By : Evangelist, Chuck Farmer
Doctrinal Studies Bible Church
Birmingham, Alabama www.doctrinalstudies.com
Preface
The purpose of this manual is to help equip new believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ to live their life with purpose and direction. It teaches how to use God’s operating assets that were received at salvation. The one we will stress the most is the rebound technique and how to walk in the Spirit. What is rebound? Here are some illustrations. When a boxer gets knocked down in a fight, to continue the fight he must get up again. When a basketball misses the hoop, a player must try to regain possession to continue the game. When a football is fumbled on the field, the team that recovers it has the opportunity to score. In the world of sports, it’s called rebound. In everyday life when we get knocked down or relapse back into our old ways, giving into our addictions, rebound is the way we pull ourselves up and get back into the battle. Rebound is where you will find new purpose and direction in your life. The spiritual meaning of rebound is that when we fail (sin), we can regain forgiveness and fellowship with God and continue in our Christian walk and spiritual growth. Rebound is God’s grace provision for His children to live a victorious life here in the devil’s world. Upon completion of the course, participants will be prepared for victory every day and able to claim the promise,
(Philippians 4:13) "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
(Genesis 1:1) "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
What is God like?
The phrase Essence of God or Attributes of God are terms used to refer to God’s personal characteristics. God has revealed something of what He is in the Word, but only He knows Himself fully. We must rely on what is written in the Bible for any understanding of what God is like.
THE TRINITY
There are three distinct Persons of the Godhead, each possessing the entire essence of deity. The full title of God is God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19); (2 Corinthians 13:14). Each Person is made up of the same divine characteristics, making each equal to either of the other two (John 10:30; 16:15) Therefore, when the Bible speaks of God as being One, it is a reference to Essence.
THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Scripture passages referring to the Spirit of God show:
• that the Holy Spirit is distinctly a Person, that is, that He has personality;
• that He is God, that is, that He shares all of God’s eternal attributes; and
• that He has an objective, real ministry in the world during the Church Age, particularly in the lives of Christians.
QUESTION and ANSWER
Question:
Which way?
Answer:
“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”(John 14:6)
MAN’S WAY (HUMAN VIEWPOINT)
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
(Proverbs 14:12)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the
LORD.” (Isaiah 55:8)
The 10 Commandments - (Exodus 20)
and
2 Commandments given by Jesus - (Matthew 22:36-40)
• Children obey your parents. - (Ephesians 6:1)
• Be not unequally yoked. - (2 Corinthians 6:14)
• Obey authority. - (Romans 13:1-2)
• Flee fornication - (1 Thessalonians 4:3); (Galatians 5:19); (1 Corinthians 6:18)
EXERCISE
Who Is Jesus Christ?
Jesus once asked His followers “who do people say the I am? They replied with a few of the opinions the public had of Him at the time. Then Jesus said, “But what about you? Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15) That question was important then – and it’s just as important today. The answer is the Foundation for true life.
Jesus Christ is God!
1. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah foretold much about a future great servant of God, and his words were fulfilled hundreds of years later in the person and work of Jesus Christ What did Isaiah say in (Isaiah 9:6) about the titles Christ would have?
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2. How did Peter answer Jesus’ question in (Matthew 16:15-16)?
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3. Read the account of Jesus walking on water in (Matthew 14:22-23) and write what His disciples did after they saw him doing it, (verse 33)
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4. What did Jesus claim about Himself in (Matthew 28:18)?
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5. How did Jesus demonstrate His power in (Mark 1:40-42)?
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6. What power does Jesus claim to have in (John 5:21)?
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7. In (John 5:22-23), what attitude toward the Son of God did Jesus teach that we should have?
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8. Read in (John 10:22-23) about a dramatic confrontation Jesus had with some Jews. How did Jesus identify Himself with God the Father? (verse 30)
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9. Read (John 20:24-28) about the doubts of the disciple Thomas had about Jesus Christ’s Resurrection. What did Thomas say wen Jesus later appeared to him? (verse 28)
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10. Are you convinced Jesus Christ is God? If so, why?
