A Solid Foundation
A Solid Foundation
A course for grounding believers in the basics of Christian Discipleship.
2002 Edition
Greg King Publications
All Rights Reserved
To Order:
Table of contents
Lesson 1: How to Stay Converted
Lesson 2: Assurance of Your Salvation
Lesson 3: How to Be A New Person
Lesson 4: Developing Your Devotional Life
Lesson 5: Learning From Christ
Lesson 6: Importance of Prayer
Lesson 7: The A-C-T-S-S of Prayer
Lesson 8: How To Study The Bible
Lesson 9: Relationships
Lesson 10: Importance of the Church
Lesson 11: Fellowship
Lesson 12: The Lord’s Supper
Lesson 13: Giving
Lesson 14: Church Leadership Ministries
Lesson 15: How To Get Involved In our Personal Ministry Introduction
Lesson 16: Evangelism
Lesson 17: Giving and Taking Counsel, Correction and Instruction
Lesson 18: Care In Your Use of Freedom
Lesson 19: The One Another Way
Lesson 20: Husband and Wife Relationship
Lesson 21: Parenting
Spiritual Checkup......
Lesson 1: How to Stay Converted
Introduction
A. God wants every person to be converted to Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:9; Luke 19:10). Once people are converted to Christ, he wants them to stay converted.
B. In this lesson, we will review the conversion process and understand why you must remain faithful to your commitment.
I. Three Elements Involved in Conversion
A. The Sinner
„Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 John 1:8,10
B. The Word of God
„Hebrews 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 2:13
„Acts 2:37; 7:54
C. The Holy Spirit
„John 16:7-11; Ephesians 6:17
It is through the Word of God that the Holy Spirit teaches us and convicts the world of sin and brings men to salvation.
II. There are Five Steps Involved in Conversion
A. People must hear the word of God
„Romans 10:12-17
B. People must believe in Christ and His Resurrection
„John 8:24; 3:16-18
C. People must repent of sin
„Acts 2:38; 10:30
„Matthew 21;28-30; 2 Corinthians 7:10
D. People must accept and confess Christ as their Lord
„1 Timothy 6:12; Romans 10:9-10
„Is there a difference in accepting Jesus as your Savior, and accepting Him as your Lord and Savior? Explain
E. People must be baptized into Christ (Born again)
„Ephesians 4:4-5; Romans 6:3-6, Galatians 3:26-29;
„When a person is baptized into Christ, is he baptized into Christ's head, or into Christ's body (the church)? (see 1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
III. It is essential to remain converted to Christ
A. Look at the following verses and write down some observations about those who have fallen away:
„2 Peter 2:20-22
„Hebrews 6:4-6
B. As you can see, it is a very serious thing for a person who has once been enlightened (known the truth of God's word), tasted of the gift of the Holy Spirit, and been saved to turn his back on his salvation From reading the following verse, what would you say is the result of leaving Christ?
„Hebrews 10:26-31
C. In reading the following verses, what can you do to stay faithful to your confidence in Christ?
„Hebrews 10:19-22
„Hebrews 10:23
„Hebrews 10:24
„Hebrews 10:25
„2 Peter 1:3-11
„2 Peter 3:14, 17-18
IV. Conclusion
A. In the next weeks and months, you will be exposed to many new and exciting concepts to help you grow in your relationship with God and your fellow disciples. Satan will be doing everything in his power to discourage you and to get your focus off of Christ. Remember to seek first the kingdom and the righteousness of God. (Matthew 6:33).
B. Begin to read the Gospel of John a few chapters at a time. Read one chapter in Proverbs daily, and one short chapter in Psalms along with John. Begin to spend 10 minutes praying to God and asking His blessings and help in your new life in Christ.
