Front Cover
THE CHRISTIAN INCREASES ...
INTRODUCTION
This study is only a guide
and outline. All authority and
instruction must come from God's word. It is the Bible, in
particular the New Testament, that is our guide and it is our
Lord Jesus Christ who is the source of our life. In light of
this, we offer the following suggestions:
1. Precede and conclude each study lesson with prayer.
2. Older and younger Christians are studying, sharing, and
learning together. No one has all the answers other than
our Lord.
3. Reach each scripture together carefully before discussing
and answering the questions.
4. Be as complete as possible with each answer.
5. If different translations of the Bible are being used, we
recommend reading the scriptures aloud from each
translation.
6. When further questions arise, don't be tied to this study
guide.
7. Although there are lessons here in it, it is not vital
that a full lesson be completed at one time. Be flexible.
8. Our aim is more that study together. We desire relation-
ship to develop between the Christians involved.
9. If at any time additional aid is desired, we encourage you
to feel free to call on any of our elders and/or our
minister.
10. Precede and conclude each study session with prayer. God
bless you as you share in this avenue of growth toward
maturity in Christ. Our aim is to learn to serve Christ
our Lord in a way tha brings glory to Him (Colossians
1:28).
1
1. How do you feel right now about having become a
Christian?________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. It is valuable to consider what it means to be a
Christian.
a. Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:17-18: What has happened to
your past sins?_______________________________________
b. Romans 8:15-17; II Corinthians 6:17-18: What is the
relationship now between God and you?_________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
3. What special blessing is promised in these passages?
Hebrews 13:6______________________________________________
I John 1:8-9______________________________________________
James 4:8_________________________________________________
I Corinthians 6:19-20_____________________________________
4. What response to these blessings should we make?
Matthew 6:33______________________________________________
Romans 6:11-14____________________________________________
Romans 12:1-2_____________________________________________
I Corinthians 13:1-13_____________________________________
Galatians 6:7-10__________________________________________
Colossians 3:1-3__________________________________________
5. What changes do you feel you will need to make in your
life to respond to the blessing which are now yours?______
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
6. Hebrews 10:19-25; Acts 20:7; Ephesians 5:19-20; Colos-
sians 3:16: How is God's plan of worship beneficial to us?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
7. John 3:1-8; Romans 6:1-7; Colossians 1:13-23: What changes
has God through Christ already made for you?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
8. I John 1:5-10; James 5:16-18: What provisions has God
made for Christians when we sin?__________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
1. Our duty and God's grace must be kept in mind always:
Matthew 28:20; John 14:15; Ephesians 2:8-10. How do you
balance these ideas in your understanding?________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. To be more Christlike, what helps do we have?
II Peter 1:3-4____________________________________________
11 Timothy 3:16-17________________________________________
Galatians 6:1-2___________________________________________
Hebrews 10:23-25__________________________________________
Colossians 3:16___________________________________________
Romans 8:26-27____________________________________________
3. II Peter 1:5-8: Define these seven terms:
virtue____________________________________________________
knowledge_________________________________________________
self-control______________________________________________
steadfastness_____________________________________________
godliness_________________________________________________
brotherly kindness________________________________________
love______________________________________________________
4. II Peter 1:9-11: What are the results if we lack these?___
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
What are the results when they are ours?__________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
What assurance of staying true to Christ is given?________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. Galatians 5:22-24: Discuss and define these terms:
love______________________________________________________
joy_______________________________________________________
peace_____________________________________________________
patience__________________________________________________
kindness__________________________________________________
goodness__________________________________________________
faithfulness______________________________________________
gentleness________________________________________________
self-control______________________________________________
6. Matthew 5:3-16; What ideas do these verses suggest to
you?______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
7. Romans 1:16-17; 10:17; I Peter 2:1-3, 11-12; II Peter 3:
17-18: Where can we find help in increasing in
Christ' likeness?_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
8. Romans 1:15-32: Toward whom is God's wrath revealed?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
9. To summarize and review, read these scriptures:
Colossians 3:5-17_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Philippians 2:1-18________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Ephesians 6:10-20_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Galatians 6:7-10__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
I Corinthiins 15:51-58____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-19________________________________
__________________________________________________________
instruction must come from God's word. It is the Bible, in
particular the New Testament, that is our guide and it is our
Lord Jesus Christ who is the source of our life. In light of
this, we offer the following suggestions:
1. Precede and conclude each study lesson with prayer.
2. Older and younger Christians are studying, sharing, and
learning together. No one has all the answers other than
our Lord.
3. Reach each scripture together carefully before discussing
and answering the questions.
4. Be as complete as possible with each answer.
5. If different translations of the Bible are being used, we
recommend reading the scriptures aloud from each
translation.
6. When further questions arise, don't be tied to this study
guide.
7. Although there are lessons here in it, it is not vital
that a full lesson be completed at one time. Be flexible.
8. Our aim is more that study together. We desire relation-
ship to develop between the Christians involved.
9. If at any time additional aid is desired, we encourage you
to feel free to call on any of our elders and/or our
minister.
10. Precede and conclude each study session with prayer. God
bless you as you share in this avenue of growth toward
maturity in Christ. Our aim is to learn to serve Christ
our Lord in a way tha brings glory to Him (Colossians
1:28).
THE
CHRISTIAN INCREASES ...
IN UNDERSTANDING
IN UNDERSTANDING
1. How do you feel right now about having become a
Christian?________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. It is valuable to consider what it means to be a
Christian.
a. Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:17-18: What has happened to
your past sins?_______________________________________
b. Romans 8:15-17; II Corinthians 6:17-18: What is the
relationship now between God and you?_________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
3. What special blessing is promised in these passages?
Hebrews 13:6______________________________________________
I John 1:8-9______________________________________________
James 4:8_________________________________________________
I Corinthians 6:19-20_____________________________________
4. What response to these blessings should we make?
Matthew 6:33______________________________________________
Romans 6:11-14____________________________________________
Romans 12:1-2_____________________________________________
I Corinthians 13:1-13_____________________________________
Galatians 6:7-10__________________________________________
Colossians 3:1-3__________________________________________
5. What changes do you feel you will need to make in your
life to respond to the blessing which are now yours?______
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
6. Hebrews 10:19-25; Acts 20:7; Ephesians 5:19-20; Colos-
sians 3:16: How is God's plan of worship beneficial to us?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
7. John 3:1-8; Romans 6:1-7; Colossians 1:13-23: What changes
has God through Christ already made for you?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
8. I John 1:5-10; James 5:16-18: What provisions has God
made for Christians when we sin?__________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2
THE
CHRISTIAN INCREASES ...
IN BEING MORE LIKE CHRIST
IN BEING MORE LIKE CHRIST
1. Our duty and God's grace must be kept in mind always:
Matthew 28:20; John 14:15; Ephesians 2:8-10. How do you
balance these ideas in your understanding?________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. To be more Christlike, what helps do we have?
II Peter 1:3-4____________________________________________
11 Timothy 3:16-17________________________________________
Galatians 6:1-2___________________________________________
Hebrews 10:23-25__________________________________________
Colossians 3:16___________________________________________
Romans 8:26-27____________________________________________
3. II Peter 1:5-8: Define these seven terms:
virtue____________________________________________________
knowledge_________________________________________________
self-control______________________________________________
steadfastness_____________________________________________
godliness_________________________________________________
brotherly kindness________________________________________
love______________________________________________________
4. II Peter 1:9-11: What are the results if we lack these?___
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
What are the results when they are ours?__________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
What assurance of staying true to Christ is given?________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. Galatians 5:22-24: Discuss and define these terms:
love______________________________________________________
joy_______________________________________________________
peace_____________________________________________________
patience__________________________________________________
kindness__________________________________________________
goodness__________________________________________________
faithfulness______________________________________________
gentleness________________________________________________
self-control______________________________________________
3
6. Matthew 5:3-16; What ideas do these verses suggest to
you?______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
7. Romans 1:16-17; 10:17; I Peter 2:1-3, 11-12; II Peter 3:
17-18: Where can we find help in increasing in
Christ' likeness?_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
8. Romans 1:15-32: Toward whom is God's wrath revealed?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
9. To summarize and review, read these scriptures:
Colossians 3:5-17_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Philippians 2:1-18________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Ephesians 6:10-20_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Galatians 6:7-10__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
I Corinthiins 15:51-58____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-19________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4
IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE CHURCH
1. How does one
become a part of Christ's church?
Acts 2:37-47______________________________________________
I Corinthians 12:12-13____________________________________
Ephesians 5:23, 13-14_____________________________________
2. By what name is the church Biblically referred to?
Colossians 1:18___________________________________________
Colossians 1:13___________________________________________
I Timothy 3:15____________________________________________
the church?
Ephesians 1:15-23_________________________________________
Colossians 1:18-20________________________________________
Matthew 16:13-19__________________________________________
1 Corinthians 3:11________________________________________
Colossians 3:15___________________________________________
4. I Corinthians 12:14-27; Matthew 18:20: How important are
you to the body/church of Christ?_________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. What is God's desire for the church as seen in Scripture?
Ephesians 4:1-6___________________________________________
John 17:20-24_____________________________________________
I Corinthians 3:1-11______________________________________
Luke 4:16_________________________________________________
6. Notice the various terms used to describe the church:
Acts 20:17________________________________________________
Acts 20:28________________________________________________
I Timothy 3:1-7___________________________________________
Titus 1:5-9_______________________________________________
I Peter 5:1-5_____________________________________________
7. How should Christians relate to God's leaders?
I Peter 5:5_______________________________________________
Hebrews 13:17_____________________________________________
Ephesians 5:21____________________________________________
8. What qualities of leadership do we see in these passages?
I Timothy 3:1-7___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5
Acts 2:37-47______________________________________________
I Corinthians 12:12-13____________________________________
Ephesians 5:23, 13-14_____________________________________
2. By what name is the church Biblically referred to?
Colossians 1:18___________________________________________
Colossians 1:13___________________________________________
I Timothy 3:15____________________________________________
3.
What do these passages reveal about the head/authority for
Ephesians 1:15-23_________________________________________
Colossians 1:18-20________________________________________
Matthew 16:13-19__________________________________________
1 Corinthians 3:11________________________________________
Colossians 3:15___________________________________________
4. I Corinthians 12:14-27; Matthew 18:20: How important are
you to the body/church of Christ?_________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. What is God's desire for the church as seen in Scripture?
Ephesians 4:1-6___________________________________________
John 17:20-24_____________________________________________
I Corinthians 3:1-11______________________________________
Luke 4:16_________________________________________________
6. Notice the various terms used to describe the church:
Acts 20:17________________________________________________
Acts 20:28________________________________________________
I Timothy 3:1-7___________________________________________
Titus 1:5-9_______________________________________________
I Peter 5:1-5_____________________________________________
7. How should Christians relate to God's leaders?
I Peter 5:5_______________________________________________
Hebrews 13:17_____________________________________________
Ephesians 5:21____________________________________________
8. What qualities of leadership do we see in these passages?
I Timothy 3:1-7___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5
Titus
1:5-9_______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
9. Acts 6:1-7; I Timothy 3:8-13: What other function in the
church is described?______________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Who is to serve in this manner?___________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
10. Hebrews 10:19-25; I Timothy 4:6-13; II Timothy 4:1-5;
Titus 2:1; 3:1; Ephesians 4:11-15: What is the role/task of
the preacher/evangelist in the church?____________________
__________________________________________________________
11. Read Revelation 2:1—3:22; Galatians 1:6-10: What Warnings
and blessings are available for the church?_______________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
12. Summarize your understanding of the importance of being a
part of the church/body/household/family of Christ:_______
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
9. Acts 6:1-7; I Timothy 3:8-13: What other function in the
church is described?______________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Who is to serve in this manner?___________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
10. Hebrews 10:19-25; I Timothy 4:6-13; II Timothy 4:1-5;
Titus 2:1; 3:1; Ephesians 4:11-15: What is the role/task of
the preacher/evangelist in the church?____________________
__________________________________________________________
11. Read Revelation 2:1—3:22; Galatians 1:6-10: What Warnings
and blessings are available for the church?_______________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
12. Summarize your understanding of the importance of being a
part of the church/body/household/family of Christ:_______
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Evaluating My Increase
1.
