Living in Christ

Lesson 2 – Growing in Christ

[This is primarily a copy of the second lesson in the “Living In Christ” booklet published by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, given to new believers – and available to those implementing the “My Hope for America with Billy Graham”, in which our church congregation is participating.  It is an excellent resource for follow-up with those who have invited Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Redeemer.]

Review of Lesson 1

Billy Graham’s Introduction

First, the Bible is food for spiritual life,

and your spiritual life needs to be nourished, just as your body does.

•Start with the book of John.  Read a chapter a day.

Second, prayer is your lifeline to God. 

Form the positive habit of starting each day with a few minutes in prayer. 

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you!” (1 Peter 5:7)

Third, a Christian is to be Christ’s witness. 

You are to be an ambassador for Him wherever you go.

Fourth, you can’t be an effective Christian on your own.

•Rely on the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

•Become involved in a church where the Word of God is faithfully proclaimed.

•Realize we have a powerful and deceptive spiritual enemy who takes every opportunity to attack us.

Our Need for Salvation

The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

All people are sinners and are under God’s judgment.  Though you may know many people who seem to be morally “better” than others, you probably don’t know anyone who never makes a mistake.

The consequence of sin is eternal separation from God, who is holy, perfect and our Creator. 

“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

Four Promises that God Gives His Children through His Son, Jesus Christ

Promise 1: The Promise of Salvation

John 3:16, perhaps the best-known verse in the Bible, explains clearly how you can have salvation and eternal life:

“For God so loved the world

that He gave His one and only Son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish

but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

The moment you trust Christ:

•Your sins are forgiven (Colossians 1:14).

•You become a child of God (John 1:12).

•You possess eternal life (John 3:16).

[Additional Information on Salvation]

“Through Jesus Christ:

1. • We are saved from lostness (Luke 19:10),
   

2. • We are saved from the wrath of God (Romans 5:9),
   

3. • We are saved from the penalty of sin (Romans 8:1),
   

4. • We are saved from the realm of darkness (Colossians 1:13),
   

5. • We are saved from eternal separation from God (Ephesians 2:13), and
   

6. • We are saved from eternal punishment in hell (Revelation 20:14-15). 
   

Salvation is more than a “get out of jail free” card.  It is more than a ticket to heaven. 

1. •  We are saved from the penalty of sin the moment we believe. 
   

2. •  We are being saved from the power of sin as we continue to live on this earth and become more and more conformed to the image of Christ. 
   

3. •  And we will be saved from the presence of sin when we leave this earthly body to spend eternity with God.” from Knowing God by Name, Sharon Jaynes, pg. 136-137
   

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

A prayer of repentance that we should sincerely pray, asking God for forgiveness and Salvation through the Sacrifice of Christ’s Blood for our sins:

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.  I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead.  I turn from running my own life, and now I ask you to run it.  I invite You to come into my heart and life. 

I trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.

                 In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Commit John 3:16 to memory…to your heart, and if you ever have occasion to doubt your salvation, use this verse as an anchor for your faith!

Promise 2: The Promise of Victory Over Temptation

If Satan cannot make you doubt your salvation, he will concentrate on some area of spiritual weakness in your life.  Don’t be surprised when this happens!  Rather, learn to take your eyes off your own weaknesses and put your trust in Jesus Christ, who is able to help you.

When you are troubled by temptation, remember:

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

You may think that you are the only one who is tempted, but all believers go through similar tests.  Temptation is not a sin.  Even Christ was tempted (Hebrews 4:15).  The sin comes only when you give in to the temptation.

Promise 3: The Promise of Forgiveness

You will find that learning to live the Christian life is like learning to walk.  There will be many ups and downs, especially in the beginning.  This is natural.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 – one of our memory verses).

Whenever you do something that displeases the Lord, as soon as the Spirit of God has made you aware of it, make things right with God. 

Promise 4: The Promise of His Presence

You can also experience God’s presence through His indwelling Holy Spirit. 

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16, HCSB)

•The indwelling Spirit will “guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). 

•He will also lead you (Romans 8:14), enrich your spiritual life (John 6:63; Romans 8:11);

•He will empower you for Christian living (Galatians 5)

•And for dynamic witness to others about your faith (Acts 1:8).

