new life in christ vol. 4

Volume 4

NEWLIFE

IN CHRISTBiblical answers to common lies

Living free byknowing the truth...

Biblical answers to common liesVolume 4

NEWLIFE

IN CHRISTLiving free byknowing the truth...

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For more information about the New Life in Christ materials contact: Email: [email protected] Phone: (503)236-6150(USA)

DownloadafreeelectroniccopyofthisandothervolumesofNewLifeInChristatthefollowingwebsite:

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FirstEnglishedition2012CopyrightMarkRobinsonProducedbyMarkRobinson,8625LaPradaDr.,Dallas,TX75228,USA

Sept.8,2012

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TeachersGuide............................................................ 4

Step1 Theliesthatbindus...................................... 6

Step2 Thetruththatfreesus................................... 8

Step3 Lie:I’mallalone............................................ 10

Step4 Lie:It’simpossible......................................... 14

Step5 Lie:Icandoit............................................... 16

Step6 Lie:I’mafraid................................................ 18

Step7 Lie:But...everyoneelsedoesit....................... 20

Step8 Lie:There’snojusticeintheworld................. 22

Step9 Lie:Godwon’tforgivesomeonelikeme....... 24

Step10 Lie:Ican’ttakeit.Whydowesuffer?......... 26

Step11 Lie:IfonlyIhadmoremoney.......................... 28

Step12 Lie:AllreligionsleadustoGod..................... 30

Memoryverses............................................................. 33

Certificate................................................................... 35

CONTENTS

1. Wecongratulateyouforacceptingthe challengeofdisciplingnewbelieversusing

NewLifeinChristasyourguide.Theresults ofthisstudycanproduceeternalfruit.

2. LettheBiblealwaysbeyourauthorityin answeringthequestions.Thestudentsshould

lookuptheBiblepassagesbythemselvesandtrytoanswerthequestionsbasedonwhattheBiblesays.

SomenewbelieversneedabrieforientationonhowtofindthereferencesintheirBibles.

3. Thismanualmaybeusedinmanydifferentways.Inmostcases,youwillstudyonelessonaweek,encouragingthediscipletodoalltheassignmentsineachlesson.

4. Trynottoletyoursessionsgettoolong.Keepaneyeonyouraudience’sattentionspan.

5. Encouragethestudentstoanswerthe questionsintheirownwords.Avoid copyingtheBiblewordforword.Using theirownwordswillhelpthemtoanalyze themeaningofthetextsstudied.

6. Avoidpreaching.Usequestionstodiscoverwhatthestudentsunderstandandtostimulateactiveparticipation.

7. Preparewellforeachsessionyourself.As theteacher,youshouldbefamiliarwiththe

contentandkeyconceptsofeachlesson.

Yourpreparationshouldincludeprayerforyourstudentsandforyourownhearttobepreparedforthelesson.

8. Trytohavethestudentsthinkaboutthe practicalimplicationsfortheirlives.Helpthem

tounderstandspecific,practicalapplications.

Eachlessonhassectionsmarkedbya STOPsign.Thesearedesignedforthe

studenttostopandthinkabouttheimplica-tionsofthelessonfortheirlives.Taketimetomeditateonthesesections.

Theassignmentsintheboxesatthesideofeachlessonaredesignedforthispurpose.Makeuseofthem.

9. Helpstudentscultivatethehabitofprayer.Teachthembyprayingtogetherwiththem.

10. ItisimportanttounderstandthatdiscipleshipismuchmorethanstudyingthelessonsofNewLifeinChrist.Discipleshipimpliesalifechangeforthedisciple.

Thismanualisjustaninitialhelp.Thestudentsneedcontinualhelpinseekingtochangetheircharacter,waysofthinking,habits,etc.

11. ItisoftheutmostimportancethatdiscipleslearnhabitslikedailyBiblereading,prayer,

andScripturememorization.

Atthebeginningofeachlesson,taketimetoreviewthepreviousmemoryverseandaskthemhowthedailyBiblestudyisgoing.Donotscoldstudentswhohavenotcompletedsomeoftheassignments,butbesureto

encouragethemtofinish.

12 BesensitivetowhatGodisdoinginthedis-ciple’slife.Taketimeoutofeachsessiontoansweranyquestionstheymighthave,ortohelpwithfacingproblemsintheirpersonallife.

Keepinmindthattherearetimeswhenitisnotpossibletogettoeveryquestioninthelessonbecauseoflackoftime.Inthesecases,choosethequestionsofmostimportancetodiscuss.

TEACHER’S GUIDE

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STOP

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METHODOLOGY

Thisbookisdedicatedtothestudyofsomeofthemainliesthattheworldandthedevilusetoconfuseus.Wewillseelieslike:“I`mallalone,”“Ican’tdoit;it’simpossible,”“Thereisnojusticeintheworld,”“Godcan’tforgivesomeonelikeme,”“IfonlyIhadmoremoney...”etc.

ForeachliethatSatanandtheworldtellus,wewillgivebiblicalanswersthatwillpermitustoliveinfreedomandholiness.

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Thenyou will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31-32

Step 1Lies that bind us

Answer TRUE (T) or FALSE (F)

_____ Satan is the main cause of sin in the life of the Christian.

_____ Non-believers often believe that our message is foolish.

_____ Satan’s main weapon is his use of witchcraft and the occult.

LIES THAT ENSLAVE US

Todaywefindourselvesinthemidstofagreatbattle.WhyaresomanyChristiansdiscouragedandlivingdefeatedlives?Someareenslavedbytheirpast,whetheritissufferingcausedbytheirownsin,orharmdonebyothers.Someareincapableofdealingwiththeirweaknesses,almostasiftheyweretrappedbyanoutsideforcethatdoesnotallowthemtobefreeoffailure.What’sgoingon?

1. GoingbacktotheGardenofEdenhelpsusunderstandtheoriginofourproblems.Everythingbeganwithasimplelie.Genesis3:1saysthattheserpentwasmore____________thananyotherofthewildanimals.WecanseehowdevioushewasbythewayhetrickedEve.WhatliesdidtheSerpentuseinGenesis3:1-7?

v.1(comparewith2:16-17)___________________________________________________________________

v.4-5(comparewith2:17)____________________________________________________________________

v.6ThefruitlookedgoodbutdiditgiveEvethewisdomshewanted?_______________________________

2. WasAdamanymoreinnocentthanEve?Why?v.6,12___________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________3. Today,thedialoguemightgosomethinglikethis:

• Satan: Aha, so God has forbidden everything, as if he doesn’t want you to have any fun. Enough of all the boring rules; enjoy life, be happy.

Relax, nothing is going to happen to you. Nobody believes in hell anymore. It’s just an old fashioned way to scare you into keeping someone else’s rules.

Are you sure God really wants what’s best or does he just want to control you? These rules restrict your freedom and limit your happiness. How do you expect

to be happy with so many restrictions?

• Eve:It looks so good. I want it and deserve it. Why should I deny myself? I’m not hurting anyone and besides; no one will know anyway.

• Adam justified his sin:She did it, so why can’t I? What’s the big deal? Everyone else does it.

It´s not my fault, the woman you gave me as a wife gave it to me. I’m only human; how do you ex-pect me to resist so much temptation? My friends will laugh at me if I don’t go along with them.

• Eve:Itwasjusttoohardtoresist,andbesides,Adamdidittoo. Thesamethinghappenstoday.Goingbacktothequestionofwhy are so many Christians defeated? Oneofthemainreasonsisthattheyconstantlytripthemselvesupbypayingattentiontotheliesofthe

devilandwhattheworldtellsthem.Whentheyfailtodetectthedeception,theyunconsciouslylettheenemydirecttheirdecisionsandasaresult,defeatisguaranteed.Oftentheydon’tevenrealizetheyare

introuble.

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Satan promises the best, but pays with the worst;

he promises honor and pays with disgrace;

he promises pleasure and pays with pain;

he promises profit and pays with loss;

he promises life and pays with death.1

THE PARABLE OF THE COW

When an argumentative citizen seemed unconvinced, Abraham Lincoln said, “Well, let’s see how many legs does a cow have?”

“Four, of course,” came the reply disgustedly.

“That’s right,” agreed Lincoln. “Now suppose you call the cow’s tail a leg; how many legs would the cow have?”

“Why, five, of course,” was the confident reply.

“Now, that’s where you’re wrong,” said Lincoln. “Calling a cow’s tail a leg doesn’t make it a leg.”2

Manypeopletodaymistakenlybelievethateveryoneshouldde-cideforthemselveswhatisgoodorbad.TheysaytheBibleistoooldfashionedtobeusefulinourchangingworld.

EventhoughourculturesayssomethingisOK;thatdoesn’tmeanit’sreallyOK.Somebelievethatsinisn’tsinjustbecausetheygiveitanothername.Listentoothersthisweektoseeifyoucanfindexamplesofthiskindofthinking.

GROWING STRONGER

Read Luke 1-7(onechapterperday).

Memorize John 8:44

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” NIV

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” NKJV

SATAN’S MAIN WEAPON

5. John8:44saysthedevilisamurdererwhodoesn’tholdtothe__________,

becausethereisno____________inhim.Heisa_____________andthefatherof____________.

LiesarethemainweaponSatanusestodeceive,intimidateandenslave.Whilehedoesusethingslikewitchcraftanddemonpossession,hecanaccomplishthesamethingswithasimplelie.Forexample,ifhecancon-vinceusthatmoneywillmakeushappy,wewillbetemptedtodowhat-everittakestogetmore,evenifwecheatorhurtotherstogetit.

6. AlthoughJesusspokethetruth,somedidnot________________.John8:45

Why?Verse47saysthatwhoeverbelongstoGod_________God’swords,whilethosewhodonotbelongtoGodwon’tlisten,muchlessbelieve.WhensomeonerefusestolistentoGod,theylettheliessteerthemtowardevil.

