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The Master's Instructions about everyday life. (Matthew 24:1-51). Many people share deep concerns about the future. Uncertainty, insecurity and fear may well describe the feelings of those outside Christianity. But within the Christian faith there is no need for any such worries. Jesus spoke of the future in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:25-34). Three times our Lord says: ‘Do not worry.’ He describes the worriers as those ‘of little faith’! This must mean that faith should overcome fear. Let’s see how we can set our faith on course for developing a Christian attitude to the future. Anchor your faith in the unchanging God Realise that whatever happens in the future God will be there. He will be exactly the same as He always has been. God revealed Himself as unchanging. Both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible conclude with the truth that God is constant and true (Malachi 3:6; Revelation 22:13). The various writers of the Bible remembered the truth that time had no effect upon God Himself (Psalm 90:2; Hebrews 13:8). Paul was certainly an example for us in the way he lived. His letters show us that he reckoned on this truth as being true! Romans 8:28 says that God works for our good through everything that happens. Verses 38-39 say that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God. Paul was convinced that God had the ability to look after absolutely everything that was entrusted to Him. To have an anchor holding firm in the storm brings security. Anticipate the return of Jesus Christ As Christians we know the promise of our Lord’s return. Acts 1:11 teaches that the ‘same Jesus’ will come back in the ‘same way’ that He went into heaven. In the glory of a cloud He was gone before their eyes. One day in the future He will return out of the mist in His majesty. We also know the pattern of His return from scriptures like Matthew 24:27 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2. He will return instantly and there will be an immediate knowledge of His presence. One day in the future we will be delightfully surprised at our Lord’s return. The Bible also points out the prelude to our Lord’s return. Matthew 24 records Jesus answering a question about the signs of the end of the age. There will be claim and counterfeit. There will be disaster and devastation. There will be war. There will be want. Believers will be persecuted but will preach the gospel all over the world. There will be wickedness and waywardness. There will be faith, but there will also be fake. Trouble, turmoil and trial could sum up the events preceding our Lord’s triumphant return. Yet one sure day in the future we will be delivered by our Saviour’s return. Finally, we also see the purpose of his return. Jesus said Himself that He would come back and take His disciples to be with Him in heaven (John 14:1-3). Revelation 7:15-17 and 21:1-4 speak of God living with men in a glorious place where all the awful things of this life have been eliminated. The hosts of heaven and the people of this planet will unite in the worship of God Almighty. Can you thrill at the thought of this? Do you long to be living there? One day in the future your Saviour will return with a personal invitation for you to be with Him in heaven. Act today with an eye on the future Not in fear but in faith. Not because you worry about what might happen but because you know what will happen. Invest in the certainty of heavenly reward. Those who seek first God’s kingdom will be those who set foot in God’s kingdom. Those who are righteous in God the Son will be rewarded by God the Father. ‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow’ (Matthew 6:33-34). Discussion guide for ‘the Christian Attitude to the Future’ 1. Why do you think many people are afraid of the future? 2. How could Jesus say to His disciples, “Do not worry ..”, Matthew 6:25, 31, 34? What is the lesson Christians can learn from the birds and the flowers? 3. How does the fact that God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6; Revelation 22:13) help you to be more confident facing up to the future? 4. What is the simple promise of Acts 1:11? Explain exactly what you think it means. 5. From Matthew 24 only what does Jesus teach us about the manner of His second coming? (Do not include things that must happen before His return). 6. How many times in Matthew 24 does Jesus imply His coming will be both secret and yet spectacular? 7. Explain what the phrase “neither the present nor the future” means to you in the context of Romans 8:38-39 and your own life. 8. Consider the main lesson to be drawn from Proverbs 23:17-18 in the light of this chapter of our book.

Christian theology in a Sudanese context. Conclusion: Our need to put theology into practice. Theology provides us with ways of thinking about God. The words we use and their meanings must be carefully defined to ensure they lead us towards a correct understanding and appreciation of God. When I travelled around the three cities of the Nile confluence, Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North, I was happier if I had someone with me as a guide– someone who knew the way, or who could at least speak the language well enough to ask for directions. I hope that this book has been, and will prove to be, a helpful guide to you. Thank you for (unknowingly) providing me with a reason to write it during my health recovery. Sometimes I journeyed in the cities by large Tata buses, occasionally by bashed up yellow taxis, but more often than not in my own Toyota car. When I drove my own car, my guides used to say to me: “Don’t take this upcoming road on the left. Keep straight ahead until the next turn. The next left has a paved surface. It will be better for your car”. Paved roads were, usually at least, a little less bumpy and pot-holed than dirt roads. I soon discovered that under the layers of dirt on some ‘dirt roads’ there was in fact a paved surface. Because nothing had been done about the wind-blown sand and grit over many years, the smooth paved way had become lost, buried under dirt upon dirt. The way around the cities had become more difficult as a result. Since good theology is giving us right ways of thinking about God, we must be careful not to let our good thoughts become buried under months and years of bad thinking. Bad theology is as destructive to the Christian life as bad morality (Colossians 3:1-10; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Philippians 4:8-9). Good theology, well applied in life, is always the basis for excellent Christian living, even in a largely non-Christian environment. In turn, attractive Christian living will revolutionise the witness from all of the Sudanese churches that encourage it. God wants us to be wary of false teachers and false teaching. He also, and perhaps primarily, wants us to be very careful that our own teaching is always helpfully pointing others along their way to maturity in Jesus Christ. The groups of people who are employed sweeping the major roads of our cities may give us a helpful reminder of this point. Most days along by Al Moradah’s El Nil mosque towards the parliament building, or on the divided Shambat road that goes in front of the Syrian House sweet pastry shop in Bahri, or on the Burri bridge next to the electricity generating company opposite Kober, gangs of men in green-blue uniforms, with brushes, spades and wheeled barrows, work very hard to keep the nicely paved roads clear of the persistent and encroaching desert dust. I suggest that like these men, Sudanese Christians must work hard every day to keep good Christian theology in Sudan clear from the polluting rubbish that is always trying to invade it. God wants us to study His word. God wants us to always apply it to our lives in the way that gives most honour and glory to Jesus Christ, no matter how difficult that may be. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching” (1 Timothy 4:12-13). “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all thingsGod may be praised throughJesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11). Thinking it through. (a). Why must ‘good thinking about God’ lead to changes in our individual and corporate (church) behaviour? (b). Is studying the Bible enough? What more is there to successful Christian discipleship? (c). Describe the best advertisement for 'Jesus Christ and Christianity' that Moslems could possibly see?

The Master's Instructions about everyday life. (Matthew 25:14-30). The Bible records the stories of many men and women who used their natural skills and abilities in the everyday world to further the cause of God. Some of the examples are: In the Old Testament: Moses’ brother, Aaron, used his public speaking (Exodus 4:10-16); the widow Zarephath supplied food and a room (1 Kings 17:17-24); a couple at Shunem offered a room and furniture (2 Kings 4:8-10); David gave from his wealth for the temple (1 Chronicles 29:1-5), and the people followed his example from their own resources (vv.6-9); Nehemiah’s workforce turned their hands to almost any job for the Lord (Nehemiah 3:1-32). In the New Testament: Peter used his home and his boat (Matthew 8:14-27); a man at Bethphage lent his animal (Matthew 21:1-3); another shared his home (26:17-19); a boy gave his picnic lunch (John 6:9-11); the believers in Jerusalem shared all they had (Acts 4:32-37); Aquila and Priscilla opened their home and their work to Paul (Acts 18:1-4). From a parable our Lord Jesus told in Matthew 25:14-30, we can learn the principles of using every ability we have to serve God and to do His work. Accept what you have and what you are as a gift from God God equips every man and woman with the abilities He wants to use. Not everyone will have the same gifts. You are responsible to use what you have, not what you don’t have! Two men put their talents to good use. They immediately set to work for a good return. Through energy and efficiency they earned a reward. The third man made bad use of the talent he was given. It wasn’t much to him, but his fear resulted in him losing it altogether. A hidden talent is of no value. By trying to keep it, he lost it. Account to God for what He has given All three men were summoned to report on their activities. Again, they were personally responsible. It was not what their friends had done, but what they had done themselves that the Master wanted to know about. The Master was pleased with two men. He accepted their faithfulness and said they had done a good job. He had invested in them and was rewarded, so He rewarded them in return. The Master was displeased with the third man. Because he was found unworthy of the trust his Master had placed in him, he was made to give it up completely. His Master viewed him as worthless. He described him as both wicked and lazy. He was ‘rewarded’ too, but not in the way he would have wanted. The application of the parable is very simple Make sure you use what God has given you to fulfil His desires. Do you live in this world with your eyes on this world? Or do you live in this world with your eyes on the kingdom of God? There is something God wants you to do and He has adequately equipped you to do it. Discussion guide for ‘the Christian attitude to his own abilities’ 1. Read Matthew 6:21. What does this verse mean? How should it affect our daily lives? Set it in the context of verses 19-20. 2. Discuss what you believe God has “entrusted” to you, Matthew 25:14. Let other members of the group add to this – and then do this for every group member. 3. Discuss the meaning of the phrase in verse 15, “each according to his ability”. Similar phrases appear, with respect to a person’s money, in Acts 11:29; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:3. 4. What do you think is the meaning of “good and faithful servant”, Matthew 25:21, 23? Describe why the first two servants deserved this title. 5. What will you have to do in your life to merit the same praise from our Master, the Lord Jesus? 6. Why do you think the third servant was afraid to risk losing his talent? Consider verses 24-26, from man’s viewpoint and also from God’s viewpoint. 7. Share one thing you believe God wants you to do with your life, and how He has equipped you to do it. 8. What is the solemn warning in verses 29-30? How does this impact your attitude to life today?

