Foundations
for Faith
Follow-‐up Studies for New Christians
Relationship With God
The most important part of our life as a Christian is our relationship with God. This study will look at several areas of our relationship with Him.
(1) Prayer
Luke 11:1-‐4
-‐ ‘Teach us to pray’ – we can ‘learn’ how to pray from others -‐ Prayer can be both silent (in our minds/hearts) and verbal -‐ ‘Father’ – indicates a special relationship with God
-‐ ‘Give us our daily bread’ – reference to manna from Exodus – reinforced the Israelites’ daily reliance on God… we need the same sense of reliance through prayer and our relationship with Him
Ephesians 6:18-‐20
-‐ What should we pray about?
o All kinds of things!
§ Gratitude, ourselves, our sin, praying for family, praying for the lost, praying for physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those around us, praying for wisdom, courage, strength, etc.
Take time every day to pray!
Try praying with other disciples as often as possible.
(2) Reading the Bible 2 Timothy 3:16-‐17
-‐ All scripture is useful (including the Old Testament)
-‐ We can use it to teach, rebuke, correct, and train both ourselves and others -‐ We need to spend time consistently in the scriptures both for our own devotional
life as well as to help others
How can you grow in your knowledge and application of the Bible? Are you setting aside time each day to read and consider God’s Word?
(3) Forgiveness after baptism 1 John 1:6-‐10
-‐ Vs 7 – if we continue to walk in the light, Jesus’ blood continually cleanses us of sin -‐ Vs 8 – we all continue to sin (although probably in different ways than before we
were Christians)… what are you growing in, and what do you need to work on? -‐ Vs 9 – if we confess our sins, Jesus will continue to forgive us
For Further Study: John 15:1-‐17 Romans 8:12-‐17 Ephesians 1:3-‐8 Hebrews 10:19-‐23 James 4:4-‐10
Relationships With Disciples
This study focuses on our relationships with one another within the church.
(1) Discipling Relationships within the Church
One of the biggest areas of focus in the New Testament is our relationship with one another in the church. We set up ‘discipling’ relationships to help us put the many ‘one another’ passages into practice.
Hebrews 3:12-‐13
-‐ ‘See to it’ – we have an obligation to God and each other to make sure this happens -‐ ‘Encourage one another daily’ – our relationships are to be daily, not ‘Sunday to
Sunday’
-‐ Sin is deceitful – we need help from other disciples so we won’t be hardened by it
Matthew 28:18-‐20
-‐ Part of Jesus’ Great Commission is for every disciple to be taught to obey Jesus’ commands
-‐ Therefore, we all need to be ‘teachable’!
-‐ Our relationships with disciples not only help us learn Jesus’ commands , but also to obey his commands
James 5:16
-‐ Being open about our sin and struggles with others allows others to pray for us
(2) General Relationships within the Church
God wants the church to be a spiritual family. He wants us to love one another, and he knows we need each other to make it to heaven.
John 13:34-‐35
-‐ Loving one another isn’t optional as a Christian – it’s a command from Jesus -‐ Our model for loving one another is Jesus
-‐ When we love each other the way Jesus wants us to, the world will notice
I John 3:16-‐18
-‐ We don’t just ‘talk the talk’ in our relationships, we ‘walk the walk’; real relationships are more than just nice words.
For Further Study: Luke 10:25-‐37 Acts 2:42-‐47 Acts 4:32-‐35 Romans 12:3-‐5 I Corinthians 13:1-‐8 Colossians 3:12-‐17 Hebrews 10:24
Marriage and Family
After our relationship with God, the most important people in our lives are our spouses and our kids.
(1) Marriage
Ephesians 5:21-‐32
-‐ In Christian households, husbands are to lead and wives are to submit to the husband’s leadership
-‐ Wives must be submissive and supportive of their husbands; the standard for their submission is in the same way the church submits to Jesus’ leadership
-‐ Husbands must love their wives; their comparison is to love in the same way Jesus loves the church; sacrificial (not selfish) and spiritual
I Peter 3:1-‐7
-‐ Wives – where do you receive your value? In God’s eyes, it’s from the inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit
-‐ Don’t give in to fear – fears of insecurity, fears of giving up rights to be submissive -‐ Husbands – be considerate and treat wives with respect
-‐ Not doing so will hinder your prayers!
(2) Parenting
Deuteronomy 6:4-‐9
-‐ We need to spend significant time ‘impressing’ God’s Word on our children
o ‘impressing’ = teaching for learning and for obedience
-‐ It shouldn’t be confined to one time or one devotional – it should be part of our everyday lives
There are many resources available to help you have great devotional times with your children, regardless of how old they are.
One of the greatest resources we have is one another. In the church, we do our best to help and encourage each other in our marriages and in our parenting.
