Faith: It’s Inception, Maturation, & Perfection

Intro: This study is meant to instruct and encourage us about the very founda-tion of our spiritual and physical existence...FAITH. The possession and nurture of faith in a person's life has daily and eternal significance. We intend to use the same format, as did the writer of Hebrews in gaining answers to the following questions:

1) What is faith/belief? 2) Is all faith the same? 3) Why is faith important to my life? 4) How can I obtain faith? 5) How can I know if I have God-approved faith? 6) How can I strengthen my faith? 7) What can weaken my faith? 8) What is the quality of my faith in service to God and man?

In order to accomplish our goal we will investigate God's word in its instruction concerning faith in a person's life from its inception to its perfection. This is a maturation process in which it is absolutely necessary for us to be active partici-pants.

Please take the lessons personally. Faith is personal, as is our relationship with God. It is our sincere desire that each of us put our individual faith to the test of its authenticity as determined by the Holy Scriptures. 2 Cor. 13:5

Faith’s Inception

Lesson 1 Introduction to Faith

Since faith/belief is so important it is interesting that the word "faith" in the Old Testament (KJV) occurs only twice (Deut. 32:20; Habakkuk 2:4). The verb form "to believe" appears less than 30 times. In contrast these terms occur much more in the New Testament, almost 300 times; however, the truth is that the Old Testa-ment does not so much speak of doctrine by faith, but sets forth the characteris-tics of God, the life of servants of God, and their interaction to exemplify what faith really is. In doing so, it emphasizes the importance, even the necessity, of this faith / belief to establish and maintain fellowship with God.

Faith is the very foundation of man's hope to be a child of God irrelevant of the time period and/or law under which he lived. (Heb. 11:1) It is the basis upon which all actions and experiences of a person who is acceptable to God is founded.

The writer of Hebrews speaks to Hebrew Christians about faith/or belief and uses many examples of Old Testament characters to illustrate our introductory lessons. Our primary text will be Hebrews 10:32 - 12:2; however Romans 4, Galatians 3, and James 2:14-26 are musts in order to fully understand what real faith entails. There will be other supplemental verses. Please read all of these and meditate on them.

Throughout our first six lessons, please write down all of the words that describe real faith and the characteristics of it. In the 7th lesson we want to put all these thoughts together to define faith/belief as it is taught in God's word.

Hebrews 10:32-39

The Hebrew Christians were being persecuted by other Jews who rejected Christ. They were being tempted to turn back to the old law as the prediction of worse persecution was coming upon them. Thus the writer determines by the Holy Spirit to remind them and teach them the importance of faith/belief and what saving faith is.

1) What had the Hebrew Christians experienced?

2) What reason is given that they had endured sufferings and accepted joyfully property loss? (vs. 31)

3) What steps were they to take in order to remain in fellowship with God? (vs. 32,35,36)

4) What was the incentive for them not to throw away confidence and to endure?

5) What quotation from Habakkuk 2:4 is quoted in vs. 38?

a. How is the situation in the nation of Judah similar to that of the Hebrew Christians? Habakkuk I 2:4

b. How does the quotation "The just (righteous) shall live by faith" apply in both cases?

6) What inner quality allowed these people assurance that they had a better and eternal possession?

7) The "Hebrews" writer concludes that these people had choices in this reaction to trials. What were the choices and what were the final results of these choices?

8) Consider any similarities and/or differences in the problems of those in Ha-bakkuk and Hebrews and the options presented to them with our lives today. Is the solution to their dilemma the same as to ours?

Lesson 2 Saving Faith

The author has concluded in his original thought to the Hebrew Christians that the answer to their dilemma was that "the just would live by faith."

I believe he then begins an explanation of what God-approved faith involves. Not only does he give some descriptive sentences about it; but throughout most of the chapter illustrates its characteristics through examples. He wants them to know exactly what "type" of faith/belief to which he refers that will lead to the saving of one's soul.

Whenever one reads about faith in God's word, just as with any subject, there must be an understanding of context to fully understand what is an accurate meaning.

Belief, in particular, can mean simply an opinion or intellectual assent held in high standing; or it can be a comprehensive term including an intense inner quality of assurance producing a loyalty, trust, and fidelity toward the object of that passion.

Read the following passage and determine if the belief or faith mentioned is that by which God counts a person to be righteous.

James 2:19 Matt. 6:30, 8:26 James 2:17,26 James 2:23, Rom. 4:3 John 12:42-43 Matt. 8:10 1 Cor. 2:4-5 John 20:31 John 3:16 Heb. 11:6

These few scriptures clearly indicate that faith references can vary greatly in their meaning. Only the type belief toward saving of the soul is under consideration by the write in his definition of saving faith in Hebrews 11. Although pure belief is a necessary part of faith, saving faith involves much more substance and is based on strong conviction with reference to sound evidence.

It demands "knowing" in whom or what one's faith is placed. The only "Being" qualified to be the object of such faith is God, the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. He is above all (in control), through all (by providence) and in all (omnipresent). We live in a God-created, God-controlled, God-sustained, and God-filled world. There is nothing in life so terrible and/or powerful that surpasses the Lord's ability to help His people.

A necessary result is the personal submission to the object God; and thus it will alter in a definitive way how a person views and lives life on this earth.

All of our aforementioned thoughts are expressed by the Hebrew writer by state-ments and/or through God-approved examples.

Read Hebrews 11:1-3,6,13

1) What is the relationship between faith and hope (know what hope involves in this context)?

2) a) On what type of evidence is faith based?

b) Do we use this same type evidence in other aspects of our lives?

c) What is the most important factor in determining truth from such evidence?

3) How can one "understand" how the worlds were framed?

Discuss how this relates to the world view of creation today. See Gen 1:1; Jn. 1: 1-3

4) What are the three characteristics of one who has faith that is pleasing to God? Heb. 11:6

5) What are the attitudes exhibited by one coming to God?

6) Who does God claim to be? Name at least 6 attributes of God. Ps. 66:3-7 Is. 40:9-31 Ps. 139 Job 12:4-25

7) What is involved in believing God is, and why is only He worthy of such faith?

8) Why can one be assured that God alone is qualified to be a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him?

9) In what or whom do men place their confidence many times? Be prepared to discuss the folly in such action.

10) What is the difference in belief in its "pure" state and faith that saves?

Lesson 3 The Role of Faith

What role does saving faith play in one's life? Some of these have been men-tioned; however, in this lesson we will explore the subject in more detail.

How truly important is faith to you and me, not just in theory, but also in practice during our daily lives? What can application of faith and its development do for me?

Please read the following scriptures and answer the appropriate questions.

1) What can make it impossible for you to be pleasing to God? Heb. 11:6

2) Why do you think this one quality is so important to God and that without it prevents one's being approved by God according to revelation through the Holy Spirit?

3) How can faith overcome the world in our own lives? I Jn. 5:4

4) Name 3 spiritual blessings to which we gain access through faith in Jesus Christ? Rom. 5:1-2

5) What role does faith have in obtaining everlasting life? Jn. 3:16,36

6) a) How did the men of old gain approval by God in becoming His people? Heb. 11:2,39 Gal. 3:6-7 Rom. 4:3 James 2:22-24

b) How do we gain approval by God in becoming His children today? Gal. 3:26

7) What is the significance in your life to be counted a "child of God"? Gal. 3:26 - 4:6

8) What role is played by faith in the armor of a child of God? Eph. 6:10-20; 1 Thess. 5:8

9) Name some ways faith allows us to live and view life differently than those without it.

a. 2 Cor. 4:13 - 5:8 2 Kings 6:8-16

b. Heb. 11:3 Jn. 6:60-69

c. Heb. 10:35-36 James 1:57

10) Why is it to be expected that those in the world think differently and have a different view of life than those who are Christians?

Lesson 4 Attaining of Faith

Since faith is absolutely necessary for our proper relationship with God, it is impor-tant that one investigates how we may obtain that saving faith initially and then enable it to mature into perfection.

The only way anyone will place complete faith, assurance and fidelity to any other person or thing is to know enough to feel confident in the abilities, capabilities, consistency, and willingness of the object in which the trust is placed. In obtaining such information the person also must exhibit attitudes, which contribute to his re-ceiving it so that the proper seed of faith is planted and begins its growth.

This beginning and maturation process can have successes and failures over a pe-riod of time. It can at times be hindered and on other occasions be enhanced. It is up to us to enable it to grow even through some deterrents to reach its God-desired results.

1) Why does a young child jump to their parent from a high position without hesi-tation?

2) Why can a person perform a work God asks him to do without hesitation?

3) a) How does Romans 1:18-21 show that God expects mankind to acknowledge Him as God and produce initial belief.?

b) Does mankind have excuse to not acknowledge God from aforementioned source?

4) What declares the glory of God? Ps. 19:1-6 Ps. 8:1-3 Job 12:7-9

5) Gaining knowledge by hearing can produce faith. What must one hear? Rom. 10:17

6) What are some prerequisites for a person to possess in his heart to hear in such a way as to produce faith? a. Lk. 8:15

b. Mt. 18:14 James 1:21

c. Acts 17:11

d. Jer. 5: 1 2 Thess. 2:9-10

7) How does humility help one develop faith in God? a. I Cor. 1:20-21; 2:4-5

b. Jer. 10:23

c. Is. 55:8-9

8) What are some origins of faith as espoused by the wisdom of men?

