NEW LIFE IN CHRIST Living free by knowing the truth...
Vol V olum ume e4
Biblical answers to common lies
NEW LIFE IN CHRIST Living free by knowing the truth...
Vol V olum ume e4
Biblical answers to common lies
For more inormation about the New Lie in Christ materials contact: Email: Emai l: info@ info@nueva nuevavidae vidaencris ncristo.or to.org g Phone: (503) 236-6150 (USA) Downloadafreeelectronicc Downloadafr eeelectroniccopyofthisandother opyofthisandothervolumesofNew volumesofNewLifeInChrist LifeInChristatthefollowi atthefollowingwebsite: ngwebsite: www.NewLieDiscipleship.com or www.nuevavidaencristo.org www.nuevavidaencristo.org ThismanualwasoriginallyproducedinSpanishandisa Thismanualwasoriginallyproduce dinSpanishandisalsoavailablein lsoavailableinotherlanguageswhich otherlanguageswhichcanbe canbe downloadedattheabovewebsites. Permissionisgiventomakephotocopiesofthismateria Permissionisgiventomakephotocopies ofthismaterial,withthecondi l,withtheconditionthatyoucite tionthatyoucitetheoriginal theoriginal sourceandmakenochangestoitscontentorformat For other material in Spanish: www www.obrerofel.com .obrerofel.com
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FirstEnglishedition2012CopyrightMarkRobinson ProducedbyMarkRobinson,8625LaPradaD ProducedbyMarkRobi nson,8625LaPradaDrr.,Dallas, .,Dallas,TX75228,USA TX75228,USA
Sept. 8, 2012
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CONTENTS
Teacher eachersGui sGuide.. de...... ......... .......... .......... ......... ......... .......... .......... .......... ......... ......... .......... ...... . 4 Step1 Ste p1
Thelie The liest sthat hatbi bind ndus us... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... .. 6
Step2 Ste p2
Thetru The truth ththa thatf tfre rees esus us... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... .. 8
Step3 Ste p3
Lie: Lie :I’m I’mal alla lalon lone. e.... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... .... . 10
Step4 Ste p4
Lie: Lie :It’ It’si simpo mpossi ssible ble.. ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...
Step5 Ste p5
Lie: Lie :Ic Ican ando doit it... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... .. 16
Step6 Ste p6
Lie: Lie :I’m I’maf afrai raid. d.... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... .. 18
Step7 Ste p7
Lie: Lie :But But... ...ever everyon yonee eelse lsedo does esit it... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... .. 20
Step8 Ste p8
Lie: Lie :Ther There’ e’sn snoj ojust ustice icein inth thew eworl orld. d.... ...... ...... ...... ...... .... . 22
Step St ep9 9
Lie: Li e: Go God dwo won’ n’t tfo forg rgiv ive eso some meone onel lik ike eme me. ... .... .... ..
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Step1 Ste p10 0 Lie Lie: :Ic Ican’ an’tt ttake akeit. it.W Why hydo dowe wesuf suffer fer? ?... ...... ...... ...
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Step11 Step1 1 Lie: Lie:Ifo IfonlyI nlyIhadm hadmore oremoney money.... ........ ......... .......... ......... ........ .... 28 Step12 Step1 2 Lie: Lie:All Allrel religions igionslead leadust ustoGod oGod..... ......... ......... .......... ....... .. 30 Memoryvers Memor yverses. es...... .......... .......... .......... ......... ......... .......... .......... .......... ......... ......... .......... ....... .. 33 Certicate Certi cate... ........ .......... ......... ......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ......... ......... .......... .......... .......... ...... . 35
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8.
TEACHER’S GUIDE
Try ryto tohav havet ethe hestu studen dents tsthi think nkabo about utthe the prac pr acti tica cal lim impl plic icat atio ions nsf for orth thei eir rlilive ves. s. He Help lpth them em tounderstandspecic,practicalapplications. Each lesson has sections marked by a STOP sign. These are designed for the studenttostopandthinkabouttheimplicationsofthelessonfortheirlives.T tionsofthelessonfortheirlive s.Taketimeto aketimeto meditateonthesesections. STOP
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Wecon Wec ongra gratu tula late tey you ouf for ora acc ccep epti ting ngt the he chal ch alle leng nge eof ofd dis isci cipl plin ing gne new wbe beli liev ever ers sus usin ing g NewLifeinChristasyourguide.Theresults oft of thi his sst stud udy yca can npr prod oduc uce eet eter erna nal lfr frui uit. t. LettheB Letth eBible ibleal alway waysb sbey eyour ourau autho thorit rityi yin n answ an swer erin ing gth the equ ques esti tion ons. s. Th The est stud uden ents tss sho houl uld d lookuptheBiblepassagesbythemselvesand trytoanswerthequestionsbasedonwhatthe Biblesays.
9.
Somen Some new ewb bel elie ieve vers rsn nee eed da abr brie ief for orie ient ntat atio ion n onhowtondthereferencesintheirBibles.
10. Itisimpo Itisimportant rtanttoun tounderst derstandt andthatd hatdiscipl iscipleship eship ismuchmorethanstudyingthelessonsof NewLifeinChrist.Discipleshipimpliesalife changeforthedisciple.
Thismanu Thism anual almay maybe beus used edin inman manyd ydif iffer ferent ent ways.Inmostcases,youwillstudyonelesson aweek,encouragingthediscipletodoallthe assignmentsineachlesson.
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Try rynot notto tole lety tyour ourse sessi ssions onsge gett ttoo oolon long. g.Ke Keep ep aneyeonyouraudience’sattentionspan. aneyeonyouraudience’ sattentionspan.
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Encourage Encour ageth thes estud tudent entst stoa oansw nswer erthe the ques qu esti tion ons sin int the heir iro own wnw wor ords ds. .A Avo void id copy co pyin ing gth the eBi Bibl ble ewo word rdf for orw wor ord. d. Us Usin ing g thei th eir row own nwo word rds swi will llh hel elp pth them emt to oan anal alyz yze e the th eme mean anin ing gof of th the ete text xtsss stu tudi die ed.
6.
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Theas The assi sign gnme ment nts sin int the heb box oxes esa at tth the esi side deo of f eachlessonaredesignedforthispurpose. Makeuseofthem. Helpstu Help studen dents tscul cultiv tivate ateth theh ehabi abito tofp fpray rayer er. . Teachthembyprayingtogetherw eachthembyprayingtogetherwiththem. iththem.
Thism This man anua ual lis isj jus ust tan ani ini niti tial alh hel elp. p. Th The est stude udent nts s needcontinualhelpinseekingtochangetheir character,waysofthinking,habits character ,waysofthinking,habits,etc. ,etc. 11. Itisoft Itisoftheut heutmost mostimpor importance tancethat thatdisci disciples ples learnhabitslikedailyBiblereading,prayer learnhabitslikedailyBibler eading,prayer, , and Scripture memorization. Atthe Att heb beg egin inni ning ngo of fea each chl les esso son, n,t tak ake eti time me toreviewthepreviousmemoryverseandask themhowthedailyBiblestudyisgoing.Do notscoldstudentswhohavenotcompleted someoftheassignments,butbesureto encourage them to nish.
Avoidpr Avoid preac eachin hing. g.Us Useq eques uestio tions nsto todis discov cover er whatthestudentsunderstandandtostimulate activeparticipation.
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Prepare Prepa rewe well llfor forea each chses sessio siony nyour oursel self. f.As As the th ete teac ache herr, ,yo you ush shou ould ldb be efa fami mili liar arw wit ith hth the e contentandkeyconceptsofeachlesson.
Besensit Besen sitive iveto towh what atGod Godis isdo doing ingin inth thed edisisciple’slife.Taketimeoutofeachsessionto answeranyquestionstheymighthave,orto helpwithfacingproblemsintheirpersonallife. Keepi Keep in nmi mind ndt tha hat tth ther ere ear are eti time mes swh when eni it tis is notpossibletogettoeveryquestioninthe lessonbecauseoflackoftime.Inthesecases, choosethequestionsofmostimportanceto discuss.
You our rpr prep epar arat atio ion nsh shou ould ldi inc nclu lude dep pra raye yer rfo for r yourstudentsandforyourownhearttobe preparedforthelesson.
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Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
METHODOLOGY Thisbookisdedicatedtothestudyofsomeofthemainl Thisbookisdedicatedtothestudyofs omeofthemainliesthatthe iesthatthe worldandthedevilusetoconfuseus. worldandthedevil usetoconfuseus.Wewill Wewillseelieslike: seelieslike:“I`m “I`m allalone,”“Ican’tdoit; allalone,”“I can’tdoit;it’ it’simpossible,”“Ther simpossible,”“Thereisnojustice eisnojusticeinthe inthe world,”“Godcan’tforgivesomeonel world,”“Godcan’ tforgivesomeonelikeme,”“Ifonl ikeme,”“IfonlyIhadmore yIhadmore money...”etc.
ForeachliethatSatanandtheworldtellus,wewillgivebiblical answersthatwillpermitustoliveinfreedomandholiness.
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Step 1
Lies 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 witchcraft and the occult. occult.
LIES THAT ENSLAVE US Todaywendourselvesinthe odaywendourselvesinthemidstofagreat midstofagreatbattle.Whyare battle.WhyaresomanyChristiansdiscourage somanyChristiansdiscouragedandliving dandliving defeatedlives?Someareenslaved defeatedlives?Som eareenslavedbytheirpast,whetheritis bytheirpast,whetheritissufferingcausedbythe sufferingcausedbytheirownsin,orharmdone irownsin,orharmdone byothers.Someareincapableofdealingwiththe byothers.Somear eincapableofdealingwiththeirweaknesses, irweaknesses,almostasiftheywe almostasiftheyweretrappedbyanoutside retrappedbyanoutside forcethatdoesnotallowthemtobefree forcethatdoesnota llowthemtobefreeoffailure.What’ offailure.What’sgoingon? sgoingon? 1. GoingbacktotheGardenofEdenhelpsusunderstandthe GoingbacktotheGardenofEdenhelpsusunderstandtheoriginofourproblems.E originofourproblems.Everythingbeganwith verythingbeganwith asimplelie.Genesis3:1saysthatthes asimplelie.Gene sis3:1saysthattheserpentwasmor erpentwasmore___________ e____________thananyotherofthew _thananyotherofthewildanimals. ildanimals. Wecanseehowdevioushewasbythe Wecanseehow devioushewasbythewayhetrickedEve. wayhetrickedEve.WhatliesdidtheSerpent WhatliesdidtheSerpentuseinGenesis3:1-7? useinGenesis3:1-7? v.1( .1(compa compare rewith with2:16-1 2:16-17)__ 7)______ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ______ __ v.4-5 .4-5(comp (compare arewith with2:17) 2:17)___ ________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _____ _ v.6T .6Thefr hefruitl uitlooked ookedgoodb goodbutdid utdiditg itgiveE iveEvethe vethewis wisdoms domshew hewanted anted?__ ?_______ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _______ ___ 2. WasAda WasAdamanymoreinnocenttha manymoreinnocentthanEve?Why?v nEve?Why?v.6,12_________ .6,12_____________________ _________________________ ______________________ _________ _________ ____ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ _____ _ 3. Today oday,thedialoguemightgosomething ,thedialoguemightgosomethinglikethis: likethis: •
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. happy.
Relax, nothing is going to happen to you. Nobody believes in hell anymore. It’s just an old fashioned way to scare scare you into keeping someone else’s else’s rules. 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. happiness. How do you expect to be happy with so many restrictions? •
myself? Eve:It looks so good. I want it and deserve it. Why should I deny myself? Eve: I’m not hurting anyone and besides; no one will know anyway.
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 prot and pays with loss; he promises life and pays with death.1
can’t I? What’ What’ss the big deal? • Adam justied his sin: sin:She did it, so why can’t 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 so much temptation? My friends will laugh at me if I don’t go along with them. •
Eve:Itwasjus Eve: Itwasjusttoohardtor ttoohardtoresist,andbesides, esist,andbesides,Adamdiditt Adamdidittoo. oo.
Thesamething Thesame thinghappen happenstod stoday ay.G .Goingb oingbackt acktothe otheques question tionofw ofwhy are so many Christians defeated? Oneofthe Oneo fthemain mainre reasons asonsist isthatt hattheyc heyconsta onstantlyt ntlytript ripthemse hemselves lvesupby upbypaying payingatte attention ntiontoth tothelie eliesof softhe the devilandwhattheworldtellsthem.Whentheyfa devilandwhattheworldte llsthem.Whentheyfailtodetectthedeception,theyunconscious iltodetectthedeception,theyunconsciouslyletthe lyletthe enemydirecttheirdecisionsandasares enemydirecttheirdecis ionsandasaresult,defeatisguaranteed. ult,defeatisguaranteed.Oftentheydon’teve Oftentheydon’tevenrealizetheyar nrealizetheyare e in trouble. 6
THE PARABLE OF THE COW
SATAN’S MAIN WEAPON
When an argumentative citizen seemed unconvinced, Abraham Lincoln said, “Well, let’s see how many legs does a cow have?”
5. John8:44saysthedevilis John8:44saysthedevilisamurdere amurdererwhodoesn’tholdto rwhodoesn’tholdtothe__________ the__________,,
“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, ve, of course,” was the condent reply reply.. “Now, that’s where you’re wrong,” said Lincoln. “Calling a cow’s tail a leg doesn’t make it a leg.” 2 Manypeopletodaymistakenly believethateveryoneshoulddecideforthemselveswhatisgood orbad.TheysaytheBibleistoo oldfashionedtobeusefulinour changingworld. Eventhoughourculturesays somethingisOK;thatdoesn’t meanit’sreallyOK.Somebelieve thatsinisn’tsinjustbecausethey giveitanothername.Listento othersthisweektoseeifyou canndexamplesofthiskindof thinking.
becausethere becauseth ereisn isno___ o_______ _________ _____inh inhim. im.Heis Heisa_ a_____ ________ ________ ____andt andthe he fatherof____________. Liesarethe Liesare themain mainweap weaponSa onSatanus tanusesto estodece deceive, ive,intimi intimidate dateande andenslav nslave. e. Whilehedoesusethingslikewitchcraftanddemonpossession,hecan accomplishthesamethingswithasimplelie. accomplishthesamethings withasimplelie.Forexample,ifhecanconForexample,ifhecanconvinceusthatmoneywillmakeushappy vinceusthatmoneywillm akeushappy,wewillbete ,wewillbetemptedtodowhatmptedtodowhateverittakestogetmore,evenifw everittakestogetm ore,evenifwecheatorhurtotherstogetit. echeatorhurtotherstogetit.
