Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – The Great Commission

Chapter 2 - Our Response to the Great Commission

Chapter 3. Foundations Discipleship Plan

Chapter 4. Multiply Disciples by Apprenticeship

Chapter 5. How to Lead a Foundations Meeting

Chapter 1. The Great Commission

I. God’s Plan of Redemption

The theme of the whole Bible is about God creating us to love us and then redeeming us back to himself after we sinned.

You can see that Multiplying is a recurring theme in God’s plan of redemption.

- Genesis 1:28. Adam and Eve – Be fruitful and multiply

- Genesis 9:1. Noah and Sons – Be fruitful and multiply

- Genesis 22:17. Abraham – I will multiply your seed

- Genesis 35:11. Jacob – Be fruitful and multiply

- Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus – Make multiplying disciples

II. Jesus’ Plan: Multiplying Disciples

Jesus’ plan had two parts:

1. Die on the cross for our sins

2. Let people know the good news

But if Jesus had died for our sins and there was no plan to let people know about it,

none of us would have become God’s children.

Jesus preached to the crowds and healed many. But he trained 12 ordinary men for three years to be His disciples. His disciples were to train other disciples until everyone in the world had an opportunity to become a child of God.

A disciple becomes like Jesus

- Romans 8:29. Be conformed to the likeness of His Son

A disciple makes other disciples

- Matthew 28:19-20. Make disciples of all nations

- The Great Commission

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

How to Make Disciples:

- What we are to do:

- Make disciples: As defined by Jesus using Jesus’ process.

- Where we are to do it:

- All Nations: All nationalities (No discrimination), the entire world.

- How we are to do it:

- Go: As you go through life, wherever you are

- Baptizing: Discipleship starts with Evangelism

- Leading people to faith in Christ.

- Teaching obedience to all of Jesus’ commands: Discipleship.

- Maturing in all of the ingredients of a disciple.

- I am with you always: Make disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit

The Great Commission includes both evangelism and discipleship.

- Both are essential to finish the Great Commission.

Jesus gave the Great Commission

- during the 40 day period after His Crucifixion and Resurrection

- and during His Ascension into heaven.

- five times

- to different groups of people

- at different locations

- at different times.

Whatever Jesus said after His death and resurrection with such repetition must motivate us to obedience.

After His resurrection and before his ascension Jesus told his disciples in John 20:21,

“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

- He told them to make disciples just as He did

- and reach all nations

Paul is an example of obeying the Great Commission

- as he trained Timothy

- to train faithful men

- who would teach others also

- and finish the Great Commission

III. Great Commission Principle

Parable of the Sower

- Have you noticed that some people attend church for a while

- and then leave or just sit in church and never get involved?

Jesus tells us why some people choose not to follow Him as His disciple in the Parable of the Sower. (Matthew 13)

- In this parable:

- the seed is the Word of God

- the different soils are the different types of people who hear the Word of God

1. Rocky soil

- Some rejoice but fall away when trouble and persecution come

2. Thorns

- Choked out by the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches

3. Good soil

- Bear the fruit of multiplying disciples

The Parable of the Sower teaches us that it is the nature of the Kingdom of God

- that some will be distracted from faithfully following Jesus

- but some will faithfully follow Jesus and bear much fruit.

We cannot become discouraged when people don’t faithfully follow Jesus despite our best efforts.

- It is their choice.

- God does not force us to accept Jesus for eternal life and He doesn’t force us to obey Him.

- Look for the faithful followers who will bear much fruit

- and train them to be multiplying disciples.

Chapter 2. Our Response to the Great Commission

I. Why Jesus’ Mission Matters to Me

1. Jesus expects me to continue His mission

Jesus gave the Great Commission four times after His Crucifixion and Resurrection and one time during His Ascension.

2. If I want to be like Jesus, my Life Mission must be His Life Mission.

John 17:18. Jesus prayed to the Father: In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.”

3. Because people are hopeless without Christ

Acts 4:12. Jesus is the only one who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save people. We must be saved through him.

4. Because God wants everybody saved

1 Timothy 2:4. God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

5. I will be glad when I see people in heaven.

Luke 15:7. I tell you there is much joy in heaven when one sinner changes his heart.