Who are you listening to?

7. Theworldhasatotallydifferentperceptionofthetruththanwedo.Howdoesanon-believerseethethingsofGod?1Corinthians2:14

_______________________________________________________________

Dotheyunderstand?____________________________________________

Ourcultureconstantlymakesfunofbiblicalvalues,seeingthegospelasnarrowmindedandoutdated.Muchofwhattheworldteachesas“truth”isreallyalie.Thingsdon’tworkoutwellforthembecausetheirlifeisbuiltondeception.Theybecomeslavestothelies.Forthemtherearenoabso-lutes;insteadtheybelieveeverythingisrelative,dependingonthecircum-stances.Thereforeeveryonehastheirowntruth.TheyrefusetosubmittoBiblicalstandards,believingthathumansmaketherules,notGod.

8. Ontheotherhand,1Corinthians2:15saysthatthespiritualperson

_____________________allthings.Byexaminingallthings,theyareabletodistinguishtruthfromerrorandmakewisedecisions.Thelessonsthatfollowinthismanualwarnusaboutsomeofthemostcommonliesthatweoftenhear.Thebestwaytodetect“lies”istoknowthe”truth”asitisrevealedintheWordofGod.

A practical application: When a Christian speaks the truth as revealed in the Scriptures, many will reject it because their minds are closed to the truth. They can neither accept nor understand the truth. The fact that the majority reject our message should not discourage us, but rather challenge us to keep swimming against the current of those popular beliefs which are based on falsehoods.

9. Startbyjottingdownthreeexamplesofliesthathaveaffectedyouinthepast.

• ____________________________________________________________

• ____________________________________________________________

• ____________________________________________________________

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STOP

STOP

Step 2The truth that frees us


_____ Most Christians are mature enough to not be easily fooled by false ideas.

_____ If you practice sin, you become a slave to sin.

_____ Biblical truth brings freedom.

THE TRUTH THAT FREES US

Everydaywearebombardedbypopularbeliefs.Everyonewantstotelluswhattothink.Whoshouldwebe-lieve?It’surgentthatwelearntodistinguishbetweenthevoicesoftruthandtheclamorofconfusionandlies.

1. WhatdidJesussaywouldfreeus?John8:31-32_________________________________________________

Ifthetruthfreesus,thenwhatenslavesus?______________________________________________________

2. Howcanweknowthetruth?John8:31-32______________________________________________________

HoldingfasttoChrist’steachingswillleadustothetruth.Sadly,manybelieverstodayliveinignoranceofwhattheBibleteaches.Theyseldomread,muchlessstudytheirBibles.Insteadtheyfollowwhatotherstellthemandoftenendupconfused.Evenchurchleaderscanbecaughtupintheconfusion.Ontheotherhand,therearethosewhoknowwhattheBibleteaches,butdon´tfollowitsteachings.Theytooendupbadly.

3. Here’ssomethingtothinkabout.Onetimeajailinmatesaid,“I’m thankful I was caught. When I was out-side, I thought things were great, but now I see that was just ignorance. I was really a prisoner to sin. Here on the inside, when I read the Bible I have encountered true freedom, eternal life and peace.” 3

Whatdoesthisstoryhavetodowithyou?Althoughyoumightneverhavebeeninjail,areyoureallyfree?ThosewhowerespeakingwithJesusinJohn8:33claimedtheyhadneverbeenslavestoanybody.

HowdidJesusanswerthem?John8:34_______________________________________________

Haveyoueverfeltthefrustrationofbeingenslavedbysin?Yes❏No❏

How much of your life is really based on the truth? Which of the following statements apply to your life?

❏ IreadtheBibleregularlybymyself.

❏ Tobehonest,myknowledgeoftheBibleisverylimited.

❏ Idon’tliketojudgeothers,soIdon’tfeelqualifiedtosaywhohasthetruth.

❏ Ithinkformyself.Ievaluatewhatotherssaybycomparingitwithwhatthe Bibletellsme.ThereforeIcandiscernwhoistellingmethetruth.

❏ IletotherChristiansorthosewhoteachinmychurchtellmewhatto believe.It’seasierthatway.

COUNTERING THE LIES WITH THE TRUTH

4. WhatisthefirstpieceofourspiritualarmormentionedinEphesians6:14?___________________________

Whyisthatpiecesoimportant?Howdoesithelpusinspiritualwarfare?____________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

It’sinterestingtonotethatthelastpieceofthearmoristheSword of the Spirit,whichistheWordofGodwherewefindthetruth.Aswordisbothanoffensiveaswellasdefensiveweapon.Itprotectsagainsttheliesofthedevilasitattackslieswiththetruth.

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“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set youfree.” John 8:31-32

-

5. Whatwillhelpustoavoidevilways?Psalm119:104-105_________________________________________

Ifitwasn’tfortheBible,wewouldnotbeabletodetecttheliesandfleefromthem.Verse105comparestheBibletoalampwhichilluminatesourmindtoseetheliesthatwilldetourusfromthepath.

6. Inlightoftheabove,whatdidthePsalmistdecide?Psalm119:106_________________________________

Hedidn’twaverbutconfirmedhisdecision,andnothingwouldkeephimfromobeying.Thescripturesshouldnotonlyfillourminds,butmustmoveustoputintopracticewhatwereadinthem.

LIVING IN THE TRUTH

7. Philippians4:8.Whatarewetodowiththethingsthataretrue?___________________________________ Differenttranslationsworditdifferently,butwearetothink,meditate,ordwellonwhatistrue.What

doyouthinkitmeansto“meditate”onthetruthofGod’sword?___________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

8. 1John1:9-10speaksabout__________________oursins.Confessionistellingthetruthaboutoursin.Whenwestoptryingtocoveritup,weallowthebrightlightofthetruthtoshine.

Accordingto1John2:4,anyonewhosays,“Iknowhim,”yetdoesn’tdowhathecommandsisa_______

and___________________________________.Onceagain,theemphasisisonobeying,notjustknowing.9. Ephesians4:24-25tellsustoputonthenewnature.Thismeanstoputoff________________andspeak

__________________.Why?_________________________________________________________________

10.Acts17:10-11saysthatthebelieversinBereaweremorenoblethanthoseinotherplaces.Notonlydid

theyreceivethemessagebuttheyalso_________________________________________________________

InwhatwaysshouldweimitatetheBereans?____________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

• Ifyouaren’tsatisfiedwithyouranswerstothequestionnaireonthepreviouspage,whatcanyoudo?Theansweris:abideinorholdontotheWord(John8:31-32).

• WhatdoyouplantodothisweektoabideintheWord?_________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

• AbidingintheWordismorethanjustaquickreadingofapassage.It’s importanttoanalyzethepassagetounderstandwhatitsaysandwhatit

means.Buteventhisisnotenough.Thereisanotherstep.

• Afterstudyingapassage,itisimportanttolookforapplicationsforyourlife.James1:22saysit’snotenoughjusttoheartheword,youmust__________

_________________________________________________________________

Attheendofyourstudy,raiseyoureyesuptoGodandaskhim:“Lord, what do you want me to do now in response to what I have read?”

• ThisworkbookisdedicatedtothestudyofsomeofthemostcommonliesthattheworldandSatanusetoconfuseus.BeginningwithStep3wewillexaminelieslike: “I’m all alone,” “I can’t do it; it’s impossible,” “God could never forgive someone like me,”andmore.Witheachlie,wewilllookatbiblicalanswersthatwillallowustoliveinlibertyandholiness.

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GROWING STRONGER

Read Luke 8-14 (onechapterperday).

Memorize John 8:31-32

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” NIV

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” NKJV

STOP

Step 3Lie: I’m all alone


_____ God is not interested in those who have not been faithful.

_____ If you want to get ahead in life, you need to look out for yourself because no one else will.

_____ There is always hope, even when everything looks dark and there doesn’t seem to be any solutions.

THE LIE:

“I feel completely alone.” “Nobody can help me.” “Everyone has aban-doned me.” “I feel as if God were far away, or as if he has gone on vacation and left me.” Eveninthemidstofacrowd,manyfeelalone,abandoned,fearfulanddesperate.Facedwithloneliness,somefilltheirtimewithactivi-ties,friendsandworktokeepthemfromlookinginthemirrorandasking.“Does anyone care about me?” Othersdesperatelylookforconsolationinthewrongplaces,inabusiverelationships,insex,alcoholordrugs.

THE ANSWER

Isitreallytruethatyouarealone?No!Thisisoneofthemostdestructiveliesofourtimes.Howdoweknowit’salie?TheBibleisfullofpromisesforthepersonwhofeelsabandonedandalone.Forexample:

1. WhatdoesIsaiah41:10saytothepersonwhofeelsabandonedandalone?___________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Godpromisedthistoasinfulandrebelliouspeople.Althoughtheydidnotdeserveit,hewasalwaysthere.

2. Whyshouldn’tyoufear?JotdownthepromisesinIsaiah41:10andmeditateonthemeaningofeachone.

•___________________________________________•_________________________________________

•___________________________________________•_________________________________________

How do you feel knowing that these promises are true? ______________________________________________

And if you didn’t know the promises or refuse to believe them, then what? ______________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Psalm23hasbroughtcomforttomanyovertime.HowisGodpresentedinPsalm23:1-3?

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Whatistheworkofonewhoshepherdssheep?Howmightitbedifferentfromthatofacattleman?

___________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Whatassurancedowehavewhenhardtimescome?v.4_________________________________________

5. ExplainwhatGodknowsaboutyourlife?Psalm139:1-5_________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Whycan’tyouescapefromGod’spresence?Psalm139:7-12______________________________________

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A CURIOUS STORY

To point out how lonely people can be, Charles Swindoll mentioned an ad in a Kansas newspaper. It read: “I will listen to you talk for 30 minutes without comment for $5.00.”

