the good news of new beginnings

7/29/2019 The Good News Of New Beginnings

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Name of

Disciple

Name of

Discipler

LET'SGETSTARTED!

PETERJ.COBURN

THEGOOD NEWS

OFNEWBEGINNINGS

Then Jesus came to them and said,

"All authority in heaven and onearth has been given to me.

Therefore go and make disciples of

all nations, baptizing them in the

name of the Father and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching

them to obey everything I havecommanded you. And surely I am

with you always, to the very end of

the age." Matthew 28:18-20

This document was purchased from: www.Coburns.biz/index.php/New-Beginnings


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The Good News Of New Beginnings Let's Get Started! Page ii

TABLE OF CONTENTSSALVATION - WHAT'S THAT? 1

THE PROBLEM:SEPARATION BECAUSE OF OUR SIN. 1

THE SOLUTION:GOD'S SACRIFICE AND SUBSTITUTION. 2

THE RESULT:OUR SALVATION AND RECONCILIATION 3

THE RESPONSE:BY FAITH,RECEIVE GOD'S GIFT 3

REJOICE IN ANEW LIFE: 5

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE JESUS AS LORD? 6

LORDSHIP IN SALVATION 6

LORDSHIP BEGINS IN THE HEART 6

LORDSHIP CALLS FOR OBEDIENCE 6LORDSHIP IS A LIFESTYLE 7

NOW, FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: 7

REPENTANCE - TURNING 180 DEGREES 8

SORROW ->REPENTANCE ->FRUIT 8

REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS 9

NO LOOKING BACK! 10

NOW, FOR YOUR FURTHER CONSIDERATION 10

WATER BAPTISM? 11

WHAT IS WATER BAPTISM? 11

WATER BAPTISM - FULL IMMERSION OR SPRINKLING? 12

WATER BAPTISM - WHO IS IT FOR? 12

WATER BAPTISM - WHEN SHOULD I DO IT? 13

WATER BAPTISM - HOW DOES IT HAPPEN? 13

WATER BAPTISM ALSO LEADS TO A PROMISE. 14

WATER BAPTISM, YOUR MOVE... 14

HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM? 15

WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? 16

SO, WHY BE BAPTISED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT? 16

IT IS GOD'S GIFT FOR US TODAY! 16

HOW DO I RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT? 17

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS? 17

HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM, YOUR MOVE... 18


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The Good News Of New Beginnings Let's Get Started! Page iii

THE HOLY BIBLE -- THE WORD OF GOD 19

THE KEY TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH 20

THE KEY TO RESISTING TEMPTATION 20

THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN LIFE 21

THE KEY TO KNOWING GOD'S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE 21

THE KEY TO READING GOD'S WORD 22

PRAYER 23

WHAT DOES PRAYER REALLY DO FOR US? 23

THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRAYER. 24

DOES GOD REALLY ANSWER PRAYER? 26

AN EXAMPLE OF PRAYER. 27

WHAT CAN WE PRAY FOR? 28

WHAT CAN HINDER OUR PRAYERS? 28

WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO EFFECTIVE PRAYER? 30

YOUR RESPONSE ...? 31

WHERE TO FROM HERE 32

GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES. 33

DISCIPLE ROADMAP: TRACKING YOUR JOURNEY 34

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW FURTHER 35

Lets begin withThe Good News


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The Good News Of New Beginnings Let's Get Started! Page 1

SALVATION - WHAT'S THAT?You may have arrived at this point in time for many reasons. One reason

is that you may be curious as to what it means to know God as intimately

as He knows you.

Maybe you are looking for a fresh start with God. For those of us whohave ever wished we could start over, there is good news:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17

However, before we can really appreciate this good news, we need to ensure we

understand exactly why we need to start over. Why do we need to become a newcreation or why do we need salvation?

Let's explore the process together.

THE PROBLEM:SEPARATION BECAUSE OF OUR SIN.

There is an immeasurable gap separating God and

man. The cause of this eternal separation between

God and man is called sin.

Have you ever felt distant from God? We all have.

Feeling far away from God is very common. In an

attempt to deal with this feeling of separation,many think that if they try to meditate harder,

learn more about their religion, try to obey all therules, or just visit some religious sanctuary, theywould get closer to God.

But separation from God is not physical or intellectual, so meditation nor knowledge

can bring us any closer to God. So what is the cause of separation between God andman?

Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his eartoo dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you fromyour God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he

will not hear.

Isaiah 59:1,2

The separation between God and man is a moral one. God is perfect and holy, man is

not. God is good, man is not. God is just, man is not.

Sin is simply the fact that we have turned our back on God and have been followingour own ways and desires, think and do as we please. Anything that turns us away

from God is known as sin. And we all do this.

The Bible says:

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23


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The worse part is that our sins separate us from God for eternity, for ever! The Bible

says The wages of sin is death. i.e. The only thing we earn and receive in return for

sin, is death. Death is a consequence of our sin.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life inChrist Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

THE SOLUTION: GOD'S SACRIFICE AND SUBSTITUTION.

The justice of God demands a sacrifice for man's sin. About 2,000years ago, God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our

sins and pay the penalty of death.

Because God is just, righteous and holy, He can not allow sin togo unpunished. Because He is loving and compassionate, He did

not want all of mankind to perish and be separated from Him for

eternity. His solution to this problem was for Jesus, God's only

Son, to become the sacrifice for sin.

