Category: Partners Discipleship

I. JESUS HAD A WORLD VISION

1. What was the mission of the 12 (Mark 3:14)?
2. What is the emphasis of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19)?
3. Did Jesus expect His men to catch His world vision?
4. How could 12 men reach the world for Christ?

II. PAUL’S CHARGE TO TIMOTHY – 2 Timothy 2:2

1. “The things which you” stresses the importance of the individual.
   1. John 1:42a – You are Simon… (as he was).
   2. John 1:42b – You shall be called a rock (as he would be).
2. “You have heard from me” stresses the importance of personal relationships.
   1. Paul desired to send Timothy to the Philippian church.
   2. Paul invested his life into Timothy (Philippians 2:19-24).
3. “These entrust” stresses the transmitting from one to another.
   1. Involves a deposit of trust, a commitment.
   2. It’s not “What you know,” but “Who you are.”
   3. What did Timothy “pick up” from Paul (2 Timothy 3:10)?
4. “To faithful men, discipleship stands or falls here (Proverbs 20:6) – (Let’s know Paul includes faithful women as well, women are also responsible for making disciples)
5. “Who will be able to teach others also” the process now begins to pick up steam.
   1. What four generations do you see in 2 Timothy 2:2?
   2. Is this addition or multiplication?

III. WHO QUALIFIES AS A “FAITHFUL MAN?”

1. His (or her) objective in life is the same as what God sets forth in Scripture.
   1. What two things are we to seek (Matthew 6:33)?
   2. Is your chosen vocation ever your life’s objective?
2. He (or she) is willing to pay the price to have the will of God fulfilled in his life.
   1. What is Paul asking Timothy to do with him (2 Timothy 2:3)?
   2. What does a soldier of Christ Jesus not do (2 Timothy 2:4)?
   3. What does an enemy of the cross of Christ do (Philippians 3:18-19)?
3. He (or she) has a love for the Word of God.
   1. How is your appetite for the Word (Jeremiah 15:16)?
   2. What is your Scripture intake (Psalm 119)?
4. He (or she) has a servant’s heart.
   1. How is it that we may become great (Matthew 20:26-28)?
   2. Notice the example of Jesus (John 13:14-17 – service, as well as forgiveness).
5. He (or she) puts no confidence in the flesh.
   1. In what are we to put our trust (2 Corinthians 1:9)?
   2. What sort of goodness does our flesh have (Rom 7:18)?
   3. How much confidence do you have in the flesh?
      1. How often do YOU come into your own conversation?
      2. How can you guard yourself from “fleshin’ out” (Galatians 5:16)?
6. He (or she) does not have an independent spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15).
   1. We are a part of a “do your own thing” generation, they say that
   2. It is not good to let people tell you what to do.
7. He (or she) has a love for people (1 John 4:7-10; 3:16).
8. He (or she) does not allow himself to be trapped in bitterness (Heb 12:15).
   1. The context is the giving and receiving of rebuke.
   2. A wise saying: I will never let another person ruin my life by my hating him.
9. He (or she) has learned to discipline his life (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
   1. Are you saying “no” to temptation and bitterness?
   2. Are you saying “yes” to self control and meditation?

SESSION 10

I. Discipleship is a way of life

Definition of disciple: one who follows closely the teaching of another.

1. What did Jesus say characterized a true disciple?
   • John 8:31
   • John 13:34-35
   • John 15:8
2. What did Paul say was the result in the life of a person who has experienced the love of Jesus?
   • 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
   • Romans 12:1-2

The cost of discipleship: not all those who follow Jesus were his disciples. He explained the cost and many turned away.

1. Study Luke 14:25-36
   • What mistake did the builder and the king make?
   • What is the parallel to the Christian life?
2. What was Paul’s attitude toward the cost of salvation? (Philippians 3:8-10)
3. Jesus set the bar high for his disciples:
   • What right does he have to set such standards?
   • Why is it important to not compromise these standards?
   • Have you really counted the cost to follow Jesus?
   • What does it cost you every day?
   • Is it worth it?

