Section One: What Is The Bible?

Section One: Survey

What Is The Bible?

In the right margin, write "true" or "false" after each of the following statements:

1. The Bible consists of edited writings, collected and put together at one point in history.

2. Part of the Bible is wise instruction from men, and part is from God.

3. The entire Bible is inspired.

4. We find the writings of John in the Old Testament.

5. The four Gospels are Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, and Daniel.

6. The Book of Acts gives the history of the early Church.

7. Jesus Christ is the central figure in Scripture.

8. The New Testament has no relation to the Old Testament.

9. Many books in the New Testament were letters to different Churches and groups.

10. God's record of the creation of the world is found in the Book of Genesis.

Section One: "What Is the Bible?"

Key/Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness."

Introduction

The Bible can be read as great literature, or as a history of Israel, or as a source book of theological information. It is all of these things. But none of them does full justice to the purpose of Scripture as set forth by the Bible writers themselves. This amazing book, the Bible, is the source of truth, the standard for meaningful life, the revelation of Jesus Christ, the key to true freedom and liberty, and true food for man's soul.

May our eyes be opened, our hearts enlarged, and our lives changed by this Book of all books!

1. Definition of Terms

   1. The Bible:

      The word "Bible" comes from the Greek word biblion which simply means "book."

   2. The Scriptures:

      This word is the word we use in our translation of the Greek word graphai, which can also be translated as "writings."

   3. Testament:

      This word is derived from the Latin word testamentum, which was used in early Latin translations of both the Greek and Hebrew words for a "will" or "covenant."

2. Introductory Facts About The Bible:

   1. The Bible is the most remarkable book ever written. About 40 men of several countries and many occupations did the writing. They wrote over a period of approximately 1500 years and in three languages - Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Yet the Bible is an well-organized unity with one great theme and central figure - Jesus Christ. All of this would be impossible unless the Bible had one supreme Author - and it did - the Holy Spirit of God.

   2. The Age Of The Bible

      The earliest portions of Scripture date back more than 3,300 years. However, its message has been fresh and relevant to men of every age and generation. Its pages are still producing new gems of truth, even to those who study them the most.

   3. The Demand For The Bible

      It is by far the most widely circulated book in the world. Since 1804, more than 800 million Bibles and portions of Scripture have been issued. These figures are from the British and Foreign Bible Societies alone. Every year more than 22 million copies of the complete Bible and New Testament are circulated around the globe.

      The Bible has been translated more than any other book. Each year we see an increase in the number of translations. The following figures reflect this steady growth.

      • In 1500 A.D. it had been printed in 14 languages.

      • In 1600 - about 40 languages.

      • In 1800 - about 72 languages.

      • In 1900 - about 567 languages.

      • In 1937 - about 1,000 languages

      • In 1970 - about 1500 languages.

      • In 1997 - to date, at least partially translated in more than 2100 languages.

      (Wycliffe Bible Translators are currently working on an additional 1000 languages.)

3. The Uniqueness Of The Bible

   1. (This material and more information under this topic can be found in Evidence Which Demands A Verdict. Josh McDowell, pp. 16-25)

   2. Unique In Its Continuity -

   3. The Bible has an unique continuity when you consider that...

      • it was written over a 1500-year period;

      • written over 40 generations;

      • written by over 40 authors from every walk of life including kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars, etc.;

      • written in many different places.

   4. Unique In Its Survival -

      1. Survival through Time -

         Being written on material that perishes, having to be copied and recopied for hundreds of years before the invention of the printing press, did not diminish its style, correctness or existence. The Bible, compared with other ancient writings, has more manuscript evidence than any 10 pieces of classical literature combined.

      2. Manuscript variation from copying:

         1. Old Testament: 95% of the texts are identical with only minor variations and a few discrepancies between the Dead Sea Scrolls (dated to the 1st century) and the Masoretic text (dated to around 800 A.D.).

         2. New Testament: New Testament manuscripts agree in 99.5% of the text (compared to only 95% for the Iliad). Additionally, the New Testament can be put together from the writings of the early church fathers, since they extensively quoted from it.

      3. Survival Through Persecution -

         The Bible has withstood vicious attacks of its enemies as no other book. Many have tried to burn it, ban it, and "outlaw it from the days of Roman emperors to present-day Communist or Islamic-dominated countries."

      4. Survival Through Criticism -

      "Infidels for eighteen hundred years have been attempting to refute and overthrow this Book, and yet it stands today as solid as a rock. Its circulation increases, and it is more loved and cherished and read today than ever before. Infidels, with all their assaults, make about as much impression on this Book as a man with a jackhammer would on the Pyramids of Egypt. When the French monarch proposed the persecution of the Christians in his dominion, an old statesman and warrior said to him, ‘Sire, the Church of God is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.' So the hammers of infidels have been pecking away at this Book for ages, but the hammers are worn out, and the anvil still endures. If this Book had not been the Book of God, men would have destroyed it long ago. Emperors and popes, kings and priests, princes and rulers have all tried their hand at it; they die and the book still lives." (H.L. Hastings cited in Josh McDowell's, Evidence that Demands A Verdict p. 21)

4. The Supernatural Origin Of The Bible

5. How did this amazingly unique book come about? A look at the following two terms will help us understand the divine origin of the Bible.

   1. Revelation -

      God has disclosed or revealed Himself to man. We can learn about God through these revelations.

      God has revealed Himself in a general way through nature/creation. In the beauty and wonder of creation we see the signature of God (Psalm 19:1, Romans 1:20).

      However, a more complete disclosure or revelation of who God is, what He is like, etc., is found in the Bible. God revealed Himself in a variety of manners to His chosen authors that they might record a permanent testimony concerning God. What the authors wrote were not their own ideas - but rather God's ideas.

      God used various methods and instruments to reveal the Scriptures to His chosen authors:

      • Direct Voice - God spoke in an audible voice to some of them, telling them what to write down. (Exodus 33:1)

      • Direct Writing - God visibly wrote certain of the truths Himself. (Exodus 31:18)

      • Dreams - God used the dreams of men as a channel through which He revealed prophetic truths. (Daniel 2:1-49)

      • Men - The personal experiences and spiritual lives of individuals were used by God. (Psalm 51)

      • Natural World - The universe, which God created, declares Him. (Psalm 19:1 and Romans 1:19-23)

      • Historic Events - God used the events of men to reveal His will (the Old Testament Books of Genesis and Esther).

      • Holy Spirit - The Spirit of God guided men as they penned His words (2 Peter 1:21)
        

   2. Inspiration

      The key verse is 2 Timothy 3:16. The word "inspiration" means "God-breathed." "Every Scripture is God-breathed." The Bible claims that on the original parchments every sentence, every word, every line was placed there in complete agreement with the will of God. The veritable author of the Bible is God. God used human authors to write down the words He wanted in the Bible. He watched over them as they wrote, so no errors could creep in.

      How do we know when writings are inspired by God? The Bible itself tells us what characteristics writings must have to be considered inspired by God. They must:
      

      1. Be spoken from, and in the name of, the Lord (Jeremiah 30:2, 1 Peter 1:21).

      2. Exalt and glorify God (John 5:39 &; 17:4-10; Ephesians 1:13-14).

      3. Direct the love of men toward God (Colossians 3:16; Revelation 19:10).

      4. Draw men to repent of their rebellion against God and to submit fully to Him (Psalms 19:7; 2 Timothy 3:16).

      5. Prophecies come to fulfillment with 100 percent accuracy (Deuteronomy 18:21-22).

      6. Support the laws, precepts, and principles set forth in the rest of Scripture-without contradiction (Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 5:17; John 10:35).

      7. Communicate truth, and only truth, in all disciplines of knowledge (Psalms 119:160; Hebrews 6:18).
         

      Summary Of Terms

      • Revelation - is God's activity in giving truth to the human mind.

      • Inspiration - is God's activity in producing a record of his revealed truth.

6. Survey Of The Bible: Please also see the Overview of the Bible page

   2. The New Testament

      The New Testament (or New Covenant - God's present agreement with men) reveals Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of men. In it we find the life of Christ, the beginning of Christianity, the way of salvation, instruction for Christian living, and God's plan for the future.

      1. The first five books of the New Testament are historical As you list them in order below, study their descriptions on the right.

      2. Matthew: The life of Christ written especially for the Jews, revealing Jesus Christ as their long-awaited Savior-King.

         Mark: The life of Christ revealing Jesus as the obedient Servant of God.

         Luke: The life of Christ revealing Jesus as the perfect Man, emphasizing His humanity.

         John: The life of Christ revealing Jesus as the Son of God, stressing His deity.

         Acts :The beginning and spread of the Christian Church. This book could well be called the "Acts of the Holy Spirit."

      3. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are referred to as "The Four Gospels." Look up John 20:31 and record two reasons given for the writing of John's Gospel.

         that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name

      4. The next 21 Books are letters (epistles). They are written to individuals, to churches, or to believers in general These letters deal with every aspect of Christian faith and responsibility. Notice the titles of these epistles.

      5. The last book of the New Testament is a book of prophecy. It tells of future events - including the return, reign, and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and the future state of believers and unbelievers. This book is called Revelation

   1. God used 40 different men over a period of 1,500 Years (about 1400 B.C. to 90 A.D.) in writing the Bible- (2 Peter 1:20-21)

      Frequently, sections of the Bible will be referred to in an abbreviated way. For example, 2 Timothy 3:16 refers to the book, Second Timothy, Chapter three, verse sixteen. Until you familiarize yourself with your Bible, you can use the table of contents at the front of your Bible to locate the order and page number of the book for which you are looking.

   2. Who is the central figure of all the Scriptures according to John 5:39 and Luke 24:25-2 7?

   3. Jesus Christ

   4. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, which of the following is the correct answer?

      1. Some of the Bible is inspired by God.

      2. There are a few parts that are not inspired.

      3. The entire Bible is inspired by God.

      4. Only the parts that speak to us in a personal way are inspired by God.

   5. This Book of all Books is an amazing record of history, great literature, and theology; but more importantly, it is the source of truth, the standard for meaningful life, the revelation of Jesus Christ, the key to freedom and liberty, true food for man's soul!

What have you discovered about the Bible from our study?

________________________________________

Section Two: Survey

How To Know The Bible

In the right margin, write "true" or "false" after each of the following statements:
1. The only people who can truly understand the Bible are those who attend seminary.

2. There is no need to study the Bible because God can teach us through our experiences.

3. The most important thing we can achieve from our study of the Bible is the large amount of facts that come in handy in debates.

4. Memorizing God's Word enables us to use the sword of the Spirit to overcome Satan.

5. Scripture is the Christian's most powerful tool in sharing Christ.

6. God uses pastors to teach us truths they have found in Scripture.

7. It is important to establish regular habits and times for your study of the Bible.

8. Reading the Bible gives us an overall picture of God's Word.

9. Only as we meditate on God's Word will we discover its transforming power at work in us.

10. All our study is useless unless we apply the things we learn.

Section Two: "How To Know The Bible"

Key/Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 2:15

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth."

Introduction

The Bible is God's inspired Word, profitable for teaching, for correction (of false thinking and behavior), for reproof, and for training in how to think and live righteously.

In light of the importance of God's Word, the natural question to ask is "How can I get to know what the Bible teaches?" This lesson answers that question!

I. Personal Preparation

The Bible can only be fully understood with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Apart from a growing personal relationship with God, the academic study of the Word alone will produce little change. Some important steps of personal preparation prior to a time of Bible study are...