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Jesus Christ’s Humanity
1. How is Jesus shown to be human in these verses?
(John 4:6)
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(John 11:35)
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(John 19:28)
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2. According to (Hebrews 2:14), why did Jesus come to earth to live as a human being and to die?
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3. Read (Hebrews 4:14-15). According to verse 15, how was Jesus like all other people?
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, will not parish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Perhaps the best known verse in the Bible, (John 3:16), tells how we can personally benefit from what God had done. To see how this works, mentally place your first name in each of the following blank spaces:
“For God so loved________________ that He gave His one and only Son (Jesus), that if_______________ believes in Him (Jesus), _______________ will not perish (pay the penalty for sin), but _________________ will have eternal life.”
How about looking up the following verses and answering the questions?”
1. Read (1 Timothy 1:15) - What did Jesus Christ come into the world to do?
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2. Read (1 Peter 2:24) - How did Jesus take away the sins of the world?
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3. Read (Acts 16:31) - What must a person do to be saved?
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4. Read (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) - What must a person believe to be saved?
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5. Read (John 3:36) - What happens when you believe in Christ?
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6. In (John 14:6) - “Jesus said, I am the
, and the
and the
; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.”
QUESTION and ANSWER
Question:
Why does a person need to be saved?
Answer:
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12)
Man’s problems started in the Garden of Eden.
(Romans 5:12)“Wherefore as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death (spiritual & physical) by sin, and so death (separation from God) passed upon all men for all sinned (inherited from Adam).”
(Genesis 1:31) In the beginning, God created all things and on the sixth day, He made man. God formed man in His own image of the dust of the earth and He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul. “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.”
After God clothed Adam and Eve, He sent them out of the garden, never to return but with a promise that one day He would send a Savior to pay the price for sin (Genesis 3:15). As descendent's of Adam, we are all born with a body and a soul and an OSN, and because of Adam’s sin, we too are all born spiritually dead (separated from God).
Think about it: God’s promise provides every person a way to be saved in Jesus Christ (John3:16); (Acts 16:31); (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
EXERCISE
The Work of Jesus Christ?
Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, fed hungry multitudes, and was a friend to social outcasts and sinners. He spoke words of wisdom and power which astounded his hearers. He lived a sinless life, but was put to death as a common criminal. But his story doesn't end there. His death, his resurrection, and his ascension into heaven mark the most amazing aspects of his life on earth.
HIS DEATH
1. When the angel told Joseph about the coming birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:21), for what purpose did he say Jesus was coming into the world?
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2. Read (Matthew 16:21). To whom did Jesus talk about his coming suffering, death, and resurrection?
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3. According to (Matthew 27:26), what kind of death did the Roman governor Pilate sentence Jesus to?
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4. What kind of men were executed with Jesus? (Matthew 27:38)
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5. According to (Romans 5:8), what did the death of Jesus prove about God?
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6. Read carefully the prophecy in (Isaiah 53:5-6). Why did Jesus Christ suffer?
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. . . . . How is man's sinful attitude described?
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. . . . . Who put the punishment for our sin on Christ?
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7. Read (1 Peter 2:24). For what purpose did Christ bear our sins?
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HIS RESURRECTION
9. Read in (John 10:17-18). What did Jesus say would happen to him after he was killed?
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10. In Peter's speech near the temple, what did he proclaim in (Acts 3:15)?
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11. According to (Acts 4:33), in what manner did the apostles talk about the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
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12. Read (Romans 1:4). What did the resurrection demonstrate about Christ?
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13. According to Paul's words in (1 Corinthians 15:3-8), what people saw Jesus Christ after his resurrection?
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14. According to (1 Corinthians 15:17), why is Christ's resurrection so important for each of us?
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HIS ASCENSION
15. Read (Acts 1:9-11). Where did Jesus ascend to?
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16. In (John 14:1-2), for what reason did Jesus tell his disciples he was going to heaven?
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17. In (John 14:3), what else did he promise?