II. What Did Jesus Say Is the Cost to Be His Disciple?

Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:13 the goal of being a disciple of Jesus:

- “The fullness of the maturity of Christ”

In Luke 14:28 Jesus told us to “count the cost” of being His disciple. Here are the requirements Jesus had for His original disciples, for us, and for the disciples we make.

1. John 8:31. Obey everything Jesus commanded.

2. John 15:8. Bear the fruit of disciples and the fruit of righteousness (Fruit of the Spirit).

3. Luke 9:23. Deny your fleshly desires. Die to self daily. Think, say, and do what Jesus would.

4. John 13:34-35. Love disciples the same way Jesus loved us (He gave His life for us) and thereby let non-Christians know that we are Jesus’ disciples.

5. Luke 14:26. Love Jesus more than anyone.

6. Luke 14:33. Love Jesus more than we love things.

To be a disciple of Jesus requires

- our total commitment

- and the power of God in us.

III. What Resources Has God Given Us to Accomplish His Mission?

Here are some of the resources God has given us:

- Every spiritual blessing in Christ

- Eternal life

- Fellowship

- His Word

- His peace

- His presence

- His faithfulness

- Help in temptation

- His provision

- His strength

- Prayer

- Grace

- His Spirit

- Everything we need for life and godliness

- When we do a cost – benefit analysis of being a disciple,

- we find that the benefits far outweigh the costs.

- God gives us everything we need

- to grow as a disciple

- and to make disciples

IV. What Do We Need to Do?

Jesus told His disciples,

Matthew 9:37-38. The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out laborers into his harvest field.

- Jesus was training His disciples to be laborers in the harvest

- The harvest is still plentiful today and the laborers are still few.

- Laborers (multiplying disciples) are needed

- to harvest (evangelize) the crop (the world).

Pastors and leaders are often exhausted because they are doing ministry that others should be trained to do.

Ephesians 4:11-13. The role of pastors and Christian leaders

- Use your spiritual gifts

- to train the believers to do the work of ministry

- which is to make disciples

Summary

- The Great Commission is the God given purpose of every church and every believer

- God gives us all of the resources we need

- Obey God and watch Him transform your community

Chapter 3. Foundations Discipleship Plan

I. Components of the Discipleship Plan

Our Mission

- Our mission is the same mission as Jesus’ mission: To make disciples.

Definition of a Disciple

- Romans 8:29, Ephesians 4:13. A person who is becoming more like Jesus.

- Discipleship only happens up close, personal, and over time

Ingredients of a Disciple

- We become like Jesus by maturing in all of the ingredients of a disciple.

Biblical basis of the ingredients of a disciple of Jesus:

The Great Commandment:

Matthew 22:37-39

- Jesus said, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

- And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.

The Great Commission:

Matthew 28:19-20

- Jesus said, Go and make disciples of all nations

- teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you

Ingredients of a disciple of Jesus:

- WORSHIP: “Love the Lord”

- FELLOWSHIP: “Love your neighbor”

- GOD’S WORD: “Obey everything I have commanded you”

- PRAYER: “Love the Lord”

- SERVICE: “Love your neighbor”

- OUTREACH: “Go and make disciples”

These ingredients provide a summary of all of Jesus’ commands.

- The Bible is not a menu that we use to choose what areas we want to obey.

- A disciple needs to grow spiritually in all these areas

Foundations Discipleship Process

- Jesus used four distinct training phases to make His disciples and we do the same thing.

- We follow a process of Come-Grow-Serve-Go.

- This figure shows how all of the ingredients of a disciple are included in the Foundations discipleship process.

- Unless we use the same ingredients and the same process Jesus used,

- we won’t make the kind of disciples Jesus wants us to make.

- Foundations members stay with the same people

- and the same leader through the Foundations study

- This way they maintain the relationships they started with.

- This is the same way Jesus trained His disciples.

II. Foundations Material

- The Foundations material can be used for one-on-one discipleship or with 2-10 other people

- Foundations is a series of topical Bible studies:

1. Come and get to know God and His people. This is the starting point of life change where we learn who God is and the importance of fellowship with other Christians.