II. The Principle of Multiplication

Jesus saw the masses through the man. He loved the world, helped thousands, but trained only twelve. The ministry of multiplication comes through the ministry to individuals. This is fundamental to Paul communicating to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:10).

The Process:

1. Study 2Timothy 2:2
   • What did Paul tell Timothy?
   • What kind of man did Paul tell Timothy to invest in? Notice he did not tell him to seek an available man to invest in. What’s the difference?
   • What four generations do you see here?
2. Most of Jesus’ life was spent with the twelve. Why is this so important?
3. In John 21:15-17, Jesus explained to Peter the proper response you will have if you love Jesus. What will you do?

The Great Commission:

1. Study Matthew 28:18-20 – explain this passage
2. What was the very last thing Jesus taught his disciples? Is it true today?
3. When Jesus saw people, he had compassion for them (Matthew 9:36-38). Why has the Great Commission been neglected?
4. What was promised to the disciples to empower them? (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:20)

The Beauty of Multiplication: Would you rather have a million dollars right now, or one penny, multiplied each day, for a month? There is a big difference!

III. Scripture Memory verses for the week:

Luke 14:26-27, Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20

SESSION 9

I. Fellowship with Other Christians:

The church is the only fellowship in the world where the one requirement for membership is the unworthiness of the candidate.

1. Biblical Fellowship

• Read 1 John 1:3.
  • What was the author’s purpose for proclaiming what he had seen and heard?
  • With whom did he have fellowship?
• “Fellowship” is derived from the Greek word “koinonia“, which means “sharing in common”. As you examine the verses below, determine what you can share with others.
  • 1 Peter 1:22
  • Galatians 6:2
  • Galatians 6:6
• In the first century church in Acts 2:44-47 you can see fellowship at its best.
  • What were they devoting themselves to?
  • All those that had believed were together and had all things in common (v. 44). What specifically did they have in common?
  • What was the result of that kind of fellowship?
• Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-15.
  • Can a Christian have Biblical fellowship with a non-Christian?
  • In light of this verse, what should your relationship with non-Christians be based upon?

2. The Purpose of Fellowship

• Study Hebrews 10:24-25.
  • As Christians, what are we to take time to “stimulate each other” to?
  • How can you do this to Christians around you?
  • What is your responsibility to the body of believers at your church?
• Examine Hebrews 3:13.
  • How often should Christians encourage one another?
  • Why is that so important?
• In Galatians 6:1-2, what is another purpose for proper fellowship in the church?
• According to Ephesians 4:2-3, what will preserve the unity of the Spirit in the body of Christ?

II. Sharing Christ with Others:

Witnessing is not merely an activity; it is a way of life. Christians don’t do witnessing; they are are witnesses—good or bad.

1. A Holy Life

• According to 2 Corinthians 7:1, why are we to live a holy life?
• According to James 3:13, what shows that a person is wise and has understanding?
• Read 1 John 3:2-3. This passage says that Christ is going to return to earth again and we will be in His full presence.
  • If you fix your hope on His coming, what will be the result? (v. 3)
  • Why would being conscious of Christ’s coming alter the way you live?
• Read 2 Timothy 2:21-22.
  • What kind of person is useful to the Master?
  • What are you to flee?
  • What are you to pursue?
• Why are you to keep your body from immorality? 1 Corinthians 6:18-20.
• What will be the results of letting Christ live in your life? Matthew 5:16.
• What good is your testimony to the world if you do not live a holy life? Matthew 5:13.

2. Verbal Witness

• In Colossians 4:2-6, Paul tells us how to be ready to give a verbal witness. What attitudes and actions are to be taken?
• There are two essential principles to remember about a verbal witness. What are they?
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:8
  • 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
• We do not have to be fearful in our verbal witness because God through His Spirit has given us __________________, __________________ and __________________________. 2 Timothy 1:7.
• 1 Peter 3:15 gives you both a challenge and an instruction with regard to being a witness.
  • Sanctify means “to be set apart”. Your heart is to be set apart for whom?
  • What should you be ready to do at any time?
  • In what way are you to do it?
• Are you prepared to share the gospel with another person? If not, the best way to equip yourself is to:
  • Prepare your personal testimony.
  • Learn the verses and a presentation you could use to show someone how to become a Christian.