1. A Cleansed Life
   
   Refusing to deal with sin in your life breaks fellowship with God. The secret of restored fellowship and the cleansed life is very simple. ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). Before beginning your Bible study, stop to confess to God any known sins.
   

2. Prayer for Illumination
   
   Follow the example of the psalmist as he prayed, "Blessed art Thou, O LORD; Teach me Thy statutes... Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Thy law... Make me understand the way of Thy precepts, so I will meditate on Thy wonders... Establish Thy word to Thy servant, as that which produces reverence for Thee." (Psalm 119:12, 18, 27, 38).
   

3. Dependence Upon the Holy Spirit
   
   "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God" (1 Corinthians 2:12). God has given Christians the Holy Spirit to teach the truth from the Bible. Rely on His instructions. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).
   

4. Willingness to Obey
   
   Jesus pointed out that a prerequisite to knowing the truth is the willingness to obey the truth. "If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself." (John 7:17). A man who is willing to obey will receive God's instruction.

II. Knowing God's Word

There are five methods to grow in understanding of God's Word.

Compare the five methods of learning from the Bible to the five fingers of your hand. If you hold the Bible with only one or two fingers, it is easy to lose your grip. But as you use more fingers you grasp of the Bible becomes stronger.

This is also true spiritually. If a person memorizes, studies, reads, and hears this Word - and meditates on it, his grasp of the Bible becomes firm and part of his life. As the thumb is needed in combination with any finger to complete your hold, so meditation combined with hearing, reading, study, and memorizing is essential for a full grasp of God's Word. Let's look at each of these components more closely.

III. Studying God's Word:

"Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11)

In this verse, Paul is complimenting the believers who lived in Thessalonica because they received the Word with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily.

1. How does Proverbs 2:4 indicate we should study the Word? …seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures
   

2. What should be our goal in studying the Bible? (2 Timothy 2:15) Handling accurately the word of truth
   

3. God desires that we be diligent students of His Word, for it is in the Bible that we learn about God and His will for our lives as well as principles and promises to live by.

The three main steps involved in studying God's Word are:

1. Observation

   Observation is the act of seeking; taking notice of things as they really are; the art of awareness. Observation depends upon two root attitudes - an open mind and a willing spirit.

   Too often people approach Bible study with preconceived notions. Their attitude is "Don't confuse me with the facts; my mind is made up!" An open mind is necessary for effective study.

   A willing spirit is necessary because whenever you guard an area of your life, you hinder understanding. The man who is unwilling to be changed in his marriage will not even see his needs as a husband. The woman who refuses to admit to vanity in her life will probably not see it condemned in the Scriptures.

   Accurate observations are the result of reading with diligence, purposefulness, thoughtfulness, and inquiry. Reading is not a lazy man's art. Reading until the Word jogs the mind and heart requires quality time. As you study, read for the message, not the mileage.

   It will help to record what you observe. As you write down your thoughts they become clearer. Get a study Bible which you can use for underlining important words, writing in the margins, and drawing arrows to connect associated terms.

   Be sure to define important words and phrases. Without knowing the meanings of words, it is impossible to communicate. One of the best reference books for Bible study is a dictionary.

   Some questions to ask in making observations...

   Who - Who are the people involved?

   What - What happened? What ideas are expressed? What resulted?

   Where - Where does this take place? What is the setting?

   When - When did it take place? What was the historical period?

   Why - What is the purpose? What is the stated reason?

   How - How are things accomplished? How well? How quickly? By what method?

   Observe 1 John 5:11, 12 and answer the following observation questions:

   Who gives eternal life? God has given us eternal life

   Where is eternal life found? and this life is in His Son

   Who has eternal life? He who has the Son has the life

   Who does not have eternal life? he who does not have the Son of God

2. Interpretation

   Interpretation is the step of determining the author's meaning. Interpretation seeks to clarify the meaning of a passage and help you understand why the Holy Spirit included this portion in Scripture. Interpretation answers the question, "What does it mean?"

   The Bible is the literal Word of God and means what it says. However, there is often more than one definition of a word. Correct interpretation depends on determining the definition the writer had in mind.

3. Application

   Application is putting God's Word into practice. "I considered my ways, and turned my feet to Thy testimonies. I hastened and did not delay to keep Thy commandments" (Psalm 119:59, 60).

   The benefit of Bible study is not derived from the method, the technique, or diligent efforts to decipher the text. The benefit is in obeying the Word of God - receiving what He says and putting it into practice. Application doesn't happen by osmosis nor by change - application is by intent!

   Application starts with the willing acceptance of truth. A correct response to Scripture is characterized by trust, obedience, praise, and thanksgiving. The application may include remembering an impressive truth, changing a wrong attitude or taking a positive action.

   Respond to God, not a rule book! Responses are to motivated by love. The goal is to glorify God by pleasing him in every area of life. An unwillingness to apply the Scriptures personally may develop mere intellectual knowledge and spiritual insensitivity to the Lord and to people.

   The following list of seven directive questions may help you apply the Word to your life.

   1. Is there an example for me to follow?

   2. Is there a sin for me to avoid?

   3. Is there a command for me to obey?

   4. Is there a promise for me to claim?

   5. What does this particular passage teach me about God, or about Jesus Christ?

   6. Is there a difficulty for me to explore?

   7. Is there something in this passage that I should pray about today?

   Using these seven directive questions, look back at 1 John 5:11, 12 and see if you can make any applications of these verses to your life. (Record one or two.)

IV. Hearing God's Word

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ". (Romans 10:17)

What kind of heart will best hear and use the Word? (Luke 8:15) (Underline the correct answer.)

1. A sincere and virtuous heart.

2. An alert and cautious heart.

3. An open but indifferent heart.

4. A well-trained, scholarly heart.

Most Christians hear the Word of God preached regularly at Church, but only a few learn the profit of conserving what they hear. To retain and use what you hear preached and taught, prepare your heart prior to times of teaching, and take notes on the Scriptures used and on the main points of the sermon.

Jesus gave a promise in Luke 11:28 when He said, "…blessed are those who hear the Word of God, and observe it." V. Reading God's Word

"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it." (Revelation 1:3)

"The Bible was written to be read. An unread Bible is like food that is refused, an unopened love letter, a buried sword, a road map not studied, a gold mind not worked" (Irving Jensen)

Some practical suggestions:

1. Plan a regular time to read your Bible.

2. Begin your reading in the Gospel of Mark or John, later you can begin a reading plan that goes through the whole Bible.

3. The length of the passage you read will vary from time to time. You may read a chapter a day or just a few weighty verses, if you have an expanded time, you may find yourself reading a whale book at one sitting. NOTE: There are 1189 chapters in the Bible ... reading one a day will get you through the entire Bible in three years!

4. Read with your eyes open carefully, alertly not mechanically.

5. Read with pencil and paper, in hand, freely mark up your Bible with notes, underlining key verses, record on paper your questions and insights.

If you currently do not have a reading plan - determine to begin reading the gospel of John or Mark this week!

VI. Memorizing God's Word

Memorize It - "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping itaccording to Thy word. Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee." (Psalm 119:9, 11)

The value and importance of memorizing God's Word can perhaps best be seen in Jesus' confrontation with Satan, Turn to Matthew 4 and read verses 1-11.

A. How did Jesus overcome Satan's three temptations? (verses 4, 7, 10)

B. How will you overcome Satan's temptations?

After 24 hours, you may accurately remember:

• 5% of what you hear

• 15% of what you read

• 35% of what you study
  But you can remember 100% of what you memorize!

VII. Meditation On God's Word

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Meditation is prayerful reflection with a view to understanding and application - giving prayerful thought to God's Word and to your life. with the goal of conforming your life to His will.

This kind of meditation on God's Word can be done:

• as you hear the Word preached;

• as you read the Bible in your daily devotional time;

• as you pray and reflect on what you are studying;

• as you go over verses you have memorized.

What promises are made in Psalm 1:1-3 to the person who continually meditates on the Word of God?

Section Two Supplement: "Tools For Bible Study"

Introduction

A diligent study of God's Word, the Bible, will reap a harvest of blessings for the believer. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, 17...

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequately equipped for every good work."

Scripture is God's means of 1) teaching us; 2) reproving us; 3) correcting us; 4) training us in righteousness; and finally 5) equipping us for every good work.

As any laborer needs tools for his job, so the Christian should be aware of the tools available to him.

Studying God's Word: Study Bible

Get a Bible with marginal cross references, and one with margins wide enough and paper thick enough for writing notes. If you prefer not to mark in your Bible, make sure you have a notebook handy.

Which Version Is Best?

This is not easy to answer. There are so many excellent editions available that it is difficult to choose. Some differ from others only in matters of style and format and thus become a matter of literary preference for the reader.

Nonetheless, there are some basic and notable differences between translations that ought to be recognized. These differences reflect different procedures and methods in preparing the translations. There are three basic methodologies:

a. Verbal Accuracy
This method is that which seeks to fallow the original language text (Greek and Hebrew) as closely as possible in a word-by-word pattern. Here strict fidelity to the ancient language is stressed. An example of this method of translations may be seen in the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

b. Concept Accuracy

This method, which is the predominant method of modem translations, seeks a maximum of fluid reading style with a minimum of verbal distortion. Since words put together produce thoughts or concepts, the goal is to produce an accurate rendition of the thoughts or concepts of Scripture. Examples of this type may be seen in the Revised Standard Version (RSV) and The New International Version (NIV).

c. The Paraphrase

The paraphrase method is an expansion of the concept method. Here the concept is extended and elaborated to ensure that it is well communicated. The premium is on readability and relevance to modern though patterns. An example of this method can be seen in the Living Bible (LB).

Compare The Following Translations & Paraphrases of 1 Corinthians 13:4:

"Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered," (NASB)

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, cloth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil:" (The King James Bible)

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." (NIV)

"Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly ever notice when others do it wrong." (LB)

2. Study Bibles With Commentary Notes:

Some editions of the Bible contain not only brief marginal notes but provide a running commentary. Two comments regarding these editions. First, do not let the commentary short circuit your own personal study of the text. Secondly, remember that the commentary notes are NOT inspired. Examples of Study Bibles with commentary notes are The Ryrie Study Bible, The Scofield Reference Bible, and The Harper Study Bible.

B. Other Tools

1. Concordance (The blueletterbible.com Has free Concordance and Bible Dictionary for some translations)

A Concordance lists the verses in which a particular word is used. A concordance is especially helpful for word study and when you want to find out where and how a word is used throughout the whole Bible.

An exhaustive concordance will also include a Hebrew and Greek lexicon - giving dictionary definitions of the words. Young's Analytical Concordance, Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, and Cruden's Concordance are examples of good concordances.

The WWW Bible Gateway has numerous Bible versions that can be searched online at http://www.biblegateway.com.

2. Bible Dictionary

A Bible dictionary lists and explains nouns found in the Bible (persons, places, and things). It provides information about historical and cultural background. It treats some subjects, like archaeology and the Trinity, even though the actual word is not found in the Bible. Unger's Bible Dictionary or the New Bible Dictionary are helpful Bible dictionaries.

Free Bible dictionaries are available on the internet at:

• Hitchcock's Bible Dictionary

• Easton's Bible Dictionary

3. Commentaries

A commentary gives the author's opinion about the meaning of the actual text of Scripture, book by book, chapter by chapter, sometimes even verse by verse. There are a wide range of commentaries available, they range from single volume commentaries on the whole Bible to very technical works provided for the individual books. They range from simple exposition to higher critical exegesis.

