SALVATION
Why do I need to be saved?
Four Spiritual Laws
1. God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.
John 3:16 (see "Assignment" section below)
2. Man is sinful and separated from God.
Romans 3:23 - “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 6:23 -“The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
3. Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for mans’ sin.
Romans 5:8 - “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
4. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior.
Romans 10:9-10 - “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
NavPress “Growing in God”
Who is in control???????
Which circle best represents your life?
Which circle would you like to have represent your life?
Assignment:
Get a notebook and write out your testimony.
Get note cards or spiral bound note cards.
Begin reading the book of John.
Memorize John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Campus Crusade for Christ New Life Publications
THE BIBLE“The Greatest Love Story”
John 1:1-14
Author: John, the Disciple
Word and truth were there from the beginning
- What was John the Baptist’s role?
- What is the role of Jesus?
- What surprises you about Jesus coming to earth as a human being?
- What is comforting and encouraging about God taking on a human form?
How do we study the Word?
- Pray – ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you read and to know how to apply it to your life.
- Find a quiet place free of distractions
- Have your notebook and pen
- Take small bites – read a portion (a few verses) and then ask some questions:
- What is this saying about God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?
- Is there a command for me to obey?
- Is there a principle for me live by or a spiritual truth for me to know?
- Is this saying something for me right now?
- How can I apply this to my every day life?
Why should YOU read the Bible?
“This Book will keep you from sin, and sin will keep you from this Book.” D.L. Moody
Earthly things do not satisfy the heart. The Bible is the Book of the heart. It shows us how we may possess and enjoy real life. A worthwhile life and satisfaction in life are found by reading and receiving the Word of Life into our hearts. (John 6:63)
- It is God’s message to you
- It is totally reliable, without error
- God does not change and you need it for life (Matthew 4:4)
- It is a measuring stick for you to determine truth from error
- It will equip you for serving God (Psalm 32:8)
- You can learn from Biblical characters how to live and act
- It will bring real hope and peace to your life (Romans 15:4)
- The enemy of your soul does not want you to be a person of the Word
- As a child of God, you should keep up on all the blessings your Heavenly Father desires for all His children. (7,000 promises throughout the Bible)
- The Word of God is powerful and is our spiritual weapon (Ephesians 6:10-18)
BIBLE HELPS
- Bible Translations - ( New International Version, King James, The Message, New Living, Amplified, New American Standard, etc.)
- Concordance: A book that lists all the words of the Bible and the places they are found
- Dictionary: Explains the meaning of words, places and subjects of the Bible
- Commentary: An explanation of the Bible chapter by chapter
- Study Groups: It is good to have personal devotion but Bible study groups can really help you understand and grow
MEMORY VERSE: II Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
PRAYER
John 15:1-17
- Who is speaking?
- Who is the gardener?
- Who are we?
- What does bear fruit mean?
- What does “remain in me” mean?
- What command is given to us?
- What is prayer?
The main purpose of prayer is___________________________________________.
John Bunyan wrote, “In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” God is looking at your heart, what motivates you, and is more interested in a pure and repentant heart than he is in sacrifice or empty words. (Psalm 51)
God says:
Jeremiah 29:11
Chronicles 7:14
Luke 11:9
Peter 3:12
We pray to ______________ Matthew 6:6
In the name of ___________ John 14:14
Through the power of ______________Ephesians 6:18
How and what to pray (A.C.T.S.)
Adoration – Praise God for His love, power and majesty, and his wonderful gift of salvation.
Confession – Admit your sins to God. Be honest and humble. He loves you.
Thanksgiving – Tell God how grateful you are for everything He has given you & done for you.
Supplication – Make specific requests, both for yourself and for others
PRAYER ESSENTIALS
Pray the Word – “Prayers that Avail Much” Germaine Copeland
Keep a Prayer Journal
MEMORY VERSE: Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.”
WATER BAPTISM & COMMUNION
Ordinances of the Church
John 12:20-36
- What was Jesus teaching through his picture of a kernel?
- What does he mean in verse 25?
- What emotions did he portray in verse 27?
- How can Jesus be both the Christ that remains forever and the Son of man lifted up?
- What does it mean to you to lose your life?
- In what ways is it similar to Jesus’ death and resurrection?
- To what area of your life is God calling you to die? What is hardest about being obedient?
Water Baptism
(Baptize means to dip or to immerse)
Why should I be baptized by immersion (dunking)?
- Matthew 3:16 – example of Jesus
- Romans 6:1-7
- Burial and Resurrection
- Outward Testimony
- Identifies us with Jesus
- Helps seal our commitment
When should I be baptized?
- Acts 2:41
- Acts 8:12
- Acts 8:35-38
The Lord’s Supper (Communion) - I Corinthians 11:23-25
- Bread (symbol of the body of Christ)
- Wine (symbol of the blood shed for the remission of our sins)
- Communion is a command of Christ
- Communion is a time of remembrance
- Communion is a time of celebration
- Communion is a time of healing (body, spirit, and soul)
- Communion is a time of anticipation
WARNING - I Corinthians 11:28 - Need to examine ourselves before participating
MEMORY VERSE: John 12:26 “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
(The Power of Pentecost)
John 4:1-14 (Jesus Talks with a Samaritan Woman)
- Why was that so unusual?