... But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of theages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just aspeople are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and

he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bringsalvation to those who are waiting for him.

Hebrews 9:26-28

Jesus was sacrificed on a cross. Through His death on that cross, Jesus took our place

and our punishment. He willingly exchanged His righteousness for our sin.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him wemight become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21

Jesus took our curse and gave us His blessings. Because Jesus, being the Son of God

and lived a sinless life, He was the only one qualified to pay the penalty for man's sin,

and therefore was able to bridge the gap that was between God and man.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a

curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung ona pole."

Galatians 3:13

Because Jesus, being the Son of God and lived a sinless life, He was the only onequalified to pay the penalty for man's sin, and

therefore was able to bridge the gap that was between

God and man.


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THE RESULT: OUR SALVATION AND RECONCILIATION

Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. This is for everyone, not just

back then, but for us today.

...God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we werestill sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Jesus died on the cross so that we could receive:

Forgiveness of our sins,

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness ofsins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he

lavished on us.

Ephesians 1:7,8ff

be Reconciled to God,

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have beenbrought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13

and have Eternal Life.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal

life.

John 3:16

THE RESPONSE: BY FAITH,RECEIVE GOD'S GIFT

We receive salvation when we stop trusting in ourselves, others, material things, etc.

and put our trust in what Christ Jesus did for us.

Salvation is a result of God's Grace. Is is based upon what Jesus did for us on the cross

and it has nothing to do with what we do for Him. We are unable to save ourselves.We are unable to earn God's approval through any good works that we may do.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand thisis not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so

that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8,9

We are saved by God's grace when we realise our need for a savior, turn from our sin,receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and put our trust in Him alone for

salvation.


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Jesus rose from the dead and now He lives in heaven with God His Father. He offers

us the gift of eternal lifeof living forever with Him in heaven only if we accept

Him as our Lord and Savior. Jesus said:

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Fatherexcept by Me.

John 14:6

God reaches out in love to you and wants you to be His child. His son or His daughter.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in hisname, he gave the right to become children of God children

born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a

husband's will, but born of God.

John 1:12,13

You can choose to ask Jesus Christ (that's all prayer is) to forgive your sins and comein to your life as your Lord and Savior. This is known as the Salvation prayer.

"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believein your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will besaved."

Romans 10:9

HOW?The Salvation Prayer is not a ritual based on specific words. This is not the power of aprayer, but the power of truly committing our lives to Christ as Savior and Lord. The

following is merely a guideline for our sincere step of faith:

HEAVENLY FATHER,

I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE SEPARATION BETWEEN US IS BECAUSE OF

MY SIN. I CONFESS THAT I HAVE SINNED AND HAVE FALLEN SHORT OF

YOUR GLORY.

I THANK YOU THAT YOU SENTYOURSON,JESUS TO PAY THE PENALTY

FOR MY SIN.I BELIEVE HE DIED ON THE CROSS FOR ME.I BELIEVE YOU

RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD.

I AM SORRY FOR MY SINS ANDI ASKYOU TO FORGIVE AND CLEANSE ME.

I WANT TO TURN AWAY FROM EVERYTHING THEBIBLE CALLS SIN AND

RECEIVE YOU AS MY LORD,MASTER AND SAVIOR.

HELP ME TO LOVE, SERVE AND OBEY YOU FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

IN JESUS' NAME ...AMEN.

Have you

Prayed

this

Prayer?

Complete

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RoadMap


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REJOICE IN ANEW LIFE:

If you sincerely prayed the prayer above, the Bible promises that the old has gone and

the new has come!

Welcome to God's family.

The Bible also advises us to follow up on our commitment.

Let me introduce you to some of the new things that have come:

Get Water Baptised, as commanded by Christ.

Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ. If you

dont know any other Christians, you are most welcome to

contact the authorsee contact details at the end of thisdocumentI would love to cheer you on for making such a

decision. And if you need help to follow up on yourcommitment, please also ask.

Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long

period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying

(remember, this is just talking to God) and reading His Word,The Holy Bible. Ask God to increase your faith and yourunderstanding of the Bible.

Seek to meet and mix with other followers of Jesus. Developa group of believing friends to answer your questions,

support you and help you be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Find a local church where you can connect with others likeyou to learn how to live a life honouring to God.


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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVEJESUS AS LORD?Jesus being Lord of a Christian's life is a central theme found in the Bible. Jesus isreferred to as "Lord" 747 times just in the New Testament.

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this

Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah."

Acts 2:36

), which means supreme in

authority and as a noun, controller. In other words, Jesus is the one who calls the

shots. He is the boss, He is the master, the one who makes the decisions.

LORDSHIP IN SALVATIONThe starting point of salvation is the acknowledgment of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Confessing Jesus is Lord implies a submission to His Lordship in every area andaspect of our life. If Jesus is not Lord ofall, He is not Lord atall.

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe inyour heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

We are not given an option to receive Him as Savior and not as Lord. It must be both

Savior AND Lord. Salvation is an all-or-nothing proposal.

LORDSHIP BEGINS IN THE HEART

Submitting to Jesus Christ as Lord is not about following a set of religious rules,regulations or traditions. Lordship is a matter of the heart.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.

1Peter 3:15

It begins as a simple internal submission of the heart. Genuine submission of the heart

will eventually show itself externally through outward obedience.

LORDSHIP CALLS FOR OBEDIENCE

Anyone who claims Jesus Christ as Lord is expected to do as He says. Just thinkingabout obeying Him is not enough.