Commentaries -a. give the student access to some of the best teaching in the history of the Church;
b. provide a good "check" of one's personal conclusions about the meaning of a text of Scripture. My "private interpretation" needs to be checked by other students of the Word;
c. are a resource for a wealth of information that would help me better understand Scripture;
d. can be dangerous if the student totally relies upon the author of the commentary instead of doing his own personal study. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible is available free on the Internet.

C. Bible Study Guides

Bible Study guides online or booklets that provide questions to stimulate your thinking on a particular passage of Scripture. The value of these guides is in their helping the student shirk through a passage and its application to their life.

Conclusion

A man uses tools to help him work more effectively, but he himself does the work. So the tools for Bible Study are designed to help the student do the work; they do not do his work for him. What you learn yourself means more to you and will be remembered better than what someone else tells you.

Suppose you have some math problems to solve. It is easier to get an expert to work them for you, but you do not learn much that way. Nor do you get the joy that comes from your own discovery. Of course, there may be an occasional math problem for which you must have help. Similarly, it is good to use reference materials to get information you cannot get otherwise or to help with an occasional interpretation problem. It is good to read the writings of godly men and counsel with them about the meaning of the Word after we have done some study ourselves.

May God strengthen you to be a diligent studier of the Word!

Who is Jesus Christ?

Lesson # 3:

In the right hand margin write "true" or "false" after each of the following statements.
1. Jesus Christ never grew tired or became hungry.

2.Jesus Christ grew and developed as all other men.

3.Jesus does not have the authority to forgive sin,

4.Others who knew Jesus Christ believed that He was God.

5.Jesus Christ was half God and half man.

6.Jesus Christ did not exist before being born to Mary.

7.Jesus died like all other men.

8.Jesus Christ has complete authority over all creation.

9.Jesus Christ could forgive men their sins.

10.Jesus Christ is God.

Section #3: "Who Is Jesus Christ?"

Key/Memory Verse: John 1:1, 14

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Introduction

Everybody has an opinion about the issues and questions of life. The central and primary question of life and religion was addressed to the Disciples of Christ when Jesus asked them, "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:13-17). Today that question remains the most important question of a person's life... of your life, Who do you say that Jesus is?

This week's study sheet will look at how Scripture answers the question, "Who Is Jesus?"

I. Jesus Christ Is God - Fully God

Jesus Christ is unique among religious leaders in that He directly claimed to be God.

"Not one recognized religious leader, not Moses, Paul, Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, etc., has ever claimed to be god; that is, with the exception of Jesus Christ. Christ is the only religious leader who has ever claimed to be deity and the only individual ever who has convinced a great portion of the world that He is God." (Thomas Schultz)

A. His self-centered Teaching

The most striking feature of the teaching of Jesus is that he was constantly talking about himself.

This self-centeredness of the teaching of Jesus immediately sets him apart from the other great religious teachers of the world. They were self-effacing. He was self-advancing. They pointed men away from themselves saying, "That is the truth so far as I perceive it; follow that." Jesus said, "I am the truth; follow me." The founder of none of the ethnic religions ever dared to say such a thing. The personal pronoun forces itself repeatedly on our attention as we read his words." For example:

"I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)

"I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

"I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die." (John 11:25, 26)

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me." (John 14:6)

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me..." (Matthew 11:28, 29)

1. Jesus affirmed that Abraham had rejoiced to see His day (John 8:56) that Moses had written of Him (John 3:46).

2. Jesus stated that the three great divisions of the Old Testament - The Law, Prophets, and Writings - were "things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27, 44)

"With such an opinion of Himself, it is not surprising that He called people to Himself. Indeed, He did more than issue an invitation; He uttered a command. "Come to me", He said, and "Follow me". If men would only come to Him, He promised to lift the burdens of the weary, to satisfy the hungry, and to quench the thirst of the parched soul".

B. His Direct Claims To Deity

Jesus clearly believed Himself to be the Messiah the Old Testament predicted but His claims went beyond Messiahship for He claimed Deity.

1. Read John 10:22-33. Why do the Jews want to stone Jesus?…because You, being a man, make Yourself out to beGod.

The Jews' uncontrollable anger was the result of their hearing Christ's claim to be one with God and thereby claiming to be God Himself. They definitely understood His claim, but they did not stop to consider whether His claim was true or not!

2. In John 5:17,18, the Jews sought to kill Christ because he not only broke the Sabbath but He was claiming a unique relationship with God, He was claiming to be equal to God.

3. In John 8:58 "Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM."

Using an oath ("truly, truly"), Jesus claims the very name of God as His own. (Note: in Exodus 3:14, Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 43:10 the name God chooses to go by is I AM (He). The Jews' reaction in John 8:59, desiring to stone Him, indicates they understood Jesus' claim to be a claim to deity.

In addition, Jesus claimed to be with the Father before the creation of the world (John 17:5)

Jesus claimed to be God. He did not leave any other options. His claim to be God must be either true or false and is something that should be given serious consideration.

C.S. Lewis, who was a professor at Cambridge University and once an agnostic, wrote: "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 a 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 up 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. The Bible claims Jesus is God
Jesus is called Immanuel, which according to Matthew 1:23 means God with us

According to Luke 7:16, when Jesus entered the temple, who did the people say had visited them? God .

According to John 1:1 and 1:18, who is Jesus? God .

According to John 20:28, who did Thomas say Jesus was? God .

According to 2 Corinthians 4:4 Christ is the image of God .

Philippians 2:6 states that Jesus Christ existed in the form of God .

Colossians 2:9 says that in Christ the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form .

Hebrews 1:2-3 says that the Son is the exact representation of God's nature.

According to Hebrews 1:8, God says of the Son: Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever.

The apostle Peter tells us (2 Peter 1:1) that Jesus is our great God and Savior.

D. Jesus' Indirect Claims To Deity

1. Turn to Mark 2 and read verses 1-7. What does Jesus indicate He has power to do in verse 5? forgive sin

Why are the Jews so upset with His claim (v. 7)? Only God can forgive sin

2. Besides claiming to be able to forgive sins, which only God can do, Jesus also indirectly claimed deity by demonstrating His power in various ways:
in Matthew 8:23-27, He had power over the winds and sea

in Luke 4:40, He had power over illness

in Luke 4:33-36, He had power over demons

in John 5:21, He had power over life and death

3. Jesus has qualities that only One who is God could possess:

Jesus Christ Was Man - Fully Human

Scripture teaches that Jesus was God - fully God. Scripture goes on to teach that the Son of God, Jesus, came to earth in human flesh.

In the words of John 1:14, "And the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us...", Jesus was a man - fully man - fully human.

This is a vital truth concerning Jesus Christ. If He were not fully human, He could not have represented us on the cross. Since man had sinned, it was necessary that sin's penalty be borne by a man. Furthermore, if Christ was not fully human, He could not be the High Priest who comforts and strengthens us (Hebrews 2:14-18).

A. His Birth

His conception was a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20, Luke 1:35). Who was the Father of Jesus? God, the Father! When told by the angel that she would bear a child, Mary exclaimed "How can this (my pregnancy) be, since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34)

Though His conception was supernatural, Jesus' birth was that of a normal child born of a human mother (Matthew 1:18, Luke 2:5-7).

B. His Childhood

Jesus, as a normal child, grew physically and mentally (Luke 2:40, 52).

C. His Humanity

1. Jesus had a body (Matthew 26:12)

2. Jesus had a soul (Matthew 26:38)

3. Jesus had a spirit (Luke 23:46)

In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul says that man possess a body, soul, and spirit. Christ was fully human.

D. How is Jesus' humanity seen in the following situations?
John 4:6being wearied from His journey

John 4:7 became thirsty

Matthew 4:2 became hungry

John 11:35 Jesus wept

John 19:28 became thirsty

Matthew 13:55-56 had siblings

E. Jesus Was Fully Human Yet Without Sin

As the God-Man, fully God and fully human, He was without sin; He did not sin and could not sin. (John 8:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 9:14).

In His humanity, He was the only one who never had a sinful nature (with the exception of Adam before the fall into sin).

Conclusion

Jesus Is the Godman

A. He was fully God.

Everything that can be said of God can be said of Jesus

B. He was fully human.

Everything that can be said of man as man can be said of Him.

C. These two natures, the divine and human, are united in one person.

Jesus doesn't have a double or split personality - He is one self.

D. These two natures in Jesus are inseparably united and yet are not mixed or confused.

Jesus didn't become a hybrid or a mixture that would make Him neither God nor man.

Application

In your own words, "Who do you say Jesus is?"

The Messiahship of Jesus Christ

Hundreds of years before Jesus Christ's birth, his birth, life, death, and resurrection were foretold. The Dead Sea Scrolls have proven this to be true. We can know, 100% sure, that He is who He says He is. The major Prophecies about Jesus Christ, written 700 years before His birth, are found in Isaiah 53. Many have come to faith in Jesus Christ after reading this.

Ext. Link to 351 Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled In Jesus Christ

Section Four: The Work of Christ

Section Four: Survey

In the right hand margin write "true" or "false" each of the following statements.

1.Jesus Christ was only a good example for us to pattern our lives after.

2.Men can reach God without having to come to Jesus Christ.

3.Jesus Christ's death took place in history and has no effect for us today.

4.God offers the gift of eternal life to all men.

5.God is just, therefore He must punish men for their sins.

6.When Jesus Christ died on the cross, God saw His death as the payment for the sins of all men.

7.Faith is simply believing intellectually that Jesus Christ is God.

8.One need not repent of his sins to make a commitment of his life to Jesus Christ.

9.In order to keep our salvation, it is necessary to continually do good.

10.God loves all men and wishes they all could be saved.

Section Four: "The Work Of Christ"

Key/Memory Verse: Romans 5:8

"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Introduction

Last week we answered the question, "Who is Jesus Christ?" We found that Jesus was both God and man. Jesus by His words and deeds claimed to be God, yet at the same time He was truly a manfully human.

This week we want to study and discuss "The Work of Jesus Christ" and answer the questions, "Why did Jesus come into the world?" and "What should my response to Christ be?

This is the core of Christianity, the good news of the Gospel that Jesus Christ gave His life for us that we might live. Christ died that you might be set free from the prisons of sin, death, self and fear.

I. Why Christ Came Into The World

A. Look up the following verses and state why Jesus came into the world.

1 Timothy 1:15

Luke 19:10

1 Corinthians 15:3B

Jesus Christ came into the world to solve man's fundamental problem. The problem of sin.

All men are sinners, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Sin is an unpopular subject, but we cannot close our eyes to an obvious fact which the Bible declares and experience confirms. The darkness of selfishness, and captivity of sin overshadows our whole life.

B. Unlike man, God is absolutely pure and spotless, for as it says in 1 John 1:5, "And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." What results of man's sinfulness are listed in Isaiah 59:2? As light and darkness can never live together, neither can God and sin. He "dwells in unapproachable light" (1 Timothy 6:16). Just as darkness is dispelled by light, so the sinner is inevitably banished from God's holy presence and he cannot be in a relationship of fellowship with God until his sin has been cleansed away. Thus man's problem as illustrated below is, "How can I who am a banished sinner be reconciled to a holy God? How can my sins be forgiven so that I can have fellowship with God?"

C. In 1 Peter 3:18, how did Peter explain what God has done to bring men to Himself, to bridge the gap sin creates separating God and man?

According to John 14:6, is there any other way to bridge the gap?

God solved man's fundamental problem by sending His Son Jesus Christ.

D. Look up the following verses and record what motivated God to meet our deepest need.

John 3:16

Romans 5:8

Ephesians 2:4, 5

1 John 4:10

Jesus Christ died on our behalf. He "came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15) by dying on the cross.