I feel my greatest spiritual strength right now is________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. The greatest need(s) I have in my spiritual life is/are __
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
6
3. During the progress of these studies I have resolved to
begin_____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. The plan of Bible study I would like to increase more and
more is __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. My temptation/weakness is experienced most in_____________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
6. I need the help of fellow Christians in order to begin to_
__________________________________________________________
7. One way I plan to help others is__________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
8. One area of service in the church that I would like to get
involved with soon is_____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
9. Specific questions I have are:___________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Signed__________________________________ Date_________________
7
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. The greatest need(s) I have in my spiritual life is/are __
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
6
3. During the progress of these studies I have resolved to
begin_____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. The plan of Bible study I would like to increase more and
more is __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. My temptation/weakness is experienced most in_____________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
6. I need the help of fellow Christians in order to begin to_
__________________________________________________________
7. One way I plan to help others is__________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
8. One area of service in the church that I would like to get
involved with soon is_____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
9. Specific questions I have are:___________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Signed__________________________________ Date_________________
7
THE CHRISTIAN
INCREASES ...
IN WORSHIP
IN WORSHIP
1. Acts 20:7: What
two activities are given here as an
example of New Testament worship?_________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. Hebrews 10:19-25: Note the four "let us" admonitions:
Hebrews 10:22_____________________________________________
Hebrews 10:23_____________________________________________
Hebrews 10:24_____________________________________________
Hebrews 10:25_____________________________________________
How do you see these related to one another?______________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Matthew 5:6: How do you see this passage related to
Hebrews 10:19-25?_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Matthew 18:19-20: What relationship do you see between
this scripture and Hebrews 10:19-25?______________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. Luke 4:16: What example of Jesus relates to our worship?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. Psalm 111:9-10; Psalm 29:1-2: From this Old Testament
background, what do you see as the essence of worship?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. What is the significance of prayer as we worship?
Acts 2:42_________________________________________________
Acts 4:22-31______________________________________________
Acts 12:12________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 14:15_______________________________________
I Thessalonians 5:17-18___________________________________
6. Ephesians 5:19-20; Colossians 3:15-27; Hebrews 2:10-12;
Acts 16:25: What does singing accomplish?_________________
__________________________________________________________
What instruments are employed in singing?_________________
Is there New Testament authority for prayer and for sing-
ing?______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
7. Acts 2:42; 20:7; Matthew 28:20; I Timothy 4:1-7; II Timo-
thy 2:1, 15: What role does teaching/preaching as worship
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Hebrews 5:11-14; I Peter 2:1-2; II Peter 3:18; Revelation
22:18-19: Why do we need God's word taught us faithfully
and accurately?___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
8. Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 10:14-17; 11:17-34: What are the
items used in the Lord's Supper?__________________________
__________________________________________________________
What do these items signify?______________________________
__________________________________________________________
What should be our attitude as we partake?________________
__________________________________________________________
9. I Corinthians 16:1-2; II Corinthians 8:1-15; 9:6-15: What
should Christians contribute?_____________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
What blessings attend our giving?_________________________
__________________________________________________________
10. What strength is gained in faithful, regular worship?_____
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
1. Define some terms:
context___________________________________________________
study (vs. read)__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Versions: The most commonly available versions are: King
James Version (1611) KJV; Revised Standard Version
(N.T. 1946; O.T. 1952) RSV; New American Standard
(1960) NAS; New International Version (1978) NIV; New
King James Version (1978) NKJV.
2. Tools to aid Bible study:
a. Bible dictionary—useful for background information
and for insight into customs, etc.
b. Biblical Encyclopedias—useful for more complete
information on subjects and concepts.
c. Concordance: (Some are included in Bibles) Exercise:
Look up grace in concordance and read all passages
listed. Look up faith in concordance and read all pas-
sages listed.
d. Topical indexes and/or Topical bibles.
e. Use and comparison of versions.
f. Commentaries: visit the church library and familiarize
yourself with the study tools there.
3. The arrangement of the New Testament:
a. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John: teach the life and
meaning of Christ.
b. Acts: the coming and development of Christianity on
earth.
c. Romans through Jude: Letters to Christians to guide
them.
d. Revelation: symbolic look to the future glory in
Christ. Read II Timothy 3:14-17; 2:15.
4. Ways to study the Bible:
a. By subjects, i.e., faith, baptism, church, etc., all
passages on one subject consulted.
b. By books: one book of the Bible, verse by verse.
c. By chapters and/or paragraphs.
d. By significant words.
e. Biographies in the Bible.
Each method has advantages and limitations.
5. Note the reason(s) for studying God's word:
Psalm 119:97-105__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Proverbs 1:1-7____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
John 17:17________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Acts 17:11________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Romans 1:16-17____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Romans 10:16-17___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 1:18-25_____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Galatians 1:6-10__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Ephesians 4:14-16_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Philippian 1:9-11_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
I Timothy 6:3-12__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
II Timothy 2:15___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
II Timothy 3:14-17________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
I Peter 2:2-3_____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
II Peter 3:17-18__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
I John 1:1-4______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
II John 9_________________________________________________
Jude 3____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Revelation 22:17-19_______________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. The greatest need(s) I have in my spiritual life is/are___
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. During the process of these studies I have resolved to
begin_____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. The plan of Bible study I would like to follow to increase
more and more is__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. My temptation/weakness is experienced most in_____________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
6. I need the help of fellow Christians in order to begin to_
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
7. One way I plan to help others is__________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
8. One area of service in the church that I would like to get
involved with soon is_____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
9. Specific questions I have are:____________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Signed__________________________________ Date_________________
1. James 1:22; Ephesians 2:10: Why should Christians learn to
do good works?____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. I Peter 2:11-12; Matthew 5:14-16; Acts 10:37-38: What
purpose(s) is/are to motivate our acts/works?_____________
__________________________________________________________
3. Titus 2:11-14; 3:8, 14: What should be our attitude in
doing good for others?____________________________________
4. What specific good works do these scriptures suggest?
Matthew 4:19______________________________________________
II Timothy 2:24-26________________________________________
John 15:8_________________________________________________
I Corinthians 1:3-5_______________________________________
Hebrews 10:24_____________________________________________
II Corinthians 1:3-5______________________________________
Galatians 6:1-2___________________________________________
James 5:19-20_____________________________________________
5. Toward whom do God's children want to show goodness?
Galatians 6:5-10__________________________________________
6. What significance do good works have for us as Christians?
Matthew 25:31-46__________________________________________
Luke 10:29-37_____________________________________________
James 1:17________________________________________________
7. What do these passages suggest to you about good works?
1 Timothy 5:10____________________________________________
Titus 2:2-8_______________________________________________
Acts 20:35________________________________________________
Ephesians 4:28____________________________________________
Hebrews 13:2-3____________________________________________
8. What do you see in these scriptures of good we need to do?
Matthew 28:16-20__________________________________________
Mark 16:15-16_____________________________________________
Luke 24:44-47_____________________________________________
Romans 10:8-17____________________________________________
Matthew 18:15-17__________________________________________
9. I Corinthians 12:12-27: We are not identical. What have
you determined from this study that you can begin to do in
the way of good works?____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
1. What is our basic commitment to our Lord?
Matthew 22:34-40__________________________________________
Matthew 6:25-33___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Colossians 3:1-4__________________________________________
2. What positive idea do you see in these passages?
Matthew 7:12______________________________________________
Matthew 5:16______________________________________________
Romans 12:1-2_____________________________________________
James 4:17________________________________________________
I Peter 2:21______________________________________________
Philippians 1:19-20_______________________________________
3. How do these scriptures relate to our relationships in
life?
Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21____________________________
__________________________________________________________
Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20__________________________
__________________________________________________________
Acts 4:18-20; 5:29________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Romans 13:1-5; I Peter 2:13-17____________________________
__________________________________________________________
I Timothy 2:1-4; Romans 13:6-7____________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. What does the Bible say about our home life?
I Peter 3:1-7_____________________________________________
Hebrews 13:4______________________________________________
Titus 2:3-5_______________________________________________
Colossians 3:18-19________________________________________
Ephesians 5:21-33_________________________________________
Matthew 5:31-32___________________________________________
I Corinthians 7:1-16______________________________________
5. What guidance does God's word give us at our job?
I Thessalonians 4:9-12____________________________________
II Thessalonians 3:10-12__________________________________
Ephesians 6:5-9___________________________________________
Colossians 3:22—4:1_______________________________________
__________________________________________________________
1. Romans 12:1-3: What does this scripture suggest to you
about living for Christ?__________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. When considering our lives, what does the New Testament
say about our bodies?
I Corinthians 6:13-20_____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
I Timothy 4:7-8___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
I Corinthians 3:16-17_____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. What principles guide us in our choice of language?
Matthew 5:33-37___________________________________________
Ephesians 4:25, 29, 54____________________________________
Colossians 4:6____________________________________________
I Timothy 4:12____________________________________________
4. How should we relate to our enemies in life?
Romans 12:14-21___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
1 Peter 2:21-23___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Matthew 5:43-48___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. Christians are called out of, yet live in, the world. What
guidance do these scriptures furnish?
Romans 12:2_______________________________________________
I Peter 2:11-13___________________________________________
II Peter 1:3-11___________________________________________
James 1:12-25_____________________________________________
Galatians 5:19-21_________________________________________
Titus 2:11-14_____________________________________________
Psalm 1:1-2_______________________________________________
Psalm 119:97-105__________________________________________
II Timothy 2:15___________________________________________
II Timothy 3:14-17________________________________________
example of New Testament worship?_________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. Hebrews 10:19-25: Note the four "let us" admonitions:
Hebrews 10:22_____________________________________________
Hebrews 10:23_____________________________________________
Hebrews 10:24_____________________________________________
Hebrews 10:25_____________________________________________
How do you see these related to one another?______________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Matthew 5:6: How do you see this passage related to
Hebrews 10:19-25?_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Matthew 18:19-20: What relationship do you see between
this scripture and Hebrews 10:19-25?______________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. Luke 4:16: What example of Jesus relates to our worship?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. Psalm 111:9-10; Psalm 29:1-2: From this Old Testament
background, what do you see as the essence of worship?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. What is the significance of prayer as we worship?
Acts 2:42_________________________________________________
Acts 4:22-31______________________________________________
Acts 12:12________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 14:15_______________________________________
I Thessalonians 5:17-18___________________________________
6. Ephesians 5:19-20; Colossians 3:15-27; Hebrews 2:10-12;
Acts 16:25: What does singing accomplish?_________________
__________________________________________________________
What instruments are employed in singing?_________________
Is there New Testament authority for prayer and for sing-
ing?______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
8
7. Acts 2:42; 20:7; Matthew 28:20; I Timothy 4:1-7; II Timo-
thy 2:1, 15: What role does teaching/preaching as worship
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Hebrews 5:11-14; I Peter 2:1-2; II Peter 3:18; Revelation
22:18-19: Why do we need God's word taught us faithfully
and accurately?___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
8. Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 10:14-17; 11:17-34: What are the
items used in the Lord's Supper?__________________________
__________________________________________________________
What do these items signify?______________________________
__________________________________________________________
What should be our attitude as we partake?________________
__________________________________________________________
9. I Corinthians 16:1-2; II Corinthians 8:1-15; 9:6-15: What
should Christians contribute?_____________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
What blessings attend our giving?_________________________
__________________________________________________________
10. What strength is gained in faithful, regular worship?_____
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
9
THE CHRISTIAN
INCREASES ...
IN STUDY
IN STUDY
1. Define some terms:
context___________________________________________________
study (vs. read)__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Versions: The most commonly available versions are: King
James Version (1611) KJV; Revised Standard Version
(N.T. 1946; O.T. 1952) RSV; New American Standard
(1960) NAS; New International Version (1978) NIV; New
King James Version (1978) NKJV.
