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The
True Gospel
versus The
False Gospel
Study Guide
Course TFG
A needed contrast between the true Gospel of the Bible versus the
false gospel of “carnal Christianity”
Instructions for this course (detailed instructions in Appendix One)
The reading material for this course consists of the paperback book by L. R. Shelton, Jr. provided with this study guide: The True Gospel of Christ versus the False Gospel of Carnal Christianity.
Before each lesson: pray for God to give a teachable heart and understand-
ing. ⇓
Begin the lesson by reading the related chapter in the book provided. ⇓
Answer the questions for the corresponding lesson in this study guide. Use the required answer sheet format, putting your name and course
information on each sheet (sample after the Table of Contents). Use any standard notepaper (or the answer booklet if provided).
Try to be as clear and concise as possible. Please do not rush! Meditate on what God wants you to learn. Don’t go to the next question until completing the current one. If, and only if, you are taking the course as correspondence study (with
written feedback from others): After completing lessons 1 to 6, send the completed answer sheets to your
course coordinator. Send again when finished with lessons 7 to 12. Only mail your answer sheets, not other materials. All sent answers are handled confidentially. Label the envelope’s lower left with: student, course, and lesson num-
bers. ⇓
Continue taking the course until all lessons are completed. Four months are allotted for course completion. Extensions may be
granted upon request. ⇓
Your answer sheets are returned to you after review. Keep all materials and returned answers together for future reference.
The
True Gospel
versus The
False Gospel
L. R. Shelton, Jr.
Study Guide Course TFG
To confirm to the believer the basis of faith which in-cludes repentance from sin, so that he might defend true
faith against the confusing and false gospel often preached today: “making a decision for Christ,” without any real commitment or submission to Christ as Lord in a
pursuit of holiness.
This is the Study Guide for the paperback book The True Gospel of Christ versus the False Gospel of Carnal Christianity by L. R. Shelton, Jr., founder of Mount Zion Bible Church. Note: this course is also available in Spanish. © Copyright 2007 Chapel Library; Pensacola, Florida. Published in the USA. Permission is expressly granted to reproduce this material by any means, pro-vided:
1) you do not charge beyond a nominal sum for cost of duplication 2) this copyright notice and all the text on this page are included.
Overseas, please contact one of our international distributors listed on our website, or download the course and other material worldwide without charge. In North America, for additional copies of the textbook or other Christ-centered materials, please contact:
Chapel Library 2603 West Wright Street
Pensacola, Florida 32505 USA
Phone: (850) 438-6666 Fax: (850) 438-0227 [email protected]
www.mountzion.org
For copies of this Study Guide, or information about other Bible correspondence courses, please contact:
Mount Zion Bible Institute 2603 West Wright Street Pensacola, FL 32505 USA telephone: (850) 438-1037 email: [email protected]
Courses may be downloaded worldwide without charge at: www.mountzion.org
The True Gospel versus
The False Gospel
Study Guide
Contents
Page
Sample Answer Sheet ...................................................................... 2
Lesson 1 The False Gospel of Carnal Christianity ..................... 4 Lesson 2 Death to Self and Sin .................................................. 7 Lesson 3 Free from Sin’s Penalty and Power − I ....................... 8 Lesson 4 Free from Sin’s Penalty and Power − II ...................... 9 Lesson 5 Why Must a Christian Be Dead to Sin? .................... 10 Lesson 6 False Gospel: No Change in Behavior or Opinions .. 11 Lesson 7 False Gospel: No Change in Affections .................... 13
Ch. 7 − No Change in Affections................................ 13 Ch. 8 − “Lovers of Self” ............................................ 14
Lesson 8 Lovers of Money and Pleasure.................................. 15 Ch. 9 – “Lovers of Money” ........................................ 15 Ch. 10 − “Lovers of Pleasure” .................................... 15
Lesson 9 Deception of Carnal Christianity .............................. 16 Lesson 10 False Teachers ........................................................... 17 Lesson 11 Error: Two Types of Christians ................................ 18 Lesson 12 The Spiritual Man in Romans 8 ................................ 19 Appendices 1. Detailed Course Instructions.................................................. 22 2. Courses Available ............................................. inside back cover 3. About Mount Zion Bible Institute ........................................ back cover
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Sample Answer Sheet
___________ ________ TFG ______ _____ Your name Student ID Course Lesson Date number number Question Answer ___ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ___ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ___ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ___ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ___ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ___ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ___ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ___ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ___ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ___ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________
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The True Gospel versus
The False Gospel
Course TFG
Study Guide This Study Guide is based on the paperback book The True
Gospel of Christ versus the False Gospel of Carnal Christianity by L. R. Shelton, Jr.