2. Grow in your relationship with God. Learn how to grow spiritually through God’s Word and prayer.

3. Serve - Learn about your spiritual gifts and abilities and how to give to and serve God and others.

4. Go and make disciples. Invest in the lives of others and invite them to know the Lord when they are ready. Then we make disciples by helping others go through this process of Come-Grow-Serve-Go.

Distinctives of the “Come” Section

- Evangelism

- Help people find out who the God of the Bible is and to give them enough information

- so that they can make an informed decision to receive Christ for eternal life.

- We are developing relationships and trust rather than engaging them in training.

- We emphasize encouragement and not accountability.

- Having fun together is very important

- It is best to meet in someone’s home or another neutral location.

- Believers should go through the “Come” section in Foundations

- for their own spiritual growth and to see how to help an unbeliever get to know who God is

- and how to help them receive Christ for eternal life.

Distinctives of the “Grow, Serve, and Go” Sections

- Discipleship: Growing to be a spiritually mature follower of Jesus.

- Increasing commitment, discipline, and accountability

- Focus on Christian habits like prayer and Bible study

- The focus changes from basic beliefs to basic habits.

- Deeper Relationships

- We are developing authentic Christian relationships

- where people can share their hurts

- and experience real life change.

- Continue to have fun together

- Ministry: Learn about serving, giving, and outreach

- You can meet in homes, neutral locations, or in the church.

III. Foundations Contents

1. Come

1. Your Heavenly Father

2. Jesus

3. The Holy Spirit

4. How to Know You Have Eternal Life

5. Biblical Fellowship

2. Grow

1. God’s Word

2. Experience Life Change

3. Obey God

4. Make Jesus Lord of Your Life

5. Know God’s Will

6. Talking with God

3. Serve

1. Serve Like Jesus

2. I Am a Minister

3. Spiritual Gifts Are for Serving

4. Serve Through Your Passions, Abilities, and Personality

5. Find Your Place of Service

6. Serve by Giving

4. Go

1. Discover Your Mission in Life

2. Share Your Testimony

3. Share the Good News

4. Invest and Invite

Who can you invite to be in Foundations with you?

1. Immediate family

2. Relatives

3. Friends

4. Neighbors and work associates

5. Acquaintances

6. Church members

Chapter 4. Multiply Disciples by Apprenticeship

I. Apprenticeship Process with a Foundations Group or One-on-One

1. Model how to lead Foundations

2. Choose the right people

1. Only a few people have the gifts, abilities, and calling to be Foundations leaders.

2. They understand this is about life change and not just learning information

3. They are: Faithful, Available, Teachable

4. It may be apparent early on or it may take a while to know if the person is capable of being a Foundations leader

3. Ask the potential apprentice to observe you lead

4. Initial Leader Training using the “Foundations Leader Training Guide”

5. Observe and Coach them leading several sections of Foundations

1. Go through the Pre-Meeting Reminders with them before the meeting

2. Observe them as they lead

3. Coach them afterward using the Post-Meeting Evaluation

- Use mostly encouragement.

- Make needed suggestions in a positive way

6. Ask them to be a co-leader

1. Allow them to lead on a regular basis

2. Observe and coach them as above using the Foundations Meeting Checklist

3. Do this until you think they are ready to lead

7. Ask them to be the leader of Foundations with a group or one-on-one

8. Ongoing training with other Foundations leaders

II. The Power of Multiplication

- The Great Commission can be finished in one generation by just one disciple

- if each disciple makes one multiplying disciple every year

- Growth starts slowly: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.

- But growth reaches the entire population of the world in only 34 years

- This is exponential growth

Chapter 5. How to Lead a Foundations Meeting

1. Prepare your own study

- Read the context of the verses

1. Pray

- Pray as you prepare each study

- that God would teach you and change your life and show you how to guide others

- Pray before and after each meeting.

- Pray yourself during the first few meetings and ask others when you think they are ready.

- Pray every week for each person by name.

3. Use the Foundations Meeting Checklist before and after each meeting.

4. Ask questions, don’t lecture

- God is the teacher in Foundations.

- Foundations includes discussion questions.

5. If someone is talking too much, direct a question to someone else

6. Make sure everyone participates

- Let people read and answer questions in order around the circle.

