Circuit Teaching International
- Teaching the Nations
| Walking with God by Ivor Lewis Second edition, 1993. | |
| Lesson 1. - The need for water baptism | Lesson 5. - Time alone with God |
| Lesson 2. - The importance of prayer | Lesson 6. - You and the local church |
| Lesson 3. - Our attitude in prayer | Lesson 7. - Tell others the good news |
| Lesson 4. - The importance of the Bible | Lesson 8. - Leading others to Christ |
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Read John 3:3.
1. We learned that when we are brought into a relationship with God our Father through the blood of Jesus Christ, the Bible says we are "born again".
2. Spiritually we are new born babies.
3. God the Father wants us to grow up now and to learn to walk with Him.
4. In this series of teaching we will be discussing tools that God has given us to help us in this walk.
| Illustration Every parent is excited when his child takes his first step. The parent knows that the child will not learn to walk unless they take those first steps. Our Father in heaven is even more excited when we, His children, begin to walk with Him. |
5. If we are to grow up to be strong, healthy Christians, we need to take the steps God has for us.
6. God's first step for us after salvation is water baptism. Acts 2:38.
Read Matthew 3:13-15.
1. Jesus walked on the earth not only as the Son of God but also as the Son of Man.
2. Everything Jesus did as a man, He did to be an example to us today of how we are to walk in the world.
3. Jesus insisted that He be baptized to "fulfil all righteousness."
4. To be a thorough example to us of how we are to walk righteously, He needed to be baptized also.
5. The first reason we have for being baptized is that Jesus showed us, by His example, that we need to be baptized.
Read Matthew 28:19.
1. Jesus commanded His servants to do three things in this, His great commission to the church.
(a) Make disciples.
(b) Baptize them.
(c) Teach them.
2. Anyone, in any nation, that comes to Christ needs to be baptized and to be taught to become a disciple of Christ.
Read John 14:15.
1. Going down into the waters of baptism may seem a bit strange as a first step.
2. God tests our commitment to Him.
3. We have asked Him to be Lord, we say we love Him. Now will we obey this first command?
4. People may laugh at us. Will we really forsake all and follow Him?
5. We will never grow in faith if we do not act upon His word and do the things that He commands us to. James 2:17.
6. If we say that we believe in Jesus, then we need to obey Him and take this step of faith and be water baptized.
1. God set a pattern for us today in the New Testament account of the early church.
2. Let us look at some examples of water baptism from the book of Acts.
(a) Read Acts 2:38,41.
Three thousand people responded to Peter's challenge this first day of the church and they were baptized.(b) Read Acts 8:12.
All the way through the book of Acts we see that when the people believed in Jesus, their next step was to be baptized.
(c) Read Acts 8:38.
This Ethiopian was one of the first men from Africa to respond to the Gospel, and he was baptized immediately.
(d) Read Acts 10:47-48.
These people had already been baptized with the Holy Spirit but Peter made sure they did not miss this important step of water baptism.
(e) Read Acts 19:3-5.
Paul also taught the importance of water baptism in Christ.
Read Romans 6:1-14.
1. There are two pictures of the work of the cross that Jesus commanded Christians to act out.
2. One is water baptism.
3. The other is communion.
4. God so desires that we know the power of what Jesus did on the cross, that He makes the truth real to our hearts by having us act it out.
5. When I repented of my sins and asked Jesus into my heart then my sinful nature was crucified with Christ and buried with Him.
6. I now rise to newness of life with sin no longer having power over me, verse 6.
7. Now, as a Christian, I need to "count" myself dead to sin by faith, verse 11.
8. My flesh will try to tell me that it has dominion over me.
9. The devil will try to tell me that my flesh is not dead but still has dominion over me.
10. As I walk by faith that my carnal nature is crucified with Christ, I will walk a victorious Christian life.
11. Water baptism is a picture of this fact for me.
12. As I go under the waters of baptism, I am identifying my spiritual death, burial and resurrection with Christ.
13. Water baptism brings alive to my heart: "I am dead with Christ, I am buried with Christ and I am resurrected with Christ to a new life."
