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1. The Bible - The Word of God

It is so important for a young Christian to start right; therefore, the first lesson is designed to help establish your faith in the Bible, for it is the Word of God.

Keep in mind that the Bible is not a book of philosophy, although it is philosophical. Do not go to the Bible for a scientific treatise. However, there is no discrepancy between ascertained facts of science and the Bible. The Bible is not a book of history, but is found to be accurate when recording history. The Bible was given to man from God, revealing Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God the Son, the only Saviour (John 14:6). He is the center and the circumference. It is Christ from Genesis to Revelation (John 5:39).

The Bible is as high above all other books as the heavens are above the earth. Someone has said of the Bible: "Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be right."

I. THE BIBLE CLAIMS TO BE THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD (II Timothy 3:16,17).

II. THE BIBLE IS A DIFFICULT BOOK (I Corinthians 2:14-16).

III. THE BIBLE IS A BOOK OF ONENESS (II Peter 1:21).

IV. THE BIBLE CLAIMS SPECIAL POWER (Hebrews 4:12).

V. THE BIBLE COMMANDS THE BELIEVER TO STUDY THE SCRIPTURES (II Timothy 2:15).

2. GOD

The Bible reveals God as the only Infinite and Eternal Being, having no beginning and no ending. He is creator and sustainer of all things. He is the Supreme Personal Intelligence, and Righteous Ruler of His universe. He is life, and therefore, the only source of life (John 5:26).

Man is natural and cannot know God by wisdom. "Canst thou by searching find out God?" (Job 11:7). God is a person and can be known only by revelation. In the Old Testament He revealed Himself to and through His prophets. In the New Testament He reveals Himself through His Son Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3).

I THE EXISTANCE OF GOD (Hebrews 11:5,6).

II. THE PERSONALITY OF GOD (I Thessalonians 1:9).

III. THE NATURE OF GOD (I John 4:8).

IV. THE GRACE OF GOD (Ephesians 2:8,9).

V. THE TRINITY OF GOD (Matthew 3:16,17).

3. Jesus Christ the Son of God

Christianity differs from all religions, because it is more than a religion - it is the life of the Son of God made living in man. Christ is Christianity, and Christianity is Christ. He is the supreme subject of each book of the New Testament, and fulfills all the promises of God in the Old Testament, from His incarnation to His Second Coming as "Lord of Lords and King of Kings" (Revelation 17:14). He is the God-man Christ Jesus in glory, exalted above all creatures, having "all power in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18).

During His earthly ministry, He claimed to be God incarnate (in human flesh). He is all that He claimed to be, or He is less than the least (Revelation 1:8). Before His claim can be denied, there are some things that must be accounted for:

His virgin birth

His holy, sinless life

His many miracles

His vicarious death and His bodily resurrection

I. THE DIETY OF JESUS CHRIST (John 1:1).

II. THE HUMANITY OF JESUS CHRIST (Romans 1:3,4).

III. THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST (Luke 1:26-35).

IV. THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST (Phillipians 2:8).

V. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST (Matthew 28:1-20).

VI. THE ASCENSION AND SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST (Acts 1:9-11).

4.The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is God, and is equal to the Father and the Son. Don't ever speak of Him as "It" or refer to Him as an influence. He is God the Holy Spirit, and is set forth in the Bible as being distinct from the Father and the Son. In the Genesis account of creation, along with the Father and the Son. He came upon men to empower them for service; but when they were disobedient, He departed from them.

When David sinned against the Lord, he prayed, "Take not thy Holy Spirit from me" (Psalms 51:11). In the New Testament, after Pentecost, we see the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer, never to leave him, filling and empowering him for service. The study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit is of utmost importance. A scriptual understanding of God and the Holy Spirit will make you a better Christian and servant of God.

I. THE DIETY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 5:3,4).

II. THE EMBLEMS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Luke 3:16).

III. SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT (Matthew 12:31,32).

IV. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (John 16:7-14).

V. THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Galatians 5:22,23).

5. Sin

In considering the question of sin, we are faced with two startling facts.

The first fact is that man makes so little of sin. To some, it is an illusion - a religious mirage - the invention of some fanatic. It is denied, joked about and laughed at by man. Many who believe sin to be a fact, continue in it with little thought of its penalty.

The second fact is that God makes so much of sin. God said, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20). "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). All sins are an abomination unto God (Proverbs 6:16-19), and He hates those who work iniquity (Psalms 5:5). Moses said, "....All that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord" (Deuteronomy 25:16). Sin is an evil force. Its presence cannot be escaped in this life, but it can be overcome by the power of God.

I. THE ORGIN OF SIN (Jude 1:6).

II. WHAT IS SIN? (I John 3:4).

III. HOW SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD (Romans 5:12).

IV THE RESULTS OF SIN (Ephesians 2:1).

V GOD'S REMEDY FOR SIN (II Corinthians 5:21).

6.Judgements

In the Scriptures, we are instructed to "rightly divide the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:15). This is most essential when studying the judgements. Do not endeavor to make all the judgements conform to the theory of one "general judgement." The "general judgement' theory is the invention of religion, and is not taught in the Word of God. There are five separate judgements revealed in the Bible, and they differ as to time, place and purpose. Yet, they all have one thing in common: the Lord Jesus Christ is the judge (John 5:22).

Everyone - from Adam to the last man to be born on this earth - will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ to be judged.

In the first judgement, the sins of the believers have already been judged in Christ on the cross.

In the second judgement, the believer is to judge self, or be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ and disciplined.

In the third judgement, all believers must appear at the "judgement seat of Christ" where their works are to be judged.

In the fourth judgement, all nations are to be judged at the Second Coming of Christ.

In the fifth judgement, the wicked dead are to be judged at the great white throne.

I. THE JUDGEMENT OF THE BELIEVERS (John 5:24).

II THE JUDGEMENT OF THE BELIEVER'S SELF (I Corinthians 11:31,32).

III THE JUDGEMENT OF THE BELIEVER'S WORKS (II Corinthians 5:10).

IV THE JUDGEMENT OF THE NATIONS (Matthew 25:31-46).

V THE JUDGEMENT OF THE WICKED (Revelation 20:11-15).

7. Rewards

There is a vast difference in the doctrine of salvation for the lost, and the doctrine of rewards for the saved. Salvation is "the gift of God: not of works" (Ephesians 2:8,9). Salvation is received by faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:36). Rewards are according to the works of the believer (Matthew 16:27).

A most revealing scripture on rewards is found in (I Corinthians 3:8-15). First, every believer will be rewarded according to his own labor (verse 8). We do not labor for salvation.

Second, "we are laborers together with God" (verse 9) - not for salvation, but for rewards.

Third, the believer is to build on the Lord Jesus Christ, the only foundation (verse 11).

Fourth, the believer has a choice of two kinds of building materials: "gold, silver, precious stones" - this is building with eternal materials; or "wood, hay, stubble" - this is building with temporal materials (verse 12). (II Corinthians 4:18)

The believer who builds on Christ with eternal materials,"gold, silver, precious stones," shall receive a reward. Those who build on Christ with temporal materials, "wood, hay, stubble," will recieve no reward. The "wood, hay, stubble" works will be destroyed at the "judgement seat of Christ," and the believer will suffer loss - not the loss of salvation, but the loss of eternal reward.

Some believers will be ashamed at the "judgement seat of Christ" (I John 2:28) - ashamed of their works of "wood, hay, stubble."

A young minister tells a story about his first year in the ministry. He was sitting by the bedside of a dying friend. As they talked of his homegoing, tears filled his eyes. Being young in the Lord, the minister thought he was afraid to die, and attempted to speak words of encouragement to him. He said, "I am not afraid to die; I am ashamed to die." He went on to say that Christ was his Saviour, but he had lived for self, and now had to meet the Lord Jesus Christ empty-handed. His life loomed up before him as "wood, hay, stubble." He was "saved so as by fire."