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18. Read Paul's statement of prayer in (Ephesians 1:18-23). Over how much does Christ now rule? (Ephesians 1:21-22)
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19. Review the questions and your answers in this chapter. Have you learned something that is especially important to you? If so, write it down here and explain how it can help you.
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:28)
Eternal life is not obtained nor maintained by being religious, keeping a set of rules, or doing good works, but by believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ "He that hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life." (1 John 5:24)
Mentally place your first name in the following blank spaces. "I give eternal life to, _______________ and _______________ shall never perish; and no one shall snatch _______________ out of My hand." (John 10:28)
GOD’S WORD ON ETERNAL SECURITY
DIRECT STATEMENT APPROACH - "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24, 3:16, 3:36); (1 John 5:13)
POSITIONAL APPROACH - "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32; 5:8-10 - Every believer is in union with Christ We share what He has, i.e., His eternal life. (2 Corinthians 5:17); (Romans 8:39); (1 Corinthians 1:2; 15:22); (Ephesians 2:6)
LOGICAL APPROACH - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. "(Romans 8:28) - God did the "most" for us when we were His enemies and will do "much more" for us as His sons.
THE HAND APPROACH - "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." (John 10:28-29) - The believer is held in God's hand, and he will never let go.
THE FAMILY APPROACH - "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus," Galatians 3:26 - We are born into God's family and cannot be unborn.
SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD APPROACH - "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." (Jude 24-25)
WILL OF GOD APPROACH - "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
SEALING MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT APPROACH - "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit," (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30); (2 Timothy 2:19) - Guarantee for protection and safe delivery at destination (heaven).
INHERITANCE APPROACH - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5)
GOD'S IMMUTABILITY APPROACH - "if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself". (2 Timothy 2:13) - Though a believer may say he no longer believes, God is faithful, because He is immutable. The Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit indwells you and He cannot deny Himself.
Think about it:
For a believer to lose his eternal life, God would have to withdraw all of His promises of salvation. One example: the believer is a gift from God the Father to the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 17:2; 17:6; 17:9; 17:11; 17:12; and John 17:24). Loss of salvation would mean that God would take back His gift to His Son.
QUESTION & ANSWER
Question:
What does a person have to do to be saved?
Answer:
"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved. (Acts 16:31)
(Genesis 4): After Adam disobeyed God by eating the fruit and became a sinner, God banished him and his wife from the beautiful garden and placed an angel with a flaming sword at the entrance to keep them from ever entering it again. Remember that before God cast them out that He made a promise that one day He would send a Savior to pay the price for their sin.
Adam and Eve set out to make a new home. Family life was about to begin and the human race would populate the earth. The first child to be born was a son whom they named Cain. Soon, another son was born and they named him Able. Both children had been born into the world with their father’s OSN, separated from God. As they grew, they were taught about the garden, about God and what they must do about the sin issue to have a relationship with God. They were taught that each year they were to bring the offering of a lamb as an atonement (covering) for their sin. It was to be a first born male without blemish or spot. This was the picture of the Son of God, the Lamb of God, who would one day come and take away the sins of the world (John 1:29).
Cain and Abel grew and each decided on an occupation (something they liked to do). They were both successful. Cain was a farmer and grew produce, grains, fruits and vegetables. Able was a herdsman and raised goats, camels and sheep.
The time of the yearly sacrifice came and each boy brought an offering. Able brought a lamb as he had been instructed. Cain brought the best of his harvest. God accepted Abel’s offering, but Cain’s was rejected. Abel did it God’s way. Cain did it man’s way.
God loved Cain and hoped he would change his mind and do as God had commanded. Cain was angered and rebelled toward God’s way (To believe in the Lord Jesus Christ). He would not even listen anymore. He was jealous over Abel’s offering being accepted that he killed him. Cain was banished from the family and his abilities to grow anything was taken away. He became a nomad and dependent on others to provide his food. Cain lived out all his days (with a mark) separated from God because he chose not to do it God’s way. (1 John 3:11-15)
We too must come to the place where we deal with salvation man’s way or God’s way.
