with the Holy Spirit

For Facilitators: You can use this small group workbook in two ways: 1.

It can be used as a stand-alone Bible study guide. The Leader’s Guide at the back of this workbook is for your reference and an important resource for you as the small group facilitator.

2. You may use this workbook along with its corresponding video teaching resource that you and your small group can access and download for free at www.ccf.org.ph/glc/Book6.

BOOK 6: BASIC DOCTRINES Copyright © 2015 by Global Leadership Center All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other, without the prior permission of GLC.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction

page 5

How to Use this Workbook

page 6

Session 1:

page 9

The Doctrine of God His Nature and Attributes

Session 2:

The Doctrine of the Bible

page 23

Inspired, Inerrant, and Infallible Session 3:

The Doctrine of Jesus Christ

page 43

His Deity and Humanity Session 4:

The Doctrine of Jesus Christ

page 57

His Life and His Works Session 5:

The Doctrine of Salvation

page 69

Saved from Sin’s Penalty, Power, and Presence Session 6:

The Doctrine of Salvation

page 89

Saved for Good Works and Witness Session 7:

The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

page 103

His Deity and Personhood Session 8:

The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

page 113

His Work and the Spirit-Filled Life What’s Next?

page 129

Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES

3

Appendix A: The CCF Statement of Faith

page 131

Appendix B: Personal Agreement to the CCF Statement of Faith

page 135

Appendix C: Answer Key to Session 1: God EXPLORE Doctrinal Survey

page 139

Appendix D: Answer Key to Session 2: The Bible EXPLORE Activity

page 143

Appendix E: Answer Key to Session 2: The Bible EXPRESS Activity

page 147

Appendix F: One-Year Bible Reading Plans

page 151

Appendix G: Answer Key to Session 3: The Doctrine of Jesus Christ EXPLORE Activity

page 157

Appendix H: Answer Key to Session 4: The Doctrine Jesus Christ EXPLORE Activity

page 159

Appendix I: Answer Key to Session 8: Holy Spirit EXPLORE Activity

page 161

Appendix J: Spiritual Gifts Inventory

page 163

Appendix K: The Spirit-Filled Life Presentation

page 179

Leader’s Guide: Study Notes with Answers to Workbook Fill-ins

page 189

INTRODUCTION Strengthen your convictions on the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. For the purpose of this module, the biblical doctrines that we will examine are the basis for CCF’s Statement of Faith. What we grew up believing in is something that we usually take for granted, but it is important that each Christ-committed follower closely examines the source for his or her beliefs especially in relation to spiritual matters. This module will help you discover the biblical basis for all that we do and teach as a church. You will gain a greater appreciation of God, whose unchanging, infallible and eternal Word is our only source and final authority for our doctrines. Additionally, this study will equip us to discern if a doctrinal teaching that we receive is truly biblical or a distortion of God’s truth. As you go through this study in your small group, remember that our aim is not to accumulate knowledge but to apply God’s Word in our daily living; growing in maturity towards Christ-likeness. Ephesians 4:13-15 Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.

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HOW TO USE THIS WORKBOOK This workbook is for the GLC Essentials Book 6: Basic Doctrines Bible study for small groups. It can be used as a stand-alone Bible study guide for small groups. There is also a video teaching resource that you can access and download for free at http://www.ccf.org.ph/glc/book6. Please note that this workbook is the most updated version of Book 6: Basic Doctrines lessons and the video may not show a perfect correspondence when it comes to the fill-ins (answers for the blank spaces). However, the main thoughts are the same and you may check what the fill-ins are at the Suggested Answers section at the back of the workbook. You are highly encouraged to do so only after you watch the video. Remember that the learning process is much more than just knowing the right answers to the blank spaces in this workbook. Obedience to God’s truth through life application is more important. As we apply the lessons from Book 6: Basic Doctrines, we will experience greater intimacy with Jesus and more fruitfulness for His glory. If you are a small group servant/facilitator, all you have to do is make sure that you do a personal Bible study using this workbook and the video ahead of your small group meeting. Encourage your group members to have their own workbooks and to watch the video either before your meeting, or at your meeting. Do not divert the teaching topic – stick to what is in the workbook. The workbook includes the Bible lesson and individual and small group learning activities to help you get the most out of your meetings. There are five parts in some sessions: Explore, Examine, Express, Experience and Equip as other sessions will not include the Equip portion.

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•

Explore — contains individual and small group activities that help prepare you for the Bible study.

•

Examine — this is where you go through the Bible lesson with your group.

•

Express — this is where the members of the group get a chance to express more of their insights, questions and thoughts about the Bible lesson. They can do it in writing, doodling or drawing, and sharing to the rest of the group.

•

Experience — this section is accomplished outside the group meeting time. There are suggested individual or group Life Apps that will hopefully help you experience life transformation as you apply God’s truth in practical ways.

•

Equip – this section is to be accomplished by your small group or Dgroup member with your coaching and mentoring. This is the “on-the-job” training for every member of a Dgroup to become a discipler (someone who is a Christ-committed follower and helps others become Christ-committed followers also).

As you begin, please remember that this workbook is just a tool designed for us to make disciples. We need to depend on the Holy Spirit to teach us God’s truth and transform our hearts and those of our disciples as we go through the module.

Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES

7

SESSION 1

THE DOCTRINE OF GOD His Nature and Attributes

9

EXPLORE Give yourselves about 5 minutes to accomplish this challenging but fun activity.

Doctrinal Survey The following is a series of questions designed to bring out your views on Biblical doctrines that will be studied in this module. This is not a graded exercise. It is simply a diagnostic tool so that you will know where you stand on important doctrines of the Christian faith. This will also help prepare you for the lessons in Book 6: Basic Doctrines. Simply encircle the numbers corresponding to the statements you agree with: 1. Jesus Christ is God. 2. Salvation includes being free from the penalty of sin. 3. The Trinity means that there are three (3) Persons in one God, all of these Persons having equal rank and are of the same nature. 4. Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between God and men. 5. The Bible is the final authority in matters of faith, doctrine, and conduct. 6. Salvation requires water baptism. 7. The Holy Spirit is a Divine Force. 8. I will go to heaven if I believe in Jesus even if I do not repent from my sins. 9. Jesus Christ is half-God and half-man. 10. When a man dies, he will first stay in purgatory before going to heaven. 11. The Trinity means that there is only one God who exists in three (3) forms: as Father, who became the Son when He became man, and who became the Holy Spirit after the resurrection. 12. The Holy Spirit is God, equal with the Father and the Son.

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13. Jesus Christ was just a man, a created being who was sinless. 14. I will go to heaven if my good deeds outnumber by bad deeds. 15. The Trinity means that there are three (3) Gods of equal rank and of the same nature. 16. Jesus Christ died on the cross and resurrected on the third day. 17. Salvation involves repentance. 18. The Bible is reliable in spiritual matters but not in historical matters. 19. I will go to heaven if I do good works like going to church, giving to the poor, etc. 20. Jesus Christ is the only Savior of man. 21. The Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ in spirit form. 22. Jesus Christ is God who became man and ceased to be God. 23. Salvation means that the believer will no longer commit any sin. 24. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but lesser in rank than the Father. 25. Salvation includes having a sure place in heaven. 26. Salvation includes a changed life. 27. True saving faith will result in good works such as obedience to the commands of God. 28. The church is primarily the building where Christians gather to worship. 29. We need to do good works in order to be saved. 30. Salvation requires membership in a church. (See Appendix C for the answer key).

Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES

11

EXAMINE 1 Timothy 4:16 In the New Testament, doctrine always comes before duty. Your position in Christ must be understood in order for your daily practice to be right. In short, right doctrine leads to right practice. DOCTRINE AND APPLICATION Romans 1–11 (Doctrine)

Romans 12–16 (Application)

Ephesians 1–3 (Doctrine)

Ephesians 4–6 (Application)

Colossians 1–2 (Doctrine)

Colossians 3–4 (Application)

Hebrews 1–11 (Doctrine)

Hebrews 12–13 (Application)

Our Statement of Faith – God We believe that there is only one sovereign God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the independent Creator of the heavens and the universe; He is all-knowing, all-powerful, just, loving, completely truthful, and holy. Cf. Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Isaiah 6:3; Titus 1:2; John 3:16; 1 Chronicles 29:11–12. I. Arguments for God’s Existence The Bible makes no attempt to defend God’s existence. It simply declares that He exists and proceeds to tell us who He is, what He is like and all that He has done. Psalm 14:1; Romans 1:18–23

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Chart 1.1: Summary for Arguments for the existence of God DEFENSE

DEFINITION

The ____________ argument

This is an argument based on cause and effect.

a. Everything that has a beginning has a cause. b. The universe had a beginning so it had a cause. c. God is the causeless one who had no beginning. d. Therefore God is the one who created the universe.

The ____________ argument

This argues that the universe is evidence of a great designer. (Intelligent Design)

a. If something has been clearly designed to perform a specific function it must have a designer. b. The universe clearly shows marks of design. Therefore it was created. c. God exists and He designed/created the universe.

The universal existence of moral standards would be impossible without an absolute moral Governor.

a. People everywhere recognize a moral code. b. Right and wrong imply a standard or law. c. To have a law you must have a lawgiver. d. This lawgiver is God.

From the Greek word “telos” which means design.

The ____________ argument

Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES

13

II. The Nature of God A. God is __________ (John 4:24) The Bible does however use anthropomorphisms. This is when it attributes human characteristics to God in an effort to help us understand Him better.

“Bring me a worm that can comprehend a man, and then I will show you a man that can comprehend the triune God.” JOHN WESLEY

B. God is a __________. a. The Bible teaches us that there is only _____________, eternally existent as _______________; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 29:29 b. The Bible shows us that these three persons are _____________

is _____________ 1. The Father IS God. 2. The Son IS God. 3. The Holy Spirit IS God.

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T NO

c. Each of these three persons

IS

3. The Holy Spirit IS NOT the Father.

IS

THE SON IS

GOD IS THE HOLY SPIRIT

NO T

2. The Son IS NOT the Holy Spirit.

IS NOT

THE FATHER

IS

1. The Father IS NOT the Son.

Chart 1.2: Biblical References for the Trinity

One God

OLD TESTAMENT

NEW TESTAMENT

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!” (Deuteronomy 6:4) Cf. Isaiah 43:10, 46:9

“yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.” (1 Corinthians 8:6) Cf. Ephesians 4:4–6, 1 Timothy 2:5, James 2:19

Three Persons

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26a)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Cf. Isaiah 6:8, Psalm 110:1, Hosea 1:7

(Matthew 28:19–20) Cf. Matthew 3:16–17, Titus 3:4–6

Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES

15

Chart 1.3: Biblical References for the Deity of all Three Persons of the Trinity THE DEITY OF ALL THREE PERSONS Father

one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:6) Cf. John 6:27, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Galatians 1:1

Son

But of the Son He says, “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM. (Hebrews 1:8) Cf. John 1:1–17, John 17:5, Colossians 1:16, Titus 2:13

Holy Spirit

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16) Cf. John 3:5–8, Acts 5:3–4, 1 Corinthians 6:19

See also: John 3:34–35; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:13–15; Romans 14:17–18; Romans 15:13–17; Romans 15:30; 1 Corinthians 6:11, 17–19; 1 Corinthians 12:4–6; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22; 2 Corinthians 3:4–6; Galatians 2:21–3:2; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:11– 17; Ephesians 5:18–20; Colossians 1:6–8; 1 Thessalonians 1:1–15; 1 Thessalonians 4:2,8; 1 Thessalonians 5:18–19; 2 Thessalonians 3:5; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 3:23–24; 1 John 4:13–14; Jude 20–21.

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“There is only one God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three eternal and coequal Persons; the same in substance or essence but distinct in subsistence or existence.” DR. A . FRUCHTENBAUM

III. The Attributes of God God is the greatest thought the mind can entertain and what we think of God is the most important thing about us. Having a right view of God is essential for Christian living. A. The attributes of God are truths that God Himself has revealed to us so that we may know and love Him. a. In His Creation. (Romans 1:20)

b. In His Word. (Isaiah 40:1–31)

c. In His Son. (Hebrews 1:1–3)

Titus 3:4–6

Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES

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B. There is no________________ between God’s attributes. He does not need to stop one in order to operate another like we do. They all work together in perfect harmony. a. God is ______________ (Psalm 90:1–2, 1 Timothy 6:16) God has no beginning and no end. He is not bound by time, He created it. He is everlasting. b. God is _____________ (1 John 3:19-20, 1 Corinthians 2:10) God is all-knowing. Nothing in the past, present or future is hidden from Him. c. God is _____________ (Jeremiah 32:17, Revelation 1:8) God is all-powerful. He has unlimited power and all power that exists comes from Him. d. God is _____________ (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17) God does not change. Change moves in three directions: a. From better to worse. b. From worse to better. c. From one order of being to another. e. God is _____________ (Deuteronomy 32:3–4) Justice is not something God has, like all His attributes justice is what God is.

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f.

God is _____________ (1 John 4:8–10) Love is an essential attribute of God. God does not exercise His love independently of His other attributes. In fact they enhance each other. • • • • •

His love had no beginning – He is Self-Existent His love has no end – He is Eternal His love has no limit – He is Infinite His love is pure – He is Holy His love is vast – He is Immense

g. God is _____________ (John 14:6, 16:13, Psalm 31:5) God cannot lie and never breaks His word. Everything He has promised has, or will, come to pass. h. God is _______ (Exodus 15:11, 1 Samuel 2:2, Isaiah 6:3–5) God’s holiness is difficult to define because it encompasses all of His attributes. He is separate, distinct and in a class of His own. He is morally pure and never does anything wrong or contrary to His being.

“An attribute of God is whatever God has in any way revealed as being true about Himself.” A . W. TOZE R

Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES

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EXPRESS CCF Statement of Faith (30 minutes) The first session today was on what we believe about God. We will continue to learn more about our basic doctrines as a church in the next few meetings. To help prepare us for what we will study in the coming weeks, let’s familiarize ourselves with the CCF Statement of Faith. Turn back to the “Statement of Faith” section in your workbook. Read through the statement of faith as a group. Depending on your group size, assign one or two small group member/s to look up the verses listed down under each of the six (6) statements. Share your thoughts on the following points after everyone is done reading through the verses: 1. Why do you think it’s important that we as a local church (CCF churches) have a common Statement of Faith? 2. How aligned is your own belief system to our Statement of Faith? For example you wholeheartedly agree with 4 out of 6 of the items in the Statement of Faith, or 2 out of 6, etc. 3. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and your mind to know and embrace the truth about what the Bible teaches on God, the Bible, Jesus Christ, salvation, the Holy Spirit and the church. 4. Individually make a commitment to align your belief system according to what God’s Word, the Bible, says and not based on what you think is right or what other people tell you is right.

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EXPERIENCE Read and sign the pledge below:

My Commitment to God “I, ________________________, commit myself to study the truth about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, salvation and the church as revealed in God’s Word. I ask the Holy Spirit to open my heart and mind to know, understand and apply the truth I will discover as I closely examine the CCF Statement of Faith.”

DATE TODAY WITNESSES SMALL GROUP LEADER OTHER SMALL GROUP MEMBERS

Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES

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SESSION 2

THE DOCTRINE OF THE BIBLE Inspired, Inerrant, and Infallible

23

EXPLORE Discover the WORD In a group with 3-4 members each, discover the names of the Bible books in the puzzle sheet below. HIDDEN BIBLE BOOK NAMES: Can you find 56 books of the Bible in this paragraph? Circle the word, like the sample given –“luke” in the 3rd sentence of the first paragraph. The following article contains the names of all the books of the Bible hidden within the words. See if you can find them all! I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept some people looking so hard for facts. And for others it was revelation. Some were in a jam. Especially since the names of the books were not capitalized. But the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others, it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments to you. Do these while you’re watching TV, sitting on the john, eating tuna, humming your favorite reggae tune--- a song of Sol, “O Mon, I believe you!” Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. There are those among us who might need music – a banjo, electric guitar, or drums! See how well you can compete. Relax now, listen to Genesis on the radio, or play your banjo! Nah, just concentrate on the task at hand. Find them all and be a pro! Verbs and subjects don’t always agree in this article, but don’t let that stand in your way! I even asked for help from my ex. “O, Du!” she said. I replied, “Corinth, I answer your questions,” but she said, “Come back at Ramadan.” I eloquently thanked her. Frustrated, she said, “The puzzle is a … I ... ah.. I don’t find these EZ. Ek! I elect not to do

24

them!” I thought about offering her a juju decoration or perhaps alms, but decided not to pursue it. This just about chronicles our relationship. Some of the hardest books to hide were Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Samuel, Nehemiah, Ecclesiastes, Jeremiah, Obadiah, Micah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Timothy, and Philemon. Remember that ten of the names are duplicated like First and Second Thessalonians, so you will only find fifty-six distinct names. This puzzle is not EZ – rather, it is quite difficult. It would be simpler if the books were in a list that you could pick from. Answer can be anywhere in this article, so that makes this format the worst! Do your best and God bless! LEARNING NUGGET The Bible has 66 books — 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. How well do you know what is taught in these books? We may have our “favorite” books and some we overlook because they are harder to understand and apply. However, if we truly believe that the Bible is God’s Word to us, then we will diligently read, study, memorize and apply all that the Bible teaches us to do and avoid what it tells us not to do. As we do, we will know Jesus more and we will be transformed into His likeness more and more. (See Appendix D for the solution sheet).

Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES

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EXAMINE I. Introduction A. Sola Scriptura The foundation for everything we believe is the Scripture. The Bible alone, as the very words of God, is our ultimate authority in everything. God has given us His entire message in the Bible and it is our only standard for faith and life. Jeremiah 8:9 B. Our Statement of Faith: The Bible We believe that the Bible (66 books: 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books) is the Word of God — supernaturally inspired, inerrant, and infallible. It is our supreme authority in all matters of faith, doctrine, and conduct. We also affirm its sufficiency, clarity, and necessity for genuine Christian living. Cf. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalms 119:105; Psalms 19:7–11; Proverbs 30:5.

II. The Nature of the Scriptures A. The Bible _______ the Word of God. This belief is based on the many claims throughout the Bible that it is in fact God’s Word. The Bible declares that it is the Word of God over 4000 times. For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13

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a. The Bible is the _______________ word of God. We find in Scripture several instances where God’s words were put in written form. (Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:16; 34:1, 28; Deuteronomy 31:9–13; Deuteronomy 31:24–26; Joshua 24:26; Isaiah 30:8; Jeremiah 30:2; cf. Jeremiah 36:2–4, 27–31; 51:60). In the New Testament, Jesus promises his disciples that the Holy Spirit would bring to their remembrance the words which He, Jesus, had spoken (John 14:26; cf. 16:12–13). Paul can say that the very words he writes to the Corinthians are “a command of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37; cf. 2 Peter 3:2, Jeremiah 36:29–31). 2 Timothy 3:16–17 b. Benefits of writing down God’s words.1 1. More accurate preservation of God’s words for subsequent generations. 2. Better understanding and more complete obedience. 3. God’s words in writing become accessible to many more people. B. Jesus is the living Word of God or the ____________. John 1:1 a. Jesus as the “Word of God” communicates the character of God and expresses the will of God for us. b. In the Old Testament God spoke to the Fathers and the Prophets. Hebrews 1:1 c. The Old Testament promised the coming of Jesus Christ.

1

Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, An Introduction to Bible Doctrine

Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES

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d. The New Testament tells us what Jesus said and did. Hebrews 1:2 C. CCF rejects any deficient understanding of the Bible. a. The Bible only contains the words of God. b. The Bible becomes the word of God when the reader has some kind of spiritual encounter with God.

III. Canon of the Scripture A. The Canonical Books The 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books are the canonical books. The Greek word “kanon” means reed or measuring stick and later came to mean the rule of standard by which the ancient writings were determined as sacred Scripture. The canon of Scripture is the list of all the books that belong in the Bible. B. The Basis for Canonicity2 “Which writings should be considered canonical and how did the church come to that position? Historically, the church since the fourth century has accepted the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments as the authoritative canonical books.3” a. Various tests or criteria applied to determine canonicity 1. _______________ authorship 2. _______________ 3. _______________ 4. Acceptance of the ____________ • The 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books were finally recognized by the Church during the Council of Carthage (397 AD) as part of the biblical canon.

2 3

28

Paul P. Enns, MOODY HANDBOOK OF THEOLOGY MOODY PRESS Chicago, Illinois https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/asbury-bible-commentary/Canon-Scripture

•

The word testament simply means _____________. (See Leader’s Guide for a more detailed discussion of how the canon of Scriptures was determined by the Church).

The Old Testament refers to the Old Covenant which God gave to Israel. It was preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, a shadow of the awesome things to come in the New Covenant. (See Hebrews 9 – 10:1) The New Testament refers to the New Covenant which was the fulfillment of the Old. Jesus Christ would come fulfilling the promises of the Old rendering it obsolete and establishing a New and better Covenant through His death. (See Hebrews 8:13, 9:15)

IV. The Truthfulness of the Scripture A. The Bible is ________________ Inspired, Inerrant, and Infallible.

“The Bible in its entirety is God’s written word to man, free of error in its original autographs, wholly reliable in history and doctrine. Its divine ‘inspiration’ has rendered the Book ‘infallible’ (incapable of teaching deception) and ‘inerrant’ (not liable to prove false or mistaken).” CHARLES H. PINNOK

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All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16–17

“[Inspiration is] God superintending human authors so that using their own individual personalities, experiences, thought processes and vocabulary they composed and recorded without error His revelation in the original copies of Scripture.” DR. JOHN MACARTHUR

B. The Bible is ______________. a. The Bible says there are “many ways” in which the actual words of the Bible were written. (Hebrews 1:1) 1. Exodus 20:1–17

2. Luke 1:1–3

3. John 14:26

b. The whole Bible is inspired, and this inspiration extends to every word in the original manuscripts of the Scripture. 1. It is plenary = all parts 2. It is verbal = all words Psalm 138:2

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C. The Bible is ______________. The Bible claims to be inerrant or incapable of being wrong about anything it says. The Bible in its original manuscripts and correctly interpreted is completely free from error. John 17:17 a. The Reliability of Bible Documents 1. How the Scriptures were recorded and preserved For the Old Testament, clay and wooden tablets predominated. In the New Testament reed papyrus and parchment (animal skins) were also used and rolled into scrolls.4 These scrolls were then copied by scribes. The work of the “scribes” or “copyists” with the scrolls was a highly professional and carefully executed task. For the Hebrews, it was undertaken by devout Jews with the highest dedication. The word scribe (sopherim) means counter, they were named this way because they would count the letters and words of each manuscript to make sure they did not miss anything. Mistakes meant destroying the papyrus and starting again. Since they believed they were dealing with the Word of God, they were acutely aware of the need for extreme care and accuracy.5 After the exile in Babylon they formed communities of scribes to preserve and circulate the Scriptures.

4 5

Paul E. Little, KNOW WHY YOU BELIEVE Scripture Press Publications, Inc. 1999 Ibid.

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b. The Dead Sea Scrolls6 One of these communities lived in Qumran, a village located about twenty miles east of Jerusalem. In 1947, a young Bedouin shepherd discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls. These were leather and papyrus scrolls that were later determined to be nearly twenty centuries old. There were tens of thousands of scroll fragments dating from the third century B.C. to A.D. 68.

Photo: A portion of the Isaiah scroll, one of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in the Qumran caves in 1947.

This vast collection of manuscripts included portions from every single book in the Old Testament except Esther and included a complete scroll of Isaiah. They confirmed the accuracy of one thousand years of both the record and the history of the Hebrews—that is, from 200 B.C. to A.D. 916. The extensive evidence found strengthens our confidence in the histories previously uncovered.7

“The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.” CHARLES SPURGEON

6 7

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Paul E. Little, Know Why You Believe Ibid.

D. The Bible is ______________. While inerrancy focuses on the words themselves, infallibility is primarily concerned with the content of Scripture. Infallibility teaches us that the Bible is incapable of making mistakes or being wrong. The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:7–8 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Matthew 5:18 a. The ___________ Infallibility of the Bible 1. Herbert Spencer was an English man and a well-known philosopher, biologist, sociologist and political theorist in Victorian England. He was known for saying that all that is knowable falls into five categories: time, power, action, space and matter. However, if we turn to the first verse of the Bible we see that Herbert was actually thousands of years late in his observation. Read Genesis 1:1. • • • • •

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth

= Time = Power = Action = Space = Matter

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2. Bernard Palissy a 16th century scientist is credited with compiling the theories which later became our modern hydrological cycle. It is best explained in three words: • • •

Evaporation Condensation Precipitation

“For He draws up the drops of water, They distill rain from the mist, 28Which the clouds pour down, They drip upon man abundantly. Job 36:27–28 3. Other examples of scientific facts that are recorded in the Bible: • • • • • • •

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The stars are uncountable. (Jeremiah 33:22) The earth floats in space. (Job 26:7) The earth rotates on an axis. (Job 38:12–14) The earth is round. (Isaiah 40:22, Job 26:10) The continents used to be joined. (Genesis 1:9) There was a water canopy above the earth prior to the flood; this is where the water came from. (Genesis 1:6) Years ago they would bleed you when you were sick; the Bible says the life is in the blood. (Leviticus 17:11)

b. The ___________ Infallibility of the Bible 1. Prophecy is another wonderful proof of the Bible’s infallibility. The Bible made hundreds of prophecies about people and events some thousands of years before those people were born. 2. There are at least 353 distinct prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus Christ and they were all written hundreds of years (and, in some cases, thousands of years) before His birth. Here are just a few for you to consider: Chart 4.1: Summary of how Jesus fulfilled prophecy about the Messiah PROPHECY

DESCRIPTION

FULFILLMENT

Isaiah 7:14

Born of a virgin

Luke 1:34–35

Micah 5:2

Born in Bethlehem

Luke 2:1–6

Jeremiah 31:15

Babies massacred

Matthew 2:16–18

Hosea 11:1

Flee into Egypt

Matthew 2:13

Judges 13:5

Be called a Nazarene

Matthew 2:23

Psalm 41:9

Betrayed by a friend

Luke 22:48

Zechariah 11:12–13

Sold for 30 silver

Matthew 26:15

Psalm 27:12

Falsely accused

Matthew 26:59

Isaiah 53:4–5

Smitten and spat on

Matthew 27

Isaiah 53:7

Silent when accused

Matthew 26:63

Isaiah 53:3

Rejected by the Jews

Matthew 27:22

Psalm 69:4

Hated without cause

Matthew 27:23

Psalm 22:16

Hands & feet pierced

John 19:18

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PROPHECY

DESCRIPTION

FULFILLMENT

Psalm 22:18

Gambled clothing

Matthew 27:35

Isaiah 53:12

Die with the wicked

Matthew 27:38

Psalm 22:6–8

Mocked and insulted

Matthew 27:39–44

Isaiah 53:9

Buried with the rich

Matthew 27:57–61

Psalm 16:10

Rise again

Matthew 28

c. Not a single prophecy from the Bible has ever been ________. A vivid example of the accuracy of Biblical prophecy would be the prophecies regarding Tyre. Tyre was the capital city of the ancient Phoenician Empire and the most powerful city they had. They had great wealth, power and many allies. They also had a huge navy and an impregnable fortress on an island about half a mile off the coast of the city. In the 26th chapter of Ezekiel (592-570 BC) seven things are predicted to happen to the city of Tyre: Chart 4.1: Summary of how Jesus fulfilled prophecy about the Messiah

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PROPHECY

VERSES

Nebuchadnezzar will destroy the mainland city

Ezekiel 26:8

Many nations would come against Tyre

Ezekiel 26:3

Tyre would be bare and flat like the top of a rock

Ezekiel 26:4

Fishermen will spread their nets out on the site

Ezekiel 26:5

The debris would be thrown into the water

Ezekiel 26:12

PROPHECY

VERSES

The ancient city would never be rebuilt

Ezekiel 26:14

The ancient city would never be found again

Ezekiel 26:21

When Alexander the Great conquered the island of Tyre he brought an end to the Phoenician Empire. Tyre later fell under the rule of others. But the Phoenicians never rose to power again and their city was never heard of again.