2. Tools to aid Bible study:
a. Bible dictionary—useful for background information
and for insight into customs, etc.
b. Biblical Encyclopedias—useful for more complete
information on subjects and concepts.
c. Concordance: (Some are included in Bibles) Exercise:
Look up grace in concordance and read all passages
listed. Look up faith in concordance and read all pas-
sages listed.
d. Topical indexes and/or Topical bibles.
e. Use and comparison of versions.
f. Commentaries: visit the church library and familiarize
yourself with the study tools there.
3. The arrangement of the New Testament:
a. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John: teach the life and
meaning of Christ.
b. Acts: the coming and development of Christianity on
earth.
c. Romans through Jude: Letters to Christians to guide
them.
d. Revelation: symbolic look to the future glory in
Christ. Read II Timothy 3:14-17; 2:15.
4. Ways to study the Bible:
a. By subjects, i.e., faith, baptism, church, etc., all
passages on one subject consulted.
b. By books: one book of the Bible, verse by verse.
c. By chapters and/or paragraphs.
d. By significant words.
e. Biographies in the Bible.
Each method has advantages and limitations.
10
5. Note the reason(s) for studying God's word:
Psalm 119:97-105__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Proverbs 1:1-7____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
John 17:17________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Acts 17:11________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Romans 1:16-17____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Romans 10:16-17___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 1:18-25_____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Galatians 1:6-10__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Ephesians 4:14-16_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Philippian 1:9-11_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
I Timothy 6:3-12__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
II Timothy 2:15___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
II Timothy 3:14-17________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
I Peter 2:2-3_____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
II Peter 3:17-18__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
I John 1:1-4______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
II John 9_________________________________________________
Jude 3____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Revelation 22:17-19_______________________________________
__________________________________________________________
11
Evaluating My
Increase
1.
I feel my spiritual strength right now is___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. The greatest need(s) I have in my spiritual life is/are___
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. During the process of these studies I have resolved to
begin_____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. The plan of Bible study I would like to follow to increase
more and more is__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. My temptation/weakness is experienced most in_____________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
6. I need the help of fellow Christians in order to begin to_
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
7. One way I plan to help others is__________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
8. One area of service in the church that I would like to get
involved with soon is_____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
9. Specific questions I have are:____________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Signed__________________________________ Date_________________
12
THE CHRISTIAN
INCREASES ...
IN DOING GOOD
IN DOING GOOD
1. James 1:22; Ephesians 2:10: Why should Christians learn to
do good works?____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. I Peter 2:11-12; Matthew 5:14-16; Acts 10:37-38: What
purpose(s) is/are to motivate our acts/works?_____________
__________________________________________________________
3. Titus 2:11-14; 3:8, 14: What should be our attitude in
doing good for others?____________________________________
4. What specific good works do these scriptures suggest?
Matthew 4:19______________________________________________
II Timothy 2:24-26________________________________________
John 15:8_________________________________________________
I Corinthians 1:3-5_______________________________________
Hebrews 10:24_____________________________________________
II Corinthians 1:3-5______________________________________
Galatians 6:1-2___________________________________________
James 5:19-20_____________________________________________
5. Toward whom do God's children want to show goodness?
Galatians 6:5-10__________________________________________
6. What significance do good works have for us as Christians?
Matthew 25:31-46__________________________________________
Luke 10:29-37_____________________________________________
James 1:17________________________________________________
7. What do these passages suggest to you about good works?
1 Timothy 5:10____________________________________________
Titus 2:2-8_______________________________________________
Acts 20:35________________________________________________
Ephesians 4:28____________________________________________
Hebrews 13:2-3____________________________________________
8. What do you see in these scriptures of good we need to do?
Matthew 28:16-20__________________________________________
Mark 16:15-16_____________________________________________
Luke 24:44-47_____________________________________________
Romans 10:8-17____________________________________________
Matthew 18:15-17__________________________________________
9. I Corinthians 12:12-27: We are not identical. What have
you determined from this study that you can begin to do in
the way of good works?____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
13
THE CHRISTIAN
INCREASES ...
IN DAILY LIVING
IN DAILY LIVING
1. What is our basic commitment to our Lord?
Matthew 22:34-40__________________________________________
Matthew 6:25-33___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Colossians 3:1-4__________________________________________
2. What positive idea do you see in these passages?
Matthew 7:12______________________________________________
Matthew 5:16______________________________________________
Romans 12:1-2_____________________________________________
James 4:17________________________________________________
I Peter 2:21______________________________________________
Philippians 1:19-20_______________________________________
3. How do these scriptures relate to our relationships in
life?
Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21____________________________
__________________________________________________________
Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20__________________________
__________________________________________________________
Acts 4:18-20; 5:29________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Romans 13:1-5; I Peter 2:13-17____________________________
__________________________________________________________
I Timothy 2:1-4; Romans 13:6-7____________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. What does the Bible say about our home life?
I Peter 3:1-7_____________________________________________
Hebrews 13:4______________________________________________
Titus 2:3-5_______________________________________________
Colossians 3:18-19________________________________________
Ephesians 5:21-33_________________________________________
Matthew 5:31-32___________________________________________
I Corinthians 7:1-16______________________________________
5. What guidance does God's word give us at our job?
I Thessalonians 4:9-12____________________________________
II Thessalonians 3:10-12__________________________________
Ephesians 6:5-9___________________________________________
Colossians 3:22—4:1_______________________________________
__________________________________________________________
14
THE CHRISTIAN
INCREASES ...
IN SELF-SACRIFICE
IN SELF-SACRIFICE
1. Romans 12:1-3: What does this scripture suggest to you
about living for Christ?__________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. When considering our lives, what does the New Testament
say about our bodies?
I Corinthians 6:13-20_____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
I Timothy 4:7-8___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
I Corinthians 3:16-17_____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. What principles guide us in our choice of language?
Matthew 5:33-37___________________________________________
Ephesians 4:25, 29, 54____________________________________
Colossians 4:6____________________________________________
I Timothy 4:12____________________________________________
4. How should we relate to our enemies in life?
Romans 12:14-21___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
1 Peter 2:21-23___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Matthew 5:43-48___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. Christians are called out of, yet live in, the world. What
guidance do these scriptures furnish?
Romans 12:2_______________________________________________
I Peter 2:11-13___________________________________________
II Peter 1:3-11___________________________________________
James 1:12-25_____________________________________________
Galatians 5:19-21_________________________________________
Titus 2:11-14_____________________________________________
Psalm 1:1-2_______________________________________________
Psalm 119:97-105__________________________________________
II Timothy 2:15___________________________________________
II Timothy 3:14-17________________________________________
15
THE CHRISTIAN
INCREASES ...
IN OVERCOMING TEMPTATION
IN OVERCOMING TEMPTATION
1.
What is God's will for us as revealed in these scriptures?
Matthew 10:22_____________________________________________
Matthew 24:9-23___________________________________________
Revelation 2:10___________________________________________
How would you define enduring and faithful as a Christian?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. I Peter 5:8-11: What is the devil going to do now that we
have decided to follow Christ?____________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. I Corinthians 10:1-13: What great promise is made for us
by our Lord in this passage?______________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Does God remove the promise of temptation to help us
resist it?________________________________________________
What are some escapes He provides for us?_________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. James 1:12-15: We will all be tempted. What is the source/
basis of temptation?______________________________________
Does God tempt us?________________________________________
5. Hebrews 4:14-16: Even Jesus was tempted. Temptation is
not sin; when does it become sin?_________________________
__________________________________________________________
What concept of Jesus is suggested in these verses?_______
__________________________________________________________
6. What can we do to resist temptation to sin?_______________
Colossians 3:2____________________________________________
Galatians 5:24____________________________________________
Romans 12:1_______________________________________________
I Corinthians 15:33_______________________________________
Psalm 101:3_______________________________________________
7. What quality do we need to develop to aid in resisting
temptation?
I Peter 2:21-24___________________________________________
II Peter 1:5-7____________________________________________
I Corinthians 9:24-27_____________________________________
Galatians 5:23____________________________________________
8. Luke 6:22-23; Matthew 5:10-12: We all like to be approved
of by others. How can this be a source of temptation to
sin?______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
9. Acts 8:14-24; I John 1:9: When we as Christians do yield
to temptation to sin, what then should we do?_____________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
If the sin is publicly known and/or if we need help in
overcoming the temptation, what provision is made in James
5:16-18?__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
10. II Peter 2:4-10; 3:3-10: What is God's attitude when we
sin and then seek forgiveness?____________________________
__________________________________________________________
Romans 6:1: Because God is gracious, are we free to sin?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
11. At this point, what do you understand concerning:
a. Our need to resist temptation?________________________
______________________________________________________
b. God's attitude when we do not resist?_________________
______________________________________________________
c. God's help in resisting temptation?___________________
______________________________________________________
d. What we need to do when we sin?_______________________
______________________________________________________
12. What temptations do you feel the weakest in resisting?____
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
13. What will you do to strengthen your resistance to these
temptations?______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
1. It is often said: "Ask what Jesus would do" when a choice
of action is to be made. How do you feel about that sug-
gestion?__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. Hebrews 5:11-14: What stages of Christian growth do you
recognize in this scripture?______________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. What specific sins do these scriptures have listed?
I Corinthians 6:9-10______________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Galatians 5:19-21_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Romans 14:13-16___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Ephesians 4:25-31_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Ephesians 5:3-6___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Colossians 3:5-9__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. In Galatians 5:19-21, it includes things like those
listed. What would you include in the list?
5. What does the Bible say about our conscience in:
Romans 14:23______________________________________________
Acts 24:16; I Timothy 4:1-2_______________________________
I Corinthians 9:19-23_____________________________________
6. I Corinthians 8:1-13: What consideration should Christians
have in mind as they determine right and wrong?___________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
7. I Corinthians 6:12-20; 10:31-33; Romans 12:1-2: How is
my physical body related to determining right and wrong?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
8. What Biblical teaching is seen in each of these scriptures
concerning my mind/thinking?
Proverbs 4:23_____________________________________________
Matthew 15:17-20__________________________________________
Philippians 4:8___________________________________________
9. Ephesians 5:15-16; Matthew 25:14-30: What guidance is
provided as we use our time, money, and possessions?______
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
10. Revelation 21:8; 22:1-5; Matthew 7:13-14, 21-27; Why is it
important to develop our ability to determine right and
wrong?____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
11. What questions do you have concerning right and wrong?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
12. How can we continue to develop our abilities to determine
what is right and what is wrong?
II Timothy 2:15___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
II Timothy 3:14-17________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
I Thessalonians 5:17______________________________________
__________________________________________________________
James 1:5-7_______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
13. What plans are you making for your continued growth in
this aspect of serving Christ?____________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Someone has suggested stages of Christian growth similar to
human physical growth. Let us consider these:
Honeymoon Stage: Happy and joyful in a new
relationship. We also need
to begin planning how to
retain this relationship.
Fight Stage: Old habits, feelings, and
attitudes try to come back
into our life. Time to
learn to resist the evil.
Doubting Stage: Wondering begins about
the meaning of salvation.
A need for more informa-
tion develops. Good Bible
Study habits help.
Panic-Search-for-Truth-Stage: Questions and decisions
arise. Decisions must be
made about right and
wrong. Some uncertainty
and confusion common.
Need Christian friends
and helpers.
Silent Christian Stage Beliefs known but not
shared. Inner calm. Time
to learn how to share
Christ with others.
Do you find yourself in one of these stages. Let's outline
briefly the available help provided by the church:
1. Older Christians—let them know your needs.
2. Small group studies-help Christians grown.
3. Life group meetings-fellowship and encouragement.
4. Bible classes Sundays and Wednesdays--grow in know-
ledge.
5. Worship assemblies--commune and be strengthened in the
faith.
