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BOOK 6: BASIC DOCTRINES, 3rd EditionCopyright © 2017 by Global Leadership Center
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other, without the prior permission of GLC.
3Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction page 5
How to Use this Workbook page 6
Session 1: The Doctrine of God page 9
His Nature and Attributes
Session 2: The Doctrine of the Bible page 23
Inspired, Inerrant, and Infallible
Session 3: The Doctrine of Jesus Christ page 43
His Deity and Humanity
Session 4: The Doctrine of Jesus Christ page 55
His Life and His Works
Session 5: The Doctrine of Salvation page 67
Saved from Sin’s Penalty, Power,and Presence
Session 6: The Doctrine of Salvation page 85
Saved for Good Works and Witness
Session 7: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit page 99
His Deity and Personhood
Session 8: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit page 115
His Work and our Filling
What’s Next? page 129
Appendix A: The CCF Statement of Faith page 131
Appendix B: Personal Agreement to the CCF Statement of Faith page 135
Appendix C: Answer Key to Session 1: GodEXPLORE Doctrinal Survey page 139
Appendix D: Answer Key to Session 2: The Bible EXPLORE Activity page 143
Appendix E: Answer Key to Session 2: The Bible EXPRESS Activity page 147
Appendix F: One-Year Bible Reading Plans page 151
Appendix G: Answer Key to Session 3: The Doctrine of Jesus Christ EXPLORE Activity page 157
Appendix H: Answer Key to Session 4: The Doctrine Jesus Christ EXPLORE Activity page 159
Appendix I: Answer Key to Session 8:Holy Spirit EXPLORE Activity page 161
Appendix J: Spiritual Gifts Inventory page 163
Appendix K: The Spirit-Filled Life Presentation page 179
Appendix L: Answer Key page 189
5
Strengthen your convictions on the basic doctrines of the Christian faith.
For the purpose of this module, the biblical doctrines that we will examine
are the basis for CCF’s Statement of Faith.
What we grew up believing in is something that we usually take for granted,
but it is important that each Christ-committed follower closely examines
the source for his or her beliefs especially in relation to spiritual matters.
This module will help you discover the biblical basis for all that we do and
teach as a church. You will gain a greater appreciation of God, whose
unchanging, infallible and eternal Word is our only source and final authority
for our doctrines. Additionally, this study will equip us to discern if a doctrinal
teaching that we receive is truly biblical or a distortion of God’s truth.
As you go through this study in your small group, remember that our aim is
not to accumulate knowledge but to apply God’s Word in our daily living;
growing in maturity towards Christ-likeness.
Ephesians 4:13-15
Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son
of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the
waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by
craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are
to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.
INTRODUCTION
6
HOW TO USETHIS WORKBOOK
This workbook is for the GLC Essentials Book 6: Basic Doctrines Bible
study for small groups. It can be used as a stand-alone Bible study guide
for small groups. There is also a video teaching resource that you can
access for free. Visit glc.ccf.org.ph, then click “RESOURCES” to access
the videos.
Please note that this workbook is the most updated version of Book 6: Basic
Doctrines lessons and the video may not show a perfect correspondence
when it comes to the fill-ins (answers for the blank spaces). However,
the main thoughts are the same. Remember that the learning process is
much more than just knowing the right answers to the blank spaces in
this workbook. Obedience to God’s truth through life application is more
important. As we apply the lessons from Book 6: Basic Doctrines, we will
experience greater intimacy with Jesus and more fruitfulness for His glory.
If you are a small group servant/facilitator, all you have to do is make sure
that you do a personal Bible study using this workbook and the video
ahead of your small group meeting. Encourage your group members to
have their own workbooks and to watch the video either before your
meeting, or at your meeting. Do not divert the teaching topic – stick to
what is in the workbook. The workbook includes the Bible lesson and
individual and small group learning activities to help you get the most out
of your meetings. There are five parts in some sessions: Explore, Examine,
Express, Experience and Equip as other sessions will not include the Equip
portion.
• Explore — contains individual and small group activities that help
prepare you for the Bible study.
• Examine — this is where you go through the Bible lesson with
your group.
• Express — this is where the members of the group get a chance to
express more of their insights, questions and thoughts about the
7Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
Bible lesson. They can do it in writing, doodling or drawing, and
sharing to the rest of the group.
• Experience — this section is accomplished outside the group
meeting time. There are suggested individual or group Life Apps
that will hopefully help you experience life transformation as you
apply God’s truth in practical ways.
• Equip – this section is to be accomplished by your small group
or Dgroup member with your coaching and mentoring. This is the
“on-the-job” training for every member of a Dgroup to become a
discipler (someone who is a Christ-committed follower and helps
others become Christ-committed followers also).
As you begin, please remember that this workbook is just a tool designed
for us to make disciples. We need to depend on the Holy Spirit to teach us
God’s truth and transform our hearts and those of our disciples as we go
through the module.
9
SESSION 1
THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
His Natureand Attributes
10
Give yourselves about 5 minutes to accomplish this challenging but fun
activity.
Doctrinal Survey
The following is a series of questions designed to bring out your views on
Biblical doctrines that will be studied in this module.
This is not a graded exercise. It is simply a diagnostic tool so that you will
know where you stand on important doctrines of the Christian faith. This
will also help prepare you for the lessons in Book 6: Basic Doctrines.
Simply encircle the numbers corresponding to the statements you
agree with:
1. Jesus Christ is God.
2. Salvation includes being free from the penalty of sin.
3. The Trinity means that there are three (3) Persons in one God, all of
these Persons having equal rank and are of the same nature.
4. Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between God and men.
5. The Bible is the final authority in matters of faith, doctrine, and
conduct.
6. Salvation requires water baptism.
7. The Holy Spirit is a Divine Force.
8. I will go to heaven if I believe in Jesus even if I do not repent from
my sins.
9. Jesus Christ is half-God and half-man.
10. When a man dies, he will first stay in purgatory before going to
heaven.
11. The Trinity means that there is only one God who exists in three (3)
forms: as Father, who became the Son when He became man, and
who became the Holy Spirit after the resurrection.
12. The Holy Spirit is God, equal with the Father and the Son.
EXPLORE
11Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
13. Jesus Christ was just a man, a created being who was sinless.
14. I will go to heaven if my good deeds outnumber by bad deeds.
15. The Trinity means that there are three (3) Gods of equal rank and of
the same nature.
16. Jesus Christ died on the cross and resurrected on the third day.
17. Salvation involves repentance.
18. The Bible is reliable in spiritual matters but not in historical matters.
19. I will go to heaven if I do good works like going to church, giving to
the poor, etc.
20. Jesus Christ is the only Savior of man.
21. The Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ in spirit form.
22. Jesus Christ is God who became man and ceased to be God.
23. Salvation means that the believer will no longer commit any sin.
24. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but lesser in rank than the Father.
25. Salvation includes having a sure place in heaven.
26. Salvation includes a changed life.
27. True saving faith will result in good works such as obedience to the
commands of God.
28. The church is primarily the building where Christians gather to
worship.
29. We need to do good works in order to be saved.
30. Salvation requires membership in a church.
(See Appendix C for the answer key).
12
1 Timothy 4:16
In the New Testament, doctrine always comes before duty. Your position
in Christ must be understood in order for your daily practice to be right. In
short, right doctrine leads to right practice.
• If you do not know who Jesus is, why would you follow Him?
• If you do not know what Jesus is like how can you ever seek to be
like Him?
• If you do not understand what Jesus has done for you why would
you ever serve Him?
DOCTRINE AND APPLICATION
Romans 1–11 (Doctrine) Romans 12–16 (Application)
Ephesians 1–3 (Doctrine) Ephesians 4–6 (Application)
Colossians 1–2 (Doctrine) Colossians 3–4 (Application)
Hebrews 1–11 (Doctrine) Hebrews 12–13 (Application)
John 8: 31-32
EXAMINE
The Doctrine of God: His Nature and Attributes
Our Statement of Faith – God
We believe that there is only one sovereign God, eternally existent in three
Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the independent Creator of
the heavens and the universe; He is all-knowing, all-powerful, just, loving,
completely truthful, and holy.
Cf. Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter
1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Isaiah 6:3; Titus 1:2; John 3:16;
1 Chronicles 29:11–12.
I. Arguments for God’s Existence
The Bible makes no attempt to defend God’s existence. It simply
declares that He exists and proceeds to tell us who He is, what He
is like and all that He has done. In fact the Bible says that only a fool
would deny the existence of God.
13Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
Psalm 14:1
However there are a number of good strong rational arguments for
the existence of God that we can use when talking to people that do
not respect God’s Word.
Chart 1.1: Summary for Arguments for the existence of God
DEFENSE DEFINITION
The
____________
argument
This is an argument
based on cause and
effect.
a. Everything that has a
beginning has a cause.
b. The universe had a
beginning so it had a
cause.
c. God is the causeless
one who had no
beginning.
d. Therefore God is the
one who created the
universe.
The
____________
argument
From the Greek
word “telos” which
means design.
This argues that the
universe is evidence
of a great designer.
(Intelligent Design)
a. If something has been
clearly designed to
perform a specific
function it must have a
designer.
b. The universe clearly
shows marks of design.
Therefore it was created.
c. God exists and He
designed/created the
universe.
The
____________
argument
The universal existence
of moral standards
would be impossible
without an absolute
moral Governor.
a. People everywhere
recognize a moral code.
b. Right and wrong imply a
standard or law.
c. To have a law you must
have a lawgiver.
d. This lawgiver is God.
14
II. The Nature of God
A. God is __________ (John 4:24)
Jesus Himself has told us that God is spirit. While He can certainly
indwell a body He does not have or regularly inhabit a body as
we do. The Bible does however use anthropomorphisms. This is
when it attributes human characteristics to God in an effort to help
us understand Him better.
B. God is a __________.
a. The Bible teaches us that there is only _____________,
eternally existent as _______________; the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit.
While this doctrine may be difficult to understand it cannot be
denied. The whole Bible teaches us that our God is a tri-unity
of three distinct persons.
God has revealed many things to us through His Word but His
revelation is not exhaustive, many things remain hidden from us.
“Bring me a worm that can comprehend a man,and then I will show you a man
that can comprehend the triune God.”J O H N W E S L E Y
Deuteronomy 29:29
b. The Bible shows us that these three persons
are _____________
1. The Father
IS NOT the Son.
2. The Son IS NOT
the Holy Spirit.
3. The Holy Spirit
IS NOT the Father.
THEFATHER
THESON
THEHOLY SPIRIT
GOD
IS NOT
ISIS
IS IS N
OT
IS N
OT
15Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
c. Each of these three persons
is _____________
1. The Father IS God.
2. The Son IS God.
3. The Holy Spirit IS God.
Chart 1.2: Biblical References for the Trinity
OLD TESTAMENT NEW TESTAMENT
One God “Hear, O Israel! The
Lord is our God, the
Lord is one!”
(Deuteronomy 6:4)
Cf. Isaiah 43:10, 46:9
“yet for us there is but one
God, the Father, from whom are
all things and we exist for Him;
and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by
whom are all things, and we
exist through Him.”
(1 Corinthians 8:6)
Cf. Ephesians 4:4–6,
1 Timothy 2:5, James 2:19
Three
Persons
Then God said, “Let
Us make man in Our
image, according to
Our likeness”
(Genesis 1:26a)
Cf. Isaiah 6:8, Psalm
110:1, Hosea 1:7
“Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of
the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit,
(Matthew 28:19–20)
Cf. Matthew 3:16–17,
Titus 3:4–6
16
Chart 1.3: Biblical References for the Deity of all Three Persons
of the Trinity
THE DEITY OF ALL THREE PERSONS
Father one God and Father of all who is over all and
through all and in all.
(Ephesians 4:6)
Cf. John 6:27, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Galatians 1:1
Son But of the Son He says,
“YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND
EVER,
AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE
SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM.
(Hebrews 1:8)
Cf. John 1:1–17, John 17:5, Colossians 1:16, Titus
2:13
Holy Spirit Do you not know that you are a temple of God
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
(1 Corinthians 3:16)
Cf. John 3:5–8, Acts 5:3–4, 1 Corinthians 6:19
“There is only one God,but in the unity of the Godhead
there are three eternal and coequal Persons;the same in substance or essence
but distinct in subsistence or existence.”D R . A . F R U C H T E N B A U M
17Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
See also:
John 3:34–35; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:13–15; Romans
14:17–18; Romans 15:13–17; Romans 15:30; 1 Corinthians 6:11, 17–19;
1 Corinthians 12:4–6; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22; 2 Corinthians 3:4–6;
Galatians 2:21–3:2; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:11–
17; Ephesians 5:18–20; Colossians 1:6–8; 1 Thessalonians 1:1–15; 1
Thessalonians 4:2,8; 1 Thessalonians 5:18–19; 2 Thessalonians 3:5;
Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 3:23–24; 1 John 4:13–14; Jude 20–21.
III. The Attributes of God
God is the greatest thought the mind can entertain and what we think
of God is the most important thing about us. The gospel is all about
who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us. A wrong view of God
totally destroys the message of salvation. Having a right view of God
is essential for Christian living.
“An attribute of God is whatever God has in any way revealed as being true about Himself.”
A . W . T OZ E R
A. The attributes of God are truths that God Himself has revealed
to us so that we may know and love Him.
The human heart is filled with questions. What is God like? What
kind of God is He? How can we expect Him to act towards us?
The answers to these questions affect our lives, character and our
ultimate destiny. God has provided answers in three ways:
a. In His Creation. (Romans 1:20)
b. In His Word. (Isaiah 40:1–31)
c. In His Son. (Hebrews 1:1–3)
18
“The heaviest obligation lying upon the Christian Church today is to purify and elevate her concept of God
until it is once more worthy of Him.”A . W . T OZ E R
B. There is no contradiction between God’s attributes.
He does not need to stop one in order to operate another like we
do. They all work together in perfect harmony. Our love may grow,
diminish, run hot or cold and at times cease all together. God’s
love does not work this way, when He loves He is simply being
who He is, who He has always been and who He always will be.
1. God is ______________ (Psalm 90:1–2, 1 Timothy 6:16)
God has no beginning and no end. He is not bound by time,
He created it.
He is everlasting.
2. God is _____________ (1 John 3:19-20, 1 Corinthians 2:10)
God is all-knowing. Nothing in the past, present or future is
hidden from Him.
He knows everything.
3. God is _____________ (Jeremiah 32:17, Revelation 1:8)
God is all-powerful. He has unlimited power and all power that
exists comes from Him.
He can do anything.
4. God is _____________ (Malachi 3:6)
God does not change. Change moves in three directions:
a. From better to worse.
b. From worse to better.
c. From one order of being to another.
God is perfect. His perfections forever rule out any change.
19Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
5. God is _____________ (Deuteronomy 32:3–4)
God always acts righteously. He does not just act justly, He is
just. His love for you will never change - He is Immutable. God
will always do what is right.
6. God is _____________ (1 John 4:8–10)
Love is an essential attribute of God. God does not exercise
His love independently of His other attributes. In fact they
enhance each other.
• His love has no end – He is Eternal.
• His love for you remains with you – He is Omnipresent
• His love for you has no limit – He is Infinite
• His love for you is pure – He is Holy
• His love for you is always right – He is Just
His love for you will never change - He is Immutable
In God we see unconditional, self-sacrificing, everlasting love.
7. God is _____________ (John 14:6, Titus 1:2, Psalm 31:5)
Truthfulness is another essential attribute of God. God cannot
lie and never breaks His word. Everything He has promised
has, or will, come to pass. He is completely truthful.
8. God is _______ (Exodus 15:11, 1 Samuel 2:2, Isaiah 6:3–5)
God’s holiness is difficult to define because it encompasses
all of His attributes. He is separate, distinct and in a class of
His own. He is morally pure and never does anything wrong
or contrary to His being.
“We cannot grasp the true meaning of the divine holiness by thinking of someone or something very pure and then raising the
concept to the highest degree we are capable of. God’s holiness is not simply the best we know infinitely bettered. We know nothing like the divine holiness. It stands apart, unique, unapproachable, incomprehensible and unattainable. The natural man is blind to it.
He may fear God’s power and admire God’s wisdom, but His holiness he cannot even imagine.”
A . W . T OZ E R
20
“Wrath, unlike love, is not one of the intrinsic perfections of God. Rather, it is a function of God’s holiness against
sin. Where there is no sin, there is no wrath-but there will always be love in God. Where God in His holiness confronts
His image-bearers in their rebellion, there must be wrath, or God is not the jealous God He claims to be, and His
holiness is impugned. The price of diluting God’s wrath is diminishing God’s holiness.”
D . A . C A R S O N
21Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
CCF Statement of Faith (30 minutes)
The first session today was on what we believe about God. We will
continue to learn more about our basic doctrines as a church in the next
few meetings. To help prepare us for what we will study in the coming
weeks, let’s familiarize ourselves with the CCF Statement of Faith.
Turn to Appendix A: “Statement of Faith” section of your workbook. Read
through the statement of faith as a group. Depending on your group size,
assign one or two small group member/s to look up the verses listed down
under each of the six (6) statements. Share your thoughts on the following
points after everyone is done reading through the verses:
1. Why do you think it’s important that we as a local church (CCF
churches) have a common Statement of Faith?
2. How aligned is your own belief system to our Statement of Faith?
For example you wholeheartedly agree with 4 out of 6 of the items
in the Statement of Faith, or 2 out of 6, etc.
3. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and your mind to know and
embrace the truth about what the Bible teaches on God, the Bible,
Jesus Christ, salvation, the Holy Spirit and the church.
4. Individually make a commitment to align your belief system
according to what God’s Word, the Bible, says and not based on
what you think is right or what other people tell you is right.
EXPRESS
Read and sign the pledge below:
My Commitment to God
“I, ________________________,
commit myself to study the truth about God,
Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Bible,
salvation and the church as revealed in God’s Word.
I ask the Holy Spirit to open my heart and mind to know,
understand and apply the truth I will discover
as I closely examine the CCF Statement of Faith.”
DATE TODAY
WITNESSES
SMALL GROUP LEADER
OTHER SMALL
GROUP MEMBERS
EXPERIENCE
23
SESSION 2
THE DOCTRINE OF THE BIBLE
Inspired, Inerrant,and Infallible
24
Discover the WORD
In a group with 3-4 members each, discover the names of the Bible books
in the puzzle sheet below.
HIDDEN BIBLE BOOK NAMES:
Can you find 56 books of the Bible in this paragraph? Circle the word,
like the sample given –“luke” in the 3rd sentence of the first paragraph.
The following article contains the names of all the books of the
Bible hidden within the words. See if you can find them all! I once
made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a
lulu, kept some people looking so hard for facts. And for others it
was revelation. Some were in a jam. Especially since the names of
the books were not capitalized. But the truth finally struck home
to numbers of readers. To others, it was a real job. We want it
to be a most fascinating few moments to you. Do these while
you’re watching TV, sitting on the john, eating tuna, humming your
favorite reggae tune--- a song of Sol, “O Mon, I believe you!”
Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may
require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a
minister to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations
when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she
can concentrate better. There are those among us who might
need music – a banjo, electric guitar, or drums! See how well you
can compete. Relax now, listen to Genesis on the radio, or play
your banjo! Nah, just concentrate on the task at hand. Find them
all and be a pro! Verbs and subjects don’t always agree in this
article, but don’t let that stand in your way!
I even asked for help from my ex. “O, Du!” she said. I replied,
“Corinth, I answer your questions,” but she said, “Come back at
Ramadan.” I eloquently thanked her. Frustrated, she said, “The
puzzle is a … I ... ah.. I don’t find these EZ. Ek! I elect not to do
EXPLORE
25Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
them!” I thought about offering her a juju decoration or perhaps
alms, but decided not to pursue it. This just about chronicles our
relationship.
Some of the hardest books to hide were Leviticus, Deuteronomy,
Joshua, Samuel, Nehemiah, Ecclesiastes, Jeremiah, Obadiah,
Micah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi,
Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Timothy, and
Philemon. Remember that ten of the names are duplicated like
First and Second Thessalonians, so you will only find fifty-six
distinct names.
This puzzle is not EZ – rather, it is quite difficult. It would be simpler
if the books were in a list that you could pick from. Answer can be
anywhere in this article, so that makes this format the worst! Do
your best and God bless!
LEARNING NUGGET
The Bible has 66 books — 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New
Testament. How well do you know what is taught in these books? We may
have our “favorite” books and some we overlook because they are harder
to understand and apply. However, if we truly believe that the Bible is
God’s Word to us, then we will diligently read, study, memorize and apply
all that the Bible teaches us to do and avoid what it tells us not to do. As we
do, we will know Jesus more and we will be transformed into His likeness
more and more.