Please answer the questions below from the information given in the paperback text. Each chapter in the paperback corresponds to a lesson you are doing. For example, the information you need to answer the questions from the first part of lesson one in this Study Guide is found in chapter one in the paperback. Before you begin the questions, be sure and read the paperback’s chapter for the les-son you are taking.
Please answer the questions in your own words, in order to ap-ply understanding to your heart.
Also note that some lessons cover more than one chapter in the text. These lessons are longer. It is not necessary that you complete an entire lesson in one sitting, but we do recommend that you try to complete at least the portion of a lesson devoted to one chapter in each sitting.
Please read slowly enough so you understand what you read. It is also always good to pray before each lesson, asking the LORD for wisdom to apply what you learn to your lifeand to enable you to love Him with all your mind, heart, soul, and strength... for this is the first commandment (Mark 12:30).
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Lesson 1 The False Gospel of Carnal Christianity
First please read chapter 1 in the book. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” – Galatians 6:7
Very Important Note: We ask you to always use your own words in your an-swers. Please do not merely quote the text for your answer. Rather, read what the text says, think about the meaning of what it says, and summarize the meaning of the text in your own words for your answer. In this way, you will learn much more than simply a “search/find/quote” method for answer-ing the questions.
A False Gospel 1. Several phrases are used to describe “carnal Christianity.” List
as many of these descriptions of this false Christianity that you can find.
2. What is the key point of Galatians 6:7-8 as it pertains to warn-ing us about “carnal Christianity.”
Note: By key point we mean: “key”—the phrase within the verse that relates to the topic at hand; “point”—do not merely rewrite the print-ed words, rather, tell in your own words what the key phrase means (the basic meaning behind the words).
Holiness Required by God 3. a. What are people told about “if they have believed?” b. What must characterize our lives after salvation?
Repentance Is Given 4 What are the five passages of Scripture which show that “carnal
Christianity” is unscriptural? Write the reference and key point of each verse.
5. “A man who sows to his flesh continually, has never been saved; he’s never been born again.” According to the book, why is this true?
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Note: It is important in this stage of our study to define “sin,” and the “general practice of sin.” For some people, they think that sin is only a direct outward violation of a biblical command (Matthew 23:25-26). But our Lord Jesus went much further than this. He refocused our attention to the condition of our heart: our attitudes, our desires, our interests, and our will (Matthew 5:20-22, 27-28). In all areas, He taught that we must indi-vidually and personally “deny ourselves,” and “forsake all that we have in order to follow Him.” He gives us the grace, after salvation, to follow after Him with a whole heart in total commitment, where our satisfaction in life comes from love-relationship with Him and Him alone. (Luke 14:33, Mark 8:34)
We cannot mix the world into this love-relationship. We cannot profess to be Christian, and still derive our enjoyment from the world: from its pleasures, its position (achievement), or its possessions. If we do, it is a matter of sin which has shown itself in a selfish lifestyle. If we follow such a lifestyle, and if the Lord has not convicted us of it as being sinful, then it is very probable that we do not truly know Christ as Lord and Savior. We do not have a new heart. He has not “made all things new” within us. (2 Cor. 5:17; John 5:44; Galatians 2:20, 6:14; Colossians 2:20; Philippians 3:7-8; 1 John 2: 15-17)
The solution to our need to be saved from sin (both its penalty and its power over us) is to come to Christ in the free offer of the Gospel: turn to Christ as Savior “without money and without price.” [Repentance from sin is required of the believer and will be evidenced in the life after salva-tion, not necessarily before salvation.] (Isaiah 55:1, Matthew 11:28,30; John 7:37)
If we do know Him, and we have backslidden into some sin for a period, then Scripture is plain that the Holy Spirit will convict us of it as sin and bring us to repentance. The sin will not become a matter of on-going life-style if we are truly saved—the Holy Spirit will not allow it. We will not love or practice a selfish lifestyle, but come to hate it instead, as sin against our beloved Savior and Lord.
