“Go and make disciples” by DOTA - DOTA

Transcrição

GO AND MAKE
DISCIPLES
by
DOTA
MANUAL 1
FOR GROUP LEADERS
Third edition
INTRODUCTION
Do you want to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ? Do you want to help other believers to grow?
Then study the four MANUALS FOR GROUP LEADERS ON MAKING DISCIPLES and practise its contents!
Hereafter called: Manual 1 to 4.
Jesus made disciples. He said to people, “Come and see” and “Follow Me” (John 1:39,43). And people everywhere are
coming to see how he lived and what he gave his life to. They follow him in every country of the world, because of who
he is and what he does. He changed their lives completely. He changed our lives completely!
Later Jesus prayerfully chose twelve men to disciple and equip. He wanted these growing disciples to spend time ‘with
him’, to listen to his words and to observe his life, to follow his life and imitate his ministry (Mark 3:13-15).
After about two years, Jesus gave his disciples a task, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-20).
And they went and made disciples from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). These disciples in their turn made
more disciples and went to other yet unreached places. They passed on to others what they had learned (2 Timothy 2:2).
Thus, the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ are making new disciples in every country of the world today.
The apostle Paul teaches that Jesus Christ gave to particular Christians the task
“to equip God’s people for works of service,
so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11-16)
The purpose of the four manuals is to help a Christian group leader to equip other Christians under his care to become
disciples of Jesus Christ. A ‘disciple’ is a mature Christian.
This course makes the training of disciples practical by giving the group leader the following:
1. Each of the four manuals contains twelve lessons that can be completed in three months.
2. Important Bible references help the students to get to know Christ and the Bible.
3. The group leader should make use of the questions and let students read the Bible passages before discussion.
4. The ‘notes’ give a summary of the answer to each question. This serves as a guideline for the group leader.
5. The training course teaches practical methods to practise discipleship alone or together in a small group.
6. Each lesson includes a preparation to do at home, which may be handed out to the students.
7. The training course is easy to pass on to others. After completion of each course of 12 lessons, those students, who
will teach the training course to another small group of people, may receive a copy of this manual for group leaders.
Our prayer is that the Lord rapidly increase the number of disciples in your area
and that a large number of people become obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7).
May the Lord be glorified! “For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen” (Romans 11:36).
DOTA
2009
(Discipleship training On The Air. The name goes back to the period that this course was mainly broadcasted by radio.)
(Third revised edition)
COPYRIGHT
The four manuals have copyright. They may be copied freely for training purposes, but they may not be sold, changed
or translated into other languages without the written permission from the author.
RECOMMENDATION
The materials are intended to be widely used and to be a blessing to many. But because the purpose of the four manuals
is to train or equip Christians, it is recommended that only group leaders of this disciple training course make exact
copies of these manuals. A student should only receive an exact copy of a lesson or of a manual after he has completed
the course of twelve lessons and only when he will teach it to another person or small group of people.
The paragraph in this box must not be translated into the foreign language and not published in the manuals for group leaders or internet.
a. The sole ownership of the four manuals for group leaders ON “GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES” in the ENGLISH language remains with the author.
b. The manuals and the radio programme in the ENGLISH language may under no circumstances be retrieved, stored, copied, etc. in
any way or passed on to anyone else, except by written permission of the author.
© 2009 DOTA
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
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CONTENTS
MANUAL 1 FOR GROUP LEADERS
page
2
5
10
INTRODUCTION AND COPYRIGHT
THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST
HOW TO BEGIN A SMALL GROUP
TRAINING PROGRAMME I
A weekly programme for 3 months. About 1½ to 2 hours per week. Keep the group small – about 3 to10 people.
Each programme begins with prayer and ends with responsive prayer and a homework assignment.
LESSON 1
LESSON 2
LESSON 3
LESSON 4
LESSON 5
LESSON 6
LESSON 7
LESSON 8
LESSON 9
LESSON 10
LESSON 11
LESSON 12
Supplement 1
Supplement 2
Supplement 3
Supplement 4
Supplement 5
Supplement 6
Supplement 7
© 2009 DOTA
Worship (God is unfathomable)
Teaching (Personal time with God. The favourite truth method)
Practise personal time with God (Psalm 23)
Sharing personal time with God (Matthew 1:1 – 7:29)
Memorisation (Assurance of salvation: John 10:28)
Bible study (How do I respond to God’s Word? Luke 8:4-15)
13
Worship (God is great)
Teaching (Gospel. Concepts of the gospel – part 1)
Memorisation (Assurance of answered prayer: John 16:24)
Bible study (Where do I come from? Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a)
25
Worship (God is a Person)
Teaching (Bible. Seven ways to use the Bible)
Memorisation (Assurance of victory: 1 Corinthians 10:13)
Bible study (Who am I? Ephesians 2:1-22)
40
Worship (God is holy)
Teaching (Prayer. Prayer is to respond to God’s Word)
Memorisation (Assurance of forgiveness: 1 John 1:9)
Bible study (Why am I here? Ephesians 4:17 – 5:17)
53
Worship (God is love)
Sharing personal time with God (John 1:1 – 4:22)
Teaching (Obedience. The growth study)
Memorisation (Assurance of God’s guidance: Proverbs 3:5-6)
Bible study (Where am I going? Revelation 21:1 – 22:6)
63
Worship (God is my Helper)
Teaching (Fellowship. Our responsibilities to one another)
Memorisation (Review of verses about Christian assurances)
Bible study (How do I bear fruit? John 15:1-17)
83
A method for a personal time with God (The favourite truth method)
A programme for Bible reading
A system for Bible marking
A method for Bible study (The five steps method)
A method for Bible meditation and memorisation
How to manage a small group
The programme of a house fellowship
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
18
33
46
57
70
88
95
97
101
102
104
107
109
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TRAINING PROGRAMME II
An intensive programme that may be used once a week for a whole day or during an intensive training seminar of six
days. Divide the whole group into small groups with a trained group leader. Keep the groups small – about three to ten
people each.
Suggested programme
09.00 - 09.30
Worship (group)
09.30 - 11.00
Teaching (group)
Break
11.30 - 13.00
Bible study (group)
Break
16.00 – 17.00
Extra time for completing the teaching or Bible study, for answering questions,
or for an extra teaching (group).
Break
17.30 – 17.45
Meditation and memorisation (two by two)
17.45 – 18.30
Bible reading (alone)
18.30 – 19.00
Personal time with God (two by two)
19.00 – 19.45
Sharing and praying (in small groups of maximum 10 people)
DAY 1 (Lesson 1 + 2)
Prayer
Worship (God is unfathomable)
Teaching (Personal time with God. The favourite truth method)
Bible study (How do I respond to God’s Word? Luke 8:4-15)
Memorisation (Assurance of salvation: John 10:28)
Bible reading (Matthew 1 – 7)
Personal time with God (Two by two: Matthew 3:1-12
Sharing and praying
Prayer
Worship (God is holy)
Teaching (Prayer. Prayer is to respond to God’s Word)
Bible study (Why am I here? Ephesians 4:17 – 5:17)
Memorisation (Assurance of forgiveness: 1 John 1:9)
Bible reading (Matthew 22 - 28)
Personal time with God (Two by two: Matthew 25:14-30)
Sharing and praying
Prayer
Worship (God is great)
Teaching (The message of the gospel. Concepts)
Bible study (Where do I come from? Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a)
Memorisation (Assurance of answered prayer: John 16:24)
Sharing and praying
Prayer
Worship (God is love)
Teaching (Obedience. The growth study)
Bible study (Where am I going? Revelation 21:1 – 22:6)
Memorisation (Assurance of God’s guidance: Proverbs 3:5-6)
Bible reading (John 1 – 7)
Personal time with God (Two by two: John 5:16-30)
Sharing and praying
Prayer
Worship (God is a Person)
Teaching (Bible. Seven ways to use the Bible)
Bible study (Who am I? Ephesians 2:1-22)
Memorisation (Assurance of victory: 1 Corinthians 10:13)
Sharing and praying
Prayer
Worship (God is my Helper)
Teaching (Fellowship. Our responsibilities to one another)
Bible study (How do I bear fruit? John 15:1-17)
Memorisation (Review of verses about Christian assurances)
Bible reading (John 8 – 14)
Personal time with God (Two by two: John 14:1-31)
Sharing and praying
POSSIBLE EXTRA TEACHINGS
Introduction
Introduction
Supplement 2
Supplement 3
Supplement 5
Supplement 6
Supplement 7
© 2009 DOTA
The ministry of Jesus Christ
How to begin a small group
A programme for Bible reading
A system for Bible marking
A method for Bible meditation and memorisation
How to manage a small group
The programme of a house fellowship
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
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THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST
What characterised the ministry of Jesus? What should characterise our ministry?
A. THE MINISTRY OF JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. The ministry of Jesus and his disciples is a kingdom ministry.
It is not a ministry of establishing church denominations.
a. The kingdom of God
The kingdom of God is more than the visible Church, the Body of Christ or the world-wide community of professing
Christians.
Psalm 24:1. In general the kingdom of God is the kingship or sovereign rule or reign of God in heaven over all people
and everything from eternity to eternity (Psalm 145:13; 146:10; Jeremiah 10:10; 1 Timothy 6:16).
Matthew 28:18. In particular the kingdom of God is the sovereign rule or reign of God on earth through Jesus Christ
(John 13:3; Ephesians 1:20-22; Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 1:15-20; Revelation 1:5; 17:14; 19:16).
Revelation 1:5-6. The kingdom of God is based on the completed work of salvation of Jesus Christ during his first
coming (Matthew 21:39,42-43; 28:18; Acts 2:36) and the application of that work in believers through the Holy Spirit
today (Romans 14:17).
Luke 17:20-21. The kingdom of God is the sovereign rule or reign of Jesus Christ that is recognised in the hearts of
believers and operative in their lives (Matthew 6:10,33; 25:34-40).
b. The kingdom of God results in four visible areas
Read Mark 10:25-26.
The kingship of God is manifested in the believer’s salvation from beginning to end: his election in eternity (Ephesians
1:4-5), his rebirth in time (John 3:3-8), the transformation of his life (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) and the resurrection of his
body at Christ’s second coming (1 Corinthians 15:24-26). This God-given salvation includes all the spiritual and
material blessings for the soul and the body, which result when God’s sovereign kingship is recognised and obeyed
(Ephesians 1:3).
Read Matthew 16:18-19.
The kingship of God is manifested in the constitution of all believers as God’s one Church on earth (Ephesians 1:20-23;
1 Peter 2:4-5,9-10). The Church is the community of people in whose hearts and lives God’s sovereign kingship is
recognised and obeyed.
The kingship of God is manifested in the good works of believers in every aspect of human society (their influence in
intellectual, physical, emotional, social and spiritual areas like education, justice, mercy and love (Romans 14:17).
Read 1 Corinthians 1:24-26.
And finally, the kingship of God is manifested in God’s redeemed universe, which will be the new heaven and the new
earth with all its glory in the future, the final realisation of God’s work of salvation in the people he called (Matthew
25:34; 2 Peter 1:11; Revelation 11:15).
c. The kingdom of God has five characteristics
Read Matthew 12:28.
The kingdom of God was particularly established at the first coming of Jesus Christ (Matthew 21:43).
Read John 18:36.
The kingdom of God is in the present world, but not of the present world (Luke 17:21).
The kingdom of God is a revelation for believers and a riddle for unbelievers at the same time.
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Read Matthew 13:24-26,36-43.
The kingdom of God has a present form on this earth and a future form on the new earth.
The kingdom of God begins small, grows and will finally pervade all (Daniel 2:34-35,44-45).
2. The ministry of Jesus and his disciples is a ministry in houses.
It is not necessarily a ministry in special church buildings.
Read Mark 2:1-5.
Jesus preached, taught and healed people in the ordinary houses of people (Mark 3:20,32-35).
The apostles went from house to house and never stopped teaching and preaching (Acts 5:42; 20:20-21).
They preached the good news to their relatives and close friends in their own homes (Acts 10:24-27; 28:30-31).
Read Mark 2:15-16.
Jesus had fellowship with ordinary people around meals in houses. Christians came together to break bread in a house
(Acts 2:42; 20:7-9).
Read Acts 12:12.
Christians prayed together in a house.
Read Acts 16:31-33.
People were converted and baptised in houses (Acts 9:17-18; 18:7-11; 22:16).
Read 1 Corinthians 16:19.
Christian congregations gathered together in houses (Romans 16:5; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2).
3. The ministry of Jesus and his disciples is an equipping (training) ministry.
It is not necessarily a ministry consisting of a weekly religious programme.
The equipping or training took place on the basis of relationships and discipleship. The key words of equipping are:
- teaching the truth
- training in skills
- transmission of an example in everything and
- sending out those that are trained.
a. Jesus made disciples (mature Christians).
Read John 1:39.
Jesus taught his followers and transmitted an example to them. “Come and see”. He involved people in his life and got
involved in their lives.
Read Mark 3:14.
Then he called them to be “with him” and “follow” him around so that he might teach them how to become fishers of
men (Matthew 4:19). He trained them to put his teachings into practice (Matthew 7:24-27).
Read Matthew 4:23.
Jesus and his followers went throughout the province: teaching, preaching and healing people. Their ministry was
holistic (a total approach): they not only taught and trained, but also showed mercy and served the needy people.
b. Jesus trained (equipped) workers.
They learned to go to those who needed mercy and righteousness (Matthew 11:19; Luke 19:10)
Read Matthew 9:17.
They had to pour the message of new life into new forms and structures (cf. Matthew 15:1-9).
They practised to preach, to heal and to freely give what they had received (1 Corinthians 9:18-27).
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c. Jesus sent leaders.
Read John 20:21.
Finally, Jesus sent his disciples to do what he did.
They had to go to all the nations of the world and make them disciples of Jesus Christ through preaching the gospel,
baptising believers and teaching them to obey all that Jesus had commanded them.
4. The ministry of Jesus and his disciples is a multiplying ministry.
It is not a ministry maintaining the traditional status quo.
a. Three key groups.
The large group: the crowds in society
The small group of disciples: the house fellowship or the house church that meets together regularly
The individual: one individual person meeting another individual person for specific goals (mentoring/coaching)
b. Three different emphases.
In a large group we emphasize teaching (and preaching) – knowledge, understanding and motivation to do good
(Acts 10:38; 20:18-20).
In a small group we emphasize training - studying, interaction, possible applications, urging one another to love and
good works (Hebrews 10:24-25)
With an individual we emphasize transmission of an example - personal application, change of character and
habits (Colossians 1:28-29; 2 Timothy 3:10-11,16), actually doing good (Acts 20:34-35), equipping for specific
tasks and ministering together in the kingdom of God (Ephesians 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:17)
c. Biblical illustrations of the value of the large group,
the small group and the individual (the ‘Timothy’).
Jesus
Æ
Peter
Æ
Barnabas
Æ
Paul
Æ
Timothy
È (the large group) The crowds (Matthew 9:36)
Ä (the small group) The 12 disciples (Matthew 10:1-2)
Ê (the individual) Peter (John 1:42; Matthew 16:18)
È The crowds (5000, Acts 4:4)
Ä The team of apostles (Acts 2:14)
Ê Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37)
È A great number (Acts 11:24)
Ä
Ê Paul (Acts 11:25-26)
È All the congregations (2 Corinthians 11:28)
Ä His team of co-labourers (Acts 16:6, Silas, Timothy, Titus, Luke)
Ê Timothy (Philippians 2:19-23; 2 Timothy 3:10-11)
È The congregation at Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3; 2 Timothy 4:1-5)
Ä The elders, the deacons, the widows, the aged, the youth, the slaves, the masters, the rich, etc.
Ê Entrust what he had learned to reliable and qualified individuals (2 Timothy 2:2)
Æ
A reliable + qualified person
È Others (2 Timothy 2:2). For example, leading other congregations
Ä Training another small group of reliable and qualified people
Ê Teaching, training and transmitting an example
to another reliable and qualified person
Æ
You and me. In this way we, who live today, have been trained in a small group and possibly as ‘a Timothy’.
In your turn, select your small group and your ‘Timothy’ and focus on equipping them.
© 2009 DOTA
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B. THE MINISTRY OF JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES CONTINUES TODAY
1. The small group: House fellowship meetings.
A house fellowship meeting is a weekly meeting of a small group of believers generally within walking/travelling
distance from where they live.
a. Jesus continues his ministry.
Today, Jesus continues his ministry through ordinary believers
- by serving the larger group of people in society
- by training the believers in small groups (house fellowships)
- and by being a mentor or coach for a Timothy
The believers try to do something good within their society. Small groups of believers meet together every week in the
homes of believers: to worship God through Jesus Christ, to grow in knowledge and obedience to Jesus Christ and to
train new disciples. Mature individual believers meet to equip their Timothy’s or new group leaders.
b. The seven discipleship disciplines in the small group.
In this course the new believers are taught 7 discipleship disciplines on a regular basis: Worship, Sharing one of their
personal times (and lives) with God, Teaching a discipleship topic, Meditation and memorisation, Bible study, Prayer
and a Preparation to do at home.
c. The discipleship course and the house church service in the small group.
A small group of 2 to 15 believers meet together in a house every week.
Only for discipleship:
Discipleship (A) every 1st and 3rd week and discipleship (B) every 2nd and 4th week of the month.
During one week they especially practise worship and teaching and during the other week they especially practise
memorisation and Bible study.
Or for discipleship and service:
Every three weeks discipleship (A and B) and service (C).
During 1st week especially worship and teaching, during 2nd week especially memorisation and Bible study and during
3rd week especially singing, preaching, prayer and the Lord’s Supper or baptism.
discipleship (A)
- worship (incl. a song) (20 min)
- sharing quiet times (20 min)
- TEACHING (70 min)
- responsive prayer (8 min)
- preparation to do at home (2 min)
discipleship (B)
- memorisation (20 min)
- BIBLE STUDY (70 min)
- intercessory prayer (8 min)
service in house (C)
- singing (45 min)
- PREACHING (15 min)
- prayer (30 min)
- the Lord’s Supper, baptism or
fellowship (meal) when needed
(30 min)
2. The individual: Train your Timothy.
Select at least one person in every house fellowship or small group on the basis of 2 Timothy 2:2. He or she should be
reliable or faithful and qualified or able to teach others. Meet this person regularly once a week to equip (train) and
encourage him or her. Set a personal example for him or her. Emphasize the transmission of an example in especially
the following areas: personal application and change of character and habits. Equip this person to become a group
leader. Then mentor him or her when he or she leads a small group and train their Timothy.
3. The method: The manuals for group leaders.
a. Use the manuals 1 to 4 called “Go and make disciples” by DOTA
The goal is to train disciples and group leaders.
The manuals 1 and 2 develop basic discipleship.
The manuals 3 and 4 develop advanced discipleship.
They teach the five steps method of Bible study and the major areas of Christian life.
Each manual contains twelve lessons of about two hours each.
© 2009 DOTA
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b. Then use the manuals 5 to 8 called “Go and build Christ’s Church” by DOTA.
The goal is to build up Christian congregations.
The manuals 5 and 6 develop services in congregations.
The manuals 7 and 8 develop ministries in congregations.
They teach the Gospel of John.
c. Finally use the manuals 9 to 12 called “Go and preach God’s Kingdom” by DOTA.
The goal is to develop leaders in congregations and Christian ministries.
They particularly teach the leaders of the congregation and the group leaders to preach or teach the parables of Jesus
and the letter to the Romans. The radio programmes also teach the introduction to every book in the Bible.
d. Use radio, television, CD’s, Internet and Web caste, all called DOTA.
By making use of the materials, grasp the biblical truths, practise the Christian disciplines and gain practical skills to
do the Christian ministry.
4. The vision: The blueprint of a multiplying ministry.
a. The key to a multiplying ministry is group leaders that train a house fellowship or small group each.
If every trained house fellowship starts one new house fellowships every year, there will be 256 house fellowships or
small groups in 10 years!
b. The key to multiplying group leaders is a trainer of group leaders in every town.
Begin by appointing one man and one woman to train more group leaders in your country.
Later every congregation could appoint one man and one woman in each town to train more group leaders.
c. God’s command and promise.
The cultural commission of God in Genesis 1:28 said, “Fill the earth” with people in God’s image.
And the great commission of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 says: “Go and make disciples of all the nations”.
God’s plan will not fail. God says, “As I have planned, so it will be” (Isaiah 14:24,27; Psalm 138:8).
In the end, there will be a great multitude that no one can count, from every nation, tribe, people and language,
standing before Jesus Christ (Revelation 7:9).
© 2009 DOTA
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
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HOW TO BEGIN A SMALL GROUP
A. HAVE A GOAL
1. The four manuals for group leaders on making disciples have the following goals:
a. To help you to grow as a Christian yourself
b. To help other young Christians to grow to maturity
c. To equip and train Christian group leaders, workers and church leaders to serve, especially in a ministry of
making disciples.
Caution. The contents of these leadership manuals do not make a person a disciple of Christ.
Spiritual growth comes only when a person believes in the truth and practises the truth in his daily life!
“God has given the Bible to us, not just to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives!”
2. The disciple course has the following characteristics:
a. It is participatory.
Everyone in the group participates!
b. It is affordable.
Students only need a Bible, notebook and pen. Only the group leader uses the manual.
c. It is adaptable.
The group leader can adapt the course (not the materials) to his purpose and to the needs of his students.
d. It is creative.
The students are encouraged to think, to develop their own convictions, to be inventive and to use their skills.
e. It is practical.
The manuals teach practical methods and the students are taught to apply what they learn.
f. It is transferable.
Students who have completed one manual may use the same manual to train others.
B. MAKE A PLAN
1. God.
What does God say that you should do? Allow God to guide you through the Bible and the Holy Spirit in prayer.
2. Needs.
What are the needs of the people you want to train? Observe their lives and listen to what they say.
3. Opportunities.
What are your opportunities, abilities, resources and difficulties?
4. Adjustments.
Which adjustments should you make in your plan? What is the number of people that you want to train? What is the
maturity and ability of each student? How much time does the student have available?
5. Place.
Choose a suitable place and time to meet. Can all the students reach the meeting place? Is it a place without
distractions?
© 2009 DOTA
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C. RECRUIT COMMITTED PEOPLE
1. Recruit students.
a. Requirements.
Prayerfully look for students, who want to learn and who are faithful (2 Timothy 2:2).
b. Inform
Invite them to participate in a disciple programme. Inform them well about the disciple programme.
2. Ask the students to make a commitment to the following 5 standards.
a. To be faithful.
“I will come to every small group meeting”.
b. To be prepared.
“I will do the homework assignment before I come to the small group meeting”.
c. To be teachable.
“I am willing to learn and to apply what I learn”.
d. To be loving.
“I will help the other group members to grow”.
e. To be accountable.
“I am willing to share my progress and struggles within the small group”.
Let the students pray about it and make their own decision together with God concerning what they will do.
D. MAKE USE OF MATERIALS
1. The Bible.
The Bible is your most important source for teaching and training. Always use the Bible in your training.
2. Manuals.
Use the four manuals as the programme for your teaching and training.
3. Whiteboard.
Make use of a whiteboard, etc. to teach.
4. Notes.
Encourage the students to write down notes as completely as possible.
5. Internet, Radio and Television.
Group leaders and students will benefit from making use of the radio programmes, satellite TV programmes, CD’s and
Internet websites.
© 2009 DOTA
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E. MULTIPLY SMALL GROUPS
1. Let students begin their own small group.
When you have completed the training of a small group, challenge the students to begin their own small group and to
make use of the four manuals. Or form teams of two students to begin a new small group each (Luke 10:1-2).
2. Manuals are only for group leaders.
After the completion of one of the manuals, those students, who will teach the training course to another small group of
people, may receive a copy of that manual.
3. Continue to meet with the new group leaders.
Continue to meet with the new group leaders of the disciple groups on a regular basis in order to give them
opportunities to share how they are doing as group leaders, to discuss their questions and problems, to pray together for
their group and to train them further. All new group leaders need a mentor or coach.
© 2009 DOTA
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LESSON 1
1
PRAYER
Group leader. Pray and commit your group and this course on making disciples to the LORD.
2
WORSHIP (20 minutes)
GOD IS UNFATHOMABLE
Teach. What is ‘worship’? The definition of ‘worship’ is the following:
Worship is an attitude of awe, adoration, submission and dedication to God,
expressed in various kinds of prayer and the way we live every day.
In order to worship God, we need to get to know who God is. In every worship time we learn one characteristic of God.
(Group leader. Read the teaching about ‘God is unfathomable’).
Theme. GOD IS UNFATHOMABLE.
1. God’s limits are unfathomable. Yet people can know him.
Read Job 11:7-8. Teach. No one can probe the limits of the Almighty God. No one can know or understand everything
there is to know concerning God. To ‘define’ something means to describe the limits of that thing. To ‘define’ God
would mean to describe the limits of God. If someone could define what God is like, he would know the limits of God
and thus be greater than God.
The Bible teaches that God created us people with limitations. He defines our limits and knows everything about us.
This fact ought to make us realise our place in creation. It ought to make us more humble in God’s presence.
But if no one can probe the limits of God or fathom the mysteries about God, is all knowledge about God impossible?
Can we people know anything about God? Yes, we can have knowledge about God, but only to the extent that he has
revealed himself to us. “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our
children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29).
2. God is invisible. Yet he reveals himself to people.
Read Colossians 1:15. Teach. God is Spirit (John 4:24) and therefore invisible to human eyes. No man has seen God
and no man can see God. No one can describe God’s being or personality, unless God himself reveals certain aspects of
his being and personality.
Can we people see God? Yes, Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. The invisible Almighty Spirit took
on the visible human nature in Christ and dwelt among human beings so that people had been able to see him. Jesus
said, “He who has seen me, has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Thousands of people saw the person and life of Jesus
Christ. What they recorded in the Bible helps us today to see and know Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ we see and know
the invisible God. In Jesus Christ, we can see God’s love and mercy, God’s holiness and righteousness, God’s sovereign
might and humility, God’s truth and wisdom, in short, God’s glory. God’s glory is the summary of all God’s attributes
(characteristics) or perfections, including his presence. Jesus Christ is the radiance of God’s glory, the exact
representation of God’s being (Hebrews 1:3). The invisible God in heaven revealed himself in and through the visible
Jesus Christ on earth. In Jesus Christ lives all the fullness of the Deity in bodily form (Colossians 2:9).
3. God is unapproachable. Yet God approaches us.
Read 1 Timothy 6:16. Teach. God lives in an unapproachable light. No one can approach God. No one can climb up to
heaven to see or meet God. God is not only invisible, but also unapproachable by any kind of human effort. No religion
in the world can help us to approach the Living God, who revealed himself in the Bible!
Can we approach God? The Bible teaches that it is not we who approach God, but that God approaches us! God came
down to earth to reveal himself to us. God clothed himself with our weak human nature and came to live among us
(John 1:1,14; Philippians 2:6-8). God approached us, so that we can know Him, receive Him and relate to Him in
a personal way. In every other religion in the world, the Living God is completely unapproachable. But in Jesus Christ,
the Living God approached us in the past history and still approaches us today. Only in Jesus Christ, God is
approachable!
Group leader. Worship God in his characteristic of being unfathomable. Worship in small groups of three people each.
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3
TEACHING (70 minutes)
[PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD].
THE FAVOURITE TRUTH METHOD
A. MOTIVATION
WHY IS A DAILY TIME OF FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST IMPORTANT?
1. The picture of eating together.
Why do people like to eat together?
Read Revelation 3:20.
Notes. People like to eat together, because that is how they have fellowship with one another! In the Bible, ‘eating
together’ is a picture of fellowship. Jesus Christ does not want to stand outside the church meetings, but he wants to
come into its midst to fellowship with the people. Likewise, after you have received Jesus Christ into your heart and
life, the first thing Jesus wants to do with you is to have fellowship with you. Whoever receives Jesus Christ receives
God (Matthew 10:40; Colossians 1:15) and whoever fellowships with Jesus Christ, fellowships with God through the
Holy Spirit (John 16:13-15).
2. The means of having fellowship with Jesus Christ.
What do you do when you eat together with other people?
Notes. When you eat together with other people, you take food into your body and you talk with one another.
Spiritually, when you eat together or fellowship with Jesus Christ, you take spiritual food into your mind and heart and
you talk with Jesus Christ through prayer.
What does Jesus regard as spiritual food?
Read Matthew 4:4; John 4:34; 1 Peter 2:2.
Notes. Real spiritual food is the Word of God as God revealed it in the Bible (the Holy Book or the Holy Scriptures).
A person begins to live when he does what is written in the Bible. In order to have fellowship with Jesus Christ, that is,
with God, you must learn to feed yourself with the Word of God. You must learn to ‘eat’, ‘digest’ and ‘live by’ what
God says to you in the Bible.
How do you talk to God?
Read Psalm 62:8; Luke 11:1-4.
Notes. You talk to God through prayer. In order to have fellowship with God, you must learn to pray. Prayer is not
a religious exercise. It is not fixed religious words and postures. Prayer is a voluntary and delightful spiritual time of
fellowship with the One and Only True and Living God. In prayer God speaks personally to you and you respond to
what he says. Or in prayer you pour out your heart to God and he answers in his own time and way. Learn to respond to
what God says to you in his Word. Learn to open up your heart and bring all that is in your heart before God.
3. The responsibility to have fellowship with Jesus Christ.
Teach. Revelation 3:20 speaks first of Jesus eating with you and then of you eating with Jesus.
Who are hosts in this illustration?
What are the responsibilities of the believer as host?
Notes. When Jesus eats with you, you are the host and Jesus is the guest.
What are your responsibilities towards Jesus Christ?
When I am the host, then my responsibility is to give to Jesus Christ what I have. This is especially my heart, time and
eagerness to fellowship with him, but also my sins, troubles and fears.
What are the responsibilities of Jesus as host?
Notes. When you eat with Jesus, Jesus is the host and you are the guest.
What are his responsibilities towards you?
When Jesus is the host, I may expect very much from him! As guest I may expect that God will speak to me personally
during my time of fellowship with him. I may also expect that God will give to me everything that I really need for that
day (Hebrews 4:15-16).
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4. The frequency of having fellowship with Jesus Christ.
How many times do you eat during a normal day?
Notes. Why is it important to eat regularly? What implication does Revelation 3:20 have on our fellowship with God?
Most people eat two or three times every day. In order to stay healthy and have energy to work, we must not only eat
good food, but also eat regularly. Based on the picture of Revelation 3:20, it is reasonable to have a time of fellowship
with God every day.
What was the regular habit of Jesus Christ during his incarnation?
Read Isaiah 50:4-5; Mark 1:35.
Notes. In the Old Testament, Jesus Christ is called “the Servant of the Lord”. Isaiah 50 is a prophecy about Jesus Christ
more than 700 years before his first coming to earth. Every morning Jesus listened to the teaching of God the Father and
prayed to God. Thus, when Jesus Christ was in this world, he had a regular time of fellowship with God the Father in
the morning.
What was the regular habit of king David?
Read Psalm 143:8,10; Psalm 1:1-2; Psalm 5:3.
Notes. In the morning, king David expected to hear God’s words of love for him. And he expected that God would
show him the way he should go. This happened when he meditated on the words of God.
In his prayers, he laid his requests before God. Then he looked expectantly forward to what God was going to do.
Thus, also king David had a regular time of fellowship with God in the morning.
Summarise. We call a daily personal time with God also ‘a quiet time’ or ‘devotional time’. Make a personal time with
God also your daily habit. During your personal time with God you ‘eat’ the words of God in the Bible and you ‘talk’
with God through prayer.
B. METHOD
HOW TO HAVE A DAILY PERSONAL TIME OF FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
Teach. The following method of a personal time with God is called
THE FAVOURITE TRUTH METHOD.
This method has 5 steps. Note the difference between the method of a personal time with God (the favourite truth
method) and the method of Bible study (the five steps method).
At the end of a house fellowship meeting the group leader assigns 7 passages from the Bible from which everyone in
the small group (house fellowship) will have a personal time of fellowship with God during the coming week.
Step 1. Pray.
Begin your personal time with God by consciously entering into God’s presence. Ask God to speak personally to you
through his words in the Bible and his Spirit. Ask him to renew or strengthen your life through the words of the Bible.
For example, you could pray, “LORD, open my eyes that I may see the wonderful things in your Word” (Psalm
119:18).
Step 2. Read.
Every day, read one of the seven assigned passages for that week from the Bible.
Step 3. Choose your favourite truth.
Your ‘favourite truth’ may be a verse, a few verses, or especially one of the truths in the Bible passage that you have
read. It is the thought or truth through which God is speaking to you, through which your thinking is stimulated or
through which your heart is touched.
Step 4. Meditate your favourite truth.
You meditate on God’s Word because you want to understand the truth, receive renewal or strength from it, and apply
or use it. Christian meditation has the following 4 parts:
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- Think about the meaning of the different words in your favourite truth. Ask yourself questions like Who? What?
Where? When? Why? How?
- Pray to God while you think. Ask God to speak to your mind and your heart, to explain the meaning of a word to you
or to reveal to you what he wants you to know, believe, be or do. Respond to what God is saying to you.
- Relate your favourite truth to your personal life or to the world in which you live. Ask yourself one of the following
questions: “What is my need in the light of this truth?” “How does this truth renew or strengthen me?” “What does
God want me to know or believe or be or do?”
- Write the most important thoughts of your meditation in your notebook for personal time with God.
Step 5. Pray your favourite truth.
Pray your favourite truth (the thought of your meditation) back to God. Pray shortly for four different people:
- Pray your favourite truth for yourself.
- Pray your favourite truth for someone in your family.
- Pray your favourite truth for someone nearby, that is, for someone in your neighbourhood, congregation or working
place.
- Pray your favourite truth for someone far away, that is, for someone living in another town or another country.
C. SUGGESTIONS
FOR A PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
1. A daily personal time with God.
Teach. Have a daily personal time with God.
Have a personal time with God every day, alone or together with others.
You can have a personal time with God in the morning, afternoon, evening or night.
Make use of the favourite truth method.
Make use of a plan for Bible reading (See manual 1, supplement 2).
Make use of a system for Bible marking (See manual 1, supplement 3).
2. A notebook for your personal time with God.
Teach. Keep a notebook for your personal time with God.
Make a habit of writing down the following:
- The date.
- The Bible reference of the passage you read for your personal time with God.