(See Appendix D for the solution sheet).
26
I. Sola ScripturaThe foundation for everything we believe is the Scripture. The Bible
alone, as the very words of God, is our ultimate authority in everything.
God has given us His entire message in the Bible and it is our only
standard for faith and life.
Jeremiah 8:9
Our Statement of Faith: The Bible
We believe that the Bible (66 books: 39 Old Testament books and 27
New Testament books) is the Word of God — supernaturally inspired,
inerrant, and infallible. It is our supreme authority in all matters of
faith, doctrine, and conduct. We also affirm its sufficiency, clarity, and
necessity for genuine Christian living.
Cf. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalms 119:105;
Psalms 19:7–11; Proverbs 30:5.
II. The Nature of the ScripturesA. The Bible _______ the Word of God.
This belief is based on the many claims throughout the Bible that
it is in fact God’s Word. The Bible declares that it is the Word of
God over 4000 times.
EXAMINE
Soli Deo Gloria
Sola Gratia
Sola Christus
Sola Fide
Sola Scriptura
Glory to God Alone
By Grace Alone
In Christ Alone
Through Faith Alone
By Scripture Alone
27Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
For this reason we also constantly thank God that when
you received the word of God which you heard from us,
you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it
really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in
you who believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13
B. The Bible is the _______________ word of God.
The Old Testament records a number of instances where God’s
words was written down. (Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 31:9–13).
In the New Testament, Jesus promises His disciples that
the Holy Spirit would bring to their remembrance the words
which He, Jesus, had spoken. They would then testify and
write down the things He said for other generations to follow
(John 14:26; 17:20).
C. Jesus is the living Word of God or the ____________.
The Bible tells us that long ago God spoke to the Fathers and the
Prophets in many portions and many ways and these make up
the Old Testament that promised His coming. (Hebrews 1:1-2)
• Then when the time was right God spoke by sending the
living Word of God, His Son Jesus Christ. (John 1:1, 14)
• Jesus put God’s nature and character on display for all to
witness.
• The New Testament records what Jesus said and did.
D. CCF rejects any deficient understanding of the Bible.
The Bible only contains the words of God.
The Bible becomes the word of God when the reader has some
kind of spiritual encounter with God.
Approaching the Word of God like this shows only a partial belief
in the inspiration of the Scriptures.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
28
V. Canon of the Scripture
A. The Canonical Books
The Church affirms the ______ Old Testament books and _______
New Testament books as the composition of the canonical books.
The Greek word “kanon” means reed or measuring stick and later
came to mean the rule of standard by which the ancient writings
were determined as sacred Scripture. The canon of Scripture is
the list of all the books that belong in the Bible.
Tests Applied to Determine Canonicity1
“Which writings should be considered canonical and how did the
church come to that position? Historically, the church since the
fourth century has accepted the sixty-six books of the Old and
New Testaments as the authoritative canonical books.2”
While the Apostles would have told the early church which
writings were inspired, things got a little confused during the
200+ years of persecution that followed. God saw to it that His
Word was preserved during this difficult period and the leaders of
the Church came together in Carthage in 397 AD and all 66 books
in our current Bible were agreed upon.
Various tests or criteria applied to determine canonicity:
1. _______________ authorship
2. Christ-centered _______________
3. _______________
4. Acceptance by the ____________
• The 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament
books were finally recognized by the Church during
the Council of Carthage (397 AD) as part of the
biblical canon.
• The word testament simply means _____________.
1 Paul P. Enns, MOODY HANDBOOK OF THEOLOGY MOODY PRESS Chicago, Illinois2 https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/asbury-bible-commentary/Canon-Scripture
29Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
The Old Testament refers to the Old Covenant which God gave to
Israel. It was preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, a shadow of
the awesome things to come in the New Covenant.
(Hebrews 9 – 10:1)
The New Testament refers to the New Covenant which was the
fulfillment of the Old. Jesus Christ would come fulfilling the promises
of the Old rendering it obsolete and establishing a New and better
Covenant through His death. (Hebrews 8:13, 9:15)
IV. The Truthfulness of the Scripture
A. The Bible is ________________ Inspired, Inerrant,
and Infallible.
“The Bible in its entirety isGod’s written word to man,
free of error in its original autographs,wholly reliable in history and doctrine.
Its divine ‘inspiration’ has rendered the Book‘infallible’ (incapable of teaching deception) and ‘inerrant’
(not liable to prove false or mistaken).”C H A R L E S H . P I N N O K
“For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets,
though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the
Holy Spirit.”
2 Peter 1:21
“[Inspiration is] God superintending human authors so that using their own individual personalities, experiences, thought processes and vocabulary they composed and
recorded without error His revelation in theoriginal copies of Scripture.”
D R . J O H N M A C A R T H U R
30
B. The Bible is ______________.
1. The Bible says there are “many ways” in which the actual
words of the Bible were written. (Hebrews 1:1)
a. Sometimes God spoke directly to the author, who simply
recorded what he heard.
Exodus 20:1–17
b. Other times, the author based much of his writings on
interviews and research.
Luke 1:1–3
c. And at other times, the Holy Spirit brought to mind and
commentated on things that Jesus taught.
John 14:26
Regardless of the way the words came to the authors, the
words they put down were an extension of them – their
personalities, skills, backgrounds and training. But they were
also the exact words God wanted them to write. The very
words that God claims to be His own.
2. The Church affirms that the whole Bible is inspired, and this
inspiration extends to every word in the original manuscripts.
a. Inspiration is plenary = all parts
b. Inspiration is verbal = all words
• At CCF we believe in “full verbal plenary inspiration.”
This means that the inspiration extends to the very
words themselves (verbal) not just concepts or
ideas, and that the inspiration extends to all parts of
Scripture. (plenary)
Psalm 138:2
31Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
C. The Bible is ______________.
The Bible claims to be inerrant or incapable of being wrong about
anything it says. The Bible in its original manuscripts and correctly
interpreted is completely free from error.
This includes all doctrine, history, ethics and the social, physical
or life sciences.
God ensured that the truths He wanted written down by the
various human authors of the Bible, were truthfully communicated.
Nothing the human authors wrote was false or mistaken.
John 17:17
However, inerrancy is primarily concerned with the words
themselves not the content. Inerrancy declares that the document,
written by the inspired writer, was without error.
These scrolls were then copied by scribes.
The word scribe (sopherim) means counter, they were named
this way because they would count the letters and words of each
manuscript to make sure they did not miss anything. Mistakes
meant destroying the papyrus and starting again.
After the exile in Babylon they formed communities of scribes to
preserve and circulate the Scriptures.
32
The Dead Sea Scrolls3
One of these communities lived in Qumran, a village located
about twenty miles east of Jerusalem. In 1947, a young
Bedouin shepherd discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls.
These were leather and papyrus scrolls that were later determined
to be nearly twenty centuries old. There were tens of thousands
of scroll fragments dating from the third century B.C. to A.D. 68.
Photo: A portion of the Isaiah scroll, one of the Dead Sea
Scrolls discovered in the Qumran caves in 1947.
3 Paul E. Little, KNOW WHY YOU BELIEVE Scripture Press Publications, Inc. 19994 Ibid.
This vast collection of manuscripts included portions from every
single book in the Old Testament except Esther and included a
complete scroll of Isaiah.
They confirmed the accuracy of one thousand years of both
the record and the history of the Hebrews—that is, from 200
B.C. to A.D. 916. The extensive evidence found strengthens our
confidence in the histories previously uncovered.4
33Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
D. The Bible is ______________.
While inerrancy focuses on the words themselves, infallibility
is primarily concerned with the content of Scripture. Infallibility
teaches us that the Bible is incapable of making mistakes or being
wrong. While the Bible does not give us an exhaustive opinion
on every subject there is, when God chooses to speak about
anything, what He says is absolutely true.
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.8The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalm 19:7–8
1. The ___________ Infallibility of the Bible
a. It is only recently that modern science has discovered that
circumcision of an infant is best performed on the 8th day
due to the chemical prothrombin peaking on that day.
• This chemical causes blood clotting making the 8th
day the safest day to do it.
• God knew this already and ordered His people to do it
on this day thousands of years ago; cf. Genesis 17:12.
b. Ship builders today know that maximum stability in the water
requires that a ship be six times longer than the width.
• God told Noah to build the ark according to these
dimensions 4,500 years ago.
“This is how you shall make it: the length of the ark
three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its
height thirty cubits.” Genesis 6:15
34
c. Other examples of scientific facts that are recorded in the Bible
• The earth is a sphere. (Isaiah 40:12, Job 26:10,
Luke 17:34—36)
• The earth floats in space. (Job 26:7)
• The earth rotates on an axis. (Job 38:12-14)
• The continents used to be joined. (Genesis 1:9)
• The stars are uncountable. (Jeremiah 33:22)
• A water canopy surrounded the earth prior to the
flood. (Genesis 1:6)
• The Bible says the life is in the blood. (Leviticus 17:11)
• The ocean is fed by springs on the sea floor.
(Job 38:16)
• There are mountains on the ocean floor.
(Jonah 2:5—6)
• The Bible solved the chicken or egg dilemma.
(Genesis 1:20—22)
• Light can be divided. (Job 38:24)
• All human beings came from one man. (Acts 17:26)
• The sun moves in a circuit. (Psalm 19:6)
• Air has weight. (Job 28:25)
• Jet stream explained. (Ecclesiastes 1:6)
• Electromagnetic waves identified. (Job 38:35)
• The Pleiades star cluster is gravitationally
bound, while the Orion star cluster is loose and
disintegrating because the gravity of the cluster is
not enough to bind the group together. (Job 38:31)
35Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
2. The ___________ Infallibility of the Bible
a. Prophecy is another wonderful proof of the Bible’s
infallibility. The Bible made hundreds of prophecies about
people and events some thousands of years before those
people were born.
b. There are at least 353 distinct prophecies that were
fulfilled by Jesus Christ and they were all written hundreds
of years (and, in some cases, thousands of years) before
His birth. Here are just a few for you to consider:
Chart 2.1: Summary of how Jesus fulfilled prophecy
about the Messiah
PROPHECY DESCRIPTION FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 7:14 Born of a virgin Luke 1:34–35
Micah 5:2 Born in Bethlehem Luke 2:1–6
Jeremiah
31:15
Babies massacred Matthew
2:16–18
Hosea 11:1 Flee into Egypt Matthew 2:13
Judges 13:5 Be called a Nazarene Matthew 2:23
Psalm 41:9 Betrayed by a friend Luke 22:48
Zechariah
11:12–13
Sold for 30 silver Matthew 26:15
Psalm 27:12 Falsely accused Matthew
26:59
Isaiah
53:4–5
Smitten and spat on Matthew 27
Isaiah 53:7 Silent when accused Matthew
26:63
Isaiah 53:3 Rejected by the Jews Matthew 27:22
Psalm 69:4 Hated without cause Matthew 27:23
Psalm 22:16 Hands & feet pierced John 19:18
36
PROPHECY DESCRIPTION FULFILLMENT
Psalm 22:18 Gambled clothing Matthew 27:35
Isaiah 53:12 Die with the wicked Matthew 27:38
Psalm
22:6–8
Mocked and insulted Matthew
27:39–44
Isaiah 53:9 Buried with the rich Matthew
27:57–61
Psalm 16:10 Rise again Matthew 28
3. Not a single prophecy from the Bible has ever been disproven.
A vivid example of the accuracy of Biblical prophecy would be the
prophecies regarding the Phoenician capital, Tyre.
Tyre was the capital city of the ancient Phoenician Empire and
the most powerful city they had. They had great wealth, power
and many allies. They also had a huge navy and an impregnable
fortress on an island about half a mile off the coast of the city.
The Bible often associates a nation with its greatest city. When
Babylon fell so did the Babylonian Empire. When Nineveh fell
so did the Assyrian Empire and when Tyre fell, the Phoenician
Empire ceased to exist.
In the 26th chapter of Ezekiel (592-570 BC) seven things are
predicted to happen to the city of Tyre:
PROPHECY VERSES
Nebuchadnezzar will destroy
the mainland city.
Ezekiel 26:8
Many nations would come against Tyre. Ezekiel 26:3
Tyre would be bare and flat like the top of a rock. Ezekiel 26:4
Fishermen will spread their nets
out on the site.
Ezekiel 26:5
The debris would be thrown into the water. Ezekiel 26:12
The ancient city would never be rebuilt. Ezekiel 26:14
The ancient city would never be found again. Ezekiel 26:21
37Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
When Alexander the Great conquered the island of Tyre he
brought an end to the Phoenician Empire.
Tyre later fell under the rule of others. But the Phoenicians never
rose to power again and their city was never heard of again.
“Alexander the Great reduced Tyre to ruins...The larger part of the site of the once great city
is now bare as the top of a rock – a place where fishermen now spread their nets to dry.”
S E C U L A R H I S T O R I A N P H I L L I P M Y E R S
G e n e r a l H i s t o r y f o r C o l l e g e s a n d H i g h S c h o o l s
V. The ____________ of the Scripture
We have learned that the Bible is inspired, inerrant, and infallible. These
things clearly show its supreme authority in matters of faith and practice.
• Our doctrine and conduct must be governed by the Scriptures.
God’s Word should determine what we believe and how we
respond in Christian living.
• We believe in its sufficiency, clarity, and necessity for genuine
Christian living.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training
in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be
adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
1. The Bible is ______________.
The Bible is able to accomplish all of God’s purposes here upon
the earth. It is all we need for salvation and spiritual growth.
• Powerful to convict. (John 16:5–14)
• Powerful to convert. (1 Peter 1:23)
• Powerful to conform. (1 Timothy 6:3)
• Powerful to console. (Psalm 119:49–52)
• Powerful to correct. (2 Timothy 3:16)
38
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not
return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and
without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11
2. The Bible is ______________.
This does not mean that interpretation or good Bible teachers are
unnecessary. It means that the central message of the Bible can
be understood by all who read it with God’s help. Even a child can
understand who Jesus is and what He has done for them at the cross
with the Holy Spirit’s help.
...and that from childhood you have known the sacred writing
which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15
3. The Bible is ______________.
At CCF we believe that the Word of God is necessary for knowing
the gospel, for maintaining spiritual life and for knowing God’s will.
God has given us His Word; it is complete and perfect in every
way. All you need to know to enter into a personal relationship
with Jesus Christ and live a life that is pleasing to God is found
within its pages.
for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but
imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
1 Peter 1:23
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE
ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS
OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’ Matthew 4:4
39Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
VI. The __________________ of Scripture5
The Holy Spirit will enlighten all true believers and help them
understand the Word of God.
• Without Him you can never truly understand the truths revealed in
God’s Word because they are God’s thoughts. (1 Corinthians 2:11)
• He is our helper and will not only help us understand these truths
but apply them as well. (John 14:16-17, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 5:18)
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God,
for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them,
because they are spiritually appraised. 1 Corinthians 2:14
VII. ________________ in Scripture!
How to abide in God’s Word:
1. Hear the Word to Be Equipped
Ephesians 4:11–12
2. Read the Word to Be Healthy
Psalm 1:1–3
3. Study the Word to Be Wise
Psalm 119:97–104
4. Memorize the Word to Be Skilled
Matthew 4:1–11
5. Meditate on the Word to Be Fruitful
Joshua 1:8
6. Apply the Word to be Obedient
James 1:22–25
7. Proclaim the Word to be Reproductive
Colossians 1:28
5 Paul P. Enns, Moody Handbook of Theology
40
In your small group, assign to each member at least two items from the
following statements. For the statements assigned to you, decide whether
it is TRUE or FALSE based on what you learned from the session today. If
there are statements left after assigning two to each member, everyone
will answer the unassigned statements. Defend your position as you
discuss the answers as a group.
1. The inspiration of the Scripture means “heightening of the normal
powers” of the biblical writers.
2. Inspiration does not refer to the high degree of insight of biblical
writers.
3. The inspiration of the Scriptures covers all portions of the Bible,
not just the ones with gospel relevance.
4. In the process of inspiration, God actually dictated the words to
the biblical writers.
5. The authority of the Bible is equal to the authority of the leader of
the church.
6. The 66 books of the Bible are a closed canon. The church could
not add another book, chapter or verse to it any more.
7. The Scriptures is not reliable in some historical references.
8. Although the Bible is necessary for salvation, it is not sufficient for
the believer’s spiritual growth.
9. Since the Bible is clear, we do not need proper interpretation or
good Bible teachers.
10. Modern English translations of the Bible are inspired.
(See Appendix E for the Answer Key).
EXPRESS
Commit to read, study and teach God’s Word regularly beginning today! If
you are already doing so, then simply affirm your commitment to the Lord.
“I commit to...
1. Read the Bible every day at (time)
_______________.
2. Study God’s Word on a regular basis. I plan to have a
weekly bi-monthly monthly
time of personal Bible study.
3. Share one thing I learned from my personal reading and study of the
Bible within the week to [person/s name/s]:
See Appendix F for a light Bible reading plan on the New Testament
and the Psalms.
For free One-Year Bible reading plans visit the following websites:
• 52-Week Bible Reading Plan (each day will have passages from
different sections of the Bible):
http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf
• Reading through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation:
http://www.heartlight.org/devotionals/reading_plans/
straightthrough.pdf
• Reading through the Bible in chronological order:
http://www.heartlight.org/devotionals/reading_plans/biblestory.pdf
• Read through the New Testament and Old Testament each day:
http://www.heartlight.org/devotionals/readingplans/otandnt.pdf
EXPERIENCE
43
SESSION 3
THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST
His Deity andPersonhood
44
Individually, guess the right answer to the following trivia questions then
compare your answers with your group members.
1. You can find the tallest building in the world in which country?
a. China
b. Dubai
c. Germany
2. In which place will you find the smallest dog in the world (as of February 2013)?
a. Kentucky, USA
b. Hokkaido, Japan
c. Dorado, Puerto Rico
3. Which is the most-populated city in the world?
a. Tokyo, Japan
b. Mumbai, India
c. Shanghai, China
LEARNING NUGGET
It’s quite interesting to find out about the most unique characteristics of
people, things and places in our world. To be unique is to be one-of-a-
kind; to stand out or to surpass others in the same category in quality or
quantity. In our lesson today, we will learn about the uniqueness of Jesus
Christ. Truly, He is one-of-a-kind in His person and in His work — eternally
unsurpassed by anyone or anything in heaven, earth or anywhere else in
all creation.
(Turn to Appendix G for the Answer Key)
EXPLORE
45Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
I. Sola ChristusThe heart and soul of the gospel message is the person and work
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our salvation is accomplished through His
mediatorial work. He and He alone can mediate between God and man.
(1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 3:18)
Our Statement of Faith: JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ in the flesh was both God and man, was
conceived by the Holy Spirit, and was born of a virgin. He lived a
sinless life. He was crucified and died to pay the penalty for our sins.
By His blood, the Lord Jesus Christ made a perfect sacrifice for sin
once and for all time.
He was raised from the dead on the third day. Later, He ascended to
the Father’s right hand where He reigns as the Head of the Church
and intercedes for believers. We believe He is coming again, bodily
and visibly, to the earth to set up His Kingdom.
Cf. Matthew 1:22–23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1–5,14; Hebrews 4:14–15;
1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Romans 1:3–4; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Timothy 6:14–15;
Titus 2:13; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 7:25.
EXAMINE
Soli Deo Gloria
Sola Gratia
Sola Christus
Sola Fide
Sola Scriptura
Glory to God Alone
By Grace Alone
In Christ Alone
Through Faith Alone
By Scripture Alone
46
II. The Person of Jesus Christ There is no other personality in the history of the world that has the
same influence as Jesus had.
“Christ is the great central fact in world’s history.To Him everything looks forward or backward.
All the lines of history converge upon Him.All the great purposes of God culminate in Him.
The greatest and most momentous fact which the historyof the world records is the fact of His birth.”
C H A R L E S S P U R G E O N 6
A. Jesus Christ is _________________
The Bible states very clearly over and over again that Jesus Christ
is God.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things
came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came
into being that has come into being. John 1:1–3
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw
His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of
grace and truth. 15John testified about Him and cried out, saying,
“This was He of whom I said ‘He who comes after me has a
higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” John 1:14–15
For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were
realized through Jesus Christ. 18No one has seen God at any
time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He
has explained Him. John 1:16–18
6 Sherwood Wirt and Kersten Beckstrom, Living Quotations for Christian (New York: Harper and Row
Publications)
47Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
These verses clearly teach us that Jesus Christ is God Himself...
