

       C.

11. When you are looking for a new job, what should you
       consider?

       A.

       B.

       C.

       D.

12. Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:

II Timothy 2:4; Mark 10:44-45; Colossians 3:23

In our society today, some common beliefs are:
1. Your job is just a paycheck
2. Your job status is the most important measure of your success.
3. Your employer must always take a back seat to church activities.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should understand these beliefs are false and why.

Week #16: THE LOST WORLD

“As a Christian, How Do I Relate
to the Lost World?”

    The Bible is very clear that the present world system is contrary to God’s eternal purpose. The Word of God commands His children to be separate from this world system. At the same time, we are to reach lost men and women who live in it for Jesus Christ.

     This lesson is designed to show you how to live a balanced and consistent life in order to influence people for the Lord Jesus Christ without the world influencing them for evil.

I. Learn to expect opposition from the world if you live for Jesus
    Christ.

    A.You will be opposed because Jesus Christ was opposed.

          John 15:18-21

    B.You will be opposed only if you live for Him. If you go
     along with the world, you will not be opposed.

      II Timothy 3:12

II. Learn the area from which opposition will come.

     A.Your opposition will come from those closest to you,
     those who know you best - friends, family, fellow
     workers, and acquaintances.

     Matthew 10:35-36; John 1:11; Mark 6:4

      B. Your opposition will come from lost people in general.
      The two spiritual families have NEVER gotten along
      and never will.

                Galatians 4:29

     C. Your opposition will come from society in general. The
          nature and course of this present world system is against
          God. This opposition is communicated subtly through
          the media (literature, television, radio, etc.) You must
          judge those things by the Word of God.

          I John 2:15-17; James 4:4

Your opposition will come from Satan himself.

                       II Corinthians 4:3-4

He is your adversary.

                 I Peter 5:8

           2.He is currently at work in lost people.

                Ephesians 2:2

III. Learn how to overcome this opposition.

Give a soft answer. Avoid fights whenever possible.

           Proverbs 15:1; Romans 12:18

B. Please God with your life.

           Proverbs 16:7

      C. Have faith in God.

           I John 5:4-5

Love your enemies and help them. Jesus Christ loved His
     enemies enough to die for them when He didn’t have to do
     it. The world cannot understand this type of love, and those
     who are seeking the truth will be drawn to it.

     Romans 12:14, 20-21

Pray for your enemies, pray with pure motives.

           Matthew 5:44

Keep good company. Associate with people who love God and want
to serve him.

       Proverbs 13:20; I Corinthians 15:33

Immerse yourself in the Word of God.

           Romans 12:1-2

IV. Learn how the lost world should view you as a Christian.

*A. They should know you love God - NOT by your mouth
           but by your life.

                     I Corinthians 8:3

They should see your life-style as separate from the world
       and your behavior a testimony to others.

                II Corinthians 6:14-18; I Peter 2:9

They should view you as moderate in all things, but not
        so peculiar that you lose influence. This would include
        your dress - moderate, not weird.

                Philippians 4:5; I Corinthians 9:22

       D. They should see you as being open and honest in all
     matters.

             II Corinthians 8:21, Romans 12:17

       E. They should see a living testimony of the grace of God.

                Philippians 2:14-15

They should see you as being of “good report.”

             I Timothy 3:7; Colossians 4:5-6

V. Learn how you should view your place in the world.

You are a pilgrim in a strange land.

            Hebrews 11:13; I Peter 2:11

Your home is in heaven.

          Ephesians 2:6; Philippians 3:20

Your mission is to reach the lost for Jesus Christ.

           Acts 1:8; Matthew 28: 18-20

VI. Basic questions: What are my responsibilities to my
      government?

Government is one of three institutions ordained by
     God. The other two are the family and the church. All
     governments are controlled by Satan (Luke 4:5-6) and
     therefore, are essentially against God. However, you
     are still to submit to the ordinance of God.

      Romans 13:1-2

If you do what is right, you have no reason to fear; God
     will honor you for doing right.

     Romans 13:3-5

Render to the government what is due by law.

           Romans 13:6-7; Matthew 17:24-27, 22:15-22

Submit to their ordinances.

           I Peter 2:13-15

Honor those in authority, even the wicked, without
     partaking of their wickedness. Commit any adverse
     situations to God and let Him handle them.

