Design for Discipleship 1: You're Life in Christ

7/30/2019 Design for Discipleship 1: You're Life in Christ

1/31

2008 by The NavigatorsAll rights reserved. Permission is granted to download and print one copy to use with a study group.

Your Life in Christ

DFD Series


2/31

2008 by The Navigators

All rights reserved. Permission is granted to download and print one copy to use with a study group.

BOOK ONE

YOUR LIFE

IN CHRIST


3/31




Revised edition 1980

All rights reserved. No part o this publication may be reproduced in any orm

without written permission rom NavPress, P.O. Box 35001, Colorado Springs,

CO 80935. www.navpress.com

NAVPRESS and the NAVPRESS logo are registered trademarks o NavPress. Absence

o in connection with marks o NavPress or other parties does not indicate an

absence o registration o those marks.

ISBN-13: 978-0-89109-036-6

ISBN-10: 0-89109-036-3

All Scripture quotations in this publication are taken rom theHOLY BIBLE: NEW

INTERNATIONAL VERSION (niv). Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International

Bible Society. Used by permission o Zondervan Publishing House. All rights

reserved.

Printed in the United States o America

34 35 36 37 / 12 11 10 09 08

NavPress is the publishing ministry of The Navigators, an international

Christian organization and leader in personal spiritual development.NavPress is committed to helping people grow spiritually and enjoy lives

of meaning and hope through personal and group resources that are

biblically rooted, culturally relevant, and highly practical.

For a free catalog go to www.NavPress.com

or call 1.800.366.7788 in the United States or 1.800.839.4769 in Canada.


4/31

3



NOT bYbREad aLONE

Billions o the worlds people go through lie spiritually under-nourished. The words Jesus spoke centuries ago are still trueMan does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comesrom the mouth o God (Matthew 4:4).

Because they recognize this need in their lives that only Godcan satisy, more and more people are turning to serious study

o the Bible. Everyone needs to study the Bibleboth those newto the Christian aith and those who have known Christ or manyyears.

The Designfor Discipleship studies have been careullyplanned to help you:

Establish a program o personal study o the Scriptures.Examine the great truths o the Bible.Learn and practice the essentials o discipleship.

To get the ull benet o the course, it is important to work

consecutively rom Book One through Book Seven.All you need to begin is a Bible. Each question will direct you

to a passage o Scripture. Ater thinking about the passage, writethe answer in your own words.

Scripture reerences will give the book, chapter, and verse.For example, Revelation 3:20 reers to the book o Revelation,chapter 3, verse 20.

Be sure to pray beore you begin each chapter. Ask the Lordor understanding as you study these topics:

God Cares or YouThe Person o Jesus ChristThe Work o ChristThe Spirit Within You


5/31

5



Chapter One

GOd CaRESFOR YOU

You are a special person.You are special because o God. God says you are valuable

to him. He genuinely cares about you and what happens to you.In this chapter, you will investigate our statements o Gods

concern or you:God created you.

God knows you.

God loves you.God made you part o his amily.

God

Created You

1. Genesis is the book o beginnings. Chapter 1 tells us that Godcreated the universe. Read Genesis 1:1-5. List at least three actsconcerning the creation.

2. How did God create the world?Read Hebrews 11:3

3. How should you respond to Gods creation?Revelation 4:11


6/31

6



4. Why did God create you?Isaiah 43:7

5. The dignity God gave man is shown by mans uniqueness, his

authority, and his purpose. List some acts rom Genesis 1:26-28that indicate:

a. The uniqueness o man

b. The position or authority o man

c. The purpose o man

God

Knows You

6. In Psalm 139:1-6 David mentions several areas o his liewhich God has searched and known. List at least our o them.Then place a check mark by the areas God knows about yourlie.

7. How did David respond as he realized how completely Godknew him?Psalm 139:23-24


7/31

7



8. What does Jesus reveal about Gods detailed interest in you?Matthew 10:29-31

God

Loves You

9. What was Gods greatest demonstration o his love?1 John 4:9-10

(Maniest means to show or make apparent;propitiation or expiation means a

payment that restores avor.)

