“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

Many people wonder about their own potential. Sometimes we feel unworthy and useless. Have you ever asked the following questions: Why did God create me? What is the purpose of my life? To be pleasing to God and to walk close to Him so that I can bear much fruit!

This booklet was given to you, because you took the first step to a meaningful life; you confessed your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour! You became a Christian! You realised how hopeless and lost you are without Jesus. Jesus showed you His love and mercy and saved you. Hallelujah! Now you have found the reason why God created you. Jesus said: “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

Yes, God has a plan that He thought of even before He created the universe and He is very determined to achieve it. The Bible gives us lots of answers on God’s plan and where you and I fit into it, how we may be pleasing to Him. When we have found our place in God’s plan then we can start to develop to our full potential, like the mustard seed.

The purpose of this study is to help baby Christians to take the NEXT step. Now that I am a child of God, what comes next? What can I expect? What should I do? What is the Kingdom of God all about? Jesus taught His 12 disciples for 3 years about the Kingdom of God and He showed them every day how to live as a child of God. This is an adventure you don’t want to miss!

Reading this booklet does not guarantee anything. God sees your heart and your zeal. If you are eager to look up the verses, discuss it properly with a Christian friend and really want to grow in your friendship with God, then you will.

The baby Christian will grow slowly but surely into a man/woman of God and with perseverance and commitment into a Hero of Faith! God has a plan for your life since He created the universe and He is determined to be successful. This is the GRACE of God. His love and mercy has no beginning and no end. Walk closely with Him.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

To become a Christian means to surrender all things to God: my body, my belongings, my time, my future, my mind, emotions and will. This can be compared with marriage. The bride loves the bridegroom with her mind and emotions, but the agreement will only be valid when she signs the contract with him. How powerful are these simple words, “I do!” The two will become ONE. It is not good enough that you believe in Jesus in your mind or that you had an emotional experience with Him. You also need an act of the will to verbally and officially accept Jesus as King and Saviour into your life – never to be the same again. The Bride accepts from that moment the NAME of her husband. From now on I am a CHRISTIAN.

To accept Jesus in your mind, means to be convinced about the facts about Jesus. Jesus was born in Bethlehem from the virgin Mary. He is totally human and totally God, because God is His Father. When He was 30 years old He started His ministry to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is here. He did many miracles with the authority of God. He died on the cross for our sins and He rose from the dead on the Sunday. Jesus then ascended into heaven where He is preparing a place for the believers. He will return one day to fetch us, as He has promised.

Different people have different personalities and will experience the love of God in different ways. We cannot depend only on our emotions, because our emotions may differ with circumstances and different times of the day!

We are convinced that Jesus is the Saviour based on the authority of the Word of God. We place our faith in Truth. It is like a train, The engine in the front is Truth (God and His Word), the next train cart is our faith (We trust God and His Word) and then follows our feelings (a result of our faith and obedience!). God forgave all your sins. Sometimes we feel guilty, because there are sins that I still need to confess. The moment I step into the light and confess my hidden sins, then my friendship with God is restored (1John1:5-9)!

Revelations 3:20

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me

· The door refers to the door of my heart. It refers to my decision to open it or not.

· God promises that He will come in. He always keeps His promises.

· We have to do something. Open the door and invite Him in.

According to this verse, if you invited Jesus into your heart by faith will He come in?

YES

NO

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

Welcome to the Family of God!

Yet to all who received Him to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

Do you agree with the following 12 statements?

1. I confessed that Jesus is my Lord.

2. I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead.

3. I received Jesus into my life and I believe in His Name.

4. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back.

5. I confessed my sins and God forgave me and purified me (1John 1:9).

6. I was baptised in water in front of witnesses.

7. I am “Born Again” by the working of the Holy Spirit.

8. I surround myself with Christian friends and Godly influence.

9. I love my Bible and read from it every day.

10. I love Jesus and speak all the time to Him and about Him.

11. I am a member of a church and attend the services frequently.

12. I don’t live in sin anymore.

YES, I AGREE WITH ALL TWELVE OF THE STATEMENTS.

NO, I BATTLE WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS…

WHO WILL I CONFIDE IN ABOUT IT?

What a privilege to be part of the family of God! Out of love, God the Father saved you from the storm and then adopted you safely into His family. What a blessing to be safe in His loving Hands and to experience His peace and acceptance! I don’t need to prove myself or try to be good enough. My Father loves me, anyway!

We all start as “baby” Christians. That is a very important position to have. We have to start close to His heart, on God’s lap and just loving His attention (like all babies do!).

Never forget or doubt the following: God loves you and is very fond of you. You did nothing to deserve His love. You don’t need to. Nothing you do will make God love you more. Nothing you do will make God love you less. You are not too young or too sinful to be welcomed by Father God. He cleansed you and He is already busy changing you to become more like Jesus. He is excited about His dreams for you! Father God will never leave you. Never! He will never give up on you. Never ever!

You may talk to Him at any time, He is never too busy! You may run to Him at any time when you are in trouble or lonely or sad. God is the best Dad ever. He really understands.

When you sit on His lap you will know how His heart beats for you and the depth of His love and care. He patiently listens to your stories, even painful stories and silly stories. Gently He will guide you closer to Himself. In His voice is so much wisdom and understanding. Every Word from His lips gives life and encouragement. His words refresh you. His Presence is like a magnet that draws you closer to Him. You feel so loved. He leads you to stillness and content, knowing that all is ok. Safe.

Thank you Father, Your love surrounds me. I know I am safe in Your hands.

When I sin and fail Him I run immediately to Him with sincere regret and apologise. My Father receives me with open arms every time and restores me. When He disciplines me and teaches me I know it is for my own good; to become more like Jesus.

As a Christian you are not supposed to live this adventure all by yourself. No, you are not an island! Yes, you need Christian friends all the time. God put the lonely into families. When two friends walk together and one slips, then the other one will pick him up (Ecclesiastes 4:10). We look out for each other.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 1 IN A WORKBOOK

a) Look up John 3:14+15 and discuss it with a Christian friend. Which incident in the Old Testament tells about this occasion? (2)

_____________________________________________

b) Look up Isaiah 43: 1-5 and discuss it with a Christian friend. Write a personal testimony of how the Lord Jesus helped you through difficult times since you are His child. (2)

_____________________________________________

c) Look up Psalm 40:9 and Psalm 22:22 and discuss them with a Christian friend. What should we do according to these verses? Are you doing it? (2)

_____________________________________________

d) Read the parable of the lost son in Luke 15:11-24 and discuss it with a friend. Write your own testimony of how you came to Father God as a lost son/daughter and how He received you back in His home. (3)

_____________________________________________

e) Tell your family and friends how precious God is to you. Let them understand that you dedicated yourself to Him who loves you so much. This is the beginning of a whole new adventure! (1)

Yes, I did it today. I told _____________________________________________

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He will take care of you like a Shepherd takes care of His own sheep. He is now responsible for you, for your well-being and success. This is how He does it:

The Shepherd lets the sheep eat at beautiful lush green pastures and He lets them rest at quiet waters. He knows where the juiciest grass grows. He picks a spot where there is no stress or anxiety. Calmly and contently they graze by the happy stream. He knows each sheep by their name, like Snowy, Socks and Lady. He knows your name, too. He knows everything about you. He is always ready to protect his flock from predators. In His hand is a rod. His arm is well trained to swing the rod and to strike at the enemy. He is quick to defend His own. He jumps in between the sheep and the bears and chase them away!

The staff has a crook to hook and bring back any sheep that knowingly or unknowingly wanders off. There are many dangers, cliffs and traps. He really keeps the flock safe. When there are any strange noises they are quick to run to Him and gather together behind Him. He is like a strong tower, a safe haven and a mighty mountain! They know His gentle voice. He sings beautiful songs which assures them that He is in control. His face is friendly and kind. His eyes are mysterious and yet welcoming. When He looks at his sheep they feel loved and accepted, not scared.