9) a) If one picked up a Bible and began to read, what is the first verse in the Bi-ble that he would read to challenge his thinking about God? Gen. 1:1 If one truly believes this verse where does he place his faith?

b) This is the beginning information from the Holy Spirit to introduce faith to the reader. What other options concerning the creation are available to us? If one doubts this verse and accepts other options where does he place his faith?

10) If one is surely convicted by faith that Gen. 1:1 is true, is there any other event in God's word that he should doubt if he is consistent? Why?

Lesson 5 Examples to Illustrate Saving Faith

Over the first four lessons there have been statements and declarations to try to help define God approved faith and its ramifications. As does the writer of He-brews, we will utilize the next two lessons to better understand faith through God approved examples.

Cain and Abel Heb. 11:4, Gen. 4:1-16

1) Give similarities of Cain and Abel's worship.

2) Give differences of Cain and Abel's worship.

3) Give 3 conclusions about faith you can gain from this account.

Enoch Heb. 11:5

1) What was the testimony about Enoch and why?

Noah Heb. 11:7, Matt. 24:38-39, 2 Pet. 2:5

1) What motivated Noah to "understand" a flood was coming while others to whom he preached did not?

2) What did he become? Heb. 11:7 Why?

Abraham Gen.12:1-3; 15:6; Rom. 4:3,9-25; Gal. 3:5-9, 26-29; James 2:19-26 Heb. 11:8-17

1) Consider the scriptures above and list at least 3 obstacles to Abraham's having faith in God's promises if he used human wisdom.

2) Is there ever any indication of Abraham asking God why he was asked to do anything that God commanded? What about us today?

3) Sarah's faith wavered at one time concerning the promise of a child. What did she do to try to help God's plan? Gen. 16:12

Make application of this action to people's lives today.

4) Why was Abraham's faith/belief accounted to him by God for righteousness? Rom.4:19-22 Heb. 11:17-19 James 2:22-24

5) Do we have opportunity to be children of Abraham and partakers of blessings promised to his seed? Gal. 3: How can this take place? Gal. 3:7, 26 What does this make us? Gal. 3:29 - 4:7

What is a common factor in God's attitude toward Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abra-ham because of their faith? Heb. 11:4,5,7 Gal. 3:6 Js. 2:23 Is it accurate to say they are saved by faith?

Lesson 6 Examples of Faith (continued)

Jacob and Joseph Heb. 11:21,22; Gen. 48:3-4, 21; Gen. 50:24-26

1) What was the basis upon which Jacob assured Joseph that the people would re-turn to the land of Canaan?

2) How is Joseph's faith shown by his statements in Gen. 50:24-26?

3) When did his bones leave Egypt and how long was it from his statement in Gen. 50; Ex. 13:19; Josh. 24:32?

4) What conclusion can one draw from these men's faith in relationship to time of fulfillment of God's promises?

Moses Heb. 11:23-29

1) What type of immediate future was Moses choosing when he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter? What was he giving up?

2) What prompted Moses to make the aforementioned decision? Heb. 11:25-27

3) Do we have similar decisions to make in our own lives? How can we make proper decisions? Give examples to illustrate your answer.

4) Read Exodus 14 in relation to Hebrews 11:29.

a) Who was in control of the situation? Ex. 14:1-4

b) Why did Moses "stand still" when those around him began to doubt? Ex. 14:13-14

David Heb. 11:32; 1 Sam. 17

1) What seemed to be David's greatest concern about his confrontation with Goli-ath? I Sam. 17:26

2) Name at least 3 events/situations that David could have allowed to discourage him?

3) What had David experienced in his life that gave him complete confidence in God?

4) In face to face confrontation with Goliath relate David's words and actions that indicate his confidence in the outcome of the fight.

Heb. 11:32 - 12:3

1) What did the people mentioned in verses 33-38 and those previously mentioned obtain through their faith? What did they not receive? vs. 39 Name some of the people in the Old Testament to whom these descriptions apply.

2) What is the conclusion of the writer in giving the solution to the temptation of "shrinking back" from service to God? Heb. 11:40 - 12:3

Lesson 7 What About My Faith?

In our first six lessons we have briefly examined some basic tenets of faith as re-vealed in the scriptures; and, we have studied the lives of several men and women who by their attitudes and actions exemplify true faith. This is the type of faith that saves us.

"The just shall live by faith." Habakkuk 2:3-4; Hebrews 10:38

"And Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Gen. 15:6 James 2:23

Although belief in its pure form is necessary to develop a faith that saves, it is only a part of it. Use our previous studies along with the teaching of the scriptures and write out a definition of faith that saves the soul. Please do not use the dictionary definition. I want us to develop a practical definition from our study of God's word.

Faith -

Since this faith is absolutely necessary to please God, what about my faith? Is it "real" faith? How does my faith "stand" in relation to our definition from the in-spired scriptures?

Beginnings of Faith's Journey Gen. 1:1; John 1:1-5; John 14:1,6-7

If one truly believes the aforementioned verses concerning God the Father and the Son and places his fidelity and loyalty toward God/Christ, what will he question about anything the Lord commands?

Does it matter to such a person if he understands the command or if the command places difficulties in its fulfillment?

How much of the scripture does one need to know to establish saving faith to be-come a child of God?

Maturation of Faith

The reality of our spiritual lives is that at different times and in certain situations the strength of our faith will fluctuate. There are times of trials in everyone's life to test our faith. One may at times exhibit great faith, or little faith, or may even fall into disbelief. There are some who will not endure and will give up the good fight; however, the proper and intended reaction to those is to provide growth in the maturation process of individual faith. To maintain consistency is a great sign of progress in this area.

Mt. 6:20; Mt. 15:28; Lk. 8:22-25; Lk. 8:48; Lk. 17:1-5; Lk. 22:31-34; Js. 1:2-4; Heb. 3:12; 1 Pet. 1:3-7; 1 Thess. 3:9-10

1) How do we know that faith by Jesus' own apostles had "ups & downs"?

2) Did Peter's faith fail him or save him during the ordeal of Christ's trial? Lk. 22 Explain.

3) Show from scripture that one can fall into unbelief after becoming a believer?

4) What is the proper reaction to trials that test our faith and what is the desired result? James 1 & I Peter 1

5) Can our faith become "perfect" without trials?

6) Can one have saving faith without it being mature?

7) What are some ways that the Hebrew brethren were told to help them remain strong and hold fast? Heb. 10:22-25

8) What did Christ tell his listeners to do so that daily anxieties could not weaken their faith? Mt. 6:30-33

9) On the negative side of questions 7 & 8, what are some attitudes and actions one can exhibit to allow their faith to erode?

Where do I stand? Where do you stand? Is my faith maturing or eroding? This is an evaluation that can only be made for sure by God or myself

10) What can we examine about ourselves to determine accurately the authentic-ity of our faith? James 2:18

The remainder of our lessons deal with specific duties we have toward God and man. Let us honestly examine and evaluate our own faith in each of these areas of our personal lives. 2 Cor. 13:5

Faith’s Maturation

Lesson 8: Self

Christianity is primarily an individual's religion. The determination of our salvation lies in our personal response to God's grace. Someday, each one of us will be re-quired to bow before the Lord and give an account of ourselves (Rom 14:11-12). It is crucial for the child of God to grow into the proper view of self.

1. Self Service

It is the nature of man to wish to please himself. An infant doesn't care how tired his parents are in the middle of the night. He knows only that he's hungry and wants to be fed. As children grow, they learn to consider others. They begin to de-sire the good opinion of their parents, family, and friends. They learn that certain behaviors are expected of them to achieve and maintain others" approval. As chil-dren mature, they realize that they are not the center of the universe.

Likewise, spiritual infants do not recognize any imperative but their own needs and desires. Worldly people, whether through ignorance or arrogance, cannot conceive the notion that their wants are not paramount (1 Cor. 2:14). Even those claiming spirituality will often balk when God's word conflicts with their notion of acceptable behavior. They serve God as they see fit, which is not serving God at all.

An infant Christian has, by his very acceptance and submission to God's will, come to appreciate that there is One more important than himself. The call to follow Christ involves a denial of self (Mt. 16:24-25). Confessing Christ as his Savior and Lord indicates his recognition of His claim on him (1 Cor. 7:23). Submitting to bap-tism demonstrates his willingness to put to death the old man and begin living a new life in submission to God (Rom. 6:3-4, 11-13). Even then, he must continually struggle to do the things of God rather than the things of the flesh (Rom. 7:22-23). As he grows in his faith and knowledge, he recognizes that his very life is not his own but belongs to His Master for the price that He paid (Gal 2:20).

Another goal for the maturing Christian's view of himself involves how he views others. Paul urges Christians to consider their brethren's needs over their own and thus demonstrate that they have the mind of Christ, who placed the needs of the world over His own. This is not the way of worldly, or spiritually immature people!

The world teaches that to get ahead means looking after your own interests. Jesus taught that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven would be those who served! (Mt. 23:11)

2. Self Worth

How one prioritizes the will of God, the needs of others, and his own desires de-pends on his concept of self worth. There are two traps that the immature Chris-tian can fall into regarding his sense of worth: too much and too little.