6. The true believer still commits sin. However, the Christian’s attitude and behavior towards sin differs greatly from the false Christian’s in that
1) he learns to hate sin, and 2) sin no longer is the practice and rule of his life. Making It Personal: Do these two characteristics exist in your
own life? Explain.
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A New Nature 7. Write out the key points of the four verses given in the book
which underscore that a genuine believer must have a new nature (he cannot make sin the practice and rule of his life). Meditate carefully on each verse before your write your an-swer.
8. The “saved sinner now searches the Word of God, not to find things that will justify him in his sins, but to find that Word which warns him against sin and tells him how to flee to Christ from sin.”
Making It Personal: Have you ever experienced what this is talking about? Have you ever justified sin in your life (i.e., to make excuses for sin)? If so, what were some of the means God used to convict you of sin and bring you to re-pentance?
9. The Scriptures indicate that a true Christian cannot continue to justify sin because the Holy Spirit, being grieved, won’t al-low it to continue. He will provoke the Christian to repent of sin. Write the key points of these Scriptures as used in the text to support this.
a. Rom. 8:6 b. Col. 3:2-5
10. Why does the “saved soul now desire to put to death the things of the flesh?”
A Holy Life Follows Salvation 11. What are the four reasons given, why “a holy life and a sowing
to the Spirit must follow the salvation that God gives in Christ.” Write out the Scripture verse used for each.
12. Define “sanctification.”
The False Gospel – no power over sin 13. In the paragraph beginning “What a far cry…,” several charac-
teristics of the present-day false gospel are mentioned. List as many of these as you can identify.
14. a. What is the problem that the majority of missionaries, teachers, and preachers have fallen into?
b. Have you known someone who has experienced this? c. Making It Personal: To what degree is this your experi-
ence? Explain.
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15. Please write in your own words the overall key point that Spurgeon makes in the quotation. [Charles Spurgeon was a gifted 19th-century preacher in England.]
Lesson 2 Death to Self and Sin First please read chapter 2 in the book.
“He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption” – Galatians 6:8
A Friendly Pal? 1. List the particular things we are to “beware” of regarding this
false gospel of “carnal Christianity” which appeals to the flesh.
The Meaning of the Cross 2. “So you see, this false gospel of carnal Christianity misses
completely the whole meaning of the cross, which means death.” The remainder of this paragraph gives a description of what it means to die to self and sin. Think carefully about this description.
Making It Personal: Explain how God has worked in your own life (or is working), to create a desire to die to yourself and to your own desires, and to live only for Christ and His glo-ry.
No Compromises 3. Explain the two compromises which the true gospel of Christ
will not let you make: a. no compromise with sin, b. no compromise in a middle ground between the broad way
and the narrow way.
We Have Died to Sin 4. What subtle trick has Satan “pulled on the vast majority of
Christendom today?”
5. Romans 5:20-21 and 6:1-2 are discussed in some detail to demonstrate that the true child of God has in fact died at the moment of true salvation (when he is given a new heart by God). He has died both 1) to the guilt of sin and its penalty,
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and 2) to the power of sin and its reign in the human heart. Please write the reference and explain the key point of both passages.
The Fine Line of Demarcation 6. What is the issue that has caused Christendom to be divided
today?
7. a. In your own words, based on the discussion in this chapter, define the “power of sin.”
b. Making It Personal: In what ways has the power of sin not been broken in your own life?
Lesson 3 Free from Sin’s Penalty and Power − I
First please read chapter 3 in the book. “He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap everlast-ing life” – Galatians 6:8
Into the Kingdom of Grace 1. “When God saves a sinner…, He takes him entirely out of the
realm of sin and brings him into the kingdom of grace.” In other words: the gospel of the grace of God sets the poor, captive sinner free! He is free from the power of sin, as well as its penalty, because he is now in Christ and in His king-dom.