6. Individual counseling--elders ready to help as needed.
7. Special classes--Family, Training to Multiply (evange-
lism), others as announced.
You have begun a new life in Christ. This study has been one
means of aid in your first days. You have grown. You have
made spiritual progress. This needs to continue all the days
of your life. Let's consider the continued growth needed.
1. What are these passages emphasizing?
Ephesians 2:19-22________________________________________
Ephesians 4:14-16________________________________________
II Thessalonian 1:3______________________________________
I Peter 2:2______________________________________________
II Peter 3:18____________________________________________
2. I Corinthians 15:58: Discouragement comes from feeling
useless. How can we avoid this?__________________________
_________________________________________________________
3. Philippians 3:12-16: What is our goal in our growth?
4. Mark 4:1-20: What hindrances are noted by Jesus to the
work of His word in our lives?___________________________
_________________________________________________________
5. What activities can we be involved in to help us grow?
Matthew 4:19_____________________________________________
John 1:40-46_____________________________________________
Galatians 6:10___________________________________________
Matthew 5:13-16__________________________________________
John 15:1-11_____________________________________________
II Corinthians 13:5______________________________________
James 1:26-27____________________________________________
I Thessalonians 5:17_____________________________________
Matthew 10:32-33_________________________________________
Acts 20:18-21____________________________________________
Acts 2:42________________________________________________
Hebrews 10:19-21_________________________________________
James 5:19-20____________________________________________
6. What questions do you have concerning your continued
spiritual progress?______________________________________
7. Share your plans to grow in Christ.______________________
_________________________________________________________
In all probability someone has shared this study guide with you immediately following your decision to die with Jesus Christ in baptism. You have just come forth from the water and all your sins have been forgiven, and there is now a new power at work in your life, the Holy Spirit of God. You were willing to count yourself nothings and now God has raised you up to life on the higher plane.
One of the things a disciple of Jesus learns is that there is much that he or she doesn't know or understand. This should in no way discourage you. It just means that you have a lifetime of growing and developing ahead. It will never become boring. God's love is wide and deep and long and high, and the more we grasp the better it all becomes.
This study guide is designed to help you have some direction each day for the next forty days as you start listening to the voice of God as He speaks to your whole life. Why forty days? That was the length of testing Jesus himself went through following His own baptism. He passed victoriously through that testing because He knew the word of God and each time Satan came, He drove him away by using the very words of Scripture. Satan will make his attack on you. He knows you are young and more vulnerable, but God is with you, and with the weapons of righteousness in your right hand and left, you can defeat anything that would take your new life from you.
Determine right now that you are going to make this a rich and powerful study. Open wide your heart and let God do with you all he wants to do. Make sure that you have a definite time and a definite place reserved each day to study the scriptures so you can keep hearing the word of God. Don't let anything or anyone keep you from this most crucial time.
This week you will study passages in the scriptures that show clearly the problem. The problem is self. Christ calls us to crucify the old self and He promises to raise up a new, different self.
1st Day
1. Before you actually begin your Bible study program, take a
few minutes and write down, in your own words, what your
baptism into Christ meant to you. Why did you do it? What
is it going to mean? If you will keep this in a safe
place it will mean a great deal to you for years to come.
As the years pass, it will serve as a reminder to you of
the serious commitment that you made.
2. Turn to Luke 9:18-16. Read and study this passage several
times.
3. Now turn to Luke 18:28-30 and look at the promise that is
attached to discipleship, indeed to the decision you have
just made.
4. These two passages will become very important as you
share your life in Christ with others. Remember where they
are and what they say. As you continue to go through this
study, remember that everything you learn is something you
will be responsible for passing on to someone else. Don't
skim over it. Learn it as you go.
2nd Day
1. Turn to Romans 6:1-14. Read and study this carefully.
Each time you come to the word we or us substitute your
own name. For example: Romans 6:2: "Certainly not! How
shall John who died to sin live any longer in it?"
2. Write down some of the things about your old self that
caused it to receive the death sentence.
3. Write down some thing about your new self that you really
want to express.
4. How do you specifically plan today to live out verse 13?
3rd Day
1. Before you start today's study, ask yourself a very
important question about everything you have learned. It
is something that you will be responsible for passing on
to someone else. Don't skim over it. Is there anything in
you that does not want to be with other disciples? If so,
you can be sure it is something not of God and must be
crucified. It is your old, independent self; not the new
self God is giving you.
2. Turn to Romans 7:14-24 and read how powerless we are to
live the new life alone. Do you see why we must exalt
Christ? Especially note verse 24.
3. But now go on to Romans 8, where we see how we can do
the impossible. You were told at your baptism that you
would receive the gift of the Spirit. Now study some of
what the spirit means in your life. Read and study verses
1-17, making notes on the thing that strike you. Remember
to continue substituting your own name for the pronouns.
4th Day
1. As you have questions about things that you are studying,
or things that are happening to you, seek out some other
brother or sister in Christ and let them help you. They
have been through many things you will go through. Benefit
from their wisdom and understanding.
2. For this Bible study, you will need both an Old Testament
and a New Testament. If you don't have both, make
arrangements to get them.
3. We are children of God. As His children, we need His
correction and instruction. This is true for every
Christian. How you take correction is going to make a
great difference in your growth in Christ. Turn to
Proverbs 12:1-2. Next look at Proverbs 12:15. Then go to
chapter 10, verse 17.
4. Write down you own attitude toward being corrected.
Distinguish between those things that are left over from
your old self and those things Jesus Christ is putting in
your heart.
5. Go to the New Testament now and read II Timothy 3:16-17,
and answer the question: what is going to be your attitude
toward God's word?
5th Day
1. In your new life, you will find that attitude is imporant.
If you develop a critical, negative, pessimistic attitude,
you will put out the Spirit's fire in your life. Today the
Bible study will focus on the reason you can keep a great
a great attitude even in the worst circumstances.
2. Read and examine each of the following passages: John
16:33; Romans 8:28; Phili8ppians 4:12-13, 19; and James
1:2-4.
3. When these are all put together, what are they promising
you about everything in your life?
4. How does this fit with having a good attitude regardless
of what is happening?
5. List anything tha tis tending to cause you to have a
negative, complaining, pessimistic attitude. Confess these
to another Christian and ask for their prayers and
encouragement.
6th Day
1. By today you have probably realized that you are not doing
all for Christ that you determined to do. You want to love
him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength but you
fail in some specific areas. What you will study today
will be very important in dealing with this for the rest
of your life.
2. Turn to I John 1:5-10. Read it once; carefully.
3. Think of the difference between light and darkness. In
one, things are out in the open. You can see them as they
really are. In the other, things are hidden and covered by
darkness. With this in mind, what does he mean when he
calls us to "walk in the light?" Do you see how this
fits with verse 9 and the call to admit our sins?
4. We all, from the oldest to the youngest in Christ, sin. If
we claim that we don't, we lie (verse 10). How then are we
to handle all this? Do we cover and hide our sin? Or do we
bring them out into the open?
5. Look at the two results of walking out in the light, as
described in verse 7. How will this cause a deeper
fellowship with the brothers and sisters?
6. Remember this trustworthy saying: "Satan's only ground is
darkness. When we confess our sins and bring them out
into the light, we take away from him his only base of
operation."
7th Day
1. As you come to the end of the first week as a committed
follower of Jesus Christ, go back to the most basic idea
in discipleship. Turn to Galatians 2:20.
2. Every time your old nature tries to assert itself, you can
say: "I have been crucified with Christ." Concerning what
things do you especially need to say that today? Write
them down.
3. As you determine what you should do with your day,
remember, "I, ______________ no longer live, but Christ
lives in me." Meditate on this great idea and then
determine to let your life today be used for the very
things that Jesus Christ is most interested in.
4. Focus on Paul's words today: "You are not your own; you
are bought with a price" (I Corinthians 6:19-20). Believe
that--your are not your own, Jesus Christ has purchased
you for his purposes by his death on the cross. Carefully
distinguish between your purposes and his purposes and
live as one who has been bought with such a great price.
8th Day
1. Begin today by reading Matthew 28:18-20, concentrating on
verse 18 and verse 10. What do these two verses say to
you?
2. Jesus Christ, who has all authority, taught us that the
church is important. In Matthew 16:16-18, Jesus hears
Peter confess Him to be the Christ, the Son of God, and
immediately Jesus said, "On this rock I will build My
church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against
it." Jesus saw the church as the center of His plan. He
wanted to build it and He intended to make it so strong
that the forces of Satan could not stand against it. What
Jesus counted as so important, we, too, must count so
important.
3. For a true picture of what the church should be striving
to become every day, look at Acts 2:40-47.
4. What can you do today and the rest of this week to
contribute to this kind of life, the church, among God's
people.
5. If the church of which you are a part is not like this at
all, what should you do? Complain vigorously? Leave the
church and go it alone? Or, is there a better, more
more Biblical option?
9th Day
1. Paul describes the church as the body of Christ. Read
Romans 12:1-8 and see how giving yourself first to God
leads to giving yourself to others in the body of Christ.
2. Notice particularly verse 5, which says: "so we, being
many, are one body in Christ" or "individual members of
one another." How does this conflict with the American
ideal of individualism?
3. List three things that you know already that you can do
for other members of the body of Christ. Share these with
someone close to you and get their reaction.
4. List at least three things that you need from the body of
Christ in order to grow in Christ. Share these with
another person, also.
10th Day
1. Read Ephesians 4:1-5. Why does it seem to you that God is
so concerned about the body of Christ being in unity and
peace?
2. Turn to Romans 14:13--15:3 and read how far we should go
and how much we should bend to keep the body of Christ
together.
3. Is there anything in your life that is so important to you
that you would not give it up even if it were keeping
people from coming to Jesus Christ or growing in Him? If
there is, look back to verse 21, and seek help if dealing
with this area of your life.
11th Day
1. God is greatly concerned about the unity of the church, but He is also greatly concerned about the purity of the
body of Christ. We are called to a holy life and a pure
life, and sin
that is hidden or ignored will destroy the power of
the church.
2. Read Ephesians 5:1-14. List those things which are de-
scribed here as improper for God's holy people.
3. How would living as "children of light" be totally
different from those things you have just listed? What is
the basic difference?
4. You are a young Christian, but what should you do if you
see brothers or sisters falling into some sin? Read
Galatians 6:1-2.
12th Day
1. What is the one thing that must be in the church and in
our relationships above all else? Read the following
passages: John 13:34-35; I Corinthians 13:1-3; Galatians
5:6, 13-14; Ephesians 5:1-2; Colossians 3:14; I Peter 4:8.
2. For a more precise definition of love, compare John 13:34-
35 with I John 3:16. List all the things you can think of
that describe the way Jesus loved us.
3. How are you progressing in your relationships with your
new brothers and sisters in Christ? Are they seeing your
love for them? Many new Christians just want to beloved
and to be served. Break this pattern and reach out to
others, because Jesus has reached out to you.
13th Day
1. One of the things we can all do for one another in the
body is give encouragements. Read a powerful statement
about this in Hebrews 3:12-14.
2. According to this passage, what is to be the specific
purpose of our encouragement? If this is not clear, be
sure to discuss it with a brother or sister in Christ.
3. Look at II Timothy 4:2. Notice we can encourage people by
sharing the word with them; not just complimenting them.
In your new relationships, try to share with someone
every day something that you have found in God's truth
that is inspiring and encouraging to you.
14th Day
1. When problems develop in the body between brothers and
sisters, they must be dealt with so that Satan is given no
opportunity to enter in. Read Matthew 18:15-20, which
gives us the right way to deal with such situations.
2. Determine early in your Christian life that you will not
complain or grumble behind someone's back about what
they have done. Determine that you will always go to them
and resolve the problem with God's help (verse 20).