3. The Romans Road – What does each verses tell us about how to be saved?

• Romans 3:10
• Romans 3:23
• Romans 5:8
• Romans 5:12
• Romans 6:23
• Romans 10:9
• Romans 10:13

III. Scripture memory verses for the week:

Hebrews 10:24-25 and 1 Peter 3:15

SESSION 8

“It is impossible for a believer, no matter what his experience, to keep right with God if he will not take the trouble to spend time with God. . . Spend plenty of time with God; let other things go, but don’t neglect Him.” – J. Oswald Sanders

I. Prayer:

The great people on the earth today are the people who pray. I do not mean those who talk about prayer, nor those who can explain about prayer; but I mean those people who take time to pray. They have not time, it must be taken from something else.

1. Because God is the believer’s refuge, what are you told to do? (Psalm 62:8)

2. How does 1 Thessalonians 5:17 relate to Psalm 62:8?

3. What conditions of prayer do you find in the following verses?

• Psalm 66:18
• Matthew 21:22
• John 15:7
• John 16:24
• 1 John 5:14-15

4. What common truth do you find in Jeremiah 33:3 and Ephesians 3:20?

5. Consider Jesus’ pattern for prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.

• How does the prayer begin? How is this important?
• Which requests are God-centered? (Matthew 6:9-10)
• Which requests are man-centered? (Matthew 6:11-13)
• In what specific ways can this pattern for praying help you pray?

6. Using Paul’s prayer as a guideline, list some requests you pray for others and yourself. Ephesians 3:14-21.

7. The basic elements of prayer can be remembered by the word ACTS: which is composed of the first letters of the following words. Write a brief definition for each:

Adoration – _______________________________________________________

Confession – ______________________________________________________

Thanksgiving – ____________________________________________________

Supplication – _____________________________________________________

This is merely a guideline and not a rigid sequence, which you must follow.

8. If you do not have a plan to pray, your prayer life will fall prey to your other plans. Do you have a plan for your prayer life? Decide on a plan for your prayer life so that you can first meet with God daily and then bring your requests before Him.

II. Bible Study:

Either you are in the Word of God and the Word is conforming you into the image of Jesus, or you are in the world and the world is squeezing you into its mold.

1. Look up the following verses and summarize some of the ways the Bible is important to you as a Christian.

• Jeremiah 15:16
• John 5:39
• 2 Peter 1:4
• 1 John 2:1

2. Study 1 Peter 2:2.

• What should be our attitude toward studying the Word of God?
• What is the purpose or aim of the Word of God? Explain.

3. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

• All scripture is from____________________. Why is that important?
• What will the Word of God do for you?
• What will the Word of God equip you for?

4. Read Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:1-3.

• What will be the results of a person who meditates on God’s Word?
• What does it mean to “meditate on God’s Word”?

5. Read Psalm 119:9-16.

• Do you see the importance of God’s Word? How will you be committed to spend time daily in the Word of God?
• What will it cost you to spend time daily in your Father’s words written to you?
• Is it worth it? If so, plan to spend time daily in your Father’s words written to you. Write your plan here:

6. How intense and necessary was David’s desire to know God? Psalm 42:1-2.

You too must earnestly and eagerly seek God as you pray and read His Word.

III. Scripture memory verses for the week:

Jeremiah 33:3 and Joshua 1:8

SESSION 7

We all live according to a schedule. The difference between people is that some plan their schedule and others don’t plan their schedule. If you don’t plan your time, someone else will. God has charged you to make the most of your time. However, to use your time wisely, you must first know what is important to you (priorities) and the way in which to live your life according to your priorities (objectives and goals).

The purpose of this study is to help you as a Christian to:

1. Declare your priorities
2. Set up your life in light of your priorities
3. Budget your time according to your priorities

I. Use of Time:

Time is the most valuable resource you have available to you. How you use it will determine the direction, the impact, and effectiveness of your walk with the Lord and your ministry to others.