| Memory verse Acts 2:38, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." |
| Teacher's notes Let us consider together some common questions concerning water baptism. 1. What are the requirements for baptism? (a) Acts 2:38 "Repent and be baptized." (b) Acts 8:37 "If you believe with all your heart." Repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus go together and bring salvation. These are the only two requirements the Bible indicates are necessary before a person can be baptized. Acts 8:36-39. In the book of Acts we see people being baptized as soon as they had repented and believed in Jesus. Because baptism is such an important picture for us to receive into our hearts of our union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, baptism should come as soon as possible after salvation. It is important, though, that the person receives teaching about baptism before they are baptized. Philip must have been teaching the Ethiopian man about water baptism in order for the Ethiopian to have asked to be baptised. We also need to teach people about this important next step after they accept Jesus. In this way, water baptism will be made more real to them. 2. How should we be water baptized? The Bible does not give any details on how to baptize people; it simply states that people were baptized. The details of the ceremony have been left to us as the Holy Spirit guides. We need to keep in mind that the main purpose of the act of baptism is to picture for the candidate his death, burial and resurrection with Christ. 3. Where should baptism take place? Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. Matthew 3:13-16. The Ethiopian eunuch was probably baptized in a pond. Acts 8:36-38. Baptism can take place in a river, a dam, a pool, a pond, the ocean or a bath tub. In many parts of the world there is not as much water as in other places. The only biblical requirement is that there be enough water to show the picture of complete burial. 4. Does water baptism save us? Mark 16:16 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." In the early church believing in Jesus and water baptism went together. However, it is not water baptism that saves us but rather believing in Jesus Christ. It is whoever does not believe that will be condemned, not whoever is not baptized. Romans 10:9-10 makes it clear that our salvation is based on faith. Luke 23:39-43. The man crucified with Christ was saved although he did not have time to be water baptized. This man was saved because he believed in Jesus and asked for his salvation. Many people like this man have accepted Jesus with their last breath and have been saved. Water baptism is an outward act of obedience that seals the inward work of the cross to the believer's heart. Many are not baptized because of their circumstances or through lack of teaching. For those who can be water baptized and who have the understanding, water baptism will make their salvation more real to them here on earth. 5. Into whose name are we baptized? Matthew 28:19 "...baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Acts 10:48 "...baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." In His great commission to the church, Jesus said that the disciples should baptize people in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Yet in the new church, we see them baptizing people in the name of Jesus Christ. Were the disciples disobeying Jesus' command? In Colossians 2:9 we are told that all the deity, that is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, dwells in Christ. When we accept Jesus into our hearts, we have the Father, Son and Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Therefore, we can be baptized into Christ or into the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The result is the same. Notice that we are baptized into His name. That means that we do not belong to ourselves any longer. We are in Him and now belong to Him. Baptism is a declaration, or a confession, that Jesus is Lord of our lives. We are no longer in control. We are in Him and belong to Him. |
Read Revelation 5:8 & 8:3-4.
1. Our salvation begins with prayer. We have to call upon the Lord in prayer in order to be saved. Read Romans 10:13.
2. Of course, prayer does not stop there. To keep walking with God, we need to keep talking to Him in prayer.
3. God hears every prayer from His people.
4. It does not matter how small the prayer may be. It is precious to Him.
5. All the prayers rise like a sweet smelling perfume to God's nostrils and bring God great joy.
Read 1 John 3:1.
1. God created us to have a relationship with Himself.2. Adam and God talked together like two friends who enjoy each other's company. Genesis 3:8.
Illustration
A man and his son enjoyed a close relationship. One day they had a disagreement and their close fellowship was broken. They did not talk to one another for a long time. However, the father soon forgave the son and desired to restore the relationship. The son, on the other hand, was very bitter and refused to talk to his father. Although they lived in the same house and were father and son, there was no relationship. This greatly grieved the father's heart.
3. We are God's children.
4. Sin broke man's relationship with God but the blood of Jesus restored that relationship.
5. God the Father will not force us to relate to Him, but He is longing for us to get to know Him and to develop a close relationship with Him.
6. If two people are friends but they never spend time with each other and talk together they will not get to know each other.
7. If one person does all the talking but never listens to the other person or gives him a chance to talk, they will not have a close relationship.
8. Prayer is simply talking to God and it is also listening to God.
9. In this way we will get to know God and develop a close relationship with Him.
Read Luke 9:23.
1. When we come to Jesus, we ask Him to be Lord of our lives.
2. It means that we are not in charge anymore, that God is now the boss.
3. As we come to God in prayer each day we are surrendering to His lordship.
4. We are asking Him to take control of our lives and to guide us.
5. We surrender our will to Him in order to do His will each day.
6. As we submit to Him in prayer God can give us direction. John 10:27.
7. He can show us where He wants us to go and what He wants us to do.
8. He can convict us about some area in our lives that He wants to change.
Read John 16:23,24.