6. Although AlthoughJesus Jesusspoke spokethe thetruth, truth,some somedidnot didnot___________ ________________. _____. John8:45 Why?Verse Why?V erse47 47says saysthat thatwhoe whoever verbelon belongst gstoG oGod_ od______ ________ ___God God’’sw swords ords, , whilethosewhodonotbelongtoGodwon’tlisten,muchlessbelieve.When someonerefusestolistentoGod,theyletthe someonerefuses tolistentoGod,theylettheliessteerthemtowa liessteerthemtowardevil. rdevil. STOP
Who are you listening to?
7. Theworldhasatotallydifferentper Theworldhasatotallydifferentperceptionofthetruththanwedo. ceptionofthetruththanwedo.How How doesanon-believerseethethingsofGod?1Corinthians2:14 ________ ____ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ________ ____ Dotheyun Doth eyunderst derstand? and?___ _______ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ _______ ___ Ourculturecon Ourcultur econstant stantlyma lymakes kesfunof funofbibl biblical icalvalue values,se s,seeing eingthego thegospel spelas as narrowmindedandoutdated.Muchofwhatthe narrowmindedandoutdate d.Muchofwhattheworldteachesas“truth” worldteachesas“truth” isreallyalie.Thingsdon’twork isreallyalie. Thingsdon’tworkoutwellforthembecause outwellforthembecausetheirlifeisbuilt theirlifeisbuilt ondeception.Theybecomeslavestothelies.For ondeception.Theybecomes lavestothelies.Forthemtherear themtherearenoabsoenoabsolutes;insteadtheybelieveeverythingisrelative, lutes;insteadtheybelieve everythingisrelative,dependingonthecircumdependingonthecircumstances.Thereforeeveryonehasthe stances.There foreeveryonehastheirowntruth.Theyr irowntruth.Theyrefusetosubmitto efusetosubmitto Biblicalstandards,believingthathumansmaketherules,notGod.
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
8. Ontheotherhand,1Corinthians Ontheotherhand,1Corinthians2:15saysthatthespiritual 2:15saysthatthespiritualperson person ____________ ________ _________ _________ ____all allthings things.B .Byexa yexaminin miningall gallthings things,the ,theyar yareabl eable e todistinguishtruthfromerrorandmakewise todistinguishtruthfromerr orandmakewisedecisions.Thelessons decisions.Thelessonsthat that followinthismanualwarnusaboutsomeofthemostcommonliesthat weoftenhear.Thebestway weoftenhear .Thebestwaytodetect“lies”istoknow todetect“lies”istoknowthe”truth”asitis the”truth”asitis revealedintheWordofGod.
STOP
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 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. Startbyjottingdownthreeexamplesofliesthatha Startbyjottingdownthreeexamplesofliesthathaveaffectedyouinthe veaffectedyouinthe past. • ___ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ___ • ___ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ___ • ___ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ___ 7
Step 2
The truth that frees us Answer TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) _____ Most Christians are mature enough to not be easily fooled by false ideas. _____ If you practice sin, sin, you become a slave to sin. _____ Biblical truth brings freedom.
THE TRUTH THAT FREES US Everydaywearebombardedbypopularbeliefs.Everyonewants Everydaywearebombardedbypopularbelie fs.Everyonewantstotelluswhattothink. totelluswhattothink.WhoshouldwebeWhoshouldwebelieve?It’surgentthatwelearntodistinguishbe lieve?It’ surgentthatwelearntodistinguishbetweenthevoicesoftruthand tweenthevoicesoftruthandtheclamorofconfusionandlies. theclamorofconfusionandlies. 1. WhatdidJesussayw WhatdidJesussaywouldfreeus?John8: ouldfreeus?John8:31-32___________ 31-32________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _____________ -
Ifthetrut Ifth etruthfr hfrees eesus,t us,thenw henwhate hatenslave nslavesus? sus?__ _______ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _____ 2. Howcanwek Howcanweknowthetruth?John8:31-32____ nowthetruth?John8:31-32_________________ __________________________ _________________________ ________________________ ____________ HoldingfasttoChrist’ Holdingfastto Christ’ste steachingsw achingswilllead illleadusto ustothetruth. thetruth.Sa Sadly dly,m ,manybelie anybelieverstoda verstodaylive yliveinignorance inignoranceofw ofwhat hat theBibleteaches.Theyseldomread,muchlessstudythe theBibleteaches.Theyseldom read,muchlessstudytheirBibles.Insteadtheyfollowwhat irBibles.Insteadtheyfollowwhatotherstellthem otherstellthem andoftenendupconfused.Evenchurchleaderscanbecaughtupintheconfusion.Ontheotherhand,there arethosewhoknowwhattheBibleteache arethosewhok nowwhattheBibleteaches,butdon´tfollowitsteachings. s,butdon´tfollowitsteachings.Theytooendupbadly Theytooendupbadly.. 3. Here’ Here’ssomethingtothinkabout.One ssomethingtothinkabout.Onetimeajailinmates timeajailinmatesaid, aid,“I’m thankful I was caught. When I was out side, I thought things were great, but now I see that was just 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 Whatdoesthis Whatdoes thisstory storyhave havetodo todowith withyou? you?Alth Althoughy oughyoumi oumightne ghtneverh verhaveb avebeeni eeninjai njail,a l,arey reyour oureally eallyfre free? e? ThosewhowerespeakingwithJesus Thosewhower espeakingwithJesusinJohn8:33claimedtheyhadneve inJohn8:33claimedtheyhadneverbeenslavestoanybody rbeenslavestoanybody. . How owd did id Je Jessus an answ swe er rth the em? m? Jo John hn 8: 8:34 34 _ __ ___ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ ___ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ ___ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Have you ever felt the frustration of being enslaved by sin? Yes ❏No❏ How much of your life is really based on the truth? Which of the following statements apply to your life? ❏
Ireadt Ir eadtheBi heBibler bleregula egularly rlybymy bymyself self..
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Tobe obehonest honest,my ,myknow knowledge ledgeof oftheB theBible ibleisve isveryl rylimit imited. ed.
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Idon’tliketojudgeothers,so Idon’tlik etojudgeothers,soIdon’tfeel Idon’tfeelqualiedtosaywho qualiedtosaywhohasthetruth. hasthetruth.
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Ithinkformyself.Ievaluatewhatotherssayby Ithinkformyself.Ievaluat ewhatotherssaybycomparingitwi comparingitwithwhatthe thwhatthe Bibletell Bible tellsme sme.Th .Theref erefore oreIca Icandis ndiscernw cernwhois hoistel telling lingmet methetr hetruth. uth.
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IletotherChristiansorthosewhoteachinmychur IletotherChristiansorthose whoteachinmychurchtellmewha chtellmewhatto tto beliliev be eve. e. It It’’s sea easi sier ert tha hat twa wayy.
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 8:31-32
COUNTERING THE LIES WITH THE TRUTH 4. Whatistherstpieceof WhatistherstpieceofourspiritualarmormentionedinEphe ourspiritualarmormentionedinEphesians6:14?_____ sians6:14?_________________ ______________________ __________ Whyistha Whyi sthatpie tpieces cesoimpo oimportant rtant?H ?Howdo owdoesi esithel thelpus pusinsp inspiritua iritualwa lwarfar rfare? e?___ ________ _________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ___ ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ___ It’sinterest It’sinte restingt ingtonote onotethat thatthe thelast lastpiece pieceoft ofthear hearmori moristhe sthe Sword of the Spirit ,whichistheWordofGod ,whichistheWordofGod wherewendthetruth.Aswor wherewe ndthetruth.Aswordisbothanoffensive disbothanoffensiveaswellasdefe aswellasdefensiveweapon.Itpr nsiveweapon.Itprotectsagainstthe otectsagainstthe liesofthedevilasitattackslieswiththetruth. 8
5. Whatwillhelpustoa Whatwillhelpustoavoidevilways?Psa voidevilways?Psalm119:104-105_________ lm119:104-105______________________ __________________________ ___________________ ______ Ifitwasn’t Ifitwas n’tforth fortheBib eBible,w le,wewo ewouldno uldnotbe tbeable abletodet todetectt ecttheli heliesa esande ndeefr efromth omthem. em.V Verse erse105c 105compar ompares es theBibletoalampwhichilluminatesourmindtosee theBibletoalampw hichilluminatesourmindtoseetheliesthatwilldetourus theliesthatwilldetourusfromthepath. fromthepath. 6. Inlightoftheabove,what Inlightoftheabove,whatdidthePsalmistdecide? didthePsalmistdecide?Psalm119:106______ Psalm119:106___________________ _________________________ ______________ __ Hedidn’twaver Hedidn’t waverbut butconrmed conrmedhis hisdecision, decision,and andnothing nothingwould wouldkeep keephim himfrom fromobeying. obeying. The Thescriptures scripturesshould should notonlyllourminds,butmustmoveustoputintopracticewhat notonlyllourminds,butmustm oveustoputintopracticewhatwereadinthem wereadinthem..
LIVING IN THE TRUTH 7. Philippians4:8.Whatarewetodow Philippians4:8.Whatarewetodowiththethingsthataretrue iththethingsthataretrue?___________ ?________________________ ________________________ ___________ Differe Dif ferenttr nttransla anslations tionsword worditd itdiffe ifferent rently ly,but ,butwe weare areto tothink think ,meditate ,meditate,or ,ordwell dwell onwhatistrue.What onwhatistrue.What doyouthin doyo uthinkit kitmean meansto sto“medi “meditate” tate”ont onthetru hetruthof thofGod’ God’swo sword? rd?____ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ______ __ ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ _______ ___ 8. 1John1:9-10speaksabout______________ 1John1:9-10speaksabout__________________oursins.C ____oursins.Confessionistellingthetruthaboutours onfessionistellingthetruthaboutoursin. in. Whenwestoptryingtocoveritup,weallowthebrightlightofthetruthtoshine. Accordingt Accor dingto1J o1John2: ohn2:4,an 4,anyone yonewhos whosays, ays,“Ik “Iknowh nowhim,” im,”yetdo yetdoesn’ esn’tdo tdowhat whatheco hecommand mmandsis sisa__ a_______ _____ and_____ and_ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____.O .Oncea nceagain, gain,the theempha emphasis sisison isonobeyin obeying,no g,notjus tjustkno tknowing. wing. 9. Ephesians4:24-25tellsus Ephesians4:24-25tellsustoputonthenewnature toputonthenewnature.Thismeanstoput .Thismeanstoputoff_________ off________________andspea _______andspeak k ________ ____ ________ ________ ______. __.Why? Why?__ ______ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ 10.Acts17:10-11saysthatthebelievers 10.Acts17: 10-11saysthatthebelieversinBereawer inBereaweremorenoblethan emorenoblethanthoseinotherplaces.N thoseinotherplaces.Notonlydid otonlydid theyrece they receivet ivetheme hemessage ssagebut butthey theyalso also___ _______ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ Inwhatw Inw hatwayss aysshould houldwei weimitate mitatethe theBere Bereans? ans?____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _______ __ ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ _______ ___
STOP
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
• Ifyouaren’tsatisedwit Ifyouaren’tsatisedwithyouranswerstot hyouranswerstothequestionnaireon hequestionnaireonthe the previouspage,whatcanyoudo?Theansw previouspage,w hatcanyoudo?Theansweris:abidein eris:abideinorholdon orholdon totheWord(John8:31-32).
• Whatdoyouplanto Whatdoyouplantodothisweektoabi dothisweektoabideintheWor deintheWord?_________________ d?_________________ __________ _____ __________ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ __________ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ _________ ____ __________ _____ __________ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ __________ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ _________ ____ • AbidingintheWordism AbidingintheWordismorethanjusta orethanjustaquickreadingof quickreadingofapassage.It’ apassage.It’s s important impo rtantto toanaly analyzet zethepas hepassage sagetoun tounderst derstandw andwhati hatitsay tsaysand sandwha whatit tit means.Buteventhisisnotenough. means.Butevent hisisnotenough.Thereisanother Thereisanotherstep. step. • Afterstudyingapassage,itis Afterstudyingapassage,itisimportanttolookf importanttolookforapplicationsfor orapplicationsforyourlife. yourlife. James1:22saysit’ James1:22saysi t’snotenoughjustto snotenoughjusttoheartheword, heartheword,youmust__________ youmust__________ __________ _____ __________ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ __________ __________ ___________ ___________ __________ ________ ___ Attheendof Attheen dofyour yourstudy study,ra ,raise iseyour youreyes eyesupto uptoGod Godand andaskh askhim: im: “Lord, what do you want me to do now in response to what I have read?” • Thisworkbookisdedicatedtothestudy Thisworkbookisdedicatedtothestudyofsomeofthemos ofsomeofthemostcommonlies tcommonlies thattheworldandSatanusetoconfuse thattheworld andSatanusetoconfuseus.Beginningwith us.BeginningwithStep3wewill Step3wewill examinelieslike: “I’m all alone,” “I can’t do it; it’s impossible,” “God could never forgive someone like me,” andmore.Witheachlie,wewi andmore.Witheachlie,wewilllookat lllookat biblicalanswersthatwilla biblicalanswer sthatwillallowustolive llowustoliveinlibertyandhol inlibertyandholiness. iness. 9
Step 3
Lie: I’m all alone Answer TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) _____ God is not interested in those who 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 when everything looks dark and there doesn’t seem to be any solutions.
