DAY 1 WEEK 1 DAY 1 Call to Obedience O SERVATION to Obedience WEEK 1 DAY 1 WEEK 1 DAY 1 ... RIPTURE: A EPT & O EY: John 14:21 (NLT) “Those who accept ... Blessings for Obedience

Call to Obedience

WEEK 1 WEEK 1 DAY 1 DAY 1

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, teach me to obey your word and to always be keen to follow your will. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: ACCEPT & OBEY: John 14:21 (NLT) “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them

and reveal myself to each of them.” REQUIREMENT FROM GOD: Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (NLT) “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God and live in a way that pleases him and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. And you must always obey the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.” JESUS OBEYED: John 4:34 (NLT) “Then Jesus explained: my nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me and from finishing his work.” John 6:38 (NLT) “For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my will.” John 8:29 (NLT) “And the one who sent me is with me-he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” WISE & FOOLISH BUILDERS: Mathew 7:24-27 (NLT) “Anyone who listens to my teachings and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teachings and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

O BSERVATION: From the texts above, is there a relationship between loving God and obeying him? What did God require from the Israelites according to Deuteronomy 10:12-13 and why? What lessons on

obedience do you learn from Jesus in the passages above from the book of John? What is the difference between the wise and foolish builder as stated in Mathew 7:24-27?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you failed to meet God’s requirements as stated in Deuteronomy 10:12-13 above? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim from John 14:21 above, when you live in obedience?

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Action to take: What action will you take in order to live a life of obedience? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Practical Obedience


S CRIPTURE: DIE TO THE OLD SELF: Galatians 2:20 (NLT) “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who

loved me and gave himself for me.” COMMITMENT TO OBEDIENCE: Psalm 119:9 (NLT) “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.” MEMORIZING GOD’S WORD: Psalm 119:11 (NLT) “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” RECOGNIZE YOU ARE GOD’S TEMPLE: 1Corinthians 3:16-17 “Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy and you are that temple.” TURN FROM GODLESS LIVING: Titus 2:11-12 (NLT) “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God.” WHOLEHEARTED OBEDIENCE: Deuteronomy 26:16 (NLT) “Today the LORD your God has commanded you to obey all these decrees and regulations. So be careful to obey them wholeheartedly.” Psalm 119:59-60 (NLT) “I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. I will hurry, without delay to obey your commands.”

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Summary: The passage in John 14:21 as read above is one of the firm statements from Jesus about obedience, he simply said that his followers show their love for him by obeying him. This means that we can only prove our love for Christ by obeying his commands. And according to Deuteronomy 10:12-13, God clearly states his expectations for us which are, having reverence for God, living in a way that pleases him, loving him, serving him whole heartedly and lastly obeying his commands. Jesus set the example for us by living a life of full commitment to doing the will of the Father, which would be looked at as obedience to finish the work he was sent to accomplish. Are you committed to obedience as a Christian? Remember that the expectations we read about from the book of Deuteronomy above are for our own good.

OPENING PRAYER: Almighty God, teach me today on practical ways to help me live an obedient life as a Christian. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, guide me and enable me to live a life of total obedience to your word. In Jesus name, Amen

SCRIPTURE MEMORY: John 14:21


O BSERVATION: From the texts above, what resources has God provided to enable us live an obedient life? What attitude should we have in obeying God according to Deuteronomy 26:16 and Psalm

119:59-60?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Is there any sinful pleasure that you have not turned away from as stated in Titus 2:11-12 above? Explain

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Promise to claim: What has been revealed to us according to Titus 2:11-12 that we can claim to help us live a Godly life?

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Action to take: How will you live in this evil word with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God as stated in Titus 2:11-12 above? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Summary: God legally looks at us as if we had died with Christ, because our sins died with him, we are therefore no longer condemned and that is what Galatians 2:20 means when it says “My old self has been crucified with Christ…”

This realization is important as a first step to living an obedient life, because it will guide us to daily crucify evil desires that may hinder us from living obedient lives. The walk of obedience requires commitment because that is the only way to stay pure. Internalizing God’s word is also essential to obedience because the word guides us on what is acceptable and what is not.

Recognizing our position as God’s temple is also important because we will have the Holy Spirit living in us and convicting us of sin and also enabling us to live obedient lives. But all this will not be successful if we don’t have a whole hearted commitment to turn away from godless living and purpose to live with wisdom righteousness and devotion to God.

May your attitude be like that of the psalmist, “I will hurry, without delay to obey your commands.” (Psalm 119:60)

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, like the Psalmist help me to commit myself to obey your commands without delay. In Jesus name, Amen


Blessings for Obedience


OPENING PRAYER: Almighty God, help me to see the blessings that come to us when we live a life of obedience. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: ALL WILL BE WELL: Deuteronomy 4:40 (NLT) “If you obey all the decrees and commands I am giving you today, all will be well with you and your children. I am giving you these instructions so you

will enjoy a long life in the land the LORD your God is giving you for all time.” BLESSED: Deuteronomy 11:27 (NLT) “You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today. But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the LORD your God and turn from him and worship gods you have not known before.” Exodus 23:25 (NLT) “You must serve only the LORD your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water and I will protect you from illness.” Deuteronomy 5:33 (NLT) “Stay on the path that the LORD your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.” Exodus 15:26 (NLT) “He said, if you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you.” 1Samuel 15:22 (NLT) “But Samuel replied, what is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”

O BSERVATION: What promises were given to the children of Israel in the texts above and how do they relate to us? What warning were they given if they disobey? What do you learn about obedience from

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: The call in the texts above is to obey all the commands; is there any of God’s commands that you have struggled to obey? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promises can you claim from the texts above when you live a life of obedience ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Action to take: Obedience begins with knowing God’s commands, what action will you take to ensure you are informed about what God desires in his word? ________________________________________________________________

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Obeying authorities established by God


S CRIPTURE: IN THE FAMILY: Ephesians 6:1-3 (NLT) “Children obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. Honor your father and mother; this is the first commandment

with a promise. If you honor your father and mother, things will go well for you and you will have a long life on the earth.” AT WORK: Ephesians 6:5-8 (NLT) “Slaves obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.” TO THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES: Romans 13:1-3 (NLT) “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God and those in position of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right and they will honor you.” Titus 3:1 (NLT) “Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient always ready to do what is good.” CHURCH LEADERS: 1Thessalonians 5:12-13 (NLT) “Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.

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Summary: Since God is the creator and Lord of the universe, people should obey him, and to those who obey him, he promises blessings. Obedience in this context means to hear God’s voice through his word, to accept his authority and to do what he commands. But disobedience would mean to refuse to hear God’s voice, to reject his authority and not to do what he commands.

From the texts above and specifically Deuteronomy 4:40, one would ask; was the nation of Israel guaranteed prosperity for obeying God’s laws? The answer is yes, but that did not mean that they were not going to face hardships or painful moments in their life.

The assurance means that they will prosper but even when they face hardships, God will be present to provide solutions. This promise of blessings is also present today to all believers.

Therefore desire to listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees.

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, instruct me through your word on re-specting those in authority. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, teach me through your word and may I be keen to follow that which you command so that I may enjoy your bless-ings. In Jesus name, Amen



O BSERVATION: Insert question 1 here. Because of the drop cap the text will naturally flow. The lines below have been formatted to the correct proportions. You do not need to do anything to them.

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Is there anyone in authority or any governing authorities that you have disrespected? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim from Ephesians 6:5-8, when you obey your employer and work as though you are working for the Lord? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Action to take: How will you ensure that you live a life of respect to all those in authority according to the lesson today? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Summary: Christians have a responsibility to submit to the various types of authority that God has established in human society.

In The family children are to obey their parents. In the work environment, employees are to obey their employers. In the community people are to obey the laws of that community and in church we are to obey the church leaders.

But in situations where those in authority command Christians to do something that is contrary to what God has taught in his word, Christians must be prepared to obey God rather than man.

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, I commit to always submit to the authorities you have established according to your will. In Jesus name, Amen


Show them great respect and whole hearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.” Hebrews 13:7 (NLT) “Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives and follow the example of their faith.”

A life of obedience is a real possibility through the grace of God and the resources that he gives us, and also through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This is because with the Holy Spirit living in you, the power of sin in your life is broken. Your

commitment should be to know Gods will as recorded in his word and trust in God to help you follow it to the end.

Recap


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, guide me as I reflect on this weeks study on obedience and help me as I determine to obey you in all circumstances. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: What Bible passage in this weeks study on obedience stood out for you and why? Indicate it in the space provided below

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O BSERVATION: In reflection of these weeks’ lessons on obedience, what are the four major observations you have made in the past four days of daily study, that have motivated you to live a life of obedience?

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A PPLICATION: Write down how you intend to live out the lessons learnt this week in your personal life?

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From this weeks study, what do you think will be the best lesson and encouragement to someone who struggles with obedience? ________________________________________________________________

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Is there any lesson or question about the study that you still don’t understand? Write it down and ask your e-group leader during the e-group Bible study session ________________________________________________________________

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WEEK 1 DAY 5 PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for you Spirit who guides and enables us to live lives that are pleasing before you. Enable me to live a life of obedience. In Jesus name, Amen


Benefits of Scripture Memory


OPENING PRAYER: Almighty God, guide me through today’s study on the benefits of scripture memory. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: KEEPS FROM SIN: Psalm 119:11 (NLT) “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

PASSING THEM TO OTHERS: Deuteronomy 32:45-47 (NLT) “When Moses had finished reciting all these words to the people of Israel, he added: Take to heart all the words of warning I have given you today. Pass them on as a command to your children so they will obey every word of these instructions. These instructions are not empty words-they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.” GIVE WISE ADVISE: Psalm 119:23-24 (NLT) “Even princess sit and speak against me, but I will meditate on your decrees. Your Laws please me; they give me wise advise.” UNDERSTAND & EXPLAIN THE FAITH: 1Peter 3:15 (NLT) “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.” FOR YOUR MEMORY: Luke 2:19 (NLT) “But Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.” CONSTANT GUIDE: Psalm 119:97-98 (NLT) “Oh how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.”