II. Christ's Death

A. Jesus Died As Our Substitute

The picture is from Old Testament sacrifices. Just as animals put to death were thought of as substitutes for people, so Jesus died for human sinfulness instead of us. If we trust in Jesus we do not have to bear the ultimate e penalty for sin - death or separation from God.

"The himself bore our sins in his body on the tree." 1 Peter 2:24

B. Jesus Died As Our Representative

Jesus identified Himself with sinful humanity. He became one with us. God sent Jesus to represent us. Without faith in Jesus we are "in Adam", part of sinful humanity - fit only to die. But "in Christ", represented by Him, we can know a completely new kind of life.

"God made him (Christ) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21

C. Jesus Died As Our Redeemer

The picture was as familiar to people in the market-place (and slave-market) in the ancient world as supermarket coupons and trading stamps today. Jesus has paid the price so that we can go free. The price of sin is death. Jesus has bought us back.

"He (Jesus) entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption." (Hebrews 9:12)

In order to give final decisive proof that Christ's death was an acceptable and effective sacrifice for the removal of sin, God raised Him from the dead and exalted Him (Ephesians 1:20, 21; Philippians 2:8-11).

Man's sin is the fundamental problem Christ's death is the answer. The message or "good news" of the Gospel is that God has provided a way for man to leave the shadows and confines of sin and enter into the light and fulfillment of a righteous relationship with God. This way is through the death of Jesus Christ.

III. My Response To Christ's Work:

A. Some people wrongly suppose that through Christ's death on the cross, forgiveness of sins is automatically conferred upon all men.

God's solution to the fundamental problem of sin is, however, not mechanical and impersonal He does not impose salvation on those who do not want it. He still respects His own gift of free will to mankind. He offers me salvation. He does not oblige me to accept it.

We cannot achieve it by our own efforts, but we must receive it from God if we are to possess it. How?

If I am to benefit from Christ's death I must take three simple steps, the first two are preliminary and the third so final that to take it will make me a Christian. Consider these steps carefully, asking yourself, "Have I responded to Christ in this way?"

The 3 steps and explanations are taken from a Booklet entitled "Becoming A Christian by John R.W. Stott, IVP).

1. I must acknowledge myself to be in God's sight a helpless sinner.

In Romans 3:22 this unequivocal statement is made: "there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." All men are sinners indiscriminately. That is to say, there may be some distinction between men in the degree to which they have sinned; there is no difference in the fact. This statement includes me. In thought, word and deed I have continually &obeyed oaf's commandments and fallen short of what I should have been. Consequently I have been banished from His presence as Isaiah 59:1, 2 makes clear. "Y our iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sin have hid His {face from you." Moreover, I am helpless to remedy the situation. No amount of good deeds on my part can win God's favor. I am a hopeless, helpless sinner. I need: a Savior to bring me back to God.

2. I must believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to be the very Savior I have just admitted I need.

"The Son of God loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). He bore my sins in His own body. He was made sin for: me. More than that, He voluntarily endured the penalty which those sins of mine deserved He was wounded for my transgressions and bruised for my iniquities Clearest of all verses is I Peter 3:18, which says that, in order to bring me back to God, Christ, the innocent One, suffered for the sins which I, the guilty one, had committed.

3. I must come to Christ and claim my: personal share in what He did for everybody.

He died to be the Savior of the world; I must ask Him to be my Savior. He bore the sins of all men; I must ask him to take my sins away. He suffered to bring everybody back to God. I must ask Him to bring me. Exactly what I must do is explained by Christ in Revelation 3:20, "Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him." The house is a picture of my life. Christ stands outside the front door. He will not put His shoulder to it. He does not use a battering ram. He waits patiently until I open the door. Then He will come in, and on entering He will have become to me the Savior I have acknowledged I need, and I shall find myself reconciled to God, enjoying that fellowship with Him for which I was created

B. According to Romans 10:9-11, 13

(-v. 9) What is the result of confessing Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and accepting His death and resurrection as payment for your sins?

(v. 10) What's the result of confessing and believing in Jesus Christ as Savior?

(v. 11) Will putting your- faith in Christ lead to disappointment?

At some point in your life have you responded to and accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior by taking these three steps given earlier? Yes___ No___

Application

A. If you have accepted Christ before, turn to John 14:27-29 and record what Jesus promised His followers.

B. If you have not accepted Christ as your Savior, would you Luke to get together and talk more about Jesus Christ and His claims to be God and Savior?

Suppose you were to die tonight and stand before God and He were to say to you, "Why should I let you into my heaven?" What would you say?

Section Five: The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit

In the right hand margin write "true" or "false" after each of the following statements.

1.One can acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior apart from the Spirit's working his heart.

2.The natural man understands the things of the Spirit of God.

3.The Spirit seals the believer until the day of redemption.

4.It is the work of the Spirit to convict the world of sin.

5.The Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit had a part in the creation of the world.

6.The believer is filled with the Spirit by yielding himself wholly to God.

7.The believer's body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

8.The fruit of the Spirit is the outward sign of one's clam to the indwelling and filling by the Spirit.

9.Grieving the Spirit will cause the believer to lose the sense of the Spirit's blessing.

10.The Spirit indwells the believer.

Key/Memory Verse: John 14:16 NAS

"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;"

Introduction

The subject of the Holy Spirit is of extreme importance. We all need His presence and His power, and without Him, it would be utterly impossible for us to live the Christian life and serve God. Yet, few biblical doctrines have caused more division within the Church as this one.

"One of the most subtle tactics adopted by the Enemy to paralyze the Church has been to make Christians afraid of the Holy Spirit. He has driven groups of earnest believers to adopt extreme positions on the right and on the left. He laughs as he sees neither group in complete enjoyment of the power and fullness the Spirit delights to bestow".

Thus, we have need to study the Scriptures diligently, asking the Lord to guide us in our study by the Holy Spirit.

I. Jesus And The Holy Spirit

A. Christ arose - and now lives! When He ascended into heaven, He did not leave His followers alone. He sent them the Holy Spirit.

Why did God send the Holy Spirit according to the following verses?

1. John 14.26 He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you

2. John 16:7-14 "...it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

II. Who Is The Holy Spirit?

A. The Holy Spirit Is A Person

We might shirk that the Spirit is merely a power, a force, or an "it", when in fact, Scripture reveals that the Holy Spirit is a person. The Holy Spirit is a person in the same sense that God the Father is a person, and the Lord Jesus Christ is a person.

1. He Acts As A Person

1. a. He teaches (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13)

   b. He testifies (John 15:26)

   c. He guides into all truth, He hears, speaks, shows (John 16:13)

   d. He prays for us (Romans 8:26)

2. He Has The Attributes of A Person

"What constitutes the essentials of personality? Usually three things - a person must possess intelligence, emotions, and will. A thing lacks these, but the Holy Spirit is not a thing because He has intelligence, emotions and will".

a. Intelligence -

The Spirit knows the things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-11)

b. Emotions -

The Holy Spirit can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30, and He loves Christians (Romans 15:30). Both emotions are experienced by a person not a thing or power.

c. Will -

The Spirit gives gifts to men as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11)

3. He Can Be Treated As A Person, Since He can be ...

a. Lied to (Acts 5:3)

b. Tested (Acts 5:9)

c. Resisted (Acts 7:51)

d. Grieved (Ephesians 4:3 0)

e. Outraged (Hebrews 10:29)

f. Blasphemed Against (Matthew 12:31)

g. Called Upon (Ezekiel 37:9)

B. The Holy Spirit Is God

1. The Holy Spirit possesses divine attributes. He knows all things (1 Corinthians 2:11-12) and one can never escape the presence of the Spirit, in other words, He is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7,8)

2. The Holy Spirit is associated with the Father and the Son, and placed on the same level as they are.

a. According to Matthew 28:19, the disciples must baptize in what names?

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

b. Read Acts 5:1-6. According to verse 3, who did Ananias lie to ? Holy Spirit

Then in verse 4, who is Ananias accused of lying to? God

Both verses are referring to the same person - Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit who is God.

c. According to John 4:24, what is God? God is spirit

We have seen that the Holy Spirit is a person and God. ‘If the Spirit were merely a power coming from above, it would be at my disposal and I could use it at will. But if the Spirit is a Person, and more than that, if He is God Himself, it is I would should be at His disposal, and love and obey Him in all things. Besides, receiving into our hearts not only a blessing, but the presence of the Almighty God is to have within us the source of all grace and of all possibility. Let us beware of failing to recognize the true nature of the Holy Spirit." (Rene Pache)

III. The Work Of The Holy Spirit In Our Salvation

A. According to John 16:8-11, what three things does the Holy Spirit do to the non-Christian in the world?

1. concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me

2. concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me

3. concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged

B. In John 3, Jesus shares how one can be born-again. In verse 5, what must take place if a person is to be a born again Christian? He must be born of water and the Spirit

C. Can anyone truly acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior apart from the Holy Spirit's work in his heart according to 1 Corinthians 12:3? Yes No

It is the Holy Spirit who imparts and makes effective within the believer a new nature. new nature is a total transformation of the believer's make-up and identify. The believer is at this point "born from above" (John 3:3) and is actually a "new creature" (2 Corinthians 5:17). This impartation of, or giving of, eternal life is experienced by all who accept Christ as their Savior.

IV. The Filling Of The Holy Spirit

Read Ephesians 5:15-20. In this passage, Christians are encouraged to live a certain way. Verse 18 consists of two commands: one negative, "do not get drunk with wine"; and one positive, "be filled with the Holy Spirit". The positive command is our focus here!

Whereas all believers possess the Holy Spirit in all His fullness and are permanently indwelt with the Spirit from the moment they believe, not all believers allow the indwelling Spirit to affect their lives; thus Paul's command "be filled with the Holy Spirit."

This is not an option or a suggestion for the Christian - it is a command to "be kept continually filled" with the Spirit. It's not a once-for-all filling - it's to be done moment by moment.

To be filled with the Spirit is to allow the Holy Spirit to permeate your life, empower and control you.

A. Turn to Galatians 5:22,23. What is the proof of being filled with the Spirit?
the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

As you can see, to be filled with the Spirit is to have your thinking (about life, people, circumstances), evaluation, goals, desires, longings, will (choices, decisions, intentions), as well as the resulting behavior, permeated with and affected by the Holy Spirit.

B. The believer can quench the Spirit's expression of God's power and life through his life. The filling of the Spirit is conditional upon the believers sincere desire to be a living expression of God's will by the way he walks and lives. In such a person the Spirit can freely manifest the power and life of God in the affairs of daily living.

C. How To Be Filled With The Holy Spirit

Scripture mentions four essential conditions to be filled with the Spirit.

1. Confession Of Our Conscious Sins

It is sin that grieves the Spirit and quenches His work in our lives. By acknowledging both our sin and God's gracious forgiveness and cleansing through Christ (1 John 1:9), we free the Holy Spirit to fill us.

2. Desiring The Spirit's Filling

Jesus said, "If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive..." (John 7:37-9)

"Thirst is an imperative need which must be satisfied. A man racked by thirst will give anything to be able to quench it. Fullness, life through the Spirit, is given only to those who truly thirst, to those who are prepared to pay the price, to abandon all if necessary to receive it. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." (Matthew 5:6). Have we such a thirst for sanctification, victory and plenty, for radiance and power? Do we desire a Christian life which is free from constant vicissitudes and repeated falls, unencumbered by weakness and continual sorrow? In short do we thirst after the Spirit's Fullness? Then let us draw near to the Savior' for His promise is to us."