Christian theology in a Sudanese context. accounted for explained, to one in authority adoption to bring a person into a specific relationship, to take over for one’s own child admonition advice against doing something; warning caution advocate one who speaks in favour of another, one who defends the cause of another affirmation a statement of truth positively put forward albeit even though allegiance loyalty to a person or a group alleged stated before, or even without, proof allusion a brief, indirect reference – not a direct quotation almighty having all power Almighty another name for God anarchy lawlessness, disorder; absence of government when everyone pleases themselves ancestral relating to family from the past analogy comparison made to show likeness or similarity apologetics intelligent defence of the Christian faith (Greek apologia – to defend) NOT the similar English word, ‘apology’ meaning ‘to express regret for a failure or fault’! arrogancy (old English) pride and self-importance aseeda (Arabic) a staple or main food, type of cooked cereal atmosphere layer of air and gas surrounding the earth atonement satisfaction given for an injury or wrong; reconciliation made attested confirmed as true attribute a quality belonging to a person, a typical character mark attributing seen as belonging to begotten fathered, caused, born of (the act of God in the birth of Jesus) believe a trusting commitment to Jesus, being certain that He is God the Son and Saviour benefit something that improves or brings advantage bondage slavery to catholic universal, relating to all people; Catholic the entire body of Christians Roman Catholic the specific Church-group over which the Pope presides from the Vatican chai (Arabic) tea – sometimes spelt as shaay Christian a person who believes in, and follows, Jesus clinicalness plainness, simplicity, directness, usually unattractive coinherance joined together in a way not to be broken communion sharing thoughts and emotions in a common bond Communion the Lord’s Supper service of bread and wine condemned cell basic prison room in which a person waits for execution confession a stated admission of mistakes, sins, errors and faults Confession of Faith a formal public statement of firm and specific religious beliefs confirmation proving to be true confluence merging, mixing and flowing together contentious tending to argue or quarrel contraction making smaller, shortening contrition deeply felt regret for wrong doing controversies disputes, debates – often in public, where there is strong disagreement corporate from a joint or united group council assembly of appointed people meeting for discussion counsel advice or guidance on conduct, behaviour, choices Creed formal and concise statement of essential Christian (or other) beliefs and principles cultural transposition understanding behaviour or ideas in another time and social setting damnation eternal punishment by God definitive serving to define, settle finally and conclusively deification exalting to the position of a god denomination group of churches with its own special way of believing and organising derogatory insulting, offensive dignity worth and honour dimension aspect; effect to be considered discerning being able to recognise good from bad, even when it is not easy distortion twisting or pulling out of the right shape diversity variety, many different ones doctrine a belief or teaching from the Bible, in a specific area of theology dogmatic forcefully claim to be the absolute authority on what is right dukkan (Arabic) local shop ecclesiastical relating to the organisation of the church or churches effectual calling capable and successful in producing the intended result elite the most powerful, rich, gifted or educated members of a group elitism pride in being an elite, the belief that society should be governed by the elite encroaching gradually taking over erring making mistakes, turning from the right course esoteric intended for a minority who know something others do not, difficult to understand essential of vital importance; the fundamental nature or foundation of eternal without beginning or end; lasting forever eternity endless time; time with no limits etymological source and development of words through history evil morally wrong – sinful; naturally bad – harmful; always the opposite of God’s best exaltation raising up and praising highly facilitate to make easier and help the progress of faith strong belief in something; confident and practical trust in God Fall Adam’s sin of disobedience to God, and the resulting sinfulness of all humankind fatur (Arabic) breakfast, breaking the fast felicity happiness, joy and suitability figurative a word picture that shows what something else is like finite limited or restricted forgiveness stopping blame; freeing from a penalty; not holding a person’s sin against them foule (Arabic) beans – sometimes spelt as ful and fool generating station a place with special equipment for producing large amounts of electricity guilt deserving punishment for doing wrong– especially breaking God’s law haboob (Arabic) dust storm heresy a belief or teaching that is in error and is against usually accepted Christian truth holy set apart; pure; one quality of God Himself; person separated from sin and to God hovering remaining in one place while flying humankind the human race, all people everywhere male and female hydroelectric electricity made by the power of falling water idol often a physical object of wood or stone; any person or thing that takes the place of God imam (Arabic) leader of congregational prayers in local mosque immutable does not change, and is not changed by time or anything else impiety lack of respect for God imputed personal position legally transferred to someone else incarnation showing or being in a bodily form – usually a human form Incarnation the act of God the Son becoming a human being incomprehensible not able to be fully understood incredible beyond belief, amazing indissoluble not able to be dissolved or broken induce to persuade, to influence, to cause to happen inerrancy the belief that something is free from mistakes and inaccuracies infallibility the belief that something is totally reliable and will not fail in its purpose infinite without limits or end; without boundaries iniquity a wicked act, sin initial the first, the beginning instantaneous done in a moment, with no delay in time irrevocable not able to be taken back, changed or undone jellabiya (Arabic) usually white, traditional clothing often worn by Sudanese men jihad (Arabic) holy war by Muslims against infidels (unbelievers) jinn (Arabic) spirits in Muslim tradition, which can take on many forms judgement (also judgment) the decision over a person being good or bad just fair in the treatment of everyone justification the act of being proven and seen to be right with God ka’ba the holy shrine of Islam in Mecca; a cube-like black building in the centre of its mosque kettle metal container with handle and spout for boiling water khawaja (Arabic) foreigner, often, a white or western person kisera (Arabic) a staple or main food, type of flat bread literal limited to the exact first meaning of the word or text logic clear patterns of reasoning and thinking to conclusions manuscript original (often handwritten) documents, or later handwritten copies martyr person who suffers death rather than give up his or her religious beliefs Mass the celebration of the Eucharist (bread and wine), mainly by RomanCatholics mercy giving someone more than, or something different from, what they deserve metaphors word-pictures; figures of speech merit worth or superior quality; spiritual credit Ministry the profession or duties of an ordained clergyman morality customs of behaviour which guide our lives over good and bad, right and wrong motivating powerful reason for action NIV New International Version (of the Bible) ordinance an authoritative regulation to be practiced original the first, beginning and genuine one orthodox usually accepted standards of behaviour or right belief Orthodox the Eastern Churches in communion with