- You may need to direct specific, non-threatening questions to those who aren’t participating.

7. Help everyone feel valued

- Give some positive response to every answer to every question.

- Even if someone gives a wrong answer, you can say “Thank you for sharing”

- Then you can ask “What does someone else think”

- This will help people participate more actively.

8. Keep it simple for unbelievers and new believers.

- You will have time to help them grow in all of the ingredients of a disciple

9. Relationships are important and take time to develop.

- Having fun together is very important.

- You must open up and share about your own hurts and struggles.

- People gradually need to open up and share about their lives.

10. Don’t feel that you must cover a certain amount of material at each meeting.

- Foundations is about life change and life change takes time.

- Jesus took three years to make His disciples.

11. Start and end on time

- It’s good to stay afterward and talk with those who want to.

12. During the first meeting:

- Explain the importance of confidentiality

- Explain that this will be short-term and that the duration varies.

- Toward the end of the Come section, let the members know that they can continue into the Grow section.

Foundations Checklists

Use before and after each meeting for yourself and your apprentice.

Pre-Meeting Reminders

1. Don’t talk too much

2. Remember that God is the teacher

3. Ask questions and listen

- Help people self-discover

4. Keep it simple for unbelievers and new believers

5. Make sure everyone participates

6. Give positive feedback to every answer

7. Look for potential apprentices

8. Pray for the meeting

Post-Meeting Evaluation

1. What were some positive experiences?

2. Did everyone participate?

3. Did I give positive feedback to every answer?

4. Did I talk too much?

5. Did someone else talk too much?

6. Did we deviate from the topic?

7. Did I keep it simple for unbelievers and new believers?

8. Other observations?

9. Do I need to follow up with someone who was absent?

10. Pray for the people

Foundations Essentials

1. Jesus’ Goal: Finish the Great Commission

2. Jesus’ Method: Multiply disciples

3. Jesus Model: Train leaders by apprenticeship

- Initial training with the Foundations Leader Training Guide

- Apprenticeship

- Ongoing training in the Foundations Leader Team

4. Material

- Foundations Discipleship Material

- Follows Jesus’ process of sequential learning

Come, Grow, Serve, Go

- Includes all of the ingredients of a disciple (“obey everything I have commanded you”)

Worship, Fellowship, God’s Word, Prayer, Service, Outreach

- Foundations Leader Training Guide

5. God is the teacher

- We facilitate discussion by asking questions, we don’t lecture.

- We help people self-discover and apply God’s Word to their lives

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Your Heavenly Father

Chapter 2. Jesus

Chapter 3. The Holy Spirit

Chapter 4. How to Know You Have Eternal Life

Chapter 5. Biblical Fellowship

Introduction

The purpose of this topical Bible study is to learn what the Bible has to say about who God is and how to have good relationships with other people. It consists of questions that are answered by verses in the Bible. The verses are included for your convenience.

Additional questions with a “Q.” beside them are included to stimulate discussion and provide an opportunity to put into practice what you are learning. Sometimes the answers are provided.

A summary is provided at the end of each chapter to provide an opportunity to review what you have learned.

Chapter 1, Your Heavenly Father

God’s Nature

1. What do the following verses teach you about God’s nature?

a. Psalm 107:1. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

b. Romans 8:28. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Q. In what things does God work out for your good?

Q. What does “all” mean?

Q. Does this include the bad experiences in your life?

c. Malachi 3:6. I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.

Q. Why is it important that God doesn’t change?

2. What is your response to these facts about God?

God is good. God works for my good. God never changes. I can trust that a good God who never changes and who works for the good of His children will work for my good.

God Created You with Inherent Value

3. What do the following verses teach you about how God made you?

a. How are we unique?

Genesis 1:26. Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,

Q. What are some ways we are made in the image of God?

b. What position of authority did God give us?

Genesis 1:26. and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

c. What is one important purpose God gave us?

Genesis 1:28. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.

Q. What does it mean to be fruitful and increase in number?

Q. Why do you think God wants us to be fruitful and increase in number?

To have more people to love

God Loves You

4. What do you learn about God’s love for you?

a. John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Q. Why did God create us?