Swindoll said, “Sounds like a hoax, doesn’t it?” But the person was serious. Did anybody call? You bet. It wasn’t long before this individual was receiving 10 to 20 calls a day.

The pain of loneliness was so sharp that some were willing to try any-thing for a half hour of companion-ship. 4

STOP

10.Whatdoyoudoinuncertaintimesorwhenyourfutureisindoubt? _____________________________________________________________ WhenJoshuawasabouttotakeoverleadershipoftheIsraelites,they

wereabouttoenterenemyterritoryandconquerthepromisedland.Hedidn’tknowwhatwouldhappenbuthereceivedsomeimportantadvice:

Moses said: “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

God said: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

11.HowwouldthesepromiseshavemotivatedJoshuainuncertaintimes?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

NeitherJoshuanortheIsraeliteswerealone.NotonlydidGodpromisetobewithJoshua,toneverleavehimorforsakehim,Healsopromisedtogo before him, wherever he went.

12.Godisatourside.Heisalsoaccessibleandhasgivenusafamilytowhichwecanbelong,thefamilyofGod.Ephesians2:18-19says:

“For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household”

Howdoesitmakeyoufeeltoknowyouareafellowcitizenwithothers

fromGod’sfamily?_____________________________________________

When you feel alone you have two options: • Live as if you were alone, falling into depression and desperation. • Look up and call out to the invisible God, accepting by faith that he is present in your life.

Decide between the two and remember: You are never alone!

AN INSPIRING STORY

ReadthestoryofElishaandtheSyriansin2Kings6:8-18,payingattentionespeciallytov.15-17.Whatisthemainlessonyoulearnfromthisstory?

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

GROWING STRONGER

Read Luke 15-21(onechapterperday).

Memorize Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.“ NIV

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” NKJV

7. HowdotheseteachingsinPsalm139makeyoufeel?_______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Psalm46:1-2assuresusthatweareneveraloneindifficulttimesbecauseGodis_______________________

_______________________________________________________________.Thereforewewillnot_________

eventhough______________________________________________.“The LORD Almighty is with us”. v. 7

9. Psalm145:18-19TheLordis____________toallwho__________________________.Whatcanweexpect

whenwecallonGod?v.19___________________________________________________________________ AlthoughGodisnear,thosewhofailtocallonhimliveasiftheywerealoneandabandoned.Theydon’t

receivecomfort;insteadsadness,fearandagonyruletheirlives.Whatatragedy!

Are there times when you do not call out to God for help? Why?

❏ You don’t realize that God is near because you don’t know the scriptures.❏ You don’t believe he is near because you cannot see him.❏ You don’t want to call on God because you’re unwilling to submit to him.

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STOP

STOP

A Daily Surrender To Christ

Romans12:1exhortsustosurrenderourbodiestoChrist.Thefollowingprayermayserveasa

modelforthisdailysurrender.

“Lord, I surrender myself to you.

Take my mind and what I think

Take my eyes and what I see

Take my ears and what I hear

Take my lips and what I speak

Take my heart, what I feel and my attitudes.

Take my hands and what I do

Take my feet, where I go

Take my body, it is your temple.

Fill me with your Holy Spirit.

I want to obey you.

I want to do your will.”

FromNewLifeinChrist,Volume1,Lesson4

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13

Detecting and rejecting the lies.

Principlestohelpyoubaseyourlifeonthetruthinsteadoflies.

Asyouhaveseeninthepreviouslessons,aChristiancanonlybefreeifhislifeisbasedonthetruth.Eachlessonlaysoutaspecificlieandthengivesbiblicalanswerstocorrecttheeffectsofthelieonyourlife.Obviously,itisnotpossibletospeakofevery liethedevil invents,butwecan learn to recognizeandcombatany liewhen itpresentsitself.

Whatyoubelievedetermineshowyouwillact. If youbelievesomethingistrue,youwillliveasifitweretrue.Forexample, ifyoudon’tbelieveGodiswatching,youtendtolivearecklesslife.Ontheotherhand,ifyouareawarethatGodispresent,youtendtoliverighteously.Ifyoubelieveyoucan’t,youwon’t.Ifyouseeyourselfasaloser,youwilllivelikealoser.IfyouseeyourselfasanewcreatureinChrist,youwillliveinvictoryasanewperson.Ifyoubelievesomethingisfalse,youwillrejectit,evenifitistrue.Theprinciplesthatfollowwillhelpyouunderstandhowtoliveinfreedomandvictory.

1. Learn to think biblically. This happens when yousaturateyourmindwiththeWord.

2. DoindepthBiblestudy,notjustaquickreadingoftheWord.WhenyoustudytheBibleregularly,youare creating a library in your mind full of biblicalknowledge. As time goes by you will accumulatemoreandmoreresourcestohelpyouconfrontlife’sdailyproblems.

3. Live according to the scriptures you already know.Eachday,applywhatyouhavereadtoyourdailylife.

4. Cultivatethehabitofquestioningwhatyouseeandhear.Withoutbecomingnegative,orcynical,learnto examine everything in the light of God’s Word.Continuouslyaskyourself:Isthattrue?WhatdoestheBiblesayaboutthat?

5. Think for yourself. Don’t believe something justbecausesomeone(evenaChristian)saysitstrue,orbecauseitspopular.

6. WhatwouldJesusdoinyoursituation?

7. When you feel tempted, burdened, discouraged,doubtfulorevenenthusiastic,askyourself:

• WhatamIbelievingthatmakesmefeelthisway?Isittrue?

• Wheredomy current thoughts andmy feelingscomefrom?FromGod?Thedevil?Myculture?Myself?Mymomordad?

• AmIbeingpressuredbysomeonetobelieveoractinawaythatcontradictstheBible?How?

• Howmightmycurrentcircumstancesbedistortingmypointofview,forgoodorforbad?

• What does God say about the beliefs that arepopularinmyculture?

• AmIdoubtingsomethingthattheBibleclearlytellsmeistrue?

• AmIdoubtingwhattheBibletellsmebecauseIcan’tseeitortouchit?

• WhatdoIdoif Idon’t likewhattheBiblesays?WhatpoordecisionsmightIbemakingbecauseIamunwillingtosubmittowhattheBibletellsme?

8. Meditateontheimplicationsofyourdecisions.Whatwillbetheshorttermeffects?Longterm?

9. Areyouaware that realitymightbedifferent thanwhatyouarecurrentlyseeingorfeeling?Godissov-ereignandispresent.WithHim,anythingispossible.

AreyouwillingtofocusonwhatGodcandoorareyouonlylookingatyourpresentcircumstances?Areyouwilling to trustGodwithyourpresentcircum-stancesandtellHim:“Lord,hereIam,yourservant,willingtodoyourwill.Itrustyouforthethingsinmylifethatseemimpossible.EventhoughIcan’tdoit,youcan.

10.WheremightyoubepayingmoreattentiontowhatpeoplethinkthantowhatGodsays?

11.Makealistofnegativemessages(lies)thatyouhear. Nextwriteatruestatementtoreplaceeachnegative

message.

Step 4

Lie: It’s impossible


_____ There are times when nobody or nothing can help me.

_____ When I feel responsible to solve all my problems by myself I am putting myself on the road to failure.

_____ God’s power manifests itself when I admit my weaknesses.

THE LIE

Haveyoueverfoundyourselfincircumstancessodifficultthatyou’vesaid: It’s impossible. I don’t see any way out of this. I might as well throw in the towel?Perhapsyouhavetriedtochangeyourcharacterbutwithoutsuccess.Oryou’vesaid: I’ve been a failure as a husband, mother, son...DoyoufeelfrustratedbyyourinabilitytoachievethevictoryintheChristianlifethatothersseemtohaveattained?Andthelistgoesonandon.

THE ANSWER

Youcan’t,butGodcan!Isaiah41:13says“Do not fear; I will help you.”LookandseeallthatGodhasdonethroughouthistory.Forexample,putyourselvesintheshoesofthethreeHebrewyouthsastheystoodbeforethekingofBabylonia,threatenedwithbeingthrownintoafieryfurnacefordisobeyingtheordertobowdowntotheking’sidol.ReadthisinspiringstoryinDaniel3:10-27whichtellshowtheyriskedtheirlivestochallengetheking’sedict.

1. Whyweretheyunwillingtobowdowntoafalsegodeventhoughtheirrefusalputtheirlivesindanger?

Daniel3:17-18_______________________________________________________________________________

Andtheresults?ReadDaniel3:19-27.Godbroughtthemoutoftheflamessafeandsound,withouteventhesmellofsmokeonthem.

2. Whatthingsinyourpresentlifeseemimpossible?_________________________________________________

HowdoesRomans8:31,37makeyoufeel?______________________________________________________

3. WhatcouldbemoredifficultthanthepromisemadetoMary,thatshewouldhaveasoneventhoughshe

wasavirgin?Theangelencouragedherbysaying________________________________________Luke1:37

4. Ifsomeoneeverhadtherighttosay¿“It’simpossible”,itwouldbeMary,butinstead,whatwasheranswer?

Luke1:38___________________________________________________________________________________

•We can say the same today when we confront “impossible” situations. We can ask ourselves: “Am I going to believe that nothing is impossible for God, or will I focus on the problem and lose hope, give up, and give in to depression, anger or failure?”

•What impossible situations are you facing today? Write them down on a separate sheet of paper, then go through the list saying: “Lord, this looks impossible, but I believe that it is possible for you.”