O BSERVATION: From the passages above, how would you benefit through memorizing scripture? What attitude should you have towards the word of God from the texts above?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: In the text in Deuteronomy, Moses told the people “…these instructions are not empty words…” have you ever considered God’s word as empty words? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise would you claim when you take to heart God’s word and follow what it says? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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How to Memorize Scripture


A. HAVE A PLAN: Scripture memory plan can be developed in different ways.

1. Follow keenly the plan in the foundation studies of memorizing the

specified memory passages for every two weeks. 2. But as you also take time to read the Bible in your personal quiet time

and find texts that speak to you personally, take time to memorize them.

3. If you are facing a situation in life, find out what passages in the Bible speak about your situation and memorize them

4. If you hear Bible passages quoted during preaching’s or during the Bible study that speak to you, take time to also memorize them.

B. MEDIATE ON THE TEXT: Take time to think through the passage to memorize and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the lessons in the text. This will also help you as you apply the text in your life. C. COPY THE MEMORY PASSAGE: Write the selected passage in a flash card that you can carry with you every where you go. This helps you in revision and to also utilize anytime you have to memorize. D. SPEAK ALOUD: When memorizing, walk around and speak aloud the memory passage. This helps in grasping the content of the text. E. MEMORIZE THE TEXT WORD PERFECT: Memorize the text exactly as it is written in the Bible. Ensure that you also memorize its reference. F. OVERCOME BAD ATTITUDE: Be positive that you can manage to memorize, and put effort towards it. Overcome negative and discouraging thoughts like it is hard work, or I will not make it etc..

Summary: According to the passage above in Psalm 119:11, keeping God’s word in our hearts is a deterrent to sin, but we need to note that memorizing alone will not keep us from sin, unless we purpose to apply the word in our lives and live it out.

The other benefit of memorizing scriptures include the ease of passing it on to others with clarity and especially when sharing with nonbelievers during evangelism or with your children at home.

Through scripture memory, you will also be able to understand and explain your faith confidently as expected in 1Peter 3:15, to people who ask you questions about your faith. The word is also beneficial as a guide to you in everyday life just as it was to the psalmist when he faced people speaking against him.

Allow the word of God to make you wise and be a constant guide in every thing that you do. Note that true wisdom goes beyond amassing knowledge; it is applying knowledge in a life changing way.

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, guide me as I learn how to memorize scripture. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the benefits of keeping your word in the heart, grant me the discipline to always memorize it and use it in everyday life. In Jesus name, Amen



P RAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you once again for the gift of your word, grant me discipline and determination for scripture memory. In Jesus name, Amen


G. BE DISCIPLINED: Set enough time each day for scripture memory and also have reasonable targets like one passage or two each week etc. H. ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER: Get someone who can keep you accountable and also help you during scripture memory. I. REVISE: Always take time to revise the memory texts to ensure that it is word perfect including the reference this will help you to keep the memory fresh. To practice what you have learnt through this study, take time to refresh your memory on all the ten passages you have memorized through the Foundations studies season I and season II.

Below is a simple way to help you go through the exercise. Fill in the lines be-low with the date you refreshed and the passage you memorized again. Have a simple plan on how to go through all the ten memory verses, and to keep re-freshing in the future.

Date Scripture memory

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Meditating On Scripture


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, bless me with understanding as I study about meditating on your word. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: STUDY & MEDITATE: Joshua 1:8 (NLT) “Study this book of instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and

succeed in all you do.” DELIGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD: Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT) “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.” Psalm 63:6 (NLT) “I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.” DO WHAT THE WORD SAYS: James 1:22-25 (NLT) “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” John 13:17 (NLT) “Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”

O BSERVATION: What command was Joshua given in Joshua 1:8 and how was it going to benefit him as a leader? What should be your delight according to Psalm 1:1-3 and what does it mean to be like a

tree planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season? What does James 1:22-25 encourage us to do with the word we hear?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you in the past failed to do what the word says? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim from the passages above when you meditate and do what the word says?

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Action to take: How will you ensure that you constantly take time to meditate on the word of God?

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How to Meditate On Scripture


A. SCRIPTURE: Select a passage and read through it as many times as possible and in different versions. This helps you to familiarize yourself with the content in the text.

B. OBSERVATION: Ask yourself, what can I see in the passage read in the different versions: Get facts, through becoming a Bible investigator. Identify key words, important terms, names, phrases and grammatical relationships etc. Discover who are the people involved in the text, what is happening, what is said, how do people respond, when does this happen, where did this happen? And any other activity.

C. INTERPRETATION: Ask yourself, what does this scripture mean? Un-derstand the context, study the content, make comparison with other texts, study the culture then and make further consultation/research from commentaries and other helpful resources.

D. APPLICATION: Find relevance of the text to your life and in today’s world, and what actions need to be taken. Ensure that the application is not taken out of context: Know what the text is saying to you, relate the text to personal experience, meditate on the text and practice what the text calls you to do.

OTHER SKILLS THAT COULD HELP YOU IN MEDITATION INCLUDE: Rewriting or paraphrasing the text in your own words; this will help give

you a firm grip of the content and also be able to make relevant obser-vations and interpretations.

Pray through the text you are studying and meditating upon. This al-lows the Holy Spirit to reveal to you further truths in the text.

Ask yourself probing questions about the text and try to answer them as objectively as possible without adding or reducing from the word of God.

Summary: As a leader to the children of Israel, one of the main things Joshua was expected to do was to have good knowledge of the law of God and to also obey what it says. That is why he was instructed to meditate on it day and night and this was supposed to be a continuous process.

This would then result into prosperity and success in all he was going to do. The strategy for gaining success and prosperity that God taught Joshua was quit different from how we work towards success in our current age, but this informs us as Christians that we must follow Gods word. We may not be successful according to the world’s standards, but in God’s eyes we will be successful.

There is joy in obeying Gods word even as it is indicated in Psalm 1:1-3 above. And we can learn how to follow God by meditating on his word, which is simply deep and unrushed thinking about the truths revealed in scripture in order to understand, believe and apply then in our lives. Therefore you must develop the discipline to read and think about what you have read.

The more you know of the word of God, the more resources you will have to guide you in your daily life. And the more successful you will be as a Christian. And as what James 1:22-25 says, it is much more important to obey and do what the word says.

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to learn and develop the right skills to meditate on your word. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to develop the discipline of reading and thinking through your word and to also apply it in my life and follow what your word says. In Jesus name, Amen


WEEK 2 DAY 4

Compare the text with other texts in the Bible that handle the same topic.

To practice what you have studied, meditate on this passage of scripture:

S CRIPTURE: James 1:22-25 (NLT) “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your

face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” How many times have you read this text and in how many versions? ______________________________________________________________

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Paraphrase the text in your own words: ______________________________________________________________

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Compare the text with other texts in the Bible that handle the same topic? ______________________________________________________________

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O BSERVATION: What observations have you made? What questions do you have about the passage and what answers have you discovered?

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INTERPRETATION: What does this text mean?

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A PPLICATION: What is the relevance of this text in your life and in the world today

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WEEK 2 DAY 4

WEEK 2 DAY 4

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the skills learnt today, guide me in putting them to practice. In Jesus name, Amen


This far in the foundation studies from season one to season three, you have learnt about the different word intake methods that include, hearing, reading, studying, memorizing and studying the word of God. It is important to consciously put them to

practice in order to have a firm grip of the word of God.

Recap WEEK 2 DAY 5

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the study and guidelines on how to memorize and meditate on scripture. Grant me the grace to put to practice this word intake disciplines in my life. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: What Bible passage in this weeks study on scripture memory and meditation stood out for you and why? Indicate it in the space provided below

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O BSERVATION: In reflection of these weeks’ lessons on scripture memory and meditation, what are the four major observations you have made in the past four days of daily study, that have motivated

you to practice this disciplines?

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WEEK 2 DAY 5


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From this weeks study, what do you think will be the best lesson and encouragement to someone who does not memorize or meditate on scripture? ________________________________________________________________

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WEEK 2 DAY 5

P RAYER: Almighty God, my desire is to have a firm grip of your word and I pray that through practicing scripture memory and meditation I will increase in the knowledge of your word. In Jesus name, Amen


First steps to maturing in Christ


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, guide me to understand the beginning point of maturing in Christ from today’s study. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: GROW ROOTS: Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) “And now just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him and let your lives be built on

him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught and you will overflow with thankfulness.” EMPOWERED WITH INNER STRENGTH: Ephesians 3:16-17 (NLT) “I pray that from his glorious unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” BLESSED WITH SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS: Ephesians 1:3-8 (NLT) “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us along with all wisdom and understanding.” UNDERSTAND THE CONFIDENT HOPE: Ephesians 1:18-19 (NLT) “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called-his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

O BSERVATION: What is Gods desire for you according to Colossians 2:6-7 above? For you to grow roots, how can God help you according to Ephesians 3:16-17 above? What has God already done for you to

enable you to grow in Christ according to Ephesians 1:3-8 above? What basic things should you understand as the first steps of maturing in Christ according to Ephesians 1:18-19 above? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you stagnated in your relationship with Christ? Explain

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Promise to claim: What can you claim from God according to Ephesians 3:16-17 to help you in spiritual growth as a Christian?

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I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in heavenly realms.

Moving Towards Maturity


S CRIPTURE: KNOW YOUR NEW POSITION IN CHRIST: Romans 5:8-10 (NLT) “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right

in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.” LIVE A DIFFERENT LIFE: Romans 6:19 (NLT) “Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.” HAVE NEW FOCUS: Colossians 3:1-4 (NLT) “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ who is your life is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all is glory.” REFLECT THE GLORY OF THE LORD: 2Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord-who is the Spirit-makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”

Action to take: What action will you take to ensure that you are growing roots in Christ?

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Summary: Receiving Christ as Lord is the beginning of life with Christ and a life long journey of knowing God better. Maturing in Christ does not take place automatically but requires discipline and effort from our side.

That is why Colossians 2:6-7 states that we must continue to follow Christ, but not as newborn Spiritual babies, but as people who are growing roots in our faith and our lives are reflecting him more and more as we experience the transformation.

This journey requires inner strength that only God can give, that is why the apostle prayed for the believers that God will empower them with inner strength through his Spirit and I pray that the same will happen to you.