To love us

b. Psalm 139:1-6

1O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.4Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. 5You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Q. How does it make you feel to know that God knows everything about you including your thoughts?

Q. Why can you trust Him with total knowledge about you?

c. 1 John 4:9,10

9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

d. 1 John 3:1

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

God’s Blessings to You

5. What are some of God’s blessings to you?

a. Ephesians 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Q. What does the word “every” mean?

Q. When did God give you every blessing in heaven?

b. Ephesians 1:7-9

7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace  8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,

Q. How has God made known to us His will?

c. 1 Corinthians 3:16

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

Q. What is the significance of the fact that you are God’s temple?

d. 2 Peter 1:3

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Q. What are some of the things God has given us?

e. Lamentations 3:22,23

22Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail. 23They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Read the Summary and choose the one thing that means the most to you.

“Your Heavenly Father” Summary

- God’s nature

- God is good

- God works for the good of His children

- God never changes

- God created you with inherent value

- Unique: Created in God’s image

- Authority: Ruler over the earth

- Purpose: Be fruitful and Multiply

- God loves you

- God sacrificed His Son for you

- God knows you

- God loves you anyway

- God loves you as His child

- God’s blessings to you

- Every spiritual blessing

- Redemption, forgiveness, grace

- Knowledge of the mystery of His will

- The Holy Spirit

- Everything we need for life and godliness

- His blessings are new every morning and they never cease

Chapter 2, Jesus

Some say Jesus was just a great man; others say He was just a prophet. Jesus claimed that He is God. If Jesus is not God, then He is a liar and deceiver.

Jesus is fully God and fully man. As God He had the power to pay the penalty for our sin by His death on the cross for all who will believe; and as a man He was able to communicate and empathize with us.

Jesus is God

1. What did Jesus say about Himself?

John 10:28-30.  28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  30I and the Father are one.”

2. We learn much about Jesus’ divinity in Hebrews chapter 1.

a. What do you learn about Jesus from the following verses?

- Verse 2:

but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

- Verse 3:

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

- Verse 12:

You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

Q. What aspects of God’s nature do you see in Jesus?

b. What does God call Jesus in verse 8 and 10?

8But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.10He also says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

3.  How did Jesus show His supernatural power in the following verses in Matthew chapter 8?

a. Verse 3:

3Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.

b. Verses 6 & 13:

6“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.”

13Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.

c. Verses 16 & 17:

16When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.

d. Verses 23-27:

23Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.  24Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

4. How did Jesus demonstrate that He is God?

John 11:39-44. 39“Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a ba.d odor, for he has been there four days.” 40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed,  you would see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

5. After being with Jesus, what did His disciples conclude?

Matthew 16:13-16. 13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

6. What did the angel say that lets us know that Jesus is God?

Matthew 28:5-7. 5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

7. From what you have learned from the Bible, why do people believe that Jesus is God?

Jesus was a Man

8. How did Jesus develop as a boy?

Luke 2:52. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially.

9. What aspects of being a man does Jesus show in the following verses?

a. John 4:6. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

b. John 4:7. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”

Jesus was thirsty.

c. John 11:35. Jesus wept.

10. What else do we learn about Jesus’ humanity from the following?

Hebrews 2:10-15

a. What has Jesus experienced that we all experience?

Verse 10: In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

b. What does Jesus call us in?

Verse 11: Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

Q. What is the significance of Jesus calling you brother or sister?

c. Why is Jesus able to help us when we are tempted?

Hebrews 2:18. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Q. What is temptation?

Q. How is temptation different than sin?

Q. How does it help you to know that God became a man and was tempted as you are?

11. What is your response to the fact that God became a man to show His love for you and to suffer and die to make you His child?

Review the timeline.

Q. Why was it necessary for God to become a human?

Q. How does Jesus’ humanity help you relate better to God?

Read the Summary and choose the one thing that means the most to you.

“Jesus” Summary

- Jesus is God

- Jesus said He was God

- He healed and performed miracles

- He lived a sinless life

- He was resurrected from the dead

- He ascended into heaven

- Jesus was a man

- Jesus developed as a normal boy

- He grew weary, was thirsty, and wept

- He suffered and was tempted as we are

- We know that God understands us because He became one of us

Chapter 3, The Holy Spirit

Who has the Holy Spirit?