5. Whatarethetwocommandsin1Peter5:6-7forthepersonwhoworries?

v.6______________________________________Why?____________________________________________

v.7______________________________________Why?____________________________________________

6. Haveyoueversaid:Ihavenomoney;howamIgoingtopaymybills?WhatdidJesussayinMatthew6:25?

__________________________Why?v.26______________________________________________________

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STOP

TO ENCOURAGE YOU

Ifyoufeeldiscouragedbecauseeverythingjustseemslikeit’simpossible,readthefollowingpassages.Theywillinspireyou.

Hebrews11talksabouttheheroesofthefaith.

Daniel6speaksaboutDanielandthelion’sden.

GROWING STRONGER

Read Luke 22-24and Psalms 33-36, (onechapterperday).

Memorize 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. NIV

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. NKJV

15

ContinuereadingMatthew6:26-32whereJesusclaimsthatGodwillpro-videforyourdailyneeds.Ifhetakescareofthebirdsanddressesthelilieswithbeauty,won’theprovideforuswhoareworthsomuchmore?Worrywon’thelpus.Itjustsapsourstrength.Godknowsaboutallourneeds.

7. Whatshouldwedofirst,insteadofworrying?Matthew6:33

_______________________________________________________________

ToseekthekingdomofGodmeanstosubmitmomentbymomenttotheauthorityofChrist,yourking.WhatdoesGodpromisewhenwesubmit

tohim?v.33__________________________________________________

8. WhatdidPaulsayinPhilippians4:13?_____________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Initscontextthispassagespeaksaboutfinances.PaulhadlearnedtotrustGodforhisneeds,whetherhehadmoneyandwhetherhewasinneed.Italsoappliestootherareasoflife.WithChrist,nothingisimpossible.

9. Whichofthesesvariationsofthephrase,“It’s impossible,”applytoyou?❏ Icannotforgive. ❏ Ican’tchange,thisisjustthewayIam.

❏ Ican’tbepatient. ❏ IwillneverbeavictoriousChristian.

❏ Idon’tbelieveGodwillforgiveme.❏ Myfamilyproblemsareunsolvable.

❏ Idon’tbelieveGodcanuseme. ❏ Ican’tovercomemyaddictiontopornography.

❏ Iwillneverhavegoodfriends. ❏ Iseenohopeforsolvingmymoneyproblems.

❏ Ican’tovercometemptation. ❏ Ican’tgetgoodgradesinschool.

❏ Ifeellikeafailure. ❏ Other_________________________________

10.Thinkingabouttheabovelist,meditateon2Corinthians12:7-10.Why

didPaulrejoiceinhisweaknesses?v.9_____________________________

_______________________________________________________________

v.10ForwhenIam_______________Iam________________

11.Onwhomdoesvictorydepend?❏ Me❏ God

Whenyoufeelresponsibletosolveyourownproblemsyoucondemnyourselftofailure.Itisnotaquestionofyourcapacitytoovercomebyyourownefforts.Godsays,“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”PaulallowedGod'spowertorestonhim.ToliveingraceistodependonGodinsteadofyourownresolve.

IT’S TIME TO DECIDE Check the following statements you agree with.

❏ I’m willing to say: When I am weak, then I am strong”. 2 Cor. 12:10

❏ I will not focus my attention on my problems or limitations, rather on God who says “Do not fear; I will help you”. Isaiah. 41:13

❏ I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13

❏ I am willing to trust God with my circumstances and tell him:

“Lord, here I am, your servant, ready to do your will. I trust you for the things that seem impossible in my life. I can’t solve my problems but you can”.

STOP

Thisliedealswiththeproblemofself-sufficiency.Whenyousay:“I can do it; I’m capable; I’m better than others...”youaretrustinginyourselfinsteadofthepowerofGod.

“I CAN DO IT” AND SALVATION

Whatcanyoucontributetoyoursalvation?Canattendingchurch,prayingtotheVirginorstoppingabadhabitsaveyou?Manysay:Do what your religion demands and you will go to Paradise.Requirementsvaryfromonereligiontoanother,buttheyareallbasedonworks.Theyaresellingthelie:You can do it if you work hard enough.

1. AreyoucapableofcontributinganythingtoyoursalvationaccordingtoRomans3:10,20,23-24?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Ifyouworkhard,canyousaveyourself?______Ephesians2:8-9Why?______________________________

___________________________Whatis“grace”?________________________________________________

SalvationisafreegiftfromGod.Itcannotbebought,onlyacceptedbyfaith,orrejected..

3. Galatians3:10-11saysthosewhotrytobejustifiedbythelaw(selfeffort)areundera__________becausetheydonotcontinuetodo___________thatthelawdemands.NoonecanobeytheTenCommandments100%.Ifsalvationdependedonworks,nobodycouldeverreachit.ThankGodit’sbyfaith,notworks.

Howmanysincereand“good”peopletodayareunderacursebecausetheybelievethelie:“I can do it.”

“I CAN DO IT” AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

Ifyoucan’tcontributeanythingtoyoursalvation,whataboutyourChristianlife?Whatplacedoworksandpersonaleffortplay?AlthoughSalvationdoesnotdependonworks,thereisnodoubtthatgoodworksarethefruitofbeingsaved.Ephesians2:10sayswewere“created in Christ Jesus to do good works”.The point isn’t whether good works are important, but rather: Where do they come from? Is the Christian life a matter of trying harder or of letting God work in you and through you?

4. Gobackto2Corinthians12:7-10thatyoustudiedinthelastlesson.Atthebeginningofthechapter,Paulmentionsavisionhehadofwhatnooneelsehadeverseen.Butthenhewasgivenathorninhisfleshwhichcausedgreatsuffering.AlthoughheaskedGodtoremoveitthreetimes,itwasstillwithhim.

Whatwasthepurposeofhistrial?2Cor.12:7__________________________________________________ Whensomeonehasspecialabilities,itiseasytoletpridetakeover:“Look at me. I’m very capable. I’m

better than others.” Godallowsweaknessinourlivestoremindusthatwecan’tdoanythingwithouthim.

5. That’swhyPaulsaidin2Corinthians12:10When I am __________, then I am ___________. Weaknessisaneffectivewaytoremindusofourlimitationsandtotemperourpride.

6. Galatians2:20-21.IhavebeencrucifiedwithChrist,ItisnolongerIwho_______,but________livesinme.

Step 5Lie: I can do it


_____ If I try hard enough I will be saved.

_____ If I try hard enough, I can be a victorious Christian.

_____ There are ministries today that are based more on the will power of determined men than on the power of God.

16

.

STOP

NowIliveby_________inthesonofGod.It’salietosay,“Icandoit”whentheessenceoftheChristianlifeislettingChristlivethroughme.

WhatdeterminesmyrelationshipwithGod?v.21Itisn’taboutwhatIdoforGod,butwhatChristhasdoneforme.

7. InJohn15Jesussaidthatheisthevineandwearethebranches.Whatdoverses4-5teachabouttheideathat“I can do it”?

_______________________________________________________________

Whatdoesitmeanto“abide”or“remain”inChrist?_________________

_______________________________________________________________

8. James4:6-7WhodoesGodoppose?__________________Insteadof saying,“Icandoit,I’mcapable,”whatshouldmyattitudebebefore

God?v.7,10__________________________________________________

9. Sometimesthereisrivalrybetweenchurchesorministries,butintheend,

whocausesgrowth?1Corinthians3:4-6___________________________

10.1Corinthians3:11-15illustratesthewaysChristiansbuildtheirlives.Some,trustinginGod’spower,buildwithgold,silverandpreciousstones.Otherswhotrustintheirowneffortsbuildwithwood,hayandstraw.Whatwill

happenintheend?______________________________________________

WewillallappearbeforethejudgementseatwherefirewillrevealwhetherwebuiltourlivesinthepoweroftheSpiritorintheflesh.Manysay:“I’m capable and talented.”Youcandoalotintheflesh,evenbuildministriesthatseemsuccessful,butthinkaboutwhatwillhappenwhenGodexamineseverything.

11.Somegradetheirchurchonitssize,thebiggerthebetter.Doyouthinkthisisagoodwaytomeasurethesuccessofaministry?Why?

_______________________________________________________________ SomeministriesaretheworkofGodwhileothersaremonumentstomen.

“I CAN DO IT” – LEGALISM OR GRACE?

12.WhentheChristianlifebecomesalifeofhumaneffort,itbecomes“anothergospel”whichisrepulsivetoGod(Gal.1:6-8).PauldealtwiththisproblemoflegalisminthebookofGalatians.Somewantedtorequirenewgentilebelieverstosubmittocircumcisionandotherpracticesofthelaw.Somethingsimilarhappenstoday:

•Somebelieversfeelsuperiortootherswhodon’tfollowtheirlistsofprohibitedactivities.Theycriticizeothersandshametheminsteadofmotivatingtheminlovetodogood.TheirChristianityisbasicallynegative.

•Othersareproudofnevermissingservices,oroffasting,prayingorreadingtheirBiblesmorethanothers.TheytrytoimpressGodandotherswiththeirworks.

13.ManyChristiansdependonthemselvesandtheir“Christianworks”thinking:“If I just work hard I can do it.”Thinkingaboutwhatyouhavelearnedinthislesson,whatiswrongwiththatkindofthinking?

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

GROWING STRONGER

Read Exodus 1-7 (onechapterperday)

Memorize John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” NIV

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do noth-ing.” NKJV

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the

branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the

vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4

DIGGING DEEPER

ReadthebookofGalatianstobetterunderstandwhatthetruegospelis.Learnhowtoliveingraceandavoidlegalism.

17

#13, I think its probably more subtle than that a lot of the time. We probably know working hard isn’t it, but yet that is the way we live all too often. Although that is one thing that bothers me at Grace. All too often I hear people talking about trying. I don’t think this message has been really taught or that the majority of the people understand this.

Step 6

I’m afraid


_____ Feeling that God is far away brings fear to our lives.

_____ Sometimes things aren’t what they seem to be at first glance.

_____ To “fear God” means to be afraid of him.

Allofusexperiencefearattimes.Checkwhichofthefollowingthingsarecausingfearinyourlife.