The Pharisee who went to pray in Jesus' parable (Lk. 18:10-14) was confident that his righteousness exceeded that of the publican but Jesus stated that his faith was misplaced. It is easy to fall into the trap of becoming smug in the knowledge that one is saved when many others are not. Mature Christians recognize that this is not due to any worth on their part, but are humbled to know that they are saved without deserving it (by grace, Eph. 2:8-9). Furthermore, realizing how little they deserve salvation should spur them on to greater efforts on behalf of their Lord just as it did Paul (1 Cor. 15:9-10).

Immature Christians can also feel their worth to be too little, especially when they find themselves constantly battling, and losing, to temptation. Even Paul ex-claimed over his frustration at falling short of God's ideal (Rom 7:23-24). Satan will use this frustration to discourage them, perhaps even to the point of giving up. Mature Christians come to understand that God does not expect perfection, but devotion. David was called a man after God's own heart even though an adulterer and murderer. It was his devotion to God that earned him that title, not his perfec-tion of service. God loved His children enough to give His Son even while they were still in sins (Rom. 5:8). He obviously assigns great worth to a Christian's soul and is willing to forgive his failings when he repents (1 Jn. 1:9).

3. Self Control

Christianity's essence is a lifelong effort to become more like Christ. Remember, it’s to be Christ who lives in the Christian, not himself. This is not a natural or eas-ily accomplished operation. In order to bring oneself in compliance with Christ's example, one must exercise discipline and control over self. Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).

Self-control requires examination. Paul instructed the Corinthians to test them-selves to see if they were faithful (2 Cor. 13:5). These examinations must be hon-est. One must not fool himself into thinking he has no faults (1 Jn. 1:8). Also, one must be sure to test himself against the proper standard (1 Cor. 10:12). The Pharisee of Luke 18 made the mistake of thinking that the standard with which to compare himself was the publican He left the temple unjustified. 'The only accept-

able standard of faith is God"s word; the very thing which instilled that faith in the first place (Gal 1:1, Jn. 12:48).

Of all the things listed in Romans 8:38-39 that cannot separate Christians from the love of God, the one thing that is conspicuously absent is self. God will never for-sake His children (Heb. 13:5), but will not prevent them from forsaking Him. The only thing that keeps a Christian saved is his willingness and diligence in submit-ting himself to his Master (I Tim. 4:16).

Questions

1. List some ways in which an immature faith can affect how one considers the needs of others.

2. What factors can help a young Christian mature in considering his desires ver-sus God's will?

3. What are some characteristics of a congregation of Christians mature in their faith regarding self? Immature Christians?

4. Give some New Testament examples of Christians mature in their faith regard-ing self. Immature Christians?

Lesson 9: Knowledge

Scripture states that man was created in God’s own image (Gen. 1:27). Man is the only creature of which this is said. Animals' behavior is governed by their instinct. Man's behavior is governed by his knowledge. It's what a man senses, learns, and understands that enables him to choose a course of action. The ability to know and understand God's will is what makes a man capable of becoming suitable for fel-lowship with Him

1. God Values Knowledge

In Hannah's prayer, she recognizes that Jehovah is a God of knowledge (1 Sa. 2:3 God offered the young king Solomon his choice of blessings as he began his reign over Israel. Solomon chose to be blessed in wisdom and knowledge so as to better serve God and His people. This so pleased God that He not only granted wisdom, but riches and honors beyond that of any other king who's ever lived (2 Chr. 1:7-9).

God has always desired His people to understand Him, love Him, and obey Him because of what they know of Him. The prophet Hosea lamented over Israel's de-struction for the rejection of the knowledge of God (Hos. 4:6). God declares that

He desires understanding rather than empty service (Hos. 6:6). In order to be pleasing to God, Christians must pursue a proper knowledge of Him. It is through the knowledge of the Savior that men escape the defilement of the world (2 Pe. 2:20). This is God's desire for all men (1 Tim 2:3-4).

2. Proper Knowledge

The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding ... Proverbs 9:10.

As the Creator, God is the beginning of all things. It follows that if a man wants to understand all things (or at least as much as a mere mortal can) he must begin with the proper attitude to God. Holding God in reverence as the Almighty will lead one to seek enlightenment from Him. What better source can there be? As God questioned Job from the whirlwind (Job chap. 37 & 38) He revealed His knowledge of things that mankind can never know. God has chosen to share His knowledge through His written word. Paul declares that the Scriptures are inspired of God, profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness and sufficient to adequately equip God's children for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16,17). The holy Scriptures include the teachings of His prophets and Son (Heb. 1:1-2), as well as the writings of His apostles (1 Cor. 14:37). No other source of knowledge is re-quired or desired by God for man to determine his proper service to the Lord. The Pharisees had elevated their traditions above the law of God and were condemned for it by Jesus (Mt. 15:2-7). It is tempting, especially for young Christians, to ac-cept the practices of older, more experienced members without the study required to arrive at one"s own conclusions. This is not the faith that Paul prescribes in Ro-mans 14:22. Christians" faith must be based on their own knowledge of God's word, not the practices or traditions of their fellow Christians.

There are other types of knowledge of which Christians must be aware. Practical knowledge includes those things required for daily life in a physical world. Employ-able skills, reading, writing, balancing a checkbook, driving a car, cooking meals, and a host of other secular lessons are honorable in God's sight. Paul had been trained as a tentmaker (Ac. 18:2-3) and had been taught the rights of his Roman citizenship (Ac. 16:37). Luke had learned the skills of a physician (Col. 4:14). Paul commanded the Thessalonians to work with their hands to provide for their living (2 Th. 3:1012). Christians must have enough practical knowledge to live, but must not allow these things to become their lives. In Mt. 6:31-33, Jesus teaches the people to seek first the things of the kingdom (spiritual knowledge) rather than fo-cus on the practicalities of providing food or clothing. As a Christian matures in his faith, understanding more of God's concern and care of him, it becomes easier for him to devote his efforts toward learning the deeper truths of His word rather than how to beat the stock market.

God's wisdom is often in direct opposition to man's wisdom (I Cor. 1:18). Worldly men attempt to discredit the validity of Scripture in an effort to deny God's abso-lute sovereignty over their lives, and thus their accountability to Him. The so called theory of evolution (accepted as fact by a large portion of the world) is an excel-lent example of man's wisdom being used to excuse mankind from any obligation to the Creator. Even many among those who profess to acknowledge God and His word have "'better"' ideas of how to serve Him and teach their own opinions. Their service is worthless in God’s sight (Mt. 15:9).

3. Growing in Knowledge

Christians" faith in God is based upon their knowledge of Him as revealed by His word (Rom. 10:17). In order for one's faith to grow stronger, his knowledge of Scripture must grow deeper. This is not an option! Scripture commands Christians to grow in the knowledge of the truth (Col. 1:9-10; 2 Pe. 3:18; Heb. 6:1) and walk in a manner worthy of that knowledge. In Eph. 4:13-14, Paul identifies the end re-sult of maturing in the knowledge of Christ to be sureness of conviction and a re-sistance to the deceit of false doctrines. Peter commands Christians to be ready to give answers to those who question their hope (1 Pe. 3:15) and to speak as the very utterances of God (1 Pe. 4:11). One cannot explain or defend the truth if his understanding is limited. Diligent study of the Scriptures is required to defend his soul, teach the lost, and come to a greater appreciation and love for his heavenly Father.

What an opportunity the Scriptures presents to those who accept them! As His children, Christians are privileged to have the Creator reveal Himself to them through His Son, who is the exact image of God (Heb. 1:3), and His Spirit who re-veals the very thoughts of God (1 Cor. 2:11-13). Not to mention the salvation of their souls (Rom. 1:16)!

Questions

1. How can Christians use their knowledge of Scriptures to walk in a manner pleasing to God? Is the Bible a step by step guide to godly living?

2. How can congregational traditions damage the development of young Chris-tians?

3. Can a Christian hold to a belief that he cannot defend from Scripture and be pleasing to God?

4. Give some examples of the deeper truths of God's word. How should a faithful Christian approach them?

5. Does Scripture reveal everything that a Christian needs to know? Wants to know?

Lesson 10: Worship

Worship is a vital part of the life of a faithful Christian. Worship is defined as rev-erence paid to a worthy object; honor, respect, especially to the divine. As men learn of God and come to know Him as the mighty, loving, merciful, righteous, and pure Being that He is, it follows that they should be moved to submit to Him, obey Him, and worship Him.

Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto His name; worship Jehovah in holy array. (Psalm 29:2).

1. The Worship Instinct

All people devote themselves to something. There are those who can tell you every statistic of their favorite baseball teams for the last twenty years. Others can give you detailed analysis of how an automobile functions. Music fans camp out in freezing temperatures for the chance at tickets to their favorite band's concert. Al-though men don't often think of it so, these are all forms of worship. Unfortu-nately, many people's devotion is misdirected.

2. Proper Worship

The Object

There are many things that deserve one's devotion. Spouse, children, friends, the brethren, even pets or sports teams can be loved and honored. Nothing, however, deserves more devotion than the One who created all things. God's first com-mandment to the children of Israel was to have no other gods before Him (Ex. 20:2-3). Worship, whether one thinks of it that way or not, directed towards any-thing or anyone but God, is idolatry. Jesus stated that man is commanded to wor-ship and serve God only (Mt. 4:4). Men worship those things that impress or please them. Christians must cultivate their knowledge and appreciation of God, increasing their pleasure in Him. Only then will their worship become sincere and pleasing to God.