1. What do we learn about the Holy Spirit from these verses?

a. Before Jesus ascended into heaven what did He promise God would do?

John 14:16. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever

Counselor is also translated Comforter and means “advocate” or “helper.”

b. What does the Holy Spirit do?

John 14:26. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

2. What is true of every believer?

a. 1 Corinthians 2:12. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

We have received the Holy Spirit

Q. What is one thing the Holy Spirit does for you? Helps us understand what God has freely given us.

Q. What are some things God has given you?

b. 1 Corinthians 3:16. Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

The Role of the Holy Spirit

3. What do you learn about the role of the Holy Spirit in the following verses?

John 16:7-15

a. What is the Holy Spirit doing in the world?

Verses 8-11: he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:  in regard to sin, because men do not elieve in me;  in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

Q. Why should you not try to convict someone of their sin? It is the role of the Holy Spirit.

b. What is the Holy Spirit doing for you?

Verse 13: But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

c. Whom does the Spirit glorify?

Verse 14: He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

Jesus

Q. What does it mean to give glory to Jesus? To praise Him. That is to recognize who He is.

Q. How does the Spirit glorify God? By taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

Q. What does this mean? The Spirit reveals to us the nature of Jesus so we can praise Him.

4. How does the Spirit help us according to these verses?

Romans 8

a. Verse 6: The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.

Q. How can you tell if your mind is not controlled by the Spirit? Having negative thoughts and being anxious or worried

b. Verses 16, 17:

16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Q. Why does the Spirit have to remind us that we are God’s children? Sometimes we don’t feel like God’s children.

Q. Why do you sometimes feel that you aren’t God’s child? We don’t think and act like a child of God sometimes. Then we feel unworthy.

c. Verses 26, 27:

the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

Q. Why does the Holy Spirit pray for us? We do not know what we ought to pray for.

Q. What are some examples of things we need prayer help in? Feeling inadequate, blind spots, lack of knowledge of who God really is

5. What results can you expect in your life when you allow the Holy Spirit to be in control of your life?

Galatians 5:22-23. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Q. Why do we not experience this fruit in our lives? We don’t give the Spirit control in our life.

Your Response to the Holy Spirit

6. What are the two conflicting powers at war in every believer’s life?

Galatians 5:16-17. live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

Q. What are some examples of this conflict in us?

Q. What conflicts do you have?

7. What are the two types of Christians?

1 Corinthians 3:1-3. Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?

Q. How do worldly Christians behave? Like babies. Like mere men.

Q. How do Spiritual Christians behave? Mature, feeding on the solid food of God’s Word, not jealous or quarreling, not acting like non-Christians.

Q. What is the difference? Giving the Spirit control.

8. All Christians behave as worldly Christians sometimes. The question is, then, how do Christians allow the Holy Spirit to control them and not their sinful nature?

a. Ephesians 5:18. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

b. Galatians 5:18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law

To be filled with the Spirit is to choose to be controlled and empowered by the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit is not about recommitment or turning over a new leaf or some kind of self-improvement program.

It is not a onetime experience, but a frequent decision to obey God in specific situations rather than follow your sinful nature. When you do take control of your life back from God, which is sin, you need to quickly ask God’s forgiveness and give control back to God. Remember that God loves you and knows what is best for you.

Q. How does this figure show how to live the Christian life?

9.  What are you warned about in your relationship with the Holy Spirit?

Ephesians 4:30. do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

10. What are some of the things that grieve the Holy Spirit?

Ephesians 4:31. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Q. What are some other things that grieve the Holy Spirit?

11. What is there in your life that grieves the Holy Spirit?

12. What do you need to do in order to experience life change in this area?

Read the Summary and choose the one thing that means the most to you.

“The Holy Spirit” Summary

- Who Has the Holy Spirit?