God so Loved the worLd . . .

WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM

SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE

death Life

HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON

10. Study John 3:16 in relationship to the illustration above.

a. What did Gods love cause him to do?


8/31

8



b. What does it mean that God gave his Son?

c. How can a person receive eternal lie?

11. In John 10:9-16, Jesus compares his love and concern to thelove and concern o a shepherd. According to this passage, whatare some o the things he wants to give you?

12. Which items that you listed in question 11 are mostimportant to you?

Take a moment to pray. Thank God or all the things you listedin question 11. Specically remember those which mean themost to you. Praise him that these things are given to youbecause o Jesus, and that you do not earn them by youractions.

God Made

You Part

of his faMiLY

13. How did Jesus teach his disciples to address God?Matthew 6:9

14. Is it true that God is everyones Father? Why or why not?John 8:42-44


9/31

9



15. How is one born into Gods amily?John 1:12-13

The importance o the assurance o aith lies in the actthat, childlike, I cannot possibly love or serve God i I do notknow whether he loves and acknowledges me as his child.

ANDREW MURRAY1

16. List some o the advantages o being a true child o God romRomans 8:15-17.

(Abba is a personal name or ather.)

17. State briefy how you know God is your Father.

It is important or you as a Christian to be assured that God is

your Father and that you have eternal lie. Since eelings change,this assurance must ultimately depend on the Word o God. Iwrite these things to you who believe . . . that you may know thatyou have eternal lie (1 John 5:13).

Below are three verses that have helped many Christians gainthis assurance. You may want to memorize the verse which helpsyou most in this area.

I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and

believes him who sent me has eternal lie and will not becondemned; he has crossed over rom death to lie.

JOHN 5:24

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal lie, andthis lie is in his Son. He who has the Son has lie; he whodoes not have the Son o God does not have lie.

1 JOHN 5:11-12

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. I anyone hearsmy voice and opens the door, I will go in and eat withhim, and he with me.

REVELATION 3:20

1 From The Assurance o Faith in The New Lie (1891).


10/31

10



rmmb t P

God created you or his own purpose and his glory. He gaveyou dignity by shaping you ater his own likeness.

God considers you to be o great value. He takes personalinterest in knowing you completely.He loves you so intensely that he sent his Son to die or youon the cross. This demonstration o his love shows he wants togive you an eternal and abundant lie.When God gave you this lie in Jesus Christ, you werespiritually born into Gods amily. He is your Father. You are hischild.


11/31

11



Chapter twO

THE PERSONOF JESUS CHRIST

Man is incapable o ully understanding God. God is holy and manis sinul. To bridge the gap between God and man, God took theorm o a man in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the image o the invisible God. . . . For Godwas pleased to have all his ullness dwell in him (Colossians1:15,19).

To be the complete expression o God, Christ had to be God.To be seen and understood by man, he had to be human. JesusChrist has a dual naturehe is the God-man.

In order to begin understanding Jesus Christ, it is necessaryto explore his deity and hishumanity.

the deitY

of Jesus Christ

Some speak o Jesus Christ as a great man. To some he was theounder o a new religion. Others consider him a prophet. ButJesus himsel claimed that he was God. I this claim were not true,he could not be called even a good man, but would be an imposterand a liar.

The writer o Hebrews discusses Christs deity in chapter 1.Read this chapter beore answering questions 14.

1. Jesus superiority to the angels is shown by:

Verses 4-5


12/31

12



Verse 6

Verses 13-14

2. Look again at Hebrews 1:8-12. In the blank next to eachstatement below, write the number o the verse that brings outthe truth stated.

Jesus is the Creator

Jesus is unchangeable

Jesus is eternal

Jesus is righteous

3. Whats one act about Jesus mentioned in Hebrews 1:3 that

enables him to reveal God? (There is more than one act given inthis verse.)