- The Bible reference of your favourite truth.
- All the important truths God wants you to remember or share.
Your notebook for your personal time with God will help you to share what you have learned with others. It will help
you to remember what God said to you in the past. When you read these notes later, you may see a pattern in how God
is leading you.
3. A personal time with God as a group.
Teach. Have a personal time with God as a group.
Form a small group of people who would like to have a personal time with God together. The small group
may consist of family members, friends or believers in the neighbourhood. Meet at a time that is most suitable for all of
you. Some Christians meet together early in the morning in order to have a personal time with God and to pray together
before they go to work.
Quiet time. Split the small group into groups of two people each. Have a personal time with God in groups of
two using the favourite truth method. If practical have a quiet time with three of four people together.
Sharing time. At the end, come together and each person shares shortly his favourite truth as well as the
important things you have learned.
Prayer time. Finally, take turns to pray a short prayer about the things that you have received.
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4. A time for sharing your personal time with God.
Teach. Share your personal times with God every week.
If your group meets only once a week, then use part of the time as ‘sharing time’.
(See programme overview of manual 1 for group leaders).
Each person shares with the whole group only one of the personal times of God that he had during the past week.
Finally, take turns to pray a short prayer about the things that you have received.
D. PRACTICAL EXERCISE
1. Have a daily personal time with God.
By making use of the favourite truth method and the assigned Bible passages (or a Bible reading plan), start to have
a daily time of fellowship with God. Make notes of each day’s personal time with God in a special notebook. You could
have a personal time with God alone or in a group.
2. Share personal times with God in the group meetings.
Whether you meet daily or weekly as a group, have a sharing time during which each person shares the notes of one
of his personal times with God.
4
PRACTISE (20 minutes)
PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD. THE FAVOURITE TRUTH METHOD
Choose a passage from the Bible, for example, Psalm 23:1-6. Divide your group into twos.
Have a personal time with God two by two, using the favourite truth method.
5
PRAYER (8 minutes)
PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD
Take turns in the group to pray short to God in response to what you have learned today.
Or divide the group into two’s or three’s and pray to God in response to what you have learned today.
6
PREPARATION FOR AT HOME (2 minutes)
FOR NEXT LESSON
(Group leader. Give the group members this preparation for at home in writing or let them copy it down).
1. Commitment. Make a commitment to have a regular personal time of fellowship with God (quiet time). Choose to do
it at the best time of your day.
2. Personal time with God. Have a personal time with God from a chapter of Matthew 1:1 – 7:29 each day.
Make use of the favourite truth method. Make notes.
3. Bible study. Prepare the first Bible study at home. Luke 8:4-15. Theme: How do I respond to God’s Word?
4. Prayer. Pray for someone or something specific this week and see what God is doing (Psalm 5:3).
5. Update your notebook on making disciples. Include the worship notes and teaching notes and this preparation.
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LESSON 2
1
PRAYER
2
SHARING (20 minutes)
MATTHEW
Take turns and share (or read from your notes) in short what you have learned from one of your personal times with
God out of the assigned Bible passages (Matthew 1:1 – 7:29).
Listen to the person sharing, take him serious and accept him. Do not discuss what he shares.
3
MEMORISATION (20 minutes)
ASSURANCES OF SALVATION: JOHN 10:28
A. MOTIVATION FOR MEMORISATION
Read Ephesians 6:11,17; Matthew 4:2-4 (Deuteronomy 8:3).
Discover and discuss. Why is it important to memorise Bible verses (passages or chapters)?
Notes. Memorised Bible verses will help you to overcome the powers of evil.
B. MEDITATION
The first series of memory verses is about ‘Assurances’.
The titles of the five memory verses are: assurance of salvation, assurance of answered prayer, assurance of victory,
assurance of forgiveness and assurance of God’s guidance.
Memorisation verse. Assurance of salvation: John 10:28. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one
can snatch them out of my hand.
1. The meaning of eternal life.
What is eternal life? Eternal life is a new kind of life. It is a wonderful life, a meaningful life, a challenging life, an
exiting life and a satisfying life! It is a life that never ends! Above all it is a relationship with the Living God through
Jesus Christ. It is a personal and intimate knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ (John 17:3).
2. How to acquire eternal life.
It is a gracious gift! God gives eternal life to people only through one person in history, namely, through Jesus Christ.
Eternal life cannot be earned, but can only be received as a free gift. When you receive Jesus Christ into your heart and
life, you also receive this eternal life! If someone does not receive Jesus Christ, he also does not receive eternal life.
3. Three assurances for the believer.
He has already now eternal life and it will never end!
In the final judgement he will not be condemned (doomed). He will not perish in hell.
Nothing and no one is able to snatch him out of the hands of Jesus Christ (cf. Romans 8:38-39).
C. MEMORISATION
1. Write
Write the Bible verse on a blank card or on one page of your small notebook as follows: Write the topic or title on the
first line. Write the Bible reference of the verse on the second line. Draw a line and then write the text of the Bible verse
line by line beneath that. Write the Bible reference of the verse at the bottom of the page and on the back of the card.
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Assurance of salvation
John 10:28
For example:
I give them eternal life,
and they shall never perish;
no one can snatch them out of my hand.
John 10:28
John 10:28
2. Memorise
Memorise the Bible verse in the right way.
Always START with the topic or title, the Bible reference and the first line of the Bible verse.
When you can quote this without a mistake, ADD the second line of the Bible verse and REPEAT FROM THE
BEGINNING, that is, the topic, the reference and the two lines of the verse.
When you can quote this without a mistake, ADD the third line of the Bible verse and REPEAT FROM THE
BEGINNING, that is, the topic, the reference and the three lines of the verse. Etc.
Do not memorise the Bible verse in separate pieces, because in that way you do not memorise the links between the
pieces. Always start from the beginning, each time you repeat the verse.
Always END by repeating the Bible reference once more, because the Bible reference is the most difficult part to
remember.
Thus, the right sequence for Bible memorisation is: the topic, the Bible reference, the text of the Bible verse and the
Bible reference again.
4
BIBLE STUDY (70 minutes)
HOW DO I RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD?
LUKE 8:4-15
The purpose of studying the Bible together as a group is to grow together in a relationship with Jesus Christ and with
one another. It is to help one another to gain knowledge and understanding of the Bible and to practise its truths.
For this reason it is important that the group members encourage one another to participate in the Bible study
discussion. The input of every group member is important. Nobody should be put off if what he says turns out not to be
completely correct (theologically). The group leader should rather encourage the group members to learn together by
discovering and discussing the truths from the Bible. Every group member should feel that the other group members
listen when he speaks, take him seriously and accept him. The group members are not competing with one another in
Bible knowledge, but love one another by encouraging one another to grow and to share confidently.
The example of the Bible study below is designed to assist the group leader when he prepares the Bible study or to help
the group when they discuss a difficult question. Your Bible study discussion may have different things that the group
members discover and different questions that the group members ask.
Make use of the five steps method of Bible study to study Luke 8:4-15 together.
STEP 1. READ.
GOD’S WORD
Read. LET US READ Luke 8:4-15 together.
Let us take turns to read one verse each until we have completed the reading.
OBSERVATIONS
STEP 2. DISCOVER.
Consider. WHICH TRUTH IN THIS PASSAGE IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU?
Or WHICH TRUTH IN THIS PASSAGE TOUCHES YOUR MIND OR HEART?
Record. Discover one or two truths that you understand. Think about them and write your thoughts in your notebook.
Share. (After the group members have had about two minutes to think and write, take turns to share).
Let us take turns to share with one another what each of us has discovered.
(The following are examples of people sharing what they have discovered. Remember, in every small group, the group
members will share different things, not necessarily these things)
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Discovery 1. There are three persons who want to do something with the Word of God
that is sown into my heart.
First, there is Christ, who sows his Word onto my heart. He wants his Word to bear fruit in my life. Secondly, there is
the devil, who tries to take God’s Word away from my heart. He does not want the Word to have any influence in my
life. Thirdly, there is me. I have the responsibility to do something with the Word that Christ sows onto my heart.
If I hear it and retain it in a good and noble heart, then by persevering I can produce a crop. But if I don’t do anything
with Christ’s Word, then I will loose it completely. A very important truth for me in this Bible passage is that it is my
responsibility to do something with God’s words. Every time I hear the words of the Bible, it is my responsibility to put
them into practise.
8:12
Discovery 2. Not only the devil tries to take God’s Word away from my heart.
Verse 14 describes all the other enemies of God’s word. It says that God’s Word gets choked to death by the worries of
life, by the desire to get rich and by living a life of pleasure. The sinful world outside me as well as the sinful nature
inside me is the other big enemies of Christ. They don’t want the Word of Christ to bear fruit in my life. Therefore they
choke the Word of God to death. A very important truth for me in this Bible passage is that it is my responsibility to be
watchful and not allow worries, wealth or pleasures to choke the Word of God in me to death.
EXPLANATIONS
STEP 3. QUESTION.
Consider. WHICH QUESTION ABOUT ANYTHING IN THIS PASSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO ASK TO THIS
GROUP?
Let us try to understand all the truths in Luke 8:4-15 and ask questions about the things we still do not understand.
Record. Formulate your question as clearly as possible. Then write your question in your notebook.
Share. (After the group members have had about two minutes to think and write, let each person first share his
question.)
Discuss. (Then, choose a few of these questions and try to answer them by discussing them together in your group.)
(The following are examples of questions the students might ask and some notes about the discussion of the questions.)
8:5
Question 1. What does the ‘seed’ represent?
Notes. The seed represents the Word of God (Luke 8:11), especially the message about the kingdom (Matthew 13:19),
which begins with the gospel (cf. Mark 1:14-15; Acts 20:24-25; 28:23).
The kingdom of God is the kingship or reign of God in Jesus Christ especially over the hearts and lives of his own
people (Luke 17:20-21). It results in their complete salvation from beginning to end (Mark 10:25-26), their constitution
as one Church on earth (Matthew 16:18-19), their good works in every aspect of human society (Matthew 25:34-36,
Romans 14:17) and finally in the establishment of the new heaven and the new earth (1 Corinthians 15:24-26;
Revelation 11:15).
8:5-8
Question 2. What does each of the four different kinds of soil represent?
Notes. In the days of Jesus, the farmers did not have machinery to sow their seed. They used their hands to scatter the
seed to the left and to the right as they walked. So some of the seeds would fall on the path on which the farmer was
walking. And some of the seeds would fall on bad patches of soil where there was rock under a shallow layer of soil.
Some of the seeds would fall on patches where thorns were growing. And some of the seeds would fall on good and
clean soil.
The four kinds of soil represent four different conditions and attitudes of our own heart (Luke 8:12; Matthew 13:19) and
not four kinds of people in the world.
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8:10
Question 3. Why is the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom only given to
the disciples?
Notes.
This seems unfair, but is not!
‘The secrets of the kingdom of God’ is the message of the whole New Testament.
After the first coming of Jesus Christ, it is no more an unknown secret, but a revealed truth.
However, Christ does not reveal this truth or message to everybody. Although many people hear the gospel and the
New Testament teachings, they do not really hear and turn to God, because they have hardened their hearts! Christ
quotes these words from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
In the Old Testament.
In Isaiah 1:2-15 we read that the children of Israel rebelled against God and became corrupt. In Isaiah 6:9-10 God
judges them and says, “Make the heart of this people callous; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they
might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” The Israelites had
seen so many miracles and heard so many good words of the prophets and yet, by their own choice, they had hardened
their hearts against God. So God allowed them to become what they wanted to be! God gave them over to the
consequences of their own choices! They had closed their eyes and ears – so now God made their eyes and ears even
more tightly shut! They reaped what they themselves had sown (Galatians 6:7-8)!
In the New Testament.
In Matthew 12 we read that the Pharisees and many other Jews rebelled against Jesus Christ and became corrupt. They
criticised Jesus (Matthew 12:2), condemned the innocent people (Matthew 12:7), set traps for Jesus (Matthew 12:10),
plotted to kill Jesus (Matthew 12:14) and even blasphemed Jesus by saying that he drives out demons with the power of
Satan (Matthew 12:24). In Matthew 13:10-15 (Luke 8:10), Jesus judges them with the same judgement of the Old
Testament. They had seen the miracles of Jesus Christ and had heard his many teachings and yet they too had refused to
believe in Jesus Christ. Therefore, they are judged in the same way. They had hardened themselves against Jesus Christ.
So now Jesus Christ gives them over to the consequences of their own choices! He allows them to become what they
wanted to be! They may still hear the gospel and the Bible messages, but they will no longer be able to understand
them anymore and they will no longer be able to repent.
It is the same today.
Every person has a responsibility to respond to the words of God in the Bible. If your attitude is like that of the
Pharisees and you constantly criticise Christ, then your heart will also be hardened and you will not be able to enter into
God’s kingdom.
However, every person who sincerely responds to God’s Word need not have any fear. Every good and clean heart will
respond to God’s Word, will grow and will bear fruit!
Let me summarise. Everyone, who hardens his heart against the God of the Bible and the words of God in the Bible,
will eventually become so hardened that he can no longer hear the Word of God.
But everyone, who sincerely responds to God and his Word, will understand it, will grow and will bear fruit! A sincere
seeker of Jesus Christ will never be rejected (John 6:37)!
8:12
Question 4. What does the soil as hard as the path represent?
Notes. The path is a picture of a hardened, insensible and unresponsive heart.
Whenever my heart has this condition or attitude, I DO NOT RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD AT ALL. I constantly
think that God’s Word contains nothing of importance for me. I make no effort to understand the message of the Bible
(Matthew 13:19) or I put off my response to it. Consequently, my heart grows indifferent and becomes hardened. Satan
knows the potential power of God’s Word and is ever ready to snatch away what is left unaccepted!
The main lesson is to make every effort TO UNDERSTAND God’s Word (the message of the Bible) (Matthew 13:23)
and then TO ACCEPT it (Mark 4:20) whenever I hear, read or study it! I must immediately deal with my attitudes of
indifference, procrastination or hostility!
8:12
Question 5. Why does the devil want take away God’s Word from our hearts?
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Notes. The devil wants to take away God’s Word from our hearts, because God’s Word is a powerful means to save us
and change us! Everyone who believes in God’s Word is saved (Romans 10:17). This means that he is snatched away
from the devil and out of the devil’s kingdom! The Lord Jesus Christ robs the strong man (the devil) from his
possessions (Matthew 12:28-29; John 12:31-32). The Bible says, “God rescued us from the dominion of darkness and
brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Colossians 1:13). Because God’s Word (the Bible) is God’s means to
save and change people, the devil will try every trick in the world to take God’s Word away from the hearts of people!
Beware! Jesus has warned us!
8:13
Question 6. What does the rocky soil represent?
Notes. The rocky soil is a picture of a shallow, rootless and impulsive heart.
Whenever my heart has this condition or attitude, I RESPOND TOO RASHLY TO GOD’S WORD. During meetings,
I get exited and emotionally affected by the message and the personal appeal of the speaker. Impulsively I jump up to
accept Jesus, to accept the message or to make some decisions.
But I do not think about the meaning of the words and I do not consider the consequences of God’s Word. When the
people of the world begin to threaten me or persecute me because of the message in the Bible, I lose interest in God’s
Word, stop to follow Jesus and fall away. Then I have “no roots”, that is, I accept the message, but without conviction.
My confession of faith does not spring from my inner conviction. Therefore I do not persevere and retain God’s Word.
I fail to consider that true discipleship implies self-surrender, self-denial, sacrifice, service and suffering. I do not count
the cost of becoming a believer or remaining a believer. I fail to realise that the way to God goes only past the cross.
And the cross symbolises suffering. That is why I only last for a little while.
The main lesson is TO RETAIN God’s word (Luke 8:15) and to continue to believe and to obey it under all
circumstances! I must immediately deal with my tendency only to be emotionally touched when I hear God’s Word!
8:14
Question 7. What does the soil with thorns represent?
Notes. The soil with the thorns is a picture of a divided and pre-occupied heart.
Whenever my heart has this condition or attitude, I RESPOND TO OTHER THINGS BESIDES GOD’S WORD. My
heart is divided between the things of this world and the things of God. I give so much room in my heart to worry about
my daily work and life, or to dream and plan about how to make more money, or to enjoy all the pleasures of life, that
my heart does not really have room for God’s Word. Then I am continuously distracted by the things of the world and
have the wrong priorities. Then I am so pre-occupied with the things of the world, that I give no time to meditate on
God’s Word or practise God’s Word. The result is that God’s Word in my heart is choked. Consequently, I cannot grow
to maturity and I can also not bear any fruit for God.
The main lesson is TO KEEP MY HEART CLEAN, HONEST AND GOOD (Luke 8:15). I must keep it free from the
worries of life, the deceitfulness of wealth, the pleasures of the world and the wrong desires. I must immediately deal
with my worries, my tendency to be materialistic and with my wrong desires and wrong priorities.
8:15
Question 8. What does the good soil represent?
Notes. The good soil is a picture of the responsive heart, the retaining heart, the well-prepared heart and the fruitful
heart.
Whenever my heart has this condition or attitude, I RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD IN THE WAY THAT JESUS
CHRIST WOULD LIKE ME TO RESPOND. When my heart has this condition or attitude, then my heart is the
opposite of the conditions and attitudes of the first three hearts.
The main lessons are:
In contrast to the first soil, whenever I hear, read or study God’s Word, I LISTEN carefully to it, UNDERSTAND AND
ACCEPT it (Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20). I do this so that God’s Word may save me and change me (Luke 8:12).
In contrast to the second soil, whenever I hear God’s Word, I first consider the cost of believing and obeying these
words. I count the cost, because I want to persevere being a believer, even when I face difficulties or persecution.
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I RETAIN God’s Word deep in my heart and cling to it under all difficult circumstances (Luke 8:15).
In contrast to the third soil, I keep my heart CLEAN and free from whatever can choke God’s Word (Luke 8:15).
For example, I keep it clean from worries, money and worldly pleasures.
God’s Word can only work in my heart when I respond to God’s Word, when I retain God’s Word with conviction and
when I keep my heart clean! Thus, I BEAR FRUIT for God with effort and perseverance (Luke 8:15). Sometimes I will
bear thirty times more fruit and sometimes a hundred times more fruit (Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20)!
8:15
Question 9. Is this parable a message for the preachers of God’s Word
or a message for the receivers of God’s Word?
Notes. This parable is in the first place not a message for the preachers of God’s Word, but a message for the receivers
of God’s Word. The parable does not simply tell us that the preacher must expect four different kinds of people in this
world with four different kinds of responses to the gospel message. This parable tells us much more!
The parable teaches us that all people in the world, including preachers, can have all four kinds of attitudes towards
God’s Word at different times in their lives! The attitude of the hearer and the condition of his heart at any given time
determine the effect that God’s Word will have on him!
Jesus tells this parable to us to make us realise our responsibility to God’s Word. Our responsibility to God’s Word is:
To respond to it, that is, to HEAR it, to UNDERSTAND it and to ACCEPT it (Matthew 13:19; Mark 4:20). To ‘accept’
means to accept as correct (cf. Acts 16:21), to receive favourably, that is, with love (cf. Hebrews 12:6).
To respond seriously with conviction and perseverance, to RETAIN it (Luke 8:15). To ‘retain’ means to hold fast in
one’s memory (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:2), to never let go (Luke 8:15; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:21), to guard so that it will not
be lost (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:2).
To respond to it with a CLEAN and undivided heart (Luke 8:15).
And to respond to it by BEARING FRUIT with effort and perseverance (Luke 8:15).
Every time I hear, read or study the Bible, the condition or attitude of my heart will determine what effect God’s Word
will have on my life! Every time my heart is responsive, serious and well-prepared, then I will be eager to hear and
understand God’s word; I will be determined to hold on to God’s Word even in difficult situations; and I will make time
to grow and bear fruit!
Let me summarise. The condition of my heart on any day of my life will determine the effect of God’s Word on my
life! The attitude with which I hear, read and study the Bible determines whether I will grow, change and bear fruit or
not.
Question 10. What is the summary message of this parable?
Notes. The message of this parable is that the condition or attitude of your heart determines the response you give to
God’s Word. And the response you give to God’s Word determines how much fruit you will bear for God.
Your good works (influence) in life depends on your response to God’s Word. And your response to God’s Word
depends on the condition and attitude of your heart.
This is a warning for those people who do not respond to God’s Word. But it is also a great encouragement and hope for
those people who want to change the attitude of their heart. Every time you hear, read or study the Bible, you can
immediately change your attitude and hear, understand, accept, retain in a clean heart and bear fruit with perseverance!
8:15
Question 11. How can I persevere to produce a crop?
Notes. The devil is around us, the materialistic world is outside us and the sinful nature is inside us. Because they all
fight against us, we must fight back continually. How do we persevere?
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- We will persevere when we continually hear, read, study, memorise, meditate and apply God’s Words in the Bible to
our own lives and when we pass them on to other people. We will persevere when we continue in these disciplines even
when we face difficulties and persecution.
- We will persevere when we have the right condition and attitude of heart, that is, when we have a clean and undivided
heart.
- We will persevere when we allow God’s Word to change our thinking, feelings and behaviour.
- We must decide not to give up. We must persevere. We can persevere, because God promised to be with us.
STEP 4. APPLY.
APPLICATIONS
Consider. WHICH TRUTHS IN THIS PASSAGE ARE POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIANS?
Share and record. Let us brainstorm with one another and record a list of possible applications from Luke 8:4-15.
Consider. WHICH POSSIBLE APPLICATION DOES GOD WANT YOU TO TURN INTO A PERSONAL
APPLICATION?
Record. Write this personal application down in your notebook. Feel free to share your personal application.
(Remember that people in every group will apply different truths or even make different applications of the same truth.
The following is a list of possible applications.)
1. Examples of possible applications from Luke 8:4-15.
8:8b-10. Listen very well to the preaching of the Bible.
Try and understand the messages of the Bible (Matthew 13:19,23; Mark 4:13).
8:11.
Make a decision to take the Bible very serious and respond to its messages.
8:12.
Believe the messages of the Bible in order to be saved.
8:13.
Develop personal convictions from the messages of the Bible. Do not simply have knowledge about the Bible.
8:15.
Meditate on and memorise some Bible verses in order to retain them in your life.
8:15.
Make sure that your heart is clean and undivided every time you read or study the Bible.
8:15.
Bear fruit by regularly applying the messages of the Bible.
2. Examples of personal applications.
a. God wants me to understand the Bible every time I hear it, so that the devil cannot take it away from my heart.
Therefore I want to do one Bible study every week. Doing Bible Study every week will help me to understand God’s
Word much better.
b. God wants me to grow and to bear fruit. Therefore, every time I read and study the Bible, I will ask myself the
question, “How can this word change me or influence others?” And then I will try to put it into practise.
RESPONSE
STEP 5. PRAY.
LET US TAKE TURNS TO PRAY ABOUT ONE TRUTH THAT GOD HAS TAUGHT US in Luke 8:4-15.
(Respond in your prayer to what you have learned during this Bible study. Practise to pray only in one or two sentences.
Remember that people in every group will pray about different issues.)
5
PRAYER (8 minutes)
INTERCESSION
Continue to pray in groups of two’s or three’s. Pray for one another and for the people in the world.
6
FOR NEXT LESSON
1. Commitment. Make a commitment to respond to the things God says to you in the Bible. Make a commitment to do
Bible study very regularly.
2. Personal time with God. Have a personal time with God from half a chapter from Matthew 8:1 – 11:24 each day.
3. Memorisation. Meditate and memorise the new Bible verse. Assurance of salvation: John 10:28.
Daily review the first memorised Bible verse.
5. Update your notebook on making disciples. Include the notes on your personal time with God, memorisation notes,
Bible study notes and this preparation.
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LESSON 3
1
PRAYER
2
GOD IS GREAT AND POWERFUL
(Group leader. Read the teaching about ‘God is great and powerful’).
Theme. GOD IS GREAT AND POWERFUL.
Read Job 38:4-5 (earth), 38:8-11 (sea), 38:31-33 (constellations); Isaiah 40:12 (measuring), 25-26 (the starry host).
God challenges people to try and fathom his greatness and power! There is nothing on earth that can be compared with
God’s greatness. The Himalayan Mountains and Pacific Ocean are too small. There is nothing in the solar system that
can be compared to God’s greatness. Even the sun is too small. Then to what can people compare the greatness and
power of God? People do not know anything big enough to compare to God. And so all people are silent. Then God
invites people to look up at the stars and consider who made the stars. Consider some facts about the stars.
1. The number of the stars.1
On a clear and dark night, your eyes can see about six thousand stars without a telescope. Most of these stars are from
our own galaxy, called the Milky Way. The Milky Way has about
100 thousand million stars (100 000 000 000) (11 zero’s)
Making use of the largest telescopes astronomers estimate that in the universe there are about
10 thousand million billion stars (10 000 000 000 000 000 000 000) (22 zero’s) and about
100 thousand million galaxies (100 000 000 000) (11 zero’s).
The numbers of stars in the universe are so vast that no one can count them in his lifetime.
2. The distances to the stars.
The only star in our solar system is called ‘the sun’. The sun is 150 million kilometres (150 000 000) from the earth.
Just how far is that? If you could travel by a modern aeroplane to the sun at a speed of 1 000 km per hour, then it would
still take you 17 years to reach the sun.
The distances of the stars in the universe are so immense that scientists use ‘light-years’ to measure the distances. Light
is the fastest thing man knows. Light travels at a speed of nearly 300 000 kilometres per second. That equals 7½ times
around the earth in 1 second. One light-year is equal to the distance light travels in one year and that equals a distance
of 9.454 billion kilometres (9 454 000 000 000) or more than 1 million years flying by modern aeroplane!
The moon is one and one-third light-seconds away. The planet Mars is five light-minutes away. The sun is eight lightminutes away. The planet Pluto is five light-hours away. But the closest star to the solar system is 4.3 light-years away!
Flying by modern aeroplane to this star would take you more than 4½ million years!
Our galaxy, called the Milky Way has a diameter of 120 000 light-years. The nearest other galaxy, which is called
Spiral Nebula N-1, also contains billions of stars and is over one million light-years away! Astronomers estimate the
furthest measured distance in the universe to be 17 thousand million light-years (17 000 000 000), give or take two to
three thousand million. Man will never conquer the universe!
1
British million is 6 zero’s, billion is 12 zero’s, trillion is 18 zero’s. American million is 6 zero’s, billion is 9 zero’s, trillion is 12 zero’s.
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3. The sizes of the stars.
Our planet, ‘the earth’, has a diameter of 12 756 kilometres. The diameter of the sun is 109 times that of the earth.
But there are stars that have a diameter of 100 times and even 1 000 times the diameter of the sun!
The size of these super giant stars is so huge that a part of our solar system, namely the sun as well as the planets
Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars could easily rotate inside one of them.
If the earth’s diameter were represented by 1 millimetre, then by comparison the diameter of the sun would be
11 centimetres and the diameter of the biggest star would be 100 metres!
We can study the stars in the universe by means of the greatest telescopes. But WHO created the stars, which are the
biggest things in the universe? The Bible says that GOD created all the stars, controls the movement of all the stars and
even gives each star a name! If man cannot even fathom the number, distances and sizes of the stars, how can he fathom
the Creator of the stars? The existence of the wonderful stars point to the existence and greatness of a wonderful God.
Group leader. Worship God in his characteristic of being great and powerful. Worship in small groups of three people
each.
3
MATTHEW
4
[GOSPEL].
CONCEPTS OF THE GOSPEL – PART 1
When we share the gospel with people, we must be able to explain the words we use. Help people to understand the
concepts of ‘sin’, ‘death’ and ‘judgement’, ‘why Jesus Christ is the only way to God the Father’ and the meaning of
‘faith in Jesus Christ’.
A. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL
The ‘gospel’ means the good news about God’s greatest gift to people. The message of the gospel may be presented in
various ways, by proclamation, by singing, by acting and by pictures or illustrations (See below).
Draw the illustration as you explain the message of the gospel to someone else.
Group leader. Help the students to learn to do this.
MAN has ETERNAL LIFE
(1) Genesis 1:17 (God’s power created man in God’s image)
(8) Romans 5:8 (God’s love gave Jesus to die for man)
will not be condemned
has crossed over from death to life.
(under God’s grace, saved)
GOD
3 results
←
(2) Isaiah 59:1-2
(sin separates
man from God)
my sins
(9)
1 Peter
2:24
JESUS
(10)
1 Peter
3:18
hear +
believe
2 conditio
ns
(12)
John 5:24
ETERNAL DEATH
(4) Romans 6:23a
(under God’s wrath, lost)
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← X (11) Matthew 11:28-30
the invitation and making a personal choice:
receive Christ into your heart + life
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(5) Galatians 3:10-11
James 2:10
Law
(6) Ephesians 2:8-9
Good works
(7) John 14:6
Religion
the fall
MAN
(3) Romans 3:23
(under law of sin and death)
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GOD’S CREATION OF MAN
(1) Genesis 1:27. In the beginning God created the first man and woman in his own image. This means that they knew God and related to him in love.
They were sinless and possessed eternal life. God tested their obedience (Genesis 2:15-17), but they disobeyed and failed the test. They fell into sin.
So God drove them out of Paradise (the garden on earth) and barred them from the tree of life (Genesis 3:24).
MAN’S FALL INTO SIN
(2) Isaiah 59:1-2. Sin separates man from God, but also separates the holy God from sinful man. That is why God does not listen to their prayers or
saves them. Adam is the representative of all fallen human beings. All Adam’s descendants share in his sinful nature and consequent death (Romans
5:12,17-19).
(3) Romans 3:23. All people have sinned and fall short of God’s holy character and presence.
(4) Romans 6:23a. All natural people are now under the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2-3); are under God’s wrath (Romans 1:18); are completely
lost and on their way to eternal death (hell).
MAN’S ATTEMPT TO SAVE HIMSELF
But people think that they can save themselves. They believe that they can climb up to God by one of the following ways:
(5) Galatians 3:10-11 and James 2:10. Some people believe that God would justify (save) them when they try to keep the law. But the Bible says
that no one keeps the law and no one is able to keep the law (Romans 8:7-8)!
(6) Ephesians 2:8-9. Some people believe that God would justify (save) them when they do good works. But the Bible says that no one will be able
to boast in God’s presence. People can only be saved by God’s grace and faith.
(7) John 14:6. Other people believe that practising a religion would justify them. But Jesus Christ says: “I am the Way. No one comes to the Father
but by me.” No religion deals with the real problem: sin. Therefore, God’s holiness and righteousness must and will punish people with eternal death
unless they are saved by Jesus Christ.
GOD’S INITIATIVE TO SAVE MAN
(8) Romans 5:8. God’s love makes the only way of salvation possible. Without abandoning his divine nature, God takes on the human nature and
becomes a man in Jesus Christ. He not only enters his creation and human history to dwell among the lost people on earth, but dies for their sins in
their place (John 1:1,14,18; Philippians 2:5-8). His love gives himself as a perfect sacrifice of atonement for sins on the cross.
(9) 1 Peter 2:24. By dying on the cross, Jesus Christ removes God’s holy and righteous anger against our sin away from us and puts it on himself.
(10) 1 Peter 3:18. By dying on the cross, Jesus Christ removes the consequences of our sins and reconciles us to God. Jesus Christ is the ‘bridge’ or
way back to God.
CHRIST’S INVITATION AND MAN MUST MAKE A CHOICE
(11) Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus says: “Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
It is man’s responsibility to make a response.
THE PROBLEM (SIN) AND THE CONSEQUENCES (SEPARATION) ARE PERMANENTLY REMOVED
(12) John 5:24. Jesus says: “Whoever hears my word (message) and believes him who sent me, has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has
crossed over from death to life.” There are two conditions and three results. Every person who hears the gospel must make a personal choice or
decision: to believe in the God who revealed himself in Jesus Christ or to remain independent from Christ and continue on to eternal death
(2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). For every believer there are three results: he immediately possesses eternal life; he will never be condemned (doomed) to
hell; and he has already crossed over from the way of eternal death to the way of eternal life. Jesus promises that no one will be able to snatch him out
of his hand (John 10:28)!
SUMMARY MESSAGE
John 3:16. The Bible concludes: “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.”
B. THE MEANING OF THE WORD ‘SIN’ IN THE BIBLE
The gospel says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Teach. Psalm 51:1-4 in the original language uses three words for ‘sin’: sin, transgressions and iniquity.
1. The meaning of the word ‘sin’.
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goal or target
standard
a. to miss GOD’s goal or target
b. to fall short of GOD’s standard
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Sin means to miss the goal of GOD for your life.
The goal of the God who revealed himself in the Bible is that all people on earth have the right relationship with him.
Consequently they would also have the right relationship with other people and do the things that are right in God’s
eyes. A ‘sinner’ is someone who misses God’s goal for his life, namely, the right relationship with God and
consequently the right relationship with other people!
Sin also means to fall short of the perfect standard of GOD.
The perfect standard of GOD for living right and doing right is Jesus Christ and his teachings in the Bible. No matter
which language you speak or which religion you have, your life and your works are measured against this perfect
standard of God.
But because all people in the world fall short of God’s perfect standard, they are lost and need a Saviour.
Even the people who live exemplary lives and do many good works, still fall short of God’s perfect standard (Romans
3:10-12,23). Nobody qualifies! Nobody will be saved by his religion, by keeping the law or by his good works. Nobody
is good enough! Sin does not simply mean ‘committing a crime’ or “doing something evil’. It means missing GOD’s
goal and falling short of GOD’s perfect standard.
2. The meaning of the word ‘transgression’.
boundaries
a. to cross over GOD’s set limits or boundaries
b. to rebel against GOD
Transgression means to cross over the limits or boundaries that are set by GOD.
The limits or boundaries for human living and human behaviour are revealed in the commandments, prohibitions and
teachings of the GOD who revealed himself in the Bible. Because all people sometimes do what God prohibits and
sometimes neglect to do what God commands, they are called ‘transgressors’. Transgression is not simply transgressing
the laws of religious teachers, but transgressing the laws and boundaries of the GOD who revealed himself in the Bible.
Transgression also means to deliberately rebel against GOD.