1. What perspective did the psalmist have on his time on the earth in the following verses?

• Psalm 144:4
• Psalm 39:4-5
• Psalm 103:15-16

2. Read Ephesians 5:13-18

• How are you to walk through life as a Christian? (Ephesians 5:15)
• How can you walk as a wise man? (Ephesians 5:16)
• Why should you make the most of your time? (Ephesians 5:16)
• What is the opposite of being foolish with your time? (Ephesians 5:17)
• What is God’s will for every Christian? (Ephesians 5:18)

3. What will happen as you conduct your time with wisdom? (Colossians 4:5)

II. Scriptural Priorities:

The way in which you use your time will reflect your priorities. That which you put first in importance is revealed by what you do, not by what you claim to do.

1. Read Matthew 6:33, Psalm 119:10, and Matthew 28:19-20.

• What two things are you to be most concerned about as a Christian?
• Does the way in which you use your time reflect these two priorities?

2. Jesus’ purpose was to glorify the Father. How did He do this? (John 17:4)

3. What were the main priorities in Jesus’ life? (John 17:25-26)

• ______________________________________________________________
• ______________________________________________________________

4. What excuses are often given to keep people from living out their priorities?

5. What is it going to cost you to live out your priorities?

III. Establishing Objectives and Goals in Your Life:

An objective is a stated intent of achievement. (Example: Read the Bible to know God’s plan and purpose for my life.) A goal is a specific and measurable step to be taken to achieve your objective. (Example: I will read five chapters of the New Testament every day for the next semester.)

1. Reasons for Establishing Objectives and Goals

• Gives you a strategy for achieving your purpose in life
• Gives direction for each day
• Allows you to spend your time as well as your life on the things that are most important to you
• Keeps you from getting sidetracked
• Provides a means to evaluate your progress

2. Basic Areas to Be Considered – Luke 2:52

• Spiritual – to maintain your closeness with God
  • Knowing God: quiet time, prayer, Bible study, Scripture memory
  • Making God known: discipleship, service, personal witness, personal ministry, evangelism
• Mental – studies and reading, maintain a keen mind
• Physical – sleep, diet, exercise to maintain good physical condition
• Social – family and friends, maintaining good relationships
• Ministry – finding your passion and place in God’s world, why you are here

3. Application—Steps to Take

• Decide to allow Christ to be the Lord of your time.
• List your priorities.
• Write down objectives and goals in each area.
  • Keep concise and brief enough to remember
  • Clear enough to write down
  • Specific enough to be achieved
  • Realistic enough to be accomplished
• Take the time to plan your time to accomplish your goals.
  • Use a weekly schedule to plan your time out for each week.
  • Pray over your schedule each day to know God’s will for you that day.
  • Be flexible and open to the Holy Spirit leading you. (Proverbs 16:9)

For the next four weeks, give a copy of your schedule each week to your discipleship leader and discuss any problem you may be having managing your time.

IV. Counting the cost:

1. Study Luke 14:16-30
   • What is a good reason for NOT putting Christ first in your life?
   • What excuses are given that keep people from living out their priorities? (possessions, property, passion, time)
2. What is it going to cost you to live out your priorities?

V. Scripture memory verses for the week:

Ephesians 5:15-18, John 17:4

CHARTING YOUR WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

Plan a Minute | Save an Hour

Week of ________________________________

Sunday —- Monday —- Tuesday —- Wednesday —- Thursday —- Friday —- Saturday

6am

7am

8am

9am

10am

11am

12pm

1pm

2pm

3pm

4pm

5pm

6pm

7pm

8pm

9pm

10pm

11pm

SESSION 6 – (A 31-Day Experiment)

• Taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8)
• Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)
• But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33)

This experiment is designed to build a habit into your life that will greatly enhance and develop your walk with God. As a Christian, you need to seek God first every day of your life. By this you will:

• Develop a close personal relationship with God.
• Train your mind to think thoughts about God and His ways.
• Allow God to teach you about Himself and yourself.
• Allow God to lead you through each day of your life.
• Discipline yourself to grow consistently into the full maturity God has for you.

The best investment you could ever make with the most profitable returns will be the time you take every day to be alone and communicate with your God. This time each day will not only give you a heavenly outlook on each day, but on your entire life and those people and circumstances around you.