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?

Luke 6:46


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Saying you will obey Him is not enough.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter thekingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father

who is in heaven.

Matthew 7:21

Obedience, or disobedience, will show up in our lifestyle.

LORDSHIP IS A LIFESTYLE

We begin our Christian way of life by acknowledging Jesus is Lord. It isn't a one offdeal, but a lifetime experience. We must continue to walk under His Lordship for the

rest of our life.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue tolive your lives in him.

Colossians 2:6

The more we know Him, the more we submit to Him.

NOW, FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION:

Are there areas in your life that you have not yet

submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

Are your relationships under His Lordship?

Are your Finances under His Lordship?

Is your time submitted to His Lordship?

Have you, as an initial step of obedience, been Water

Baptisedby full immersion, yet?

Completeyour

Disciple

RoadMap
http://peterjcoburn.blogspot.com/2009/01/water-baptism.htmlhttp://peterjcoburn.blogspot.com/2009/01/water-baptism.htmlhttp://peterjcoburn.blogspot.com/2009/01/water-baptism.htmlhttp://peterjcoburn.blogspot.com/2009/01/water-baptism.html


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REPENTANCE -TURNING 180 DEGREESImagine driving a car down a one way street the wrong way. Foolish anddangerous. Unfortunately, some do drive the wrong way out of ignorance and

some out of sheer rebellion.There is also a spiritual parallel here. Be it out of ignorance or rebellion, we are

all on a dangerous one way street where the destination is death.

Repentance means to turn completely around, 180 degrees, and begin to travel inthe opposite, but the right direction.

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in thename of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

Acts 2:38ff

Until we repent and begin following Jesus Christ, every step leads us the wrong way.The further we travel down this wrong way the further from God we get... and

eventually this will lead to separation from God for all eternity.

SORROW -> REPENTANCE ->FRUIT

When we are genuinely sorry for our sins, real repentance begins.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation andleaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

2 Corinthians 7:10

Godly sorrow makes no excuses, takes full responsibility, never places blame onpeople, society or our circumstances.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up myiniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD."And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Psalm 32:5

Godly sorrow simply acknowledges that our sin is against God. Godly sorrow is

where our heart is broken because we have realised we have offended a Holy God.

Only Godly sorrow brings about genuine repentance and from there, a changed life.However, worldly sorrow is full of excuses - it blames everyone else. Worldly sorrowis just being sorry for being caught out. Orworldly sorrow comes about because wehave to suffer the consequences of sin.

The difference between a healthy tree and an unhealthy tree is seen in it's fruit.

...I preached that they should repent and turn to God anddemonstrate their repentance by their deeds.

Acts 26:20ff

The difference between Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow is also seen in it's fruit, thatis, our deeds.


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Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

Matthew 3:8

Worldly sorrow never produces the fruit that is reflected in a changed life. Worldly

sorrow can only produce spiritual death.

REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESSAn example of genuine repentance can be found in the story of the prodigal son:

"There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said tohis father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided

his property between them. "Not long after that, the younger

son got together all he had, set off for a distant country andthere squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent

everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country,

and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out toa citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs wereeating, but no one gave him anything. "When he came to his

senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have

food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out andgo back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned

against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to becalled your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' So he

got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way

off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him;he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven andagainst you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "Butthe father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and

put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and

celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he

was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

Luke 15:11-24

When the wayward son came to his senses, he walked away from his chosen life of sinand rebellion. He made a 180 degree turn and headed back towards his father. His

father, when seeing him heading back towards him, ran towards his son, forgave himand received him back into his family.

In the same way, our Heavenly Father, when seeing us repent of our sins, will forgiveus too.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wipedout, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord...

Acts 3:19


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Imagine now an ink stain on a favorite shirt. You try and try to wash it out, but the

stain just won't go. Then you find a stain remover that not only removes the stain

totally, but also restores the shirt like new. This is exactly what happens when werepent of our sins and receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive usour sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

Not only does Jesus cleanse sin's stain of guilt and shame from our hearts, He also

gives us a new heart.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I willremove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of

flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26

NO LOOKING BACK!Repentance is to turn our back on sin and turn toward God. We must no longer trust inour own good deeds, religious activity and ways of doing things. We start to trust in

Jesus Christ alone. Once we were traveling in the wrong direction but now we haveturned and are now traveling in the right direction. No longer are we running from

God but we have now chosen to walk with God.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and

leaves no regret...

2 Corinthians 7:10

Through repentance we have begun a new life. Our new life is filled with purpose and

meaning. Turning to God means no regrets and no looking back!

NOW, FOR YOUR FURTHER CONSIDERATION

Is your life heading in a new direction?

Are there sinful areas in your life that are still a struggle?

Are there areas of intense temptation orconsistent weakness that you need

prayer for?

Are there sins you have turned away

from, yet still feel condemned about?

Complete

your

Disciple

RoadMap


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WATER BAPTISM?Once a person accepts salvation and has repented, there comes a step ofobedience as we acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus in our lives.

This step is, Water Baptism.

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in thename of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you

will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you andyour children and for all who are far offfor all whom the Lord

our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and

he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corruptgeneration." Those who accepted his message were baptized,

and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Acts 2:38-41

WHAT IS WATER BAPTISM?