1. God has promised to meet all of our needs. Philippians 4:19.
2. Like a loving father, He desires to meet all our needs and only waits for us to ask Him. Matthew 7:7-11.
3. Prayer releases His power for whatever need we may have.
4. God says that if we ask we will receive.
5. Our needs will be met if we pray, and we will have great joy in our lives.
Read 2 Chronicles 7:14.
1. We know that God wants to heal the land.
2. We know that God is all powerful. He rules in the earth and is able to do anything He desires. Jeremiah 32:17-27.
3. But God has limited what He will do in the earth by the prayers of His people.
4. He has given us the privilege of working together with Him and seeing His will done in the earth as we pray.
5. God does not want us to pray just for our own needs, but also to pray for His will to be done in others.
| Memory verse John 16:24, "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete." |
| Teacher's notes A. If we pray, God has promised to meet all our needs: 1. Our daily physical needs. Matthew 6:11. 2. Physical and emotional strength. 1 Chronicles 16:11, Isaiah 40:28-31. 3. Power to serve God. Acts 4:31 4. Power to resist temptation. Matthew 26:41 5. Deliverance from trouble. Psalm 34:17 & 91:15. 6. Understanding and wisdom. Proverbs 2:3-5 & James 1:5. 7. Deliverance from Satan's stronghold. Mark 9:29. B. Read the following verses and see some of the things God wants us to pray for beyond our own needs. 1. Prayer for our land. 2 Chronicles 7:14, Ezekiel 22:30. 2. Prayer for the government. 1 Timothy 2:1-3. 3. Prayer for nations. Psalm 2:8. 4. Prayer for the church. Ephesians. 6:18. 5. Prayer for ministries. Ephesians 6:19-20. 6. Prayer for each other. James 5:16. 7. Prayer for the lost. 1 Timothy 2:1-4. |
God has given us some keys in His Word to make our prayers more effective.
Read Mark 11:24.
1. Faith is being sure of something before we see it.
2. We need to be very clear about what we are asking for.
3. Now we need to exercise faith and believe that we have already received what we have asked for, even though it cannot be seen with our natural eyes.
4. God says that if we pray with this kind of faith, then, in time, we will have whatever we asked for.
| Illustration A pregnant woman knows that she has a baby even though it is not in her arms. It takes up to nine months for the baby to be seen but she does not doubt it is there. In the same way, we will give birth to the things that have been conceived by faith in us. |
5. We should never give up no matter how difficult our circumstances or how impossible the thing we are asking God for seems.
6. We need to keep trusting God, praying in faith. Luke 18:1-8.
1. Idolatry
Read Ezekiel 14:3-6.
(a) We cannot serve both God and Satan. God is a jealous God.
(b) If we want God to answer our prayers, we need to get rid of all idols and everything to do with witchcraft.
2. Sin
Read Psalm 66:18.
(a) We need to be quick to repent of any sin.
(b) Satan fears the power of prayer and so he will try to entangle us in anything that hinders prayer.
| Illustration A man wondered why his prayers were not being answered. One day he asked God, and God reminded him of the things he had been stealing from work. The man asked God to forgive him, and quickly returned the items that were taken. After that, God blessed his time of prayer and answered his requests. |
Read Matthew 18:19.
1. Satan knows the power that results from God's people being united in prayer.
2. Satan will do anything to break up the harmony of God's people.
3. We need to resist him and stand together in agreement in prayer.
Read 1 John 5:14,15.
1. God is the most important person to be in agreement with.
2. He is Lord of our lives.
3. We need to wait upon God and ask Him what He wants us to believe for.
4. Now we can pray according to His will.
Read Ephesians 6:18.
1. We need the anointing of the Holy Spirit on our prayer.
2. Notice this is one of our weapons of warfare against the enemy.
3. Ask the Holy Spirit to release His power in our prayers.
4. The Holy Spirit will anoint us to pray according to God's will. Romans 8:26,27.
Read John 15:7.
1. God promises that we can ask whatever we wish and it will be given to us.
2. Notice that there is a condition to this promise.
3. We must remain in Him and His Word must remain in us.
4. God's word remains in us as we:
(a) Study the Word.
(b) Memorize the Word.
(c) Meditate on the Word.
(d) Put the Word into practice.