4. How does God address Jesus in Hebrews 1:8?

In Hebrews 1:10?

5. What did Jesus claim or himsel?John 10: 28-30

6. While on earth, Jesus perormed many miracles which clearlydemonstrated his divine power. From the ollowing verses inMatthew 8, list the ways Jesus showed supernatural power.

Verse 3

Verses 6,13

Verses 16-17

Verses 23-27


13/31

13



7. What did Jesus do in John 11:39-44 that revealed his uniquepower?

8. Ater observing Jesus lie, power, and preaching, what didPeter conclude about him?Matthew 16:13-16

9. The chart on pages 1415 illustrates how Jesus ullledprophecy. How do the verses in this chart infuence your concepto who Jesus is?

10. Review questions 19. Give three reasons why you believeJesus Christ is God.

the huManitY

of Jesus Christ

11. How is Jesus humanity seen in the ollowing situations?

John 4:6

John 4:7

John 11:35


14/31



Pro

Phecie

s

About

Jesu

s

chr

ist

Placeobirth

Butyou,Bethlehe

mEphrathah,thoughyou

aresmallamongth

eclansoJudah,outo

you

willcomeormeonewhowillberulerover

Israel,whoseorigin

sareromo

old,rom

ancienttimes(Micah5:2),700BC.

Jesuswasbo

rninBethleheminJud

ea

(Matthew2:1).

Bornoa

virgin

Thevirginwillbe

withchildandwillgive

birth

toason,andwillcallhimImmanuel(Isa

iah

7:14),700BC.

HismotherM

arywaspledgedtobe

marriedtoJoseph,butbeoretheyc

ame

together,shewasoundtobewithchild

throughtheH

olySpirit(Matthew1:18).

Histriumphal

entry

Rejoicegreatly,O

DaughteroZion!Shout,

DaughteroJerusa

lem!See,yourkingcomes

toyou,righteousandhavingsalvation,ge

ntle

andridingonadon

key,onacolt,theoaloa

donkey(Zechariah9:9),500BC.

Theytookpa

lmbranchesandwent

outto

meethim,sho

uting,Hosanna!Blessedishe

whocomesin

thenameotheLord!

Blessed

istheKingo

Israel!Jesusounday

oung

donkeyandsa

tuponit(John12:13-14).

Fulflledprop

hecyhelpsveriytheactthat

JesusistheC

hrist,theSonoGod.Lookingat

prophecieswhichprecededJesusbyhundreds

oyearsands

eeinghowJesusulflledthem

in

everydetailrevealsth

eauthenticityohis

claims.Thechartbelow

isabrielistosomeo

th

epropheciesmadeconcerningtheChristand

howJesusulflledthem

.

toPiC

ProPheCY

fuLfiLLMe

nt


15/31



Betrayedbya

riend

Evenmycloseriend,whomI

trusted,

he

whosharedmyb

read,hasliteduphisheel

againstme(Psalm4

1:9),1000BC.

ThenJudasIscariot,oneotheTwe

lve,

wenttothechieprieststobetrayJesusto

them(Mark14:10).

Hisrejectio

n

Hewasdespised

andrejectedbymen...

Likeoneromwh

ommenhidetheirac

es

hewasdespised,

andweesteemedhimnot

(Isaiah53:3),700BC.

Hecametot

hatwhichwashisown

,but

hisowndidnotreceivehim(John1:11).

Crucifedw

ith

sinners

He...wasnumberedwiththetransgressors

(Isaiah53:12),700BC.

Tworobbers

werecrucifedwithhim,

oneonhisrig

htandoneonhislet

(Matthew27:38).

Handsandeet

pierced

Theyhavepierc

edmyhandsandmyeet

(Psalm2

2:16),1000BC.

Putyourfng

erhere;seemyhands.Reach

outyourhand

andputitintomysid

e

(John20:27).

His

resurrection

Youwillnotabandonmetothegrave,nor

willyouletyourHolyOneseedecay

(Psalm1

6:10),1000BC.