❏ Fearofrejection ❏ Fearofdeath ❏ Fearsaboutthefuture ❏ Fearoffailure

❏ FearofGod’sjudgment ❏ Fearofenemies ❏ Fearofthedevil ❏ Fearofbeinglaughedat

❏ Fearofwhatotherswillsay ❏ Fearsabouthealthissues ❏ Fearofneverfindinglove

❏ Fearofnotbeingabletopayyourbills❏ FearthatGodwillnothearyou❏ Other________________________

GOD: THE REFUGE FOR THE JUST

1. Psalm11speaksaboutamomentofterror.WhenDavid’sfriendssawthathisenemieshadarrowsontheirbowstringsreadytofireagainstthejust,theyadvisedhimtofleetothemountainslikeabird.v.1-2

Davidwasindignant.Howdidherespond?v.1__________________________________________________ SinceDavidlookedatGodashisrefuge,hecouldnotimaginefleeing

2. Davidaskedwhatrighteousshoulddowhenitseemsliketheirworldiscrumblingaroundthem?v.3

Thinkabouthowyoureactinacrisis.WhatwasDavid’sanswerfortimesofcrisis?v.4________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Atfirstglancehisanswerdoesn’tseemtorelatetohissituation,buttakeasecondlook.Davidwassayingthat things aren’t as they appear.Itmayseemlikeevildoersareinchargeofourworld,orthatoursitua-tionisimpossible,butthereality is different:God,isstillsittingonhisthroneandseeseverything.

WhatisGoddoing?v.4Isheuptherebitinghisfingernails,notknowingwhattodo?________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________ ThesovereignGodexists,seeseverythingandrules.He’sstillinchargeofourworldevenifwecan’tsee

him.

3. Readv.5-7.Althoughitlookslikeevildoersarewinning,inhistimeGodwilljudgethem.Then,whatcan

thejustexpect?v.7_________________________________________________________________________ TheNewAmericanStandardBible,likemanytranslationssays“The upright will behold His face.”

4. Whatistheremedyforfear?Psalm46:10-11.____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

• Meditate on the implications of these verses for your life. God exists. He sees everything. He is over all the

earth. He is with us. He is our refuge. What more could we ask? _____________________________________

• Are you fearful? What or who do you fear? _______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

• Is there really a God who reigns over everything? ❏ Yes ❏ NoCanheseeeverything? ❏ Yes ❏ No Does he stand with you? ❏ Yes ❏ No Do you really believe this to be true? ❏ Yes ❏ No

• Think about this: When you look around and only see problems, remember that what you see is not the whole picture. God is in charge, not people or our circumstances. If that’s true, what is there to fear?

18

DeathDeath

STOP

5. Whatdothefollowingpassagesteachaboutfearandhowtoovercomeit?

Proverbs29:25________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Psalm18:1-2___________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

John16:33____________________________________________________

6. DoesGodevergettiredofhearingfromus?Psalm71:3

_______________________________________________________________7. InPsalm34(below),underlinethewordsandphrasesthatarethemost

helpfulinovercomingyourfears.Taketimetomeditateoneachone.

Psalm 34:4-9, 14-17

4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.

14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; 16 but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

* Other comforting passages are Psalm 91 and 1 Crónicas 28:20

• Inthislessonyouhavereadmanypassagestohelpyoudealwithfear.Whichthoughtsorideashavecaughtyourattentionthemost?

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

• Onaseparatesheet,makealistofnegativemessages(lies)thatyouhear.Nextwriteatruestatementtoreplaceeachnegativemessage.

19

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Sometimes the Lord calms the storm. Sometimes he lets the

storm rage and calms his child.5

Inyourcurrentsituation,doyoufeelthatGodiscalmingthestormorcalmingyouasyoupassthroughit?

__________________________________________________________________

SO HOW DOES GOD SEE US?

DoyouneedtobeafraidofGod?Romans5:1

____________________________________________

WhenyoutrustedChristasSavior,youwerejustified,de-claredrighteousbasedonChrist’sblood.Insteadofaccusingyou,heforgivesyou.Romans8:28-39emphasizesthatheisonourside,notagainstus

GROWING STRONGER

Read Exodus 8-14(onechapterperday).

Memorize Psalm 34:7

“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” NIV

“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.” NKJV

Fut

u re DEAT H

STOP

Step 7

But...everyone else does it.


_____ Christians are called to live differently than others.

_____ The world offers a lot of fun, but it does not last.

_____ Many Christians are strange, as if they came from another planet.

THE LIE

“Everyone does it, why should I be different? It can’t be that bad if it is so popular.” Friendsofthosewhowanttoliveaholylifesometimessay: “Don’t be a fanatic, relax, enjoy life. Do you think you are better than us?” Beingdifferentisuncomfortable.It’snoteasytoswimagainstthetide.Wemightfollowtheworldduetopeerpressure;butothertimeswedoitbecausesinlookslikefun,andwedon’tthinkabouttheconsequences.

1. Listsomeexamplesofcommonpracticesinoursocietythatpeoplejustifybysaying“Everyoneisdoingit.”

________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

The Salmon

Inthecoldwatersofmanyriversthesalmonswim.Theyareborninfreshwaterstreams,butmigratedownstreamtothesea.Notallofthemsurvivethetrip,butthosethatreachtheoceangrowtohugesizes.Afterseveralyearsatsea,instinctcallsthemtoreturntothestreamwheretheywereborn.

Thetriphomeishard,astheyfightthecurrent,rapids,predatorsandotherobstacles.Whenawaterfallblockstheirpaththeyjumpoverandoveruntiltheyreachthetop.Atlasttheyreachtheirdestination,wheretheylaytheireggsanddie,givingrisetoanewgeneration.

Whatifthesalmondidn’twanttoswimagainstthecurrent?Itwouldremainatsea,unabletoreproduce,bringingtheendoftheirspecies.

Whathappenstobelieverswhowon’tswimagainsttheworld’scurrent?

_______________________________

_______________________________

Belikethenoblesalmon.Perse-vereagainstthecurrentandevery-thingtheworldthrowsatyou.

THE TRUTH

2. HowdoesRomans12:2contradicttheliethatsays“...it’s OK because

everyone else does it?”_______________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Godhasn’tcalledyoutocopytheworld’sways,buttobetransformedintoanewkindofpersonwhoisdifferent.Ifyourfriendsscoffbe-causeyouareabelieveryoucouldrespond:“Yes, I’m different! So what? I’ve chosen a different path. I have a higher calling.”

3. Tobedifferent,itisnecessarytorenewyour_________________.v.2

Howcanyourenewyourmind?_______________________________

____________________________________________________________

• Onewaytotransformyourthinkingistoallowbiblicaltruthtoreplacetheliesyouhavelearnedfromthedevilandtheworldduringthecourseofyourlife(Psalm119:11).Yourmindneedstobereprogrammedinorderforyoutobelightinthedarknessinsteadofjustadoptingtheworld’swayofthinking.Thatispreciselywhythismanualwaswritten,tohelpyouidentifytheliesandexchangethemforthetruth.

• Romans12:1givesanotherwaytobedifferent:PresentyourbodytoGodasalivingsacrifice.PrayandsurrenderallofyourselftoGod,todohiswillinsteadoftheworld’sbidding.How?See“A Daily Surrender to Christ”onpage12.

4. WhatdoesMatthew7:13-14sayaboutthepersonwhowantstobe likeeveryoneelse.Wheredoesthewide roadlead?______________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

20

5. Writedownsomeareasinyourlifewhereyouarefeelingpressuredto

moldyourselftotheworld.Bespecific:___________________________

______________________________________________________________

6. 1Peter2:11comparesbelieversto_______________and____________

Explainwhatitmeanstoseeyourselfasasojournerorforeigner.

______________________________________________________________

As a sojourner, the believer is different from others because he is just passing through this world. Meditate on how that will effect your life.

Howshouldyoulive?v.11______________________________________

Abstainingfromevildesiresisn’toptional.Thesedesirescombatagainstyoursoullikeparasites,slowlysuckingawayyourspiritualenergy.

7. Whyshouldyoulivewell?v.12__________________________________

Believersarecalledtobehaveinawaythatwon’tgiveunbelieversanexcusetocriticizethem,butrathercausethemtopraiseGod.

8 InPhilippians2:15-16,Godcallsyoutoliveablamelesslifeinthemidst

ofa________________________________________culture,likeshininglightsforalltosee.HoldfasttoGod’sword,allowingittoalwaysbeyourguide.Do you accept the challenge to shine? ❏ Yes❏ No

Think of a practical way you could shine for God today? What is it?

9. Psalm1tellsushowtoliveineviltimes.Whatthingsdorighteous

peopleavoid?Psalm1:1_______________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

10.Incontrasttothewicked,howdotherighteouslive?Psalm1:2?

_____________________________________________________________

HowmuchtimedoyoudedicatetotheWord?____________________

11.Psalm1:3-4.ThosewhomeditatesontheWordarelikea___________

plantednexttoariver,strong,stableandfruitful.Thewickedwhofollowothersarecomparedto________________thatisblownawaybythewind.

• Now close your eyes and imagine the tree next to the river and the chaff driven by the wind. See the huge difference between them?

• Which represents your life now, the tree or the chaff? __________________

_________________________________________________________________

• Which would you like to be? _______________________________________

• Have you been listening to bad advice, or following bad examples? Explain:

________________________________________________________________

• Make a personal plan to meditate on the Word day and night so as to coun-teract the world’s influence. Write your plan on a separate sheet.