Lesson 2: Assurance of Your Salvation
Introduction
Those who have been buried with Christ in baptism have had their sins removed and can have assurance of their salvation. Assurance means "to be sure of". In this lesson we will study:
1. Promise of eternal life
2. Promise of sonship
3. Promise of forgiven sins
4. Need to believe facts not just feelings
5. Experiencing joy and peace because of your salvation
6. Assurance from a changed life.
I. Promise of Eternal Life
A. Why did God send Jesus to earth for us? (John 3:16)
B. Read 1 John 5:13. According to this verse, can we know for certain that we have eternal life?
II. Promise of Sonship
A. Read John 1:11-12. What do we have to do in order to become children (sons) of God according to this verse?
B. Explain how you can know you are a son of God according to Galatians 3:26-29.
C. Read Colossians 2:12. Is baptism the act of faith that removes the sins that once separated us from the Father?
D. Read Ephesians 1:3-6. From these verses, why did God set in motion a plan from before the creation of the world?
E. Did that plan include an intentional decision by God to adopt believers in Christ as His very own children?
F. What is so special about being an adopted child? (Adopted children are not accidents, but are deliberately chosen, wanted, and desired). An adopted son in first century Rome had all the rights of a natural son and was not a "step son".
III. Promise of Forgiven Sins
A. What does sin do to a person (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23)?
B. Read Acts 2:37-41.
1. There is a promise mentioned in verse 39. What is that promise?
2. What must we do in order to receive that promise?
C. Read 1 John 1:7-9
1. In verse 7 what must we do now that we have been buried with Christ in baptism?
2. What is the promise if we continue to walk in the light?
3. Can we still sin after becoming a Christian? What must we do if we sin (Vs. 9).
D. Read 1 John 2:1-2
1 .In verse 1 John says if we sin we have an Advocate (NASV), one who speaks to the Father in our defense (NIV). An advocate is a defense attorney in a court of law.
2 .In verse 2 Jesus is our Propitiation (NASB) or atoning sacrifice (NIV). Propitiation is the payment that the law demands. What does the law demand (Romans 6:23)
3. Jesus therefore, is your defense attorney before the judgment tribunal of God. He also is the payment that the law of God demands from you.
IV. Need to believe facts, not just feelings
A. Read Hebrews 10:1-4
1. Could the old law and its animal sacrifice forgive and relieve the guilt of sin?
2. From verse 3, what did the sacrifices do to make people feel guilty?
B. Read Hebrews 9:14 and 7:22-25
1. What can Jesus’ one-time-for-all-time sacrifice do for your conscience?
2. What kind of a guarantee does Jesus give you from 7:22-25?
3. How should knowing these facts make you feel?
C. Read John 8:32
1. What will set you free from sin and the guilty conscience associated with it?
V. Experiencing joy and peace because of your salvation
A. Read Philippians 4:4-9
1. When Paul wrote this he was in prison. What type of attitude did he have about his salvation in Christ?
2. Do you think God expects you to have peace and joy in Christ?
B. Read Luke 15:4-10
1. How did the angels in heaven feel when you repented and were baptized?
C. Read Romans 8:31-39
1. From these verses, why should you have joy and peace?
VI. Assurance from a changed life
A. Now that you are a disciple of Jesus, you will notice changes occurring in your life as the Holy Spirit does His work in your life. Here are some of the changes that you may notice.
1. Hunger to know God and His word (1 Peter 2:2; Matthew 5:6)
2. Genuine desire to keeps God's commandments and change (1 John 2:3-6)
3 Growing love for other Christians and a desire for their fellowship (1 John 3:14)
4. A desire to want to tell others the good news about your new life (Acts 4:20)
B. Read Romans 12:1-2
1. How does God transform and renew your life?
C. Read Galatians 5:22-24. List the fruit of the Spirit and pray that God will help you experience these changes in your action and attitudes.
D. Read your Bible for 15 minutes daily beginning in John, and pray for 5 minutes asking God to use your new life for His glory and to help save others.
Lesson 3: How to Be A New Person
Introduction
Throughout the ages, people have searched in vain for the proverbial "Fountain of Youth". It seems there is within us a desire to be a new person, to start life all over again and do it right this time. A person especially seems to have this desire when things are not going the way they should. From a worldly view, and based on what the world has to offer, becoming new is only an impossible fantasy. But with God, nothing is impossible. In fact, God wants every person to be new and He gives us the power and ability to be. In this lesson we will answer the question, "How can a person be new?"