He knows you, too. He knows you on your name and surname. He knows when you sit and He knows when you move (Psalm 139). He knows where you stay. He knows all your thoughts all the time – and He still loves you. His eyes are always watching. Nothing surprises Him. Nothing escapes His attention. You should feel very safe by Him. His voice is gentle and kind and also strict. Wait patiently to hear His voice… It takes some practice and time to distinguish His voice from all the other noises. You will soon learn to hear His voice. Where ever He leads it is safe to go.

Remember you are God’s responsibility. He takes care of you. Bring all your plans and worries to Him.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 2 IN WORKBOOK

a) Look up John 10: 27-30 and discuss it with a Christian friend. What comfort do you find in these

verses? (2)

___________________________________________

b) Look up Luke 15:1-7 and discuss it with a Christian friend. Describe the determination of the Good

Shepherd. (2)

___________________________________________

c) Look up Psalm 23 and discuss it with a Christian friend.

Memorize it and write it down off by heart. (6)

___________________________________________

The Good Shepherd is there for all the sheep. You are included.

Don’t be cheeky and say, “I can manage by myself.” You need the Shepherd, like all of us do.

“When I felt secure, I said ‘I will never be shaken’. Oh LORD, when You favoured me, You made my mountain stand firm; but when You hid Your face, I was dismayed”. Psalm 30.

The safest place for you to be is in the centre of His will. He knows better.

FORGIVENESS

The key to freedom

God is love. He sacrificed Himself for sinners because He loved us, even before we were born! God hates sin but He loves the sinner. God will never stop loving us. He pours His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Now we may love people and even our enemies the way He loves them. Jesus loved and prayed for the people who crucified Him. What a wonderful Saviour! 1Corinthians 13 is the chapter of love. Memorise it!

Forgiveness is very important. Jesus said we must forgive people their wrongs just as He forgave us. Unforgiveness blocks God’s life and love in our hearts (Matthew 6:15). It’s not easy to forgive. Think of all the people that harmed you in some way. They need Jesus too. Forgiveness is a command from Jesus. We need to obey the Lord Jesus even when we don’t feel like it! First obey and the feelings will follow later. The Holy Spirit will minister to you and heal you and restore you.

Remember, your unforgiveness blocks God’s love and forgiveness. You feel depressed and trapped. You are haunted by hateful memories day and night, until you decide to forgive and become free yourself. How wonderful is His love!

Is there someone who you still need to forgive?

Forgive them now. Name them to the Lord and declare them forgiven! (2)

FATHER GOD,

I FORGIVE _______________________

I SET HIM/HER FREE FROM MY BITTERNESS.

PLEASE BLESS HIM/HER ABUNDANTLY.

IN JESUS NAME. AMEN.

Perfect love drives out fear. Fear expects punishment, rejection and pain. When we fear the future we live constantly in doubt.

Do you doubt God’s love? Do you doubt God’s promises? Will God forget about you?

Even when we go through difficult times, He is always with us, because He promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He will rescue us when we call to Him. He will speak to us when we sit at His feet and wait upon Him (Psalm 5).

Fear makes me to live in a box. I am too scared to take risks. I am too scared to try something new. I am too scared to dream about the future. I am also too scared to obey God and to step out in faith. I fear people’s opinion. I just want to play it safe all the time and feed on people’s approval and compliments. I stay unfulfilled and a disappointment to my Father God.

(2)

Father God,

I confess the following fears in my life:

__________________________________________

I confess them as sin and hurting to You.

I declare that You are my trustworthy and faithful Father.

I trust in and rely on Your unfailing love. Hallelujah!

“Because He loves Me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My Name. He will call upon Me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him.” Psalm 91: 14,15

A NEW BEGINNING

From a worm to a butterfly

You are not like a worm anymore! Jesus changed you during your own spiritual metamorphosis! Where do we find worms? You will find worms in the dirt or crawling on leaves. Worms eat the whole day, stuffing themselves. Do worms have any use? They make tunnels in the dirt. Worms are good for fishing. Worms are VICTIMS!!! Not me.

At a certain moment, the worm goes into a cocoon and changes into a beautiful butterfly. This is called metamorphosis. Have you seen this before?

A worm is totally different than a butterfly. Maybe the butterfly is in total SHOCK when he crawls out of the cocoon! He has only 6 skinny legs? How do you balance on these high heels? The butterfly has to learn new habits. He should not sit on the leaves and just eat all day long. Food is not that all important anymore. It is much more important to FLY and to explore and visit flowers to pollinate them! You are free!

The more time I spend loving God and reading my Bible, the more this new butterfly will become visible. I will look more and more like Jesus…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There are Christians with no self-control and who are very impatient. They worry the whole time if they are pretty enough, strong enough or the most important. They still live a worm life. Maybe they hardly read their Bibles! We should read our Bibles and pray EVERY DAY and surround ourselves with Christian friends. Build your relationship with God and walk close to Him. Stop thinking like a worm, because you are not a worm anymore! You are Born Again. You had your own metamorphosis.

We are faced with two problems, sins and the sinful nature. The sinful nature leads to sins. From my self-centred heart (sinful nature) comes the ugly words, deeds and thoughts (sins). Sins are the symptoms of an ugly heart. God provided a solution for my sins (the symptoms) by washing me clean with the Blood of Jesus. My sins are all forgiven. God provides a different solution for my sinful nature (the root of the problem, my ugly heart) by providing the cross of Calvary. My old nature was crucified with Jesus (in the past tense) and was nailed to the cross. My old nature received a fatal blow. It was killed. God raised from the dead my new nature with Jesus. I am alive to reign with Him. The butterfly can rise above his circumstances and enjoy the fullness of God! Metamorphosis brings a change in my inner being. Metanoia is when the Holy Spirit changes my mind (thinking pattern) through the Word of God. The butterfly must learn to think differently. So what must I do? Reckon yourself dead to sins but alive to God. (Romans 6:11)

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 3

a) Look up 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 and discuss it with a Christian friend.

What is our new job from today? (2)

________________________________________________________________

b) Read 2 Peter 1:3-4 and discuss it with a Christian friend. Explain the importance of knowing God better and better each day. (2)

_________________________________________

c) Read Romans 8:5-10 and discuss it with a friend. How will you apply this practically in your life? (2)

__________________________________________

d) Look up a Mark 7:18-23 and discuss it with a friend. Why do people sin? Explain. (2)

__________________________________________

e) Read Romans 8:35-39 and discuss it with a Christian friend. Write now your own love song to God. (5)

Metamorphoses: Change of being.

Metanoia: Change of mind set.

BELIEVE GOD’S PROMISES

There are many promises in the Bible. We need to believe in God that He will keep His promises. More importantly, we need to trust God’s character. He is love. He is faithful. He is Almighty. He wants the best for me so to benefit His kingdom.

People may fail us, but God won’t. Many people break their promises or are only “good weather friends”. Many of us were hurt in the past by friends and people who we thought we can trust. Our own family failed us. At the end we realize that people are only human. I cannot even trust myself. Only God is trustworthy and perfect.

We may not make deals with God and try to manipulate Him to get what we want. Some people pray for wealth and are upset when God didn’t jump to their demands. Some people promise God to go to church and as a reward they want a brand new car for free!!

We are members of His family. He is Father and God, not us. We must do His will not the other way round. God is sovereign and He does what He knows is best. We need to trust His judgement and love, for God is love. I must find out what is His will for my life and then submit to Him. Only then will I feel content and live a meaningful life!