5. Faith comes as we meditate on God's Word and keep His Word in our hearts and pray according to His promises.
Read John 14:13.
1. We pray to the Father in Jesus' name by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. To pray in His name is not just saying some words but it means that we come in the authority of Jesus.
| Illustration The traffic policeman can stop a long line of cars and trucks even though he is very small in size compared to the size of the vehicles. He can do it because he stands in the name, or the authority, of the government of the land. |
3. We will pray with authority when we realize the authority that has been given to us in Jesus' name.
| Memory verse Mark 11:24, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." |
Read 2 Timothy 3:16.
1. God has revealed His plan for our lives in the Bible - His words to us.
2. Although men wrote the Bible with their own hands, the Bible is not men speaking; it is God speaking.
3. The Bible is like a map for our lives, guiding us in the way we should go.
4. To walk with God, we need to be studying His map each day.
Read Ephesians 4:11-12.
1. Notice one of the ministries God has given to the church is teachers.
2. What does it say in verse twelve that the ministries are to do?
3. These teachers are to prepare God's people for works of service.
4. We need to take every opportunity we can to receive the teaching and preaching of God's Word.
5. This explaining of God's Word will help us to be equipped to do God's work.
Read Matthew 4:4.
1. If we do not eat natural food each day, we will soon become weak.
2. We will also become weak spiritually if we do not "eat" the Word each day by reading it.
3. The Word will strengthen and satisfy us.
4. To grow up a baby needs to begin to feed itself. If we are to grow strong in Christ, we need to read the Word daily.
| Illustration One boy said to another boy, "Your dad is a cruel man who stabs people with a knife." The second boy said, "That is not true. I know my dad; he loves people and I know that he would only cut people if he knew it would help them." You see, the boy's father was a surgeon doctor. The first boy was right when he said the father stabbed people, but he did not have a complete understanding of the father's purpose. |
5. If we read only a few lines of God's Word, we may have a misunderstanding about our Father in heaven and our relationship with Him.
6. We should plan to read all of the Bible.
7. We should read from the Old Testament and from the New Testament each day, and start the next day where we finished the day before.
8. In this way, we will not miss any of His Word and we will have a balanced understanding of His truths.
9. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read. Jesus promised us that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. John 16:13.
Read Matthew 22:29.
1. It is important to know what we believe.
2. Many Christians are led astray by the enemy because they do not have a proper understanding of God's Word.
3. As we read God's Word, the Holy Spirit will show us different truths that we need to take time to study.
4. As we study in other parts of the Bible what God is saying about these truths, we will have a more complete understanding.
5. There are many books that we can buy that will aid us in our study of the Bible.
6. A good concordance, e.g. Strong's Concordance; a study Bible, e.g. Thompson's Chain Reference Bible and a commentary, e.g. Halley's Bible Handbook are helpful tools.
Read Proverbs 7:1-3.
1. We store up God's commands within us by memorizing them.
2. As we are reading the Bible, the Holy Spirit will show us verses that we need to memorize. Then we will have these words with us at all times.
3. Remember the Bible is a road map for us.
4. With God's Word stored up in us we will be kept on the right course.
Read Psalm 1:1-3.
1. God has wonderful promises for His people if they will not only read the Word but also meditate on it.
2. To meditate is to read a certain portion of scripture again and again until we have everything from that scripture that God has for us and until the truths of it are really settled into our heart.
3. Another reason for memorizing the Word is so that it is in our hearts thereby enabling us to meditate on it anytime, day or night.
4. Then we will be like a tree by a stream of water always receiving life and bearing much fruit.
Read Matthew 28:20.
1. We should take every opportunity to share with others the things God has revealed to us from His Word.
2. Perhaps we are not called to leadership in God's church or to speak before a crowd of people, but we can share with others one or two at a time.
3. In this way we will help each other grow in Christ.
4. Jesus said that according to the measure we give we will receive back and more.
Luke 6:38.
5. As we share God's truths, we will receive even more from Him.
Read John 13:17.
