Celebrating 35 Years
A BIBLE STUDY FOR NEW CHRISTIANS
BY Rev. David C. Hammerle, M.A., M.Ed., DAPA Copyright 2001—Altoona, PA This Bible study may be copied for the purpose of providing study guides for groups and individuals in order to help them grow toward Christian maturity. It may not be reproduced to be sold for profit. WELCOME! ____________________________________________________________________ This Scripture text tells us that we have been adopted into the family of God. This is an act of God’s mercy in response to our choice to believe in His word and ask Christ to come into our lives. ____________________________________________________________________ The question that comes to mind at this point is, "What do I do next?" We need to go to the instruction manual to discover the things that we need to know about God and His plan to bring us into His family of believers. The instruction manual is the Bible. It is God’s word to our lives. ____________________________________________________________________ UNDERSTANDING GOD’S FORGIVENESS ____________________________________________________________________ Psalm 119:105 tells us, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." ____________________________________________________________________ When Jesus introduced what we call the "Lord’s Supper", He referred to the cup as the new covenant in His blood. Jesus entered into a covenant with the Heavenly Father that was designed to offer pardon for sin and His blood was the seal for that covenant. God will not break the covenant with His Son. He will forgive our sin. ____________________________________________________________________ Think of the word "justified" in this way: Just-as-if-I’d-never-done-it. Write out the Scripture text found in Romans 6:23. ____________________________________________________________________ The word "quicken" found in the King James Version of the Bible means to "bring back to life" or "to make alive." Write out the Scripture text found in Revelation 21:8. Sin brings about a spiritual death—separation from God—which leads to an eternal death described in the above text. God’s salvation saves us from both spiritual and and eternal death. ____________________________________________________________________ The above texts would indicate that we are not only saved from the wages of sin— death—but also the bondage of sin. We do not need to commit sin. We do have a choice in the time of temptation. In the hour of temptation, we need to pray, "God show us the way to overcome this temptation. ____________________________________________________________________ This does not mean that the body will not die, but that our soul will not know eternal death. When the body dies, the soul will go to be with the Lord. At that event, those who are alive and believe in Him will be caught up with them to be with the Lord and their loved ones forever. Write out the Scripture found in Acts 1:11. ____________________________________________________________________ WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH US ABOUT HEAVEN? ____________________________________________________________________ WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT CHURCH ATTENDANCE? ____________________________________________________________________ The Bible teaches us that we too should gather with other believers if we are to grow in the Christian faith. ____________________________________________________________________ WHY IS THE BIBLE SO IMPORTANT TO THE CHRISTIAN BELIEVER? ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Restoration is not enough, we must also walk in "paths of righteousness." The Bible shows us how to do this.
Welcome to the family of God. The Scriptures teach us that "…as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons (children) of God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:12) When you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, you become part of the family of God.
Take the time to write out the Scripture that is found in Romans 8:15-16.
Write out the Scripture text found in Ephesians 2:8-9.
It is important that we understand the Bible to be God’s inspired word to us. This makes the Bible the final authority in all spiritual matters such as salvation, forgiveness for sin, eternal life, the hope of heaven, and the promise of Christ’s return.
Write out the Scripture found in 2 Timothy 3:16.
God tells us that if we walk in the light of His word, we can have fellowship with Him.
Write out the Scripture text found in 1 John 1:7. (King James Version).
The Scripture that you just wrote states that the blood of Christ {cleanseth} us from all unrighteousness. The word "cleanseth" is a continuous action verb. This means that His blood continues to cleanse us from sin. When we have been forgiven, the sin is gone. Why the continuous action verb?
God knows that as we try to live by the Bible, we will make mistakes for which we will need forgiveness. If we do sin, we have two options for dealing with it. We can deny the sin and be deceived.
Write out the Scripture text found in 1 John 1:8. (Use the King James Version here.)
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Denial does not do away with sin. Each reminder of my sin will require that I justify my actions all over again. It will be there to haunt me.
The second thing that we can do is to confess our sin. Own it and ask forgiveness for it.
Write out the Scripture text found in 1 John 1:9. (Use the King James Version here.)
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The text that you just wrote down tells us that God is faithful to forgive us when we confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness. The same text tells us that God is just or right when He forgives us our sins. What makes it right for God to forgive us?
Write out the Scripture text found in 1 John 2:1-2 (King James Version).
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The first verse that you just wrote down informs us that God is not giving us a license to go on sinning. However, if we do sin we have an advocate—a Go Between—Someone to represent us in the presence of God. Who is this Representative? Jesus Christ the Righteous.
Jesus is described as the "Propitiation for our sins". This means that Jesus gave Himself as the price of atonement for our sins. The One Who died for your sins is there to represent you when you ask for forgiveness. Write out the Scripture text found in Luke 22:19-20.
How complete is God’s forgiveness? Remember 1 John 1:9 quoted on page two! He promised to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The past is gone. He will not charge us with those sins again. Write out the Scripture found in Romans 8:33.
Some people will tell us, "I don’t feel forgiven." Forgiveness has nothing to do with feeling—it has everything to do with promise. God promised to forgive us.
WHAT IS SALVATION?
