The Christian life begins with receiving the Lord Jesus Christ - the gift of God's love and forgiveness - by faith. It results in a threefold commitment to a person, the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a commitment to Him of your intellect, emotions, and will.
The Christian life is a personal intimate relationship between you and Christ. This life begins in faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) and can only be lived by faith. Faith is another word for trust. We trust our lives to Christ's keeping because He has proven Himself trustworthy by His life, His death, His resurrection, and His abiding presence - His unconditional love.
As you walk in faith and obedience to God as an act of your will and allow Him to change your life, you will gain increasing assurance of your relationship with Him. You will experience God's work in your life as He enables you to do what you cannot do on your own.
The printed version of this study contains 12 pages of preparatory notes not included in the online version. Click here to order The Christian and the Abundant Life study guide.
A New Creation
- On the basis of II Corinthians 5:17, what has happened to you? What are some of the evidences in your life of new things having come, and old things having passed away?
- To what does the Bible compare this experience of newness?. (John 3:3 ) Compare the experience of physical birth with spiritual birth. What are the similarities?
- How was your new birth accomplished? (John 3:16 , 1:12-13)
- According to Ephesians 2:8-9 , what did you do to merit this gift? Why is this important in our spiritual well-being?
- Colossians 1:13-14 speaks of two kingdoms. Describe the nature of each kingdom in relation to your life before and after you received Christ.
A New Relationship with God
- What are you called? (I Peter 2:2) What should be your desire?
- What is your new relationship with God? (John 1:12)
- What does it mean to you to be a partaker of the Divine nature? (II Peter 1:4)
- How do you know that you are God's child? (Romans 8:16 )
A New Motivation
- How does the love of Christ motivate you? (II Corinthians 5:14-15) What has replaced self as the most important factor?
- What two things have happened to give you new motivation? (Colossians 3:1-4 )
- What has happened to your old life, according to verse 3?
- What will motivate you to seek those things that are above, according to verse 1?
- What is the promise we are given in verse 4? How does it affect your motivation?
A New Relationship with Mankind
- What is new about your relationship with people? (I John 3:11-14)
- How can you show you are a follower of Christ? (John 13:35) In what ways are you doing this in your everyday life?
- Read (II Corinthians 5:18-21 ). Describe the ministry that has been given to you. We are called, AMBASSADORS for Christ. In what ways are you fulfilling your call?
- As a follower of Christ, what is the greatest thing you can do? (Matthew 4:19) Name at least three ways you can do that in your own life.
- How can your friends benefit from the message you deliver to them? (I John 1:3-4)
Life Application
- What is the greatest change you have seen in your life since you became a new creation in Christ?
- In your new relationship with God, what now can be your response toward problems, disappointments, and frustrations? (I Peter 5:7, Romans 8:28 )
- How will you change your goals as a result of your new motivation?
- What is your responsibility now to other men and women? How will you carry it out?
- List two changes you would like to see in your life now that you are a Christian. Ask God to bring about those changes.
Adapted from The 10 Basic Steps Toward Christian Maturity, by Bill Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. © Cru. All rights reserved.
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