1. God has promised to bless those who will put His Word into practice.
2. As we read and study His word, we can get caught up in the glory of God's revelations.
3. We can get excited about telling others what the Word says.
4. We should remember that the most important thing we need to do with God's Word is to apply it to our own lives.
5. To love God is to walk in His Word, doing the things that are pleasing to Him.
| Memory verse Psalm 119:11, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." |
| Teacher's notes A. Notice other scriptures that relate the Bible to food. 1. Milk - 1 Peter 2:2-3. 2. Bread - Deuteronomy 8:3. 3. Meat - Hebrews 5:14. 4. Honey - Psalm 119:103. Read Exodus 16:20. The Israelites had to gather manna each day in the wilderness. Yesterday's manna would go stale. We need to feed upon God's Word daily so that we will have fresh food from Him. B. More thoughts on obedience to the Word. Luke 6:46-49 - Notice verse 46. God wants surrender to His lordship, not just calling Him Lord with our lips. Notice verse 47. We need to do three things to build our lives on a solid foundation: 1. Come to Christ. 2. Hear His Word. 3. Put His Word into practise. John 14:21 - God promises to reveal Himself to those who obey His Word. John 7:17 - We need to put God's Word into practice if we want spiritual understanding. |
1. We have considered the importance of praying and reading the Word.
2. Let us look now at how we can make a plan to spend time seeking God in prayer and in His Word each day.
1. Have a set place.
Read Matthew 6:6.
(a) We should find a quiet place where we can be alone with God.
| Illustration Many Christians in Africa have found it too noisy and disturbing in their homes to be quiet with God. They have built a small hut away from their main home or they have found some other quiet place where they will not be interrupted. |
(b) Our circumstances do not always allow us a place alone with God; but where possible, we should find such a place.
2. Have a set time
Read Ephesians 5:15,16.
(a) Our good intentions for time with God can be quickly lost in the many demands of the day.
| Illustration In Daniel 6:10 we are told that Daniel made a habit of praying at three set times during each day. Daniel, as one of the rulers of the large Babylonian Empire, knew that if he did not set aside time for God each day then the many concerns of the day would keep him from this, his most important task. |
(b) We need to make praying and reading God's Word a daily habit.
(c) If an hour sounds like too much time, then start with ten minutes in the morning and ten at night until it becomes a habit in your life.(d) You will quickly find that ten minutes is not enough time, and you can slowly increase that time until one hour will seem too short a time to spend in fellowship with God.
(e) Remember to keep in touch with God all through the day, not only at your set times of prayer.
1. Start with praise and worship
Read Psalm 100:4.
(a) We no longer go to a temple to talk to God; we are the temple, and He lives in us.
(b) Praise and worship are still important in order to enter into intimate fellowship with God.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide
Read Romans 8:26.
(a) The Holy Spirit is a gentleman who will not force His way with us.
(b) We should invite Him to anoint us and guide us in this time and through the day.
3. Die to our own desires
Read Isaiah 55:8.
(a) God's ways are higher than our ways.
(b) We need to die to our own desires, laying them at the foot of the cross.
(c) Ask God now to put His desires in our hearts, so that we might pray, "Your will be done."
| Illustration A brother in Zambia thought it was a good idea to have a crusade in a certain area at a certain time. He had been praying repeatedly for the necessary funds for the crusade, but his prayers were not being answered. He surrendered to God his desire to have this crusade, and was impressed that God wanted him to speak at a convention in another area at that time. As he changed his prayer direction and prayed for the convention, he realized that God did not want him to have the other crusade. Now he sensed God's blessing and provision as he prayed for the convention. |
4. Repentance
Read Psalm 66:18.
(a) We need to repent of any sin.
(b) Ask the Holy Spirit to convict us of anything in our hearts that may be blocking our communion with God.
5. Listen
Read John 10:27.
(a) Every person who has accepted Christ as his Saviour is one of God's sheep.
(b) Our Shepherd has promised to speak with us.
(c) Remember, conversation is two ways.
(d) Part of our prayer is talking to God, but we should not monopolize the conversation.
(e) Give God time to speak also, and listen to Him.
6. Prayer for personal needs.
Read Matthew 6:11.
(a) Notice God wants us to ask Him for our needs each day.
(b) We should talk to God in prayer about the different things we need and are concerned about that day.
7. Intercession for others
Read Ephesians 6:18.
(a) Our time alone with God is not only a time to pray for our own needs.
(b) It is also a time to intercede for the needs of others.
8. The Bible
Read Psalm 119:169.
Take time to receive your daily spiritual food from God's Word.
9. Thanksgiving
Read Luke 17:11-19.
(a) Only one of the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus returned to thank Jesus, and he was commended by the Lord.
(b) We have much to be thankful for.
(c) In faith, before we see the answers to our prayers, we should thank God for them.
Read Proverbs 21:5.
1. Prayer
(a) It is useful to have a plan for praying, otherwise our minds will wander and we will not use this valuable time as productively as we should.