the Greek Patriarch of Constantinople overlap to partly cover another subject, to lay beside and partly over something else paraclete a mediator or advocate Paraclete God the Holy Spirit as strengthener and as one who works together with us partakers people who take part in perseverance continued steady belief and effort in spite of difficulty, keeping going persistence holding on and keeping going against difficulty pluralism theory that all separate groups should have equal rights, truth and power poetic writing in verse, the rhythm or spirit of writing polytheism the belief in more than one god predestination the act of God determining every event from eternity past progressive developing towards a goal or achievement psychological way of thinking; affecting the mind reconcile to make friends after being opposed; to bring back together Rector Episcopal clergyman in charge of a parish redemption the act or process of being recovered, bought back, at a price regeneration moral, spiritual, or physical renewal, a breathing in of new life repentance so sorry for being or doing wrong a person turns away from it repudiate reject the authority of; refuse to accept as valid resume to begin again revelation what God shows us about Himself, usually in creation or in the Bible righteous holy, good, upright and pure ritual usually followed set form of a religious service or ceremony Roman Catholic see ‘catholic’ (above) sacrifice the offering (usually killing) of something before God, for the sake of someone else salvation the act of being kept from harm when in danger; God rescuing humans from sin saviour one who rescues another from danger; Saviour Jesus Christ, Who rescues people from sin sanctification made more holy, freed from sin, set apart for holy use satisfaction (in the atonement) full payment of a debt that is owed scripture a sacred, solemn or authoritative book Scripture the Old and New Testaments of the Bible secular things of daily life having nothing particularly to do with religion or church sin breaking God’s known will, an act or thought against what God wants sinful nature the desire to sin, resulting from Adam’s sin, in every human being soteriology the doctrine of salvation sovereign person exercising the top authority; God is Sovereign spontaneous without being planned or prepared earlier subjectively personally thinking and feeling; judging by my experience substitutionary serving in the place of another suk (Arabic) market – sometimes spelt sook and souk supererogation the performance of work, prayers, devotions, in excess of that required superintended directed, kept a watchful eye on the event and its operation surah (Arabic) chapter in the Qur’an syncretism joining together many different beliefs and practices systematic marked by the use of order and planning territorial relating to any piece of land, or district, or country transgression breaking the law, overstepping the limit set, sin transliterate to use the sounds and letters of a word from a different language tribal from a particular social grouping of people, with a common descent or culture trustworthiness visible honesty and reliability turbines machines in which the energy of a moving fluid (or air) is used to turn a hub and blades ultimate highest and most important, last and deciding unique the only one, without equal, without like universal common to the whole of humankind unpardonable cannot be excused or forgiven worship to show deep love, devotion and respect towards; to give honour to God wrath God’s holy anger; His hatred and punishment of sin wrought (old English) worked out, done ziir (Arabic) large clay water pot The following sources were used to develop these definitions: Collins English Dictionary (Glasgow: Harper Collins) 1995. Dictionary of Theological Terms in Simplified English (Wheaton: Evangelism andMission Information Service) 2003.

The Master's Instructions about everyday life. (1 Corinthians 6:12-20). Like everything else we have, our bodies are on trust from God. We are responsible to Him for their use or abuse. Self-control is a fruit of God’s Holy Spirit. Perhaps there is a spiritual lesson in the greengrocer’s sign that says: ‘Eat fruit – keep fit.’ The Lord’s Day has value both as a day for worship and as a day free from work. The human body has been designed by God with certain inbuilt rhythms that benefit from the twenty-four-hour and seven-day routines. Genesis 2:1-3 and Exodus 20:8-11 give us examples of and exhortation to keep one day a week apart for spiritual and physical refreshment. The concluding words of 1 Corinthians 6 are clear in their command: ‘You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body.’ How do you do this? Be discerning in what you do (v.12) Not everything is good for you. There are lots of things you could do, but you should not do them all. Be dominated by God and not by anything or anyone else (vv.12-13) Make sure that you control what you do rather than allowing what you do to control you! People say: ‘I can’t get up in the morning,’ when it is more accurate to say: ‘I don’t get up,’ or, ‘I won’t get up.’ If you remember God is always at your early morning appointment, it may help you to make the effort to be there too. Be a dwelling place for God’s Holy Spirit (v.19) The word ‘temple’ means a shrine or sanctuary, a place set apart for the worship of God. Set yourself apart from the world as a person who is holy before the living God. Avoid disaster by obeying God’s word (v.18) The word ‘flee’ in the Greek means ‘make it your habit to flee’. If something is bad for you, do not contemplate it or dream about it or play with it. Keep well away from it at all costs. Sexual intercourse with your God-given husband or wife is perfectly right and proper. Sexual behaviour with anyone else is a serious sin. Eating all the food you need is perfectly right and proper. Eating all you want may well also be a sin with serious consequences. In 1 Corinthians 9:27 Paul gives his own testimony. Like an athlete who competes for the crown after strenuous training, he takes captive his own physical body and desires so he can live his Christian life to maximum capacity. The strain endured by Paul is described in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33. He survived by developing a spiritual stamina that came from Jesus Christ Himself. His own weakness prepared the way for God to work through him. Give your body as a living sacrifice to God. Do not sacrifice your Christian life by fulfilling mere bodily appetites. Discussion guide for ‘the Christian’s attitude to his own body’ 1. Discuss why the commercial world spends so much money advertising products to keep our bodies looking young, fit and beautiful, and lean and clean. 2. “… Honour God with your body”, 1 Corinthians 6:20. What does this verse tell us about how we, as Christians, should respond to the world’s pressure? 3. Read Psalm 139:13-16. What does this tell you about your own person – body, soul and spirit? 4. Jesus taught that our inner beings control what we say and do, see Matthew 12:34-35. How do you understand this together with Galatians 5:22-23, where “self-control” is a “fruit of the (Holy) Spirit”? 5. Discuss real life issues where a God-given desire must still be kept under Holy Spirit given self-control. Consider friendship and sexual issues. Consider eating and drinking issues. Consider how you dress. Consider issues of physical and mental fitness. 6. Romans 12:1-2 urges Christians to change their lives and lifestyles by letting their renewed mind control everything that goes on. Give examples of how this has happened in your own life. 7. What do you learn from 1 Corinthians 9:27, “I beat my body and make it a slave…..”? W.E. Vine’s Expository Greek Dictionary says: hupopiazo means buffeting or striking or bruising – Paul’s figuratively “suppressive treatment of his body, in order to keep himself spiritually fit”. 8. We can rely on God’s grace to help us react as we should to any of life’s events, Titus 2:11-14. How does looking ahead to Jesus’ return help us handle issues today? Give personal examples if you can.