God’s promises include:

1. •  Salvation,
   

2. •  Victory over temptation,
   

3. •  Forgiveness,
   

4. •  God’s abiding Presence
   

…We begin growing spiritually the very day we invite Christ to be our Savior and Redeemer. 

Reviewing Lesson 1’s Questions!

1. What did Jesus come into the world to do? 

John 1:29

29 …“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

2. How did Jesus take away the sins of the world?  John 19:16–18

Through the shedding of His Blood at His crucifixion.

3. God loved the world and gave His Son to die on the cross. 

John 3:16 tells how we can personally benefit from what God has done.

             What must you do to have eternal life?

John 3:16

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

Physical life will end someday, but the life, which God wants to give each one of us is eternal life, which means that it will never end.

4. What new relationship do you now enjoy by believing in Christ? 

John 1:12

12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

5. What happens to those who do not believe in Christ? 

John 3:18 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

John 3:36 36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

6. Eternal life is not obtained by being religious, keeping a set of rules, or doing good works, but by believing in a person, Jesus Christ.  What does Jesus say in

John 11:25-26?

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

7. What happens the moment you believe in Christ?

John 5:24

24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

The promises of salvation, of victory over temptation, of forgiveness, and of God’s abiding presence are yours this very day.  Practice God’s presence, believe His promises, and walk in absolute dependence on His indwelling Holy Spirit.  Now that we have had a review of the first lesson, let’s go on to the second lesson!

Lesson 2 – Growing in Christ

God wants to meet with you – just you, personally – each and every day.

That thought may amaze you, but consider it for a moment:  When you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you become a member of God’s family, a child of God.  You can call God your Father.  Any good parent wants to spend time with his or her children – sometimes with all of them together, but often with each one alone.  That is how one person gets to know another person well – by spending time alone with that individual as a friend.

The best way to get to know your heavenly Father is to spend time alone with Him.  You can do this by reading His Word and by talking with Him in prayer.

You can pray to God any time of the day – driving to work, preparing dinner, washing clothes, studying at school.  But you also need to find a time during your day when you can give the Lord your full attention, without any distractions.

Perhaps the morning is best for you – when you are fresh, before your active day begins.

Or, perhaps evening is the best for you – at the close of the day, as you consider the next day’s plans and prepare for a good night’s rest.

Whatever the time of day, be consistent in your meeting with God.  Jesus rose early to pray, and He went somewhere that was quiet – a good example for us to follow.

Luke 5:16

16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

There doesn’t need to be any set order to your time alone with God, any more than there would be in spending time with an earthly parent or dear friend.

A word of greeting should come first, a short prayer to God asking Him to bless the time.  Then you will want to read some of His word to you – the Bible.

1. • If you are just getting acquainted with the Bible, you will likely find the gospel of John the most interesting, for it is here that God’s plan of salvation is most beautifully summed up in one book.  In the booklet, you will find a schedule for reading John in 30 days.  After you have read through John, continue on in the book of Acts and subsequent books - reading about the Early Church, how they shared their faith and were taught the things of God.
   

If you have not read much from the Bible, you may prefer to use a modern version.  Ask one of the pastors or someone at your local Christian bookstore to recommend one.

While you are reading the Bible, meditate on what it says.  To meditate simply means to think seriously about spiritual things.  It means thinking quietly, soberly, and deeply about God – how wonderful He is, what wonderful things He has done for you, what He is going to do for you, and what He wants you to do for Him.

Joshua was told to meditate on God’s Word and he would be blessed.

Joshua 1:8

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

As you read the Bible and meditate, perhaps you will notice:

• A special promise to claim

• A guidepost for your day

• A command you should follow

• A searchlight pointing out a sin or spiritual need in your life

• A meaningful verse to memorize

Don’t read too fast or try to finish too much at one time.  Take time to look for all that God has for you in the day’s passage.  There’s no need to rush through your time alone with God, especially if you spend time with Him each day.

When you have read and meditated awhile, talk with God in prayer.  Talk to Him as you would to an earthly parent who loves you, who wants the best for you, and who wants to help you in every way possible.

Perhaps you did not know what to talk with God about.  These suggestions may help:

• You can praise Him for who He is – Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, yet interested in each one of us!