Matthew 10:22_____________________________________________
Matthew 24:9-23___________________________________________
Revelation 2:10___________________________________________
How would you define enduring and faithful as a Christian?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. I Peter 5:8-11: What is the devil going to do now that we
have decided to follow Christ?____________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. I Corinthians 10:1-13: What great promise is made for us
by our Lord in this passage?______________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Does God remove the promise of temptation to help us
resist it?________________________________________________
What are some escapes He provides for us?_________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. James 1:12-15: We will all be tempted. What is the source/
basis of temptation?______________________________________
Does God tempt us?________________________________________
5. Hebrews 4:14-16: Even Jesus was tempted. Temptation is
not sin; when does it become sin?_________________________
__________________________________________________________
What concept of Jesus is suggested in these verses?_______
__________________________________________________________
6. What can we do to resist temptation to sin?_______________
Colossians 3:2____________________________________________
Galatians 5:24____________________________________________
Romans 12:1_______________________________________________
I Corinthians 15:33_______________________________________
Psalm 101:3_______________________________________________
7. What quality do we need to develop to aid in resisting
temptation?
I Peter 2:21-24___________________________________________
II Peter 1:5-7____________________________________________
I Corinthians 9:24-27_____________________________________
Galatians 5:23____________________________________________
16
8. Luke 6:22-23; Matthew 5:10-12: We all like to be approved
of by others. How can this be a source of temptation to
sin?______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
9. Acts 8:14-24; I John 1:9: When we as Christians do yield
to temptation to sin, what then should we do?_____________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
If the sin is publicly known and/or if we need help in
overcoming the temptation, what provision is made in James
5:16-18?__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
10. II Peter 2:4-10; 3:3-10: What is God's attitude when we
sin and then seek forgiveness?____________________________
__________________________________________________________
Romans 6:1: Because God is gracious, are we free to sin?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
11. At this point, what do you understand concerning:
a. Our need to resist temptation?________________________
______________________________________________________
b. God's attitude when we do not resist?_________________
______________________________________________________
c. God's help in resisting temptation?___________________
______________________________________________________
d. What we need to do when we sin?_______________________
______________________________________________________
12. What temptations do you feel the weakest in resisting?____
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
13. What will you do to strengthen your resistance to these
temptations?______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
17
THE CHRISTIAN
INCREASES ...
IN DETERMINING RIGHT
AND WRONG
1. It is often said: "Ask what Jesus would do" when a choice
of action is to be made. How do you feel about that sug-
gestion?__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. Hebrews 5:11-14: What stages of Christian growth do you
recognize in this scripture?______________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. What specific sins do these scriptures have listed?
I Corinthians 6:9-10______________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Galatians 5:19-21_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Romans 14:13-16___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Ephesians 4:25-31_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Ephesians 5:3-6___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Colossians 3:5-9__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. In Galatians 5:19-21, it includes things like those
listed. What would you include in the list?
5. What does the Bible say about our conscience in:
Romans 14:23______________________________________________
Acts 24:16; I Timothy 4:1-2_______________________________
I Corinthians 9:19-23_____________________________________
6. I Corinthians 8:1-13: What consideration should Christians
have in mind as they determine right and wrong?___________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
7. I Corinthians 6:12-20; 10:31-33; Romans 12:1-2: How is
my physical body related to determining right and wrong?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
8. What Biblical teaching is seen in each of these scriptures
concerning my mind/thinking?
Proverbs 4:23_____________________________________________
Matthew 15:17-20__________________________________________
Philippians 4:8___________________________________________
18
9. Ephesians 5:15-16; Matthew 25:14-30: What guidance is
provided as we use our time, money, and possessions?______
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
10. Revelation 21:8; 22:1-5; Matthew 7:13-14, 21-27; Why is it
important to develop our ability to determine right and
wrong?____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
11. What questions do you have concerning right and wrong?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
12. How can we continue to develop our abilities to determine
what is right and what is wrong?
II Timothy 2:15___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
II Timothy 3:14-17________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
I Thessalonians 5:17______________________________________
__________________________________________________________
James 1:5-7_______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
13. What plans are you making for your continued growth in
this aspect of serving Christ?____________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
19
THE CHRISTIAN
INCREASES ...
IN CONTINUAL
SPIRITUAL PROGRESS
Someone has suggested stages of Christian growth similar to
human physical growth. Let us consider these:
Honeymoon Stage: Happy and joyful in a new
relationship. We also need
to begin planning how to
retain this relationship.
Fight Stage: Old habits, feelings, and
attitudes try to come back
into our life. Time to
learn to resist the evil.
Doubting Stage: Wondering begins about
the meaning of salvation.
A need for more informa-
tion develops. Good Bible
Study habits help.
Panic-Search-for-Truth-Stage: Questions and decisions
arise. Decisions must be
made about right and
wrong. Some uncertainty
and confusion common.
Need Christian friends
and helpers.
Silent Christian Stage Beliefs known but not
shared. Inner calm. Time
to learn how to share
Christ with others.
Do you find yourself in one of these stages. Let's outline
briefly the available help provided by the church:
1. Older Christians—let them know your needs.
2. Small group studies-help Christians grown.
3. Life group meetings-fellowship and encouragement.
4. Bible classes Sundays and Wednesdays--grow in know-
ledge.
20
5. Worship assemblies--commune and be strengthened in the
faith.
6. Individual counseling--elders ready to help as needed.
7. Special classes--Family, Training to Multiply (evange-
lism), others as announced.
You have begun a new life in Christ. This study has been one
means of aid in your first days. You have grown. You have
made spiritual progress. This needs to continue all the days
of your life. Let's consider the continued growth needed.
1. What are these passages emphasizing?
Ephesians 2:19-22________________________________________
Ephesians 4:14-16________________________________________
II Thessalonian 1:3______________________________________
I Peter 2:2______________________________________________
II Peter 3:18____________________________________________
2. I Corinthians 15:58: Discouragement comes from feeling
useless. How can we avoid this?__________________________
_________________________________________________________
3. Philippians 3:12-16: What is our goal in our growth?
4. Mark 4:1-20: What hindrances are noted by Jesus to the
work of His word in our lives?___________________________
_________________________________________________________
5. What activities can we be involved in to help us grow?
Matthew 4:19_____________________________________________
John 1:40-46_____________________________________________
Galatians 6:10___________________________________________
Matthew 5:13-16__________________________________________
John 15:1-11_____________________________________________
II Corinthians 13:5______________________________________
James 1:26-27____________________________________________
I Thessalonians 5:17_____________________________________
Matthew 10:32-33_________________________________________
Acts 20:18-21____________________________________________
Acts 2:42________________________________________________
Hebrews 10:19-21_________________________________________
James 5:19-20____________________________________________
6. What questions do you have concerning your continued
spiritual progress?______________________________________
7. Share your plans to grow in Christ.______________________
_________________________________________________________
21
THE CHRISTIAN
INCREASES ...
YOUR FIRST FORTY
DAYS IN CHRIST
In all probability someone has shared this study guide with you immediately following your decision to die with Jesus Christ in baptism. You have just come forth from the water and all your sins have been forgiven, and there is now a new power at work in your life, the Holy Spirit of God. You were willing to count yourself nothings and now God has raised you up to life on the higher plane.
One of the things a disciple of Jesus learns is that there is much that he or she doesn't know or understand. This should in no way discourage you. It just means that you have a lifetime of growing and developing ahead. It will never become boring. God's love is wide and deep and long and high, and the more we grasp the better it all becomes.
This study guide is designed to help you have some direction each day for the next forty days as you start listening to the voice of God as He speaks to your whole life. Why forty days? That was the length of testing Jesus himself went through following His own baptism. He passed victoriously through that testing because He knew the word of God and each time Satan came, He drove him away by using the very words of Scripture. Satan will make his attack on you. He knows you are young and more vulnerable, but God is with you, and with the weapons of righteousness in your right hand and left, you can defeat anything that would take your new life from you.
Determine right now that you are going to make this a rich and powerful study. Open wide your heart and let God do with you all he wants to do. Make sure that you have a definite time and a definite place reserved each day to study the scriptures so you can keep hearing the word of God. Don't let anything or anyone keep you from this most crucial time.
22
THE CHRISTIAN
INCREASES ...
WEEK ONE - "Dead to
self-Alive to Christ"
This week you will study passages in the scriptures that show clearly the problem. The problem is self. Christ calls us to crucify the old self and He promises to raise up a new, different self.
1st Day
1. Before you actually begin your Bible study program, take a
few minutes and write down, in your own words, what your
baptism into Christ meant to you. Why did you do it? What
is it going to mean? If you will keep this in a safe
place it will mean a great deal to you for years to come.
As the years pass, it will serve as a reminder to you of
the serious commitment that you made.
2. Turn to Luke 9:18-16. Read and study this passage several
times.
3. Now turn to Luke 18:28-30 and look at the promise that is
attached to discipleship, indeed to the decision you have
just made.
4. These two passages will become very important as you
share your life in Christ with others. Remember where they
are and what they say. As you continue to go through this
study, remember that everything you learn is something you
will be responsible for passing on to someone else. Don't
skim over it. Learn it as you go.
2nd Day
1. Turn to Romans 6:1-14. Read and study this carefully.
Each time you come to the word we or us substitute your
own name. For example: Romans 6:2: "Certainly not! How
shall John who died to sin live any longer in it?"
2. Write down some of the things about your old self that
caused it to receive the death sentence.
3. Write down some thing about your new self that you really
want to express.
4. How do you specifically plan today to live out verse 13?
23
3rd Day
1. Before you start today's study, ask yourself a very
important question about everything you have learned. It
is something that you will be responsible for passing on
to someone else. Don't skim over it. Is there anything in
you that does not want to be with other disciples? If so,
you can be sure it is something not of God and must be
crucified. It is your old, independent self; not the new
self God is giving you.
2. Turn to Romans 7:14-24 and read how powerless we are to
live the new life alone. Do you see why we must exalt
Christ? Especially note verse 24.
3. But now go on to Romans 8, where we see how we can do
the impossible. You were told at your baptism that you
would receive the gift of the Spirit. Now study some of
what the spirit means in your life. Read and study verses
1-17, making notes on the thing that strike you. Remember
to continue substituting your own name for the pronouns.
4th Day
1. As you have questions about things that you are studying,
or things that are happening to you, seek out some other
brother or sister in Christ and let them help you. They
have been through many things you will go through. Benefit
from their wisdom and understanding.
2. For this Bible study, you will need both an Old Testament
and a New Testament. If you don't have both, make
arrangements to get them.
3. We are children of God. As His children, we need His
correction and instruction. This is true for every
Christian. How you take correction is going to make a
great difference in your growth in Christ. Turn to
Proverbs 12:1-2. Next look at Proverbs 12:15. Then go to
chapter 10, verse 17.
4. Write down you own attitude toward being corrected.
Distinguish between those things that are left over from
your old self and those things Jesus Christ is putting in
your heart.
5. Go to the New Testament now and read II Timothy 3:16-17,
and answer the question: what is going to be your attitude
toward God's word?
24
5th Day
1. In your new life, you will find that attitude is imporant.
If you develop a critical, negative, pessimistic attitude,
you will put out the Spirit's fire in your life. Today the
Bible study will focus on the reason you can keep a great
a great attitude even in the worst circumstances.
2. Read and examine each of the following passages: John
16:33; Romans 8:28; Phili8ppians 4:12-13, 19; and James
1:2-4.
3. When these are all put together, what are they promising
you about everything in your life?
4. How does this fit with having a good attitude regardless
of what is happening?
5. List anything tha tis tending to cause you to have a
negative, complaining, pessimistic attitude. Confess these
to another Christian and ask for their prayers and
encouragement.
6th Day
1. By today you have probably realized that you are not doing
all for Christ that you determined to do. You want to love
him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength but you
fail in some specific areas. What you will study today
will be very important in dealing with this for the rest
of your life.
2. Turn to I John 1:5-10. Read it once; carefully.
3. Think of the difference between light and darkness. In
one, things are out in the open. You can see them as they
really are. In the other, things are hidden and covered by
darkness. With this in mind, what does he mean when he
calls us to "walk in the light?" Do you see how this
fits with verse 9 and the call to admit our sins?