     I Peter 2:17-23- When Peter wrote these words, Nero
     was king, perhaps the most wicked king Rome ever had.

Realize you cannot legislate morals or change mankind
     through political action. Man is by nature fallen and sinful
     and must be changed individually, from the inside out,
     through a personal saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus
     Christ.

      Titus 2:14

Questions:

As a Christian you will encounter some opposition from the
    world. Why is this?

     A.

     B.

List the sources of opposition you will face.

          A.

          B.

          C.

          D.

    3. There are ways the Christian can deal with opposition from
     the world. Briefly explain how the following verses can help
     you.

Proverbs 15:1


Proverbs 16:7

I John 5:4-5

Romans 12:20-21

Matthew 5:44



Proverbs 13:20

Romans 12:2

When lost people observe your life, what should they see?

          A.

          B.

          C.

          D.

          E.

          F.

As you look at the lost world, what is your position?

         A.

         B.

         C.

God has ordained three institutions for man. List them;

        A.

        B.

        C.

As Christians we have responsibilities concerning our
       government. List four primary responsibilities.

    A.

    B.

    C.

    D.

Many “Christian” groups today are trying to force morality
    on people through the passing of laws. Why won’t this
    process work?

Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

     Key Memory Verses:

II Timothy 3:12; I John 2:15-16; I Corinthians 8:3

Some popular attitudes among Christians are:

1. Christians are to be totally separate from lost people.
2. I should do anything to keep people form being upset with me.
3. The best way to fight opposition is with an aggressive approach.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should understand these attitudes are false and why.

Week #17: THE JUDGMENT
SEAT OF CHRIST

“Is There a Judgment Day for Christians,
and For What Will I Be Accountable?”

The Christian life is a series of paradoxical truths. The Bible says God’s ways are not our ways because man looks on outward physical matters while God looks at the heart attitude and operates in the spiritual realm. If you are going to serve God effectively, you must take your focus off physical matters and concentrate on the spiritual. Your life will only make sense and have purpose and meaning as you live in the spiritual realm, focused on eternal matters.

This lesson is designed to keep your focus on these eternal matters by detailing your final accountability to the Lord Jesus Christ as His servant.

I. Understand the nature of the “Judgment Seat of Christ”.

Judgment faces every human being who has ever lived.

          Proverbs 29:26; Hebrews 9:27

Judgment for sin took place at Calvary. By placing your
     faith in Jesus Christ, you do not have to fear judgment
     of your sins because He took your judgment upon Himself.

     I Peter 2:24; II Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13

Judgment for service to Christ takes place at the “Judgment
     Seat of Christ.”

      II Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10

II. Understand for what you will be judged at the Judgment Seat
     of Christ.

* A. You will be judged for your work as a servant of Jesus
         Christ.

            I Corinthians 3:11-15

B. Your work will be judged for the quality as opposed to the
      quantity.

“Of what Sort it is.” (what kind)

                         I Corinthians 3:13

2. Duty and obedience are more important than feelings
      and emotion. If the proper works are maintained, the
      proper attitudes will come naturally and the proper
      relationships will be developed.

     I Thessalonians 2:4; Ephesians 6:6

God tries our heart by giving us a task to perform

                   I Chronicles 29:17, 19; Jeremiah 17:10; Revelation 2:23

III. Understand the negative consequences of this judgment.

Loss and shame are possible.

Paul said in speaking of the Judgment Seat of Christ in
     II Corinthians 5:11 that the “terror of the Lord” should
     motivate us to serve Him and persuade others. A
     Christian should never fear going to hell, but there are
     some things to beware of in relation to the final
     judgment.

Some Christians will be found:

Ashamed for not living for the Lord Jesus Christ
     at His appearing.

     I John 2:28

b. Suffering loss because their works were temporal
      and not eternal.

    I Corinthians 3:15

c. Losing rewards because they lived in sin rather than
       for Jesus Christ.

     II Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 6:7-8

Appearances and assumptions are deceitful.

Don’t be fooled by outward appearances, in your
     own life as well as the lives of others. Many people
     only APPEAR to be servants of the Lord.

     Luke 16:15; I Corinthians 1:27-31

Be sure to invest in heavenly rewards instead of earthly
     rewards. The real servants of the Lord will be revealed
     at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

     Matthew 6:19-20; Colossians 3:1-4

IV. Understand the rewards obtainable at this judgment.

      The rewards obtainable at the Judgment Seat of Christ can be
      exemplified by studying the five crowns in the New
      Testament.