• The Word was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1–2)
• The Word was God. (John 1:1)
• He created all things. (John 1:3)
• Nothing was created apart from Him. (John 1:3)
• The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)
• He was born after John but existed before him. (John 1:15)
• His name is Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)
• He is God. (John 1:18)
“I and the Father are one.” 31The Jews picked up stones again
to stone Him. 32Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good
works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” 33The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You,
but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself
out to be God.” John 10:30–33
1. He is the image of the invisible God.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Colossians 1:15
1. The invisible God has been made visible in Jesus Christ.
2. He is the “eikon” of God.
3. In New Testament Greek “eikon” means an exact replica,
a precise copy, a representation.
2. He is the firstborn of all creation.
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself
will come to have first place in everything.
Colossians 1:17–18
48
a. This does not mean first in time it means first in position.
b. The word “prototokos” (firstborn) means the right to rule,
the heir, the ranking one, the one in authority, the chief one.
3. He is the form of God.
The word ‘form’ (morfee) literally means “the outward
expression of the inward nature.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ
Jesus, 6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not
regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied
Himself, taking the form of a bond servant, and being made
in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5–7
4. He is the fullness of deity.
…rather than according to Christ. 9for in Him all the fullness
of Deity dwells in bodily form Colossians 2:8–9
• The word ‘fullness’ (pleroma) means “the sum total of all
that God is, all of His being and attributes.”
B. The Necessity of Jesus’ Full Deity7
1. Only someone who is infinite God could bear the full penalty
for all the sins of all those who would believe in him—any finite
creature would have been incapable of bearing that penalty
2. Salvation is from the Lord (Jonah 2:9 NASB), and the whole
message of Scripture is designed to show that no human
being, no creature, could ever save man—only God himself
could.
3. Only someone who was truly and fully God could be the
one mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), both to
bring us back to God and also to reveal God most fully to us
(John 14:9).
7 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology
49Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
C. Jesus Christ is ____________.
The Bible teaches clearly about the humanity of Christ.
It is an essential doctrine and equally important as His deity
for us.
Chart 3.1: Biblical Proof of Jesus’ Humanity
Proofs of Jesus’ Humanity
Jesus’ BIRTH Isaiah 7:14; Luke 2:7
Jesus’ CIRCUMCISION Luke 2:21
Jesus’ CHILDHOOD Luke 2:40, 52
Jesus WEPT John 11:35
Jesus grew HUNGRY Matthew 4:2, 21:18
Jesus grew TIRED John 4:6, Matthew 8:24
Jesus’ SUFFERING and DEATH John 19:30
Chart 3.2: New Testament Summary of Jesus’ Deity
and Humanity
He is 100% God He is 100% man
He is worshiped (Matthew 2:11)He worshiped the Father
(John 17)
He was called God (Hebrews 1:8)
He was called man (Mark 15:39)
He was called Son of God (Mark 1:1)
He was called Son of Man (John 9:35)
He is prayed to (Acts 7:59)He prayed to the Father
(John 17)
He is sinless (Hebrews 4:15) He was tempted (Matthew 4:1)
He knows all things (John 21:17) He grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52)
He gives eternal life (John 10:28)
He died (Romans 5:8)
All the fullness of deity dwells in Him (Colossians 2:9)
He has a body of flesh and bones (Luke 24:39)
50
The Necessity of Jesus’ Full Humanity
• For representative obedience.
(Romans 5:19, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
• To be our substitute sacrifice.
(Hebrews 2:16-17, 1 Peter 3:18)
• To be the one Mediator between God and men.
(1 Timothy 2:5-6)
• To be our example and pattern in life.
(1 John 2:6; Romans 8:29, 1 Peter 2:21)
• To be the pattern for our redeemed bodies.
(1 Corinthians 15:42, 49)
• To sympathize with us.
(Hebrews 4:15)
51Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
1. Divide your group into two. Assign one group the word “deity” and
to the other group, assign the word “human”. Have the sub-groups
describe the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ using the word
assigned to them as an acronym. Allow 15 minutes for this activity.
An example is provided below.
D - ied and rose again H - oly and sinless
E - U -
I - M -
T - A -
Y - N -
2. For the next 15 minutes, have every member in the group share one
example of how Jesus has transformed his or her life in a specific area.
See example below:
“I experienced transformation in the area of my temper—knowing
how Jesus, who is perfect in every way, has shown infinite grace in
my weaknesses and shortcomings has caused me to extend grace to
other people in their weaknesses as well. I am more patient now and
accepting of others and I do not lose my temper as much anymore.”
EXPRESS
52
EXPERIENCEShow your appreciation for who Jesus is and gratitude for what he has
done for you on the cross. Plan to do this within the next 24 hours. Share
what you did to your group next week.
Sample application point:
Appreciation:
“During my quiet time tomorrow morning, I will sing a worship song to
the Lord that tells of how awesome Jesus is.”
Gratitude:
“On Sunday, I will invest a special amount to support a missionary or a
ministry so that through our partnership, more people can know about
Jesus Christ and his love for them, and become his follower.”
53Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
EQUIPGo through this Bible study with your discipler. The following discussion
questions are designed to prepare you to explain to others that Jesus
made clear claims about who He was, and what those claims were.
Jesus Claims Concerning Who He Is8
1. In your own words, write the claims Christ made concerning Himself in
the following verses:
Mark 14:61–62, John 6:38, John 8:42, John 5:17–18, John 10:30
2. What did those who heard what Jesus said think He meant?
John 14:7, John 14:8–9
3. What did Jesus claim to do in the following verses?
John 5:22, Matthew 9:6, John 6:45–47
4. What did Jesus predict in the following verses?
Mark 9:31, Luke 18:31–33, John 14:1–3
5. What characteristics of Jesus are attributes of an omnipotent God?
John 2:24, Matthew 8:26–27, John 11:43–45
According to the passages above, Jesus claimed to be God. He made
the kinds of claims that only a person who presumed he was God would
make. Both His friends and His enemies called Him God, and He never
attempted to deny it. He even commended His followers for believing He
was God.
8 For more of this Bible study, go to http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/classics/10-basic-steps/intro-
the-uniqueness-of-jesus.html)
55
SESSION 4
THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST
His Life and His Works
56
EXPLOREJESUS AS REVEALED IN THE BIBLE
Work together as a group and accomplish the exercise below. Simply
match the Bible books in column A with the titles of Jesus in column B.
Write down the corresponding letters from column B in the blank space
before the Bible books in column A. Your answers must show where a
specific title of Jesus was revealed in the Bible.
1. Genesis A. The Savior of the World
2. Exodus B. The Son of God
3. Judges C. The Servant
4. Ruth D. King of the Jews
5. Psalms E. Seed of the Woman
6. Matthew F. The Son of Man feeling what you feel
7. Mark G. The Passover Lamb
8. Luke H. Kinsman-redeemer
9. John I. Judge and Lawgiver
10. Acts J. Our Shepherd
LEARNING NUGGET
There is so much more to know about Jesus Christ from the Bible. Each
title that has been given to Him gives us a clue to who He truly is and His
work in God’s kingdom and in our lives. May we learn how to respond
appropriately to Jesus as we discover more about Him through God’s
written Word, the Bible.
(Turn to Appendix H for the Answer Key)
57Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
I. IntroductionA. Highlights of the Life of Christ
Jesus Christ’s identity and life is fascinating as it is very intriguing.
The gospel centers in Jesus Christ’s unique life as well. Christ is
the life of Christianity and its very heart. But what makes Jesus’ life
so unique? We cannot exhaust here all what Jesus did when He
was still on earth but in this session we will look at the highlights
of His life and works.
1. He was __________ of a virgin. (Luke 1:34–35, Isaiah 7:14)
a. Salvation is a supernatural work of God.
b. Christ’s true humanity without inherited sin.
c. Unity of Christ’s full deity and full humanity in one person.
2. He lived a _______________ life.
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with
our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things
as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15 (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21)
• Jesus was not tainted with sin
• He offered Himself without blemish.
• He kept God’s law perfectly
EXAMINE
58
3. He _________________ miracles, wonders and signs.
Acts 2:22
4. His _____________death.
And He Himself is the propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins;
and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
1 John 2:2
• Perfect sacrifice. Paid for our sin
• He satisfies the just and holy demands of God.
• We can be reconciled with God (at – one – ment).
5. His __________________ from the dead.
and that He was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures 1 Corinthians 15:4
• On the third day, Jesus rose from the grave
• It is the cornerstone of Christianity
Chart 4.1: Implications if there was no resurrection:
Preaching the gospel would be
pointless.
1 Corinthians 15:14
Our faith in Christ would be for nothing. 1 Corinthians 15:14
The Apostles would be liars. 1 Corinthians 15:15
Everyone would be lost in their sins. 1 Corinthians 15:17
All former believers would have gone
to hell.
1 Corinthians 15:18
Christians would be the world’s most
pitiful people.
1 Corinthians 15:19
You cannot be a Christian and deny
that Jesus rose from the grave!
59Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
a. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a __________ fact.
(1 Corinthians 15:5-8)
• Jesus burial clothes and wrappings were left in the tomb.
• Proud Roman soldiers guarding the tomb found no body.
• Multiple witnesses.
Chart 4.2: Resurrection Appearances of Jesus Christ
People Who Saw Jesus Alive Bible References
Two women outside of Jerusalem Matthew 28:9–10
Mary Magdalene John 20:15–18
Two travelers on the road to
Emmaus
Luke 24:13–32
Peter in Jerusalem Luke 24:34
Ten disciples in the upper room John 20:19–25
Eleven disciples in the upper room John 20:26–31
Seven disciples fishing John 21:1–23
Eleven disciples on the mountain in
Galilee
Matthew 28:
16–20
More than five hundred people 1 Corinthians 15:5
James 1 Corinthians 15:7
Disciples who watched Jesus
ascending into heaven
Luke 24:44–49;
Acts 1:3–8
b. The significance of Christ’s resurrection9:
• Ensures our regeneration (new spiritual birth).
1 Peter 1:3
• Ensures our justification (made righteous).
Romans 4:25; Philippians 2:8-9; Ephesians 2:6
• Ensures that we will receive perfect resurrection bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 15:20
9 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology
60
6. His __________________into heaven.
While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up
into heaven. Luke 24:51
• Heaven does exist in the space-time universe.
• Jesus received glory, honor, and authority as one who
was both God and man.
After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and
a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently
up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men
dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they
said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same
Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come
back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:9–11
7. His ________________ at God’s right hand.
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up
into heaven and He sat at the right hand of God.
Mark 16:19
1. Completion of Christ’s work of redemption.
Hebrews 1:3
2. Jesus received authority over the universe.
1 Peter 3:22; Ephesians 1:20–21
3. Jesus received authority to pour out the Spirit
on the Church.
Acts 2:33
61Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
B. The Offices of Christ
1. The ____________. (Deuteronomy 18:15; 18:18; John 6:14)
• He reveals God to us and speaks God’s words to us.
• Jesus is the prophet whom Moses predicted, but is far
greater than any prophet.
2. The ____________. (Hebrews 7:24–27; 10:11–12)
• He offers a sacrifice to God on our behalf.
• Is Himself the perfect sacrifice offered.
• He continually represents the believer.
• He completely saves the believer.
• He has no personal sins to impede His work as priest.
• Christ finished His priestly work by one offering.
3. The ____________.
Revelation 19:16; Ephesians 1:20-22
• The King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
• He rules over the church and the universe.
“In authority He was a king, though He never had a throne. In message He was a prophet.
In service to God He was every bit a priest.”D R . J O H N M A C A R T H U R
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“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing
that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a
great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That
is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man
and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral
teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man
who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of
Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the
Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut
him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you
can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come
with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human
teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”C . S . L E W I S , M e r e C h r i s t i a n i t y
63Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
In a group with 3-5 members, take turns and share what your birthday
month is. The person whose birthday month is farthest compared to the
rest of the group will be the first one to share his or her thoughts on the
following discussion points.
Take just 3 minutes each to share your thoughts, so that all of your group
members will have the opportunity to participate in the discussion.
1. What new information or insight about Jesus Christ did you learn from
the lesson today?
2. Since Christ is our Prophet, Priest and King, what do you believe would
be the proper response to Him and what He says in the Bible?
3. Why is Jesus the perfect mediator between a holy God and sinful
man? As a group, come up with at least three reasons why.
EXPRESS
64
Jesus’ unique mission has to do with our salvation and our reconciliation
with our loving, holy God. The Lord in turn also gave His followers a unique
mission. We read in Matthew 28:19-20 that we are to “make disciples”
and we do this by going, baptizing and teaching them to obey everything
Jesus taught.
What will be your involvement in Christ’s commission given to all His
followers? Indicate with a plus sign (+) your commitment to the specific
action steps given below:
I will help fulfill the mission Jesus gave to all His followers. I will make
disciples as I…
By God’s grace…
____ Go and share the gospel to others as a lifestyle (through pray, care,
share).
____ Teach the Bible to others through small group discipleship.
____ Help my disciples follow Jesus through my example of moment-by-
moment obedience to His commands.
EXPERIENCE
65Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
EQUIPOn-the-Job Training: 30 minutes
Take time to study the diagram below. This represents the concept of the
“trilemma” as proposed by CS Lewis in his book Mere Christianity. Discuss
the questions that follow with your Dgroup leader. Practice drawing this
diagram from memory in the next 7 days.
The Trilemma
Jesus claimed to be God
Then Jesus is
LORD
Then Jesuswas a
LUNATIC Accept Him
Then Jesuswas a
LIAR Reject Him
If His claims were FALSE
If He knew His
claims were
FALSE...
If He did not
know His claims
were FALSE...
If His claims were TRUE
1. How would you respond to Jesus’ teachings (as recorded in the Bible)
if He was a liar? How about if He was a lunatic?
2. What are the possible responses a person can make if Jesus is indeed
who He says He is — Lord?
3. What is your response to Jesus Christ? Why did you choose to respond
that way?
67
SESSION 5
THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION
Saved from Sin’s Penalty,Power, and Presence
68
EXPLOREWhich item would you most likely line up for if it were given away for free?
1. Gift certificate for two in a Michelin Star restaurant that serves
your favorite dishes.
2. Family vacation in one of the top tourist attractions in the world.
3. Air fare to a travel destination of your choice.
4. Latest mobile phone or tablet.
5. Voucher for an Eat-All-You-Can buffet.
6. Spa and beauty treatment at a well-known salon in the city.
7. Grocery items in time for Noche Buena (Christmas Eve dinner),
New Year’s Eve, or other special celebration.
8. Latest book from your favorite Christian author.
9. Movie passes for two for the premier showing of the latest offering
of your favorite action/adventure trilogy.
10. Weekend stay at one of the highly-recognized hotels in the city.
LEARNING NUGGET
Most people will line up quickly ahead of the others for something that is
given away for free. But have you ever wondered why most people will not
line up for the gift of salvation that God offers to all of us for free? What
is it about the nature of salvation that we need to share so that people
will highly desire it? Today we will study CCF’s Statement of Faith on the
nature of salvation.
69Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
I. IntroductionA. Sola Gratia
Sola gratia, or “by grace alone”, means that salvation comes by
divine grace or “unmerited favor” only. It is not earned by the
sinner; it is a free gift from God.
B. Sola Fide
Sola fide, or “by faith alone”, means that we receive God’s
wonderful gift of salvation through faith and nothing else. We
place all our faith in who Jesus is and what He did for us at Calvary
and God declares us righteous or right with Him.
Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as
righteousness. Genesis 15:6
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no
one may boast. Ephesians 2:8–9
EXAMINE
Soli Deo Gloria
Sola Gratia
Sola Christus
Sola Fide
Sola Scriptura
Glory to God Alone
By Grace Alone
In Christ Alone
Through Faith Alone
By Scripture Alone
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II. Our Statement of Faith on Salvation
We believe that salvation – with its forgiveness of sins, impartation of
a new nature and eternal life – is a free gift from God.
This gift is received when a person trusts in Jesus Christ to be his only
Savior and Lord. It is given by God’s grace and cannot be earned by
man through good works, baptism, church membership or any other
means.
Cf. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5;
Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
A. We believe that Salvation is a free gift from God.
1. We did nothing to earn or deserve it; it is undeserved favor,
a gift of grace. Salvation has always been apart from human
works.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not
of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works,
so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8–9
2. Our God is a saving God and the Bible teaches us that He
does not want anyone to perish. 2 Peter 3:9
But God is righteous, holy, perfect in all His ways and He can
never have fellowship with sin.
For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no
evil dwells with You. Psalm 5:4
3. The Bible describes man as unrighteous; a sinner and separated
from God because of his sin. Man is in need of salvation. “In the
book of Romans we are told that no man is good in God’s eyes,
not even one!”
Romans 3:10–12
a. By ____________
Psalm 51:5
b. By ____________
Ephesians 2:3
71Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
c. By ____________
Romans 3:12
d. By ____________
Romans 3:23
...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 3:23
⊲ The most common New Testament word used for sin is hamartia. It
is used in various forms around 227 times. This word simply means
“to miss the mark”.
• In Biblical doctrine, God’s target for each of us is perfect
righteousness. However, because of our sinful nature we have
missed the target and are guilty before a holy and righteous
God.
• Just like an archer when we miss the target, we end up hitting
something else. We call this sin.
• Over and over again the Bible tells us that Jesus came to save
us from our sins.
⊲ The salvation that He has provided is so awesome and complete
that it spans our past, present and future.
• Justification - Saved from ______________.
• Sanctification - Saved from ______________.
• Glorification - Saved from ______________.
B. Saved from sin’s _____________.
The message of the gospel is simple. Once genuine repentance for
sin and faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ has
taken place, God freely forgives all sin.
1. We are then saved from sin’s penalty which is death or eternal
separation from Him in hell.
2. However God did not just forgive us our sin, He also declared
72
us right with Him and proclaimed us righteous. We call this
“justification” and it was all prophesied over 700 years before
Jesus was born, by the prophet Isaiah.
“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was
crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell
upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep
have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the
Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” Isaiah 53:5–6
“As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied;
by His knowledge the Righteous One, My servant, will justify the
many, as He will bear their iniquities.” Isaiah 53:11
So we see that God sent Jesus into the world to die for our sin.
3. He satisfied God’s just and holy penalty for sin and then declared
us righteous or right with Him.
“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust,
so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the
flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” 1 Peter 3:18
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we
might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
73Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
4. If we come to God in genuine repentance, trusting only in the person
and work of the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation, God has guaranteed
us forgiveness for sin and the free gift of His righteousness.
“For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made
sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be
made righteous.” Romans 5:19
C. Saved from sin’s _____________.
However forgiveness for sin and the free gift of His perfect
righteousness is just the beginning of our incredible salvation. God
did not just save us and leave us at the mercy of this sinful world.
1. The Bible tells us that God is at work in us conforming us to the
image of His Son, the Lord Jesus.
“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become
conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the
firstborn among many brethren;” Romans 8:29
While He accepts us the way we are, He certainly won’t leave
us that way.
2. The Bible makes a distinction between ______________
righteousness and ______________ righteousness.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a
good work in you will perfect it, until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6
We call this aspect of our salvation “__________” and it simply
means that we have been sanctified or “set apart” for God.
3. Over and over again we are reminded that even though we are
righteous in Christ, we need to learn to live like it, working it out
in our daily lives. Our practice needs to match our position.
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as
in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work
out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is
at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
Philippians 1:12–13
74
4. The unbeliever only has the capacity for sin, even the good
things he does are tainted by sin. But God has placed within the
believer a brand new nature with the desire to live righteously.
“We can still sin because we will not be totally free of our
sinful nature until we go to heaven. However, we now have
the God given ability to say no to sin and live godly lives.”
5. “We have been set free from sin’s power and have become
slaves to righteousness.”
Romans 6:18
a. Know
“...knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order
that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no
longer be slaves to sin...” Romans 6:6
b. Believe
“Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in
Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so
that you obey its lusts..” Romans 6:11–12
c. Yield
“And do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as
instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as
those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of
righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you
are not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:13–14
“And having been freed from sin, you became slaves of
righteousness.” Romans 6:18
75Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
D. Saved from sin’s _____________.
Finally the Bible assures us that there is also a future element to our
salvation and one day we will also be saved from the presence of
sin. We will receive a new body, a glorified body and sin will have
been eliminated from our lives forever.
1. We call this doctrine ________ and it refers to the future glory
that we will enjoy as we spend the rest of eternity with Him.
“Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be
with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You
have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the
world.” John 17:24
“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become
conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be
the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He
predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He
also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”
Romans 8:29–30
Our salvation is complete, God has thought of everything and
even speaks of the future elements of our salvation in a past tense
because they are certain.
2. Our sin has been dealt with past, present and future and the
Bible assures us that the moment our sin was dealt with we
received eternal life.
Chart 5.1: Our Complete Salvation
SALVATION
You have been saved from sin’s penalty Justification
You are being saved from sin’s power Sanctification
You will be saved from sin’s presence Glorification
“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and
Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3
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3. Eternal life is not a quantity of time but rather a quality of living. It is
entering into a personal relationship with God.
4. Eternal life begins the moment we are saved from sin’s penalty and
continues into eternity.
5. Eternal life can never be lost, as that is a contradiction in terms.
Jesus is crystal clear that none that the Father has given Him will
ever be lost.
“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I
lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.” John 6:39
E. Saved by ___________. (Ephesians 2:8–9)
The Bible is very clear about the basis of our salvation. We receive it
freely by Grace, it is a gift from God to us.
1. We see God’s grace clearly in the person and work of His Son the
Lord Jesus Christ. God reached out to man, He stepped out of
eternity, became one of us, so that He could take our place.
(Philippians 2:5–8)
2. He lived a righteous life for us, died for us and then rose again
providing salvation for all who believe. (John 3:16)
The term “grace” simply refers to God’s unmerited favor. It is not
earned or deserved, it is a gift.
3. We did not go looking for God, the Bible says He came looking for
us. Religion says man can reach God through works, but the Bible
says that God reached down to us by grace. Romans 3:11
G ___________
R ___________
A ___________
C ___________
E ___________
77Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory,
glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
F. Saved through ___________.
While grace is the basis of our salvation faith is the means through
which we take possession of it.
⊲ True saving faith involves the whole person, our mind, our emotion
and our will. (James 2:14–26)
⊲ It involves repentance from our sin and complete trust in the person
and work of Jesus Christ to save us from sin and make us righteous.
Good works CANNOT save you.
Religious traditions CANNOT save you.
Baptism CANNOT save you.
Church membership CANNOT save you.
Other mediators CANNOT save you.
⊲ We are saved by grace, it is a gift from God. We receive this grace
by faith, which requires that we place all of our trust in who Jesus
claimed to be and what He did for us at the cross.
78
The Bible does talk about different kinds of faith. There were times when
Jesus Himself did not accept people’s faith as genuine. So how do we know
our faith is real saving faith? (John 2:24, 8:31-44)
1. Saving faith is placed in ________________ alone.
(John 14:6, Acts 4:12)
2. Saving faith is based on the _______________. (2 Timothy 3:15)
3. Saving faith involves the __________________. (James 2:14-26)
4. Saving faith involves _____________________. (Luke 13:3,5)
5. Saving faith always leads to ____________. (John 10:27)
6. Saving faith produces __________. (Matthew 7:15-23)
7. Saving faith continues to __________ Him. (John 8:31, 1 John 2:19)
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained our introduction
by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory
of God.” Romans 5:1–2
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under
heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
79Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
In your groups, discuss the following points and share your answers with
one another.
1. Read statement # 3 of our Statement of Faith carefully and thoughtfully:
“We believe that salvation, with its forgiveness of sins
and impartation of a new nature is a free gift from God.
Those who trust in Jesus Christ to be their only Savior
and Lord have eternal life. It is given by God’s grace and
cannot be earned through good works, baptism, church
membership or any other means.
We believe that it is God’s will and command for every
Christian to be actively engaged in telling others how to
establish a personal relationship with God, through faith
in Jesus Christ, and in discipling those who respond to the
good news of salvation.
We believe that good works are not the means to salvation
but the expected by-product in the life of a true believer
in Christ. The evidence of true salvation and true faith
is good works and changed lives. It is every believer’s
responsibility to pursue a life of good works through the
power of the Holy Spirit.”
2. Do you wholeheartedly agree with our Statement of Faith in relation to
the nature of our salvation? If you do, make a commitment to teach this
truth to others. Share the gospel so that others too may receive God’s
free gift salvation, pursue the mission He gave us and practice doing
good that show evidence of our salvation.
If not, what is your hesitation? What do you need to know so that you
can fully commit to this statement of faith? How can CCF further help
you to remove your hesitation?
EXPRESS
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3. Without looking at our Statement of Faith, fill-in the appropriate words
to complete the sentence:
a. “We believe that salvation, with its forgiveness of sins and
impartation of a __________________ is a free gift from God.”
b. “Those who trust in Jesus Christ to be their only Savior and
Lord have _________________ life.”
c. “It is given by God’s grace and cannot be earned through
good works, ___________________, church membership
or any other means.”
Review the Statement of Faith #3 and check your answers. Make it a
point to know by heart and live out the essence of this statement.
81Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
EXPERIENCE1. Meditate on the following passage this week and memorize it for
easy recall next time you need to be reminded of this important truth
regarding our salvation, or when you share to someone else what true
salvation really is.
Ephesians 2:8–10
2. Practice explaining the Trilemma leading to a gospel presentation (see
EQUIP portion for guidance).
Ask God for opportunities to interact with the people you are praying
for, and to be able to share the gospel with them in due time. Other
than a family member, it is best to share the gospel with someone of
the same gender to avoid misunderstood motives on your part.
Remember that we do good things to others because that is how
people will see Jesus in our lives and glorify our Father in heaven. No
matter the response of those we reach out to and whether or not they
accept or reject the message of the gospel, we will continue to do
good to them according to God’s will.
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EQUIPOn-the-Job Training: 30 minutes
Practice the following conversation on the Trilemma with your discipler who
will provide useful feedback and coaching to prepare you for your mission
in the coming weeks.
Your discipler will draw the diagram and explain the Trilemma using the
following conversation starters. For the purpose of this training, your
discipler will be the one referred to as “you” and you will be the “friend”
he or she are having a conversation with. Observe how or he or she does it.
You can begin the conversation with your friend by saying:
Have you ever heard of the concept of the Trilemma? This has to do with the
possibilities of who Jesus really is based on His claims in the Bible.
(Allow your friend to answer. Most people probably haven’t heard of the
Trilemma).
Would you allow me to show you a diagram that summarizes the Trilemma
and explain it to you?
(Wait for your friend’s reply… if he/she says “yes”, draw the Trilemma
diagram and explain it to your friend).
“Some people believe that Jesus Christ was a good teacher who gave us
beneficial guidelines for living a happy life. Some believe that He is on equal
footing with the other religious founders—claiming that all religions are the
same and all will lead to God eventually. How about you? Who do you say
Jesus Christ is?”
(Allow your friend to share his or her thoughts)
“Thank you for sharing your beliefs about who Jesus is. Have you had the
chance to consider what Jesus had to say about who He really is?”
(Allow your friend to answer. Most people, even Christians, most probably
have not seriously considered the claims of Jesus Christ).
83Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
“It was the same thing with me! I have not taken the time to look at and
understand what Jesus Christ claimed to be. Until I took this class on who
Jesus really is. I discovered that Jesus claimed to be God and that He is the
ONLY way to God.
In fact, what He said about Himself was used against Him by the religious
leaders of His time and He was accused of blasphemy—a mere mortal
who claimed to be God. This led to His crucifixion since blasphemy was
punishable by death in the religious culture and time in history that He lived
on earth.
However, I also learned that Jesus was able to prove His claim to be the
Son of God by His unique birth, life and miracles, death and finally, His
resurrection after three days in the tomb. Still, some people today do not
really believe that Jesus is the only true God. While others claim they believe
that Jesus is the Son of God, yet, do not treat Him as such in reality.
How about you? Who do you think Jesus is? Before you answer, I’d like
to show you what CS Lewis, an English writer and philosopher calls the
trilemma regarding who Jesus is based on His claims. Will that be alright
with you?
(At this point, allow your friend to give you permission to go ahead. Then
show him the trilemma chart. Better yet, memorize the chart and draw it
in front of your friend.)
Explain the chart to your friend. Do not add much details, stick to what is
written on the chart.
• Jesus Christ claimed to be the God
• There are two possible ways to look at this: either His claims were
true, or they were false.
• If Jesus knew that He was falsely claiming to be God, what does
that make Him? A liar.
• On the other hand, if Jesus did not know that His claims were false
and He made such bold claims, what does that make Him? A lunatic
or a looney!
• The third option regarding the claims of Jesus about Himself, is if
they were in fact, true.
• If His claim to be God is true, then He is Lord of all.
• If Jesus is God, then we have two options: to reject Him as Lord of
our lives OR to accept Him as our Lord and Savior and surrender
our lives to Him.
Ask your friend: “Does this make sense to you?”
(Wait for a response from your friend)
“If so, let me go back to my question earlier—who do you say Jesus Christ
really is? Is He a liar, a lunatic, or is He Lord?”
(Wait for a response)
“Thank you for sharing your personal belief about Jesus. May I share with
you my own story that led me to a personal decision to submit myself to the
Lordship of Christ?
(If your friend says “yes”, proceed to your One Minute Testimony)
“Would you like to know more about Jesus and His teachings? Perhaps you
would like to join me on a Bible study. We have a six-week Bible study series
called “One by One” that discusses more about who Jesus is and what He
has done for us.”
(Wait for a response)
If your friend answers, “yes”, then proceed to set a definite date, time and
place within the week to start Book 1: One by One with him or her. As much
as possible, set the meeting 48 hours after this conversation.
If your friend declines, simply thank him/her for the time you were given to
share about the topic. Ask him/her what concerns you can pray for. Take
time to pray with your friend right then if he has time to spare. You can
go back to him/her the next 7 days and follow up on the concerns that you
prayed for. Make sure you pray for your friend during the week!
Keep on doing “Pray-Care-Share” with your friend and others who still
do not know who Jesus really is.
85
SESSION 6
THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION
Saved for Good Works and Witness
86
EXPLOREWork as a group and come up with as many words as you possibly can
from the word “MISSION”. Check your list against other groups’ lists and
see who has the most number of words.
LEARNING NUGGET
We may be able to form many words from “mission” but when it comes
to the real mission of Christ-committed followers, there is only one that
has been given by Jesus Christ. We will look into what every Christian’s
mission is as stated in the CCF Statement of Faith.
[Possible words from “MISSION”: miss, son, sons, on, is, ion, ions, no, non, sis, in, sin, sins, moss, miso]
87Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
I. IntroductionA. Soli Deo Gloria
Sola Deo Gloria means that our Christian lives should be
surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and lived for the glory
of God alone.
Our salvation is based on the teaching of the Scriptures, it
magnifies the person and work of Jesus Christ, it is received by
grace through faith and the only reasonable response on our part
is to live the rest of our lives for God’s glory.
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the
glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
B. CCF Statement of Faith on Good Works
We believe that good works are not the means to salvation but
the expected by-product in the life of a true believer in Christ.
The evidence of true salvation and true faith is repentance, good
works, and changed lives. It is every believer’s responsibility to
pursue a life of good works through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Cf. Ephesians 2:8–10; Galatians 6:9-10; Matthew 5:16; 1 Timothy 6:18
EXAMINE
Soli Deo Gloria
Sola Gratia
Sola Christus
Sola Fide
Sola Scriptura
Glory to God Alone
By Grace Alone
In Christ Alone
Through Faith Alone
By Scripture Alone
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For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no
one may boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that
we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:8–10
II. Works and Witness of a ChristianA. Saved from __________________
Salvation involves far more than just forgiveness for sins:
1. We have been __________________.
(1 Peter 1:3)
2. We have become _________________.
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
3. We have been given a ______________.
(Romans 6:6)
4. We have been ________________.
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
5. We have passed from darkness into the __________.
(Ephesians 5:8)
If these things are real in our lives they will lead to a changed life
of obedience.
“True faith will inevitably manifest itselfin the performance of works of obedience...
The performance of works are the result of faithand the fruit of justification.”
R . C . S P R O U L
Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let
us press on maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance
from dead works and of faith toward God Hebrews 6:1
89Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
“The Bible refers to the works done prior to repentance and faith in
Jesus Christ as “dead works”.
They are referred to as dead because you were spiritually dead
when you performed them and because anything not done in faith
is sin and leads to death. (Romans 14:23)
Dead trees don’t produce living fruit and when we were separated
from God in sin, spiritually dead, even our best efforts were as filthy
rags to our holy God. (Isaiah 64:6)
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which
He loved us, 5even when we were dead in our transgressions,
made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)
Ephesians 2:4–5
B. Saved for __________________.
The Bible teaches us that we have been saved for a purpose. God
has already planned out works He wants you and I to do.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good
works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in
them. Ephesians 2:10 (Cf. James 2:17, 20,26)
The book of Romans tells us that the only reasonable response to
this awesome salvation we have received is to present ourselves
as living sacrifices to God. (Romans 12:1)
As we do this and learn to walk with the Lord our lives will be filled
with good works.
What are Good Works?
1. Working with all your ___________________.
Colossians 3:23
2. Obey God’s commands out of ____________.
John 14:15
90
3. Doing everything for the __________ of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
1 Peter 4:11
4. Serving with a ____________ heart.
Colossians 3:17
“Thankfulness to God is a recognition that Godin His goodness and faithfulness has provided for us and
cared for us, both physically and spiritually.It is a recognition that we are totally dependent
upon Him; that all that we are and havecomes from God.”
J E R R Y B R I D G E S
5. Do nothing out of __________________.
Philippians 2:3–5
C. Evidence of Our Salvation
In the Book of James, the brother of Jesus deals with this subject
of works in great detail. He points out three kinds of faith that
are possible and proves that only one kind saves and that is the
kind that works.
1. ______________ faith that cannot save.
James 2:14-17
This kind of person knows about the Bible and the doctrine
of salvation but has never humbled himself before God in
genuine repentance and trusted Christ for his salvation.
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
James 2:17
This person knows the right words to say but his words are
never proven by his works.
The Bible assures us that the moment we placed our faith in
Christ alone for salvation we were made alive and life demands
growth and fruit. James repeats three times that faith without
works is dead faith and dead faith cannot save you.
91Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered
from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17“So every
good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18“A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree
produce good fruit. 19“Every tree that does not bear good fruit
is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20“So then, you will know
them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:16–20
2. ________________________ faith that cannot save.
James 2:18–19
James uses demons as an example of faith that cannot save.
He points out that they believe in God and they are lost.
A quick study through the gospels proves this. The demons
knew who Jesus was and were terrified of Him. (Luke 8:28-31)
So we see that a person can be intellectually enlightened
and even emotionally stirred up and still be dead and lost.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the
kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father
who is in heaven will enter. 22“Many will say to Me on that
day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in
Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many
miracles?’ 23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you;
DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
Matthew 7:21–23
3. _____________________ faith that saves.
James 2:20–26
We know that faith comes from hearing a message about
Jesus Christ. So if we hear the Gospel message, understand
it and believe it to be true the Bible says we are saved.
(Romans 10:17)
a. Saving faith involves the whole person:
• Intellect – understands the truth
92
• Emotions – experiences sorrow for sin, rejoices in
and desires the truth
• Will – acts upon the truth
b. True saving faith is dynamic because it leads to action
and that action produces good works and fruit in our
lives.
So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed
Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly
disciples of Mine; 32and you will the know the truth, and
the truth will make you free.” John 8:31–32
“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit,
and so prove to be My disciples. John 15:8
c. Saving faith is demonstrated by God’s people through
personal acts of obedience.
Look up Hebrews 11: 1-31 and write down evidence of real
faith as demonstrated by the biblical characters identified
in the “Hall of Faith” passage. The first two are given as
examples.
• By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice (11:4)
• By faith Enoch pleased God (11:5)
• By faith Noah ___________________ (11:7)
• By faith Abraham ________________ (11:8)
• By faith Sarah __________________(11:11)
• By faith Abraham __________Isaac (11:17)
• By faith Isaac ________Jacob and Esau (11:20)
• By faith Jacob _______ Joseph’s sons (11:21)
• By faith Joseph __________the Exodus. (11:22)
• By faith Moses’ parents ________God not the king.
(11:23)
93Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
• By faith Moses chose ______rather than sin (11:25)
• By faith Moses _______Egypt, its _______(11:27)
• By faith Moses kept the________________(11:28)
• By faith Israel passed through the____________
(11:29)
• By faith Israel _______________Jericho (11:30)
• By faith Rahab _____________the spies and saved
her own life (11:31)
By Faith…
⊲ Conquered kingdoms.
⊲ Performed acts of righteousness.
⊲ Obtained promises.
⊲ Shut the mouths of lions.
⊲ Quenched the power of fire.
⊲ Escaped death by the sword.
⊲ Were made strong in weakness.
⊲ Became mighty in war.
⊲ Put foreign armies to flight.
⊲ Saw the dead raised to life.
⊲ Were mocked and whipped.
⊲ Were chained and put in prison.
⊲ Were stoned.
⊲ Were sawn in half.
⊲ Were tempted.
⊲ Were put to death by the sword.
⊲ Were forced to live in terrible poverty.
⊲ Were ill-treated.
⊲ Were forced to live in deserts, in caves
and in holes.
Hebrews 11:32-40
All these gained approval through their faith!
Their faith was clearly seen in the way they lived!
The world was not worthy of them!
94
III. Every Christian’s MissionThere is an important relationship between our works and our witness
in the Bible. Time and time again we are told to put Jesus Christ on
display in our lives so that people will see our good works and believe
our message.
“Urge bond slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything,
to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all
good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in
every respect”. Titus 2:9-10
CCF Statement of Faith on Every Christian’s Mission
We believe that it is God’s will and command for every Christian to
be actively engaged in telling others how to establish a personal
relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ and in discipling
those who respond to the good news of salvation.
Cf. 2 Timothy 1:7-8, 4:2; 2 Corinthians 5:19-20; Matthew 28:19-20
A. The Importance of Our _____________.
1. Saved to _____________.
Every Christian should be actively engaged in telling others
how to establish a personal relationship with God, through
faith in Jesus Christ.
Then discipling those that respond in genuine repentance
towards God and faith in Jesus Christ.
“How I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was
profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house,
solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance
toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:20–21
“And He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ would
suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that
repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in
His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You
are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:46–48
95Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
a. The mission of the church is inseparably tied to the health
of the church. Jesus knew this, sadly many today don’t.
b. Doctrine and duty must go together if evangelism is
going to be effective.
People will not believe your message without evidence
and you are the evidence that God saves people from
their sin.
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they
may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is
in heaven. Matthew 5:16
“ For by grace you have been saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result
of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk
in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10
The credibility of the gospel message is inseparably tied
to the lives of the people that claim to believe it.
“Show me your redeemed lifeand I might be inclined to believe
in your redeemer.”H E I N R I C H H E I N E , a 1 9 t h c e n t u r y
G e r m a n p h i l o s o p h e r a n d p o e t
“It is faith alone that justifies,but faith that justifies can never be alone.”
J O H N C A LV I N ( A D 1 5 0 9 - 1 5 6 4 )
96
In your groups, discuss the following points and share your answers with
one another.
1. According to Matthew 28:19–20, what are we commanded by the Lord
to accomplish here on earth?
2. What have you done so far to accomplish this mission? You may
want to revisit the commitments you made in Session 4 EXPERIENCE
section. Check which faith steps you are currently engaged in:
I regularly pray for family members, friends, co-workers,
neighbors to come to know to a personal saving knowledge of
Jesus Christ.
I intentionally express tangible care to others as I become
aware of their concerns in the process of praying for them.
I intentionally share the gospel to others (I look for and create
opportunities to share the gospel).
I disciple new believers to grow in their relationship with Christ.
I mentor maturing believers on how to share the gospel to
others and how to grow in Christlikeness.
3. What changes do you need to make in your lifestyle so you can do
more good for others? Consider change in the following areas:
• My free time
• My God-given finances
• My spiritual gifts and natural abilities
• My network of relationships
• My skills and know-how connected to my profession/career
Make it your goal to implement change starting today.
EXPRESS
97Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
EXPERIENCEThe first step to making disciples or Christ-committed followers is to
introduce them to the Savior.
1. PRAY: Start praying for at least 10 persons in your family, workplace,
business, school, gym, etc. who you desire to come to a personal
relationship with Jesus.
2. CARE: Extend tangible care in any way possible, showing God’s love
for him or her, doing good for them in practical ways.
(Remember that we do good things to others because that is how
people will see Jesus in our lives and glorify our Father in heaven).