Already in the Old Testament, people rebelled against the God of the Bible and did what was right in their own eyes
(Judges 21:25). Today people deliberately spread lies about the GOD who revealed himself in the Bible. They defiantly
reject the message of God in the Bible. They spurn the moral values, wisdom and character of the God who revealed
himself in the Bible. They stir up rebellion on earth and promote corruption and perversion. They harden themselves
against the God of the Bible. This is rebellion. Transgression and rebellion are visible wrongdoing.
3. The meaning of the word ‘iniquity’.
reality
not reality
the truth
and a lie
a. to change GOD’s reality
Î is made a lie
Î is made the truth
b. to twist GOD’s truth
Iniquity means to subtly change the reality as GOD sees it.
All people have a world-view. Their world-view is expressed in their view of existence and reality, their perceptions
and attitudes, their beliefs and values, as well as their culture and their institutions. The God of the Bible has revealed
the correct world-view in Jesus Christ and in the Bible. This world-view may be called ‘the kingdom of God culture’!
In the kingdom of God there are a great variety of forms, but these forms should express the views of Christ and the
Bible! The God of the Bible wants all people to know the kingdom of God culture, to believe it and to live according to
it. However, when people make up their own world-view and create their own beliefs and values, they have changed the
reality as God views it. This is iniquity.
Iniquity also means to twist or distort the truth of GOD as he has revealed it in the Bible.
God has clearly revealed the truth in the Bible. However, people deliberately misinterpret the truth of the Bible (Isaiah
5:20). Some people make the Bible say things they would like it to say (2 Corinthians 2:17: 4:2), while other people
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neglect certain truths in the Bible, which they ought to consider (Matthew 15:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19).
As a consequence, there are many false prophets and many people who are misled by these false prophets (Matthew
24:11). This is iniquity. Iniquity is often a more subtle and sneaky way of wrongdoing. It is concealed or camouflaged
wrongdoing, often under the guise of religion.
4. Summary. The ‘root’ and the ‘fruit’ of sin.
b. the fruit of sin
= doing what GOD forbids
= not doing what GOD commands
Ï
Ï
a. the root of sin
= independence from GOD, self-sufficiency, self- centredness,
= not loving the GOD of the Bible
= a broken relationship with GOD
= missing GOD’s goal,
= transgressing GOD’s boundaries,
= rebelling against GOD and
= twisting GOD’s Word.
The root of sin is self-centredness, self-sufficiency or independence from GOD.
The root of sin is a separated relationship with the God who revealed himself in the Bible. The root of sin is to set up
one’s own goals and standards apart from God. It is to live with one’s own rules or boundaries, which are often outside
the boundaries set by God or to live without any boundaries at all. It is to create and believe one’s own world-view and
culture apart from the GOD who revealed himself in the Bible. Although a person might think that he is doing nothing
wrong and that he is only doing good works, he is still a sinner in God’s eyes, because he lives his life apart from the
One and Only True and Living God. The root of sin is to be and to do whatever a person himself wants to be and to do
instead of to be and to do what God wants him to be and to do. The root of sin is self-centredness or independence from
the God who revealed himself in the Bible.
The fruit of sin is doing what is wrong and not doing what is right.
The fruit of sin grows out of the root of sin. The fruit of sin is to do what God has forbidden and not do what God has
commanded. The lists of sins or things that God has forbidden are found in Mark 7:20-23; Romans 1:28-32; Galatians
5:19-21; Titus 3:3 and Revelation 21:8. Things that God has commanded are found in John 13:34-35; Luke 6:27-28;
Colossians 3:18 – 4:1; Hebrews 3:12-13; 12:14-17; James 1:27; 1 Peter 2:11-12.
C. THE MEANING OF THE WORD ‘DEATH’ IN THE BIBLE
The gospel says, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
Teach. The word ‘death’ in the Bible has three meanings: a spiritual, physical and eternal meaning.
1. Spiritual death.
What is the meaning of spiritual death?
Read John 8:24; Ephesians 2:1-3. Discover and discuss the answer.
Notes. Spiritual death is the condition in which the spirit of man is dead. Spiritual death is separation from the life of the
One and Only True and Living GOD who revealed himself in the Bible. Every human being is ‘a living soul’ (Genesis
2:7) that expresses himself in a visible body and an invisible spirit. One of the functions of the human spirit is the ability
to know and to fellowship with the One and Only True and Living God.
As long as people are not born-again by the Holy Spirit, they are spiritually dead. They think that God does not exist or
if they believe that God exists, they believe that he is too high and far away. They do not know God in a personal and
intimate way and they cannot fellowship with God.
But when they hear the gospel and believe, that is, receive Jesus Christ into their hearts and lives, then the Holy Spirit
(the Spirit of God) comes and lives in them (Ephesians 1:13; Romans 8:9-10). Then the Holy Spirit makes their human
spirit alive, so that they are able to know God personally and fellowship with God.
2. Physical death.
What is the meaning of physical death?
Read Psalm 49:10,17 (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6,10; 12:7). Discover and discuss the answer.
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Notes. Physical death is the condition when the physical body of man dies. Physical death is when the human spirit is
separated from the human body and when the person is separated from life on earth. It is separation from beloved
family and friends and separation from possessions and accomplishments.
When people die physically, their body decays to dust in the grave. They will never again return to this present world
and will never again have a part in anything that happens on this present world.
3. Eternal death.
What is the meaning of eternal death?
Read Revelation 21:8 (Luke 16:22-23; Matthew 10:28; 25:46; Revelation 20:14-15; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).
Discover and discuss the answer.
Notes. Before the final judgement day, eternal death is the eternal suffering of the spirit (or soul) of unbelievers in hell.
After the final judgement day, eternal death is the eternal suffering (punishment) of the spirit (or soul) and the body of
unbelievers in hell. Eternal death is eternal separation from the presence and care of God.
D. THE MEANING OF THE WORD ‘JUDGEMENT’ IN THE BIBLE
The gospel says, “Whoever does not believe stands condemned already” (John 3:18) and “Man is destined to die once,
and after that to face judgement” (Hebrews 9:27).
Teach. Judgement in the Bible refers to two distinct kinds of judgements, namely, the present temporary judgements of
God and the future final judgement of God. The present temporary judgements of God come in two ways: God allows
his temporary judgements to come over people and sometimes God brings his temporary judgements over people.
1. The present temporary judgements of God.
Why does God allow certain present forms of judgement?
Read Galatians 6:7-8 (Romans 1:28-32). Discover and discuss the answer.
Notes. Because God created the earth and its people, he has the right to determine how people should live. God has built
physical laws into his creation. For example, if you transgress the law of gravity, you can have a nasty fall. Likewise
God has built spiritual and moral laws into his creation. Whenever people transgress God’s spiritual and moral laws,
God allows them to suffer the consequences of their own sins. “They reap what they sow”. A man, who sins, reaps
judgement. For example, a man who sows laziness will reap poverty. A man who sows hatred will reap broken
relationships. A man who sows tyranny will reap wars. A man who sows drugs reaps addiction.
Romans 1:18-32 teaches that godlessness leads to moral corruption and every kind of wickedness. In many cases, the
consequences of a man’s sins already catch up with him during his life on earth. Suffering is often the natural
consequence of a person’s own bad beliefs, bad choices, bad decisions and bad actions.
Why does God bring certain present forms of judgement over the world?
Read Ezekiel 14:21 (Leviticus 26:14-25; Amos 4:6-12; Haggai 1:3-11; Matthew 24:4-14; Revelation
9:20-21;16:9). Discover and discuss the answer.
Notes. God rules over the whole world. He controls all the forces of nature and all the events in the history of mankind.
In times, when people disobey the Living God or when they turn their backs upon God, God withdraws his care and his
protection from them and brings his present temporary judgements on them. For example, their harvests fail, wars tear
their country apart, their people suffer great losses and there is no more satisfaction in anything on earth, etc. God uses
all kinds of natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, draughts, hunger and epidemics throughout the history of man on
earth to show to mankind that he is displeased with their sins and to warn them to repent and turn back to him.
What is the real reason why God brings his present temporary judgements on people?
Read 1 Corinthians 11:32 (Hebrews 12:4-11). Discover and discuss the answer.
Notes. God brings his present temporary judgements on people in order to safeguard them from his future eternal
judgement! The purpose of his present temporary judgements is to discipline people, that is, to warn people, to expose
their sins and to rebuke them for their sins. God’s goal is always to do what is best for people now. To allow people to
continue in their present sins, would lead to their ultimate slavery to sins and consequently to God’s eternal punishment
for their sins. The purpose of God’s present temporary judgements is to cause people to turn from their godlessness and
wickedness and instead share in God’s holiness and righteousness!
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2. The future eternal judgement of God.
By looking at the life-styles of godly people and wicked people,
why would you describe life as either just or unjust?
Read Ecclesiastes 12:14 (Psalm 73:2-16). Discover and discuss the answer.
Teach. Life is manifestly unjust! The good people suffer, the unselfish people are exploited, the meek people are
terrorised, and the poor people are deprived. On the other hand, the evil people flourish, the selfish people make
fortunes, the brutal people oppress the meek and the rich people cause the poor to get poorer. Tyrants die peacefully in
their beds while saints are tortured to death. If, as we are assuming, there is a God who is all-powerful and good, how
can he possibly allow the injustices in the world to continue? If he does nothing about all the injustice in the world,
either now or after this life in order to redress such gross injustice and put down such rampant evil, then he is either not
all-powerful and so cannot do it, or he is not good and so does not care!
However, the Bible teaches very clearly that the Living God is all-powerful and good and that justice on a cosmic scale
will be done. All the people who ever lived on earth will be present at this final future judgement!
What will God’s future judgement be like?
Read Hebrews 9:27 (Matthew 25:31-33). Discover and discuss the answer.
Teach. The Bible teaches that the physical death of man is NOT THE END! After physical death, there is a much more
serious and greater suffering for people!
Jesus Christ will return to this earth. All people, who have ever lived on earth, will be judged. He will judge every deed
and every hidden thing (Ecclesiastes 12:14). And he will weed out of his kingdom all people who do evil and
everything that causes sin (Matthew 13:41). He will separate those who do not believe in him from those who believe in
him and he will judge them in accordance with their relationship to Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:12). The people, who do
not believe in Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord, will be judged on the basis of their knowledge of God’s law
(Romans 2:10-16), their unbelief (John 3:18-21,36), their shortcomings (Matthew 25:41-46), their evil deeds
(Revelation 21:8), their trampling of Jesus underfoot and their insulting of the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:26-31).
Everyone, who rejected the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, will be punished for their disobedience
(2 Thessalonians 1:8).
Nevertheless, God will judge every human being with absolute justice (Luke 12:47-48). He will judge the oppressed
people with justice and the poor in spirit with mercy (Matthew 5:3-12). But he will send the greedy rich people away
with empty hands (James 5:1-6) and he will destroy all the wicked people. He will judge the whole world and every one
living in it for all the wickedness they have committed on God’s earth! He will make an end to all arrogance and pride
of people (Isaiah 13:11). And he will push the mighty rulers of this earth from their thrones (Daniel 2:44; 1 Corinthians
15:25).
The place of eternal ruin (but not eternal annihilation) is called ‘the fiery lake of burning sulphur’ or ‘hell’. Hell is
a place of fire and torment (Luke 16:23-26). It is a place of burning without getting destroyed, a place of weeping, of
excruciating pain and frenzied anger without end (Mark 9:42-49). It is a place from which no one can get out (Luke
16:26). The godless will be punished with everlasting ruin and shut out from the presence, love and care of God
(2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). Everyone, whose name was not found in the book of life, will be thrown into the lake of fire
(Revelation 20:15).
Christians will not be condemned to eternal punishment (John 5:24,29), but they will be judged for how they lived as
Christians on earth (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15).
5
PRAYER (8 minutes)
6
FOR NEXT LESSON
1. Commitment. Make a commitment to explain the gospel clearly to people.
3. Bible study. Prepare the next Bible study at home. Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a. Theme: Where do I come from?
Make use of the five steps method of Bible study. Make notes.
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5. Update your notebook on making disciples. Include the worship notes, the notes on your personal time with God, the
teaching notes and this preparation.
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LESSON 4
1
PRAYER
2
MATTHEW
3
ASSURANCE OF ANSWERED PRAYER: JOHN 16:24
Read Psalm 119:9,11.
Notes. Memorised Bible verses will help you to live a true, pure and holy life in a crooked and perverse world.
B. MEDITATION
Assurance of answered prayer
John 16:24
Write the following memorisation
Until now you have not asked for
verse on a white or blackboard
anything in my name.
Write the Bible reference
as follows:
Ask and you will receive, and your joy on the back of your card.
will be complete.
John 16:24
1. The meaning of God’s names in the Bible.
During the Old Testament period, believers called God directly by his name “LORD” or “God” (Psalm 5:1-2). They did
not close their prayers in the name of God. In the Bible, names have meaning. God’s names are an expression of God’s
essence and character! Only God is exactly what his names say. The fact that God has names means that God knows
himself and also that God reveals himself to people. God wants people to know who he is and he wants people to relate
to him in prayer.
The name “God” (H: Elohim) means “the mighty one who commands respect and fear” (Isaiah 40:18 and
46:9-11). The name “LORD” (H: JaHWeH) means, “I am who I am” or “I will be what I will be”. This is God’s
covenant name, in which God says that he will be faithful to the covenant he made with his people (Exodus 3:14-15;
34:6-7).
Jesus Christ is the visible revelation of the invisible God (Isaiah 9:6; Colossians 1:15; 2:9). Also his names have
meaning. The name “Jesus” means “Saviour” (Matthew 1:21). The name “Messiah” or “Christ” means “Anointed One”.
He has this name, because he has been anointed with the Holy Spirit to be the Final Prophet, the Highest Priest and the
Eternal King. As Prophet, Christ reveals God and God’s words to us. As Priest, Christ pays the penalty for our sins and
prays for us. As King, Christ in a sovereign way rules over our lives and protects us from evil.
2. Praying in the name of Jesus Christ.
Christians pray in the name of Jesus Christ, because he is the Mediator between God and man.
Praying in the name of Jesus Christ has three important meanings.
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Because Jesus Christ revealed God’s character, words and deeds to them.
Christians can know God personally and intimately, because they know Jesus Christ. He, who has seen Jesus Christ, has
seen the invisible God (John 14:9-10). He, who knows Jesus Christ, knows God (John 8:19; cf. Matthew 11:27).
He, who believes in Jesus Christ, believes in God (John 12:44). He, who accepts Jesus Christ, accepts God (John
13:20). God listens to the prayers of Christians that pray to him in the name of Jesus Christ.
Because Jesus Christ merited the complete and perfect righteousness of believers.
The righteousness of a believer comes from God and is based on the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ
(2 Corinthians 5:21). When God looks at a believer in Jesus Christ, he sees only the righteousness of Jesus Christ!
God listens to the prayers of Christians that have become righteous in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:12).
Because Jesus Christ has revealed God’s will and ways to them.
God listens to the prayers of Christians that pray in harmony with his revealed will in Jesus Christ (1 John 5:14).
Thus, because of Jesus Christ, Christians have direct access to God in heaven (Ephesians 2:18) and Christians may
approach God at any time with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:14-16).
C. MEMORISATION AND REVIEW
1. Write the Bible verse on a blank card or on one page of your small notebook.
2. Memorise the Bible verse in the right way. Assurance of answered prayer: John 16:24.
3. Review. Divide into twos and check one another’s last memorised Bible verse.
4
WHERE DO I COME FROM?
GENESIS 1:1 – 2:4a
Make use of the five steps method of Bible study to study Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a together.
GOD’S WORD
STEP 1. READ.
Read. LET US READ Genesis 1:1 - 2:4a together.
OBSERVATIONS
STEP 2. DISCOVER.
(The following are examples of people sharing what they have discovered. Remember: In every small group, the group
1:27
Discovery 1. God created man and woman in his own image.
I am different than animals, because they do not have the image of God. As an image of God, I am a recognisable copy
of God’s personality. I have been given the same kind of characteristic features God possesses.
1:28
Discovery 2. God created me for a specific task.
I am created to have a relationship with God, with other people and with nature. With regard to God, I am to bear his
image in a worthy way. With regard to other people, I must respect the difference between male and female.
With regard to nature, I must subdue it and rule over it.
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STEP 3. QUESTION.
EXPLANATIONS
GROUP?
Let us try to understand all the truths in Genesis 1:1 - 2:4a and ask questions about the things we still do not understand.
question.)
2:4
Question 1. What kind of literary genre is Genesis 1:1 to 2:4?
Notes. Because man was not present at the creation, God gives to man after his creation a revelation of creation, not in
the form of a scientific treatise, vision or poem, but in the form of a historical account (Genesis 2:4).
1:31 – 2:1
Question 2. How long did creation take?
Notes. The Bible says “in six days”. How must these ‘days’ be interpreted?
The Hebrew word ‘day’ is ‘yom’ and in Genesis 1 the author could not have intended a literal 24-hour day, because the
measuring of time was only possible from the fourth creation day (Genesis 1:14)! In verse 5, the word ‘day’ first refers
only to the light part of a creation day and then to the whole creation day. In verse 14, the word ‘day’ first refers only to
the light part of a 24-hour day and then to the whole 24-hour day. And in Genesis 2:4 the word ‘day’ refers to the whole
period of creation and includes all the six creation days! Thus, the word ‘day’ is used in 5 different senses.
In Genesis 1:27, on the sixth creation day after creating all the land animals, God created man, both male and female.
This was God’s closing act on the sixth creation day. But in Genesis 2:15-22 a considerable interval of time must have
intervened between the creation of Adam and the creation of Eve. Before the creation of Eve, Adam’s task was to work
in and take care of the enormous Garden of Eden. God’s decision to make a suitable helper for Adam implies a long
enough period of time to lose his initial excitement at working in the Garden. To compensate for his lonesomeness,
God gave Adam the enormous task of classifying every species of animal and bird. This comprehensive inventory of all
animals, birds and insects must have taken a very long time. Finally, after Adam’s renewed loneliness, God created
a wife for him from that part of his body that was closest to his heart. Therefore Genesis 1 was never intended to teach
that the sixth creation day lasted a mere 24 hours.
The purpose of Genesis 1 is not to tell us how long God took to create the universe and the earth or how fast God
performed his work of creation, but to tell who created the universe, how he created it and for what purpose he created
it.
1:1-2
Question 3. How did God create the universe?
Notes.
In the beginning
In the beginning (in absolute sense) the Almighty God, created the heavens and the earth. This refers to the birth of the
universe when God created matter, energy, space and time out of what cannot be observed (Hebrews 11:3). The Bible
revelation concentrates on what would later become important for man within the universe: the sun, moon, stars and
earth. Note that God existed before he created ‘time’. The word ‘create’ (H: bara’) is only used of God and never of
man. The earth was formless, empty and dark. It did not have any ordered form and looked like floods of water.
There was no light on earth, no dry land and no living creatures. It took a very long time to form the right galaxy with
the right elements that becomes the Milky Way, the right star in the right position within the galaxy that becomes the
sun, and the right planet at the right distance from the sun that becomes the earth that could support life.
Genesis 1:1-2 serves as an introduction to the six creation days, which set forth the orderly progressive stages in which
God completed (Genesis 2:1) his work of creating the planet earth within the universe as we know it today.
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The first creation day.
Genesis 1:3-5 sets forth the creation of physical light that reaches the earth.
Life and light are attributes of God. Life and light are inherent to God’s nature. ‘Life’ is a summary of all God’s
attributes or characteristics, like righteousness, holiness, love, faithfulness, mercy, grace. etc. ‘Light’ is the visible
expression of that life (John 1:4-5)! So there has always been life and light in a spiritual sense!
At the birth of the universe God created physical light (energy) that emanates from the galaxies of stars and its burning
suns and is reflected from planets and moons (Genesis 1:3-5). But this physical light of the sun, moon and stars only
became visible on the earth on the fourth creation day and from then on had the potential to become the indicators of
time and seasons for man (Genesis 1:14).
On the new earth Jesus Christ will be the source of light in a physical and spiritual sense. Jesus Christ is the visible
expression of the invisible life of God. There will never again be night or darkness in a physical and spiritual sense on
the new earth (Revelation 21:23; 22:5)!
The second creation day.
Genesis 1:6-8 sets forth the creation of the atmosphere or sky that separated the moisture suspended in the clouds in the
sky and the moisture condensed on the surface of the earth. Thus, a thick layer of clouds covered the whole earth so that
the sun, moon and stars could not yet be seen from the earth.
The third creation day.
Genesis 1:9-13 sets forth the creation of the dry land of the continents and the sea. The waters of the oceans, seas and
lakes receded to a lower altitude than the masses of land that emerged above them. The gradual cooling of the earth
brought about condensation of water and seismic pressures produced mountains. By God’s creative command, the dry
land produced the various species of plants and trees. Sunlight, shining through the still thick layer of clouds around the
earth, and water made photosynthesis possible.
The fourth creation day.
Genesis 1:14-19 reveals that God parted the cloud cover around the earth enough for direct sunlight to fall on the earth
and for accurate observation of the movements of the sun, moon and stars to take place.
The verb in verse 16 should not be translated as ‘made’, but as ‘caused’ (H: asah). God did not ‘create’ the sun, moon
and stars on this creation day, but ‘caused’ all these lights to be visible from the earth and thus to govern time and
seasons. God had created the matter, energy and space of the bodies of the sun, moon and stars at the beginning
(Genesis 1:1), but only caused their lights to become visible on the earth on the fourth creation day. From then onwards
they could function as stellar signs that aid travelling, as an agricultural calendar that determines the seasons, and as
a historical calendar that determines the length of 24 hour days and years.
This clearly points to the fact that God created the earth for man! The sizes of the light bodies were not intended to be
scientific facts, but described the way in which people on earth observed them.
The fifth creation day.
Genesis 1:20-23 relates the creation of marine life, freshwater life and all flying creatures. This included the great sea
creatures, fish, shellfish, crabs and shrimps on the one hand and insects, flying lizards and birds on the other hand.
It is interesting that the Cambrian period of geology shows the first evidence of invertebrate animal life with startling
suddenness. There is no record whatever of the 5 000 species of marine and terrestrial animal life of the Palaeozoic era
prior to the Cambrian levels of fossil bearing strata. God’s command to multiply is not addressed to these animals, but
is his creative word that blesses them with the ability to multiply.
The sixth creation day.
Genesis 1:24-26 relates the creation of all the land animals after their species and the creation of man. Verse 24 should
not be understood to mean that the earth had the ability to produce animals by itself. By God’s creative command,
he created animals from the elements present in the earth. The land animals included livestock like sheep and cows,
all small animals moving along the ground and all the larger wild animals like lions and elephants. This was not
intended to be a scientific classification, but the way people looked at animals.
Each one of the six creation days was symbolised by a complete cycle, from the beginning of darkness of a creation day
to the beginning of darkness of the following creation day. The real intention of the formula “and there was evening,
and there was morning, - the first day”, etc. was to show that there were definite and distinct stages in God’s procedure
in creation. The intention of the author was not to use this formula as evidence for a literal 24-hour day concept.
God does not reveal how long one of the six creation days took!
Genesis 2:1 is a summary statement: the creation of the whole organised universe was now completed (2:1).
Verse 2 says that the seventh day started as soon as God had finished his work of creation.
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2:2-3
Question 4. How should I understand the seventh day that concluded God’s
original work of creation?
Notes.
No closing formula
The Bible does not teach that God rested only one 24-hour day at the conclusion of his whole creative work. There is no
closing formula for the seventh day! The seventh day is not like one of the six creation days, with an end to its period.
God had six creation days, followed by one day of rest, upon which no more creation days followed.
The New Testament teaches that this seventh day has continued right into the church age as ‘God’s rest’. In Hebrews
4:1-11 it is clearly taught that when God completed his work of creation, he rested. However, this ‘resting’ of God after
his creative work does not mean that God was tired and is currently doing nothing. It means that God is doing no more
creating. God is still sovereignly maintaining and reigning over his creation (John 5:17; Hebrews 1:3).
Likewise, God’s people, having completed their service on earth, will enter into God’s rest. This ‘Sabbath rest’
(Hebrews 4:9) of the people of God refers to the life in God’s presence either immediately after death in heaven or after
the resurrection on the new earth.
The purpose of the weekly Sabbath day
The pattern of God’s work of creation became the pattern for man’s weekly work.
The purpose of the seventh weekday was:
- Read Exodus 23:12. To rest from your weekly work and do things that cause you to get refreshed.
- Leviticus 23:3. To meet with other believers in a sacred assembly.
- Mark 3:4. To do good and save lives.
1:26-27
Question 5. How should I regard the various dinosaurs and man-like creatures
that lived many thousands of years ago?
Notes.
The creation of dinosaurs and man-like creatures took place on the sixth creation day.
Palaeo-anthropologists have found the remains of man-like creatures, commonly called ‘ape-men’ or ‘cave men’.
They estimate that these early creatures lived between 1 750 000 and 20 000 years ago. These ancient creatures cannot
be dismissed as mere ‘apes’ in their mentality, because stone implements, such as arrowheads and axe heads accompany
their remains. And charred remains indicate strongly the use of fire for cooking purposes. In case of Neanderthal
deposits, there seems to be evidence of burial with adjacent implements as if there were some belief in life after death.
Some crude statuettes found may possibly have had cultic purposes. Some remarkable cave paintings may have been of
Neanderthal origin. All these species, from the Cro-Magnon back to the Zinjanthropus, must have been advanced
creatures that possessed considerable intelligence and resourcefulness.
Scientists differ about the modern dating techniques of such ancient creatures. Genesis 1:24-27 teaches that these
ancient creatures were created on the same sixth creation day as man, but no one can calculate the duration of the sixth
creation day!
The death of vegetation, animals and man-like creatures.
‘Death’ was God’s judgement for the sin (disobedience) of humans that were created in the image of God (Genesis
2:15-17). This does not imply that physical death of all other created living things like trees, plants, birds, fish, animals
and creeping things existed only after man’s fall into sin. Physical death was already a reality before the fall of man into
sin, because the mere consumption of food requires the physical death of plants and grass (Genesis 1:29-30)!
Many species of life cannot survive for even a few hours without food, that is, without causing the death of other living
things.
Only man was created in the image of God. Only man was capable of a relationship with God. Only man disobeyed
God’s command and thus sinned against God. Thus this ‘death’ was a judgement only on man! The death mentioned in
Genesis 2:17 and Romans 5:12,18 refers above all to spiritual death and eventually eternal death. After the first humans
had sinned, God sent an angel to block the way to the tree of life. Apparently man had the potential for eternal physical
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life, not only before, but also after the fall into sin if they would have eaten from the tree of life. By blocking the way to
the tree of life, man’s sin resulted in his physical death.
Thus, the physical death of many other species of life other than humans could have existed a long time before Adam’s
fall into sin. Carnivorous activity results from the physical laws of thermodynamics and not from the sin of man. People
today tend to view animals more as persons and consequently view the suffering and death of animals as that of
humans. But only humans have been created in the image of God. Only thei suffering and death is in view (Genesis
3:16-19).
The man-like creatures were not human in the biblical sense of the word.
Acts 17:26 says, “From one man”, literally “from one blood, God made every nation of men”. And Romans
5:12-21 demands that all mankind subsequent to Adam’s time, at least, must have been literally descended from him,
since he entered into covenant relationship with God as the representative of the entire race of man. This indicates that
there could have been no true genetic relationship between the human Adam and these ancient man-like creatures.
They were genetically not Adam’s ancestors, nor were they involved in the covenant which God made with Adam
(Genesis 1:28-30; 2:15-17).
However close the skeletal structure of these man-like creatures may have been to modern man, this factor is scarcely
relevant to the principle question of whether they possessed a truly human spirit or personality. The implication of
Genesis 1:26-27 is that God was creating a qualitatively different being when he made ‘Adam’, which means ‘man’ in
the original language. Adam was the first man created in the spiritual image of God! He was the first human being in
the modern sense of the word, “a living soul” expressed in a visible human body and an invisible human spirit in the
likeness of God! There is no evidence from science to disprove this!
1:26-27
Question 6. What does it mean to be created in the image of God?
Notes.
Man has a unique physical life.
Genesis 2:7 says that God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into man, and man
became “a living soul (being)”. The human body, just like the bodies of animals, consists of the elements that are found
in the earth. However, in differentiation to animals, which were formed by God’s creative command, God’s hands
formed man. The human, just like animals, was given the breath of life (Genesis 2:7, 7:22). However, in differentiation
to animals, which were given life by God’s creative command, man was given life directly by God’s breathing into his
nostrils. This means that God gave man respiration and thereby life.
Man has a unique spiritual nature.
Genesis 1:26-27 says that the creation of man is even much more special. Man’s creation is specially introduced by
a decision of the Triune God, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” And then God made man in his own
image or likeness. Man was given a spiritual nature that corresponds to God’s spiritual nature. He possessed the real
and characteristic features of God. He was in another degree a copy of God’s personality. In this respect, man is unique
in creation. Nothing in creation besides man bears the image of God!
Man thus has a physical and a spiritual existence, or in short, man has a body and a spirit. Man’s body is very special,
because God formed it with his own hands. And man’s spirit is unique in creation, because only man bears the image of
God.
Man has a unique relationship with God.
Genesis 1:28-29 says that God spoke directly to man. This is the very first revelation of God to man! This means that
man has the ability to know God and to communicate with God. Moreover, God gave man the task to subdue the earth,
to rule over all living creatures and to utilise all plants and trees. God thus reveals that he created the earth for man and
made man the steward of his creation.
APPLICATIONS
STEP 4. APPLY.
Share and record. Let us brainstorm with one another and record a list of possible applications from Genesis 1:1 - 2:4a.
APPLICATION?
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1. Examples of possible applications (convictions) from Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a.
1:1,28. The first two chapters in the Bible do NOT tell us how long God created the universe and the planet earth,
but they tell us who created everything and for whom he created everything – for people, created in his image!
1:1-2. God had created the heavens and the earth already BEFORE the six special creation days. During the six
special creation days, God completed the creation of the universe by especially creating and ordering
everything on the planet earth|.
1:11,21,24. God reveals that the different species on earth did not evolve out of original created matter, but were
created by God.
1:27-28. God’s purpose is to fill this earth with people “in his own image”!
1:28.
God’s cultural command to people is that they should care for God’s creation.
1:31.
At the completion of creation, there was not yet any evil in God’s creation! “All that God made was very
good!”
2:2-3. God desires that people work for six days and “rest” for one day in the week.
2:4.
The first two chapters in the Bible are not an imaginative story of ancient people about the origin of
everything, but a history of creation, which God revealed to the first people. Genesis 2:4 says that this is “the
historical account of the heavens and the earth”.
a. I am a special creation of God. Both my body and spirit are very precious to God. Therefore I never want to look
down upon myself, despise myself or reject myself. I want to take good care of my body and my spirit.
b. I want to take my God-given task serious. As God’s creation, I want to know God and bear his image in a worthy
way. I want to take the difference between male and female serious. And I want to help take care of nature.
RESPONSE
STEP 5. PRAY.
LET US TAKE TURNS TO PRAY ABOUT ONE TRUTH THAT GOD HAS TAUGHT US in Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a.
5
PRAYER (8 minutes)
INTERCESSION
6
FOR NEXT LESSON
1. Commitment. Make a commitment to one of the possible applications.
3. Memorisation. Meditate and memorise the new Bible verse. Assurance of answered prayer: John 16:24.
Daily review the last 2 memorised Bible verses.
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LESSON 5
1
PRAYER
2
GOD IS A LIVING PERSON
(Group leader. Read the teaching about God is a Living Person).
Theme. GOD IS A LIVING PERSON.
1. The nature of idols.
Read Psalm 115:2-8.
The nature of idols.
Some people make idols that are similar to people. However, although the idols have eyes, they cannot see and although
they hav e ears, they cannot hear. These dead stone or wooden idols cannot speak or act. Other people with either their
philosophical or religious minds create their own idea of what the one and only God should be like. However, every
‘god’ created by the human mind, whether polytheistic or monotheistic, does not have real life.
The influence of idols.
The worship of a man-made idol or a man-invented god is absolutely in vain. Such an idol or such a god never
responds. Worse: the Bible warns that people who make such an idol or invent such a god with his mind, feelings,
creative art and ambitions, will become like their man-made idol or their man-invented god (Psalm 115:8)! People who
worship such a man-made idol or man-invented god will become like their idol or god. Those who worship the moneygod, Mammon, become materialistic. Those who worship the sex-goddess, Venus, become sexually immoral.
And likewise, every person’s character and behaviour reflects the god he worships! A revengeful terrorist worships
a revengeful god. A person who persecutes other people worships a god that continually persecutes. And an
unforgiving, bitter person worships a god that does not and cannot forgive.
A biblical principle.
In contrast to the worship of a man-made idol or a man-invented god, people that worship the Living God of the Bible
will become more and more like this Living God! Worship changes us in the areas of who we are and what we are like!
Thus, when we worship a holy and righteous God, we will become more and more holy and righteous! And when we
worship a loving and merciful God, we will become more and more loving and merciful!
2. The nature of the Living God.
Read Exodus 3:1-12.
God is a Living Person with personal functions.
- God is not an impersonal power, but a Living Person. He lives!
- God reveals himself visibly in flames of fire and in the Angel of the Lord.
- God speaks clearly and understandably to us. Therefore, we can know what God says. We can understand God’s
thoughts, feelings, desires and will to the extent that he chooses to reveal them to us.
- God sees everything. He not only sees what we do, the visible things, but also the invisible things. He sees our misery
and pain and inward life.
- God hears everything. God hears our conversations, our whispering, and also our cries for help and our prayers.
- God has a heart of feelings. He is concerned about our suffering and our welfare. The Bible says that God loves his
people and shows his holy wrath to those who oppose him. God grieves and he rejoices.
- God acts as a Person on our behalf by coming down to earth to rescue us. Moreover, God involves us by giving us
a meaningful task to do, just like he gave to Moses. And God does not send us out alone to do that task, but goes with us
in fulfilling that task, just like he accompanied Moses in the fulfilment of his task.
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God is a Living Person who created human persons in his image.
The one and only God who has revealed himself in the Bible is not a creation of the human mind. God has personal
functions of speaking, seeing, hearing, feeling, reasoning, willing and acting, not because we humans have those
functions. God is not a projection of the human mind. He is not a god created according to the ideas of people. Rather,
God is a Living Person by nature. His whole being is personal.
