STUDY 001
TOPIC: THE NEW BIRTH AND THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
TEXT: JOHN 3: 3-7

INTRODUCTION:
Physical life on earth begins with birth. Even so, spiritual life for a man on earth must begin with spiritual birth. This new birth is an act of God in the life of a repentant person who truly surrenders and believes in Christ Jesus (John 1:12). It is absolutely impossible to live the Christian life without new birth. There is a great change that takes place when one is born again (II Cor. 5:17)

1.ORIGIN AND FORMS OF SIN: Gen. 3:1-6, Rom 5: 12; Rom. 1:28-32

God made man perfect and sinless in the beginning (Gen. 1:26-31). Sin originated from the disobedience of our first parents (Adam and Eve). Man’s nature became corrupt and due to this all men are born with sinful nature (Ps. 51:5) and so corrupt nature produces corrupt behaviour with different forms and shapes (Gal. 5:19-21). God’s anger and judgment is against sinners. Rom. 6:23, Rev. 21:8, 20:15, Gal. 5:21, Eccl. 11:9. Even though God is a loving God, His holy nature makes it impossible for Him to behold iniquity and not judge it.

2.THE WAY OF ESCAPE: John 3:16; Rom. 6:23; Isa. 1:18-19; Act 2:37-38; Isa. 55:6-7.

God has shown mercy unto us by providing a way of escape through JESUS CHRIST. Jesus Christ suffered and died for our salvation. What therefore is required of us is to turn away from sin and satan, to God in faith in order to be born into the glorious kingdom of God. Beloved, now is the acceptable time (II Cor. 6:2). If you repent and accept Christ Jesus, by faith as your Lord and Saviour now, God will never fail to do His part. He will surely save you. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? (Heb. 2:3).

3.ASSURANCE OF SALVATION: (Rom. 8:1; Rom 8:16).

To have assurance of salvation is to be certain that you are saved from sin and death and that you are a child of God. We have assurance of salvation because we know that God is faithful to His promise (I Thess. 5:24; Heb. 10:23). Faith is the basis of our relationship with God. Salvation comes by grace through faith.

CONCLUSION

God promises to wash away our sins and remember them no more, if we turn away from them. It is left for us to accept this gift of salvation and become children of God (John 1:12).

GOLDEN VERSE: II Cor. 5:17

STUDY 003
TOPIC:THE WORD
TEXT: HEBREWS 4:12; PSALM 119:89
INTRODUCTION:
The Word of God is God’s revealed will to mankind. This “Word” is Jesus Himself (John 1:1). Therefore, we must have a good knowledge of Him, that is, we must be born again, to understand the Word of God (John 5:39). The word has been compiled and given to us as a book – THE BIBLE. In the word, we discover the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the joy of believers. By reading the word we gain wisdom; by believing it, we are kept safe and by practising it, we become holy.

A).How we got the Bible: II Tim. 3:16, II Peter 1:19-21. The writing of the Word of God spans thousands of years, comprising 66 books in all, from Genesis to Revelation. These were written at different times and places by men of faith inspired by the Holy Ghost.

B).Authenticity of the Word – Although many religions and sects claim to lead us to God, we are made to understand that the Word is the only true way to God, because we know the Author and we know His Word is true (John 14:6).

C).Attributes of the Word – There are a lot of terms attributed to the Word of God. Identify them from the following passages: Heb. 4:12, Ps. 119:105, John 6:63, Ps. 119:140.

D).Benefits of studying God’s Word: God has given us, believers, many great and precious promises. But these promises (benefits) have conditions attached to them. Discuss the benefits we derive from the Word of God and how to acquire them. Joshua 1:8; II Tim. 2:15; I Peter 2:2; Proverbs 4:20-22. What benefits have you received from studying the Word?

E).It’s Neglect: Point out from the following passages the repercussions of neglecting the Word. Eph. 4:14; II Peter 2:1-3. There is a great danger when the Word of God is shoved aside or abandoned. What other repercussions can you point out?

F).What the Word can do: Jesus knew the power of the spoken Word and He used it very often. Identify from the following scriptures what the Word of God can do. Matt. 4:4; 7:10; 11; Acts 2:37; Gen. 1:3; Ps. 107:20. As Christians, we are challenged to use the Word at all times, for in it lies our authority.

PRACTICAL DISCUSSION:
1. How do you study the Word of God?
2. Why do you study the Word of God?
3. What do you do when you find it difficult to obey the Word?


CONCLUSION
As all equipment comes with a manual to guide the user, so also is the Word of God the manual to direct our lives and teach us about God and ourselves. The ultimate goal is to lead us to heaven. Can we really do without the Word of God?


GOLDEN VERSE: II Tim. 3:16.

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STUDY 004
TOPIC:PRAYER
TEXT: MATT 6: 7-13, COL 4:2
INTRODUCTION:
Prayer is a respectful communication between the Christian and God, hence an act of talking with God. The Christian life begins and continues with prayer; just as physical life begins and continues with breathing. It is not conditional for the Christian; rather, it is an indispensable part of the Christian life.

SECTION A
1).Effective Prayer: Prayer is effective when it is said in faith and pureness of heart, and with a rooted burden and genuine concern. Examine effective prayer from the following passages, with close reference to the circumstances surrounding them: James 5:15-18; I Sam. 1:10-11; Heb. 5:7.

2).How, when and where should we pray? Matt. 6:6-7; Mk. 1:35; I Thess. 5:17; I Tim. 2:8. Comment also on the following passages: Luke 18:1; Mk. 14:38; James 1:5-8; Eph. 6:11-13; Cor. 10:4-6.


Hindrances to Prayer:
A prayer becomes ineffective when it lacks direction/purpose, becomes uninteresting, stereotyped and full of vain repetitions. Such prayers do not come from burdened and upright hearts. Point out the hindrances to effective prayers. Ps. 66:18; James 4:3; Prov. 21:13; Heb. 11:6; Mk. 11:24-26; Ezek. 14:3. The Lord supplies our needs not only because we prayed but also because we have been praying. Those who resign from faith when their prayers are not answered are not deeply rooted in Christ. In this regard, we have to be patient and wait for God to act on our prayers (Eph. 6:18).


SECTION B
FASTING: MATT. 17:21
Fasting is the deliberate abstinence from food for a specific period in order to achieve a particular purpose through prayers. Fasting and prayers are inseparable; nevertheless, fasting plays a supplementary role to prayer.

i) How and why should we fast? Matt. 6:16-18; Isa. 58:6-7; Ezra 8:21; Ex. 34:28.

ii) What are the benefits derived from fasting? Isaiah 58: 6-7; Ezra 8:21-23.

CONCLUSION:
Jesus started, continued and eventually ended with prayers. Any Christian who wishes to succeed must tread the path of prayer as exemplified by Jesus Himself. Prayer is not just the means to bring God to do our will, instead to bring us to do His will. (Prov. 19:21).

Fasting and prayers show total dependence on God who in turn provides us with solutions to insurmountable problem. Therefore, pray at all times and fast when occasion demands, expecting a breakthrough from the Lord.


GOLDEN VERSE: EPH. 6:18.

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