Besides this, you must also understand what God has already done for you in bringing you to himself through Christ, this are the basics of our faith that will enable you to understand the confident hope he has given to you as his child.

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, continue instructing me through your word about the subject of maturing in Christ and help me to play my role in this journey. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to make the first steps towards spir-itual growth as learnt in today’s study. In Jesus name, Amen

SCRIPTURE MEMORY: Colossians 2:6-7


O BSERVATION: From the texts above what is your new position in Christ? How are you supposed to live a different life as a Christian? What should be your new focus? Ho will you be able to reflect the

glory of Christ? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you continued to live life the same way (In sin) even after receiving Christ? Explain

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Promise to claim: When you live a different life with a new focus in Christ, what promise can you claim from Colossians 3:1-4 above? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Action to take: What action will you take to ensure that you reflect the glory of the Lord through your life? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Summary: The text above in Romans 5:8-10 is clear that God sent Christ to die for us because he loved us and not because of anything good we had done.

This is the sacrifice that gave us our new position of restored friendship or simply made right with God. This new position comes with a call to live differently as indicated in Romans 6:19 above, not as a slave to sin but a slave to righteousness which will clearly indicate your new life under a new master.

New life will be made possible when you embrace a new focus which is putting on a new nature and regarding the earthly nature as dead. This will require you to put heavens priorities into your daily practice, this will mean you will have no desire of improper worldly pleasures but your desires will be what God desires.

This will result in you being more and more like Christ in your daily life and practice. The Holy Spirit will bring about this change in your life if you submit to His transforming power and leadership in this new life and focus with the aim of reflecting Christ.

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, I commit myself to live a new life in Christ with a new focus on what is pleasing before you so that I may reflect Christ in my daily life. In Jesus name, Amen


Process of Growth WEEK 3 WEEK 3 DAY 3 DAY 3

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, teach me through your word on the process of growth as a Christian and the things I need to do. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: TRIUMPH OVER SIN THROUGH CHRIST: Romans 5:17 (NLT) “For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of

righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.” CRAVE FOR THE WORD OF GOD: 1Peter 2:2-3 (NLT) “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.” DEPEND ON GOD’S DIVINE POWER: 2Peter 1:3-4 (NLT) “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the worlds corruption caused by human desires.” MARKS OF GROWTH: 2Peter 1:5-8 (NLT) “In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self control and self control with patient endurance and patient endurance with godliness and godliness with brotherly affection and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

O BSERVATION: In the growth process, what will enable you to triumph over sin? How can you grow into a full experience of salvation according to 1Peter 2:2-3 above? What has God given you

according to 2Peter 1:3-4 above? What are the marks of growth according to 2Peter 1:5-8, 2Peter 3:18 & 2Timothy 2:15 above? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you failed to depend on God’s divine power in this growth process as stated in 2Peter 1:3-4 above? Explain

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Promise to claim: What great and precious promise can you claim from God according to 2Peter 1:3-4 above? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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GROWTH IN KNOWLEDGE: 2Peter 3:18 (NLT) “Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.” CORRECTLY EXPLAIN THE WORD: 2Timothy 2:15 (NLT) “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”

The Goal of Maturity


S CRIPTURE: PRESSING ON TO THE END OF THE RACE: Philippians 3:12-16 (NLT) “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to

posses that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.” BE AN EXAMPLE: 1Timothy 4:12-16 (NLT) “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there focus on reading the scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers and teaching them. Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.” FAITHFUL TO THE END: 2Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT) “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me-the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

Action to take: What action will you take to ensure you bear the marks of growth as stated in the texts above? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Summary: The emphasis on spiritual growth in the texts above, points us to certain practical and important things that include, triumph over sin through Christ, craving for the word of God in order to grow in the faith, living a godly life dependent on God’s divine power that has been made available to us and striving to bear the true marks of spiritual growth in an increasing measure; and the importance of growing in the knowledge of Christ. It is worth noting that all this things don’t take place overnight but it takes commitment, discipline and consistent effort through God’s enablement.

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to be faithful and consistent in this journey of spiritual growth to the end. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Almighty God, grant me the grace to commit myself to the growth process as studied in your word. In Jesus name, Amen



O BSERVATION: From the texts above, what should be the attitude and goal of a mature Christian? In what areas should we set an example to others as mature Christians? What is reserved for those who re-

main faithful to the end? To whose standard are we to measure up to? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you failed to set a good example to others? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise will you claim if you remain faithful to the end? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Action to take: What action will you take to ensure that you remain faithful to the end? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Summary: The goal in this journey of faith is to remain faithful to the end, and you should therefore not allow anything to take your eyes off the goal of know-ing Christ and being like him. Lay aside your past desires and actions and focus on what God will enable you to become, therefore look forward to a more meaningful life in Christ Jesus. And as you press on, be an example to all believers, earn their respect through your conduct. Focus on the scriptures and share the same with those who look up to you even as you make use of the gift that you have. A prize awaits all those who will walk this journey faithfully, with the realization that our aim is attaining the full and complete standard of Christ.

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, my prayer and desire today is that I will re-main faithful and attain the full and complete standard of Christ. In Jesus name, Amen


MEASURING UP TO THE STANDARD OF CHRIST: Ephesians 4:13 (NLT) “This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”

Spiritual growth is necessary for all believers; with this “…we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead we,

we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ who is the head of his body the church.” Ephesians 4:14-15).

Recap WEEK 3 WEEK 3 DAY 5 DAY 5

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you desire that we should all grow and become more like you. Grant me the desire to always grow closer to you and the determination to pursue spiritual growth to the end. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: What Bible passage in this weeks study on maturing in Christ stood out for you and why? Indicate it in the space provided below

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O BSERVATION: In reflection of these weeks’ lessons on maturing in Christ, what are the four major observations you have made in the past four days of daily study, that have motivated you to pursue

spiritual maturity?

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From this weeks study, what do you think will be the best lesson and encouragement to someone who has remained stagnant in their spiritual life?

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WEEK 3 DAY 5

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, I commit my life to you and to growth and a closer experience with you, so that I may inspire others towards spiritual growth and maturity. In Jesus name, Amen


Becoming Christ’s Disciples


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to learn through your word today the true marks of a disciple of Jesus Christ. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: LOVE FOR GOD & NEIGHBORS: John 13:34-35 (NLT) “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another

will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Mathew 2:36-39 (NLT) “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the Law of Moses? Jesus replied you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important; love your neighbor as yourself.” SURRENDERING ALL: Luke 14:33 (NLT) “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” FAITHFULNESS: John 8:31 (NLT) “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, you are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.” ABIDE IN HIM & BEAR FRUIT: John 15:7-8 (NLT) “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” TEACHER & LEARNER: Acts 18:24-28 (NLT) “Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. He had been taught the way of the Lord and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. When Priscilla and Aquilla heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside

O BSERVATION: From the texts above, what are the qualities that should be evident in a disciple of Christ? Why is it important for a disciple to bear these qualities?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: In which of the qualities stated above have you failed as a disciple? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim from John 15:7-8 when you abide in Christ and live faithfully as a disciple?

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and explained the way of God even more accurately. Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who by God’s grace, had believed. He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.” Philippians 2:29-30 (NLT) “Welcome him with Christian love and with great joy and give him the honor that people like him deserve. For he risked his life for the work of Christ and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.”

A Disciple Is a Learner


S CRIPTURE: JESUS LEARNT: Hebrews 5:8 (NLT) “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.”

POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LEARNING: Proverbs 2:2-5 (NLT) “Tune your ears to wisdom and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.” LEARNING FROM ELDERS: Proverbs 4:1 (NLT) “My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment.” LEARNING FROM FRIENDS: Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” LEARNING FROM JESUS: Mathew 11:28-29 (NLT) “Then Jesus said, come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart and you will find rest for your souls.” LEARNING FROM THE SCRIPTURES: Romans 15:4 (NLT) “Such things were written in the scriptures long ago to teach us. And the scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” LEARNING FROM LEADERS: Hebrews 13:7 (NLT) “Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives and follow the example of their faith.”

Action to take: What action will you take to ensure that you bear the true marks of a disciple without fail? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Summary: There are many qualities that should characterize the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ, these include: Love as indicated in John 13:34-35 above, which is sacrificial love just like Christ demonstrated through his death on the cross. Love that will draw others to him and also keep those who already believe in him united and strong.

A disciple should surrender completely to the leadership and control of Christ and not to material things that he/she owns. A disciple should demonstrate faithfulness to the teachings of Christ, staying close to him like a branch is attached to the vine in order to receive spiritual nourishment and bearing fruit for his glory. A disciple must also have a teachable heart like Apollos as seen in the text above in Acts 18:24-28 and also be able to teach others and stand strong to defend the faith.

Lastly, he/she should be prayerful (Colossians 4:12-13) and demonstrate the readiness to take risks for the Gospel just as Epaphroditus did in Philippians 2:29-30 above.

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, grant me a teachable attitude as a follower of your Son Jesus Christ. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, enable me in my life as your disciple to stay Close to you and demonstrate qualities that will honor you. In Jesus name, Amen

SCRIPTURE MEMORY: Colossian 2:6-7


O BSERVATION: Who should disciples learn from as stated in the texts above? What attitude is necessary for a disciple in order for him/her to learn from others?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you held a negative attitude toward learning from others? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim from the texts above if you commit to learn from the different people stated?

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Action to take: What action will you take to ensure that you continuously learn from the different people stated in the study above? ________________________________________________________________

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Summary: Discipleship is a concept well demonstrated in the Bible and being a disciple involves more than just being a student. It implies a personal attachment to a particular person who shapes the disciples whole life. In the Bible, John the Baptist had disciples (John 1:35), Elijah too had disciples and in our case we are the disciples of Jesus Christ. Our aim should therefore be, to allow Christ to shape and teach us all about the faith through the many avenues available as indicated in the study above. We should be willing to learn about Christ from elderly people in our community who are godly and their faith is evident, from our friends who demonstrate maturity in matters of the faith, from the teachings and stories of Christ as recorded in the Bible and from the scriptures in general that were written for our benefit as believers. We should imitate Christ through the lives of those who genuinely follow Christ and also through Christ’s relationship with his disciples as recorded in the Bible.