EXERCISE
Eternal Life IN Christ
In every age of history men seek to know the secret of life after death. All of us have only a short period of time on earth, and then we must face eternity. What does it mean to have eternal life, and how do we get it? The Bible gives us the answers.
The Source of Eternal Life
1. Read (John 3:36). What people have eternal life?
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. . . . . What happens to everyone else?
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2. In (John 14:6), what did Jesus claim about the way in which people can reach God?
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3. How did Jesus define eternal life in (John 17:3)?
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4. In Peter's speech in (Acts 4:10-12), what did he say about the source of salvation?
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5. What condition affecting all mankind is stated in (Romans 3:23)?
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6. Read (Romans 6:23). What results from sin?
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. . . . . Where does eternal life come from? (1 John 5:11-13)
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How Do We Receive Eternal Life?
7. According to (John 1:12), what response to Christ must we have in order to become God's children?
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8. Read (John 11:25). What does Jesus promise?
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9. In (Acts 10:43), what did the prophets say we receive when we believe in Christ?
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10. Read carefully (1 John 5:11-12). If someone has Christ, what else does he have?
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. . . . . Can he have this without having Christ?
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Can We Know We Have Eternal Life?
12. When Jesus promised eternal life to those who hear and believe him in (John 5:24), with what phrase did he begin his promise?
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13. According to Romans 8:35-39, what can cut us off from Christ's Love?
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14. Read 2 Thessalonians 3:3. What will God do for us?
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15. Read 1 John 5:13. What is it that we can know?
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A Summery Verse
16. Read John 3:16. Who did God love?
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. . . . . What did God's love cause him to do?
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. . . . . What happens to those who believe in his son?
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. " (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
God has provided for His children to live the victorious Christian life every day. Therefore God gives each believer the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation to enable us to live a holy and spiritual life.
The believer is commanded in Ephesians 5: 18, "to be filled with the Holy Spirit."
The believer is instructed in Galatians 5: 16 to "walk by the Holy Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh."
When the believer receives the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at salvation, his body becomes the
of the
according to 1 Cor. 6: 19-20.
Therefore, living spiritually in the Christian life is the result of the Holy Spirit ministering inside the believer's body
BEFORE SALVATION, the unbeliever’s life is under the complete control and power of his / her old sin nature, physically alive, but spiritually dead (Romans 5:12; 6:12-14).
AT SALVATION, as a newborn believer, God the Holy Spirit takes up residence inside our body, which makes us Spiritual, but we still have our old sin nature (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
AFTER SALVATION, when we chose to submit to the lusts of our old sin nature and sin, that sin hinders the Holy Spirit's control of our life. This is called carnality (Romans 8:5-7; 1 Corinthians 3:1-3). To put the Holy Spirit back in control of our life, to be Spiritual, we must confess (name) that personal sin to our Father and He will forgive and cleanse us again. (1 John 1:9).
QUESTION & ANSWER
Question:
Why does a person need to stay saved?
Answer:
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit"." (Romans 8:1)
At a time in human history when there was maximum unbelief in the world, God found only one family that believed. God spoke to Noah, and instructed him to build an ark (boat) so that he would have a safe place when the storm hit, God had planned to send a flood to destroy all life on the earth (Gen. 6:5-8). The ark was a picture of the promised salvation in Christ
God always lets his people know about His plan, salvation, and if they will listen and believe His word, they will be rescued from what ever comes without fear . .
Question: What was the difference between the people getting in the ark and those remaining on the outside? (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)
Question: What do we have to do to be saved in Jesus Christ? (Acts 16:31)
Question: If you want to get in to the Ark of Salvation, read (John 10:9) and (John 14:6)
Answer: You can be saved right now by believing the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16)
EXERCISE
Conflict with Personal Sin
Temptation is normal and is not sin, but it is the gateway to personal sin.
1. How does temptation lead to personal sin according to (James 1:14)?
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2. Write the chain of events that leads to personal sin according to (James 1: 15).