“Alexander the Great reduced Tyre to ruins... The larger part of the site of the once great city is now bare as the top of a rock – a place where fishermen now spread their nets to dry.” SECU L AR H ISTORIAN PH I LLI P M YERS General History for Colleges and High Schools

V. The ____________ of the Scripture Individually and as a local body of Christ-committed followers our doctrine and conduct must be governed by the Scriptures. God’s Word should determine what we believe and how we respond in Christian living. We believe in its sufficiency, clarity, and necessity for genuine Christian living. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 A. The Bible is ______________. The Bible is able to accomplish all of God’s purposes here upon the earth. It is all we need for salvation and spiritual growth.

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• • • • •

Powerful to convict. (John 16:5–14) Powerful to convert. (1 Peter 1:23) Powerful to conform. (1 Timothy 6:3) Powerful to console. (Psalm 119:49–52) Powerful to correct. (2 Timothy 3:16)

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 B. The Bible is ______________. Even a child can understand who Jesus is and what He has done for them at the cross. ...and that from childhood you have known the sacred writing which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:6–7 C. The Bible is ______________. The Word of God is necessary for knowing the gospel, for maintaining spiritual life and for knowing God’s will. God has given us His Word; it is complete and perfect in every way. All you need to know to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and live a life that is pleasing to God is found within its pages. for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:23

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But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’ Matthew 4:4

VI. The __________________ of the Bible8 1 Corinthians 2:11 Illumination can thus be defined as “the ministry of the Holy Spirit whereby He enlightens those who are in a right relationship with Him to comprehend the written Word of God.”9 A. Illumination is Necessary for Man to Comprehend God’s Word (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:11, 14; Luke 24:44–45)10

B. The Holy Spirit Illuminates (teaches, guides, discloses, etc.) God’s Word to Believers

8

Paul P. Enns, Moody Handbook of Theology Ibid. 10 Ibid. 9

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VII.

________________ in God’s Word

How to abide in God’s Word: A. Hear the Word to Be Equipped Ephesians 4:11–12 B. Read the Word to Be Healthy Psalm 1:1–3 C. Study the Word to Be Wise Psalm 119:97–104 D. Memorize the Word to Be Skilled Matthew 4:1–11 E. Meditate on the Word to Be Fruitful Joshua 1:8 F. Apply the Word to be Obedient James 1:22–25 G. Proclaim the Word to be Reproductive Colossians 1:2

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EXPRESS In your small group, assign to each member at least two items from the following statements. For the statements assigned to you, decide whether it is TRUE or FALSE based on what you learned from the session today. If there are statements left after assigning two to each member, everyone will answer the unassigned statements. Defend your position as you discuss the answers as a group. 1. The inspiration of the Scripture means “heightening of the normal powers” of the biblical writers. 2. Inspiration does not refer to the high degree of insight of biblical writers. 3. The inspiration of the Scriptures covers all portions of the Bible, not just the ones with gospel relevance. 4. In the process of inspiration, God actually dictated the words to the biblical writers. 5. The authority of the Bible is equal to the authority of the leader of the church. 6. The 66 books of the Bible are a closed canon. The church could not add another book, chapter or verse to it any more. 7. The Scriptures is not reliable in some historical references. 8. Although the Bible is necessary for salvation, it is not sufficient for the believer’s spiritual growth. 9. Since the Bible is clear, we do not need proper interpretation or good Bible teachers. 10. Modern English translations of the Bible are inspired. (See Appendix E for the Answer Key).

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EXPERIENCE Commit to read, study and teach God’s Word regularly beginning today! If you are already doing so, then simply affirm your commitment to the Lord. “I commit to... 1. Read the Bible every day at (time) _______________. 2. Study God’s Word on a regular basis. I plan to have a weekly

bi-monthly

monthly

time of personal Bible study. 3. Share one thing I learned from my personal reading and study of the Bible within the week to [person/s name/s]:

See Appendix F for a light Bible reading plan on the New Testament and the Psalms. For free One-Year Bible reading plans visit the following websites:

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•

52-Week Bible Reading Plan (each day will have passages from different sections of the Bible): http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf

•

Reading through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation: http://www.heartlight.org/devotionals/reading_plans/ straightthrough.pdf

•

Reading through the Bible in chronological order: http://www.heartlight.org/devotionals/reading_plans/biblestory.pdf

•

Read through the New Testament and Old Testament each day: http://www.heartlight.org/devotionals/readingplans/otandnt.pdf

SESSION 3

THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST His Deity and Personhood

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EXPLORE Individually, guess the right answer to the following trivia questions then compare your answers with your group members. 1. You can find the tallest building in the world in which country? a. China b. Dubai c. Germany 2. In which place will you find the smallest dog in the world (as of February 2013)? a. Kentucky, USA b. Hokkaido, Japan c. Dorado, Puerto Rico 3. Which is the most-populated city in the world? a. Tokyo, Japan b. Mumbai, India c. Shanghai, China LEARNING NUGGET It’s quite interesting to find out about the most unique characteristics of people, things and places in our world. To be unique is to be one-of-akind; to stand out or to surpass others in the same category in quality or quantity. In our lesson today, we will learn about the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. Truly, He is one-of-a-kind in His person and in His work — eternally unsurpassed by anyone or anything in heaven, earth or anywhere else in all creation. (Turn to Appendix G for the Answer Key)

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EXAMINE I. Introduction A. Sola Christus The heart and soul of the gospel message is the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our salvation is accomplished through His mediatorial work. He and He alone can mediate between God and man. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit 1 Peter 3:18 B. Our Statement of Faith: JESUS CHRIST: His Deity and Personhood We believe that Jesus Christ in the flesh was both God and man, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and was born of a virgin. He lived a sinless life. He was crucified and died to pay the penalty for our sins. By His blood, the Lord Jesus Christ made a perfect sacrifice for sin once and for all time. He was raised from the dead on the third day. Later, He ascended to the Father’s right hand where He reigns as the Head of the Church and intercedes for believers. We believe He is coming again, bodily and visibly, to the earth to set up His Kingdom. Cf. Matthew 1:22–23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1–5,14; Hebrews 4:14–15; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Romans 1:3–4; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Timothy 6:14–15; Titus 2:13; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 7:25.

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II. The Intriguing Truth about Jesus Christ There is no other personality in the history of the world that has the same influence as Jesus had.

“Christ is the great central fact in world’s history. To Him everything looks forward or backward. All the lines of history converge upon Him. All the great purposes of God culminate in Him. The greatest and most momentous fact which the history of the world records is the fact of His birth.” C H A R L E S S P U R G E O N 11

A. Jesus Christ is _________________ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. John 1:1–3 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” John 1:14–15 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. John 1:16–18 “I and the Father are one.” 31The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” John 10:30–33 11

Sherwood Wirt and Kersten Beckstrom, Living Quotations for Christian (New York: Harper and Row Publications)

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He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:15–16 These verses clearly teach us that Jesus Christ is God Himself... • • • • • • • •

The Word was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1–2) The Word was God. (John 1:1) He created all things. (John 1:3) Nothing was created apart from Him. (John 1:3) The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14) He was born after John but existed before him. (John 1:15) His name is Jesus Christ. (John 1:17) He is God. (John 1:18)

a. He is the image of the invisible God. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Colossians 1:15 • • • •

The invisible God has been made visible in Jesus Christ. He is the “eikon” of God. In New Testament Greek “eikon” means an exact replica, a precise copy, a representation. Today the closest word we have would be a photograph. God is invisible but God has shown us who He is in Jesus Christ.

b. He is the firstborn of all creation. …the firstborn of all creation…He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. Colossians 1:15,17–18

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This does not mean first in time it means first in position. The word “prototokos” (firstborn) means the right to rule, the heir, the ranking one, the one in authority, the chief one; the highest in rank. c. He is the form of God. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5–7 The word ‘form’ (morfeè) means “the outward expression of the inward nature.” So the Holy Spirit is telling us that Jesus Christ is God and equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit in every way. Philippians 2:6 Philippians 2:7 Philippians 2:8 d. He is the fullness of deity. …rather than according to Christ. 9for in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form Colossians 2:8–9 1. The word ‘fullness’ (pleroma) means “the sum total of all that God is, all of His being and attributes.” 2. The Bible is clear that Jesus Christ possessed full deity in bodily form. 3. Jesus is fully God and fully human.

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B. Jesus is 100% God and 100% Man a. Jesus Christ is Fully God 1. Only someone who is infinite God could bear the full penalty for all the sins of all those who would believe in him—any finite creature would have been incapable of bearing that penalty 12 2. Salvation is from the Lord (Jonah 2:9 NASB), and the whole message of Scripture is designed to show that no human being, no creature, could ever save man—only God himself could13 3. Only someone who was truly and fully God could be the one mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), both to bring us back to God and also to reveal God most fully to us (John 14:9).14 Thus, if Jesus is not fully God, there would be no Christianity and ultimately we have no salvation.

12

Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology Ibid 14 Ibid 13

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b. Jesus Christ is ____________. 1. The Bible teaches clearly about the humanity of Christ. The Bible is very clear about the humanity of Jesus. It is an essential doctrine and equally important as His deity for us. Chart 3.1: Biblical Proof of Jesus’ Humanity Proofs of Jesus’ Humanity Jesus’ BIRTH

Isaiah 7:14; Luke 2:7

Jesus’ CIRCUMCISION

Luke 2:21

Jesus’ CHILDHOOD

Luke 2:40, 52

Jesus WEPT

John 11:35

Jesus grew HUNGRY

Matthew 4:2, 21:18

Jesus grew TIRED

John 4:6, Matthew 8:24

Jesus’ SUFFERING and DEATH John 19:30 2. The necessity of Jesus’ full humanity for our salvation. The New Testament gives us several reasons why Jesus had to be fully man if he was going to be the Messiah and purchase our salvation.15

15

50

Ibid

•

For representative obedience. (Romans 5:19)

•

To be our substitute sacrifice. (Hebrews 2:16-17)

•

To be the one Mediator between God and men. (1 Timothy 2:5)

•

To be our example and pattern in life. (1 John 2:6; Romans 8:29)

•

To be the pattern for our redeemed bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:42, 49)

•

To sympathize with us. (Hebrews 4:15)

C. The Incarnation: _________________ in the Person of Christ The eternal second Person of the Trinity became a human being and “assumed flesh” in Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus Christ was the “Word made flesh” (John 1:14). Jesus Christ, the incarnation of the second Person of the Trinity, lived on earth and was known as Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus was one divine person with both a divine and a human nature.16 a. When Jesus Christ laid aside His majesty and became one of us He took on a second nature; a human nature. b. The pre-incarnate Christ had one nature; He was God. The incarnate Christ has two natures: He is both 100% God and 100% Man. (Philippians 2:6-7)

16

•

On earth, Christ never exercised His deity independent of the Father’s will. (Matthew 24:36)

•

Jesus is God in a human body. (John 1:1,14)

•

Remaining what Jesus was (fully divine), He became what He was not (fully human).

Donald K. McKim, Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms, John Know Press, Louisville Kentucky

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Chart 3.2: New Testament Summary of Jesus’ Deity and Humanity

52

HE IS 100% GOD

HE IS 100% MAN

He is worshiped (Matthew 2:11)

He worshiped the Father (John 17)

He was called God (Hebrews 1:8)

He was called man (Mark 15:39)

He was called Son of God (Mark 1:1)

He was called Son of Man (John 9:35)

He is prayed to (Acts 7:59)

He prayed to the Father (John 17)

He is sinless (Hebrews 4:15)

He was tempted (Matthew 4:1)

He knows all things (John 21:17)

He grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52)

He gives eternal life (John 10:28)

He died (Romans 5:8)

All the fullness of deity dwells in Him (Colossians 2:9)

He has a body of flesh and bones (Luke 24:39)

EXPRESS 1. Divide your group into two. Assign one group the word “deity” and to the other group, assign the word “human”. Have the sub-groups describe the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ using the word assigned to them as an acronym. Allow 15 minutes for this activity. An example is provided below. D - ied and rose again

H - oly and sinless

E-

U-

I-

M-

T-

A-

Y-

N-

2. For the next 15 minutes, have every member in the group share one example of how Jesus has transformed his or her life in a specific area. See example below: “I experienced transformation in the area of my temper—knowing how Jesus, who is perfect in every way, has shown infinite grace in my weaknesses and shortcomings has caused me to extend grace to other people in their weaknesses as well. I am more patient now and accepting of others and I do not lose my temper as much anymore.”

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EXPERIENCE Show your appreciation for who Jesus is and gratitude for what he has done for you on the cross. Plan to do this within the next 24 hours. Share what you did to your group next week. Sample application point: Appreciation: “During my quiet time tomorrow morning, I will sing a worship song to the Lord that tells of how awesome Jesus is.” Gratitude: “On Sunday, I will invest a special amount to support a missionary or a ministry so that through our partnership, more people can know about Jesus Christ and his love for them, and become his follower.”

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EQUIP Go through this Bible study with your discipler. The following discussion questions are designed to prepare you to explain to others that Jesus made clear claims about who He was, and what those claims were.

Jesus Claims Concerning Who He Is1 1. In your own words, write the claims Christ made concerning Himself in the following verses: Mark 14:61–62, John 6:38, John 8:42, John 5:17–18, John 10:30

2. What did those who heard what Jesus said think He meant? John 14:7, John 14:8–9

3. What did Jesus claim to do in the following verses? John 5:22, Matthew 9:6, John 6:45–47

4. What did Jesus predict in the following verses? Mark 9:31, Luke 18:31–33, John 14:1–3

5. What characteristics of Jesus are attributes of an omnipotent God? John 2:24, Matthew 8:26–27, John 11:43–45

According to the passages above, Jesus claimed to be God. He made the kinds of claims that only a person who presumed he was God would make. Both His friends and His enemies called Him God, and He never attempted to deny it. He even commended His followers for believing He was God.

1

For more of this Bible study, go to http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/classics/10-basic-steps/intro-theuniqueness-of-jesus.html)

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SESSION 4

THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST His Life and His Works

57

EXPLORE JESUS AS REVEALED IN THE BIBLE Work together as a group and accomplish the exercise below. Simply match the Bible books in column A with the titles of Jesus in column B. Write down the corresponding letters from column B in the blank space before the Bible books in column A. Your answers must show where a specific title of Jesus was revealed in the Bible. 1. Genesis

A. The Savior of the World

2. Exodus

B. The Son of God

3. Judges

C. The Servant

4. Ruth

D. King of the Jews

5. Psalms

E. Seed of the Woman

6. Matthew

F. The Son of Man feeling what you feel

7. Mark

G. The Passover Lamb

8. Luke

H. Kinsman-redeemer

9. John

I. Judge and Lawgiver

10. Acts

J. Our Shepherd

LEARNING NUGGET There is so much more to know about Jesus Christ from the Bible. Each title that has been given to Him gives us a clue to who He truly is and His work in God’s kingdom and in our lives. May we learn how to respond appropriately to Jesus as we discover more about Him through God’s written Word, the Bible. (Turn to Appendix H for the Answer Key)

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EXAMINE I. Introduction A. Highlights of the Life of Christ Jesus Christ’s identity and life is fascinating as it is very intriguing. The gospel centers in Jesus Christ’s unique life as well. Christ is the life of Christianity and its very heart. But what makes Jesus’ life so unique? We cannot exhaust here all what Jesus did when He was still on earth but in this session we will look at the highlights of His life and works. a. He was __________ of a virgin. (Luke 1:34–35) 1. Salvation is a supernatural work of God. (Galatians 4:4–5)

2. Christ’s true humanity without inherited sin. (Luke 1:35)

3. Unity of Christ’s full deity and full humanity in one person. (John 3:16; Galatians 4:4)

b. His lived a _______________ life. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21) The Bible tells us that Jesus offered Himself without blemish. He kept God’s law perfectly and was able to do what other human beings have not been able to achieve.

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c. He _________________ miracles, wonders and signs. Acts 2:22

d. His _____________death. And He Himself is the propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 1. The death of Jesus Christ was a substitutionary sacrifice. He died in our place, paid for our sin, so that we could be reconciled to God. 2. Jesus’ death on the cross was a perfect sacrifice for sin once and for all time. It made forgiveness possible because His substitutionary death satisfied the just and holy demands of God. 3. Jesus paid the price for our sin so that we could be reconciled or “at-one” with God (at – one – ment). e. His __________________ from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to our faith. It is the cornerstone of Christianity and without it we have no hope. Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Corinthians 15:1–4

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Chart 4.1: Implications if there was no resurrection: Preaching the gospel would be pointless

1 Corinthians 15:14

Our faith in Christ would be for nothing

1 Corinthians 15:14

The Apostles would be liars

1 Corinthians 15:15

Everyone would be lost in their sins

1 Corinthians 15:17

All former believers would have gone to hell

1 Corinthians 15:18

Christians would be the world’s most pitiful people

1 Corinthians 15:19

But Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and has become a guarantee that all who love Him will follow Him in resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:20–28) You cannot be a Christian and deny that Jesus rose from the grave! 1. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a _____________ fact. Acts 2:32; Acts 3:15 Chart 4.1: Resurrection Appearances of Jesus Christ People Who Saw Jesus Alive Two women outside of Jerusalem

Bible References Matthew 28:9–10

Mary Magdalene

John 20:15–18

Two travelers on the road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13–32

Peter in Jerusalem

Luke 24:34

Ten disciples in the upper room

John 20:19–25

Eleven disciples in the upper room

John 20:26–31

Seven disciples fishing

John 21:1–23

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People Who Saw Jesus Alive

Bible References

Eleven disciples on the mountain in Galilee

Matthew 28: 16–20

More than five hundred people

1 Corinthians 15:5

James

1 Corinthians 15:7

Disciples who watched Jesus ascending into heaven

Luke 24:44–49; Acts 1:3–8

2. The significance of Christ’s resurrection17:

f.

•

Ensures our regeneration (new spiritual birth). 1 Peter 1:3

•

Ensures our justification (made righteous). Romans 4:25; Philippians 2:8-9; Ephesians 2:6

•

Ensures that we will receive perfect resurrection bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 15:20

His __________________into heaven. While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven. Luke 24:51 After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9–11

17

62

Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology

1. The ascension of Jesus into heaven is designed to teach us that heaven does exist as a place in the space-time universe. 2. When Jesus ascended into heaven He received glory, honor, and authority as one who was both God and man. g. His ________________ at God’s right hand. After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and He sat at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19 1. Completion of Christ’s work of redemption. Hebrews 1:3 2. Jesus received authority over the universe. 1 Peter 3:22; Ephesians 1:20–21 3. Jesus received authority to pour out the Spirit on the Church. Acts 2:33 B. The Work of Christ a. Three important Old Testament offices 1. The prophet (such as Nathan, 2 Samuel 7:2) who spoke God’s words to the people. 2. The priest (such as Abiathar, 1 Samuel 30:7) who offered sacrifices, prayers, and praises to God on behalf of the people. 3. The king (such as King David, 2 Samuel 5:3) who ruled over the people as God’s representative.

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b. Works of Christ in the New Testament 1. Christ as Prophet. (Acts 3:22–23) •

Jesus is the prophet whom Moses predicted, yet He is also far greater than any of the OT prophets. (Deuteronomy 18:15,18; John 6:14; John 7:40; Acts 3:22–24)

2. Christ as Priest18 As priest He both offers a sacrifice to God on our behalf and is Himself the perfect sacrifice that is offered. The priest represented man to God. Psalm 110:4 establishes Christ’s priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek (cf. Hebrews 5:6-10; 6:20; 7:11, 17). As a priest: •

Christ continually represents the believer because He lives forever. Hebrews 7:24

•

Christ completely saves the believer because His intercession never ceases. Hebrews 7:25

•

Christ has no personal sins to impede His work as priest. Hebrews 7:27

•

Christ finished His priestly work by one offering Hebrews 10:12.19

3. Christ as King. Revelation 19:16; Ephesians 1:20-22 As king He rules over the church and over the universe as well.

18 19

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Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology Paul P. Enns, MOODY HANDBOOK OF THEOLOGY MOODY PRESS Chicago, Illinois

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” C.S. LEWIS, Mere Christianity

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EXPRESS In a group with 3-5 members, take turns and share what your birthday month is. The person whose birthday month is farthest compared to the rest of the group will be the first one to share his or her thoughts on the following discussion points. Take just 3 minutes each to share your thoughts, so that all of your group members will have the opportunity to participate in the discussion. 1. What new information or insight about Jesus Christ did you learn from the lesson today?

2. Since Christ is our Prophet, Priest and King, what do you believe would be the proper response to Him and what He says in the Bible?

3. Why is Jesus the perfect mediator between a holy God and sinful man? As a group, come up with at least three reasons why.

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EXPERIENCE Jesus’ unique mission has to do with our salvation and our reconciliation with our loving, holy God. The Lord in turn also gave his followers a unique mission. We read in Matthew 28:19-20 that we are to “make disciples” and we do this by going, baptizing and teaching them to obey everything Jesus taught. 1. What will be your involvement in Christ’s commission given to all His followers? Indicate with a plus sign (+) your commitment to the specific action steps given below: I will help fulfill the mission Jesus gave to all His followers. I will make disciples as I… By God’s grace… ____ Go and share the gospel to others as a lifestyle (through pray, care, share). ____ Teach the Bible to others through small group discipleship. ____ Help my disciples follow Jesus through my example of moment-bymoment obedience to His commands.

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EQUIP On-the-Job Training: 30 minutes Take time to study the diagram below. This represents the concept of the “trilemma” as proposed by CS Lewis in his book Mere Christianity. Discuss the questions that follow with your Dgroup leader. Practice drawing this diagram from memory in the next 7 days.

The Trilemma Jesus claimed to be God If His claims were FALSE

If He knew His claims were FALSE...

If He did not know His claims were FALSE...

Then Jesus was a

Then Jesus was a

LIAR

LUNATIC

If His claims were TRUE

Then Jesus is

LORD

Reject Him

Accept Him

1. How would you respond to Jesus’ teachings (as recorded in the Bible) if He was a liar? How about if He was a lunatic? 2. What are the possible responses a person can make if Jesus is indeed who He says He is — Lord? 3. What is your response to Jesus Christ? Why did you choose to respond that way?

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SESSION 5

THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION Saved from Sin’s Penalty, Power, and Presence

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EXPLORE Which item would you most likely line up for if it were given away for free? 1. Gift certificate for two in a Michelin Star restaurant that serves your favorite dishes. 2. Family vacation in one of the top tourist attractions in the world. 3. Air fare to a travel destination of your choice. 4. Latest mobile phone or tablet. 5. Voucher for an Eat-All-You-Can buffet. 6. Spa and beauty treatment at a well-known salon in the city. 7. Grocery items in time for Noche Buena (Christmas Eve dinner), New Year’s Eve, or other special celebration. 8. Latest book from your favorite Christian author. 9. Movie passes for two for the premier showing of the latest offering of your favorite action/adventure trilogy. 10. Weekend stay at one of the highly-recognized hotels in the city.

LEARNING NUGGET Most people will line up quickly ahead of the others for something that is given away for free. But have you ever wondered why most people will not line up for the gift of salvation that God offers to all of us for free? What is it about the nature of salvation that we need to share so that people will highly desire it? Today we will study CCF’s Statement of Faith on the nature of salvation.

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EXAMINE I. Introduction A. Sola Gratia Sola gratia, or “by grace alone”, means that salvation comes by divine grace or “unmerited favor” only. It is not earned by the sinner; it is a free gift from God. B. Sola Fide Sola fide, or “by faith alone”, means that we receive God’s wonderful gift of salvation through faith and nothing else. We place all our faith in who Jesus is and what He did for us at Calvary and God declares us righteous or right with Him. Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8–9 C. Our Statement of Faith on Salvation: Saved from Sin’s Penalty, Power and Presence We believe that salvation – with its forgiveness of sins, impartation of a new nature and eternal life – is a free gift from God. This gift is received when a person trusts in Jesus Christ to be his only Savior and Lord. It is given by God’s grace and cannot be earned by man through good works, baptism, church membership or any other means. Cf. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

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II. The Nature of True Salvation A. True Salvation is a _______________ from God. a. We did nothing to earn or deserve it; it is undeserved favor, a gift of grace. Salvation has always been apart from human works. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8–9 b. Our God is a saving God and the Bible teaches us that He does not want anyone to perish. 2 Peter 3:9 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil dwells with You. Psalm 5:4 c. The Bible describes man as unrighteous; a sinner and separated from God because of his sin. Man is in need of salvation. Romans 3:10 1. By ____________ Psalm 51:5 2. By ____________ Ephesians 2:3 3. By ____________ Romans 3:12 4. By ____________ Romans 3:23 ...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23

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The most common New Testament word used for sin is hamartia. It is used in various forms around 227 times. This word simply means “to miss the mark”. B. True Salvation is ___________________. The salvation that God provided is so awesome and complete that it spans our past, present and future. a. ______________ (past): Saved from sin’s penalty. 1. God saved us from the penalty of sin. Once genuine repentance for sin and faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ has taken place, God freely forgives all sin. 2. God declared us right with Him and proclaimed us righteous. We call this “justification” and it was all prophesied over 700 years before Jesus was born, by the prophet Isaiah. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our wellbeing fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. Isaiah 53:6 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:11

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For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 1 Peter 3:18 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19 b. __________________ (present): Saved from sin’s power. 1. God saved us from the power of sin; He did not just save us and leave us at the mercy of this sinful world. Romans 8:29 While He accepts us the way we are, He certainly won’t leave us that way. 2. God makes a distinction between _________ righteousness and ____________ righteousness. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it, until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 3. We call this aspect of our salvation “_____________” and it simply means that we have “set apart” for God.