For Further Study: Joshua 24:15 Marriage: Genesis 2:20-‐24 I Corinthians 7:1-‐5 Titus 2:1-‐8 Hebrews 13:4 Parenting: Proverbs 19:18 Proverbs 22:6 Ephesians 6:1-‐4
Purity and Dating
As Christians, God wants us to live holy and pure lives. This includes the areas of sexual purity and dating.
(1) Purity
I Corinthians 6:18-‐20
-‐ *Flee* from sexual immorality… don’t hang around it, don’t get close to it
-‐ Since we received the Holy Spirit at baptism, our bodies belong to God; sexual sins are sins against our own bodies, where God resides
-‐ Jesus bought our salvation for a price… don’t take it lightly
Matthew 5:27-‐30
-‐ Purity isn’t just about our actions, it’s also about our hearts
-‐ Jesus addresses that here; we must protect ourselves and each other in this area -‐ Because purity at a heart level is so challenging, it’s important to be open with those
in our lives about how we are doing
-‐ This passage applies to safeguarding our purity in many ways – visual, imagination, movies/TV, internet, flirting, how we dress
Ephesians 5:3
-‐ There shouldn’t be even a hint of immorality or impurity in our lives -‐ 2 ways to read ‘hint’:
o Not even a tiny bit
o Nothing in our lives that would lead something to think we lived that way
I John 2:15-‐17
-‐ Don’t love ‘the world’ – we have to choose between loving God and loving the world -‐ Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes
o Lust = desire
-‐ The world and its desires pass away… sin has short-‐term pleasure but long-‐term consequences
(2) Dating
2 Corinthians 6:14-‐18
-‐ Yoke = used to keep two farm animals going in the same direction
-‐ For the unmarried – date and marry disciples only; marrieds – go on dates! -‐ Discuss dating – purpose, guidelines, principles
For Further Study: Job 31:1 Galatians 5:16-‐26 Colossians 3:1-‐11 Titus 2:11-‐14 Hebrews 13:4 I Peter 4:1-‐6
Evangelism
One of the most important things we can do as Christians is to share the good news with others. God wants everyone to be saved (I Timothy 2:3-‐4). As disciples, we all have something great to share to help people around us have a relationship with God.
(1) God desperately wants people to be saved Luke 15:1-‐10
-‐ God is desperate for people to be saved
-‐ There is a lot of rejoicing in heaven when someone is saved!
Matthew 28:18-‐20
-‐ Jesus’ Great Commission… what does he want to happen?
-‐ Make disciples… (1) baptize them, (2) teach them to obey everything -‐ Jesus will be with us
(2) A Conversion from Acts Acts 8:26-‐40
-‐ Vs 29 The Spirit guided Philip… it guides us as well -‐ Vs 35 Philip shared scriptures with the man -‐ Philip baptized him
-‐ Much rejoicing!
-‐ Some conversions are quick, some take longer
(3) Our role in evangelism Luke 9:23-‐26
-‐ Don’t be ashamed of Jesus!
Acts 4:23-‐31 -‐ Pray!
-‐ Vs 29 People don’t always respond well to a discussion with God… let God figure out how to handle it
-‐ Vs 31 shared the word of God *boldly*… why? Because of their faith
I Peter 3:15-‐16
-‐ Be prepared to give an answer!
o Start reading the Bible not just for inspiration, but to learn the Bible
o Learn how to teach someone about the Bible
For Further Study: Luke 19:1-‐10 Phil 2:14-‐16 Acts 5:41-‐42 James 5:19-‐20 I Peter 3:15-‐16
Finances and Giving
This study focuses on God’s perspective on money, possessions, and giving contribution to the church.
(1) Finances and Possessions
God wants us to trust him in the area of money, and to not become enamored with wealth. Money was a central theme of Jesus’ teachings.
Matthew 6:25-‐34
-‐ Don’t worry! We can easily become obsessed with financial issues
-‐ Vs 32 the pagans (non-‐Christians) ‘run after’ all these things… don’t follow them! -‐ Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, and God will take care of you
I Timothy 6:6-‐10
-‐ What do we need to be content? Paul says we should be content with food and clothing
-‐ Vs 9 People who “want” to get rich… not just if you are rich, but if you want to get rich
-‐ Vs 10 – the love of money… do you love money?
-‐ Don’t let money and desire for possessions control your life and heart
(2) Church Contribution
Financial giving from the membership supports various functions within the church. Our giving should be done sacrificially and gratefully, not out of compulsion.
Malachi 3:8-‐12
-‐ We are no longer required to ‘tithe’, but the concepts of this passage still apply -‐ Neither are we restricted to giving only a tithe
-‐ Don’t be stingy in your giving… giving is in part a reflection of our faith -‐ God takes care of us when we trust him!