Christian theology in a Sudanese context A suggested Catechism providing basic instruction in the beliefs and practices of Christianity. The purpose of a Catechism is to provide a basic outline of the doctrines of Christianity by means of questions and answers. Although it is important to learn the answers accurately, few, if any, include everything. The parent/child, teacher/church, and individual, should therefore enlarge the answers that have been given. It is at this precise point that the real value of a Catechism is discovered, in that it becomes a foundation from which to discuss and study the principal teachings of the Christian faith. One important and useful feature of this Catechism is that it has been conveniently divided into 12 main sections (by the numbers 1, 2 etc.) and into 52 small units (by means of an asterisk*). This gives freedom to cover the contents of the Catechism in monthly, or weekly, intervals. The reader’s attention is drawn to the passages for study that follow the end of each section of questions and answers. We have deliberately avoided citing single texts of Scripture on their own so as to escape the impression that the doctrines of Christianity rest upon unrelated statements of the Bible. The passages for study provide the basis for a thorough doctrinal study of the word of God. A WORD OF EXPLANATION In General: It is suggested that the best way to use this Catechism is to read the questions and answers of each section followed by the selected passages from the Bible. Having done this it is important to re-read the questions and try to discover how the answers have been brought out from the Bible. For use by Parents: Parents may wish to break down each section into smaller units, depending upon the ages of their children. An asterisk (*) is given to show where this can be suitably done. It is still advised to encourage the children, if capable, to read the whole section through once, as described in the section above. For use in the Meetings of the Church: A possible way of using this Catechism in the formal meetings of the church is to break down each section into smaller units as suggested for parents, and then give ten minutes to the Catechism at any suitable point in the meeting. It would be good to encourage all ages to participate - in learning the answers to the questions, in reading suitable passages from the Bible, and by asking and answering questions arising in their minds from the use of the Catechism. Care will be needed to adapt these questions and answers to the ages and abilities of the congregation. For use with those who have recently become Christians and/or have applied for membership of the church: The Catechism should be used as described in the paragraph 'In General’ (above), and each section covered in one meeting a week for twelve weeks. Experience shows that such a meeting would probably need to be one and a half to two hours in length, particularly if a group of people are receiving instruction, rather than an individual. 1. INTRODUCTION: What is it all about? *1. Question: Why does the Bible begin by assuming that God exists? Answer: Because everyone knows it to be true. 2. Q. How can we be sure that everyone knows that God exists? A. All, without exception, are born with an awareness of God, which is confirmed by the witnessGod has given of himself, in the world in which we live. *3. Q. Why do men and women, with such evidence, deny God or live as if He does not exist? A. Because they suppress and distort what they know to be true in order to live their own way. *4. Q. Has God given any other witness to Himself? A. Yes, in the Bible. Here God has revealed all that we need to know about Himself and all that He requires of us. PASSAGES FOR STUDY: Genesis chapter 1:1-2:3; Psalm 19; Ecclesiastes 3:1-15; Romans 1:14-32, 2:12-16; Acts 14:8-20, 17:16-34; 2 Timothy 3:10-17; 2 Peter 1:1-21. 2. GOD. *1. Question: Who is this God of Whom the Bible speaks? Answer: He is the One and Only God, living and true; a personal Spirit Who is both eternal and unchangeable, demanding that everyone love and serve Him. 2. Q. What is God like? A. He is holy and majestic, yet good and forgiving which should create both reverence and joy in the hearts of all people everywhere. *3. Q. Why do we declare God to be our Creator? A. Because He made all things to display His glory, and especially mankind, whom He made in His own image. 4. Q. Why do we declare God to be our Sustainer? A. Because He is ceaselessly active in His control of all events, guiding every detail of life according to His plan. *5. Q. Why do we declare God to be our Saviour? A. Because He has provided a salvation for the world, which is entirely His work. *6. Q. Why do we declare God to be our Judge? A. Because at the end of time, He will give to each person according to what that person has done. *7. Q. In how many Persons does this One God exists? A. There are Three eternal distinctions within the One God, of an intensely personal kind, such that we can speak of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. PASSAGES FOR STUDY:1 Thessalonians 1:1-10;John 4:21-24; Numbers23:18-24; Deuteronomy 33:26-29; John 14:8-14; Hebrews11:1-3; Genesis 2:4-25; Acts 17:24-28; Daniel 4; Ephesians1:3-14; John 3:16-18; Romans 2:5-16; Acts 17:29-31; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Matthew 3:13-17; John 14:15-23; Matthew 28:16-20; Galatians 1:1-3; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Corinthians 3:12-18. 3. THE BIBLE. *1. Question How has God made Himself known to men? Answer: In the created universe which reflects His glory, and in the Bible. 2. Q. Has God made Himself known to men in other ways in the past? A. Yes, by His spoken word, through His prophets and apostles, and through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. 3. Q. Should anyone expect God to make Himself known in these ways today? A. No, because the Bible is God’s sufficient and final word to all people. 4. Q. Does God give us direction in any other way? A. Yes, in ways consistent with the teachings of the Bible, He acts directly on our lives, since the Bible itself urges us to keep in step with the Spirit. *5. Q. Has the knowledge of God, which we can learn from the created universe, any value? A. Yes, it leaves all without excuse for their unbelief. 6. Q. Why do we need the Bible? A. Because without it no one could know the Lord Jesus Christ as their only Saviour, *7. Q. What is the Bible? A. God’s written word, free from all error. 8. Q. Who wrote the Bible? A. Men who were guided by the Holy Spirit. 9. Q. Whose words are we reading when we read the Bible? A. The word of God through the words of men. *10. Q. What is one of the most important things we ought to know about the Bible? A. It is our supreme guide and judge in all matters. PASSAGES FOR STUDY: Psalm 19; Genesis 12:1-9; 1 Samuel 3:19-4:1a; Ephesians 2:19-3:6; Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:1-4; John 16:12-15; Galatians 5:16-26; Acts 8:26-40; Romans 1:18-20; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Acts 4:23-31; Jude 1-4; Revelation 1:1-3, 22:18-21. 4. THE FALL OF MAN. *1. Question: In what condition did God make Adam and Eve? Answer: They were created righteous and happy, enjoyingGod and everything He had made. 2. Q. Did they remain in this condition? A. No, encouraged by Satan, Adam rebelled against God, and so became sinful, and unhappy. *3. Q. What effect had the sin of Adam on all mankind? A. All men and women are born into the world constantly breaking God’s law in deed, word, and thought. *4. Q. Does this mean that, since the fall of Adam, no one is made in the image of God? A. No, everyone still bears God’s likeness, although it is marred by sin. This explains why all people, sinful in every part of their lives, are yet capable of actions which are outwardly good. *5. Q. Does any man or woman, of their own desire, seek to love and obey God? A. No, all without exception are unwilling and unable to seek God as their highest good. 6. Q. What is so serious about our guilt and corruption? A. It brings unhappiness and exposes us all to God’s anger. PASSAGES FOR STUDY: Psalm 8; Genesis 3; Romans 5:12-21, 3:9-20; Genesis 9: 1-7; Matthew15:1-20; Romans 8:1-8; Ephesians 2:1-10; Psalm 51. 5. THE PLAN OF SALVATION. 1. Question: When did God plan the salvation of sinful men and women? Answer: It was in eternity that God determined to save sinners. 2. Q. Why did God plan the salvation of sinful men and women? A. The plan is entirely the result of His undeserved love. *3. Q. Who was involved in this plan to save sinful men and women? A. The three Persons of the Trinity were all involved, in planning and carrying out the salvation of sinners. 4. Q. What was God the Father’s part in the plan of salvation? A. He is the Source of salvation, by setting His love upon sinners, and sending God the Son to be their Saviour. *5. Q. What was God the Son’s part in the plan of salvation? A. In obedience to the Father’s will, the Son of God became flesh, in order that as the God-Man He might take the place of sinners. *6. Q. Why did God the Son take the place of sinners? A. So that He could bear the full penalty for their sin, and restore them to a loving friendship with Himself. 7. Q. How did God the Son pay the full penalty for sinners? A. By giving full obedience to the holy law of God, and by His suffering and death on the cross at Calvary. 8. Q. How do we know that God the Son was successful in His part of the plan of salvation? A. Because although the Lord Jesus Christ died and was buried, He rose again on the third day, bringing everlasting life to all who believe. *9. Q. Where is the Lord Jesus Christ now? A. In heaven, seated at the right hand of God. 10. Q. What is He doing? A. He is ruling over everything, for the good of all believers, and constantly praying for them. PASSAGES FOR STUDY: Romans 8:28-39; 2 Timothy 1:3-12; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10a; Ephesians 1:3-10; Philippians 2:1-11; 1 Timothy2:1-7; Galatians 3:10-14; 1 Corinthians 15:1-20; Hebrews 1:1-4; Ephesians 1:15-23; Hebrews7:23-27. 