Our practice needs to match our position in Christ.

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So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12–13 4. God has given us the ability to live godly lives. The unbeliever only has the capacity for sin; even the good things he does are tainted by sin. But God has placed within the believer a brand new nature with the desire to live righteously. Although we will still sin because we are not yet completely free of our sinful nature until we go to heaven, we now have the God- given ability to say no to sin and live godly lives. ...knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin... Romans 6:6 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts... Romans 6:11–12 And do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:13–14 And having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:18

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c. ______________ (future): Final work of God upon believers where we will have perfect, eternal, transformed physical bodies that can no longer be influenced or corrupted by sin20 1. This refers to the glory that we will enjoy as we spend the rest of eternity with Him. 2. The Bible assures us that there is also a future element to our salvation and one day we will also be saved from the presence of sin. 3. We will receive a new body, a glorified body and sin will have been eliminated from our lives forever. “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:29–30 d. As far as God is concerned, those who are in Christ… 1. Have been justified …and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified… 2. Have been sanctified ...He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son

20

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https://carm.org/glorification

3. Have been glorified … He also glorified Chart 5.1: Our Complete Salvation SALVATION You have been saved from sin’s penalty

JUSTIFICATION

You are being saved from sin’s power

SANCTIFICATION

You will be saved from sin’s presence

GLORIFICATION

C. True Salvation includes ___________________. The Bible assures us that the moment our sin was dealt with we received eternal life. “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3 a. Eternal life is not a quantity of time but rather a quality of living. It is entering into a personal relationship with God.

b. Eternal life begins the moment we are saved from sin’s penalty and continues into eternity.

c. Eternal life can never be lost, as that is a contradiction in terms. Jesus is crystal clear that none that the Father has given Him will ever be lost.

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“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. John 6:39 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30“I and the Father are one.” John 10:27–30 So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. Hebrews 9:28 D. True Salvation is by God’s ______________ Alone For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8–9 a. God reached out to man. We see God’s grace clearly in the person and work of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:5-8

John 3:16

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

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b. The term “grace” simply refers to God’s unmerited favor. It is not earned or deserved, it is a gift. c. We did not go looking for God. The Bible says He came looking for us. Religion says man can reach God through works but the Bible says that God reached down to us by GRACE. G R A C E

E. True Salvation is Through ____________ in Christ Alone. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8–9

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Good works CANNOT save you. Baptism CANNOT save you. Church membership CANNOT save you. Other mediators CANNOT save you. Only Jesus CAN save you. a. True saving faith involves the whole person, our mind, our emotion and our will. (James 2:14–26) b. It involves repentance from our sin and complete trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ to save us from sin and make us righteous. c. Saving faith has certain characteristics that separate it from other kinds of faith. John 2:24

John 8:31–44

1. Saving faith is placed in ____________ alone. John 14:6 2. Saving faith is based on the ____________. 2 Timothy 3:15 3. Saving faith involves the ________________. James 2:14–26 4. Saving faith involves ____________________. Luke 13:3, 5

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5. S aving faith always leads to _______________. John 10:27 Matthew 25:31–45 6. Saving faith produces _______________. Matthew 7:15-23 7. Saving faith continues to __________Him. John 8:31 1 John 2:19 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1–2 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

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EXPRESS In your groups, discuss the following points and share your answers with one another. 1. Read statement # 3 of our Statement of Faith carefully and thoughtfully: “We believe that salvation, with its forgiveness of sins and impartation of a new nature is a free gift from God. Those who trust in Jesus Christ to be their only Savior and Lord have eternal life. It is given by God’s grace and cannot be earned through good works, baptism, church membership or any other means. We believe that it is God’s will and command for every Christian to be actively engaged in telling others how to establish a personal relationship with God, through faith in Jesus Christ, and in discipling those who respond to the good news of salvation. We believe that good works are not the means to salvation but the expected by-product in the life of a true believer in Christ. The evidence of true salvation and true faith is good works and changed lives. It is every believer’s responsibility to pursue a life of good works through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

2. Do you wholeheartedly agree with our Statement of Faith in relation to the nature of our salvation? If you do, make a commitment to teach this truth to others. Share the gospel so that others too may receive God’s free gift salvation, pursue the mission He gave us and practice doing good that show evidence of our salvation. If not, what is your hesitation? What do you need to know so that you can fully commit to this statement of faith? How can CCF further help you to remove your hesitation?

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3. Without looking at our Statement of Faith, fill-in the appropriate words to complete the sentence: a. “We believe that salvation, with its forgiveness of sins and impartation of a __________________ is a free gift from God.” b. “Those who trust in Jesus Christ to be their only Savior and Lord have _________________ life.” c. “It is given by God’s grace and cannot be earned through good works, ___________________, church membership or any other means.” Review the Statement of Faith #3 and check your answers. Make it a point to know by heart and live out the essence of this statement.

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EXPERIENCE 1. Meditate on the following passage this week and memorize it for easy recall next time you need to be reminded of this important truth regarding our salvation, or when you share to someone else what true salvation really is. Ephesians 2:8–10 2. Practice explaining the Trilemma leading to a gospel presentation (see EQUIP portion for guidance). Ask God for opportunities to interact with the people you are praying for, and to be able to share the gospel with them in due time. Other than a family member, it is best to share the gospel with someone of the same gender to avoid misunderstood motives on your part. Remember that we do good things to others because that is how people will see Jesus in our lives and glorify our Father in heaven. No matter the response of those we reach out to and whether or not they accept or reject the message of the gospel, we will continue to do good to them according to God’s will.

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EQUIP On-the-Job Training: 30 minutes Practice the following conversation on the Trilemma with your discipler who will provide useful feedback and coaching to prepare you for your mission in the coming weeks. Your discipler will draw the diagram and explain the Trilemma using the following conversation starters. For the purpose of this training, your discipler will be the one referred to as “you” and you will be the “friend” he or she are having a conversation with. Observe how or he or she does it. You can begin the conversation with your friend by saying: Have you ever heard of the concept of the Trilemma? This has to do with the possibilities of who Jesus really is based on His claims in the Bible. (Allow your friend to answer. Most people probably haven’t heard of the Trilemma). Would you allow me to show you a diagram that summarizes the Trilemma and explain it to you? (Wait for your friend’s reply… if he/she says “yes”, draw the Trilemma diagram and explain it to your friend). “Some people believe that Jesus Christ was a good teacher who gave us beneficial guidelines for living a happy life. Some believe that He is on equal footing with the other religious founders—claiming that all religions are the same and all will lead to God eventually. How about you? Who do you say Jesus Christ is?” (Allow your friend to share his or her thoughts) “Thank you for sharing your beliefs about who Jesus is. Have you had the chance to consider what Jesus had to say about who He really is?” (Allow your friend to answer. Most people, even Christians, most probably have not seriously considered the claims of Jesus Christ).

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“It was the same thing with me! I have not taken the time to look at and understand what Jesus Christ claimed to be. Until I took this class on who Jesus really is. I discovered that Jesus claimed to be God and that He is the ONLY way to God. In fact, what He said about Himself was used against Him by the religious leaders of His time and He was accused of blasphemy—a mere mortal who claimed to be God. This led to His crucifixion since blasphemy was punishable by death in the religious culture and time in history that He lived on earth. However, I also learned that Jesus was able to prove His claim to be the Son of God by His unique birth, life and miracles, death and finally, His resurrection after three days in the tomb. Still, some people today do not really believe that Jesus is the only true God. While others claim they believe that Jesus is the Son of God, yet, do not treat Him as such in reality. How about you? Who do you think Jesus is? Before you answer, I’d like to show you what CS Lewis, an English writer and philosopher calls the trilemma regarding who Jesus is based on His claims. Will that be alright with you? (At this point, allow your friend to give you permission to go ahead. Then show him the trilemma chart. Better yet, memorize the chart and draw it in front of your friend.) Explain the chart to your friend. Do not add much details, stick to what is written on the chart.

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•

Jesus Christ claimed to be the God

•

There are two possible ways to look at this: either His claims were true, or they were false.

•

If Jesus knew that He was falsely claiming to be God, what does that make Him? A liar.

•

On the other hand, if Jesus did not know that His claims were false and He made such bold claims, what does that make Him? A lunatic or a looney!

•

The third option regarding the claims of Jesus about Himself, is if they were in fact, true.

•

If His claim to be God is true, then He is Lord of all.

•

If Jesus is God, then we have two options: to reject Him as Lord of our lives OR to accept Him as our Lord and Savior and surrender our lives to Him.

Ask your friend: “Does this make sense to you?” (Wait for a response from your friend) “If so, let me go back to my question earlier—who do you say Jesus Christ really is? Is He a liar, a lunatic, or is He Lord?” (Wait for a response) “Thank you for sharing your personal belief about Jesus. May I share with you my own story that led me to a personal decision to submit myself to the Lordship of Christ? (If your friend says “yes”, proceed to your One Minute Testimony) “Would you like to know more about Jesus and His teachings? Perhaps you would like to join me on a Bible study. We have a six-week Bible study series called “One by One” that discusses more about who Jesus is and what He has done for us.” (Wait for a response) If your friend answers, “yes”, then proceed to set a definite date, time and place within the week to start Book 1: One by One with him or her. As much as possible, set the meeting 48 hours after this conversation. If your friend declines, simply thank him/her for the time you were given to share about the topic. Ask him/her what concerns you can pray for. Take time to pray with your friend right then if he has time to spare. You can go back to him/her the next 7 days and follow up on the concerns that you prayed for. Make sure you pray for your friend during the week! Keep on doing “Prayer-Care-Share” with your friend and others who still do not know who Jesus really is.

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SESSION 6

THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION Saved for Good Works and Witness

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EXPLORE Work as a group and come up with as many words as you possibly can from the word “MISSION”. Check your list against other groups’ lists and see who has the most number of words.

LEARNING NUGGET We may be able to form many words from “mission” but when it comes to the real mission of Christ-committed followers, there is only one that has been given by Jesus Christ. We will look into what every Christian’s mission is as stated in the CCF Statement of Faith.

[Possible words from “MISSION”: miss, son, sons, on, is, ion, ions, no, non, sis, in, sin, sins, moss, miso]

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EXAMINE I. Introduction A. Soli Deo Gloria Sola Deo Gloria means that our Christian lives should be surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and lived for the glory of God alone. Our salvation is based on the teaching of the Scriptures, it magnifies the person and work of Jesus Christ, it is received by grace through faith and the only reasonable response on our part is to live the rest of our lives for God’s glory. Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 B. CCF Statement of Faith on Good Works We believe that good works are not the means to salvation but the expected by-product in the life of a true believer in Christ. The evidence of true salvation and true faith is repentance, good works, and changed lives. It is every believer’s responsibility to pursue a life of good works through the power of the Holy Spirit. Cf. Ephesians 2:8–10; Galatians 6:9-10; Matthew 5:16; 1 Timothy 6:18 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:8–10

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II. Works and Witness of a Christian A. Saved from __________________ a. We have been __________________. (1 Peter 1:3) b. We have become _________________. (2 Corinthians 5:17) c. We have been given a ______________. (Romans 6:6) d. We have been ________________. (2 Corinthians 3:18) e. We have passed from darkness into the __________. (Ephesians 5:8) Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God Hebrews 6:1 They are referred to as dead because we were spiritually dead when we performed them. Dead trees don’t produce living fruit and when we were separated from God in sin (spiritually dead) even our best efforts were as filthy rags to our holy God (Isaiah 64:6). But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) Ephesians 2:4–5

“True faith will inevitably manifest itself in the performance of works of obedience... The performance of works are the result of faith and the fruit of justification.” R. C. SPROUL

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B. We are Saved for __________________. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (Cf. James 2:17, 20,26) The Bible teaches us that we have been saved for a purpose. God has already planned out works He wants you and I to do.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1 a. Work ____________for the Lord. Colossians 3:23 b. Obey God’s commands out of ____________. John 14:15 1 John 2:3–6 c. Do everything for the __________ of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 1 Corinthians 10:7 1 Peter 4:11 d. Serve with a ____________ heart. Colossians 3:17

“Thankfulness to God is a recognition that God in His goodness and faithfulness has provided for us and cared for us, both physically and spiritually. It is a recognition that we are totally dependent upon Him; that all that we are and have comes from God.” JERRY BRIDGES

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e. Do nothing out of __________________. Philippians 2:3–5 C. Evidence of Our Salvation a. ______________ faith that cannot save. James 2:14-17 Someone who has this kind of faith knows about the Bible and the doctrine of salvation but has never submitted himself to God and trusted Christ for his salvation. This person knows the right words to say but his words are never proven by his works. Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. James 2:17 The Bible assures us that the moment we placed our faith in Christ alone for salvation we were made alive and life demands growth and fruit. James repeats three times that faith without works is dead faith and dead faith cannot save you. James 2:17, 20, 26 “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17“So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20“So then, you will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:16–20 b. ________________________ faith that cannot save James 2:18–19 Luke 8:28–31 A person can be intellectually enlightened and even emotionally stirred up and still be dead and lost.

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“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ Matthew 7:21–23

c. _____________________ faith that saves James 2:20–26 1. Saving faith involves the whole person: •

Intellect – understands the truth

•

Emotions – experiences sorrow for sin, rejoices in and desires the truth

•

Will – acts upon the truth

2. True saving faith is dynamic because it leads to action and that action produces good works and fruit in our lives. So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32and you will the know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31–32 “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. John 15:8

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3. Saving faith is demonstrated by God’s people through personal acts of obedience. Look up Hebrews 11: 1-31 and write down evidence of real faith as demonstrated by the biblical characters identified in the “Hall of Faith” passage. The first two are given as examples.

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•

By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice (11:4)

•

By faith Enoch pleased God (11:5)

•

By faith Noah ___________________ (11:7)

•

By faith Abraham ________________ (11:8)

•

By faith Sarah __________________(11:11)

•

By faith Abraham __________Isaac (11:17)

•

By faith Isaac ________Jacob and Esau (11:20)

•

By faith Jacob _______ Joseph’s sons (11:21)

•

By faith Joseph __________the Exodus. (11:22)

•

By faith Moses’ parents ________God not the king. (11:23)

•

By faith Moses chose ______rather than sin (11:25)

•

By faith Moses _______Egypt, its _______(11:27)

•

By faith Moses kept the________________(11:28)

•

By faith Israel passed through the____________ (11:29)

•

By faith Israel _______________Jericho (11:30)

•

By faith Rahab _____________the spies and saved her own life (11:31)

4. Saving faith results in mighty acts of God’s people. List down the mighty acts of God’s people as recorded in Hebrews 11:32-35a Hebrews 11:33

Hebrews 11:34

Hebrews 11:35a

5. Saving faith endures through trials and testing Read Hebrews 11:35b-37 and note down the trials and testing God’s people endured without losing their faith in the LORD. This are evidence of how saving faith remain steadfast even in the face of great suffering.

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Hebrews 11:37–40 All these gained approval through their faith! Their faith was clearly seen in the way they lived! The word was not worthy of them!

III. Every Christian’s Mission We believe that it is God’s will and command for every Christian to be actively engaged in telling others how to establish a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ and in discipling those who respond to the good news of salvation. Cf. 2 Timothy 1:7–8, 4:2; 2 Corinthians 5:19–20; Matthew 28:19–20 A. The Importance of Our _____________. a. Saved for a purpose And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20 1. The mission of the church is inseparably tied to the health of the church.

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2. Doctrine and duty must go together if evangelism is going to be effective. People will not believe your message without evidence and you are the evidence that God saves people from their sin. 21

that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 23I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. John 17:21, 23 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 The credibility of the gospel message is inseparably tied to the lives of the people that claim to believe it.

“Show me your redeemed life and I might be inclined to believe in your redeemer.” HEINRICH HEINE, a 19th century German philosopher and poet

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EXPRESS In your groups, discuss the following points and share your answers with one another. 1. According to Matthew 28:19–20, what are we commanded by the Lord to accomplish here on earth? 2. What have you done so far to accomplish this mission? You may want to revisit the commitments you made in Session 4 EXPERIENCE section. Check which faith steps you are currently engaged in: I regularly pray for family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors to come to know to a personal saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I intentionally express tangible care to others as I become aware of their concerns in the process of praying for them. I intentionally share the gospel to others (I look for and create opportunities to share the gospel). I disciple new believers to grow in their relationship with Christ. I mentor maturing believers on how to share the gospel to others and how to grow in Christlikeness. 3. What changes do you need to make in your lifestyle so you can do more good for others? Consider change in the following areas: • • • • •

My free time My God-given finances My spiritual gifts and natural abilities My network of relationships My skills and know-how connected to my profession/career

Make it your goal to implement change starting today.

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EXPERIENCE The first step to making disciples or Christ-committed followers is to introduce them to the Savior. 1. PRAY: Start praying for at least 10 persons in your family, workplace, business, school, gym, etc. who you desire to come to a personal relationship with Jesus. 2. CARE: Extend tangible care in any way possible, showing God’s love for him or her, doing good for them in practical ways. (Remember that we do good things to others because that is how people will see Jesus in our lives and glorify our Father in heaven). 3. SHARE: When is your target date to share the gospel? (Ask God for opportunities to interact with the people you are praying for and to be able to share the gospel with them in due time. Other than a family member, it is best to share the gospel with someone of the same gender to avoid misunderstood motives on your part). 4. FOLLOW UP: Who will you invite to be part of your small group? (Consider those you shared the gospel to and who made a positive decision of accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord). 5. DISCIPLE: When do you plan to start the Book 1: One by One lessons with your small group?

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EQUIP It is now your turn to practice explaining the Trilemma leading to a gospel presentation to your discipler. For the purpose of this training, demonstrate only the Trilemma part (no need to demo One-Minute Witness testimony and God’s Way to Heaven gospel presentation). Turn back to the EQUIP portion of Session 5 and use the suggested conversation starters to explain the Trilemma to your discipler.

SESSION 7

THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT His Deity and Personhood

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EXPLORE The Bible identifies certain character traits that become evident in the life of a Christ-committed follower as he or she experiences the Holy Spirit’s work in him or her. Without opening the Bible, encircle the “fruit of the Spirit” as enumerated in Galatians 5:22–23. Diligence

Humor

Patience

Forgiveness

Tolerance

Friendliness

Health

Joy

Smartness

Niceness

Peace

Faithfulness

Love

Kindness

Wisdom

Happiness

Tongues

Goodness

Hospitality

Cheerfulness

Strength

Prosperity

Popularity

Zealousness Self-control

(Turn to Galatians 5:22-23 to check your answers after you complete the activity.)

LEARNING NUGGET One of the amazing works of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life is to produce Christ-likeness in him or her. It might be a surprise to many of us to realize that God never commanded us to produce the fruit of the Spirit — our responsibility is to ABIDE in Christ. The Holy Spirit will produce the fruit of Christ-likeness in us as we abide in Christ. In the next 2 lessons, we will discover more not only about what the Holy Spirit’s role is in our growth and maturity in Christ but also about who He truly is. (See Galatians 5:16, 22–23).

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EXAMINE I. Introduction A. Soli Deo Gloria Galatians 5:16 B. Our Statement of Faith on the Holy Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit is God and possesses all divine attributes. He indwells all believers and baptizes them into the body of Christ at the moment they trust in Jesus Christ to be their only Savior and Lord. He controls all true believers and empowers them to live the Christian life in response to their obedience, confession of sins, and submission to Him. Cf. Romans 8:9–11; 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7–13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

II. The Truth about the Holy Spirit’s Identity A. The Importance of a Proper Knowledge of the Holy Spirit21 a. The Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood member of the Trinity. b. The Holy Spirit makes God personal in the life of the believer. c. We live in the time of the Holy Spirit. d. Our experience of God becomes relevant and tangible. B. What the Holy Spirit is Not In order to understand fully who the Holy Spirit is, we must know first what He is not. a. An Impersonal FORCE, POWER or INFLUENCE b. A mere Godly ENTHUSIASM, ZEAL or PASSION. c. An EMANATION from God the Father.

21

Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan

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C. What the Holy Spirit is Not a. The Holy Spirit is __________. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all coequally God and together form the Eternal God. Matthew 28:19 1. His ___________ proves He is God. •

The Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 The Spirit searches the “depths of God” and knows “the thoughts of God” because He is God.

•

The Holy Spirit is identified as another ____________. John 14:16-17 In the Greek language the word for ‘another’ actually means ‘another of the same kind.’ So Jesus, who is God, is saying that He will be going and then He will be sending another of the same kind, God, to replace Him.

2. His ______________ prove that He is God.

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•

He is all knowing - omniscient Isaiah 11:2

•

He is all powerful - omnipotent Job 33:4

•

He is everywhere present – omnipresent Psalm 139:7

•

He is eternal Hebrews 9:14

3. His _______________prove that He is God. •

The world was created by Him. Genesis 1:2

•

The Word of God was authored by Him. 2 Peter 1:21

•

The Lord Jesus was conceived by Him. Luke 1:35

b. The Holy Spirit is a _____________. When people hear about the Holy Spirit, they often think of ‘an influence’ or an ‘unknown force’ but the Bible teaches us that He is a person. 1. Proven by His personal ______________. •

His _________________. John 16:13

•

His __________________. Romans 15:30 Ephesians 4:30

•

His ____________________. 1 Corinthians 12:11 Acts 16:6-11

2. Proven by His personal ______________. •

He guides us into all truth, hears and speaks. John 16:13

•

He convicts, teaches and reminds us from God’s Word. John 16:8, 13 John 14:26

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•

He prays for us, performs miracles and testifies about Jesus. Romans 8:26 Acts 8:39 John 15:26

3. Proven by His personal ______________. We are given a number of instances where the Holy Spirit relates as a person to others showing His own distinct personality: •

His relationship to the ________________. Acts 15:28

•

His relationship to _________________. John 16:14-15

•

His relationship to the _______________. Matthew 28:19 2 Corinthians 13:14

The Bible is very clear that the Holy Spirit is a coequal person with the Father and the Son. 4. Proven by how He is recognized by _____________.

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•

He can be disobeyed and lied to just like Jesus. Acts 10:19-21; 5:3

•

He can be resisted and blasphemed. Acts 7:51 Matt. 12:31

•

He can be insulted and grieved just like Jesus. Hebrews 10:29 Eph. 4:30

EXPRESS 1. What were some of your misconceptions about the Holy Spirit prior to this lesson? How do you think you formed those misconceptions?

2. In what ways have you experienced the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? (You may want to review the section on the works of the Holy Spirit from today’s lesson).

3. How do you think will a better understanding of the Person and works of the Holy Spirit affect the way you relate with God? How about your relationships with other people?

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EXPERIENCE 1. Think of an area of need you have in your life right now. Write it down in the space below.

2. Now take some time to ask the Holy Spirit to help you with this need based on the truths you learned about Him. Write down your prayer below and let this help you track God’s faithfulness in meeting your need through His Spirit.

3. Using a Bible concordance, search for references on the Holy Spirit/ Spirit both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. a. Note what the Holy Spirit’s works are in these references. Ask Him to reveal more of Himself to you as you go through this exercise. b. Record any new insight you get about the Person of the Holy Spirit or His works from these references. How will this insight change the way you live your life this week?

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EQUIP This week, talk to someone in your Pray, Care, Share list regarding the concept of the Trilemma just as you practiced with your discipler. Before you do so… 1. Ask the Holy Spirit to be the One to guide you and give you the words to speak to the person you will share with. 2. Review the Book 6: Basic Doctrines lessons you have had so far. 3. Practice making the diagram from memory and explain it using the conversation starters you practiced with your discipler. 4. If you feel you need to, review your One Minute Testimony and the God’s Way to Heaven gospel presentation. You may draw the Trilemma diagram ahead of time and just bring it with you to show your friend. This will be useful if you have less time to have the conversation with the person you are sharing with. If there is adequate time (around 30 minutes including your One Minute Testimony and gospel presentation), go ahead and draw the Trilemma diagram yourself.

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SESSION 8

THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WORK AND THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE

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EXPLORE Work together in groups of 3-5 people each and try to identify what the specific uses are of the unusual tools listed below. Very few people can get this all correct, so do not worry if you cannot get it all perfect! 1. A “shingle froe” is used for...

2. A “Stanley #1 Odd Jobs” is used for…

3. An adze is used for…

4. A “Channellock rescue tool” is used for…

5. A “timber scribe” is used for…

(See Appendix I for the Answer Key.) LEARNING NUGGET The seventh item in CCF’s Statement of Faith is concerning what we believe about the Holy Spirit. One of the works of the Spirit in the life of the believer is to empower him/her to be an effective instrument in God’s hand to accomplish His special design for His people.

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EXAMINE I. The Work of the Holy Spirit A. He ___________ All Believers. John 14:16–17 When speaking of the Holy Spirit to the disciples, Jesus made an incredible statement. He told them the Spirit was with them but that there was coming a time when the Holy Spirit would dwell in them. a. In the Church Age, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer and this is a sign that they are truly saved. In the Old Testament, He came upon different believers at different times and in different ways to accomplish the work of God. Judges 14:5-6 b. Today, the Holy Spirit permanently resides inside the lives of all true believers, and He will never leave us. Romans 8:9 1. He controls the willing believer to live a righteous life. Romans 8:9a

2. The believer now belongs to Christ. Romans 8:9b

B. He _____________ That We Are God’s Children. Romans 8:14–16

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C. He ___________ the Believer. a. He marks us as his own possession. …set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:22 b. He guarantees that we will receive our spiritual inheritance. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13b–14 D. He ____________ the Believers 2 Thessalonians 2:13

a. Sanctification is the process of becoming like Christ. b. He continually transforms the believer’s moral and spiritual character. E. He ______________ the Believer for a Godly Life and Witness Jesus did not leave us on our own when it comes to living out the Christian life. The Christian life is not difficult — ­ it is impossible. That is why Jesus has given us the Spirit.