4. We all, from the oldest to the youngest in Christ, sin. If
we claim that we don't, we lie (verse 10). How then are we
to handle all this? Do we cover and hide our sin? Or do we
bring them out into the open?
5. Look at the two results of walking out in the light, as
described in verse 7. How will this cause a deeper
fellowship with the brothers and sisters?
6. Remember this trustworthy saying: "Satan's only ground is
darkness. When we confess our sins and bring them out
into the light, we take away from him his only base of
operation."
25
7th Day
1. As you come to the end of the first week as a committed
follower of Jesus Christ, go back to the most basic idea
in discipleship. Turn to Galatians 2:20.
2. Every time your old nature tries to assert itself, you can
say: "I have been crucified with Christ." Concerning what
things do you especially need to say that today? Write
them down.
3. As you determine what you should do with your day,
remember, "I, ______________ no longer live, but Christ
lives in me." Meditate on this great idea and then
determine to let your life today be used for the very
things that Jesus Christ is most interested in.
4. Focus on Paul's words today: "You are not your own; you
are bought with a price" (I Corinthians 6:19-20). Believe
that--your are not your own, Jesus Christ has purchased
you for his purposes by his death on the cross. Carefully
distinguish between your purposes and his purposes and
live as one who has been bought with such a great price.
WEEK TWO - "No Life
Outside The Body"
8th Day
1. Begin today by reading Matthew 28:18-20, concentrating on
verse 18 and verse 10. What do these two verses say to
you?
2. Jesus Christ, who has all authority, taught us that the
church is important. In Matthew 16:16-18, Jesus hears
Peter confess Him to be the Christ, the Son of God, and
immediately Jesus said, "On this rock I will build My
church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against
it." Jesus saw the church as the center of His plan. He
wanted to build it and He intended to make it so strong
that the forces of Satan could not stand against it. What
Jesus counted as so important, we, too, must count so
important.
3. For a true picture of what the church should be striving
to become every day, look at Acts 2:40-47.
26
4. What can you do today and the rest of this week to
contribute to this kind of life, the church, among God's
people.
5. If the church of which you are a part is not like this at
all, what should you do? Complain vigorously? Leave the
church and go it alone? Or, is there a better, more
more Biblical option?
9th Day
1. Paul describes the church as the body of Christ. Read
Romans 12:1-8 and see how giving yourself first to God
leads to giving yourself to others in the body of Christ.
2. Notice particularly verse 5, which says: "so we, being
many, are one body in Christ" or "individual members of
one another." How does this conflict with the American
ideal of individualism?
3. List three things that you know already that you can do
for other members of the body of Christ. Share these with
someone close to you and get their reaction.
4. List at least three things that you need from the body of
Christ in order to grow in Christ. Share these with
another person, also.
10th Day
1. Read Ephesians 4:1-5. Why does it seem to you that God is
so concerned about the body of Christ being in unity and
peace?
2. Turn to Romans 14:13--15:3 and read how far we should go
and how much we should bend to keep the body of Christ
together.
3. Is there anything in your life that is so important to you
that you would not give it up even if it were keeping
people from coming to Jesus Christ or growing in Him? If
there is, look back to verse 21, and seek help if dealing
with this area of your life.
11th Day
1. God is greatly concerned about the unity of the church, but He is also greatly concerned about the purity of the
body of Christ. We are called to a holy life and a pure
life, and sin
27
that is hidden or ignored will destroy the power of
the church.
2. Read Ephesians 5:1-14. List those things which are de-
scribed here as improper for God's holy people.
3. How would living as "children of light" be totally
different from those things you have just listed? What is
the basic difference?
4. You are a young Christian, but what should you do if you
see brothers or sisters falling into some sin? Read
Galatians 6:1-2.
12th Day
1. What is the one thing that must be in the church and in
our relationships above all else? Read the following
passages: John 13:34-35; I Corinthians 13:1-3; Galatians
5:6, 13-14; Ephesians 5:1-2; Colossians 3:14; I Peter 4:8.
2. For a more precise definition of love, compare John 13:34-
35 with I John 3:16. List all the things you can think of
that describe the way Jesus loved us.
3. How are you progressing in your relationships with your
new brothers and sisters in Christ? Are they seeing your
love for them? Many new Christians just want to beloved
and to be served. Break this pattern and reach out to
others, because Jesus has reached out to you.
13th Day
1. One of the things we can all do for one another in the
body is give encouragements. Read a powerful statement
about this in Hebrews 3:12-14.
2. According to this passage, what is to be the specific
purpose of our encouragement? If this is not clear, be
sure to discuss it with a brother or sister in Christ.
3. Look at II Timothy 4:2. Notice we can encourage people by
sharing the word with them; not just complimenting them.
In your new relationships, try to share with someone
every day something that you have found in God's truth
that is inspiring and encouraging to you.
14th Day
1. When problems develop in the body between brothers and
sisters, they must be dealt with so that Satan is given no
28
opportunity to enter in. Read Matthew 18:15-20, which
gives us the right way to deal with such situations.
2. Determine early in your Christian life that you will not
complain or grumble behind someone's back about what
they have done. Determine that you will always go to them
and resolve the problem with God's help (verse 20).
WEEK THREE - "Go
Make Disciples
This
week we cant to look at how God plans to use you to
bring others to freedom from sin that you have found in
Christ. First, we will consider how important your own life
is in sharing with others.
15th Day
To be a disciple is to come under the discipline of Jesus
Christ. To be a disciple is to let Jesus Christ be Lord in
all the areas of your life. Examine carefully the follow-
ing items and make sure that you are opening up and work-
ing on those that are applicable to you.
Financial Status--Are you using money wisely? Are you
taking care of debts? Are you giving generously to the
church? Is all your money God's money?
Sexuality--Are you completely free of any immoral
relationships? Are you opening up your struggles to others
who can help and encourage you? Are you strongly rejecting
the world's attitude toward sex and replacing it with
God's attitude? This area is a real stumbling block for
many young Christians. Don't dismiss it lightly.
Time Management--Are you eliminating wasted time from your
schedule? Do you have definite plans at the beginning of
each day? Have you shared your schedule with someone else
to get their opinion and input? Read I Thessaloninans 4:
1-12 for Bibleical encouragement in all these areas.
16th Day
1. Turn to I Peter 3:13-17 (especially note verse 15 and 16).
2. What is involved in each of these statements?
a. "In your hearts acknowledge Christ as the Holy Lord."
b. "Always be prepared to give an answer."
c. "With kindness and respect"
d. "Keeping a clear conscience."
3. Who are the people around you? Write down their names. The
need to hear the answer about Christ as Lord in the
spirit of the passage you have just read.
17th Day
1. The last words a person speaks usually tell us a lot about
the major things on their heart. Turn to Matthew 28:18-20
and read again the final commission of Jesus before He
left this world.
2. What does it mean to you that "all authority has been
given" to Jesus Christ? What does it mean that he has all
authority over you?
3. What the implications for you life in his statement to
"make desciples?"
4. Look back over the list of people you wrote down
yesterday. Begin praying for them specifically that you
may share with them the message that Jesus has given you.
18th Day
1. Start today with Colossians 4:2-6.
2. List all the things you find here that relate to sharing
your faith with someone.
3. What does it mean to "Make the most of every oppor-
tunity?" How have you used the opportunities of this week?
What can you do to use them more for the Lord?
19th Day
1. We tend to think that certain situations are not good ones
for sharing the gospel. Most of us would find being in
prison and in chains a terrible circumstance for
evangelism. Read Acts 16:22-34.
2. To see that this is no fluke, turn next to Philippians
1:12-14 and listen to what Paul has to say while writing
from another prison. This one probably in Rome where he
was chained to a guard.
3. What situations are you in right now? Write down why
these situations make sharing the gospel difficult.
Having done this, give all these excuses up to the Lord
and claim the fact that He is able to work powerfully in
all circumstances. Turn over to Philippians 4:4-6 for
encouragement.
20th Day
1. To make disciples, we need boldness and courage. In
ourselves we don't have what it takes. The Holy Spirit
will fill us with the boldness we need. Read Acts 4:
8-13, noting especially verse 13.
2. Also notice the message we must proclaim. It is found in
verse 12. Don't ever water down this message. He is the
only one who can change lives.
3. Read II Timothy 1:7. When you find yourself being timid,
you can be sure that it is yourself. It doesn't come from
Him. The self must be denied and we must give God's
Spirit the freedom to fill us with power, love, and
control. There are many statements in the Scripture
concerning courage and boldness. Keep studying and never
be satisfied with timidity and fear.
21st Day
1. True evangelism aims at bringing a person into the body of
Christ. As you share with people, make every effort to
introduce them to the members of the body where you are.
Experience shows that this is a powerful tool in teaching
people.
2. Look at Acts 2:42-47. This is to be the spirit found in
our fellowship and, when outsiders come in, they will be
convinced that something is missing in their lives.
3. You have now been a Christian for three weeks. You can be
having an impact on others for Jesus Christ by now. If
this is not happening, or if you see that it could be
happening much more, et with a brother or a sister and
share what is going on. Let them encourage and help you.
WEEK FOUR - "The Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit"
During this week of the study we will look at the God we
worship and the way He expresses Himself in the Father, the
Son, and the Spirit.
22nd Day
1. Turn to Mark 14:32-36. Notice the word Jesus uses for
God. It is the Aramaic word Abba. It was an intimate word
and no Jew ever used it before Jesus to describe God. Look
at Romans 8:15-17 and Galatians 4:6. Do you see the kind
of God we have and how we can approach Him?
2. Look at Matthew 7:7-12. What does this say specifically
about God's concern for you today? What things are you
concerned about? What does God feel for you?
23rd Day
1. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Our whole faith is built
on the fact that He came into this world from His own
special place, and put down His life for us. What does
that tell you about such a one?
2. Read John 1:1-18. According to this passage, what do we
find in Jesus Christ? What does it all mean to your
personal life that He is this way?
3. Look closely at what He went through for you. Take the
Old Testament and read Isaiah 53 and see the statement
made about Him even before He appeared on earth.
24th Day
1. When you were baptized into Jesus Christ, you received the
gift of the Holy Spirit. Today and tomorrow, we want to
look at some of the ministries of the Holy Spirit in your
life.
2. Turn to John 16:5-15 and read carefully, looking for
teaching about the work of the Holy Spirit.
3. The work of the Holy Spirit involves convicting of sin,
righteousness, and judgment. How would you relate the
passage to the ideas found in Ephesians 6:17; II Timothy
3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12-13; I Corinthians 3:16 and 6:17-20?
25th Day
1. Continuing to look at the work of the Holy Spirit, turn to
Romans 8 and read verses 1-17.
2. Focus on verses 9-11. What kind of promise is made to you
here? Write down some ways you can see this practically
affecting your life.
3. In our lives we have been enslaved to various passions and
desires. On our own we have found that we had no real
power to break free from these desires. Notice the message
of verse 12 and 13. How do we put to death the misdeeds of
the body?
4. Notice in verses 14 and 17, how the Spirit of God in us
brings us into intimate relationship with God.
26th Day
1. It is important to learn all you can about Jesus Christ
because of what the following scriptures teach: II
Corinthians 3:18 and Romans 8:29. What do these passages
teach about our relationship to Jesus Christ?
2. Look at I John 3:1-3. What the hope referred to in verse
3?
3. List at least three things that are found in Jesus Christ
that you want to work on in your life.
4. How would you respond to someone who might say: "Trying to
be like Jesus is an impossible dream. It can only
frustrate you."
27th Day
1. Look at the picture of Jesus Christ found in Hebrews 4:14-
16.
2. Write down what each of these statements means to your
life:
a. Jesus is the great High Priest who has gone into
heaven.
b. Jesus is able to understand and relate to our
weaknesses since He was tempted in every way like us,
yet without sin.
d. Because of Jesus, we can approach God's throne, a
throne of grace, with confidence.