• You can thank Him for all He has done, for all He is doing for you, and for all He has promised to do for you.

• You can admit to Him the things you have done or said or thought for which you are sorry.  God tells us that He is both willing and able to forgive our sins (1 John 1:9).

• You can pray for your family.  We have a special obligation to pray for those close to us.

• You can pray for others – for friends or neighbors who have needs, both physical and spiritual.

• You can pray for yourself.  Ask God’s guidance for the new day.

•[Some use the acronym “ACTS” to guide their prayer time

oAdoration

oConfession

oThanksgiving

oSupplication]

Ask God to help you with any problem you might have.  Ask Him to arrange opportunities for you to serve Him.

A Prayer List

Try listing your prayer requests, so that you don’t forget any and so you can record God’s answers.  (He may say “yes,” or “no,” or “wait”!)  Keep your list in a small notebook or on 3” x 5” cards – something small enough to fit in your pocket or billfold or purse.

If you have spent your time alone with God in the morning, continue your day refreshed and ready for whatever may come!

If you have spent your time alone with Him in the evening, try to sleep relaxed in His care, ready to rest for a new day of service to Him.

Better yet, try to spend some time alone with Him both morning and evening! (See Psalm 55:17.  Daniel prayed three times a day – Daniel 6:10.)

And remember that you can pray to the Lord any time, anywhere – in school, at work, at home – about anything – to ask for something you need or to thank Him for something you have received.  As any loving earthly father would be, God is interested in all that happens to you. 

God is looking forward to His time alone with you!

THE SECRET

By Ralph S. Cushman

Spiritual Hilltops

I met God in the morning

When the day was at its best,

And His presence came like sunrise

Like a glory within my breast.

All day long the presence lingered

All day long He stayed with me;

And we sailed in perfect calmness

O’er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered,

Other ships were sore distressed;

But the winds that seemed to drive them

Brought to us a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings,

With a keen remorse of mind,

When I, too, had loosed the moorings,

With His presence left behind.

So I think I know the secret

Learned from many a troubled way;

You must seek God in the morning

If you want Him through the day.

Living in Christ, Lesson 2:

Your Response

God speaks to us though the Bible, and we in turn can speak to Him through prayer.  As we carry on this dialogue, we become better acquainted.  This lesson should make Bible reading and prayer more meaningful.

1. Turn to the following passages in John’s gospel, and briefly summarize the statements Jesus made about Himself.

John 6:35

35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

(a)  John 6:35 __________________________________________________________________

John 8:12

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

(b)  John 8:12 __________________________________________________________________

John 10:9

9 I am the gate (door); whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.

(c)  John 10:9 __________________________________________________________________

John 11:25–26

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

(d)  John 11:25-26 _____________________________________________________________

2. What does Jesus promise if you keep His commandments?

John 14:21

21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

John 14:21 ______________________________________________________________________

3. What further help is promised in John 14:26? 

John 14:26

26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:26 _____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

4. What does Jesus ask you to do in John 13:34-35, and why?

John 13:34–35

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

(a) What does He ask you to do in v. 34 ______________________________________

(b) Why? v. 35 __________________________________________________________________

5. Read John 21:1-6.  Describe what happened in verses 3 and 6.

John 21:1–6

21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

(a)  v. 3 ______________________________________________________________________

(b)  v. 6  ______________________________________________________________________

(c)  What important lesson can you learn from these verses?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

(d) What similar truth is taught in John 15:5?

John 15:5

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

6. As a believer, what is now your privilege?  John 16:24

John 16:24

24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

7. As you grow in Christ, your faith and confidence will increase, and you will pray with greater assurance.  What are you promised in John 15:16?

John 15:16

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

Final Thought:

God the Holy Spirit is your teacher, and He uses the Scriptures to teach you.  As you continue to read, study, and memorize the Scriptures – and pray – Christ will become more real and you will find fulfillment in life.

Memorize the two verses for Lesson 2.

1 John 5:14–15

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Psalm 119:9, 11

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word…

11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Prayer is the Spiritual Language of a Christian, in Communion with their Heavenly Father.  God Communes with us through His Word and through the Presence of His Holy Spirit, who lives in those whom He has Redeemed.