Crown of Righteousness - II Timothy 4:8 - given to those
     who love the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bible closes with “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

                Revelation 22:20

Your overriding desire should be, at all times, to be with
     the Lord.

     Philippians 1:23-24

You will not love His appearing unless you, like Paul,
     have fought a good fight, finished your course, and kept
     the faith!

     II Timothy 4:7

Crown of Life - Revelation 2:10 - the martyr’s crown.

This is also seen in James 1:12 as give to those who
     endure temptation.

This is the same as the martyr’s crown because you
     overcome temptation by dying to self.

      Romans 6:6-11

C. Incorruptible Crown - I Corinthians 9:25 - given for
      temperance or moderation.

The context of I Corinthians 9:18-27 deals with
     temperance or moderation in all matters (physical,
     spiritual, and mental) to be a testimony to others.

This is balanced by remembering some have
     infirmities for the purpose of glorifying God. Paul
     is a great example

     II Corinthians 12:7-10

D. Crown of Rejoicing - I Thessalonians 2:19 - the soul-
       winner’s crown.

This is given to those who win people to Jesus Christ.

                Philippians 4:1

This is called the crown or rejoicing because it pro-
     duces rejoicing in heaven when someone gets saved.

     Luke 15:7

E. Crown of Glory - I Peter 5:4 - the shepherd’s crown. Given
     to those who pastor or shepherd people in the Word of God.

The New Testament is very clear that ALL saved people
     are to be actively teaching someone the Word of God, not
     just preachers.

     Ephesians 4:11-16

This reward requires great wisdom which can only be
     obtained through the Word of God.

     Proverbs 4:7-9

V. Basic question: Why should I be concerned about the
     “Judgment Seat of Christ”?

The focus on the return of the Lord Jesus Christ is one of
     the most practical doctrines for everyday living in the
     Bible. Notice in the following verses how many practical
     character qualities are produced by focusing on the return
     of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Patience

                James 5:7-8; II Thessalonians 3:5

Peace

                I Thessalonians 4:13-18

Joy

                I Thessalonians 2:19-20

Holiness

                I Thessalonians 3:13; I John 3:1-3

Confidence

                 Philippians 1:6; I John 2:28

Diligence in service.

                 II Timothy 4:1-8

Righteous living

                Titus 2:11-14

Faith even in difficult times

     I Peter 1:5-7

The rewards you receive on earth are all temporal and
     will perish. The rewards you receive at the Judgment
     Seat of Christ are eternal and will never perish.

     II Corinthians 4:17- 5:4

C. By constantly focusing on the Judgment Seat of Christ,
     you will naturally develop a desire to please God rather
     than men. Developing this attitude is the surest way to
     handle criticism and opposition.

     II Corinthians 5:6-9; I Corinthians 7:23

Questions:

1. What group of people will be judged at the Judgment
    Seat of Christ?

What will you be judged for at the Judgment Seat of Christ?

     A.

     B.

There are some things of which you should beware regarding
     the Judgment Seat of Christ. List them below.

     A.

     B.

    C.

4. The real servants of Jesus Christ will be revealed and the less
     sincere will be exposed. What are two principles to remember
     concerning this? Give a scripture reference for each.

     A.

     B.

5. There will be rewards available for those who are found to be
     faithful in their service to the Lord Jesus Christ. List the five
     crowns and describe briefly what they are given for.

     A.

     B.

     C.

     D.

     E.

6. When a Christian focuses his attention on the return of the Lord
     Jesus Christ, he tends to develop some proper character
     qualities. List them.

     A.

     B.

     C.

     D.

     E.

     F.

     G.

     H.

7. What is the difference between the rewards you receive on
     earth and the ones received at the Judgment Seat of Christ?

8. What is the greatest benefit in your life of constantly focusing
     on the return on the Lord Jesus Christ?

Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.

Key Memory Verses:

II Corinthians 5:8-9; I John 2:28; Luke 16:15

NOTE: In many churches today, some popular teachings are:

God is going to judge Christians for their sin.
Christians will be judged for their “heart attitude” apart from
     righteous works.
Our rewards and losses are all received in this life.

From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should understand these teachings are false and why.

Narrow Road - 4 Him

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