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 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 anything for a half hour of companion ship. 4
THE LIE:
“I feel completely alone.” “Nobody can help me.” “Everyone has abandoned me.” “I feel as if God were far away, away, or as if he has gone on vacation Eveninthemidstofacrow tofacrowd,manyfeela d,manyfeelalone,abandoned, lone,abandoned, and left me.” Eveninthemids fearfulanddesperate.Faced fearfulanddesperate. Facedwithloneliness,some withloneliness,somelltheir lltheirtimewith timewithactiviactivities,friendsandworktokeepthemfromlookinginthemirrorandasking. “Does anyone care about me?” Othersdesperatelylookforconsolationin thewrongplaces,inabusiverelationships,insex,alcoholordrugs. THE ANSWER Isitreallytruethatyouarealone?No!Thisisoneofthemostdestructive liesofourtimes.Howdoweknowit’ liesofourtimes.H owdoweknowit’salie?TheBible salie?TheBibleisfullofpromises isfullofpromises forthepersonwhofeelsabandonedandalone.Forexample:
1. WhatdoesIsaiah41:10s WhatdoesIsaiah41:10saytothepersonwhofeels aytothepersonwhofeelsabandonedandalone?____ abandonedandalone?________________ _______________________ ___________ ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ _______ ___ Godpromi Godp romisedt sedthist histoas oasinful infulandr andrebell ebellious iouspeople people.A .Althoug lthoughthey htheydidn didnotde otdeserve serveit, it,hew hewasa asalways lwaysther there. e. 2. Whyshouldn’tyoufear? Whyshouldn’tyoufear?Jotdownthepromises JotdownthepromisesinIsaiah41:10andmeditate inIsaiah41:10andmeditateonthemeaningofeachone. onthemeaningofeachone. •_____ •_ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____ •_ •_____ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ______ __ •_____ •_ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____ •_ •_____ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ______ __ STOP
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. Psalm23hasbr Psalm23hasbroughtcomforttomanyovertime. oughtcomforttomanyovertime.HowisGodpre HowisGodpresentedinPsalm23:1-3? sentedinPsalm23:1-3? ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _______ ___ Whatisth What isthewor eworkof kofonew onewhosh hoshepher epherdss dssheep? heep?Ho Howmi wmightit ghtitbed bediffe ifferent rentfro fromtha mthatof tofaca acattlem ttleman? an? ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _______ ___ 4. Whatassurancedow Whatassurancedowehavewhenhar ehavewhenhardtimescome?v dtimescome?v.4_________ .4______________________ __________________________ ___________________ ______ 5. ExplainwhatGodknow ExplainwhatGodknowsaboutyourlife?Psalm saboutyourlife?Psalm139:1-5___________ 139:1-5_______________________ _________________________ __________________ _____ ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _______ ___ 6. Whycan’tyouesca Whycan’tyouescapefromGod’ pefromGod’spresence?Ps spresence?Psalm139:7-12_______ alm139:7-12___________________ _________________________ ___________________ ______ 10
7. Howdotheseteachings HowdotheseteachingsinPsalm139make inPsalm139makeyoufeel?_________ youfeel?_____________________ _________________________ __________________________ _____________ ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ____ 8. Psalm46:1-2assur Psalm46:1-2assuresusthatwear esusthatweareneveraloneindifculttimes eneveraloneindifculttimesbecauseGodis___ becauseGodis________________ ____________________ _______ ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____.T .There herefore forewe wewill willnot not____ ________ _____ _
v. 7 eventhough even though___ _______ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _____. _. “The LORD Almighty is with us”. v. 9. Psalm145:18-19TheLor Psalm145:18-19TheLordis_________ dis____________toallwho___ ___toallwho________________ _______________________. __________.Whatcanweexpect Whatcanweexpect whenwecallo whenwec allonGod? nGod?v v.19 .19__ ______ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ ______ _ AlthoughG Altho ughGodis odisnear near,tho ,thosew sewhofa hofailto iltocall callonhi onhimliv mliveas easift iftheyw heywere erealone aloneanda andabandon bandoned. ed.They Theydon’ don’t t receivecomfort;insteadsadness,feara receivecomfort;inste adsadness,fearandagonyruletheirlives.Wha ndagonyruletheirlives.Whatatragedy! tatragedy! Are there times when you do not call out to God for help? Why?
STOP
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. ❏You
10.Whatdoyoudoinuncertaintimesorwhenyourfutureisindoubt? ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ______ __ WhenJoshu When Joshuawa awasabo saboutto uttotake takeover overlea leadersh dershipof ipoftheI theIsrae sraelites lites,the ,they y wereabouttoenterenemyterritoryandconquerthepr wereabouttoente renemyterritoryandconquerthepromisedland.He omisedland.He didn’tknowwhatwouldhappenbutherece didn’tknowwhat wouldhappenbuthereceivedsomeimportantadvice: ivedsomeimportantadvice: Moses said: “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; 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 commanded you? Be strong and courageous. 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.Howwouldthesepromises 11.Howw ouldthesepromiseshavemotivatedJoshuainuncerta havemotivatedJoshuainuncertaintimes? intimes? ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ______ __ ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ______ __ NeitherJoshua NeitherJo shuanorth northeIsr eIsraelit aelitesw eswere erealone alone.N .Notonl otonlydid ydidGodpr Godpromise omise tobewithJoshua,toneverleavehimorforsake tobewithJoshua,toneve rleavehimorforsakehim,Healsoprom him,Healsopromisedto isedto go before him, wherever he went. 12.Godisatourside.Heisalsoaccessibleandhasgivenusa 12.Godisatourside.Heisalsoaccessible andhasgivenusafamily familyto to whichwecanbelong,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 Consequently ” citizens with God’s people and also members of his household ”
Howdoes How doesitma itmakeyo keyoufee ufeelto ltoknow knowyoua youare reafel afellowc lowcitize itizenwit nwithothe hothers rs fromGod’ from God’sfa sfamily? mily?___ _______ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____ STOP
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: remember: You are are never alone! 11
AN INSPIRING STORY ReadthestoryofElishaandthe Syriansin2Kings6:8-18,paying attentionespeciallytov.15-17. Whatisthemainlessonyoulearn fromthisstory?
_____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________
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
A Daily Surrender To Christ Romans12:1exhortsustosurrenderourbodies toChrist.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.” From Fr omNew NewLi Life fein inChr Christ ist, ,V Volu olume me1, 1,Les Lesson son4 4
12
Detecting and rejecting the lies. Principlestohelpyoubaseyourlifeonthetruthinsteadoflies.
Asyouhaveseeninthepreviousless Asyouhaveseeninthe previouslessons,aChrist ons,aChristiancan iancan onlybefreeifhislifeisbasedonthetruth.Eachlesson laysouta lays outa speci speciclieandthengives clieandthengivesbiblica biblicalanswer lanswersto sto correcttheeffectsofthelieonyourlife.Obviously,itis notpossibletospeakofeveryliethedevilinvents,but wecanlearntorecognizeandcombatanyliewhenit presentsitself.
7. When When you fee feel l tem tempte pted,burde d,burdened, ned, dis discour courage aged, d, doubtfulorevenenthusiastic,askyourself: • WhatamIbelieving WhatamIbelievingthatmakesm thatmakesmefeelthi efeelthisway? sway? Isittrue? • Where Where domycurre domycurrentthou ntthought ghtsandmy sandmy fee feelin lings gs comefrom?FromGod?Thedevil?Myculture? Myself?Mymomordad?
Whatyoubelievedetermineshowyouwillact.Ifyou believesomethingistrue,youwillliveasifitweretrue. Forexample,ifyoudon’tbelieveGodiswatching,you tendtolivearecklesslife.O tendtolivear ecklesslife.Ontheotherhand,ifyou ntheotherhand,ifyouare are awarethatGodispresent,youtendtoliverighteously. Ifyoubelieveyoucan’t, Ifyoubeliev eyoucan’t,youwon’t.Ifyouseeyourself youwon’t.Ifyouseeyourself asaloser,youwilllivelikealoser.Ifyouseeyourselfas anewcreatureinChrist,youwillliveinvictoryasanew person.Ifyoubelievesomethingisfalse,youwill person.If youbelievesomethingisfalse,youwillrejectit, rejectit, evenifitistrue.Theprinciplesthatfollowwillhelpyou understandhowtoliveinfreedoma understandhowtoliv einfreedomandvictory ndvictory..
• AmIbeing AmIbeingpressured pressuredbysom bysomeoneto eonetobelieve believeoract oract inawaythatcontradictstheBible?How? • Howmightmy Howmightmycurrentcircumstancesbe currentcircumstancesbedistorting distorting mypointofview,forgoodorforbad? • WhatdoesGod WhatdoesGod say abo aboutthebelie utthebeliefsthat fsthat ar are e popularinmyculture? • AmIdoubtingsomethingthatthe AmIdoubtingsomethingthattheBibleclearlytells Bibleclearlytells meistrue? • AmIdoubti AmIdoubtingwh ngwhatth attheBibl eBibletel etellsme lsmebeca because useI I can’tseeitortouchit?
1. Learnto Learnto thi thinkbibl nkbiblic icall allyy. Thi Thishappe shappenswhen nswhen you saturateyourmindwiththeWord.
• WhatdoIdoifIdon’ WhatdoIdoifIdon’tlik tlikewhat ewhattheBibl theBiblesays esays? ? WhatpoordecisionsmightIbemakingbecauseI amunwillingtosubmittowhattheBibletellsme?
2. DoindepthBiblestud DoindepthBiblestudyy,notjustaquick ,notjustaquickreadin readingof gof theWord.WhenyoustudytheBibleregularly,you arecreatingalibraryinyourmindfullofbiblical knowledge.Astimegoesbyyouwillaccumulate moreandmoreresourcestohelpyouconfrontlife’s dailyproblems.
8. Meditateon Meditateonthe theimplications implicationso of fyour yourdecisions. decisions.W What hat willbetheshorttermeffec willbetheshor ttermeffects?Longterm? ts?Longterm? 9. Areyouawar Areyouawarethatrea ethatrealit litymight ymight bedif bediffer ferent ent tha than n whatyouarecurrentlyseeingorfeeling?Godissovereignandispresent.WithHim,anythingispossible.
3. Liveaccor Liveaccordin ding g tothescrip tothescriptur turesyoualre esyoualready ady kno know w. Eachday,applywhatyouhavereadtoyourdailylife. 4. Cultivat Cultivatethe ethehabi habitof tofquest questioni ioningwh ngwhatyo atyousee useeand and hear.Withoutbecomingnegative,orcynical,learn toexamineeverythinginthelightofGod’sWord. Continuouslyaskyourself:Isthattrue?Whatdoes theBiblesayaboutthat?
Areyouw Areyo uwill illing ingto tofoc focus usonw onwhat hatGo Godca dcando ndoor orar are e youonlylookingatyourpresentcircumstances?Are youwillingtotrustGodwithyourpresentcircumstancesandtellHim:“Lord,hereIam,yourservant, willingtodoyourwil will ingtodoyourwill.Itrustyouforthething l.Itrustyouforthethingsin sin mylifethatseemimpossible.EventhoughIcan’tdo it,youcan.
5. Thinkfor Thinkfor you yourse rself. lf. Don Don’t ’t bel believ ieve e som someth ething ing jus just t becausesomeone(evenaChristian)saysitstrue,or becauseitspopular.
10. Wheremightyoubepayi Wheremightyoubepayingmoreattentiontow ngmoreattentiontowhat hat peoplethinkthantowhatGodsays? 11. Makeal Makealistofnegat istofnegativemessages ivemessages(lies)that (lies)thatyouhear youhear.. Next Nex twri write tea atru true esta statem tement entt to ore repla place ceeac each hneg negati ative ve message.
6. What Whatwoul wouldJes dJesusdo usdoin inyour yoursitu situation ation? ?
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Step 4
Lie: It’ It’s s impossible Answer TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) _____ There are times when nobody or nothing can help me. _____ When I feel responsible responsible to solve all my problems problems by myself I am putting myself on the road to failure. _____ God’s power manifests itself when I admit my weaknesses.
THE LIE Haveyoueverfoundyourselfincircumstancessodifcultthatyou’vesaid: It’s impossible. I don’t see any way out of this. I might as well well throw in the towel? Perhapsyouhavetriedtochangeyourcharacterbutwithout mother,, son.. .Doyoufeelfrustratedbyyourinability success.Oryou’vesaid: I’ve been a failure as a husband, mother toachievethevictoryintheChristianlifethatotherssee toachievethevictoryintheC hristianlifethatothersseemtohaveattained?A mtohaveattained?Andthelistgoesonandon. ndthelistgoesonandon.
THE ANSWER Youcan’t,butGodcan! oucan’t,butGodcan!Isaiah41:13says Isaiah41:13says“Do not fear; I will help you.” LookandseeallthatGodhasdone LookandseeallthatGodhasdone throughouthistory.Forexample,putyours throughouthistory .Forexample,putyourselvesintheshoesofthe elvesintheshoesofthethreeHebre threeHebrewyouthsastheystoodbefor wyouthsastheystoodbefore e thekingofBabylonia,threatenedwithbeingthrow thekingofBabylonia,thre atenedwithbeingthrownintoaeryfurnacefordisobeyingtheor nintoaeryfurnacefordisobeyingtheordertobowdown dertobowdown totheking’sidol.Readthisinspirings totheking’ sidol.ReadthisinspiringstoryinDaniel3:10-27whichtells toryinDaniel3:10-27whichtellshowtheyriskedtheirlives howtheyriskedtheirlivestochallenge tochallenge theking’sedict. 1. Whyweretheyunw Whyweretheyunwillingtobowdowntoafalse illingtobowdowntoafalsegodeventhoughtheirrefusa godeventhoughtheirrefusalputtheirlivesindanger? lputtheirlivesindanger? Daniel3:1 Danie l3:17-18_ 7-18_____ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ ______ _ Andtheresult Andther esults? s?Read ReadDanie Daniel3:1 l3:19-27. 9-27.God Godbroug broughtthe htthemout moutofth ofthea eames messafe safeands andsound, ound,witho withoutev uteven en thesmellofsmokeonthem. 2. Whatthingsinyourpresent Whatthingsinyourpresentlifeseemimpossible? lifeseemimpossible?____________ _________________________ __________________________ ________________________ ___________ Howdoes How doesRoman Romans8:3 s8:31,37 1,37mak makeyou eyoufeel? feel?__ ______ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ______ __ 3. Whatcouldbemoredifcultthan Whatcouldbemoredifcultthanthepromisemade thepromisemadetoMary toMary,thatshewouldhave ,thatshewouldhaveasoneventhoughshe asoneventhoughshe wasavir was avirgin? gin?The Theangel angelenco encourage uragedher dherbys bysaying aying____ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ______Lu __Luke1: ke1:37 37 4. Ifsomeoneeverhadtheright Ifsomeoneeverhadtherighttosay¿“It’ tosay¿“It’simpossible”,itwouldbe simpossible”,itwouldbeMary Mary,butinstead,whatw ,butinstead,whatwasheranswer? asheranswer? Luke1:38 Luke 1:38_____ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ______ __ STOP
ourselves: “Am I • We can say the same today when we confront “impossible” situations. We can ask ourselves: going to believe that nothing is impossible 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, paper, then go through the list saying: “Lord, this looks impossible, but I believe that it is possible for you.”