6. THE EXPERIENCE OF SALVATION. *1. Question: What is God the Holy Spirit’s part in the plan of salvation? Answer: He is to make the Lord Jesus Christ real and glorious to sinners, so that in enjoying fellowship with God the Son, they receive the salvation secured by His life, death, and resurrection. 2. Q. What does God the Holy Spirit do for sinners? A. He gives them new life, so they are able to repent of sin, and believe in Christ as their Saviour and Lord. *3. Q. What happens to sinners the moment they believe? A. They are declared righteous in God’s sight, remade after the likeness of Jesus Christ, and adopted into God’s family. *4. Q. Can Christians ever lose their salvation? A. No, but they can be so seriously overcome by temptation as to lose interest in the Christian life. 5. Q. How are Christians overcome by temptation? A. Although believers possess new life they are still sinners, and sometimes yield to Satan. He tempts them by using both the good and the bad in the world, in order that they might distrust and disobey the Saviour. 6. Q. Why cannot Christians ever lose their salvation? A. Because the new life that the believer receives cannot be destroyed. Thus all who are truly converted, despite times of intense struggle and failure, will certainly continue in their fellowship with Jesus Christ, and enter finally into the joys of heaven. PASSAGES FOR STUDY: John 16:5-16; Acts 16:11-15; Romans 3:21-31, 8:28-30; Galatians 3:26-4:7; Luke 22:31-34, 54-62; Psalm 32; Romans 7:14-25; Matthew4:1-11; John 10:22-30; 2 Timothy 4:9-18. 7. THE HISTORY OF SALVATION. *1. Question: How did the world receive Christ’s salvation? Answer: Progressively, first by promise and sacrifice alone, in the days of Adam to Abraham, to which was added the laws given to the community of Israel, in the days of Moses, and then in the personal coming of God’s Son to the earth, to die and rise again. *2. Q. What was the promise of salvation? A. That God would provide a Saviour, Who would rescue people from their sin and its awful effects. *3. Q. How were people saved before the coming of the LordJesus Christ? A. By believing in the Saviour to come. 4. Q. How did they show their faith? A. By offering sacrifices on God’s altar. 5. Q. What did these sacrifices represent? A. Jesus dying in the place of sinners. *6. Q. What special promise did God give in the time of Noah? A. God made a promise to the whole earth, that all general blessings would be secure, so that His plan of salvation could be carried out. 7. Q. What are some of these blessings? A. Human government, a sense of what is true, good and beautiful, as well as numerous gifts such as food, shelter, health, family and friends, which result in everyone being encouraged to do good, being restrained from sin, and being helped to perform cultural tasks. *8. Q. Who were the members of this community of God’s people? A. The descendants of Abraham, called Israelites, who professed faith, and their children. 9. Q. What special ordinances did God give to the members of this community? A. Circumcision in the days of Abraham, and the Passover in the days of Moses. 10. Q. How was the life of this community governed? A. By prophets, priests, and kings. 11. Q. What special promise did God give the members of this community? A. The land of Canaan, in which God lived, would be theirs if they were faithful to Him. This guaranteed all material blessings such as plenty of food, good health, and victory over their enemies. *12. Q. What happened when the Lord Jesus Christ came, and the Holy Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost? A. God created a new community - the local church - of which there are many. 13. Q. Who are the members of this local church? A. All those who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and those alone. 14. Q. What special ordinances have been given to the local church? A. Baptism and the Lord’sSupper. 15. Q. Who manages the affairs of the local church? A. Elders and deacons. 16. Q. Has the local church, like Israel, been given a promise of any land? A. No, the church and state are separate now, since the church is composed of people from every land. Believers, however, look forward to the day when they shall possess the whole earth made new. *17. Q. What is the hope of the Christian, now that the Lord Jesus Christ has come and secured salvation for His people? A. The Christian’s hope is in the certain return of the Lord Jesus Christ, to complete the salvation of believers. He will do this by freeing them from all personal sin, giving them new bodies, and providing a world cleansed form sin and its awful consequences. PASSAGES FOR STUDY: Genesis 3:15-4:16; Exodus 19:1-24:18; Galatians 3:15-4:7; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; John 8:48-59; Hebrews 11:1-6; John 1:29-34; Genesis 8:20-9:17; Exodus 19:1-6; Genesis 17:1-14; Exodus 12:1-13; Deuteronomy 18:14-22; Numbers 3:1-10; Deuteronomy 17:14-20; Numbers35:33-34; Exodus 23:20-33; Acts 2:1-14, 37-47; Hebrews 8:7-13; Matthew28:16-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Philippians 1:1-2; 2 Peter 3:10-13; 1 Peter 1:3-12; 1 John 2:28-3:3; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 42-44, 50-58; Romans 8:18-27. 8. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. *1. Question: What are the two great blessings of the Christian life? Answer: The forgiveness of sins, and the possession of new life, which give the Christian a sense of God’s love, joy and peace. 2. Q. What does it mean to have new life? A. It means God has broken the power of sin in the lives of Christians, and has given them a desire to glorify Him in the whole of their lives. 3. Q. How do we show our desire to please God in everything? A. By dying daily to sin as we deny self and take up our cross; and as we live daily to righteousness by the Holy Spirit, strengthening our Christ-like life. *4. Q. How important are good works for the Christian? A. They are sure to happen as marks of fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. 5. Q. What is the chief reason for the Christian seeking to please God in everything? A. The Christian lives to please God, out of love for Jesus Christ, Who is his Saviour and Lord. 6. Q. What are some of the ways in which Christians show that they enjoy fellowship with the Saviour? A. By daily prayer, study of the Bible, regular fellowship with other Christians and the sacrificial use of their gifts and possessions, including a home open for others. *7. Q. What should the Christians’ relationship be to the world in which they live? A. Christians must not withdraw into a life totally separated from non-Christians since they have a vital role to play in society. Christians must show how to use and enjoy the good gifts God has given to all people everywhere. 8. Q. What is one important consequence of such loving contact with the world? A. People everywhere will hear the Gospel message and have it given extra strength by seeing the Christian’s good deeds, and perhaps come to love and trust the Saviour for themselves. *9. Q. How are we to know what kind of life God wants His children to live? A. Christian behaviour is governed by God’s unchanging laws - declared in the Ten Commandments, explained in the Sermon on the Mount and the New Testament letters, and illustrated in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. 10. Q. Does God correct His children when they fall into sin? A. Yes, the Bible teaches that God does not let His children’s sin go unnoticed, but will discipline them if they do wrong. 11. Q. Why does God discipline His children for their sin? A. In order to show that sin in the believer is serious; also to help His children to grow and mature in the Christian life; and, above all, to show that they do not belong to the company of unbelievers, who often go unpunished in this life, but will certainly be condemned forever on the Day of Judgement. 12. Q. Is God’s discipline always related to the presence of sin? A. No. Sometimes His discipline is given so as to prevent sin in His children, and to help them serve Him better. PASSAGES FOR STUDY: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 5:1-5, 5:20-6:23; Colossians 3:1-17; Luke 9:18-26; Matthew 7:15-29; Ephesians 4:29-5:2; Matthew 6:5-15; 1 Peter 1:22-2:3; Hebrews10:19-31; Philippians 4:10-20; Acts 16:11-15; Matthew 5:13-16; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 Peter 2:9-25; Exodus 20:1-17; Matthew 5-7; Romans 13; John 19:25-27; Hebrews 12:1-12; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34; Psalm 73; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. 9. THE CHURCH. *1. Question: What is the Church? Answer: The Body of Christ, which comprises all people from every land, and from all ages, who have been given new life by the Holy Spirit, and brought to trust in the Saviour. 2. Q. What is the local church? A. The Body of Christ made visible in a particular place. *3. Q. What is the most necessary feature of the local church? A. A community of believers who worship Christ as Saviour and Lord. 4. Q. What are the vital marks of the local church? A. Belief, baptism, life, leadership, teaching, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper and prayer. *5. Q. What special gifts has the Lord Jesus Christ given to manage the affairs of the local church? A. Elders, who rule and teach, both in private and to the gathered church; deacons, who are responsible for all material needs; and evangelists, whose task it is to preach the Gospel in order to establish new churches. *6. Q. What are the important functions of the local church? A. All Christians are to build each other up, so that the church may be strengthened in its faith; and all Christians are to share the Good News of Jesus, so that the Gospel may be spoken to all people everywhere. 