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, connect me with people through whose faith and example I can learn more about you and grow in the faith. In Jesus name, Amen


Marks of a Disciple


OPENING PRAYER: Almighty God, instruct me once more on the qualities of a disciple. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: COMMITMENT TO GOD: Psalm 27:4 (NLT) “The one thing I ask of the LORD-the thing I seek most-is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’S perfections and

meditating in his Temple.” ATTITUDE TOWARDS OTHERS: Philippians 2:2-4 (NLT) “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too.” SHINING LIKE BRIGHT LIGHTS: Philippians 2:14-16 (NLT) “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as Children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then on the day of Christ’s return I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.” GOOD WORKER: 2Timothy 2:15 (NLT) “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”

GODLINESS: 1Timothy 4:8 (NLT) “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

O BSERVATION: What qualities should be evident in the life of a disci-ple of Jesus Christ from the texts above? How should you present yourself to God? What does training for godliness mean?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: In what areas as stated above, have you failed to shine like bright lights? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim from 1Timothy 4:8 when you live a godly life as a disciple of Christ? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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FOLLOW THE RIGHT EXAMPLE: Hebrews 6:11-12 (NLT) “Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.”

Cost of Discipleship WEEK 4 WEEK 4 DAY 3 DAY 4

S CRIPTURE: PERSECUTION: Hebrews 11:35-39 (NLT) “Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They

placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.” GIVE UP YOUR LIFE: Mark 8:34-38 (NLT) “Then calling the crowd to join his disciples he said, if any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul. Is anything worth more than your soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” BE FREE FROM LOVE FOR MATERIAL POSSESIONS: Mark 10:17-22 (NLT) “As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down and asked, Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Why do you call me good? Jesus asked. Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandment: you must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.

Action to take: What action will you take to ensure that the qualities learnt above are evident in your life? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Summary: A true disciple is one whose desire and commitment is the LORD Almighty, one whose greatest desire is to live in the presence of God each day of his life Just as David desired as stated in Psalm 27:4 above.

One who has experienced renewal in God’s presence and is inspired towards unity, love for others and works together with others for a common spiritual purpose. One who lays aside selfishness and treats others with respect and courtesy and considers other people’s interests as important.

One whose life is transformed and is in turn an effective witness characterized by moral purity, patience and peacefulness. One who is a good worker, serving God truthfully and explaining the word of truth correctly. One who is assured of his hope in Christ and follows the example of those who aim towards the Kingdom of God.

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, teach me the cost of discipleship through your word today. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, transform me in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that I may live my life as a true disciple of Jesus Christ. In Jesus name, Amen


Teacher the man replied, I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young. Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. There is still one thing you haven’t done, he told him. Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me. At this the man’s face fell and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.” John 16:33 (NLT) “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

WEEK 4 DAY 4

O BSERVATION: What cost did the Christians pay as stated in Hebrews 11:35-39 above? What was there hope through the persecution? What was Jesus call to the crowd to join his disciples as indicated in

Mark 8:34-38 above? What did Jesus mean when he told the man to sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor and then follow him?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Is there anything holding you back from following Christ? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim when you do all you are required to do to follow Christ as his disciple as stated in Mark 8:34-38 above?

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Action to take: What action will you take to ensure that nothing holds you back from following Christ? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Summary: Those who want to become Disciples of Christ have to accept his Lordship in their lives. This is because they may be required to give up certain things in their lives in order to follow Christ.

Discipleship is about making sacrifices, therefore all who follow Christ must be prepared for this when requested. This simply means that self denial is the only way to discipleship of Jesus Christ. Disciples may even face persecution, but even in this tuff situation there is no place for those who make a start and then give up.

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that nothing will stop me from being a faithful follower of Christ. In Jesus name, Amen


Just as Jesus carried his cross to the place of his crucifixion, so each of his followers has to take up his cross and be prepared to die for Jesus sake. People must therefore consider before hand what it will cost them to be Jesus disciples.

They must be prepared for a life time of commitment to him.

Recap


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, this week I have learnt about the cost of following Jesus Christ, may I be motivated daily by the promises in store for me. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: What Bible passage in this weeks study on being a disciple stood out for you and why? Indicate it in the space provided below

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O BSERVATION: In reflection of these weeks’ lessons on being a disci-ple, what are the four major observations you have made in the past four days of daily study, that have motivated you to firmly stand as a

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From this weeks study, what do you think will be the best lesson and encouragement to someone who is still being held back from following Christ as his disciple? ________________________________________________________________

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WEEK 4 DAY 5

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the insights through your word, I commit myself to the journey of following Christ as his disciple. I pray that through your grace you will hold me through all the circumstances I

will face for the sake of Christ. In Jesus name, Amen


The Lordship of Christ


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, teach me this day on the position of Christ over all creation and how to respond to his Lordship. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: TEACHER & LORD: John 13:13 (NLT) “You call me teacher and Lord and you are right, because that’s what I am.”

LORD & MESSIAH: Acts 2:36 (NLT) “So let everyone in Israel know for cer-tain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” KING OF KINGS: Revelation 19:16 (NLT) “On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.” LORD OVER ALL THINGS: Colossians 1:16-18 (NLT) “For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see-such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else and he holds all creation to-gether. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the be-ginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in every-thing.” LORD OF BOTH THE LIVING & THE DEAD: Romans 14:9 (NLT) “Christ died and rose again for this very purpose-to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.” PLACE OF HIGHEST HONOR: Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT) “Therefore God ele-vated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”

O BSERVATION: What are the titles of Jesus Christ from the passages above? What is Christ Lord over according to Colossians 1:16-18 & Romans 14:9 above? To what position is Christ elevated and what

will be the response of all people to him according to Philippians 2:9-11 & Revelation 5:9-13? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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APPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you failed to honor Christ as the Lord of Lords and King of Kings? Explain ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim from Revelation 5:9-13, because of what Christ has done for you? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Revelation 5:9-13 (NLT) “And they sang a new song with these words: you are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And you have caused them to become a kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth. Then I looked again and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus: worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered-to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: blessings and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

The place of Christ in your life


S CRIPTURE: RECONCILES US TO GOD: Romans 10:9 (NLT) “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Acts 10:36 (NLT) “This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel-that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” CHRIST LIVES IN US: Galatians 2:20 (NLT) “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” GIVE YOURSELF TO CHRIST: Romans 12:1-2 (NLT) “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” ALLOW HIM TO SEARCH YOUR LIFE: Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) “Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” GIVE YOUR WORRIES TO HIM: 1Peter 5:7 (NLT) “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

Action to take: What steps will you take to allow Christ take Lordship over every aspect of your life?

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Summary: The titles of Christ indicate his sovereignty over the heavens and the earth, including thrones, kingdoms, rulers and authorities of both spiritual and physical world; all are under his authority.

He is supreme over all who rise from the dead and his resurrection proves his Lordship over the material world. This means that each person is accountable to Christ and at the last judgment even those who have not received him as Lord will recognize Jesus authority.

It is because of what Christ has done for all the nations that he deserves worship from all creation as the Lord of all lords.

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the study today and I pray that you will instruct me on the place of Christ in my life. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, I submit to the Lordship of Christ and acknowledge him as Lord over all. In Jesus name, Amen

SCRIPTURE MEMORY: Acts 2:36


O BSERVATION: What happens when you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord? Who should you then allow to live in you according to Galatians 2:20 above? What should you do with your

bodies as stated in Romans 12:1-2 above? What does it mean to allow God to search you and point you to the path of everlasting life? What should be your confidence in God as stated in 1Peter 5:7 & 2Timothy 1:12 above?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you in any way copied the behavior and customs of this world? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim from the texts above when you submit to Christ’s authority? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Action to take: What action will you take to ensure that you give your body to God as a living sacrifice and allow Christ to live in you? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Summary: One becomes a Christian by confessing with his mouth and believing in his heart that Christ is Lord. This leads into peace with God and becoming part of his family.

This should also result into the death of our old selves as we daily crucify the sinful nature and allow Christ to live in us as we grow into Christ likeness. We are therefore not alone because Christ lives in us, and if he lives in us we should offer ourselves to him as living sacrifices.

This will happen if we allow God to point out sin in our lives so that we can repent and willingly follow his righteous path. The God that we submit to cares for us deeply such that he is willing to carry all our worries and cares, therefore allow Christ to be the Lord of your life.

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, may Christ take his rightful place in my life and lead me according to your will. In Jesus name, Amen


HAVE CONFIDENCE IN GOD: 2Timothy 1:12 (NLT) “That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.”

Blessings of being under the Lordship of Christ


OPENING PRAYER: Almighty God, help me see the blessings of living life under your Lordship. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: FIND REST IN CHRIST: Mathew 11:28-30 (NLT) “Then Jesus said, come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach

you because I am humble and gentle at heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear and the burden I give you is light.” REPAID MANY TIMES: Luke 18:28-30 (NLT) “Peter said, we’ve left our homes to follow you. Yes Jesus replied and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life and will have eternal life in the world to come.” RESCUE FROM DANGER: 2Corinthians 1:10 (NLT) “And he did rescue us from mortal danger and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him and he will continue to rescue us.” PROTECTED: 2Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT) “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. BEAR THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: Galatians 2:22-23 (NLT) “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. There is no law against these things!”

O BSERVATION: What did Jesus mean when he said come to me all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest (Mathew 11:28-30)? What does it mean that we will be repaid many

times over in this life (Luke 18:28-30)? When facing danger or tuff times, what promise is there in 2Corinthians 1:10 & 2Corinthians 4:8-9 above? What does the Holy Spirit help us to bear according to Galatians 2:22-23 above? Why should you not worry according to Philippians 4:6-7 above?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Sin to confess: Have you failed t claim God’s promises as stated above and instead grumbled or complained when facing challenges? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim when facing challenges from the texts above?

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PRAY TO GOD ABOUT EVERYTHING: Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds any thing we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Living in His Lordship


S CRIPTURE: LIVING FOR CHRIST: 2Corinthians 5:14-15 (NLT) “Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for

everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.” NOT LIVING IN SIN: ROMANS 6:6-7 (NLT) “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” FOCUS ON NEW LIFE IN CHRIST: Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT) “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” LIVING TO HONOR THE LORD: Romans 14:7-9 (NLT) “For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose-to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.” BEING BOLD FOR CHRIST: Philippians 1:20 (NLT) “For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ whether I live or die.”