- Jesus promised to send us the Holy Spirit as he ascended into heaven

- The Spirit teaches us all things and reminds us of everything Jesus said

- The Holy Spirit comes into every believer at conversion

- The Role of the Holy Spirit

- The Holy Spirit:

- Convicts unbelievers of sin

- Guides you into truth

- Glorifies Jesus

- Gives you life and peace

- Confirms that you are God’s children and heirs of God

- Helps you in your weakness

- Helps you pray and intercedes for you with God

- The results of a Spirit filled life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

- Your Response to the Holy Spirit

- The Spirit and your sinful nature are in conflict

- You must choose to allow the Holy Spirit to control and empower you moment by moment

- When you take control of your life back from God, ask for God’s forgiveness and give control back to Him

- You should not grieve the Holy Spirit by such things as bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, and malice

Chapter 4, How to Know You Have Eternal Life

In this chapter you will see that God loved you even when you were going your own way and were not even interested in Him. God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die in your place to pay the penalty for your sin. All you have to do is to receive Jesus into your life for the forgiveness of sins in order to receive eternal life. You will learn that you have eternal life based on the trustworthiness of God and His Word and not because you deserve it or have earned it.

I. God’s Plan

- In the beginning there was God.

- God created mankind.

1. What kind of life did God create for us to live?

John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 10:10b. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

- In a love relationship with him

- Eternal life

- Abundant life

II. Our Problem

2. What is life in the world really like today?

- Instead of love there is hate.

- Instead of eternal life there is death.

- Instead of abundance there is poverty.

3. There is a separation between the way God created life to be lived and the way we now experience it. What causes this separation between God and mankind?

Romans 3:23. Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

- Sin causes the separation between God and mankind.

- Sin is choosing to do what is wrong

4. What are the results (wages) of our sin?

Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 9:27. And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment,

- One result of sin is death.

- Another result of sin is judgment.

5. People try many ways to reach God. What are some of the ways people try to reach God?

- By good works.

- By going to church.

What are other ways people try to reach God?

6. According to the Bible, how effective are our efforts to reach God?

Ephesians 2:8-9. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God— not because of works, lest any man should boast.

- No works will save us from the results of our sin.

III. God’s Solution

7. Our position looks hopeless. What we can’t do for ourselves God has done for us.

What is God’s solution for our sin and separation from him?

Romans 5:8. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

- Christ paid the penalty for our sins to bring us to God.

IV. Your Response

8. What is your part in all of this? What must you do to have your sins forgiven, to receive eternal life, and be united with God?

John 1:12. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God

- I must receive Christ.

- I must accept the bridge God offers and walk across by faith.

9. Draw yourself on the illustration, on God’s side or mankind’s side.

10. To receive Christ and eternal life and be on God’s side of the chasm, you simply ask Jesus to come into your life in prayer.

Jesus,

I am sorry for my sins.

I believe that you died on the cross for my sins.

Please come into my life, forgive me, and give me eternal life with you.

Amen

V. Assurance of Salvation

1 John 5:11-13. You can know that you have eternal life.

11And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

1. Who gives eternal life?

2. Where is eternal life found?

3. Who has eternal live?

4. Can you know that you have eternal life?

John 5:24. “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

What 3 things are the result of hearing and believing?

If you were to die and go to heaven and God asked you, “Why should I allow you into heaven?” what would you say to Him?

How do you know that you have eternal life?

Memorize 1 John 5:11-12 to help you remember that you have eternal life based on God’s Word.

Assurance of Salvation

1 John 5:11-12

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Chapter 5, Biblical Fellowship

What is Biblical Fellowship?

1. Since God is our heavenly Father and all believers are His children, what is your relationship to other believers?

1 John 3:1. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Christians are brothers and sisters.

Q. How should brothers and sisters act toward one another?

2. Who is the central focus of Biblical fellowship?

Matthew 18:20. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

Jesus

3. What are some things we can do for each other as brothers and sisters?

a. 1 John 4:11. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Q. How can we love one another?

b. Galatians 6:2. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Q. How can we carry each other’s burdens?

c. James 5:16. pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Q. How can we pray for each other?

4. All believers are forgiven sinners yet we still sin. None of us is perfect.

a. What is your responsibility to your brother or sister when you have offended him or her?

Matthew 5:23-24. 23“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”

Q. What can you do to be reconciled?

Is there someone you have sinned against? Who?

What are you going to do?

b. What should you do when a brother or sister has offended you?