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3. After reading (2 Samuel 11:1-5), explain how temptation led to personal sin in the life of King David.
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4. How does sinful desires affect the believer's soul according to (1 Peter 2:11)?
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5. How is sin described in (James 4: 17)?
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. . . . . Do you think King David knew the right thing to do? (Exodus 20:14)
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6. After reading (Galatians 5:16-17), write what inner power God gives every Christian over the lust of the flesh.
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7. Why is every Christian's body called the temple of God? (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
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8. What three categories of sin are mentioned in (1 John 2:16-17)?
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9. After reading (James 4: 1-3), explain what causes fights and quarrels? (Read Galatians 5: 16 for the spiritual solution.)
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10. How does a Christian regain fellowship with the Lord after sinning according to (1 John 1:9, 2:2)?
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11. According to (1 Corinthians 3: 1-3), a Christian can be spiritual or carnal. How is the carnal Christian described?
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. . . . . How does carnality affect a Christian's spiritual growth? (Romans 8:5-11)
“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” (Romans 8:9)
When a person accepts Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit comes into (indwells) his life permanently. The Holy Spirit indwells for the purpose of glorifying Christ, but indwelling alone does not guarantee that Christ will be glorified by the believer’s life. For this reason, Christians are commanded to be habitually “filled” with the Holy Spirit.
Acts is the book of spiritual power – where it comes from, how it is obtained, and how it is used. The promise of Jesus Christ to his disciples was “He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth…He dwells with you and shall be in you.” (John 14:16-17)
8 WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT SALVATION (ACTS 1:5-8)
1.Baptism
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)
2. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
3. Seals & Earnest
“who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (2 Corinthians 1:22); (Ephesians 1:13-14)
4. Regeneration
“not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5); (John 3:1-8)
5. Spiritual Life
“even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved,” (Ephesians 2:5)
6. Access to God
“For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:18)
7. Adoption
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” (Romans 8:14-17)
8. Spiritual Gift
“But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:11) Each believer receives one of these supernatural gifts to function during the Church Age: Pastor/Teacher, Evangelist, Helps, Giving, Mercy, Leadership, Administration, Exhortation, Service.
The Holy Spirit lives in every Christian. (Romans 8:9); (Galatians 3:2, 4:6); (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit must be distinguished from the filling of the Holy Spirit.
• The Indwelling is automatic at salvation.
• The Filling is a function of the believer’s volition and may be lost through carnality. (Ephesians 4:30)
• The Filling is commanded. (Ephesians 5:18)
• The Filling is regained through confession of Sin. (1 John 1:9); (Proverbs 1:23)
The sealing work of the Holy Spirit is the basis for our eternal security. Seals indicate ownership; God owns the believer, having purchased him from the slave market of sin. (Ephesians 1:7); (1 Corinthians 6:20) The believer is sealed as a guarantee of his eternal security. The three phases of salvation are given in (Ephesians 1:13-14).
• First, you must hear the word of truth, the gospel.
• Then, you must believe the gospel.
• At that point, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit.
QUESTION & ANSWER
Question:
Question: If a believer sins is he out of God’s family?
Answer:
“Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:6-7)
THE LOST SON
Once there was a father who had two sons, Older Brother and Younger Brother. They lived happy. But one day the Younger Brother began to pout, "Why must I always do as I'm told? Why can't I have my own way?" He asked his father for some money, packed his stuff and left home.How sad his father was to see him go!
At first, Younger Brother had lots of fun, lots of money and lots of friends. But after a while the money was all gone. His friends left him, and his clothes began to ware out. Soon he became hungry. At last a man hired him to come and feed his pigs!
Poor foolish Younger Brother! How he had wished that he had never left home! He thought of his dear kind father. He decided, I will go home and say to my father, "Father, I have done wrong. I have sinned against you and against . And home he went. When his father saw him coming, he ran to meet his boy. He hugged and kissed him so glad he was to have his son back. He forgave his son and had a big party, for his lost son was found!