21

Whenyouwanttodosomething,yetarenotsureifyoushoulddoitornot,askthefollowingquestions:

3 WhatwouldJesusdo?

3 Whatdoesyourconsciencesay?Ifyourconscienceisclear,whythenareyoutryingtojustifyyourbehaviorbysaying...“everyone does it”?

3 WhatdoestheBiblesay?

GROWING STRONGER

Read Exodus 15-21 (onechapterperday).

Memorize Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.” NIV

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” NKJV

STOP

STOP

STOP

THE LIE

Whenyoulookaround,itwouldbeeasytoconcludethatthereisnojusticeinourworld.Weseesuffering,crime,injustice,povertyandcorruption.Theliewewillstudyinthislessonexpressesitselfindifferentways:“Why do evil men prosper when the righteous suffer? It’s unfair. The forces of good are losing the battle. It’s not worth trying to do the right thing when doing evil brings greater rewards.”

THE TRUTH

It’struethatthewickedoutnumbertherighteous,butthatshouldnotsurpriseus.Themostpopularpath,withthemosttrafficistheonethatleadstodestruction(Matthew7:13-14).Whydothegoodpeoplesufferatthehandsofevildoers?Isittruethatevilpaysbetterthandoinggood?Whatattitudeshouldtherighteoustakeinthelightofsomuchinjustice?

Psalm 37 is key to finding answers to these issues. Read the whole Psalm and answer questions 1-8.

1. Whataretherighteouscommandedtodoinv.1?_______________________________________________

Whydoyouthinkagoodpersonwouldenvythewicked?_________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Isittruethatsometimesthewickedprosper?❏ Yes❏ NoThenwhyshouldn’ttherighteousenvythe

wicked?v.2_______________________________________________________________________________

3. UsethreedifferentcolorstounderlinethefollowingthemesthatarefoundinPsalm37:

• WhatGodcommandstherighteoustodo.• Whatwillhappentoevildoers.• WhatGodpromisestothosewhodogood.

MY ATTITUDE WHEN FACING INJUSTICE(continueinPsalm37)

4. Whatshouldyoudoinsteadofenvyingthewicked?v.3“__________intheLordand_______________.” Thisversesaysitall.Insteadoflivingwithenvy,anger,complainingorvengeance,yourattitudeshouldbe

tofocusondoinggood.“Doinggood”includesallthattheBiblecommandsus.Thetendencyofmanybelieversistofocusontheinjusticeanduseitasanexcuseforourbadbehavior.ButGodsays,“leaveittome,I’lltakecareofit.”(Romans12:19).Yourresponsibilityistodowhatisright,nomatterwhat.

5. WhatelsedoesGodaskustodointhefollowingverses?v.4_____________________________________

v.5_______________________________________________________________________________________

v.7_______________________________________________________________________________________

v.8_______________________________________________________________________________________

Step 8

There’s no justice in the world


_____ Sometimes the wicked prosper more than the righteous.

_____ One day the wicked will have to pay for their deeds.

_____ It’s not worth it to do the right thing when you can do better doing evil.

22

WHAT GOD PROMISES TO THE JUST

6. WhatwillGoddoforthosewhoobeyhim?Psalm37

v.4_________________________________________________________

v.6_________________________________________________________

v.11________________________________________________________

v.28________________________________________________________7. Whatdoesv.16saytomotivateus?______________________________

______________________________________________________________

WHAT GOD PROMISES TO THE WICKED

8. Whatwillhappentothewicked?Psalm37:9-10___________________

______________________________________________________________

v.13TheLord________atthewicked,for_________________________

v.14-15______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

v.20Thewickedwillperish,theywillvanishlike___________,asiftheyhadneverexisted..

9. Shouldweseekvengeance?Romans12:19Why?_________________

______________________________________________________________

10.AccordingtoRevelation19:11-16,howwillhistoryend?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

11.Meditateonthefollowingstatementsanddiscussthemwithothers.:

3 Itishardtoacceptthatsometimesevildoerscontinuetoprosperanden-joyalonglife.WhereisGod’sjustice?Whydoesn’thestrikethemdownnow?Wedon’tknowwhyheholdsbackbutGodisincharge,andwilljudgeeachoneinduetime.SeeRomans12:19

3 Theevilonesarecomparedwithgrass(Psalm37:2)thatdriesupandwiththesmokethatvanishes.Eventhosewholivetooldagewillhavetoleavetheir richesandpowerbehind. Theonly thing thatawaits them is thejudgementofaholyandjustGod.

3 Additionally,thingsaren’treallyastheyappear.Itseemslikethewickedhaveeverything,butdotheyliveinpeace,oraretheycontrolledbyenvy,greed,jealousy,prideandfear?

• Share with your group a difficult situation that you are currently facing.

• Remember Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord and do good.

• Don’t let injustices or any other circumstances turn you into a bitter or envious person. Keep on doing good, leaving those who do evil in God’s hands.

• If you are in an abusive relationship, ask God for wisdom and seek advice from a mature Christian. There is a place for resistance.

A STORY OF HOPE

Imagine a city under siege. The enemy that surrounds the city will not let anyone or anything leave. Supplies are running low and the citizens are fear-ful. But in the dark of the night, a spy sneaks through the enemy lines.

He has rushed to the city to tell the people that in another place the main enemy force has been defeated; the leaders have already surrendered. The people do not need to be afraid. It is only a matter of time until the besieging troops receive the news and lay down their weapons.

Similarly, we may feel we are surrounded by the forces of evil, disease, injustice, oppression, death, but the enemy has actually been defeated at Calvary. Things are not the way they seem to be. It is only a matter of time until it becomes clear to all that the battle is really over. 6

“A little while, and the wicked will be no more;

though you look for them, they will not be found.

But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace

and prosperity.”

Psalm 37:10-11

GROWING STRONGER

Read Deuteronomy 28-34and Joshua 1-3(onechapterperday).

Memorize Psalm 37:9

“For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.” NIV

“For evildoers shall be cut off;But those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.” NKJV

23

STOP

THE LIE

Thislietakesseveralforms:What I’ve done is just too awful. How can I ever be forgiven? I’m not worthy; how can God love someone like me? I’m afraid that I’m a lost cause. God has given me so many opportuni-ties that I’ve not taken advantage of. I can’t believe he would give me another chance.

THE TRUTH

Thislie,likesomanyothersisamixtureoftruthandlies.Ontheonehand,apersoniscorrectinsayingthattheyaren’tworthy.Theyrecognizestheirstillsins,andfeeltheydon’tdeserveGod’sforgiveness.Theyhavecometobelievethatthereisnoremedyfortheirsin.Why?Perhapsbecausethereissomuchwrongwiththeirlife,orbecausetheykeeponcommittingthesamesinoverandover.Perhapstheyfeelincapableofovercomingtheirweaknesses.ThispersonprobablybelievesthatGodwillforgiveotherswhosinless,butnothimorher.

1. Wheredothedoubtscomefrom?Revelation12:9-10describesoneofSatan’smaintactics.Verse9says

thatSatan_______________________thewholeworld.Verse10callshimthe_________________ofour

_________________________,who______________thembefore________________dayandnight.

AlthoughheisnotabletofoolGodwithhisaccusations,heoftenconvincesuswithhislies.Heisrightwhenhesayswehavesinned,butlieswhenhesaysoursinsaretoomanyortoogreattobeforgiven.Ifwebelievethis,theenemywillparalyzeuswithremorseanddoubt.

2. WhatisGod’sattitudetowardsinners?Ephesians2:4-5Godisrichin__________________.Evenwhen

weweredeadinsin,hemadeusalive.By_______________youhavebeensaved.

Thewordsmercyandgraceareliketwosidesofthesamecoin:

•Mercy: God’s compassion that moves him to hold back a punishment we deserve.

•Grace: God’s great love that moves him to give us a gift we do not deserve, pardon.

3. ReadRomans8:31-39.InsteadofaccusinguswhatdoesGoddo?v.33_____________________________

Insteadofcondemningus,whatisChristdoingnow?v.34_______________________________________

WhatcanseparateusfromGod’slove?v.38-39_________________________________________________

4. So,whatdoesGodwant?❏ Punishus❏ ForgiveusGodisonourside!Hewantstoforgiveusandgiveuspeace.Heisnotplaying“hideandseek”withbelievers.Wedon’thavetobegortrytocon-vincehimtoforgiveus.Healreadydecidedtoforgiveusandwantstorestoreustofellowship.

5. WhathappenswhenwereceiveChrist?Romans5:1Weare______________________________________

andhave_____________________________.

Step 9God will never forgive

someone like me


_____ There are many sins that God isn’t ready to forgive.

_____ Although I have confessed my sins, I still feel guilty. God probably hasn’t forgiven me.

_____ I don’t deserve God’s forgiveness.

24

JustifiedbyfaithmeansGodhasdeclaredusrighteousbasedontheworkofChrist.Thisisnotbecauseweareworthyorwithoutsin,butratherbecauseGodcreditedtherighteousnessofChristtoouraccount.ItisbasedonthefinishedworkofChristonthecross,independentofourownrighteousness.

HowdoesGodseeusnow?Romans8:1says,“there is now no condemna-

tion for those who are in Christ Jesus.”Inspiteofourweaknesshedeclaresusrighteous.Hedoesn’tseeoursins,butratherChrist’sbloodthatcoversthem

•Have you accepted Christ as your savior? Are you in the shadow of the

cross? ___________________________________________________________

• If not, is there anything to stop you from doing it now? ______________________

• Is there any sin that the blood of Christ does not cover? ______________________

• Can God forgive someone like you, even with your many faults? _______________

WHAT COLOR IS THE WALL?

Itiscommontodescribethingsbytheircolor.Forexample...”thewhitebuildingwiththeblackgate.”Butifwethinkaboutit,thebuildingisprobablynotwhite.Why?Ifitismadeofconcreteblocktherealcolorofthewallisgray,thecolorofconcrete.