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a. He empowers the believer for victory over sin. Galatians 5:16

b. He empowers the believer for witnessing. Acts 1:8

F. He ______________ Spiritual Truths to the Believers John 14:26

1 Corinthians 2: 13

G. He Gives _______________to the Believer Romans 12:6a a. A spiritual gift is the spiritual ability given to a believer at conversion to enable him to serve God. b. Every believer has a spiritual gift/gifts but not all the gifts, as the Spirit decides. 1 Corinthians 12:11 c. All gifts are important for the edification of the Church. 1 Corinthians 12:4,7

1 Corinthians 14:12

d. We must be faithful in using our spiritual gifts. 1 Timothy 4:14

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e. Every believer is responsible to discover and maximize his spiritual gifts in serving God and others. S – Spiritual Gifts What has God supernaturally gifted me to do? H – Heart What do I love to do and have passion for? A – Abilities What natural talents and skills do I have? P – Personality Where does my personality best suit me to serve? E – Experiences What spiritual experiences have I had? What painful experiences have I had? What educational experiences have I had? What ministry experiences have I had?

“Your ministry will be most effective and fulfilling when you are using your gifts and abilities in the area of your heart’s desire in a way that best expresses your personality and experience.” R I C K W A R R E N ( W A R R E N ) 22

E – Experiment Volunteer and serve in the D-group. Try doing different things and see where the Holy Spirit will bless your work. He will confirm it through other people. E – Examine Your heart; which one do you enjoy most?

22

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http://www.hoc6.org/newark/files/SHAPE%20Hardcopy.pdf. Accessed 10/15/2015 12:06 PM

H. He ______________ Believers into the Body of Christ. a. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is seen in action several times in the Book of Acts but it is only defined once in the New Testament when the Apostle Paul is forced to correct false teaching in the Church at Corinth. 1 Corinthians 12:13 b. Simply put, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the act by which the Holy Spirit places us into the body of Christ – the Church – and this happens the moment we are saved. I. He ________________Believers. Ephesians 5:18

a. Wrong ideas about being filled with the Spirit 1. Sinless perfection 2. Accompanied by an unusual experience 3. Same as baptism of the Spirit b. What does it mean to “be filled” by the Spirit? 1. The Spirit-filled Life The verb “fill” here has nothing to do with contents or quantity. We are not empty vessels waiting to be filled. Romans 8:9 •

If we belong to the Lord Jesus the Holy Spirit already lives in us permanently. The primary meaning here is “to be under the control of”.

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•

Being filled with the Spirit is a moment by moment complete dependence upon God.

•

Dying to self and yielding control of every aspect of our lives over to Him. Dr. Charles Stanley expounds on this concept: “Think of this as a voluntary choice to surrender your life to the Holy Spirit’s control—in other words, to be sensitive to His leadership and guidance, obedient to His promptings, and dependent upon His strength. The evidence of the Spirit’s control is revealed in a person’s character. Those who have yielded their lives to Christ’s leadership are continually being transformed into His likeness. The degree of surrender determines the level of transformation. Even though good works and faithful service are a result of being filled with the Spirit, they are not necessarily signs of it. Remember, we are talking about character, not what we do. It’s easier to serve the Lord in some manner than to love the unlovable or be patient with difficult people. But when the Spirit is in charge of our lives, He does through us what we cannot do for ourselves. Each believer decides who rules his life, by either actively surrendering to Christ or deliberately going his own way. Even those who try to avoid the issue by making no choice at all unknowingly opt for self-rule. The fullness of the Spirit and godly character await those who choose God over self.”23

•

23

The filling of the Holy Spirit means that my body belongs to Jesus Christ. I have presented it as a living sacrifice to Him. (Romans 12:1)

http://www.jesus.org/following-jesus/fruit-of-the-spirit/how-do-we-live-a-spirit-filled-life.html Accessed 10/15/15 12:30 PM

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Filling our hearts and minds with the Word of God and living every moment in the conscious presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Being filled with the Spirit is living in the conscious presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, letting His mind, through the Word, dominate everything that is thought and done” DR. JOHN MACARTHUR

2. We are filled by the Holy Spirit by ___________. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I, who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20 3. You can appropriate the filling of the Holy Spirit right now if you24: •

Sincerely desire to be directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 5:6; John 7:37-39).

•

Confess your sins. By faith, thank God that He has forgiven all of your sins - past, present and future because Christ died for you (Colossians 2:13–15; 1 John 1; 2:1-3; Hebrews 10:1-17).

•

Present every area of your life to God (Romans 12:1, 2).

4. By faith claim the fullness of the Holy Spirit, according to: •

His _________: Be filled with the Spirit. “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18).

24

Adapted from Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life? by Dr. Bill Bright, cofounder of Campus Crusade for Christ. © Campus Crusade for Christ.

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•

His __________: He will always answer when we pray according to His will. “And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14, 15).

c. Results of being filled with the Spirit 1. Produce ____________ John 15:1-11

Galatians 5:22-25

2. Proclaim ____________ Acts 1:8 3. Perform _____________ Ephesians 3:20

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d. Some characteristics of a Spirit-filled Christian 1. Filled with ____________ Ephesians 5:19

2. Filled with ____________ Ephesians 5:20

3. Filled with _____________ Ephesians 5:21

This is often seen in humble submission to Christ and to one another. Your relationships with others will be right because you are humble, servant-hearted and consider others to be more important than yourself. e. Spiritual Breathing25 By faith you can continue to experience God’s love and forgiveness. If you become aware of an area of your life (an attitude or an action) that is displeasing to the Lord, even though you are walking with Him and sincerely desiring to serve Him, simply thank God that He has forgiven your sins – past, present and future – on the basis of Christ’s death on the cross. Claim His love and forgiveness by faith and continue to have fellowship with Him. But if you retake the throne of your life through sin – a definite act of disobedience – breathe spiritually.

25

Adapted from Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life? by Dr. Bill Bright, cofounder of Campus Crusade for Christ. © Campus Crusade for Christ.

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Spiritual breathing (exhaling the impure and inhaling the pure) is an exercise in faith that enables you to continue to experience God’s love and forgiveness. So if you sin, practice spiritual breathing right away. 1. Exhale – confess your sin – agree with God concerning your sin and thank Him for His forgiveness of it, according to 1 John 1:9 and Hebrews 10:1-25. Confession involves repentance - a change in attitude and action. 2. Inhale – surrender the control of your life to Christ, and appropriate (receive) the fullness of the Holy Spirit by faith. Trust that He now directs and empowers you, according to the command of Ephesians 5:18, and the promise of 1 John 5:14, 15.

“The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. I will try my utmost to be that man.” DW I G H T L . M O O DY

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EXPRESS In your small group, express your insights on the following discussion points. Make sure to give each member a chance to share his or her thoughts for every point so limit your turn to speak to 3 minutes per discussion point. Let the member who has the closest birthday to this day start the discussion. The member with the next closest birthdate goes next and so on. 1. How sure are you right now that you are filled by the Holy Spirit? Choose one word to describe your response: Absolutely sure—100% Uncertain – 50% or so Doubtful – less than 50% sure Explain your response briefly. What made you answer that way? 2. If the filling of the Spirit is a command from the Lord (Ephesians 5:18) then we know that this is His will. Read 1 John 5:14–15. What does God promise in these verses? If you want to be filled with the Spirit, you can do so by faith — trusting that God will fill you with His Spirit because it is His will (command) that you be filled. Have a few moments of prayer in your group. Individually and quietly, ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit as He commanded you to be filled. “Our loving Heavenly Father, I desire to do Your will for my life because I believe that You love me and desire only the best for me. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled. By faith I thank You that I am now filled by the Spirit based on Your promise that You will answer my prayer in accordance to Your will. Help me to continually be controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. By Your grace, I choose to do Your will for my life moment by moment as Your Spirit empowers me to do what pleases You. I ask these in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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3. What are some evidences that you see in your own life that you are filled with the Spirit? Share this with a grateful attitude knowing that the Holy Spirit is the one who produces godly fruit in your life. 4. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will bear fruit for God’s glory. One kind of fruit is what we produce as we share the gospel to others and make disciples. What steps are you taking to share the gospel regularly? What steps are you taking to disciple others? How can you improve in this area?

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EXPERIENCE 1. Discover your spiritual gifts through the Spiritual Gifts evaluation tool provided in Appendix J. Use the score sheet to find out your top three highest scores, that correspond to your top three spiritual gifts and the areas of ministry that are most suited for the exercise of your gifts. 2. Choose one of the various CCF ministries to volunteer in where you can serve the church and the unchurched through your spiritual gifts. Do this in 4 weeks and begin the adventure of maximizing your gifts for God’s purposes and glory! •

Visit www.ccf.org.ph for more information on how you can get involved in different CCF ministries today.

•

Visit the “GO SERVE” booth at the 2nd floor lobby of CCF Center on Sundays to inquire about CCF ministries and where you can volunteer in.

•

Download the free CCF App from iTunes to have easy access to information on a variety of CCF ministry volunteer opportunities.

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EQUIP On-the-Job Training: 30 minutes Your discipler will go through with you the “Spirit-Filled Life” Presentation found in Appendix K. The late Dr. Bill Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ who developed this material along with his wife and CCC cofounder Vonette Bright, would say that if you only had five minutes to talk with another believer, the Spirit-filled life would be what you should pass on to him or her. Observe closely how your discipler goes through the explanation. This week, explain the Spirit-filled life to at least one family member who is a believer and to your Dgroup members (if you are leading a group) or other members in your Dgroup (if you are not yet leading a group).

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WHAT’S NEXT?

BOOK 7: CHRIST-COMMITTED LIVING

Now that you know the basic Bible doctrines on which our Christian faith and conduct is based on as a local body of believers in CCF, what’s next? Your discipleship journey will now take you to a study of what it means to live the Christ-committed life. Book 7: Christ-Committed Living has a twofold purpose. First is to help you discover what the Bible teaches about living under the lordship of Jesus Christ. You will encounter questions like, “What does it really mean to live a surrendered life to Christ?” The second purpose is to unpack the concept of “walking in the Spirit” as the secret to living under the lordship of Jesus Christ. How can a Christ-committed follower truly live out the Christ-committed life? Wouldn’t you want to find out? So get yourself ready for a lifestyle check, and let us head on together to the next learning adventure in becoming more like Jesus and living more like Him.

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APPENDIX A

CCF STATEMENT OF FAITH

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God We believe that there is only one sovereign God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the independent Creator of the heavens and the universe; He is all-knowing, all-powerful, just, loving, completely truthful, and holy. Cf. Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Isaiah 6:3; Titus 1:2; John 3:16; 1 Chronicles 29:11–12.

The Bible We believe that the Bible (66 books: 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books) is the Word of God — supernaturally inspired, inerrant, and infallible. It is our supreme authority in all matters of faith, doctrine, and conduct. We also affirm its sufficiency, clarity, and necessity for genuine Christian living. Cf. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 19:7–11; Proverbs 30:5.

Salvation We believe that salvation – with its forgiveness of sins, impartation of a new nature and eternal life – is a free gift from God. This gift is received when a person trusts in Jesus Christ to be his only Savior and Lord. It is given by God’s grace and cannot be earned by man through good works, baptism, church membership or any other means. Cf. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

Baptism We believe that water baptism by immersion is an act of obedience to Christ’s command. It is a public confession of our personal faith in Jesus Christ. As Christ died for our sins, we were raised from death; we walk in

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newness of life with Him. Cf. Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9; Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3–4.

Jesus Christ We believe that Jesus Christ in the flesh was both God and man, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and was born of a virgin. He lived a sinless life. He was crucified and died to pay the penalty for our sins. By His blood, the Lord Jesus Christ made a perfect sacrifice for sin once and for all time. He was raised from the dead on the third day. Later, He ascended to the Father’s right hand where He reigns as the Head of the Church and intercedes for believers. We believe He is coming again, bodily and visibly, to the earth to set up His Kingdom. Cf. Matthew 1:22–23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1–5,14; Hebrews 4:14–15; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Romans 1:3–4; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Timothy 6:14–15; Titus 2:13; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 7:25.

Every Christian’s Mission We believe that it is God’s will and command for every Christian to be actively engaged in telling others how to establish a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ and in discipling those who respond to the good news of salvation. Cf. 2 Timothy 1:7–8, 4:2; 2 Corinthians 5:19–20; Matthew 28:19–20.

The Holy Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit is God and possesses all divine attributes. He indwells all believers and baptizes them at the moment they trust in Jesus Christ to be their only Savior and Lord. He controls all true believers and empowers them to live the Christian life in response to their obedience, confession of sins, and submission to Him. Cf. Romans 8:9–11; 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7–13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18.

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Good Works We believe that good works are not the means to salvation but the expected by-product in the life of a true believer in Christ. The evidence of true salvation and true faith is repentance, good works, and changed lives. It is every believer’s responsibility to pursue a life of good works through the power of the Holy Spirit. Cf. Ephesians 2:8–10; Galatians 6:9–10; Matthew 5:16; 1 Timothy 6:18.

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APPENDIX B

MY AGREEMENT TO THE CCF STATEMENT OF FAITH

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With God as my witness, I fully agree and wholeheartedly support CCF’s Statement of Faith. I therefore commit to abide by it and uphold it in all my conduct within and outside the church. Signed,

(Sign above your name)

Date

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APPENDIX C

ANSWER KEY TO SESSION 1: GOD EXPLORE Doctrinal Survey

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Numbers with corresponding biblically-correct statements are encircled. 1. Jesus Christ is God. 2. Salvation includes being free from the penalty of sin. 3. The Trinity means that there are three (3) Persons in one God, all of these Persons having equal rank and are of the same nature. 4. Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between God and men. 5. The Bible is the final authority in matters of faith, doctrine, and conduct. 6. Salvation requires water baptism. 7. The Holy Spirit is a Divine Force. 8. I will go to heaven if I believe in Jesus even if I do not repent from my sins. 9. Jesus Christ is half-God and half-man. 10. When a man dies, he will first stay in purgatory before going to heaven. 11. The Trinity means that there is only one God who exists in three (3) forms: as Father, who became the Son when He became man, and who became the Holy Spirit after the resurrection. 12. The Holy Spirit is God, equal with the Father and the Son. 13. Jesus Christ was just a man, a created being who was sinless. 14. I will go to heaven if my good deeds outnumber by bad deeds. 15. The Trinity means that there are three (3) Gods of equal rank and of the same nature. 16. Jesus Christ died on the cross and resurrected on the third day. 17. Salvation involves repentance. 18. The Bible is not reliable in historical matters.

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19. I will go to heaven if I do good works like going to church, giving to the poor, etc 20. Jesus Christ is the only Savior of man. 21. The Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ in spirit form. 22. Jesus Christ is God who became man and ceased to be God. 23. Salvation means that the believer will no longer commit any sin. 24. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but lesser in rank than the Father. 25. Salvation includes having a sure place in heaven. 26. Salvation includes a changed life. 27. True saving faith will result in good works such as obedience to the commands of God. 28. The church is primarily the building where Christians gather to worship. 29. We need to do good works in order to be saved. 30. Salvation requires membership in a church.

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APPENDIX D

ANSWER KEY TO SESSION 2: THE BIBLE EXPLORE Activity

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HIDDEN BIBLE BOOK NAMES: 56 Books of the Bible highlighted in yellow The following article contains the names of all the books of the Bible hidden within the words. See if you can find them all! I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept some people looking so hard for facts. And for others it was revelation. Some were in a jam. Especially since the names of the books were not capitalized. But the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others, it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments to you. Do these while you’re watching TV, sitting on the john, eating tuna, humming your favorite reggae tune--- a song of Sol, “O Mon, I believe you!” Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. There are those among us who might need music – a banjo, electric guitar, or drums! See how well you can compete. Relax now, listen to Genesis on the radio, or play your banjo! Nah, just concentrate on the task at hand. Find them all and be a pro! Verbs and subjects don’t always agree in this article, but don’t let that stand in your way! I even asked for help from my ex. “O, Du!” she said. I replied, “Corinth, I answer your questions,” but she said, “Come back at Ramadan.” I eloquently thanked her. Frustrated, she said, “The puzzle is a … I ... ah.. I don’t find these EZ. Ek! I elect not to do them!” I thought about offering her a juju decoration or perhaps alms, but decided not to pursue it. This just about chronicles our relationship. Some of the hardest books to hide were Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Samuel, Nehemiah, Ecclesiastes, Jeremiah, Obadiah, Micah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Timothy, and Philemon. Remember that ten of

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the names are duplicated like First and Second Thessalonians, so you will only find fifty-six distinct names. This puzzle is not EZ – rather, it is quite difficult. It would be simpler if the books were in a list that you could pick from. Answer can be anywhere in this article, so that makes this format the worst! Do your best and God bless!

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APPENDIX E

ANSWER KEY TO SESSION 2: THE BIBLE EXPRESS Activity

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1. The inspiration of the Scripture means “heightening of the normal powers” of the biblical writers. (F) Explanation: It is not a “heightening of the normal powers” of the biblical writers but the Holy Spirit superintended over the writers so that while writing according to their own styles and personalities, the result was God’s Word written – authoritative, trustworthy, and free from error in the original manuscripts. 2. Inspiration does not refer to the high degree of insight of biblical writers. (T) 3. The inspiration of the Scriptures covers all portions of the Bible, not just the ones with gospel relevance. (T) 4. In the process of inspiration, God actually dictated the words to the biblical writers. (F) Explanation: The biblical writers were not passive stenographers to whom God dictated the material, but were active writers. The books of the Bible reveal a distinct contrast in style and vocabulary, indicating that the authors were not mere automatons. If God actually dictated the words, the style of the books of the Bible should be uniform. 5. The authority of the Bible is equal to the authority of the leader of the church. (F) Explanation: The Bible has supreme authority in matters of faith and practice. The Bible’s authority is not equal to the Church or leader’s authority. Our doctrine and conduct must be governed by the Scriptures. God’s Word should determine what we believe and how we respond in Christian living. We submit to the authority of church leaders as they lead us according to the teachings of Scriptures. This also means that if religious or church leaders teach or practice something that is clearly unbiblical, we must choose to obey God’s Word and not the teaching of men. 6. The 66 books of the Bible are a closed canon. The church could not add another book, chapter or verse to it any more. (T)

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7. The Scriptures is not reliable in some historical references. (F) Explanation: We believe that the Bible is inerrant or incapable of being wrong about anything it says. The Bible in its original manuscripts is completely free from error. This includes all doctrines, ethics and the social, physical or life sciences. God ensured that the truths He wanted written down by the various human authors of the Bible were truthfully communicated. 8. Although the Bible is necessary, it is not sufficient for the believer’s spiritual growth. (F) Explanation: The Bible is able to accomplish God’s purposes here upon the earth. God has given us His Word; it is complete and perfect in every way. It is all we need for salvation and spiritual growth. 9. Since the Bible is clear, we do not need proper interpretation or good Bible teachers. (F) Explanation: Even though the Bible is clear, this does not mean that proper interpretation or good Bible teachers are unnecessary. The Bible’s clarity means that the central message of the Bible can be understood by all who read it with God’s help. 10. Modern English translations of the Bible are inspired. (F) Explanation: Inspiration only applies to the original manuscripts that have not survived up to our time, not to the copies and the different English translations. It is important to note though that thousands of copies of the original manuscripts of the Bible have survived up to this day. These are the highly reliable sources on which modern English versions of the Bible have been translated from. We can be completely assured that God’s written Word has been faithfully passed on to us from the time it was written down the generations through the centuries.

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APPENDIX F

DAILY LIGHT READING PLAN New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs

http://www.heartlight.org/devotionals/ reading_plans/dailylight.pdf

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JANUARY 1-Jan Psalms 1-2 2-Jan Luke 1 3-Jan Luke 2 4-Jan Luke 3 5-Jan Luke 4 6-Jan Proverbs 1 7-Jan Psalms 3-5 8-Jan Luke 5 9-Jan Luke 6 10-Jan Luke 7

11-Jan Luke 8 12-Jan Luke 9 13-Jan Psalms 6-7 14-Jan Luke 10 15-Jan Luke 11 16-Jan Luke 12 17-Jan Proverbs 2 18-Jan Luke 13 19-Jan Luke 14 20-Jan Psalms 8-9

21-Jan Luke 15 22-Jan Luke 16 23-Jan Luke 17 24-Jan Luke 18 25-Jan Psalms 10-12 26-Jan Luke 19 27-Jan Luke 20 28-Jan Luke 21 29-Jan Luke 22 30-Jan Luke 23 31-Jan Luke 24

FEBRUARY 1-Feb Psalms 16-17 2-Feb Proverbs 3 3-Feb Acts 1 4-Feb Acts 2 5-Feb Acts 3 6-Feb Acts 4 7-Feb Acts 5 8-Feb Psalm 18 9-Feb Acts 6 10-Feb Acts 7

11-Feb Acts 8 12-Feb Psalms 19-20 13-Feb Acts 9 14-Feb Acts 10 15-Feb Acts 11 16-Feb Proverbs 4 17-Feb Acts 12 18-Feb Acts 19 19-Feb Acts 15 20-Feb Psalms 21-22

21-Feb Acts 15 22-Feb Acts 16 23-Feb Proverbs 5 24-Feb Acts 17 25-Feb Acts 18 26-Feb Acts 19 27-Feb Acts 20 28-Feb Psalms 23-24

MARCH 1-Mar Acts 21 2-Mar Acts 22 3-Mar Acts 23 4-Mar Psalms 13-15 5-Mar Acts 24 6-Mar Acts 25 7-Mar Acts 26 8-Mar Acts 27 9-Mar Acts 28 10-Mar Proverbs 6

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11-Mar Psalms 25-26 12-Mar 1Timothy 1 13-Mar 1Timothy 2 14-Mar 1Timothy 3 15-Mar 1Timothy 4 16-Mar 1Timothy 5 17-Mar 1Timothy 6 18-Mar Psalms 27-29 19-Mar 2 Timothy 1 20-Mar 2Timothy 2

21-Mar 2Timothy 3 22-Mar 2Timothy 4 23-Mar Psalms 30-31 24-Mar Proverbs 7 25-Mar Titus 1 26-Mar Titus 2 27-Mar Titus 3 28-Mar Psalms 32-33 29-Mar Proverbs 8 30-Mar Philemon 31-Mar Psalms 34-35

APRIL 1-Apr Mark 1 2-Apr Mark 2 3-Apr Mark 3 4-Apr Mark 4 5-Apr Mark 5 6-Apr Mark 6 7-Apr Proverbs 9 8-Apr Mark 7 9-Apr Mark 8 10-Apr Mark 9

11-Apr Mark 10 12-Apr Psalm 36 13-Apr Mark 11 14-Apr Mark 12 15-Apr Mark 13 16-Apr Mark 14 17-Apr Mark 15 18-Apr Mark 16 19-Apr Psalm 37 20-Apr 1Peter 1

21-Apr 1Peter 2 22-Apr 1Peter 3 23-Apr 1Peter 4 24-Apr 1Peter 5 25-Apr Psalm 38 26-Apr 2Peter 1 27-Apr 2Peter 2 28-Apr 2Peter 3 29-Apr Psalms 39-40 30-Apr Proverbs 10

MAY 1-May Psalm 41 2-May Galatians 1 3-May Galatians 2 4-May Galatians 3 5-May Galatians 4 6-May Galatians 5 7-May Galatians 6 8-May Psalms 42-43 9-May 1Thess. 1 10-May 1Thess. 2

11-May 1Thess. 3 12-May 1Thess. 4 13-May 1Thess. 5 14-May Psalms 44-45 15-May Proverbs 11 16-May 2Thess. 1 17-May 2Thess. 2 18-May 2Thess. 3 19-May Psalms 46-47 20-May Philippians 1

21-May Philippians 2 22-May Philippians 3 23-May Philippians 4 24-May Psalms 48-49 25-May Colossians 1 26-May Colossians 2 27-May Colossians 3 28-May Colossians 4 29-May Psalm 50 30-May Psalms 51-53 31-May Proverbs 12

JUNE 1-Jun Ephesians 1 2-Jun Ephesians 2 3-Jun Ephesians 3 4-Jun Ephesians 4 5-Jun Ephesians 5 6-Jun Ephesians 6 7-Jun Psalms 54-55 8-Jun Proverbs 13 9-Jun Hebrews 1 10-Jun Hebrews 2

11-Jun Hebrews 3 12-Jun Hebrews 4 13-Jun Psalms 56-57 14-Jun Hebrews 5 15-Jun Hebrews 6 16-Jun Hebrews 7 17-Jun Hebrews 8 18-Jun Hebrews 9 19-Jun Psalms 58-59 20-Jun Proverbs 14

21-Jun Hebrews 10 22-Jun Hebrews 11 23-Jun Hebrews 12 24-Jun Hebrews 13 25-Jun Psalms 60-61 26-Jun James 1 27-Jun James 2 28-Jun James 3 29-Jun James 4 30-Jun James 5

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JULY 1-Jul Psalms 62-64 2-Jul Proverbs 15 3-Jul Psalms 65-67 4-Jul Matthew 1 5-Jul Matthew 2 6-Jul Matthew 3 7-Jul Matthew 4 8-Jul Psalm 68 9-Jul Proverbs 16 10-Jul Matthew 5

11-Jul Matthew 6 12-Jul Matthew 7 13-Jul Psalms 69-70 14-Jul Proverbs 17 15-Jul Matthew 8 16-Jul Matthew 9 17-Jul Matthew 10 18-Jul Matthew 11 19-Jul Matthew 12 20-Jul Matthew 13

21-Jul Psalms 71-72 22-Jul Proverbs 18 23-Jul Matthew 14 24-Jul Matthew 15 25-Jul Matthew 16 26-Jul Matthew 17 27-Jul Matthew 18 28-Jul Psalm 73 29-Jul Matthew 19 30-Jul Matthew 20 31-Jul Matthew 21