I. You can be a new person
A. Everyone who comes into Christ becomes a new person instantly
*2 Corinthians 5:17: "If any man is in Crist he is a ______
*Galatians 6:15: "What really counts is a ______
B. What is a new creation?
C. Newness of life occurs when one is born again.
*John 3:1-7
*Titus 3:5
*Romans 6:1-4
D. What do you think Jesus means when he says "Born Again"?
II. You must "think" like a new person
A. Just because God sees you as a new person does not mean that you automatically see yourself as a new person. Why do you think this is true?
B. What is the difference between your inner and outer man?
*2 Corinthians 4:16
*How is the inner man renewed daily?
C. How do you become new?
*Ephesians 4:22-24 "To be made new in the______of your ______
D According to Romans 12:1-2, how are you renewed or transformed?
E. Now that you are a disciple, where are you to focus your thoughts and your heart? Why?
*Colossians 3:1-2, 10
F. Your attitude of mind can be made new by the following activities:
*Daily study in the Word of God and prayer
*Daily fellowship with other Christians
*Listening to cassette tapes of preaching, scripture reading, and Gospel singing
*Daily reading of good, wholesome Christian literature
*Daily memorization of scripture (Psalm 119:11)
III. You must "act" like a new person
A. Read the entire section of Ephesians 4:17 to 5:21, then Galatians 5:13-26. What are some specific changes that you can see from these passages that you need to make? List them. B. What insights can you gain about changing your actions from the following verses?
*Galatians 6:7-9
*1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
*1 Thessalonians 5:4-11
IV. You must desire to be "like God"
A. How does a human imitate God (Ephesians 5:1)?
B. What does Colossians 3:10 teach about how a person is transformed to become like God in an ever increasing way?
C. If you want to be like God, what attitude do you need to develop toward being righteous?
*Matthew 5:6
D. 1 Peter 1:13 - 16: verse 16, "for it is written, be______because I am______
1. The word holy means "special, or set aside for a specific purpose." Now that you are a Christian, how do you think you are special in God's eyes?
2 For what purpose do you think God has set you aside and made you holy?
E. From 2 Corinthians 6:14- 7:1, what can you learn about keeping yourself holy and prepared to do God's service?
F. From 2 Peter 1:3-11, what spiritual qualities should you add to your faith, and why?
V. Conclusion
A. God has made you a new creation, a new person. This happened when you were born again in Christ.
B. You need to start thinking and acting like a new person and set God as your example to imitate.
C Becoming new and growing up in Christ will not happen automatically or immediately.
*Galatians 6:9 What can you learn about not quitting or getting discouraged if you should find yourself not living up to what you desire to become?
D. Begin a notebook for your insights on the Bible, and keeping a prayer list.
Lesson 4: Developing Your Devotional Life
Introduction
This lesson will demonstrate the importance of having a time alone with God so that you can grow strong in your spiritual life. Practical suggestions will be offered on the How To's of having a devotional time as well as demonstrating an actual time of study and prayer.
I. Why do you need to have a devotional time with God?
A. It is vital for you as a growing disciple of Christ to have time alone with God on a daily basis. This time is a basic part of developing a consistent walk with God. It is in these moments of intimate communication with God that we as Christians learn the most about God and what He is doing in our lives.
B. The word implies in several places the need for a time alone with God: List why.
*Psalms 119:147-148
*Psalm 1:2
*1 Peter 2:2
*2 Peter 3:18
C. Building your spiritual life is just like building a house. Your individual relationship with Jesus Christ is the foundation for your effectiveness as a disciple.
*Luke 6:39-42
*Romans 10:17
3. Roof: Your relationship with Outsiders. If your relationship with God and his people is not strong, you will have little impact for Christ
2. Walls: Your relationship with other Christians. Priority #2.
1. Foundation: Your personal relationship with God. Priority #1. Without a solid foundation firmly cemented and consistent, all your efforts and works in the Lord will be fruitless (John 15:5; Matthew 7:24-27).
D. In your own words, why is learning to have a devotional life crucial to your growth as a Christian and how does your devotional life affect your relationship with other Christians and your influence on those in the world?