You must work at having a consistent time alone with God each day. It will not just happen by accident. You must set the priority and let everything else revolve around that time with God. Satan can paralyze a Christian by making some “good” excuses for not communicating with your God. Decide today, right now, to build this habit into your life and protect it, for herein lies the secret to your own daily walk with God.

A GUIDE FOR THE JOURNEY:

Use the following guide to help you get the most out of the passage for the day.

1. Write in a notebook: “DAY _____ DATE ________ PASSAGE __________________”

2. Read the passage for the day.

3. Pray as you meditate on what the passage says.

4. In one sentence, write out the main thought of the passage.

5. Write out in 50 words or less how the passage applies to you.

6. Pray during the day, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that you will apply God’s principles to your life.

DAY AND READING:

HOW TO HAVE A QUIET TIME WITH GOD:

Make your time with God a personal priority: select a time that fits with your schedule. Morning hours are preferable to get the day started out right. But others have their time with God later in the day.

Make preparation the night before: set the alarm earlier, having your quiet time first thing or after a shower; select a place where you may spend the entire time; gather any materials you will use and put them there so you will not waste time in the morning. This time will eventually become a part of your routine.

Develop a plan of Bible reading a prayer: use the 31-Day Experiment as a guide for other Bible readings; pray using all the elements of prayer:

• Adoration of God,
• Confession of sin,
• Thanksgiving for what God has done and
• Supplication (asking for things)
  • For others, which is intercession, and
  • For yourself, which is petition.

The letters spell ACTS so you will remember.

Be persistent until you are consistent: aim for consistency rather than length of time. A few minutes each day is better than long periods of time every few days! Expect interruptions. If you miss a day, start over the very next morning!

Focus on the Person you are meeting rather than the habit of the quiet time: you fellowship time is as important to Him as it is to you! He created you with a capacity for fellowship and He saved you to restore that fellowship.

A GUIDE TO MEDITATION ON SCRIPTURE:

Pray for wisdom and surrender to the Holy Spirit so that you make the word come alive in your heart.

1. Perimeter the verse: read what comes before and after the verse on which you are meditating.
2. Paraphrase the verse: summarize and put it into your own words.
3. Pulverize the verse:
   • Emphasize each word by exclamation.
   • Pick two or three words that represent God’s message.
   • Ask about the words – who? what? when? where? why? how?
4. Personalize the verse: Put yourself and God directly into the verse on which you are meditating.
5. Pray the verse back to God: sighting adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication.
6. Parallel the verse: locate any verses that are on the same theme as the one on which you are meditating.
7. Problems in the verse: of doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness which need to be addressed.
8. Possibilities of helping others through the verse: through prayer, word or deed.

A GUIDE TO CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS:

Do you feel like your prayers are hitting the ceiling? Are you aware of your sins? God wants us to confess where we have failed and seek forgiveness and reconciliation.

Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin (John 16:8-11):

• Ask God to search your heart and soul (Psalm 139:23-24).
• Don’t try to convict yourself of sin, this leads to morbid introspection.

Agree with God about the seriousness of your sin: This is what confession really means.

• Don’t excuse your behavior but accept that of which God convicts you (1 John 1:8-10).
• Walk in the light of His holiness (1 John 1:7) and don’t compare yourself to other people.

Acknowledge Christ as your only Advocate (1 John 2:1-2):

• Express your sorrow and repentance (Psalm 51).
• Don’t base your request on works of righteousness (Titus 3:5).
• Turn your sins over to Christ and don’t consider them again (Hebrews 10:19 and 10:22).

Walk in the light of other Christians (1 John 1:7):

• Be honest with yourself and others about your sin. Confess your sin to understanding Christians (James 5:16), but only in the context of mutual prayer and support.
• Confess only to those who can help you bear your burden in the spirit of humility (Galatians 6:1).
• Confess only what is necessary and only to those who were directly affected by your sin.
• Renounce your sin and make restitution if you feel it is necessary and possible (Luke 19:8).
• This is in no way to be considered penance for your sin and in no way pays for your sin, but it does help restore what was taken from the person and may become a witness to that person.

Walk in the light of Christ: (1 John 1:7) When you fall again, confess it and ask God to forgive you.