3. SHARE: When is your target date to share the gospel?
(Ask God for opportunities to interact with the people you are praying
for and to be able to share the gospel with them in due time. Other
than a family member, it is best to share the gospel with someone of
the same gender to avoid misunderstood motives on your part).
4. FOLLOW UP: Who will you invite to be part of your small group?
(Consider those you shared the gospel to and who made a positive
decision of accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord).
5. DISCIPLE: When do you plan to start the Book 1: One by One lessons
with your small group?
EQUIPIt is now your turn to practice explaining the Trilemma leading to a gospel
presentation to your discipler. For the purpose of this training, demonstrate
only the Trilemma part (no need to demo One-Minute Witness testimony
and God’s Way to Heaven gospel presentation).
Turn back to the EQUIP portion of Session 5 and use the suggested
conversation starters to explain the Trilemma to your discipler.
99
SESSION 7
THE DOCTRINE OF THE
HOLY SPIRITHis Deity and
Personhood
100
EXPLOREThe Bible identifies certain character traits that become evident in the life
of a Christ-committed follower as he or she experiences the Holy Spirit’s
work in him or her. Without opening the Bible, encircle the “fruit of the
Spirit” as enumerated in Galatians 5:22–23.
Diligence Humor Patience Forgiveness Tolerance
Friendliness Health Joy Smartness Niceness
Peace Faithfulness Love Kindness Wisdom
Happiness Tongues Goodness Hospitality Cheerfulness
Gentleness Zealousness Self-control Strength Prosperity
(Turn to Galatians 5:22-23 to check your answers after you complete the
activity.)
LEARNING NUGGET
One of the amazing works of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life is to produce
Christ-likeness in him or her. It might be a surprise to many of us to realize
that God never commanded us to produce the fruit of the Spirit — our
responsibility is to ABIDE in Christ. The Holy Spirit will produce the fruit of
Christ-likeness in us as we abide in Christ. In the next 2 lessons, we will
discover more not only about what the Holy Spirit’s role is in our growth
and maturity in Christ but also about who He truly is. (See Galatians 5:16,
22–23).
101Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
I. IntroductionA. Soli Deo Gloria
Galatians 5:16
Our salvation is based on the teaching of the Scriptures, it
magnifies the person and work of Jesus Christ, it is received by
grace through faith and the only reasonable response on our part
is to live the rest of our lives for God’s glory.
God knew that we could never glorify Him in our own strength, so
He gave us the indwelling Holy Spirit. He illuminates the Scriptures
for us and then empowers us to obey them as we walk with Him.
B. Our Statement of Faith on the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God and possesses all divine
attributes. He indwells all believers and baptizes them into the
body of Christ at the moment they trust in Jesus Christ to be their
only Savior and Lord. He controls all true believers and empowers
them to live the Christian life in response to their obedience,
confession of sins, and submission to Him.
Cf. Romans 8:9–11; 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7–13; Acts 1:8; 1
Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians
5:25; Ephesians 5:18
II. The __________ About the Holy Spirit
In recent days a great deal of interest has been generated in the Holy
Spirit with great emphasis being placed on His ministries, works and gifts.
⊲ There is also great concern for world evangelization and the need
to be utterly dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit in order
to accomplish this work.
⊲ All these things are wonderful but too often believers have drifted
away from the clear teaching of God’s Word when it comes to the
person and work of the Holy Spirit.
EXAMINE
102
⊲ Today many believers do not even understand the importance of
the Holy Spirit’s presence and work in their lives.
⊲ So it is vital that we go back to the Bible and learn together about
the person and the work of the Holy Spirit.
A. Knowing the Holy Spirit _________________
Simply put, the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit is God. The Bible
also tells us that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, with a mind,
emotions, and will just like the Father and the Son.
⊲ He is easily the most misunderstood member of the Trinity.
⊲ The ministry of the Holy Spirit is very personal and intimate.
He is the one who has poured out God’s love in our hearts and
become our comforter and helper. (Romans 5:5, John 16:7, Acts
9:31)
⊲ The promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit is an essential part of
the New Covenant.
⊲ “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My
statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”
Ezekiel 36:27
⊲ The early Church recognised the importance of the person
and work of the Holy Spirit and lived in complete dependence
upon Him for:
- Salvation.
- Spirit filled life.
- Service.
⊲ During the Dark Ages much of this was lost as the Word of God
was set aside in favor of tradition and false religion.
⊲ It was the reformation that brought the Church back to the clear
teaching of the Bible and a renewed interest in the ministry of
the Holy Spirit.
“The Holy Spirit is the bond by which Christ efficaciously unites us to Himself.”
J O H N C A LV I N
R e f o r m e r , 1 5 0 9 - 1 5 6 4 A D
103Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
“Without the Spirit of God we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind or chariots without
steeds. Like branches without sap, we are withered. Like coals without fire, we are useless. As an
offering without the sacrificial flame, we are unaccepted.”C H A R L E S S P U R G E O N
P r e a c h e r , 1 8 3 4 - 1 8 9 2 A D
B. The Holy Spirit is NOT ...
Today many people are confused about the Holy Spirit. There is
so much false teaching about Him that it is necessary to say a few
words about what He is not before we talk about who He is.
- Thoughts He never gave.
- Words He never spoke.
- Actions He never performed.
⊲ All these and more are attributed to the Holy Spirit everyday by
well-meaning Christians and strictly speaking are nothing short
of blasphemy.
1. A Mystical ___________.
The rise of the New Age Movement and a resurgence
of interest in mysticism and the occult has led many to
misunderstand the Holy Spirit.
⊲ Films like Star Wars made popular the idea of a mystical
force that we need to tap into in order to experience
spiritual power.
“Well, the Force is what gives a Jedi his power.It’s an energy field created by all living things.
It surrounds us and penetrates us;it binds the galaxy together.”
O B I - W A N K E N O B I , J E D I M A S T E R
( F I C T I O N )
104
⊲ It is not unusual for Christians that do not know their
Bible well to think of the Holy Spirit this way.
⊲ While He is certainly unseen and all-powerful He is
never described as a mystical force in the Bible.
2. An Impersonal ____________.
The idea that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal power or
influence that we must somehow obtain and use is equally
dangerous.
⊲ This is an animistic belief and often leads to self-
exaltation and pride. Such people often look down on
other Christians as if they possess something others
don’t.
⊲ The Bible teaches us that the Holy Spirit is a person to
be worshipped not a power to be abused.
“The conception of the Holy Spirit as a divine influence or power that we are somehow to get hold of and use, leads to self-exaltation and self-sufficiency. One who so thinks of the Holy Spirit and who at the same time imagines that he has received the Holy Spirit will almost inevitably be full of spiritual pride and strut about as if he belonged to some superior order of Christians. But if we once grasp
the thought that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person of infinite majesty and glory and holiness and power, who
in marvellous condescension has come into our hearts to make us His abode and take possession of our lives and make use of them, it will put us in the dust and keep us in the dust. I can think of no thought more humbling or more
overwhelming than the thought that a Person of divine majesty and glory dwells in my heart
and is ready to use even me.” R . A . T O R R E Y
105Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
3. An _____________
from God.
The Holy Spirit did not
emanate, originate or flow
out of God. He was certainly
not created by God.
⊲ He is not inferior to God.
⊲ He is not subordinate to God.
⊲ He is God.
C. The Holy Spirit is...
a. He is _________.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God. He possesses all divine
attributes and is co-equal with the Father and the Son.
⊲ The scriptures clearly teach the doctrine of the Trinity. It is
continually illustrated and taught throughout the entire Bible.
⊲ The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all co-equally
God and together form the Eternal God. (Matthew 28:19)
1. His _________ proves He is God.
The Bible uses many different names to describe the Holy
Spirit, His relationship to the Trinity and His work.
a. The Spirit of God
⊲ This name shows us beyond a shadow of doubt that
the scriptures consider the Holy Spirit to be God.
⊲ In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians we are told that
the Spirit searches the “depths of God” and knows
“the thoughts of God” because He is God.
“For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for
the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man
except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the
thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:10–11
THEFATHER
THESON
THEHOLY SPIRIT
GOD
IS NOT
ISIS
IS IS N
OT
IS N
OT
106
b. Another ____________.
In John’s gospel Jesus Christ Himself uses this name
to describe the Holy Spirit and the role He would play.
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another
Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the
Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because
it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him
because He abides with you and will be in you.”
John 14:16–17
⊲ In the Greek language the word for ‘another’
actually means ‘another of the same kind.’
⊲ So Jesus, who is God, is saying that He will be
going and then He will be sending another Person
of the God-Head to replace Him, the Holy Spirit.
2. His _______________ prove that He is God.
While possessing His own distinct personality the Holy
Spirit also possesses all the attributes that are associated
with being God:
a. He is all knowing - Omniscient (1 Cor. 2:10)
For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the
Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
1 Corinthians 2:10
b. He is all powerful - Omnipotent (Romans 8:11)
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead
dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead
will also give life to your mortal bodies [a]through His
Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11
c. He is everywhere present – Omnipresent
(Psalm 139:7)
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee
from Your presence? Psalm 139:7
107Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
3. His ______________ prove that He is God.
a. The world was created by Him. (Genesis 1:2)
“You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You
renew the face of the ground.” Psalm 104:30
b. The Word of God was authored by Him. (2 Peter 1:21,
John 16:13)
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide
you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own
initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He
will disclose to you what is to come.” John 16:13
c. The Lord Jesus was conceived by Him. (Luke 1:35)
“The angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit
will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will
overshadow you; and for that reason the [a] holy Child
shall be called the Son of God.’” Luke 1:35
D. He is a ___________.
When people hear about the Holy Spirit, they often think of ‘an
influence’ or a ‘mystical force’ but the Bible teaches us that He
is a person.
1. Proven by His personal _____________.
If we were to define the attributes that make up a person
they could be summed up as intellect, emotion and will.
These three are clearly seen in the Bible’s explanation of
the Holy Spirit:
• His __________.
⊲ The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit has a mind of
His own. He knows and searches the things of God
and part of His role is to teach others. (John 16:13)
• His __________.
⊲ The scriptures tell us that He loves us, can be
grieved by our sin and warn us not to do it. (Romans
15:30, Ephesians 4:30)
108
• His __________.
⊲ The Word of God tells us that He makes decisions
and directs the activities of our lives. (1 Corinthians
12:11, Acts 16:6-11)
“They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region,
having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word
in Asia; 7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying
to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit
them;” Acts 16:6–7
2. Proven by His personal _____________.
The Bible records many activities that only a person could
perform. Let’s look at four of them:
⊲ He takes the Word of God and uses it to bring about
conviction in us, showing us that we are sinners that
need a Savior. (John 16:8)
And He, when He comes, will convict the world
concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;
John 16:8
⊲ He guides us into all truth by giving us understanding
of His Word as we are faithful to diligently study it.
(John 16:13)
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide
you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own
initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and
He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:13
⊲ He prays for us. (Romans 8:26)
“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the
Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too
deep for words;” Romans 8:26
109Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
⊲ He equips and empowers us for service. (Acts 1:8)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has
come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to
the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
3. Proven by His personal _____________.
We are given a number of instances where the Holy Spirit
relates as a person to others showing His own distinct
personality:
• His relationship to the ____________.
⊲ In the book of Acts we witness the Holy Spirit
personally working with the Apostles in the
decisions they made. (Acts 15:28)
• His relationship to _______________.
⊲ No one would dispute the personality of Jesus
yet the Bible tells us that while the Holy Spirit is a
distinct person He relates in similar ways. (John
16:14-15)
“He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will
disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are
Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and
will disclose it to you.”
John 16:14–15
• His relationship to the ____________.
The Bible is very clear that the Holy Spirit is a co-equal
person with the Father and the Son. (Matthew 28:19, 2
Corinthians 13:14)
He relates to the other Persons of the Trinity as an
equal Person. He relates to the Lord Jesus and the God
the Father in such a way that if the Lord has personality
one must conclude that the Spirit does also. Yet He is
distinct from Christ and God the Father.
110
⊲ While the Father and Son are both God they clearly
act and interact as two separate and distinct
Persons.
⊲ The Bible demands that we recognize the Holy
Spirit as a Person as well. After all we fellowship
with Him and we are baptized into His name.
• His relationship to ____________.
The way that He is treated and affected by God’s
people in the Bible is also proof that He is a Person.
⊲ He can be disobeyed just like Jesus. (Acts 10:19-21)
⊲ He can be lied to just like Jesus. (Acts 5:3)
⊲ He can be resisted just like Jesus. (Acts 7:51)
⊲ He can be grieved just like Jesus. (Ephesians 4:30)
⊲ He can be insulted just like Jesus. (Hebrews 10:29)
“Dear brother, honour the Spirit of God as you would honour Jesus Christ if He were present. If Jesus Christ were dwelling in your house you would not ignore Him, you would not go about your business as if He were not there. Do not ignore the presence of
the Holy Spirit in your soul. I beseech you, do not live as if you had not heard whether there were any Holy Spirit. To Him pay your
constant adorations. Reverence the august guest who has been pleased to make your body His sacred abode.
Love Him, obey Him, worship Him.”
C H A R L E S S P U R G E O N
P r e a c h e r , 1 8 3 4 - 1 8 9 2 A D
111Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
1. What were some of your misconceptions about the Holy Spirit prior
to this lesson? How do you think you formed those misconceptions?
2. In what ways have you experienced the work of the Holy Spirit in your
life? (You may want to review the section on the works of the Holy
Spirit from today’s lesson).
3. How do you think a better understanding of the Person and works of
the Holy Spirit affect the way you relate with God? How about your
relationships with other people?
EXPRESS
112
1. Think of an area of need you have in your life right now. Write it down
in the space below.
2. Now take some time to ask the Holy Spirit to help you with this need
based on the truths you learned about Him. Write down your prayer
below and let this help you track God’s faithfulness in meeting your
need through His Spirit.
3. Using a Bible concordance, search for references on the Holy Spirit/
Spirit both in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
a. Note what the Holy Spirit’s works are in these references. Ask Him
to reveal more of Himself to you as you go through this exercise.
b. Record any new insight you get about the Person of the Holy Spirit
or His works from these references. How will this insight change
the way you live your life this week?
EXPERIENCE
EQUIPThis week, talk to someone in your Pray, Care, Share list regarding the
concept of the Trilemma just as you practiced with your discipler. Before
you do so…
1. Ask the Holy Spirit to be the One to guide you and give you the
words to speak to the person you will share with.
2. Review the Book 6: Basic Doctrines lessons you have had so far.
3. Practice making the diagram from memory and explain it using the
conversation starters you practiced with your discipler.
4. If you feel you need to, review your One Minute Testimony and the
God’s Way to Heaven gospel presentation.
You may draw the Trilemma diagram ahead of time and just bring it with
you to show your friend. This will be useful if you have less time to have
the conversation with the person you are sharing with. If there is adequate
time (around 30 minutes including your One Minute Testimony and gospel
presentation), go ahead and draw the Trilemma diagram yourself.
115
SESSION 8
THE DOCTRINE OF THE
HOLY SPIRITHis Work and Our Filling
116
EXPLOREWork together in groups of 3-5 people each and try to identify what the
specific uses are of the unusual tools listed below. Very few people can
get this all correct, so do not worry if you cannot get it all perfect!
1. A “shingle froe” is used for...
2. A “Stanley #1 Odd Jobs” is used for…
3. An adze is used for…
4. A “Channellock rescue tool” is used for…
5. A “timber scribe” is used for…
(See Appendix I for the Answer Key.)
LEARNING NUGGET
The seventh item in CCF’s Statement of Faith is concerning what we
believe about the Holy Spirit. One of the works of the Spirit in the life of
the believer is to empower him/her to be an effective instrument in God’s
hand to accomplish His special design for His people.
117Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
I. The Work of the Holy SpiritA. He ___________ believers.
John 14:16–17
When speaking of the Holy Spirit to the disciples, Jesus made an
incredible statement. He told them the Spirit was with them but that
there was coming a time when the Holy Spirit would dwell in them.
This was fulfilled during Pentecost. He came and indwelt those
that believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now you might say how is
this different from the Old Testament?
1. In the Church Age, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer and
this is a sign that they are truly saved. In the Old Testament,
He came upon different believers at different times and in
different ways to accomplish the work of God.
Judges 14:5-6
2. Today, the Holy Spirit permanently resides inside the lives of
all true believers, and He will never leave us.
Romans 8:9
In the Old Testament, He would leave the believer especially
if sin was involved. (1 Samuel 16:14, 2 Samuel 12:13, Psalm 51:11)
B. He _____________ believers.
Romans 8:14–16
The Holy Spirit inwardly witnesses to our spirit that we are now
children of God.
This is not to be confused with eternal security. Our relationship with
God will never change, Jesus doesn’t lose sheep. (John 6:39-40)
EXAMINE
118
However, during times of sin and disobedience where fellowship
with God is hindered this assurance is not always experienced.
Don’t despair, deal with the sin in your life, and you will once again
know the inward witness of the Holy Spirit.
C. He ___________ believers.
The Bible assures us that the moment we came to genuine
repentance and faith in Jesus Christ we were sealed by the Holy
Spirit.
1. This simply means that He has marked us out as His own
possession and the Holy Spirit within us is God’s guarantee
that all He has promised will come to pass.
“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the
gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were
sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given
as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption
of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”
Ephesians 1:13-14
2. The Greek word for “pledge” was often used for a down
payment on a commodity or property. In Greece the word is
still used today to refer to an engagement ring.
D. He ____________ believers.
By faith in Jesus Christ we have been justified or declared
righteous before God. We call this a positional truth. God who
is not ruled by time already sees us glorified. (Romans 8:30)
However, we are not yet glorified and there is still a lot of work
to be done if our practice is to match our position.
So we have been set apart or sanctified by the Holy Spirit
and He will conform us to the image of Jesus Christ as we
walk with Him.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens,
scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and
Bithynia, who are chosen 2according to the foreknowledge of
119Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey
Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and
peace be yours in the fullest measure.” 1 Peter 1:1-2
E. He ____________ and _____________ believers.
The Christian life is not just difficult, it is impossible! This is another
reason why God has given us the Spirit.
1. He equips us for victory over sin.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the
desire of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
2. He empowers us to be His witnesses.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come
upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part
of the earth.” Acts 1:8
F. He ______________ believers.
The Holy Spirit is called the “Spirit of Truth” and He gave us the
Word of God by the process of inspiration. (John 14:26, 2 Peter
1:20-21)
⊲ As we faithfully study the scriptures He becomes our guide
adding spiritual thoughts to spiritual words.
⊲ This in no way negates the need for gifted teachers to lead
us in a deeper understanding and correct error.
(Ephesians 4:11-12)
⊲ But it does assure us that every single one of us can study the
Bible for ourselves and understand it with His help.
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit
who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to
us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught
by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining
spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” 1 Corinthians 2:12-13
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G. He _______________ believers.
The Holy Spirit comes bearing gifts. These gifts are spiritual
abilities given by God to empower you for service and to edify
His Church.
⊲ It is believed by most good Bible teachers that you receive
your gift when you receive the giver.
⊲ God the Holy Spirit decides what each person will receive and
every believer receives at least one gift. (1 Corinthians 12:11)
“But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing
to each one individually just as He wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:11
⊲ All gifts are important to the body of Christ, there are no
exceptions. Every believer is expected to discover and use
their gifts to serve God in ministry and edify the church.
(1 Corinthians 12:14-26)
“But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in
the body, just as He desired. 19If they were all one member,
where would the body be? 20But now there are many members,
but one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:18–20
• Never forget that every believer is gifted but not every believer
is walking in the Spirit. Your spirituality is determined by your
fruitfulness not your giftedness. (1 Corinthians 1:7, 3:1–3, 13:1–3)
“If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all
knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2
H. He ______________ believers.
1. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is seen in action several times
in the Book of Acts but it is only defined once in the New
Testament when the Apostle Paul is forced to correct false
teaching in the Church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 12:13
121Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
2. Simply put, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the act by which
the Holy Spirit places us into the body of Christ – the Church
– and this happens the moment we are saved.
I. The Holy Spirit _____________ believers.
The power of the Holy Spirit is available to every believer who is
willing to live in complete dependence upon Him.
⊲ We call this moment by moment, day by day dependence
upon Him “being filled with the Spirit” and as we do this
He takes control of our lives and His power is released in us
enabling us to…
• Produce fruit. (John 15:1-11, Galatians 5:22-25)
• Proclaim Christ. (Acts 1:8)
• Perform good works. (Ephesians 3:20)
122
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be
filled with the Spirit,” Ephesians 5:18
What does “be filled” mean?