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 4

Here are some promises of God. Match the promise with the correct verse. (10)

1. The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. ____ Matthew 28:20

2. The Messiah would be crucified. ____ Psalm 22:16

3. The Messiah would bear our sins. ____ 1 Thessalonians 4:17

4. Jesus will send us the Holy Spirit. ____ 2Peter 3:7,13

5. Jesus will fetch us. ____ Isaiah 53:4-6

6. Jesus will come back again and reward us. ____ Revelation 6:12

7. The pure in heart will see God. ____ John 15:26

8. The sun will be black and the moon will turn red. ____ Revelation 22:12

9. God will destroy the earth with fire and make a new earth. ____Micah 5:1-5

10. Jesus will never leave us. ____ Matthew 6:8

THE BIBLE IS CLEAR AND RELIABLE

The Bible is very clear on sin. God hates sin, but loves the sinner.

What is sin?

Sin is to ‘miss the mark’, like when the arrow misses the “bull’s eye”. It is when my behaviour misses the ‘original intention’ God had in mind when He created me. Sin is anything against God’s will. Sin is anything that makes God unhappy. The Bible says it is sin to do something against your own conscience. You normally feel a bit guilty afterwards! The Bible is clear that God hates sins like drunkenness, homosexuality, rage, greed and gossip, etc. God gave us the Ten Commandments as clear precepts of what He expects. The first 4 commandments instruct us to love God. The last 6 commandments instruct us to love our fellow people.

The Ten Commandments reminds us that we deserve the worst punishment! It proves to us that it is impossible to keep all ten of the Ten Commandments, because of our sinful human nature. Every time we read it, it makes us feel guilty. If you break ONE Commandment then you are guilty of not keeping all ten ( because then you keep only 9 ). Only Jesus lived a perfect life and only Jesus was able to keep all the Commandments (even when He was a teenager!). Only Jesus deserved to go to heaven, not us. We need Jesus! We need His forgiveness…

The Bible is divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament teaches us about the struggle of people who tried to keep God’s commandments but failed. The New Testament started when the Holy Spirit was poured out on all who believe in Jesus (Acts 2) and since then we live in a close relationship with God. The Old Testament failed to bring us rest. The Ten Commandments cannot give us rest, but fear. God gave us the Holy Spirit in the New Testament to lead us into His rest through love, hallelujah! In the New Testament God gives us the Law of Grace, which is based on the love God has for us.

Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments as follows:

Love the Lord with all your heart and all your mind and all your strength. And the second command is the same, love your neighbour as you love yourself.

The Ten Commandments condemns us and shouts “Guilty! Guilty!”, while the Law of Grace in the New Testament shouts “Forgiven! Forgiven!” There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Jesus took the blame and shame for our sins upon Him, too!

The Ten Commandments in the Old Testament were written on two stone tablets. When we are in Jesus then the Law is written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 8:10). The Holy Spirit lives the life of Love (Jesus is Love) through us when we totally surrender to Him. If I try to live like a Christian in my own strength then I am under the Law of condemnation and I feel like a failure. If I live the Christian life in dependence of the Holy Spirit, then I live under the Law of Grace and in victory. So surrender to God, totally.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 5 IN A EXERCISE BOOK

1. Look up Hebrews 8:7-10. Why was a New Covenant necessary? (2)

________________________________________

2. Look up Hebrews 4:14-16. Who is our High Priest? Why? (2)

________________________________________

3. Look up 1 John 3:23+24. What are the commands according to this verse? (2)

________________________________________

4. Look up 2 Timothy 3:14-17 and discuss it with a Christian friend. What is the benefit of the Bible?

________________________________________

5. Look up Galatians 5:13+14. How is the entire Law of Moses fulfilled? (1)

________________________________________

PRAYER IS IMPORTANT LIKE BREATHING

To whom should we pray?

Praying is to talk to God your Father in the Name of Jesus Christ by the working of the Holy Spirit. This is the privilege of those who are His children. Jesus taught us how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13.

Sin builds up a wall of separation between us and God. The Holy Spirit reminds us of our sins so that we will confess immediately and be restored to Father God. We should always live with a clear conscience and peace in the heart. Don’t wait for bed time before you confess your sins, do it the very moment you are made aware of your sins.

God wants us to walk closely to Him. That means that we are the whole day in a dialogue with Him. Jesus is our best friend. We should always be aware of His sweet Presence. He is right here, if you can feel Him or not.

When should we pray?

You may pray any time of the day and at any place. You may pray out loud and you may pray in your mind. God hears your prayers and He also knows your thoughts. Well, He knows all your secrets too and He still loves you! The Bible invites us to pray always. Jesus prayed early in the morning before He started the day. That is a good idea! Start your day speaking to God, “Good morning, Father”. Include God in your plans and your friendship and He will bless you and make your way straight (See Proverbs 3).

Sometimes you have an idea “out of the blue” to pray for someone. That may be the prompting of the Holy Spirit. When you think about people in need, pray for them also. All people need prayer.

How should we pray?

The Holy Spirit also gives us the right words to pray, because He searches our hearts and He also knows the Heart of our Father in heaven. Jesus invited us to ask, seek and knock until we get answers (Matthew 7:7). Persevere, don’t give up.

My position:

Some people pray kneeling down and others pray while driving in their cars. Any position is fine, because God looks at the heart. My body is the temple of God, so I enter His throne room every time I speak to my Father God.

My attitude:

We must keep in mind that although God is our Father and Jesus is our Friend, God is still Almighty and Holy. We must talk to Him with reverence and awe.

We enter His Presence with praise. When we talk to God we start by praising Him, thanksgiving and worship. We praise God by telling Him how wonderful His deeds are and we worship Him by telling Him in His presence how wonderful He is. God loves to listen to us. He is worthy of all our praise. No one else is like Him!

The first thing you do in the morning is to talk to God. “Good morning, Father.” The last thing you do at night is to talk to Father God, too. God is that important.

Sometimes you may just sit in His presence, without talking at all. We call this waiting on God. God speaks to His children too. You need to be quiet and learn to hear His voice. He may speak to you in your mind or through things happening around you and even in a loud voice! It hurts His feelings when we ignore Him the whole day. That’s just wrong!

The Bible is called the Word of God. He speaks every day to us when we read the Bible. There are many examples of prayers in the Bible. King David loved God so much and he wrote wonderful prayers and songs in the book of the Psalms.

^“26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. ²⁷ And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers^[l] in harmony with God’s own will. ²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together^[m] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:26-28

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 6 IN A WORKBOOK

1. Look up THE LORD’S PRAYER in Matthew 6 and discuss it with a Christian friend. Memorize it and write it down. (5)

Our Father,

2. Look up Proverbs 3: 5+6 and discuss it with a Christian friend.

What does it tell us about our relationship with God? (2)

_______________________________________

3. Write Romans 8:15+16 down. (2)

_______________________________________

4. Read Psalm 30 together with a Christian friend; write your own short Psalm. (2)

5. Start your own small prayer group with friends. Find a place and time when you will come together. Start the meeting with a short verse. Agree what topics (s) you are going to pray for. Keep on praying for these topics until there is a break-through!

It is better to have several small groups than one big group.

6. Work out your own “Hour of Prayer schedule” Look at the tips on page 15. (10)

5 minutes ___________________ 5 minutes ______________________

5 minutes ___________________ 5 minutes ______________________

5 minutes ___________________ 5 minutes ______________________

5 minutes ___________________ 5 minutes ______________________

5 minutes ___________________ 5 minutes ______________________

5 minutes ___________________ 5 minutes ______________________

MY PRAYER LIST

There are different ways how to pray. It is good to keep a prayer list in a prayer book. It is very exciting when prayers are answered!

PEOPLE TO PRAY FOR

SPECIAL REQUESTS

Family

Friends

Nurses and doctors

Police

The poor

Leaders of the country

Teachers

Pastors

Suffering Christians

What is happening in the news.

My own needs.

DATE

PRAYED

DATE

ANSWERED

OTHER KINDS OF PRAYER IN GROUPS:

1. Praise the Lord according to the alphabet. The first person starts with the letter A. “Father God,

You are awesome and amazing” Every person gets a different letter.