It is simply a public declaration that we identify with what Jesus Christ did for us on a

cross. We no longer choose to live life, our way, but instead we choose to live life,God's way. We have turned from walking away from God, to walking with God. We

put away the old life of sin and begin a new life of obedience to Jesus Christ.

Paul compares Water Baptism to a burial. In order to be buried one must die first. In

the same way, the prerequisite for baptism is death to sin. After we are buried inBaptism, then we rise up to live a new life.

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that gracemay increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin;how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of

us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into hisdeath? We were therefore buried with him through baptism

into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the deadthrough the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Romans 6:1-4

Further to this, the Bible gives us two illustrations to help us understand water

baptism. Both show how the old life was put away and a new life emerged.

CROSSING THE RED SEA:The Israelites were slaves to the Egyptians. In the same way, we are all slaves to sin.God made a way for the Israelites freedom from bondage, by leaving their old life and

passing through the Red Sea, into their new life.


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For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers andsisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and thatthey all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into

Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

1 Corinthians 10:1,2

THE FLOOD:Peter teaches us that it is not "the water" or "the removal of dirt"that saves us, but the

death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

...to those who were disobedient long ago when God waitedpatiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In itonly a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and

this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you alsonot the

removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clearconscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus

Christ...

1 Peter 3:20,21

In the same way as the illustration of the Red Sea and The Flood, God has made a wayfor our freedom by Christ dying on a cross for our sin, and through His death, we are

set free. And just as Christ rose again on the third day, we too rise again into a newlife.

Water Baptism is a physical expression of this truth.

WATER BAPTISM - FULL IMMERSION OR SPRINKLING?

The word baptism means to fully immerse, to totally submerge or to be fullywet. The definition of the word confirms to us that the act of baptism involves

immersion of the person into the water. In Acts 8:38 we have the example of Philip

and the Ethiopian Eunuch going down into the water in order to be baptised. When

Jesus was baptised by John in Matthew 3:16 it reads that He came up out of thewater. It is clear from the definition of baptism that it involves complete immersionand not just sprinkling.

WATER BAPTISM - WHO IS IT FOR?

The Bible records many instances where individuals and groups of people were

baptised. In every case repentance and faith preceded water baptism. It is thereforetrue to say that baptism is for believers. Water baptism is an essential part ofobedience. We validate our faith by obeying the command to be baptised.

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied byaction, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I havedeeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you

my faith by what I do.

James 2:17,18


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Water baptism is not an option and to not be baptised is therefore disobedience to the

revealed will of God.

There is no Biblical support for infant baptism as a practice because the Biblicalbaptism is abelievers baptism, which involves repentance, confession and faith;

decisions that an infant is incapable of making.

WATER BAPTISM - WHEN SHOULD I DO IT?In the New Testament it is evident that new believers were baptised as soon aspossible after their decision to follow Christ. There is no reason to delay the step of

baptism. It is not a graduation to an advanced level of spirituality but an early step ofobedience, a line of separation between the past and the future.

WATER BAPTISM - HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?

Baptism is total immersion in water. It is possible therefore to be baptised whereverthere is a sizeable enough body of water like a beach, river, lake, pool or large spa ...

wherever you can be fully immersed in water. Most churches have a baptismal poolthat is especially designed for these occasions. Generally, some time is set aside to

baptise a few people who have requested it at the same time. This provides theopportunity for family and friends to attend this special occasion and witness your

public declaration.

This is also a good opportunity to share, with the people attending, a brief testimonyabout what God has done for you.

Then one or two of the spiritual leaders of the church will lower you into the waterafter having invoked the name of the Lord Jesus Christ over your life.

The suggested statement spoken by the one baptising is:

This is constructed based on the following Scriptures:

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into ChristJesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried

with him through baptism into death in order that, just asChrist was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father,

we too may live a new life.

Romans 6:3,4

( N a m e o f t h e p e r s o n b e i n g b a p t i s e d ) ,

O n c o n f e s s i o n o f y o u r f a i t h , I b a p t i s e y o u i n t o t h e n a m e

o f t h e F a t h e r , a n d o f t h e S o n , a n d o f t h e H o l y S p i r i t :

i n t o t h e n a m e o f t h e L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t ; i n t o t h e l i k e n e s s

o f H i s d e a t h , t h a t i n t h e s a m e w a y a s C h r i s t w a s r a i s e d

f r o m t h e d e a d , b y t h e g l o r y o f G o d t h e F a t h e r , s o y o u

a l s o , w i l l r i s e t o w a l k i n n e w n e s s o f l i f e .


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Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven andon earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciplesof all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of

the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obeyeverything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you

always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:18-20

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made thisJesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah."

Acts 2:36

The spiritual leaders lower you into the water until you are totally submerged. Then

they will then lift you out again and pray for you that God will strengthen you and use

you for His purposes.

WATER BAPTISM ALSO LEADS TO A PROMISE.Taking the step of Water Baptism also leads to a promise.


will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38

You can know more about receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and to understand Holy

Spirit Baptism.

WATER BAPTISM, YOUR MOVE ...

Have you been Water Baptised, by full immersion yet?

Have you seriously considered taking this next step of

obedience?

Complete

yourDisciple

RoadMap

Have you

been

Water

Baptised?


18/38


HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM?It is possible to live as a Christian without the experience of Holy Spirit baptism.There are many godly people in the world today who do not believe that this

experience is necessary.However, it is clear from the New Testament that Jesus never intended for the work of

the Kingdom of God and the life of the Church to be conducted without theempowering experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In fact, Jesus gave explicit

instructions to His disciples to wait and not attempt anything until they had receivedthe power of the Holy Spirit.