Rewards are called "crowns" in the New Testament.

I THE CROWN OF LIFE (James 1:12).

II THE CROWN OF INCORRUPTABLE (I Corinthians 9:24-27).

III THE CROWN OF REJOICING (I Thessalonians 2:19,20).

IV THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (II Timothy 4:5-8).

V THE CROWN OF GLORY (I Peter 5:2-4).

8. The Church

Jesus said, "I will build my church" (ecclesia) (Matthew 16:18).The word ‘ecclesia’ in the New Testament is used to designate any assembly whether it be political (Acts 19:39), Christian (Ephesians 1:22,23), or national (Acts 7:38). It means a called out assembly or congregation. God called Israel out of Egypt, they congregated in the wilderness, they were, "the church in the wilderness." Today, God calls the saved out of the world to congregate and worship. This is the church in the world, in it but not of it.

Unlike the church in the wilderness, the church that Jesus is building will never cease. He said, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." His church is not synonymous with Christiandom, it is in Christiandom in the same way that it is in the world, in it but not of it. Christiandom is made up of those who profess to be Christians but they know not Christ as a personal Saviour (Matthew 7:21-23, II Timothy 3:5, Titus 1:16). Only blood washed, born again, Spirit baptized believers constitute the church that Jesus is building. It is called a:

1. Mystery (Ephesians 3:3-10)
2. Body (I Corinthians 12:12-31)
3. Building (Ephesians 2:10-22)
4. Bride ( II Corinthians 11:2)

9. Prayer

Prayer is as old as man, as universal as religion, and as instinctive as breathing (Genesis 4:26). It is practiced in some form by all men of all faiths. Prayer springs from the heart with a need – a need greater than man’s ability to encounter. Prayer is man’s acknowledgement of a being higher than himself.

Most men try to pray, yet so few know how. There are two kinds of prayers: the prayer that does not reach God, and the prayer that does reach God. This is illustrated by our Lord in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:9-14). Both men went to the same place, at the same time, for the same purpose – to pray.

The Pharisee prayed in his religious pride, expecting God to answer because he thought himself worthy. He informed God of his own goodness, that he was better than others. He boasted of his good works. He said, "I fast, I give." This is the kind of prayer that does not reach God. It is self-righteous prayer.

Now look at the publican and his prayer. He came to God in great humility, conscious of his unworthyness, confessing himself a sinner and begging for mercy. This is the kind of prayer that does reach God. This is a righteous prayer.

It is a rare privilege to pray, because it brings you into close fellowship with God, admitting your need for Him and your utter dependence upon Him.

I WHAT IS PRAYER? (Matthew 7:7-11)

II WHY PRAY? (Luke 18:1)

III HOW TO PRAY (Matthew 6:9-13)

IV WHERE TO PRAY (Acts 12:5)

V HINDRANCES TO PRAYER (I Peter 3:7)

VI DOES GOD ANSWER ALL PRAYERS? (John 15:7)

10. Faith

"The just shall live by faith." This declaration of the Christian’s principle of life is found four times in the Bible: Habakkuk 2:1-5; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:10; and Hebrews 10:38. In Habakkuk we see the difference between the lives of the just and the unjust. The unjust are puffed up and live by their own self-sufficiency. But the just live by faith – their confidence is in God. To them, faith is more than a philosophy of life; it is the very principle of life (Habakkuk 2:4). The righteous shall live his whole life by faith. He is saved by faith (Acts 16:31); he is kept by faith (I Peter 1:5); and he lives by faith (Galatians 2:20). His faith shall be tried many times and in many ways (I Peter 1:7), his faith will always be vindicated, because it is more than equal to any occasion. Faith knows how to wait on the Lord (Isaiah 40:31), and is always victorious (I John 5:4).

Faith defies reason; it moves mountains (Matthew 17:14-21). Faith does not always face facts; it never gives up (Hebrews 11: 32-39). Faith says, "God is working out His perfect will in my life, and I can wait, endure and suffer." Faith does not make anything easy, but it does make all things possible.