Action to take: What action will you take to ensure that you worry about nothing but you surrender everything to God? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Summary: Receiving Christ and living for him is not easy, because we have to pay a price as we take this step. But our assurance from the text in Luke 18:28-30 above is that there are benefits for following Christ. And any believer who has given up something will be repaid both in this life and in the life to come.

Our focus should therefore be on what we have gained by receiving Christ as Lord. Christ promises rest to those who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, he promises rescue from danger, no amount of trouble will crush us or lead us to despair and we can also pray to God about anything and he will in turn give us peace.

OPENING PRAYER: Guide me Oh Lord on how to live a practical life under the Lordship of Christ. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the promises and benefits I am entitled to as your follower. May this assurance give me peace and the motivation to continue following you. In Jesus name, Amen



O BSERVATION: What does it mean that Christ’s love controls us and that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves as stated in 2Corinthians 5:14-15 above? How should one live for

Christ according to the texts above? What else do you observe from the texts above about living for Christ? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you failed to live for Christ? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise or expectation can you claim from Philippians 1:20 above, when you live in the Lordship of Christ?

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Action to take: How will you practically live for Christ as studied today?

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Summary: Someone said that, in all Christians Christ is present; in some Christians Christ is prominent; but only in a few Christians is Christ pre-eminent. Pre-eminent in this case means that Christ has rank, dignity or importance above anything else.

And this can easily be witnessed in how Christians live their lives. Today’s study is a call that we should give Christ the same place in our hearts that he holds in the universe. Submitting to his Lordship and living to honor him will require obeying him in your daily affairs of life.

Allow his love to control you, die to sin and its control and be a slave or obligated to righteous living, let Christ’s priorities be your priorities. Know that the main reason for your life is to honor God with your body. It is worth noting that it is one thing to be a Christian, and it is quite another to live under the Lordship of Christ daily. But when you truly surrender to Christ, you will experience life as God intended.

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, I make a choice to submit to your Lordship in my life as a Christian. Guide me each day and help me to surrender all, that you may take control. In Jesus name, Amen


NOR GOD WITH YOUR BODY: 1Corinthians 6:20 (NLT) “For God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

The word Lord in the New Testament is the same as what was used in the Old Testament for the Hebrew word Yahweh. That refers to the eternal, unchangeable, ever present God. Therefore to call Jesus Lord, is to call

him God, the only true God who is the creator and ruler of the universe, the con-troller of life and death. And through the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ, God declared dramatically the absolute Lordship of Christ.

Recap


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for this weeks study and the lessons on submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Guide me that I will live a life of surrender through out as a Christian. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: What Bible passage in this weeks study on the Lordship of Christ stood out for you and why? Indicate it in the space provided below

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From this weeks study, what do you think will be the best lesson and encouragement to someone who has not fully surrendered to the Lordship of Christ? ________________________________________________________________

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O BSERVATION: In reflection of these weeks’ lessons on the Lordship of Christ, what are the four major observations you have made in the past four days of daily study, that have motivated you to surrender to

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WEEK 5 DAY 5

P RAYER: Almighty God, may you take pre-eminence over my life. So that in all I think and do, you will come first. In Jesus name, Amen


The authority of God’s word


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, instruct me on the authority of your word through today’s study. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: THE WORD IS ALIVE & POWERFUL: Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between

joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” IT IS THE WORD OF GOD: Exodus 24:3-4 (NLT) “Then Moses went down to the people and repeated all the instructions and regulations the LORD had given him. All the people answered with one voice, we will do everything the LORD has commanded. Then Moses carefully wrote down all the LORD’S instructions. Early the next morning Moses got up and built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.” INSPIRED THROUGH GOD’S SPIRIT: 2Timothy 3:16 (NLT) “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Peter 1:20-21 (NLT) “Above all you must realize that no prophecy in scripture ever came from the prophets own understanding or from human initiatives. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit and they spoke from God.” SHOULD BE ACCEPTED AS GOD’S WORD: 1Thessalonians 2:13 (NLT) “Therefore we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God-which of course it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.”

O BSERVATION: How would you describe the Bible after reading Hebrews 4:12 above? Whose instructions or word is it according to Exodus 24:3-4? Under whose inspiration was it written and what is

its use in our lives? What do you understand by the statement in 1Thessalonians 2:13 above that says “…and this word continues to work in you who believe.” ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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APPLICATION: SIN TO CONFESS: Are there times you question the authority of God’s word? Explain

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PROMISE TO CLAIM: What promise can you claim as you study God’s word from its role in our lives as indicated in 2Timothy 3:16 above? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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ACTION TO TAKE: What action will you take to ensure that you allow God’s word to bring transformation in your life? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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The Reliability of the Word


S CRIPTURE: HIS WORD IS TRUE: Numbers 23:19 (NLT) “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever promised and not carried it through?”

Joshua 21:45 (NLT) “Not a single one of all the good promises the LORD had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.” HIS WORD IS PURE: Psalm 12:6 (NLT) “The LORD’S promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.” HIS WORD IS PERFECT, TRUSTWORTHY, RIGHT & CLEAR: Psalm 19:7-9 (NLT) “The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear giving insight for living. Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true each one is fair.” HE WILL NOT BREAK HIS WORD: Psalm 89:34 (NLT) “No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back a single word I said.” HIS WORD WILL LAST FOREVER: Mathew 24:35 (NLT) “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.”

ACCURATE & INSPIRED: 2Peter 1:15-21 (NLT) “So I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone. For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of

Summary: Today’s study is geared to help you understand that the scriptures originated with God and although written by ordinary people, they carry the absolute authority of God. It is not merely human ideas about God, it is not a human book but it is the word of God revealed through the Holy Spirit to certain believers who wrote down his message for his people.

This word is therefore our standard as believers for testing everything else that claims to be true. And although it was written many years ago, it is still living; it is life changing as it works in believers lives therefore you should allow it to shape your life too, because it is a real source of transforming power.

Both the Old and the New Testament are in unity as the word of God, it is one unbroken story that speaks about God. The sixty six books that make up the Bible were written over a period of around 1500 years by a total of forty authors, from different nationalities, languages, occupations and temperaments, yet there is complete harmony within the Bible.

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that you will continue instructing me on how reliable your word is. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father. Thank you for the assurance through the study today that the Bible we read is your word. May your word be alive and powerful and work transformation in my life. In Jesus name, Amen



O BSERVATION: What are the different ways the word of God is de-scribed or explained in the texts above and how does each descrip-tion show how God’s word is reliable? What assurance of God’s

character do you find in Numbers 23:19 and Joshua 21:45 above that gives you confidence on the reliability of his word? What can the word do in your life according to Psalm 19:7-9 above?

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ACTION TO TAKE: What action will you take towards God’s word after the assurance that it is reliable?

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Summary: Many people still wonder how reliable the Bible we have today really is, but apart from the Bible’s own claims as studied today on its reliability, history has proven it to be so.

This is because hundreds of events prophesied in the Bible later took place exactly as the Bible said they would and this has been verified by archeologists and historians.

Because this is God’s word, his people throughout the centuries have taken great care to preserve the integrity and accuracy of the original manuscripts to produce the Bible we have today.

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance through today’s study on the reliability of your word. Help me to have full confidence in what is written in it. In Jesus name, Amen


our LORD Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes. When he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, this is my dearly loved son, who brings me great joy. We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place-until the day dawns and Christ the morning star shines in your heart. Above all you must realize that no prophecy in scripture ever came from the prophets own understanding, or from human initiative. No those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit and they spoke from God.”

APPLICATION: SIN TO CONFESS: Have you ever failed to trust God’s word be-cause you thought it is not reliable? Explain

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The Assurance of The Writers


OPENING PRAYER: Almighty God let the study of your word today give me assurance of the certainty of what is written in your word. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: WRITTEN UNDER CAREFUL INVESTIGATION: Luke 1:1-4 (NLT) “Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness

reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.” WRITTEN BY EYE WITNESSES: 1John 1:1-4 (NLT) “We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, who we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father and then he was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.” Hebrews 2:3 (NLT) “So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the LORD Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?” Mathew 5:18 (NLT) “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.”

O BSERVATION: According to Luke 1:1-4, what did people use as they write the accounts of what had happened and why did he write to Theophilus? How does this assurance make the Bible reliable? What

does 1John 1:1-4 say about the reliability of what has been written in scrip-ture? What did Jesus teach about the reliability of the scriptures as stated in Mathew 5:18 above? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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A PPLICATION: SIN TO CONFESS: Have you ever doubted the testimony of the apostles as recorded in scripture about their first hand experience with Jesus? Explain

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PROMISE TO CLAIM: How will the testimony of the apostles be of benefit to you if you believe it according to Luke 1:1-4 & 1John 1:1-4 above? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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ACTION TO TAKE: With the assurance of the apostle’s testimony, what action will you take towards any one who doubts what they have recorded? ________________________________________________________________

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Relevance & Sufficiency of the Word


S CRIPTURE: TEACHES THE FEAR OF GOD: Deuteronomy 31:11-13 (NLT) “You must read this book of instruction to all the people of Israel when they assemble before the LORD your God at the place he

chooses. Call them all together-men, women, children and foreigners living in your towns-so they may hear this book of instruction and learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully obey all the terms of these instructions. Do this so that your children who have not known these instructions will hear them and will learn to fear the LORD your God. Do this as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.” THE WORD IS NOT EMPTY WORDS: Deuteronomy 32:46-47 (NLT) “He added, take to heart all the words of warning I have given you today. Pass them on as a command to your children so they will obey every word of these instructions. These instructions are not empty words-they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.” THE WORD IS A GUIDE: Psalm 119:105 (NLT) “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” SOURCE OF LIFE: Mathew 4:4 (NLT) “But Jesus told him, no the scripture say, people do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” EXPOSES OUR THOUGHTS & DESIRES: Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

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Summary: When the apostle Luke wrote, he was concerned that eye witness accounts should be preserved accurately and the foundations of the Christian faith be transmitted without error to the generations to come.