It is not humans who created God in their image, but rather God who created humans in his image! God created human
beings in his own likeness. As a Person, God created persons. Human beings are ‘persons’ because they have been
created in God’s likeness. We human beings can speak, because God speaks. We see, because God sees. We think
rationally, because God thinks rationally. We make choices and decisions, because God makes choices and decisions,
etc. Because God is alive, we human beings have similar personal functions. Nevertheless, our personal functions are
much more limited than his are.
God is a Living Person who relates with human persons.
Because both God and we human beings are ‘living persons’, God and human beings can relate to one another and can
fellowship with one another! As ‘persons’, God and we can talk to one another, we can know one another, and we can
understand one another, feel with one another, fellowship with one another and work together. If God were only an
impersonal power, a personal relationship and intimate fellowship between God and us would not be possible.
However, because God is a Living Person, such a personal relationship and intimate fellowship is not only possible, but
is actually happening!
Group leader. Worship God in his characteristic of being a Living Person whom you can know and relate to him.
Worship in small groups of three people each.
3
MATTHEW
Take turns and share (or read from the notes of your personal time with God) in short what you have learned from one
of your personal times with God out of the assigned Bible passages (Matthew 15:1 – 18:20).
4
[BIBLE].
SEVEN WAYS TO USE THE BIBLE
A. MOTIVATION. WHY USE THE BIBLE?
1. The example of the Lord Jesus.
His conviction about the Bible.
Jesus regarded the Bible as the inspired Word of God. The authors wrote the books under the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit (Matthew 22:43). He regarded the Bible as the authoritative Word of God. He quoted it as God’s final word in
every situation (Matthew 4:1-10). He regarded people who heard and obeyed the Bible as blessed (Luke 11:28;
Revelation 1:3).
Jesus Christ himself is the One who inspired the Bible and he himself is the Content of the Bible.
Read 1 Peter 1:10-12; Revelation 19:10.
Notes. The apostle Peter said that the Spirit of Jesus Christ had inspired the prophets of the Old Testament period to
write the Old Testament. Jesus says that the genuine spirit and inner content of ‘prophecy’ is whatever the Spirit of
Jesus Christ taught in the Old Testament (1 Peter 1:10-12) and whatever Jesus Christ taught and did in the New
Testament (Matthew 5:17; John 3:11-13; 5:39; 8:18-19,24,31-32,51,58)! To put this in another way: to proclaim what
Jesus revealed about himself, his words and works in the Bible is the spiritual gift of prophecy (Revelation 19:10)
(Dictionary: Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich p.730). Biblical prophecy is therefore not making arbitrary predictions about other people,
but proclaiming Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2; cf. 4:6)!
How did Jesus use the Bible (God’s Word)?
Read Luke 2:46-47.
Notes. In his human nature Jesus started at an early age to study God’s Word. He learned by listening, by asking
questions and by discussing God’s Word with other people.
God’s Word at that time was written on scrolls, made of papyrus or leather. Jesus used God’s Word very much.
He applied God’s Word to his own personal life (Luke 4:21, 24:25-27,44-45). He quoted God’s Word against his
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enemy, the Devil (Matthew 4:4,7,10). He used God’s Word to teach the truth (Matthew 5:21-22,27,31-34,38-39,43-44),
to answer questions (Matthew 19:3-6), to refute false teaching (Matthew 22:41-46), to expose the hypocritical life of
people (Mark 7:5-9) and to prophesy (Matthew 26:31).
What did people and Jesus himself say about his education?
Read John 7:14-18.
Notes. Although Jesus had no theological training at one of the rabbinical schools, he knew God’s Word very well.
The learning and teaching of Jesus Christ came from the One and Only True and Living God, who sent him. Jesus
claimed that he spoke the truth without a single falsehood.
How did Jesus develop the personal convictions of people?
Read Luke 10:25-28.
Notes. Jesus would answer questions with another question – the ‘ping-pong principle’. In this way people had to
discover the truth in the Bible themselves. The truth in the Bible, which people discover for themselves, becomes their
personal convictions. Thus, instead of answering a question, give people the Bible reference and let them read it and
discover the truth in the Bible for themselves.
2. The example of the apostle Paul.
His conviction about the Bible.
The apostle Paul regarded the Bible as the inspired Word of God. Every word of the Bible was inspired by the Holy
Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17). He regarded the Bible as the authoritative Word of God. He quoted it as God’s final word in
every situation (Acts 13:34-35). The apostle Peter said that God gave his wisdom to the apostle Paul to write his thirteen
letters (2 Peter 3:15-16).
How did Paul study the Bible in a small group?
Read Acts 17:2-4.
Notes. Paul’s habit was to find a group of people who wanted to study God’s Word, the Bible. Every week the group
would meet together. Paul would reason with them from the Bible. The word ‘to reason’ (G: dialegomai) literally
means ‘to ponder over’ the truths of the Bible in one’s mind and then ‘to discuss’ (to dialogue about) them with other
people in the group. It does not mean ‘to argue about the Bible’. During these periods of discussion from the Bible, Paul
as group leader of the group also explained and proved certain truths from the Bible. The word ‘to explain’ literally
means ‘to open up completely’ the Bible, that is, to explain the meaning of the difficult passages in the Bible. The word
‘to prove’ means to show that what you teach is clearly written in the Bible. Paul’s goal for studying the Bible in
a small group was ‘to persuade’ the people to believe the truths written in the Bible. In Ephesus, Paul had such
discussions from the Bible every day for two years (Acts 19:8-10)!
What was Paul’s goal in teaching and preaching?
Read Acts 20:20,27,30-31.
Notes. Paul’s goal was to teach people the whole will of God as well as anything helpful. On the one hand, he taught
them every important teaching and practice in the Bible. On the other hand, he did not teach them anything that would
not help them. Paul warned the Christians that they should not occupy themselves with stupid arguments or with false
teachings (1 Timothy 1:3-7).
What was Paul’s rule in all his preaching and teaching?
Read 1 Corinthians 4:6.
Notes. Paul’s rule in all his preaching and teaching was never to go beyond what is written in the Bible!
Note the warning of Jesus Christ in Revelation 22:18-19: “If anyone adds anything to them (the words of Christ in the
book of Revelation), God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this
book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in
this book.”
3. The example of the Bereans.
How did the Bereans use God’s Word, the Bible?
Read Acts 17:10-12.
Notes. The Bereans listened and received the teaching of the Bible with the right attitude and with eagerness.
They examined the Bible every day in order to discover the truth for themselves and to check whether the preachers or
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teachers of the Bible spoke or taught the truth. They wanted to develop their own convictions about what God’s Word,
the Bible, said. The word ‘to examine’ (G: anakrino) literally means to investigate the truth by searching, by asking
questions, by discerning the truth and by appraising the truth. It means to make careful and exact research as in legal
processes. Thus, the way to develop and formulate personal convictions about spiritual matters is to examine the truth in
the Bible yourself. The best way is to do this together with a small group of other Christians.
4. The example of Ezra.
How did Ezra use God’s Word, the Bible?
Read Ezra 7:10.
Notes. Ezra was a great teacher of the Bible. He devoted himself to three things: first, to study the Bible; second,
to practise the teachings of the Bible; third, to teach the truths of the Bible to others. This is a good example for all
students and group leaders (teachers) of the Bible. Before you teach a truth from the Bible to others, you must first study
this truth in the Bible and practise it in your own life!
5. The example of the military leader Joshua and king David.
What did God promise and what did his people experience?
Read Joshua 1:7-9; Psalm 1:1-3.
Notes. God commanded the military leader, Joshua, to meditate continually on God’s words in the Bible, so that he may
be careful to do everything written in it. God promised that he would experience what is really successful or profitable
in God’s eyes. King David experienced that continual meditation on God’s words in the Bible kept him away from evil
people and made his life fruitful. Thus, meditation and application of the Bible will have great influence on your life
and will bring a great reward. You will make your way prosperous, you will have success (that is, you will understand
life and act wisely) and your life will be attractive and fruitful.
6. The 5 principles of Bible study.
The above passages from the Bible teach us a few good principles of Bible study.
(1) Small group.
Form a small group of people who would like to study the Bible together, preferably every week.
(2) Observe facts.
Search the truth by investigating the facts, especially the whole will of God and anything helpful.
(3) Interpret truths.
Ask questions and listen to one another’s point of view. Discuss the truths in the passage.
Explain the difficult words and thoughts. Prove every point you make from the Bible. Explain the Bible correctly,
preferably in the light of other passages from the Bible.
(4) Apply truths.
Meditate on what God intends you to know, to believe, to be and to do.
Then practise the truth God wants you to practise.
(5) Formulate truths.
Formulate the main truths as your own convictions, conclusions and applications.
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B. ILLUSTRATION. THE CHRISTIAN'S RESPONSIBILITY WITH REGARD TO THE BIBLE
1
2
3
4
5
7
6
1. Hear the Bible.
Read Luke 11:28; Revelation 2:7
2. Read the Bible.
Read Deuteronomy 17:18-20; Nehemiah 8:8;
1 Timothy 4:13
3. Study the Bible.
Read Ezra 7:10; Acts 17:11
4. Memorise Bible verses.
Read Psalm 119:9,11
5. Meditate on the messages of the Bible.
Read Joshua 1:8
6. Apply the messages of the Bible.
Read Luke 6:46-49; John 14:21
7. Pass the messages of the Bible on to others.
Read Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:2
The more you use the Bible in these 7 different ways, the better spiritual understanding you will have of God’s Word.
C. PRACTICAL. SEVEN PRACTICAL WAYS TO USE THE BIBLE
During this training course, we will learn to use the Bible in a practical way. We will learn to listen to the Bible, read
the Bible, study the Bible, memorise Bible verses, meditate on Bible truths, apply the messages of the Bible to our
personal life and pass the messages of the Bible on to other people.
Teach the following seven practical methods.
1. Hear the Bible.
Learn to listen and hear God himself speaking to you through the Bible. Expect God to say something to you!
2. Read the Bible every day.
Read through the Bible.
Use one, two or three years to read through the whole Bible. The Bible has 1187 chapters. You can read through the
Bible in one year by reading 3 chapters every day and 5 chapters on your free day.
Use a Bible reading plan (See manual 1, supplement 2).
Read the New Testament passages during your personal times with God (in the morning). And read one or both Old
Testament passages in the evening before you go to sleep.
Also use a Bible marking system while you read (See manual 1, supplement 3).
It will help you to find important passages in the Bible and will help you to study certain topics in the Bible.
Read the Bible to your family.
Read a passage from the Bible every day to your family (for example, after the main meal). Then talk about it and pray
about it together (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
Read the Bible to other people.
Look for opportunities to read the Bible aloud to non-Christians and to Christians (1 Timothy 4:13).
3. Study the Bible every week.
Form a Bible study group or a discipleship group.
Find people who want to study the Bible together in a small group. Every member should prepare the Bible study before
he comes to the Bible study group meeting. When you come together, everybody should participate in searching,
discussing, sharing and applying the truth. It is the best if you meet once a week for Bible study and prayer.
Learn different methods of doing Bible study.
There are methods to help you study a Bible verse, a Bible passage or chapter, a Bible book, a Bible character (person)
and a Bible topic. In this course you will learn one very good method, namely the five steps method, which can be used
to study every passage in the Bible (See manual 1, supplement 4).
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4. Memorise Bible verses regularly.
Meditate and memorise new Bible verses regularly. Also review and check old memorised Bible verses (See manual 1,
supplement 5).
5. Meditate on the truths of the Bible.
Learn and practise to meditate on the truths of the Bible. It takes more time and discipline.
Christian meditation is very different to meditation in other religions. In other religions, the person himself is in the
centre of his meditation. In the Christian faith, God and his words are always in the centre of your meditation. Christian
meditation is other-directed and is always a dialogue between you and God. Christian meditation is especially done
during your quiet time, prayer, memorisation and Bible study. The four steps in Christian meditation are: think, pray,
relate and write (See manual 1, supplement 1, step 4).
6. Apply the truths of the Bible to your life.
Put the truths in the Bible into practice.
Purpose of applications.
God has given the Bible to you to change your life, not just to increase your knowledge.
Possible applications.
Think how the various truths in the Bible passage may be applied to your personal life and to life in the world.
Any specific truth in the Bible may have more than one possible application. Ask yourself:
Is there a truth to believe?
Is there a command to obey?
Is there a promise to claim?
Is there wisdom to apply?
Is there an attitude or behaviour to change?
Is there a sin to avoid?
Is there an example to follow?
Is there a good message to share?
Personal application.
Ask God what he intends you to know, to believe, to be or to do. Try to be realistic and make a personal application,
which you can practise specifically for at least one week. Write down what God wants you to apply.
Progress in application.
Every day in your prayer ask God to help you to do your personal application. Every week share with your small group
or personal mentor the progress you are making in your personal application.
7. Pass the truths of the Bible on to others.
Witness by telling someone what you have read, studied or memorised in the Bible. Pass the truths of the Bible on to
others by sharing, witnessing, teaching, preaching, encouraging, admonishing or even warning.
5
PRAYER (8 minutes)
6
FOR NEXT LESSON
1. Commitment. Make a commitment to use the Bible in different practical ways.
3. Bible study. Prepare the next Bible study at home. Ephesians 2:1-22. Theme: Who am I?
5. Update your notebook on making disciples. Include the worship notes, the notes on your personal time with God,
the teaching notes and this preparation.
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LESSON 6
1
PRAYER
2
MATTHEW
3
ASSURANCES OF VICTORY: 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13
Read Matthew 19:3-6; Luke 10:25-26.
Notes. Memorised Bible verses will enable you to give God’s answers to man’s questions.
B. MEDITATION
Assurance of victory
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what
Write the following memorisation is common to man. And God is faithful; he Write the Bible reference
will not let you be tempted beyond what on the back of your card.
as follows:
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
1. A temptation can be a trial at the same time.
The original word (G: peirasmos) can be translated as ‘temptation’ or ‘trial’. A trial (test) is something God designs to
make you stronger and wiser and always builds you up (James 1:2-4,12). But a temptation is something that is designed
to cause you to sin and always pulls your life down into defeat. The source of temptations can be your own sinful nature
(James 1:13-15), the sinful world around you (1 John 2:15-17) or the devil (Luke 4:1-13). The context (1 Corinthians
10:6-11) speaks clearly of temptations, like: idolatry, pagan revelry, sexual immorality and grumbling against God.
Nevertheless, God is so powerful that he can change a temptation to do evil into a trial (test) to do good! All depends on
how you respond to the temptation.
2. The nature of temptations or trials.
The same kind of temptations tempts all people. Everybody can recognise a temptation, because it occurs all over the
world and because it occurs again and again throughout history.
3. God’s faithfulness when you are tempted.
God never allows any temptation to be bigger than our ability to overcome that temptation! God is bigger than our
temptations and he is also fair. He never allows us to be tempted above our ability to resist the temptation. And God
always gives us a way of escape out of the temptation!
God never leads people into temptation to sin (James 1:13), but he may allow a temptation by your sinful nature, the
godless world or Satan to take place! When we pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew
6:13), we ask God to intervene in a sovereign way and not permit us to do what we are prone to do by nature. Whenever
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we rely on God and pray, “Please do not permit me to run into tempting situations”, then God will deliver us out of that
evil situation (Matthew 6:13).
Why does God allow us to be tempted? The devil, the sinful world or the sinful nature may try to use a temptation to sin
to break us down, but God can use that same temptation to sin to build us up! A particular event may be a temptation
from the devil’s point of view, but from God’s point of view it is always a trial (test)(cf. Job chapter 1).
God can allow you to be tempted by sin as a test (trial), without desiring that you fail the test. In such a situation,
you could pray, “Lord, give me your grace not to fail your test!” For example, God permitted the devil to tempt Job to
the utmost, but Job relied on God and became a stronger and more mature man in the end.
God can also permit somebody to follow his sinful nature and fall into temptation. God has the right not to intervene.
Especially people, who do not pray and therefore are not dependent on God, can also not rely on God’s faithfulness
(James 4:2). The temptation will be too strong for them and they will not find any way of escape out of the temptation.
For example, when people suppress the truth or exchange the truth for a lie, then God may give them over to the sinful
desires of their hearts (Romans 1:24-25). Without God, nobody can overcome the power of sin!
4. Practical ways to escape temptations.
Genesis 39:9-10.
Immediately say “No!” Refuse seductive suggestions and evil plots (John 8:3-8).
Genesis 39:12.
Flee away from the source of temptation. You must always flee from the following temptations: sexual immorality
(Proverbs 4:14-15,23-27; 5:1-23; 1 Corinthians 6:18), idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14), the love of money (1 Timothy
6:9-11) and the evil desires of youth (2 Timothy 2:22; cf. 1 Peter 4:3-4).
Psalm 119:9,11.
Immediately begin to think God’s thoughts. Memorise Bible verses and use them, especially when you are confronted
impure thoughts or with lies and negative thoughts (Ephesians 6:16).
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.
Immediately seek the fellowship of other Christians.
Matthew 26:41.
Watch and pray, especially when you are tired or have spiritual battles.
Luke 6:27-28.
Immediately respond with positive Christian ministry (Matthew 5:38-42).
Do something positive with your hands or serve someone (John 8:3-11).
Acts 16:18.
Use your spiritual authority and command the evil one to go away in the name of Jesus Christ (cf. Matthew 4:3-4).
1 Timothy 6:9.
Avoid wrong ambitions and wrong habits (Job 31:1).
James 4:7-8.
Immediately submit yourself to God (cf. Hebrews 2:18). Immediately come near to God and pray (Matthew 7:7-11).
Then resist the devil and he will flee from you (1 Peter 5:8-9).
2. Memorise the Bible verse in the right way. Assurance of victory: 1 Corinthians 10:13.
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4
WHO AM I?
EPHESIANS 2:1-22
Make use of the five steps method of Bible study to study Ephesians 2:1-22 together.
GOD’S WORD
STEP 1. READ.
Read. LET US READ Ephesians 2:1-22 together.
OBSERVATIONS
STEP 2. DISCOVER.
2:8-9
Discovery 1. I have been saved by God’s grace and not by anything I have done!
Before I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart and life, I believed that I should perform all my religious duties every day
and also do many good works in order to please God. I thought that if I did all these things, maybe God would make my
life prosperous and successful on earth and after death accept me into Paradise. I regarded my relationship to God as
a kind of contract relationship: if I do something for God, then he must do something for me!
The God who revealed himself in the Bible saves me only by what he in his grace does for me and not by anything I do!
I realised that God’s work of salvation for me is perfect and complete, even though all my own efforts remained
imperfect! I began to realise that true salvation is a complete free gift and can never be bought or earned!
2:18
Discovery 2. I actually have access to the living God!
Many people say that God is so great, that no one can know him personally, talk to him personally or walk with him
personally. Other people wish they could have personal contact with God. But no matter how hard they try, they never
experience any contact with God. Because they do not hear his words or see his works, they think that God does not
exist.
But the Bible says that I can see God’s work in his creation, I can hear his voice in the Bible and in my heart, and I can
experience his care for me in my circumstances. The Bible says that there is a genuine way to make contact with the
living God. That way is Jesus Christ. God lives in a place full of light, which no man can approach! However,
God approached me. God made himself visible and showed who he is in and through Jesus Christ. Moreover, God did
everything that is necessary for my salvation. He gave Jesus Christ as a sacrifice that made atonement for all my sins!
When I believed that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for all my sins and thereby justified me before God, I accepted Jesus
Christ into my heart and life. (He came to live in me through his Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, Romans 8:9-10).
It is the Spirit of Jesus Christ that brings me into contact with God. The Spirit of Jesus Christ reveals God to me and
helps me to have fellowship with God. The Spirit of Jesus Christ lives in me and makes me experience the reality of
God, the presence of God and the nearness of God! Through the Spirit of Jesus Christ I have access into the presence of
God. In God’s presence I can hear him speaking to me personally, I can speak to him personally and I can live my life
in a personal relationship with him.
EXPLANATIONS
STEP 3. QUESTION.
GROUP?
Let us try to understand all the truths in Ephesians 2:1-22 and ask questions about the things we still do not understand.
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question.)
2:1
Question 1. What is the meaning of being “dead in my trespasses and sins”?
Notes. This verse describes who I was before I believed in Jesus Christ. Without Jesus Christ, I was ‘physically alive’,
but ‘spiritually dead’. Of course, I could eat, drink, work and sleep, but the spirit inside me was dead. And when my
spirit is dead, I cannot know God nor can I have a personal relationship with God.
Why does God call a non-Christian ‘dead’ even though he has moral values and does good works? A non-Christian can
have moral values and can do good works, because he still is a creation of the Living God! God gave him these abilities,
even if he does not acknowledge that. However, the non-Christian does not do his good works for the sake of God or in
dependence of God. He does not trust in God and also does not obey God. He does not thank God for anything and he
does not want to glorify God in anything (Romans 1:21). Everything the non-Christian does has no relationship to the
God, who revealed himself in Jesus Christ. The non-Christian lives for himself, is selfish, self-centred, self-directed and
lives completely independent from God. This ‘independence from God’ and this ‘separation from God’ are called
‘spiritual death’.
2:1-4,11-12
Question 2. Who was I before I became a Christian?
What characterised me as a non-Christian?
Notes. Before I became a believer in Jesus Christ, I had the following characteristics (Ephesians 2:1-3,11-13):
I was spiritually dead (Colossians 2:13).
My spirit had no awareness of the Living God. I thought that God did not exist. I thought that God was an invention of
weak people and I did not need God. Or I believed in a god that was invented by some religious leader.
I followed the ways of the world (1 John 2:15-17).
I copied the life-style and habits of the people around me. I did what the majority of people thought was important and
right. Possessions, power, fame and pleasure were the great values in my life. I lived for prosperity and success. Like
everybody else, I lived for myself.
I followed the ways of the devil (the ruler of the kingdom of the air)(Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:13).
I told lies just like the devil always tells lies. Sometimes I went to fortune-tellers. Sometimes I wore a necklace to
protect me from evil spirits.
I gratified the cravings of my sinful nature.
I was greedy for money. I enjoyed dirty jokes. I could not control my eyes. My anger ran out of control. My inward
nature was corrupt.
As an unbeliever, God was angry with me (John 3:36; Romans 1:18)
God hated my independence, self-centredness, disobedience, worldliness and inner corruption.
I was separate from Christ.
I did not know that the Living God was working through Jesus Christ. I listened to what other non-Christian religions
said about Jesus Christ, without finding out what Jesus Christ himself said and did in the Bible. I misunderstood Jesus
Christ completely. I spoke evil of the followers of Christ.
I was excluded from the citizenship in Israel.
The word ‘Israel’ is here not the same as the Jewish nation in the Middle East. The real ‘Israel’ consists only of God’s
people, the people who believe in the God, who revealed himself in Jesus Christ (Romans 9:6). I did not belong to
God’s people and therefore I could not share in the privileges of God’s people. I especially did not know the Bible,
which has wonderful prophecies and promises and guidelines for life. I also missed the protection and guidance, which
God gave to his people.
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I was a foreigner to the covenants of God.
God made an agreement with his people. Again and again God said to them: “I will be your God and you will be my
people”. God wanted to be their Saviour and Friend. He wanted to carry them as a father carries his son all the way they
must go (Deuteronomy 1:31). God reaffirmed this agreement again and again to his people. But before I heard the
gospel, I never experienced that God said to me, “I am your Friend.”
I was without hope.
I had no goal for my life and life seemed absolutely meaningless. I did not know why I am here or where I was going.
I continually felt insecure and threatened.
I was without God in the world.
I lived a life in which the Living God had no place. To me the only reality was this physical and materialistic world.
I called myself an atheist. I was self-centred. In a way, I was my own god.
2:4-7
Question 3. What is the meaning of being made alive, raised and seated with Christ?
Notes. The Bible often says that the believer dies with Christ, is resurrected with Christ and is exalted with Christ in
heaven. This means that whatever happened to Christ has an immediate effect on Christians! The meaning of these
words is that God the Father gives to believers in Jesus Christ a new ‘position’ and a new ‘condition’.
Justification
God gives to the Christian the same ‘position’ or legal status as Christ. This is called ‘justification’.
God the Father looks at Christians as he looks at Christ. When God looks at the Christian, he sees only the
righteousness of Christ. Because Christ died, the old sinful nature of the Christian has died. It has been tried,
condemned, crucified and buried together with Christ. Because Christ was made alive, the Christian has also been made
alive, that is, he has been born again and now has a new spiritual nature in him. Because Christ was exalted in heaven,
the body of the Christian will also be resurrected in the future and he will be given a place in heaven. What happened to
Jesus Christ, will certainly also happen to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ! The position of the Christian
guarantees that God will fulfil all his promises concerning the new life for the Christian.
Sanctification
God also gives to Christians a new ‘condition’. This is called ‘sanctification’.
Through the work of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Christ) in the heart of the Christian, the Christian actually dies to sin
and already now begins to live a new life on earth! The condition of the Christian guarantees that he will experience the
new life more and more.
2:8-10
Question 4. If good works do not save me, why should I care about doing good works
at all?
Notes.
Christ already did the only good work that needs to be done for me to be saved!
He died, was resurrected and exalted in heaven in the place of everyone who believes in him! He completed doing
everything necessary for me to be saved. By his death, Christ took away God’s anger against my sins, forgave my sins
and set me free from the slavery of sin. So, what is left for me to do? When I believe in Jesus Christ, I can only accept
salvation as a complete free and undeserved gift! I do not deserve salvation. I cannot earn salvation. Salvation is given
to me, because God loves me and is merciful to me!
My boasting would belittle Christ’s work.
If it were possible for good works or religious works to save me, my good works and religious works would belittle
Christ’s work of salvation and rob him of his glory. I would be able to boast to God on the final judgement day and say
that I saved myself partly or wholly by my good works or my religious works! However, my good works and my
religious works are not good enough! If I want to be justified by my good works and religious works, then God
demands that my works should be absolutely (100%) perfect and complete (Galatians 3:10; James 2:10)! But because
there is not one person in the world, whose works are perfect or complete (Romans 3:10-12), no one will be justified in
God’s eyes by his own good works or religious works (Galatians 3:11)! Every single person, whether he is very
religious or simply a humanist, falls short of God’s absolute perfect standard of righteousness. No one will ever be
justified or saved by his good works or by his religious works. No one will ever be able to boast in front of God!
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My good works should express gratitude.
As a believer in Christ I still want to do good works, but not to contribute to my salvation. I want to do good works as
an expression of my gratitude for God’s free gift of salvation (Matthew 5:16; Galatians 6:9-10)! God prepared many
kinds of good works that Christians should do in the world (Ephesians 1:4). These good works are described in the
Bible (Deuteronomy 10:17-18; Mark 3:4; Romans 12:9-21). Therefore, a true Christian does two things: he praises
Christ’s perfect work in his death and resurrection that resulted in his salvation and he does good works as an
expression of thankfulness for God’s free gift of salvation.
2:4-10,13-22
Question 5. Who are you now that you believe in Jesus Christ?
What characterises you as a Christian?
Notes. Now that I believe in Jesus Christ, I have a new identity, a new position and a new condition (Ephesians 2:4-7).
I also have the following characteristics:
I have been reconciled with God
I have been reconciled with God and now have peace with God (Ephesians 2:13).
I have been reconciled to people
I have been reconciled to people from other races, who have also become believers in Jesus Christ. Now I am able to
live in peace with people from any nation in the world (Ephesians 2:14-17).
I have free access into the presence of God (Ephesians 2:18).
I dwell in his presence and experience his reality and nearness. I talk to him. I listen to him speaking to me. I walk with
him in my daily life (Psalm 16:8).
I am a fellow-citizen with God’s people (Ephesians 2:19a).
I am a member of God’s kingdom. I now belong to the most important kingdom in all the history of mankind! This
kingdom is growing every day and will soon be the only kingdom in the universe (Daniel 2:44)!
I am also a member of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19b).
God’s household or God’s family in the world is the Church. I have the privilege to call God ‘our Father in heaven’.
And I have many “Christian brothers and sisters” all over the world! The words ‘Father’, ‘brothers and sisters’ have no
physical connotation, but have spiritual meaning!
I am a part of God’s new temple (Ephesians 2:20-22).
This is not a temple of stones, but ‘a living temple’, into which all Christians are built like “living stones” (1 Peter
2:4-5). God himself lives in this living temple through the Holy Spirit. Thus, God himself lives in me and in all other
Christians through the Holy Spirit, who is “the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ or Christ in me” (Romans 8:9-10)!
APPLICATIONS
STEP 4. APPLY.
Share and record. Let us brainstorm with one another and record a list of possible applications from Ephesians 2:1-22.
APPLICATION?
1. Examples of possible applications from Ephesians 2:1-22.
2:1-4.
2:6.
2:5-8.
Consider that you were spiritually dead because you had followed the wrong ways.
Practise the conviction: “I am in Christ. I am never alone anymore!”
Consider whether you have really been spiritually raised with Christ, that is, whether you have accepted
Christ’s perfect and complete work of salvation for you, so that when God looks at you, he sees only the
righteousness of Christ.
2:9.
Consider whether you still try to win God’s favour by doing works of the law, good works or religious works.
2:10.
Read the Bible and discover which good works God has prepared for you so that you may walk in them.
2:14-17. Consider whether you still look down on Christians who belong to a different race.
2:18; 3:12. Practise to enter into God’s presence, to listen to God’s voice and to talk to God with freedom and
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2:19.
2:22.
confidence.
Consider whether you see yourself as a citizen of God’s kingdom and a member of God’s family (household).
Meditate on the fact that God dwells in the Church through his Holy Spirit.
a. With God’s help I want to stop relying on my good works and religious works and instead rely on the fact that Jesus
Christ has died for my sins and now lives in me through his Holy Spirit.
b. With God’s help I want to change my attitude towards Christians who belong to another nation and language and in
future regard them as a part of my heavenly family.
RESPONSE
STEP 5. PRAY.
LET US TAKE TURNS TO PRAY ABOUT ONE TRUTH THAT GOD HAS TAUGHT US in Ephesians 2:1-22.
5
PRAYER (8 minutes)
INTERCESSION
6
FOR NEXT LESSON
3. Memorisation. Meditate and memorise the new Bible verse. Assurance of victory: 1 Corinthians 10:13.
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LESSON 7
1
PRAYER
2
GOD IS HOLY
(Group leader. Read the teaching about God is holy).
Theme. GOD IS HOLY.
Read Exodus 34:6-7; Isaiah 1:15-17; Isaiah 6:1-8.
1. The meaning of ‘holiness’.
The word ‘holy’ includes two aspects:
- to separate from what is wrong and evil and worldly.
- and to dedicate or devote or commit to what is right and good and godly.
‘Holiness’ means ‘perfection of character and behaviour’. Character and behaviour are ‘holy’ not only when they are
separated from what is wrong, evil and worldly, but also when they are dedicated or devoted or committed to what is
right, good and godly. The first aspect without the second aspect is not yet ‘perfect’! Perfection of character and
behaviour must include both aspects of ‘separation’ and ‘dedication’!
2. Holiness and God.
God is holy. He is perfect in character and behaviour.
On the one hand, God is separated from evil in all its forms. He hates evil in every one of its forms; he hates much
unholiness and he hates a little unholiness.
On the other hand, God is dedicated or committed to all his divine attributes. He is dedicated to what is absolutely right,
good and godly. That is, he is perfect in righteousness and he will continually promote things that are right, good and
godly. He is dedicated to what is just and fair. That is, he is perfect in justice and he will punish injustice and reward
justice. There is absolutely no corruption in God. He is dedicated to what is love and what promotes love. That is, he is
perfect in his love and all his words and acts are motivated by love. He is dedicated to accomplish his wonderful plan
with the world and the whole universe. That is, he is perfect in accomplishing his will. The angels in heaven, who see
God’s character and behaviour, praise his holiness and say “Holy! Holy! Holy is the Lord God Almighty!”
3. Holiness and fellowship.
When Isaiah comes into the presence of the holy God, he especially becomes aware of his own unholiness.
He exclaims, “I am unclean, and I live among unclean people!” The holy God cannot and will not have fellowship with
unholy people! Yet, the holy God desires to have fellowship with people! The only thing that will make fellowship with
God possible is to remove the unholiness of man. Man cannot remove his unholiness from himself. Only God can
remove his unholiness. God removes Isaiah’s unholiness by making atonement for his sins. This atonement was done
symbolically by a live coal from the heavenly altar that touched Isaiah’s uncleanness. ‘Atonement’ in the Bible means
to pay the penalty for sins and thus to appease God’s righteous indignation against sin and to reconcile the offender
with God. Because Isaiah’s sins are atoned for, he can now stand in the presence of the Living God without fear and
have fellowship with God. Likewise, if we desire to have fellowship with the holy God, we must allow God to make
atonement for our sins.
4. Holiness and service.
God has used worldly people like Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus to accomplish his plans in history. But the holy
God will not use an unholy person in his spiritual service! An unholy prophet cannot represent a holy God before the
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people. But now that God has made atonement for Isaiah’s sins, God wants and can use Isaiah as a prophet in his
service. God actually used the prophet Isaiah in his service! Likewise, if we desire to serve the holy God, we must allow
God to make atonement for our sins.
Group leader. Worship God as holy in small groups of three people each.
3
MATTHEW
Take turns and share (or read from the notes of your personal time with God) in short what you have learned from one
of your personal times with God out of the assigned Bible passages (Matthew 22:1 – 25:13).
4
[PRAYER]. PRAYER IS TO RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD
A. WHAT IS PRAYER?
1. Prayer is a two way conversation with God.
What is the difference between the following two pictures?
GOD
WORD
e.g. “You shall not
give false testimony
against your neighbour”
Ex. 20:16
YOU
GOD
PRAYER
e.g. “Lord, please
heal my sickness.”
GOD
WORD
e.g. “You shall not
give false testimony
against your
neighbour.”
Ex. 20:16
YOU
PRAYER
e.g. I confess that
I exaggerated the
truth. Forgive me
and help me to
speak the truth
as it is.”
YOU
Notes.
This is a one-way conversation.
You do NOT respond in prayer to what God is saying to
you (in the Bible).
This is a two-way conversation.
You respond in prayer to what God is saying to
you (in the Bible).
How often did God and Abraham speak to one another during this one prayer?
Read Genesis 18:17-33.
Notes. During this one prayer, God spoke 7 times and Abraham spoke 6 times. This prayer shows that prayer is
a conversation between God and man, in which both speak alternatively to one another.