"On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave themthis command: Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my

Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.For

John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptisedwith the Holy Spirit."

Acts 1:4-5

Jesus knew who was needed to establish and advance His kingdom and to build His

body on earth.

Therefore, it is impossible to live an effective Christian life apart from the power andpresence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come, and to

lead us into all truth.

But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away.

Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go,I will send him to you.

John 16:7

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into alltruth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what hehears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring

glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known

to you.

John 16:13,14

John the Baptist taught that Water Baptism was an act of repentance, and pointed outthat Jesus would baptise His disciples with the Holy Spirit.

"I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me will comeone who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit tocarry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Matthew 3:11


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WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

The Holy Spirit is a person to be greatly loved and esteemed. He is the third person of

the Godhead. He is gentle in His dealings with us and makes Jesus real to us in our

daily lives.

He comes to live within us at the moment of conversion to Christ - this is sometimes

referred to as being "born again". And so we say that we are indwelt by the HolySpirit when we accept the Lordship of Jesus in our life.

The Holy Spirit's presence may be sensed at some times more strongly than others but

that does not mean that He has departed or has abandoned us. Consider this: Air is allaround us, we cant feel it and we dont particularly notice it, but we know it is there.However when there is a breeze or a strong wind we are made aware of the presence

of air currents. It is the same with the presence of the Holy SpiritHe is always there

with us, and in us, if we have accepted Jesus as Lord. Some times we are aware and atother times we are notthat does not change the fact that the Holy Spirit will be in us

and with us.

SO, WHY BE BAPTISED WITH THE HOL Y SPIRIT?

Holy Spirit baptism is an experience subsequent and distinct from being born-again,which Jesus provides to enable us to live in the power of the Spirit and to accomplish

His will. It is the activation of the dynamic power of Christ in a believers life; it is the

release of the ability to accomplish great things for the Kingdom of God in the world.In the Bible, this experience is also referred to as beingfilled with the Spirit:

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's willis. be filled with the Spirit

Ephesians. 5:17,18

The Holy Spirit empowers us to be effective witnesses. A witness is one who not onlytells the truth, but also lives the truth.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea andSamaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 1:8

IT IS GOD 'S GIFT FOR US TODAY!

The Holy Spirit wasn't just for those present at Pentecost, but it is a gift promised for

every believer.


will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and

your children and for all who are far offfor all whom the Lordour God will call."

Acts 2:38,39


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HOW DO I RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT?

James tells us that we do not have because we do not ask. In order to receive the

baptism of the Holy Spirit, we must ask, and we must ask in faith.

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and youwill find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For

everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him whoknocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you fathers, if yourson asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks

for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you areevil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much

more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those

who ask him!"

Luke 11:9-13

Many disciples in the New Testament received the baptism of the Holy Spirit through

the laying on of hands.

Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and theyreceived the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:17

Speak out as the Holy Spirit gives you the words.

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speakin other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:4

Continue to use your spiritual language every day and believe for God to increase theflow of the Spirit within you.

BAPTISM IN THE HOL Y SPIRIT AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS?

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is accompanied by the manifestation of spiritual gifts.

In the biblical accounts of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the most common spiritual

gift manifested was the gift of tongues.

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speakin other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:4

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit cameon all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who

had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the HolySpirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard

them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Acts 10:44-46


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Have you

received

the Holy

Spirit

Baptism?

Complete

your

Disciple

RoadMap

When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came onthem, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Acts 19:6

Tongues and prophecy are both designed for edification, building up or for

strengthening. Tongues strengthens the individual. Prophecy strengthens the church.

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts,especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in atongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one

understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. Buteveryone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening,

encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies

himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I would likeevery one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have

you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who

speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may

be edified.1 Corinthians 14:1-5

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind isunfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but Iwill also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will

also sing with my mind.


Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid

speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fittingand orderly way.


HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM, YOUR MOVE...

Have you repented of your sins?

Have you put your trust in Christ alone forSalvation?

Have you been baptised in water since you

repented?

Have you received the baptism of the Holy

Spirit? If not, ask God for the baptism of the

Holy Spirit, connect with your local churchand ask existing Spirit-filled believers to lay

hands on you and to pray for you to receive

the baptism of the Holy Spirit.


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THE HOLY BIBLE --THE WORD OF GODChristianity is more than a religion. It is primarily a relationship with God.

Good relationships require good communication.

We speak to God; that's Prayer.

And God primarily speaks to us through His Word, the Holy Bible.

Through the Bible, God unveils to us the true nature of His being. Without

this revelation, people cannot discover or know God.

...it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind hasconceived what God has prepared for those who love him" but

God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches allthings, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows

the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the

same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit ofGod. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit

who is from God, that we may understand what God has freelygiven us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by

human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing

spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spiritdoes not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for

they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them,because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makesjudgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any

man's judgment: "For who has known the mind of the Lord thathe may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

1Corinthians 2:9-16

We have not discovered God; He has chosen to reveal Himself to us through the

written Word, as well as through the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Living

Word. By a careful study of creation we come to know something about Gods divinenature and invisible attributes, but through the Word and through Jesus Christ, God

can be personally known in intimate relationship.