(b) Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to make a list of the different concerns that you should pray for; e.g. nations, governments, ministries, family, missionaries etc...
(c) Each day as you pray through the list ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to pray for each item. For example, missionaries: What missionary should you pray for? How should you pray for that missionary?
(d) Keep open to the Holy Spirit. Perhaps one day you will have a special burden to pray for just one or two things on the list. You may also be led to pray for things not on the list.
(e) Another helpful plan is to pray through your list each day and then also plan to give special time to different things on different days. For example; nations - Mondays, family members - Tuesdays etc...
(f) Keep open to changing the plan. Keep open to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The plan should not bind you but simply help to make the prayer time more productive.
2. The Bible
(a) It is useful to have a plan for studying the Bible each day also.
(b) Many think that it is an impossible task to read the whole Bible. However, if you read three chapters a day and five chapters on Sunday, you will read the whole Bible in a year.
(c) There are many different plans available to take us through the whole Bible and we should adopt one of these plans.
(d) Keep open to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit may lead you to a portion of scripture out of your planned reading or may stop you on a particular passage, and your time will be taken up meditating on a certain verse.
(e) The plan is not there to bind us but to help us through the whole Bible.
| Memory verse Proverbs 21:5, "The plans of the diligent lead to profit." |
| Teacher's notes Read 1 Timothy 4:12. 1. As leaders we are called to set an example for the flock. 2. We know that we will reproduce what we are rather than what we say. 3. The most important area that we can be an example is in the area of disciplined daily prayer and study of the word. 4. As others catch this disciplined prayer life-style from us, they will find the source of a victorious Christian walk. |
Read Hebrews 10:25.
1. In our walk with God, we are not called to walk alone.
2. God wants us to be a part of a local church where we can fellowship and work together with other Christians.
| Illustration A coal that falls from the fire quickly goes out, but a coal that remains with the other coals keeps burning. |
3. We will keep burning for Jesus as we keep meeting together.
Read Matthew 18:20.
1. Jesus is not only with us when we meet together as the church.
2. We know that Jesus is with us everywhere we go.
3. But Christ has promised to meet with us in a special way as we gather together.
Read Acts 2:42a, "They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching."
1. Shepherds make sure the sheep receive the right kind of food.
2. In the local church we will receive good teaching that will feed us and make us strong.
Read Acts 2:42b, "And to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
1. The early church came together in love, caring for and encouraging each other.
2. Here also we can join together in prayer and the Lord's Supper as Jesus commanded us to.
Read Acts 2:43.
1. When we join together as His body, God's power is released in a special way.
2. This power brings healing and deliverance to God's people and, through His people, power to touch the world.
Read Acts 2:45.
1. The love and concern the early church had for each other was practical.
2. They helped each other so that no one in the body was hungry or had any other material need.
3. This concern for one another had a tremendous impact on the world.
4. The love we have for each other should distinguish us as God's people in the world. John 13:34,35.
Read Acts 2:46.
1. We are the body of Christ.
2. For Christ to do in the earth through His body what He desires, we need to be committed to one another and to meet together as much as possible through the week.
Read Acts 2:47a, "With glad and sincere hearts, praising God."
1. God desires that we join together as His body in praise and worship to Him.
2. In this way, as we are joined together, we bless Him; and He also ministers to us.
Read Acts 2:47b, "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
1. As we join together and work together, we will be more effective in reaching out and bringing people to salvation in Jesus.
| Illustration One man fishing alone with a line can catch a few fish. However, a group of men working together with a large net can take a large harvest of fish. |
2. Working together we can take a large catch of human souls. Mark 1:17.
Read Ephesians 4:11.
1. God wants to use different ministries within His church to help each member in their walk with the Lord.
2. We need to meet together to receive this ministry.
Read Ephesians 4:12. "To prepare God's people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up."
1. It is not only the leaders of the church who are called to do the work of the Lord.
2. The leaders are to help everyone in the church do the work.
3. Every person in the body of Christ has a work to do.
4. As each member receives ministry from the leadership God has placed in the church, they will mature in the work God wants them to do.
5. In this way, the church will be healthy and complete the task God has called it to.
Read Hebrews 13:17 and Acts 20:28-31.