The verb “fill” here has nothing to do with contents or quantity.
We are not empty vessels waiting to be filled.
“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
⊲ If we belong to the Lord Jesus the Holy Spirit already lives in
us. The primary meaning here is “control.”
“And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as
they heard these things; 29and they got up and drove Him out
of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their
city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff.”
Luke 4:28–29
“But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled
your heart.” John 16:6
How do you get filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit?
You don’t pray for it, it’s a command!
You don’t wait for it, it’s for right now!
⊲ While the baptism of the Holy Spirit means that I belong to
Christ’s body the Church.
⊲ The filling of the Holy Spirit means that my body belongs to
Jesus Christ, I have presented it as a living sacrifice to Him.
(Romans 12:1)
It is not how much of Him you have!
It is how much of you He has!
123Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who
live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the
flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20
⊲ You must die to self.
⊲ You must yield control to Him.
⊲ You must live in complete dependence upon Him.
The only thing standing in the way of you being filled with the
Holy Spirit is you!
Surrender:
⊲ Your will
⊲ Your mind
⊲ Your body
⊲ Your time
⊲ Your talents
⊲ Your treasure
Now when you release control, He takes over!
“Being filled with the Spirit is living in the conscious presence of the Lord Jesus Christ,
letting His mind, through the Word, dominate everything that is thought and done.”
D R . J O H N M A C A R T H U R
How do I know I am filled with the Holy Spirit?
1. You will be _____________.
“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart
to the Lord;” Ephesians 5:19
a. Your relationship with yourself will be right.
b. Your heart will be filled with songs of praise.
124
2. You will be _____________.
“Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;”
Ephesians 5:20
a. Your relationship with God will be right.
b. Because your heart will be overflowing with
thankfulness for who He is and all He has done.
3. You will be _____________.
“And be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”
Ephesians 5:21
a. Your relationships with others will be right.
b. Because you are humble, servant hearted and
consider others to be more important than yourself.
⊲ Being filled with the Spirit is a moment by moment
complete dependence upon God.
⊲ Dying to self and yielding control of every aspect of our
lives over to Him.
⊲ Filling our hearts and minds with the Word of God and living
every moment in the conscious presence of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
⊲ As we learn to walk with Him this way, we abide in Him and
He produces fruit in us, transforming our lives, making us
more like Him.
“The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is
fully and wholly consecrated to Him. I will try my utmost to be that man.”
D W I G H T L . M O O DY
125Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
In your small group, express your insights on the following discussion
points. Make sure to give each member a chance to share his or her
thoughts for every point so limit your turn to speak to 3 minutes per
discussion point.
Let the member who has the closest birthday to this day start the discussion.
The member with the next closest birthdate goes next and so on.
1. How sure are you right now that you are filled by the Holy Spirit?
Choose one word to describe your response:
Absolutely sure—100%
Uncertain – 50% or so
Doubtful – less than 50% sure
Explain your response briefly. What made you answer that way?
2. If the filling of the Spirit is a command from the Lord (Ephesians
5:18) then we know that this is His will.
Read 1 John 5:14–15. What does God promise in these verses?
If you want to be filled with the Spirit, you can do so by faith —
trusting that God will fill you with His Spirit because it is His will
(command) that you be filled.
Have a few moments of prayer in your group. Individually and
quietly, ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit as He commanded
you to be filled.
“Our loving Heavenly Father, I desire to do Your will for my life
because I believe that You love me and desire only the best for
me. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be
filled. By faith I thank You that I am now filled by the Spirit based
on Your promise that You will answer my prayer in accordance to
Your will. Help me to continually be controlled and empowered
by the Holy Spirit. By Your grace, I choose to do Your will for my
life moment by moment as Your Spirit empowers me to do what
pleases You. I ask these in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
EXPRESS
126
3. What are some evidences that you see in your own life that you
are filled with the Spirit? Share this with a grateful attitude knowing
that the Holy Spirit is the one who produces godly fruit in your life.
4. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will bear fruit for God’s
glory. One kind of fruit is what we produce as we share the gospel
to others and make disciples.
What steps are you taking to share the gospel regularly?
What steps are you taking to disciple others?
How can you improve in this area?
127Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
1. Discover your spiritual gifts through the Spiritual Gifts evaluation tool
provided in Appendix J. Use the score sheet to find out your top three
highest scores, that correspond to your top three spiritual gifts and
the areas of ministry that are most suited for the exercise of your gifts.
2. Choose one of the various CCF ministries to volunteer in where you
can serve the church and the unchurched through your spiritual gifts.
Do this in 4 weeks and begin the adventure of maximizing your gifts
for God’s purposes and glory!
• Visit www.ccf.org.ph for more information on how you can get
involved in different CCF ministries today.
• Download the free CCF App from iTunes to have easy access to
information on a variety of CCF ministry volunteer opportunities.
EXPERIENCE
128
EQUIPOn-the-Job Training: 30 minutes
Your discipler will go through with you the “Spirit-Filled Life” Presentation
found in Appendix K. The late Dr. Bill Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade
for Christ who developed this material along with his wife and CCC co-
founder Vonette Bright, would say that if you only had five minutes to talk
with another believer, the Spirit-filled life would be what you should pass on
to him or her.
Observe closely how your discipler goes through the explanation. This
week, explain the Spirit-filled life to at least one family member who is a
believer and to your Dgroup members (if you are leading a group) or other
members in your Dgroup (if you are not yet leading a group).
129
WHAT’S NEXT?BOOK 7: CHRIST-COMMITTED LIVING
Now that you know the basic Bible doctrines on which our Christian faith
and conduct is based on as a local body of believers in CCF, what’s next?
Your discipleship journey will now take you to a study of what it means to
live the Christ-committed life.
Book 7: Christ-Committed Living has a twofold purpose. First is to help
you discover what the Bible teaches about living under the lordship of
Jesus Christ. You will encounter questions like, “What does it really mean
to live a surrendered life to Christ?” The second purpose is to unpack the
concept of “walking in the Spirit” as the secret to living under the lordship
of Jesus Christ. How can a Christ-committed follower truly live out the
Christ-committed life? Wouldn’t you want to find out?
So get yourself ready for a lifestyle check, and let us head on together to
the next learning adventure in becoming more like Jesus and living more
like Him.
131
APPENDIX A
CCFSTATEMENT
OF FAITH
132
About the Bible
We believe that the Bible, composed of 39 Old Testament books and
27 New Testament books, is the Word of God, supernaturally inspired,
inerrant in its original form, infallible, so that it is our supreme authority in
all matters of faith, doctrine and conduct.
About God
We believe that there is only one GOD eternally existent in three persons –
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
About Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ in the flesh was both God and Man, that He
was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He lived a sinless
life. He was crucified and He died to pay the penalty of death for our sins.
By His shed blood, the Lord Jesus Christ made a perfect sacrifice for
sin once and for all time and was raised from the dead on the third day.
Later He ascended to the Father’s right hand where He is the Head of the
Church and intercedes for believers. We believe He is coming again to the
Earth bodily and visibly to set up His Kingdom.
About the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God and possesses all the Divine
attributes. He indwells all believers, baptizes and seals all believers at
the moment they trust in Jesus Christ to be their only Savior and Lord.
He controls and empowers all true believers to live the Christian life in
response to their obedience, confession of sin, and yieldness to Him.
About Salvation
We believe that Salvation, with its forgiveness of sins, impartation of a new
nature, and eternal life, is a free gift from God received when a person
trusts in Jesus Christ to be their only Savior and Lord. Salvation is given by
God’s grace and cannot be earned by man through good works, baptism,
church membership or any other means. (Ephesians 2:8–9)
133Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
About Good Works
We believe that good works are not the means of salvation but are the
expected product in the life of a true believer in Christ. It is every believer’s
responsibility to pursue a life of good works through the power of the
indwelling Holy Spirit.
About Every Christian’s Mission
We believe that it is God’s will and command for every Christian to be
actively engaged in telling others how to establish a personal relationship
with God through faith in Jesus Christ and in discipling those who respond
to this good news of salvation pursuant to Matthew 28:18–20.
About Baptism
We believe that water baptism by immersion is an act of obedience to
Christ’s command. It is a public confession of our personal faith in Jesus
Christ (Matthew 28:19).
About the Church
The universal church is composed of all true believers who have trusted in
Christ as their Lord and Savior and are committed to follow Him. The local
church is composed of believers in a specific locality who have chosen to
abide by that local church’s Mission, Vision, Core Values and Statements of
Faith.
About Marriage
We believe that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in a single,
exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Genesis 2:18–25.) We believe that
God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who
are married to each other. (1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4)
Because God has ordained marriage and defined it as the covenant
relationship between a man, a woman, and Himself, CCF will only
recognize and solemnize marriages between a biological man anda
biological woman who are committed to follow Jesus Christ as their Lord
and Savior.
134
About Gender
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as
biologically male or biologically female. These two distinct, complementary
genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Genesis 1:26-27.)
Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within
that person.
About the Sanctity of Human Life
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image.
Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born
babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other
stage or condition from conception through natural death.
This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. We
believe that the Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God
that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper
conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe.
CCF’s Board of Elders is the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s
meaning and application and shall have final authority in all matters of
church governance, as set forth and described in these By-Laws.
135
APPENDIX B
MY AGREEMENT TO THE CCFSTATEMENT
OF FAITH
137
With God as my witness, I fully agree and wholeheartedly support
CCF’s Statement of Faith. I therefore commit to abide by it
and uphold it in all my conduct withinand outside the church.
Signed,
(Sign above your name)
Date
139
APPENDIX C
ANSWER KEY TO SESSION 1:
GODEXPLORE Doctrinal Survey
140
Numbers with corresponding biblically-correct statements are encircled.
1. Jesus Christ is God.
2. Salvation includes being free from the penalty of sin.
3. The Trinity means that there are three (3) Persons in one God, all
of these Persons having equal rank and are of the same nature.
4. Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between God and men.
5. The Bible is the final authority in matters of faith, doctrine, and
conduct.
6. Salvation requires water baptism.
7. The Holy Spirit is a Divine Force.
8. I will go to heaven if I believe in Jesus even if I do not repent from
my sins.
9. Jesus Christ is half-God and half-man.
10. When a man dies, he will first stay in purgatory before going to
heaven.
11. The Trinity means that there is only one God who exists in three
(3) forms: as Father, who became the Son when He became man,
and who became the Holy Spirit after the resurrection.
12. The Holy Spirit is God, equal with the Father and the Son.
13. Jesus Christ was just a man, a created being who was sinless.
14. I will go to heaven if my good deeds outnumber by bad deeds.
15. The Trinity means that there are three (3) Gods of equal rank and
of the same nature.
16. Jesus Christ died on the cross and resurrected on the third day.
17. Salvation involves repentance.
18. The Bible is not reliable in historical matters.
141Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
19. I will go to heaven if I do good works like going to church, giving
to the poor, etc
20. Jesus Christ is the only Savior of man.
21. The Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ in spirit form.
22. Jesus Christ is God who became man and ceased to be God.
23. Salvation means that the believer will no longer commit any sin.
24. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but lesser in rank than the Father.
25. Salvation includes having a sure place in heaven.
26. Salvation includes a changed life.
27. True saving faith will result in good works such as obedience to
the commands of God.
28. The church is primarily the building where Christians gather to
worship.
29. We need to do good works in order to be saved.
30. Salvation requires membership in a church.
143
APPENDIX D
ANSWER KEY TO SESSION 2:
THE BIBLEEXPLORE Activity
144
HIDDEN BIBLE BOOK NAMES:
56 Books of the Bible highlighted in yellow
The following article contains the names of all the books of the Bible
hidden within the words. See if you can find them all! I once made a remark
about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept some people
looking so hard for facts. And for others it was revelation. Some were in a
jam. Especially since the names of the books were not capitalized. But the
truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others, it was a real
job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments to you. Do these
while you’re watching TV, sitting on the john, eating tuna, humming your
favorite reggae tune--- a song of Sol, “O Mon, I believe you!”
Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require
judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find
one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little
lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. There are
those among us who might need music – a banjo, electric guitar, or drums!
See how well you can compete. Relax now, listen to Genesis on the radio,
or play your banjo! Nah, just concentrate on the task at hand. Find them
all and be a pro! Verbs and subjects don’t always agree in this article, but
don’t let that stand in your way!
I even asked for help from my ex. “O, Du!” she said. I replied,
“Corinth, I answer your questions,” but she said, “Come back at
Ramadan.” I eloquently thanked her. Frustrated, she said, “The puzzle
is a … I ... ah.. I don’t find these EZ. Ek! I elect not to do them!” I thought
about offering her a juju decoration or perhaps alms, but decided not to
pursue it. This just about chronicles our relationship.
Some of the hardest books to hide were Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Joshua,
Samuel, Nehemiah, Ecclesiastes, Jeremiah, Obadiah, Micah, Habakkuk,
Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Galatians, Ephesians,
Philippians, Colossians, Timothy, and Philemon. Remember that ten of
145Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
the names are duplicated like First and Second Thessalonians, so you will
only find fifty-six distinct names.
This puzzle is not EZ – rather, it is quite difficult. It would be simpler if the
books were in a list that you could pick from. Answer can be anywhere
in this article, so that makes this format the worst! Do your best and God
bless!
147
APPENDIX E
ANSWER KEY TO SESSION 2:
THE BIBLEEXPRESS Activity
148
1. The inspiration of the Scripture means “heightening of the normal
powers” of the biblical writers. (F)
Explanation: It is not a “heightening of the normal powers” of the
biblical writers but the Holy Spirit superintended over the writers so
that while writing according to their own styles and personalities, the
result was God’s Word written – authoritative, trustworthy, and free
from error in the original manuscripts.
2. Inspiration does not refer to the high degree of insight of biblical
writers. (T)
3. The inspiration of the Scriptures covers all portions of the Bible, not
just the ones with gospel relevance. (T)
4. In the process of inspiration, God actually dictated the words to the
biblical writers. (F)
Explanation: The biblical writers were not passive stenographers to
whom God dictated the material, but were active writers. The books of
the Bible reveal a distinct contrast in style and vocabulary, indicating
that the authors were not mere automatons. If God actually dictated
the words, the style of the books of the Bible should be uniform.
5. The authority of the Bible is equal to the authority of the leader of the
church. (F)
Explanation: The Bible has supreme authority in matters of faith
and practice. The Bible’s authority is not equal to the Church or
leader’s authority. Our doctrine and conduct must be governed by the
Scriptures. God’s Word should determine what we believe and how
we respond in Christian living. We submit to the authority of church
leaders as they lead us according to the teachings of Scriptures.
This also means that if religious or church leaders teach or practice
something that is clearly unbiblical, we must choose to obey God’s
Word and not the teaching of men.
6. The 66 books of the Bible are a closed canon. The church could not
add another book, chapter or verse to it any more. (T)
149Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
7. The Scriptures is not reliable in some historical references. (F)
Explanation: We believe that the Bible is inerrant or incapable of being
wrong about anything it says. The Bible in its original manuscripts
is completely free from error. This includes all doctrines, ethics and
the social, physical or life sciences. God ensured that the truths He
wanted written down by the various human authors of the Bible were
truthfully communicated.
8. Although the Bible is necessary, it is not sufficient for the believer’s
spiritual growth. (F)
Explanation: The Bible is able to accomplish God’s purposes here
upon the earth. God has given us His Word; it is complete and perfect
in every way. It is all we need for salvation and spiritual growth.
9. Since the Bible is clear, we do not need proper interpretation or good
Bible teachers. (F)
Explanation: Even though the Bible is clear, this does not mean that
proper interpretation or good Bible teachers are unnecessary. The
Bible’s clarity means that the central message of the Bible can be
understood by all who read it with God’s help.
10. Modern English translations of the Bible are inspired. (F)
Explanation: Inspiration only applies to the original manuscripts that
have not survived up to our time, not to the copies and the different
English translations. It is important to note though that thousands
of copies of the original manuscripts of the Bible have survived up
to this day. These are the highly reliable sources on which modern
English versions of the Bible have been translated from. We can
be completely assured that God’s written Word has been faithfully
passed on to us from the time it was written down the generations
through the centuries.