2. Car wash. The group stands in two lines facing one another. The first person walks slowly in

between and gets a “wash” of prayer. The people lift up their hands to this person like water

sprayers and pray for him/her.

3. Popcorn prayer. Every prayer is just one quick sentence. Any one may pray any time and it will

sound like popcorn popping! This prayer helps those who are not confident in prayer, because

everyone may pray only one simple but sincere sentence. It also helps those who tends to pray

too fancy to pray only the basic burden on their hearts. Two people may pray (by accident) the

same time which does not matter. That’s what popcorn does!

4. Hot Chair. A person sits on the hot chair. The group stands around him/her and pray out loud for

his/her prayer requests and well-being.

5. Prayer by numbers. Divide in smaller groups. Every member gets a number. Announce the topic

what every number should pray for. All the number one people should give a prayer of thanks

giving. All the number two people should pray for the person next to them, etc.

6. Bubble joy. Give every person a bottle of soap bubbles. Let them walk all over the premises and

blow soap bubbles. Pray that the peace and joy of the Lord will inhabit the places where the

bubbles go.

7. Peppermint praise. Give each person a peppermint or any sweet to suck. Tell them to thank the

Lord and praise Him as long as the flavour is in their mouths. See whose sweet can last the whole

day!?

8. Boiler room. Make 10 different prayer stations in a room or hall. Place a poster with different

prayer topics at every station. Let a person stand at every poster and pray for that topic until the

bell goes. Rotate until every person prayed for every topic!

9. Concert prayer. Every person pray out loud the same time. In the beginning it will be chaotic, but

as we become sensitive to the Holy Spirit it will become more harmonious and considerate.

10. Spiritual warfare. The group picks one topic and every one pray for the same request until it is

totally saturated, e.g. a friend is in hospital after a serious accident. Every person pray what God

has laid on his/her heart to pray for that situation, e.g. the medicine, the diagnoses, the nurses,

the family, salvation, God’s Presence, etc. Different people may repeat each other if they have the

same burden on their hearts. Quote verses from the Bible. Remind God of His promises. Rebuke

the devil and bind his working. Pray in detail. Pray until the whole group feels peace that you can

carry on to the next topic.

11. Pyjama prayers. Pray right through the night. Have a games night, but keep one room or section

for prayer. Work out a shift system and different topics and manners to pray. You may show

Christian DVD’s, have praise and worship, work out a praise dance, marsh-mellow braai, have a

concert around a camp fire, give time for testimonies. You may also read some books of the Bible

right through the night and record it.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

BAPTISM IN WATER

God gave us two sacraments to remind us of Salvation and to encourage us not to give up.

All the male children of Abraham had to be circumcised (cut the skin of the private parts!) as a sign that they share in God’s blessing and to be part of his family. Any boy who refused to be circumcised had to be banished!

When you become a child of God you too need to be circumcised as a sign that YOU share in the blessing of His family – boys and girls!

This is a spiritual circumcision – the circumcision of your heart! God cuts out your old heart and gives you His own heart! The Holy Spirit does it when you are Born Again! The Holy Spirit cuts away the old sinful you and then you share in God’s divine nature! As you go down in the water you bury the old sinful person (buried with Jesus) and when you come out of the water you start a new life and a new you (rose with Jesus from the dead).

New Living Translation Ezekiel 36:26

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

Romans 2:29

But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

The baptism is a public announcement that I received a new heart and a new life; that I am done with my old bad ways. I invite all the witnesses to encourage me and to correct me to live this new life. I give every witness the right and responsibility to correct me and to moan at me when I live in sin. We should care about each other. Surround yourself with godly friends that will influence you to live for God every day.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 7 IN A WORKBOOK

HOLY COMMUNION

Jesus introduced Holy Communion during the last supper He had with His disciples, the night before He was crucified.

The bread symbolizes the body of Jesus that was broken for us on the cross.

The wine symbolizes the blood of Jesus that flowed for us when Jesus was crucified. There is no forgiveness without the blood of Jesus. The blood of Jesus is the sign of the New Covenant (New Testament) God made with us.

The Israelites in Egypt had to put blood on the doorposts of their houses. They were slaves in Egypt but God sent Moses to free them.

The last night they had to kill a year old ram without any blemish. His blood was used to protect the people in the house. The Angel of Death would pass over the house that had the blood mark on the doorpost.

We still celebrate this during Pass Over (Easter). Moses was like Jesus. Moses lead the Israelites out of slavery through the Red Sea to the Promised Land. Jesus came to rescue us from slavery to sin; He leads us through His blood (forgiveness) to a free and victorious Christian life. Jesus is the Lamb of God and His blood is the sign on the doorpost of my heart that I am a child of God.

Jesus promised that one day He will have Holy Communion with us in heaven! The wine reminds me that my sins are forgiven and that I live under the Law of Grace. The bread reminds me that Jesus took my sickness, curses and shame in His body.

Jesus is righteous and perfect. I am sinful and a failure. Jesus swop His righteousness for my unrighteousness. He was punished and I walked free. Now in faith, I am in Jesus, covered by His Perfection. When God the Father looks at me He sees me as if I am perfect, I am covered by Jesus. I may go to heaven and stand with confidence at God’s throne – not because I deserve it, but because by His grace I am worthy in Christ!

The work of the Holy Spirit is to change me to become how God already sees me! Day by day I am renewed and changed to become more like Jesus i.e. bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Every time Christians use the baptism or Holy Communion, we thank the Lord that He rescued us from hell and a sinful lifestyle. We have this hope: God will announce in front of all the nations, “Come into my Fathers’ glory. Well done, faithful servant.”

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 8

1. Read Matthew 26:17-30. What in this passage touches your heart? Explain. (2)

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2. Read John 13:1-38. Write about God’s mercy demonstrated in this passage. (2)

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THE KING OF GLORY

Jesus Christ is the King of glory. He alone is worthy to receive praise and honour. The angel choirs worship Him. His heavenly army sings His praises. Kings and presidents adore Him (Psalm 47). Those who submit to Him and trust Him are blessed. The rich and the poor seek His favour.

Even His enemies bow before Him and confess: “Jesus is LORD OF ALL”! (Philippians 2:10+11)

King Jesus appoints leaders and dismisses leaders. God delegated authority to leaders like presidents and governments, parents, teachers and prefects through our Lord Jesus Christ. God wants us to respect all people with authority and to pray for them (Romans 13). He appointed Nebuchadnezzar as king of Babel to attack and punish sinful Israel. God used him as a rod of punishment, but also disciplined him when he took all the glory for himself (Daniel 4:28-37). God also dismissed King Herod when he did not give glory to God. God sent worms to kill him while he was still sitting on his throne! Serve God with awe and respect.

Jesus is King over the whole earth and nature. Some people worship the sun, moon and stars even rivers, mountains, animals and ancestors, but Jesus created them. Jesus does miracles every day, because He is God and King above the laws of nature, like the law of gravity! Every germ and virus knows His voice and flees when He talks.

King Jesus has beaten the enemy on the cross. When the disciples and the world thought that Jesus was dead He rose from the grave! He proved He is stronger than Satan, death, hell and sin! The devil is scared of Jesus! And do you know what? You share in His victory and authority! Jesus is in you. Your body is the temple of God! See Philippians 3:10 and Ephesians 2:6 and 7.

What a privilege to be soldiers in His army! Never forget that we are in a battle. The battle is between good and evil, light and darkness, between the truth and the lie. Every moment of the day you need to fight the good fight by making the right decisions.

We are in the winning team. We win every battle. Our King rides ahead of His army. We are not victims any more. We don’t fear the dark anymore. We are champions in Jesus Name! Jesus rescued us from fear and slavery to sin. We say NO to temptations! We will not allow the devil to bully us any longer! Hallelujah!