To prove this, five verses from God’s Word are mentioned in the book. Write the reference and key point (in your own words) of each of these five verses.
2. a. Briefly explain the difference between being united to Ad-am and united to Christ.
b. Can a person be united to both? Why?
The Reign of Grace 3. After one’s sins are forgiven, sin no longer reigns supreme in
one’s life. He is transferred to be under a new and different reign.
a. What are the results of the old reign of sin?
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b. What is the new and different reign that comes when we put our trust completely in Christ?
c. What are its results?
Impossible to Continue in Sin 4. 1 John 3:9 is a profound statement, and one that can be easily
misunderstood. “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed
remaineth in him and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”
a. In your own words, what is the correct meaning of this verse as given in the book?
b. Making It Personal: How does this verse apply to you per-sonally?
Lesson 4 Free from Sin’s Penalty and Power − II
First please read chapter 4 in the book. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?
“Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” – Rom. 6:1-6
Romans 6:1-6 1. The author explains the meaning of Romans 6:1-6. It teaches us
that as Christ died and rose again from the dead, so also true believers died to sin and have received Christ’s resur-rection power to control sin in their lives. If a person is truly united to Christ in His death and resurrection, he will bear fruit consistent with his deliverance from sin’s control and dominion.
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“I am the Vine, ye are the branches” – John 15:5 “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit” – Matthew 7:18
a. In your own words, summarize what the text says that Ro-mans 6:1-6, John 15:5, and Matt. 7:18 teach us?
b. Making It Personal: How do you respond to these passages personally?
Romans 6:6 2. The opening expression of Romans 6:6 says, “knowing this.”
What should we ‘know;’ that is, what does this ‘knowing’ refer to?
The Holy Spirit Teaches Us 3. Why does the majority of Christendom not know this deliver-
ance from the power and penalty of sin (and thus continue in a sinful lifestyle of selfishness)?
4. What are the six numbered points taught by the Holy Spirit which are “so humbling to our flesh?” After each point write the verse reference used for it.
What Is the Gospel? 5. In your own words, what is the message of the true Gospel (as
explained in this section)?
6. What are the four things from which Christ has delivered His people?
Lesson 5 Why Must a Christian Be Dead to Sin?
First please read chapter 5 in the book. “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 5:21
How Have We Died to Sin? 1. In the 6th chapter of Romans we are taught that the believer is
dead to sin. Someone might ask, “does this mean that the believer will never sin again?” To clarify this issue the au-
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thor explains the ways in which the Christian is still affect-ed by sin.
Please list these ways, and write the verse references given as support.
2. If then believers are still affected by sin, in what sense are we dead to sin? In your own words, list the four ways given in the summary paragraph.
“I in Them, and Thou in Me” 3. Three aspects about the union between Christ and His bride
make it impossible for the Christian to any longer be “mar-ried to sin.” List and briefly describe these three aspects.
Examples 4. It is not possible for a husband truly to love his wife, and yet to
carry on an adulterous relationship with another. In fact, if he loves her, there is no need for another. How does this apply spiritually?
5. The author states “we find written that the child of God has…” Four more aspects of the believer’s love-relationship to Christ are mentioned, to demonstrate that our union with Christ has delivered us from the slavery and practice of sin. What are these four aspects?
Personal Application 6. At the end of this chapter, a series of questions are presented to
the reader. Almost all of them have to do with whether or not God has brought you personally to true conviction and repentance of sin, so that you are no longer under sin’s con-trol—where sin is no longer the rule and practice of your life. Please answer the questions that most convicted your own heart.
Lesson 6 The False Gospel: No Change in Behavior or Opinions
First please read chapter 6 in the book. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
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Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incon-tinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lov-ers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. – 2 Timothy 3:2-5
“Dead Faith” 1. Is it possible to have a new heart and still live in the old ways?
Explain your answer.
Fruit of the True Gospel 2. Describe the “fruit which the true Gospel produces in the heart
of God’s child.”