• Never give up in your struggle to be free from an offense because Satan will try to convince you that God will not forgive you if you mess up even one more time.
• Repentance is necessary to receive forgiveness, but sometimes you will sin again in spite of good intentions.
• Be careful not to sin now, knowing that you can receive forgiveness later (Hebrews 10:26).
• Christ can overcome any sin, even the ones from which you feel that you can’t be freed.
• Sin in your life does not change your relationship to Christ, but it does create a barrier to fellowship with the Lord.

SESSION 5

A devotional life means having fellowship with our living Lord and spending time with Him. The nature of relationships is summed up in these statements:

1. You become more like the people with whom you spend time.
2. You spend time with those whom you love.
3. You talk about those things that are important to you.

I. Defining a devotional life:

It is having fellowship with the living God and developing your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

1. What it is…

• Psalm 63:1-3
• Psalm 46:10

2. What it is not…

• John 5:39-40
• Matthew 23:27-28
• Ezekiel 33:30-32

3. The main objectives in a devotional life…

• John 4:23
• James 1:5
• Zechariah 4:6
• Galatians 6:4
• Hebrews 2:1-3

II. The Necessity of a devotional life:

1. Benefits to the believer; what do you find in these verse?

• Isaiah 40:28-31
• Psalm 27:1-3
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Psalm 40:1-3
• 2 Corinthians 3:18
• 2 Timothy 1:12 – A statement that can only be made by someone who has been with the Lord!

2. God’s perspective:

• Read Psalm 73 and notice the psalmist’s perspective on life (his observing the wicked).
• He questions God about His justice at first, then changes his thought in Psalm 73:18-28.
• What caused the psalm writer to change his perspective? (Psalm 73:17)
• He came into the sanctuary, which means, he came into the presence of God. We do this through our personal devotional life.

3. God’s desire: for us to have a personal devotional life.

• Read Jeremiah 2:32, perhaps the saddest verse in the Bible. What terrible mistake did the people make?
• For whom is God seeking (John 4:23)?
• What does it mean for God to be jealous, as in James 4:4-6?
• Did God create you for yourself or for Himself? Explain your answer.

III. Problems associated with a personal devotional life:

1. Distractions…

• Isaiah 59:1-2
• 2 Timothy 2:3-4
• Mark 4:19
• Luke 10:38-42 – (The good can be the enemy of the best).
• How do these parallel with your life right now?

2. Motivation…

• Mark 1:35 – The example set by Jesus Christ. What did He do?
• James 4:8 – Your inward desire to really know God. What are you commanded to do?
• Psalm 63:1 – Seeing your need for guidance and power. How much do you really want to get to know God?

3. Time…

The cost to have an effective and deepening devotional life is simple… TIME. It will take time to develop your relationship with Jesus Christ. Take time to be still and know God; He has plenty of time for you. The question is, “Do you have time for Him?”

IV. Practical helps with your devotional life:

1. Set a definite place and time to meet with God each day. This will help you to be consistent.
   1. Be fully prepared physically and mentally.
   2. Be thoroughly awake before you spend time with the Lord.

2. Remove any distractions so that your full attention is devoted to the Lord.

3. If you have no sense of God’s presence and feel that your prayers are empty, tell Him about it. At the same time, claim the promise of His presence (John 14:16, Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 28:20). Trust Him that He will hear your prayers quite independently of your feelings.

4. Come to your time with God open to what He has to show you and a willingness to obey what His will is for you that day.

5. If you miss a morning for one reason or another, don’t go on a guilt trip. If the fault is yours, confess it, obtain immediate cleansing, and claim the full power of the Holy Spirit. If the fault is not yours, do not feel you have to make it up to God. Your devotional life should not become a ritual, but rather it is a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The quiet time makes us more like Jesus, and the result of spending time with Jesus is shown in Acts 4:13 – Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. People will know that we have been with Jesus.

• Spending time alone with God changes lives—l dare you to try it.
• Once you have started, you will never want to quit!
• Study the “Taste and See” exercise on the next page. You will do the first one together in your discipleship group at your next meeting.