5. Whatarethetw Whatarethetwocommandsin1Peter5:6-7f ocommandsin1Peter5:6-7forthepersonwhoworries? orthepersonwhoworries? v.6_ .6_____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____Why Why?__ ?______ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ v.7_ .7_____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____Why Why?__ ?______ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ 6. Haveyoueversaid: Haveyoueversaid:Ihavenomoney;howam Ihavenomoney;howamIgoingtopaymybills?W Igoingtopaymybills?WhatdidJesussayinMa hatdidJesussayinMatthew6:25? tthew6:25? _________ _____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ____W Why?v hy?v.26 .26___ ________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ 14
GROWING STRONGER Read Luke 22-24 and Psalms 33-36, (onechapterperday). Memorize 2 Corinthians Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufcient 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 sufcient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my inrmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. NKJV
Continuereadin Continuer eadingMat gMatthew thew6:26-3 6:26-32whe 2whereJ reJesus esusclaim claimsthat sthatGodw Godwillpr illproovideforyourdailyneeds.Ifhetakescareofthebirdsanddressesthelilies withbeauty,won’theprovideforuswhoareworthsomuchmore?Worry won’thelpus.Itjustsapsourstre won’thelpus. Itjustsapsourstrength.Godknowsaboutall ngth.Godknowsaboutallourneeds. ourneeds. 7. Whatshouldwedorst, Whatshouldwedorst,insteadofworrying?Matthe insteadofworrying?Matthew6:33 w6:33 ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____ Tosee oseekthe ktheking kingdomof domofGod Godmeans meanstos tosubmit ubmitmome momentby ntbymomen momentto ttothe the authorityofChrist,yourking.WhatdoesGodpromise authorityofChrist,yourking. WhatdoesGodpromisewhenwesubmit whenwesubmit tohim?v tohim ?v.33 .33__ ______ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ______ __ 8. WhatdidPaulsayinP WhatdidPaulsayinPhilippians4:13?_____ hilippians4:13?__________________ ________________________ ___________ ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____ Initscontex Inits contextt tthis hispassa passage gespeak speaksa sabout boutnanc nances. es.P Paul aulhad hadlearned learnedto totr trust ust Godforhisneeds,whetherhehadmoneyandwhetherhewasinneed.It alsoappliestootherareasoflife.WithChrist,nothingisimpossible. 9. Which Whichofthe oftheses sesvaria variations tionsofth ofthephr ephrase, ase,“It’s impossible,” applytoyou? 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,meditateon2 10.Thinkingaboutthe abovelist,meditateon2Corinthians12:7-10.Why Corinthians12:7-10.Why didPaulr didP aulrejoice ejoiceinh inhisw isweakne eaknesses sses?v ?v.9_ .9_____ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _______ ___ _________________________ ____________ __________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _____________ v.10 .10Forw ForwhenI henIam_ am_____ ________ _________ ______Ia _Iam__ m______ _________ _________ _____ _ 11.Onwhomdoesvictorydepend?❏Me❏God Whenyoufeelr Whenyouf eelrespons esponsible ibletosol tosolveyo veyourow urownpro nproblems blemsyouc youcondem ondemn n yourselftofailure.Itisnotaquestionofyourcapacitytoovercomeby yourownefforts.Godsays,“ My My grace is sufcient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” PaulallowedGod'spowertorest PaulallowedGod'spowertorest onhim.Toliveingraceistodependon onhim.T oliveingraceistodependonGodinsteadofyourownr Godinsteadofyourownresolve. esolve. TO ENCOURAGE YOU Ifyoufeeldiscouragedbecause everythingjustseemslikeit’s impossible,readthefollowing passages.Theywillinspireyou. Hebrews11talksaboutthe heroesofthefaith. Daniel6speaksaboutDaniel andthelion’sden.
STOP
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 Christ who strengthens me. 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”. 15
Step 5
Lie: I can do it Answer TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) _____ If I try hard enough I will be saved. _____ If I try hard enough, I can be a victorious Christian. Christian. _____ There are ministries today that are based more on the will power of determined men than on the power of God.
Thisliedealswiththeproblemofself-sufciency.Whenyousay: Thisliedealswiththeproblemofself-sufciency .Whenyousay:“I can do it; I’m capable; I’m better than others...” youaretrustinginyourselfinsteadofthepowerofGod. youaretrustinginyourselfinsteadofthepowerofGod.
“I CAN DO IT” AND SALVATION Whatcanyoucontributetoyoursalvation?Canattendingchurch,prayingtothe Whatcanyoucontributetoyoursalvation?Cana ttendingchurch,prayingtotheVirginorstoppingabadhabit Virginorstoppingabadhabit saveyou?Manysay:Do what your religion demands and you will go to Paradise. Requirementsvaryfromone religiontoanother,buttheyareallbasedonworks.Theyaresellingthelie: You can do it if you work hard enough. 1. Areyoucapableofcontributinga AreyoucapableofcontributinganythingtoyoursalvationaccordingtoRoma nythingtoyoursalvationaccordingtoRomans3:10,20,23-24? ns3:10,20,23-24?
. _________ _____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ______ __ 2. Ifyouworkhard,can Ifyouworkhard,canyousaveyourself?____ yousaveyourself?______Ephesians2:8-9W __Ephesians2:8-9Why?___________ hy?________________________ ___________________ ______ _________ _____ ________ ________ _________ _________ _____W _Whatis hatis“gra “grace”? ce”?___ _______ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _______ ___ Salvationi Salva tionisa safree freegift giftfrom fromGod. God.It Itcannot cannotbe bebought, bought,only onlyaccept acceptedby edbyfait faith,or h,orrej rejected ected.. .. 3. Galatians3:10-11saysthosewhotrytobejustiedbythe Galatians3:10-11saysthosewhotrytobejustiedbythelaw(selfeffort) law(selfeffort)areundera__ areundera__________because ________because theydonotcontinuetodo___________thatthelaw theydonotcontinuetodo_______ ____thatthelawdemands.Noonecan demands.NoonecanobeytheT obeytheTenCommandments enCommandments 100%.Ifsalvationdependedonworks,nobodycouldeverr 100%.Ifsalvationdependedon works,nobodycouldeverreachit.ThankGodit’ eachit.ThankGodit’sbyfaith,notworks. sbyfaith,notworks. STOP
Howmanysincereand“good”peopletodayar Howmanysincer eand“good”peopletodayareunderacursebecause eunderacursebecausetheybelievethel theybelievethelie: ie:“I can do it.”
“I CAN DO IT” AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE Ifyoucan’tcontributeanythingtoyoursalvation,whataboutyourChristianlife?Whatplace Ifyoucan’tcontributeanythingtoyoursalvation,whataboutyourC hristianlife?Whatplacedoworksand doworksand personaleffortplay?AlthoughSalvationdoesnotdependon personaleffortplay? AlthoughSalvationdoesnotdependonworks,thereis works,thereisnodoubtthatgoodworksar nodoubtthatgoodworksarethe ethe fruitofbeingsaved.Ephesians2:10sayswewere“created in Christ Jesus to do good works” .The .The point isn’t whether good works works are important, but rather: Where do they come from? from? Is the Christian Christian life a matter of trying harder or of letting God work in you and through you? 4. Gobackto2Corinthians12:7-10thatyoustudiedinthelastle Gobackto2Corinthians12:7-10thatyoustudiedinthelastlesson.Atthebeginningofthe sson.Atthebeginningofthechapter chapter,Paul ,Paul mentionsavisionhehadofwhatnooneelsehade mentionsavisionhehadof whatnooneelsehadeverseen.Butthenhe verseen.Butthenhewasgivenathorninhisesh wasgivenathorninhisesh whichcausedgreatsuffering.Althoughhe whichcausedgrea tsuffering.AlthoughheaskedGodtorem askedGodtoremoveitthreetimes, oveitthreetimes,itwasstillwithhim itwasstillwithhim. . Whatwasthep Whatwas thepurpose urposeofhi ofhistri strial? al?2C 2Cor or.12: .12:7___ 7_______ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ______ __ capable. I’m Whensomeo When someoneha nehassp sspecial ecialabilit abilities, ies,iti itisea seasyto sytoletp letpride ridetake takeover: over: “Look at me. I’m very capable. better than others.” Godallowsweak Godallowsweaknessinourlivestor nessinourlivestoremindusthatwecan’ emindusthatwecan’tdoanythingwithouthim. tdoanythingwithouthim. 5. That’swhyPau swhyPaulsai lsaidin din2Cor 2Corinthia inthians12: ns12:10 10When I am __________, then I am ___________. Weaknessis aneffectivewaytoremindusofourlim aneffectivew aytoremindusofourlimitationsandtotemperourpride. itationsandtotemperourpride. 6. Galatians2:20-21.Ihave Galatians2:20-21.IhavebeencruciedwithChrist, beencruciedwithChrist,ItisnolongerIwho____ ItisnolongerIwho_______,but_______ ___,but________livesinme. _livesinme. 16
NowIliveby NowIliv eby____ ________ _____in _inthes thesonof onofGod. God.It’ It’sa saliet lietosay osay,“I ,“Icand candoit” oit” whentheessenceoftheChristianlifeislettingC whentheessenceof theChristianlifeislettingChristlivethroughme. hristlivethroughme. Whatdetermines Whatdeter minesmy myrela relations tionshipw hipwithG ithGod? od?vv.21 .21Iti Itisn’t sn’tabou aboutwh twhatI atIdo do forGod,butwhatChristhasdoneforme.
“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 15:4
7. InJohn15Jesussaidthatheisthevineandwear InJohn15Jesussaidthatheisthevineandwearethebranches.What ethebranches.What doverses4-5teachabouttheideathat“I can do it” ? ________ ____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ ________ ___ Wha Wh at tdo doe es sit it me mean an to “abide” or or“remain” inChrist?_________________ inChrist?_________________ ________ ____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ ________ ___ 8. James4:6-7WhodoesG James4:6-7WhodoesGodoppose?_______ odoppose?__________________ ___________Insteadof Insteadof sayin saying,“I g,“Icand candoit, oit,I’m I’mcapabl capable,” e,”what whatshou shouldmy ldmyatti attitude tudebebe bebefore fore God?v God? v.7, .7,10_ 10______ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ______ __
DIGGING DEEPER ReadthebookofGalatians tobetterunderstandwhat thetruegospelis.Learnhow toliveingraceandavoid legalism.
9. Sometimesthere Sometimesthereisrivalrybetweenchur isrivalrybetweenchurchesorministries,butinthe chesorministries,butintheend, end, whocauses whoc ausesgro growth? wth?1C 1Corinth orinthians ians3:4-6 3:4-6___ ________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _______ __ 10.1Corinthians3:11-15illustratesthewaysChristiansbuildtheirlives.Some, trustinginGod’spower trustinginGod’ spower,buildwithgold,silve ,buildwithgold,silverandpreciouss randpreciousstones.Others tones.Others whotrustintheirowneffortsbuildwithwood,hayands whotrustintheirownef fortsbuildwithwood,hayandstraw traw.Whatwill .Whatwill happenin happe ninthee theend? nd?_____ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _______ ___ Wewillall Wewill allappea appearbe rbefore forethe thejud judgemen gements tseat eatwher wherer erew ewill illreve revealw alwhethe hether r webuiltourlivesinthepoweroftheSpiritorintheesh.Manysay:“I’m capable and talented.” Youcandoalotintheesh,evenbuildministries Youcandoalotintheesh,evenbuildministries thatseemsuccessful,butthinkaboutwhatwillhappenwhenGodexamines everything. 11.Somegradetheirchurchonitssize,thebiggerthebetter 11.Somegradetheirchurchonitssize, thebiggerthebetter.Doyouthink .Doyouthink thisisagoodwaytomeasurethesucces thisisagoodwaytom easurethesuccessofaministry?Why? sofaministry?Why? ____________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____ Someminis Some ministries triesare arethe thework workofGo ofGodwhi dwhileot leothers hersare aremonum monuments entstome tomen. n.
“I CAN DO IT” – LEGALISM OR GRACE? 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 nothing.” NKJV
12.WhentheChristianlifebecomesalifeofhumaneffort,itbecomes“another gospel”whichisrepulsivetoGod(Gal.1:6-8).Pauldealtwiththisproblem oflegalisminthebookofGalatians.Somewantedtor oflegalisminthebookofGalatia ns.Somewantedtorequirenewgentile equirenewgentile believerstosubmittocircumcisionandotherpracticesofthelaw.Something similarhappenstoday: •Somebelieversfeelsuperiortootherswhodon’tfollowtheirlistsofprohibited activiti acti vities.Theycritici es.Theycriticizeothers zeothersandshametheminstea andshametheminsteadofmotivati dofmotivatingthemin ngthemin lovetodogood.TheirChristianit lovetodogood.Thei rChristianityisbasically yisbasicallynegative. negative. • Othersar Othersareproud eproudofneverm ofnevermissingservi issingservices,orof ces,oroffasting,pray fasting,prayingorr ingorreadingtheir eadingtheir Biblesmorethanothers.Theytr Biblesmoret hanothers.Theytrytoimpress ytoimpressGodandotherswit Godandotherswiththeirworks. htheirworks.