3. How does this understanding of Jesus Christ affect you
right now? Write down the way it changes your attitude.
28th Day
1. There may be some things that will happen to you to make
you wonder if God is for you or against you. Read Romans
8:31-39 to see the kind of God you worship.
2. Go back to verse 28 for still another promise.
3. Paul lists in the first passage a number of things that
might seem to cut us off from the love of God. What are
some things in your life that are difficult or
threatening? Write out verse 37 just as Paul says it and
then write verse 38 substituting the things in your life
that might interfere with your relationship with God.
4. What role do you play in gaining this victory?
This week you will study one of the keys to the Christian
life. It is totally opposed to worldly wisdom, but it is
something we see perfectly in Jesus, and He wants to see it in
us. It is the principle of submission.
29th Day
1. Already you have studied passages that tell you who really
has all authority today. It is Jesus Christ, but God has
set up certain orders in society. The purpose: (1)
maintain order and (2) teach us to be submissive and
obedient in spirit so we can ultimately and basically
submit to and obey Jesus Christ.
2. To follow Jesus Christ, one must have an obedient spirit.
One must be willing to submit to another's authority. Read
I Peter 1:2, 14. What kind of children does God want?
3. Read Ephesians 2:1-2 to determine what kind of spirit God
is opposed to.
4. Look at Hebrews 5:7-9 for an important statement about
Jesus Christ who is our example in all attitudes. What did
He learn? How was it learned? What does God want us to
learn? How will it be learned?
30th Day
1. Return to I Peter where we learned yesterday that God
wants obedient children. Now look at I Peter 2:11-17.
2. Our old self with its sinful desires (described in verse
11) does not want to obey. It doesn't like to be told what
to do. That is why Jesus says, "Deny yourself." We must be
willing to cooperate with God's plan.
3. Notice in verse 13 why you submit to every ordinance
[authority].
4. List all the authorities that you can think of that are in
your life; meaning, all the people that are in some role
where they can tell you what to do, or strongly expect you
to do what they ask. What is your attitude toward these
authorities?
31st Day
1. The question is often asked, "Do I have to submit to these
authorities in my life even when they are wrong?" What do
you think the mind of Christ would say here?
2. Continue the passage you started yesterday, Read I Peter
2:18-23. What does it contribute to the question raised
above?
3. What we are being told here and in Ephesians 5 and 6 and
Colossians 3 is that we should have a submissive and
obedient attitude at all times. We should be ready to obey
obey those that God has put over us. However, there will
come times when we cannot obey. See Acts 4:18-20 for a
clear example. Study this carefully. When a command of
some man or woman constitutes a clear violation of
scripture, then we cannot obey that person; but we should
not then take on a rebellious attitude. We should lovingly
and with respect for their authority decline to submit in
that area.
32nd Day
1. In the body of Christ, God has placed certain men over
you. First, there are the elders or overseers in the body,
and then those who have been given special authority by
the elders. Look at what Hebrews 13:17 says about your
responsibility to these men.
2. Do you know the names of the elders and other leaders who
are working to lead and guide you? How can you
specifically make their work a joy and not a burden?
3. Does this passage say that we have to agree with
everything a leader does before we can submit to him and
and obey him?
4. Make use that all of your relationships with all of your
leaders are good ones. If there is any anger or resentment
or hurt in you toward any one of them, don't put off
sitting down with the leader and opening up your heart. If
you see others in the body developing rebellious and
disobedient attitudes, go to them and encourage them to
deal with that.
33rd Day
1. Go to Ephesians 5:21 and start reading, and go through
chapter 6 verse 4. Regardless of who you are, you are more
likely in some kind of family relationship. In these
relationships, you can show the love of God ... the kind
of love that is willing to lay down its life for others in
the family.
2. If your spouse, parents, or children have not been seeing
in you the things described in Ephesians 5 and 6, then a
confession to them could open up many new possibilities in
your ministry to them.
3. Remember, you ultimate concern is that your family
members come to know the living God through you life in
a deeper and deeper way.
34th Day
1. Turn to and read Romans 13.
2. List as many clear teachings in this passage as you find.
3. Is there anything wrong with a bitter, complaining
attitude about the government one lives under?
4. When must a Christian say no to government? In what way
should he say no?
35th Day
1. One of the great texts in the New Testament is Philippians
2:1-11. Read this carefully, looking for the deeper
teaching about the power of submission.
2. In what ways can you empty yourself? (This is literally
translated in some versions: made himself to be nothing.)
3. In what specific ways can you, this week, take the form of
a servant to others who are lost?
4. What happens to those who submit? What does God do?
36th Day
1. You are well over a month into your life as a follower of
Jesus Christ. If you have been serious about it, this
month is one in which you have faced many things about
yourself that need changing. It also is one filled with
joy because you know that God is for you and Jesus Christ
is with you to help you become like Him.
2. Look at Paul's word about joy in Philippians 4:4-6. How
often does it say we should rejoice? Compare this with I
Thessalonians 5:16-18. When should we rejoice? Be
thankful?
3. If you have been guilty of complaining or being negative
about your life, see out another disciple and let him/her
know that you are sorry because you have all the reason in
the universe for joy.
37th Day
1. The image of soldier or warfare is often used in the New
Testament. The reason is: we are at war. The ways of God
and the ways of men influence by Satan are totally
opposed. Our culture is constantly bombarding us with its
message of how to find life, but God's message is totally
different. One cannot survive in warfare unless he is
equipped and knows how to do battle. For the rest of this
week, we will look at this matter.
2. Start with Ephesians 6:10-18. There is enough here for
several days of study and we will take a little at a time.
3. First of all, in warfare we need to clearly identify the
enemy. Verse 11 makes that identification very clear to
us. Who is the enemy? What are some of the schemes you
can see him working in your life to take you out of the
light of God?
4. Please realize now and always that your boss, your
parents, your husband, your wife, are not your enemy.
Flesh and blood people are not enemies, and any time we
identify them as enemies we fall into Satan's scheme and
begin shooting at the wrong person. List some times
recently when you may have done this or come close to
doing it.
5. Set your mind against the real forces of darkness that
Satan commands. Pray for strength and for God's mighty
power to overcome it.
38th Day
1. Read Ephesians 6:10-18 again.
2. Satan's power is described in real terms and you will be
vulnerable to him if you are not aware of his power. But
why is it true that we do not have to be fearful of this
warfare?
3. We don't have to be fearful, but we do have to put on the
full armor of God. Without the protection adn the
spiritual weapons He supplies, we will be overcome. Let's
look at them one at a time:
a. The belt of truth--where do you find truth
(John 17:17)?
b. The breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14;
Philippians 3:8-9).
c. The gospel of peace (Ephesians 2:14-18).
d. The shield of faith--how does it put out the fiery
darts of Satan?
e. The helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17; Romans
8:1-2).
f. The sword of the Spirit which is the word of God
(Hebrews 4:12).
g. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions. How has your
prayer life developed?
4. You now know what the armor of God looks like, but please
realize that like any good soldier, you will have to put
is on anew each day. One of Satan's schemes is to make you
believe once will do for all time. Every day you need to
be in God's truth, reaffirming the gospel, reclaiming your
righteousness and salvation in Christ, restating your
confident in prayer and in the God who answers prayers.
39th Day
1. Begin today with II Timothy 2:1-7.
2. Focus in especially on verses 3 and 4. Becoming a
Christian is not like going on a picnic. It is like
joiningg an army, taking up weapons, receiving training, and then going into battle. If you are really walking with
Jesus Christ and waging His warfare, you will experience
hardship. Look at II Timothy 3:12. What does this promise
say? What are we assured of?
3. Returning to II Timothy 2:4, we see that the warfare is
going to be so serious and so intense that the Christian
soldier must not get involved in civilian affairs. There
are a lot of things to do in the world that are not wrong.
But they are wrong for us if they take away from the front
lines and from fighting the good fight. Are there some
things in your lift that need to be given up because they
require involvement in civilian affairs?
40th Day
1. Your study guide ends today, but may your study never end.
Your are on your way to things too glorious and enriching
to even describe. Never, never, never, never, never give
up!
2. Read carefully the call of these passages: 1 Peter 2:1-2;
Hebrews 5:11--6:3; Colossians 2:6-10.
3. Keep studying, keep confessing your sins, keep encouraging
others, keep sharing your faith, "and whatever you do in
word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Prayer: "Father, thank you for taking our broken lives and
making something beautiful out of us. May we always put our-
selves in Your hands to be molded and shaped by You. Use our
very lives to draw many people into the kingdom of Your Son,
Jesus Christ.
bring others to freedom from sin that you have found in
Christ. First, we will consider how important your own life
is in sharing with others.
15th Day
To be a disciple is to come under the discipline of Jesus
Christ. To be a disciple is to let Jesus Christ be Lord in
all the areas of your life. Examine carefully the follow-
ing items and make sure that you are opening up and work-
ing on those that are applicable to you.
Financial Status--Are you using money wisely? Are you
taking care of debts? Are you giving generously to the
church? Is all your money God's money?
Sexuality--Are you completely free of any immoral
relationships? Are you opening up your struggles to others
who can help and encourage you? Are you strongly rejecting
the world's attitude toward sex and replacing it with
God's attitude? This area is a real stumbling block for
many young Christians. Don't dismiss it lightly.
Time Management--Are you eliminating wasted time from your
schedule? Do you have definite plans at the beginning of
each day? Have you shared your schedule with someone else
to get their opinion and input? Read I Thessaloninans 4:
1-12 for Bibleical encouragement in all these areas.
29
16th Day
1. Turn to I Peter 3:13-17 (especially note verse 15 and 16).
2. What is involved in each of these statements?
a. "In your hearts acknowledge Christ as the Holy Lord."
b. "Always be prepared to give an answer."
c. "With kindness and respect"
d. "Keeping a clear conscience."
3. Who are the people around you? Write down their names. The
need to hear the answer about Christ as Lord in the
spirit of the passage you have just read.
17th Day
1. The last words a person speaks usually tell us a lot about
the major things on their heart. Turn to Matthew 28:18-20
and read again the final commission of Jesus before He
left this world.
2. What does it mean to you that "all authority has been
given" to Jesus Christ? What does it mean that he has all
authority over you?
3. What the implications for you life in his statement to
"make desciples?"
4. Look back over the list of people you wrote down
yesterday. Begin praying for them specifically that you
may share with them the message that Jesus has given you.
18th Day
1. Start today with Colossians 4:2-6.
2. List all the things you find here that relate to sharing
your faith with someone.
3. What does it mean to "Make the most of every oppor-
tunity?" How have you used the opportunities of this week?
What can you do to use them more for the Lord?
19th Day
1. We tend to think that certain situations are not good ones
for sharing the gospel. Most of us would find being in
prison and in chains a terrible circumstance for
evangelism. Read Acts 16:22-34.
30
2. To see that this is no fluke, turn next to Philippians
1:12-14 and listen to what Paul has to say while writing
from another prison. This one probably in Rome where he
was chained to a guard.
3. What situations are you in right now? Write down why
these situations make sharing the gospel difficult.
Having done this, give all these excuses up to the Lord
and claim the fact that He is able to work powerfully in
all circumstances. Turn over to Philippians 4:4-6 for
encouragement.
20th Day
1. To make disciples, we need boldness and courage. In
ourselves we don't have what it takes. The Holy Spirit
will fill us with the boldness we need. Read Acts 4:
8-13, noting especially verse 13.
2. Also notice the message we must proclaim. It is found in
verse 12. Don't ever water down this message. He is the
only one who can change lives.
3. Read II Timothy 1:7. When you find yourself being timid,
you can be sure that it is yourself. It doesn't come from
Him. The self must be denied and we must give God's
Spirit the freedom to fill us with power, love, and
control. There are many statements in the Scripture
concerning courage and boldness. Keep studying and never
be satisfied with timidity and fear.
21st Day
1. True evangelism aims at bringing a person into the body of
Christ. As you share with people, make every effort to
introduce them to the members of the body where you are.