3. What is “progressive sanctification?”
Their Behavior Is All Wrong 4. The theme of this chapter is the “fruits of deception.” The be-
ginning of this section mentions three fruits of deception manifested in the lives of professing Christians:
1) their behavior is all wrong; 2) their opinion is all wrong; and 3) their affection is all wrong.
The first of these, “their behavior is all wrong,” is proven by an examination of the 10 characteristics of wrong behavior in 2 Tim. 3:2-4. Please write all 10 of these characteristics along with a brief description of each in your own words (1 or 2 sentences each).
Their Opinions Are All Wrong 5. The second fruit of deception is: “their opinions are all wrong.”
The characteristics of unsaved people whose “opinions are all wrong” are taken from 2 Tim. 3:2-4. Four opinions of these deceived souls are described.
List these four traits as given in the book, and write a brief de-scription of each in your own words.
If you are taking this course as correspondence study, please submit your answers for Lessons 1 – 6 now.
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Lesson 7 The False Gospel: No Change in Affections
Ch. 7 − “Without Natural Affection” First please read chapter 7 in the book.
2 “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 “Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incon-tinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 “Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lov-ers of God;
5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” – II Timothy 3:2-5
In chapter seven we continue to pursue the theme of the fruits of deception. These fruits are given in graphic detail in 2 Tim. 3:2-7. In this passage we find a portrayal of religious but deceived people whose 1) “behavior is all wrong;” 2) “opinion is all wrong;” and 3) “affections are all wrong.” We considered behavior (1) and opinion (2) in the last chapter. Now we examine “their affections are all wrong” (3), and specifically, the first of four aspects of wrong af-fections. Their Affection Is All Wrong 1. There are four expressions describing the wrong affections of
the deceived. The first of these expressions is mentioned and described in this section. What is this first expression and what does it mean?
Personal Application 2. Because of all the confusion that the false gospel of “carnal
Christianity” has generated, the author appeals to you to re-pent of any deception or misunderstanding that has been revealed in your life. He then makes an appeal to persons in specific situations: whether you are a father, mother, young person, child, or single.
Which of these appeals relates to you? What must you do ac-cording to the Bible to right your situation?
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Ch. 8 − “Lovers of Their Own Selves” First please read chapter 8 in the book.
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” – 2 Timothy 3:2
Chapter 8 is a continuation of the theme begun in chapter 6, name-ly, “The Fruits of Deception.” In 2 Tim. 3:2-5 a list of these fruits are given and the author has broken them down into three catego-ries: 1) their behavior is all wrong; 2) their opinions are all wrong; and 3) their affections are all wrong. This last category, “their wrong affections,” has four fruits of deception according to the Scriptures. Chapter 8 is a description of the second fruit in this last category of “wrong affections.” A Life of Self-denial 3. a. What is this second fruit of wrong affections which shows
in the life of the professing “carnal Christian?” b. Briefly describe its meaning.
4. In what ways does being a “lover of self” go directly against Christ’s commands to “hate… your own life” (Luke 14:26) and to “deny yourself” (Matthew 16:24-25)?
The Error in Love of Self 5. One thing so deadly wrong with the false gospel of “carnal
Christianity” is that many of its followers grossly misun-derstand John 10:10 and Matthew 22:39 in Scripture.
“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” - John 10:10
“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” - Matthew 22:39.
What is the common misunderstanding of these verses, and what is the correct meaning according to the author?
a. John 10:10 b. Matthew 22:39 Note: for more on this, please ask for “The Biblical View of Self-
esteem” by Jay Adams, available from Chapel Library.
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Lesson 8 No Change in Affections: Lovers of Money and Pleasure
Ch. 9 – “Covetous” First please read chapter 9 in the book.
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unho-ly,” – 2 Timothy 3:2
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced them-selves through with many sorrows.” – 1 Timothy 6:10
This chapter continues to expand on the theme of “The Fruits of Deception.” In chapter eight we examined the second fruit (“lovers of self”) of those whose “affections are all wrong.” We will now look at the third fruit in this category. Introduction 1. What is this third fruit of deception?
The Damning Effects 2. What is the Greek meaning for ‘greed?’