Who may begin the two-way conversation?
Read Psalm 5:3.
Notes. Either God or you may start the two-way conversation. In Genesis 18, God first revealed to Abraham what he
was going to do with the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorra. Then Abraham responded by praying for the righteous
people in these cities. In Psalm 5, David first prayed to God. Then he waited expectantly for God to respond to his
prayer.
Genesis 18
Psalm 5:3
GOD
GOD
PRAYER
WORD / ACT
WORD
PRAYER
God’s words
Your response
You pray to God Later, God responds by
of warning.
by interceding.
in the morning
his words or acts.
and wait expectantly.
YOU
YOU
Summarise. Prayer is a two-way conversation between God and you, which either of you may begin.
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2. Prayer is different kind of responses to God’s Word and deeds.
What does God say or do? And how do people respond?
Read the Bible passages below.
Notes.
GOD SPEAKS OR ACTS
a. Psalm 33:1-4. God’s Word is right and true.
God’s deeds are faithful.
b. Psalm 51: Title words + 4,10-12. God’s
Word through the prophet Nathan judges sin.
c. Psalm 119:33-37. God speaks his words in
his law, commands, statutes and promises.
d. Genesis 18:17,20-26. God reveals the needs
of other people.
e. Psalm 107:4-15. God saves from distress.
WE RESPOND IN PRAYER
a. Praise God by praying, by making music
and by singing.
b. Confess sin to God and ask
for forgiveness and cleansing.
c. Ask God for right understanding, direction in
your life and help to turn away from sin to God.
d. Intercede with God to meet the needs of others.
e. Thank God for his unfailing love
and wonderful deeds.
Summarise.
Prayer is a response in 5 different forms to God’s words and God’s deeds.
Prayer is a response of praise, confession, petition (asking), intercession and thanksgiving.
3. Prayer may have different foci.
On whom do the following three prayers focus?
Read the Bible passages below.
Notes.
Psalm 77:7-14,19. This prayer focuses on GOD,
on his character, words and deeds.
GOD
Colossians 1:9-12. This prayer focuses on OTHERS,
on their needs and interests.
OTHERS
Psalm 31:2-5. This prayer focuses on SELF,
on your personal needs and interests.
SELF
Summarise.
Prayer may focus on God, his character, words and deeds.
Prayer may focus on other people, their needs and interests.
Prayer may focus on you, your own needs and interests.
B. ATTITUDES AND PRAYER
Discover and discuss. Which attitudes are very important when you pray?
1. Humility.
Read Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 John 5:14.
Notes. Submit your mind (thoughts, motives) to God’s mind.
God resists the proud who rely on their own understanding (1 Peter 5:5-6).
2. A forgiving spirit.
Read Mark 11:25.
Notes. Forgive whoever wronged you. Do not become angry or revengeful.
If you don’t forgive him, God will also not forgive you (Matthew 6:14-15, Psalm 66:18).
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3. Integrity.
Read Matthew 6:5-8.
Notes. Resist the temptation to impress people with your prayers.
If you like to be seen and heard praying, then you will not receive a reward from God.
C. PRACTICAL. DIFFERENT WAYS OF PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD
1. Prayer as a response to God’s Word during your personal time with God.
Teach. After you have meditated on your favourite truth, pray your favourite truth as a response back to God. Pray your
favourite truth for yourself, for someone in your family, for someone nearby and for someone far away. When you pray
together with a friend, then you can also pray your favourite truth for one another.
2. Prayer as a response to God’s Word during your Bible Study.
Teach. After you have studied a Bible passage, pray the important truths God has taught you as a response back to God.
Pray especially about how God wants you to apply the truth of this Bible passage to your life.
3. Prayer as a response to God’s Word during your Bible reading.
Teach. After you have read a Bible passage and understood its meaning, then pray the truths from each verse, verse by
verse, as a response back to God. This is called ‘Scripture prayer’.
5
PRAYER (8 minutes)
Divide the group in small groups of three persons each. Take turns to read one or two verses from Psalm 34:1-21 and
then immediately pray a very short prayer in response to those verses before the next person reads and prays.
6
FOR NEXT LESSON
1. Commitment. Make a commitment to respond to God in prayer when he speaks to you.
3. Bible study. Prepare the next Bible study at home. Ephesians 4:17 – 5:17. Theme: Why am I here?
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LESSON 8
1
PRAYER
2
MATTHEW
3
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS: 1 JOHN 1:9
Read Matthew 22:23-33,41-46.
Notes. Memorised Bible verses will enable you to expose and refute false teachings.
B. MEDITATION
as follows:
Assurance of forgiveness
1 John 1:9
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
on the back of your card.
1. My responsibility is to confess sin.
To confess sin means “to agree with God” when he shows us our sins. It is to agree with the Bible about what sin is. It
is to tell God the wrong things we have done. It is also to tell God the right things we have neglected to do.
2. God’s responsibility is to forgive and to purify.
When God forgives our sins, he removes the guilt and shame of sin from us.
Jesus died as a sacrifice of atonement for sins, that is, he took God’s righteous anger against our sins away (Romans
3:25; Psalm 32:5). We are no longer guilty in his eyes and we no longer need to feel ashamed of our past sinful life.
God will never again bring our sins into remembrance (Micah 7:18-19; Hebrews 8:12) and he will never condemn us
for our past sins (John 5:24). He gives us a complete righteous status. He welcomes us into his family (Luke 15:20-24).
When God forgives our sins, he removes the consequences of our sins from us.
This means that he purifies us. He cleanses our conscience (Hebrews 9:14) and renews our thinking and actions.
He gives us a righteous life-style.
When God forgives our sins, he removes the power (reign) of sin from us.
He sets us free from our slavery to sinful habits, so that we are able to offer the parts of our body as instruments of
righteousness that leads to holiness (Romans 6:6,13,19).
3. God is faithful and just.
God is just (righteous and holy) and therefore he can make atonement for sins and consequently can forgive all sins.
God is faithful and therefore he has made atonement for sins and consequently has forgiven all our sins!
Every time you commit a sin, confess it immediately to God and he will forgive you and purify you.
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2. Memorise the Bible verse in the right way. Assurance of forgiveness: 1 John 1:9.
4
WHY AM I HERE?
EPHESIANS 4:17 – 5:17
Make use of the five steps method of Bible study to study Ephesians 4:17 - 5:17 together.
GOD’S WORD
STEP 1. READ.
Read. LET US READ Ephesians 4:17 - 5:17 together.
OBSERVATIONS
STEP 2. DISCOVER.
Discovery 1. The importance of knowing God’s will.
Ephesians 4:30 says, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.” Ephesians 5:10 says, “Find out what pleases the Lord.”
And Ephesians 5:17 says, “Understand what the Lord’s will is.” The truth is that the Lord is very interested in how I live
every day. The way I live every day can grieve him or displease him. If I speak lies, do not control my anger, steal, fight
or slander, then the Lord’s Spirit is very sad. Then the Lord is not pleased with how I live. But the opposite must then
also be true. Whenever I speak the truth, control my temper, work and share, forgive people and build them up, then the
Lord’s Spirit is happy. Then the Lord is very pleased with how I live. That is why the Bible says, “Understand what the
Lord’s will is.” The better I understand the Lord’s will for my life, the better I can live a life that pleases the Lord!
Therefore I think that the answer to the question, “Why am I here?” is “I am here to know God’s will and to please God
in how I live.”
Discovery 2. The importance of how I live (behave).
The letter to the Ephesians in the original language contains the word ‘walk’ in the sense of ‘behave’ or ‘live our daily
lives’ several times. Ephesians 2:2 says that before we became Christians we were spiritually dead because we lived
(walked) in the sins, in the ways of the godless world and in obedience to Satan. Ephesians 2:10 says that after we
became Christians we must live (walk) in good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians
4:1 says, “Live a life (walk) worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:17 says, “You must no longer live
(walk) as the Gentiles do in the futility of their thinking.” Ephesians 5:2 says, “Live a life of (walk in) love, just as
Christ loved us.” Ephesians 5:8 says, “Live (walk) as children of light.” And Ephesians 5:15 says, “Be careful how you
live (walk), not as unwise but as wise.” The truth is that God tells me very clearly how I should live. He literally tells
me how I should “walk” in my daily life.
The answer to the question, “Why am I here?” is “I am here to live the life God tells me to live.” God tells me clearly
how I should not live and also clearly how I should live. The reason why I live on earth is to please God. The writer,
Paul says in another letter, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians
10:31). People are created by God and put on earth to please God and to glorify God. When people choose to live in
a way that pleases God, God rejoices. But when people choose to live in their own way, God is sad and will punish
them by excluding them from his kingdom.
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STEP 3. QUESTION.
EXPLANATIONS
GROUP?
Let us try to understand all the truths in Ephesians 4:17 – 5:17 and ask questions about the things we still do not
understand.
question.)
4:17
Question 1. What does it mean that the Gentiles are living in the ‘futility’
of their thinking?
Notes. The ‘Gentiles’ here are the people who do not yet believe in Jesus Christ. The Bible says that all the efforts the
Gentiles make to attain happiness, end in disappointment. Their life is one long series of expectations, which are never
fulfilled. They pursue, but do not achieve. They blossom, but do not bear fruit. They live without any lasting results.
They experience what the Preacher experienced in his life: “All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. ...
The eye has never enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. ... My heart took delight in all my work. ... Yet when
I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the
wind; nothing was gained” (Ecclesiastes 1:7-8, 2:10-11). People without God are people whose thinking produces
nothing that can satisfy.
4:18
Question 2. Why does the Bible say that the Gentiles are ‘ignorant’
due to the hardening of their hearts?
Notes. At the time of the creation, all the people had knowledge of the Living God. Because of the fall into sin people
gradually began to forget God and live lives that were separate from the life of God. When God spoke to the people
through Enoch and Noah, they hardened their hearts.
Whenever people persist to do evil, God gives them up to suffer the full consequences of their sin. The Gentiles
hardened their hearts against God and so God allowed them to become hardened. God hardens those who harden
themselves against God. By their own deliberate action the Gentiles became hardened. The Gentiles did not want to
think about God. Therefore God blinded their understanding about the Living God. They were even blind to the fact that
they were blind (John 9:40-41)! People, who persist to live without God, do not even realise that they are living without
the Living God. They are ‘ignorant’ of God. They know nothing about the Living God.
4:22-24
Question 3. How do you put off your old self and put on your new self?
Notes. The two verbs do not indicate a process, but a once-for-all-time act that happened at my conversion (rebirth).
When I believed in Jesus Christ the first time, I once-for-all-time put off the old self and once-for-all-time put on the
new self. My old self was my ignorance about God and my old life-style. My new self is my knowledge of the will of
God and living a life that pleases God. My new self is now my identity: “I am in Jesus Christ” and never alone any
more. “My life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
But this once-for-all-time beginning must lead to a life-time process of putting off my sins by confessing them and by
putting on the characteristics of Christ. What are specific sins that I must get rid of? The Bible says that I must
specifically get rid of telling lies, of getting angry, of stealing, of fighting, of slander, of sexual immorality, of greed and
of every form of malice. What are specific righteous things that I must keep putting on? The Bible says that I must
specifically put on telling the truth, controlling my anger, working and sharing, kindness, compassion, forgiving spirit,
love, thanksgiving, knowledge of God’s will and wisdom how to live.
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4:26
Question 4. What does it mean to get angry, but not sin?
Notes. Some people think this means that Christians may never get angry. They say that all anger is sin. Other people
think this means that you may get angry, because anger is not connected to sin. Both views are wrong.
The Bible says, “You may get angry, but when you are angry, do not sin.” Anger by itself is not sinful, because anger is
also ascribed to God. God’s anger is a righteous indignation against all kinds of evil. Christians may also have righteous
indignation against the evil things that people say and do. This kind of anger is called righteous anger. Righteous anger
is limited to the person and issue in question and is expressed in the pleasing and controlled way we speak and behave.
God (Romans 1:18; 2:5-6; Hebrews 12:6) and Jesus Christ (Matthew 21:12; John 2:15-16) express their righteous anger
in temporary punishment or judgement.
But most of the times, when we humans get angry, we do not limit it to the person and issue in question, we cannot
control it and speak in an unpleasant way. So we sin. When anger is expressed in hatred or resentment against the
wrongdoer, or in abusive language or violence, then anger is sinful anger. To love the sinner while you hate his sin
requires a lot of grace from God.
4:26
Question 5. What does it mean to not let the sun go down while you are still angry?
Notes. In the Bible ‘sunset’ usually means ‘the end of the day’. Many people are angry with somebody for years and
years. They cannot forgive and remain very bitter. They keep a long list of wrongs that other people have done against
them throughout the years. They criticise them and especially slander them.
The Bible says that a Christian should never be angry for longer than the end of the same day! Before he goes to sleep,
he must reconcile himself with the other person, be compassionate and forgive the wrongdoing of the other person.
4:27
Question 6. How can we give the devil a foothold?
Notes. The Bible connects Ephesians 4:26 and 27. “To give the devil a foothold”, means to give him an opportunity to
enter into some area in my life (note: not into my body) and to do damage. Especially when I get angry I must be very
careful that I do not give the devil an opportunity to turn my anger into a grudge, hatred, an unforgiving spirit or even
violence. That is why I must learn to forgive quickly. That is why Ephesians 4:32 says that I should forgive the offender
just as God has forgiven me through what Christ has done.
Ephesians 6:11 adds, “Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” The
devil will use any scheme to cause me to sin. He can grasp hold of my anger and turn it into abusive language or violent
behaviour. He can take hold of my greed and turn it into cheating or theft. He can take hold of my fear and cause me to
tell lies. That is why James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
4:29
Question 7. How do you speak helpful words that will build other people up?
Notes. The book of Proverbs teaches me how to speak in a way that will help others. I should think before I give an
answer. I should give my answer in the right time. And I should give a gentle answer (Proverbs 15:28,23,1). Ephesians
4:15 says, “Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ.” Thus, two
important principles for speaking are ‘truth’ and ‘love’. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come
out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those
who listen.” Thus, another principle for speaking is ‘building up’.
Summary of these three important principles. Before I speak, I should ask myself three important questions:
- “Is it the truth or not?” If it is not the truth I should remain silent.
- “If it is the truth, will it build the other person up or tear him down?” If it does not build him up I should remain
silent.
- “If it will build him up, can I say it in love or not?” If I cannot say it in love I should remain silent.
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5:7
Question 8. With which kind of people should Christians not be partners?
Notes. Christians live in the sinful and broken world, but are not part of this sinful and broken world (John 17:11,16).
Christians should let their light shine among non-Christians (Matthew 5:14-16).
But Christians may not be partners with the fruitless deeds of non-Christians (Ephesians 5:11) and also not be partners
with disobedient Christians! Read 1 Corinthians 5:9-13.
Question 9. What do you think is the importance of Ephesians chapter 4:17 to 5:17
for your life?
Notes. Ephesians 4:17 to 5:17 teaches me why I am here on earth. I am on earth to live the life that God intends me to
live. The new life is a life in accordance with God’s will, it pleases him and it glorifies him. The new life to which God
calls me (Ephesians 4:1) is completely different than the life that the Gentiles live (Ephesians 4:17; 2:2). The new life is
continually putting off the old sins and putting on the new righteousness. The new life is a life characterised by truth,
righteousness, holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24), love (Ephesians 5:2), light (Ephesians 5:8) and wisdom (Ephesians 5:15).
Ephesians 4:17 – 5:17 teaches me how my life can be very meaningful and have a purpose in this world.
APPLICATIONS
STEP 4. APPLY.
Share and record. Let us brainstorm with one another and record a list of possible applications from Ephesians
4:17 – 5:17.
APPLICATION?
1. Examples of possible applications from Ephesians 4:17 to 5:17.
4:17-19. Consider the way that the Gentiles around me live (walk). Start to live (walk) differently.
4:24.
Consider how truth, righteousness and holiness can become more and more a reality in my life.
4:25.
Give up every form of lies. Only speak the truth.
4:26.
Learn to control my anger. Stop to be angry before I go to sleep.
4:27.
Be very watchful that the devil does not get a foothold in my life.
4:28.
Work and earn my own income.
4:28.
Share with some people who are in need.
4:29.
Build people up with the words I speak.
4:30.
Become sensitive not to grieve the Holy Spirit.
4:31.
Get rid of every form of evil and malice.
4:32.
Be quick to forgive those who wrong me.
5:1.
Get to know God better and imitate him.
5:2.
Learn more and more how to love as a Christian.
5:3-7. Avoid people who speak dirty or foolish things. Avoid disobedient Christians.
5:8-14. Expose the darkness in my own life and in the lives of my brothers.
5:15-17. Learn to become wise by doing the Lord’s will.
a. I want to live my life in a way that I am conscious of God’s presence and in a way that pleases God. I especially want
to learn to control my anger and reconcile myself with an offender before the day ends.
b. I also want to live my life in a way that pleases God. I especially want to put off a specific bad habit and put on a new
habit. And then practise and practise until God has built this new habit into my life.
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STEP 5. PRAY.
RESPONSE
LET US TAKE TURNS TO PRAY ABOUT ONE TRUTH THAT GOD HAS TAUGHT US in Ephesians 4:17 – 5:17.
5
PRAYER (8 minutes)
INTERCESSION
6
FOR NEXT LESSON
2. Personal time with God. Have a personal time with God from half a chapter from John 1:1 – 4:22 each day.
3. Memorisation. Meditate and memorise the new Bible verse. Assurance of forgiveness: 1 John 1:9.
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LESSON 9
1
PRAYER
2
GOD IS LOVE
(Group leader. Read the teaching about God is love).
Theme. GOD IS LOVE.
1. God’s nature is love.
Read Isaiah 43:2; Romans 5:8-10.
God loves the people of the world like a lifesaver.
A lifesaver jumps into floodwaters or enters a burning house at the risk of his own life in order to rescue people.
The flood of water (of the Red Sea) is a symbol of the godless and wicked nations that sweep across the world (Isaiah
17:12-13). The fire (oven in which Daniel’s three friends were thrown, Daniel 3:25-27) is a symbol of the persecution
against Christians.
God loves the people of the world like a shepherd.
A shepherd loves his lost sheep, seeking them until he finds them.
God loves us like a father and mother.
A mother loves her children, caring for them, protecting, nurturing and educating them.
God loves us like a friend loves his friend.
A friend desires to be together with the other and do good and interesting things with one another.
But most of all God loves us self-sacrificially.
God proves his self-sacrificial love for us by giving Jesus Christ to lay down his life for us on the cross. He loves us
self-sacrificially in order to save us from sin and from eternal destruction. God’s love sent Jesus Christ as an atoning
sacrifice for our sins. That is, by his death on the cross, Jesus Christ became the One who turned aside God’s righteous
anger against our sins, took away our sins and reconciled us with God.
2. God loves us first.
Read 1 John 4:7-21.
God is always first in his thoughts and plans, words and deeds towards us.
Before the creation of this world
God loved us and determined that we should become his spiritual sons and daughters (Ephesians 1:4-5).
Before we were born
God sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins (1 Peter 3:18).
Before we ever heard of him
God decided to reach us and he sent others to preach the gospel to us (Romans 10:14-17).
Before we believed in Jesus Christ and received him
God worked in our hearts to understand and believe the message of the gospel (John 16:8).
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God loved us first in order to win us to himself. And now that he has won us and we have received him, we can respond
with love to his love. God does not want to be the only One that loves. He also wants all his children to love him in
return and to love one another as he loves them (Mark 12:30-31).
After we believed in Jesus Christ we no longer live in fear of God’s punishment (in hell), but live in God, in love to
God and to one another, and have confidence in the Day of Judgement (1 John 4:17-18).
before Christ
Christ
after Christ
*we do not believe
*he revealed the truth about God and
ourselves
*we believe (acknowledge)
*we are under God’s wrath
(Romans 1:18)
*he made atonement that turned God’s *we are under God’s love
holy wrath aside (1 John 4:10), and
(1 John 3:1) and realise that he loved
reconciled us to God (Romans
us first and will love us forever!
5:9-10)
*we are under God’s curse
(Galatians 3:10)
*he redeemed us from the curse
by becoming a curse for us
(Galatians 3:13)
*we are under God’s blessing
(Galatians 3:14; Ephesians 1:3)
*we fear God’s punishment
(1 John 4:17-18)
*we have confidence in the Day of
Judgement (1 John 4:17-18)
*we are sinners and lost
(Luke 5:31-32; 19:10)
*we are found and saved
(Luke 15:24)
Only the cross (the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ) reconciles God’s righteousness (just wrath) with God’s
mercy (gracious love)!
3. God loves us with an eternal love.
Read Jeremiah 31:3; Romans 8:39.
God loves us as much today as he loved us in the beginning and he will love us as much tomorrow, as he loved us in the
past on the cross. God’s love does not vacillate or swing up and down as the love of humans swing up and down due to
their circumstances and feelings. God’s love is eternal and constant. Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of
God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
4. God’s love changes us.
Read Romans 5:5.
God’s love does not just touch our feelings, but also changes our lives. His love causes us to love him and to love one
another and even to love unlovely people and our enemies. As a matter of fact, we can only love God after God has
loved us and has poured his love out into our hearts. Romans 5:5 says, “God has poured out his love into our hearts by
the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Love does not originate in our hearts. Love comes only from God (1 John 4:7).
The nature of God is love and God is also the only Source of love in this world.
Group leader. Worship God in his characteristic of love. Worship in small groups of three people each.
3
JOHN
God out of the assigned Bible passages (John 1:1 – 4:22).
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4
[OBEDIENCE]. THE GROWTH STUDY
A. THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR GROWTH
Who is responsible for your spiritual growth? Two parables from Mark 4 answer this question.
1. The parable of the sower (farmer).
Who is responsible for spiritual growth and bearing fruit?
Read Mark 4:1-20 (cf. Matthew 13:3-23; Luke 8:4-15)
Notes. The seed represents the Word of God (Luke 8:11), especially the message about the kingdom (Matthew 13:19).
The soil represents the condition and attitude of the heart of people (Matthew 13:19; Luke 8:12).
The seed sown along the path
This is is a picture of the unresponsive, insensible and hardened heart. Whenever your heart has this condition or
attitude, you do not respond to God’s Word. You constantly think that God’s Word contains nothing of importance for
you. You make no effort to understand its message (Matthew 13:19) or you put off your response to it. Consequently,
your heart grows indifferent and becomes hardened. Satan knows the potential power of God’s Word and is ever ready
to snatch away what is left unaccepted!
The main lesson is to accept the word of God (Mark 4:20) and to make every effort to understand it (Matthew 13:23)
whenever you hear, read or study it! Deal immediately with your attitudes of indifference, procrastination or hostility!
The seed that fell on rocky places
This is a picture of the impulsive, shallow and rootless heart. Whenever your heart has this condition or attitude, you
respond too rashly to God’s Word. You accept God’s Word without considering the consequences. In the beginning,
you are thrilled or enthusiastic about God’s Word. However, when trouble and persecution come, you fall away. You
lack ‘roots’, that is, you do not persevere and retain God’s Word. You fail to realise that true discipleship implies selfsurrender and self-denial, even sacrifice and suffering.
The main lesson is to retain God’s word (Luke 8:15) and to persevere to believe and to obey it under all circumstances!
Deal immediately with your tendency only to be emotionally touched when you hear God’s word!
The seed that fell among the thorns
This is a picture of the pre-occupied and divided heart. Whenever your heart has this condition or attitude, you respond
to other things besides God’s Word. You have the wrong priorities. You are continuously distracted by the worries of
life, the deceitfulness of wealth, the pleasures of life and the desires for other things than those things that please God.
Your heart is divided between the things of the world and the things of God. The things of the world choke the things of
God. Consequently, God’s Word never bears any fruit in your life.
The main lesson is to keep your heart clean, honest and good (Luke 8:15). Keep it free from the worries of life, the
deceitfulness of wealth, the pleasures of the world and the wrong desires. Deal immediately with your worries, your
tendency to be materialistic and with your wrong desires and wrong priorities.
The seed that fell on the good soil
This is a picture of the responsive heart, the retaining heart, the well-prepared heart and the fruitful heart. Whenever
your heart has this condition or attitude, you respond to God’s Word in the way Jesus Christ would like you to respond.
In contrast to the first soil, you hear, understand and accept God’s Word (Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20).
In contrast to the second soil, you retain God’s Word deep in your heart and cling to it under all difficult
circumstances (Luke 8:15).
In contrast to the third soil, you keep your heart clean and free from whatever can choke God’s Word (Luke 8:15).
Thus, as the fourth soil you bear fruit for God with effort and perseverance (Luke 8:15). Sometimes you will bear
thirty times more fruit and sometimes a hundred times more fruit (Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20)!
The message of this parable.
The condition and attitude of your heart determine the response you give to God’s Word. And the response you give to
God’s Word determines how much fruit you will bear for God (how much spiritual influence you will have).
2. The parable of the seed growing in secret.
Who is responsible for spiritual growth and bearing fruit?
Read Mark 4:26-29.
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Notes.
Growth is a mystery to people (Mark 4:26-27).
In the realm of nature, growth is always a mystery! Whether it is the growth of plants or trees, or of animals or people,
nobody can adequately explain why and how growth takes place! The farmer scatters the seed on his field, fully
realising that he cannot cause those seeds to grow. He lacks all control over the processes of germination, sprouting,
growth, the forming of fruit and the bearing of fruit. Many days and nights pass in which the farmer does nothing to the
plants and yet, growth takes place! But he does not know how! To be sure, he can cover the seeds, pull up the weeds,
loosen the soil, add fertiliser, and perhaps even give water to the plants. All these things facilitate growth, but they
cannot cause growth! All the farmer can do is trust that the seeds will grow and wait patiently till the harvest-time.
He must leave the aspect of growth entirely to God and trust God to work.
Likewise, spiritual growth is a mystery. God is the Author of the establishment of his kingdom or reign and of its
progress in the hearts and lives of people. It is because of his will that the spiritual seed, the words of the Bible, asserts
its increasingly powerful influence upon the hearts and lives of people and thus upon society in general (John 3:5-8;
1 Corinthians 3:5-9).
The potential power of the seed (Mark 4:28).
All by itself, without any visible cause and apart from any human help, the seed in the soil germinates, sprouts out,
grows a tall stalk, forms an ear and finally develops the full grain in the ear. It is as if God has entrusted the secret or
mystery of growth to a tiny seed, so that now, as it were, the seed knows exactly what it has to do, when to do it and
how to do it. God has entrusted a great potential power or ability to the tiny seed.
Likewise, God’s Word has great potential power. Christians make every effort to preach God’s Word and see to it that
God’s Word is recognised and, if possible, obeyed in every sphere of life like the family, the church, the government,
education, agriculture, industry, commerce, and mass communication. Nevertheless, apart from human help, God’s
Word knows what to do, when to do it and how to do it. Little by little, God’s Word travels from one person to another,
from one nation to another and increasingly causes its power and influence to be felt in every sphere of life (1 Peter
1:23 - 2:3; Acts 19:10).
The harvest-time will be the final victory (Mark 4:29).
Verse 29 literally says, “Whenever the fruit or crop permits, at once he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has
come.” The description of the harvest is dramatic: “At once”, when the harvest-time comes, the farmer will harvest the
crop without any delay! This fact is a great comfort and an encouragement to wait patiently for the harvest to arrive,
because when it arrives, it will arrive in total victory!
Likewise, God’s plan concerning his kingdom must be carried out and is certainly going to be carried out! The coming
of God’s kingdom is irresistible! The seed grows according to its own inherent, God-given, laws, even if the farmer
does not see it. Likewise, God’s work in God’s kingdom grows according to God’s will, even if we don’t always see it!
At the moment decided in God’s plan, the kingdom of God will be revealed in all its splendour (Matthew 13:41;
Revelation 11:15).
The message of this parable.
Not man, but God alone is the Author of spiritual growth, that is, of the establishment and progress of the reign of God
in the hearts and lives and spheres of people on earth. This he does in a sovereign way.
This parable is a warning against so much human enthusiasm, human idealism and human impatience with regard to
God’s work. People ask, “Why does God not establish the fullness of his kingdom sooner in this dark and broken
world?” The result is often discouragement, pessimism, doubt, and the loss of diligence and perseverance. This parable
wants to turn our pessimism into optimism and trustful idealism. Wherever we sow, there will one day be a harvest
(Isaiah 55:11)! Even if there is much we do not understand, God’s plan and programme cannot and will not fail!
3. The relationship between these two parables.
Teach. The parable of the sower (farmer) emphasises the human responsibility with regard to spiritual growth.
The result of spiritual growth in your life depends on your response to God’s Word. And your response to God’s Word
depends on the condition or attitude of your heart.
The parable of the seed growing in secret emphasises God’s sovereignty with regard to spiritual growth.
Not you, but God alone is the Author of spiritual growth in your life. In a sovereign way he establishes his kingdom or
reign in your heart and determines its progress in your life as well as in every other sphere of people on earth. “God
makes it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6)! This does not rule out the fact that Christians should work together with God as
those who plant and those who give water (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). Nevertheless, this parable emphasises God’s sovereign
work in the hearts and lives of people. The seed can only sprout, grow and bear fruit when God makes it grow.
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B. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEAD AND LIVING THINGS
What are the differences between a car and a tree?
Notes. A car
- is dead and is fabricated of dead materials
- is designed and made by man
- by means of an outward assembly line
- complete parts are added externally
- has a fixed shape, one of thousands in mass production
- takes little time
- costs a lot of money
- cannot reproduce another car
- only deteriorates and ends in rusted scrap material
Notes. A tree
- is alive and grows as a living organism
- is designed and made by God
- by means of continual inward growth
- every part grows continually from the inside
- every tree and everyone of its leaves are unique
- takes much time and has growth stages
- can earn a lot of money
- can reproduce many more trees
- cannot remain static, must grow or dies
C. THE STAGES OF GROWTH
1. The physical growth stages of a plant.
Draw. Draw an illustration of the various stages of growth described in Mark 4:28-29.
An illustration of the stages of growth.
The seed
1
2
3
4
5
The sprout
The stalk
The ear
The full kernel
in the ear
The harvest
Teach. The transition from one stage of growth to the next is so gradual that it is imperceptible. The farmer cannot
indicate the precise moment when the tall stalk develops into an ear, or when rows of full kernels are produced in the
ear. But under normal conditions, growth is inevitable. Nothing can stop the growth process. Physically, all living
things either grow or die, but cannot remain stationary. Plants, trees, animals and people must grow or they will die, but
they cannot remain the same like a stone or a car. All living things also go through different stages of growth. Likewise,
spiritually, Christians must grow. They also grow through different spiritual stages of growth.
2. The spiritual growth stages of a Christian.
What are the three growth stages of Christians in the letter to the Hebrews?
Read Hebrews 5:11 to 6:3.
Notes. The writer rebukes the Hebrew Christians. He says that although they have been Christians for many years they
have not grown. The three different kinds of Christians described are:
the infants, the mature and the teachers. Each has the following characteristics:
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The infants
vs 11. They find it difficult to
understand the Bible.
vs 11. They are slow to learn.
They need lots of time, motivation,
repetition, encouragement.
vs 12. They need a teacher to help
them understand + grow.
vs 12. They need milk (the very easy
teachings of the Bible).
vs 13. They are not acquainted with
the teachings of the Bible.
vs 14. They find it hard to distinguish
good from evil.
The mature
vs 14. They eat solid food (They read
and study the Bible by themselves).
vs 14. They constantly use the Bible
and put its teachings into practice.
vs 14. They distinguish good from
evil.
The teachers
vs 12. They teach infants to grow to
maturity.
What are the three growth stages of Christians in the letter to the Corinthians?
Read 1 Corinthians 2:15 to 3:11.
Notes. Paul writes to the Corinthian congregation about what is really ‘spiritual’. The three different kinds of Christians
described are: the infants, the spiritual and the workers. Each has the following characteristics:
The infants
vs 1. They still think and behave like
the people of the world.
vs 3. They are jealous and they
quarrel.
vs 4. They split into groups.
The spiritual (the mature)
vs 16. They think like Christ.
vs 1. They are spiritual.
The workers
vs 5. They are servants of God. Each
has his assigned task from God.
vs
6.
Some
workers
plant
(evangelise). Other workers water
God’s field (care for growing
believers).
vs 10. Some workers lay the
foundation (lead people to Christ).
Other workers build God’s building
(disciple believers to maturity).
What are the three growth stages of Christians in the letter of John?
Read 1 John 2:12-14.
Notes. John writes to his various spiritual children. The three different kinds of Christians described are: the children,
the young men and the fathers. Each has the following characteristics:
The children
vs 12. They are forgiven.
vs 13. They know God the Father.
The young men
vs 14. They are strong.
The Word of God lives in them.
They have overcome the devil.
The fathers
vs 14. They have known God for
a long time.
They have (spiritual) children.
D. THE LESSONS CONCERNING GROWTH
1. Christian growth.
Every Christian must grow. The apostle Paul, the apostle John and the writer to the Hebrews all state very clearly that
a Christian must grow. Being a Christian is a process and not just a status. Being a Christian is like making a pilgrim’s
journey throughout life and not settling down. His salvation has a point of beginning and then continues as a line until it
is completed at Christ’s second coming!
2. The Christian growth stages.
The Christian growth stages.
The Bible speaks of three growth-stages:
- the child-stage (a new believer)
- the mature-stage (a disciple)
- and the servant-stage (a worker).
Sometimes these growth stages overlap somewhat in a Christian.
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Every Christian should grow towards the next growth-stage.
If you are still a new believer in Jesus Christ, then:
- You need the beginning teachings of the Bible (spiritual milk).
- You need another mature Christian to help you to grow (a mentor or teacher).
- Your goal is to grow to spiritual maturity (to become a disciple of Jesus Christ).
If you are a disciple (a mature follower of Jesus Christ), then:
- You take responsibility for your own spiritual growth and behaviour.
- You study and apply the Bible by yourself (in personal time with God)
and together with other Christians (in a small group).
- Your goal is to grow in fruitfulness and to become a worker for Christ.
If you are a worker (a servant of Jesus Christ and his Church), then:
- You continue to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
- You serve God in Jesus Christ by winning the lost (evangelisation) and/or building up the saved
(discipleship training).
- Your goal is to glorify God, extend God’s Kingdom and to bear fruit for God in other peoples’ lives.