As you grow as a Christian, you will hopefully find yourself thirsting and desiring God's Spirit to fill you at work (with customers, clients, competition), in all your relationships (with spouse, children, in-laws, neighbors), at home (budgeting, chores), at church (during worship, ministry, outreach, etc.).

3. Surrendering Ourselves To God, Giving Access In Our Whole Bending To His Influence And Filling

God desires to fill us with the Holy Spirit. Frequently, we close off areas of our life, our beings, from the Spirit. We yield in areas of convenience, yet resist His indwelling the secret chambers and closets of our hearts.

"Some, perhaps, will say: I would willingly yield all into God's hands and empty my heart that He might fill it, but there are many things which keep me bound and which I am unable to root rout of my life. But, of course, God does not expect us to purify ourselves or to expel first by our own efforts, that which hinders His work in us. We would not accomplish this. All He asks is our consent - to let Him enter into every part that He may transform and purify all. All He desires is the complete submission of our will contrary to which He will not act, since He created us free beings. But once full command has been placed in His hands, He: will no longer be hindered from filling us and glorifying Himself in us. According to His promise, He will produce in us both the will and the ability to act (Philippians 2:13), and will make all things possible. Listen to the exhortation of the apostle Paul, who gives us the key to sanctification: "...present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, ... I urge you therefore... to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." (Romans 6:12-13; 12:1).

May we present ourselves unto God saying to Him, "Lord, I yield myself completely to Thee as I am; I am willing to pay the price' cost what it may, and to be filled with thy Spirit."

4. Believe That God Has Filled Us With His Spirit When We Have Met The First Three Conditions.

Turn to the parable in Luke 11:11-13. According to this parable, which compares the relationship of a child and his good father to the Christian and His heavenly Father. Will God give us the Holy Spirit if we ask Him to? "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

Simple faith in God and His promises results in our being filled with the Spirit. We may not "feel" full, get goose bumps, be overwhelmed with the sense of peace or His presence, yet we are filled. Our confidence is in God and His promises, not our feelings.

Conclusion

So much has been said, so much more could be said about the Holy Spirit. Why don't you take a minute and quietly reflect on the Holy Spirit and ask Him to fill you for the tasks you will be facing next in your day, this day, and the morrow.

Section Six: The Attributes of God

Genesis: A Place To Start

In the right hand margin write "true" or "false" after each of the following statements.

1.God is limited to working within time.

2.God changed His goals He had for mankind after they rejected His Son and crucified Him.

3.Every person of the Godhead has every attribute common to the others.

4.The Holy Spirit is less powerful than Christ, just as Christ is less powerful than God the Father.

5.Satan is equal to God.

6.God does not always know what we are thinking or what we might do next.

7.An attribute talks about personality or nature.

8.The universe and everything in it could exist without God.

9.All of God's attributes work in perfect harmony.

10.Our goal should be to allow God to manifest many of His attributes in our lives.

Key/Memory Verse: Jeremiah 32:17

"'Ah Lord God! Behold, Thou has made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by Thine outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee!'"

Introduction

"What we believe about God", said the late A.W. Tozer, "is the most important thing about us." Our belief or lack of it inevitably translates itself into our actions and attitudes.

The Word "God" is one of the most widely used - but vague and undefined - terms in our language. Some people, such as Einstein, think of God as "a pure mathematical mind." Others see Him as a shadowy superhuman person or force. Still others see God as a ball of fire to which we, as sparks of life, will ultimately be reunited - or as a celestial policeman. A few think of Him as a sentimental grandfather of the sky. (Paul Little, Know What You Believe, Victor Books, p. 25, 26)

This study sheet will present a Biblical answer to the questions, "What is God like?"

We will be looking at God's attributes. An attribute is "an essential characteristic of a person or thing", thus we will look at some of the essential characteristics of God.

1. Attributes Unique To God Alone (sometimes referred to as "incommunicable" or "non-moral" attributes) no other created being or Spirit has these characteristics!

1. God Is Eternal - (Read Psalm 90:2; 102:12)
   
   There has never been a time when God did not exist. He never had a beginning and will never have an end.
   
   Being eternal, God is not bound by time. Having always existed, He sees the past and the future as clearly as the present. With this perspective, He has a better understanding as to what is best for our lives. Knowing this, we should be willing to trust Him with our lives. (Proverbs 3:5; 6)
   

2. God Is Everywhere - (sometimes referred to as "omnipresent")
   
   Read Psalm 139:7, 8; Jeremiah 23:23, 24
   
   It is impossible to hide from Him or to escape from Him - God is personally present everywhere through all time and space. He is not like a substance spread out in a thin layer all over the earth - all of Him is in Sierra Madre, in Calcutta, Rome, Buenos Aires, and Tokyo at one and the same time.
   
   If God is everywhere, it is foolish to think we can hide from Him. In the Old Testament, Jonah tried to run from God, but he ended up as fish bait. On the other hand, it also means that today a believer may experience the presence of God at all times and know the blessings of walking with Him in a most vivid way.
   

3. God Knows All - (sometimes referred to as "omniscience"). Read 1 Chronicles 28:9; Psalm 139:2
   
   There is nothing that God does not know. This includes not only all raw facts, but also opinions and thoughts. He knows the future, as well as the past and present.
   
   "How unutterably sweet is the knowledge that our Heavenly Father knows us completely. No tale bearer can inform on us, no enemy can make an accusation stick; no forgotten skeleton can come tumbling out of some hidden closet to abash us and expose our past; no unsuspected weakness in our character can come to light to turn God away from us, since He know us utterly before we knew Him and called us to Himself in the full knowledge of everything that was against us."
   
   Isn't it incredible that God loves us even though He knows us ... really knows us! Knowing all about us He still forgave all our sins and accept us into His family forever!
   

4. God Is Powerful - (sometimes referred to as "omnipotence") Read Isaiah 42:5
   
   God's power is unlimited. He can do any thing He pleases, but what He pleases will always be in perfect harmony with His character.
   
   Because God is all powerful the believer is kept secure and assured of God's ability to fulfill His promises.
   
   Read John 10:28, 29. Can anyone overcome God's ability to keep you in His flock?
   
   "...no one shall snatch them out of My hand... the Father's hand. (John 10:28-29)
   

5. God Is Unchanging (immutable) - Read Psalm 33:11; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8
   
   God never changes!
   
   As time passes, everything seems to change, mountains, deserts, people ... you! Your likes, dislikes, views, thinking, perhaps even your personality; however, God NEVER changes. NEVER!
   
   What peace it brings to the Christian's heart to realize that our Heavenly Father never differs from Himself. In coming to Him at any time, we need not wonder whether we shall find Him in a receptive mood. He is always receptive to misery and need, as well as to love and: faith. He does not keep office hours nor set aside periods when He will see no one. Neither does He change His mind about anything. Today, this moment, He feels toward His creature, toward babies, toward the sick, the fallen, the sinful, exactly as He did when He sent His only-begotten Son into the world to die for mankind.
   
   God never changes moods or cools off in His affections or loses enthusiasm. His attitude toward sin is now the same as it was when He drove out the sinful man from the eastward garden, and His attitude toward the sinner the same as when He stretched forth His hands and cried, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
   
   God will not compromise and He need not be coaxed. He cannot be persuaded to alter His Word nor talked into answering selfish prayer. In all our efforts to find God, to please Him, to commune with him, we could remember that all change must be on our part. "For I, the LORD, do not change" (Malachi 3:6). We have but to meet His clearly stated terms, bring our lives into accord with His revealed will, and His infinite power will become instantly operative toward us in the manner set forth through the Gospel in the Scriptures of truth. (Taken from A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy)
   
   What would your life be like if God did occasionally change?
   

6. God Is Sovereign - Read Job 42:2; Ecclesiastes 7:13-14; Romans 8:28; Psalm 104)
   
   The word sovereign means chief or highest, supreme in power, superior in position to all others. When we say that God is sovereign, we are saying that He has absolute authority and is the one ruler in the universe, in control of all things
   
   If you continually remembered this truth that God is in control of all things, how might it affect your life?
   

7. God Is Triune -
   
   The word "trinity" is used to describe the biblically revealed truth that the one true God is three eternal and coequal persons the same in substance.
   
   This essential characteristic of God is understood from Scriptures' testimony that:
   

   1. 1. God is one. There is but one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4);
      

   2. yet at the same time Jesus, the Messiah, is presented as coequal with God and eternal (see notes on Jesus);
      

   3. and the Holy Spirit too is God, coequal and eternal with the Father and the Son.
      

   4. We may not fully understand the great truth of the Trinity. However, we can see the rays of light which emanate from God's Word and which teach us that, in a mysterious sense beyond the comprehension of man's finite mind, God is one in nature but three in person and manifestation. Even as water, which may be converted into ice or steam, is one in nature though three in form, so also God is capable of being and doing what the mind of man cannot fathom. But in reverence man is still privileged to adore. It should be mentioned in passing that in the world of chemistry it is perfectly possible for a substance to exist simultaneously in three separate and distinct forms yet remain basically one in structure or nature.
      
      Water, for example, under pressure and in a vacuum at a given temperature below freezing exists simultaneously as both liquid, gas, and ice, yet it is identifiable always as water (H2O), its basic nature. This is called chemistry "the triple point of water."
      
      Those who cry "impossible" where the trinity of God or a similar event of the supernatural is concerned must compare its chemical counterpart in the natural world. Why can they not conceive of the Author of "the triple point" being supernaturally triune in his nature. If something is true of God's creation, can it not also be true of the Creator? If our Creator can design a "triple point of water" He can surely be a triune God Himself, and He can surely live within us and care about us.
      
      (see supplemental materials on "The Trinity" at the end of this Section for more information)

2. Attributes Of God Which Can Be Seen In A Lesser & Limited Way In His Created Beings & Spirits (Sometimes referred of as "communicable" or "moral" attributes)
   

   1. A. God Is Holy - (1 Samuel 2:2; Psalm 99; Exodus 15:11ff)
      
      The Bible refers to the holiness of God more than to any other attribute.
      
      When holy is used in reference to God, it refers to His total separation from evil. Not even a hint of a blemish could be found in our God; He is completely pure.
      
      What an encouragement to us who trust in His name to realize that not the slightest evil blemish or flaw could ever be found in His love' sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, goodness, etc., because He is holy.
      

   2. God Is Love - (1 Corinthians 13:4-8; I John 4:7-21; Psalm 106:1; Hebrews 12: 5-13)
      
      God is perfect, infinite love. His love is given freely and without any consideration to the loveliness or merit of the object.
      
      What would it be like to be loved by someone whose love for you is not influenced by anything you ever did, are now doing, or will do; whose love could never weaken or fluctuate? You can know what-it would be like! For God's love for you is not influenced by anything you ever did or will do!
      

   3. God Is Just - Read Psalm 89:14
      
      It is impossible for Him to do anything that is unfair, either to Himself or to man.
      
      God's justice is more often applicable in the area of judgment. When men stand before God to be judged, they will receive full justice. His is both a comfort (for those who have been wronged in life) and a warning (for those who think they have been getting away with evil). (Romans 1:18)
      

   4. Many Other Attributes Of God Could Be Listed -

• God Is Gracious

• God Is Self-Sufficient

• God Is Wise

• God Is Incomprehensible

• God Is Self-Existent

• God Is Faithful

• God Is Merciful

• God Is Good

• God Is Longsuffering

• God Is Free

Section Seven: Survey - Answered Prayer

In the right hand margin, write "true" or "false" after each of the following statements.

1.God is not interested in our personal lives, therefore does not listen to our prayers.