Finally, be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood (people), but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12

How do we fight?

1. Surrender yourself to the authority of King Jesus and the “dynamite Power” of the Holy Spirit.

2. Take up the Word of God as sword, faith as a shield and righteousness as a breastplate.

3. Use the Name of Jesus Christ. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” 1Peter 5:9.

4. Pray when there are temptations. Pray all the time (Philippians 4:6+7).

5. Praise God and see the devil run! Your whole life becomes a song of victory. We rejoice even

during our suffering, because God strengthen our faith and character (James 1:2-8) and He promised never to leave us.

6. Talk about God all the time. Let your little light shine and pierce the darkness! There are thousands of people around you that need hope and to be freed from the enemy (Satan).

7. Choose against yourself. The SELF must not sit on the throne of your heart, Jesus should.

Proclaim frequently. “It is not about me.”

Every right decision, every word of kindness and every act of integrity before God are weapons of victory!

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 9 IN YOUR WORKBOOK

a) Look up Revelation 19:5-10 and discuss it with a Christian friend.

Who are blessed according to the angel? (1)

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b) Look up Revelations 19:11-16 and discuss it with a friend.

Draw this picture as simple as possible. (5)

c) Look up Marks 6:7-13 and discuss it with a friend.

What do we learn about authority? (2)

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d) Look up Acts 19:11-19 and discuss it with a Christian friend.

How did Paul manage to perform these miracles? (2)

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e) Look up Ephesians 6:13 and discuss it with your Christian friends. Why must we put on the full armour of God? (2)

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f) Look up 1Peter 2:13-17 and discuss it with your Christian friend.

Why must we submit to authority? Give three reasons. (3)

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g) Look up Acts 16:16-18 and discuss it with a Christian friend.

How was this girl freed from a demonic spirit? (1)

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A LIFE OF VICTORY

You have accepted Jesus as SAVIOUR, but also as your KING (LORD). Jesus needs to be King of your body and soul. That means we surrender our thoughts, feelings and every room in our hearts to His authority and rule. Only then will we feel fulfilled and experience complete victory. When Jesus entered your life He came in to take full control. Jesus is King of your whole life, including your friends, money, free time, school work, ambitions and diet!

Surrender every part of your life, piece by piece to His Lordship. He will not take it by force. No, He wants you to realize that this is the better option. The more you live your own life, being master of your own decisions the more you will make a mess of it and feel unfulfilled. When Jesus rules your life you will experience contentment and success.

“But I want fun! I want to enjoy life! I want to be rich!” Careful! You might lose your life. You will end up with cravings that are not fulfilled. Look at the girl’s face . Does she look happy? No! Who is on the throne of her heart? SELF. Is Jesus in her life? Yes, somewhere there. Is he King of her life? No, He is not on the throne of her heart.

The pig is the gluttony she allowed in her heart. The peacock is the pride in her heart. The tortoise represents laziness, the frog immorality and the snake lies. Every animal represents a sin and an addiction she allowed in her life. You cannot stand with one foot in the kingdom of God and with the other foot in the kingdom of Satan. Choose.

“If anyone wants to become My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life?” Matthew 16:24-26

Many people want to be their own master and be in control of their own lives. It sounds wonderful until you make a mess of your life. You may have lots of money, fame and all the desires of your heart and still feel empty and bored stiff! Many celebrities are depressed, addicted and committed suicide because they still felt empty and unfulfilled. Jesus designed you and created you, therefore He knows what is best for you.

The master you submit to controls you (and you become like your master!). We all were slaves to sin and were controlled by sins in our minds, words and actions. We couldn’t help ourselves! Praise God that we are now free! Free – not to live for SELF but to live for God. God made you a Christian so that you will live like a Christian, different from the rest. You are set apart and loved by the King!

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 10

a) Look up Psalm 2 and discuss it with a Christian friend. How does God react towards His enemies that think they will rule the world? (2)

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b) Look up Psalm 24 and discuss it with a Christian friend. Do you think it is a good answer on Psalm

22? Why? (2)

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c) Look up Romans 6: 8-14 and discuss it with a Christian friend. Write the 4 instructions given to us. (2)

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d) Look up 1John 2:9-11 and discuss it with a friend. Explain the danger of hate in your life. (2)

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e) Look up 1John 2:15-17 and discuss it with a friend. Explain why the “world” is an enemy. (5)

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I pledge my loyalty to King Jesus. I will obey and love Him with my whole heart. In His Presence I have victory over temptations, bad habits, fears and sins.

As long as I focus on Him I will not stumble or fall. When I focus on myself or on the problem, then I become blind for the traps the devil set for me.

2 Corinthians 6:14,17; 7:1

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? “Therefore come out from them and be separate”, says the LORD. “Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

THE ARMOUR OF GOD

Ephesians 6: 10-17

The devil is a bad loser. He cannot win Jesus, so now he attacks the church.

Satan attacks our bodies and souls. He attacks our bodies with injuries, sicknesses and people that hate us and people who want to kill us.

He also attacks our souls, our minds and feelings with fear, negativity, doubt, pride, low self-esteem and laziness. He deceives us to become stubborn and self-willed, blinded for the will of God.

He attacks our SENSES by temptations to look at things we should not; to eat for comfort too much sweets and to listen to bad music and the latest gossips. He stirs fights among Christians being jealous of one another and being impatient and rude. Then he whispers lies into our ears that we are useless or that God will never forgive us… He is the father of all lies. You can never believe him.

Well, the devil is a strong enemy. The Bible says he is like a lion that prowls around and see who he can devour. You need to be alert and identify the works of the flesh and of the devil, e.g. when you experience sudden fear then you know this is an attack from Satan on your feelings. Don’t allow it and feel sorry for yourself. No, fight it! Confess fear as sin and declare your victory in Jesus. Quickly put on the armour of God and sing a few praises. So be alert! The devil will attack you with sudden tiredness, pains and aches, being critical, feeling unworthy, cravings for tuck or being impatient. Stand still. Rebuke the devil, bind his working in Jesus Name and choose God’s way.

So you should never be alone. Stand strong together with loyal Christians. Satan has an army that is well organized and they have trained for 6000 years how to destroy Christians. But we have also an army, the family of God. Go to your prayer buddy or mentor or parent when you are down and don’t go to bed until you have found your peace in God again.

Just remember not to fight people. Our enemy is a spiritual enemy. So we need spiritual weapons.

Jesus is also like a lion! He is called the Lion of Judah! Just call out the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and the devil will run away! Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

You can see the armour of God is very necessary. As a new Christian you first need to put on Truth, Righteousness and Readiness. You need to put this on every morning. Start every day with God before you face the challenges of the day. Rather start your day with God than with the devil!

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 11

1. Read Matthew 4:1-11 and discuss it with a Christian friend.

How did Jesus fight Satan and the temptations? (2)

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2. Read Acts 5:1-11. How could Ananias and his wife dealt with this sin in a better way? (2)

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3. Read 3:1-24 and discuss it with a friend.

How did Satan deceive Eve? What was the result? (2)

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4. Read Ephesians 6: 10-18 and discuss it with a friend. What is the recipe to use the armor of God successfully? (2)

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HOW TO PUT ON THE ARMOUR OF GOD

We put on the armour of God every morning during prayer. We name every part and we mime putting it on.

“Lord Jesus, I put on the armour of God. I put on the belt of truth and the breast plate of righteousness. I put on the shoes of readiness. Now I put on the helmet of salvation; I take the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. Help me Lord so stand firm today and lead me into victory through Your Holy Spirit. Amen.”

THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD

The Bible has 66 books. It is divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Bible is true and reliable, inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. After 2000 years it is still the most popular book and influence more lives than any other book. Parchments of the whole Old Testament (except the book Esther) was found in the caves at Qumran near the Dead Sea, dating back as far as 200BC. The Bible we have today compares almost identical with those parchments! This shows how accurate the Bible was copied! People without the Holy Spirit battle to understand and to enjoy their Bible. The more we read the Bible the stronger our faith in God will be and the more we would hear His Voice! Your spiritual growth depends on your spiritual hunger for God. If your expectation is to receive only a “teaspoon”-full of blessings, then God will give you only a teaspoon full of blessings. Expect more! Read your Bible a lot! Let the Word of God influence your thought pattern and vocabulary. Love your Bible and enjoy reading it, meditating on it day and night (Psalm 1). Show God that your friendship with Him means the world to you. Christians should read their Bible every day.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence (2Peter 1:3).

Jesus is the Word. In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God.

God created everything through Him and nothing was created except through Him. The Word gave life to everything that was created and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it. (John 1:1-5)

How to read my Bible

You should form a habit to read your Bible every day to build strong faith. Most people have the habit to brush their teeth every day to build strong and healthy teeth. You need strong faith to overcome temptations and to become a strong and mature soldier in God’s army!

1. Get ready.

Find the right time and place where you can be private. Put your cell phone etc. off. Prepare yourself to spend time with God for 30 minutes to an hour. Get a pen, book, colour pencils and music ready. Sing one or two praise and worship songs to enter His presence.

2. Pray

Ask God to bless this time with Him and that you will be able to focus on Him. The devil will try to tempt you to think of other things or to do other things. Refuse to be distracted in the Name of Jesus! Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a soft heart and a teachable spirit and to understand what you read. Confess all known sins and worries that may steal your peace.

3. Read

Select a book, e.g. the Gospel of John. Read the first paragraph carefully. Read it again and underline the words that touched your heart. Take some time to think about it and how it may affect your life. Discuss this portion with God and thank Him for what He is teaching you. Read systematically with a plan. Start at chapter one. Read every day a portion until you have finished that book.

When God speaks to you about obedience, you may find messages about obedience in many other passages also! This may lead to a Bible study and research. Other favourite themes are love, the Holy Spirit, trees, light, angels or worship. The internet is a wonderful resource!

Colour code your Bible. Underline passages about forgiveness in red and passages about the Holy Spirit in blue, etc. This way you will be able to find messages quickly when you are desperate for guidance later in the year.

4. Write

Write in your notebook the date and what you have learned. Write down how you plan to implement it into your life. You may also write the following: What did I learn about God? What did I learn about myself? What promises are there in these passages? What challenges are there in this passage? What should I change in my life from now on? Write down a prayer. If you keep it all just in your mind, then it becomes too vague and abstract. By writing it down or typing it out you make it more concrete and give body to it. It gives you a record of going back to it, reminding you what God has taught you.

5. Pray again

Surrender your life to God and commit yourself to serve Him with your whole heart, according to the passage you have just read. Put on the armour of God. Bring all your prayer requests to God with thanksgiving. Now you may also pray according to your prayer list. Don’t fall into the trap to pray only for yourself and your own life.

6. Rejoice

Worship Him who is worthy of all praise! Let His joy and peace fill your heart as you face the rest of the day. Put a worship CD on.

A Parable

Jesus told the parable of the Sower in Mathew 13. The Sower went out to sow seed in his garden.

Who is the Sower? God.

What is the seed? The seed is the Word of God.

What is the soil? The soil is how my heart is, hard or soft. Am I stubborn or teachable?

What happened to the seed? Some seed fell on the roadside and birds ate it. This symbolised a person with a hard heart. The devil came and took the Word away as soon as it is preached. Many times we leave church not remembering a single word the pastor said! Some people go to church for years but they never changed a bit!

Some seed fell on rocky soil. The seed germinates but when the sun shines hot it quickly shrivels up. Those are people who gladly hear God’s Word and plan to change their lives, but as soon as they face challenges and hardship they go back to their old selfish ways.

Some seed fell between the weeds and thorns. It germinated and started to grow nice and big but the weeds got tangled in it and squeezed the life out of it. Sometimes our lives are so busy and entangled with cares and worries that we have less time for God and Life gets squeezed out of us. We are worse off than how we were before we started. Satan is very clever in keeping us busy with “good, innocent” fun, as long as we don’t read our Bibles!

Some hearts are like soft soil – teachable, eager and determined. The seeds germinate and grow and brings a 100 fold harvest. Such a person grows stronger and stronger in his/her faith and strives to become a mature warrior in God’s army. He/she applies the word of God and meditates on it day and night. We should not only listen to God’s Word, but do it. Obedience is very important.

The secret is to focus less on yourself and to love God with your whole heart whatever the cost.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 12

1. Do the following verse during your own personal devotional time, as discussed in HOW TO READ YOUR BIBLE. Write it in a book which you will always use during your personal devotions.

GET READY

PRAY

READ John 4:1-42.

WRITE

PRAY

REJOiCE

Discuss your experience with a Christian friend and write a report on extra paper. (10)

2. Start colour coding your Bible.

Colour all verses about forgiveness in red.

Colour all verses about love in pink.

Colour all verses about the Holy Spirit in blue.

Colour all promises of God in green.

Colour all the verses about the mouth yellow.

Colour all verses about friendship purple.

3. Look up James 1:19-27 and discuss it with a f riend. What did the Holy Spirit teach you through this passage? (2)

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THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is God. He is a male Person.

Jesus promised His disciples that He will send us the Holy Spirit when He ascended into heaven. He did! The Holy Spirit came to all of the 120 people in the room during Pentecost (Acts 2).

Every person that repents and believes in Jesus receives the Holy Spirit. It is impossible to be a Christian without receiving the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). The Holy Spirit seals us with a mark that we belong to Jesus. He is the guarantee that we will also receive the rest of God’s promises (Ephesians 1:13+14).

What else is the work of the Holy Spirit?

· The Holy Spirit makes you a Born Again child of God.

· The Holy Spirit changes your heart. You cannot change yourself.

· The Holy Spirit explains to you the Bible passages.

· He urges you to confess your sins the moment you are sinning.

· The Holy Spirit is your comforter when you are sad or lonely.

· The Holy Spirit is the dynamite that gives you strength and boldness to live for God in the world.

· He makes you feel uncomfortable when you make the wrong choices.

· He is your companion for life.

· The Holy Spirit knows exactly what is in your heart and He prays for you to God the Father.

· Surrender to the Holy Spirit every moment of the day and you will experience God’s blessings.

· The Holy Spirit is not an IT or a POWER nor a FORCE. He is a Person with feelings. Be careful not to grieve Him or to frustrate Him. He is a very powerful Person that raised Jesus from the grave. The same Spirit that was in Jesus, is also now in you! You cannot get MORE of the Holy Spirit, because He doesn’t come in bits and pieces. Sins in your life and a self-willed life, blocks His power. Rather, the Holy Spirit must get more of you!

When you become frustrated and keep on failing and sinning and wonder what is wrong, then go back to step one: allow the Holy Spirit to be the boss. Stop trying to live as if YOU are the boss. You will just make a mess of your life, feel guilty all the time and get into trouble. Allow the Holy Spirit to be the owner of every part of your life. Hold nothing back. The Holy Spirit will give you unexplainable peace and bubbling joy – again, only if you put Jesus on the throne of your heart. Remember, the Good Shepherd takes responsibility for his sheep. He does it through the Holy Spirit!

FROG = Fully Rely On God

THE POWER OF GOD

To experience the power of God in your life you need to live in conscience dependence on Him. Admit that you depend totally on His wisdom, strength and abilities and not on your own. Only then will you be able to live in victory the abundant life. To experience the abundant life continually you need to apply “Godly breathing”.

Breathe dirty air out by confessing sins immediately. You agree with God that it is wrong and thank Him for His forgiveness and He restores you immediately as a clean channel to work through.