The Scope

A common misconception among the spiritually immature is that worshipping God involves only the public worship service (assembly). While the public assembly of the saints is indeed part of worshipping God, it is only a part. Worship is a way of life. The child of God recognizes that he no longer owns himself but was bought

with a price (Jesus) and therefore lives to glorify God (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Paul urged the Roman Christians to present their bodies as living sacrifices, that being their spiritual service of worship (Rom. 12:1).

The Basis

God requires those who worship Him to do so in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24). Worshipping in truth means to follow His dictates, not man's Jesus declared wor-ship according to the doctrines of men to be worthless (Mt. 15:89). How irrational the one who wants to worship (revere, honor, respect) God, and then disregards His revealed will!

Worshipping in spirit involves having the proper attitude toward God. To be pleas-ing to God, His children must do the right things (truth), but also for the right rea-sons. The Pharisees did many works of the law, but did so to impress themselves and other men. God was not impressed. In fact, Jesus instructed His apostles that their righteousness must be of better quality than this or they would never enter heaven (Mt. 5:20, 6:1). A Christian who serves God to please his family, brethren, or to keep the elders off his back, is not serving God at all.

3. The Worship Service

While the worship service is not the total sum of worshipping God, it is an impor-tant part of a Christian's life. The writer of Hebrews advises his readers to not for-sake assembling together and the encouragement available by doing so (Heb. 10:24-25). The worship service is an opportunity to express one's honor of God, remember the sacrifice of the Savior, increase in the knowledge of Scripture, and draw strength from the encouragement of the brethren. In the book of Revelation, the image of the saved in heaven is that of a great multitude gathered around God's throne praising and worshipping Him (Rev 7:9,19:1, 6). Christians desire to go to heaven. The worship service is the nearest thing to it on earth. It should never be viewed as a burden. Christians don't have to go to church, they get to go to church!

Questions

1. What is a modern example of worship that is in spirit, but not in truth? In truth, but not in spirit?

2. List the things required to worship God?

3. What parts of the worship service edify its members?

4. What is the attraction of public worship?

Lesson 11: Prayer

Simply put, prayer is speaking to God. To believers, however, prayer is not a sim-ple thing, but one of the greatest blessings of being a child of God. It is an oppor-tunity to stand before the throne of God (Heb. 4:16) and speak to Him, knowing that He is always interested and pleased to hear from them (of how many of one's fellow men can this be said?). Furthermore, God's children know that He loves them as their Father and is anxious to grant them the things that they need. (Mt. 7:7-11). Men will often wait for hours, even paying exorbitant sums, for the op-portunity to merely see celebrities such as movie stars, athletes, royalty, or politi-cal figures. How much greater a privilege to be able to speak to the Almighty Creator any time one wishes!

1. The Need for Prayer

Christians are called to offer their lives in service to God (Rom 12:1). However, they are constantly beset by distractions, trials, temptations, and hardships both material and spiritual that seek to interfere with their devotion to their Father. Prayer is given as a defense against these distractions. Jesus taught His disciples to pray often for strength and courage to face what was coming (Lk. 18:1, 21:36).

Jesus Himself sought strength and comfort in prayer. He prayed as He began His ministry with the baptism by John (Lk. 3:31). He spent the night before selecting His apostles in prayer (Lk. 6:12). He prayed fervently for strength to endure the cross in Gethsemane (Lk. 22:41-44).

Jesus' apostles took to heart His teachings on prayer. Luke describes the newly born church as being steadfast in prayer (Ac. 2:42). After being arrested for preaching Jesus, Peter & John returned to the brethren to report all that had hap-pened. The church's response was to offer prayer to the Lord for boldness in the face of the threats from the Jews (Ac. 4:23-31). Prayers were made for Peter when imprisoned by Herod (Ac. 12:5). Paul wrote to the Roman church to be de-voted in prayer (Rom. 12:12). He requested that the church in Ephesus pray al-ways in the Spirit on his and the saints" behalf (Eph. 6:18). He commanded the Thessalonians and Colossians to pray always (Col. 4:2, 1 Thess. 5:17). He advised the Philippian church that the cure for anxiety was to make their requests known to God (Phil. 4:6). Early Christians faced seeming insurmountable obstacles (Jews, Romans, false teachers) to their growing faith, but knew well where to find the strength to overcome them.

God assigns such importance to His children's prayers that He has assigned the Holy Spirit to help them in their efforts to pray for the things that they need (Rom. 8:26-27). Exactly how the Spirit fulfills His role is difficult to imagine, but the fact that He does is comforting nevertheless.

2. How to Pray

There can be no question that prayers are effective. An angel appeared to Jesus in Gethsemane to comfort and strengthen Him in response to His prayer. The building in which the church prayed for boldness was shaken as they were filled with the Spirit and began proclaiming Jesus boldly. Peter was released from Herod’s prison by an angel (Ac. 12). In spite of all the forces that attempted to stamp out the church in its infancy, two thousand years later, the faith still survives.

There are, however, conditions placed upon God's attending to one's prayer. He must be righteous, an obedient servant of the Lord (1 Pe. 3:12, Ja. 5:16). As faithful children who are striving to please Him, Christians' requests must be in compliance with His will (Ja. 4:3, 1 Jn. 3:22). As Jesus taught, the Father wants His children to be faithful and is willing to help them in their efforts to do so. Like-wise, He is deaf to those who wish to do their own will.

Prayers must be made with faith in the One of whom requests are made (Ja. 1:6-7). The Almighty is able to grant more than any request His children can con-ceive (Eph. 3:20). It behooves Christians to take advantage of such abundant aid that is so eagerly given.

Prayers must be in offered in sincerity. The praying Christian is speaking to his God, communicating his needs, concerns, praise, and gratitude. The words don't matter. Prayer is not intended to impress others. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for this very thinking (Mt. 6:5). The purest prayer, is the one where a man is sim-ply speaking what’s in his heart to a heavenly Father he knows is listening. That's impressive enough by itself without the need of flowery language or dramatic vo-calizations

Prayers must be offered in Jesus' name (Jn. 16:24, Col. 3:17). It is only through Jesus' sacrifice that we are able to approach the throne of the Father at all (Rom. 5:1-2, Heb. 4:14-16). It is fitting that our petitions to God be by the authority of the Savior" s name.

It should be noted that while God has promised to hear the righteous prayers of the faithful (1 Jn. 5:14), He does not always grant their requests. His will is su-preme and He is free to choose when and how to bless His children. In no way, should this discourage the Christian who earnestly prays for a result that is in keeping with God's will but does not come to pass. As his Father's child, he must trust that God knows best and is working for his good. Paul was not upset that the Lord chose not to remove the thorn in his flesh, but gloried in his weakness, for that was the will of God (2 Cor. 12:7-10).

3. What to Pray

God loves His children, wants to help them, and has the power to do so. As their loving Father, He desires them to turn to Him in all things, good and bad alike (Ja. 5:13).

Material needs - the Father knows that His children have need of material things (Mt. 6:31-32). When teaching His disciples to pray, Jesus included a petition for their daily bread (Mt. 6:11).

Physical health - James says to pray for the sick that they may be well (Ja. 5:14-15).

Spiritual needs - the Father desires His children to grow into their faith to be like His firstborn Son (Epeh. 4:15). He will help them to grow into wisdom (Ja. 1:5), boldness in preaching the gospel (Eph. 6:19-20), peace of heart (Phil. 4:7), love for their fellow men and strength to hold fast to Christ (Eph. 3:14-19), and any other blessings needed to serve Him more faithfully.

Forgiveness - knowing His children are weak, the Father stands ready to forgive them their sins when they ask (Ja. 5:15, 1 Jn. 1:9, Ac. 8:22). He wishes also for his faithful children to pray for forgiveness of their brethren who have fallen into error (Ja. 5:16, Ac. 8:24).

Thanksgiving - God has so richly blessed His children He deserves all the praise and gratitude they can lavish on Him. Like any parent, God desires His children to appreciate Him for all He does for them (2 Cor. 4:15).

4. When to Pray

Quite simply, a Christian should pray to God when he feels the need to talk to Him. There are no formally established times that prayers must be offered, but a man can not help but benefit from frequent communication with His heavenly Father. A man who speaks often with his God will feel closer to Him, more aware of Him in his life. The Father has never desired to be a distant or aloof God. Rather He is al-ways near, and wishes His children to be aware of it (Ps. 145:18-19, Jer. 23:23, Ac. 17:24-27).

It is often said among the brethren, rightly so, that the first sign of a wavering faith is a lack of prayer. When one loses his sense of connection to his Father, and his Savior, it becomes easier to turn away to his own desires. Prayer must be con-stant part of a Christian's daily life if he wishes to grow into a faith that will save his soul. God is willing to hear and responds to His children's requests, but the re-quests must be made, in obedience, in humility, in sincerity, and with love.