There are many children in God's family. All who believe the good news of Jesus Christ's Death, Burial and Resurrection (DBR) are God's dear children. God does not want His children to disobey Him and sin. But, when we do, we can alway come back to God through the "Confession Door".
Will you always tell God about the bad things you say, think, or do? He loves you and will always forgive you, too.
EXERCISE
The Holy Spirit
THE TRINITY
God exists as three persons (referred to as the Trinity) - yet he is one. The three persons of the Trinity are God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one in substance, and function in perfect harmony.
The human mind cannot fully comprehend God, especially his revelation of himself as the
Trinity. Yet we see unity with diversity in all parts of God's creation all of which to a limited degree illustrate God's marvelous nature: one God in three persons.
1. The Father is God invisible (John 1:18).
2. The Son is God revealed (John 1:14-'18), (Hebrews 1:1-4).
3. The Holy Spirit is God working in men (John 16:8), (1 Corinthians 2:12)
Other passages that teach about the Trinity include (Matthew 3:16-17), (Matthew 28:19), (John 14:16), (2 Corinthians 13:14), and (1 Peter 1:2).
The Holy Spirit's Work
1. What does (Genesis 1:2) say about the Spirit's activity before the creation of the universe?
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2. What happens to the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit when a believer sins?
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3. Read (John 3:5-8). Why is the Spirit important to us?
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In what way is the Spirit's work like the wind?
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What did he say the Holy Spirit would do?
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5. In (John 16:8-11), Jesus said the Holy Spirit would convict the world of guilt regarding three things. What are they?
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6. What did Jesus say the Holy Spirit would do for his disciples in (John 16:13)?
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7. Who did Jesus say the Holy Spirit would glorify? (John 16:14-15)
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How was the Holy Spirit to do this?
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9. In (Acts 4:31), what effect did the presence of the Holy Spirit have on the believers?
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10. What action by the Holy Spirit in the ministry of Barnabas and Saul (Paul) is recorded in (Acts 13:2-4)?
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11. Read (Romans 8:6). What results from having our mind controlled by the Holy Spirit?
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12. What does the Holy Spirit within us teach us about our relationship with God, according to (Romans 8:14-16)?
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13. What ministry to us by the Holy Spirit is taught in (Romans 8:26)?
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14. Why have we received the Holy Spirit, according to (1 Corinthians 2:12)?
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15. In (1 Corinthians 6:18-19), why are we commanded to avoid sexual immorality?
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16. Read (1 Corinthians 12:7-11), and list here the gifts of the Spirit named in this passage.
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Are these gifts all from the same source?
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17. In (Galatians 5:22), what qualities are listed as the fruit of the Spirit?
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18. How is the Holy Spirit's purpose described in (Ephesians 1:13-14)?
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19. What commands regarding the Holy Spirit are we given in these verses:
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Rebound means restoration to fellowship with God and recovery of the filling of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:14)
Rebound must be understood in the light of relationship with God (Jeremiah 3:13) or positional truth. (Romans 8:1)
The frame of reference for rebound is the effectual death of Christ on the Cross, where He paid for our sins. (2 Corinthians 5:21), (1 Peter 2:24), and (1 John 1:7-9) which is extended to the believer in confession.
Eternal security is the prerequisite to understanding the rebound technique. (Romans 8:38-39)
• The believer sins after salvation, but such sin is categorized as CARNALITY, not loss of salvation (1 Corinthians 3:1-3); (1 John 1:8, 10).
• Both carnality and reversionism are results of refusing or rejecting the rebound technique.
The mechanics of the rebound technique:
1. Confess it!
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
2. Forget it!
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
3. Isolate it!
“See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.” (John 8:11; 1 Peter 4:2-4; 1 Cor. 5:9-11)
4. God Removes it!
“As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)
“Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
The alternative to rebound is Divine Discipline. (three Progressive Stages)
Stage 1. Initially, we are encouraged to judge ourselves - and to make adjustments.
“For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we should not be judged.” (1 Corinthians 11:30-31)
Stage 2. If we decide not to correct ourselves, our heavenly Father (Dad) "will turn the heat up!"