1. There is a great responsibility for those who are called to be leaders in God's church.
2. The sheep that wanders off on its own will be destroyed by the wolf.
3. The sheep that keep together, submitting to the leadership of their shepherd, will be protected.
| Memory verse Romans 12:10, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves." |
| Teacher's notes A. The church is called the body of Christ. Read Ephesians 1:22,23, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. 1. Each Christian makes up a different part of Christ's body on earth. 2. Each part is equally important if the body is to function properly. 3. For the body to be effective, each part must be joined together. If the hand separates itself from the body, the body will not be as effective and neither will the hand. 4. Different local churches that have Jesus as their head make up the collective body in any area. 5. The natural body will not function properly if the arm is despising the leg. 6. The church in any area needs to see itself as a part of the body and work together with the whole body to see God's work done. B. Besides "THE BODY OF CHRIST", God's people are called: 1. A family - Ephesians 3:14,15; Galatians 6:10. 2. A temple - Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:5. 3. A holy priesthood - 1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6. 4. The bride of Christ - 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7. 5. A golden lampstand - Revelation 1:12,20; Matthew 5:14,16. Consider how each of these names affect how the members of the church should act. |
Read Mark 16:15.
1. God has a purpose for us in our walking with Him, talking with Him and getting to know Him better.
2. His purpose is that we go and tell the people that do not know Him the good news and lead them to salvation in Christ.
Read John 20:21.
1. God has proved that He loves the world by sending His only son to die for the world. John 3:16.
2. God loves all the people of this world the same and does not want to see them go to hell.
3. Jesus came to the earth to save the lost. Luke 19:10.
4. With God's heart of love, Jesus walked on the earth telling people the good news of salvation.
5. Christ has called us to this same ministry.
6. Christ has a much larger body now than the natural body He once had.
7. His body can take the good news to every part of the earth and to every person.
8. Each of us will come into contact with some unbelievers that no other members of the body will have contact with.
9. Like a fisherman who is concerned about catching fish, Christians are to be concerned about catching these lost souls for Christ. Matthew 4:19.
Read Acts 1:8.
1. Many times the task of reaching the lost seems too difficult and overwhelming. We may feel that we are not gifted at speaking about Christ or clever enough, etc...
2. We need to realize God has given us the power of the Holy Spirit for this purpose.
3. As we step out in faith to speak to people, God will release His power and enable us to be effective witnesses for Him.
| Illustration A teenage girl in Zaire accepted Christ. She longed to tell her friends that Christ could set them free also but she felt shy and inadequate. She prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to help her. As she started to tell her friends about Christ, she found boldness to speak and an ability beyond her own to tell the good news. She even found scriptures coming to mind that she had not thought of before and wisdom to answer questions. |
4. This has been the testimony of many Christians who are willing to trust God and just step out telling others the good news.
Read Luke 15:3,4.
1. A fisherman would not be a good fisherman if he never went where the fish were.
2. Many Christians refuse to be with non-Christians or go where sinners gather.
3. Just like Jesus, who was accused of "eating with sinners," we need to reach out to the lost. Matthew 9:11.
4. It is important for Christians to meet together often as the church, but God has given us a task to do also.
5. We need to be careful not to neglect this task of fishing for souls.
Read Romans 10:13-15.
1. We have good news to share.
2. Many Christians talk about sin and what the devil is doing and neglect to talk about the good news.
3. We need to tell people the good things that God can do for them.
4. This good news will give them a desire to know Him.
Read John 15:27.
1. We are not called to argue, we are called to testify.
2. A blind man who Jesus healed was tired of arguing about Jesus.
3. Finally all he could say was, "One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see."
It is hard to argue with that! John 9:25.
4. You can help others to believe the good news by telling them what Jesus has done for you.
Read Acts 8:4.
1. Find scriptures from the Bible that explain the way of salvation.
2. Learn these scriptures and share them as you witness to the unsaved.
3. It is the truth that will set men free. John 8:32
4. Faith will be imparted as people hear the Word. Romans 10:17.
Read John 1:41,42.
1. Jesus is the one that people need to know in order to be saved.
2. Jesus is the one who saves. We need to tell people about Jesus as we witness to them.
3. Many people are incorrectly led to follow a doctrine, a church, an individual or even a formula of witness.
4. Let's be sure we lead people to know Jesus. John 12:32.
Read Matthew 28:19,20.
1. Jesus has called us to make disciples.
2. A disciple is a follower of Jesus.
3. After we introduce the person to Jesus we need to help them learn to follow Jesus.
4. The Bible says that Satan will try to rob the word that has been planted in the person's heart.
5. We need to help the new convert grow strong in Christ and resist the enemy's attack.
Read Matthew 5:16.