Questions

1. Who benefits from prayer? (There is more than one answer here.)

2. How should a Christian's prayer change as he grows into his faith? Why?

3. What are some of the ways that prayer and a growing faith are linked?

4. What does it reveal about your faith if you do not feel the need to pray?

Lesson 12: Sin & Temptation

Sin, or more accurately, the struggle against sin is a central facet of a Christian's life. All men of an age at which they understand the consequences of their actions are enslaved by sin (Rom. 3:10,23, Jn. 8:34). On their own, men are unable to escape the bondage of sin (Rom. 5:6, 7:18). In His mercy, God saw fit to send His Son to die for man's sin, so that His blood can cleanse them from sin (1 Jn. 1:7). From the moment one accepts the gospel and chooses to devote himself to his Savior's service, he must strive to strengthen himself against sin.

1. What is sin?

Simply put, sin is disregarding God's law (I Jn. 3:4). God commands His children to seek His righteousness (Mt. 6:33, Ac. 10:35). Ignoring His will and practicing unrighteousness is sin (I Jn. 5:17). Paul calls all actions that are not based in faith sin (Rom. 14:21-22). Young Christians often focus on the sins that violate God's law. James, however, further defines sin as NOT doing the things one knows he should (Ja. 4:17). A man who sins, whether by doing things he shouldn't, or not doing things he should, elevates his desires over God's.

It is important for the mature Christian to understand what constitutes sin. It is more important to understand the seriousness of sin. Sin kills the soul (Eze 18:4, Rom. 6:23).

Man was created in God"s image, having a soul, but sin destroys the very thing that makes man the world's crowning creation. Sin separates a man from God (Is. 59:2), just as Adam and Eve were cast out Eden for their disobedience (Gen. 3:22-24). Sin will prevent a man from following Jesus to heaven to dwell in the presence of God (Jn. 8:21-23; 2 Thess. 1:9). Ultimately, sin will result in the ever-lasting punishment of those who practice it (Mt. 13:41-42). This punishment will be so severe, that Jesus states that it must be avoided at all costs, even if it means maiming oneself to accomplish it (Mk. 9:43-48). Even angels are not spared when they sin (2 Pe. 2:4).

2. The dangers of sin

The world treats sin lightly, but the Christian must not do so. Everything rides on the Christian's resisting sin. Sin is dangerously addictive. Sin acts to harden a man's heart against obedience to God (Heb. 3:12-19). Once begun, sin will con-tinue to progress from bad to worse (2 Tim 3:13). This is demonstrated in Peter's denial of Christ at His trial (Mt. 26:69-75). Peter first denies knowing Jesus (v.70), then proceeds to deny it with an oath (v. 72), and finally with cursing and swear-ing (v. 74). This is the same man who only hours before had assured Jesus that he was ready to die with him (Mt. 26:35). Left to grow, sin will eventually consume one to such an extent that he has no sense of shame (Phil. 3:18-19, 1 Tim. 4:2).

The choice to disregard God (sin) is especially harmful to those who have accepted the gospel. At some point in their lives, they recognized that Jesus sacrificed His life to save them from sin. By knowing this and choosing to sin anyway, they treat His blood as unholy and insult Him. When one reaches the point where he is can-not be moved by the sacrifice of Christ, there is no longer any hope for his salva-tion (Heb. 10:26-31).

3. Temptation

Sin has its beginning in temptation. If sin is the choice to disregard God" s will, temptation is the persuasion to make that choice. From where does this persua-sion come? James describes the source of temptation as being one's own desires. Sin is pleasurable, and there is often a powerful attraction (Heb. 11:25). When a man's desires lead him away from God (temptation) and he gives into them (con-ception) sin is born and the soul dies (Ja. 1:14-15). Temptation is not sin (Jesus was tempted), yielding to it is.

It is important to realize that it is one's own desires that lead him away, not God (Ja. 1:13). God does allow His children to be tempted in order to prove their faith, but also limits the temptation to that which one can bear if he so chooses (I Cor. 10:13).

While God is not an external source of temptation for Christians, Satan is very much so. Satan is the enemy of God, and seeks to hinder His plan to save men's souls (Mt. 13:24-28, 37-40, Lk. 8:5-14). He attempted to corrupt Jesus in the wil-derness (Mt. 4:111), he demanded the opportunity to attack Peter's faith (Lk. 22:31), and is described by Peter as Christians' adversary and a roaring lion seek-ing prey (1 Pe. 5:8).

Christians should not be surprised that they are tempted to sin after obeying the gospel. In fact, those who are saved receive more attention from Satan than those who resist the gospel. The world already belongs to Satan, why should he pay special attention to those he already owns? Instead, he concentrates his efforts on God"s children who have escaped his bondage. Satan cannot stand to see men

faithful to God (Job 1, 2). If Jesus was not spared temptation, neither should be those who follow him.

4. Dealing with temptation and sin

While temptation is inevitable for God's children, sin is not. Temptation can be suc-cessfully resisted (I Cor. 10:13). James writes that Satan will flee from Christians when resisted (Ja. 4:7), and Paul instructed the Ephesians to put on the armor of God that they might resist the snares of the devil (Eph. 6:11). Knowledge of God's word defended Jesus from Satan's tempting (Mt. 4:4,7,10). Diligent study of Scripture will train one to be able to discern between good and evil (Heb. 5:14). In teaching his disciples to pray, Jesus told them to ask to not be lead into temptation (Mt. 6:13). Prayer is an effective deterrent to temptation.

When all else fails, run! Removing oneself from temptation as Joseph did with Po-tiphar's wife (Gen. 39:12) can prevent one from succumbing to it. Paul advised Timothy to flee from youthful lusts (2 Tim. 2:22). Too often, immature Christians believe that their faith is strong enough to allow circumstances that tempt them to sin when, in reality, they are exposing their weakness to an enemy that has had centuries of practice in bringing the faithful to sin (1 Cor. 10:12).

Even with all the helps that God provides to resist temptation, Christians often succumb and find themselves in sin (Rom. 7:14-25). Seeing that sin will progress if left uncorrected, it is critical that Christians learn to deal properly with their sin. They must not deny their failure, but acknowledge it, confess it, and repent of it. God has promised to forgive all who repent and sin" s progress is stopped dead in its tracks (1 Jn. 1:8-10). Not only will he forgive their sins, He has promised to forget them entirely (Heb. 8:12). God stands ready to erase the sins His children commit if only they confess them and repent of them. It is only man's stubborn-ness to admit sin that can leave it festering to the point that he becomes unable to receive salvation.

Sometimes brethren will sin against each other as well as against God. A Christian who has sinned against his brother must make it a priority to make things right with him (Mt. 5:23-24). Likewise, if one has been sinned against, he must be will-ing to forgive those who repent, just as he wants God to forgive his failures (Mt. 18:21-35).

Questions

1. Does sin always spring from evil motives?

2. What is the determining factor of sinful behavior? What makes a sin sinful?

3. As a Christian matures in his faith, how should his reaction to temptations change?

4. Discuss Satan's effectiveness in temptation.

5. How does the world view Satan and sin?

Lesson 13: Trials

Life is uncertain for all men. There is a certain randomness to the physical world that can bring unpleasantness at any time. The writer of Ecclesiastes notes that all men are susceptible to time and chance, regardless of their station in life (Ecc. 9:11-12). Trials will come to all men at some time. Christians, however, face an additional dimension to the surety of trouble. Paul wrote to Timothy that all men who desire to live godly in Christ will be persecuted (2 Tim. 3:12). Satan seeks constantly to discourage God's children from serving Him, and will use sufferings arising from their faith as a lever. Trials should not come as a surprise to a child of God (1 Pe. 4:12); rather he should strive to grow into a faith that is steadfast in the face of them.

1. Valuable Trials

Like many things in God's word, the thought that sufferings can be valuable doesn't make much sense from a worldly point of view. However, Scripture does indeed teach that trials can be of great worth to God’s children.

Sometimes sufferings are corrective. The author of Psalms 119 wrote that his af-flictions had taught him not to go astray but to keep God's word (v. 67). He writes further that it was good to be afflicted that he could learn God's statutes (v. 71). This was certainly the case with Jonah, who forced God to allow him to suffer in the fish's belly for 3 days before he would submit to God's will regarding Nineveh (Jonah 1, 2).

God uses trials to discipline His children. The writer of Hebrews states that God chastens those whom He loves. Indeed, it is by sufferings for Christ, that Chris-tians can be sure they are His children. If they do not suffer, they are illegitimate children. He further states that those who have been trained by the discipline of the Lord will yield righteousness as a result Heb. 12:5-11).

Standing steadfast through trials will teach a Christian patience. In fact, a child of God should rejoice in His trials, for by overcoming them, his faith is strengthened to face the next one. He comes to know that he can hold to Christ, which ulti-mately will save his soul (Rom. 5:3-5, Ja. 1:2-4,12). After being threatened and beaten by the Sanhedrin, the apostles rejoiced that they were considered worthy

to suffer for the name of Christ and kept right on in the work He had given them (Ac. 5:40-42).

Even trials that do not arise from conflicts with the world can still strengthen a Christian's faith. Having an economic downturn decimate his investments teaches one that the treasures of the present world are passing and helps him realize that it would be better to concentrate on those things having more permanent value (Mt. 6:19-20).

Trials, both of happenstance and of faith, can make one draw closer to God through prayer. One who is suffering and prays to God for strength and comfort will be more assured, after emerging from his trial, that God will help him the next time he faces hardship.