13.ManyChristiansdependonthemselvesandtheir“Christianw 13.ManyChristiansdependonthemse lvesandtheir“Christianworks” orks” thinking:“If I just work hard I can do it.” Thinkingaboutwhatyouhave Thinkingaboutwhatyouhave learnedinthislesson,whatiswrongwiththatkindofthinking? ________ ____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ ________ ___ ________ ____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ ________ ___ 17
Step 6
I’m afraid
D e ea a t h
Answer TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) _____ Feeling that God is far away away brings fear to our lives. lives. _____ Sometimes things things aren’t what they seem seem to be at rst glance. _____ To “fear God” means to be afraid of him.
Allofusexperiencefearattimes.Che Allofusexperiencefe arattimes.Checkwhichofthefollowingthingsar ckwhichofthefollowingthingsarecausingfearinyourlife. ecausingfearinyourlife. ❏Fearofrejection
❏Fearofdeath
❏Fearsaboutthefuture ❏Fearoffailure
❏FearofGod’sjudgment
❏Fearofenemies
❏Fear
❏Fearofwhatotherswillsay
❏Fearsabouthealthissues ❏Fearofneverndinglove
of the devil
❏Fearofbeinglaughedat
❏Fearofnotbeingabletopayyourbills❏FearthatGodwillnothearyou❏Other________________________
GOD: THE REFUGE FOR THE JUST 1. Psalm11speaksaboutamomentofterror Psalm11speaksaboutamomentofterror.WhenDavid’ .WhenDavid’sfriendssawthathis sfriendssawthathisenemieshadarrow enemieshadarrowsontheir sontheir bowstringsreadytoreagainstthejust,the bowstringsreadytor eagainstthejust,theyadvisedhimtoeetothe yadvisedhimtoeetothemountainslikeabird. mountainslikeabird.v v.1-2 .1-2 Davidwasindignant.Howdidherespond?vv.1_________ Davidwasindignant.Howdidherespond? .1______________________ _________________________ _________________________ ________________ ___ SinceDavi Since Davidloo dlookeda kedatGod tGodas ashisr hisrefuge efuge,he ,hecould couldnot notimagi imaginee neeeing eing 2. Davidaskedwhat Davidaskedwhatrighteousshoulddowhenitseem righteousshoulddowhenitseemsliketheirworldiscrum sliketheirworldiscrumblingaroundthem?v blingaroundthem?v.3 .3 Thinkabout Think abouthowy howyour oureact eactina inacrisi crisis. s.What Whatwas wasDavi David’ d’san sanswer swerfort fortimes imesofc ofcrisis risis?v ?v.4 .4___ _______ ________ ________ _____ _ _________ ____ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _______ __ Atrstglance Atrstgl ancehisa hisanswer nswerdoes doesn’t n’tseem seemtor torelate elatetohi tohissi ssituatio tuation,bu n,buttak ttakea easecon secondlook dlook.D .David avidwas wassayin saying g that things aren’t as they appear .Itmayseem appear .Itmayseemlikeevildoersare likeevildoersareinchargeofourworld,orthatour inchargeofourworld,orthatoursituasituationisimpossible,butthereality tionisimpossible,butthe reality is different :God,isstillsittingonhisthroneandseeseverything. :God,isstillsittingonhisthroneandseeseverything. WhatisGo What isGoddoi ddoing? ng?vv.4 .4Ishe Isheupt upthere herebiti bitinghis nghisnge ngernails, rnails,not notknowi knowingwh ngwhatto attodo? do?___ _______ ________ ________ _____ _ _____________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _______ __ Thesover Thes overeign eignGode Godexists xists,se ,seese eseveryt verythinga hingandru ndrules. les.He’ He’sstillin sstillincharg chargeof eofourw ourworlde orldeveni venifwe fwecan’ can’tse tsee e him. 3. Readv Readv.5-7.Althoughitlookslike .5-7.Althoughitlookslikeevildoersarew evildoersarewinning,inhistimeGodwilljudge inning,inhistimeGodwilljudgethem.Then,what them.Then,whatcan can thejuste thej ustexpect? xpect?v v.7 .7____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ______ __ TheNewAmericanStandardBible,likemanytranslationssays“The upright will behold His face.”
4. Whatisthereme Whatistheremedyforfear?Psalm46:10-11. dyforfear?Psalm46:10-11.____________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _______________ __ _________ ____ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _______ __ STOP
• Meditate on the implications of these verses for your life. God exists. He sees everything. 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 Does he stand with you? ❏Yes ❏No Do you really believe this to be true? ❏Yes ❏No
❏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 that’s true, what is there there to fear? 18
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Sometimes the Lord calms the storm. Sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child. 5 Inyourcurrentsituation,do youfeelthatGodiscalmingthe stormorcalmingyouasyoupass throughit?
______________________ ______________________ ______________________ u r e
t u F
5. Whatdothe Whatdothefollowingpassages followingpassagesteachaboutfear teachaboutfearandhowtoove andhowtoovercomeit? rcomeit? Proverbs Prov erbs29:25 29:25____ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ ______ _ ________ ____ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ Psalm18:1 Psalm 18:1-2__ -2______ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _______ ___ ________ ____ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ John16:33 John1 6:33___ _______ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ______ __ 6. DoesGodevergettir DoesGodevergettiredofhearingfromus? edofhearingfromus?Psalm71:3 Psalm71:3 ________ ____ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ 7. InPsalm34(below),underlinethewordsand InPsalm34(below),underlinethewordsandphrasesthatare phrasesthatarethemost themost helpfulinovercomingyourfears.T helpfulinovercomingyourfears. Taketimetomeditate aketimetomeditateoneachone. oneachone. Psalm 34:4-9, 14-17
D E A T H
4 5 6 7
SO HOW DOES GOD SEE US?
8
DoyouneedtobeafraidofGod? Romans5:1
9
______________________
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.
14 Turn from evil and do good; good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; cr y; 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.
______________________ WhenyoutrustedChristas Savior,youwerejustied,declaredrighteousbasedonChrist’s blood.Insteadofaccusingyou, heforgivesyou.Romans8:28-39 emphasizesthatheisonourside, notagainstus
* Other comforting passages are Psalm 91 and 1 Crónicas 28:20 STOP
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
• Inthislessonyouhavereadmany Inthislessonyouhavereadmanypassagestohelpyoudeal passagestohelpyoudealwithfear withfear. . Whichthoughtsorideashavecaughtyouratt Whichthoughtsori deashavecaughtyourattentionthemost? entionthemost?
________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____ ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____ ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____ ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____ Onaseparatesheet,makealistofnegativemessages( negativemessages(lies)thatyouhear lies)thatyouhear. . • Onaseparatesheet,makealistof Nextwriteatruestatementtor Nextwriteat ruestatementtoreplaceeachnegative eplaceeachnegativemessage. message.
“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.” NKJV 19
Step 7
But...everyone else does it. Answer TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) _____ Christians are called to live differently than others. _____ The world offers a lot of fun, but it does not last. _____ Many Christians Christians are strange, as if they came from another another planet.
THE LIE
“Everyone does it, why should I be different? different? It can’t be that bad if it is so popular.” popular.” Friendsofthosewhowant us?” toliveaholylifesometimessay: “Don’t be a fanatic, relax, enjoy life. Do you think you are better than us?” Beingdifferentisuncomfortable.It’ Beingdifferentis uncomfortable.It’snoteasytoswim snoteasytoswimagainstthetide.W againstthetide.Wemightfollowtheworlddue emightfollowtheworldduetopeer topeer pressure;butothertimeswedoitbe pressure;but othertimeswedoitbecausesinlookslikefun, causesinlookslikefun,andwedon’tthinka andwedon’tthinkabouttheconsequences. bouttheconsequences. 1. Listsomeexamples Listsomeexamplesofcommonpracticesinoursocietytha ofcommonpracticesinoursocietythatpeoplejustifybysaying“Everyone tpeoplejustifybysaying“Everyoneisdoingit.” isdoingit.”
________ ____ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _______ ___
THE TRUTH The Salmon
2. How Howdoes doesRomans Romans12:2 12:2contra contradict dictthel thelietha iethatsay tsays“ s“...it’s OK because ?”__________________________________ __________________ _____ everyone else does it ?”_____________________ ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _____ _ Godhasn’tcall Godhasn’ tcalledyo edyouto utocopyt copythew heworld’ orld’swa sways,b ys,butto uttobet betransf ransformed ormed intoanewkindofpersonwhoisdifferent. intoanewkindofpersonw hoisdifferent.Ifyourfriendsscoffbe Ifyourfriendsscoffbe-different! ent! So causeyouareabelieveryoucouldrespond:“Yes, I’m differ what? I’ve chosen a different path. I have a higher calling.” 3. Tobediffere obedifferent,itisnecessarytor nt,itisnecessarytorenewyour_____ enewyour_________________. ____________.v v.2 .2 Howcany How canyour ourenew enewyour yourmind? mind?__ ______ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ___ ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _____ _ • Onewaytotransformyourthinkingi Onewaytotransformyourthinkingistoallowbibli stoallowbiblicaltruthtor caltruthtoreplacethe eplacethe liesyouhavelearnedfromthedevilandt liesyouhavelearnedfr omthedevilandtheworldduringthec heworldduringthecourseof ourseof yourlife(Psalm119:11).Y yourlife(Psalm 119:11).Yourmindneedstober ourmindneedstobereprogrammedi eprogrammedinorder norder foryoutobelightinthedarknessinst foryoutobelight inthedarknessinsteadofjustadopting eadofjustadoptingtheworld’ theworld’sway sway ofthinking.Thatisprecisely ofthinking.Thati spreciselywhythismanualw whythismanualwaswritten,to aswritten,tohelpyou helpyou identifytheliesandexchangethemforthetruth. • Romans12:1givesanotherwaytobedif Romans12:1givesanotherwaytobedifferent:Pr ferent:PresentyourbodytoG esentyourbodytoGod od asalivingsacrice.Prayandsurr asalivingsacri ce.Prayandsurrenderallofyoursel enderallofyourselftoGod,todohi ftoGod,todohiswill swill insteadoftheworld’sbidding.How?See “ A Daily Surrender to Christ” Christ” onpage12.
Inthecoldwaters ofmanyriversthesalmonswim. Theyareborninfreshwater streams,butmigratedownstream tothesea.Notallofthemsurvive thetrip,butthosethatreachthe oceangrowtohugesizes.After severalyearsatsea,instinctcalls themtoreturntothestreamwhere theywereborn. Thetriphomeishard,astheyght thecurrent,rapids,predatorsand otherobstacles.Whenawaterfall blockstheirpaththeyjumpover andoveruntiltheyreachthetop. Atlasttheyreachtheirdestination, wheretheylaytheireggsanddie, givingrisetoanewgeneration. Whatifthesalmondidn’twantto swimagainstthecurrent?Itwould remainatsea,unabletoreproduce, bringingtheendoftheirspecies. Whathappenstobelieverswho won’tswimagainsttheworld’s current? _______________________________
4. WhatdoesMatthew7:13-14sayaboutthepersonw WhatdoesMatthew7:13-14sayaboutthepersonwhowantstobe howantstobe lilike kee eve very ryon one eel else se. .W Whe here red doe oes sthe the wide road lead?______________ lead?______________ ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _____ _ ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _____ _ 20
_______________________________ Belikethenoblesalmon.Persevereagainstthecurrentandeverythingtheworldthrowsatyou.
5. Writedownsome Writedownsomeareasinyourlifew areasinyourlifewhereyouare hereyouarefeelingpressur feelingpressuredto edto moldyourse mold yourselfto lftothew theworld. orld.Be Bespeci specic: c:____ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ ______ _ ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ _______ ___ 6. 1Peter2:11compare 1Peter2:11comparesbelieversto_____ sbelieversto_______________and __________and____________ ____________ Whenyouwant todosomething, yetarenotsure ifyoushoulddo itornot,ask thefollowing questions: 3
WhatwouldJesusdo?
3
Whatdoesyourconscience say?Ifyourconscienceis clear,whythenareyoutrying tojustifyyourbehaviorby saying...“everyone does it” ? ?
3
WhatdoestheBiblesay?
Explainwh Expla inwhatit atitmea meansto nstosee seeyours yourselfa elfasa sasojourn sojourneror erorfore foreigner igner. . ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ _______ ___ STOP
As a sojourner, sojourner, the believer is different from others because he is just passing through this world. Meditate on how that will will effect your life.
Howshoul How shouldyou dyoulive? live?v v.11 .11_____ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ___ Abstainingfrom Abstaining fromevil evildesi desires resisn’ isn’topti toptional. onal.The Thesed sedesir esiresc escombat ombatagain against st yoursoullikeparasites,slowlysuckingawayyour yoursoullikeparasites, slowlysuckingawayyourspiritualenergy spiritualenergy.. 7. Whyshouldyoulivewell?v Whyshouldyoulivewell?v.12________ .12_____________________ __________________________ _____________ Believersare Believers arecall calledto edtobeha behavein veinaw awayth aythatw atwon’t on’tgive giveunbeli unbelievers eversan an excusetocriticizethem,butrathercausethemtopraiseGod. 8 InPh InPhilippi ilippians2 ans2:15-16 :15-16,Go ,Godcall dcallsyou syoutol tolivea iveablam blameless elesslife lifeint inthemi hemidst dst ofa________ ofa____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ _______ ___cultur culture,li e,likes keshining hining lightsforalltosee.HoldfasttoGod’ lightsforalltosee.H oldfasttoGod’sword,allow sword,allowingittoalwaysbe ingittoalwaysbe yourguide.Do you accept the challenge to shine? ❏Yes❏No STOP
Think of a practical way you you could shine for God today? What is it?
9. Psalm1tellsushow Psalm1tellsushowtoliveineviltimes. toliveineviltimes.Whatthingsdorighteous Whatthingsdorighteous peopleavoi people avoid?P d?Psalm salm1:1_ 1:1_____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ______ __ ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ______ __ GROWING STRONGER Read Exodus 15-21 (onechapterperday).