Having not been an eye witness himself, he must have made careful use of the firsthand accounts that were written about Jesus ministry and that is why the text we read states that he wrote after having carefully investigated. The apostle John on the other hand was one of Jesus original disciples and by the time he wrote this letter Christianity had been around for more than a generation.

As an eye witness to Jesus ministry he was qualified to teach the truth; his readers had not seen Jesus but they could trust that what John wrote was accurate. Just like these readers, we have not personally, seen, heard or touched Jesus, but we have the New Testament record of eye witnesses and we can trust they have written the truth about him.

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, guide me on how your word is relevant in my day to day life as a Christian. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance of the accurate transmission of your word and the life of Jesus through the account of eye witnesses. May this assurance build my faith in you. In Jesus name,

Amen



O BSERVATION: How would one benefit from the word of God according to Deuteronomy 31:11-13 & 32:46-47 above? How else is the word of God relevant according to the other passages stated

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A PPLICATION: SIN TO CONFESS: Have you failed to look to the word of God for day to day instructions for living? Explain

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PROMISE TO CLAIM: What promise can you claim if you rely on God’s word for instructions for daily living according to Psalm 119:105 above? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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ACTION TO TAKE: What action will you take to ensure that you apply God’s word in every aspect of your life?

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Summary: The Bible offers us timeless and true principles concerning every important issue and situation we face in real life, it is not irrelevant as some people claim. But it is alive and powerful and very useful for living in this world. As the children of Israel journeyed to the Promised Land, it was important for them to be prepared on how to live through the commands given. Since the commands are useful, they were to be passed on to the next generations faithfully. Jesus also said that we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Father and not by material things. Allow the word of God to be a lamp and a light for your path, allow it to give you direction, to judge the thoughts and attitudes of your heart and to prepare you for every good work.

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, may your word instruct me in my daily life and prepare me for everything you expect of me. In Jesus name, Amen


GIVES DIRECTION: Psalm 119:59-60 (NLT) “I pondered the direction of my life and I turned to follow your laws. I will hurry without delay, to obey your com-mands.” USED TO PREPARE PEOPLE: 2Timothy 3:17 (NLT) “God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

This weeks study has covered lessons on the authority of the word, the reliability of the word, the assurance of the writers and the relevance and sufficiency of the word of God. It has also been put

clearly that the word is not empty words but it is alive and powerful and continuing to work in the lives of those who believe. May you develop a personal experience with God through daily study of the word and bear testimony to others that indeed the word is alive and powerful.


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the study this week on the authority of your word. Guide me in today’s reflection and continue helping me to submit to the leading and instructions of your word. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: What Bible passage in this weeks study on the authority of God’s word stood out for you and why? Indicate it in the space provided below

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O BSERVATION: In reflection of these weeks’ lessons on the authority of God’s word, what are the four major observations you have made in the past four days of daily study, that have increased your assurance

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APPLICATION: Write down how you intend to live out the lessons learnt this week in your personal life?

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From this weeks study, what do you think will be the best lesson and encouragement to someone who has doubts about the authority of the Bible? ________________________________________________________________

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WEEK 6 DAY 5

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, may your word continue working in my life, correcting me, guiding me and inspiring me on everyday Christian liv-ing. In Jesus name, Amen


Faith in God


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, give me insight through your word on the study on faith and your promises. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: MUST BELIEVE: Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek

him.” SAVED WHEN YOU BELIEVED: Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” GROWING FAITH: Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught and you will overflow with thankfulness.” FAITH IN PRACTICE: Romans 4:20-21 (NLT) “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.” 2Corinthians 5:7 (NLT) “For we live by believing and not by seeing.” FAITH DEFINED: Hebrews 11:1 (NLT) “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

O BSERVATION: How is faith involved at the start of the Christian life according to Ephesians 2:8-9 and how would ones faith continue growing according to Colossians 2:6-7? What is it impossible to do

without faith according to Hebrews 11:6 above? How did Abraham prove his faith in God according to Romans 4:20-21? How is faith defined in Hebrews 11:1 and lived according to 2Corinthians 5:7 above? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you lived your life by seeing and not by believing as stated in 2Corinthians 5:7 above? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim from Hebrews 11:6 when you approach God in faith? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Action to take: What action will you take to ensure that you live by believing in God and not by what you see?

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The Promises of God


S CRIPTURE: GOD’S GREAT & PRECIOUS PROMISES: 2Peter 1:3-4 (NLT) “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the

one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” UNCHANGEABLE PROMISES: Hebrews 6:17-19 (NLT) “God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES: Psalm 145:13 (NLT) “For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The LORD always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.” Psalm 146:6 (NLT) “He made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever.” Hebrews 10:23 (NLT) “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”

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Summary: From the study above, you have learnt that faith is involved at beginning of the Christian life because you are saved by grace when you believe. But this faith will only grow when you get rooted in your relationship with Christ. Faith is therefore a basic component in your Christian life and especially because of the fact that without it, it is impossible to please God.

George Mueller stated that “faith is the assurance that the thing which God has said in his word is true and that God will act according to what he has said in his word.” This is clearly demonstrated in the life of Abraham as stated in Romans 4:20-21 above, he did not waver in believing God’s promise despite the circumstances but in fact his faith grew strong.

The Christian life is a walk of faith, a walk of complete assurance in what God has said and not a walk of sight. God desires belief and faith from individuals who seek him and there is no exemption. This faith is not wishful thinking, but it is absolute trust in God Almighty.

OPENING PRAYER: Almighty God, guide me through the study and help me to understand what your words says about your promises. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to grow in my relationship with you and to also grow in the area of trusting you completely without wavering in the faith. In Jesus name, Amen

SCRIPTURE MEMORY: Hebrews 11:6


O BSERVATION: How are the promises of God described in 2Peter 1:3-4 and what do these promises enable us to do? What assurance do we get about the promises of God from Hebrews 6:17-19, Psalm 145:13,

Psalm 146:6 & Hebrews 10:23 above? How should we respond to God’s promises as stated in Hebrews 11:11 & 2Corinthians 7:1 above?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you ever doubted the promises of God? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promises can you claim about the promises of God from Hebrews 6:17-19 above?

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Action to take: What action will you take from today, in relation to the assurance from the texts above about the promises of God?

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Summary: A promise is a declaration of what one will do; and from the texts above God has declared his great and precious promises to us and also committed through his word that he will keep his promises.

But as you read through the scriptures and find the promises of God, there are four important distinctions that you should note about the promises. The first thing is that some of God’s promises were made to specific individuals for instance the promise of a son to Abraham.

Secondly, some promises apply to all the believers in general; thirdly, some promises are unconditional assurances of what God intends to do and lastly, some are conditional promises to be fulfilled only if we do our part. Understand the context of every promise in order to be able to claim it with understanding.

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance through your word about your promises. Guide me to understand each promise and to also claim it according to your will. In Jesus name, Amen


Hebrews 10:23 (NLT) “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” PREPARE TO LIVE IN THE PROMISES: Hebrews 11:11 (NLT) “It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.” 2Corinthians 7:1 (NLT) “Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.”

Claiming God’s promises


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, guide me on how to claim your promises as indicated in your word. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: ALL PROMISES HAVE BEEN FULFILLED: 2Corinthians 1:20 (NLT) “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes” and through Christ, our “Amen” (which means

“Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.” JEHOSHAPHAT CLAIMS GODS’S PROMISES: 2Chronicles 20:5-12 (NLT) “Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the LORD. He prayed, O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name. They said, whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague or famine, we can come to stand in your pres-ence before this temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us and you will hear us and rescue us. And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. Now see how they re-ward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do but we are looking to you for help.”

O BSERVATION: What is God’s attitude towards fulfilling his promises according to 2Corinthians 1:20 above? What situation was Jehosha-phat and the children of Israel facing as stated in the text above?

What do you notice about the prayer he made and the things he mentions to God? What assurance did he have about the prayer he was making to God? What do you learn about God’s response as indicated above?

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GOD’S RESPONSE: 2Chronicles 20:13-17 (NLT) “As all the men of Judah stood before the LORD with their little ones, wives and children, the Spirit of the LORD came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph. He said, listen all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Do not be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. To-morrow march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!”

A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Is there a promise that you have failed to claim for your situation? Explain

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Various Promises of God


S CRIPTURE: PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: Acts 1:8 (NLT) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem,

throughout Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” PROMISE FOR STRENGTH: Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” PROMISE THAT ALL WORKS FOR GOOD: Romans 8:28 (NLT) “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE: John 5:24 (NLT) “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” PROMISE TO BE FRUITFUL: John 15:5 (NLT) “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me and I in them, will produce much fruit. For a part from me you can do nothing.” PROMISE FOR PROTECTION: Psalm 91:14 (NLT) “The LORD says, I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.” PROMISE FOR GUIDANCE: Psalm 32:8 (NLT) “The LORD says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

Promise to claim: Read 2Corinthians 1:20 above and indicate what promise you can claim from it about the promises of God?

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Action to take: What action will you take concerning any situation you face in the future? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Summary: In the text above (2Corinthians 1:20) Paul was pleading his case to the Corinthians saying that just as the Corinthians could trust God to keep his promises, they could trust Paul as God’s representative to keep his.

This text reminds us of God’s faithfulness, the fact that there is no duplicity in God and that his promises would be fulfilled. Jehoshaphat on the other hand was faced by a threat of attack, from the Moabites and the Ammonites; his only solution in this helpless state was to pray to God. As much as he professed complete dependence on God, he also found comfort in the promise God gave to the Israelites concerning the land “…And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham?...”

His assurance was that God is sovereign and able to fulfill his promise. What is God’s promise in his word for your situation? Seek to find out and rest assured that his promises are yes and amen.

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the many promises you have for me in your word. Guide me as I study some of them today. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, teach me as I seek to search through your word, about the promises you have proclaimed over my life. In Jesus name, Amen



O BSERVATION: Read through the various promises and state what you understand from each one of them and how you can claim it over your life?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Is there any of the promises above that you doubted God’s ability to fulfill in your life? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise in the texts stated above can you claim for a situation that you are currently facing? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Action to take: What action will you take to ensure that you know all the promise of God for you as stated in his word? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Summary: The study today has just highlighted some of the many promises of God for you as stated in the scriptures. Some of the promises in the Bible are in the form of fulfilled prophecies, where God’s promises of Old Testament times find their fulfillment in the events of Christ and the gospel. Your assurance is that God is always faithful to his promise and he has given added assurance of this by giving the Holy Spirit to the believer as a guarantee that he will do what he has promised. The best way to hold them to heart is by meditating and memorizing them and applying them to your day to day life as a Christian.