E. PERSONAL EVALUATION
1. Pray and evaluate.
Quietly evaluate yourself.
Which of these characteristics describe you the most?
What does God want you to do about it?
2. Pray and make a commitment.
If you are still a new Christian, then commit yourself to become a disciple of Jesus Christ (a mature Christian).
If you are already a disciple, then commit yourself to become a worker for Jesus Christ:
- to do evangelism
- to make disciples (become a group leader)
- to teach or preach or to do any of the many other services in Christ’s Church or God’s Kingdom.
5
PRAYER (8 minutes)
6
FOR NEXT LESSON
1. Commitment. Make a commitment to grow to spiritual maturity and fruitfulness.
3. Bible study. Prepare the next Bible study at home. Revelation 21:1 – 22:6. Theme: Where am I going?
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LESSON 10
1
PRAYER
2
JOHN
3
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GUIDANCE: PROVERBS 3:5-6
Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
Notes. Memorised Bible verse will enable you to build biblical convictions and habits in your family.
B. MEDITATION
as follows:
Assurance of God’s guidance
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own
understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
on the back of your card.
1. Trust God with all your heart.
To “trust” God means to make God the firm foundation of your life or to entrust your whole life into his care. It is to
depend on God to save you, to build you up and to guide you. It is to respond to his Word!
It is not possible to build a building on half a foundation. It is also not possible to build a strong Christian life on half
a faith in God. It is not possible to trust God with half a heart. We must continually refuse to depend on the human
understanding of things and commit ourselves to lean on God’s understanding of things. Practise to see things on earth
from God’s perspective in heaven (cf. Psalm 73:16-17).
2. Acknowledge God in all your ways.
How can we practically acknowledge God in al our ways?
By not being ashamed to be a Christian or to do things in the Christian way (Matthew 10:32-33).
By studying the Bible concerning any important issue before we act (Acts 17:11).
By praying before we talk and act (Nehemiah 1:11).
By seeking to please God and glorify God in everything we do (1 Corinthians 10:31).
3. God makes our paths straight.
Sometimes God makes our plans succeed (Proverbs 16:3)
Sometimes God causes our enemies to live at peace with us (Proverbs 16:7).
Sometimes God opens closed doors and closed hearts (Colossians 4:2-4).
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2. Memorise the Bible verse in the right way. Assurance of God’s guidance: Proverbs 3:5-6.
4
WHERE AM I GOING?
REVELATION 21:1 – 22:6
Teach. The book of Revelation is an apocalypse, an unveiling or revelation of the message of Jesus Christ by means of
visions that contain symbols and numbers. Jesus Christ himself gives us the keys to interpret the book of Revelation.
He determines the rules by which it should be explained.
EIGHT KEYS OR RULES FOR INTERPRETING THE BOOK OF REVELATION
First key. The book is a prophecy: the proclamation of Jesus Christ.
Read Revelation 22:6; 19:10.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Mediator of all revelation in the Bible, also of the revelation in the book of Revelation
(Revelation 1:1). The Lord Jesus Christ is “the God of the spirits of the Old Testament prophets” (Revelation 22:6).
The emphasis is that Jesus Christ is the God who spoke through the Old Testament prophets and the God of whom they
spoke.
“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). ‘The testimony of Jesus’ is whatever Jesus has
said in the Old Testament through his Spirit in the prophets (1 Peter 1:9-12) and in the New Testament through his
Spirit in the apostles (John 16:13-15). The Author of the Old Testament and the New Testament is no one less than the
Spirit of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:9-12; 2 Timothy 3:16). The emphasis of Revelation 19:10 is that whatever Jesus Christ
said about God, about himself as the coming Messiah, about God’s Old Testament people Israel, about Israel’s
continuation and extension to include believers in him from all the nations in the world (Genesis 22:18; Matthew
28:19), about the kingdom and the Church is the genuine spirit or inner content of all biblical prophecy (Revelation
19:10).
‘To prophesy’ literally means to speak forth, to proclaim or to preach. The Old Testament warns against so-called
prophets who speak visions from their own minds and not from the mouth of God (Jeremiah 23:16-32)! The New
Testament warns against the many false prophets (Matthew 24:24). Real prophecy is proclaiming Jesus Christ and the
contents of the New Testament. That is what Christian should proclaim! Christians should not go beyond what is
written in the Bible (1 Corinthians 4:6; cf. Revelation 22:18-19)!
To put this in another way: the spiritual gift of prophecy is to proclaim what Jesus revealed about himself, his words
and works in the Bible. Biblical prophecy is therefore not making arbitrary predictions about the future of people and
nations (Israel and Gentiles), but proclaiming Jesus Christ and his message! The genuine content of the Old Testament
prophets is revealed in the testimony of Jesus in the New Testament! Whoever Jesus is, what he said and did is the
fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy (Matthew 5:17). All Jesus revealed, taught and commanded and that is now
written in the New Testament is what the Old Testament prophets intended to say in their shadowy and preparatory
proclamations (Matthew 5:17; Acts 3:18; Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 8:6; 10:1; 1 Peter 1:10-12).
That is why the book of Revelation must be explained (interpreted) only in the light of the Bible. And that is why the
Old Testament must be interpreted only in the light of the New Testament!
Second key. The message of the book is intended to bless every reader.
The book of Revelation does not intend to drive people into fear. Jesus promises: “Blessed is the one who reads the
words of this prophecy (proclamation), and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it”
(Revelation 1:3; 22:7). The message of the book is about the fact that Christ is the Conqueror and that Christians are
more than conquerors together with Christ (Revelation 17:14; Romans 8:37-39). The message intends to stimulate
Christians to fight the good fight of the faith in their own generation. It reveals the final victory of Christ and the
believers in Christ. And it reveals the establishment of the final phase of his kingdom, namely, the new earth. Therefore
the message of the book is intended to bless every reader!
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Third key. The message of the book is intended for readers from Christ’s first coming to
his second coming.
Read Revelation 1:1,3; 22:6,10.
At the time of speaking to the apostle John Jesus said, “The revelation ... must soon take place.” “Do not seal up the
words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.” (Revelation 1:1,3; 22:6,10). This means that what had
been revealed in the visions in the book of Revelation begin to be realised immediately from Christ’s first coming.
The message of the book of Revelation affects the whole present New Testament period, from Christ’s first coming to
Christ’s second coming. The message of the book of Revelation is a message intended for all Christians in all
generations!
Fourth key. The symbols in the book represent literal realities that are much higher and
greater than the literal meaning of the symbols.
Read Revelation 1:1,20; 5:6.
Jesus said that he made his message known (Revelation 1:1). The word ‘to make known’ in the original Greek language
means literally to make known by means of signs or symbols or figurative language or imagery! That is why we find so
many symbols and numbers in the book of Revelation. And that is why we must understand what each symbol refers to.
For example, in Revelation 1:12-13,16 there is a symbol of a man standing among seven lampstands and holding seven
stars in his right hand. In Revelation 1:20 Jesus himself explains the meaning of these symbols. The lampstands are not
literal lampstands, but represent seven congregations (churches). The seven stars are also not literal stars, but represent
the angels or representatives of the seven congregations. And for example, in Revelation 5:6 “the Lamb looking as if it
had been slaughtered standing in the centre of the throne” is a symbol of Jesus Christ that had died on the cross and had
been resurrected.
Fifth key. The numbers in the book also have symbolical meaning and represent literal
realities that are much higher and greater than the literal numerical value of the
number.
Read Revelation 5:6; 2:7.
The number ‘seven’ is a sacred number. The number represents ‘divine perfection’. Genesis 2:1 says that God
completed his work of creation by the seventh creation day. The number symbolises divine perfection in creation. In
Revelation 5:6 “the Lamb with seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the
earth”, is a symbol of Christ’s omnipotence and omniscience through his Holy Spirit in this world. And in Revelation
2:7 the seven lampstands represent the seven historical congregations in Asia Minor, which in turn represent all the
congregations in the world throughout salvation history. And in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 the seven letters to these
seven congregations represent Christ’s perfect personal writings to all the congregations in the world under all
circumstances in history.
Sixth key. The whole book is divided into seven parallel sections and each section
represents the whole New Testament period.
Read Revelation 12:5; 14:14-16.
Just as the four gospels are parallel proclamations of the life, work, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, so each of the
seven sections of the book of Revelation represents the whole New Testament period from Christ’s first coming to his
second coming, each depicted from a different perspective. For example: Section 1 (chapters 1 to 3) begins with the
death, resurrection and enthronement of Jesus Christ at his first coming (Revelation 1:5) and ends with the realisation of
the promises to those who overcome at his second coming (Revelation 2:7; 3:12). This section depicts the establishment
of the Militant Church throughout the whole New Testament period. Section 2 (chapters 4 to 7) begins with Christ’s
first coming when Christ received the authority to reveal and execute the great events in salvation history (Revelation
5:1-10) and ends with Christ’s second coming when he comes for the final judgement (Revelation 6:12-17). This
section depicts the persecution of the Church by the world throughout the whole New Testament period. Section 4
(chapters 12 to 14) begins with Christ’s first coming when he is born and ascends into heaven (Revelation 12:5) and
ends with Christ’s second coming when he comes to harvest the righteous and unrighteous on the final judgement day
(Revelation 14:14-20). This section depicts the victory of Christ and his Church over the dragon and his helpers. Note
also that the one and only ‘final battle’ is described in section 3 (Revelation 11:7), in section 4 (Revelation 13:7), in
section 5 (Revelation 16:12-16), in section 6 (Revelation 19:17-19) and in section 7 (Revelation 20:7-9).
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Seventh key. The seven sections of the book are arranged in an ascending, climatic
order.
Read Revelation 2:27; 6:12-17; 16:17-21; 20:11-15.
Although the seven sections of the book of Revelation run parallel and span the entire period between Christ’s first
coming and Christ’s second coming, there is nevertheless a progression in emphasis on those events that occur just
before the second coming of Christ. For example: There is a progressive emphasis on the final judgement day. Section
1 announces the final judgement day (2:27), section 2 (6:12-17) and 3 (11:18) introduce the final judgement day,
section 4 (14:14-20), 5 (16:17-21) and 6 (18:1-24) describe the final judgement in symbols and section 7 (20:11-15)
describes the final judgement day by dropping most of the symbolism. There is also a progressive emphasis on the final
state of the Church (3:12-13; 7:9-17; 11:15; 14:1-5; 15:2-4; 19:1-10; 21:1 to 22:5). And there is a progression of the
message of each section of the book.
Eighth key. Revelation 21:1 to 22:5 reveals the ideal reality of the Church on earth at
the present time before Christ’s second coming in the light of the perfect reality of the
Church on the new earth after Christ’s second coming.
‘The heavenly Jerusalem’ is a symbol that represents all God’s people in heaven and on earth in the present time before
Christ’s second coming (Galatians 4:24-26; Hebrews 12:22-24). The use of the present continuous tense in some verbs
in Revelation 21:1 to 22:5 means that these actions are still taking place at the present time: the New Jerusalem is
coming down; Christ is making everything new and genuine; and Christians are overcoming (Revelation 21:2,5,7). ‘The
New Jerusalem’ is therefore not only a symbol that represents the perfect reality of God’s people on the new earth after
Christ’s second coming (Revelation 21:9-10), but also a symbol of the ideal reality of God’s people on the present earth
before Christ’s second coming.
The Bible Study.
Make use of the five steps method of Bible study to study Revelation 21:1 to 22:6 together.
STEP 1. READ.
GOD’S WORD
Read. LET US READ Revelation 21:1 - 22:6 together.
STEP 2. DISCOVER.
OBSERVATIONS
21:3-4
Discovery 1. The future relationship with God.
Before the new heaven and the new earth, God’s dwelling is in heaven, while we people are on earth. Although God is
approachable through faith in Christ, he is still invisible! After the second coming of Christ, the new heaven will be on
the new earth and God’s dwelling will be right in the midst of his people! God will be visible and approachable. On the
new earth, the relationship with God will be the most important event! The relationship with God will be very personal
and intimate. He will remove every scar and memory of sin and suffering on the present earth. He will wipe away every
tear from my eyes. He will heal the scars of my sin and misery. He will give me continued experience of the fullness of
life. He will let me walk in the light of knowledge, joy and holiness. And I will see his face.
22:3-5
Discovery 2. The future tasks for God.
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On the new earth, the people of God will be occupied with very meaningful activities. They will inherit the new earth,
reign over the new earth and serve God on the new earth. ‘Eternal life’ is not an eternal doing nothing, but an eternal
doing the most significant things! Together with all other believers in Christ, I will inherit the kingdom of God, now in
its final form, namely the new heaven on the new earth. We will reign with God in this kingdom, that is, over the new
earth. We will serve under God. All trouble and difficulty of work will have been removed. We will bring the
splendour, glory and honour of every nation from where we come into the kingdom.
EXPLANATIONS
STEP 3. QUESTION.
GROUP?
Let us try to understand all the truths in Revelation 21:1 - 22:6 and ask questions about the things we still do not
understand.
question.)
21:1
Question 1. After the second coming of Christ, will Christians live in heaven
or on earth?
Notes.
Before Christ’s second coming
The spirits of all believers who die physically go to heaven, which is the place where God dwells (2 Samuel 12:23;
Ecclesiastes 12:7; Luke 16:22; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Philippians 1:23; Revelation 20:4). ‘Heaven’ is then symbolically
called ‘paradise’ (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:3-4; Revelation 2:7).
After Christ’s second coming
The final destiny of Christians is not ‘paradise’. The popular belief that paradise is a place of pleasure in heaven is not
true. The final destiny of Christians is the new earth, which will be far more than paradise!
The old paradise on earth was a small garden with fruit trees somewhere in the Middle East, but the new earth will be
this whole completely renewed earth (Romans 4:13; 8:19-21)! In the old paradise Satan could enter, human beings
could sin and they could die spiritually, physically and eternally! But the new earth will be the home of righteousness
and nothing impure will ever enter it (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:27)! On the new earth there will no more be Satan, sin
or death (Revelation 21:4)!
Through the final judgement day the angels of Christ will weed out his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who
do evil (Matthew 13:41). Everything and everyone sinful on earth will be exposed and destroyed by fire. The old
universe and old earth will pass away and there will be a new universe and new earth (2 Peter 3:10-13).
21:1
Question 2. Why will there no longer be any sea?
Notes.
‘The sea’ is the symbol of the evil nations that are restless and in conflict (Isaiah 8:7; 17:12). It is the picture of the evil
powers of chaos that threatens life. It stands for the nations who worship the beast “out of the sea” (the antichrist,
Revelation 13:1; cf. Daniel 7:2-7) and the great prostitute who sits “on many waters” (Babylon, Revelation 17:15).
There will no longer be any ‘sea’. This symbol does not say that there will no longer be oceans of water on the new
earth, but that there will no longer be any godless and anti-Christian nations or any evil and chaotic forces on the new
earth! There will be no more war! Only peace!
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21:2,9-11
Question 3. What does the Holy City, the New Jerusalem that comes out of heaven,
represent?
Notes.
a. Babylon and Jerusalem.
While the city of Babylon is a symbol of the unbelieving and unholy people and the old order on earth (Revelation
17:1-2,5,18), the city of Jerusalem is a symbol of God’s believing and holy people and the new order (Hebrews
11:9-10,13-16).
b. The heavenly Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem.
Both the heavenly Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem are not a literal city, but a symbol of the community of all
believers (the Church). After the final judgement in the sky, the heavenly Jerusalem (Christ and the Church consisting
of all believers) will descend onto the new earth as the New Jerusalem (Revelation 20:11 – 21:2). And God in Christ
will dwell with believers on the new earth (Revelation 21:3).
All believers are especially called ‘the heavenly Jerusalem’ (Galatians 4:21-31; Hebrews 12:22-24; 13:14). Already
during the Old Testament period they are symbolically called ‘the bride of God’ (Isaiah 62:5) and ‘the wife of God’
(Isaiah 54:1,5-6,11). In the New Testament they are symbolically called ‘the bride, the wife of the Lamb’ (Revelation
21:9-10; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; Ephesians 5:25-32).
All believers are especially called ‘the New Jerusalem’ (Revelation 21:1-2,9-11). The New Jerusalem is a symbol for
the final phase of the kingdom of God on the new earth after Christ’s second coming. The New Jerusalem is described
in glorious terms, because nothing in the entire universe is as glorious as people that fellowship with the Living God.
c. The New Jerusalem is the ideal and the perfect reality.
The New Jerusalem is the ideal of what the people of God should be on this present earth! That is why some verbs are
in the present continuous tense: the New Jerusalem is all the time coming down from heaven onto this earth (cf. “your
kingdom come”, Matthew 6:10); Christ is all the time making people and things new (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17); Christ is
giving the water of life to those who are thirsty (cf. John 7:37-39); and the leaves of the tree of life are healing the
nations (cf. Matthew 8:16-17)(Revelation 21:2,5,6; 22:2).
The New Jerusalem is the perfect reality of what the people of God will be on the new earth! That is why other verbs
are in the past tense: the first heaven and the first earth had passed away; there will be no more death or mourning or
crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away and there will no longer be any curse (Revelation 21;1,4;
22:3). Everything written in the Bible “is done/ has come to pass”. The perfect tense emphasises that all these perfect
results will continue for ever. The eternal God in Christ, the Beginning and the End, guarantees that this perfect reality
will continue for ever (Revelation 21:6).
21:7-8
Question 4. What does it mean to overcome?
Notes.
‘To overcome’ is the responsible task and challenge of every believer on earth! To overcome is to remain in Jesus
Christ under all circumstances. It is to exclude the devil and the sinful world from pulling you away from fellowship
and service of God. It is to fight to the end against backsliding. It is to continually oppose unrighteousness. People who
fail to overcome are unbelievers, because they prefer the power, fame and pleasures of this earth above the salvation of
the new earth.
Jesus Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). Those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God will overcome
the world (1 John 5:5) and the evil one (1 John 2:14). Christians will overcome Satan and his demons by the blood of
the Lamb and by the word of their testimony (Revelation 12:11). And they will be conquerors that overcome those who
make war on them (Revelation 17:14).
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The believers will be more than conquerors through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37)!
Question 5. What is the meaning of every part of the city?
Notes. When the apostle John describes his vision of the New Jerusalem, he describes the wall, the gates, the
foundations and the streets of the city. These parts of the city are symbols that describe the New Jerusalem as the
community of believers (the Church) from different viewpoints.
21:12,15,17
Question 6. What is the meaning of the wall?
Notes. The great and high wall is for protection, safety and security of the community of believers (the Church).
The wall is 144 cubits (about 65 metres by a man’s measurement) thick. The number is symbolic: the number
3 represents God, the number 4 represents the world, the number 12 represents believers in the Old Testament
(Revelation 21:12) or New Testament (Revelation 21:14) and the number 12x12 represents perfection. Thus the number
144 could be a symbol that represents God’s work of salvation in the world that remains unassailable and secure!
All genuine Christians are secure and remain absolutely secure in their possession of fellowship with the Living God.
Jesus already said that it is not possible to deceive the elect (Matthew 24:24. He promised, “No one can snatch them out
of my hand” (John 10:28) and “Not one has been lost” (John 17:12)!
All genuine believers in the Bible will forever remain secure in their possession of fellowship with God in Christ. They
“will not be condemned” (John 5:24), “they shall never perish” (John 10:28), but have everlasting life (Matthew 25:46).
21:12,13,25
Question 7. What is the meaning of the gates?
Notes. The gates are a symbol for entering into the community of the people who have fellowship with God
(the Church). The names of the 12 tribes of Israel that are written on the gates indicate that only those who belong to the
people of God (believers, Galatians 6:14-16; James 1:1) will live in this city.
The gates are never shut and there is abundant opportunity to enter by faith into the community of believers.
The gates face all directions and they gather people from every nation in the world (cf. Isaiah 43:5-7; Matthew 24:14;
Revelation 5:9). Angels guard the gates, so that no evil, ungodly unbeliever is able to enter the city (Revelation 21:27).
Old Testament people like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, David and Daniel have entered by faith (Genesis 15:6;
Luke 20:37-38). All New Testament people who have washed their clothes in the blood of the Lamb have the right to
enter into the city (Revelation 22:14)! Before one’s death or Christ’s second coming there is opportunity to enter into
the community of believers (Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 13:23-30).
At Christ’s second coming
The gates will be shut and there will be no longer any opportunity to be saved (Matthew 25:10-13; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2;
13:5)! It means that only those whose names are written in the book of life of Jesus Christ will enter the city (Revelation
21:27).
The gates will never be shut again and symbolises uninhibited fellowship with God on the new earth.
21:14,19-21
Question 8. What is the meaning of the foundations?
Notes. The foundations are a symbol for supporting the city that consists of the community of believers. The names of
the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ that are written on the foundations indicate that they founded the historical Christian
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Church (Matthew 16:18-19, Acts 1:8; Ephesians 2:20; 3:5-6; Revelation 21:14). They are the eyewitnesses and earwitnesses of Jesus Christ (who is the real foundation of the Christian Church, 1 Corinthians 3:11).
The apostles laid the foundation of the historical Church by their proclamation and writing of the New Testament and
brought people to Jesus Christ and into the heavenly Jerusalem (the Church)(Galatians 4:26). The precious stones,
which adorn the foundations (Isaiah 54:11-12; Revelation 21:19-21), are symbols of the manifold wisdom and virtues of
God, which the Church proclaims (Ephesians 3:10).
The community of believers (the kingdom) will never be shaken, because God Himself is the architect and builder of
the city (Hebrews 11:10; 12:28)!
21:16
Question 9. Why is the city shaped like a cube?
Notes.
a. The shape of a cube.
The city has symbolically the form of a great cube, 12 000 x 12 000 x 12 000 stadia big. Literally 12 000 stadia is about
2 200 kilometres, but the city is not a literal city and also its shape is not literally a cube! Both the form and its
measurements are symbols.
The form of a cube was foreshadowed by the inner sanctuary of the tabernacle and temple of Solomon (1 Kings 6:20).
During the Old Testament period this Most Holy Place, containing the ark, was regarded as the dwelling of God with all
his glory (1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Kings 19:15; 1 Kings 8:10-11). In the New Testament the Most Holy Place is a symbol of
heaven, the dwelling of God, itself (Hebrews 9:12,24).
b. The New Jerusalem in the form of a cube.
‘The heavenly Jerusalem’ (Galatians 4:26), as ‘the temple of God’ (2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:22) and as ‘the
New Jerusalem’ in the shape of ‘the Most Holy Place’ in the temple (Revelation 21:16) are symbols of the community
of believers (the Church) in its ideal form as the dwelling of God on the present earth. The Church is regarded as the
dwelling of God through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22)!
The number 12 000 is the product of 3 times 4 times 10 times 10 times 10. The number 3 represents God (Matthew
28:19). The number 4 represents the world (Revelation 7:1). The number 12 represents God’s people (Revelation
21:12,14), the result of his work of salvation in the world. The number 10 is the complete number on earth (10 virgins
or 10 servants represent all people, Matthew 25:1; Luke 19:13) and the number 10x10x10 is the absolute and divine
complete number on earth (Exodus 20:6; Isaiah 60:21-22). Thus the number 12 000 x 12 000 x 12 000 is a symbol and
could represent the complete and perfect result of the work of salvation of the Triune God among all the nations on
earth in every generation! That number will be reached in every generation (cf. Romans 11:4-5). Not one of the elect
will be deceived (Matthew 24:24) and not one of the elect will be lost (John 10:28; 17:12)!
‘The New Jerusalem’ (Revelation 21:1-2) in the shape of a cube (Revelation 21:16) is a symbol of the community of
believers (the Church) in its final perfect form as the dwelling of God on the new earth, for ever shining with the
brilliant light of God’s glory (Revelation 21:3,11).
The number 12 000 x 12 000 x 12 000 is a symbol and could represent the complete and perfect result of the work of
salvation of the Triune God among all the nations on earth throughout the history of this world! The number could
represent all the elect believers from the creation of the world to the renewal of the world: “the fullness of Israel” and
“the fullness of the Gentiles” and will be reached just before Christ’s second coming (Romans 11:25-26; 2 Timothy
2:19).
21:22
Question 10. Why is there no temple in the new city?
Notes.
Before Christ’s first coming
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During the Old Testament period the temple building was regarded as the dwelling of God. The glory of God in the
cloud by day and in the fire by night was regarded to dwell above the cherubim above the ark in the Most Holy Place of
the tabernacle or temple (Exodus 25:22; 40:34-38; 1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Kings 19:15). The radiance of the glory of God was
limited to the Most Holy Place in the temple building. But already the prophet Isaiah prophesied that God Himself
would be the sanctuary for those who feared (trusted in) God (Isaiah 8:13-14).
After Christ’s first coming
The temple building ceased to be the visible symbol of God’s dwelling (John 2:19; Acts 7:44-50; 17:24-25). The curtain
of the temple in Jerusalem had been torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51) in order to symbolise that from
then on everyone who believes in Jesus Christ has direct access to God through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18; 3:12;
Hebrews 4:14-16). From the Christian point of view there are no longer specific holy places or holy buildings in the
whole world!
After Christ’s first coming the community of believers (the Church) are the temple of God and God dwells in them
through his Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:22; 1 Peter 2:5). And the radiance of the glory of God now
becomes visible in the Church (2 Corinthians 3:18; Matthew 5:16).
The situation will be reversed: God in Jesus Christ will be the visible temple of the New Jerusalem and the community
of believers (the Church) will dwell in the God who revealed himself in Christ. Then Colossians 3:3-4 is no longer
a hidden reality. What the prophet Isaiah prophesied is then completely fulfilled: God has become their sanctuary,
where they dwell, where they are sheltered and where they worship and serve forever. And the radiance of the glory of
God will dominate the whole new earth.
21:23; 22:5
Question 11. Why is there no sun, moon or lights in the new city?
Notes. There is no sun, moon or lights in the city, because God in Christ is its ‘light’. Christ is specifically called ‘the
lamp of the city’.
Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12) because he visibly revealed God to man (John 1:4-5; 14:9; 2 Corinthians 4:6;
Colossians 1:15) and now imparts the true and saving knowledge of God to believers (John 8:19). Believers see Jesus
Christ now with their spiritual eyes.
Christ will be the light and lamp of the community of believers (the Church) on the new earth (Revelation 21:23)
because he will continually and visibly reveal the face and perfect characteristics of God to believers. God is Spirit and
lives visibly among believers on the new earth through Jesus Christ. Believers will see Jesus Christ then also with their
physical eyes (Revelation 22:4)!
21:24-27
Question 12. Who are the nations in the New Jerusalem and what do they bring into the
New Jerusalem?
Notes.
Many people in every nation and language on earth will accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, enter the open gate
(Matthew 7:13-14), bring in the wealth of their nation (Isaiah 60:11) and become a part of the heavenly Jerusalem
(Matthew 24:14; Revelation 5:9-10). They will worship God through Jesus Christ in everything that is good in their
science and its application (in the medical, agricultural, social, etc. world), in their specific culture (poetry, writings,
music and dance) and in their personal life (character and good deeds).
When the heavenly Jerusalem has descended as the New Jerusalem on the new earth, people from every tribe, language
and nation will forever be a part of the believing people of God (the Church) on the new earth. But the believing people
of God are not all the same and will never be the same. There is and will be a great variety of people and a great variety
of splendour on the new earth! Whatever in their earthly sojourn and culture stood the test of the fire of judgement
(Matthew 3:11-12; 13:40-43; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 2 Peter 3:10), whatever is glorious and honourable (Philippians
4:8), whatever deeds that were done “from God, through God and for God and his glory” (Romans 11:36; John 15:5)
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will not be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58) and will follow them into the New Jerusalem (Revelation 14:13)! Think of the
uncountable number of beautiful characters of individuals; think of the many lost people that have been saved from
every people, tribe, language and nation (Revelation 5:9-10), think of the science, skills, music, songs, art, writings and
all kinds of work that glorify God. Nothing that is evil or ungodly will ever enter the New Jerusalem (Revelation
21:27). Only those whose names are written in Christ’s book of life, will enter the New Jerusalem (Revelation 20:15).
22:1
Question 13. What is the meaning of the river of the water of life?
Notes. The present physical heaven, earth and sea as they now are will be completely changed (Romans 8:21; 2 Peter
3:10). The universe is going to be gloriously renewed. Instead of the “sea” that threatens, there will be “the river of life”
(Revelation 22:1) and this change symbolises that on the new earth also the relationship of man to nature will be
completely restored (Isaiah 11:6-9; Ezekiel 47:9)! The physical creation or nature will absolutely be what God purposed
it to be (Acts 3:21)! However, the river of life here has primarily a symbolical or spiritual significance.
‘The river of life’ symbolises the preaching of the gospel of salvation all over the world, bringing eternal life to those
who drink it (John 4:10,14; 7:38). It flows from the throne of God in Christ and this is a symbol that salvation is God’s
work of grace and love (Ephesians 2:8-9). The present continuous tense indicates that it is a work of God in the present
time before Christ’s second coming.
‘The river of life’ symbolises the fullness and perfection of the never ending salvation that God has given to his people
on the new earth (John 10:28).
22:2
Question 14. What is the meaning of the street?
Notes. The terms for ‘river’, ‘street’ and ‘tree’ in the original language are singular, but they could also have collective
meaning. Thus the vision shows not just one river, one street and one tree, but parks consisting of rows and rows of
trees between many rivers and many streets!
‘The streets’ are a symbol for easy access to the throne of God, to the rivers of life and to the trees of life. Through the
Mediator Christ (1 Timothy 2:5) and his Spirit (Ephesians 2:18) everyone who thirsts has a complete open door to come
by faith without money and without cost and drink (Isaiah 55:1-2). Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
The streets are of pure gold, like transparent glass, which symbolises the perfect and open character of people’s
approach to God (John 3:19-21; 8:12) and their fellowship with God (1 John 1:5-7). There is never an esoteric (secret,
mystic, only for the initiated) approach to the God who revealed himself in the Bible!
‘The streets’ are still a symbol for easy access to the throne of God, to the rivers of life and the trees of life. But now
their faith has turned into a reality that can be seen!
22:2-3a
Question 15. What is the meaning of the tree of life?
Notes.
Before the fall into sin
The tree of life was a real tree in paradise that could have caused Adam and Eve to live for ever. But after they sinned
God drove them out of paradise so that they would not live forever as slaves of sin and death (Genesis 2:9; 3:22,24). On
this present earth man has been driven out of the paradise (the garden). He died spiritually; he must and will die
physically; and he will die eternally unless Jesus Christ saves him.
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‘The tree of life’ and its leaves symbolise the wholesome influence of the gospel, the superabundance of the salvation of
God and the healing it brings to body and soul now in the present time in the ideal reality of the Church. Before Christ’s
second coming people in all the nations still need healing: spiritual, physical, emotional and eternal healing!
‘The tree of life’ symbolises the complete and perfect healing of all the scars, which we received while we lived on the
old earth, and the continuous blessings of God, which will satisfy all our needs and fulfil us with unspeakable joy as we
live on the new earth. On the new earth the paradise (the garden) will be inside the city! And the tree of life will be in
paradise. And everyone who overcomes will have the right to eat from the tree of life for ever (Revelation 2:7). He will
be spiritually, physically, emotionally and eternally alive (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)! The monthly fruitfulness of the tree
of life guarantees the continual abundance of blessings of the new earth. “No longer will there be any curse.”
22:3b
Question 16. Who sits on God’s throne?
Notes.
God’s kingdom is the kingship or sovereign rule/reign of God over everyone and everything, from eternity to eternity
(Psalm 93:1-2; 145:13; 146:10; 1 Timothy 6:15). In particular, God’s kingdom is the kingship or sovereign rule/reign of
God through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18; John 13:3; Ephesians 1:20-22; Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 1:15-20;
Revelation 1:5; 17:14; 19:16). The kingdom is based on the completed work of salvation of Christ (Matthew 21:39,
42-43; Acts 2:36) and the application of that work in believers through the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). The kingdom is
recognised in the hearts of believers and operative in their lives (Luke 17:20-21; Matthew 25:34-40).
The kingdom of God results in four visible areas: the complete salvation of believers from beginning to end (Mark
10:25-26; John 3:3-8; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11); the constitution of believers as one Church on earth (Matthew 16:18-19;
Ephesians 1:20-23; 1 Peter 2:4-5,9-10); the good works (influence) of believers in every aspect of human society
(Matthew 25:34-36; Romans 14:17); and finally, the redeemed universe or the new heaven and new earth at the second
coming of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:24-26; 2 Peter 1:11; Revelation 11:15).
God’s kingdom on the new earth will reach its perfection and be God’s kingdom in its final perfect phase (Matthew
25:34; John 25:34; 1 Corinthians 15:23-28; Revelation 11:15-18). The expression: “the Son himself will be made
subject to him who put everything under him so that God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28) means that the work
of Jesus Christ as Mediator within salvation history on earth has been completed and he will hand his entrusted task as
Mediator back to God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 denotes the beginning and 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 the end of the
kingdom or kingship or lordship of Jesus Christ on this present earth. At his second coming Jesus Christ has completed
his reign as Mediator.
The eternal kingdom or kingship of God begins beyond Christ’s second coming. However, Jesus Christ continues to
reign together with God the Father on his throne for all eternity (2 Samuel 7:13; Isaiah 9:7; 2 Peter 1:11; Revelation
22:1,3)! Only the distinction between the functions of God the Father and God the Son has then come to an end. From
then on the Bible speaks only of their complete unity: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord
and of his Christ and he will reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). “The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its
temple” (Revelation 21:22). “God and the Lamb is its light” (Revelation 21:23). “And the throne of God and of the
Lamb” will be in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:1,3).
22:4
Question 17. How will believers see God’s face?
Notes. The glory of God becomes visible in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), the radiance of God’s glory and the exact
representation of his being (Hebrews 1:3; cf. John 1:14). Whoever sees Jesus has seen God the Father (John 14:9).
Jesus Christ will still be the visible image of the invisible God and believers will see who God is in the face of Jesus
Christ at all times. They will fellowship directly with God through Jesus Christ. They will live, serve and reign in his
immediate presence (Revelation 22:3-5).
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22:5
Question 18. What will believers do on the new earth?
Notes.
Believers on this present earth have been given the cultural commission: to fill the earth with people in God’s image;
to subdue and preserve the earth and to rule over creation (Genesis 1:26-28). And believers have been given the great
commission: “Go and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19).