10.Incontrasttothewicked,howdotherighte 10.Incontrasttothe wicked,howdotherighteouslive?Psalm1:2? ouslive?Psalm1:2? ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ______ __ Howmuch How muchtime timedoyou doyoudedi dedicate catetothe totheWor Word?_ d?_____ ________ ________ ________ _______ ___
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
11.Psalm1:3-4.Thosewhomeditate 11.Psalm1: 3-4.ThosewhomeditatesontheWord sontheWordarelikea__ arelikea___________ _________ plantednextt plantedne xttoa oariv river er,s ,strong trong,s ,stable tablean andfr dfruitful uitful. .The Thewicke wickedw dwhof hofollow ollow othersarecomparedto________________thatisblownawaybythewind. STOP
• Now close your eyes and and imagine the tree next to to the river and the chaff driven by the wind. See the huge difference between between them?
• Which represents your life now, now, the tree or the chaff? chaff? __________________ _________________________________________________________________
“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
• Which would you like to be? __________________________________ _______________________________________ _____ • Have you been listening to bad advice, or following following bad examples? Explain: ________________________________________________________________ • Make a personal plan to meditate meditate on the Word Word day and night so as to councounteract the world’s world’s inuence. Write your plan on a separate separate sheet. 21
Step 8
There’s no justice in the world Answer TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) _____ Sometimes the wicked prosper more than the righteous. _____ One day the wicked will will have to pay for their deeds. _____ It’s not worth it to do the right thing when you can do better doing evil.
THE LIE Whenyoulookaround,itwouldbeeasytoconcludethatthereisnojusticeinour Whenyoulookaround,itwouldbeeasytoconcludethat thereisnojusticeinourworld.Wese world.Weseesuffering, esuffering, crime,injustice,povertyandcorruption.Theliewew crime,injustice,povertyand corruption.Theliewewillstudyinthislessonexpr illstudyinthislessonexpressesitselfindif essesitselfindifferentways: ferentways: unfair.. The forces of good are losing the battle. “Why do evil men prosper when the righteous suffer? It’s unfair It’s not worth trying to do the right thing when doing evil brings greater rewards.”
THE TRUTH It’struethatthewickedoutnumbertherighteous,butthatshouldnots It’struethatthewicked outnumbertherighteous,butthatshouldnotsurpriseus.Themostpopula urpriseus.Themostpopularpath, rpath, withthemosttrafcistheonethatleadstodestruction withthemosttrafcis theonethatleadstodestruction(Matthew7:13-14).W (Matthew7:13-14).Whydothegoodpeoplesuffer hydothegoodpeoplesuffer atthehandsofevildoers?Isittruethatevilpays atthehandsofevildoers? Isittruethatevilpaysbetterthandoinggood?Whatattitude betterthandoinggood?Whatattitudeshouldtherighteous shouldtherighteous takeinthelightofsomuchinjustice? Psalm 37 is key to nding answers to these these issues. Read the whole Psalm and answer questions questions 1-8. 1. Whataretherighteous Whataretherighteouscommandedtodoinv commandedtodoinv.1?_______ .1?____________________ __________________________ __________________________ ______________ _ Whydoyou Whydo youthink thinkago agoodper odpersonw sonwoulde ouldenvyth nvythewi ewicked? cked?____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ _______ ___ _________ ____ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ _____ _ 2. Isit Isittrue truethat thatsomet sometimes imesthe thewicke wickedpr dprosper? osper? ❏Yes❏NoThenwhyshouldn’ttherighteousenvythe wicked?v wicke d?v.2 .2__ _______ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____ 3. Usethreedif Usethreedifferentcolorstounderlinethe ferentcolorstounderlinethefollowingthemesthatar followingthemesthatarefoundinPsalm37: efoundinPsalm37: • WhatGodc WhatGodcomman ommandsth dstherig erighteous hteoustodo todo.. • Wha Whatw twill illha happe ppent ntoe oevil vildoe doers. rs. • What WhatGodp Godpromi romises sestotho tothosew sewhodo hodogood. good.
MY ATTITUDE WHEN FACING INJUSTICE (continueinPsalm37) 4. Whatshouldyoudoinsteadofenvyingthewicked?v Whatshouldyoudoinsteadofenvyingthewicked?v.3“_________ .3“__________intheLordand___ _intheLordand_______________ ____________.” .” Thisverse This versesay saysit sitall. all.Inste Insteadof adoflivin livingwit gwithenvy henvy,ang ,anger er,com ,complain plainingor ingorveng vengeance eance,you ,youratt rattitude itudeshould shouldbe be tofocusondoinggood.“Doinggood”includesallthattheBiblecommandsus. tofocusondoinggood.“Doinggood”includesall thattheBiblecommandsus.Thetendencyofmany Thetendencyofmany believersistofocusontheinjusticeanduseitasane believersistofocusontheinjus ticeanduseitasanexcuseforourbadbehavior xcuseforourbadbehavior.ButGodsays,“le .ButGodsays,“leaveitto aveitto me,I’lltakecareofit.”(Romans12:19) me,I’lltakecar eofit.”(Romans12:19).Y .Yourresponsibilityistodow ourresponsibilityistodowhatisright,nomatterw hatisright,nomatterwhat. hat. 5. WhatelsedoesGodas WhatelsedoesGodaskustodointhefollowingvers kustodointhefollowingverses?v es?v.4________ .4_____________________ __________________________ ________________ ___ v.5 .5____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ _______ ___ v.7 .7____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ _______ ___ v.8 .8____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ _______ ___ 22
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 fearful. 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.
WHAT GOD PROMISES TO THE JUST 6. What Whatwill willGoddo Goddofor forthose thosewho whoobeyh obeyhim? im?Psalm Psalm37 37 v.4 .4___ ________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _______ __ v.6 .6___ ________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _______ __ v.11 .11__ ______ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ___ v.28 .28__ ______ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ___ 7. Whatdoesv Whatdoesv.16saytomotivateus .16saytomotivateus?__________ ?_______________________ ____________________ _______ ________ ____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _______ ___
WHAT GOD PROMISES TO THE WICKED 8. Whatwillhappentothew Whatwillhappentothewicked?Psalm37:9-10 icked?Psalm37:9-10_____________ ___________________ ______ ________ ____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _______ ___ v.13 .13TheL TheLord ord____ ________ ____att atthew hewicked icked,for ,for___ _______ ________ _________ _________ ________ _____ _ v.14.14-15_ 15_____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ______ __
Similarly, we may feel Similarly, fe el we are surrounded by the forces of evil, disease, injustice, oppression, death, but the enemy has actually been defeated at Calvar y. 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
________ ____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _______ ___ v.20 .20The Thewick wickedw edwillp illperish erish,the ,theywi ywillva llvanish nishlike like___ _______ ________ ____,as ,asift ifthey hey hadneverexisted.. 9. Shouldweseekvengea Shouldweseekvengeance?Romans12:19Why? nce?Romans12:19Why?____________ _________________ _____ ________ ____ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _______ ___ 10.AccordingtoRevelation19:11-16,howwillhistoryend?
“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.”
________ ____ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _______ ___ ________ ____ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _______ ___ 11.Meditateonthefollowingstatementsa 11.Meditate onthefollowingstatementsanddiscussthemwithothers. nddiscussthemwithothers.:: 3
Itishardtoacceptthatsomet Itishard toacceptthatsometimesevildoersc imesevildoerscontinuetoprosper ontinuetoprosperandenanden joyalonglife.WhereisGod’ joyalonglife.Whereis God’sjustice?Why sjustice?Whydoesn’thestri doesn’thestrikethemdown kethemdown now?Wedon’tknowwhyheholds now?Wedon’ tknowwhyheholdsbackbutGodisin backbutGodisincharge,andwill charge,andwill judgeeachoneinduetime.SeeRomans12 judgeeachoneinduet ime.SeeRomans12:19 :19
3
Theevilonesarecomparedwithgrass( Theevilonesarecompare dwithgrass(Psalm37:2)that Psalm37:2)thatdriesupandw driesupandwith ith thesmokethatvanishes.Eventhosewholivetooldagewillhavetoleave theirrichesandpowerbehind.Theonlythingthatawaitsthemisthe judgementofaholyandjustGod. judgementofaholya ndjustGod.
3
Additionally,thingsaren’treallyas Additionally,thingsaren’ treallyastheyappear theyappear.Itseemsl .Itseemslikethewicked ikethewicked haveeverything,butdotheyliveinpeace haveeverything,butdo theyliveinpeace,orarethey ,oraretheycontrolledbyenv controlledbyenvyy, greed,jealousy,prideandfear?
Psalm 37:10-11
GROWING STRONGER Read Deuteronomy 28-34 and 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
STOP
• Share with your group a difcult situation that you are currently facing. facing. • Remember Psalm 37:3 Trus Trustt in the Lord and do good. • Don’t let injustices or any other circumstances turn turn you into a bitter or envious person. Keep on doing good, leaving those who 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. resistance. 23
Step 9
God will never forgive someone like me Answer TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) _____ There are many sins that God isn’t ready to forgive. _____ Although I have confessed my sins, sins, I still feel guilty guilty.. God probably hasn’t forgiven me. _____ I don’t deserve God’s forgiveness.
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 opportunities that I’ve not taken advantage advantage of. I can’t believe he would give me me another chance.
THE TRUTH Thislie,likesomanyothersisamixtureoftruthandlies.Ontheonehand,apersoniscorrectinsayingthatthey aren’tworthy.Theyrecognizestheirstillsins,andfeeltheydon’tdeserveGod’sforgiveness.Theyhavecometo believethatthereisnoremedyfortheirsin.Why?Perhapsbecausethereissomuchwrongwiththeirlife,or becausetheykeeponcommittingthesamesinoverandover.Perhapstheyfeelincapableofovercomingtheir weaknesses.Thispersonprobablybelie weaknesses. ThispersonprobablybelievesthatGodwillforgiveothers vesthatGodwillforgiveotherswhosinless,butnothim whosinless,butnothimorher orher. . 1. Wheredothedoubts Wheredothedoubtscomefrom?Revela comefrom?Revelation12:9-10describesoneofSatan’ tion12:9-10describesoneofSatan’smaintactics.V smaintactics.Verse9says erse9says thatSata that Satan___ n________ _________ ________ _________ _______th __thewh ewholew oleworld. orld.V Verse erse10ca 10callsh llshimth imthe___ e_______ ________ _________ ______of _ofour our ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ ________ _____,w _,who__ ho______ ________ ________ ____them thembefo before_ re_____ ________ ________ _______d ___daya ayandnig ndnight. ht. Althoughheisn Althoughhe isnotab otableto letofool foolGodw Godwithh ithhisac isaccusat cusations, ions,heo heoften ftenconvin convincesu cesuswi swithhis thhislies lies.H .Heis eisright right whenhesayswehavesinned,butlies whenhesaysw ehavesinned,butlieswhenhesaysoursins whenhesaysoursinsaretoomanyortoogr aretoomanyortoogreattobeforgiven.If eattobeforgiven.If webelievethis,theenemywillparalyzeus webelievethis,the enemywillparalyzeuswithremorsea withremorseanddoubt. nddoubt. 2. WhatisGod’ WhatisGod’sattitudetowardsinne sattitudetowardsinners?Ephesians2:4-5 rs?Ephesians2:4-5Godisrichin_______ Godisrichin__________________. ___________.Evenwhen Evenwhen wewere wew eredead deadins insin,h in,hema emadeus deusaliv alive. e.By__ By______ ________ ________ _____you _youhave havebeen beensav saved. ed. Theword The wordsme smercy rcyandg andgrace raceare arelike liketwo twosides sidesoft ofthesa hesameco mecoin: in:
God’ss compassion that moves him to hold back a punishment we deserve • Mercy : God’ deserve.. • Grace Grace:: God’s great love that moves him to give us a gift we do not deserve , pardon. 3. ReadRomans8:31-39.Inste ReadRomans8:31-39.Insteadofaccusinguswhatdoes adofaccusinguswhatdoesGoddo?v Goddo?v.33__________ .33_______________________ ___________________ ______ Insteadof Inste adofconde condemning mningus,w us,whati hatisChr sChristdo istdoingn ingnow?v ow?v.34 .34___ _______ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _______ __ Whatcans What cansepara eparateus teusfro fromGod mGod’’slov slove?v e?v.38-3 .38-39_ 9_____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ _____ _ 4. So,what So,whatdoes doesGodw Godwant? ant? ❏Punishus❏ForgiveusGodisonourside!Hewantstoforgiveus andgiveuspeace.Heisnotplaying“hideands andgiveuspeace. Heisnotplaying“hideandseek”withbelievers. eek”withbelievers.Wedon’thave Wedon’thavetobegortrytocontobegortrytoconvincehimtoforgiveus.Healreadydecidedtoforgive vincehimtoforgiveus.H ealreadydecidedtoforgiveusandwantstor usandwantstorestoreustofellow estoreustofellowship. ship. 5. Whathappenswhenw WhathappenswhenwereceiveChris ereceiveChrist?Romans5:1W t?Romans5:1Weare____ eare_________________ __________________________ _____________________ ________ andha and have ve___ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ _____. __. 24
Justied byfaithmeansGodhasdeclaredusrighteousba byfaithmeansGodhasdeclaredusrighteousbasedontheworkof sedontheworkof Christ.Thisisnotbecausewear Christ.Thisisnot becauseweareworthyorwithoutsin,butra eworthyorwithoutsin,butratherbecause therbecause GodcreditedtherighteousnessofChristtoouraccount. Godcreditedtherighteousne ssofChristtoouraccount.Itisbasedonthe Itisbasedonthe nishedworkofChristonthecross,independentofourownrighteousness. Howdoes Howdo esGod Godsee seeusno usnow? w?Roma Romans ns8:1 8:1say says, s,“ “ there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Inspiteofourweaknesshedeclaresus Inspiteofourweaknesshedeclaresus righteous.Hedoesn’tseeoursins,butrathe righteous.Hedoesn’ tseeoursins,butratherChrist’ rChrist’sbloodthatcoversthem sbloodthatcoversthem STOP
•Have you accepted Christ Christ as your savior? Are you in the shadow of the cross? ___________________________________________________________
• If not, is there anything to to stop you from doing it now? now? ______________________ God sees me as righteous through the blood of Christ
• Is there any sin that the blood of Christ does not cover? cover? ______________________ • Can God forgive someone like you, even with your many faults? _______________
CONFUSION ABOUT GOD’S PROMISE 6. Whatdoes1John1:9pr Whatdoes1John1:9promise?_______ omise?____________________ _________________________ _____________ _ ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _______ ___ Confession Confe ssionmeans means___ ________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ___ 7. IfGodpromisestoforgiveusandcleanseusfr IfGodpromisestoforgiveusandcleanseusfromallevil,whyisit omallevil,whyisitthat that somebelieversstillfeelguiltyafterconfessingtheirsin? Whatd What do oyo you uth thin ink kth the epr prob oble lem mis is? ? ❏Theyweren’tsincere ❏Goddidn’tforgivethem❏TheyfailedtoacceptGod’ TheyfailedtoacceptGod’sforgiveness sforgiveness ❏TheyneedtobelievethatGodhasforgiventhem.❏Other Perhapstheyfe Perhapsth eyfeelth elthepr eproblem oblemmigh mightbe tbelack lackofsi ofsinceri ncerityor tyorthat thatGod God doesnotwanttoforgivethem.Therealr doesnotwanttoforgivethem .Therealreasonforcontinuingtofeel easonforcontinuingtofeel guiltyisthattheyhavefocusedontheirsininsteadofonthebloodof Christ.Theybelievetheliethattheirsinis Christ.Theybelieve theliethattheirsinisunforgiveableorthatitwill unforgiveableorthatitwill requiresomesortofpenitencetobeforgiven. requiresome sortofpenitencetobeforgiven.Theyaregoingbytheir Theyaregoingbytheir feelingsratherthanwhatGodhassaid.They feelingsratherthanwha tGodhassaid.Theybelievethelie: believethelie:“If I don’t feel different, maybe God didn’t forgive me.” STOP
• Ask yourself: What is greater greater,, the power of my sin or the power of the blood of Christ? Christ? ___________________________________
• Learn the following healthy habit: After confession, get into the habit of consciously receiving God’s God’s forgiveness. You could pray this way: “God, I have confessed my sin, believing that Christ paid my punishment with his death. death. I don’t deserve deserve your forgiveness, forgiveness, but I accept it. I believe 1 John 1:9, that you have have forgiven me. I will continue to live as if that were true because it is. I refuse to keep beating myself 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 for declaring you righteous through Christ’s Christ’s blood. Your forgiveness is based solely on the nished work of Christ on the cross. You don’t need to do anything except receive it. 25
WHAT WHA T COLOR IS I S THE WALL? Itiscommontodescribethings bytheircolor.Forexample...”the whitebuildingwiththeblack gate.”Butifwethinkaboutit, thebuildingisprobablynotwhite. Why?Ifitismadeofconcrete blocktherealcolorofthewallis gray,thecolorofconcrete. Wecallitwhitebecauseweseethe whitepaintthatcoversthewall. Inlikemannerwe,beingsinners, havebeencoveredwiththeblood ofChrist.WhatGodseesisasaint, declaredrighteousbytheblood.