V. Scripture memory verses for the week:

Jeremiah 33:3, Mark 1:35, Psalm 5:3

SESSION 4

Experiencing the reality of being filled wit the Holy Spirit and living consistently moment by moment under His control is the key to the abundant and powerful Christian life.

I. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit:

1. The Holy Spirit is a person –The Spirit of God living in you. Read John 14:16-17 and 25-26 and count the number of times Jesus refers to the Spirit as a person _______.

2. Learn what the Bible says about the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

• John 7:37-39
• John 16:7-8
• John 16:13-15
• John 14:16-17
• John 14:25-26
• John 15:26
• Romans 8:9
• Romans 8:16

3. What will be the results of a Spirit-controlled life?

• John 16:14
• Galatians 5:22-25
• Acts 1:8
• 2 Corinthians 3:17
• I Corinthians 10:13
• 1 Corinthians 15:56-57

4. Describe the life-style that God wants you to experience.

• John 10:10
• John 15:5

5. Why can the Christian not live the abundant life Christ promised in his own efforts?

• Romans 7:18-20
• Romans 8:6-8
• John 15:4-5

5. How can the Christian experience the abundant lifestyle that Christ promised in:

• Ephesians 5:15-18
• Galatians 5:16-18

The normal Christian life is supernatural. Therefore, it takes a supernatural person and power to live the normal Christian life.

II. How to be Controlled by the Holy Spirit:

1. Read Matthew 28:18-20 and John 14:16-18.

• What did Jesus promise?
• How long is the promise good for?
• Does Jesus ever make a promise He does not keep?

2. When does a person receive the Spirit of God promised by Christ? (Ephesians 1:13-14 and Romans 8:9).

3. What does it mean to be controlled (filled) by the Spirit? (Ephesians 5:18).

• Does the term “filling” mean quantity or control of the Spirit? Explain.
• How is being drunk like being filled with the Spirit?

4. Read Ephesians 4:30 and 1 Thessalonians 5:19.

• What does it mean to grieve or quench the Spirit of God within you?
• How can you tell if you have grieved the Spirit of God?
• What sins in your life quench the Spirit and keep you from experiencing the full power of the Holy Spirit?

5. What action must be taken to be controlled by the Spirit of God?

• 1 John 1:9
• Romans 12:1-2
• Colossians 2:6
• 1 Peter 5:6-7

IMPORTANT: Remember these promises and principles. . .

• God has promised to answer our prayer of faith if we ask anything according to his will. (1 John 5:14-15)
• It is His will that we be controlled by the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)
• God has promised to fill you with the Holy Spirit if you will only ask in faith. (Luke 11:13)

III. How to continue to walk in the Spirit:

1. Becoming a Christian happens once and seals your relationship with Christ. Walking in the Spirit is a day by day process that deals with your fellowship with Christ.
   • Describe the difference between relationship and fellowship (like between a father and a son).
   • How does this parallel your relationship with God?
2. What are some ways a Christian can maintain fellowship with Jesus?
   • John 15:9-10
   • Ephesians 5:18-20
   • Philippians 4:4-8
   • Romans 8:10-14

IV. Scripture memory verses for the week:

Galatians 5:16, 22-23, John 15:5

SESSION 3

I. Acknowledging His Lordship:

Jesus is Lord whether we acknowledge it or not. We must choose to make Him the Lord of our lives if we claim to be His children.

1. Titles reveal important information about the people to whom they refer. What are some titles for Jesus in these verses?

• John 13:13
• Acts 2:36
• Revelation 19:16

Summarize what these titles reveal about Jesus.

2. Jesus Christ is Lord of…

• Colossians 1:18
• Colossians 1:16-17
• Romans 14:9

What is your definition of “Lord” as you feel it applies to Jesus?

3. What place should Christ hold in the believer’s life?

• Colossians 1:18
• Matthew 6:33

4. Read Philippians 2:5-11.

• How was Jesus Christ exalted?
• How will every person exalt Him?

5. Why should someone make Jesus Lord of their life?

• 1 John 3:1
• Jeremiah 29:11
• Matthew 10:29-31

II. Practicing the Lordship of Jesus Christ:

Once you accept Him as Lord of your life, you must prove that He is Lord by submitting to Him hour by hour and obeying Him daily.