Then you need to breathe in again. Welcome back the fullness of the Holy Spirit into your life.

Sins cause a power failure in our relationship with God. Think of an electrical current. The moment the current is broken somewhere the power stops. Breathe out and confess the magnitude of that sin and thank God for His forgiveness. Breathe in and invite The Holy Spirit to take full control of your mouth, eyes, feelings and actions!

Take a piece of paper and ask God to remind you of all the sins that may cause a break in your relationship with Him. Keep it private between God and yourself. Write them down. Write over them the words of 1John1:9: FORGIVEN!

This teaching is based on material from Campus Crusade 1976.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 13

1. Look up John 14:15-18 and 25-27 and discuss it with a friend. What is the work of the Holy Spirit?

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2. Look up John 16:12-15 and discuss it with a friend. Who will receive all the glory? (1)

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3. Look up Acts 19:1-7 and discuss it with a friend. What happened when the Holy Spirit came on the 12 men? (2)

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The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

When Jesus was baptised the Holy Spirit came down on Him in the form of a dove. There was a voice from heaven, saying “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him.” Only then did Jesus start with His ministry…

Every child of God should ask for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be effective in God’s work. We receive the gifts when we are baptised (dipped into) the Holy Spirit. You cannot deserve a GIFT or qualify for it. God, like any Father, is eager to bestow these gifts on us.

The Holy Spirit is waiting for you to surrender every part of your life to Him. He has so much to offer you! The gifts of the Holy Spirit are SUPERNATURAL abilities that you receive to honour God with and to help fellow Christians. These abilities is not meant to make YOU the “superman” in your own comic world!. We need to be humble and to depend on God for working His gifts in us and through us. This is different from your natural talents. The Holy Spirit will also sanctify your natural talents, to be used as instruments of peace in the church. The church cannot grow to maturity if we don’t apply the gifts God has given us.

How wonderful it is to realise it is not ME who is ministering, but GOD is flowing through me. I am only the channel through whom the Holy Spirit works. I am like a glove and the Holy Spirit is the hand in me. The glove can’t do anything without the Hand! God wants to do miracles in me and through me! Then we all stand in awe in His presence and worship Him!

⁶ In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. ⁷ If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. ⁸ If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

⁹ Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. ¹⁰ Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. ¹¹ Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.^{] 12} Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. ¹³ When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. (Romans 12)

You may read more about the gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1Corinthians 12 and 14. Please take note that these gifts and your service to God are totally useless if they are not done in love and from a heart of sincere compassion. 1 Corinthians 13 forms the heart on the teaching of the gifts of the Holy Spirit: LOVE!

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 14

1. Look up Acts 2:1-8 and discuss it with a friend.

What happened when the Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit? (3)

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2. Look up 1 Corinthians 12:1-7 and discuss it with a friend.

What is the purpose of the gifts we receive from God? (2)

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3. Look up Romans 12:12-26 and discuss it with a friend.

What does Paul warn us against? (2)

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4. Read Ephesians 1:13-14. What are the 3 functions of the Holy Spirit in these verses? (3)

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5. Read Acts 6:8-10. How did the Holy Spirit work in Stephen’s life? (2)

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6. Read Acts 10:9-23 and discuss it with your Christian friend. Name 3 different ways how God spoke to His servants in this passage. (3)

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THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

If you walk mindful of and sensitive to the Holy Spirit, you will produce the personality of Jesus. The Holy Spirit will change you from the inside out. This means that you spend lots of time in God’s Word so that He can change your thought pattern. The closer you live to God, the more you will start to think like Him and to talk like Him. Soon you will live like a butterfly and not like a worm! You will look more and more like Jesus!

Know God know peace,

No God No peace!

How is the personality of Jesus?…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires (Romans 8:5)

The battle is in the mind. How a man thinks, so is he. Deliberately fill your mind with truth and Godly thoughts. Allow the Holy Spirit to control your soul (mind, emotions, will) to bear much fruit!

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 15

1. Look up John 15:4. Explain how a branch from the grape tree produces sweet grapes. (3)

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2. Read now John 15:7. What does it mean to “remain in Him”? (2)

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3. Read Galatians 5:22. The fruit of the spirit is like a naartjie. It is one fruit with 9 slices. Name the 9 Slices when you live by the Holy Spirit. (9)

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4. Read Galatians 5:19-21.

4.1. Here is a list of acts when you do NOT live by the Holy Spirit. Write the 5 most common acts, according to your opinion. (5)

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4.2. What is the stern warning to Christians that bear bad fruit? (1)

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5. Read Galatians 6:7-9. Why should we not become tired of living a godly life? (1)

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TEMPTATIONS

Everybody is tempted every day. The Christian who seeks to please God becomes a main target of the devil. We have 3 enemies: the devil, the world and my old sinful nature.

The devil works with fear. The moment you are scared of the devil and his evil works then you doubt God’s love and ability to protect you. Don’t watch horror movies! God gave us the armor of God to take a stand against Satan and his army. The devil also place traps in front of us and hope we step in them. The devil lies to us and tries to deceive us. He works on our souls – our feelings, tempers, laziness, urges, our thought patterns and stubbornness. The child of God who lives moment by moment filled by the Holy Spirit in obedience to Almighty God may experience sweet victory!

‘The world and its pleasures’ is an instrument of the devil. It entices our senses. The devil want us to spend ALL our time in pleasure, even innocent pleasure so that we have less time for God and lose our awareness of His Presence. This seems to be very successful in our modern technological world. “Come look here”, “Come taste this”, “Come smell this”, “Come feel and experience this!”, “Come listen to this.”…and we are lured little by little further from our joy in the Lord. “But it is innocent fun!” It is still a sticky trap! We are so eager to have fun, but so reluctant to spend time with God and to be useful to Him. We become strangers and aliens to God’s Word. God becomes a burden. “God is spoiling my fun.”, “I cannot hear God speaking to me anymore.” We start to THINK and to REASON like non-Christians. We start to make wrong choices. I think the way I used to think when I had my old nature. [My old nature is crucified with God so reckon yourself dead to sin (Romans 6)]

Help! How can I stay safe?

If we FEAR God more than people we will be careful how we live!

The FEAR of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom is to make the right choices. You may be very clever and strong, but still make foolish decisions! The book of Proverbs gives us advice on how to live wisely and to stay out of Satan’s traps. James tells us that we should pray for wisdom. We also received a Spirit of wisdom. Ultimately, if we FEAR God more than people we will be careful how we live! We will hate Satan and sins the way God does and stop PLAYING with sins. Do you realize how a single sin can destroy your whole life and break up families?

There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. Read every day one chapter from the book of Proverbs for a year until you become wiser.

The battle is in your mind. All temptations and ideas start with suggestions in your mind. You see something and then you start to reason about it. That is why the Bible places a huge emphasis on the renewing of our minds. Our minds are only renewed by the Word of God. Remember, when we are Born Again we experience a metamorphosis. We still need metanoia (a change of thought pattern) to think in line with God’s thoughts. The butterfly must stop thinking like a worm. What makes Him sad will make me sad.

Advise to the crawling butterfly: “Do you spend only a little time with God’s Word? No wonder you still think like a heathen! That is also why you live such a shameful lifestyle! There is hardly any difference between you and a worm. God wants us to be holy. He wants us to be different. Friendship with the world is enmity against God. Get up and fly! Renew your mind and you will act differently”

Note the appeal that is made on our minds in the following verses:

ROMANS 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what _____________________________________ – His good, pleasing and perfect will. (1)

EPHESIANS 4:22-24 (2)

You were taught, with regards to your former way of life, to _________________ your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be ________________________ in true righteousness and holiness.

2CORINTHIANS 10:5 (1)

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to _________________obedient to Christ.

COLOSSIANS 3:2,3,5 (2)

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you ____________, and your life is now ________________ with Christ in God… Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

2PETER 1:3 (1)

His divine power has given us _____________________________________for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and grace.