GROWING STRONGER Read Joshua 1-7, (onechapterperday). Memorize Romans 5:1
“Therefore, since we have been justied through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” NIV “Therefore, having been justied by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” NKJV
Step 10
I can’t take it. Why do we suffer? Answer TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) _____ If God were with us, we wouldn’t have so many problems. _____ God does not want his children to suffer suffer.. Suffering is always caused by sin or by lack of faith. _____ Trials are a reason to rejoice because they help us mature.
THE LIE Whensomethingbadhappens,itiscommontohear: Where is God? I don’t deserve this. I can’t take it anymore. Why are all these trials coming my way? If I’m God’s God’s child, why does he treat me this way? Inmoments ofpain,everyonewantstoknow, Why?Therearen’teasyanswers,buttheBibledoeshavealottosayaboutit.
THE TRUTH • Godhasneverabandonedyou. Godhasneverabandonedyou.He’ He’salwaysatyourside salwaysatyourside.Hebrews .Hebrews13:5-6 13:5-6
• Doyoudeservethis?Oftenyouwon’tundersta Doyoudeservethis?Oftenyouwon’tunderstandwhy ndwhy,butit’ ,butit’simportanttoknowthatnothingha simportanttoknowthatnothinghappens ppens byaccident.Thereisaplanforeverything.Romans28:28-29 • Whydoyousuffer?therearema Whydoyousuffer?therearemanyreasons,butitis nyreasons,butitisimportanttoremember importanttorememberonething: onething:The The most important question is not “Why?” but “How should you respond when you suffer?” • Whensomethingbadhappenstherearetw Whensomethingbadhappenstherearetwooptions:Y ooptions:Youcanbecomedepress oucanbecomedepressedorangry;oryoucan edorangry;oryoucan takeitasifitwereaschooltobuildyourchara takeitasifitw ereaschooltobuildyourcharacter cter.1Peter5:10tells .1Peter5:10tellsusthatafteryouhavesuf usthatafteryouhavesuffereda fereda littlewhile,God“will himself restore you and make you strong, rm and steadfast.” A GOSPEL WITHOUT PAIN? ManyteachthatGod’swillisthatHischildrenshouldneversuf ManyteachthatGod’swillisthatHis childrenshouldneversuffer fer.Theyclaimsuf .Theyclaimsufferingistheresult feringistheresultofaper ofaper-sonsownsin,orduetolackoffaith.Theypr sonsownsin,ordueto lackoffaith.Theypreachaneasygospel, eachaneasygospel,withoutpain.But,whatdoe withoutpain.But,whatdoestheBiblesay? stheBiblesay? Wewillseethateveryonesuffers Wewillse ethateveryonesuffers;eventhejust,butours ;eventhejust,butoursufferingisn’tneces ufferingisn’tnecessarilytheresultofG sarilytheresultofGod’ od’swrath. swrath. Weshouldn’tbesurprisedwhenwe Weshouldn’t besurprisedwhenwesuffer;that’ suffer;that’sjustnormal. sjustnormal. 1. InJohn16:33Jesussaid:I InJohn16:33Jesussaid:Itoldyouthesethingssoyoumighthave toldyouthesethingssoyoumighthave___________. ___________.Inthisworldyouwill Inthisworldyouwill have____ have ________ ________ ____but_ but_____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ____.I .Ihave have____ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ _______. ___. 2. IsittruethatGoddoesnotw IsittruethatGoddoesnotwantyoutosuffer antyoutosuffer,andifyoudosufferit ,andifyoudosufferitisalwayscausedby isalwayscausedbyyourownsin? yourownsin? 2Corinthia 2Cor inthians11 ns11:23-28 :23-28___ _______ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _____ _ 1Peter4: 1Pet er4:12-14 12-14____ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _____ _ Verse erse14sa 14sayssp ysspecic ecicallyt allythatC hatChrist hristians ianssomet sometimes imessuf sufferj ferjustb ustbecaus ecausethe etheyar yarebel ebeliever ievers. s.Have Haveyou youever ever suffered suff eredfor forbeing beingaChr aChristia istian?_ n?______ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____Sha Share reyoure yourexperie xperiencew ncewitht iththegr hegroup. oup. 3. Howshouldyourespond Howshouldyourespondtosuffering?Wri tosuffering?Writedownthetwothingsme tedownthetwothingsmentionedin1Peter4:19. ntionedin1Peter4:19. _________ ____ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ ______and _and___ _______ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ______ __ Insteadofcomplaini Insteadofcomp laining,look ng,lookatyourtr atyourtrouble oublesasanopp sasanopportuni ortunitytogr tytogrow ow.Grow .Growthoccur thoccurswhen swhenthebeli thebeliever ever turnsallhiscircumstancesovertoGodandkeepsdoinggood, turnsallhiscircumstances overtoGodandkeepsdoinggood,eveninthemidstofhispain. eveninthemidstofhispain. 26
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 ery kiln.
• If the steel of a knife blade is not tempered by re, 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 oday the church c hurch must • “T have people who have not been offended or destroyed by their sufferings, a people who are not cast down, dejected, full of questions, 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 comfort 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 22-23 and Psalms 37-41 (onechapterperday).
Sometimessufferingis Sometimessuffering isthe thedirect directresult resultof ofyour yourrebellion. rebellion. Suffering Sufferingmight mightbe be God’sattemptto God’ sattempttogetyourattention,soexamineyour getyourattention,soexamineyourlife. life.Repentifneeded. Repentifneeded. ButhowgreatisGod!He ButhowgreatisGod! Hedoesn’tgiveuponyou,butwantsto doesn’tgiveuponyou,butwantstorestoreyou. restoreyou. HedisciplineshischildreninloveuntiltheyreturntoHim Hedisciplineshischildr eninloveuntiltheyreturntoHim(Heb.12:5-6). (Heb.12:5-6).
WHAT DOES GOD WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH SUFFERING? 4. Isthereaplanfor Isthereaplanforyourlifeorareyoujust yourlifeorareyoujustdriftingalone?Romans8:28 driftingalone?Romans8:28 ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ 5. TheapostlePaulcouldspeakaboutsufferingfr TheapostlePaulcouldspeakaboutsufferingfromhisownexperiences. omhisownexperiences. Read2Corinthians4:7-12tounderstandhispointofview Read2Corinthians4:7-12tounders tandhispointofview.What’ .What’sthe sthe purposeof purpos eofourw ourweakne eaknesses? sses?v v.7 .7____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _____ _ ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ Whatattit What attituded udedidPa idPaulex ulexpres pressin sinvv.8-9 .8-9?__ ?______ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ ______ _ ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ 6. Somesay:“IfGodw Somesay:“IfGodwasreallyw asreallywithme,thiswouldnothave ithme,thiswouldnothavehappened.” happened.” Howshoul How shouldyou dyoures respondt pondtotria otrials? ls?James James1:21:2-4__ 4_______ _________ ________ ________ _______ ___ Why?___ Why? _______ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ ________ ____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ 7. Whatotherpurposesforsuf Whatotherpurposesforsufferingaregivenin2C feringaregivenin2Corinthians1? orinthians1? v.4, .4,6__ 6_______ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _______ ___ v.8-9 .8-9__ ______ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____
SUMMARY 3
Suffering should not come as a surprise.IfChristandtheapostlessufsurprise .IfChristandtheapostlessuffered,canweexpectanyless?T fered,canwee xpectanyless?Thosewhopreacha hosewhopreachagospelwithoutpain gospelwithoutpain arepreachingfantasy arepreaching fantasy,notthetruegos ,notthetruegospel. pel.
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There is a plan.Everythingwor plan.Everythingworkstogetherforgood. kstogetherforgood.Godneverleaves Godneverleaves us.Wearehardpress us.Wear ehardpressedbutnotcrushed,pers edbutnotcrushed,persecutedbutnotabandoned. ecutedbutnotabandoned.
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Suffering is like a school to teach compassion. Theworldisfullof sufferingpeople.Whowillcom sufferingpeople. Whowillcomfortthem?Thoseof fortthem?Thoseofuswhohavepassed uswhohavepassed throughtrialshavebeenprepar throughtrials havebeenpreparedtoconsoleothers. edtoconsoleothers.
3
Suffering teaches us to depend on God instead of ourselves.
3
Suffering is an opportunity to grow. grow.Ithelpstomoldandpolishus. 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.
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
•Write down on a separate sheet the trials you face now. now.
• Pray over each trial like this: Lord, show me if there is sin sin in my life that needs to be confessed. confessed. I put myself into your hands during this trial and commit myself to continue doing good. I refuse to become discouraged discouraged or bitter because of what what is happening to me. me. May these days be my school for compassion. compassion. I expect to receive your comfort comfort and to comfort others in in the future. Amen 27
Step 11
If only I had more money... Answer TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) _____ It’s impossible to be happy happy without without lots lots of money. _____ Some things things you can’t see are more important than money. _____ We can learn learn to be content with little or with with wealth. wealth.