Wecallitwhitebecauseweseethewhitepaintthatcoversthewall.Inlikemannerwe,beingsinners,havebeencoveredwiththebloodofChrist.WhatGodseesisasaint,declaredrighteousbytheblood.

GROWING STRONGER

Read Joshua 1-7, (onechapterperday).

Memorize Romans 5:1

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” NIV

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” NKJV

CONFUSION ABOUT GOD’S PROMISE

6. Whatdoes1John1:9promise?_________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Confessionmeans_____________________________________________

7. IfGodpromisestoforgiveusandcleanseusfromallevil,whyisitthatsomebelieversstillfeelguiltyafterconfessingtheirsin?

Whatdoyouthinktheproblemis?❏Theyweren’tsincere ❏Goddidn’tforgivethem❏TheyfailedtoacceptGod’sforgiveness ❏TheyneedtobelievethatGodhasforgiventhem.❏Other

PerhapstheyfeeltheproblemmightbelackofsincerityorthatGoddoesnotwanttoforgivethem.TherealreasonforcontinuingtofeelguiltyisthattheyhavefocusedontheirsininsteadofonthebloodofChrist.Theybelievetheliethattheirsinisunforgiveableorthatitwillrequiresomesortofpenitencetobeforgiven.TheyaregoingbytheirfeelingsratherthanwhatGodhassaid.Theybelievethelie:“If I don’t feel different, maybe God didn’t forgive me.”

• Ask yourself: What is greater, the power of my sin or the power

of the blood of Christ? ___________________________________

• Learn the following healthy habit: After confession, get into the habit of consciously receiving God’s forgiveness. You could pray this way:

“God, I have confessed my sin, believing that Christ paid my punishment with his death. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I accept it. I believe 1 John 1:9, that you have forgiven me. I will continue to live as if that were true because it is. I refuse to keep beating myself up with guilt or believe the lie that you don’t want to forgive me.”

• Close your eyes and try to imagine yourself standing in the shadow of the cross as shown in the drawing above. Give thanks to God for de-claring you righteous through Christ’s blood. Your forgiveness is based solely on the finished work of Christ on the cross. You don’t need to do anything except receive it.

God sees me as righteous through the blood of Christ

STOP

STOP

25

26

THE LIE

Whensomethingbadhappens,itiscommontohear:Where is God? I don’t deserve this. I can’t take it any-more. Why are all these trials coming my way? If I’m God’s child, why does he treat me this way?Inmomentsofpain,everyonewantstoknow,Why?Therearen’teasyanswers,buttheBibledoeshavealottosayaboutit.

THE TRUTH• Godhasneverabandonedyou.He’salwaysatyourside.Hebrews13:5-6

• Doyoudeservethis?Oftenyouwon’tunderstandwhy,butit’simportanttoknowthatnothinghappensbyaccident.Thereisaplanforeverything.Romans28:28-29

• Whydoyousuffer?therearemanyreasons,butitisimportanttorememberonething:The most important question is not “Why?” but “How should you respond when you suffer?”

• Whensomethingbadhappenstherearetwooptions:Youcanbecomedepressedorangry;oryoucantakeitasifitwereaschooltobuildyourcharacter.1Peter5:10tellsusthatafteryouhavesufferedalittlewhile,God“will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

A GOSPEL WITHOUT PAIN?

ManyteachthatGod’swillisthatHischildrenshouldneversuffer.Theyclaimsufferingistheresultofaper-sonsownsin,orduetolackoffaith.Theypreachaneasygospel,withoutpain.But,whatdoestheBiblesay?Wewillseethateveryonesuffers;eventhejust,butoursufferingisn’tnecessarilytheresultofGod’swrath.Weshouldn’tbesurprisedwhenwesuffer;that’sjustnormal.

1. InJohn16:33Jesussaid:Itoldyouthesethingssoyoumighthave___________.Inthisworldyouwill

have____________but______________________.Ihave_________________________________________.

2. IsittruethatGoddoesnotwantyoutosuffer,andifyoudosufferitisalwayscausedbyyourownsin?

2Corinthians11:23-28_______________________________________________________________________

1Peter4:12-14_____________________________________________________________________________

Verse14saysspecificallythatChristianssometimessufferjustbecausetheyarebelievers.Haveyouever

sufferedforbeingaChristian?_______________________________Shareyourexperiencewiththegroup.

3. Howshouldyourespondtosuffering?Writedownthetwothingsmentionedin1Peter4:19.

____________________________________________and___________________________________________

Insteadofcomplaining,lookatyourtroublesasanopportunitytogrow.GrowthoccurswhenthebelieverturnsallhiscircumstancesovertoGodandkeepsdoinggood,eveninthemidstofhispain.

Step 10I can’t take it.

Why do we suffer?


_____ If God were with us, we wouldn’t have so many problems.

_____ God does not want his children to suffer. Suffering is always caused by sin or by lack of faith.

_____ Trials are a reason to rejoice because they help us mature.

27

Sometimessufferingisthedirectresultofyourrebellion.SufferingmightbeGod’sattempttogetyourattention,soexamineyourlife.Repentifneeded.ButhowgreatisGod!Hedoesn’tgiveuponyou,butwantstorestoreyou.HedisciplineshischildreninloveuntiltheyreturntoHim(Heb.12:5-6).

WHAT DOES GOD WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH SUFFERING?

4. Isthereaplanforyourlifeorareyoujustdriftingalone?Romans8:28

_______________________________________________________________

5. TheapostlePaulcouldspeakaboutsufferingfromhisownexperiences.Read2Corinthians4:7-12tounderstandhispointofview.What’sthe

purposeofourweaknesses?v.7___________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

WhatattitudedidPaulexpressinv.8-9?____________________________

_______________________________________________________________

6. Somesay:“IfGodwasreallywithme,thiswouldnothavehappened.”

Howshouldyourespondtotrials?James1:2-4______________________

Why?_________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

7. Whatotherpurposesforsufferingaregivenin2Corinthians1?

v.4,6________________________________________________________

v.8-9_________________________________________________________

SUMMARY

3 Suffering should not come as a surprise.IfChristandtheapostlessuf-fered,canweexpectanyless?Thosewhopreachagospelwithoutpainarepreachingfantasy,notthetruegospel.

3 There is a plan.Everythingworkstogetherforgood.Godneverleavesus.Wearehardpressedbutnotcrushed,persecutedbutnotabandoned.

3 Suffering is like a school to teach compassion. Theworldisfullofsufferingpeople.Whowillcomfortthem?Thoseofuswhohavepassedthroughtrialshavebeenpreparedtoconsoleothers.

3 Suffering teaches us to depend on God instead of ourselves.

3 Suffering is an opportunity to grow.Ithelpstomoldandpolishus.Trialsteachusthingswecouldneverlearnanyotherway.

3 Suffering can be God’s call to examine your life and repent if needed.

3 Our reaction to trials determines whether we will be strengthened or whether we will sink into resentment, depression and sadness.

•Write down on a separate sheet the trials you face now.

• Pray over each trial like this: Lord, show me if there is sin in my life that needs to be confessed. I put

myself into your hands during this trial and commit myself to continue doing good. I refuse to become discouraged or bitter because of what is happening to me. May these days be my school for compassion. I expect to receive your comfort and to comfort others in the future. Amen

TESTED BY ADVERSITY

• Have you noticed that trees that grow alone, subject to wind and drought, are the strongest, while those which grow protected in the forest are weaker?

• A clay vessel is weak until it passes through the fiery kiln.

• If the steel of a knife blade is not tempered by fire, it will never be able to hold a sharp edge.

• Someone asked C.S. Lewis, “Why do the righteous suffer?” “Why not?” he replied. “They’re the only ones who can take it.” 7

• “Today the church must have people who have not been offended or destroyed by their sufferings, a people who are not cast down, dejected, full of ques-tions, but holding fast to His love, proving Him faithful in all things - patient, enduring, strong in faith. They are to be an example to the weak, to be a source of true com-fort and consolation” 8

• Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise Physician prescribes because we need them; and he proportions the frequency and weight of them to what the case requires.9

GROWING STRONGER

Read Joshua 22-23and Psalms 37-41 (onechapterperday).

Memorize John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” NIV

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” NKJV

STOP

THE LIE

Likeotherlies,thisonetakesvariousforms.Money is everything. The most important thing is to live comfortably, with all the stuff I want. Money will make me happy and solve my problems, etc.Butmoneyisn’ttheonlythingforwhichpeoplearelooking.Besideswealth,someseeksecurityinsex,fame,friends,acareer,etc.

Therichsay:My bank account is what makes me feel important and secure. I’m “somebody” now that I have money, a career, fame, friends.Ontheotherhand,thepoorsay:I’m nobody because I don’t have what oth-ers have. Fromthelistbelowchoosethethingsyouwouldmostliketohave.

❏ Money ❏ Financialsecurity ❏ Anicehome ❏ Agoodcar ❏Sex

❏Intelligence ❏ Promotionsinmycareer ❏Goodfood ❏Fame ❏ Friends

❏ Beauty ❏Goodbody,figure ❏ Athleticability ❏Talent ❏Power

❏ StylishClothes ❏ Computer,smartphone ❏ Goodgrades ❏ Health ❏Other

Aretheremoreimportantthingsthanthoselistedabove.Examples?___________________________________

THE TRUTH

1. Isitwrongtowantthethingslistedabove?______________________________________________________

Althoughthereisnothingwrongwithwantingtolivewell,ifyouonlyfocusonmaterialthings,whathap-penswhenyoulosethem?Forexample,ifawomenfeelssecurebecauseofhergoodfigure,willshestill

behappywhentheyearsbringwrinklesandsomeextrapounds?___________________________________

2. Thefollowingpassagesexpressadifferentpointofview.Whatisit?

Luke12:15_________________________________________________________________________________

Mark8:36_________________________________________________________________________________

2Corinthians4:18__________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Whatwouldyousaytosomeonewhosays:“I’m someone because I have money and influence”?