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 16

1. Look up James 1:13-15 and discuss it with a Christian friend. Explain how temptation may lead to death according to this passage. (5)

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2. Look up James 4:7-10 and discuss it with a Christian friend. Write down six verbs we should do according to this passage to the church. (6)

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3. Read Psalm 119:11. What is David’s solution to overcome temptations? (1)

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4. Read Psalm 1.

4.1. Write the 3 decisions David made to stay out of trouble. (3)

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4.2. How serious was David about the Word of God? (3)

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4.3. What is the result of a person that walks with God? (3)

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5. Read Genesis 39:6-12 and discuss it with a Christian friend.

How did Joseph apply wisdom here? (2)

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6. Read Proverbs 8:13. What does it mean to fear the LORD? (2)

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7. Read Proverbs 9:10-12. What do you learn about wisdom here? (3)

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8. Read James 3:13-18. Make a table and compare the two kinds of wisdom. (10)

WORLDLY WISDOM

GODLY WISDOM

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

BEAR MUCH FRUIT

You have realized by now that it is to God’s glory that we bear much fruit, showing thereby to the world that we are His disciples. If you have done this 22 day study diligently until now, then the result will show very soon!

We know that the branch can only produce fruit (grapes) when there is sap in the veins of the branch. The sap contains all the minerals and vitamins and life energy which is needed to ensure life and growth. The branch will only have sap when it is attached to the main stem of the vine. The branch cannot exist by itself. It has no roots. It receives life from the main stem. Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing.”

When the branch bears NO fruit then the gardener will try to solve the problem. He will till the soil and enrich it with compost. The gardener will water the vine more regularly and hopefully there will be good results. God is committed to do everything so that we will be healthy Christians that bear much fruit and live to His glory.

The gardener may still be unsatisfied when the branch delivers only one or two fruit. Especially when he expected much more! In this case the gardener may fetch a pair of scissors and PRUNE the branch. Maybe the branch is too long or it grows too wild with many unnecessary offshoots that deplete its energy. Maybe there are too many leaves that block the sunlight. The pruning (discipline) may be very PAINFUL to the branch, but this operation is very important to benefit the whole tree. How else will the gardener be satisfied?

The sap represents the Holy Spirit that activates the Word of God in our lives. The natural and spontaneous result of being rooted in God will be much fruit. You don’t have to pray for more love. Just submit yourself more to the Holy Spirit(sap) and live more “rooted” in God and you will have more love!

When we neglect our relationship with God and stop having a quality quiet time with God every day, then we will also stop producing juicy fruit. This normally happens when we get very busy in life or get distracted with pleasures.

How much of the fruit is still visible in your life? It is difficult to determine it yourself. Let people around you comment on your fruit. Ask friends to help you to complete (colour-in) the following table:

FRUIT

LITTLE

AVERAGE

MUCH

LOVE

JOY

PEACE

PATIENCE

KINDNESS

GOODNESS

FAITHFULNESS

GENTLENESS

SELF-CONTROL

How will God help us to develop these fruit? Let’s say you battle with kindness or patience. God will bring situations where it is very challenging to be kind. You will deal with people who are nasty and mean. You will battle with this until you feel how God feels about them and look at them the way God sees them. You need wisdom and insight. This will only happen the closer you walk with God! “Remain in Me”.

Some Christians keep on failing these tests all the time. What a pity when a person is still a “baby” Christian after many years! How frustrating that must be to the Holy Spirit! This type of Christian does not bear fruit to the glory of God.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 17

1. Look up Matthew 3:7-10 and discuss it with your Christian friend.

What is the stern warning that we receive in this passage? (1)

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2. Look up 1John 4:7-16 and discuss it with a friend.

Everything in a Christian is based on God’s love. Explain. (3)

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3. Look up Philippians 1:3-11. Discuss Paul’s prayer for this church with a Christian friend. (1)

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SEE THE HARVEST

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

The world needs to see that we are the disciples of Jesus. How will they see it? They will see the fruit of the Spirit and be amazed. Amazed? It is not normal to see teenagers who are living with self-control and so much peace. It is not normal to see young people who are not greedy and self-absorbed but who are full of goodness and charity. Instead of grumpy old men complaining about prices and politics we find “old toppies” who are faithful and loyal; who overflow with joy, gentleness and kindness. God’s disciples are a benefit to any school, any workplace and any community. We are different, because we live SUPERNATURAL lives!

Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest fields.” Matthew 9:37

The world is desperate for hope. Too many people live in agony, hunger, violence, poverty, broken relationships and depression. Half the world still didn’t hear about Jesus.

What can I do?

There is so much to do that sometimes we don’t know where to start! Every disciple of Jesus must just do exactly what the Holy Spirit tells you to do. “Ambition” is to strive to make my own dreams come true. Many young people are driven to get the best education and to find an excellent position at a top organization and to become wealthy and influential. We will ooze with success! “Vision” is to see God’s dream and to be part of His ambition.

Many people wonder about their own potential. Sometimes we feel unworthy and useless. Have you ever asked the following questions:

Why did God create me? What is the purpose of my life?

The answer is simple: God created me to be pleasing to Him. He desires that I walk close to Him and bear much fruit. You and I can only do that when we are Born Again and Spirit filled, loving God so much to lay down our lives for Him.

Yes, God has a plan that He thought of even before He created the universe and He is very determined to achieve it (His ambition). I need to find out how I fit into His plan (vision).

The Bible gives us lots of answers on God’s plan and where you and I fit into it, how we may be pleasing to Him. When we have found our place in God’s plan then we can start to develop to our full potential, like the mustard seed!

“It is not for you to know the times and dates the Father has set by His own authority. But YOU will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:7+8

You are not supposed to do everything for God that you would like to do for Him. No, you need to obey exactly the voice of the Holy Spirit in you. Only do what God tells you to do, because there-in will be His blessing and providence. The church will move forward in a mature and disciplined strategy.

Can you hear God’s voice? Did you receive the POWER through the baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised His disciples?

We are filled with the Holy Spirit only by faith. Everything in God is activated by faith in His promises. You may pray the following prayer:

“Father God, I need You. I confess that I was in control of my life up to now. Lord Jesus, please sit on the throne of my heart and take charge of every part of my life. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit as you instructed and promised your disciples. I pray this in the Name of Jesus and I thank You that you are now in control of my life. Amen.”

The spirit filled life is a life of obedience. Start every day by asking God to purify you and then present your life to God for His service for that day. Ask God every morning to fill you with the Holy Spirit to do His will in His power, guidance, wisdom and love. Remember to put on the full armor of God.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John15:8

LOOK UP, DISCUSS AND ANSWER 18

1. Look up the latest statistics (Google!) and discuss it with a Christian friend: (6)

In South Africa

In the World

a) How many people died of hunger?

b) How many teenage pregnancies were there?

c) How many teenagers committed suicide?

d) How many people are Christians?

e) How many people still need to hear about Jesus?

f) How many Christians died for their faith?

2. Look up James 1:26,27 and discuss it with a Christian friend. Name the three things that are considered as pure religion. (3)

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3. Look up Revelations 3:14-22. What reward will we receive if we are victorious? (1)

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4. Look up Acts 16:6-9. How did Paul know where to preach? Give two indicators. (2)

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5. Read John 14:12+13 and discuss it with a Christian friend. Write two promises of God found in this passage. (2)

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6. Look up 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 and discuss it with a Christian friend. (1)

How is it possible that a Christian gain no rewards for a life of hard work for God?

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7. Read Isaiah 6:1-8 and discuss it with a friend.

7.1. Explain how the “FEAR OF THE LORD” helps us to bear good fruit. (2)

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7.2. What was needed before Isaiah could respond to God’s calling? (2)

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7.3. Complete the following verse:

Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “__________________________________________.”