3. What are the four results of this third fruit of deception?
Choking! 4. a. Why is covetousness “such a damning sin?” b. Describe the covetous person when attending church ser-
vices. c. Making It Personal: How does this describe you?
Ch. 10 − “Lovers of Pleasures” First please read chapter 10 in the book.
“Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” – 2 Tim. 3:4
In chapter 10 we conclude the theme of “The Fruits of Deception.” Here there is discussion of the last of the four fruits of deception in the “wrong affections” of “carnal Christianity.”
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Sensual Pleasures 5. What is this fourth fruit of deception from “wrong affections?”
6. What kind of pleasures are men “said to be lovers of, more than being lovers of God?”
7. What does the word sensual mean?
Hard Questions 8. Making It Personal: Based upon the questions asked in the
text, are you a lover of sensual pleasure, more than a lover of God?”
“Love Not the World” 9. In your own words, what is the meaning of the word world in
the verse context?
10. a. Even though a person might outwardly “renounce the world systems that Satan governs as a whole,” what might his heart still cling to?
b. Making It Personal: How does this describe your own heart? In what ways?
c. What must he do in addition to renouncing the world?
Lesson 9 The Deception of Carnal Christianity
First please read chapter 11 in the book. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” – 2 Timothy 3:5
Many in the church of our day are deceived. Chapter 11 exposes the reasons for this deception and offers some suggestions for recovery. “A Form of Godliness” 1. What is missing from those who have only “a form of godli-
ness,” rather than true godliness and true Christianity?
Reasons for the Deception 2. What are the eight reasons why so many churchgoers are de-
ceived today by the false gospel of “carnal Christianity”?
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The True Gospel Demands Repentance 3. a. What does the true gospel of the grace of God demand? b. What will you learn to do in this?
4. You may now be beginning to realize that you have been caught up in the deceptions of “carnal Christianity” to some degree! Seven actions are offered as a way of recovery out of this snare (taken from 2 Corinthians 7:11).
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For be-hold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of your-selves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge!”
a. What are these seven actions given as a remedy? b. Which of these do you believe are most helpful to you?
Lesson 10 The Fatal Results of Carnal Christianity
First please read chapter 12 in the book. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no fur-ther: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.” − 2 Timothy 3:5-9
False Teachers 1. a. Who are these false teachers? b. Briefly, describe their main characteristics.
Liberty? 2. What some of the fatal results in the life of a person who was
promised “liberty” by a preacher of “carnal Christianity?”
3. What is the “sad, sad picture” given us in the Scriptures con-cerning those who hold the truth in unrighteousness?
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Personal Application 4. a. Why must we beware “religion that puts the emphasis on
emotions?” b. What is your personal response to this?
Lesson 11 Error: Two Types of Christians First please read chapter 13 in the book.
“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ” – 1 Corinthians 3:1
The “Carnal Christian” in I Corinthians 3 1. a. In 1 Cor. 3:1-4, many of the Corinthian believers were act-
ing carnally (“in the flesh”) at this time. Does this mean that these believers were able to practice sin and still be considered saved?
b. Why is it important to base interpretation of Scripture upon the whole context in which a verse is found?
2. a. Describe the gospel message which the preacher on the ra-dio preached.
b. Why is it a false gospel?
Carnal vs. Spiritual in Romans 8 3. a. What is the apostle “drawing a line between” in Romans
8:5-9? b. What is the line that they “do not teach” (the mistaken line
that false teachers say)?
4. In your own words, what is the key point as given in the text for each of the following?
a. Romans 8:3-4 b. Romans 8:5 c. Romans 8:6 d. Romans 8:7
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
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3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. - Romans 8:1 - 9
Lesson 12 The Spiritual Man in Romans 8 First please read chapter 14 in the book.
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” – Romans 8:5-6
Chapter 14 gives an excellent picture of the spiritual man, a man truly converted by the grace of God. Romans 8 is the basis for this portrayal of the spiritual man. Introduction 1. Briefly describe “the carnal or fleshly man” from Romans 8:5-
8.
“To Be Spiritually Minded Is Life” 2. Why is it that “if any man have not the Spirit of God, he is none
of His” (Romans 8:9)?