The Bible helps us to hear 'His voice' when we read His Word. The Bible is more thanjust a collection of poems, stories, and letters. It is the inspired written Word of God.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that theman of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16,17

The words in the Bible were literally breathed out by God. The process by which

God enabled the human writers to receive and record His revelation is known asinspiration.


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The Bible is not the result of human genius or insight, neither was it dictated word for

word by some celestial voice. God did not supply the writers with merely thoughts or

concepts, but fully and completely through the power of the Holy Spirit,communicated every part of what He wanted communicated, even as to the choice of

the words used.

If we want to know Him more and understand His ways then we need to read what He

has to say.

For everything that was written in the past was written toteach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement ofthe Scriptures we might have hope

Romans 15:4

THE KEY TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH

A newborn baby intuitively knows it needs to seek out it's mother's milk. Doing so

ensures life and growth. As a new Christian, a babe in the faith, we too must crave and

seek out God's Word for our lives. Doing so ensures life and growth!

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it youmay grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted thatthe Lord is good.

1 Peter 2:2,3

The more we read the Bible, the more our Faith will grow.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and themessage is heard through the word of Christ.

Romans 10:17

Faith is built and strengthened by an intentional Bible reading habit. By choosing tolisten to what the Bible says about God and life on a daily basis we gain a faithperspective. We begin to view situations as God views them and not from the finite

position that we occupy in relation to our world. When we meditate on verses of

Scripture, it has the effect of building up our spiritual strength so that we are able toconfidently trust God with our life and the many situations that confront us.

Conversely, when we lapse in our reading of the Bible we gradually slip intoindependence and unbelief. We lose Gods perspective and view situations and people

from a purely human standpoint.

THE KEY TO RESISTING TEMPTATION

Jesus, being the Son of God, was able to resist temptation, not by power or shear will,

but by knowing and quoting the Word of God.

The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God,tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It iswritten: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word

that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Matthew 4:3,4


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And so it is the same for us... we too can resist temptation by knowingthe Word of

God and being able to quote it at the point of temptation.

Having head knowledge and religiosity does not make one pure or holy.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according toyour word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from

your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that Imight not sin against you.

Psalm 119:9-11

THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN LIFE

Each of us have different ideas about success.

Meditate on God's Word and then carefully obey it... success will follow.

The key to success is obedience.

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth;meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do

everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous andsuccessful.

Joshua 1:8

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Dowhat it says.

James 1:22

THE KEY TO KNOWING GOD'S WILL FOR YOUR LIFEReading God's Word helps us to rethink our understanding of the world around us. We

begin to understand it in the terms that God created it. This process is sometimesreferred to as the renewing of our mind.

We begin to see that our life is a part of something that is far greater than we are.

From deep within us we quickly realise that we have a part to play in it, and as God isthe Creator, we further realise the need to understand His Plan and what our part to

play is. Knowing the Will of God then becomes paramount.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but betransformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be

able to test and approve what God's will ishis good, pleasingand perfect will.

Romans 12:2


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THE KEY TO READING GOD'S WOR D

Do you have a set time and place to read your Bible, every

day?Are you involved in a Life Group, Bible Study Group orDiscipleship Group?

Bottom Line: Read the Bible daily and obey what it teaches you.

Complete

your

Disciple

RoadMap


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PRAYERChristianity is more than a religion. It is primarily a relationship with God.Good relationships require good communication.

Prayer is two-way communication with God. In prayer, God speaks to us and

we speak to Him, He listens to us and we listen to Him.

God primarily speaks to us through His Word, the Holy Bible. And when we

speak to God, He listens to us and responds to our prayers with action.

WHAT DOES PRAYER REALLY DO FOR US?

1. Prayer expresses our dependence on God.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in meand I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can donothing.

John 15:5

2. Prayer promotes change in our lives.

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing

love, and break up your unploughed ground; for it is time to

seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness onyou.

Hosea 10:12

The unploughed groundrepresents areas in our lives that we have not surrendered to

God. When we pray, the Holy Spirit convicts us of wrong desires and attitudes, and aswe allow God to touch our hearts, we change.

3. Prayer connects us to the unlimited resources of God.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by

prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests toGod.

Philippians 4:6

4. Prayer gives us spiritual endurance.

Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able toescape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to

stand before the Son of Man.

Luke 21:36


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5. Through prayer, God gives strength for difficult seasons of life.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you withpower through his Spirit in your inner being...

Ephesians 3:16

6. Prayer keeps us spiritually alert and protected from the schemes of the enemy.

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. Thespirit is willing, but the body is weak.

Matthew 26:41

THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRAYER.

To be truly effective in our prayer life it is essential to know that we understand thedifferent kinds of prayer.

A PRAYER OF WORSHIP A Prayer of Worship means to seek God in earnest devotion. It establishes intimacy

and nurtures our relationship with God. Its one-on-one fellowship with God. All

other kinds of prayer flow out of worship and intimacy with Him.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you,my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can Igo and meet with God?

Psalm 42:1,2

As human beings, God has made us spirit, soul and body. His original intention was

for us to have relationship with Him, that our spirit be linked with His Spirit and thatwe be filled with His supernatural presence. In every person there is a vacuum, a place

for God to fill. However, if people dont look to God to fill that void, they will seek

satisfaction through other means whether occult, New Age, Eastern religions, mystical

experiences, philosophy, materialism, hedonism or other worldly pursuits. This iscalled false worship in the Bible and is the revering of any thing or person, in place of

God.