THE LIE comfortably, 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, problems, etc. Butmoneyisn’ttheonlything forwhichpeoplearelooking.Besideswea forwhichpeopleare looking.Besideswealth,someseekse lth,someseeksecurityinsex,fame,friends curityinsex,fame,friends,acareer ,acareer,etc. ,etc. makes me feel important and and secure. I’m “somebody” now that I have Therichsay:My bank account is what makes money, a career, fame, friends. Ontheotherhand,thepoorsay:I’m nobody because I don’t have what others have. Fromthelistbelowchoosethethingsyouwouldmostliketohave. ❏Money
❏Financialsecurity
❏Anicehome
❏Agoodcar
❏Sex
❏Intelligence
❏Promotionsinmycareer
❏Goodfood
❏Fame
❏Friends
❏Beauty
❏Goodbody,gure
❏Athleticability
❏Talent
❏Power
❏StylishClothes
❏Computer,smartphone
❏Goodgrades
❏Health
❏Other
Aretheremoreimportantthingstha Arethere moreimportantthingsthanthoselistedabove.Exa nthoselistedabove.Examples?_______ mples?____________________ __________________________ _______________ __
THE TRUTH 1. Isitwrongtowa Isitwrongtowantthethingslistedabove?__ ntthethingslistedabove?_______________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ _____________ Althoughthere Althoughth ereisno isnothing thingwron wrongwit gwithwa hwanting ntingtoli tolivewe vewell,i ll,ifyou fyouonlyf onlyfocus ocusonma onmateria terialthin lthings, gs,what whathaphappenswhenyoulosethem?Forexample,ifaw penswhenyoulosethem? Forexample,ifawomenfeelssecur omenfeelssecurebecauseofhergoodgure ebecauseofhergoodgure,willshestill ,willshestill behappyw beha ppywhent hentheye heyears arsbring bringwrink wrinkles lesands andsomee omeextra xtrapounds pounds?__ ?______ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ _______ ___ 2. Thefollowingpassagese Thefollowingpassagesexpressadiffe xpressadifferentpointofview rentpointofview.Whatisit? .Whatisit? Luke12:15 Luke 12:15_____ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____ Mark8:36 Mark 8:36___ ________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _____ _ 2Corinthia 2Cor inthians4: ns4:18_ 18_____ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _____ _ _________ ____ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ _____ _ 3. What Whatwould wouldyou yousayt saytosom osomeone eonewho whosays: says: “I’m someone because I have money and inuence”? __________________________ _____________ __________________________ _________________________ _________________________ __________________________ __________________________ ______________ _ _________ ____ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ _____ _ 4. Writedowneleme Writedownelementsofyourcurrentlifethatw ntsofyourcurrentlifethatwilllastforever: illlastforever:____________ _________________________ _________________________ ____________ _________ ____ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ _____ _ Now,ele Now ,elements mentsofy ofyourcu ourcurren rrentlif tlifetha ethatwil twillnot lnotlast lastfor forever: ever:___ _______ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____ _________ ____ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ _____ _ 28
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT Meditateonthefollowing passagesandtheanswers theygivetomaterialism
“The grass withers and the owers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:8
5. Whatdilemmadobelievers Whatdilemmadobelieversfaceeveryday?M faceeveryday?Matthew6:24 atthew6:24 ________ ____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _______ ___ ________ ____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _______ ___ 6. WhatsolutiondoesMatthew WhatsolutiondoesMatthew6:19-21presenttothisdile 6:19-21presenttothisdilemma?_______ mma?_______ ________ ____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _______ ___
store up treasures in heaven heaven ?________________ 7. What Whatare aresome someway waysto sto store ________ ____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _______ ___ ________ ____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _______ ___
“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 3:1-3
CONTENTMENT 8. AreyoucontentwithwhatGodhasgivenyou? AreyoucontentwithwhatGodhasgivenyou?Isitreallypossible Isitreallypossibletobe tobe content?WhathadPaullearnedaboutmoney?Philippians4:11-13 v.11.11-12_ 12_____ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ______ __ v.13 .13___ _______ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ___ When Paul said “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” hewastalkingabouttheabilitytobecontentandcarryonwhetheror nothehadplentyofmoneyorwasinneed. 9. Whycanyoubecontentorsatise Whycanyoubecontentorsatisedwithwhatyouhave? dwithwhatyouhave?Phil.4:19 Phil.4:19 ________ ____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _______ ___ 10.InMatthew6:25-35Jesuspromisedtosupplyourbasicneeds 10.InMatthew6:25-35Jesusprom isedtosupplyourbasicneedslikefood likefood andclothing.Heconcludesinv.33bytellingustoseek andclothing.Heconcludesinv .33bytellingustoseekrst rst ________ ____ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ ______and _and___ _______ ________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ___ andallth anda lltheset esethings hingsshal shallbe lbe____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _____ _ 11.Somemistakenlytaketheseandotherpassagesas 11.Somemistakenlytakethese andotherpassagesaspromisesofeconomic promisesofeconomic prosperityandriches.However prosperityandriches. However,isthatwhattheys ,isthatwhattheysay?Theyneverpr ay?Theyneverpromomiseprosperity;rathertheyguaranteethatGod iseprosperity;rathe rtheyguaranteethatGodwillsupplyourbasicneeds. willsupplyourbasicneeds. Didn’tPaulspecicallysayinPhilippians4:11-12thathewascontent whetherhewasinneedorwhetherhew whetherhewas inneedorwhetherhewaslivingwithabundance? aslivingwithabundance?
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 prot a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” NKJV
Theimportantt Theimport antthingi hingisnot snothow howmuch muchmoney moneyone onehas, has,rath ratherthe erthepeac peacein ein knowingthatGodwillalwaysgivehimenoughforacontentedlife. STOP
What makes you feel secure or happy? Are you content?
• When someone believes that material things things are what matter most, he builds his life on a foundation that will disappear with the passage of time. • Have you swallowed swallowed the lie that material things are are the only things that are real or of value? • If your bank account is what what makes you feel important, important, it is not nearly as important as you think. • Instead of making your life a quest for money, money, seek rst God’s God’s control over your life. Doing this, he will take care of the rest of your needs.
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Step 12
All religions lead us to heaven Answer TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) _____ The most important thing isn’t what you believe, but that you are sincere. _____ It would be like like treason to go against the religious religious traditions of my family family.. _____ There are many paths that lead to heaven.
IS IT TRUE THAT ALL RELIGIONS LEAD US TO GOD? Itiscommontohearpeoplesaythattherearemanyroadsto Itiscommontohearpeoplesaythattherear emanyroadstoheaven.Theysaythat heaven.Theysaythatthemostimportantthing themostimportantthing istobesincereinthepracticeofyourreligionand istobesincerein thepracticeofyourreligionandtotolerateotherbeliefs.O totolerateotherbeliefs.Otherssayitisenoughtojust therssayitisenoughtojust loveothersregardlessofwhatchurchyouattend. Allofthissoundsgreatanditisverypopulartothinkthisway Allofthissoundsgreatanditisverypopulartothinkthis way.It’ .It’seasybecauseita seasybecauseitallowsyoutochoosethe llowsyoutochoosethe beliefsyoulikeandrejectthoseyoudon’t. beliefsyoulikeandre jectthoseyoudon’t.But,whatdoestheBibles But,whatdoestheBiblesay?WhatdidJesustea ay?WhatdidJesusteach? ch? 1. WhatdidJesussaytoNicodemus,whowas WhatdidJesussaytoNicodemus,whowasaveryreligiousma averyreligiousman?Was n?WasheacceptingofthewayN heacceptingofthewayNicodeicodemuspracticedhisreligion?John3:1-3_________ muspracticedhisreligion? John3:1-3_____________________ _________________________ __________________________ _______________________ __________ 2. AccordingtoJesus,w AccordingtoJesus,whocangettoheavenwithout hocangettoheavenwithoutgoingthroughHim?John14:6 goingthroughHim?John14:6____________ _________________ _____ Doesthis Does thispass passagel ageleady eadyouto outobelie believeth vethatth atthetrut etruthis hissomet somethingt hingthati hatisal salways wayschang changingd ingdependi ependingon ngon thetimes, thet imes,cir circumst cumstances ancesorp orpopular opularopini opinion? on?_____ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ Whenpeopleacc Whenpeopl eaccuseC useChrist hristians iansofbe ofbeingcl ingclosem oseminded indedforbe forbelievi lievingtha ngthatJes tJesusis usisthe theonlyw onlywayto aytoheav heaven, en, wemustremindthemthatthisisnotouridea wemustrem indthemthatthisisnotouridea,butwhatJesushimse ,butwhatJesushimselftaught.Itisintere lftaught.Itisinterestingtonotethat stingtonotethat manywhoclaimtobesoopenmindedaretolera manywhoclaimtobes oopenmindedaretolerantofeverythingexceptthetruegospe ntofeverythingexceptthetruegospel. l. 3. DoestheBibleleave DoestheBibleleavethedooropentotheideathata thedooropentotheideathatallreligionstakeus llreligionstakeustoGod?Whyorwhynot? toGod?Whyorwhynot? Acts4:12 Acts 4:12___ ________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _____ _ Exodus20:3 Exodus 20:3-4_ -4_____ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ____ Galatians Galat ians1:8 1:8____ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ______ __ 4. Thedifferentworldreligionshavevery Thedifferentworldreligionshaveverydifferentbeliefs. differentbeliefs.Whatis Whatis thedi the diffe ffere rence ncebe betwe tween enthe theGo Gospe spela land ndany anyot other herr reli eligio gion? n? The Gospel
Religion
• ThegospelisGod,reachingdown fromheaventoreachhumanity.
• Religionsa Religionsarehum rehumanef aneffortto fortto reach God.
• Thegospelisbasedonthenished workofChristinsteadofonthe worksonemi works onemightdo ghtdo.Salva .Salvationi tionis s comp co mple lete tely lyfr free ee..
• Althoughthe Althoughtherequ requiremen irementsvary tsvary fromgr fro mgroup oupto togr group oup,r ,reli eligio gion n requir req uires esmen mento toearn earnth their eirwa way y toparad top aradise isethr throug oughth htheir eirwo works rks. .
5. Whyisn’ttheideaofreincarnationastaughtbyBuddhism Whyisn’ttheideaofreincarnationastaughtbyBuddhismorHinduism orHinduism compatiblewiththebiblicalteachingofwhathappensafterdeath? ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ______ __ ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ______ __ 30
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 nd?” 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 religion out of it.” 10
GROWING STRONGER
6. ChristiansbelieveinonlyoneGodwhileotherslikeH ChristiansbelieveinonlyoneGodwhileotherslikeHindusandAnimists indusandAnimists believeinmanygodsorspirits.Ifonereligioncontradicts believeinmanygodsorspirits .Ifonereligioncontradictsanother another,isit ,isit possiblet possi blethatb hatbothar otharetru etrue?_ e?_____ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ ________ ____
Read Joshua 8-14 (onechapterperday).
SHOULD I FOLLOW THE TRADITIONS THAT MY PARENTS GAVE ME? 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
7. • Itobviouslydepends Itobviouslydependsonwhattraditions onwhattraditionsyouaretalki youaretalkingabout.Sometradi ngabout.Sometraditions tions
areb ar ebibl iblica ical land andgo good, od,ot other hersn snot otso somuc much. h.So Some mear arej ejust ustne neutr utral. al. • Manytimesthedec Manytimesthedecisiontofollow isiontofollowChristrequi Christrequiresonetobr resonetobreakwithsome eakwithsome aspect asp ectso sofh fhis ispas past. t. • OftenanewChr OftenanewChristian’ istian’sfamilyorfr sfamilyorfriendswillconsi iendswillconsiderthemoddorevent derthemoddoreventraitors raitors totheirreligiousheritage.T totheirrel igiousheritage.Therewillbe herewillbeopposition,scofngand opposition,scofngandpersecution. persecution. • Remembertheteaching Remembertheteachingofthetwopathsi ofthetwopathsinMatthew7:13-14? nMatthew7:13-14?Themajority Themajority wereonthewidepaththatleadtodestruction. • Whatyoumustr Whatyoumustrememberisthat ememberisthatonjudgmentday onjudgmentday,youwillhave ,youwillhavetogivean togivean accounttoGod,nottoyourparentsor accounttoGod,nott oyourparentsorrelatives. relatives.(Revelation20:11-15) (Revelation20:11-15) STOP
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT Inlightof1Timothy2:5,what doyouthinkaboutthesephrases takenfromtheRosary?
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 could paraphrase Mark 8:36 this way: What good will it do to make your family and friends happy, happy, yet forfeit your soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
8. WhatbroughtJesusintoconict WhatbroughtJesusintoconictwiththereligiousleade withthereligiousleaders?Mark7:9 rs?Mark7:9 ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____ 9. Howmanymediators Howmanymediatorsarethere aretherebetweenGodandman? betweenGodandman?1Timothy2:5 1Timothy2:5 ________ ____ _____W _Whati hatisa samedia mediator? tor?___ ________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ______ __ Doyoubel Doyo ubelieve ievethat thattheVi theVirgin rginMary Marycanm canmediat ediatefor eforus? us?____ ________ ________ _______ ___ ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ____ Westrayfro Westray fromthe mthetruth truthwhe whenwe nwepray praytoa toanyoth nyotherpe erperson rsonexcept exceptthe theGod God oftheBible,orwheneverwefollowanyre oftheBible,orwhenever wefollowanyreligionnotbasedontheBible. ligionnotbasedontheBible.
YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS OTHER RELIGIONS 10.Whatdoes1Peter3:15-16command?__ 10.Whatdoes 1Peter3:15-16command?_______________ _________________________ ______________ __ ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _____ Whatshould What shouldyour yourattitu attitudebe debetow towards ardsthos thosewh ewhoques oquestiony tionyourfa ourfaith? ith? ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _____
“You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” tradition s.” 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
11.WhatwasJesus’attitudetowa 11.Whatw asJesus’attitudetowardsthelost?Why? rdsthelost?Why?Matthew9:36-38 Matthew9:36-38 ________ ____ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _________ ________ ________ _________ _____ STOP
• You need to have rm convictions convictions about what you believe and why why.. Don’t be upset if others 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 express yourself with compassion and courtesy, never with scorn or sarcasm. • The goal is not to win arguments, arguments, but to win souls.
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Quotes: 1. ThomasBrooks, ThomasBrooks,quotedinLiesWomenBe quotedinLiesWomenBelieveAndTheT lieveAndTheTruthThatSetsThemFr ruthThatSetsThemFree ee by Nancy DeMoss 2. Bits BitsandP andPieces ieces,Jul ,Julyy,199 ,1991 1 3. Fromapersonalconvers Fromapersonalconversationoftheauthorwiththeprisone ationoftheauthorwiththeprisonerr. 4. Aut Author horun unkno known wn 5. Aut Author horun unkno known wn 6. RichardJ.Mouw RichardJ.Mouw,UncommonDecency ,UncommonDecency,p.149-150. ,p.149-150. 7. C. C.S. S.L Lew ewis is 8. DavidWilkerson-Whydotherighteous DavidWilkerson-WhydotherighteousSuffer Suffer,Sept.26,1988 ,Sept.26,1988 9. Jo John hnN New ewto ton n 10.KlyneSnodgrass,BetweenTwoTruths-LivingwithBiblicalTensions,1990,Zondervan Publ Pu blis ishi hing ngH Hou ouse se, ,p. p.3 35. 5.
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Step 4 Step 10
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may may have peace. In this world world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” NIV
s e s r e v e h t e z i r o m e m d n a u o y h t i w s d r a c e s e h t y r r a C . s e n i l e h t n o t u C
“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
Step 11
Mark 8:36
John 8:44
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. 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
“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 will of God..” NKJV
And He said to me, me, “My grace is sufcient sufcient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” weakness.” ThereTherefore most gladly I will rather boast in my inrmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. NKJV
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 8
Step 5
Step 2
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.” will.” NIV
Psalm 37:9
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their their soul? ” NIV “For what will it prot a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” NKJV
“For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.” NKJV
Acts 4:12
Step 1
But he said to me, “My grace is sufcient for you, for my power is made perfect perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. NIV
Step 7
“For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.” NIV
1 x i d n e p p Step 12 A
2 Corinthians 12:9
Step 9
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
Romans 5:1
Step 6
Psalm 34:7
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
“Therefore, since we have been justied through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” NIV
“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them..” 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
“Therefore, having been justied by faith, faith, we have peace with God God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” NKJV
“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.” NKJV
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John 8:31-32
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really 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 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, 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, Yes, I will help help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. NKJV
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