AUGUST 1-Aug Matthew 22 2-Aug Psalms 74-75 3-Aug Psalms 76-77 4-Aug Proverbs 19 5-Aug Matthew 23 6-Aug Matthew 24 7-Aug Matthew 25 8-Aug Psalm 78 9-Aug Matthew 26 10-Aug Matthew 27

11-Aug Matthew 28 12-Aug Psalm 79-80 13-Aug Psalm 81-83 14-Aug Romans 1 15-Aug Romans 2 16-Aug Romans 3 17-Aug Psalms 84-85 18-Aug Psalms 86-88 19-Aug Romans 4 20-Aug Romans 5

21-Aug Romans 6 22-Aug Romans 7 23-Aug Romans 8 24-Aug Psalm 89 25-Aug Proverbs 20 26-Aug Psalms 90-91 27-Aug Romans 9 28-Aug Romans 10 29-Aug Romans 11 30-Aug Psalms 92-93 31-Aug Psalm 94

SEPTEMBER 1-Sep Psalms 95-96 2-Sep Romans 12 3-Sep Romans 13 4-Sep Romans 14 5-Sep Romans 15 6-Sep Romans 16 7-Sep Psalms 97-98 8-Sep Proverbs 21 9-Sep Psalms 99-102 10-Sep 1Corinthians 1

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11-Sep 1Corinthians 2 12-Sep 1Corinthians 3 13-Sep Psalms 103 14-Sep 1Corinthians 4 15-Sep 1Corinthians 5 16-Sep Psalm 104 17-Sep 1Corinthians 6 18-Sep 1Corinthians 7 19-Sep 1Corinthians 8 20-Sep 1Corinthians 9

21-Sep Psalm 105 22-Sep 1Corinthians 10 23-Sep 1Corinthians 11 24-Sep 1Corinthians 12 25-Sep 1Corinthians 13 26-Sep 1Corinthians 14 27-Sep 1Corinthians 15 28-Sep 1Corinthians 16 29-Sep Proverbs 22 30-Sep Psalms 106-108

OCTOBER 1-Oct 2Corinthians 1 2-Oct 2Corinthians 2 3-Oct 2Corinthians 3 4-Oct Psalms 108-109 5-Oct 2Corinthians 4 6-Oct 2Corinthians 5 7-Oct Psalms 110-111 8-Oct 2Corinthians 6 9-Oct 2Corinthians 7 10-Oct Psalms 112-114

11-Oct Proverbs 23 12-Oct 2Corinthians 8 13-Oct 2Corinthians 9 14-Oct Psalms 115-116 15-Oct 2Corinthians 10 16-Oct 2Corinthians 11 17-Oct 2Corinthians 12 18-Oct 2Corinthians 13 19-Oct Psalms 117-118 20-Oct Proverbs 24

21-Oct Jude 22-Oct Psalm 119 23-Oct 1John 1 24-Oct 1John 2 25-Oct 1John 3 26-Oct 1John 4 27-Oct 1John 5 28-Oct Psalms 120-122 29-Oct Proverbs 25 30-Oct 2John 31-Oct 3John

NOVEMBER 1-Nov Psalms 123-125 2-Nov John 1 3-Nov John 2 4-Nov John 3 5-Nov John 4 6-Nov John 5 7-Nov Psalms 126-128 8-Nov Proverbs 26 9-Nov John 6 10-Nov John 7

11-Nov John 8 12-Nov John 9 13-Nov Psalms 129-131 14-Nov John 10 15-Nov John 11 16-Nov John 12 17-Nov Psalm 132 18-Nov Proverbs 27 19-Nov John 13 20-Nov John 14

21-Nov John 15 22-Nov John 16 23-Nov John 17 24-Nov Psalms 133-134 25-Nov Psalms 135-136 26-Nov John 18 27-Nov John 19 28-Nov John 20 29-Nov John 21 30-Nov Proverbs 28

DECEMBER 1-Dec Psalms 137-138 2-Dec Revelation 1 3-Dec Revelation 2 4-Dec Revelation 3 5-Dec Psalms 139-140 6-Dec Psalms 141-142 7-Dec Revelation 4 8-Dec Revelation 5 9-Dec Revelation 6 10-Dec Revelation 7

11-Dec Psalms 143-145 12-Dec Proverbs 29 13-Dec Revelation 8 14-Dec Revelation 9 15-Dec Revelation 10 16-Dec Revelation 11 17-Dec Psalms 146-147 18-Dec Proverbs 30 19-Dec Revelation 12 20-Dec Revelation 13

21-Dec Revelation 14 22-Dec Revelation 15 23-Dec Revelation 16 24-Dec Revelation 17 25-Dec Proverbs 31 26-Dec Revelation 18 27-Dec Revelation 19 28-Dec Revelation 20 29-Dec Revelation 21 30-Dec Revelation 22 31-Dec Psalms 148-150

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APPENDIX G

ANSWER KEY TO SESSION 3: THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST EXPLORE Activity

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1. The tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai. It is the tallest man-made structure in the world; however, without it’s “vanity height”, the building would be dwarfed by 11 other European skyscrapers. Source: www.newsfeed.time.com/2013/09/05 2. The smallest dog living, in terms of height, is a female Chihuahua called Miracle Milly, who measured 9.65 cm (3.8 in) tall on 21 February 2013 and is owned by Vanesa Semler of Dorado, Puerto Rico. Source: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/size/ smallest-dog-living 3. Tokyo, Japan : Tokyo tops the list and remains the world’s largest city with 38 million dwellers. Though the UN has predicted a decline in the city’s population, it will still remain the world’s most populous city in 2030 with 37 million inhabitants. Source: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/world-population-day-2014-top-10most-populous-cities-revealed-1456214

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APPENDIX H

ANSWER KEY TO SESSION 4: THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST EXPLORE Activity

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COLUMN A: Books of the Bible E

1. Genesis

A. The Savior of the World

G

2. Exodus

B. The Son of God

I

3. Judges

C. The Servant

H

4. Ruth

D. King of the Jews

J

5. Psalms

E. Seed of the Woman

6. Matthew

F. The Son of Man feeling what you feel

C

7. Mark

G. The Passover Lamb

F

8. Luke

H. Kinsman-redeemer

B

9. John

I. Judge and Lawgiver

A

10. Acts

J. Our Shepherd

D

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COLUMN B: Titles of Jesus

APPENDIX I

ANSWER KEY TO SESSION 8: HOLY SPIRIT EXPLORE Activity

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1. Shingle Froe A shingle froe is a specialized tool for making shingles. The strange name comes from the antiquated word “forward” which means “away”, in reference to the direction that the tool cuts. 2. Stanley #1 Odd Jobs Stanley produced this all-in-one layout tool between 1888 and the 1930s. It looks like a directional arrow from a street sign and was originally advertised as 10 tools in one (including level, depth gauge, try square, and compass). 3. Adze The adze can be traced back to at least ancient Egypt. You use the adze to shape tree trunks and square them up into beams. It looks like an axe with the blade oriented on the horizontal. 4. Channellock Rescue Tool This lifesaving tool has functions designed specifically for a rescue worker. It can cut wire, tighten a fire-hose coupling, pry a door open, and even close down a gas valve. And it’s just about the right size to fit in a back pocket. 5. Timber Scribe Think of this one as an 18th-century Sharpie. During the heyday of timber framing, builders would use this tool to number beam ends for layout purposes—sort of like “tab A into slot B.” If you’re ever in an old house with exposed beams, look for gouged-out Roman numerals at the beam ends and you’ll see the work of a timber scribe.

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APPENDIX J

SPIRITUAL GIFTS INVENTORY

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J.1.: SPIRITUAL GIFT INVENTORY TEST adapted from http://www.elca.org/dcm/evangelism/assessments/assess4_spiritgifts.html Alternative site: http://download.elca.org/ELCA Resourc3 Repository/spiritgifts.zip

For this test to be valid, do not respond on the basis of what you think you ought to say, but rather on the basis of your interest and experience. Do not let modesty hinder you from answering honestly.

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0

-

The statement is not relevant to my experience, or not true of me

1

-

Not quite zero, but close

2

-

Only a slight response

3

-

Medium or moderate response

4

-

Greater than average response

5

-

Strong agreement with statement

1.

____ I feel empowered to stand alone for Christ in a hostile, unbelieving environment.

2.

____ Often I have a burning desire to speak God’s word when I know it will not be well received.

3.

____ I seem to have insight on when people are ready to give their lives to Christ.

4.

____ God has shown me sources of sound teaching and rich fellowship, and I guide people to such.

5.

____ I love to meditate on the patterns of God and His ways, and speak to others of such things.

6

____ I enjoy serving others so that they, in turn, may perform their ministries.

7.

____ I can identify with weakness and temptation so as to encourage people to repent and believe.

8.

____ When I give to others, they do not feel as if they owe me anything.

9.

____ Other Christians have imitated me when I have led the way in serving the needs of others.

10.

____ I often am overcome with emotion for the person I am praying for.

11.

____ Sometimes God gives me an insight into the proper course of action others should take.

12.

____ God often quickens Scripture to my mind that is useful for the moment.

13.

____ I have an extraordinary confidence in God and an ability to embolden others.

14.

____ I usually detect spiritual truth from spiritual error before fellow believers.

15.

____ The Spirit often leads me to do a favor for someone that touches them deeply.

16.

____ I can serve others by organizing and harnessing their gifts to solve a particular problem.

17.

____ I often think that God is calling me to be a missionary.

18.

____ My words often bring conviction to others, leading to repentance.

19.

____ I find it easy to ask people to believe in and commit to Christ.

20.

____ I tend to be patient with Christians who are making slow spiritual progress.

21.

____ I think it is very important to use words accurately and in context.

22.

____ I believe my ministry in life is to be humbled before men by being obedient in service.

23.

____ I have a special gift of helping others get “reset” emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

24.

____ I believe God has given me the ability to make and share money.

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25.

____ I am willing to “go first” when it comes to meeting the needs of others.

26.

____ I believe that God wants to reach out to people by using me to share in their suffering.

27.

____ Other Christians seek my advice when they are uncertain of their direction.

28.

____ God has made me aware of a deep need in someone that they were careful to hide.

29.

____ I am not moved from my personal belief in the truth by ridicule, apparent failure, or pain.

30.

____ God has often used me to encourage others to accept difficult, but biblical teaching.

31.

____ People often try to give me glory for helping them, which I am able to direct to God.

32.

____ I can recognize talents and gifts in others, and find ways of using these for God.

33.

____ I desire to learn another language, culture, or religion so that I could be a better witness.

34.

____ Ridicule or rejection for speaking forth the truth, by family or friends, does not effect me.

35.

____ I tend to conclude my vocal witness with an appeal for others to become Christians.

36.

____ I want to be in unity with other mature believers to earnestly seek God’s will for the body.

37.

____ I get troubled by “testimonies” which contain false teaching or unsound advice.

38.

____ I often recognize ways that I can minister to others indirectly without speaking or teaching.

39.

____ I can challenge others without making them feel condemned.

40.

____ I have strongly sensed the Spirit leading me to give money to a specific person or cause.

41.

____ Obeying Christ now is my passion in life. It is not about mere words, but deeds.

42.

____ Sometimes God gives me a taste of other people’s pain.

43.

____ God uses me to dispel confusion about God’s will with supernatural insight.

44.

____ I often find I know things that I have never learned, which are confirmed by mature believers.

45.

____ I am totally convinced God will fulfill His word even if He is not doing so yet.

46.

____ I often sense when people are moved by the Holy Spirit, evil spirits, or by their own flesh.

47.

____ In the church, I gravitate to undone work, even if unpopular.

48.

____ People often look to me for guidance in coordination, organization, and ministry opportunities.

49.

____ Strange customs, cultures, and unusual behavior don’t offend me or my faith.

50.

____ I love to find creative ways to confront people with the truth of God.

51.

____ I minister better to the spiritually “unborn” than baby, adolescent, or mature believers.

52.

____ God has shown fruit in my life in the effective discipling of other believers.

53.

____ I love to learn Biblical principles from my studies and then share them with others.

54.

____ I don’t mind helping others even if they are not deserving or if they take advantage of me.

55.

____ People will take correction from me because they know I am on their side.

56.

____ I strive to seek ways to give to others without calling attention to myself.

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168

57.

____ God has given me an ability to “rally the troops” in giving aid to others.

58.

____ Sometimes I feel so much love for others that I am at a loss for words.

59.

____ My advice to others has led them into mature Christian living.

60.

____ God has given me words to say in witnessing situations that surprised even me.

61.

____ I seem to be less “shakable” than most Christians.

62.

____ I sometimes get the sense that what I am reading or hearing is divinely inspired.

63.

____ God often supernaturally enhances my service to others.

64.

____ I have a knack for getting people together in the body of Christ, and enjoy doing this.

65.

____ I have a deep understanding of the Gospel, and I want to tell others about the Good News.

66.

____ I am more interested in saying the right thing than making people feel good.

67.

____ I’m troubled when salvation is not emphasized.

68.

____ I feel that I am responsible to help protect weak Christians from dangerous influences.

69.

____ I reflect on my own life so that I can learn to help others to grow and know what to expect.

70.

____ I would rather work in secret than have my work recognized publicly.

71.

____ The Spirit gives me the ability to call forth the best that is in others.

72.

____ Everything I own is Christ’s, and this is no secret among the brethren.

73.

____ I can motivate others to obey Christ by the living testimony of my life.

74.

____ I have a desire to visit prisons and rest-homes in order to minister comfort and hope.

75.

____ God uses me to bring clarity to other believers when they are uncertain what to do.

76.

____ I often know about a real problem another person is hiding through a layer of deception.

77.

____ My hope in God, against all odds, is inspiring to others.

78.

____ God has used me to warn others of the danger of a certain teaching.

79.

____ I cannot stand idly by while things go undone.

80.

____ People come to me when they need help in desperate situations, and I know people who can help.

The next column of questions are a self-rating of God-placed desire to exercise a particular gift. Unfortunately, this can often be detected by “vain imaginings” surrounding fantasies of exercising the gift. These fantasies of self-glory must be repented of before the gift will be actuated by the Holy Spirit. God will not share His glory. We should use our imaginations to think about how to give God the glory if/when the Holy Spirit gives us an increased measure of a particular gift. In any case, dreams and desires can be useful clues to the reality of a latent gift. Rate your relative agreement from 0 to 5. 81.

____ I dream of being a missionary to some group of people who have never heard the gospel.

82.

____ I dream of God speaking through me in a powerful way.

83.

____ I dream of winning many souls to Christ.

84.

____ I dream of myself and other leaders working together in unity, love, sound doctrine, and mutual submission.

85.

____ I dream of teaching God’s Word so as to help others in the way of faith.

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86.

____ I dream that I will experience the presence of God by serving others.

87.

____ I dream of speaking words of hope that God will confirm in others by the Holy Spirit.

88.

____ I dream of being used of God to meet someone’s financial or material need.

89.

____ I dream of being first to lead the way in finding new ways to minister to others.

90.

____ I dream that God will use my emotions to feel His feelings for others.

91.

____ I dream of being used of God to help people know what God’s will is.

92.

____ I dream that God will give me the knowledge needed to help at just the right moment.

93.

____ I dream that I will be stronger than others when persecution comes.

94.

____ I dream that I could help those who are confused about teachings, spirits, and events.

95.

____ I dream that God would anoint my every move as I give help to others.

96.

____ I dream of coordinating the gifts of others so that they will be at their best in Christ.

What gifts are lacking among the believers you know? You may be surprised at how differently people perceive these needs. This can be a useful clue as to what problems God wants you to solve by allowing the Holy Spirit to give you grace. What requirement has God put on your heart to meet? Rate from 0 to 5 the relative intensity of need in the Body of Christ from your perspective. 97.

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____ We need more people to take what we have and go out as missionaries.

98.

____ We need more prophets in the Church to preach against sin and of the coming judgment.

99.

____ We aren’t spending enough time trying to win souls to Christ.

100.

____ We need more people who are willing to take care of the spiritually newborn and young.

101.

____ We need more, and better teaching.

102.

____ We lack people willing to be humble and serve the brethren and outsiders.

103.

____ We need more exhortation and encouragement to do the right things.

104.

____ We have un-met, real financial or material needs among us.

105.

____ We need someone to take the first step in starting a new initiative to help others.

106.

____ We lack compassion for the hurts, pains, and struggles of people.

107.

____ We need wisdom from above to know what God would have us do next.

108.

____ We need the gift of divine knowledge to make up for our deficiencies.

109.

____ We need more examples of faith that has stood the test of adversity.

110.

____ We lack discernment in identifying unclean spirits, the flesh, and false teaching.

111.

____ We need to stop talking and start really helping people in practical ways.

112.

____ We need someone to direct the spiritual gifts of our group more effectively.

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J.2.: GIFTS INVENTORY RESULTS FOR: ____________________ Transfer the results from the test to the following chart according to the question numbers. Add the rows across to get your total. The three highest are your greatest spiritual gifts. Note: The numbers are relevant for you only and should not be compared to someone else. For example, you may have the gift of prophecy with a total of 20 while a friend may score a 28 and it isn’t even considered one of their gifts. This doesn’t mean they are more spiritual or gifted than you but simply that they scored everything more highly than you. Because the questions are based on your perception of yourself, there is no scientific standard to compare scores.

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I Dream

We Need

1

17

33

49

65

81

97

2

18

34

50

66

82

98

3

19

35

51

67

83

99

4

20

36

52

68

84

100

5

21

37

53

69

85

101

6

22

38

54

70

86

102

7

23

39

55

71

87

103

8

24

40

56

72

88

104

9

25

41

57

73

89

105

10

26

42

58

74

90

106

11

27

43

59

75

91

107

12

28

44

60

76

92

108

13

29

45

61

77

93

109

14

30

46

62

78

94

110

15

31

47

63

79

95

111

16

32

48

64

80

96

112

Spiritual Gift

Total

Missionary Prophecy Evangelism Pastoring Teaching Serving Exhortation Giving Leadership Compassion Wisdom Knowledge Faith Discernment Helps Administration

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J.3.: SPIRITUAL GIFT DESCRIPTIONS Administration is a gift that provides insight into other people’s spiritual gifting as well as natural talent, which allows for placing people who want to minister in a particular way together with those who need just this ministry. Compassion transcends both natural human sympathy and normal Christian concern, enabling one to sense in others a wide range of emotions and then provide a supportive ministry of caring and intercessory prayer. Also called the gift of Mercy. Discernment is the heightened ability to read or hear a teaching, to encounter a problem, or to consider a proposed course of action, and then determine whether the source behind the teaching, problem, or action is divine, merely human, or satanic. This will be a much needed gift near the End of the Age. Evangelism is a special ability to lead unconverted persons to a saving knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The person with this gift has the wisdom to know when, who, and how to call the rebellious into the Kingdom of God. Evangelists are the spiritual “obstetricians” in the church. Exhortation is the gift of being able to encourage others by well timed and wise counsel. This gift builds the Body of Christ by helping new, young and adolescent disciples to turn from sin and believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. Barnabas, whose name literally means Son of Encouragement, is the best example of this in the Bible. Also called the gift of Counseling, or the gift of Encouragement. Faith as a gift is an extraordinary confidence in God that is unshakable by situations, pain, apparent failure, or ridicule. While we are all called to have faith, this is an extraordinary amount of faith above and beyond that of Christians without this gift. This gift strengthens the individual and other believers (by example) to endure persecution and wait upon the Lord. Giving empowers one in a sensitive way to detect material or financial needs and meet those needs with Spirit-inspired generosity. Recipients of help from Christians with this gift have a clear sense that God has provided, not man.

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Helps enables one to assist people in skilled ways that are supernaturally enhanced by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. This is similar to the gift of serving except that it is specific concerning a certain skill - such as the goldsmiths who helped Moses build the items for the tabernacle. Those with this gift should be highly esteemed in the Body. Knowledge is an ability to remember Scripture or have it supernatural quickened, or to know a fact or truth about a person or situation revealed directly by the Holy Spirit. Leadership in the Greek is actually “he who provides leadership in giving aid”. These go first and lead by example, so that others are motivated to follow. (1 Cor 11:1) Those with the gift of leadership are quick to identify problems and show by doing how to minister to those in need. Missionary is the ability to communicate across cultural barriers and plant churches where there is no knowledge of the gospel. It is usually accompanied with a distinct calling and a miraculous lifestyle. In Greek (apostolos) “a sent one”, or “a messenger”, a Missionary. Sometimes called the gift of Apostle, although true apostles were required to have seen the risen Lord. Pastoring is the collective (plural in Greek) ministry of the Elders to “shepherd” an individual or community of Christian believers. This gift is a special passion and empowering to lead people into green pastures, steer others away from danger, fight off predators, and bind up wounds. Sometimes called the gift of Shepherding. Prophecy is speaking what God wants said with clarity, creativity, and power. It is also called the gift of Preaching. The primary ministry in this gift is not prediction, but in confronting people with the truth about God and man - with conviction and repentance as the result. Serving is a gift which expresses the love of Christ by taking care of lowly or time-consuming tasks to allow others to be more effective ministers. Similar to the gift of Helps, but here the work performed is menial rather than skilled. Those with this gift are the truest and highest leaders in the church, and ought to be recognized as such.

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Teaching is the ability to understand and communicate the Christian faith so as to make the truth clear to others. The result of this gift is the equipping and maturing of others in the body of Christ so that they will grow in grace and be more effective disciples. Wisdom is special illumination that enables one in a specific instance to grasp divine insight regarding a fact, situation, or context. This gift is useful in directing the Body in what to do next; in making God’s will known.

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J.4.: PRACTICAL USE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS All Christians are to work together, supporting one another. However, our gifts make us better prepared and equipped to perform in some areas of ministry over others. A person who is working within a ministry area he or she is gifted for will be more effective in another that he or she is not gifted for. What types of ministry will you be most effective in? A brief list of ministry examples follows. These examples have been provided merely as thought starters and should not be considered an exhaustive list. Use them as a starting point in exploring the possibilities for putting your gifts to use within your congregation and in your community. Administration – Congregation Council, Finance Staff, Sunday School Superintendent, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, Business Manager Compassion – Home/Hospital/Institution Visitation, Transportation to Worship/Bible Study, Social Ministry Team, Support Group Leader, Telecare Minister Discernment – Congregation Council, Long Range Planning Team, Social Ministry Team, Peer Counseling, Support Group Facilitator Evangelism – Prospective Member Visitation, Evangelism Team, Advertising and Marketing, New Member Sponsor, Community Visitation Exhortation – Mutual Ministry Team, Hospital/Home/Institution Visitation, Telecare Ministry, Peer Counseling, Small Group Leader Faith – Congregational President, Stewardship Team, Long Range Planning Team, Bible study leader Giving – Capital Campaign Steering Team, Stewardship Team, Volunteer Coordination, Giving Personal Testimony Helps – Computer Programmer/Data Entry, Building Maintenance/ Upkeep Electrical/Masonry/Plumbing/Roofing Mechanical Repair/ Maintenance Audio/Visual Operator and Repair Computer Maintenance, Web-Page Developer, P.A./Sound System Technician

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Knowledge – Parish Resource-Library Coordinator, Nominating Team, Long Range Planning Team, Congregation Council Leadership – Sunday School Superintendent, Committee Chairperson (all types), Fellowship Activity Coordinator, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, Congregational President, Speaker: Special Events Missionary – Women’s/Men’s Missionary Fellowship, Short-term Missions Coordinator, Evangelism Team, Urban Ministry Team Pastoring – Adult In-Home Bible Study Leader, New Member Sponsor, Young-Adult Counselor, Small Group Leader, Telecare Ministry Prophecy – Committee Chairperson, Speaker: Special Events, Congregational President Service – Newsletter Collation, Tape Recording Worship Services, Child Care, Building/Grounds Upkeep, Kitchen Cleaning Team, Providing Transportation Teaching – Adult Bible Class Teacher, Sunday School Teacher, Teen Bible Class Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Conference/Seminar Leader Wisdom – Long Range Planning Team, Congregation Council Peer Counselor, Support Group Leader, Mutual Ministry Team

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APPENDIX K

THE SPIRITFILLED LIFE PRESENTATION Adapted from Campus Crusade for Christ

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Every Day can be an Exciting Adventure for the Christian who knows the reality of being filled with the Holy Spirit and who lives constantly, moment by moment, under His gracious direction. The Bible tells us that there are three kinds of people.

1. Natural Man (one who has not received Christ)

“A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

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2. Spiritual Man (One who is directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit)

“He who is spiritual appraises all things... We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:15).

3. Carnal Man (One who has received Christ, but who lives in defeat because he is trying to live the Christian life in his own strength)

“And I brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, as to carnal men, as to babes in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still carnal. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshy, and are you not walking like mere men?” (1 Corinthians 3:1–3).

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God Has Provided For Us an Abundant and Fruitful Christian Life Jesus said, “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly” (John 10:10) “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22, 23). “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

The Spiritual Man Some spiritual traits that result from trusting God:

The degree to which these traits are manifested in the life depends upon the extent to which the Christian trusts the Lord with every detail of his life, and upon his maturity in Christ. One who is only beginning to understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit should not be discouraged if he is not as fruitful as more mature Christians who have known and experienced this truth for a longer period. Why is it that most Christians are not experiencing the abundant life?

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Carnal Christians Cannot Experience the Abundant and Fruitful Christian Life The carnal man trusts in his own efforts to live the Christian life: 1. He is either uninformed about, or has forgotten, God’s love, forgiveness, and power (Romans 5:8-10; Hebrews 10:1–25; 1 John 1; 2:1–3; 2 Peter 1:9; Acts 1:8). 2. He has an up-and-down spiritual experience. 3. He cannot understand himself - he wants to do what is right, but cannot. 4. He fails to draw upon the power of the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Romans 7:15–24; 8:7; Galatians 5:16–18)

The Carnal Man Some or all of the following traits may characterize the Christian who does not fully trust God:

(The individual who professes to be a Christian but who continues to practice sin should realize that he may not be a Christian at all, according to 1 John 2:3; 3:6, 9; Ephesians 5:5). The third truth gives us the only solution to this problem...