I WHAT IS FAITH? (Hebrews 11:1-3)

II THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH (Ephesians 6:16)

III LITTLE FAITH (Matthew 14:28-33)

IV THREE KINDS OF FAITH (John 11:21-44)

V THE HALL OF FAITH (Hebrews 11:32-39)

11. The Abundant Life

"…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). The only way into eternal life is through faith in Christ as personal Saviour (John 3:15). But do not stop here; to have eternal life is great – but there is more. Christ came that you might have life more abundantly. All believers have life, but not all have abundant life. You are living beneath your privilege if you are a believer and not enjoying the abundant life.

For life to be abundant, it must have abundant resources, and the only unlimited source of life is in the person Jesus Christ the Son of God (John 14:6). To posess this fuller life, the believer must abide in Him (John 15:1-5). Dynamic, abundant living is not for just a few – it is God’s norm for all believers. It is spiritual life in depth, and without it, the Christian life becomes inane and meaningless.

If you do not have abundant life within you, you will soon yield to the carnal (fleshly) life around you (I Corinthians 3:1-4). The carnal life is circumstance-controlled; the abundant life is Holy Spirit-controlled. The carnal Christian life leads to defeat; the abundant life leads to victory in Christ. Man seems to know everything about life except how to live it abundantly. From this moment on, determine not to be satisfied with anything less than God’s best; living life abundantly.

I THE ABUNDANT LIFE IS A YIELDED LIFE (Romans 6:10-13)

II THE ABUNDANT LIFE IS A SERVICE LIFE (Romans 12:1,2)

III THE ABUNDANT LIFE IS A SEPARATED LIFE (Romans 1:1)

` IV THE ABUNDANT LIFE IS A SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE (Ephesians 5:18-20)

V THE ABUNDANT LIFE IS A MATURE LIFE (II Peter 3:18)

12. Repentance

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)

God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalms 51:6) and commends all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). The sinner must repent before he can become the recipient of salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8,9). The saved must practice repentance if he is to enjoy unbroken fellowship with God (Job 42:16). Someone said, " I repented before I understood the meaning of the word, but since then as a Christian I have repented many times."

Repentance is the gift of God (Acts 5:31, Acts 11:18) "the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance" (Romans 2:4). The goodness of God is not merited; therefore, the results of His goodness which is repentance is a gift. This gift of repentance is an inward change produced by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit as the Word of God is proclaimed (Acts 2:37,38; John 16:7,8). The results, " repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21) faith that Christ died for our sins, and that He was buried and that He rose from the grave (I Corinthians 15:1- 4).

Repentance qualifies a man for salvation, but it takes faith in Christ to acquire it. True repentance is always coupled with faith. It is impossible to have saving faith and not repent. "Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" are essential and inseparable in salvation.

Faith without repentance is the ultimate of hypocrisy, and repentance without faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ is sheer folly.

I REPENTANCE DEFINED (II Peter 3:9)

II REPENTANCE PREACHED (Mark 1:1-4)

III REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS (Hebrews 6:1)

IV REPENTANCE AND GOD (Hebrews 7:21)

V REPENTANCE, IMPOSSIBLE TO RENEW UNTO (Hebrews 6:4-6)

VI REPENTANCE, THE IMPORTANCE OF (Acts 17:30)

VII REPENTANCE, THE EVIDENCE OF (Acts 26:19,20)

13. The New Birth

It is of the utmost imprtance that we have a clear understanding of what Jesus meant when speaking with Nicodemus said, "Ye must be born again." The new birth is a spiritual birth. It is as much a birth as the natural birth; it is not just a figure of speech. The first birth is of the "seed of man." The second birth is of the "seed of God." (I Peter 1:23). Therefore, you cannot become a child of God by joining the church, any more than a monkey could become a man by joining the human race. He may act like a man, dress like a man, and try to live like a man – but he would still be a monkey. Now, if by some miracle, the monkey could be born again of the "seed of man," then – and only then – could he become a man. The only way to become a child of God is to be "born from above" by the "incorruptible seed of God." What is the new birth?