Experience shows that this is a powerful tool in teaching
people.
2. Look at Acts 2:42-47. This is to be the spirit found in
our fellowship and, when outsiders come in, they will be
convinced that something is missing in their lives.
3. You have now been a Christian for three weeks. You can be
having an impact on others for Jesus Christ by now. If
this is not happening, or if you see that it could be
happening much more, et with a brother or a sister and
share what is going on. Let them encourage and help you.
31
WEEK FOUR - "The Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit"
During this week of the study we will look at the God we
worship and the way He expresses Himself in the Father, the
Son, and the Spirit.
22nd Day
1. Turn to Mark 14:32-36. Notice the word Jesus uses for
God. It is the Aramaic word Abba. It was an intimate word
and no Jew ever used it before Jesus to describe God. Look
at Romans 8:15-17 and Galatians 4:6. Do you see the kind
of God we have and how we can approach Him?
2. Look at Matthew 7:7-12. What does this say specifically
about God's concern for you today? What things are you
concerned about? What does God feel for you?
23rd Day
1. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Our whole faith is built
on the fact that He came into this world from His own
special place, and put down His life for us. What does
that tell you about such a one?
2. Read John 1:1-18. According to this passage, what do we
find in Jesus Christ? What does it all mean to your
personal life that He is this way?
3. Look closely at what He went through for you. Take the
Old Testament and read Isaiah 53 and see the statement
made about Him even before He appeared on earth.
24th Day
1. When you were baptized into Jesus Christ, you received the
gift of the Holy Spirit. Today and tomorrow, we want to
look at some of the ministries of the Holy Spirit in your
life.
2. Turn to John 16:5-15 and read carefully, looking for
teaching about the work of the Holy Spirit.
3. The work of the Holy Spirit involves convicting of sin,
righteousness, and judgment. How would you relate the
passage to the ideas found in Ephesians 6:17; II Timothy
3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12-13; I Corinthians 3:16 and 6:17-20?
32
25th Day
1. Continuing to look at the work of the Holy Spirit, turn to
Romans 8 and read verses 1-17.
2. Focus on verses 9-11. What kind of promise is made to you
here? Write down some ways you can see this practically
affecting your life.
3. In our lives we have been enslaved to various passions and
desires. On our own we have found that we had no real
power to break free from these desires. Notice the message
of verse 12 and 13. How do we put to death the misdeeds of
the body?
4. Notice in verses 14 and 17, how the Spirit of God in us
brings us into intimate relationship with God.
26th Day
1. It is important to learn all you can about Jesus Christ
because of what the following scriptures teach: II
Corinthians 3:18 and Romans 8:29. What do these passages
teach about our relationship to Jesus Christ?
2. Look at I John 3:1-3. What the hope referred to in verse
3?
3. List at least three things that are found in Jesus Christ
that you want to work on in your life.
4. How would you respond to someone who might say: "Trying to
be like Jesus is an impossible dream. It can only
frustrate you."
27th Day
1. Look at the picture of Jesus Christ found in Hebrews 4:14-
16.
2. Write down what each of these statements means to your
life:
a. Jesus is the great High Priest who has gone into
heaven.
b. Jesus is able to understand and relate to our
weaknesses since He was tempted in every way like us,
yet without sin.
33
d. Because of Jesus, we can approach God's throne, a
throne of grace, with confidence.
3. How does this understanding of Jesus Christ affect you
right now? Write down the way it changes your attitude.
28th Day
1. There may be some things that will happen to you to make
you wonder if God is for you or against you. Read Romans
8:31-39 to see the kind of God you worship.
2. Go back to verse 28 for still another promise.
3. Paul lists in the first passage a number of things that
might seem to cut us off from the love of God. What are
some things in your life that are difficult or
threatening? Write out verse 37 just as Paul says it and
then write verse 38 substituting the things in your life
that might interfere with your relationship with God.
4. What role do you play in gaining this victory?
WEEK FIVE - "Submit
to Every Authority"
This week you will study one of the keys to the Christian
life. It is totally opposed to worldly wisdom, but it is
something we see perfectly in Jesus, and He wants to see it in
us. It is the principle of submission.
29th Day
1. Already you have studied passages that tell you who really
has all authority today. It is Jesus Christ, but God has
set up certain orders in society. The purpose: (1)
maintain order and (2) teach us to be submissive and
obedient in spirit so we can ultimately and basically
submit to and obey Jesus Christ.
2. To follow Jesus Christ, one must have an obedient spirit.
One must be willing to submit to another's authority. Read
I Peter 1:2, 14. What kind of children does God want?
34
3. Read Ephesians 2:1-2 to determine what kind of spirit God
is opposed to.
4. Look at Hebrews 5:7-9 for an important statement about
Jesus Christ who is our example in all attitudes. What did
He learn? How was it learned? What does God want us to
learn? How will it be learned?
30th Day
1. Return to I Peter where we learned yesterday that God
wants obedient children. Now look at I Peter 2:11-17.
2. Our old self with its sinful desires (described in verse
11) does not want to obey. It doesn't like to be told what
to do. That is why Jesus says, "Deny yourself." We must be
willing to cooperate with God's plan.
3. Notice in verse 13 why you submit to every ordinance
[authority].
4. List all the authorities that you can think of that are in
your life; meaning, all the people that are in some role
where they can tell you what to do, or strongly expect you
to do what they ask. What is your attitude toward these
authorities?
31st Day
1. The question is often asked, "Do I have to submit to these
authorities in my life even when they are wrong?" What do
you think the mind of Christ would say here?
2. Continue the passage you started yesterday, Read I Peter
2:18-23. What does it contribute to the question raised
above?
3. What we are being told here and in Ephesians 5 and 6 and
Colossians 3 is that we should have a submissive and
obedient attitude at all times. We should be ready to obey
obey those that God has put over us. However, there will
come times when we cannot obey. See Acts 4:18-20 for a
clear example. Study this carefully. When a command of
some man or woman constitutes a clear violation of
scripture, then we cannot obey that person; but we should
not then take on a rebellious attitude. We should lovingly
and with respect for their authority decline to submit in
that area.
35
32nd Day
1. In the body of Christ, God has placed certain men over
you. First, there are the elders or overseers in the body,
and then those who have been given special authority by
the elders. Look at what Hebrews 13:17 says about your
responsibility to these men.
2. Do you know the names of the elders and other leaders who
are working to lead and guide you? How can you
specifically make their work a joy and not a burden?
3. Does this passage say that we have to agree with
everything a leader does before we can submit to him and
and obey him?
4. Make use that all of your relationships with all of your
leaders are good ones. If there is any anger or resentment
or hurt in you toward any one of them, don't put off
sitting down with the leader and opening up your heart. If
you see others in the body developing rebellious and
disobedient attitudes, go to them and encourage them to
deal with that.
33rd Day
1. Go to Ephesians 5:21 and start reading, and go through
chapter 6 verse 4. Regardless of who you are, you are more
likely in some kind of family relationship. In these
relationships, you can show the love of God ... the kind
of love that is willing to lay down its life for others in
the family.
2. If your spouse, parents, or children have not been seeing
in you the things described in Ephesians 5 and 6, then a
confession to them could open up many new possibilities in
your ministry to them.
3. Remember, you ultimate concern is that your family
members come to know the living God through you life in
a deeper and deeper way.
34th Day
1. Turn to and read Romans 13.
2. List as many clear teachings in this passage as you find.
3. Is there anything wrong with a bitter, complaining
attitude about the government one lives under?
4. When must a Christian say no to government? In what way
should he say no?
36
35th Day
1. One of the great texts in the New Testament is Philippians
2:1-11. Read this carefully, looking for the deeper
teaching about the power of submission.
2. In what ways can you empty yourself? (This is literally
translated in some versions: made himself to be nothing.)
3. In what specific ways can you, this week, take the form of
a servant to others who are lost?
4. What happens to those who submit? What does God do?
WEEK SIX - "Fighting
the Good Fight of Faith"
36th Day
1. You are well over a month into your life as a follower of
Jesus Christ. If you have been serious about it, this
month is one in which you have faced many things about
yourself that need changing. It also is one filled with
joy because you know that God is for you and Jesus Christ
is with you to help you become like Him.
2. Look at Paul's word about joy in Philippians 4:4-6. How
often does it say we should rejoice? Compare this with I
Thessalonians 5:16-18. When should we rejoice? Be
thankful?
3. If you have been guilty of complaining or being negative
about your life, see out another disciple and let him/her
know that you are sorry because you have all the reason in
the universe for joy.
37th Day
1. The image of soldier or warfare is often used in the New
Testament. The reason is: we are at war. The ways of God
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and the ways of men influence by Satan are totally
opposed. Our culture is constantly bombarding us with its
message of how to find life, but God's message is totally
different. One cannot survive in warfare unless he is
equipped and knows how to do battle. For the rest of this
week, we will look at this matter.
2. Start with Ephesians 6:10-18. There is enough here for
several days of study and we will take a little at a time.
3. First of all, in warfare we need to clearly identify the
enemy. Verse 11 makes that identification very clear to
us. Who is the enemy? What are some of the schemes you
can see him working in your life to take you out of the
light of God?
4. Please realize now and always that your boss, your
parents, your husband, your wife, are not your enemy.
Flesh and blood people are not enemies, and any time we
identify them as enemies we fall into Satan's scheme and
begin shooting at the wrong person. List some times
recently when you may have done this or come close to
doing it.
5. Set your mind against the real forces of darkness that
Satan commands. Pray for strength and for God's mighty
power to overcome it.
38th Day
1. Read Ephesians 6:10-18 again.
2. Satan's power is described in real terms and you will be
vulnerable to him if you are not aware of his power. But
why is it true that we do not have to be fearful of this
warfare?
3. We don't have to be fearful, but we do have to put on the
full armor of God. Without the protection adn the
spiritual weapons He supplies, we will be overcome. Let's
look at them one at a time:
a. The belt of truth--where do you find truth
(John 17:17)?
b. The breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14;
Philippians 3:8-9).
c. The gospel of peace (Ephesians 2:14-18).
d. The shield of faith--how does it put out the fiery
darts of Satan?
e. The helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17; Romans
8:1-2).
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f. The sword of the Spirit which is the word of God
(Hebrews 4:12).
g. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions. How has your
prayer life developed?
4. You now know what the armor of God looks like, but please
realize that like any good soldier, you will have to put
is on anew each day. One of Satan's schemes is to make you
believe once will do for all time. Every day you need to
be in God's truth, reaffirming the gospel, reclaiming your
righteousness and salvation in Christ, restating your
confident in prayer and in the God who answers prayers.
39th Day
1. Begin today with II Timothy 2:1-7.
2. Focus in especially on verses 3 and 4. Becoming a
Christian is not like going on a picnic. It is like
joiningg an army, taking up weapons, receiving training, and then going into battle. If you are really walking with
Jesus Christ and waging His warfare, you will experience
hardship. Look at II Timothy 3:12. What does this promise
say? What are we assured of?
3. Returning to II Timothy 2:4, we see that the warfare is
going to be so serious and so intense that the Christian
soldier must not get involved in civilian affairs. There
are a lot of things to do in the world that are not wrong.
But they are wrong for us if they take away from the front
lines and from fighting the good fight. Are there some
things in your lift that need to be given up because they
require involvement in civilian affairs?
40th Day
1. Your study guide ends today, but may your study never end.
Your are on your way to things too glorious and enriching
to even describe. Never, never, never, never, never give
up!
2. Read carefully the call of these passages: 1 Peter 2:1-2;
Hebrews 5:11--6:3; Colossians 2:6-10.
3. Keep studying, keep confessing your sins, keep encouraging
others, keep sharing your faith, "and whatever you do in
word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
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Prayer: "Father, thank you for taking our broken lives and
making something beautiful out of us. May we always put our-
selves in Your hands to be molded and shaped by You. Use our
very lives to draw many people into the kingdom of Your Son,
Jesus Christ.
Through Him Amen."
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