“For those whom the Lord loves he disciplines, and he scourges every son whom he receives.” (Hebrews 12:6)
Stage 3. Then, if our "hearts are so hardened" against Him, and His known Will, we will be removed from the playing field we call life!
“If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.” (1 John 5:16)
QUESTION & ANSWER
Question:
What if a person rejects the Gospel, the Good News of God’s salvation?
Answer:
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:36)
On the day of the last judgment the books will be opened for all to see.
The Lord Jesus Christ will sit upon the great white throne. With Him will be all believers and the angels of heaven. Before Him will stand all the unbelievers of all time. They have been raised from the dead and must now be judged. They find out that all their works were not good enough to get the to heaven. Only what the Lord Jesus Christ did for them could have made them good enough to live in God’s presence, and they have not believed in Him. It’s too late now. They must go to the lake of fire.
Is this fair? Yes, God is a Just Judge. He let them choose where they wanted to go. They made their choice. Now you must make a choice, too. Will you come to God according to His plan? “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on Him.” (John. 3:36)
Select your answers below:.
God is keeping books up in
When you were born. He wrote your name in the Book of
Your name in this book is your pass into
But to keep your name in it you must
in the Lord Jesus Christ
Before you die. If you should die without choosing to receive Christ as your Savior, your name will be
out of God’s book.
God writes down every good thing that everybody does in His Book of
One day all
will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ to learn why they cannot go into heaven.
They will see all their
works (good behavior) written in the Book, but they will see that they are still not good enough.
To go into heaven they must be as Righteous as
Is this fair?
It is fair because Jesus died to make them as Righteous as He is. (2 Corinthians 5;'12) Have you made your choice to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Savior?
The Scriptures teach us that being saved makes a profound and eternal difference in our lives.
The Old Life
1. Satan is called "the god of this age" in (2 Corinthians 4:4). According to this verse, what does Satan do to the minds of the unbelievers and why?
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2. What happens to the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit when a believer sins? (Ephesians 4:30), (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
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3. In (Ephesians 2:1-3), what condition did Paul say we were in when "in our former manner of life"?
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4. How is God described in (Ephesians 2:4)?
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5. Because He is the way, what has God done for us? (Ephesians 2:5-10)
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6. Which best illustrates the former manner of life in (Ephesians 4:17-18)
A New Creation
1. Read (Romans 8:16), Why can we know inwardly that we are God's children?
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2. In (2 Corinthians 5:17), what description is given of the person who is "IN Christ"?
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3. According to (Galatians 3:26), what allows us to be sons of God?
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4. Read carefully (Galatians 4:4-7), which tells why God sent his Son to earth to redeem us. Which one of the following statements is the most accurate view of our relationship with God as it is taught in this passage?
Temptations Will Come
1. According to (Matthew 4:1), who tempted Jesus after the Spirit led him into the desert?
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2. Read (1 Corinthians 10:13). Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the teaching in this verse?
3. Read (James 1:13). Who is never the source of temptation.
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4. In (James 1:14), what is said to be the source of our temptation? Is temptation (lust of sin) sin?
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Victory Can Be Yours
1. What safeguards against sin are taught in these passages?
Psalms 119:11
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Proverbs 4:14-15
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Matthew 26:41
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Galatians 5:16-17
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2. Describe here how you could use these safeguards to overcome any frequent temptation you face.
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3. Read (1 Corinthians 15:56-57). Why are we able to have victory over sin and death?
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4. What two steps for victory are taught in (James 4:7)?
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5. How is God described in (Ephesians 2:4)?
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6. According to (1 John 5:4-5), what does our faith in Jesus Christ allow us to do?
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When We Fail
1. According to (Proverbs 28:13), why should we confess and renounce our sins?
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2. Read (1 John 1:9). What must we do to obtain God's forgiveness?
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3. What does God promise to do when we confess our sins to him?