A PRAYER OF INTERCESSION The Prayer of Intercession is the kind of prayer that happens when we begin to discernthe spiritual state of others as well as the situations that are affecting their lives, and

commit ourselves to pray on their behalf.

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession andthanksgiving be made for everyone

1 Timothy 2:1

Intercession literally involves standing in the gap for another, to mediate, to make upthe hedge (a protective wall).


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Jesus is a great example:

Jesus lives to intercede for us and we should take on praying forothers as a priority in our lives.

Hebrews 7:25

One of the best illustrations of intercession is:

Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose you have a friend, and you goto him at midnight and say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves ofbread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have

nothing to set before him.' And suppose the one inside answers,'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children

and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you,

even though he will not get up and give you the bread becauseof friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will

surely get up and give you as much as you need. "So I say to you:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock andthe door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives;

those who seek find; and to those who knock, the door will beopened.

Luke 11:5-10

A PRAYER IN 'THE SPIRIT'.Our prayers can be further strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit through our

praying when we use our spiritual language (commonly refered to as 'praying in

tongues'). We receive a spiritual language through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do notknow what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself

intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And hewho searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because

the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of thosewho love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:26-28

This spiritual language allows the Holy Spirit to pray through us when we do notknow how to pray or what to pray for.

The Holy Spirit is our helper. If we are interceding for a person, and we dont know

exactly how to pray, we can enlist the help of the Holy Spirit by praying in tongues.

Doing this allows the Holy Spirit to take hold of the unseen part of that persons life

with us. He works with us, praying through us the perfect will of God in that situation

or persons life. It is our part to yield to His expressions and we actually join withHim, as we allow the different expressions to flow through. The Holy Spirit finds gapsor broken parts of the will of God and bridges them together through our intercession.


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We can also use our spiritual language to build ourselves up. Through our prayers the

Holy Spirit starts to restore and rebuild in us what life, crisis or warfare has torn

down. The Holy Spirit renews our perspective, revives our vision and instructs ourminds.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayersand requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on

praying for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:18

DOES GOD REALLY ANSWER PRAYER?

Absolutely! But imagine if you tried to run up and just chat with say, the Queen of

England? There is an etiquette or a proper approach when meeting a dignitary such as

the Queen. In the same way there is a way we approach the King of Kings -- FatherGod. He will answer...

1.Y

ES!

W

HEN WE COME TOH

IM BY FAITH.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyonewho comes to him must believe that he exists and that he

rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

2. YES! WHEN WE PRAY ACCORDING TO HIS WILL .

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if weask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know

that he hears uswhatever we askwe know that we havewhat we asked of him.

1 John 5:14,15

3. YES! WHEN WE COME BECAUSE OF THE BL OOD OF JESUS.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence toenter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus...

Hebrews 10:19

4. YES! WHEN WE RELY ON THE RIGHTEOUSNESS GRANTEDTO US BYJESUS AND NOT ON THE BASIS OF OUR OWN GOOD

WORKS OR PERSONAL WORTHINESS .

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all

who believe.

Romans 3:22


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5. YES! WHEN WE COME WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE.

...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance

of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty

conscience ...

Hebrews 10:22

If these five points are in line when we approach God in prayer, we can be confident

that God will hear us, and answer us.

AN EXAMPLE OF PRAYER .

Jesus is our best example for prayer. Through observing His personal prayer life we

can pickup on important principles on how we can have an intimate time of

connection with the Father.

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished,one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as

John taught his disciples."

Luke 11:1

HOW NOT TO PRAY.Do not pray like the hypocrites.

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they loveto pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners tobe seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their

reward in full.

Matthew 6:5

Do not pray like the pagans (a generic term for those who are not Christians). Don't

babble on with lots of words and fancy rhetoric.

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, forthey think they will be heard because of their many words. Do

not be like them, for your Father knows what you need beforeyou ask him.

Matthew 6:7,8

HOW TO PRAY.Pray to the Father, not to the mother, saints or angels.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and prayto your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what

is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:6


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Pray through Jesus. He is the only way to the Father.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanbeings, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a

ransom for all people.

1 Timothy 2:5,6

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No onecomes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6

WHAT CAN WE PRAY FOR?

We can pray forGod's Will to be done... in your life, in your family, in your work, in

your church, in your neighbourhood, in your city, in your nation and in the wholeearth.

...your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is inheaven.

Matthew 6:10

We can pray forGod's provision... both our personal and family needs to be met.

Give us today our daily bread.

Matthew 6:11

We can pray forforgiveness... to receive forgiveness from God and also to forgive

those who have offended you.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Matthew 6:12

For if you forgive others when they sin against you, yourheavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 6:14

We can pray forvictory over temptation and protection from the devil's schemes.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:13

WHAT CAN HINDER OUR PRAYERS?

The development of an effective prayer life is dependent on keeping our relationship

with God strong and uncluttered by sin.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears areattentive to their prayer but the face of the Lord is against those

who do evil.

1 Peter 3:12


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Preparing our heart in prayer is very important. It is not only the enemy that seeks to

obstruct our prayer life but our own sin can hinder our prayers also. Below are a few

obstacles or hindrances that can affect our prayer lives.

1. UNCONFESSED SIN

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have

listened.Psalm 66:18

When we knowingly tolerate sin in our lives we push God away because He cant co-

exist with sin. It is contrary to His very nature and character. As a result our prayersare rendered powerless.

