WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS



WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

An Introduction to Important Biblical Topics

For New Christians and Those Seeking Salvation

By

Phyllis V. Martin-Griffin

Zephyrhills, FL 33541

(Edited by Douglas Bayless)

THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY

The purpose of this study is to teach the basic truths of the Word of God regarding His plan of salvation so that:

A. Those who do not know Christ as their Savior will come to an experience of personal salvation which will cause them to live holy and acceptable before God in this life and prepare them to face Him in the final judgment and be ready for an eternal home in Heaven.

B. Those who have been saved, born again and living free from sin be encouraged, grow in grace and become rooted and grounded in the faith that they too be ready for the final judgment and an eternal home in Heaven.

May God bless you as you enter this study and may His purpose be fulfilled in your life.

Sincerely,

Phyllis V. Martin-Griffin

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. If we do not believe that, there is no reason to study it. Consider these important verses that support the belief that God inspired the Bible and that the Bible has a real use intended by God.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Peter: 1:20–21. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

It is divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament. The word testament means will. So the Bible is God’s will for His people. The Old Testament was His will for the people of those times. The New Testament is His will for His people from the time that Jesus came to this world to the end of time.

The Bible contains 66 books; 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. The entire collection of the books is called “the book.”

The overall purpose of the Bible is to convey the redemptive plan of God for the human race.

It was written by more than 40 authors, yet there is unity throughout. It was written over a period of about 1500 years, from 1400 B.C. to 96 A.D. The Old Testament was written in the Hebrew language and the New Testament in the Greek language.

Another term used for the word testament is covenant or contract. So, sometimes, we use the expression “the new covenant.” This term expresses God’s willingness to solve the problem of sin that separates people from God.

Always remember that the Bible was divided into chapters and verses by the translators to make it more easily read and understood. However, we often find something unfinished within a chapter and must go on to the next one to complete the thought. An example is Romans chapter 5, which continues the theme in chapter 6.

Some tools that help in Bible study: King James Version of the Bible or a version based on the King James Version such as the New King James Version or the New American Standard Bible, a dictionary, a concordance and a Bible dictionary. All Scriptures used in this study are from the New King James Version.

LESSON 1: WHO IS MAN?

I. The beginning of man. Where did he originate?

A. Mankind was created by God in His likeness.

Genesis 1:26–27 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

B. Mankind was created with freedom of choice or what Bible teachers call “free will”.

Genesis 2:15–17 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

C. Mankind was created with a body that will eventually die; in other words, people are mortal.

Psalm 89:48 What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave?

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.

D. Mankind was created with a soul that will live forever. The soul is the real YOU. Even after you die, you will be alive. That means you will live forever somewhere and God send you to live in a place that fits your spiritual life: heaven or hell. Where will that be for you?

Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 

Summary of Lesson 1. man was created by God in His likeness, pure and holy, but with a body that will eventually die because it was created of the dust of the earth. Genesis 2:7. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. But the soul of man will never die and everyone must give an account to God for the way he lived in this life.

LESSON 2: WHAT IS SIN?

I. What is the definition of sin?

A. Any act which breaks the law of God.

1 John 3:4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

B. Failure to do what we know God’s law requires of us.

James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

C. Any desire to do wrong or any evil thing hidden in the heart.

1 John 3:15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

D. All evil done openly or secretly.

Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.

E. The depraved or sinful nature with which we were born. That which predisposes a person to break the law of God.

Romans 7:19–21 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.

Luke 6:43–45 For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

II. Where did sin originate? How did it come to the world?

A. In the Garden of Eden. This was God’s intended home for Adam and Eve. God made Adam a holy person, but this holiness was a holiness of innocence. While this was good, God wanted Adam, and all people that would come after Adam, to have a moral holiness. That is, they would be able to use their choice, their free will, to choose between good and evil. Of course, God wanted Adam to choose good, that is to obey His law, but for his choice to be a moral choice, there had to be both good and evil for Adam to choose.

Genesis 2:7–9 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

B. It came by the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the garden. They could have chosen to obey God, but they did not. This was the first sin ever committed.

Genesis 3:1–6 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 

C. The sin Adam and Eve committed ruined their relationship with God and affected the relationship of their offspring with God. Adam was created in the image of God; but notice that his son was in his own image. Bible teachers call this the depraved or sinful nature.

Genesis 3:6–8 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.  Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Genesis 5:1–3 This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created. And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.

LESSON 3: THE EFFECTS OF SIN

I. Why are we so interested in the subject of sin?

A. Because when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden it affected every one of us.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.