"For is by grace you have been saved, through faith - - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - - not be works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
SALVATION
1. What did Jesus Christ come into the world to do? (1 Timothy 1:15)
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2. How did Jesus take away the sins of the world? (1 Peter 2:24)
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3. Why was it necessary for Jesus to die for the sins of mankind? (Romans 3:23; 5:12)
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4. What must a person do to be saved? (Acts 16:31)
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5. What must a person believe to be saved? (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
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GOD' PROMISE
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whosoever believes in Him, will not perish by have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
ETERNAL LIFE
1. Is there anything a person can do to lose the promise of eternal life? (John 10:28)
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2. Whose hand is no one able to snatch a believer out of? (John 10:29)
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3. What must a person do to have a Father-Son relationship with God? (John 1:12)
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4. How can a person know for certain that he has eternal life? (1 John 5:13)
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GOD'S PROMISE
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36)
SPIRITUAL LIFE
1. How does a person receive the Holy Spirit? (John 7:38-39)
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2. How long will the Holy Spirit live in the believer? (John 14:16)
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3. How does personal sins affect the indwelling Holy Spirit? (Ephesians 4:30)
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4. In (1 John 1:9) what must a believer do regarding his personal sins and then what does God promise He will do?
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GOD'S PROMISE
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
POWER LIFE
1. Where does the Christian’s power come from? (Acts 1:8)
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2. Where does the Holy Spirit reside? (1 Corinthians 6:19)
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3. In (Ephesians 5:18), what is a believer commanded to do about the Holy Spirit?
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4. What does the sealing of the Holy Spirit guarantee the believer? (Eph. 1:13-14) [AT SALVATION]
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GOD'S PROMISE
“You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” Romans 8:9
REBOUND
1. When a believer confesses his sins, how far does God remove them? (Psalm 103:12)
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2. What is a believer’s sin categorized as? (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)
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3. What does God warn will happen if His child refuses to rebound? (1 Corinthians 11:31)
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4. If we confess (name) our sins to God, what does He promise to do? (1 John 1:5-7)
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4. Why is confession of sin important for the believer? (Ephesians 5:14)
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GOD' PROMISE
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us fro all unrighteousness.: 1 John 1:9
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Cor.5:17)
1. What has God planned for us?
Romans 8:29
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Ephesians 1:4
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Peter 2:9
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2. Which of these statements best summarizes the truth of (1 John 2:5-6)?
3. According to these passages, what should our life in Christ be like?
Galatians 5:16
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Ephesians 1:1-2
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Ephesians 5:8
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4. According to these passages, where should our attention ultimately be focused?
2 Corinthians 4:18
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Colossians 3:1-2
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How We've Changed
1. Read (Philippians 2:12-13). Who is at work in you?
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What is He doing?
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2. According to (2 Corinthians 3:17-18), what kind of change are we undergoing?
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Who brings about this change?
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Is this change completed all at once?
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3. Read (Romans 12:2). What should you avoid?
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What should be happening to your mind?
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What will you then be able to do?
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4. Study (Ephesians 4:22-24). In what ways is your new self, more like God?
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What should you do with your old self?
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5. In (Romans 13:13-14), we are given standards for not yielding to sin. Write out these verses in your own words. (Use a dictionary to look up any words you don't know.)
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6. Read (Romans 6:11-14). What should be your relationship to sin?
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What decision should you therefore make about your body?
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Reading and meditating on (Romans 6:1-14) will help you learn more about dealing with sin's influence in your
7. In (2 Corinthians 5:7), what description is given about how we we should now live our new life? (Check the best answer.)
FAITH
1. What is a basic requirement for pleasing God? (Hebrews 11 :6)
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2. What happened to Abraham's faith? (Romans 4:20)
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3. How would you define faith from these passages?
Romans 4:20-21
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Hebrews 11:1
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4. What does faith make possible? [Match the following]:
Matthew 21:22
Romans 15:13
Ephesians 3:12
Ephesians 6:16
5. According to (Matthew 6:25-32), what basic needs in your life can you trust God to provide for?
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6. Read (James 1:2-4). How should we respond to trials?