151
APPENDIX F
DAILY LIGHT READING PLAN
New Testament withPsalms and Proverbs
http://www.heartlight.org/devotionals/reading_plans/dailylight.pdf
152
JANUARY
1-Jan Psalms 1-2
2-Jan Luke 1
3-Jan Luke 2
4-Jan Luke 3
5-Jan Luke 4
6-Jan Proverbs 1
7-Jan Psalms 3-5
8-Jan Luke 5
9-Jan Luke 6
10-Jan Luke 7
11-Jan Luke 8
12-Jan Luke 9
13-Jan Psalms 6-7
14-Jan Luke 10
15-Jan Luke 11
16-Jan Luke 12
17-Jan Proverbs 2
18-Jan Luke 13
19-Jan Luke 14
20-Jan Psalms 8-9
21-Jan Luke 15
22-Jan Luke 16
23-Jan Luke 17
24-Jan Luke 18
25-Jan Psalms 10-12
26-Jan Luke 19
27-Jan Luke 20
28-Jan Luke 21
29-Jan Luke 22
30-Jan Luke 23
31-Jan Luke 24
FEBRUARY
1-Feb Psalms 16-17
2-Feb Proverbs 3
3-Feb Acts 1
4-Feb Acts 2
5-Feb Acts 3
6-Feb Acts 4
7-Feb Acts 5
8-Feb Psalm 18
9-Feb Acts 6
10-Feb Acts 7
11-Feb Acts 8
12-Feb Psalms 19-20
13-Feb Acts 9
14-Feb Acts 10
15-Feb Acts 11
16-Feb Proverbs 4
17-Feb Acts 12
18-Feb Acts 19
19-Feb Acts 15
20-Feb Psalms 21-22
21-Feb Acts 15
22-Feb Acts 16
23-Feb Proverbs 5
24-Feb Acts 17
25-Feb Acts 18
26-Feb Acts 19
27-Feb Acts 20
28-Feb Psalms 23-24
MARCH
1-Mar Acts 21
2-Mar Acts 22
3-Mar Acts 23
4-Mar Psalms 13-15
5-Mar Acts 24
6-Mar Acts 25
7-Mar Acts 26
8-Mar Acts 27
9-Mar Acts 28
10-Mar Proverbs 6
11-Mar Psalms 25-26
12-Mar 1Timothy 1
13-Mar 1Timothy 2
14-Mar 1Timothy 3
15-Mar 1Timothy 4
16-Mar 1Timothy 5
17-Mar 1Timothy 6
18-Mar Psalms 27-29
19-Mar 2 Timothy 1
20-Mar 2Timothy 2
21-Mar 2Timothy 3
22-Mar 2Timothy 4
23-Mar Psalms 30-31
24-Mar Proverbs 7
25-Mar Titus 1
26-Mar Titus 2
27-Mar Titus 3
28-Mar Psalms 32-33
29-Mar Proverbs 8
30-Mar Philemon
31-Mar Psalms 34-35
153Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
APRIL
1-Apr Mark 1
2-Apr Mark 2
3-Apr Mark 3
4-Apr Mark 4
5-Apr Mark 5
6-Apr Mark 6
7-Apr Proverbs 9
8-Apr Mark 7
9-Apr Mark 8
10-Apr Mark 9
11-Apr Mark 10
12-Apr Psalm 36
13-Apr Mark 11
14-Apr Mark 12
15-Apr Mark 13
16-Apr Mark 14
17-Apr Mark 15
18-Apr Mark 16
19-Apr Psalm 37
20-Apr 1Peter 1
21-Apr 1Peter 2
22-Apr 1Peter 3
23-Apr 1Peter 4
24-Apr 1Peter 5
25-Apr Psalm 38
26-Apr 2Peter 1
27-Apr 2Peter 2
28-Apr 2Peter 3
29-Apr Psalms 39-40
30-Apr Proverbs 10
MAY
1-May Psalm 41
2-May Galatians 1
3-May Galatians 2
4-May Galatians 3
5-May Galatians 4
6-May Galatians 5
7-May Galatians 6
8-May Psalms 42-43
9-May 1Thess. 1
10-May 1Thess. 2
11-May 1Thess. 3
12-May 1Thess. 4
13-May 1Thess. 5
14-May Psalms 44-45
15-May Proverbs 11
16-May 2Thess. 1
17-May 2Thess. 2
18-May 2Thess. 3
19-May Psalms 46-47
20-May Philippians 1
21-May Philippians 2
22-May Philippians 3
23-May Philippians 4
24-May Psalms 48-49
25-May Colossians 1
26-May Colossians 2
27-May Colossians 3
28-May Colossians 4
29-May Psalm 50
30-May Psalms 51-53
31-May Proverbs 12
JUNE
1-Jun Ephesians 1
2-Jun Ephesians 2
3-Jun Ephesians 3
4-Jun Ephesians 4
5-Jun Ephesians 5
6-Jun Ephesians 6
7-Jun Psalms 54-55
8-Jun Proverbs 13
9-Jun Hebrews 1
10-Jun Hebrews 2
11-Jun Hebrews 3
12-Jun Hebrews 4
13-Jun Psalms 56-57
14-Jun Hebrews 5
15-Jun Hebrews 6
16-Jun Hebrews 7
17-Jun Hebrews 8
18-Jun Hebrews 9
19-Jun Psalms 58-59
20-Jun Proverbs 14
21-Jun Hebrews 10
22-Jun Hebrews 11
23-Jun Hebrews 12
24-Jun Hebrews 13
25-Jun Psalms 60-61
26-Jun James 1
27-Jun James 2
28-Jun James 3
29-Jun James 4
30-Jun James 5
154
JULY
1-Jul Psalms 62-64
2-Jul Proverbs 15
3-Jul Psalms 65-67
4-Jul Matthew 1
5-Jul Matthew 2
6-Jul Matthew 3
7-Jul Matthew 4
8-Jul Psalm 68
9-Jul Proverbs 16
10-Jul Matthew 5
11-Jul Matthew 6
12-Jul Matthew 7
13-Jul Psalms 69-70
14-Jul Proverbs 17
15-Jul Matthew 8
16-Jul Matthew 9
17-Jul Matthew 10
18-Jul Matthew 11
19-Jul Matthew 12
20-Jul Matthew 13
21-Jul Psalms 71-72
22-Jul Proverbs 18
23-Jul Matthew 14
24-Jul Matthew 15
25-Jul Matthew 16
26-Jul Matthew 17
27-Jul Matthew 18
28-Jul Psalm 73
29-Jul Matthew 19
30-Jul Matthew 20
31-Jul Matthew 21
AUGUST
1-Aug Matthew 22
2-Aug Psalms 74-75
3-Aug Psalms 76-77
4-Aug Proverbs 19
5-Aug Matthew 23
6-Aug Matthew 24
7-Aug Matthew 25
8-Aug Psalm 78
9-Aug Matthew 26
10-Aug Matthew 27
11-Aug Matthew 28
12-Aug Psalm 79-80
13-Aug Psalm 81-83
14-Aug Romans 1
15-Aug Romans 2
16-Aug Romans 3
17-Aug Psalms 84-85
18-Aug Psalms 86-88
19-Aug Romans 4
20-Aug Romans 5
21-Aug Romans 6
22-Aug Romans 7
23-Aug Romans 8
24-Aug Psalm 89
25-Aug Proverbs 20
26-Aug Psalms 90-91
27-Aug Romans 9
28-Aug Romans 10
29-Aug Romans 11
30-Aug Psalms 92-93
31-Aug Psalm 94
SEPTEMBER
1-Sep Psalms 95-96
2-Sep Romans 12
3-Sep Romans 13
4-Sep Romans 14
5-Sep Romans 15
6-Sep Romans 16
7-Sep Psalms 97-98
8-Sep Proverbs 21
9-Sep Psalms 99-102
10-Sep 1Corinthians 1
11-Sep 1Corinthians 2
12-Sep 1Corinthians 3
13-Sep Psalms 103
14-Sep 1Corinthians 4
15-Sep 1Corinthians 5
16-Sep Psalm 104
17-Sep 1Corinthians 6
18-Sep 1Corinthians 7
19-Sep 1Corinthians 8
20-Sep 1Corinthians 9
21-Sep Psalm 105
22-Sep 1Corinthians 10
23-Sep 1Corinthians 11
24-Sep 1Corinthians 12
25-Sep 1Corinthians 13
26-Sep 1Corinthians 14
27-Sep 1Corinthians 15
28-Sep 1Corinthians 16
29-Sep Proverbs 22
30-Sep Psalms 106-108
155Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
OCTOBER
1-Oct 2Corinthians 1
2-Oct 2Corinthians 2
3-Oct 2Corinthians 3
4-Oct Psalms 108-109
5-Oct 2Corinthians 4
6-Oct 2Corinthians 5
7-Oct Psalms 110-111
8-Oct 2Corinthians 6
9-Oct 2Corinthians 7
10-Oct Psalms 112-114
11-Oct Proverbs 23
12-Oct 2Corinthians 8
13-Oct 2Corinthians 9
14-Oct Psalms 115-116
15-Oct 2Corinthians 10
16-Oct 2Corinthians 11
17-Oct 2Corinthians 12
18-Oct 2Corinthians 13
19-Oct Psalms 117-118
20-Oct Proverbs 24
21-Oct Jude
22-Oct Psalm 119
23-Oct 1John 1
24-Oct 1John 2
25-Oct 1John 3
26-Oct 1John 4
27-Oct 1John 5
28-Oct Psalms 120-122
29-Oct Proverbs 25
30-Oct 2John
31-Oct 3John
NOVEMBER
1-Nov Psalms 123-125
2-Nov John 1
3-Nov John 2
4-Nov John 3
5-Nov John 4
6-Nov John 5
7-Nov Psalms 126-128
8-Nov Proverbs 26
9-Nov John 6
10-Nov John 7
11-Nov John 8
12-Nov John 9
13-Nov Psalms 129-131
14-Nov John 10
15-Nov John 11
16-Nov John 12
17-Nov Psalm 132
18-Nov Proverbs 27
19-Nov John 13
20-Nov John 14
21-Nov John 15
22-Nov John 16
23-Nov John 17
24-Nov Psalms 133-134
25-Nov Psalms 135-136
26-Nov John 18
27-Nov John 19
28-Nov John 20
29-Nov John 21
30-Nov Proverbs 28
DECEMBER
1-Dec Psalms 137-138
2-Dec Revelation 1
3-Dec Revelation 2
4-Dec Revelation 3
5-Dec Psalms 139-140
6-Dec Psalms 141-142
7-Dec Revelation 4
8-Dec Revelation 5
9-Dec Revelation 6
10-Dec Revelation 7
11-Dec Psalms 143-145
12-Dec Proverbs 29
13-Dec Revelation 8
14-Dec Revelation 9
15-Dec Revelation 10
16-Dec Revelation 11
17-Dec Psalms 146-147
18-Dec Proverbs 30
19-Dec Revelation 12
20-Dec Revelation 13
21-Dec Revelation 14
22-Dec Revelation 15
23-Dec Revelation 16
24-Dec Revelation 17
25-Dec Proverbs 31
26-Dec Revelation 18
27-Dec Revelation 19
28-Dec Revelation 20
29-Dec Revelation 21
30-Dec Revelation 22
31-Dec Psalms 148-150
157
APPENDIX G
ANSWER KEY TO SESSION 3: THE
DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST
EXPLORE Activity
158
1. The tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai. It
is the tallest man-made structure in the world; however, without it’s
“vanity height”, the building would be dwarfed by 11 other European
skyscrapers.
Source: www.newsfeed.time.com/2013/09/05
2. The smallest dog living, in terms of height, is a female Chihuahua
called Miracle Milly, who measured 9.65 cm (3.8 in) tall on 21 February
2013 and is owned by Vanesa Semler of Dorado, Puerto Rico.
Source: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/size/
smallest-dog-living
3. Tokyo, Japan : Tokyo tops the list and remains the world’s largest city
with 38 million dwellers.
Though the UN has predicted a decline in the city’s population, it will
still remain the world’s most populous city in 2030 with 37 million
inhabitants.
Source: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/world-population-day-2014-top-10-
most-populous-cities-revealed-1456214
159
APPENDIX H
ANSWER KEY TO SESSION 4:
THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS
CHRISTEXPLORE Activity
160
COLUMN A: Books of the Bible COLUMN B: Titles of Jesus
E 1. Genesis A. The Savior of the World
G 2. Exodus B. The Son of God
I 3. Judges C. The Servant
H 4. Ruth D. King of the Jews
J 5. Psalms E. Seed of the Woman
D 6. Matthew
F. The Son of Man
feeling what you feel
C 7. Mark G. The Passover Lamb
F 8. Luke H. Kinsman-redeemer
B 9. John I. Judge and Lawgiver
A 10. Acts J. Our Shepherd
161
APPENDIX I
ANSWER KEY TO SESSION 8:
HOLY SPIRITEXPLORE Activity
162
1. Shingle Froe
A shingle froe is a specialized tool for making shingles. The
strange name comes from the antiquated word “forward” which
means “away”, in reference to the direction that the tool cuts.
2. Stanley #1 Odd Jobs
Stanley produced this all-in-one layout tool between 1888 and
the 1930s. It looks like a directional arrow from a street sign
and was originally advertised as 10 tools in one (including level,
depth gauge, try square, and compass).
3. Adze
The adze can be traced back to at least ancient Egypt. You use
the adze to shape tree trunks and square them up into beams. It
looks like an axe with the blade oriented on the horizontal.
4. Channellock Rescue Tool
This lifesaving tool has functions designed specifically for a
rescue worker. It can cut wire, tighten a fire-hose coupling, pry a
door open, and even close down a gas valve. And it’s just about
the right size to fit in a back pocket.
5. Timber Scribe
Think of this one as an 18th-century Sharpie. During the heyday
of timber framing, builders would use this tool to number beam
ends for layout purposes—sort of like “tab A into slot B.” If you’re
ever in an old house with exposed beams, look for gouged-out
Roman numerals at the beam ends and you’ll see the work of a
timber scribe.
163
APPENDIX J
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
INVENTORY
164
J.1 : SPIRITUAL GIFT INVENTORY TESTadapted from http://www.elca.org/dcm/evangelism/assessments/assess4_spiritgifts.html
Alternative site: http://download.elca.org/ELCA Resourc3 Repository/spiritgifts.zip
For this test to be valid, do not respond on the basis of what you think you
ought to say, but rather on the basis of your interest and experience. Do
not let modesty hinder you from answering honestly.
0 - The statement is not relevant to my
experience, or not true of me
1 - Not quite zero, but close
2 - Only a slight response
3 - Medium or moderate response
4 - Greater than average response
5 - Strong agreement with statement
1. ____ I feel empowered to stand alone for Christ in a hostile,
unbelieving environment.
2. ____ Often I have a burning desire to speak God’s word
when I know it will not be well received.
3. ____ I seem to have insight on when people are ready to give
their lives to Christ.
4. ____ God has shown me sources of sound teaching and rich
fellowship, and I guide people to such.
5. ____ I love to meditate on the patterns of God and His ways,
and speak to others of such things.
6 ____ I enjoy serving others so that they, in turn, may perform
their ministries.
7. ____ I can identify with weakness and temptation so as to
encourage people to repent and believe.
8. ____ When I give to others, they do not feel as if they owe me
anything.
165Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
9. ____ Other Christians have imitated me when I have led the
way in serving the needs of others.
10. ____ I often am overcome with emotion for the person I am
praying for.
11. ____ Sometimes God gives me an insight into the proper
course of action others should take.
12. ____ God often quickens Scripture to my mind that is useful
for the moment.
13. ____ I have an extraordinary confidence in God and an ability
to embolden others.
14. ____ I usually detect spiritual truth from spiritual error before
fellow believers.
15. ____ The Spirit often leads me to do a favor for someone that
touches them deeply.
16. ____ I can serve others by organizing and harnessing their
gifts to solve a particular problem.
17. ____ I often think that God is calling me to be a missionary.
18. ____ My words often bring conviction to others, leading to
repentance.
19. ____ I find it easy to ask people to believe in and commit to
Christ.
20. ____ I tend to be patient with Christians who are making slow
spiritual progress.
21. ____ I think it is very important to use words accurately and
in context.
22. ____ I believe my ministry in life is to be humbled before men
by being obedient in service.
23. ____ I have a special gift of helping others get “reset”
emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
24. ____ I believe God has given me the ability to make and
share money.
166
25. ____ I am willing to “go first” when it comes to meeting the
needs of others.
26. ____ I believe that God wants to reach out to people by using
me to share in their suffering.
27. ____ Other Christians seek my advice when they are
uncertain of their direction.
28. ____ God has made me aware of a deep need in someone
that they were careful to hide.
29. ____ I am not moved from my personal belief in the truth by
ridicule, apparent failure, or pain.
30. ____ God has often used me to encourage others to accept
difficult, but biblical teaching.
31. ____ People often try to give me glory for helping them,
which I am able to direct to God.
32. ____ I can recognize talents and gifts in others, and find ways
of using these for God.
33. ____ I desire to learn another language, culture, or religion so
that I could be a better witness.
34. ____ Ridicule or rejection for speaking forth the truth, by
family or friends, does not effect me.
35. ____ I tend to conclude my vocal witness with an appeal for
others to become Christians.
36. ____ I want to be in unity with other mature believers to
earnestly seek God’s will for the body.
37. ____ I get troubled by “testimonies” which contain false
teaching or unsound advice.
38. ____ I often recognize ways that I can minister to others
indirectly without speaking or teaching.
39. ____ I can challenge others without making them feel
condemned.
40. ____ I have strongly sensed the Spirit leading me to give
money to a specific person or cause.
167Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
41. ____ Obeying Christ now is my passion in life. It is not about
mere words, but deeds.
42. ____ Sometimes God gives me a taste of other people’s pain.
43. ____ God uses me to dispel confusion about God’s will with
supernatural insight.
44. ____ I often find I know things that I have never learned,
which are confirmed by mature believers.
45. ____ I am totally convinced God will fulfill His word even if He
is not doing so yet.
46. ____ I often sense when people are moved by the Holy
Spirit, evil spirits, or by their own flesh.
47. ____ In the church, I gravitate to undone work, even if
unpopular.
48. ____ People often look to me for guidance in coordination,
organization, and ministry opportunities.
49. ____ Strange customs, cultures, and unusual behavior don’t
offend me or my faith.
50. ____ I love to find creative ways to confront people with the
truth of God.
51. ____ I minister better to the spiritually “unborn” than baby,
adolescent, or mature believers.
52. ____ God has shown fruit in my life in the effective discipling
of other believers.
53. ____ I love to learn Biblical principles from my studies and
then share them with others.
54. ____ I don’t mind helping others even if they are not
deserving or if they take advantage of me.
55. ____ People will take correction from me because they know
I am on their side.
56. ____ I strive to seek ways to give to others without calling
attention to myself.
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57. ____ God has given me an ability to “rally the troops” in
giving aid to others.
58. ____ Sometimes I feel so much love for others that I am at a
loss for words.
59. ____ My advice to others has led them into mature Christian
living.
60. ____ God has given me words to say in witnessing situations
that surprised even me.
61. ____ I seem to be less “shakable” than most Christians.
62. ____ I sometimes get the sense that what I am reading or
hearing is divinely inspired.
63. ____ God often supernaturally enhances my service to
others.
64. ____ I have a knack for getting people together in the body
of Christ, and enjoy doing this.
65. ____ I have a deep understanding of the Gospel, and I want
to tell others about the Good News.
66. ____ I am more interested in saying the right thing than
making people feel good.
67. ____ I’m troubled when salvation is not emphasized.
68. ____ I feel that I am responsible to help protect weak
Christians from dangerous influences.
69. ____ I reflect on my own life so that I can learn to help others
to grow and know what to expect.
70. ____ I would rather work in secret than have my work
recognized publicly.
71. ____ The Spirit gives me the ability to call forth the best that
is in others.
72. ____ Everything I own is Christ’s, and this is no secret among
the brethren.
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73. ____ I can motivate others to obey Christ by the living
testimony of my life.
74. ____ I have a desire to visit prisons and rest-homes in order
to minister comfort and hope.
75. ____ God uses me to bring clarity to other believers when
they are uncertain what to do.
76. ____ I often know about a real problem another person is
hiding through a layer of deception.
77. ____ My hope in God, against all odds, is inspiring to others.
78. ____ God has used me to warn others of the danger of a
certain teaching.
79. ____ I cannot stand idly by while things go undone.
80. ____ People come to me when they need help in desperate
situations, and I know people who can help.
The next column of questions are a self-rating of God-placed desire to
exercise a particular gift. Unfortunately, this can often be detected by
“vain imaginings” surrounding fantasies of exercising the gift. These
fantasies of self-glory must be repented of before the gift will be
actuated by the Holy Spirit. God will not share His glory. We should use
our imaginations to think about how to give God the glory if/when the
Holy Spirit gives us an increased measure of a particular gift. In any
case, dreams and desires can be useful clues to the reality of a latent
gift. Rate your relative agreement from 0 to 5.
81. ____ I dream of being a missionary to some group of people
who have never heard the gospel.
82. ____ I dream of God speaking through me in a powerful way.
83. ____ I dream of winning many souls to Christ.
84. ____ I dream of myself and other leaders working together in
unity, love, sound doctrine, and mutual submission.
85. ____ I dream of teaching God’s Word so as to help others in
the way of faith.
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86. ____ I dream that I will experience the presence of God by
serving others.
87. ____ I dream of speaking words of hope that God will confirm
in others by the Holy Spirit.
88. ____ I dream of being used of God to meet someone’s
financial or material need.
89. ____ I dream of being first to lead the way in finding new
ways to minister to others.
90. ____ I dream that God will use my emotions to feel His
feelings for others.
91. ____ I dream of being used of God to help people know what
God’s will is.
92. ____ I dream that God will give me the knowledge needed to
help at just the right moment.
93. ____ I dream that I will be stronger than others when
persecution comes.
94. ____ I dream that I could help those who are confused about
teachings, spirits, and events.
95. ____ I dream that God would anoint my every move as I give
help to others.
96. ____ I dream of coordinating the gifts of others so that they
will be at their best in Christ.
What gifts are lacking among the believers you know? You may be
surprised at how differently people perceive these needs. This can be
a useful clue as to what problems God wants you to solve by allowing
the Holy Spirit to give you grace. What requirement has God put on
your heart to meet? Rate from 0 to 5 the relative intensity of need in
the Body of Christ from your perspective.
97. ____ We need more people to take what we have and go out
as missionaries.
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98. ____ We need more prophets in the Church to preach against
sin and of the coming judgment.
99. ____ We aren’t spending enough time trying to win souls to
Christ.
100. ____ We need more people who are willing to take care of
the spiritually newborn and young.
101. ____ We need more, and better teaching.
102. ____ We lack people willing to be humble and serve the
brethren and outsiders.
103. ____ We need more exhortation and encouragement to do
the right things.
104. ____ We have un-met, real financial or material needs among us.
105. ____ We need someone to take the first step in starting a new
initiative to help others.
106. ____ We lack compassion for the hurts, pains, and struggles
of people.
107. ____ We need wisdom from above to know what God would
have us do next.
108. ____ We need the gift of divine knowledge to make up for our
deficiencies.
109. ____ We need more examples of faith that has stood the test
of adversity.
110. ____ We lack discernment in identifying unclean spirits, the
flesh, and false teaching.
111. ____ We need to stop talking and start really helping people
in practical ways.
112. ____ We need someone to direct the spiritual gifts of our
group more effectively.
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J.2 : GIFTS INVENTORY RESULTS FOR: ____________________
Transfer the results from the test to the following chart according to
the question numbers. Add the rows across to get your total. The three
highest are your greatest spiritual gifts.
Note: The numbers are relevant for you only and should not be compared
to someone else. For example, you may have the gift of prophecy with a
total of 20 while a friend may score a 28 and it isn’t even considered one
of their gifts. This doesn’t mean they are more spiritual or gifted than you
but simply that they scored everything more highly than you. Because
the questions are based on your perception of yourself, there is no
scientific standard to compare scores.
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I DreamWe
NeedSpiritual Gift Total
1 17 33 49 65 81 97
Missionary
2 18 34 50 66 82 98
Prophecy
3 19 35 51 67 83 99
Evangelism
4 20 36 52 68 84 100
Pastoring
5 21 37 53 69 85 101
Teaching
6 22 38 54 70 86 102
Serving
7 23 39 55 71 87 103
Exhortation
8 24 40 56 72 88 104
Giving
9 25 41 57 73 89 105
Leadership
10 26 42 58 74 90 106
Compassion
11 27 43 59 75 91 107
Wisdom
12 28 44 60 76 92 108
Knowledge
13 29 45 61 77 93 109
Faith
14 30 46 62 78 94 110
Discernment
15 31 47 63 79 95 111
Helps
16 32 48 64 80 96 112
Administration
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J.3 : SPIRITUAL GIFT DESCRIPTIONS
Administration is a gift that provides insight into other people’s spiritual
gifting as well as natural talent, which allows for placing people who want to
minister in a particular way together with those who need just this ministry.