2.The only effective prayer is given when a person is alone on his knees.

3.We pray in Christ's name because the words trigger God's reply.

4.Prayer is communicating with God.

5.God answers our prayers when we pray according to His will.

6.God will not answer the prayers of the one who harbors unconfessed sin.

7.God will always give everything one asks for.

8.God is glorified when we pray according to His will.

9.God only answers prayers that pertain to spiritual needs.

Section Seven Answered Prayer

Key/Memory Verse: John 16:24

"Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full"

Introduction

Prayer ... is not a soliloquy. It is a dialogue between man and God. Prayer is conversation with a real Person who actually hears what is prayed and does something about it. Prayer has subjective value too, and blesses the one who prays. If a man never got an answer, he would be a better man for having bowed his knees to Almighty God. A man "never stands taller than when he kneels to God..."

Prayer is objective as well as subjective. Prayer brings results — not just in the man who prays but in the ones for whom he prays, the things for which he prays. A man prays from his home in America for a missionary friend in Africa. God hears the man in America and responds by supplying the need for the man in Africa.

The Bible does not explain prayer, but abounds with demonstrations of it. Abraham did not pray just for his own edification. He prayed for a son as did Sarah, his wife. God gave them Isaac. Moses was utterly indifferent to his own welfare when he prayed. He was concerned for the children of Israel. God heard Moses and blessed Israel in the wilderness. Hannah prayed and God gave Israel a great prophet to lead her into national prominence. Nothing was further from Hannah's mind than her own personal blessing when she asked God for a son. God heard Hannah, who had been unable to have children, and Samuel was born. Elijah prayed for rain —the rain came — and the Apostle James declares that it was Elijah's prayer that was responsible for the rain." (Richard Halverson)

Christians frequently have trouble praying because they either misunderstand prayer or lack the assurance that God answers prayer. This week's lesson will encourage you in your prayer life.

I. Observations From John 16:24

After reading and meditating on this verse, respond to the following questions:

A. Who is speaking here (note verse 19)?

B. To whom should we pray (note verse 23)?

C. In whose name should you pray?

Prayers commonly conclude with this term or something similar, "Lord, we ask this in Jesus' name." This is more than just a signal to people that we have reached the end of the prayer so that they can open their eyes and look up. And, hopefully, it is not just a formality that we have fallen into because that's the way we have always heard other people pray.

Now when I come to God and pray in Jesus' name, I'm coming first of all in His and pray in Jesus' name, I'm coming first of all in His my prayers. Considering myself, I am utterly bankrupt. I have no credit with God. But I'm not coming as myself, I'm coming as a representative of Jesus Christ. Secondly, I'm coming on His behalf. That's what it means to ask in the name of Jesus — to ask in His merit and to ask on His behalf.

D. What are the two results of prayer given in this verse?

1. .

2.

E. In your own words, how would you define "prayer"?

II. When Should You Pray?

Looking up the listed verses, record any observations regarding when we should pray.

A. Psalm 55:17

Is there any time, is there any mood, emotion or circumstance that is inappropriate for prayer.

(Note the author's honesty before God, and note God's willingness to hear our deepest hurts, concerns, fears, as well as joys and exultations.)

B. Ephesians 6:18

C. I Thessalonians 5:17

Paul's command is for recurring prayer, a life pervaded with the spirit of unceasing prayer.

Certainly, the practical demands of life make it impossible for constant prayer, but we can live in an attitude of constant communion with God. In the Christian life, the act of prayer is intermittent but the spirit of prayer should be incessant.

J.B. Lightfoot accurately comments on this verse saying, 'It is not in the moving of the lips, but in the elevation of the heart to God, that the essence of prayer consists."

D. Hebrews 4:16

E. Luke 18:1

We can see from God's Word that God wants fellowship with you constantly. God desires that we continually be in communion with Him through prayer not because He needs you but because you need Him.

III. What Are Some Conditions for Answered Prayer?

The Bible clearly teaches that God answers prayer (Matthew 7:7-8; John 16:24; James 4:2). Unanswered prayer is an abnormality that should be addressed and dealt with.

Yet many Christians slowly get frustrated, lose heart, and stop praying when their prayers do not seem to be answered. This frustration and later guilt grows as the discouraged prayer-warrior hears and sees other Christians testifying of life-changing, miraculous, supernatural answers to their prayers.

What are the essentials of answered prayer? What are some conditions for answered prayer?

A. Prayer

James 4:2 says "we have not because

An obvious prerequisite to answered prayer is ... to pray!

As stated earlier, prayer is a dialogue. Another way of defining prayer is ... "prayer is the struggle to communicate with God, understand, and worship Him."

By communicate we mean, clarifying and sharing with God your feelings, thoughts, goals, desires and longings regarding yourself, life, and circumstances.

By understanding God we mean, meditating on God and His word, grasping and comprehending God's feelings, shirking, goals, desires, and longings for you, your life, and circumstances.

By worship we mean, ascribing glory, praise, adoration unto God, choosing to follow Him in obedience despite our feelings, circumstances or lack of understanding concerning His plan and will.

This process ... prayer ... is a struggle. It's a real struggle to communicate with God, to understanding Him and worship Him. But this is prayer...

B. Pray with Faith

"Without _ it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

This verse indicates that faith in prayer involves a confidence, a certainty that...

1. God Exists

'I know God exists. And I know God is a good, sovereign, Holy, all-powerful, all-knowing, loving, and just God ... and to Him do I pray!"

2. That God Is Approachable

"On the basis of Jesus Christ, and His work on my behalf, I approach you God boldly and confident that You'll receive and hear me (Hebrews 4:14-16). God, shark You that I can come before You, that You will hear me and this assurance is based on Jesus' death in my place."

3. That God Is A Rewarding God (Note Also John 16:24; Luke 11:9-13)

Thank you God that I have an assurance based upon your unchanging Word that You are a good God and a rewarder of those who seek You. I know Your intention is to bless and reward me, filling me with joy and so I pray to You.''

C. Pray According To His Will

Write out I John 5:14,15

We are given a promise that our prayers will be answered if we pray according to His will. The only reliable, clear, and authoritative source from which we can know God's will is God's word, the Bible.

If our prayers reflect biblical truth (God's will), we are promised that god will answer them. If we have a Scripture passage we can say, "Well, Lord, this is what You say in Your Word so it is Your will." But so often it's not that clear cut. There are many decisions in life for which there is no clear guidance in the Scriptures. You have to determine the will of God. It's the same way in prayer. If we would take the time to determine the will of God concerning this matter of prayer, we might pray less but we would receive a lot more answers. John plainly says that if we ask according to His will, we have those requests made of Him. It's as simple as that.

Let's consider the situation where we do not know what God's will is. We can come and say, "Lord, I've given thought to this. I've thought about Your Word, about Your character (who You are) and I've tried to put myself in Your position. I've tried to see the situation as You would see it. As best as I know, I believe that this is Your will and this is what I'm asking."

When you come on these terms, you can come with confidence. You haven't just rushed helter-skelter into the presence of God. You have, as it were, prepared your case. You can come and say, "Lord, to the best of my knowledge, I believe it is Your will for such and such to happen. This is what I'm prayer."

(taken from How to Get results through Prayer by Jerry Bridges, NAV Press)

IV. Possible Answers to Prayer

A. Yes:

God may graciously and promptly answer our prayers in the very way we request.

B. God May Delay His Answer to Impress on Us Our Need of Him

The times of delay and the apparent silences of God bring us to our knees in reflective and total trust in God.

C. We May Not Be Spiritually Ready to Receive What We Have Requested

In the same way a loving parent may not allow their young child to possess certain things (i.e. rifle, chemistry set, etc.) until they are more mature, so God may prevent sure problems and difficulties from entering our life by withholding our requests until we are ready.

D. For His Own Inscrutable Reasons, God May Answer "Not yet!"

In His wisdom and foresight and according His plan, NOW is not always the best timing.

F. Sometimes God Denies Our Requests

The Christian must be willing to accept "no" as an answer to our prayers. Frequently Christians will complain that God is not answering their prayer when in fact He has answered but they are unwilling to accept a loving, Holy, No!

V. What Are Some Hindrances to Answered Prayer?

Looking at the following verses, what observations can you make regarding hindrances to prayer?

A. Psalm 66:18

B. James 1:6

C. James 4:3

D. Proverbs 21:13

E. I Peter 3:7

Summarize in your own words, what prevents God from answering prayer?

Application

To help you get started, the following outline can be used as you pray (communicating, understanding, and worshipping God).

A. Adoration

Reflecting on God Himself. Praise Him for His love — His power and majesty — His wonderful gift of Christ.

Confession

Thanksgiving

B. Confession

Admitting to God where you have sinned. Be honest and humble. Remember that He knows you and loves you still.

C. Thanksgiving

Telling God how grateful you are for everything He has given - even the unpleasant things. Your thankfulness will help you see His purposes.

D. Supplication

Making specific requests. Pray for other first, then for yourself.

The first letters of these four words form the word "ACTS". Using this as a mental guide for prayer helps you maintain a balanced prayer life.

List four specific things that you can pray about today. Pause and talk to God about them right now.

Adoration

Supplication

Section Eight: Confession And Forgiveness

In the right hand margin, write "true" or "false" after each of the following statements.

1.God's forgiveness depends upon what we do to deserve it.

2.Sin is breaking a set of rules established by man.

3.Confession means admitting to God we are wrong.

4.Every man is a sinner.

5.Repentance is feeling sorry about your sin.

6.We have been forgiven for all our past, present, and future sin because of the death of Christ.

7.If we fail to confess our sins, we can lose our salvation.

8.Once God has forgiven our sins, He will never bring it up again to hold against us.

9.God is the only One who can forgive us our sins.

10.It is important for the Christian to accept God's forgiveness, or to face the guilt that follows sin.

Section Eight: "Confession & Forgiveness.

Key/Memory Verse: I John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Introduction

According to I John 1:8, 10, we continue to sin as Christians. Our memory verse encourages a specific response to our sin. Which of these responses is the correct one according to I John 1:8

• Deny we actually sinned.

• Feel badly about your sin.

• Try to do something to make up for your sin.

• Confess it to God.

• Try to forget about it.

• Condemn yourself for sinning again!

There are a variety of responses to sin possible, but confession is the one response with guaranteed results. Hopefully, as you study and prayerfully meditate on this topic, you will experience the cleansing power of God's forgiveness through your confessing the sins of your own life.

I. What Is Sin?

Sin is anything that is contrary to God's nature in thought, word, or deed. (James 4:17, Romans 3:23)

Although Scripture clearly categorizes many actions as sinful behavior, it is important to note that sin can't be limited just to actions or external behavior.

Jesus clearly taught that when our inward thoughts and motives are contrary to God's nature, we are guilty of sin just as if we had outwardly sinned. (Turn to Matthew 5:21-22 where Christ equates the attitude of anger with murderous behavior, in Matthew 5:27,28, Christ equates lustful thoughts or attitudes with adulterous behavior.)

God is not merely concerned with the externals of our life and behavior, He's very much concerned with our inner motives and attitudes. In the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37, Christ said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind."

God desires first and foremost that inwardly we love God with a love that transforms our hearts, our motives, will, and thoughts. This inward transformation will, in time, bring about a transformation in our external behavior.

Again, sin is anything contrary to God's nature in word, thought, or deed.

II. Dealing With Sin

When we understand clearly what sin is, we can quickly agree with the Bible when it states that we continue to sin as Christians (1 John 1:8, 10). The result of our sin is that we feel alienated from God. Another word for that feeling is "guilt"; we feel guilty. We expect God to punish. We feel that He has in some way turned His back on us, left us temporarily or lessened His love for us.