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, open my eyes to see and believe in the promises you have made to me through your word. May your promises keep me strong in this journey of faith. In Jesus name, Amen


HAVE CONVICTION OF THE FULFILLMENT: Romans 4:21 (NLT) “He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.”

As you reflect on the faithfulness of God in fulfilling his promises, take time to also think about yourself and how faithful you are to the promises that you make. This is important because, God’s people should be faithful to their

promises, even when it involves them in personal inconvenience. This is well stated in Psalm 15, that indicates who may worship in the sanctuary of the Lord and one of the qualifications as stated in Psalm 15:4 is “…and keep their promise even when it hurts.”

Recap


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for this week’s study and the assurance I have through your promises in the word. Guide me today as I review the lessons learnt. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: What Bible passage in this week’s study on the promises of God stood out for you and why? Indicate it in the space provided below

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O BSERVATION: In reflection of these weeks’ lessons on the promises of God, what are the four major observations you have made in the past four days of daily study, that have increased your assurance in the

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From this week’s study, what do you think will be the best lesson and encouragement to someone who has doubts about the promises of God? ________________________________________________________________

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WEEK 7 DAY 5

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, with the assurance in your word about your faithfulness to your promises, help me to also be faithful as required in your word to the promises I make to other people. In Jesus name, Amen


Understanding God’s will


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, instruct me this day as I seek to understand what your word says about your will for me. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: GOOD, PLEASING & PERFECT WILL: Romans 12:2 (NLT) “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then

you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Isaiah 48:17 (NLT) “This is what the LORD says-your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.” JOY IN DOING GOD’S WILL: Psalm 40:8 (NLT) “I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” WILLINGNESS TO LEARN GOD’S WILL: Psalm 143:10 (NLT) “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” SUBMITTING TO GOD’S WILL: James 4:13-15 (NLT) “Look here, you who say, today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit. How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog-it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, if the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” SURRENDERING TO GOD’S WILL: Mathew 26:39, 42 (NLT) “He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, my Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” “Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, my Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.”

O BSERVATION: What is true about God’s will for you as stated in Romans 12:2 & Isaiah 48:17 above? From Psalm 40:8 above where can you find God’s will and what attitude should you have towards

God’s will? What lesson can you draw from Psalm 143:10 and James 4:13-15 above about God’s will? What do you learn from Jesus words and action as stated in Mathew 26:39 & 42 above about God’s will?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you had a negative attitude towards seeking and doing God’s will? Explain

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Promise to claim: What can you claim from the texts above about God’s will?

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Action to take: What should be your new attitude towards God’s will from the lessons drawn from the study?

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God’s Will for All His Children


S CRIPTURE: TO BE HOLY: 1Thessalonians 4:3-4 (NLT) “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor.”

TO LIVE IN UNITY: Ephesians 4:2-4 (NLT) “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.” TO PRACTICE THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES: 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT) “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” TO SEEK GOD’S KINGDOM: Mathew 6:33 (NLT) “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously and he will give you everything you need.” TO LOVE GOD AND NEIGHBORS: Mathew 22:37-39 (NLT) “Jesus replied, you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important; love your neighbor as yourself.” TO MAKE DISCIPLES: Mathew 28:19-20 (NLT) “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

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Summary: Understanding God’s will when making major decisions is a big question in many people’s minds. But your assurance as a Christians as you seek to know and do His will is indicated in the scriptures. His will is good, pleasing and perfect and God is also willing to teach you what is good for you and to show you the path to follow.

This means that God has not left you in the dark to find your way but he has designed a way and is willing to help you to find it. But as you seek God’s will, you should also have a positive attitude towards following it regardless of the extent of sacrifice required.

This is because “…the purpose of discovering God’s will is so that we can walk in it, not to change it if it does not please us.” Therefore, live life with the willingness to learn God’s will and be filled with joy as you do what his will requires. Let your attitude be like that of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, “your will be done.”

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, guide me through todays study to understand the things in your will that apply to all your children. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, the willingness to know and do your will is present in my heart. Guide me in this search and help me through your Spirit in areas where I am weak. In Jesus name, Amen



O BSERVATION: According to the passages above, what is God will for your life and all his children? What action points as stated in 1Thessalonians 4:3-4 above will help you to live a holy life? What do

you need to practice according Ephesians 4:2-4 in order to live in unity according to God’s will? How can you put to practice the call to practice spiritual disciplines, seeking God’s kingdom, loving God and your neighbors and making disciples as stated in the texts above? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: From the things stated in the texts above that God expects from his children, in what area have you failed? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim as you seek God’s Kingdom and to do his will as stated in Mathew 6:33 above?

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Action to take: What action will you take to implement all the things studied today that God expects from all his children? ________________________________________________________________

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Summary: Certain things about God’s will apply to all of his children, for instance as we studied in the texts above; God expects all his children to live holy lives, to live in unity with one another, to practice the spiritual disciplines that will help them to grow in the faith, to seek God’s Kingdom above all else, to love God and our neighbors, to evangelize and make disciples and to also live honorable lives. But it is important to note that what you have studied today is not exhaustive but just a sample of the general expectations that God has for all his children.

As you give more time to the study of the word, you will learn more of what God requires of all his children and also of you specifically. This is in line with the words of John white, “God does not desire to guide us magically. He wants us to know his mind. He wants us to grasp his very heart. We need minds so soaked with the content of scripture, so imbued with Biblical outlooks and principles, so sensitive to the Holy Spirits prompting that we will know instinctively the upright step to take in any circumstance, small or great.”

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, enable me in your grace to know your mind and to discern your will in all situations. In Jesus name, Amen


TO LIVE HONORABLE LIVES: 1Peter 2:15 (NLT) “It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.”

Discovering What God Wants You to Do


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, instruct me as I go through your word to understand the things I can do in the quest to know your will. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: WAIT PATIENTLY: Psalm 27:14 (NLT) “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.”

WAIT FOR GOD’S HELP: Isaiah 30:18 (NLT) “So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.” GOD WILL ENABLE YOU TO DO WHAT PLEASES HIM: Philippians 2:13 (NLT) “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” LISTEN TO THE SPIRITS GUIDANCE: John 16:13 (NLT) “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” ASK FOR GOD’S WISDOM: James 1:5 (NLT) “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” SEEK GOOD COUNSEL: Proverbs 20:18 (NLT) “Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.” TRUST THAT GOD COUSES EVERYTHING TO WORK FOR GOOD: Romans 8:28 (NLT) “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

O BSERVATION: As you seek to discover God’s will for a specific situa-tion, what practical things can you do as stated in the texts above? What assurance do you have from God as stated in Philippians 2:13

& Romans 8:28 as you seek His will?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you ever been impatient when in the process of seeking God’s guidance? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim from the texts above as you seek God’s will?

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Action to take: What action will you take in the future when faced with a decision and you need to seek God’s will? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Living in God’s will


S CRIPTURE: OBEYING GOD’S CALL: Genesis 12: 1-6 (NLT) “The LORD had said to Abram, leave your native country, your relatives and your father’s family and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you

into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you. So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot and all his wealth-his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran-and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites.” Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NLT) “The LORD gave me this message: I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. O Sovereign LORD, I said I can’t speak for you! I’m too young! The LORD replied, don’t say, I’m too young, for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the LORD have spoken! Then the LORD reached out and touched my mouth and said, look, I have put my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.”

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Summary: As you continue studying about God’s will, let me call your attention to the words of Flynn and V. Grounds, “God never makes his will so clear that a believer walks completely by sight…once we have ascertained the will of God, we ought in faith to continue in the direction he has pointed.”

This indicates that discovering the will of God is a process and not an event. This process requires patience as you wait for God because blessed are those who wait for his help. As you wait patiently, you have the assurance that God is working in you to give you the desire and power to do his will.

You should also obtain counsel from mature Christians who are committed to do the will of God and who know you well. This is necessary just as we read in Proverbs 20:18 that “…plans succeed through good counsel…”

In conclusion, when faced with a decision, weigh all the options and take time alone with God to listen to his voice. Be alert for his guidance through the Bible, the Holy Spirit within you, other godly people and circumstances.

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, guide me as I learn from the experiences of those who have lived their lives in line with your will. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the practical lessons I have learnt today that will help me as I seek to discover your will for my life. Help me to patiently wait for you and to discern your guidance through

the Holy Spirit. Help me to also identify faithful Christians that I can rely on for advice. In Jesus name, Amen



O BSERVATION: What do you observe about God’s call to Abram, and Abram’s response as indicated in Genesis 12:1-6? What was God in-tending to achieve through Abram’s life? What do you learn from

God’s call in the life of Jeremiah and Gideon and how he fulfills his will through human agents? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you disobeyed God’s call for your life? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim from the assurance God Gives Abram, Jeremiah and Gideon when you obey God’s call for your life? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

Action to take: What action will you take from today to ensure that you live in God’s will for your life?

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Summary: One of the ways one can live in God’s will is by discovering the call of God in their life and living in its fulfillment. God’s call does not necessarily mean going into fulltime ministry, but it means fulfilling his intent where he has placed you. Abram received his call and moved out in faith to be part of Gods mission of establishing a great nation through him.

This meant living his home and friends and traveling to a new land where God promised. From his experience we could learn not to allow our present comfort and security to make us miss God’s plan for our lives. At times one feels inadequate for the call just as Jeremiah and Gideon felt as we read in the texts above; but our assurance is God knows each one of us just as he knew Jeremiah.

He thought about us as valuable vessels and planned well for our lives. Therefore if God gives you a specific task accept it cheerfully and do it with diligence.