The new birth is a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17)

The new birth is a spiritual resurrection (Ephesians 2:1-9)

The new birth is regeneration (Titus 3:5)

The new birth is the partaking of the divine nature of God (II Peter 1:4)

The new birth is receiving Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, by faith (John 1:12)

The new birth is being made the "righteousness of God" (II Corinthians 5:21)

14. God’s Plan of Salvation

There are seven facts revealed in God's plan of salvation. Keep in mind that this is God's plan - not mans - it is God's, there is no other plan that can save your lost soul and make you a child of God. (Acts 4:12)

All roads may lead to Rome, but all religions do not lead to God and salvation. There is only one way, and that is God's way; and God's way is a person, and that person is His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 14:6)

God's salvation is threefold: First, Christ appeared on this earth to save you from the penalty of sin, by putting away your sin by the sacrifice of Himself on the cross (Hebrews 9:26). Second, he appeared in heaven, in the presence of God, after his resurrection,to save you from the power of sin ( Hebrews 9:24,1 John 2:1,2). Third, He will appear again on this earth, the second time, as the "Lord of Lords and King of Kings" to save you from the very presence of sin (Hebrews 9:28).

Now come to the seven facts of salvation with an open mind and a receptive heart, that God may bring salvation to your soul.

I. IT IS A FACT THAT GOD LOVES YOU (John 3:16)

II. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU ARE A SINNER (Romans 3:23)

III. IT IS A FACT YOU ARE NOW DEAD IN SIN (Romans 6:23)

IV. IT IS A FACT THAT CHRIST DIED FOR YOU. (Romans 5:6-8)

1. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU ARE NOW A CHILD OF GOD AND YOU ARE TO OBEY HIM (Acts 5:29)

15. How To Witness Effectively

One day as Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee He saw two men, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, they were fishermen. "And He said unto them, Follow men and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19) Soul winners are made not born. Therefore, to be an effective witness, you must be taught, trained and motivated by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus took three years to teach and train His disciples in the art of soul winning. After His resurrection He instructed them to stay in Jerusalem and, "wait for the promise of the Father." (Acts 1:4-8) When the disciples asked Jesus if the time had come for Him to restore the kingdom of Israel, Jesus answered, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own power. But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and you shall be witnesses unto me….."

On the day of Pentecost, the hundred and twenty received power to witness, and any believer who will acquire the know-how can be an effective soul-winner.

He can know that he and the Holy Spirit are a witnessing team. Peter said, "We are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, WHOM GOD HATH GIVEN TO THEM THAT OBEY HIM (Acts 5:22). Therefore, when you witness remember that "your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you" (I Corinthians 6:19,20).

When you witness trust the Holy Spirit to do three things:

1. Illuminate the mind of the unbeliever. All lost souls are in spiritual darkness ( II Corinthians 4:3,4)
2. Stir the heart of the unbeliever. As Peter preached Christ the listeners "Were pricked in their hearts" (Acts 2:37).
3. Move the will of the unbeliever. The prodigal returned home when he came to himself and said, "I will arise and go to my father" (Luke 15:18).

You may be up-to-date in all modern techniques of soul winning, and be able to quote the necessary scriptures without a flaw, but if you do not evangelize in the power of the Holy Spirit, your soul winning efforts will be ineffective. Approach this Master Outline with an open heart and receptive mind, willing to be made fishers of men.

I THE IMPORTANCE OF WITNESSING (Romans 10:13-17)

II THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A WITNESS (Colossians 2:6,7)

III THE APPROACH (John 1:40-42)

IV THE FOLLOW THROUGH (Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23)

V HOW TO SHARE GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION (Acts 4:12)

VI HOW TO GIVE THE INVITATION (Revelation 22:17)

VII HOW TO FOLLOW UP (Acts 2:41-47)