Believers on the new earth will probably realise (fulfil) perfectly their original assignment to reign over God’s beautiful
physical creation and all the wonderful things in nature (Revelation 22:5). And they will serve God in worship forever
(Revelation 22:3).
Question 19. What do you think is the importance of Revelation chapters 21 and 22
for your life as a Christian?
Notes. Revelation 21 and 22 teaches me to answer the question, “Where am I going?” “I am going to meet Jesus Christ
at his second coming. Then my body is going to be resurrected and I will be judged. I will be changed to become like
Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:1-3). Then I am going to dwell forever in God’s visible presence through Jesus
Christ on the new earth. There I will fellowship with God, worship God, serve God and reign with God in his kingdom
on the new earth! I surely have a wonderful and hopeful future!
APPLICATIONS
STEP 4. APPLY.
Share and record. Let us brainstorm with one another and record a list of possible applications from Revelation
21:1 - 22:6.
APPLICATION?
1. Examples of possible applications from Revelation 21:1 – 22:6.
21:1-3. Look forward to the second coming of Christ, when the perfect new heaven and new earth will become a
reality.
21:4.
Remember that all my present tears and weakness of my body are only temporary. The perfect reality lies
ahead!
21:7-8. Be a person that overcomes!
21:16. Seek one thing only and that is to dwell in God’s presence all the days of my life and gaze (meditate) upon the
beautiful characteristics, words and deeds of God (Psalm 27:4).
21:17. Never doubt that Jesus Christ protects me like a wall (John 17:12).
21:18-21. Proclaim the manifold wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10; James 3:17).
21:22. Regard all believers in Jesus Christ in the world as being the temple of God in which God lives through his
Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:22). But expect God in Christ to become our final temple.
21:23. Continually get to know the living God better and better by looking at the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians
4:6)
21:25. Tell other people that the gates are still open and that it is still a time of God’s grace to be saved
(cf. Luke 4:17-21)!
21:26. Do everything I do (my study, job, relationships, etc) as if I do it for Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:16; 3:17).
21:27. Get rid of all shameful and deceitful practices.
22:2.
Allow God to heal my past hurts and scars.
22:3.
Like Jesus Christ, live on this earth to serve and not to be served (Mark 10:45).
Set my heart and mind on the things above, where Christ is and not on the earthly things (Colossians 3:1-4).
Grow strong, not only in faith and love, but also in hope (Hebrews 6:11-12; 10:23)!
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a. I want to remember that I am an alien and stranger on this present earth, and that my real citizenship is in the
heavenly Jerusalem. This will help me not to get pre-occupied with the things of this world. I want to store up for
myself treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21; Colossians 3:1-4).
b. I want to do now in my present life on earth what I will be doing in the future on the new earth. I want to fellowship
with God, worship God, serve God and bring people and things that are glorious and honourable into God’s kingdom.
I want to seek God’s kingdom above everything else (Matthew 6:33)!
STEP 5. PRAY.
LET US TAKE TURNS TO PRAY ABOUT ONE TRUTH THAT GOD HAS TAUGHT US in Revelation 21:1 - 22:6.
5
PRAYER (8 minutes)
INTERCESSION
6
FOR NEXT LESSON
3. Memorisation. Meditate and memorise the new Bible verse. Assurance of God’s guidance: Proverbs 3:5-6.
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LESSON 11
1
PRAYER
2
GOD IS MY HELPER
(Group leader. Read the teaching about God is my Helper).
Theme. GOD IS MY HELPER.
Read Deuteronomy 1:29-33; Hebrews 13:5-6.
1. God helps us against our enemies.
Every believer has enemies.
These enemies may be certain people who hate our faith in Jesus Christ. They may be evil spirits whose goal it is to
destroy our faith in Jesus Christ. Sometimes they may be members of our own family or not born-again members of the
Church. Often our greatest enemy is the old sinful nature within us.
But God is our Helper. He says, “I am going with you and I will fight for you.” How does God fight for us?
Sometimes God removes our enemies.
Read 2 Chronicles 20:12-17,22-23. He fights for us and allows us to look on and see his power and victory.
`
Sometimes we must face our enemies.
Read Luke 6:27-28; 1 Peter 2:21-23. At times God does not remove our enemies from us, because he wants to use our
enemies to train our character, to learn to do good towards bad people and to bring glory to him! When our reaction to
our enemies are pleasing to God, he often makes our enemies live at peace with us (Proverbs 16:7). At other times,
God wants to equip us for battle by giving us spiritual weapons to fight with. Ephesians 6:10-17 teaches that we must
put on the whole armour of God and stand against the enemy.
2. God helps us in our circumstances.
One of the most difficult things imaginable is to walk and live in a desert, which is very hot by day and very cold by
night. There are no natural resources of water, food or shelter. It is unprotected at all sides from the attacks of enemies.
To do this for a long period of 40 years is extremely difficult! This happened to God’s people in the Old Testament.
Yet, God carried his people as a father carries his own son, all the way until they reached their final destination. Very
often, God does not take the difficult circumstances away from us, but neither does he leave us to face those difficult
circumstances alone. God allows us to go through difficult circumstances, because he wants to change our
overconfident and arrogant independence to become healthy dependence on him. God carries us right through those
difficult circumstances. While he is carrying us, he is training us to depend on him, on his nearness and on his wisdom,
power, salvation and help.
3. God helps us on our journey.
Another very difficult assignment is to travel to an unknown destination in an unknown land. Our life-journey is like
that. Never before have we gone this way. Although we know by faith where the journey leads to, we do not know
where it leads to by experience. We have not yet experienced the final destination. Going on our life-journey without
God would be like a ship without a compass or a rudder. Our life-journey would be without direction and out of control.
Without God, we would never be sure which direction to take. Without God we would constantly lose our way.
Without God we would even lack the necessary confidence to walk ahead. Without God we would not know when and
where to rest.
But God is going ahead of us, to show us the way we should go and also to search out the places for us to rest.
Generally, God does not show us the way long ahead of time, because he is training us to trust in his guidance, to put
our hand in his hand and to lead us one step at a time. God shows us the way one step at a time (cf. Psalm 119:105).
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Group leader. Worship God in his characteristic of being your Helper. Worship in small groups of three people each.
3
JOHN
4
[FELLOWSHIP].
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO ONE ANOTHER
A. THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
What is the nature and importance of Christian fellowship?
Read John 13:34-35.
Notes. Christian fellowship is basically “loving one another as Christ loved us”. Notice the following:
Christian fellowship is commanded. It is not an option.
Christian fellowship is a distinguishing characteristic.
To love one another is the most important characteristic that distinguishes Christians from other people. Love attracts
people to Christ and brings glory to Christ.
Christian fellowship is defined in terms of the responsibilities we have to one another.
According to the Bible, we have several responsibilities to one another.
B. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
1. Christian fellowship is characterised by relationships with God
and God’s community.
With whom do Christians have a close relationship?
Read 1 John 1:3 (1 Corinthians 1:9; 12:12-13,25; Ephesians 2:18; 3:12; Hebrews 4:15-16).
Notes. Christians have a close relationship with God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit as well as with one
another in the Christian Community, which is the Body of Christ. A Christian individual as a member of the Body
cannot be separated from Jesus Christ, who is his Head, or from the Christian Church, which is his Body.
2. Christian fellowship is characterised by relationships in a group.
What do Christians do in their times of fellowship?
Read Acts 2:42 (Acts 5:42; Ephesians 5:19).
Notes. Christians meet regularly together in small or larger groups. Within their group-meetings, Christians preach the
gospel, study and teach the Bible, sing, pray and eat together.
3. Christian fellowship is characterised by relationships with responsibilities.
Teach. The best way to understand Christian fellowship is by studying our responsibilities to one another in the Bible.
In a number of Bible passages you read the words ‘one another’, for example, ‘love one another’, ‘teach one another’,
‘serve one another’, etc. These responsibilities to one another are the responsibilities every Christian has towards other
Christians throughout the whole world.
The temptation is great to turn these responsibilities to one another into Christian laws, which are burdensome to carry.
No Christian can exercise or apply all of these responsibilities at the same time or even all the time! God expects you to
give yourself to these responsibilities to one another according to how he guides your growth and life as well as
according to the grace and the gifts that he gives to you!
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Suggestion. Choose one of these responsibilities and practise it for a few months.
4. The key responsibility.
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
The key responsibility is ‘to love one another as Christ loved us’. This is the only standard for Christian fellowship!
Possible applications. ‘To love’ is to be patient, kind and not bitter towards the other person when he commits a sin.
To love the other person when he is a social outcast, when he is helpless or when he behaves like an enemy. To love is
to take the initiative to do something positive towards the other person, even when he does not love you. To love is to
lay down your life for the other person. To love the other person with the kind of love described in 1 Corinthians
13:1-8. Christian fellowship is not only commanded, but is made possible by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).
C. CHRISTIAN ATTITUDES TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER
1. Read Romans 12:10.
The responsibilities are to be devoted to one another in brotherly love and to honour one another.
Possible applications. To love as a brother is to reserve your close and intimate relationships, your tender affections
and your deep spiritual unity for Christians only. To honour is to regard the good words and deeds of other Christians as
done from good motives and never from evil motives, unless a consistent evil pattern is evident. To honour is to speak
well and not evil of the other.
2. Read Romans 13:8-10.
The responsibility is not to harm one another.
Possible applications. Not to harm another woman by committing adultery, but by preserving the sacredness of the
marriage relationship. Not to murder, but to help your neighbour keep alive and well. Not to steal, but to protect your
neighbour’s possessions. Not to covet, but to rejoice in the fact that your neighbour possesses desirable things.
3. Read Ephesians 4:32.
The responsibilities are to be kind to one another, to be compassionate to one another and to be forgiving to one
another.
Possible applications. To be kind is to be friendly and gentle instead of being critical and repulsive. It is to look for
ways to be helpful and meet the other person’s needs. To be compassionate is to have good feelings from the heart to
one another. To be forgiving is to say you no longer hold an offence against your neighbour and to pray for him.
4. Read Colossians 3:13.
The responsibility is to forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Possible applications. To forgive as the Lord forgave you. To forgive seventy times seven times (without stopping).
To forgive your neighbour from your heart. Whoever does not forgive others, will also not be forgiven by God.
5. Other one another responsibilities with regard to attitudes.
Romans 15:1-7 (to accept one another). Romans 16:16 (to greet one another with a holy kiss). Galatians 5:26 (not to
provoke each other by boasting and not to envy each other). Ephesians 4:2 (to bear with one another). Ephesians
5:21 (to submit to one another). 1 Thessalonians 5:13 (to live in peace with one another). 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (always
try to be kind to each other). 1 Peter 5:5-6 (to clothe yourself with humility toward one another).
D. CHRISTIAN SPEAKING TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER
1. Read Romans 14:13.
The responsibility is to stop passing judgement on one another.
Possible applications. The weak must stop criticising the strong and the strong must stop finding fault with the weak.
Christians must not force other Christians to practice their faith in exactly the same way as they themselves do.
For example, they must respect a diversity of opinions with regard to what kinds of food are appropriate to eat, what
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kind of days should be special days, etc. Each group should rather help the other group to become more effective
witnesses for Christ.
The responsibility is not to lie to each other.
Possible applications. To speak the truth in a way that will build the other up and assure him of your love.
Do not promise to pray for someone if you do not intend to do it.
The responsibilities are to teach one another and to admonish one another.
Possible applications. The calling and duty to teach does not only belong to the pastors and leaders of the
congregation, but to every Christian! Christians should teach one another. For example, they teach one another by
sharing their quiet times with one another, by doing Bible study together, by giving testimonies, by teaching and
preaching. To admonish is to counsel one another in the areas of weakness and failure. It is to warn one another. It is to
engrave God’s teachings and commands in the Bible on one another’s minds (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
4. Read Hebrews 10:24-25.
The responsibilities are to spur one another on to love, to spur one another on to good works and to encourage one
another to meet together.
Possible applications. To spur on is to arouse and provoke one another to loving relationships and to do tasks that
benefit others. To encourage is to stimulate one another to participate in at least one regular Christian group meeting
where Christians are spurred on to love and good works.
5. Other one another responsibilities with regard to speaking.
Romans 15:14 (to instruct one another). 1 Corinthians 1:10 (to have the same mind when you speak together).
Ephesians 5:19 (to speak to one another in singing). 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (to comfort and to encourage one another and
to build one another up). Hebrews 3:12-13 (to encourage one another). James 4:11 (not to slander one another). James
5:9 (not to grumble against each other). James 5:16 (to confess your sins to one another and to pray for one another).
E. CHRISTIAN ACTIONS TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER
1. Read 1 Corinthians 12:25.
The responsibility is to have equal concern for each other.
Possible applications. To use your God-given abilities and opportunities to serve other Christians who especially need
your service. On the one hand to help the weak and on the other hand to train the strong. Do not show favouritism to
any particular group of people.
2. Read Galatians 6:2 and 5.
The responsibilities are to carry the burdens of each other, but not to carry the loads of other people.
Possible applications. Christians are responsible to help carry as best as they can the ‘burdens’ of other Christians,
which are for example their tragedies, crises or losses. However, they are not responsible to carry their ‘loads’,
which are their responsibilities for their own thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, needs, choices, values, and what they do with
their time, possessions, talents, bodies and behaviour.
3. Read 1 Peter 4:9.
The responsibility is to offer hospitality to each other without grumbling.
Possible applications. To give lodging and food to Christian workers from other places or to needy brothers and sisters
in your area.
4. Other one another responsibilities with regard to actions.
John 13:14 (to wash one another’s feet). John 15:12 (to love each other). Galatians 5:13 (to serve one another in love).
1 Peter 4:10-11 (to use whatever gift you have received to serve one another). 1 John 1:7 (to have fellowship with one
another).
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Summarise. Christian fellowship consists of fulfilling responsibilities to one another in the areas of the attitudes of your
heart, the words of your mouth and the actions of your behaviour.
F. PRACTICAL EXERCISE
1. Set goals.
As a Christian group or congregation, choose one responsibility to one another and practise it as a group
and as individuals for a few months.
2. Act in a play.
Divide into groups of three or four people and each group prepares an act for about two minutes
about one of the responsibilities to one another. Act it out in the presence of the other group members.
5
PRAYER (8 minutes)
6
FOR NEXT LESSON
1. Commitment. Make a commitment to practise the responsibilities we have to one another.
3. Bible study. Prepare the next Bible study at home. John 15:1-17. Theme: How do I bear fruit?
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LESSON 12
1
PRAYER
2
JOHN
3
REVIEW OF VERSES ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN ASSURANCES
A. METHOD OF REVIEWING MEMORISED BIBLE VERSES
Reviewing previously memorised Bible verses has the following parts:
1. Review.
Review means to repeat the last 5 Bible verses you have memorised once every day. Repetition is the best method to
remember Bible verses and to quote them accurately. Therefore, review the last 5 Bible verses you have memorised at
a minimum of once a day for the duration of 5 weeks. Thus, you review every new Bible verse about 35 times before it
comes into the ‘back-review’ system.
2. Back-review.
Back-review means to review all your previously memorised Bible verses once every 3 weeks. Back-review is the best
method to remember all the Bible verses you have previously memorised. Therefore, for every 100 previously
memorised Bible verses, back-review 5 of them every day. Thus you back-review all these previously memorised Bible
verses once every 3 weeks.
3. Carry.
Carry your memorisation cardholder or your memorisation notebook with you to work. Use travelling time and spare
moments during the day for review, meditation and prayer. Review the last 5 Bible verses you have memorised. Backreview some Bible verses you have previously memorised. Meditate and pray about the contents of these verses.
4. Check.
Check one another to see whether you still know the Bible verses that you have memorised accurately.
During every group meeting, divide into twos and check one another’s last memorised Bible verse. Also once in
a while, divide into twos and check one series of 5 Bible verses that you have previously memorised. Check one another
to see whether you still know the topic or title, the Bible reference as well as the whole Bible verse without one mistake.
As a cue, sometimes give the topic or title, sometimes the Bible reference and at other times only the first few words of
the Bible verse.
B. REVIEW TWO BY TWO THE VERSES ON CHRISTIAN ASSURANCES
1. Assurance of salvation: John 10:28
2. Assurance of answered prayer: John 16:24
3. Assurance of victory: 1 Corinthians 10:13
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4. Assurance of forgiveness: 1 John 1:9
5. Assurance of Gods guidance: Proverbs 3:5-6
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4
HOW DO I BEAR FRUIT?
JOHN 15:1-17
Make use of the five steps method of Bible study to study John 15:1-17 together.
GOD’S WORD
STEP 1. READ.
Read. LET US READ John 15:1-17 together.
OBSERVATIONS
STEP 2. DISCOVER.
15:5
Discovery 1. The importance of remaining in Christ.
“If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”. I want to be a person
who bears much fruit for God. This verse tells me that this will only be possible when I remain in Jesus Christ and he
remains in me. As a matter of fact, without Jesus Christ, I can do nothing that will have everlasting significance.
Sometimes this truth scares me, because I am a Christian who is very active. Now I am asking myself, will all my
activities bear fruit for God in eternity? I can only continue to believe that my activities will bear fruit for God in
eternity, as long as I remain in Christ and he remains in me. I do not want to discover one day that I have been very
active for God, yet I did not bear any fruit for God.
15:8
Discovery 2. The importance of glorifying God.
“This is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples”. I want to glorify God in
my life. The way to glorify God is to bear much fruit. However, the way to bear much fruit is that I remain in Christ and
that he remains in me. It is clear to me that the highest goal of a Christian is to glorify God. Therefore, two things are
indispensable in the Christian’s life: his continuing relationship with Jesus Christ and his fruitfulness.
EXPLANATIONS
STEP 3. QUESTION.
GROUP?
Let us try to understand all the truths in John 15:1-17 and ask questions about the things we still do not understand.
question.)
15:1-17
Question 1. What is John 15:1-17? Is it a straightforward teaching?
Is it a parable? Or is it an allegory?
Notes. An example of a straightforward teaching in the Bible is John 14:15-27.
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An example of a parable in the Bible is Luke 10:30-35. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.
A parable has only one main message. For example, in the parable of the Good Samaritan the main message is:
“You are a neighbour to the one you show mercy.”
Examples of allegories in the Bible are John 10:1-16 and John 15:1-17. An allegory is an extended comparison and has
several different points of comparison. For example, in the allegory of the vine and the branches “the gardener”
represents God the Father, “the vine” represents Jesus Christ, “the branches that bear fruit” represent genuine Christians
and “the branches that never bore fruit” represent nominal Christians or non-believers. Because “the vine” and “the
branches” represent people, “the fruit” first of all represents people. The allegory does not say that Jesus is actually
a vine with branches and grapes on it. It implies that the relationship between Jesus and people can be compared to
a vine and its branches. We should not attempt to explain every characteristic of the symbol (the allegory).
15:2
Question 2. What is the nature of the ‘fruit’ that we Christians should bear?
Notes. The word ‘fruit’ in the Bible has different meanings.
In Colossians 1:6 the fruit produced by those who preach the gospel is new Christian believers.
In John 15:16 “the lasting fruit” is mature Christian believers (disciples). New Christians, who have grown to maturity
and do not backslide into their old ways of life, are called “lasting fruit”.
In Luke 3:8-14 the fruit is good works that are in keeping with repentance (cf. Ephesians 2:10).
In Galatians 5:22-23 “the fruit of the Spirit” is the different aspects of Christian character.
Thus, the fruit that Christ expects Christians to bear is the fruit of evangelism (new Christian believers); the fruit of
disciple making (mature Christian believers); the fruit of good works (Christian deeds) and the fruit of the Spirit
(Christian character).
15:2
Question 3. What does ‘pruning’ signify?
Notes. While God will cut away the dead and fruitless branches in the final judgement (the unbelievers, cf. Matthew
13:41), he prunes the living and fruit bearing branches (the believers). Pruning signifies rebuke and discipline, hardships
and opposition in life. It signifies that believers are trained by these difficulties in order to change and bear even more
fruit.
15:3
Question 4. Which ‘word’ cleansed the disciples?
Notes. The word that cleansed the disciples is the word of the gospel that led to their rebirth and justification (James
1:18; 1 Peter 1:23). And it is the word of Christian teaching that leads to their sanctification (Ephesians 5:26).
15:4-5
Question 5. Who are the people who bear fruit?
Notes. In verse 4 we read, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in
the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me”. The people, who bear fruit are those who come close to
Jesus Christ, accept him into their hearts and lives and who continue to relate to Christ every day. Because Christ
remains in them, they are watchful, diligent and persevere to bear fruit.
15:6
Question 6. Who are the people who do not bear fruit?
© 2009 DOTA
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
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Notes. This allegory does not describe the growth process of a vine that once in the past had a living green branch with
fruit that later became a dead, dry and fruitless branch that is cut off. The allegory rather describes one picture of a vine
with two kinds of branches: living branches that bear fruit and dead branches that bear no fruit. The allegory does not
describe the history of the dead dry branch! One must not add one’s own thoughts and questions to the picture of Jesus.
The branches that bear fruit represent true believers. However, the branches that do not bear fruit do not represent
people who were first believers and afterwards fell away from the faith. The allegory clearly teaches that the branches
that are cut off and thrown into the fire represent people who are not alive (not inwardly connected to Christ) and who
never once bore fruit, not even when they were in a close relationship to Christ. Although they may once have been
“close to Christ in the congregation”, they were “never in Christ”; they were never true believers. Their so-called
“in-Christ-relationship”, although close, was merely an outward relationship and never a born-again relationship (John
3:3-8)! The conclusion is that this allegory does not teach that born-again believers can again lose their salvation.
Such an assumption or such a teaching would contradict the very clear teachings of Jesus Christ in John 5:24 and 10:28.
The Bible never teaches contradictory truths!
The allegory rather teaches that, while nominal-Christians will remain fruitless, born-again Christians will bear much
fruit! Therefore, the people who do not bear fruit are those who come in close contact with Jesus Christ, but do not
accept him. They only have an outward relationship with Jesus Christ. They may even participate in a Christian
congregation and in Christian activities, but because Jesus Christ does not live in them, they cannot bear any fruit that
has significance for eternity. Jesus Christ stresses the responsibility of each person that is brought into close contact
with him: if he rejects the word of God and the light he received, there will come a time when God will stop all further
work with him. The Holy Spirit will no more plead with him, his conscience will no more warn him and his heart will
become hardened. Finally, he will be rejected and cast into hell (cf. Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 13:11-15; Hebrews 3:7-11).
It is evident that such a person was never born-again!
Before the second coming of Christ, the present Christian Community, as a part of the kingdom of God in its present
form, is a mixed community consisting of true Christians and nominal Christians (Matthew 13:24-30,36-43). These
nominal Christians often look very much like real Christians, but in their hearts and lives they are not born-again.
For example, there are nominal believers that speak and act as if they are real believers (Matthew 7:21-22). They are
weeds that look like wheat (Matthew 13:24-30,47). They are dry and fruitless branches that look as if they belong to the
Vine (John 15:1-6). They are members of the flock that arise in order to distort the truth and draw disciples away after
them (Acts 20:29-31). They are false apostles that preach a different Jesus, possess a different spirit and proclaim
a different gospel than the gospel found in the Bible (2 Corinthians 11:4,13-15). They are false brothers that infiltrate
the church in order to distort the truth (Galatians 1:6-9; 2:4-5).
They are people that may have been enlightened, may have been baptised, may have participated in the Lord’s Supper,
may have enjoyed the preaching of God’s Word, may have seen God’s powerful deeds in their midst (in short: may
have had a share in what the Holy Spirit was doing) and yet fall away afterwards. They crucify Jesus all over again and
subject Jesus to public shame. When their lives continue to produce worthless thorns and thistles that are in danger of
being cursed, they show what they always have been: not a real living branch. In the end they will be burned (Hebrews
6:4-8). Only when such people are genuinely born-again will they be completely forgiven (Hebrews 8:10-12).
15:5,7
Question 7. What does it mean to remain in Christ?
Notes. In verse 7 we read, “Remain in me and my words remain in you...” To remain in Christ is connected to Christ’s
words remaining in the Christian. And in verse 9-10 we read, “Remain in my love, ... obey my commands”. To remain
in Christ is connected to the Christian obeying the words of Christ. Although Christ is the first to speak his words to
each Christian and he is the first to love the Christian, the Christian has a responsibility to respond to Christ’s love and
words. He should make an effort to maintain a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to continually obey the words
of Jesus Christ. The Christian must exert himself to love Jesus Christ with all his heart, mind and energy and the
Christian must exert himself to do what Jesus Christ teaches. Whenever, a person thinks that he is a Christian, but he
does not love Jesus Christ or obey his words, then he is in danger of becoming like a dry branch that will be rejected
and cast into the fire.
15:7
Question 8. What is the difference between believers remaining in Christ’s words
and Christ’s words remaining in the believers?
Notes.
© 2009 DOTA
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John 8:31-32 teaches that true disciples of Jesus Christ do something with the Bible. These disciples of Jesus remain in
the words (teachings) of Jesus Christ. This means that the believers have the responsibility to hear, read, study,
meditate, memorise, apply (obey) and pass on the words of Jesus in the Bible.
John 15:7 teaches that the words of the Bible do something with true disciples. The words of Jesus remain in true
disciples. This means that the believers have the responsibility to let the words of Jesus Christ influence and control
their thoughts and convictions, their motives and desires, their attitudes and feelings and their speaking and behaviour.
In short, the words of Jesus in the Bible must change (transform) them!
15:7
Question 9. What relationship exists between prayer and the word?
Notes. In verse 7 we read, “If my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you”.
When a Christian lets the words of Jesus Christ influence and control his life, then his prayers will be effective.
Because he will not ask for anything against the words of Jesus Christ, he will experience many answers to his prayers
(1 John 5:14). This is a great promise!
15:8
Question 10. What should be the degree of fruitfulness?
Notes. According to verses 5 and 8, Christians are expected to bear ‘much fruit’. That is why God prunes them
(John 15:2). When God prunes Christians, he rebukes them, corrects them and disciplines them through hardships.
According to verse 16, Christians are expected to bear “lasting fruit”. That is why God and other Christians keep on
caring for the new believers. They do not want them to backslide into unbelief.
According to the parable of the sower (farmer) in Matthew 13, some Christians bear “100 fold fruit, others 60 fold fruit
and others 30 fold fruit”.
The reasons why some Christians bear more fruit than other Christians can be the following:
- They are more penitent, trustful, loyal, diligent, courageous, meek, etc. in the way they respond to the word of God
themselves.
- They are more productive in their work of evangelism and disciple making than others.
- They have been given different personalities, different spiritual gifts and different circumstances in life, of which God
is the only Giver and the only Judge.
15:9-12
Question 11. How can Christians love one another?
Notes. Verse 1-11 says, “Remain in Christ and his love!” And verse 12-17 says, “Love each other!”
Therefore it is plain that Christians can only love one another when they remain in Jesus Christ and in Christ’s love.
Only when Christians exert themselves to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and make a continual effort to
obey Christ’s teachings, then Jesus Christ will give them the ability to love each other! In Mark 12:30-31 Jesus Christ
gives Christians the command to love God and to love their neighbour as themselves. But in Romans 5:5 God pours out
his love into the hearts of Christians through the Holy Spirit. When God gives Christians a command, he also gives
them the ability to obey that command! God commands love, but he also gives love!
15:10,14
Question 12. What relationship exists between obedience and love?
Notes. The practical way to remain in Jesus Christ, in Christ’s love and in Christ’s friendship is to obey his words!
But our obedience did not come first. Jesus Christ first became obedient to God’s plan to save believers. Jesus Christ
loved us first and died for us. Then Jesus Christ sent someone to preach the gospel to us. When we believed, Jesus
Christ poured his Holy Spirit and his love out into our hearts. With Christ’s love in our hearts, we WANT to obey
Christ’s words, we CAN obey Christ’s words and we WILL obey Christ’s words!
By obeying Christ’s words, Jesus Christ creates more love towards him in our hearts and in this way another and even
better love cycle begins! Thus, Christ’s love creates love in our hearts. Our love leads to obedience. Our obedience
causes Jesus Christ to create more love in our hearts. Our greater love leads to greater obedience. And so on.
© 2009 DOTA
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
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15:13
Question 13. What is the meaning of ‘greater love’?
Notes. In verse 12-13 we read, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than
this, that he lay down his life for his friends”. The greatest kind of love is the love that lays down its life for its friends.
Jesus Christ loved us with this greatest love. He died on the cross for us. His love was an unselfish love. It was a selfsacrificing love. It was a love that saved us. It is the love that makes us become the best we can ever become! This is the
greater love.
And now Jesus Christ commands us Christians to love one another with this greater love. Christians should love one
another with unselfish love, with self-sacrificing love and with love that will help other people become their very best
for God and mankind. Of course, we cannot die on the cross for others. But we can live our lives for others in an
unselfish and self-sacrificial way. This is the greater love!
15:16
Question 14. What relationship exists between prayer and bearing fruit?
Notes. In verse 16 we read, “I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last. Then the Father will give
you whatever you ask in my name”. A true Christian will pray for fruit and he will bear fruit in answer to prayer. When
Jesus Christ sends Christians to go and bear lasting fruit, we Christians realise that we can only do that in the power,
wisdom and love of Jesus Christ. Therefore we Christians pray for courage and obedience to go to people and we pray
for his power, wisdom and love to help these people to become lasting fruit. Jesus Christ promises that because they
pray and work for lasting fruit, he will answer their prayers!
APPLICATIONS
STEP 4. APPLY.
Share and record. Let us brainstorm with one another and record a list of possible applications from John 15:1-17.
APPLICATION?
1. Examples of possible applications from John 15:1-17.
15:1.
15:2.
Realise that there is no other Saviour than Jesus Christ. He only is the true vine.
Allow the gardener, God the Father, to continually prune my life so that I may be able to bear genuine fruit,
much fruit and lasting fruit.
15:3.
Believe in the gospel and be justified by faith. To believe in more and more words of the Bible, so that more
and more areas of my life may become righteous and holy.
15:4-5. Remember that only when I remain in a continual and living relationship with Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ
remains in me, I can bear much and lasting fruit.
15:6.
Help people that come to church to really accept Jesus Christ into their hearts and lives (2 Corinthians 13:5).
15:7.
Allow the words of the Bible to influence all the areas of my life, change me and control me.
15:7.
Realise that two important conditions for God to answer prayers are to have a living relationship with Jesus
Christ and to allow the words of the Bible to control my life.
15:8.
Realise that the characteristic of a disciple is to bear fruit. To be committed to bear much fruit for Jesus Christ.
15:9-10. Continually remain in a relationship of love with Jesus Christ by obeying his words (John 14:21,23).
15:11. Christian joy is not the result of the success and happiness in the world, but the result of a living relationship
with Jesus Christ, obedience to the words of the Bible and answered prayers.
15:13. Exercise the greater love, which is to lay down my living life for my friends.
15:14. Be a friend of Jesus Christ by obeying his words (James 4:4).
15:15. Share the things that I learn from Jesus Christ with my friends.
15:16. Take the initiative and go to other people and to other nations and make them disciples of Jesus Christ
(Matthew 28:18-20).
15:16. Believe that when I am involved in the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20) that Christ will answer many of
my prayers!
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a. I am asking God for the grace to develop my personal relationship with him more and more. I want to spend enough
time every day to read his words and meditate about how I can obey them. I believe that obeying Christ’s words will
lead to greater love for Christ and to greater fruitfulness.
b. I am asking God for the grace to bear more fruit and to bear lasting fruit. Jesus Christ has saved me and made me
a living green branch in his vine. His life flows into me through the Holy Spirit and this life can cause me to bear fruit.
I desire to bear much fruit. I desire to bear lasting fruit. Therefore I will continue to develop my personal relationship
with Jesus Christ through obedience to his word, prayer and loving his other children.
STEP 5. PRAY.
RESPONSE
LET US TAKE TURNS TO PRAY ABOUT ONE TRUTH THAT GOD HAS TAUGHT US in John 15:1-17.
5
PRAYER (8 minutes)
INTERCESSION
6
FOR NEXT LESSON
3. Memorisation. Make it your habit to daily review the last 5 memorised Bible verses.
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SUPPLEMENT 1
A METHOD FOR A PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD:
THE FAVOURITE TRUTH METHOD
A. A PERSONAL TIME OF FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
1. A personal time of fellowship with God.
A personal time of fellowship with God is listening and speaking. It is listening to God’s voice speaking through
his words in the Bible and his Spirit in your heart. And it is speaking to God in prayer.
2. Set aside a special time every day.
Set aside a special time every day to have fellowship with God. Read one chapter from the Bible, or a passage, if the
chapter is too long. See: A Programme for Bible Reading (See manual 1, supplement 2). This training course assigns
the reading of one Bible passage for each of the 7 days preceding the next lesson. This makes it easier for the group
members to recognise the contents of the Bible during the sharing time and to learn from one another’s insights.
3. Record notes in a notebook.
Record in your quiet time notebook a few thoughts (discoveries, lessons, and benefits) from each quiet time.
This makes it easier to remember and easier to share during the sharing time.
B. THE FAVOURITE TRUTH METHOD
There are several good methods of having a personal time of fellowship with God. “The favourite truth method” has
five steps. Note the difference between this method and ‘the five steps method for Bible study’.
Step 1. Pray.
Begin your personal time with God by consciously entering into God’s presence. Ask God to speak personally to you
through his words in the Bible and his Spirit. Ask him to renew or strengthen your life through the words of the Bible.
For example, pray, “LORD, open my eyes that I may see the wonderful things in your Word” (Psalm 119:18).
Step 2. Read.
Every day, read one of the seven assigned passages for that week from the Bible.
Step 3. Choose your favourite truth.
Your “favourite truth” may be a verse, a few verses, or especially one of the truths in the Bible passage that you have
read. It is the thought or truth through which God is speaking to you, through which your thinking is stimulated or
through which your heart is touched.
Step 4. Meditate your favourite truth.
You meditate on God’s Word because you want to understand the truth, receive renewal or strength from it, and
apply or use it. Christian meditation has the following 4 parts:
- Think about the meaning of the different words in your favourite truth.
Ask yourself questions like: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
- Pray to God while you think. Ask God to speak to your mind and your heart, to explain the meaning of a word to you
or to reveal to you what he wants you to know, believe, be or do. Respond to what God is saying to you.