7. Q. How is it possible for the local church to work out these important functions? A. It is made possible by the use of gifts, which God has given to each member through the Holy Spirit. *8. Q. What duty does one local church have for another? A. Each local church must make the spiritual unity that exists between all local Gospel churches, as visible as possible. 9. Q. For what reasons should local churches confer? A. The definition of doctrine; the exercise of discipline; the fulfilment of evangelistic enterprise (by finance, prayer, and the use of suitably gifted people); the training of church leaders; and for social action in the community. PASSAGES FOR STUDY: Ephesians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 16:19-24; 1:1-3; Acts 2:41-47; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Philippians 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 Corinthians 14:1-17; Acts 8:1b-8, 1 Peter 4:7-11; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Acts 15:1-6; 2 John 7-11; Philippians 4:14-20; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; Acts 16:1-5, 11:19-30. 10. THE SPECIAL ORDINANCES. *1. Question: What two special ordinances did the Lord Jesus Christ give to the local church? Answer: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. 2. Q. Why did the LordJesus Christ give these ordinances? A. To show that His disciples belong to Him, and to remind them of what He has done for them. 3. Q. How are these ordinances able to give spiritual blessings? A. Only, as by faith, Christians receive the truths which these ordinances proclaim. *4. Q. What is baptism? A. The dipping of believers into water, as a sign of being one with Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection. 5. Q. What is the purpose of baptism? A. To show believers that God has cleansed them from their sins through Jesus Christ. *6. Q. Who are to be baptised? A. Only those who repent of their sins, and believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. *7. Q. What is the Lord’s Supper? A. The eating of bread, and drinking of wine, to remember the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ. 8. Q. What does the bread represent? A. The body of Jesus, broken for sinners. 9. Q. What does the wine represent? A. The blood of Jesus, shed for the forgiveness of sins. *10. Q. How should the Lord’s Supper be observed? A. By using one loaf and one cup. 11. Q. Why is it important to use one loaf and one cup? A. To express the spiritual unity of the local church. 12. Q. Who should take of the Lord’s Supper? A. Only those who are in fellowship with a local church. PASSAGES FOR STUDY: Matthew 28:16-20; Corinthians 11:23-32, 10:1-5; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Hebrews 4:1-2; Romans 5:20-6:4; Acts 22:1-16, 2:32-41; Matthew 26:17-30; 1 Corinthians 10:14-22. 11. THE LAST THINGS. *1. Question: What happens to people when they die? Answer: Their bodies return to the dust, and their souls live on. 2. Q. Where do the souls of believers go at death? A. They immediately enter the presence of Christ. *3. Q. Where do the souls of unbelievers go at death? A. They are cast into hell. 4. Q. What is hell? A. A place of dreadful and endless punishment. *5. Q. Will the Lord Jesus Christ come again? A. Yes, in great power and glory. At the last day He will come personally and visibly, to judge the world. *6. Q. Will the bodies of the dead be raised to life again? A. At the day of judgement there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of believers and unbelievers. 7. Q. What will happen to the wicked in the day of judgement? A. The body, with the soul, in being banished from the presence of God forever, shall be sentenced to the agonies of hell, with Satan and his demons. *8. Q. What will happen to the righteous in the Day of Judgement? A. They shall be perfectly blessed, both in soul and body, and shall live with the Lord Jesus Christ forever, in a creation purged from all sin, and filled with divine glory. PASSAGES FOR STUDY: Ecclesiastes 12:1-8; 2 Corinthians 5;1-10; Luke 16:19-31; Mark 9:42-48; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Titus 2:11-14; John 5:16-30; Revelation 20:11-15; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Peter3:1-13; Revelation 21:1-5. 12. POSTSCRIPT: A defence of the faith! *1. Question: Why do Christians believe in God? Answer: Because God has given good and sufficient reasons for doing so. 2. Q. What are some of the good and sufficient reasons for believing? A. God’s world - particularly the creation of man; God’s speech and actions - especially His written word, the Bible; and God’s Son - the Lord Jesus Christ, in Whom God came down to earth as Man. *3. Q. If God has provided good and sufficient reasons for believing, why do not all people trust and obey him? A. Every person, in being born without God the Holy Spirit, is taken captive and blinded by Satan, and thus is not only unwilling to trust God, but also unable to appreciate the evidence God has given of Himself. 4. Q. What ought all men and women to do then? A. They must repent, by ceasing to exclude God and His written word – the Bible, from their lives; and they must trust Jesus Christ, so that their sin of unbelief may be forgiven. PASSAGES FOR STUDY: Luke 1:1-4; Romans 1:18-20, 2:14-15; Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 18:14-20; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 1:1-18; Romans1:21-23, 28-32; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; 2 Timothy 2:22 -26; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10, 2:13-16; John 16; 5-11; 1 John 5:1-12. Asking and answering questions was written by my pastor, Colin Richards, of Scorrier Chapel, Cornwall, England. It is included here with his kind permission.

The Master's Instructions about specific Christian problems. Matthew 4:1-11, It is not a sin to be tempted to do wrong. Jesus was tempted and yet He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). The record of Jesus’ initial temptations is given to us in Matthew 4:1-11. It is instructive for us. A Christian can be living a Spirit-led life and still be tempted (vv.1-2) The devil even used the means of worship and consecration as a temptation for Jesus. After a long, spiritual fast, the temptation was basic hunger. The devil said to Jesus: ‘Work a miracle to provide for a perfectly legitimate need.’ Beware of the ‘Christian’ temptations to engineer what you want to happen, rather than allowing God to do what He wants. Jesus’ answer was to use the Bible against the tempter (vv.4, 7, 10) When we are tempted not to bother to learn the Bible, not to study it and apply it to our lives, the devil is going for the kill. He knows that God’s word is the Holy Spirit’s sword and he is afraid to let us have it. Some temptation can wrongly interpret Scripture or can seek to achieve the right end by the wrong means (vv.6, 9) It is essential that we discern and do God’s will. Beware of building too much on just one or two verses from the Bible. Look at the context as well as the texts. The devil will not always be tempting us (v.11) Perhaps he is most dangerous when we do not know where he is. A soldier on guard duty learns to treat unusual silence with suspicion. It is also true that the pilot of an aircraft on a bombing raid soon learns that he gets more flack the closer he is to his target. James tells us the stages temptation follows in our lives. First there is desire, then conception, then birth, then maturity and finally death (James 1:13-16). The earlier the temptation is tackled the better it will be for us. Jesus pointed us in the same direction when He said that God was interested in our thoughts before our actions (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28, 37). In the Lord’s prayer Jesus gives a big clue as to how to handle temptation. Matthew 6:13 teaches us to be aware that temptation will happen, to avoid going where you know it will be, and to anticipate that God holds the key to deliverance. Paul prescribes God’s solution in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Count on the fact that you are not unique. Count on the fact that God is faithful. Count on the fact that His strength will make you stand. Count on His providing a way out, and make sure you take it when you see it! The Bible has many accounts of men’s temptations and how they overcame them. Read them and learn from them: Joseph and Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:6-12) David could have killed Saul (1 Samuel 24:1-7) Naaman did not want to obey (2 Kings 5:10-14) Josiah chose not to conform (2 Kings 22:2) Barnabas and Paul were tempted to be proud (Acts 14:8-15) Paul must have been temped to quit (2 Corinthians 11:23-29) Jesus said: ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation’ (Luke 22:40). Discussion guide for ‘How to overcome temptation’ 1. Why do you think Jesus used the phrase, “and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” in the Lord’s Prayer? See Matthew 6:13. 2. As sensitively as you can, share one temptation that you battle with often. Also share one way you try to overcome it. 3. From James 1:13-15 list the steps on the slide into disobedience. 4. How can each step be overcome by the Christian? Or, at the very least, what precautions should a Christian take to avoid giving in to temptation? 5. Consider how Galatians 5:16-25 helps a Christian recognise the bad and the good. Describe what you think it means to “keep in step with the Spirit”, verse 25. 6. The biblical examples at the end of the chapter (above) all show us our enemy, the devil, at work trying to trip up God’s people. What does 1 Peter 5:8-11 teach us about his aims – and our Christian response? 7. How can we resist the devil? Consider the example of Jesus. Explain what you understand by Ephesians 6:11 “take your stand” and verse 16 “take up the shield of faith”. Be as practical as you can in your answer. 8. Memorise 1 Corinthians 10:13. As you sow it into your heart God will bring it to mind when you need to remember it. Test each other to see if you really know it – or, better still, learn it together.