Man simply cannot live with guilt; thus he tries to deal with his guilt feelings in one of two ways -both of them wrong. Hal Lindsey's booklet, The Guilt Trap, presents these two common and foolish ways of dealing with guilt/sin.

1. "He (the person who has sinned) tries to justify himself. He makes excuses and offers valid reasons why he did something:

• "It was only a little lie, and it was easier on everyone involved."

• "After all, the government spends my tax money on things I don't agree with anyway."

• But we really love each other, and everyone is doing it."

When we justify our actions, the results will be a feeling of loss of fellowship with God, because deep down inside we know that we haven't been honest with ourselves or God. We sense we've offended God by our deviousness. And when we feel that God has been offended, then we will also feel estranged from God. Remember, God isn't mad, but we think He is."

2. Another way man deals with guilt, and it's equally wrong, is to condemn himself. He sins over and over in the same area, guilt sets in, and then he begins the self-condemnation trip. Satan loves to get his hands on one of these "sensitive" Christians. With no trouble at all, he can get them to feel like no-good worms before God. He'll convince them they couldn't possibly expect God to hear them when they pray, and surely He wouldn't answer their prayers even if He did hear. He gets their eyes so focused on their shabby Christian lives that they're sure God couldn't possibly use them." (The Guilt Trip, p. 11)

A. Guilt and all its negative effects upon man's being and life is not God's desire or plan for our life. According to I John 1:9, what does God want you to do about your sin?

B. Because all sin is committed against God, to whom then must we confess our sin? (Psalm 32:5)

When we sin, God does not approve of what we have done, but He is not alienated from us. Then what about our guilty feelings?

God has put feelings of guilt over our sin within us. These feelings are result of the Holy Spirit's convicting ministry in the life of the believer (see 2 Corinthians 7:8). If you didn't feel guilty about your sin, then that would be like living without physical pain. Guilt in a person's spiritual life is like a bell or buzzer that goes off when you sin. When you sin, guilt should immediately bring you to the point of confession. Guilt is God's way of allowing pain to hurt your soul. Then you should confront the sin in your life and say to God, ‘I know it is sin. I know it is against You. I realize that it is my fault. I don't want to do it again. Give me the strength to walk on another path" (The Guilt Trip)

III. Confession:

The word "confess" is our English translation of the "reek word homologeo. Homologeo is a combination of two words, logeo means "to speak", homo means "the same." Thus, homologeo or "confess" means to "say the same". Confession is not begging for forgiveness; it is saying the same thing about your sin that God says— that it is sin and is your fault. Confession is an agreement with God that you have sinned.

A. According to Proverbs 28:13

1. What is the result of not admitting sin?

2. What is the result of confessing sin? (Will find compassion)

3. What should accompany your confession of sin? (Forsake sin and repent)

B. What should be your attitude toward sin? (Psalm 139:23, 24) (Let God lead us)

When I confess my sin, I am not saying, "God, please forgive me." When you became a Christian, how much of your sin did God forgive? The Bible says, "... your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake" (1 John 2:12). All of your sin is forgiven. Confession is not a matter of forgiveness; it is a matter of agreeing with God that you are a sinner and are willing to deal with sin. Jesus has already paid the penalty for all of my sin, and it doesn't have to be paid again. You are already forgiven; confession is just agreeing with God that you are at fault, and that these specific named sins are totally and completely forgiven through the death of Jesus."

IV. Forgiveness:

A. How is God described in Psalm 86:5?

B. According to Ephesians 1:7, on what basis are you forgiven? blood of Christ

We are forgiven on the basis of Christ's death on the cross in our behalf. Our feeling bad about our sin, or our attempts to "make up" for our sin through good deeds, avail us absolutely nothing towards the forgiveness of our sin.

C. What do these verses assure you regarding God's forgiveness of sin?

1. Hebrews 10:12 one sacrifice for sin for all time

(Christ's sacrificial death is the basis for all your sins - past, present, and future to be completely forgiven,)

2. Hebrews 10.14_

3. Hebrews 10:17

Christ's work, the forgiveness of our sins, is eternal and irreversible. According to these verses (as well as others, see Isaiah 43:25), our sins are eternal and irreversibly forgiven - never to be brought up against us again.

When we sin and acknowledge, or confess, our sin to God, we can know on the basis of I John 1:9, that God will forgive and cleanse.

If after confessing our sin, and acknowledging the truth of God's Word that we are forgiven, we still feel guilt, that is an indicator that we have turned our focus away from God's forgiveness to ourselves. Then we're saying that our sinful weaknesses are more powerful than God's forgiving power. Either He isn't big enough to forgive us or He doesn't want to forgive us; both of which are untrue - God's big enough to forgive us and He has!

Application

As you went through this study sheet, some things about your life either currently or in the past may have impressed you as being sin. If so, pause right now, confess those sins, and claim the promise of 1 John 1:9, that God has forgiven and cleansed you from your sins. Thank Him for His forgiveness.

God's

Riches

At

Christ's

Expense

Mercy - God not giving us what we deserve.

Section Nine: The Christian's Position

In the right hand margin, write "true" or "false" after each of the following statements.

1.Though the believer may feel unclean, he has been cleansed, purified and washed clean of sin.

2.We can be assured of eternal life if we continue to behave righteously.

3.There is a limit on God's forgiveness of our sins.

4.The justified believer stands before God not just as a forgiven sinless man, but as a righteous man.

5.God justifies us on the basis of our best efforts to live the Christian life.

6.The unbeliever is enslaved to Satan.

7.Spiritual blessings are bestowed only upon those Christians who are obedient to the word of God

8.Redemption refers to the price Jesus Christ paid for our sins.

Key/Memory Verse: Ephesians 1:3

"Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ."

The Christian's Position

Introduction

When we submit our lives to God and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Scripture describes our condition with words such as:

1. "Forgiven" (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9, 2:12; Colossians 1:14, 2:13)

2. "Righteous" (Romans 1:17; 3:21-25; 4:1-6; 5:17)

3. "Children Of God" (Romans 8:14; Galatians 3:26) We've become "adopted" (Ephesians 1:5) by God!

4. "Saved" (Ephesians 2:8)

5. "Born-Again" a Peter 1:2) we are "new creations"! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

6. "Redeemed" a Peter 1:18; Ephesians 1:7)

7. "Justified" (Romans 5:1)

These words signify a standing before God. They indicate a spiritual position, a relationship which has been obtained for the believer by Jesus Christ through His death. The believer is seen as having received all the benefits of the work of Jesus Christ. The value of Christ's work has been imputed or credited to the believer. Because of Christ's work, the believer is "forgiven", "righteous", a "child of God", "saved", "born-again", "redeemed", and "justified," and brought into personal relationship with God.

Through this lesson and discussion, we hope to encourage you to see yourself as God sees you. In other words, to see your position before God as a believer.

I. Christians Are "Complete"

The Scripture describes all believers, therefore, as "complete."

To explain what he meant in calling the Christians "complete," the apostle Paul indicated that the believer in Jesus Christ "fully possessed" at least five things." (Matthews, p. 42)

A. Completely Cleansed

Read the following verses and note the reference to the Christian being cleansed.

1. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

2. Ephesians 5:25-27

3. Titus 2:14

The Christian has been cleansed. This means that the moral uncleanness which characterizes every non-believer (Isaiah. 64:6) has been washed away. The believer, even though he may feel unclean, has been cleansed, purified, and washed clean of sin.

B. Made Completely Alive

1. Looking up Ephesians 2:1, 4, 5, what was our condition, and what is our condition now: dead in sins: alive with Christ , seated with Him in heaven

2. According to Colossians 2:13, what was our condition, and how is our present condition described?- made alive with Him (Christ)

3. What do we possess as Christians according to ...

1 John 5: 11, 12, 13. eternal / life in God's son

John 11:25: we will live even if we die

Though once dead to God, God has made us alive! God has given life for eternity to all who believe on His Son (John 3:16, 36). The Christian is alive to God even though he may not feel that he is in relationship to God.

C. Completely And Totally Forgiven

1. According to Colossians 2:13, how many of our sins have been forgiven? all of our transgressions

2. Having placed our faith and lives in Jesus Christ, we are completely and totally forgiven of ALL sin. According to the following verses, what is the Christian spared

John 3:18: judgment

John 5:24: we do not come into judgment but pass from death into life

The believer is fully forgiven; he is no longer guilty, no longer under the sentence of condemnation and death (John 5:24; Romans 8:1).

D. Justified Completely

Romans 5:1 states that the Christian has been justified by faith. As a result of Jesus Christ's death on our behalf, God has justified the believer.

1. Justification is, to many, an unfamiliar word which simply means

a. God has declared and pronounced that the believer is free from any fault, sin, or guilt, and is acceptable in His sight;

b. The believer thus stands before God just as if He had never (eyed sinned;

c. The believer stands before God just as if he had perfectly fulfilled all of God's Law. (2 Corinthians. 5:21)

2. The justified person, a believer, stands before God not just as a forgiven sinless man, but as a righteous man.

Based upon the definition of justification given above ...

a On what basis are we justified? by grace Of God through faith

b. Though the believer continues to stumble and sin, how does God view him?

1) justified

2) righteous

E. Complete Freedom From Satan

According to the following verses, what did Christ's death accomplish for the believer?

1. Hebrews 2:14, 15 made Satan powerless over us

2. I John 3:8 destroyed the works of the devil

Christ came into our nature to free us from the enemy. The value and power of His work has been imputed or credited to us. The believer has been set free (Ephesians. 1:19 - 2:6; Colossians 1:13). He no longer belongs to Satan - he belongs to God and irrevocably so.

These five benefits are only representative of the many spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3) the believers receives the moment he believers on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Conclusion

Whether the believer feels like it or not, he fully possess all of these benefits. Some of the qualities that characterize these blessings are:

A. They are all freely given to all who believe on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They cannot be purchased or earned.

B. They are without degrees. The remarkable factor here is that the believer possesses all of these spiritual blessings completely. He is not half forgiven or half justified. This is what Paul meant by "complete." The believer "fully possesses" all of these benefits.

C. They are all permanent! The believer cannot loose these benefits and gifts that are graciously given by God.

D. Based only on the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Application

The believer has truly been blessed with every spiritual blessing. Realizing how God views you and how He has blessed you, write a brief praise and thank you note to God.

Christian Walk

n the right hand margin, write "true" or "false" after each of the following statements.

1.A Christian finds it easy to do what is right.

2.All Christians have the same ability to resist temptation.

3.Our heart is described as being purely motivated and righteous.

4.God searches our hearts, motives, and intentions through the.

5.Our desires are a major source of temptation.

6.All desires are evil.

Section Ten: "The Christian Walk"

Key/Memory Verse: Colossians 1:9, 10

"For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in knowledge of God."

Introduction

Throughout the New Testament, the believers position, his standing before God in Christ, is emphasized. Positionally, we are absolutely and exactly all we can be because we are in Christ and His righteousness is imputed to us. In Christ we are made perfect - righteous Positionally. That is why we have the right to fellowship with God and receive His unbounded love and kindness forever.

But on the other hand, the New Testament exhorts the believer to develop his "walk", to "grow" 1 Peter 2:2); (2 Peter 3:18); and to "work out your own salvation" (Philippians 2:12).

I. The Christian Walk Described

A. The term "walk" signifies the whale of activity of the Christian's life, the predominate direction, orientation or theme of the believer's life.

According to these verses how is the Christian walk described?

1.