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Jesus Promised the Abundant and Fruitful Life as the Result of Being Filled (Directed and Empowered) by the Holy Spirit The Spirit-filled life is the Christ-directed life by which Christ lives His life in and through us in the power of the Holy Spirit (John 15). 1. One becomes a Christian through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, according to John 3:1–8. From the moment of spiritual birth, the Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit at all times (John 1:12; Colossians 2:9, 10; John 14:16, 17). Though all Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, not all Christians are filled (directed and empowered) by the Holy Spirit. 2. The Holy Spirit is the source of the overflowing life (John 7:37–39). 3. The Holy Spirit came to glorify Christ (John 16:1–15). When one is filled with the Holy Spirit, he is a true disciple of Christ. 4. In His last command before His ascension, Christ promised the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to be witnesses for Him (Acts 1:1–9). How, then, can one be filled with the Holy Spirit?

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We are Filled by the Holy Spirit by Faith; Then We Can Experience the Abundant and Fruitful Life Which Christ Promised to Each Christian. You can appropriate the filling of the Holy Spirit right now if you: 1. Sincerely desire to be directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 5:6; John 7:37-39). 2. Confess your sins. By faith thank God that He has forgiven all of your sins - past, present and future - because Christ died for you (Colossians 2:13– 15; 1 John 1; 2:1–3; Hebrews 10:1–17). 3. Present every area of your life to God (Romans 12:1, 2). 4. By faith claim the fullness of the Holy Spirit, according to: •

His Command - Be filled with the Spirit. “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

•

His Promise - He will always answer when we pray according to His will. “And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14, 15).

Faith can be expressed through prayer...

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How to Pray in Faith to be Filled with the Holy Spirit We are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith alone. However, true prayer is one way of expressing your faith. The following is a suggested prayer: “Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against You. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit.” Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If so, bow in prayer and trust God to fill you with the Holy Spirit right now.

How to Know That You are Filled (Directed and Empowered) with the Holy Spirit Did you ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit? Do you know that you are now filled with the Holy Spirit? On what authority? (On the trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word: Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:22, 23.) Do not depend upon feelings. The promise of God’s Word, not our feelings, is our authority. The Christian lives by faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word. This train diagram illustrates the relationship between fact (God and His Word), faith (our trust in God and His Word), and feeling (the result of our faith and obedience) (John 14:21).

Engine (God and His Word)

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Fuel (Our trust in God and His Word)

Passenger Car (The result of our faith and obedience)

How to Walk in the Spirit Faith (trust in God and in His promises) is the only means by which a Christian can live the Spirit-directed life. As you continue to trust Christ moment by moment: 1. Your life will demonstrate more and more of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23) and will be more and more conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18). 2. Your prayer life and study of God’s Word will become more meaningful. 3. You will experience His power in witnessing (Acts 1:8). 4. You will be prepared for spiritual conflict against the world (1 John 2:15-17); against the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17); and against Satan (1 Peter 5:7-9; Ephesians 6:10-13). 5. You will experience His power to resist temptation and sin (1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 1:19-23; 2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 6:1-16).

Spiritual Breathing By faith you can continue to experience God’s love and forgiveness. If you become aware of an area of your life (an attitude or an action) that is displeasing to the Lord, even though you are walking with Him and sincerely desiring to serve Him, simply thank God that He has forgiven your sins – past, present and future – on the basis of Christ’s death on the cross. Claim His love and forgiveness by faith and continue to have fellowship with Him. If you retake the throne of your life through sin – a definite act of disobedience – breathe spiritually. Spiritual breathing (exhaling the impure and inhaling the pure) is an exercise in faith that enables you to continue to experience God’s love and forgiveness.

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1. Exhale - confess your sin – agree with God concerning your sin and thank Him for His forgiveness of it, according to 1 John 1:9 and Hebrews 10:1-25. Confession involves repentance - a change in attitude and action. 2. Inhale - surrender the control of your life to Christ, and appropriate (receive) the fullness of the Holy Spirit by faith. Trust that He now directs and empowers you; according to the command of Ephesians 5:18, and the promise of 1 John 5:14, 15. You will want to share this important discovery…

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LEADER’S GUIDE

for EXAMINE Section

IMPORTANT NOTE: This section contains teaching explanations inside parentheses that guide and help the discussion leader elaborate on each point in this lesson. You will also find the fill-ins, or answers to the blank spaces in the workbook. The goal is not to parrot the explanations but to study, reflect and express these directly and clearly as you lead the discussion in your small group. You have the option to add related illustrations or statements for further clarification. However, deviating from the outline or adding major points is not encouraged, to ensure transferability of the lesson to your Dgroup members who are expected to teach the same things to their future or current disciples, as well as to limit the time devoted for each lesson.

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SESSION 1: The Doctrine of God: His Nature and Attributes Introduction 1 Timothy 4:16 In the New Testament, doctrine always comes before duty. Your position in Christ must be understood in order for your daily practice to be right. In short, right doctrine leads to right practice. (There are several books in the New Testament that have this kind of format. It can be observed that the first several chapters of the book talk about the teachings or doctrines and then the remaining chapters give the practical applications of these doctrines. Consider the following): DOCTRINE AND APPLICATION Romans 1–11 (Doctrine)

Romans 12–16 (Application)

Ephesians 1–3 (Doctrine)

Ephesians 4–6 (Application)

Colossians 1–2 (Doctrine)

Colossians 3–4 (Application)

Hebrews 1–11 (Doctrine)

Hebrews 12–13 (Application)

Our Statement of Faith – God We believe that there is only one sovereign God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the independent Creator of the heavens and the universe; He is all-knowing, all-powerful, just, loving, completely truthful, and holy. Cf. Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Isaiah 6:3; Titus 1:2; John 3:16; 1 Chronicles 29:11–12.

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I. Arguments for God’s Existence The Bible makes no attempt to defend God’s existence. It simply declares that He exists and proceeds to tell us who He is, what He is like and all that He has done. Psalm 14:1; Romans 1:18–23 (In fact the Bible says that only a fool would deny the existence of God. However there are a number of good strong rational arguments for the existence of God that we can use when talking to people that do not respect God’s Word.) Chart 1.1: Summary for Arguments for the existence of God DEFENSE

DEFINITION

The cosmological argument

This is an argument based on cause and effect.

a. Everything that has a beginning has a cause. b. The universe had a beginning so it had a cause. c. God is the causeless one who had no beginning. d. Therefore God is the one who created the universe.

The teleological argument

This argues that the universe is evidence of a great designer. (Intelligent Design)

a. If something has been clearly designed to perform a specific function it must have a designer. b. The universe clearly shows marks of design. Therefore it was created. c. God exists and He designed/created the universe.

From the Greek word “telos” which means design.

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The moral argument

The universal existence of moral standards would be impossible without an absolute moral Governor.

a. People everywhere recognize a moral code. b. Right and wrong imply a standard or law. c. To have a law you must have a lawgiver. d. This lawgiver is God.

II. The Nature of God A. God is Spirit (John 4:24) (Jesus Himself has told us that God is spirit. While He can certainly indwell a body He does not have or regularly inhabit a body as we do.) The Bible does however use anthropomorphisms. This is when it attributes human characteristics to God in an effort to help us understand Him better.

“Bring me a worm that can comprehend a man, and then I will show you a man that can comprehend the triune God.” JOHN WESLEY

B. God is a Trinity. a. The Bible teaches us that there is only one God, eternally existent as Three Persons; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 29:29

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b. The Bible shows us that these three persons are distinct: IS NOT IS

2. The Son IS NOT the Holy Spirit.

IS

GOD

IS T NO

3. The Holy Spirit IS NOT the Father.

THE SON

IS

NO T

THE FATHER

IS

1. The Father IS NOT the Son.

THE HOLY SPIRIT c. Each of these three persons is God. 1. The Father IS God. 2. The Son IS God. 3. The Holy Spirit IS God. Chart 1.2: Biblical References for the Trinity

One God

OLD TESTAMENT

NEW TESTAMENT

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!” (Deuteronomy 6:4) Cf. Isaiah 43:10, 46:9

“yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.” (1 Corinthians 8:6) Cf. Ephesians 4:4–6, 1 Timothy 2:5, James 2:19

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OLD TESTAMENT Three Persons

NEW TESTAMENT

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26a)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Cf. Isaiah 6:8, Psalm 110:1, Hosea 1:7

(Matthew 28:19–20) Cf. Matthew 3:16–17, Titus 3:4–6

Chart 1.3: Biblical References for the Deity of all Three Persons of the Trinity THE DEITY OF ALL THREE PERSONS Father

one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:6) Cf. John 6:27, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Galatians 1:1

Son

But of the Son He says, “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM. (Hebrews 1:8) Cf. John 1:1–17, John 17:5, Colossians 1:16, Titus 2:13

Holy Spirit

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16) Cf. John 3:5–8, Acts 5:3–4, 1 Corinthians 6:19

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See also: John 3:34–35; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:13–15; Romans 14:17–18; Romans 15:13–17; Romans 15:30; 1 Corinthians 6:11, 17–19; 1 Corinthians 12:4–6; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22; 2 Corinthians 3:4–6; Galatians 2:21–3:2; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:11–17; Ephesians 5:18–20; Colossians 1:6–8; 1 Thessalonians 1:1–15; 1 Thessalonians 4:2,8; 1 Thessalonians 5:18–19; 2 Thessalonians 3:5; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 3:23–24; 1 John 4:13–14; Jude 20–21.

“There is only one God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three eternal and coequal Persons; the same in substance or essence but distinct in subsistence or existence.” DR. A . FRUCHTENBAUM

III. The Attributes of God God is the greatest thought the mind can entertain and what we think of God is the most important thing about us. Having a right view of God is essential for Christian living. (The gospel is all about who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us. A wrong view of God totally destroys the message of salvation. Having a right view of God is essential for Christian living.) A. The attributes of God are truths that God Himself has revealed to us so that we may know and love Him. (The human heart is filled with questions. What is God like? What kind of God is He? How can we expect Him to act towards us? The answers to these questions affect our lives, character and our ultimate destiny. God has provided answers to who He is, in three ways): a. In His Creation. (Romans 1:20) b. In His Word. (Isaiah 40:1–31) c. In His Son. (Hebrews 1:1–3) Titus 3:4–6

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B. There is no contradiction between God’s attributes. He does not need to stop one in order to operate another like we do. They all work together in perfect harmony. (Our love may grow, diminish, run hot or cold and at times cease all together. God’s love does not work this way, when He loves He is simply being who He is, who He has always been and who He always will be.) a. God is eternal. (Psalm 90:1–2, 1 Timothy 6:16) (God has no beginning and no end. He is not bound by time, He created it. He is everlasting.) b. God is omniscient. (1 John 3:19-20, 1 Corinthians 2:10) (God is all knowing. Nothing in the past, present or future is hidden from Him. He knows everything.) c. God is omnipotent. (Jeremiah 32:17, Revelation 1:8) (God is all powerful. He has unlimited power and all power that exists comes from Him. He can do anything.) d. God is immutable. (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17) God does not change. Change moves in three directions: a. From better to worse. b. From worse to better. c. From one order of being to another. (God is perfect and His perfections forever rule out any change.) e. God is just. (Deuteronomy 32:3–4) (God always acts righteously. Justice is not something God has, like all His attributes justice is what God is. So God will always do what is right.)

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f.

God is love. (1 John 4:8–10) Love is an essential attribute of God. God does not exercise His love independently of His other attributes. In fact they enhance each other. • • • • •

His love had no beginning – He is Self-Existent His love has no end – He is Eternal His love has no limit – He is Infinite His love is pure – He is Holy His love is vast – He is Immense

(In God we see unconditional, self-sacrificing, everlasting love.) g. God is truthful. (John 14:6, 16:13, Psalm 31:5) (Truthfulness is another essential attribute of God.) God cannot lie and never breaks His word. Everything He has promised has, or will, come to pass. (He is completely truthful.) h. God is holy. (Exodus 15:11, 1 Samuel 2:2, Isaiah 6:3–5) God’s holiness is difficult to define because it encompasses all of His attributes. He is separate, distinct and in a class of His own. He is morally pure and never does anything wrong or contrary to His being.

“An attribute of God is whatever God has in any way revealed as being true about Himself.” A . W. TOZE R

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SESSION 2: The Doctrine of the Bible: Inspired, Inerrant, and Infallible I. Introduction A. Sola Scriptura The foundation for everything we believe is the Scripture. The Bible alone, as the very words of God, is our ultimate authority in everything. God has given us His entire message in the Bible and it is our only standard for faith and life. Jeremiah 8:9 B. Our Statement of Faith: The Bible We believe that the Bible (66 books: 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books) is the Word of God — supernaturally inspired, inerrant, and infallible. It is our supreme authority in all matters of faith, doctrine, and conduct. We also affirm its sufficiency, clarity, and necessity for genuine Christian living. Cf. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalms 119:105; Psalms 19:7–11; Proverbs 30:5.

II. The Nature of the Scriptures A. The Bible is the Word of God. This belief is based on the many claims throughout the Bible that it is in fact God’s Word. The Bible declares that it is the Word of God over 4000 times. For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13

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a. The Bible is the written word of God. We find in Scripture several instances where God’s words were put in written form. (Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:16; 34:1, 28; Deuteronomy 31:9–13; Deuteronomy 31:24–26; Joshua 24:26; Isaiah 30:8; Jeremiah 30:2; cf. Jeremiah 36:2–4, 27–31; 51:60). In the New Testament, Jesus promises his disciples that the Holy Spirit would bring to their remembrance the words which He, Jesus, had spoken (John 14:26; cf. 16:12–13). Paul can say that the very words he writes to the Corinthians are “a command of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37; cf. 2 Peter 3:2). (These words are considered to be God’s own words. Even though they are written down by human beings and always in human language, still, they are absolutely authoritative and absolutely true. To disobey them or disbelieve them is a serious sin and brings judgment from God. See 1 Corinthians 14:37; Jeremiah 36:29–31.) 2 Timothy 3:16–17

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b. Benefits of writing down God’s words.26 1. More accurate preservation of God’s words for subsequent generations. (To depend on memory and the repeating of oral tradition is a less reliable method of preserving these words throughout history than is their recording in writing {cf. Deuteronomy 31:12–13}.) 2. Better understanding and more complete obedience. (The opportunity for repeated inspection of words that are written down permits careful study and discussion, which leads to better understanding and more complete obedience.) 3. God’s words in writing become accessible to many more people. (They can be inspected at any time by any person and are not limited in accessibility to those who have memorized them or those who are able to be present when they are recited orally.) B. Jesus is the living Word of God or the Logos. John 1:1 a. Jesus as the “Word of God” communicates the character of God and expresses the will of God for us. (The Bible refers to the Son of God as “the Word of God.” {Revelation 19:13; John 1:1, 14; 1 John 1:1}. It does indicate that among the members of the Trinity it is especially God the Son {Jesus Christ} who in His person as well as in His words has the role of communicating the character of God to us and of expressing the will of God.)

26

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Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, An Introduction to Bible Doctrine

b. In the Old Testament God spoke to the Fathers and the Prophets. Hebrews 1:1 c. The Old Testament promised the coming of Jesus Christ. (The Bible tells us that long ago God spoke to the Fathers and the Prophets in many ways and these make up the Old Testament that promised Christ’s coming.) d. The New Testament tells us what Jesus said and did. Hebrews 1:2 (When the time was right God spoke by sending the living Word of God, His Son Jesus Christ (Galatians 4:4). The New Testament tells us what He said and did; how He continues to build His church and unveils His ultimate victory.) C. CCF rejects any deficient understanding of the Bible. a. The Bible only contains the words of God. b. The Bible becomes the word of God when the reader has some kind of spiritual encounter with God. (Approaching the Word of God like this shows only a partial belief in the inspiration of the Scriptures.)

III. Canon of the Scripture A. The Canonical Books The 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books are the canonical books. The Greek word “kanon” means reed or measuring stick and later came to mean the rule of standard by which the ancient writings were determined as sacred Scripture. The canon of Scripture is the list of all the books that belong in the Bible.

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B. The Basis for Canonicity27 “Which writings should be considered canonical and how did the church come to that position? Historically, the church since the fourth century has accepted the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments as the authoritative canonical books.” (The process of determining which writings to include in the canonical collection proved to be an enormous task. Both the Jewish and Christian canons developed over many centuries as a result of specific historical situations. In Israel, the principle of canonical authority was established with the giving of the law through Moses (Exodus 24). Other authoritative utterances, documents, and collections developed as Israel journeyed through enslavement and liberation in the exilic and post-exilic periods. The saving actions and revelations of God were interpreted, recorded, and collected. The testimonies of faith and the prophetic critiques and values became a collection of written documents that eventually attained a threefold division into Law, Prophets, and Writings. The process of formal canonical collection seems to have begun in seventh-century Judah during the reign of Josiah {622-609 B.C.}. The rediscovery of the book of law led Josiah to acknowledge the written law of Yahweh as the highest authority over Israel.) By A.D. 90, they had reached a consensus on the content of the thirty-nine books of the OT canon, which is nearly identical with what Jesus and the apostles had accepted as “the Scriptures.” The NT canon is the result of a long process in which the books that the church came to regard as authoritative and inspired were selected from a large number of writings circulating among the churches. Through this process the “authoritative tradition was collected, ordered, and transmitted in such a way as to enable it to function as sacred Scripture for a community of faith and practice. In this process, clearly the church did not commission or authorize the writing of a book of Scripture. It recognized and acknowledged

27

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Paul P. Enns, MOODY HANDBOOK OF THEOLOGY MOODY PRESS Chicago, Illinois

the inspired character of those writings that were in conformity with the above characteristics. As these writings continued to be used by the Holy Spirit to edify and enrich the life of the church, the church recognized them as canonical and inspired. Thus, the NT canon is a list of twenty-seven books that the church came to view as expressing its definitive and normative testimony of the Christian faith and life. These books were the expression of the apostolic witness of God’s redemptive revelation as it culminated in Jesus Christ and was universally taught throughout the Christian church. They were discerned by the church to embody the fullest expression of the Christian faith as interpreted by the writers under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.” 28 To determine whether or not a book should be part of the Bible, books were subjected to various tests or must pass certain criteria.) a. Various tests or criteria applied to determine canonicity 1. Apostolic authorship (This meant that the book either had to be written by an apostle or backed by one so that either way there was apostolic authority behind the book. The book’s authors were apostles or have a close connection with an apostle. Mark wrote under Peter’s authority, and Luke wrote under Paul’s authority)29. 2. Content (The book should reflect consistency of doctrine with what had been accepted as orthodox (right or correct) teaching. As such, it should have a Christ-centered teaching, among others. The spurious “gospel of Peter” and other literatures spreading at that time were rejected as a result of this principle.)30

28

https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/asbury-bible-commentary/Canon-Scripture Ibid 30 Ibid 29

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3. Inspiration (The book should reflect the quality of inspiration. The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha were rejected as a result of not meeting this test. The book should inspire, convict, and edify local congregations and individual believers. The book should bear evidence of high moral and spiritual values that would reflect a work of the Holy Spirit.)31 4. Acceptance of the churches (In order to be part of the canon, the book should be accepted by the church at large. The recognition given a particular book by the church was important and false books were rejected as a result. As the books circulated they had to gain acceptance by the churches. Actually there was no book that was doubted by any large number of churches that eventually was accepted into the canon.)32 •

The 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books were finally recognized by the Church during the Council of Carthage (397 AD) as part of the biblical canon.

•

The word testament simply means covenant. (See Leader’s Guide for a more detailed discussion of how the canon of Scriptures was determined by the Church.)

The Old Testament refers to the Old Covenant which God gave to Israel. It was preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, a shadow of the awesome things to come in the New Covenant. (See Hebrews 9 – 10:1) The New Testament refers to the New Covenant which was the fulfillment of the Old. Jesus Christ would come fulfilling the promises of the Old rendering it obsolete and establishing a New and better Covenant through His death. (See Hebrews 8:13, 9:15) 31 32

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Ibid. Paul P. Enns, Moody Handbook of Theology

IV. The Truthfulness of the Scripture A. The Bible is supernaturally Inspired, Inerrant, and Infallible.

“The Bible in its entirety is God’s written word to man, free of error in its original autographs, wholly reliable in history and doctrine. Its divine ‘inspiration’ has rendered the Book ‘infallible’ (incapable of teaching deception) and ‘inerrant’ (not liable to prove false or mistaken).” CHARLES H. PINNOK

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16–17

“[Inspiration is] God superintending human authors so that using their own individual personalities, experiences, thought processes and vocabulary they composed and recorded without error His revelation in the original copies of Scripture.” DR. JOHN MACARTHUR

B. The Bible is Inspired. a. The Bible says there are “many ways” in which the actual words of the Bible were written. (Hebrews 1:1) 1. Sometimes God spoke directly to the author, who simply recorded what he heard. Exodus 20:1–17

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2. At other times the author based much of his writings on interviews and research. Luke 1:1–3 3. At other times, the Holy Spirit brought to mind things that Jesus taught. John 14:26 b. The whole Bible is inspired, and this inspiration extends to every word in the original manuscripts of the Scripture. 1. It is plenary = all parts 2. It is verbal = all words Psalm 138:2 (This is called the “full verbal plenary inspiration” of the Bible. This means that the inspiration extends to the very words themselves {verbal}not just concepts or ideas, and that the inspiration extends to all parts of Scripture {plenary}.) C. The Bible is inerrant. The Bible claims to be inerrant or incapable of being wrong about anything it says. The Bible in its original manuscripts and correctly interpreted is completely free from error. (This inerrancy includes all doctrine, ethics and the social, physical or life sciences. God ensured that the truths He wanted written down by the various human authors of the Bible were truthfully communicated. Nothing the human authors wrote was false or mistaken.) John 17:17 (Inerrancy is primarily concerned with the words themselves, not the content. Inerrancy declares that the document, written by the inspired writer, was without error.)

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a. The Reliability of Bible Documents 1. How the Scriptures were recorded and preserved (Before the invention of the printing press and paper, as the Spirit of God moved upon the authors of the Bible, they recorded the messages upon whatever material was in use at the time. The ancient manuscripts, of course, had no pages as we have now.) For the Old Testament, clay and wooden tablets predominated. In the New Testament reed papyrus and parchment (animal skins) were also used and rolled into scrolls.33

33 34

•

These scrolls were then copied by scribes. The work of the “scribes” or “copyists” with the scrolls was a highly professional and carefully executed task. For the Hebrews, it was undertaken by devout Jews with the highest dedication.

•

The word scribe (sopherim) means counter, they were named this way because they would count the letters and words of each manuscript to make sure they did not miss anything. Mistakes meant destroying the papyrus and starting again. Since they believed they were dealing with the Word of God, they were acutely aware of the need for extreme care and accuracy.34

•

After the exile in Babylon they formed communities of scribes to preserve and circulate the Scriptures.

Paul E. Little, KNOW WHY YOU BELIEVE Scripture Press Publications, Inc. 1999 Ibid.

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b. The Dead Sea Scrolls35 One of these communities lived in Qumran, a village located about twenty miles east of Jerusalem. In 1947, a young Bedouin shepherd discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls. These were leather and papyrus scrolls that were later determined to be nearly twenty centuries old. There were tens of thousands of scroll fragments dating from the third century B.C. to A.D. 68.

Photo: A portion of the Isaiah scroll, one of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in the Qumran caves in 1947.

This vast collection of manuscripts included portions from every single book in the Old Testament except Esther and included a complete scroll of Isaiah. They confirmed the accuracy of one thousand years of both the record and the history of the Hebrews—that is, from 200 B.C. to A.D. 916. The extensive evidence found strengthens our confidence in the histories previously uncovered.36

“The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.” CHARLES SPURGEON

36

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D. The Bible is infallible. While inerrancy focuses on the words themselves, infallibility is primarily concerned with the content of Scripture Infallibility teaches us that the Bible is incapable of making mistakes or being wrong. (While the Bible does not give us an exhaustive opinion on every subject there is, when God chooses to speak about anything, what He says is absolutely true.) The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:7–8 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Matthew 5:18 a. The Scientific Infallibility of the Bible 1. Herbert Spencer was an English man and a well-known philosopher, biologist, sociologist and political theorist in Victorian England. He was known for saying that all that is knowable falls into five categories: time, power, action, space and matter. However, if we turn to the first verse of the Bible we see that Herbert was actually thousands of years late in his observation. Read Genesis 1:1. • • • • •

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth

= Time = Power = Action = Space = Matter

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2. Bernard Palissy a 16th century scientist is credited with compiling the theories which later became our modern hydrological cycle. It is best explained in three words: • • •

Evaporation Condensation Precipitation

“For He draws up the drops of water, They distill rain from the mist, 28Which the clouds pour down, They drip upon man abundantly. Job 36:27–28 3. Other examples of scientific facts that are recorded in the Bible: • • • • • • •

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The stars are uncountable. (Jeremiah 33:22) The earth floats in space. (Job 26:7) The earth rotates on an axis. (Job 38:12–14) The earth is round. (Isaiah 40:22, Job 26:10) The continents used to be joined. (Genesis 1:9) There was a water canopy above the earth prior to the flood; this is where the water came from. (Genesis 1:6) Years ago they would bleed you when you were sick; the Bible says the life is in the blood. (Leviticus 17:11)

b. The Prophetic Infallibility of the Bible 1. Prophecy is another wonderful proof of the Bible’s infallibility. The Bible made hundreds of prophecies about people and events some thousands of years before those people were born. 2. There are at least 353 distinct prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus Christ and they were all written hundreds of years (and, in some cases, thousands of years) before His birth. Here are just a few for you to consider: Chart 4.1: Summary of how Jesus fulfilled prophecy about the Messiah PROPHECY

DESCRIPTION

FULFILLMENT

Isaiah 7:14

Born of a virgin

Luke 1:34–35

Micah 5:2

Born in Bethlehem

Luke 2:1–6

Jeremiah 31:15

Babies massacred

Matthew 2:16–18

Hosea 11:1

Flee into Egypt

Matthew 2:13

Judges 13:5

Be called a Nazarene

Matthew 2:23

Psalm 41:9

Betrayed by a friend

Luke 22:48

Zechariah 11:12–13

Sold for 30 silver

Matthew 26:15

Psalm 27:12

Falsely accused

Matthew 26:59

Isaiah 53:4–5

Smitten and spat on

Matthew 27

Isaiah 53:7

Silent when accused

Matthew 26:63

Isaiah 53:3

Rejected by the Jews

Matthew 27:22

Psalm 69:4

Hated without cause

Matthew 27:23

Psalm 22:16

Hands & feet pierced

John 19:18

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PROPHECY

DESCRIPTION

FULFILLMENT

Psalm 22:18

Gambled clothing

Matthew 27:35

Isaiah 53:12

Die with the wicked

Matthew 27:38

Psalm 22:6–8

Mocked and insulted

Matthew 27:39–44

Isaiah 53:9

Buried with the rich

Matthew 27:57–61

Psalm 16:10

Rise again

Matthew 28

c. Not a single prophecy from the Bible has ever been disproven. A vivid example of the accuracy of Biblical prophecy would be the prophecies regarding Tyre. Tyre was the capital city of the ancient Phoenician Empire and the most powerful city they had. They had great wealth, power and many allies. They also had a huge navy and an impregnable fortress on an island about half a mile off the coast of the city. In the 26th chapter of Ezekiel (592-570 BC) seven things are predicted to happen to the city of Tyre: Chart 4.1: Summary of how Jesus fulfilled prophecy about the Messiah

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PROPHECY

VERSES

Nebuchadnezzar will destroy the mainland city

Ezekiel 26:8

Many nations would come against Tyre

Ezekiel 26:3

Tyre would be bare and flat like the top of a rock

Ezekiel 26:4

Fishermen will spread their nets out on the site

Ezekiel 26:5

The debris would be thrown into the water

Ezekiel 26:12

PROPHECY

VERSES

The ancient city would never be rebuilt

Ezekiel 26:14

The ancient city would never be found again

Ezekiel 26:21

When Alexander the Great conquered the island of Tyre he brought an end to the Phoenician Empire. Tyre later fell under the rule of others. But the Phoenicians never rose to power again and their city was never heard of again.