B. Because we need to know that there is a cure, a remedy for sin. We will study more about this cure in the next lesson. It is important right now that you KNOW there is a CURE for the sin problem and the cure is found only in Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

II. What has sin done to the entire human race? What does it do in the individual life?

A. It causes separation from God. Notice that this separation is caused by your sins and iniquities. This is not a condition God really wants for you or anyone.

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.

B. It brings the sinner into bondage and slavery. This means that a person just can’t stop sinning when he wants to. It also means that a person cannot decide how much sin he will commit. As sinners, people end up doing things they never thought they would do—it just seemed that they could help themselves.

John 8:34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.”

C. All who die in sin are lost forever. The Bible uses the terms “the lake of fire” and “hell” to describe this condition of being lost forever.

Revelation 20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Psalm 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell.

D. The sinner is dead spiritually even though he might be very much alive physically.

James 1:15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins

Memorize Isaiah 53:6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

LESSON 4: THE CURE FOR SIN

I. There is a cure, a remedy for sin.

A. Faith in Jesus Christ.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

B. God’s gift to us, Jesus Christ, brings eternal life, which is also a gift from God. Just think of that: a gift. This is not something we deserve or can earn; it is something God gives us just because He loves us.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Romans 5:18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 

C. The remedy came when Jesus died, shed His blood on the cross of Calvary. The reason for this is too complicated to discuss here, it is just important for you to know that it is the blood of Christ that takes away your sins.

1 Peter 1:18–19 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Revelation 1:5 . . . and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood

D. He was sacrificed that we can live forever.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.

Galatians 1:4 . . . our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 

E. It will save us from eternal damnation.

Romans 5:8–9 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

II. The remedy for sin, called salvation, is for all. Notice the all-inclusive language the Bible uses when it offers the gift of salvation.

A. John 3:16, WHOEVER. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

B. Romans 10:13, WHOEVER. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

C. Acts 2:21, WHOEVER. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

D. Matthew 11:28, ALL. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

E. Revelation 3:20, ANYONE. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 

Summary. The cure for sin was given to us by Jesus Christ when He died upon the cross of Calvary, shedding His blood for us. This remedy, called salvation, is for everyone who will come to Jesus Christ asking sincerely for it.

LESSON 5: SEEKING SALVATION

I. Salvation, the cure for sin, is for all who desire it and will meet God’s conditions.

A. Come to Him. We do come to God and it is possible to do this someplace by ourselves; however, most people feel comfortable having a pastor or other qualified spiritual counselor to help them.

Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

B. Confess that you are a sinner.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

C. Ask God what He expects you to do.

Acts 16:30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

D. Call upon God confessing to Him that you know you are a sinner but that you believe He will take away your sins.

Romans 10:13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

E. Plead for His mercy.

Luke 18:13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 

F. Repent. To repent means to change, to be so sorry about your sinful life that you are ready and willing to change.

Acts 3:19. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.

G. And that means: Sin no more.

John 8:11 Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.

1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness [that is, continue to commit sin], we lie and do not practice the truth. 

II. Salvation is only through Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12, Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

A. Our good works will not save us and take us to heaven.

Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

B. All our own goodness is like dirty rags in God’s sight.

Isaiah 64:6. But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.

C. Salvation cannot be earned by us because it is a free gift from God.

Romans 5:15–18 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.

D. Anyone who sees his need and follows God’s plan may be saved today. You don’t have wait until you feel that you are good enough; you don’t even have to wait for someone to invite you to church.

2 Corinthians 6:2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

Luke 19:9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house.”

LESSON 6: SIN NO MORE

I. In this lesson we want to pick up a thought from a previous lesson and emphasize that to be saved from sin and to be a part of the family of God, we must “sin no more.” We will use some Bible references to verify this:

A. Go and sin no more.

John 8:1–11 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

B. From their sins; not IN their sins.

Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

C. Does not practice, or commit, sin.

1 John 3:4–10 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 

D. Holiness (sinless living) is not an option. If God requires you to live a holy life He will help you to live a holy life.

Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

E. A servant of sin (a person who sins) cannot be the servant of God.

John 8:34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.”

F. Shall we continue in sin? No!

Romans 6:1–2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

G. Live godly in this present world.

Titus 2:11–12 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.

H. Saved people do not sin.

1 John 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

When we come to God and repent of our sins, He forgives us our sins and from that day forward we are to live without sin. This is possible because an inward change takes place which makes us new persons and the desire to sin is gone. 2 Corinthians 5:17. This is the only kind of a life that will take us to heaven. Every one of us needs to be prepared for we do not know when Jesus will come for His own and the unsaved will be separated from God for all eternity. How are you living today? Are you ready for the end of time and the final judgment?

LESSON 7: THE BLESSINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

I. These are so numerous that we can mention but a few in this lesson. The important thing is to become a Christian, to be born again, to be saved and every blessing will be ours. God does not love any of His children more than others so we can share equally of every blessing.