1. A good test to see if He is really Lord of your life is to ask yourself, “Am I willing to do whatever Christ desires in this area of my life?” or “Will I be able to thank God for whatever happens in this area?”

• Name any area in your life that you have not allowed Christ to control.
• What can you do to acknowledge His Lordship in this area?

2. According to Luke 6:46-49…

• What is a good way to evaluate if Christ is Lord of your life?
• What is the best foundation upon which to build your life?
• How have you counted the cost required to follow Jesus?
• What might it cost you in the future?
• What is God asking you to change right now?

3. According to Luke 14:16-30…

• What excuses are often given for not following Jesus at His invitation?
• Name a good reason for not putting Christ in first place in your life?

4. What must you do with your life as a Christian?

• Romans 12:1
• Romans 12:2

5. What three things must a Christian do (Luke 9:23)?

_____________________ which means _______________________________

_____________________ which means _______________________________

_____________________ which means _______________________________

What does the Lordship of Christ mean to you?

III. Scripture memory verses for the week:

Luke 9:23, Colossians 1:18

SESSION 2

I. The assurance of Christ’s presence:

One striking characteristic of the early Christians was the element of certainty in their relationship with Christ. We need it, too.

1. Assurance of salvation is based on the trustworthiness of God’s Word.

• What does Numbers 23:19 say about God keeping His promises?
• In Revelation 3:20, what does God promise?
• What is eternal life (John 17:3)?
• In Mark 1:15, what conditions are necessary for a person to have everlasting life?
• In John 5:24, what conditions are necessary for a person to have everlasting life?
• Read 1 John 5:11-13.
  • Where is eternal life (1 John 5:11)?
  • Who has eternal life (1 John 5:12)?
  • What is John’s purpose in writing this letter?
  • To whom does the promise in 1 John 5:13 apply?

2. The Holy Spirit is the eternal and internal witness of our assurance.

• Who are the children of God (Romans 8:14)?
• What does 1 John 3:24 tell us about knowing that God abides in us?
• Why was the Holy Spirit given to us?
  • Ephesians 1:13-14
  • John 14:26
  • John 16:13
  • Romans 8:16
  • Romans 8:26

3. A changed life is another proof that we are born again.

• Describe the person who knows God (1 John 2:3-6).
• What is our new attitude toward sin (Romans 7:19-20)
• Can a Christian continue to habitually practice sin (1 John 3:8-9)? Why?
• Compare John 14:15 with John 14:21. State the relationship between loving God and obeying God.
• Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-17.
  • What is the right response to Christ by a person who has truly experienced the love of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)?
  • Can a person live only to themselves and be controlled by the love of Christ?
  • What does it mean to be a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17)?
• How can you tell an apple tree from a pine tree? In the same way, we can tell who belongs to God:
  • Matthew 7:20
  • Galatians 5:22-23

II. The great blessings of Christ’s presence in your life:

As a child of the King, we have blessings and privileges, the best being that we can be presented to the Father totally forgiven. We must understand our great position.

1. Write down the few things that you received when you asked Christ to come into your life.

• Colossians 1:14
• John 1:12
• John 5:24
• Romans 6:17-18
• 1 John 1:9
• 1 John 1:7
• Romans 8:35-37

2. According to 2 Peter 1:2-10…

• What has God granted to His children through the true knowledge of Jesus Christ?
• Why does God give promises to His children?
• What qualities will you need to always be useful and fruitful to God?
• How will you never stumble (2 Peter 1:10)?

3. What does it mean to be complete in Christ? (Colossians 2:10)

4. In Ephesians 1:18-19, Paul prayed for the Christians in Ephesus that they would understand what was already their as a child of God. Name three things they needed to understand. (These are a part of your salvation).

5. What do the following verses mean to you?

• Hebrews 2:1-3a – Why do people neglect their Salvation?
• Philippians 2:12 – How do we work out our salvation?

Do not neglect Christ’s presence in your life. Claim His privileges and power that are yours. He freely gave to you; commit yourself to live for Him.

III. Scripture memory verses for the week:

2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 John 5:13, 1 John 3:24