1. Facing Trials

Having established that trials can be good for a Christian, it remains to consider how he should face trials when they inevitably come.

A Christian should view facing trials of his faith as an indication that his faith is in-tact. If he were living in accordance with the world, there would be no conflict for him to resolve. Trials come when Satan and those of the world recognize that one is different and attack him for that difference (1 Pe. 4:3-4). Jesus warned His dis-ciples that if they did indeed follow Him, those of the world would hate them as just as they hated Him (Jn. 15:18-20). In Acts 5, the cause of the apostles' joy was that their faith was worthy enough to be attacked. Rather than be discouraged by the coming of trials, the faithful Christian should be encouraged to greater ef-forts.

A Christian should strive to remember that God allows trials to come as an oppor-tunity to prove his faith (1 Pe. 1:6-7, 1 Cor. 3:10-15). A faithful child of God should always be striving to increase his faith. Even though trials are usually un-pleasant, a Christian can take pleasure in his faith's progress when he is able to overcome them. Even if he falters, he can repent of his weakness, knowing God will forgive him, and know better how to fight back next time.

When trials come, a Christian should focus his efforts on overcoming them, not waste his energy in complaining or feeling sorry for himself. Christ lived as an ex-ample to all believers in that He suffered the trials that came upon Him without complaint (1 Pe. 3:21-20, Heb. 12:2-3). Indeed, Jesus taught in the sermon on the mount that men were blessed when persecuted for righteousness and His name's sake (Mt. 5:10-12).

Finally, a Christian should realize that whatever trials he suffers, even death, are far outweighed by his reward for remaining true. In spite of all the unpleasantness

that befell Paul during his life (2 Cor. 11:23-30), when considering his reward, he refers to his sufferings as "light" (2 Cor. 4:16-17).

Questions:

1. Do trials differ with time and place? Why?

2. What does the world consider to be the worst trial that can come upon a per-son? What is the Christian's view?

3. Where did Jesus find His strength to face the trial of the cross? Where do we find ours?

4. Can you remember overcoming a certain trial that left you stronger in your faith?

Lesson 14: Materialism

Even though man is a spiritual being, having been created in God's image (Gen. 1:26- 27), he is also a physical being living in a material world. God, being a be-nign Creator, has made provisions for man" s physical needs (Gen. 2:8-9; 15-16; 8:3-4; Ps. 107:31-38). God has promised to provide for his children the needs of life: food and clothing (Mt. 6:31-33), but throughout history has blessed them far in excess of the bare necessities. Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Daniel, David, and Solomon, to name just a few, were all exceedingly blessed in material things. These men, however, did not let their wealth hinder them in their service to God. Unfortunately, many men do not demonstrate the same awareness of the source of their material blessings.

1. The proper use of material things

God, in His love for mankind, gives material blessings to all people (Mt. 5:45). Since God provides them, temporal things are not evil of themselves. However, like anything else, man can misuse what God intended for good to serve his own desires, thus perverting its purpose to evil. Christians must seek to understand the proper use of material things in order to be pleasing children to their Father.

Material possessions make life more comfortable for one, but are not given solely for his benefit. Men are commanded to provide for the needs of their families (1 Tim. 5:8). Christians are instructed to be generous with their possessions, ready to share them with those in need (1 Tim. 6:18). Jesus taught that those who would be found worthy at judgment are those who had provided for the needs of His brethren (Mt. 25:34-40). John the Baptist preached to the multitudes that, to

prepare for the coming kingdom, they should share their food and clothing with those who had none (Lk. 3:13). Paul commanded the churches in Galatia and Cor-inth, to make collections of a portion of their material blessings for the support of needy brethren (1 Cor. 16:1-2).

Examples of those who made proper use of their temporal possessions abound in the New Testament. Barnabas embodied this ideal when he sold some of his land to provide for the needs of the brethren in Jerusalem (Ac. 4:34-37). Dorcas used her talents and goods to provide clothing for the needy brethren in Joppa (Ac. 9:36-39). Cornelius found favor in God"s sight for the alms he gave (Ac. 10:3-4). Paul commended the Macedonian brethren who, though themselves in need, gave generously in the collection for the saints suffering the famine in Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:1-4). He praised the church at Philippi for their constant love and gifts of mate-rial support as he traveled on his missionary journeys (Phil. 4:10-19).

2. The dangers of materialism

In spite of the teachings and examples of Scripture, men often fall prey to the dangers of materialism. It should be noted that materialism is not a problem ex-clusively for those who have much in the way of wealth. It is not how much a man has,, but how much he concerns himself with his things, that can distract him from serving God. The thorns that choked out the seed of God's world in the parable of the sower are a representation of the concerns of the material world (Mt. 13:3-9, 22). As a Christian matures, he must learn to recognize and avoid the traps of worldly possessions.

Jesus" teachings included many warnings against materialism. During the sermon on the mount, He taught the faithful not to waste their energy worrying about ma-terial goods rather than God's kingdom (Mt. 6:31-33). He warned of the tempo-rary nature of earthly treasures and urged His listeners to seek the lasting heav-enly treasures instead (Mt. 6:19-20). He noted that a man" s heart follows his treasure and, in choosing to pursue worldly treasures, becomes unable to render acceptable service to God (Mt. 6:21,24). Jesus encounters the epitome of His teaching in the rich young ruler. Here was a young man who seemed to be striving to serve God. He recognized Jesus authority by asking what he still required to in-herit eternal life. He could not, however, accept Jesus' command to give up his worldly riches in exchange for treasure in heaven. All his efforts to be pleasing to God were brought to nothing by his attachment to his material riches. He had cho-sen which master he would serve (Lk. 18:18-25).

Another trap to which men are often susceptible in regards to materialism is at-taching undue importance to those who possess them. James wrote that to regard a man for his gold ring and fine clothes was to commit sin, making judgments with

evil motives (Ja. 2:1-9). How often have visitors been looked upon with disdain for not wearing what a congregation's members consider to be "'proper" attire to the worship service? In God's eyes, and the eyes of His children, what is precious about a man is his soul, not his possessions.

The pursuit of worldly goods can often lead one to behave in a manner that is not in keeping with God"s law. Paul warned Timothy that those who want to get rich fall into temptation, bringing ruin upon themselves, and that the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil (I Tim. 6:9-10). Paul lists covetousness (the desire for things that others have) among acts of idolatry (Col. 3:5). Working for a living is an honorable endeavor as demonstrated by Lydia (Ac. 16), and Aquila & Priscilla along with Paul (Ac. 18). A man choosing to work excessive overtime to increase his paycheck, to the exclusion of serving God, sins.

3. Growing in stewardship

As a Christian grows into his faith, he comes to realize that his life's value is not found in his earthly wealth, which, at the end of his life, must be left behind (I Tim. 6:7). When asked to settle a dispute between brothers regarding their inheri-tance, Jesus instructed the multitude that man's life does not consist of his abun-dance of possessions. He then goes on to tell them the parable of the rich man, who having laid up enough goods for many years, decides to take his pleasure (Lk. 12:13-21). In calling His disciples to forsake everything to follow Him, thus saving their souls, Jesus declares that even all the goods in the whole world are not worth a man"s soul (Mt. 16:26). All one carries into judgment is his history of service to God.

A mature Christian will see himself as a steward of the material things with which God has blessed him (1 Pe. 4:10). In the parable of the talents (Mt. 25:14-30), Jesus teaches that God's servants are expected to use what they have been given in His service and will be called to account for their use. This principle should be applied equally to the material and spiritual blessings God has granted. Jesus de-clared that those who look after the needs of their brethren will inherit the king-dom at judgment; those who do not will be cast into eternal fire with the devil and his angels (Mt. 25:31-46).

4. Hospitality

Hospitality is the manifestation of a Christian's maturing view of his temporal blessings. Hospitality is more than a simply inviting someone to dinner at one's home, but rather, a desire to fulfill the needs of that person based solely on a shared relationship with God. Christians are God’s children, therefore members of the same family. Hospitality binds God's family together in love. By inviting some-

one into his home, a Christian demonstrates the value he places upon that person. Christians are to help all those in need (Gal. 6:10) and especially our spiritual fam-ily.

Hospitality should not, however, be limited to those we know and love. The word translated as hospitality in the New Testament literally means a love of strangers (W.E. Vine). In New Testament times, hospitality was especially important. Except in the larger cities, public accommodations such as inns or hostels were not readily available. Jews who traveled looked to their Jewish brethren for hospitality when in a strange city. This was expected of the Jews as a nation. When Christ sent the seventy out with the gospel message, he told them to take no clothing or food, but to seek the hospitality of their listeners (Lk. 10:2-7). Indeed, Christ taught that to refuse hospitality to the least of His brethren would be considered the same as re-fusing it to Him (Mt. 25:45). The hospitality of the early Christian churches made it possible for apostles and evangelists such as Paul, Silas, Barnabas Titus, and Timothy to carry out their mission as they traveled throughout the Roman Empire. Indeed, the men who visited churches in various parts of the world helped to es-tablish a sense of unity among the early brethren.

Hospitality is commanded of Christians in the New Testament (Rom. 12:13, Heb. 13:2, 1 Pe. 4:9). When considering a man's qualifications to serve as an elder, his hospitality must be examined (Titus 1:8). Christ does not stint in the blessings He bestows on His disciples, therefore they should not hesitate to demonstrate their love for others by offering their homes in hospitality.