Matthew 18:15. “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

Q. How should you show someone what they have done to you?

Ephesians 4:15. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Q. How do you speak the truth in love?

Is there someone who has sinned against you? Who?

What are you going to do?

Forgive.

Q. Why does God want you to forgive? Not forgiving others hurts us.

If you ever have a problem with a relationship, you don’t have to wonder who should make the first move. It is always you. However, you must rely on wisdom, timing, and love from the Holy Spirit. This cannot be done in the flesh.

Q. What did God do to be reconciled with you?

5. How is Biblical fellowship different from other fellowship groups you have been associated with?

Biblical fellowship is a Christ centered (Matthew 28:20) gathering of spiritual brothers and sisters who love each other and are seeking to love God more and to become more like Jesus.

The Purpose of Biblical Fellowship

6. What are some of the aspects of Biblical fellowship?

a. Proverbs 27:17. As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Q. How can we sharpen one another?

b. Hebrews 10:24-25. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Q. How do we/can we spur one another on?

Q. How do we/can we encourage one another?

c. Galatians 6:10. Let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Q. How do we/can we do good to one another?

7. What are some of the responsibilities we have to one another in Biblical fellowship?

a. Ephesians 5:21. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Q. How do we/can we submit to one another?

b. Colossians 3:16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Q. How can we teach one another?

Q. How can we admonish one another?

Q. How do we do this in all wisdom?

c. 1 Thessalonians 5:11. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Q.How can we encourage one another?

Q. How can we build each other up?

Our Fellowship Functions as the Body of Christ

8. God describes our fellowship with one another and with Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:14-27.

a. How is our fellowship of believers described?

Verse 27. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Q. How is the fellowship of believers described?

Q. How is the fellowship of believers like a body?

b. Who gave the parts of the body their functions?

Verse 18. But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

c. What does God want for our fellowship?

Verse 25. so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

Q. What can we do to have unity?

d. What can lead to division in the body? Verses 15, 16, 21

15If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

Comparison, feeling of no need of another part

Q. What are some other things that can cause division?

e. Why are there no unnecessary members in the body? Verses 20-22

20As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,

Each depends on the other

Q. How do we depend on each other?

f. How does stubbing your toe demonstrate the truth of verse 26?

26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

9. Who is the head of our body of believers?

Colossians 1:18. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Jesus. Jesus won’t force His leadership on our fellowship just like He won’t force His Lordship on our life.

Q. Why should we eagerly follow His leadership in our fellowship?

10.      What will preserve unity in the body?

Ephesians 4:2 – 3. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Q. Is there someone with whom we need to be humble? Gentle? Bear with them in love?

Q. How can we bear with someone in love?

Q. Why does it take effort on our part to keep unity in our fellowship?

Q. What is our common bond that binds us together?

Christian fellowship provides a safe environment where real life issues can openly be shared and you can experience life change. You can share your hurts, habits, and hang ups. You don’t have to pretend to be something you’re not.

Read the Summary and choose the one thing that means the most to you.

“Biblical Fellowship” Summary

- What is Biblical Fellowship?

- We are a fellowship of brothers and sisters

- Jesus is the central focus of Biblical fellowship

- We love one another, carry each other’s burdens, confess to each other, and pray for each other

- It is always your responsibility to make the first move in restoring a relationship independent of whether you or the other person was to blame

- Biblical fellowship is Christ centered and is about giving and receiving from one another

- The Purpose of Biblical Fellowship

- Our fellowship sharpens us, spurs us on to love and good deeds, and encourages us

- We do good to everyone, especially to the family of believers

- We submit to one another, teach and admonish one another, and build each other up

- Our Fellowship Functions as the Body of Christ

- Our fellowship functions as a body with Jesus as the head

- God gave each member of the body an indispensable function

- God wants no division in the body and that there should be equal concern for all parts of the body

- God wants us to make every effort to maintain unity by being humble, gentle, patient, and bearing with one another in love

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. The Great Commission

Chapter 2. Our Response to the Great Commission

Chapter 3. Foundations Discipleship Plan

Chapter 4. Multiply Disciples by Apprenticeship

Chapter 5. How to Lead a Foundations Meeting