“Alexander the Great reduced Tyre to ruins... The larger part of the site of the once great city is now bare as the top of a rock – a place where fishermen now spread their nets to dry.” SECU L AR H ISTORIAN PH I LLI P M YERS General History for Colleges and High Schools

V. The Authority of the Scripture (The Bible is inspired, inerrant, and infallible. These characteristics clearly show the Bible’s supreme authority in matters of faith and practice.) Individually and as a local body of Christ-committed followers our doctrine and conduct must be governed by the Scriptures. God’s Word should determine what we believe and how we respond in Christian living. We believe in its sufficiency, clarity, and necessity for genuine Christian living. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 A. The Bible is Sufficient. The Bible is able to accomplish all of God’s purposes here upon the earth. It is all we need for salvation and spiritual growth.

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• • • • •

Powerful to convict. (John 16:5–14) Powerful to convert. (1 Peter 1:23) Powerful to conform. (1 Timothy 6:3) Powerful to console. (Psalm 119:49–52) Powerful to correct. (2 Timothy 3:16)

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 B. The Bible is Clear. (This does not mean that interpretation or good Bible teachers are unnecessary. It means that the central message of the Bible can be understood by all who read it with God’s help.) Even a child can understand who Jesus is and what He has done for them at the cross. ...and that from childhood you have known the sacred writing which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15 “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7“You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 C. The Bible is Necessary. The Word of God is necessary for knowing the gospel, for maintaining spiritual life and for knowing God’s will. God has given us His Word; it is complete and perfect in every way. All you need to know to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and live a life that is pleasing to God is found within its pages.

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for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:23 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’ Matthew 4:4

VI. The Illumination of the Bible37 (Because the Bible is God-breathed and therefore in an entirely different dimension from other literature, it is necessary that man receives Godgiven help in understanding the Bible { 1 Corinthians 2:11}.) Illumination can thus be defined as “the ministry of the Holy Spirit whereby He enlightens those who are in a right relationship with Him to comprehend the written Word of God.”38 A. Illumination is Necessary for Man to Comprehend God’s Word (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:11, 14; Luke 24:44–45)39 B. The Holy Spirit Illuminates (teaches, guides, discloses, etc.) God’s Word to Believers (At the moment of salvation the believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit who then takes the truths of God and make them known {illumination} to the believer {1 Corinthians 2:9-13}. Since only God knows the things of God, therefore it is essential that the Spirit of God teaches the believers (John 14:26), guide them into all the truth {John 16:13}, and disclose the truth of God to them {John 16:14, 15}.)

37

Paul P. Enns, Moody Handbook of Theology Ibid. 39 Ibid. 38

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VII.

Abiding in God’s Word

How to abide in God’s Word: A. Hear the Word to Be Equipped Ephesians 4:11–12 B. Read the Word to Be Healthy Psalm 1:1–3 C. Study the Word to Be Wise Psalm 119:97–104 D. Memorize the Word to Be Skilled Matthew 4:1–11 E. Meditate on the Word to Be Fruitful Joshua 1:8 F. Apply the Word to be Obedient James 1:22–25 G. Proclaim the Word to be Reproductive Colossians 1:2

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SESSION 3: The Doctrine of Christ: His Deity and Personhood I. Introduction A. Sola Christus The heart and soul of the gospel message is the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our salvation is accomplished through His mediatorial work. He and He alone can mediate between God and man. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit 1 Peter 3:18 B. Our Statement of Faith: JESUS CHRIST: His Deity and Personhood We believe that Jesus Christ in the flesh was both God and man, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and was born of a virgin. He lived a sinless life. He was crucified and died to pay the penalty for our sins. By His blood, the Lord Jesus Christ made a perfect sacrifice for sin once and for all time. He was raised from the dead on the third day. Later, He ascended to the Father’s right hand where He reigns as the Head of the Church and intercedes for believers. We believe He is coming again, bodily and visibly, to the earth to set up His Kingdom. Cf. Matthew 1:22–23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1–5,14; Hebrews 4:14–15; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Romans 1:3–4; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Timothy 6:14–15; Titus 2:13; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 7:25.

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II. The Intriguing Truth about Jesus Christ There is no other personality in the history of the world that has the same influence as Jesus had.

“Christ is the great central fact in world’s history. To Him everything looks forward or backward. All the lines of history converge upon Him. All the great purposes of God culminate in Him. The greatest and most momentous fact which the history of the world records is the fact of His birth.” C H A R L E S S P U R G E O N 41

(Needless to say, this observation is quite true. It is very important then for every individual, especially the believer to know and experience anew who this Jesus is.) A. Jesus Christ is Fully God In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. John 1:1–3 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” John 1:14–15 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. John 1:16–18

41

Sherwood Wirt and Kersten Beckstrom, Living Quotations for Christian (New York: Harper and Row Publications)

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“I and the Father are one.” 31The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” John 10:30–33 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:15–16 These verses clearly teach us that Jesus Christ is God Himself... • • • • • • • •

The Word was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1–2) The Word was God. (John 1:1) He created all things. (John 1:3) Nothing was created apart from Him. (John 1:3) The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14) He was born after John but existed before him. (John 1:15) His name is Jesus Christ. (John 1:17) He is God. (John 1:18)

a. He is the image of the invisible God. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Colossians 1:15 • • • •

The invisible God has been made visible in Jesus Christ. He is the “eikon” of God. In New Testament Greek “eikon” means an exact replica, a precise copy, a representation. Today the closest word we have would be a photograph. God is invisible but God has shown us who He is in Jesus Christ.

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b. He is the firstborn of all creation. …the firstborn of all creation…He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. Colossians 1:15,17–18 This does not mean first in time it means first in position. The word “prototokos” (firstborn) means the right to rule, the heir, the ranking one, the one in authority, the chief one; the highest in rank. (It is a title that has to do with inheritance. For the Jew the firstborn was the one who inherited everything. This passage is saying everything that was made, was made by Him and for Him and He will inherit it all.) c. He is the form of God. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5–7 The word ‘form’ (morfeè) in verse 5 means “the outward expression of the inward nature.” So the Holy Spirit is telling us that Jesus Christ is God and equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit in every way.

(v. 6) But He emptied Himself, laying aside the independent use of His own attributes as God. He became a man, in a sinless physical body.

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(v.7) He used that body to be a servant. (v.8) He took that body to the cross and willingly died so that you and I might live. d. He is the fullness of deity. …rather than according to Christ. 9for in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form Colossians 2:8–9 1. The word ‘fullness’ (pleroma) means “the sum total of all that God is, all of His being and attributes.” 2. The Bible is clear that Jesus Christ possessed full deity in bodily form (In theology we call this the “hypostatic union.” This term simply describes how God the Son took on a human nature but remained fully God.) 3. Jesus is fully God and fully human. B. Jesus is 100% God and 100% Man a. Jesus Christ is Fully God (The full deity of Christ is crucially important for us to be certain about not only because it is clearly taught in Scripture, but also because); 1. Only someone who is infinite God could bear the full penalty for all the sins of all those who would believe in him—any finite creature would have been incapable of bearing that penalty42 2. Salvation is from the Lord (Jonah 2:9 NASB), and the

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whole message of Scripture is designed to show that no human being, no creature, could ever save man—only God himself could43 3. Only someone who was truly and fully God could be the one mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5), both to bring us back to God and also to reveal God most fully to us (John 14:9).44 Thus, if Jesus is not fully God, there would be no Christianity and ultimately we have no salvation. b. Jesus Christ is fully man. 1. The Bible teaches clearly about the humanity of Christ. The Bible is very clear about the humanity of Jesus. It is an essential doctrine and equally important as His deity for us. Chart 3.1: Biblical Proof of Jesus’ Humanity Proofs of Jesus’ Humanity Jesus’ BIRTH

Isaiah 7:14; Luke 2:7

Jesus’ CIRCUMCISION

Luke 2:21

Jesus’ CHILDHOOD

Luke 2:40, 52

Jesus WEPT

John 11:35

Jesus grew HUNGRY

Matthew 4:2, 21:18

Jesus grew TIRED

John 4:6, Matthew 8:24

Jesus’ SUFFERING and DEATH John 19:30

42

Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology Ibid 44 Ibid 43

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2. The necessity of Jesus’ full humanity for our salvation. The New Testament gives us several reasons why Jesus had to be fully man if he was going to be the Messiah and purchase our salvation.45 •

For representative obedience. (Romans 5:19)

•

To be our substitute sacrifice. (Hebrews 2:16-17)

•

To be the one Mediator between God and men. (1 Timothy 2:5)

•

To be our example and pattern in life. (1 John 2:6; Romans 8:29) To be the pattern for our redeemed bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:42, 49)

•

•

To sympathize with us. (Hebrews 4:15)

C. The Incarnation: Deity and Humanity in the Person of Christ The eternal second Person of the Trinity became a human being and “assumed flesh” in Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus Christ was the “Word made flesh” (John 1:14). Jesus Christ, the incarnation of the second Person of the Trinity, lived on earth and was known as Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus was one divine person with both a divine and a human nature.16 a. When Jesus Christ laid aside His majesty and became one of us He took on a second nature; a human nature.46 b. The pre-incarnate Christ had one nature; He was God. The incarnate Christ has two natures: He is both 100% God and 100% Man. (Philippians 2:6-7) 45 46

Ibid Donald K. McKim, Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms, John Know Press, Louisville Kentucky

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•

On earth, Christ never exercised His deity independent of the Father’s will. (Matthew 24:36) (While on earth Jesus Christ did not cease from being fully God, but rather, He submitted to the will of the Father.)

•

Jesus is God in a human body. (John 1:1,14) (He is not half God and half man. He is fully divine and fully man.)

•

Remaining what Jesus was (fully divine), He became what He was not (fully human.)

Chart 3.2: New Testament Summary of Jesus’ Deity and Humanity

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HE IS 100% GOD

HE IS 100% MAN

He is worshiped (Matthew 2:11)

He worshiped the Father (John 17)

He was called God (Hebrews 1:8)

He was called man (Mark 15:39)

He was called Son of God (Mark 1:1)

He was called Son of Man (John 9:35)

He is prayed to (Acts 7:59)

He prayed to the Father (John 17)

He is sinless (Hebrews 4:15)

He was tempted (Matthew 4:1)

He knows all things (John 21:17)

He grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52)

He gives eternal life (John 10:28)

He died (Romans 5:8)

All the fullness of deity dwells in Him (Colossians 2:9)

He has a body of flesh and bones (Luke 24:39)

SESSION 4: The Doctrine of Christ: His Life and Works I. Introduction A. Highlights of the Life of Christ Jesus Christ’s identity and life is fascinating as it is very intriguing. The gospel centers in Jesus Christ’s unique life as well. Christ is the life of Christianity and its very heart. But what makes Jesus life so unique? We cannot exhaust here all what Jesus did when he was still on earth but in this session we will look at the highlights of His life and works. a. He was born of a virgin. (Luke 1:34–35) The Importance of the Virgin Birth47 1. Salvation is a supernatural work of God. (Galatians 4:4–5) 2. Christ’s true humanity without inherited sin. (Luke 1:35) 3. Unity of Christ’s full deity and full humanity in one person. (John 3:16; Galatians 4:4) b. His lived a sinless life. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21) (Unlike any other sinful human being, Jesus was not tainted with sin, afflicted with error and frailty that is common to all other men. He is presented in the Bible as sinless in life.) The Bible tells us that Jesus offered Himself without blemish. He kept God’s law perfectly and was able to do what other human beings have not been able to achieve.

47

Ibid.

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c. He performed miracles, wonders and signs. (Acts 2:22) (As you read the gospel accounts, Jesus is portrayed as a miracle worker who performed wonders and signs. He raised the dead, fed the thousands from a handful of loaves and fish, calmed the storm, healed the sick, drove out demons, raised the dead, etc. These miracles that Jesus performed were not an end in themselves but were in fact evidence of His deity. He had supernatural powers and demonstrated His rule over creation as the Creator {John 1:2-3}.) d. His atoning death. (The Bible teaches us that God the Son became man so that He could live a sinless life and be a perfect sacrifice for our sins.) And He Himself is the propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 1. The death of Jesus Christ was a substitutionary sacrifice. He died in our place, paid for our sin, so that we could be reconciled to God. 2. Jesus’ death on the cross was a perfect sacrifice for sin once and for all time. It made forgiveness possible because His substitutionary death satisfied the just and holy demands of God. 3. Jesus paid the price for our sin so that we could be reconciled or “at-one” with God (at – one – ment). e. His resurrection from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to our faith. It is the cornerstone of Christianity and without it we have no hope. Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you

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stand, 2by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 Chart 4.1: Implications if there was no resurrection: Preaching the gospel would be pointless

1 Corinthians 15:14

Our faith in Christ would be for nothing

1 Corinthians 15:14

The Apostles would be liars

1 Corinthians 15:15

Everyone would be lost in their sins

1 Corinthians 15:17

All former believers would have gone to hell

1 Corinthians 15:18

Christians would be the world’s most pitiful people

1 Corinthians 15:19

But Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and has become a guarantee that all who love Him will follow Him in resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:20–28 You cannot be a Christian and deny that Jesus rose from the grave!

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1. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a historical fact. Acts 2:32; Acts 3:15 Chart 4.1: Resurrection Appearances of Jesus Christ People Who Saw Jesus Alive Two women outside of Jerusalem

Bible References Matthew 28:9–10

Mary Magdalene

John 20:15–18

Two travelers on the road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13–32

Peter in Jerusalem

Luke 24:34

Ten disciples in the upper room

John 20:19–25

Eleven disciples in the upper room

John 20:26–31

Seven disciples fishing

John 21:1–23

Eleven disciples on the mountain in Galilee

Matthew 28: 16–20

More than five hundred people

1 Corinthians 15:6

James

1 Corinthians 15:7

Disciples who watched Jesus ascending into heaven

Luke 24:44–49; Acts 1:3–8

2. The significance of Christ’s resurrection48:

48

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•

Ensures our regeneration (new spiritual birth). 1 Peter 1:3

•

Ensures our justification (made righteous) Romans 4:25; Philippians 2:8-9; Ephesians 2:6

•

Ensures that we will receive perfect resurrection bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 15:20

Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology

f.

His ascension into heaven. While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven. Luke 24:51 After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9–11 1. The ascension of Jesus into heaven is designed to teach us that heaven does exist as a place in the space-time universe. 2. When Jesus ascended into heaven he received glory, honor, and authority as one who was both God and man.

g. His session at God’s right hand. After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and He sat at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19 (One specific aspect of Christ’s ascension into heaven and receiving of honor was the fact that he sat down at the right hand of God. This is sometimes called his session at God’s right hand. This means many wonderful truths): 1. Completion of Christ’s work of redemption. Hebrews 1:3 2. Jesus received authority over the universe. 1 Peter 3:22; Ephesians 1:20–21 3. Jesus received authority to pour out the Spirit on the Church. Acts 2:33

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B. The Work of Christ (If we were to summarize the work of Christ, we can look at three offices that describe what He has accomplished for us and continue to do). a. Three important Old Testament offices 1. The prophet (such as Nathan, 2 Samuel 7:2) who spoke God’s words to the people. 2. The priest (such as Abiathar, 1 Samuel 30:7) who offered sacrifices, prayers, and praises to God on behalf of the people. 3. The king (such as King David, 2 Samuel 5:3) who ruled over the people as God’s representative. (These three offices foreshadowed Christ’s own work in different ways. Therefore we can look again at Christ’s work, now thinking about the perspective of these three offices or categories. Christ fulfills all these three offices and more.)49 b. Works of Christ in the New Testament 1. Christ as Prophet. (Acts 3:22–23) (As prophet He reveals God to us and speaks God’s words to us.) •

Jesus is the prophet whom Moses predicted, yet he is also far greater than any of the OT prophets. (Deuteronomy 18:15,18; John 6:14; John 7:40; Acts :22–24)

(He is the one about whom the prophecies in the Old Testament were made. (Luke 24:25-27; 1 Peter 1:11) Thus, the Old Testament prophets looked forward to Christ in what they wrote, and the New Testament apostles looked back to Christ and interpreted his life for the benefit of the church.50 49 50

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Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology

Jesus was not merely a messenger of revelation from God (like all the other prophets), but was himself the source of revelation from God. The word of the LORD came to the Old Testament prophets, but Jesus spoke on his own authority as the eternal Word of God (John 1:1) who perfectly revealed the Father to us (John 14:9; Heb. 1:1–2)).51 2. Christ as Priest52 As priest He both offers a sacrifice to God on our behalf and is Himself the perfect sacrifice that is offered. The priest represented man to God. Psalm 110:4 establishes Christ’s priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek (cf. Heb. 5:6-10; 6:20; 7:11, 17). As a priest: •

Christ continually represents the believer because He lives forever. Hebrews 7:24

•

Christ completely saves the believer because His intercession never ceases. Hebrews 7:25

•

Christ has no personal sins to impede His work as priest. Hebrews 7:27

•

Christ finished His priestly work by one offering Hebrews 10:12.53

3. Christ as King. Revelation 19:16; Ephesians 1:20-22 As king He rules over the church and over the universe as well.

51

Ibid. Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology 53 Paul P. Enns, MOODY HANDBOOK OF THEOLOGY MOODY PRESS Chicago, Illinois 52

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(That authority over the church and over the universe will be more fully recognized by people when Jesus returns to earth in power and great glory to reign. {Matthew 26:64; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10; Revelation 19:11–16}. On that day he will be acknowledged as “King of kings and Lord of lords” {Revelation 19:16} and every knee shall bow to him {Philippians 2:10}.)54

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” C.S. LEWIS, Mere Christianity

54

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SESSION 5: The Doctrine of Salvation: Saved from Sin’s Penalty, Power and Presence I. Introduction A. Sola Gratia Sola gratia, or “by grace alone”, means that salvation comes by divine grace or “unmerited favor” only. It is not earned by the sinner; it is a free gift from God. B. Sola Fide Sola fide or “by faith alone”, means that we receive God’s wonderful gift of salvation through faith and nothing else. We place all our faith in who Jesus is and what He did for us at Calvary and God declares us righteous or right with Him. Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8–9 C. Our Statement of Faith on Salvation: Saved from Sin’s Penalty, Power and Presence We believe that salvation – with its forgiveness of sins, impartation of a new nature and eternal life – is a free gift from God. This gift is received when a person trusts in Jesus Christ to be his only Savior and Lord. It is given by God’s grace and cannot be earned by man through good works, baptism, church membership or any other means. Cf. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

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II. The Nature of True Salvation A. True Salvation is a Free Gift from God. a. We did nothing to earn or deserve it; it is undeserved favor, a gift of grace. Salvation has always been apart from human works.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8–9 b. Our God is a saving God and the Bible teaches us that He does not want anyone to perish. 2 Peter 3:9

For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil dwells with You. Psalm 5:4 c. The Bible describes man as unrighteous; a sinner and separated from God because of his sin. Man is in need of salvation. (In fact, the Bible tells us in Romans 3:10 that no man is good in God’s eyes, not even one!) Romans 3:10 1. By birth Psalm 51:5 2. By nature Ephesians 2:3 3. By practice Romans 3:12 4. By choice Romans 3:23 ...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23

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The most common New Testament word used for sin is hamartia. It is used in various forms around 227 times. This word simply means “to miss the mark”. B. True Salvation is Complete. The salvation that God provided is so awesome and complete that it spans our past, present and future. a. Justification (past): Saved from sin’s penalty. 1. God saved us from the penalty of sin. Once genuine repentance for sin and faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ has taken place, God freely forgives all sin. 2. God declared us right with Him and proclaimed us righteous. We call this “justification” and it was all prophesied over 700 years before Jesus was born, by the prophet Isaiah. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our wellbeing fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. Isaiah 53:6 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:11

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For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit 1 Peter 3:18 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19 b. Sanctification (present): Saved from sin’s power. 1. God saved us from the power of sin; He did not just save us and leave us at the mercy of this sinful world. (Forgiveness for sin and the free gift of His perfect righteousness is just the beginning of our incredible salvation.) Romans 8:29 While He accepts us the way we are, He certainly won’t leave us that way. 2. God makes a distinction between positional righteousness and practical righteousness. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it, until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 3. We call this aspect of our salvation “sanctification” and it simply means that we have “set apart” for God.

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(Over and over again, we are reminded that even though we are righteous in Christ, we need to learn to live like it, working it out in our daily lives.)

Our practice needs to match our position in Christ. So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12–13 4. God has given us the ability to live godly lives. The unbeliever only has the capacity for sin; even the good things he does are tainted by sin. But God has placed within the believer a brand new nature with the desire to live righteously. Although we will still sin because we are not yet completely free of our sinful nature until we go to heaven, we now have the God- given ability to say no to sin and live godly lives. ...knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin... Romans 6:6 (We have been set free from sin’s power and have become slaves to righteousness.) Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts... Romans 6:11–12

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And do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:13–14 And having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:18 c. Glorification (future): Final work of God upon believers where we will have perfect, eternal, transformed physical bodies that can no longer be influenced or corrupted by sin55 1. This refers to the glory that we will enjoy as we spend the rest of eternity with Him. 2. The Bible assures us that there is also a future element to our salvation and one day we will also be saved from the presence of sin. 3. We will receive a new body, a glorified body and sin will have been eliminated from our lives forever. “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:29–30

55

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https://carm.org/glorification

d. As far as God is concerned, those who are in Christ… 1. Have been justified …and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified… 2. Have been sanctified He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son 3. Have been glorified … He also glorified Chart 5.1: Our Complete Salvation SALVATION You have been saved from sin’s penalty

JUSTIFICATION

You are being saved from sin’s power

SANCTIFICATION

You will be saved from sin’s presence

GLORIFICATION

C. True Salvation includes Eternal Life. The Bible assures us that the moment our sin was dealt with we received eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3 a. Eternal life is not a quantity of time but rather a quality of living. It is entering into a personal relationship with God. b. Eternal life begins the moment we are saved from sin’s penalty and continues into eternity. c. Eternal life can never be lost, as that is a contradiction in terms. Jesus is crystal clear that none that the Father has given Him will ever be lost.

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This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. John 6:39 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30“I and the Father are one.” John 10:27–30 So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. Hebrews 9:28 D. True Salvation is by God’s Grace Alone For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8–9 a. God reached out to man. We see God’s grace clearly in the person and work of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:5-8 John 3:16 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 b. The term “grace” simply refers to God’s unmerited favor. It is not earned or deserved, it is a gift. c. We did not go looking for God. The Bible says He came looking for us. Religion says man can reach God through works, but the Bible says that God reached down to us by GRACE.

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G od R eaches A t C hrist’s E xpense D. True Salvation is Through Faith in Christ Alone. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8–9

Good works CANNOT save you. Baptism CANNOT save you. Church membership CANNOT save you. Other mediators CANNOT save you. Only Jesus CAN save you.