3. What is the key lesson from Ezekiel 36:26-27?
Romans 8 4. Describe each characteristic of the spiritual man from Romans
chapter 8:
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a. :1 b. :2 c. :4 d. :5 e. :6 f. :12-13 g. :14-17 h. :24-25 i. :28.
The Spiritual Man 5. “But the contrast in Romans 8 is with the man who still minds
the things of the flesh, who walks after the flesh, and yet calls himself a ‘carnal Christian.’ He knows nothing of these things that make the children of God spiritual, be-cause they can only be spiritually discerned by those whom the Holy Spirit has regenerated [given a new heart], who have been saved by grace, and by faith have entered into that living union with Christ.
[The gospel of “carnal Christianity” is a false gospel that does not lead to works of righteousness and holiness; and the Scrip-tures speak plainly: “without holiness, no man shall see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).]
“The question is: do you walk after the flesh, or after the Spirit? There is no middle ground of carnal Christianity, ‘for to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace’ (Rom. 8:6).”
a. If you have been carnally minded, what does the Bible say you must do?
b. What is your personal response to this?
May God by His Spirit awaken each one of you who have been deceived by this fatal error of “carnal Christianity” before it is too late. May He deliver you from the wrath to come, that you may be truly justified (made right with God) by faith alone in the Lord Je-sus Christ. If God is speaking to your heart, turn to the Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart, that you may be saved from both the penalty and the power of sin.
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____________________ This concludes your study for this course. Now begins the dai-ly practical application of the principles and insights which God has revealed during your time in these materials, and without which your time herein will have had no eternal val-ue! May you be mindful now to apply to your own heart the truths which the Lord has opened your eyes to understand. We suggest to review weekly the key points from these lessons for several weeks following course completion.
Thank you for taking this course. May you be encouraged to continue
your studies of God’s Word.
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Appendix One: Detailed Course Instructions 1. Procedure for Taking the Course a. The reading material for this course consists of the book provided with this study
guide. b. Before beginning to read, please pray for God’s enabling to learn spiritually. c. Before you begin a lesson, please read the reading text completely. d. After reading the text, answer the related questions in this study guide. The les-
sons in this course are “open book,” which often enhances learning by removing unnecessary pressure. In addition, some questions ask for a personal response, where the answer will not be found in the reading material. In this case, we ask only for your honesty and best effort.
e. The questions are designed to be carefully thought through. Several of the ques-tions are sensitive; they have to do with your heart relationship with God. So please do not rush or you will be defeating the purpose of the course! Answer all of the questions as honestly as you can. The answers are confidential.
f. Do not go to the next question until you have answered the previous one.
2. Answer pages Try to be concise and as clear as possible in your answers. Please write or type your answers on regular 8.5 x 11 inch (A4 metric) paper, or on the preprinted answer sheets if provided. Please write clearly and neatly, and if possible print.
3. Supplies Paper, pen, and Bible are needed to complete your assignments. The King James Version is quoted, but you may use another version if you do not have a KJV.
4. Completion of Assignments a. If taking this course with a local coordinator, please follow their instructions. b. If you are taking this course as individual independent study (non-graded), we
recommend that you save your answer sheets for future reference. (Please skip the below instructions numbered 5 and 6).
5. Only if Correspondent Study a. Four months are allotted for the completion of this course. You may be granted
an extension if needed by contacting your course coordinator. b. Mail your answer sheets (and not the study guide) to your course coordinator
after completing lessons 1 to 6, and again after lessons 1 to 12. Your lessons will be reviewed and returned as soon as possible, by regular mail. Please make sure you write your name, student ID, course title, and lesson number on each an-swer sheet. (See sample page 2.) Headings should be in the following format:
Your name student ID course TFG lesson number
6. Written Feedback (only if correspondent study) Spiritual success is not measured by high grades, but by growth in Christ-likeness, to God’s glory. Therefore, the prime motivation in taking this course is to see God change our lives. There are no letter or number grades such as “A” or “100” to be earned. The grader will offer comments or suggestions from Scripture in response to your answers. Some answers will have no comments because the answer is correct!