- Relate your favourite truth to your personal life or to the world in which you live. Ask yourself one of the following
questions: “What is my need in the light of this truth?” “How does this truth renew or strengthen me?” “What does
God want me to know or believe or be or do?”
- Write the most important thoughts of your meditation in your notebook for a personal time with God.
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Step 5. Pray your favourite truth.
Pray your favourite truth (the thought of your meditation) back to God. Pray shortly for four different people:
- Pray your favourite truth for yourself.
- Pray your favourite truth for someone in your family.
- Pray your favourite truth for someone nearby, that is, for someone in your neighbourhood, church or working place.
- Pray your favourite truth for someone far away, that is, for someone living in another town or another country.
C. SHARING PERSONAL TIMES WITH GOD
1. Sharing time during a small group lesson.
Every lesson has a sharing time. Each group member gets an opportunity to share once from any one of the 7 Bible
passages from which he had a personal time of fellowship with God during the past week.
Each group member should not share longer than about two minutes.
2. Sharing with one person.
Sometimes two people meet together regularly to encourage one another to grow. Also have a sharing time and share
with one another what you have learned from your Bible reading or personal times with God.
3. Answering questions.
During every lesson, the group leader may like to answer one difficult question that arose from reading the Bible during
the past week.
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Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
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SUPPLEMENT 2
A PROGRAMME FOR BIBLE READING
“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.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
A Bible reading plan for one to three years
Read systematically through your Bible. Use a programme for Bible reading. The programme for Bible reading below
provides the possibility to read through your Bible in one, two or three years.
- In one year:
Read all three columns each day.
- In two years: In the first year, read the New Testament column and the left Old Testament column each day.
In the second year, read the New Testament column and the right Old Testament column each day.
- In three years: Read just one column each day.
How to use the Bible reading plan
Mark off the passages you read. You could read the Bible when you have a personal time with God, when you have
family worship or just before you go to sleep. You could also read your Bible in the services of your congregation or
while you travel. Read your Bible aloud to other people who cannot read or have never heard it.
How to read your Bible.
As you read the Bible each day, do the following:
- Pray. Ask God to help you understand what you read.
- Read. Carefully read the Bible passage.
- Mark. Carefully mark certain motivating words and verses (See manual 1, supplement 3).
- Respond. Pray to God about the passage. What does God intend you to know or believe or be or do?
- Meditate. Meditate on one thought from the passage throughout the day.
- Pass on. Graciously tell someone what God has taught you.
- Apply. Determine to apply this truth to your life today.
date
Jan
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Old Testament
Genesis 1
2
3
4,5
6
7
8
9
10,11
12
13,14
15,16
17
18
19
20
21
22,23
24:1-33
24:34-67
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
© 2009 DOTA
New Testament
Matthew 1
2
3
4
5:1-26
5:27-48
6:1-18
6:19-34
7
8:1-17
8:18-34
9:1-17
9:18-38
10:1-25
10:26-42
11
12:1-21
12:22-50
13:1-30
13:31-58
14
15:1-20
15:21-39
16
17
18:1-14
18:15-35
19
20
21:1-22
21:23-46
Old Testament
Ezra 1
2:1-35
2:36-70
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Nehemiah 1,2
3
4
5,6
7:1-38
7:39-73
8
9:1-15
9:16-31
9:32-10:27
10:28-39
11
12:1-26
12:27-47
13
Esther 1
2
3
4,5
6,7
date
Feb
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
Old Testament
Genesis
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Exodus 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10,11
12
13
14
New Testament
Matthew
22:1-22
22:23-46
23
24:1-31
24:32-51
25:1-30
25:31-46
26:1-13
26:14-35
26:36-56
26:57-75
27:1-10
27:11-26
27:27-44
27:45-66
28:1-20
Acts 1:1-26
2:1-21
2:22-47
3
4:1-22
4:23-37
5:1-16
5:17-42
6
7:1-22
7:23-60
8:1-25
Old Testament
Esther
8
9,10
Job 1
2
3
4,5
6,7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25,26
27
28
29
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date
Mar
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Exodus
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Leviticus 1,2
3
4
5
6
Acts
8:26-40
9:1-19
9:20-43
10:1-23
10:24-48
11
12
13:1-12
13:13-25
13:26-52
14
15:1-21
15:22-41
16:1-10
16:11-24
16:25-40
17:1-15
17:16-34
18
19:1-20
19:21-41
20:1-16
20:17-38
21:1-16
21:17-40
22
23
24
25
26
27:1-26
Job
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Psalms 1-3
4-6
7-9
10,11
12-15
16,17
18
19-21
22,23
24,25
26,27
28-30
31,32
33,34
35,36
37
38
39,40
April
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
7
8
9
10
11,12
13
14
15
16
17,18
19
20
21
22
23
27:27-44
28
Mark 1:1-28
1:29-45
2
3
4:1-20
4:21-41
5:1-20
5:21-43
6:1-29
6:30-56
7
8
9:1-29
41-43
44
45
46,47
48,49
50,51
52-55
56,57
58,59
60-62
63-65
66,67
68
69
70,71
Old Testament
© 2009 DOTA
New Testament
Old Testament
date
April
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Leviticus
24
25:1-22
25:23-55
26
27
Numbers 1
2
3
4
5,6
7:1-47
7:48-89
8
9
10
Mark
9:30-50
10:1-31
10:32-52
11
12:1-17
12:18-44
13:1-13
13:14-37
14:1-26
14:27-52
14:53-72
15:1-20
15:21-47
16
Romans 1:1-17
Psalms
72
73
74,75
76,77
78:1-31
78:32-72
79,80
81-83
84,85
86-88
89
90,91
92,93
94
95,96
May
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
11
12
13
14
15
16:1-35
16:36-50
17,18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Deut 1
2
3
4
5
1:18-32
2:1-16
2:17-29
3
4
5
6
7
8:1-17
8:18-39
9
10
11:1-24
11:25-36
12
13
14
15:1-13
15:14-33
16
1 Cor 1:1-17
1:18-31
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
97.98
99-101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108,109
110-112
113,114
115-117
118
119:1-32
119:33-64
119:65-104
119:105-144
119:145-176
120-124
125-128
129-133
134,135
136,137
138,139
140-142
143,144
145
146,147
148-150
Proverbs 1
2
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
Old Testament
New Testament
Old Testament
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date
June
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Deuteronomy
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19,20
21
22
23
24,25
26,27
28:1-37
28:38-68
29
30
31
32
33,34
Joshua 1
2
3
4
1 Corinthians
11
12
13
14
15:1-34
15:35-58
16
2 Corinthians 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Luke 1:1-25
1:26-56
1:57-80
2:1-21
2:22-52
3
4:1-30
4:31-44
5:1-16
5:17-39
Proverbs
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Ecclesiastes 1
July
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
5
6
7
8
9
10
11,12
13,14
15
16-18
19
20,21
22
23
24
Judges 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10,11
6:1-19
6:20-36
6:37-49
7:1-17
7:18-50
8:1-21
8:22-39
8:40-56
9:1-17
9:18-45
9:46-62
10:1-20
10:21-42
11:1-26
11:27-54
12:1-34
12:35-59
13:1-17
13:18-35
14:1-14
14:15-35
15
16:1-13
16:14-31
17:1-19
2
3,4
5,6
7
8,9
10-12
Songs 1-3
4,5
6-8
Isaiah 1
2,3
4,5
6,7
8,9
10
11,12
13
14,15
16,17
18,19
20,21
22
23,24
25-27
28
Old Testament
© 2009 DOTA
New Testament
Old Testament
date
July
26
27
28
29
30
31
Judges
12,13
14
15
16
17,18
19
Luke
17:20-37
18:1-17
18:18-43
19:1-27
19:28-48
20:1-18
Isaiah
29
30,31
32
33
34-36
37
Aug
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
20
21
Ruth 1
2
3,4
1 Samuel 1
2
3
4
5,6
7,8
9
10
11,12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21,22
23
24
25
26,27
28,29
30,31
2 Samuel 1
2
20:19-47
21:1-19
21:20-38
22:1-23
22:24-53
22:54-71
23:1-25
23:26-56
24:1-35
24:36-53
Galatians 1
2:1-10
2:11-21
3
4:1-20
4:21-31
5
6
Ephesians 1
2
3
4:1-16
4:17-32
5:1-20
5:21-33
6
Philippians 1
2:1-11
2:12-30
3
4
38,39
40
41
42
43
44
45,46
47,48
49
50,51
52-54
55,56
57,58
59
60,61
62-64
65,66
Jeremiah 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9,10
11
12,13
14,15
16
17
Sept
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
3
4,5
6
7
8,9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Colossians 1
2
3
4
1 Thes 1
2
3
4
5
2 Thes 1
2
3
1 Timothy 1
2
3
18,19
20,21
22
23
24
25
26
27,28
29,30
31
32
33,34
35
36,37
38,39
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
Old Testament
New Testament
Old Testament
page 99 of 110
date
Sept
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
2 Samuel
20
21
22
23
24
1 Kings 1
2
3
4
5
6
7:1-26
7:27-51
8:1-26
8:27-66
1 Timothy
4
5
6
2 Timothy 1
2
3
4
Titus 1
2
3
Philemon 1
John 1:1-28
1:29-51
2
3
Jeremiah
40,41
42,43
44,45
46,47
48
49
50
51:1-35
51:36-64
52
Lamentations 1
2
3
4,5
Ezekiel 1,2
Oct
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22:1-28
22:29-53
2 Kings 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
4:1-26
4:27-54
5:1-23
5:24-47
6:1-21
6:22-40
6:41-71
7:1-13
7:14-36
7:37-53
8:1-30
8:31-59
9:1-23
9:24-41
10:1-21
10:22-42
11:1-27
11:28-57
12:1-19
12:20-36
12:37-50
13:1-20
13:21-38
14
15:1-17
15:18-27
16:1-15
16:16-33
17
18:1-18
18:19-40
3
4,5
6,7
8,9
10
11
12
13
14,15
16
17
18,19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28,29
30,31
32
33
34,35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Nov
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
19:1-22
19:23-42
20
21
Hebrews 1
2
3
42,43
44
45
46
47
48
Daniel 1
Old Testament
© 2009 DOTA
New Testament
Old Testament
date
Nov
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
2 Kings
24
25
1 Chron 1
2
3
4
5
6:1-48
6:49-81
7
8
9
10,11
12
13,14
15
16
17
18
19,20
21
22
23
Hebrews
4
5
6
7
8
9
10:1-18
10:19-39
11:1-22
11:23-40
12
13
James 1
2
3
4
5
1 Peter 1
2
3
4
5
2 Peter 1
Daniel
2:1-23
2:24-49
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11:1-20
11:21-45
12
Hosea 1,2
3-5
6,7
8,9
10,11
12-14
Joel 1
2
3
Amos 1,2
Dec
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
24
25
26
27
28
29
2 Chron 1,2
3-5
6
7
8
9
10,11
12,13
14,15
16,17
18,19
20
21,22
23
24
25
26,27
28
29
30,31
32
33
34
35
36
2
3
1 John 1
2
3
4
5
2 John 1
3 John 1
Jude 1
Revelation 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14,15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
3,4
5
6,7
8,9
Obadiah 1
Jonah 1,2
3,4
Micah 1,2
3,4
5,6
7
Nahum 1
2,3
Habak 1,2
3
Zephaniah 1
2,3
Haggai 1,2
Zechariah 1
2,3
4,5
6
7
8
9,10
11
12,13
14
Malachi 1
2
3,4
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
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New Testament
Old Testament
page 100 of 110
SUPPLEMENT 3
A SYSTEM FOR BIBLE MARKING
Devise your own System for Bible Marking and use it while you read the Bible.
It is useful for the following:
- It forces you to concentrate and think what God is saying to you while you read.
- You can more easily find passages in the Bible that you are looking for.
- You can study a particular topic in a Bible book or in the whole Bible.
1. Give a title to every chapter in the Bible.
For example.
The title of Psalm 1 is THE TWO WAYS.
2. Circle the number of important chapters and verses.
For example.
Psalm 1 , verse 3
3. Underline important words and sentences.
For example
in verse 2. “meditates day and night”.
4. Draw symbols or pictures in the margin that indicate important topics.
For example
in verse 3 draw the symbol
GOD
Character + deeds of God the Father
Character + deeds of Jesus Christ
Character + deeds of the Holy Spirit
next to “yields fruit in season”.
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
Evangelism + witnessing
Establishing, making disciples
Equipping + training
Leadership, leaders, prophets, apostles, elders, etc.
Counselling
Discipline
WORK OF CHRIST
Creation + nature
First Coming of Christ, incarnation
Death of Christ
Resurrection + ascension of Christ
Second Coming of Christ
THE GOSPEL
Sin + consequences of sin
Present judgement + future judgement
Rebirth, repentance, conversion, reformation
Faith, trust
Salvation, forgiveness, justification
Covenant
CHRISTIAN LIFE
Relationship + fellowship with God / Christ
Bible, God’s Word, inspiration, infallibility
Prayer, worship
Relationships + fellowship with Christians
Bearing fruit, having influence
Obedience, living as a Christian
Growing, maturity
Sanctification, Christian character
Serving
Love
Hope
Suffering, persecution, trials
Planning, organising, (leading), evaluating
Praising, singing, making music
Healing
Social justice, honesty
Spiritual warfare, spiritual weapons
CHRISTIAN WISDOM (good + bad)
Heart, attitudes
Mind, thoughts, conscience
Tongue, words, speaking
Hands, actions
Eye, seeing, observing
Ear, hearing, listening
ENEMIES
Satan (devil), demons (evil spirits), demon possession
Idols, idolatry
Occultism, spiritism, sorcery, divination
Worldliness, sinful + perverse world,
False prophets + false teachers
OLD TESTAMENT
Revelation
Israel
Gentile nations
Law (moral, ceremonial, civil) + God’s demand
Temple
Sacrifices
Marriage, boy-girl relationships
Women in the Bible
Relationship between parents + children
Work, profession, occupation
Money, giving
Baptism
Church, congregation, house fellowship/group
Kingdom of God
BIBLE INTERPRETATION
Cultural aspects, contextualisation
Figurative speech
Prophecies, fulfilled prophecies
Promises
Death + resurrection, body + soul / spirit
© 2009 DOTA
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
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SUPPLEMENT 4
A METHOD FOR BIBLE STUDY
THE FIVE STEPS METHOD
METHODS. Note the difference between the method for Bible study and the method for a personal time with God.
PURPOSE. The purpose of studying the Bible together as a group is to grow together in a relationship with Jesus Christ
and with one another. It is to help one another to gain knowledge and understanding of the Bible and to practise its
truths. For this reason it is important that the group members encourage one another to participate in the Bible study
discussion. The input of every group member is important. Nobody should be put off if what he says turns out not to be
completely correct (theologically). Every group member should feel that the other group members listen when he
speaks, take him seriously and accept him. The group members are not competing with one another in Bible knowledge,
but love one another by encouraging one another to grow and to share confidently.
GROUP LEADER. The group leader should not become a teacher during the Bible study, but rather participate as
a group member. He encourages the group members to learn together by discovering and discussing the truths from the
Bible.
ADVANTAGES. The five steps method for Bible study has the following advantages:
- It is a method for Bible study that is easy to learn and easy to pass on to others.
- It is a method for Bible study that can be used to study the Bible alone or in a small group.
- It is a method for Bible study that involves everybody in the small group to participate in every step of the Bible study.
- The group members first discover and enjoy what they already understand,
before they try to understand their questions.
- The group members ask questions that are relevant to their own lives.
- As many as possible group members participate in finding answers to the questions.
- The group members learn to relate the truth of the Bible to their daily life by thinking of the possible applications.
- The group members can easily make personal applications by choosing one of the possible applications.
- The group members always respond in prayer to what God teaches them in the Bible.
STEP 1. READ.
GOD’S WORD
Read. LET US READ __________________(the Bible reference) together.
STEP 2. DISCOVER.
OBSERVATIONS
(Remember: In every small group, the group members will share different things)
STEP 3. QUESTION.
EXPLANATIONS
GROUP?
Let us try to understand all the truths in _____________ and ask questions about the things we still do not understand.
question.)
© 2009 DOTA
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
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STEP 4. APPLY.
APPLICATIONS
Share and record. Let us brainstorm with one another and record a list of possible applications from ____________.
APPLICATION?
(Remember that people in every group will apply different truths or even make different applications of the same truth.)
STEP 5. PRAY.
RESPONSE
LET US TAKE TURNS TO PRAY ABOUT ONE TRUTH THAT GOD HAS TAUGHT US in ___________.
© 2009 DOTA
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
page 103 of 110
SUPPLEMENT 5
A METHOD FOR BIBLE MEDITATION AND MEMORISATION
A. MOTIVATION FOR MEMORISING BIBLE VERSES
1. Memorised Bible verses will help you to overcome the powers of evil.
Read Ephesians 6:11,16; Matthew 4:2-4.
2. Memorised Bible verses will help you to live a true, pure and holy life
in a crooked and perverse world.
Read Psalm 119:9,11.
3. Memorised Bible verses will enable you to give God’s answers to man’s questions.
Read Matthew 19:3-6; Luke 10:25-26.
4. Memorised Bible verses will enable you to expose and refute false teachings.
Read Matthew 22:23-33,41-46.
5. Memorised Bible verses will enable you to build biblical convictions and habits
in your family.
Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
6. Memorised Bible verses will make your teaching authoritative and wise.
Read Matthew 5:27-28; 7:28-29; Colossians 3:16.
7. Memorised Bible verses will make your writing and proclamation of the gospel
powerful.
Read Jeremiah 23:29; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
8. Memorised Bible verses will help you to pray with great confidence
according to God’s will, which God previously revealed in the Bible.
Read Genesis 32:9-12; Exodus 32:9-14.
B. METHOD OF MEDITATING BIBLE VERSES
Christian meditation has the following parts:
1. Think.
Think about the meaning of the different words.
Ask yourself questions like: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
2. Pray.
Pray to God and ask him what he intends to say to you. In your prayer, discuss with God the meaning of the truths
and the possible applications. Respond to what God is saying to you.
3. Relate.
Relate the truths in the Bible verse to your personal life or to the world in which you live.
© 2009 DOTA
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
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Ask yourself the following questions: “What is my need in the light of this verse?” “Which truth renews or strengthens
me?” What does God want me to know or believe or be or do?”
4. Write.
Write the most important thoughts of your meditation in a notebook.
C. METHOD OF MEMORISING BIBLE VERSES
Memorising verses (chapters or books) of the Bible has the following parts:
1. Choose a system that you want to use for your memorisation of Bible verses: cards or a notebook
2. Meditate and understand the Bible verse before you memorise it.
3. Write the Bible verse on a blank card or on one page of your small notebook as follows:
- Write the topic or title on the first line.
- Write the Bible reference of the verse on the second line.
- Draw a line and then write the text of the Bible verse line for line beneath that.
- Write the Bible reference of the verse at the bottom of the page and on the back of the card.
For example:
Assurance of salvation
John 10:28
I give them eternal life,
and they shall never perish;
no one can snatch them out of my hand
John 10:28
John 10:28
4. Memorise the Bible verse in the right way.
- Always START with the topic or title, the Bible reference and the first line of the Bible verse.
When you can quote this without a mistake, ADD the second line of the Bible verse and REPEAT FROM THE
BEGINNING, that is, the topic, the reference and the two lines of the verse.
When you can quote this without a mistake, ADD the third line of the Bible verse and REPEAT FROM THE
BEGINNING, that is, the topic, the reference and the three lines of the verse. Etc.
- Do not memorise the Bible verse in separate pieces, because in that way you do not memorise the links between the
pieces. Always start from the beginning, each time you repeat the verse.
- Always END by repeating the Bible reference once more, because the Bible reference is the most difficult part to
remember.
- Thus, the right sequence for Bible memorisation is: the topic, the Bible reference, the text of the Bible verse and the
Bible reference again.
D. METHOD OF REVIEWING MEMORISED BIBLE VERSES
Reviewing previously memorised Bible verses has the following parts:
1. Review.
Review means to repeat the last 5 Bible verses you have memorised once every day. Repetition is the best method to
remember Bible verses and to quote them accurately. Therefore, review the last 5 Bible verses you have memorised at
a minimum of once a day for the duration of 5 weeks. Thus, you review every new Bible verse about 35 times before it
comes into the ‘back-review’ system.
2. Back-review.
Back-review means to review all your previously memorised Bible verses once every 3 weeks. Back-review is the best
method to remember all the Bible verses you have previously memorised. Therefore, for every 100 previously
© 2009 DOTA
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
page 105 of 110
memorised Bible verses, back-review 5 of them every day. Thus you back-review all these previously memorised Bible
verses once every 3 weeks.
3. Carry.
Carry your memorisation cardholder or your memorisation notebook with you to work. Use travelling time and spare
moments during the day for review, meditation and prayer. Review the last 5 Bible verses you have memorised. Backreview some Bible verses you have previously memorised. Meditate and pray about the contents of these verses.
4. Check.
Check one another to see whether you still know the Bible verses that you have memorised accurately.
During every group meeting, divide into twos and check one another’s last memorised Bible verse. Also once in
a while, divide into twos and check one series of 5 Bible verses that you have previously memorised. Check one another
to see whether you still know the topic or title, the Bible reference as well as the whole Bible verse without one mistake.
As a cue, sometimes give the topic or title, sometimes the Bible reference and at other times only the first few words of
the Bible verse.
E. LIST OF MEMORISATION VERSES
A. Christian assurances
1. Assurance of salvation: John 10:28
2. Assurance of answered prayer: John 16:24
3. Assurance of victory: 1 Corinthians 10:13
4. Assurance of forgiveness: 1 John 1:9
5. Assurance of God’s guidance: Proverbs 3:5-6
C. The gospel
1. Nature of sin: Romans 3:23
2. Punishment of sin: Ecclesiastes 12:14
3. Atonement of sin: Romans 5:8
4. Salvation is a gift: Ephesians 2:8-9
5. Salvation by faith: John 1:12
E. Christian character
1. Christlikeness: 2 Corinthians 3:18
2. Purity: 1 Peter 2:11
3. Love: Mark 12:30-31
4. Faith: Romans 4:20-21
5. Humility: Philippians 2:3-4
G. Christian marriage
1. Leave and cleave: Genesis 2:24
2. Love and lead: Ephesians 5:23,25
3. Love and submit: Titus 2:4-5
4. Resolve conflicts: Matthew 5:23-24
5. Remain faithful: Proverbs 3:3-4
I. The kingdom of God
1. Enter into the kingdom: John 3:3,5
2. Welcome children into the kingdom: Luke 18:16-17
3. Preach the gospel of the kingdom: Matthew 24:14
4. Never look back from serving in the kingdom: Luke 9:62
5. The triumph of the kingdom: Daniel 2:44
K. God’s greatness
1. God is incomparable: Isaiah 40:25-26
2. God is all-glorious: 1 Chronicles 29:11
3. God is sovereign: Ephesians 1:11-12
4. God is all-knowing: Hebrews 4:13
5. God is all-powerful: Jeremiah 32:17
© 2009 DOTA
B. New life in Christ
1. Christ: 2 Corinthians 5:17
2. Word: Matthew 4:4
3. Prayer: John 15:7
4. Fellowship: 1 John 1:7
5. Witnessing: Matthew 10:32
D. Discipleship
1. Lordship: Romans 12:1-2
2. Denial: Luke 9:23
3. Service: Mark 10:45
4. Giving: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
5. Making disciples: Matthew 28:18-20
F. Christian preparation for marriage
1. Both believers: 2 Corinthians 6:14
2. Same life goals: Amos 3:3
3. Self-control: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
4. Proper timing: Ecclesiastes 8:5b-6a
5. Right priorities: Matthew 6:33
H. Christian parents
1. Love by spending: 2 Corinthians 12:14b-15a
2. Develop all areas: Proverbs 22:6
3. Teach God’s Word: Deuteronomy 6:6-7
4. Bring up in the Lord: Ephesians 6:4
5. Love through discipline: Proverbs 13:24
J. The Christian Church
1. The nature of the Church: 1 Peter 2:5
2. The activities in the Church: Acts 2:42
3. The ministries of the Church: Ephesians 4:12-13
4. The tasks of Church leaders: Acts 20:28
5. The glory in the Church: Ephesians 3:20-21
L. God’s resources
1. God’s presence: Hebrews 13:5-6
2. God’s Word: Psalm 119:105
3. God’s strength: Isaiah 40:10
4. God’s wisdom: James 1:5
5. God’s healing: 2 Chronicles 7:14
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
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SUPPLEMENT 6
HOW TO MANAGE A SMALL GROUP
The instructions in bold type in the manuals for group leaders help the group leader to stimulate the students to get
involved.
1. Managing worship.
a. Let the group members read the Bible passages. The group leader reads the accompanying meditation about one of
God’s characteristics.
b. Take turns to respond with one or two sentences in worship to God. Or divide into groups of two’s or three’s and
worship God with soft voices.
2. Managing the sharing times.
a. The preparation for at home assigns Bible passages from which every group member will have a regular personal
time of fellowship with God (a quiet time).
b. During every meeting, the group members take turns to share what they have learned from one of their personal
times with God during the past week. Allow about 2 minutes per person. Encourage students to make use of their
written notes.
c. Help students to listen to the person sharing, to take him seriously and to accept him. Remind students not to react
upon his sharing and also not to talk about his sharing and thus betray his confidence.
d. The group leader may also include the following kinds of sharing in his training programme:
- Sharing a difficult or a positive experience in life.
- Sharing a testimony.
- Sharing an answer to prayer or a prayer request.
- Sharing the progress made in spiritual growth or character development.
3. Managing the teachings.
a. Prepare the teachings well. Decide how much time you need or want to use for each teaching.
b. When you as a group leader teach, your management style is that of a teacher. A good group leader teaches the truth
with clarity, conviction and authority. The ‘truth’ is more than the mere opinions of different people. Of course, the
teaching must be based on the correct principles of the understanding and exposition (explanation) of the Bible.
The group leader also guides the discussions about the teaching. And he guides his students to discover, think, draw
conclusions and make applications for themselves. His goal is that students will develop their own personal
convictions about the truths and make personal commitments to apply these truths.
c. Use only the Bible as the absolute authority for human thought and behaviour and for Christian doctrine and life.
d. Let the students read the Bible passages you use in your teaching (Read).
e. Help the students to discover the truths for themselves (Discover). Make use of the correct principles of
understanding and exposition (explanation) of the Bible.
f. Involve the students in the discussion. Give the students the opportunity to discuss points and to ask their own
questions (Discuss).
g. Prepare the discussion and the answers to the questions very well. A short explanation of the teaching or summary
of the answer is given below each question in the workbooks (Notes).
h. Encourage the students to write down their own notes of everything they learn from the Bible and from one another.
i. Make the teaching and training as practical as possible. Practise the teachings within the small group meetings and
at home.
j. Require students to complete the preparation for at home before they come to the next meeting.
4. Managing memorisation.
a. Motivate the students continually with good reasons from the Bible to memorise Bible verses.
b. Meditate together about the meaning of every new Bible verse.
c. Every time let a new student lead the memorisation. In the manuals 2 to 12 memorise only the first Bible verse of
each new series together in the group. Memorise the others at home.
d. During every meeting, divide into twos and check one another’s last memorised Bible verse.
e. Once in a while, divide into twos and check one series of 5 Bible verses that you have previously memorised.
© 2009 DOTA
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
page 107 of 110
5. Managing the Bible studies.
a. Prepare the Bible Studies well.
b. When you as a group leader lead a Bible study, your management style is that of a guide. The group leader should
not become the teacher.
A good guide coaches his students to discover, think, draw conclusions and make applications themselves. He
guides the sharing of the discoveries, the discussion of the questions and the brainstorming of the possible
applications. His purpose is to guide the group in the aims of every Bible study, which is to discover the truth (Acts
17:11), to understand the truth (2 Timothy 2:15), to apply the truth (Matthew 7:24-27) and to teach the truth to
others (Matthew 28:19-20). The ‘truth’ is more than the mere opinions or interpretations of people. The truth is what
God intended to say and do in the Bible. Therefore the Bible must be explained correctly according to the rules of
explaining the Bible. It is the responsibility of the group leader to keep the group on track. He should be sensitive to
the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
c. Involve every student in the group. Ask the students to take turns to read the Bible out loud in the group. Encourage
them to discover the truths for themselves, to explain the truths correctly, to apply the truths personally and to share
these discoveries, explanations and applications openly within the small group. Encourage them to share both their
thoughts as well as their feelings. Encourage them to discuss the truths and to ask their own questions.
d. Stimulate the students to make notes of their Bible study preparation. Also stimulate them to write down what they
learn from one another during the Bible study discussion in the small group.
6. Managing prayer times.
a. During every meeting, take turns to pray one or two sentences each around the circle.
b. Sometimes pray in smaller groups of two or three persons each.
c. Guide students to use either prayer in response to God’s Word (responding to the teaching, sharing or Bible study),
intercessory prayer (praying for one another and others) or Scripture prayer (using the Bible to pray).
d. Teach students to record the prayer requests of others or to make notes about things that they would like to pray for.
7. The management style of the group leader.
a. To lead or to manage means to serve and not to lord it over people (Matthew 20:25-28)!
b. To lead or to manage means to set an example (1 Peter 5:3) in the following areas:
- in your own relationship to God, to other people and to yourself (1 Timothy 4:12)
- in your own progress, behaviour and sound doctrine (1 Timothy 4:15-16)
- in your sound teaching (1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 Timothy 1:13-14, Titus 2:7-8)
and in correctly handling the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15)
- in practising yourself what you teach to others (Matthew 23:3; Ezra 7:10)
- in gently instructing instead of quarrelling (2 Timothy 2:23-26)
c. To lead or to manage means to teach in large meetings or in small groups that meet in houses (Acts 5:42).
Teach the whole revealed will of God in the Bible and things that help people to grow spiritually (Acts 20:20,27).
d. To lead or to manage means to motivate, explain, challenge, help, warn, rebuke, correct and train students
(2 Timothy 3:16-17). Above all love your students. Be an encourager (Hebrews 3:12-13; 10:24-25).
e. To lead or to manage means to be a good listener (Proverbs 18:13). Take your students seriously. Accept them, as
they are (Romans 15:7). Allow your students to make mistakes.
f. To lead or to manage means to pray for your students. Know your student’s strengths and needs. Discover what God
is doing in them and how you can help them to grow.
© 2009 DOTA
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
page 108 of 110
SUPPLEMENT 7
THE PROGRAMME OF A HOUSE FELLOWSHIP
A house fellowship or house group or small group is a group of about 10 believers that meet together in a house at least
once a week to build one another up.
1. Practical suggestions for a house fellowship (house group, small group).
Build up a house fellowship by taking into account your local circumstances.
Some house fellowships have the following characteristics.
a. Meet once every week.
b. Every week meet in the home of the same group member or take turns to meet in the homes of the different group
members. Meet in a place where you do not disturb the neighbours and where you do not attract attention.
c. When the group becomes larger than about 10 persons, split into two groups and meet at different places.
d. Do not attract attention by singing or speaking and praying loudly. Speak and pray softly. In difficult situations, you
should not be able to hear the group from the outside of the house.
e. Arrive at the home and leave the home alone or in pairs, but not all at once.
f. Decide together what you may tell others about your house fellowship.
g. Only invite a new person to come to your house fellowship when everyone in your house fellowship agrees.
h. The group leader of the house fellowship should have an assistant and train his assistant to become a new group
leader of a house fellowship.
i. Only the group leader has a copy of the manual for group leaders. The other group members make their own written
notes.
j. The purpose of the house fellowship is to build one another up by allowing everyone to participate actively.
2. Programme of a house fellowship.
The manual for group leaders suggests a programme (see Contents).
A small group of 2 to 15 believers meet together in a house every week.
Only for discipleship:
Discipleship (A) every 1st and 3rd week and discipleship (B) every 2nd and 4th week of the month. During one week they
especially practise worship and teaching and during the other week they especially practise memorisation and Bible
study.
Or for discipleship and service:
Every three weeks discipleship (A and B) and service (C). During 1st week especially worship and teaching, during 2nd
week especially memorisation and Bible study and during 3rd week especially singing, preaching, prayer and the Lord’s
Supper or baptism.
discipleship (A)
- worship (incl. a song) (20 min)
- TEACHING (70 min)
- responsive prayer (8 min)
- tea and fellowship (quietly)
discipleship (B)
- memorisation (20 min)
- BIBLE STUDY (70 min)
- intercessory prayer (8 min)
- tea and fellowship (quietly)
service in house (C)
- singing (45 min)
- PREACHING (15 min)
- prayer (30 min)
- the Lord’s Supper, baptism or
fellowship (meal) when needed
(30 min)
3. A wise house fellowship.
In some places the neighbours may be hostile. Jesus Christ exhorts the believers to be especially wise in difficult
circumstances. Do not meet together in a way that may offend the neighbours. Consider whether it is wise to sing songs
during the house fellowship meeting. Do not speak or pray loudly during the house fellowship meeting. Speak and pray
softly so that no one can hear your group when he stands outside the door. Practise and practise to become a wise
fellowship or group!
4. An accountability group.
The house fellowship is a genuine part of the Body of Christ (the one Church in the world)!
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-28.
a. If the house fellowship is a part of an existing congregation, follow the above programme.
© 2009 DOTA
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
page 109 of 110
b. If the house fellowship is not a part of an existing congregation, follow the above programme and consider how to
deal with the issues of baptism, the Lord’s Supper, marriage, leadership by elders and, if necessary, discipline.
c. The participants of the house fellowship regard their house fellowship or house group as a part of the regular meeting
of believers mentioned in Hebrews 10:24-25. Read Hebrews 10:24-25.
d. The participants of the house fellowship are determined to come to each house fellowship meeting.
e. The participants of the house fellowship prepare for the next meeting by especially having a daily personal time with
God and writing down a few notes about each personal time with God.
f. The participants of the house fellowship promise to learn to apply what they are taught.
g. The participants of the house fellowship help one another to grow, encourage one another, share their needs with one
another and pray for one another.
h. The participants of the house fellowship are willing to share their struggles and give an account of the progress they
make.
© 2009 DOTA
Manual 1 - DISCIPLE
page 110 of 110

“Go and make disciples” by DOTA - DOTA

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