2 Corinthians 9:6-‐11
-‐ Vs 6 – God takes care of generous people
-‐ Vs 7 – God wants us to give with great hearts, not begrudgingly -‐ Vs 11 – God takes care of us so we can be generous
We give at church on Sundays. Members usually strive to give about 10% of their income for church contribution… some can give more, some less.
For Further Study: Proverbs 30:7-‐9 Luke 12:13-‐21, 21:1-‐4 Acts 2:44-‐45 2 Corinthians 8:1-‐15 1 Timothy 6:17-‐19 Hebrews 13:5
Unity in the Church -‐ Relationships
God wants the church to be completely unified. Unity means several things… it means that we work together, we are willing to make individual sacrifices for the good of the whole group, and that it’s very important for Christians to work out differences or disagreements with each other, and not just ‘sweep them under the rug’. Unity takes work, but makes for a great family!
(1) Unity is important to God John 17:20-‐23
-‐ Vs 21 our unity in the church should be similar to Jesus’ unity with God! -‐ Vs 23 our unity is a statement to the world that we are part of God’s family
Matthew 5:23-‐24
-‐ Note – if your brother has something against you… not just if you have something against someone else
-‐ God wants us to make reconciliation on the inside (in our hearts) a high priority
(2) How to have great, unified relationships Ephesians 4:1-‐3
-‐ Humility and patience go a long way in building and maintaining unity!
-‐ Vs 3 – ‘Make every effort’ to keep unity! ‘Every effort’ includes a lot… what can you do to keep unity among your brothers and sisters?
Philippians 2:1-‐11
-‐ Unity is chosen, not ‘natural’
-‐ To be unified, we have to look to others’ interests, not just our own
-‐ Jesus is the ultimate example of unity through humility – he made himself like us. Let’s imitate him!
(3) What happens when someone sins against me? Matthew 18:15-‐17
-‐ Working out issues needs to start with the 2 parties involved; don’t talk about them behind their backs (gossip)
-‐ If that talk doesn’t go well, pull in others to help you work it out
For Further Study: Psalm 133:1 Proverbs 27:6 Proverbs 27:17 Romans 15:1-‐5 I Corinthians 1:10 I Corinthians 12:12-‐27 Colossians 3:12-‐13
The Bible – Overview
Old Testament:
o 39 books
o Written from approximately 1000 BC (although some parts were much earlier) to 400 BC by a variety of authors
o Covers a time period of the beginning of time up to about 400 BC
o Includes:
§ Creation (Genesis)
§ Beginning of mankind and man’s relationship with God
§ God’s relationship with the people of Israel, individually and collectively
• Promises, warnings, encouragements, commands, and more § History of Israel, both good and bad (I and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2
Chronicles)
§ Songs and Poetry by David, Solomon and others (Psalms, Song of Songs)
§ Wisdom from Solomon and others (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes)
§ Prophecies about Jesus throughout several books (especially Isaiah)
§ Prophecies about Israel
New Testament:
o 27 books
o Written from approximately 48 AD to 95 AD by several authors, most notably Paul
o Covers about 4 BC (birth of Jesus) to about 95 AD (book of Revelation)
o Includes:
§ Gospels – 4 accounts of Jesus’ life (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)
§ A history of what happened after Jesus’ resurrection (Acts)
§ Various letters, mostly from the apostle Paul, to churches he helped establish to encourage and strengthen them, as well as to individuals he worked with
§ The book of Revelation, which was written to encourage the churches through a time of significant persecution
§ Instruction on a variety of topics – relationship with God, relationships with others, faith, sin, salvation, the church, marriage, parenting, repentance, and more!
Bible Versions
The Bible was originally written primarily in 3 languages : Old Testament – primarily Hebrew and some Aramaic New Testament – Greek
There are many translations available today, using different ways to translate the original languages. Our church primarily uses the New International Version (NIV). Some versions such as The Message Bible are helpful to get a different perspective on a passage but are paraphrased and do not specifically translate from the original language.
Some suggested ways to read the Bible:
o One book at a time; skim the whole book, then go back and read through more carefully
o Study a topic (such as faith, repentance, joy)
o Study a person (such as Joseph, David, Peter, Paul)
o Look up the use of certain phrases (such as ‘make every effort…’)
o Study a character trait of God or Jesus (his patience, love, straightforwardness, etc.)
Some additional resources to supplement your reading:
o Many Bibles have maps in the back to help you visualize places and distances
o Listen to recorded sermons on a topic or book you’re studying
o Use Bible commentaries (more detailed background and discussion on what you’re reading)
o Listen to an audio commentary on what you’re reading
o Use cross-‐referencing (available in many Bibles) to look up parallel scriptures
o It is advisable to have a good Bible Handbook