- What is Jesus offering her?
John 7:37-39
- What is different about this water?
- Who is it for?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
He is the third person of the Godhead - Matthew 28:19
When do we receive the Holy Spirit?
At Salvation - John 3:3-7
Who is the Baptizer?
Jesus - Matthew 3:11; 13-17
(Salvation and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit are separate events. Salvation comes first.)
Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples
- Counselor (Spirit of Truth) – John 14:15-18
- Teacher – John 14:26-27
- Conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment – John 16:5-11
Jesus last words before ascending into heaven – Luke 24:45-53
Receive power to be witnesses; receive a personal boldness and power - Acts 1:1-11
Pentecost - Acts 2:1-4
Holy Spirit comes……sound like the blowing of a mighty wind
………tongues of fire
……….filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues
Other places where believers were filled
Acts 10:44-48 & 19:1-8
MEMORY VERSE: Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
TOP 10 REASONS WHY BELIEVERS SHOULD SPEAK IN TONGUES
(BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT)
- Tongues is the initial sign of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4)
- Tongues gives us the power to be witnesses (Acts 1:8)
- Tongues gives us the power to preach the Word (witness) boldly (Acts 4:31)
- Tongues is for spiritual edification and spiritual refreshing (I Corinthians 14:4, Isaiah 28:11,12)
- Tongues remind us of the Spirit’s indwelling or presence (John 14:16,17)
- Praying in tongues keeps our prayers in line with God’s will (Romans 8:26)
- Praying in tongues enables us to pray for the unknown (Romans 8:26)
- Praying in tongues stimulates faith (Jude 20)
- Speaking in tongues brings the tongue under subjection (James 3:8)
- Singing and praying in tongues brings thanks and praise to God (I Corinthians 14:14-19)
WHAT TONGUES WON’T DO FOR YOU
- Will not keep your life pure
- Will not keep Satan from coming into your camp
- Will not do for you what you can do for yourself
- Will not free you from addictions
- Will not keep the river within you flowing freely
THE CHURCH
John 10:1-18 (The Shepherd and His Flock)
- Who does the Shepherd represent?
- Who do the sheep represent?
- What does this passage tell you about the relationship of Jesus to His sheep?
- What do you think is the main point of the passage?
- What do you think it means that Jesus’ sheep know His voice and follow Him?
- What does this mean to you personally?
The Church and Its Mission (Purpose)
The word church is mentioned 91 times in the New Testament (Body of Christ, Bride of Christ, Living Stones, Temple of God)
WORSHIP God in spirit and in truth
John 4:23-24
Revelation 4:11
Mark 12:30
Romans 12:1-2
EVANGELISM TO THE WORLD
Matthew 28:19-20
Mark 16:15
Acts 1:8
BUILD UP THE BODY (I Corinthians 12:12-31; Romans 12:1-21)
Corinthians 14:12
Philippians 2:1-4
Ephesians 4:11-16
FUTURE OF THE CHURCH – Spending Eternity with Jesus in Heaven…. Hallelujah!!!!!! I Thessalonians 4:16-17; John 14:1-4
MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God---this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1
GROWING IN GOD
John 13:1-17
- Who would normally wash the feet of a guest?
- Why do you think Peter reacted as he did?
- What were the other disciples thinking?
- What does this act symbolize about Jesus?
- How important do you think it is to model our lives after Jesus?
GROWTH: ”You must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow, and persist in growing.” (Rick Warren, “The Purpose Driven Life”)
GROW THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP – Discipleship is a Process
Created to Be Like God – Ephesians 4:22-24
a. Put off
b. Be Renewed
c. Put on
Overcome Temptation – James 1:2-27
a. Desire
b. Doubt
c. Deception
d. Disobedience
Think Differently – James 1:21 & Colossians 3:1-2
Become Doers of the Word – James 1:22 & 4:7-8
GROW THROUGH SERVICE – God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not by how many people serve you. I Peter 4:8-11; Matthew 20:25-28
GROW THROUGH SHARING – You need the “body” and the “body” needs you.
Ephesians 4:2-3 and 11-16; I Thessalonians 5:11
GROW THROUGH WITNESSING – Our Message – Christ in You….Hope of Glory
Colossians 1:21-22, 27 & Matthew 28:19
GROW THROUGH GIVING - Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse…Test me in this!
Malachi 3:8-10, Philippians 4:19; Luke 6:38
MEMORY VERSE: Ephesians 5:15-17 “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
When you have completed the course, please send an email to newbeliever@godlovesonline.com and we'll send you a course completion certificate.
If you live in Lee County, we'd also like to invite you to attend a chapter meeting of Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship (which is open to both men and women) so if you'd like to attend, please indicate that on the email as well.