Questions:

1. Would God ever object to His children being comfortable in their earthly lives?

2. Contrast the world's view of riches with Gods' view.

3. How does materialism differ among the rich and the poor? How is it similar?

4. Is an immature view of materialism only a problem for individual Christians?

5. How can a church's reputation of hospitality help it in its mission?

6. Why does God wish His children to show hospitality?

7. How have modern times affected the practice of hospitality?

Lesson 15 - AM I Maturing IN MY FAITH IN REGARDS TO THE WORKS OF THE CHURCH?

I . The church is a spiritual body and its works or mission has been set forth in God's word. Any change in that mission would be as sinful as changes to God's plan for salvation, worship or any other part of revelation. (Gal. 1:69) Scriptural authority is required for every work in which the church is to be engaged; there-fore, the church cannot engage in the following:

Recreation, Sports Sponsoring, Entertainment, Political activities, Social activities, School & college sponsoring, Kindergartens and any other activity that is not authorized by the scriptures.

A. There are three methods of establishing scriptural authority as demonstrated by the scriptures.

1. Direct command (Mark 16:15-16, John 15:12-13).

2. Approved apostolic example (Acts 20:7, Acts 22:16).

3. Necessary Inference (Acts 20:7, Ex. 20:8, Ex. 31:1415, Ex. 35:1-3, Num. 15:32-36).

B. Some things may be authorized, though not specifically stated. We need to un-derstand the difference between specific and general authority.

SPECIFIC AUTHORITY - The kind of authority wherein an act is commanded but the method or means of obeying the command is expressly specified. Therefore specific authority excluded human choice because any method or means of carry-ing out the command, other than what is specified becomes an addition.

GENERAL AUTHORITY - The kind of authority wherein an act is commanded but the method or means of obeying the command is NOT expressly specified. There-fore general authority includes authority for aids (expediences) which are for the sole purpose of executing the command. These must fall within the class, kind or order of the precept (direct command), or necessary inference of the command it-self

1. When authority is specific, what does it automatically exclude? (Luke 22:1,18)

2. To better understand the works of the church, we must first understand what is the work/mission of the church? How is that work/mission to be accomplished? Who is responsible to fulfill that work/mission of the Church?

A. WHAT - Works are spiritual. (I Pet. 2:4-5)

Evangelism There is a universal need for salvation.

All have sinned (Rom. 3:23). The wages of sin are death (Rom. 6.23). The gospel is God's power to save (I Pet. 1:22-25).

Edification To build up, strengthen, improve.

Are you maturing in your faith in regards to (2 Pet. 1:5-7)? Diligence, virtue or moral excellence, knowledge - v. 5 Brotherly kindness - v. 7 Can you digest solid food? (Heb. 5:12-14)

Benevolence - A kindly, charitable act or deed.

When the apostle Paul went to Europe the first time, he did not take any contribution of food and clothing with him from the churches. To be sure, there were poor and destitute people then as now. Multitudes followed the Lord for the loaves and fishes and for physical healing, but they turned back to "walk with Him no more" the very moment He taught something which they did not like (John 6:66).

There is no scriptural authority for the church to render benevolences to anyone except it's own!! We have examples where churches helped the needy in the local church and in the other churches of Christ.

Saints at Jerusalem (Rom. 15:25-27) Needs of the saints (Rom. 12:13) Collections for the saints (I Cor. 16:1)

However this does not restrict an individual Christian from distributing to the needs of others who are not Christians; in fact, the scriptures demand that we do just that as an individual!

Dorcas (Acts 9:36) Do good to all (Gal. 6:9-10)

C. We must understand the difference between aids and additions.

AIDS do not alter or change God's command because they fall within the same class or kind of the things commanded. These are authorized (made permissible) though not specifically commanded (therefore not essential).

ADDITIONS make a change in that which is commanded, for they fall within a different class or kind of that which is commanded. These are wrong even though they may not be specifically condemned (2 John 9).

Questions:

1. What is nature of the work or mission of the church?

2. What prohibits the church from providing social activities for its teenagers?

3. Why does the church observe the Lord's Supper on every first day of the week?

4. How do we know that when God said in Ex. 20:8 of the Law of Moses, "Remem-ber the Sabbath day and keep it holy", that He meant every Sabbath day?

5. What are the three methods of establishing scriptural authority?

Questions.

1. Why is there a universal need for salvation? (Rom. 3:23)

2. What is God's power to save man's souls? (Rom. 1:16)

3. I Pet. 2:4-5

4. Which of the virtues listed in 2 Pet 1:5-8 do I lack maturity in my faith?

5. In every example in the New Testament to whom was help given by the churches?

6. Do we as individual Christians have any responsibility toward the needy who are not in the church?

B. HOW - is the work of the church to be accomplished?

The only organizational structure given by Christ is the local church (Phil. 1:1).

This is an autonomous organization, which means it is self sufficient with each congregation having its own elders as overseers (I Pet. 5:1-2).

Christ planned it this way (Eph. 4:11-16).

C. WHO - does the work of the church?

1. The Work of Evangelism

Evangelists who are to be supported by the local church for local work as well as evangelists being supported by local churches for work in other places (2 Tim. 4:2-5, Phil. 1:3-5, Phil 4:14-20).

Each Christian (2 Tim. 2:2, Acts 8:4, Eph. 4:16)

2. The Work of Edification

Each Christian (Acts 2:42, Eph. 4:16, Heb. 10:23-25).

By singing (Col. 3:16)

By study (2 Tim. 2:15)

By church discipline (I Cor. 5:1-3). The purpose of discipline is to keep the church pure and saving erring souls.

3. The Work of Benevolence.

The church helping local saints and saints in other places who are in need.

Individual Christians as we have opportunity to help all (Gal. 6:9-10)

Questions:

1. Give an example in the New Testament of a preacher of the gospel being sup-ported by churches other than the one where he preached (Phil. 1:3-5, Phil 4:14-19).

2. What are faithful men expected to do when they have been taught the gospel (2 Tim. 2:2)?

3. The body is joined and knit together by what? (Eph. 4:16)

4. Every Christian causes growth of the body by doing its ________ (Eph. 4:16).

5. The body edifies itself in ______________ (Eph. 4:16).

Lesson 16 - AM I MATURING IN MY FAITH IN REGARDS TO THE LOVE OF THE BRETHREN

1. Jesus commanded in no uncertain words, that brethren are to love one another. Not only did he give this command, but He also qualified this love (John 13:34-35, 1 John 3:16).

2. In I Cor. 13, the apostle Paul describes what has been called the "Nature of Love", NOT in the ideal surroundings of friendship and affection when each indi-vidual embraces and truly loves the other, BUT in the hard surroundings of a fallen world filled with sin and evil and trials, AND a church which has been made to be full of fault, because of the fact that Christians could no longer be distinguished from the people of the world!! He shows us the inner heart of love when it is placed among sinful man and weak and needy brethren.

3. The "Nature of Love" may be described by the following:

A. Love denies self for the good of its object.

B. The test and measure of love is how much of our own pleasure we are willing to forgo for the well being of the object of our love.

C. Man's love to God is measured by his willingness to sacrifice his own pleasure, and his own ways to please God. "This is the love of God that we keep His com-mandments" (I John 5:3). Christ's love of man was shown by it’s willingness to give up the glory of heaven and die to save man.

D. Love looks to the good of the person loved.

E. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor, love therefore is the fulfillment of the law(Rom. 13: 10).

F. Love is neither a mere sentiment nor an excitement of passions, nor a feeling of magnetic attraction, but an active desire to do good.

G. Love has a certain inner strength that is more akin to the intellect than to the emotions.

H. As to the emotions, love has a stronger persuasion than most of the most well known emotions Love is stronger than joy or lust, stronger than hate or disgust. Love is more balanced than all emotions.

Questions:

1. How much are we to love our brethren? (John 13:34)

2. What should we be willing to do for our brethren? (John 15.12-13, John 3:16)

3. Love requires that we ________ourselves for the___________ of the brethren.

4. We can measure our love for our brethren by how much of our own________ we are willing to forego.

5. Love looks to the______________________ of the person loved.

6. Love is stronger than what most well known emotions?

4. In the first three verses of I Cor. 13, Paul teaches us that though I may be an eloquent speaker, elder, deacon or the Bible class teacher, though I may under-stand fully the scriptures, have all knowledge, am very learned and intelligent, and have all faith, and though I am the most charitable person, would gladly sacrifice my life, but have not love, all these things profit me nothing

In I Cor. 13:413, Paul describes "Nature of Love" by saying what love does and does not do.

How mature am I in my faith in regards to the true nature of love for my brethren?

Place the pronoun I before each of these and test your faith.

Love Suffers Long - The protected endurance of wrong. The command over natu-ral impulses which keeps just displeasure from breaking forth into action. God set the example (I Pet. 3:20, Rom. 2:4-5).

Love is Kind - Courteous, polite, tender, gentle, affectionate. How many "kind" Christians do you know in this congregation? Parents sometimes don't stress enough to their children that they have a responsibility to be kind to each other and especially to those older than themselves. It doesn't hurt too much to be po-lite!