2. LACK OF FAITH

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyonewho comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He

rewards those who earnestly seek Him.Hebrews 11:6

He who doubts is like a wave of sea, blown and tossed by thewind. That man should not think he will receive anything fromthe Lord; he is a double minded man unstable in all his ways.

James 1:6

3. DISOBEDIENCE

If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before Godand receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His

commands and do what pleases Him.

1 John 3:21-22

4. WRONG MOTIVES

When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with thewrong motives

James 4:3

An effective way to make sure our motives are pure is to have someone we trust holdus accountable for our desires and pursuits.

5. UNFORGIVENESS

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenlyFather will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their

sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:14-15

If we harbour hurt feelings, resentment or unforgiveness towards others, we

negatively affect our prayer lives.


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Strengthening and maintaining our relationship with God is a daily process and it is

important to deal with any hindrances on a daily basis.

WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO EFFECTIVE PRAYER?

1. MAKE IT A PRIORITY.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers,intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men.

1 Timothy 2:1

Prayer is a priority, it is vital to all that we are and do as a Christian.

2. COMMIT YOURSELF TO IT .

We will give ourselves continually to prayer

Acts 6:4

It is an act of the will, a choice we need to make for ourselves.

3. FIND A PLACE AND A REGULAR TIME .

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray

to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees whatis done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:6

Our 'private prayer' can be anywhere. It is best when it is a private place to meet with

God, a place of solitude where there are no distractions. In other words, separate

yourself from people, get alone with God and make that a daily practice. You can prayanywhere anytime during the day, but its good to have a consistent place and time

and establish that as a priority without any interruptions.

4. BE PERSISTENT .

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that theyshould always pray and not give up. He said: "In a certain town

there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared whatpeople thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept

coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my

adversary.' "For some time he refused. But finally he said tohimself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care what people

think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see thatshe gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack

me!'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says.

And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, whocry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I

tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly...

Luke 18:1-8

Be determined to pray through, and that means not giving up.


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5. GET TO KNOW GODS WORD .The best kind of praying is to pray according to His Will. We know His Will by

knowing His Word. Gods Word builds faith in our hearts because faith comes by

hearing His Word. God works and moves in line with His Word. Therefore, as wepray according to His Word, we know He will answer.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if weask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we knowthat he hears uswhatever we askwe know that we have

what we asked of him.

1 John 5:14,15

YOUR RESPONSE ...?

Our life in Christ is a journey, if we are to grow as Christians then our relationship

with God needs to be nurtured through time spent in reading the Bible and prayer.

Maturity doesnt happen overnight but takes patience and perseverance.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature andcomplete, not lacking anything.

James 1:4

Remember, change takes time and practice makes perfect.

But we must all have to make a start.

Therefore, ...

Have you forgiven all who have sinned against you?

Have you set a place to read God's Word and to listen to what He

has to say?

Have you begun to pray for your "daily bread"?

Now is a good time to start.

Completeyour

Disciple

RoadMap


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WHERE TO FROM HEREWhat did Jesus have in mind for His followers? Did He come only to save us, but nottrain or empower us? I am convinced that the Lord's ultimate purpose in the

redemption of man was His replication in man.

Consider Paul's passion. He wrote:

My little children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ isformed in you.

Galatians 4:19

This is the goal of God in the church, that Christ be formed - that He be functionally

manifest in and through us.

Recall our Master's words. He said:

A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has beenfully trained, will be like his teacher.

Luke 6:40

God desires to fully train us so we will be " like [our] teacher." Thus, Jesus promised:

Very truly I tell you, all who have faith in me will do the works Ihave been doing, and they will do even greater things than

these, because I am going to the Father.

John 14:12

You see, our journey is not going from church to church, but to discover Christ's lifeand that we:

are being transformed into his image with ever-increasingglory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18

With this in mind, we take the following command very seriously:

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven andon earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciplesof all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of

the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey

everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with youalways, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:18-20


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GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES .

Firstly, you must Go and find someone you can disciple. Pray

and ask God who He would like you to disciple, then Go. If

you are not sure, Go anyway God will show you the way.

Secondly, make disciples. This means you begin this processover again. But this time you teach them what you have justlearnt. And when they have successfully taught what they have

learnt from you to another, you have made a disciple.

Finally, you must stay ahead and keep learning. Everythingyou learn, teach your disciple. They in turn will teach their

disciple.

Did this document help you? Now you can purchase thesame document to disciple another:The Good News of New Beginningshttp://Coburns.biz/index.php/new-beginnings

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37/38


DISCIPLE ROADMAP:TRACKING YOUR JOURNEY


38/38

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW FURTHERIf Going and Making Disciples does not seem easy to you, there is a small resourceavailable that will teach you:

How to Go and Make Discipleshttp://Coburns.biz/index.php/How-To-Go-And-Make-Disciples

Also, I share my own inspirational reflections, Peter J . Coburn Reflections, for allintrigued by Christianity, derived from 50+ Years in the School of Life and temperedwith wisdom from the Holy Bible at:

Peter J. Coburn Reflectionshttp://coburns.biz/index.php/reflections

There are plenty ofonline Bible Resources:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/

You can even download, forFREE, Bibles & Study Resources from:

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The Word Bible Softwarehttp://www.theword.gr/

YOURJOURNEY

HAS JUST BEGUN

Enjoy!This document was purchased from:

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the good news of new beginnings

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