1. The action we take speaks louder than what we say.
2. In all we say and do, we need to be a witness of Jesus.
3. Seeing Christ living through our lives will draw people to God.
| Memory verse Matthew 4:19, "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." |
| Teacher's notes Consider the state of man without Christ: People without Christ 1. Slaves to sin Ephesians 2:1, Romans 6:16 2. Separated from God Ephesians 4:18, Isaiah 59:2 3. Objects of wrath Ephesians 2:3, Ephesians 5:6 4. Under Satan's power John 10:10, Acts 26:18 5. Destined for hell Revelation 20:15, Matt. 3:12 |
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| When we consider the sinner's state, the love of God compels us to tell him the way of salvation. | |
1. There are different ways to share the Gospel.
2. The Gospel is very simple, so be sure you do not make it sound too complicated.
3. Present the Gospel in a way that you are comfortable with and learn some scriptures to back up your statements.
Your presentation of the Gospel should include the following basic facts.
1. God loves you
Read John 3:16.
(a) The good news is that God loves everyone in this world the same and desires to have a relationship with them so much that He sent His own son to die for them.
(b) In fact, He created us for this love relationship with Himself.
2. All have sinned and are separated from God
Read Romans 3:23.
(a) Because we have all descended from Adam, we are all born in sin.
(b) Our sin has separated us from a love relationship with God who is holy.
3. We cannot save ourselves
Read Ephesians 2:8,9.
(a) Many people think that by going to church or living a good life they can get right with God.
(b) The Bible is clear that there is nothing we can do to save ourselves.
4. Only the blood of Jesus saves us
Read Ephesians 2:13.
(a) It is only the blood of Jesus that can cleanse us from our sin.
(b) The blood removes that barrier between ourselves and God, and so enables us to enjoy God's love.
5. We need to receive Jesus
Read John 1:12.
(a) The blood will not benefit us unless we receive its cleansing power.
(b) We need to ask Jesus into our life.
Ask the person you are sharing the gospel with if they want to receive Jesus.
If they say, "Yes," then lead them in a prayer that includes these three requests:
1. Ask Jesus to forgive and wash away your sins
Read 1 John 1:8,9.
(a) Repent, by asking Jesus to forgive your sins.
(b) By faith, now receive the cleansing of your sins by His blood according to His Word.
2. Ask Jesus to come into your heart
Read Revelation 3:20.
(a) Jesus has promised to live inside of us if we invite him to.
(b) Ask Jesus now, by faith, to come into your heart.
3. Ask Jesus to be Lord of your life
Read Romans 10:9,10.
(a) Surrender your life to Christ and ask Him to take control of every area of your life.
(b) Ask Jesus to be Lord of your life.
1. In Mark 4:15, we see that there is a warfare on to try and rob the Word from the believer's heart.
2. We need to take time now to help the new believer get the Word in his heart where it will bear fruit.
3. Help the new convert know that:
(a) Jesus lives inside him now. Revelation. 3:20.
(b) He has been forgiven and washed of all sins. 1 John 1:9.
(c) He has become a child of God. John 1:12.
(d) He has become a new person. 2 Corinthians 5:17.
(e) He has eternal life. John 6:47.
(f) He has power to resist Satan. James 4:7.
(g) He can trust God to guide him. Proverbs 3:5,6.
4. Teach him to follow Jesus by:
(a) Reading the Word daily. Matthew 4:4.
(b) Praying every day. John 16:23,24.
(c) Sharing Christ with others. Mark 16:15.
(d) Attending church regularly. 1 Corinthians 12:27.
(e) Allowing Jesus to be Lord. John 14:15.
(f) Being baptized in water. Matthew 28:19.
(g) Being filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38,39.
| Illustration It would be cruel for a mother to leave her new born child out in the cold, alone and helpless. This is what we often do with new born babies in Christ. |
5. We need to keep in contact with the new babes in Christ if possible.
6. Pray for them, encourage them and see that they get good spiritual food until they are old enough to stand on their own.
| Memory verse Romans 10:13, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." |
| Teacher's notes 1. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you, this week, to someone with whom you can share the Gospel. 2. Begin to memorize scriptures that present the Gospel: e.g. John 3:16; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; Ephesians 2:13; and John 1:12. 3. Tell people the good things God has done and is doing in your life. 4. Lead someone to Christ. |
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