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a. True saving faith involves the whole person, our mind, our emotion and our will. (James 2:14–26) b. It involves repentance from our sin and complete trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ to save us from sin and make us righteous. c. Saving faith has certain characteristics that separate it from other kinds of faith. Not all kinds of faith is saving faith. The Bible talks about different kinds of faith. John 2:24

John 8:31–44

1. Saving faith is placed in Jesus Christ alone. John 14:6 2. Saving faith is based on the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:15 3. Saving faith involves the whole person. James 2:14–26 4. Saving faith involves real repentance. Luke 13:3, 5 5. S aving faith always leads to action. John 10:27 Matthew 25:31–45

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6. Saving faith produces fruit. Matthew 7:15-23 7. Saving faith continues to follow Him. John 8:31 1 John 2:19 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

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SESSION 6: The Doctrine of Salvation: Saved for Good Works and Witness I. Introduction A. Soli Deo Gloria Sola Deo Gloria means that our Christian lives should be surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and lived for the glory of God alone. (Today there is a great deal of false teaching and these five solas {Sola Scriptura, Sola Gracia, Sola Fide, Sola Christus, Sola Deo Gloria}, bring us back to the essential foundation everything else is based on.) Our salvation is based on the teaching of the Scriptures, it magnifies the person and work of Jesus Christ, it is received by grace through faith and the only reasonable response on our part is to live the rest of our lives for God’s glory. Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 B. CCF Statement of Faith on Good Works We believe that good works are not the means to salvation but the expected by-product in the life of a true believer in Christ. The evidence of true salvation and true faith is repentance, good works, and changed lives. It is every believer’s responsibility to pursue a life of good works through the power of the Holy Spirit. Cf. Ephesians 2:8–10; Galatians 6:9-10; Matthew 5:16; 1 Timothy 6:18 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:8–10

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II. Works and Witness of a Christian A. Saved from Dead Works a. We have been born again. (1 Peter 1:3) b. We have become new creatures. (2 Corinthians 5:17) c. We have been given a new nature. (Romans 6:6) d. We have been transformed. (2 Corinthians 3:18) e. We have passed from darkness into the light. (Ephesians 5:8) Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God Hebrews 6:1 They are referred to as dead because we were spiritually dead when we performed them. Dead trees don’t produce living fruit and when we were separated from God in sin (spiritually dead) even our best efforts were as filthy rags to our holy God (Isaiah 64:6). But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), Ephesians 2:4–5

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“True faith will inevitably manifest itself in the performance of works of obedience... The performance of works are the result of faith and the fruit of justification.” R. C. SPROUL

B. We are Saved for Good Works. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (Cf. James 2:17, 20,26) The Bible teaches us that we have been saved for a purpose. God has already planned out works He wants you and I to do. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1 a. Work heartily for the Lord. Colossians 3:23 b. Obey God’s commands out of love. John 14:15 1 John 2:3–6 c. Do everything for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 1 Corinthians 10:7 1 Peter 4:11 d. Serve with a thankful heart. Colossians 3:17

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“Thankfulness to God is a recognition that God in His goodness and faithfulness has provided for us and cared for us, both physically and spiritually. It is a recognition that we are totally dependent upon Him; that all that we are and have comes from God.” JERRY BRIDGES

e. Do nothing out of selfishness. Philippians 2:3–5 C. Evidence of Our Salvation a. Dead faith that cannot save. James 2:14-17 Someone who has this kind of faith knows about the Bible and the doctrine of salvation but has never submitted himself to God and trusted Christ for his salvation. This person knows the right words to say but his words are never proven by his works. Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. James 2:17 The Bible assures us that the moment we placed our faith in Christ alone for salvation we were made alive and life demands growth and fruit. James repeats three times that faith without works is dead faith and dead faith cannot save you. James 2:17, 20, 26 “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17“So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20“So then, you will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:16–20

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b. Demonic faith that cannot save James 2:18–19 Luke 8:28–31 A person can be intellectually enlightened and even emotionally stirred up and still be dead and lost. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ Matthew 7:21–23

c. Dynamic faith that saves James 2:20–26 1. Saving faith involves the whole person: •

Intellect – understands the truth

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Emotions – experiences sorrow for sin, rejoices in and desires the truth

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Will – acts upon the truth

2. True saving faith is dynamic because it leads to action and that action produces good works and fruit in our lives. So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32and you will the know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31–32

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“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. John 15:8 3. Saving faith is demonstrated by God’s people through personal acts of obedience. Look up Hebrews 11: 1-31 and write down evidence of real faith as demonstrated by the biblical characters identified in the “Hall of Faith” passage. The first two are given as examples. •

By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice (11:4)

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By faith Enoch pleased God (11:5)

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By faith Noah built an ark (11:7)

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By faith Abraham left his homeland (11:8)

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By faith Sarah had a baby (11:11)

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By faith Abraham offered Isaac (11:17)

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By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau (11:20)

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By faith Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons (11:21)

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By faith Joseph prophesied the Exodus. (11:22)

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By faith Moses’ parents obeyed God not the king. (11:23)

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By faith Moses chose persecution rather than sin (11:25)

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By faith Moses left Egypt, its wealth and sin (11:27)

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By faith Moses kept the Passover (11:28)

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By faith Israel passed through the Red Sea (11:29)

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By faith Israel conquered Jericho (11:30)

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By faith Rahab saved the spies and saved her own life (11:31)

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4. Saving faith results in mighty acts of God’s people. List down the mighty acts of God’s people as recorded in Hebrews 11:32-35a Hebrews 11:33

Conquered kingdoms Performed acts of righteousness Obtained promises Shut the mouths of lions Hebrews 11:34

Quenched the power of fire Escaped death by the sword Were made strong in weakness Became mighty in war Hebrews 11:35a

Women received back their dead 5. Saving faith endures through trials and testing Read Hebrews 11:35b-37 and note down the trials and testing God’s people endured without losing their faith in the LORD. This are evidence of how saving faith remain steadfast even in the face of great suffering.

Were mocked and whipped Were chained and put in prison Were stoned Were sawn in half Were tempted

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Were put to death by the sword Were forced to live in terrible poverty Were ill-treated Were forced to live in deserts, in caves, and in holes Hebrews 11:39–40 All these gained approval through their faith! Their faith was clearly seen in the way they lived! The word was not worthy of them!

III. Every Christian’s Mission We believe that it is God’s will and command for every Christian to be actively engaged in telling others how to establish a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ and in discipling those who respond to the good news of salvation. Cf. 2 Timothy 1:7–8, 4:2; 2 Corinthians 5:19–20; Matthew 28:19–20 A. The Importance of Our Witness: a. Saved for a purpose And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20 (Every Christian should be actively engaged in telling others how to establish a personal relationship with God, through faith in Jesus Christ, then discipling those who respond to the gospel message.)

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1. The mission of the church is inseparably tied to the health of the church. (The credibility of the gospel message is inseparably tied to the lives of the people that claim to believe it.) 2. Doctrine and duty must go together if evangelism is going to be effective. People will not believe your message without evidence and you are the evidence that God saves people from their sin. 21

that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 23I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. John 17:21, 23 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 The credibility of the gospel message is inseparably tied to the lives of the people that claim to believe it.

“Show me your redeemed life and I might be inclined to believe in your redeemer.” HEINRICH HEINE, a 19th century German philosopher and poet

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SESSION 7: The Doctrine of Holy Spirit: His Deity and Personhood I. Introduction A. Soli Deo Gloria (Our salvation is based on the teaching of the Scriptures, it magnifies the person and work of Jesus Christ, it is received by grace through faith and the only reasonable response on our part is to live the rest of our lives for God’s glory. God knew that we could never glorify Him in our own strength, so He gave us the indwelling Holy Spirit. He illuminates the Scriptures for us and then empowers us to obey them as we walk with Him.) Galatians 5:16 B. Our Statement of Faith on the Holy Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit is God and possesses all divine attributes. He indwells all believers and baptizes them into the body of Christ at the moment they trust in Jesus Christ to be their only Savior and Lord. He controls all true believers and empowers them to live the Christian life in response to their obedience, confession of sins, and submission to Him. Cf. Romans 8:9–11; 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7–13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

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II. The Truth about the Holy Spirit’s Identity (God wants us all believers to experience an abundant and victorious Christian life. In order to make that a reality in our lives, we need God’s empowering presence through the Holy Spirit. God does not want us to live the Christian life on our own because it will eventually lead to failure and disappointments. Only the Spirit of Christ can live the life of Christ through the believer. That is why need supernatural help. God sent the Helper – the Holy Spirit – to enable Christ-followers to live a life full of joy and pleasing to Him.) A. The Importance of a Proper Knowledge of the Holy Spirit56 a. The Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood member of the Trinity. (Most of us living in a “Christianized” culture are familiar with God the Father and Jesus Christ. But little is known of the Holy Spirit even among believers. Throughout Church history, there had been little biblical teaching about the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. This often leads to confusion and extremes in teachings about the Third Person of the Trinity. It is only been recently that the modern Church has taught more about and appropriated the truth about the Holy Spirit, and His central role in the life of the Christian.) b. The Holy Spirit makes God personal in the life of the believer. (It is hard to develop relationship with someone we do not personally see, touch, hear or feel. It is a great challenge then for the believer to develop intimacy with the Trinity. Most of us probably imagine the Father and Jesus as far away in heaven, distant and difficult to get close to. But the wonderful truth is that through the Holy Spirit, the Triune Godhead is personally and actively present, living and working in the life of the believer 24/7 {John 16:4b-7}.) c. We live in the time of the Holy Spirit. (The period of history that we live in today is considered as the time of the Holy Spirit’s greatest outpouring and 56

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outworking in the life of the Church throughout the world. Since the establishment of the early church, the Holy Spirit is actively engaged in, and is at the center of the advance and expansion of God’s kingdom on earth.) d. Our experience of God becomes relevant and tangible. (Through the Holy Spirit’s work in us, we sense and experience God’s presence within us in new, fresh and tangible ways every day. God then becomes part of our practical daily experience. This is especially relevant in today’s post-modern culture, where much emphasis and importance is given to experiencing life to the fullest. In fact, the Spirit is the only TRUE SOURCE of a full and overflowing life—the abundant life for the Christian.) B. What the Holy Spirit is Not In order to understand fully who the Holy Spirit is, we must know first what He is not. a. An impersonal force, power or influence. (The ‘Star Wars’ movie series made famous the concept of “the Force” whose presence can be invoked to accompany the Jedi on a mission against the enemy. However, the Holy Spirit, though unseen, and though all-powerful, is not an impersonal force. Denial that the Spirit is a Person often takes the form of substituting the concept that He is a personification of, say, power or force.) b. A mere godly enthusiasm, zeal, or passion. (A.W. Tozer wrote, “He is not enthusiasm. He is not courage. He is not energy. He is not the personification of all good qualities, like Jack Frost is the personification of cold weather...”) c. An emanation from God the Father. (The Holy Spirit did not originate from nor was begotten by God. He is not inferior or subordinate to God. He is not just a creation of God, He is God. He is coequal with God.)

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C. What the Holy Spirit is Not a. The Holy Spirit is God. The Bible clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit is God. He possesses all divine attributes and is coequal with the Father and the Son. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all coequally God and together form the Eternal God. Matthew 28:19 1. His Name proves He is God. •

The Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 (This name shows us beyond a shadow of doubt that the Scriptures consider the Holy Spirit to be God. In 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 we are told that the Spirit searches the “depths of God” and knows “the thoughts of God” because He is God.)

•

The Holy Spirit is identified as another Helper. John 14:16-17 (Now, you might say that name doesn’t sound very good compared to the first one. But in John’s gospel Jesus Christ Himself uses it to describe the Holy Spirit.) In the Greek language the word for ‘another’ actually means ‘another of the same kind.’ So Jesus, who is God, is saying that He will be going and then He will be sending another of the same kind, God, to replace Him.

2. His attributes prove that He is God. •

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He is all knowing - omniscient Isaiah 11:2

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He is all powerful - omnipotent Job 33:4

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He is everywhere present – omnipresent Psalms 139:7

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He is eternal Hebrews 9:14

3. His works prove that He is God. •

The world was created by Him. Genesis 1:2

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The Word of God was authored by Him. 2 Peter 1:21

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The Lord Jesus was conceived by Him. Luke 1:35

b. The Holy Spirit is a Person. When people hear about the Holy Spirit, they often think of ‘an influence’ or an ‘unknown force’ but the Bible teaches us that He is a person. 1. Proven by His personal attributes. (If we were to define the attributes that make up a person they could be summed up as intellect, emotion and will. These three are clearly seen in the Bible’s explanation of the Holy Spirit): •

His intellect. John 16:13 (The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit has a mind of His own. He knows and searches the things of God and part of His role is to teach others.)

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•

His emotions. Romans 15:30 Ephesians 4:30

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His will. 1 Corinthians 12:11 Acts 16:6-11 (The Word of God tells us that the Holy Spirit makes decisions as well as directs the activities of our lives.)

2. Proven by His personal activities. •

He guides us into all truth, hears and speaks. John 16:13 (The Holy Spirit accomplishes this by giving us understanding of God’s Word as we diligently read, meditate, study and determine to obey it.)

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He convicts, teaches and reminds us from God’s Word. John 16:8, 13 John 14:26 (The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and uses it to bring about conviction to us, showing us when our attitudes and actions are not pleasing to God.)

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He prays for us, performs miracles and testifies about Jesus. Romans 8:26 Acts 8:39 John 15:26 (The Holy Spirit knows that we have many weaknesses both in our lives and in our prayer lives so He intercedes for us and sustains us through the burdens and disappointments of life.)

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3. Proven by His personal associations. (We are given a number of instances in the Bible where the Holy Spirit relates as a person to others showing His own distinct personality): •

His relationship to the apostles. Acts 15:28 (In the book of Acts we witness the Holy Spirit personally working with the Apostles in the decisions they made.)

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His relationship to Jesus Christ. John 16:14-15 (No one would dispute the personality of Jesus, yet the Bible tells us that while the Holy Spirit is a distinct person He relates in similar ways.)

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His relationship to the Trinity. Matthew 28:19 2 Corinthians 13:14 The Bible is very clear that the Holy Spirit is a coequal person with the Father and the Son. (He relates to the other Persons of the Trinity as an equal Person. He relates to the Lord Jesus and God the Father in such a way that if the Lord possesses a personality, one must conclude that the Spirit does also. Yet He is distinct from Christ and God the Father.)

4. Proven by how He is recognized by God’s people. (Throughout Scriptures, the Holy Spirit has been acknowledged and received by people as a person. He is also affected as a person, thus manifesting personality. On many occasions in the Bible, he experiences things that are normally applicable only to a person.) •

He can be disobeyed and lied to just like Jesus. Acts 10:19-21; 5:3

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He can be resisted and blasphemed. Acts 7:51 Matthew 12:31

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He can be insulted and grieved just like Jesus. Hebrews 10:29 Ephesians 4:30

SESSION 8: The Holy Spirit’s Work and the Spirit-Filled Life I. The Work of the Holy Spirit (The Holy Spirit’s work in a believer starts even before he begins a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. During the believer’s ongoing Christian life, the Spirit continues His work in him. The Spirit brings the believer to maturity in the faith and Christ-like character. The Spirit performs a number of other very important roles in the believer’s discipleship journey.) A. He Indwells All Believers. John 14:16–17 When speaking of the Holy Spirit to the disciples, Jesus made an incredible statement. He told them the Spirit was with them but that there was coming a time when the Holy Spirit would dwell in them. a. In the Church Age, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer and this is a sign that they are truly saved. In the Old Testament, He came upon different believers at different times and in different ways to accomplish the work of God. Judges 14:5-6 b. Today, the Holy Spirit permanently resides inside the lives of all true believers, and He will never leave us. Romans 8:9 1. He controls the willing believer to live a righteous life. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. Romans 8:9a

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(It is now the Spirit who should have control of the believer’s life and not the believer’s old, sinful nature. The Holy Spirit provides the Christian the supernatural ability to live according to the new and righteous nature imparted to him through Christ. A person indwelt and empowered by the Spirit will desire God and the things of God. He will have a growing distaste for sin and display a growing and intense dedication to please God instead.) 2. The believer now belongs to Christ. …And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Romans 8:9b (If the Spirit resides in us, then we have the assurance that we belong to Christ. And if we truly belong to Christ, we must be able to live a life that is characterized by the fruit of the Spirit of Christ. Christlikeness must be evident in our lives. It is a sure proof that we really belong to Jesus.) B. He Confirms That We Are God’s Children. because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. … but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “”Abba,” Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:14–16 (God confirms our sonship through the Spirit dwelling in us. We can have the confidence and hope that we are God’s children. Only the indwelling Spirit of God can instill such understanding, conviction, and godly assurance in our hearts.) C. He Seals the Believer. a. He marks us as his own possession. …set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:22

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(Since God’s children belong to Him, He sealed us with His own Spirit. Sealing refers to stamping an identifying mark on something. The Holy Spirit present in us identifies us as God’s true and eternal possession, whom He will protect and keep.) b. He guarantees that we will receive our spiritual inheritance. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13b-14 (A deposit or downpayment is a foretaste and a guarantee that all of God’s promises will surely come true. The presence of the Spirit in our lives is our assurance that all of God’s promises will be fulfilled in our lives. We can be confident that our spiritual inheritance will be fully realized when we live in eternity with the Lord someday.) D. He Sanctifies the Believers …from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 a. Sanctification is the process of becoming like Christ. (A believer is already declared righteous and holy in God’s eyes because of his faith in Jesus. But in actual practice, he does not yet measure up to the standard of Christ’s righteousness. The Spirit continually works in the believer’s life {sanctification} so that more and more, the believer’s practice {doing} will match his position {being} in Christ. This work will only be completed when the believer enters into the presence of God for all eternity.) b. He continually transforms the believer’s moral and spiritual character.

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(The work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification is to break down the influence of sin in the believer’s life and create a positive likeness to Christ. More and more each day, the believer’s moral and spiritual character is being changed as the believer submits to the Spirit’s leading and guidance.) E. He Equips and Empowers the Believer for a Godly Life and Witness Jesus did not leave us on our own when it comes to living out the Christian life. The Christian life is not difficult – it is impossible. That is why Jesus has given us the Spirit. a. He empowers the believer for victory over sin. Galatians 5:16 (Our old sinful nature will always sway us to do ungodly things that are contrary to the will of God. But the Spirit within the believer empowers him for victory and the influence and hold of sin in the life of the believer is dismantled. Sin no longer has control over the believer as the Holy Spirit enables the believer to experience constant and continual victory over sin.) b. He empowers the believer for witnessing. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 (Being a witness for Christ requires boldness and sacrifice. To be credible witnesses, we are to be good examples in Christ-like speech, thought, feelings and deeds. Our success in sharing Christ to the world is does not come from our own abilities and strength. Rather, we need the power of the Spirit to become effective witnesses for Christ.)

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F. He Teaches Spiritual Truths to the Believers John 14:26 1 Corinthians 2: 13 (Jesus promised His followers that after He goes back to the Father, the Spirit will come to guide them into all truth. The One who inspired the Bible—the Spirit of God--is also the One able who enlightens the minds of believers to understand from the Bible what God is like, and what His will is for us.) G. He Gives Spiritual Gifts to the Believer Romans 12:6a a. A spiritual gift is the spiritual ability given to a believer at conversion to enable him to serve God. b. Every believer has a spiritual gift/gifts but not all the gifts, as the Spirit decides. 1 Corinthians 12:11 c. All gifts are important for the edification of the Church. 1 Corinthians 12:4,7 1 Corinthians 14:12 d. We must be faithful in using our spiritual gifts. 1 Timothy 4:14 e. Every believer is responsible to discover and maximize his spiritual gifts in serving God and others.

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(Rick Warren uses S.H.A.P.E. as an acronym for a believer’s unique God-given design that includes spiritual gifts. Use your SHAPE to serve the Lord in a way that only you, and nobody else in the world, can.) S – Spiritual Gifts What has God supernaturally gifted me to do? H – Heart What do I love to do and have passion for? A – Abilities What natural talents and skills do I have? P – Personality Where does my personality best suit me to serve? E – Experiences What spiritual experiences have I had? What painful experiences have I had? What educational experiences have I had? What ministry experiences have I had?

“Your ministry will be most effective and fulfilling when you are using your gifts and abilities in the area of your heart’s desire in a way that best expresses your personality and experience.” R I C K W A R R E N ( W A R R E N ) 57

E – Experiment Volunteer and serve in the D-group. Try doing different things and see where the Holy Spirit will bless your work. He will confirm it through other people. E – Examine Your heart; which one do you enjoy most?

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http://www.hoc6.org/newark/files/SHAPE%20Hardcopy.pdf. Accessed 10/15/2015 12:06 PM

H. He Baptizes Believers into the Body of Christ. a. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is seen in action several times in the Book of Acts but it is only defined once in the New Testament when the Apostle Paul is forced to correct false teaching in the Church at Corinth. 1 Corinthians 12:13 b. Simply put, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the act by which the Holy Spirit places us into the body of Christ – the Church – and this happens the moment we are saved. (At the moment of conversion when the believer places his faith in Jesus, he is baptized by the Spirit. This simply means that the Spirit places a believer, spiritually, in the body of Christ {the Church}. To be baptized into the body of Christ is to become a member of that spiritual family. The Spirit joins and connects each and every new believer to the universal Church {made up of other believers in Christ throughout the world and from every generation of human history}. The new Christian becomes one with other believers regardless of race, nationality or status in life. We may not know them personally but we all belong to God’s family for eternity.) I. He Fills Believers. Ephesians 5:18 (Although each and every Christian is indwelt, baptized, and sealed by the Spirit upon coming to Christ—a one-time event— unless a believer is also filled with the Spirit, he will live in spiritual weakness, frustration and defeat. The filling of the Spirit is not automatic and not a one-time decision—it is a choice that every believer must make on a moment by moment basis in his walk with Christ. A child of God must be Spirit-filled if he is to gain victory over sin, Satan and the world in his daily Christian life.

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The wonderful truth is that power of the Holy Spirit is available to every Spirit-filled believer who lives in complete surrender and dependence on Him. Before we go into greater detail on what the filling of the Spirit is, let us find out some wrong ideas about what that means.) a. Wrong ideas about being filled with the Spirit 1. Sinless perfection (When we became Christians, our capacity to sin did not yet disappear. Yes, we have been given a righteous standing before God but while we are still in this body of flesh with its accompanying weaknesses, we will still fail, fall short of God’s holy perfection, or in other words, still sin. However, it is the worthy goal of every believer to live a righteous and holy life in the power of the Holy Spirit, gradually growing in Christlikeness until we are perfected when we arrive at the Presence of the Lord for all eternity.) 2. Accompanied by an unusual experience (Some people believe that the filling of the Holy Spirit is always accompanied or evidenced by some dramatic, emotional experience. Certainly, joy fills the heart of a believer when he is filled {empowered and controlled} by the Spirit). But goosebumps or tears of joy do not always accompany the filling of the Holy Spirit. Still others teach that certain strange, even bizarre behavior (e.g. laughing, barking, strange languages, etc.) is the proof that one is filled with the Holy Spirit. The Bible does NOT support this wrong teaching.)

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3. Same as baptism of the Spirit (Filling is different from the baptism of the Holy Spirit. There is one baptism, but many infillings with the Spirit. Baptism happens at the moment of conversion while filling has to be a continuous choice of the believer throughout his entire Christian life. The baptism is a once-for-all experience while the filling of the Spirit is a moment by moment walking with Jesus—a clear choice of surrender to His will and obedience to His commands in the Bible.) b. What does it mean to “be filled” by the Spirit? 1. The Spirit-filled Life The verb “fill” here has nothing to do with contents or quantity. We are not empty vessels waiting to be filled. Romans 8:9 •

If we belong to the Lord Jesus the Holy Spirit already lives in us permanently. The primary meaning here is “to be under the control of”.

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Being filled with the Spirit is a moment by moment complete dependence upon God.

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Dying to self and yielding control of every aspect of our lives over to Him. Dr. Charles Stanley expounds on this concept: “Think of this as a voluntary choice to surrender your life to the Holy Spirit’s control—in other words, to be sensitive to His leadership and guidance, obedient to His promptings, and dependent upon His strength. The evidence of the Spirit’s control is revealed in a person’s character. Those who have yielded their lives to Christ’s leadership are continually being transformed into His likeness. The degree of surrender determines the level of transformation.

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Even though good works and faithful service are a result of being filled with the Spirit, they are not necessarily signs of it. Remember, we are talking about character, not what we do. It’s easier to serve the Lord in some manner than to love the unlovable or be patient with difficult people. But when the Spirit is in charge of our lives, He does through us what we cannot do for ourselves. Each believer decides who rules his life, by either actively surrendering to Christ or deliberately going his own way. Even those who try to avoid the issue by making no choice at all unknowingly opt for self-rule. The fullness of the Spirit and godly character await those who choose God over self.”58 •

The filling of the Holy Spirit means that my body belongs to Jesus Christ. I have presented it as a living sacrifice to Him. (Romans 12:1)

•

Filling our hearts and minds with the Word of God and living every moment in the conscious presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Being filled with the Spirit is living in the conscious presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, letting His mind, through the Word, dominate everything that is thought and done” DR. JOHN MACARTHUR

2. We are filled by the Holy Spirit by faith. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I, who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20 23

http://www.jesus.org/following-jesus/fruit-of-the-spirit/how-do-we-live-a-spirit-filled-life.html Accessed 10/15/15 12:30 PM

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(By faith, we can experience the abundant and fruitful life which Christ promised to each Christian.) 3. You can appropriate (receive) the filling of the Holy Spirit right now if you59: •

Sincerely desire to be directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 5:6; John 7:37-39).

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Confess your sins. By faith, thank God that He has forgiven all of your sins – past, present and future – because Christ died for you (Colossians 2:13-15; 1 John 1; 2:1-3; Hebrews 10:1-17).

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Present every area of your life to God (Rom. 12:1, 2).

4. By faith claim the fullness of the Holy Spirit, according to: •

His command: Be filled with the Spirit. “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

•

His promise: He will always answer when we pray according to His will. “And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14, 15).

c. Results of being filled with the Spirit (As we walk in step with the Spirit moment by moment, we are abiding in Christ and His Spirit produces fruit in us. Our own lives are transformed, we become more and more like Him. When He takes control of our lives, His power is released in us to enable us to experience the following): 59

Adapted from Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life? by Dr. Bill Bright, cofounder of Campus Crusade for Christ. © Campus Crusade for Christ.

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1. Produce fruit John 15:1-11

Galatians 5:22-25

2. Proclaim Christ Acts 1:8 3. Perform good works Ephesians 3:20 d. Some characteristics of a Spirit-filled Christian 1. Filled with joy Ephesians 5:19 2. Filled with thanksgiving Ephesians 5:20 3. Filled with humility/submission Ephesians 5:21 This is often seen in humble submission to Christ and to one another. Your relationships with others will be right because you are humble, servant-hearted and consider others to be more important than yourself. e. Spiritual Breathing60 By faith you can continue to experience God’s love and forgiveness. If you become aware of an area of your life (an attitude or an action) that is displeasing to the Lord, even though you are walking with Him and sincerely desiring to

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serve Him, simply thank God that He has forgiven your sins – past, present and future – on the basis of Christ’s death on the cross. Claim His love and forgiveness by faith and continue to have fellowship with Him. But if you retake the throne of your life through sin – a definite act of disobedience – breathe spiritually. Spiritual breathing (exhaling the impure and inhaling the pure) is an exercise in faith that enables you to continue to experience God’s love and forgiveness. So if you sin, practice spiritual breathing right away. 1. Exhale – confess your sin – agree with God concerning your sin and thank Him for His forgiveness of it, according to 1 John 1:9 and Hebrews 10:1-25. Confession involves repentance - a change in attitude and action. 2. Inhale – surrender the control of your life to Christ, and appropriate (receive) the fullness of the Holy Spirit by faith. Trust that He now directs and empowers you; according to the command of Ephesians 5:18, and the promise of 1 John 5:14, 15.

“The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. I will try my utmost to be that man.” DW I G H T L . M O O DY

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Adapted from Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life? by Dr. Bill Bright, cofounder of ampus Crusade for Christ. © Campus Crusade for Christ.

Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES

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