The Master's Instructions about specific Christian problems. (Jonah chapters 1-4). The Bible tells us that God has a plan for each individual and a purpose for them only to fulfil. We are called according to God’s purpose (Romans 8:28-30), and we are able to prove what His will is, as we give ourselves completely to Him (Romans 12:1-2). The discovering of God’s will comes as we listen to His word and His Spirit and, perhaps, through the counsel of godly men. The doing of God’s will comes only as we take the plunge from the pool edge into the water. The example of Samuel (1 Samuel 3:1-21) Although he was close to the Lord, he did not yet know him (vv.1, 7). He heard God’s call to him in a growing conviction (vv.4, 6, 8, 10). He had the counsel of Eli (v.8). He continued with the Lord and the Lord with him (vv.19-21). Notice that Samuel was not initially called to be a prophet. He was called to come to know God. God always requires that as the number one priority. The example of Jonah (Jonah 1-4) Initially Jonah clearly rejected God’s word to him (1:1-3). God used a great storm, a swirling sea, and a spell in a fish’s stomach to bring Jonah to his senses. He remembered the Lord though he was trying to run from him (2:1). The second time God called him, Jonah got it right. He had learned his lesson (3:1-3). The doing of God’s will is always a matter of our choice. When He confronts us with something, we can say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Frequently Christians say they do not know what God is calling them to do, when in reality they know He is wanting them to do something they are not willing to do. Jonah still had a lot to learn about God’s never-ending love. His own will for the Ninevites was very different from God’s will for them. The example of the council in Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-30) Groups of Christians sometimes need to know God’s will together on certain issues. The early church leaders gave due regard to custom and personal testimony (vv.1, 2, 5). ‘Did all the believers have to be circumcised in order to be saved?’ They gave consideration and judgement together (v.6). There was discussion and dialogue. There was evidence and evaluation. Their conclusions were drawn in the light of all this and the witness of the Holy Spirit to their hearts (vv.19, 28). They then clearly communicated their findings to all the people involved (vv.30-31). The Bible is very specific on some issues and it may be a good idea to take a concordance and look up all the occasions where it says: ‘It is God’s will that you ….’ 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 5:18 will give you a start. Every command of God in the Bible is His will – you can be sure of that. However, you will not find the Bible saying that you should be a scientist, or that you live at no.123 in a certain road, or that you should marry Miss World! How do we know God’s will on issues like these? 1. Listen to the wisdom of His word. 2. Listen to the witness of His Spirit. 3. Walk forward by faith. 4. Wait upon God in continuing submission to what He wants. Each one of these four is important. Any one without the others could be very dangerous. Thank you Lord God for the confidence I can have in You and for the confidence You have in me. Discussion guide on ‘How to know God’s will for your life’ 1. Share any difficulties you may have in knowing God’s will for your own life. What makes it more difficult, or more easy, to know? 2. Share together all the Bible verses you can think of that contain something like, “It is God’s will that you …” All of the things these verses speak of are clearly God’s will for our lives. 3. Colossians 2:6-7 tells us to keep growing in the Lord. How can we grow in the Lord? And, therefore, how can we know God’s will? 4. The more difficult times are where the Bible is non-specific. What has God given to us to help us with these less clear choices? After sharing your own ideas, look up these Bible verses. Psalm 111:10 Psalm 119:105 Acts 15:1-4 Acts 15:28 James 1:5-8 5. Discover from Acts 16:1-5 how Paul knew Timothy was right to add to his team; then from verses 6-10 how Paul and his team knew where to go next. Are these valid ways you can know God’s will today? Why? Why not? 6. Read Proverbs 3:1-6. How do you get a “straight path” ahead of you?

The Master's Instructions about specific Christian problems. (Psalm 51, Psalm 63). Psalm 51 is the prayer that David prayed after sinning badly. God graciously gave him over to a barren and downcast spirit, making him choose either to stay in disobedience or to come back to blessing the only way that was available – through confession to God and cleansing by God. The story behind this is found in 2 Samuel 11 and 12. The prayer is based upon the attributes of God. God is merciful, God is loving, God is compassionate and God has the ability to cleanse. David also knows his own actions. He knows he has broken God’s law and God’s heart. He knows he has been born separated from God and continued to live there. He begins to see himself as God sees him. David expresses his trust in God for forgiveness. He knows that only God can cleanse him and only God can create the man he ought to be out of the material he currently is. It is not a selfish prayer. It is not a self-righteous prayer. It is both relevant to his situation and realistic before God. It is a prayer most Christians can identify with at some time in their lives. Psalm 63 is a prayer that David prayed when he was expressing his own spiritual desires. He had an awareness of God that led to an assurance. This in turn led to an appetite for more of God. A healthy appetite is always a sign of a good life. David’s practical situation was grim. He wondered what the future held. But his mind was constantly occupied with God. He wanted what God wanted above everything else. It is a prayer of confidence in God. It is a prayer of contentment before God. Yet it is also a prayer of consecration: ‘I stay close to you’ (v.8). Elijah ‘cried out to the Lord’ when he did not understand the natural disaster that was before him (1 Kings 17:20). He prayed publicly that God would prove Himself to be real before the disbelieving nation (18:36-37). He knew both times of elation and times of depression, yet the epitaph given him in James 5:17-18 reads: ‘[Elijah] prayed earnestly.’ He prayed in conflict with the world. He voiced his own complaints before God. He communicated with God all he could. I was told in Bible College to pray when I felt like it and to pray when I didn’t feel like it! That is good advice. Study the needs you see in your own life and in the world around you. Seek God for the answers. Submit to His will for what you should be involved in. Enlarge your vision in prayer. Pray for yourself, but also pray for your circle of friends. Pray for your neighbours. Pray for your town. Pray for your nation. Pray for your world. Pray small, specific prayers to which you can see a specific answer. God will stir you into action for Himself. Discussion guide for ‘How to Pray’ Bible readings Psalm 51 and 63 1. Share what you find is the hardest thing about personal prayer. 2. In your Bible, Psalm 51, circle in red pencil the times David writes “me, my or I”. (If you prefer not to mark your Bible – just list them on a separate sheet of paper). When you have done that circle in blue or black pencil the number of times David writes “your, you or God”. From your marking, what does David know about God? From your marking, what does David know about himself? 3. Why is it important to focus on God as well as on our problems? 4. Why is it important to see ourselves as God sees us? 5. In your Bible, Psalm 63, circle in red pencil the times David writes “me. I, or my”. When you have done that circle in blue or black pencil the number of times David writes “your, you or God”. From your marking, what does David know about God? From your marking, what does David know about himself? 6. What do you learn from Elijah’s situation and his prayer (verse 20) in 1 Kings 17:17-24? What does this mean for your prayers? 7. What do you learn from Elijah’s situation and his prayer (verses 36-37) in 1 Kings 18:20-46? What does this mean for your prayers? 8. Read Matthew 6:5-15. How many guidelines for your own praying can you find in these verses? List them and discuss them. 9. Why do you think it is good to pray alone? 10. What is the importance of asking for “daily bread”, verse 11? 11. Why should a Christian pray, “Your will be done”, verse 10? I have heard it said that to do this lacks faith. What do you think? Also consider Luke 22:41-42.