Youkilledtheauthorolie,butGo

d

raisedhimro

mt

hedead(Acts3:15).

Hisascension

Youascendedonhigh(Psalm6

8:18),

1000BC.

Hewastakenupbeoretheirveryeyes,

andacloudh

idhimromt

heirsight

(Acts1:9).


16/31

16



12. Matthew 4:1-11 is the account o a series o temptationsJesus aced.

a. In each o his three answers to Satan, Jesus used the same

phrase.What is it?

What does it mean?

b. Draw lines to connect the verses in Matthew 4 with thecorresponding verses in Deuteronomy.

Matthew 4:4 Deuteronomy 6:13Matthew 4:7 Deuteronomy 6:16

Matthew 4:10 Deuteronomy 8:3c. What is one temptation you oten ace?

d. How can you ollow Jesus example and arm yoursel againstthis temptation?

Take time right now to pray:

Thank God that he understands what it is to be tempted.Ask him or help to overcome this temptation.When you ail, be sure to claim his promise: Iwe coness our sins, he is aithul and just andwill orgive us our sins and puriy us rom all

unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).Thank him or his mercy.

13. What has Jesus experienced that is common to man?Hebrews 2:10

14. How does Jesus address believers? Why isnt he ashamed toaddress them this way?Hebrews 2:11


17/31

17



15. What are some results o Jesus becoming a man?Hebrews 2:14-15

rmmb t P

Jesus Christ is the perect image o God. As God, he hasauthority over the earth.Jesus was human too. Many o his experiences were similar to

those you have today. He suered and was tempted. Thoughhe never yielded, this allows him to understand when you aretempted. When you ail, he orgives as you coness your sins tohim.


18/31

18



Chapter three

THE WORkOF CHRIST

Many have heard about the last events o Jesus sinless lie onearth. He was condemned as a common criminal, hung rom across until dead, and three days later he rose rom the dead. Butew people understand the meaning o these events.

In this chapter, you will explore Jesus lie, his death, and hisresurrection.

the Life

of Jesus Christ

About 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ was born in the obscuretown o Bethlehem. While Jesus was an inant, Joseph and Marytook him to Egypt to escape the wrath o an irate king, Herodthe Great. Then, while he was still a young child, they moved toNazareth o Galilee.

1. When the angel announced his birth, what purpose did he giveor Jesus coming into the world?Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31-33

2. In what ways did Jesus develop as a youth?Luke 2:52


19/31

19



3. What are some activities o Jesus public ministry?Matthew 4:23

4. What was his purpose in selecting the twelve apostles?Mark 3:14

5. What characterized Jesus leadership?Luke 22:25-27

How can you ollow Jesus example?

This study booklet merely touches on the events o Jesus lie. Atthe end o the gospel o John we read, Jesus did many other thingsas well. I every one o them were written down, I suppose that eventhe whole world would not have room or the books that would bewritten (John 21:25). Some o the more amiliar events o Jesus lieare presented in the illustration on page 20.

the death

of Jesus Christ

6. What did Jesus predict would happen to him?Matthew 16:21

7. What kind o death did Jesus suer?Matthew 27:35

With what kind o men did he die?Matthew 27:38


20/31



PassoverM

eal,Wash

DisciplesFeet

LordsSupper

TrueVine

IntercessoryPrayer

Betrayal

GreatComm

andment:

Love

SignsofCom

ingEvents

PlotofJews

andJudas

TriumphalEn

try

intoJerusalem

CastingMone

ychangers

OutoftheTem

ple

TrialsBef

oreHighPriest,

Council,Pilate,andHerod

Death:Cr

ucixion,Burial

Resurrection

AppeartoDisciples

Appearto500

Ascension

alJ

lm

ldyMy

Ccf

r

theLastweeK

BirthinBethlehem

FlighttoEgyp

t

MovetoGalilee

VisittotheTemple

DiscussionwithRabbis

anoverview

o

theLieoChrist

deveLoPinG

Years

PubLiC

MinistrY

CarPenter

b

2

12

30

33

threeYearsoPubLiCMinistrY

Last weeK

TwelveApostlesCommissio

ned

Feedingthe5,000

JesusWalksonWater

Transguration

SeventySentOutonEvangelism

RaisingLazarusfromtheDead

SecondPa

ssover

CallingoftheTwelve

Sermonon

theMount

Parableof

theSower

GadareneDemoniacHealed

BaptizedbyJohn

TemptedintheWilderness

FirstMiracle:WatertoW

ine

FirstPassover:CastOut

the

Moneychangers

WomanattheWell

30

31

3

2

33


21/31

21



8. Did Jesus go to the cross voluntarily? Explain your answer.John 10:17-18

9. What is mans condition apart rom Christ?John 3:18

10. Look up 1 Peter 3:18. What did Jesus do to bring condemnedmen to God?

11. Can anything be added to Christs death to make you moreacceptable to God? Why or why not?Hebrews 10:12-14

the resurreCtion

of Jesus Christ

12. Ater Jesus died and was buried, what was done to secure histomb?Matthew 27:62-66

13. Read Matthew 28:1-7. What was discovered at the tomb onthe rst day o the week?


22/31

22



What did the angel say about Jesus?

14. What were the soldiers bribed to say?Matthew 28:11-15

As a lawyer I have made a prolonged study o theevidences or the events o the rst Easter Day. To me theevidence is conclusive, and over and over again in the

High Court I have secured the verdict on evidence notnearly so compelling. . . . I accept [the Gospel evidenceor the resurrection] unreservedly as the testimony otruthul men to acts they were able to substantiate.

EDWARD CLARKE 2

15. Ater his resurrection, Christ appeared to his disciples.

a. What was their rst impression?Luke 24:36-37

b. What things did he do to show them he had a body?Luke 24:39-43

16. What is the essence o the gospel message?1 Corinthians 15:1-5

2 As quoted by John R. W. Stott inBasic Christianity (London: InterVarsity,

1958), 46.


23/31

23



rmmb t P

Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, raised in Galilee, andbecame a carpenter. He spent three years ministering to

thousands and proving that he was the Christ.Then he was condemned to die on a cross to bear the penaltyor our sin.Ater three days, Jesus rose bodily rom the dead. Hisresurrection is a historical reality.


24/31

24



Chapter FOur

THE SPIRITWITHIN YOU

Christ aroseand now he lives! When he ascended into heaven,he did not leave his ollowers alone. He sent them the Holy Spiritso that all Christians might live under his control.

Jesus Christs

asCension

1. Read careully the account o Jesus ascension in Acts 1:9-11.

a. In your own words, briefy describe the events recorded inverses 9-10, and what they mean to you.

b. Where is Jesus now? Verse 11

c. What did the two men clothed in white predict? Verse 11


25/31

25



2. What is one reason Jesus has gone to heaven?John 14:1-3

3. Read Ephesians 1:20-23. To what place o authority has Christascended? Verse 20

From this position, over what does he reign? Verses 21-23

Jesus Christs

worK of interCession

4. What is Christ doing now?Romans 8:34

(Intercession means to plead on behal o another.)

5. In Jesus great prayer recorded in John 17, what were some othe things he asked or his ollowers?

Verse 13

Verse 15

Verse 17

Verse 21

Verse 24

6. Do you think Jesus is praying the same things or you today?Explain your answer.Hebrews 7:24-25


26/31

26



the indweLLinG

hoLY sPirit

7.What did Jesus promise his disciples that his Father would do?John 14:16,26

8. What can be said o a person who genuinely acknowledges

that Jesus is his Lord? 1 Corinthians 12:3

9. What is true o every believer?

Romans 8:9

1 Corinthians 2:12

1 Corinthians 3:16

Titus 3:5-6

10. Why does God send his Spirit to indwell the believer? Circlethe letter o the correct answer. Galatians 4:6

a. Because the believer has been baptized.

b. Because the believer is his child.

c. Because the believer has dedicated his lie to him.

d. Because the believer has had a special experience.