A. Freedom from the slavery of sin and the ability to live a righteous life.

Romans 6:17–18 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 

B. Freedom from a guilty conscience.

Genesis 3:8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

John 8:9–11 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

C. Deliverance from all evil habits and deeds.

Colossians 3:8–10. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.

D. The Christian has one to whom he may go with every problem, every need and every burden. He has access to God.

Matthew 7:7–11 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 

E. Healing for our bodies is one of the blessings.

Luke 8:43–48 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

James 5:14–15 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 

F. Name written in the book of life. This makes us ready for the final judgment if we stay true to God.

Luke 10:20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.

Revelation 20:12–15 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

G. The final blessing is heaven: eternity in the presence of God. There will be no more sin, no more pain, no more sorrow, no suffering of any kind.

Matthew 25:31–34, 41, 46. When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” . . . Then He will also say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” . . . And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

Are you a Christian? Have you been born again? Are you saved? Are you enjoying the blessings of the Christian life? Are you ready for the final judgment? If it were today, what would be your final destiny according to Matthew chapter 25?

LESSON 8: MAINTAINING SPIRITUAL LIFE

Just as our physical bodies must be nourished to stay alive, our spiritual lives must be nourished to grow, prosper and be healthy. Death results in either the body or soul that is not fed.

Some things that help to maintain spiritual life.

I. Study of the Word of God. This must be daily food.

A. 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

B. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

II. Daily prayer. Prayer is listening to God as well as talking with Him.

A. With thanksgiving.

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

B. Not to enter into temptation.

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

C. Pray always; don’t give up.

Luke 18:1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.

D. That we might receive what we need.

John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 

III. Obedience to the Word of God.

A. John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

IV. Attend worship services.

A. Hebrews 10:25 . . . not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

V. Listen to godly counsel. Godly counsel can come from a godly pastor in the preaching and teaching; from Sunday School and Bible teachers; and from people that have lived godly lives.

A. Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

B. Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.

VI. Walk in all the light as God gives it to us. Knowledge and understanding about what the Word of God requires of us is called light.

A. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Can you list some other things that help to nourish us spiritually?

LESSON 9: WALKING IN THE LIGHT

Walking in the light is an important subject because we have much to learn when we become born-again. This is not difficult if we follow God’s plan. We want to study ways in which God reveals light to us. Light is everything we learn from the Bible and we must walk accordingly as it becomes known to us.

I. Jesus is the light of the world.

A. John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

B. Luke 1:76–79 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

II. The Holy Spirit gives light regarding the truths found in the Word of God.

A. John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

B. 1 Corinthians 2:13–14 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

III. Studying the Bible leads us to truth.

A. 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

B. Acts 17:10–11 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 

IV. God can speak to us when we are praying.

A. Acts 11:5–9 I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But I said, “Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.” But the voice answered me again from heaven, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”

V. Hearing the preaching of the Word reveals light to us.

A. Romans 10:13–14 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 

B. Ephesians 4:11–13 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

VI. Godly teachers are used to show us light.

A. 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 

VII. Good examples live light before our eyes. This verse was written to a young minister to remind him how God will use him to be an example to others.

A. 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

VIII. Bible verses regarding light:

A. John 12:35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.”

B. Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

C. 1 John 1:4–7 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

D. 1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Are you walking in the light of God’s Word? Are you doing anything that the Bible teaches is wrong? If you want to go to heaven, you must walk in all the light as it becomes known to you.

LESSON 10: SHARING OUR FAITH

Salvation is the best gift that could ever be given to us. God wants us to spread the “good news” by way of personal testimony as to what He has done for us—the way our lives have been changed. He wants us to use this testimony to help win others by helping them to see their need to the extent that they come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

Let us consider some Bible verses that relate to this subject.

I. Witnesses tell what they know—have seen, have heard, have experienced, have felt.

A. Isaiah 43:10 “You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me.”

B. 1 John 1:1–3 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

II. Be ready and not ashamed to testify.

A. 2 Timothy 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.

III. Be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about your newfound faith in God.

A. 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

IV. Let your light shine.

A. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

V. We need to tell it wherever we have the opportunity. Not all preaching is done from a pulpit; much of it is done by personal witness and holy living.

A. Acts 8:4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

VI. Some examples of witnessing and bringing others to Jesus Christ. John chapter 4. This tells how Jesus witnessed to a woman at a well and then how she in turn went into her town and told her experience to other who then came seeking Him.

A. John 4:28–30 The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Then they went out of the city and came to Him.

VII. Tells how some came to follow Jesus.

A. John 1:35–46 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone). The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Have you been born again? If not, you may come to Jesus today. If you are saved, you need to begin witnessing to others about what He has done for you.

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