The Master's Instructions about specific Christian problems. (Ephesians 6:10-20). To live as a Christian is not easy because we live in a non-Christian world. From inside us as well as outside we are under constant pressure to lower the standard of Jesus Christ in our lives. Never become discouraged by the struggle to do right rather than wrong. All Christians have the same struggle – even the ones you think don’t have it! In Romans 7:21-25 Paul mentions knowing evil with him, in his body and in his sinful nature. He knows that his life’s work is to do battle against this evil with the help of the only One Who can ever bring victory – Jesus Christ our Lord. Identifying the enemy is often the key to winning the battle. As Christians we have three enemies who work together for our downfall. The world is our enemy (1 John 4:1-6) Be very careful when you discover in yourself something of the spirit of the world. The world panders to our fleshly desires in order to attract us away from following our Master. Be wary of the viewpoint of the world. Human standards, human logic, human rationale are not immediately part of your Christian battle dress. A Christian should never be merely human. In 1 John 2:15-17 the same writer has already said that the things of the world and the desires of the world are not for the Christian. Do battle with the world in the armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-11). There are things outside us that are trying to get in. Identify them and defend yourself. The flesh is our enemy (James 1:13-15) The world seems to know about our weaknesses and where to attack us. The world shows us what it knows will appeal to our flesh. The world is like a good fisherman, always using the right bait. We can know the flesh through the pull of our selfish desires (Galatians 5:16-21). The flesh is the point of expression of these things in our lives. It is like the thin end of the wedge – where we begin to lose the battle. Unchecked, it becomes worse and worse. Our nature has been sinful since the fall and it is natural that we do these wrong things. The desires and the deeds of the sinful nature are contrary to God’s will. Remember that the flesh is on the inside of the Christian’s armour! Praise God that His Holy Spirit lives within you to battle there. The devil is our enemy Satan tempted Jesus and he will tempt us (Matthew 4:1). He will snatch away God’s word from us (Matthew 13:19). He will sow bad among the good to confuse us (Matthew 13:38-39). He will try to deceive us and lead us astray (2 Corinthians 11:3). He will make out he is something he is not, in order to disguise his real intent (2 Corinthians 11:14). He is a schemer, with weapons that can do serious damage to anyone (Ephesians 6:11, 16). He wants to take us out of the war (1 Peter 5:8). Remember though that Satan is a defeated foe (1 John 3:8). We defeat him through the power of Jesus Christ (Revelation 20:10). Jesus Christ overcame the world which tried to get to Him through the Jewish leaders. He overcame the flesh which tried to get Him to avoid the cross. He overcame the devil who offered Him the right thing the wrong way. Jesus Christ always chose to do God’s will and God always helped Him to do it, once that choice had been made. Lord, grant me scars of battle on my body rather than scars of treachery or cowardice on my mind or my heart. Amen. Discussion guide for ‘How to fight the spiritual battle’ Bible reading Ephesians 6:10-20 1. Describe times you have known you were in a spiritual battle. 2. Why is it important to know your enemy in spiritual warfare? 3. What do you understand in this context by “the world”? (vs12) See also 1 John 2:15-17. 4. What do you understand in this context by “the flesh”? See also James 1:13-15; Galatians 5:16-21. 5. The struggle to do right and not wrong is universal, from pioneering Christians to people newly born again in Christ. Put into your own words Paul’s struggle, from Romans 7:21-25. 6. What tests can we apply to a feeling or a thought or an idea to see if it comes from God? 1 John 4:1-6. 7. Remember Satan is a defeated foe. “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work”, 1 John 3:8. According to the following verses 9-10, how do we express our Christianity? 8. Read Colossians 2:6-7. How should a young Christian “continue to live in (Christ)”? 9. Describe in your own words what it means to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power”, Ephesians 6:10. Be as practical and down to earth as you can be.

The Master's Instructions about specific Christian problems. (Acts 8:26-40). Firstly, spend some time thinking about how you became a Christian. What was the situation in your life? Where did you actually hear the gospel? What made it become real to you? Our Lord Jesus came into the world with a clearly stated purpose: to seek and to save sinners (Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 1:15). This same purpose is now ours. Every Christian should realise that God has placed him or her where he is for a reason. God has done wonders for him, and now requires him to do certain things in return. In Acts 8:26-40 we have the story of the evangelist Philip. He obeyed the prompting of God (vv.26-27). He met the person God intended him to talk to (v.27). God knew the potential of that man (v.27) and God had prepared him by giving him an interest in spiritual things (v.28). The man had a problem that he needed help with (vv.30-31) and Philip was positive in sharing Christ with him from that point onwards. Why don’t you follow this simple pattern? ACTS for God: • Ask God to lay a person upon your heart • Contact that person for God and God for that person • Train yourself to be ready to lead that person to Christ and then forwards into the Christian life • Seek to share with him as God gives the opportunity Remember that good intentions never got anybody saved! When people are learning to do anything they usually make some mistakes along the way. A learner-driver may dread the test, but he will never be free in his driving until he passes it. We must learn to love people for Jesus Christ, look for opportunities to witness, listen to cries for help, learn from every experience and then to lead people to the One Who saved us. Personal evangelism does not mean sharing the whole message of the gospel with every person you witness to. It does mean giving some of the message to people when God gives you the opportunity. Work out your own way of sharing the simple truths of salvation with your friends. 1. Man was right with God – this is what I want and what He intends. 2. Man was ruined by sin – my inner attitudes and desires show me this. 3. Man can be restored through Jesus Christ – God Himself tells me that I can be a new person through knowing Jesus Christ. 4. Man must now repent of sin or reject God’s salvation – I have made my choice. Will you make your choice now? Discussion guide for ‘How to lead another to Jesus Christ’ 1. If you are able, share briefly how you came to know Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. The group can probably learn from this that there are many and varied circumstances around people becoming born again. 2. How do you think Christians should “seek” sinners for conversion? Luke 19:10. The Greek word zeteo means to look carefully for. 3. From Acts 8:26-40 pick out as many points as you can showing how Philip was led by God to the man from Ethiopia. How may these points help you in personal evangelism? 4. From Acts 10:1-48 describe the steps God used to draw together Cornelius, who was seeking, and Peter, who had the answer. How may these steps help you in personal evangelism? 5. Much of our witnessing takes place over long periods of time, for example, at our places of work, with our family members, etc. Is it necessary to share with a person from these contacts the whole gospel of Jesus Christ every time we talk to them? Why? Why not? 6. I have suggested four steps (above) in a presentation I would make to somebody when I was leading them to Christ. Try and work out for yourself a way to lead someone to Christ. Make it something simple and straightforward that you are comfortable with using. Consider Acts 9:1-30; Acts 16:25-34; and your own conversion encounter with Jesus Christ. 7. Memorise 2 Corinthians 5:17, a verse with a tremendous promise. You can show this to anyone after you have led them to faith in Christ. And if the person has not yet come to believe, prayerfully show them verses 20-21.

The Master's Instructions about specific Christian problems. (Genesis chapters 37-50). I have heard of several groups of Christians who have started to call problems ‘opportunities’. It means that instead of having the burden of problems they have the blessing of opportunities. When a Christian lives with God, every problem is an opportunity for Him to demonstrate His love and care and overruling. The Christian has to decide whether to muddle through on his or her own, or to try trusting God. We cannot determine the outcome of a problem, but we can determine its value to us as a learning experience. In the lessons of life we are either learners or losers. Consider the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50. God had a plan to use Joseph which He revealed early in Joseph’s life. His brothers sold him into slavery and made out that he was dead. They hated him. Yet even as a slave, God was with Joseph (39:1-4). In fighting against sexual temptation Joseph actually won, but ended up in prison because of the lies another told. Yet even in prison, God was with Joseph (39:21-23). By using his gift for interpreting dreams Joseph helped another man to gain release, but the man forgot to keep his promise and so Joseph’s life passed by in prison. Eventually an opportunity arose for him, although there was an element of risk attached because it involved dealing with the most powerful man in Egypt at that time. Joseph trusted God implicitly (41:16). Ultimately, God raised Joseph to high office through Pharaoh. He was able to bless even his own family in their time of deep need. His own testimony shows how he had learned to grow through problems. Genesis 45:4-13 shows how God sent Joseph through all of this to preserve the family line. ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives’ (50:20). Always seek God’s plan and purpose in what is happening. Receive discipline and direction at the hand of God. Accept pruning as a positive process for your Christian growth. Worship God every day, by putting your will on the altar of sacrifice. Be willing to prove your faith genuine through problems. Other scriptures to read: John 15:1-2; Romans 8:28; 12:1-2; Hebrews 12:5-6. Discussion guide for ‘How to grow through problems’ 1. What different ways have you experienced problems in your Christian life? (Or what different ways have you seen other Christians overcome or succumb to problems). 2. Can you see Genesis 50:20 and Romans 8:28 working out truthfully in your life or not? Give examples if you can. 3. What do you know about pruning plants, vines and trees? Why is it done? What happens if it is not done? Carry the picture over into the Christian life. What does John 15:2 mean in this context? 4. Are difficulties in your Christian life good or bad for you? Why? Read John 15:16. 5. Hebrews 12:10 contains the sentence, “God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness”. Explain how this may happen in a Christian’s life. Give examples if you can. 6. James 5:10-12 tells us to learn from the Old Testament character, Job. What lessons can we learn from Job’s life and suffering, Job chapters 1 and 2? 7. What can we learn from the latter part of Job’s life, Job chapters 38-42? God confronted Job and He comforted him as well. 8. How does Psalm 46:1-3 help anyone facing troubles large or small? What do you think a Christian should do to help him or herself through trouble?