2.

Romans 6:4 raised from the dead to walk in newness of life Romans 8:4 walk according to the Spirit not flesh

3. 2 Corinthians. 5:7 (Positive) walking by faith

4. Ephesians 2:10created for good works to walk in them

5. Ephesians 5:2 walk in id love

6. Ephesians 5:8 walk as children of light

7. 2 John 4 walk in truth

8. 2 John 6 walk according ' to commandments in love

B. List below how a Christian should not walk

1. Romans 8:4 (Negative) according to the flesh

2. I Corinthians. 3:3 walking like mere men

3. 2 Corinthians. 4:2 craftiness a of adulterating the word of God

4. 2 Corinthians. 5:7 (Negative) by sight

5. Ephesians 4:17 walk as Gentiles in futility of their minds

II. The Christian's Position & Walk

You don't have to be a believer for long before you discover by personal experience that being a Christian and living like one are often different things. Like the Apostle Paul in Romans 7:15, we find that we want to do the right thing but too often end up doing the very thing we hate.

Scripture on the one hand addresses the Christian positionally as perfect, forgiven, righteous possessor of "every spiritual blessing" (Ephesians 1:3) and on the other, as one who experientially in his daily life and experiences falls short of perfection, righteousness, etc. The believer's position and benefits may be compared to the foundation on which the Christian life is built as a superstructure.

This "walk", "growth", or ‘'building of the superstructure" commonly called "sanctification." Some of the qualities that characterize our growth or sanctification are: (material presented in these four points is take from Victor Matthews, Growth in Grace? Baker, 1980, pp. 47-50)

A. The Benefits Are Claimed

We receive and experience such virtues and abilities only as we learn how to put them into practice by faith and love (Romans 6:16; I Peter 1:22), An illustration of such a benefit would be the ability to resist temptation. We grow in this ability by truly desiring it, by claiming the provision and promise of God a Corinthians. 10:13), and then by making use of it in acts of faith (Matthew. 4:3-11; Hebrews. 2:14-18; James 1:2, 12-14; I Peter 1:6, 7; II Peter 2:9).

B. The Benefits Are With Degrees

That which the believer possesses by way of sanctification is never complete. Whatever the benefit may be, it is only partially known and utilized. One Christian may possess the ability to resist temptation only in a very small degree while another may possess it in a much larger degree. All Christian have some ability to resist temptation, but all in a different degree.

C. The Benefits Are Transitory

By comparison, the virtues and abilities of sanctification are not necessarily permanent. It is very possible to attain a high degree of progress in some area of Christian practice and then to lose it through neglect. It is debatable whether one may lose any benefit of sanctification absolutely. Undoubtedly this would not be true. Every Christian, however, has experienced remarkable growth in some area only to find a stunting of that growth and a decline in ability due to carelessness a Corinthians. 3:1-4; 5:1-13; 6:1-8; 11:18-22; II Thessalonians. 3:6-15; II Tim. 4:10).

Luke 2:52 5

D. The Benefits Are Based On The Person & Work Of Jesus

Christ And The Believer's Cooperation.

The benefits of sanctification depend not only on Jesus Christ and His work, but also upon the spiritual cooperation of the believer. It has been pointed out earlier that one must desire and learn how to utilize these benefits. The provision has been made by Jesus Christ so that His people may life successfully. The Holy Spirit has been sent to teach and anoint the believer. But it is clear from Scripture and from the experience of every Christian that our cooperation is necessary.

III. The Christian Walk: Battling Sin

Several topics already covered are keys to grow as a Christian, i e. Bible study, prayer, confession, etc. Frequently, while knowing that we should grow, we have difficulty like Paul in Romans 7:15. To help us understand better the battle we face throughout our life as a Christian, here are a few important points.

A. The Battle Ground Is Our Heart

Look up and note this truth in Mark 7:21-23; Genesis 6:5; Luke 6:45.

1. What is the heart?

motives

Heart in Scripture is used in various ways. The mind as it reasons, discerns, and judges; the emotions as they like or dislike; the conscience as it determines and warns; and the will as it chooses or refuses - are all together called the heart.

2. According to Jeremiah 17:9-10, what are 2 characteristics of the heart of man?

a. deceitful

b. desperately sick

"Knowing chat indwelling sin occupies a heart that is deceitful and unsearchable should make us extremely wary. We need to ask God daily to search our hearts for sin that we cannot or will not see. This was David's prayer: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there by any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way" (Psalm 139:23-24). God's primary means of searching our hearts this way is through His Word, as we read it under the power of the Holy Spirit. "The Word of God is living and active. Sharper clan any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). As we pray for God to search our hearts, we must continually expose ourselves to the searching of His Word." (Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, NAV Press, pp. 64,65).

B. Sin Works Largely Through Our Desires

Desire has come to be the strongest faculty of man's heart. The next time you face one of your typical temptations, watch for the struggle between your desire and your reason. If you give in to temptation, it will be because desire has overcome reason in the struggle to influence your will.

Not all desire is evil, of course. Paul speaks of his desire to know Christ (Philippians 3:10), of his desires for the salvation of his fellow Jews (Romans 10:1), and the desire that his spiritual children grow to maturity (Galatians 4:19).

1. According to James 1:14, what is the cause of our sin? when we are carried away and enticed by our own lust

2. As we grow, we take steps to direct our desires toward pleasing God.

God's Word is the grid by which we can test and measure our desires.

3. Are there subtle things you can identify in your life that are ungodly desires that cause you to compromise your Christianity?

C. Sin Tends To Deceive Our Understanding & Reasoning

Our reason, enlightened by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, stands in the way of sin gaining mastery over us through our desires. Therefore Satan's great strategy is to deceive our minds.

Deceit of the mind is carried on by degrees:

1. We are drawn away from watchfulness by overconfidence. We come to believe we are beyond a particular temptation. We look at someone else's fall and say, ‘I would never do that." But Paul warned us, ‘If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Even when helping a fallen brother, we are to watch ourselves lest we also be tempted (Galatians 6:1).

2. We are often drawn away from obedience by the abuse of grace. Jude speaks of certain man "who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality" (Jude 4). We abuse grace when we think we can sin and then receive forgiveness by claiming I John 1:98. We abuse grace when, after sinning, we dwell on the compassion and mercy of God to the exclusion of His holiness and hatred of sin.

3. We are drawn away from obedience when we begin to question what God says in His Word. Ibis was Satan's first tactic with Eve (Genesis 3:105).

Just as he said to Eve, ‘You surely shall not die!" so he says to us ‘It is just a little thing!" or "God will not judge that sin."

Conclusion

Having studied this material, how would you describe the Christian life to an inquiring friend?

The Church & Ministry

In the right hand margin, write "true" or "false" after each of the following statements.

1.The Church is a building utilized for religious purposes.

2.Fellowship with a local group of believers is optional.

3.Stimulating one another to love and good deeds is the purpose of a church gathering.

4.Ministry is receiving.

5.Formal ministry is more important than informal ministry.

6.If you can't find a church you enjoy, you shouldn't go.

Section Eleven The Church & Ministry

Key/Memory Verse: Hebrews 10:24-2 5 N.A.S.

"And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near."

Introduction

One of the exciting things about becoming a Christian is that you have now joined a family. When you were born, you were a part of a family, so now, you have entered God's family by spiritual birth. Being a part of God's family is more than a position, more than a title, and more than a list of benefits. It is a relationship with God, your Father, it is relationship with other Christians, our brothers and sisters. These relationships, with God and Christians, are described by several different words in the New Testament. This study sheet will loaf; at one common reference to Christians and their God - the word "Church."

I. The Church Defined & Described

"The Church is not a physical building, but a group of believers; not a denomination, sect, or association, but a spiritual body. The Church is not an organization, but a communion, a fellowship of one body, and it includes all believers." (The Church - The Body of Christ, John MacArthur)

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus spoke firmly of His plans ... "I will build My Church; and the gates of Hell shall not overpower it."

"The Most exciting happening in history is the building of Christ's church, This church is not constructed with wood and stone but with people who have come to trust Christ's loving forgiveness to the point of becoming His disciples.

His Church started with 120 disciples gathered for prayer. When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them, Peter preached a heart-stirring sermon and 3,000 new disciples were converted and baptized. Now the super-structure of His church began to take shape. These new disciples became participants in the greatest building project in the history of the world, They started to build Christ's Church and thus become part of the fulfillment of Jesus' promise, ‘I will build My church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." (Dick Anderson, an article titled, I will Build My Church)

II. The Local Church:

The New Testament describes the local church as a group of believers in a certain place, banded together for instruction, fellowship, worship, and service.

What does Hebrews 10:25 warn us not to neglect? gathering together

According to Hebrews 10:24, 25, what are some of the purposes for gathering together? stimulate each other to good deeds and love

Each Christian should select his church because he is convinced that within its particular structure he will find the greatest opportunities for spiritual growth, the greatest satisfactions for his human needs, and the greatest chance to be of helpful service to those around him." - BiUy Graham

Our desires as a Church is to stimulate, encourage, and equip you to live a life of devotion and obedience despite the circumstances you face or feelings you experience. This is a process that takes time, involves biblical teaching, godly models, hard choices, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Opportunities for encouragement are found in our Sunday morning worship service! This is a time of Celebration where the entire church gathers together to worship and be taught.

Another primary time for encouragement is also on Sunday mornings in the Sunday School. These different Congregations are smaller groups than the worship service and provide an opportunity for relationships to develop, common issues and needs to be addressed from the Word, discussion, prayer and caring to take place.

Finally, there are small groups or Cells. Composed of 6- 12 people, these groups offer the most personal opportunity for ministry, prayer, support and friendships.

We encourage you to be a part of our Celebration, Congregations, and Cells.

III. Ministry

Ministry is a very important word at Sierra Madre Congregational Church,

What is "ministry?" Put simply, ministry is Service.

Beneficially serving others is ministry—whether that service is helping move a refrigerator, leading a discipleship study, setting up chairs, or preaching a sermon.

A. Distinctions In Ministry;

1. Informal Ministry -

That ministry which occurs naturally or spontaneously by individual believers without a formal organization. Informal ministry does not imply that the work is disorganized or poorly done. It merely points to a ministry that occurs without a formal organization.

Referring to the Scripture, determine the "informal" ministry and suggest at least one way it could be applied today.

Scripture Ministry

• James 2:14-17

• Acts 9:36-39

• Mark 9:41

• Matt. 25:3 5-40

• 1 Peter 4:9

• 1 Timothy 2:1

• Romans 12:7

• Romans 12:8a

• 1 Corinthians 12:28

• 1 Corinthians 12:8b

• 1 Corinthians 13:3

• Acts 6:1

• 1 Timothy 5:16

• Colossians 3:17, 23

• Matthew 28: 19-20

2. Formal Ministries -

That ministry which is the result of a formal organization designed to accomplish that ministry.

Sierra Madre Congregational Church has a variety of formal ministries. Included in this section is a list of ministries here at SMCC that can and do utilize members in the body for a variety of equally important roles and tasks. Look over the form and check any ministries you would be interested in knowing more about and return the form to your teacher.

3. Clarifications

a. One type of ministry (formal or informal) is not more valuable than the other. Both are important and contribute to the encouragement and ministry to others.

b. Both are as effective or ineffective as the believers who are involved.

c. Both are necessary.

d. Informal ministry ought to be the result of a Christian lifestyle.

Informal ministry is not an option, but should characterize the Christian's life. The Christian's time schedule, commitments, family life or qualifications may preempt his/her getting involved in formal ministries. Again, informal ministry in not an option.