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to discover your purpose for my life and to live in its fulfillment. In Jesus name, Amen


Judges 6:11-16 (NLT) “Then the angel of the LORD came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, Mighty hero, the LORD is with you! Sir, Gideon replied, if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, the LORD brought us up out of Egypt? But now the LORD has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites. Then the LORD turned to him and said, go with the strength you have and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you! But LORD, Gideon replied, how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh and I am the least in my entire family! The LORD said to him, I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”

God has a purpose for each Christian; just like Samson, David, Jeremiah and many others in the scriptures were appointed by God for specific tasks, you were also called for a particular job. Whatever work he has set you apart for, do it diligently for his glory.


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I appreciate the insights I have received this week about your will. Guide me, in this walk, such that all I do will be in line with your purpose for my life. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: What Bible passage in this week’s study on God’s will stood out for you and why? Indicate it in the space provided below

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O BSERVATION: In reflection of these weeks’ lessons on God will, what are the four major observations you have made in the past four days of daily study, that have motivated you to discover and live in God’s

will?

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From this week’s study, what do you think will be the best lesson and encouragement to someone who is struggling with the question of what is God’s will for their life?

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Is there any lesson or question about the study that you still don’t understand? Write it down and ask your e-group leader during the e-group Bible study session ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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WEEK 8 DAY 5

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for your word and the grace you give all your children to fulfill your will. Give me a heart that consistently seeks for your will and boldly follows your desires. In Jesus name, Amen


The Disciple’s Heart


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, guide me on today’s study on the heart of a disciple and help me to see your vision for discipleship. In Jesus name

S CRIPTURE: HEART THAT LOVES GOD: Mathew 22:37-38 (NLT) “Jesus replied, you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”

HEART THAT RECOGNIZES GOD: Jeremiah 24:7 (NLT) “I will give them hearts that recognize me as the LORD. They will be my people and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.” HEART THAT IS RESPONSIVE TO GOD: Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NLT) “And I will give you a new heart and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” HEART FULL OF GOD’S LIGHT: 2Corinthians 4:6 (NLT) “For God, who said let there be light in darkness, has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” HEART WITH GOD’S LAW: HEBREWS 10:16 (NLT) “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds.” HEART THAT IS GUARDED FROM EVIL: Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

O BSERVATION: From the texts above, how would you describe the heart of a disciple of Christ? How would one attain the characteris-tics explained in the texts above?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Is there an area stated in the texts above that you have failed in as a disciple of Christ?

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Promise to claim: As you seek to have a disciple’s heart, what promise can you claim from the texts above?

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Action to take: What steps will you take in order to align your heart to what God desires as stated in the texts above?

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A Disciple’s Love for God


S CRIPTURE: WHOLEHEARTED LOVE: Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NLT) “Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your

strength.” SACRIFICIAL LOVE: Philippians 3:7-11 (NLT) “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded every-thing else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s ways of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead.” LIVING IN OBEDIENCE: John 14:21 (NLT) “Those who accept my command-ments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” LONGING FOR GOD: Psalm 63:1 (NLT) “O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.”

Summary: A disciple is a learner and the disciples of Jesus learn from him. But merely to learn is not enough, they must put their learning into practice and maintain a consistent obedience if they are truly to be Jesus disciples. The key to maintaining this obedience is their love for God as required in the scriptures in Mathew 22:37-38 “…you must love the LORD your God with all your heart…” This is the first basic characteristic of a disciple’s heart because to love the Lord our God is the heartbeat of our mission, the spring from which our service overflows. For it is out of love that the disciple recognizes God as their LORD and responds by following his decrees. A disciple’s heart must also be full of God’s light; this symbolizes a newness and transformation that he/she experiences by allowing God to align his heart with his will. This transformation is as a result of studying the scriptures and allowing them to renew him/her; therefore a disciple’s heart must also be filled with the word of God and as the scriptures put it God will put his laws in their hearts and write them on their minds. It is also essential that the heart of a disciple is guarded from evil because it is the heart that determines the course of life. As you follow Christ ensure that your heart meets his expectations.

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, teach me through this study how to respond to you in love according to the scriptures. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, may my heart be transformed in the power of your Holy Spirit to bear the true characteristics of a disciple of Christ. In Jesus name, Amen

SCRIPTURE MEMORY: Mathew 22:37-38


O BSERVATION: From the texts above, what should be characteristic in a disciple’s life who claims to love God? What practical lessons do you observe in the life of Paul as stated in Philippians 3:7-11 above

on sacrificial love? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Is there something in your life that you love more than God? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim from John 14:21 when you love God and keep his commandments?

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Action to take: What action will you take to ensure that nothing takes the place of God in your heart? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Summary: The text you read above in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 was very important in the life of the children of Israel because it gave a distinctive feature of the Hebrew religion which is belief in only one God. The content in the text therefore called the people to undivided love for God; which is loving God with all their emotions, intellect and even physical strength. This is the same kind of love that the Disciples of Christ must display in our age. It is this kind of love that will make us follow in the footsteps of Paul who as indicated in the text above (Philippians 3:7-11), did not allow his past achievements, his credentials, credits and successes to get in the way of his relationship with Christ; he considered all of them as worthless because of what Christ had done for him. The words of Jesus in John 14:21 are very clear that his followers show their love for him by obeying him. This indicates that love for God is more than lovely words, it is commitment and conduct. Simply put; if you love Christ, then prove it by obeying what he says in his word. This kind of love will cause us to long for God with all that we are just like the psalmist as recorded in Psalm 63:1. May the love of God be evident in your life.

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, may my love for you be undivided and driven with the right motive. In Jesus name, Amen


The Disciple’s Vision


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, may your word this day enlighten me on the vision of a disciple according to your word. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: KEEPS THE GREAT COMMISSION: Mathew 28:19-20 (NLT) “Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these

new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” BRINGS SALVATION TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: Isaiah 49:5-6 (NLT) “And now the LORD speaks-the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him. The LORD has honored me and my God has given me strength. He says, you will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” TO EQUIP GOD’S PEOPLE: Ephesians 4:11-16 (NLT) “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clear they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

O BSERVATION: What vision did Jesus leave with his disciples as recorded in Mathew 28:19-20 above? What other roles should the Disciples of Christ played as stated in the other texts above?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Have you failed to run with the vision that Christ left with his disciples? Explain

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COMMITTED TO FISH FOR PEOPLE: Mathew 4:19 (NLT) “Jesus called out to them, come, follow me and I will show you how to fish for people.” LOVE EACH OTHER: John 13:34-35 (NLT) “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” TO PREACH JESUS: 2Corinthians 4:5 (NLT) “You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

The Mind of a Disciple


S CRIPTURE: TRANSFORMED MIND: Romans 12:2 (NLT) “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn

to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Ephesians 4:23 (NLT) “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” MIND CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT: Romans 8:5-6 (NLT) “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” MIND SET ON THE RIGHT THINGS: Philippians 4:8 (NLT) “And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” MIND FOCUSED ON ETERNAL THINGS: Colossians 3:1-2 (NLT) “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” MIND FILLED WITH THE WORD OF GOD: Colossians 3:16 (NLT) “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”

Promise to claim: What promise can we claim from Mathew 28:19-20 as we carry out the vision left to the disciples?

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Action to take: What action will you take beginning today to ensure you carry the vision left to the disciples? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Summary: Jesus left the disciples with the words recorded in Mathew 28:19-20; they were under his authority to go out and make more disciples, to baptize them and teach them to obey Christ. This is a call to share the gospel of salvation to the ends of the earth; the target is therefore people of all nations, tribes and even race. The disciples are also required to use their spiritual gifts to equip others for the role to build the body of Christ and together as each plays their role we will accomplish more for the kingdom. The vision of the Disciples of Christ fishing others into the kingdom through the use of the various gifts that we all have.

OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, transform my mind to discern your will and focus on what is pleasing before you. In Jesus name, Amen

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, enable me to boldly run with your vision by participating in the extension of your kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen



O BSERVATION: What basic qualities should be characteristic in the mind of a disciple of Christ according to the texts above? What things will someone whose mind is transformed be able to do as

stated in the texts above?

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A PPLICATION: Sin to confess: Are there things that your mind is set on that are not pleasing in relation to the texts above? Explain

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Promise to claim: What promise can you claim from Romans 8:5-6 when your mind is controlled by the Spirit of God?

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Action to take: What action will you take to ensure that you keep your mind in line with the study of today?

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Summary: When we believe in Christ, it is mandatory to change from our past way of life and put on the new nature, head in the new direction and have the new way of thinking that the Holy Spirit gives.

This is why Romans 12:2 calls us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey God. This means that the change we experience should go deeper than just behavior and customs; it must be firmly planted in our minds. For a disciple of Christ to experience this transformation, he/she must allow the Holy Spirit to control his mind and he must also be careful what he allows into his mind.

That is why the apostle Paul encourages us to program our minds with thoughts that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise. We should let heaven fill our thoughts by concentrating on things eternal rather than temporal.

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, may your Holy Spirit renew my thoughts and attitudes and help me to set my mind on things eternal. In Jesus name, Amen


Psalm 119:11 (NLT) “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” MIND THAT IS SELF-CONTROLLED: 1Peter 1:13 (NLT) “So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.”

A disciple’s vision is not what he sees with his eyes, but what he visualizes with his heart; and it is clear that whatever cause or goal grips your heart, compels you to action and motivates you to sacrifice. This makes it clear why a disciples heart must be set on what is right in the eyes of God

Recap


OPENING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the lessons and new insights about the life of a disciple. Help me to experience the renewal and to live life under your guidance. In Jesus name, Amen

S CRIPTURE: What Bible passage in this week’s study on the disciple of Christ stood out for you and why? Indicate it in the space provided below

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O BSERVATION: In reflection of these weeks’ lessons on the disciple of Christ, what are the four major observations you have made in the past four days of daily study, that have transformed your life as a disciple?

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From this week’s study, what do you think will be the best lesson and encouragement to someone who wants to commit himself to be a disciple of Christ? ________________________________________________________________

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WEEK 9 DAY 5

P RAYER: Heavenly Father, may my life be committed to following the footsteps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as his disciple. And may I also influence others to deep commitment into the faith. In Jesus name,

Amen


Documents

DAY 1 WEEK 1 DAY 1 Call to Obedience O SERVATION to Obedience WEEK 1 DAY 1 WEEK 1 DAY 1 ... RIPTURE: A EPT & O EY: John 14:21 (NLT) “Those who accept ... Blessings for Obedience