The word "salvation" implies being saved from something. What are we saved from when we come to Christ?
Write out the Scripture text found in Acts 2:21.
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This text is talking about a judgment in the last days. When we call upon the name of the Lord, God will save us from judgment.
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The wages of sin is spiritual death—eternal separation from God. Through Christ we can be saved from this eternal death and know eternal life.
Write out the Scripture text found in Ephesians 2:1 (King James Version).
The Bible teaches us that sin brings bondage.
Write out the Scripture text found in John 8:34 and 36.
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When Christ sets us free from the bondage of sin, He gives to us the ability to overcome temptation. This does not mean that we do not need to play a part in this overcoming act.
Write out the Scripture text found in 1 Corinthians 10:13.
WHAT IS ETERNAL LIFE?
We have already described eternal death as an eternal separation from God. There is no return from this state. Eternal life is the opposite of eternal death in that it is living in the presence of God for eternity.
Jesus described Himself as the "Resurrection and the Life".
Write out the Scripture text found in John 11:25-26.
Write out the Scripture text found in 2 Corinthians 5:8.
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The Bible teaches us that Jesus is coming again for those who believe in Him. Those who go to be with Christ when their body dies will come with Him when He returns.
Write out the Scripture text found in 1 Thessalonians 4: 14-18.
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WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT CHRIST’S RETURN?
When Jesus ascended into heaven, the angels announced that He would be returning in the same way.
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You should have already written out the Scripture text found in 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17. This text details a description of the event of Christ’s return for the church.
What will happen to those who put their trust in Jesus and do not die before Christ returns? They will experience a supernatural physical change and then go to be with Christ and their loved ones forever. This will take place in the twinkling of an eye (King James Version).
Write out the scripture text found in 1 Corinthians 15:50-52.
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For whom will Christ be coming when He returns? Those who are looking for Him. This includes those who have chosen to believe in Him and live according to His teachings.
Write out the Scripture text found in Hebrews 9:28.
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When it states that Christ is coming without sin, it means that He will not be coming to carry our sins to the cross this time. This has been done once and for all. He will be coming to take us home to heaven. No human knows the day or hour of this event.
Write out the Scripture text found in Matthew 24:36.
Jesus gave a description of heaven to His disciples when He was preparing to die on the cross. After His resurrection He returned to the Father in heaven and is preparing a place for us there. He also stated that He would come back for us to take us to be with Him in heaven.
Write out the Scripture text found in John 14:1-6.
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While it is difficult for us to comprehend heaven, a detailed description of heaven may be found in the last two chapters of the Book of Revelation. The Bible makes it clear that heaven is a real place and its concept was meant to be taken literally.
HOW CAN I BE CERTAIN THAT GOD WILL ANSWER MY PRAYERS?
One of the reasons that people doubt that God will answer their prayer is the belief that they are not worthy. God never answers our prayers because we deserve to have them answered. He answers our prayers because He loves us and wants to do things for us.
Write out the Scripture text found in Matthew 7:11.
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What two facts do we know about God? He will never change and He is love.
Write out the Scripture texts found in Malachi 3:6 and 1 John 4:8.
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If God is love and God will never change, we must conclude that God’s love will never change. God loves you and His love will never change.
Write out the Scripture text found in John 3:16.
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God loved you when you were at your worst and nothing that you can do will make Him stop loving you.
Write out the Scripture text found in Romans 5:8.
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Write out the Scripture text found in Romans 8:38-39.
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Remember, God answers our prayers because He loves us and He will never stop loving us.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT PRAYER?
An answer to prayer does not always mean that God will give us what we want. God knows what is best for us. Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done." (Matthew 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer) Prayer is a resource that God has given to us. It should be used daily.
Write out the Scripture text found in Matthew 6:11.
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When we pray we should not spend our time focusing on our need, but focus on our God instead. Tell God what you need as you recognize your dependence upon Him. We should then begin to praise God with a thankful heart.
Write out the Scripture text found in Philippians 4:6.
The church came into existence on the Day of Pentecost when a group of Jesus’ followers were gather at the command of Jesus and waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Write out the Scripture text found in Luke 24:49 and Acts 2:1-4.
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The number of the group of believers grew as they gathered together on a daily basis.
Write out the Scripture text found in Acts 2:46-47.
Write out the Scripture text found in Hebrews 10:25.
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We need to find a church that teaches the truth of God’s word and become part of that congregation. This is good for our own spiritual growth as well as the encouragement and growth of other believers within that congregation.
By the time that you have finished this Bible Study you should have written out a good number of Scripture verses. This should help you to realize the importance of reading the Bible on a daily basis.
Write out the Scripture text found in 2 Timothy 2:15. (King James Version)
Write out the Scripture text found in 2 Timothy 3:16. (This is a repeat and it is worth repeating.)
As the divinely inspired Word of God, the Bible is the final authority in all things relating to spiritual birth, growth, and development. It is God’s guide to right moral living.
Write out the Scripture text found in Psalms 23: 3.
Do you remember the text of 1 John 1:7. How can you walk in the light of God’s word if you do not read God’s word?
Can you sign your name on the line below as a pledge to read a portion of the Bible every day?
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