II. How to have a devotional life in Bible study
A. Plan for it! Proper planning will prevent problems such as distractions and interruptions.
1. Should be a time when you can concentrate (early morning, late at night).
2. Should be a time when you are alert and thinking clearly. God deserves your best.
3. Should begin with about twenty to thirty minutes a day.
B. Find a good place.
1. If possible, find a place where you can pray aloud privately.
2. You may have to have a place for study and another for prayer (Mark 1:35).
C. Write notes (In a notebook or in the margins of your Bible)
D. Procedure
1. Study the Bible a chapter at a time or paragraph at a time. You are interested in quality, not quantity of study.
2. Read the given passage slowly several times and think about the text. Here are some basic questions that must be answered.
*What does the passage say? (OBSERVATION)
*What does the passage mean? (INTERPRETATION)
*What does the passage mean to me? (APPLICATION)
E. Interpretation: Biblical interpretation is not difficult for the most part, but it does require that you ask some basic questions:
1. Who is the author? (Many times the first few verses will reveal this)
2. Who is he writing to? (Israel, a nation, an individual or a church?)
3. Why is he writing? (To correct a problem? Which one? To encourage? Why?)
F. Application. (How does this passage relate to me today? What can I apply to me?)
1. Don’t study just to gain head knowledge.
2. Does it teach me about sins I should forsake?
3. Are there promises to claim? Examples to follow? Warnings to Consider?
4. What does it teach me about the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit?
5. What should I do about these things? How can I change my heart or actions?
III. How to have a devotional life in prayer
A. It is important that prayer become a natural part of your life as a disciple. As least five minutes of your devotional time should be spend in prayer. Eventually, the time will increase as you draw closer to God. You will also begin to experience deeper and more meaningful prayer time. It is something you learn to do (Luke 11:1)
B. Procedure (Develop a prayer list and keep a diary going)
1. Pray for the sick, the lost, and your own family, wisdom, and your own spiritual growth.
2. Pray for rulers, and governing authorities (1 Tim 2:1-4), and members of the church.
C. Use the A.C.T.S. of prayer
*Adoration (Psalms 42:1-2; 24:1-3)
*Confession (Psalms 32:3-6; Ezra 10:1)
*Thanksgiving (Psalms 95:2; 100:4)
*Supplication (Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:1-3)
IV Practice some devotional / study passages
A. Select one of the following passages and use the above instructions for a devotional time.
(2 Corinthians 5:16-21; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7; Romans 12:9-12; Philippians 4:4-13; Colossians 3:1-17).
B. NOTE: Use the remaining page and take one or two of these passages and follow the procedure above to learn how to study these passages. Be prepared to share your experience next study.
C. Begin a notebook today for your prayer diary and study notes & write out a prayer.
Lesson 5: Learning From Christ
Introduction
It is relatively easy to achieve spiritual growth in people who have the basic attitude of a student. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matthew 5:6). When we accept the invitation to follow Christ, we also accept the challenge to be learners (Matthew 11:28-30). In this lesson we will explore how to be a learner from Christ.
I. Discipleship involves learning
A. The word disciple means "learner or imitator" It is this attitude that is basic in discipleship.
*Matthew 11:29; John 6:45
*Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17
»Christ is the leader, we are the followers
»Christ is the teacher we are the students
»Christ is the trainer, we are the apprentices
B. The church is a teaching, studying, learning, and maturing body of people.
*Acts 2:42, 11:25-26, 14:21-22; 17:10-11; 18:5, 11, Colossians 1:28-29
C. The requirements for fruitfulness demand that we be students of God’s Word.
*2 Peter 1:3; 5-8; 12-13
D. Before we can be doers of the word, we must first hear and understand the word
*James 1:22-25
»The important thing in serving Christ is not simply listening and knowing the right doctrine, but in doing the will of the Father.
»KEY: People remember only 15% of what they hear, and about 75% of what they see. If you take notes, you dramatically increase your capacity to learn.
E. Others will follow your example.
*1 Timothy 4:12
*Matthew 5:14-16
*Philippians 2:14-15
»If you are a student, others will imitate you and do what you do.