Compassion transcends both natural human sympathy and normal
Christian concern, enabling one to sense in others a wide range of emotions
and then provide a supportive ministry of caring and intercessory prayer.
Also called the gift of Mercy.
Discernment is the heightened ability to read or hear a teaching, to
encounter a problem, or to consider a proposed course of action, and then
determine whether the source behind the teaching, problem, or action is
divine, merely human, or satanic. This will be a much needed gift near the
End of the Age.
Evangelism is a special ability to lead unconverted persons to a saving
knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The person with this gift has
the wisdom to know when, who, and how to call the rebellious into the
Kingdom of God. Evangelists are the spiritual “obstetricians” in the church.
Exhortation is the gift of being able to encourage others by well timed and
wise counsel. This gift builds the Body of Christ by helping new, young and
adolescent disciples to turn from sin and believe in the power of the Holy
Spirit. Barnabas, whose name literally means Son of Encouragement, is
the best example of this in the Bible. Also called the gift of Counseling, or
the gift of Encouragement.
Faith as a gift is an extraordinary confidence in God that is unshakable
by situations, pain, apparent failure, or ridicule. While we are all called to
have faith, this is an extraordinary amount of faith above and beyond that
of Christians without this gift. This gift strengthens the individual and other
believers (by example) to endure persecution and wait upon the Lord.
Giving empowers one in a sensitive way to detect material or financial
needs and meet those needs with Spirit-inspired generosity. Recipients
of help from Christians with this gift have a clear sense that God has
provided, not man.
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Helps enables one to assist people in skilled ways that are supernaturally
enhanced by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. This is similar to the gift of
serving except that it is specific concerning a certain skill - such as the
goldsmiths who helped Moses build the items for the tabernacle. Those
with this gift should be highly esteemed in the Body.
Knowledge is an ability to remember Scripture or have it supernatural
quickened, or to know a fact or truth about a person or situation revealed
directly by the Holy Spirit.
Leadership in the Greek is actually “he who provides leadership in giving
aid”. These go first and lead by example, so that others are motivated to
follow. (1 Cor 11:1) Those with the gift of leadership are quick to identify
problems and show by doing how to minister to those in need.
Missionary is the ability to communicate across cultural barriers and
plant churches where there is no knowledge of the gospel. It is usually
accompanied with a distinct calling and a miraculous lifestyle. In Greek
(apostolos) “a sent one”, or “a messenger”, a Missionary. Sometimes called
the gift of Apostle, although true apostles were required to have seen the
risen Lord.
Pastoring is the collective (plural in Greek) ministry of the Elders to
“shepherd” an individual or community of Christian believers. This gift is
a special passion and empowering to lead people into green pastures,
steer others away from danger, fight off predators, and bind up wounds.
Sometimes called the gift of Shepherding.
Prophecy is speaking what God wants said with clarity, creativity, and
power. It is also called the gift of Preaching. The primary ministry in this
gift is not prediction, but in confronting people with the truth about God
and man - with conviction and repentance as the result.
Serving is a gift which expresses the love of Christ by taking care of lowly
or time-consuming tasks to allow others to be more effective ministers.
Similar to the gift of Helps, but here the work performed is menial rather
than skilled. Those with this gift are the truest and highest leaders in the
church, and ought to be recognized as such.
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Teaching is the ability to understand and communicate the Christian
faith so as to make the truth clear to others. The result of this gift is the
equipping and maturing of others in the body of Christ so that they will
grow in grace and be more effective disciples.
Wisdom is special illumination that enables one in a specific instance
to grasp divine insight regarding a fact, situation, or context. This gift is
useful in directing the Body in what to do next; in making God’s will known.
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J.4 : PRACTICAL USE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS
All Christians are to work together, supporting one another. However, our
gifts make us better prepared and equipped to perform in some areas of
ministry over others. A person who is working within a ministry area he
or she is gifted for will be more effective in another that he or she is not
gifted for.
What types of ministry will you be most effective in? A brief list of ministry
examples follows. These examples have been provided merely as thought
starters and should not be considered an exhaustive list. Use them as a
starting point in exploring the possibilities for putting your gifts to use
within your congregation and in your community.
Administration – Congregation Council, Finance Staff, Sunday School
Superintendent, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, Business Manager
Compassion – Home/Hospital/Institution Visitation, Transportation
to Worship/Bible Study, Social Ministry Team, Support Group Leader,
Telecare Minister
Discernment – Congregation Council, Long Range Planning Team, Social
Ministry Team, Peer Counseling, Support Group Facilitator
Evangelism – Prospective Member Visitation, Evangelism Team,
Advertising and Marketing, New Member Sponsor, Community Visitation
Exhortation – Mutual Ministry Team, Hospital/Home/Institution Visitation,
Telecare Ministry, Peer Counseling, Small Group Leader
Faith – Congregational President, Stewardship Team, Long Range
Planning Team, Bible study leader
Giving – Capital Campaign Steering Team, Stewardship Team, Volunteer
Coordination, Giving Personal Testimony
Helps – Computer Programmer/Data Entry, Building Maintenance/
Upkeep Electrical/Masonry/Plumbing/Roofing Mechanical Repair/
Maintenance Audio/Visual Operator and Repair Computer Maintenance,
Web-Page Developer, P.A./Sound System Technician
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Knowledge – Parish Resource-Library Coordinator, Nominating Team,
Long Range Planning Team, Congregation Council
Leadership – Sunday School Superintendent, Committee Chairperson
(all types), Fellowship Activity Coordinator, Vacation Bible School
Coordinator, Congregational President, Speaker: Special Events
Missionary – Women’s/Men’s Missionary Fellowship, Short-term Missions
Coordinator, Evangelism Team, Urban Ministry Team
Pastoring – Adult In-Home Bible Study Leader, New Member Sponsor,
Young-Adult Counselor, Small Group Leader, Telecare Ministry
Prophecy – Committee Chairperson, Speaker: Special Events,
Congregational President
Service – Newsletter Collation, Tape Recording Worship Services, Child
Care, Building/Grounds Upkeep, Kitchen Cleaning Team, Providing
Transportation
Teaching – Adult Bible Class Teacher, Sunday School Teacher, Teen
Bible Class Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Conference/Seminar
Leader
Wisdom – Long Range Planning Team, Congregation Council Peer
Counselor, Support Group Leader, Mutual Ministry Team
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APPENDIX K
THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE
PRESENTATIONAdapted from Campus
Crusade for Christ
180
Every Day can be an Exciting Adventure for the Christian
who knows the reality of being filled with the Holy Spirit and who lives
constantly, moment by moment, under His gracious direction.
The Bible tells us that there are three kinds of people.
1. Natural Man (one who has not received Christ)
“A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God;
for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them,
because they are spiritually appraised.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)
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2. Spiritual Man (One who is directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit)
“He who is spiritual appraises all things... We have the mind of
Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:15)
3. Carnal Man (One who has received Christ, but who lives in defeat because
he is trying to live the Christian life in his own strength)
“And I brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, as
to carnal men, as to babes in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not
solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even
now you are not yet able, for you are still carnal. For since there
is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshy, and are you
not walking like mere men?.” (1 Corinthians 3:1–3)
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God Has Provided For Us an Abundant andFruitful Christian Life
Jesus said, “I came that they might have life,
and might have it abundantly”
(John 10:10)
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he
bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
(Galatians 5:22, 23)
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and
shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
The Spiritual ManSome spiritual traits that result from trusting God:
The degree to which these traits are manifested in the life depends upon
the extent to which the Christian trusts the Lord with every detail of his life,
and upon his maturity in Christ. One who is only beginning to understand
the ministry of the Holy Spirit should not be discouraged if he is not as
fruitful as more mature Christians who have known and experienced this
truth for a longer period.
Why is it that most Christians are not experiencing the abundant life?
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Carnal Christians Cannot Experience the Abundant and Fruitful Christian Life
The carnal man trusts in his own efforts to live the Christian life:
1. He is either uninformed about, or has forgotten, God’s love,
forgiveness, and power (Romans 5:8-10; Hebrews 10:1–25; 1 John
1; 2:1–3; 2 Peter 1:9; Acts 1:8).
2. He has an up-and-down spiritual experience.
3. He cannot understand himself - he wants to do what is right, but
cannot.
4. He fails to draw upon the power of the Holy Spirit to live the
Christian life.
(1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Romans 7:15–24; 8:7; Galatians 5:16–18)
The Carnal ManSome or all of the following traits may characterize the Christian who does
not fully trust God:
(The individual who professes to be a Christian but who continues to
practice sin should realize that he may not be a Christian at all, according
to 1 John 2:3; 3:6, 9; Ephesians 5:5)
The third truth gives us the only solution to this problem...
184
Jesus Promised the Abundant and Fruitful Lifeas the Result of Being Filled (Directed and Empowered)
by the Holy Spirit
The Spirit-filled life is the Christ-directed life by which Christ lives His life in
and through us in the power of the Holy Spirit (John 15).
1. One becomes a Christian through the ministry of the Holy Spirit,
according to John 3:1–8. From the moment of spiritual birth,
the Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit at all times (John 1:12;
Colossians 2:9, 10; John 14:16, 17). Though all Christians are
indwelt by the Holy Spirit, not all Christians are filled (directed and
empowered) by the Holy Spirit.
2. The Holy Spirit is the source of the overflowing life (John 7:37–39).
3. The Holy Spirit came to glorify Christ (John 16:1–15). When one is
filled with the Holy Spirit, he is a true disciple of Christ.
4. In His last command before His ascension, Christ promised the
power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to be witnesses for Him (Acts
1:1–9).
How, then, can one be filled with the Holy Spirit?
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We are Filled by the Holy Spirit by Faith; Then We Can Experience the Abundant and Fruitful Life
Which Christ Promised to Each Christian.
You can appropriate the filling of the Holy Spirit right now if you:
1. Sincerely desire to be directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew 5:6; John 7:37-39)
2. Confess your sins.
By faith thank God that He has forgiven all of your sins - past,
present and future - because Christ died for you. (Colossians 2:13–
15; 1 John 1; 2:1–3; Hebrews 10:1–17)
3. Present every area of your life to God. (Romans 12:1, 2)
4. By faith claim the fullness of the Holy Spirit, according to:
• His Command - Be filled with the Spirit. “And do not get
drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with
the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)
• His Promise - He will always answer when we pray
according to His will. “And this is the confidence which
we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according
to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us
in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests
which we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14, 15)
Faith can be expressed through prayer...
186
How to Pray in Faith to be Filledwith the Holy Spirit
We are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith alone. However, true prayer is one
way of expressing your faith. The following is a suggested prayer:
“Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been
directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against
You. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s
death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His
place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You
commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word
that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing
my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit.”
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If so, bow in prayer and
trust God to fill you with the Holy Spirit right now.
How to Know That You are Filled (Directedand Empowered) with the Holy Spirit
Did you ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit? Do you know that you are
now filled with the Holy Spirit? On what authority? (On the trustworthiness
of God Himself and His Word: Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:22, 23.) Do not
depend upon feelings. The promise of God’s Word, not our feelings, is
our authority. The Christian lives by faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of
God Himself and His Word. This train diagram illustrates the relationship
between fact (God and His Word), faith (our trust in God and His Word),
and feeling (the result of our faith and obedience) (John 14:21).
Engine(God and His Word)
Fuel(Our trust in God
and His Word)
Passenger Car(The result of our faith
and obedience)
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How to Walk in the Spirit
Faith (trust in God and in His promises) is the only means by which a
Christian can live the Spirit-directed life. As you continue to trust Christ
moment by moment:
1. Your life will demonstrate more and more of the fruit of the Spirit
(Galatians 5:22, 23) and will be more and more conformed to the
image of Christ. (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18)
2. Your prayer life and study of God’s Word will become more
meaningful.
3. You will experience His power in witnessing. (Acts 1:8)
4. You will be prepared for spiritual conflict against the world (1 John
2:15-17); against the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17); and against Satan
(1 Peter 5:7-9; Ephesians 6:10-13).
5. You will experience His power to resist temptation and sin
(1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 1:19-23; 2 Timothy
1:7; Romans 6:1-16).
Spiritual Breathing
By faith you can continue to experience God’s love and forgiveness.
If you become aware of an area of your life (an attitude or an action) that
is displeasing to the Lord, even though you are walking with Him and
sincerely desiring to serve Him, simply thank God that He has forgiven
your sins – past, present and future – on the basis of Christ’s death on
the cross. Claim His love and forgiveness by faith and continue to have
fellowship with Him.
If you retake the throne of your life through sin – a definite act of
disobedience – breathe spiritually.
Spiritual breathing (exhaling the impure and inhaling the pure) is an
exercise in faith that enables you to continue to experience God’s love
and forgiveness.
188
1. Exhale - confess your sin – agree with God concerning your sin
and thank Him for His forgiveness of it, according to 1 John 1:9 and
Hebrews 10:1-25. Confession involves repentance - a change in
attitude and action.
2. Inhale - surrender the control of your life to Christ, and appropriate
(receive) the fullness of the Holy Spirit by faith. Trust that He
now directs and empowers you; according to the command of
Ephesians 5:18, and the promise of 1 John 5:14, 15.
You will want to share this important discovery…
189
APPENDIX L
ANSWER KEY
190
SESSION 1: THE DOCTRINE OF GOD: HIS NATURE AND ATTRIBUTES
I. Arguments for God’s Existence
• The cosmological argument
• The teleological argument
• The moral argument
II. The Nature of God
A. God is Spirit
B. God is a Trinity.
a. The Bible teaches us that there is only one God, eternally
existent as Three Persons; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
b. The Bible shows us that these three persons are distinct:
c. Each of these three persons is God.
III. The Attributes of God
B. There is no contradiction between God’s attributes.
1. God is eternal.
2. God is omniscient.
3. God is omnipotent.
4. God is immutable.
5. God is just.
6. God is love.
7. God is truthful.
8. God is holy.
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SESSION 2: THE DOCTRINE OF THE BIBLE: INSPIRED, INERRANT, AND INFALLIBLE
II. The Nature of the Scriptures
A. The Bible is the Word of God.
a. The Bible is the written word of God.
B. Jesus is the living Word of God or the Logos.
III. Canon of the Scripture
a. Various tests or criteria applied to determine canonicity
1. Apostolic authorship
2. Christ-centered content
3. Inspiration
4. Acceptance of the churches
• The word testament simply means covenant.
• The New Testament refers to the New Covenant which
was the fulfillment of the Old. Jesus Christ would come
fulfilling the promises of the Old rendering it obsolete and
establishing a New and better Covenant through His death.
IV. The Truthfulness of the Scripture
A. The Bible is supernaturally inspired, inerrant, and infallible.
B. The Bible is Inspired.
C. The Bible is inerrant.
D. The Bible is infallible.
a. The scientific infallibility of the Bible
b. The prophetic infallibility of the Bible
c. Not a single prophecy from the Bible has ever been disproven.
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V. The Authority of the Scripture
A. The Bible is sufficient.
B. The Bible is clear.
C. The Bible is necessary.
VI. The Illumination of the Scripture
VII. Abiding in God’s Word
SESSION 3: THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST: HIS DEITY AND PERSONHOOD
II. The Person of Jesus Christ
A. Jesus Christ is fully God
C. Jesus Christ is fully man.
SESSION 4: THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST: HIS LIFE AND WORKS
A. Highlights of the Life of Christ
a. He was born of a virgin. (Luke 1:34–35)
b. He lived a sinless life.
c. He performed miracles, wonders and signs. (Acts 2:22)
d. His atoning death.
e. His resurrection from the dead.
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Chart 4.1: Implications if there was no resurrection:
1. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a historical fact.
2. The significance of Christ’s resurrection
f. His ascension into heaven.
g. His session at God’s right hand.
B. The Offices of Christ
The Prophet.
The Priest.
The King.
SESSION 5: THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION: SAVED FROM SIN’S PENALTY, POWER, AND PRESENCE
II. The Nature of True Salvation
1. By birth Psalm 51:5
2. By nature Ephesians 2:3
3. By practice Romans 3:12
4. By choice Romans 3:23
• Justification - Saved from sin’s penalty.
• Sanctification - Saved from sin’s power.
• Glorification - Saved from sin’s presence.
B. Saved from sin’s penalty.
C. Saved from sin’s power.
We call this aspect of our salvation “sanctification” and it simply
means that we have been sanctified or “set apart” for God.
2. The Bible makes a distinction between positional righteousness
and practical righteousness.
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D. Saved from sin’s presence.
1. We call this doctrine glorification and it refers to the future glory
that we will enjoy as we spend the rest of eternity with Him.
E. Saved by grace,
G od’s
R iches
A t
C hrist’s
E xpense
F. Saved through faith.
1. Saving faith is placed in Jesus Christ alone.
(John 14:6, Acts 4:12)
2. Saving faith is based on the Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:15)
3. Saving faith involves the whole person. (James 2:14-26)
4. Saving faith involves real repentance. (Luke 13:3,5)
5. Saving faith always leads to action. (John 10:27)
6. Saving faith produces fruit. (Matthew 7:15-23)
7. Saving faith continues to follow Him. (John 8:31, 1 John 2:19)
SESSION 6: THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION: SAVED FOR GOOD WORKS AND WITNESS
II. Works and Witness of a Christian
A. Saved from Dead Works
Salvation involves far more than just forgiveness for sins:
1. We have been born again. (1 Peter 1:3)
2. We have become new creatures. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
195Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
3. We have been given a new nature. (Romans 6:6)
4. We have been transformed. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
5. We have passed from darkness into the light. (Ephesians 5:8)
B. Saved for Good Works.
What are Good Works?
1. Working with all your heart.
2. Obeying God’s commands out of love.
3. Doing everything for the glory of God.
4. Serving with a thankful heart. Colossians 3:17
5. Doing nothing out of selfishness.
C. Evidence of Our Salvation
1. Dead faith that cannot save. (James 2:14–17)
2. Demonic faith that cannot save (James 2:18–19)
3. Dynamic faith that saves (James 2:20–26)
⊲ By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice (11:4)
⊲ By faith Enoch pleased God (11:5)
⊲ By faith Noah built an ark (11:7)
⊲ By faith Abraham left his homeland (11:8)
⊲ By faith Sarah had a baby (11:11)
⊲ By faith Abraham offered Isaac (11:17)
⊲ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau (11:20)
⊲ By faith Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons (11:21)
⊲ By faith Joseph prophesied the Exodus. (11:22)
⊲ By faith Moses’ parents obeyed God not the king. (11:23)
⊲ By faith Moses chose persecution rather than sin (11:25)
⊲ By faith Moses left Egypt, its wealth and sin (11:27)
⊲ By faith Moses kept the Passover (11:28)
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⊲ By faith Israel passed through the Red Sea (11:29)
⊲ By faith Israel conquered Jericho (11:30)
⊲ By faith Rahab saved the spies and saved her own life (11:31)
Our Statement of Faith – Every Christian’s Mission
A. The Importance of Our Witness.
1. Saved to serve.
SESSION 7: THE DOCTRINE OF HOLY SPIRIT: HIS DEITY AND PERSONHOOD
II. The Truth about the Holy Spirit
A. Knowing the Holy Spirit Biblically.
B. The Holy Spirit is NOT...
a. A Mystical Force.
b. An Impersonal Power.
c. An emanation from God.
C. The Holy Spirit is...
a. He is God.
1. His Name proves He is God.
2. Another Helper.
3. His attributes prove that He is God.
4. His works prove that He is God.
D. He is a Person.
1. Proven by His personal attributes.
• His intellect.
• His emotion
• His will.
197Book 6: BASIC DOCTRINES
2. Proven by His personal activities.
3. Proven by His personal associations.
• His relationship to the Apostles.
• His relationship to Jesus Christ.
• His relationship to the Trinity.
• His relationship to God’s People.
SESSION 8: THE DOCTRINE OF HOLY SPIRIT: HIS WORK AND OUR FILLING
II. The Work of the Holy Spirit
A. He indwells believers.
B. He assures believers.
C. He seals the believers.
D. He sanctifies believers
E. He equips and empowers believers
F. He illuminates believers.
G. He gifts believers
H. He baptizes believers.
I. The Holy Spirit fills believers.
How do I know I am filled with the Holy Spirit?
1. You will be joyful.
2. You will be thankful.
3. You will be submissive.
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