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Writedownelementsofyourcurrentlifethatwilllastforever:_____________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Now,elementsofyourcurrentlifethatwillnotlastforever:________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Step 11If only I had more money...


_____ It’s impossible to be happy without lots of money.

_____ Some things you can’t see are more important than money.

_____ We can learn to be content with little or with wealth.

28

5. Whatdilemmadobelieversfaceeveryday?Matthew6:24

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

6. WhatsolutiondoesMatthew6:19-21presenttothisdilemma?_______

______________________________________________________________

7. Whataresomewaystostore up treasures in heaven?________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

CONTENTMENT

8. AreyoucontentwithwhatGodhasgivenyou?Isitreallypossibletobecontent?WhathadPaullearnedaboutmoney?Philippians4:11-13

v.11-12______________________________________________________

v.13_________________________________________________________

WhenPaulsaid“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”hewastalkingabouttheabilitytobecontentandcarryonwhetherornothehadplentyofmoneyorwasinneed.

9. Whycanyoubecontentorsatisfiedwithwhatyouhave?Phil.4:19

______________________________________________________________10.InMatthew6:25-35Jesuspromisedtosupplyourbasicneedslikefood

andclothing.Heconcludesinv.33bytellingustoseekfirst

_______________________________and___________________________

andallthesethingsshallbe______________________________________

11.Somemistakenlytaketheseandotherpassagesaspromisesofeconomicprosperityandriches.However,isthatwhattheysay?Theyneverprom-iseprosperity;rathertheyguaranteethatGodwillsupplyourbasicneeds.Didn’tPaulspecificallysayinPhilippians4:11-12thathewascontentwhetherhewasinneedorwhetherhewaslivingwithabundance?

Theimportantthingisnothowmuchmoneyonehas,ratherthepeaceinknowingthatGodwillalwaysgivehimenoughforacontentedlife.

What makes you feel secure or happy? Are you content?

• When someone believes that material things are what matter most, he builds his life on a foundation that will disappear with the passage of time.

• Have you swallowed the lie that material things are the only things that are real or of value?

• If your bank account is what makes you feel important, it is not nearly as important as you think.

• Instead of making your life a quest for money, seek first God’s control over

your life. Doing this, he will take care of the rest of your needs.

GROWING STRONGER

Read Joshua 15-21(onechapterperday).

Memorize Mark 8:36 “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? ” NIV

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” NKJV


Meditateonthefollowingpassagesandtheanswerstheygivetomaterialism

“The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God endures forever.”

Isaiah 40:8

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is,

seated at the right hand of God.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly

things.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ

in God. “ Colossians 3:1-3

29

STOP

Once the devil was walking along with one of his cohorts. They saw a man ahead of them pick up something shiny. “What did he find?” asked the cohort.

“A piece of the truth,” the devil replied.

“Doesn’t it bother you that he found a piece of the truth?” asked the cohort.

“No,” said the devil, “I will see to it that he makes a reli-gion out of it.” 10

30

IS IT TRUE THAT ALL RELIGIONS LEAD US TO GOD?

Itiscommontohearpeoplesaythattherearemanyroadstoheaven.Theysaythatthemostimportantthingistobesincereinthepracticeofyourreligionandtotolerateotherbeliefs.Otherssayitisenoughtojustloveothersregardlessofwhatchurchyouattend.

Allofthissoundsgreatanditisverypopulartothinkthisway.It’seasybecauseitallowsyoutochoosethebeliefsyoulikeandrejectthoseyoudon’t.But,whatdoestheBiblesay?WhatdidJesusteach?

1. WhatdidJesussaytoNicodemus,whowasaveryreligiousman?WasheacceptingofthewayNicode-muspracticedhisreligion?John3:1-3_________________________________________________________

2. AccordingtoJesus,whocangettoheavenwithoutgoingthroughHim?John14:6_________________

Doesthispassageleadyoutobelievethatthetruthissomethingthatisalwayschangingdependingon

thetimes,circumstancesorpopularopinion?___________________________________________________

WhenpeopleaccuseChristiansofbeingclosemindedforbelievingthatJesusistheonlywaytoheaven,wemustremindthemthatthisisnotouridea,butwhatJesushimselftaught.Itisinterestingtonotethatmanywhoclaimtobesoopenmindedaretolerantofeverythingexceptthetruegospel.

3. DoestheBibleleavethedooropentotheideathatallreligionstakeustoGod?Whyorwhynot?

Acts4:12_________________________________________________________________________________

Exodus20:3-4_____________________________________________________________________________

Galatians1:8______________________________________________________________________________

Step 12All religions lead

us to heaven


_____ The most important thing isn’t what you believe, but that you are sincere.

_____ It would be like treason to go against the religious traditions of my family.

_____ There are many paths that lead to heaven.

5. Whyisn’ttheideaofreincarnationastaughtbyBuddhismorHinduismcompatiblewiththebiblicalteachingofwhathappensafterdeath?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Religion

• Religionsarehumaneffortto reachGod.

• Althoughtherequirementsvary fromgrouptogroup,religion requiresmentoearntheirway toparadisethroughtheirworks.

The Gospel

• ThegospelisGod,reachingdownfromheaventoreachhumanity.

• ThegospelisbasedonthefinishedworkofChristinsteadofonthe

worksonemightdo.Salvationis completelyfree.

4. Thedifferentworldreligionshaveverydifferentbeliefs.Whatis thedifferencebetweentheGospelandanyotherreligion?

31

GROWING STRONGER

Read Joshua 8-14 (onechapterperday).

Memorize Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” NIV

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” NKJV


Inlightof1Timothy2:5,whatdoyouthinkaboutthesephrasestakenfromtheRosary?

Hail Holy Queen: “...Turn then most gracious advocate, Thine eyes of mercy toward us,....”

Hail Mary: “ ...Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

“You have let go of the commands of God and

are holding on to human traditions.” Mark 7:8

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human

tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world

rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8

6. ChristiansbelieveinonlyoneGodwhileotherslikeHindusandAnimistsbelieveinmanygodsorspirits.Ifonereligioncontradictsanother,isit

possiblethatbotharetrue?_______________________________________

SHOULD I FOLLOW THE TRADITIONS THAT MY PARENTS GAVE ME?

7. • Itobviouslydependsonwhattraditionsyouaretalkingabout.Sometraditions arebiblicalandgood,othersnotsomuch.Somearejustneutral.

• ManytimesthedecisiontofollowChristrequiresonetobreakwithsome aspectsofhispast.

• OftenanewChristian’sfamilyorfriendswillconsiderthemoddoreventraitorstotheirreligiousheritage.Therewillbeopposition,scoffingandpersecution.

• RemembertheteachingofthetwopathsinMatthew7:13-14?Themajoritywereonthewidepaththatleadtodestruction.

• Whatyoumustrememberisthatonjudgmentday,youwillhavetogiveanaccounttoGod,nottoyourparentsorrelatives.(Revelation20:11-15)

You could paraphrase Mark 8:36 this way: What good will it do to make your family and friends happy, yet forfeit your soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

8. WhatbroughtJesusintoconflictwiththereligiousleaders?Mark7:9

_______________________________________________________________

9. HowmanymediatorsaretherebetweenGodandman?1Timothy2:5

_________Whatisamediator?___________________________________

DoyoubelievethattheVirginMarycanmediateforus?_______________

_______________________________________________________________

WestrayfromthetruthwhenwepraytoanyotherpersonexcepttheGodoftheBible,orwheneverwefollowanyreligionnotbasedontheBible.

YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS OTHER RELIGIONS

10.Whatdoes1Peter3:15-16command?_____________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Whatshouldyourattitudebetowardsthosewhoquestionyourfaith?

_______________________________________________________________

11.WhatwasJesus’attitudetowardsthelost?Why?Matthew9:36-38

_______________________________________________________________

• You need to have firm convictions about what you believe and why. Don’t be upset if others accuse you of being close minded. Remember that Jesus himself said that he was the only way to heaven.

• When you speak to those of other religions, express yourself with compassion and courtesy, never with scorn or sarcasm.

• The goal is not to win arguments, but to win souls.

STOP

STOP

32

Quotes:

1. ThomasBrooks,quotedinLiesWomenBelieveAndTheTruthThatSetsThemFree byNancyDeMoss

2. BitsandPieces,July,1991

3. Fromapersonalconversationoftheauthorwiththeprisoner.

4. Authorunknown

5. Authorunknown

6. RichardJ.Mouw,UncommonDecency,p.149-150.

7. C.S.Lewis

8. DavidWilkerson-WhydotherighteousSuffer,Sept.26,1988

9. JohnNewton

10.KlyneSnodgrass,BetweenTwoTruths-LivingwithBiblicalTensions,1990,Zondervan PublishingHouse,p.35.

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Step 4 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. NIV

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” There-fore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. NKJV

Step 5 John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing..” NIV

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing..” NKJV

Step 6 Psalm 34:7

“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them..” NIV

“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.” NKJV

Step 1 John 8:44

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” NIV

You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. NKJV

Step 2 John 8:31-32

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” NIV

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” NKJV

Step 3 Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.“ NIV

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. NKJV

Step 7 Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be trans-formed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.” NIV

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God..” NKJV

Step 8 Psalm 37:9

“For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.” NIV

“For evildoers shall be cut off;But those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.” NKJV

Step 9 Romans 5:1

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” NIV

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” NKJV

Step 10 John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” NIV

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have over-come the world.” NKJV

Step 11 Mark 8:36 “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? ” NIV

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” NKJV

Step 12 Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. NIV

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. NKJV

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new life in christ vol. 4

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