11. What are some results o the Holy Spirits presence in the lie

o the believer?2 Timothy 1:7


27/31

27



12. Review questions 711. How do you personally know theHoly Spirit lives in you?

LivinG under

the hoLY sPirits

ControL

13. What are two conficting natures in your lie?Galatians 5:16-17

Who should control your lie?

Here is one illustration o the power which results rom theunion o the Holy Spirit with the believer:

I have in my hand a piece o lead. I hold it over apool o water, and relax my grip. The lead is drawnirresistibly earthwards and sinks to the bottom o the

pool. It has been mastered by the law o gravitation. Itake the same piece o lead, attach it to a piece o woodand drop it into the pool. Now it foats. No change

has taken place in the nature or tendency o the lead,nor has the law o gravitation ceased to unction, butthrough its union with the wood, it has been masteredby a stronger law, the law governing foating bodies,and has been emancipated rom the downward pull o

gravitation.J. OSWALD SANDERS 3

14. Whom does the Holy Spirit gloriy?John 16:13-14

3 From The Holy Spirit and His Gits (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1940), 57.


28/31

28



15. What is the sword o the Spirit?Ephesians 6:17

16. What eect does the Word o God have on the believer?

Hebrews 4:12

17. What is one activity in which the Holy Spirit helps you? How?Romans 8:26

18. What were some o the disciples activities ater being lledwith the Holy Spirit?Acts 2:42

19. In Acts 1:8, Jesus used the expression you will twice. Hemade both o these statements in conjunction with the HolySpirit coming on the disciples. What two statements did hemake?

How does the Holy Spirit help you in witnessing?

The Spirit-lled lie is:A lie o obedience to the Holy Spirit (question 13)A lie centered on the person o Jesus Christ(question 14)A lie ounded on Gods Word (question 16)

A lie o prayer (question 17)A lie o ellowship (question 18)A lie that witnesses (question 19)


29/31

29



The Wheel Illustration is a helpul way to remember thesebasic truths about the Spirit-lled lie. It is a Christ-centered lie.The Holy Spirit ocuses your attention on Christ and empowersyou to live a lie oobedience to him. Gods Word andprayerbuild you up in a relationship with Christ so he can live throughyou and reach others throughellowship andwitnessing. With-out drawing attention to himsel, the Holy Spirit shapes eachactivity into an avenue o spiritual blessing.

20. Read Acts 4:31-33. List examples o the principles rom theWheel which are demonstrated by the disciples in this passage.

TheObedientChris

tian

InAction

ChristWitnessing Fellowship

Prayer

TheWord


30/31

30



rmmb t P

Jesus Christ promised that ater he let he would prepare aplace or believers. The apostles watched as Jesus ascended

out o their sight into heaven.Sitting at the right hand o God, Christ reigns over all creationand in particular the church or which he is constantly praying.Jesus Christ also promised to send the Holy Spirit ater he let.Today he comes to live in every believer.The Holy Spirit gives us power to lead an obedient, Christ-centered lie.


31/31

We have a study thats

right for you.

Whether youre a new believer wanting to knowthe basics of Christianity, a small-group leader building

new groups, or someone digging deeper into GodsWord, we have something for you!

From topical to inductive, NavPress studiesemphasize in-depth spiritual change for

believers at all levels. Each contains acombination of questions, tools, Scripture,

leaders guides, and other materials forgroups or individuals. If you want to study

a book of the Bible, learn to handle stress,be a good parent, or communicate effectivelywith God, we have the resources for

your Bible study needs.

Why go anywhere else?

To order copies, visit your local Christian bookstore,

call NavPress at 1-800-366-7788, or log on to www.navpress.com.

To locate a Christian bookstore near you,

call 1-800-991-7747.

Design for Discipleship 1: You're Life in Christ

Documents

Transcript of Design for Discipleship 1: You're Life in Christ