Love does not Envy - To feel uneasiness or discontent at the sight of superior happiness, excellence or reputation enjoyed by another.

Love does not Parade Itself - Does not thrust itself forward (Phil. 2:3).

Love Is Not Puffed Up - Does not indulge in inflated opinions of itself Avoids false glitter, extravagant words, looks, tones, styles, a deep hatred of seeming to be more than one is.

Does Not Behave Rudely (unseemly) - Defers to the wishes and rights of others and in honor prefers others (Phil. 2.3-4).

Does Not Seek It's Own - It prompts us to seek the welfare of others with self de-nial, personal sacrifice and toil (Phil. 2:3-4).

Questions (Mark TRUE or FALSE):

1. It is necessary for Christians to control their natural impulses to immediately react to being wronged by a brother.

2. Christians are required to be polite only to those brethren who have something in common. (children, works, sports etc.)

3. Christians are to feel happy at the financial improvements of a brother.

4. Christians are to be extravagant in their looks and try to make an impression that they are of higher statue than they really are.

5. Christians are to defer to the rights and wishes of the brethren.

6. Christians seek the welfare of the brethren with self denial and personal sacri-fice of themselves.

Lesson 17 - AM I MATURING IN MY FAITH IN REGARDS TO THE LOVE OF THE BRETHREN?

A. Love Is Not Provoked - (King James version reads, "not easily provoked"). The New Testament printed in 1547 did NOT have "easily". The 1611 version com-manded and printed by King James I inserted "easily". If love is provoked at all it is not love. Titus 1:7 reads, elders are NOT to be selfwilled, not quicktempered, not violent, etc. So love can never be provoked!

B. Love Thinks No Evil - Does not surmise evil and put the worst construction on acts of others. Does not attribute evil motives to others, neither is suspicious. It desires to think well of others when it loves and will not think ill of their motives or conduct, until it is compelled to do so by unmistakable evidence.

C. Love Does Not Rejoice In Iniquity - Anything that is wrong in God's sight grieves a heart that is full of love, not really because the wrong hurts the one to whom it is done, but especially because God is displeased with the wrong and must punish the wrongdoer. Instead of rejoicing over the wrong, love grieves over the wrong.

D. Love Rejoices In The Truth - Love finds pleasure in every progress which truth makes in the hearts of men, that in every act of conduct which shows that they love and obey the truth.

E. Love Bears All Thing (2 Tim. 2: 10, 1 Cor. 9:12, 1 Pet. 4:8). (Dee Bowman, Christianity Magazine, July 1991) To bear something suggests tolerating that which is difficult, uncomfortable, even distasteful. It means to do so without being reactionary. In classical Greek, the word BEAR means to COVER. The love of God not only reacts slowly, but also will wait in pain, if need be, for the most admirable solution. One who translates the word BEAR with SUPPORT. Love is the true sup-port of all that is good; it holds up our faith, buoys our confidence, and impreg-nates our enthusiasm.

It should be emphasized again that AGAPE is not merely emotional. It has a cer-tain inner strength that is more akin to the intellect than the emotions. Certainly, it has to do with emotions for it is perhaps a stronger persuasion than most of the better known ones; stronger than disgust or hate, joy or lust. But the love of the Bible is more symmetrical, more balanced than mere emotions.

As a result, love reacts to situations in a controlled, sensible way. It bears all things It does not treat controversy as would be true of a purely emotional re-sponse. For instance, even in the maelstrom of conflict, love is much more apt to be kind, more likely to tolerate, inclined to wait a while. It will seek to mollify rough feelings, to react selflessly and without rancor. It will not register ill treat-ment for future reference. Let no one misunderstand, in none of these things will love wander from the truth. This just means that love will make an intelligent, lov-ing response to even the worst situation. To admit that such a noble reaction is difficult is not to agree that we should neglect to implement it. Lots of things in life are hard, but worth it. Education is hard, but worth it. Self discipline is hard, but necessary to any righteous endeavor. Even hope is hard when it means that all you do is aligned against it, but it remains a vital connection to the healthy spiritual outlook. Sometimes we must love the unlovable, be kind to the irritable, do good to the undeserving. Even if it is hard, love bears.

F. Love Believes All Thing - Refuses to yield to suspicions or doubt. The flesh is ready to believe all things about a brother or a fellowman in an evil sense. Love does the opposite. Love is ready to believe the best of every person and will credit no evil but on the most positive evidence. It is easy, sometimes pleasurable, to believe a bad report, and it may become necessary to believe the bad report, if it

turns out the report is true. But, love will not believe it early on. It will wait for a new explanation, look for a higher motive, shoulder the situation until it improves. One who delights in damages or revels in indignity does not love as he ought. One who is constantly on the lookout for error will likely find it, but it does nothing to better him when he does. On the other hand, one who refuses to tolerate bad news about someone until he knows for sure, does not erode the character of the object of the report, nor his own.

G. This does not argue that love is naive nor impressionable, only that it is looking all the while for something better, not worse. Even when the evidence continues to pile up, it will hope for the best. It does not relish in bad news, even when it is true, and will immediately look for ways to heal the hurt. The higher love wants to believe the best about everyone.

H. Agape love is marked distinctly by its nobility and dignity. It does not associate with evil or compromise with error, but it will wait to win the sinner and suffer long to help the transgressor. It will believe the best as long as it can. It is the love of the Lord. Let us love as the Lord loved.

I. Love Endures All Things - Is not driven from the true course by wrongs and in-juries of the wicked. To bear up under.

Questions:

1. It is all right for a Christian to be provoked over some great difficulty. T / F)

2. A Christian is "doing this duty to God " when he surmises evil about the acts of a brother. (T / F)

3. A Christian will think well of the motives of the acts of a brother until proven otherwise. (T / F)

4. When wrong is done by a brother, Christians are to grieve for the offender and the offended. (T / F)

5. Love will register ill treatment for future reference. (T / F)

6. We sometimes must love the unlovable. (T / F)

7. 1 can love God and at the same time not love my brother. (T / F)

8. What are we required to do to an erring brother when he has not repented? (2 Thess. 3:6,14-15, Gal 6: 1)?

9. How should we treat him? (2 Thess. 3:15)

10. What are we required to do to an erring brother who has been disciplined and restored? (2 Cor. 2:7-8)

11. The flesh is ready to believe all things about a brother in an evil sense. Love does the ________________________________.

12. Love will not believe a bad report about a brother early on. (T / F)

13. When one is on the lookout for error and finds it, what good does it do him?

14. Love does not relish in ________________________ news.

15. Higher love wants to believe the about a brother.

16. Love all things. (I Cor. 9:12,2; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Cor. 13:7)

17. Love endures all things for the sake of the and for the sake of the . (I Cor. 9:12, 2 Tim. 2:10)

Jesus commanded some of the hardest commandments for us to obey in regards to who we must love in Mt. 5:43-48. Test out maturity in faith in regards to our love for the brethren.

1. If a brother becomes our enemy, are we to love him?

2. If a brother has cursed us, are we to bless him?

3. If a brother hates me, am I to do good to him?

4. If a brother despitefully uses me, am I to pray for him?

5. If a brother persecutes me, am I to pray for him?

6. Can I be a child of God if I do not love, bless, do good, and pray for this brother?

Lesson 18 - AM I MATURING IN MY FAITH IN REGARDS TO MY ROLE AS A HUSBAND 0R WIFE

EVER MATURING, BUT NEVER MATURE PHIL. 3:12-14

A Woman's Question

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing? Ever made by the hand above

A woman's heart and a woman's life And a woman's wonderful love?

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing? As a child might ask for a toy?

Demanding what others have died to win With the reckless dash of a boy!

You have written my lesson of duty out, Manlike, you have questioned me;

Now, stand at the bar of my woman's soul, While I shall question thee.

I am fair and young, but the rose will fade From my soft young cheeks one day

Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves As you did 'mid the bloom of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and deep, I may launch my all on its tide?

A loving woman finds heaven or hell On the day she's made a bride?

I require all things that are grand and true, All things that a man should be;

If you give this all, I would stake my life, To be all you demand of me.

If you can't do this, a laundress and a cook You can hire with a little pay.

But a woman's heart and a woman's life Are not to be won that way.

QUESTIONS:

1. When you asked the woman of your life to be your wife, did you realize value of her heart, life and love?

2. How about now?

3. Compare your love and service to your wife now, as to your wedding day. If it has not matured and grown stronger, why not?

AM I MATURING IN MY FAITH IN REGARDS TO BEING A GOOD HUSBAND?

Steps Toward Being a Good Husband

A young man soon to be married asked this question of the authors of a syndi-cated newspaper column, "What makes a good husband?" Their answer follows:

A good husband makes his wife feel important in his scheme of things.

A good husband is sympathetic with his wife's moods or setbacks.

A good husband appreciates the work that goes into running a home efficiently and raising children wisely.

A good husband gives his wife some degree of financial independence through a joint checking account, an allowance, or a checking account of her own.

A good husband is a companion to his wife, talking things over with her and shar-ing her interests.

A good husband takes his wife out regularly for recreation, realizing that he is the only escort she can have, now that she is married.

A good husband cheerily assumes his responsibility in the disciplining and raising of the children.

A good husband helps his wife with the house chores.

A good husband is considerate in the intimate side of married life.

A good husband is faithful to his wife.

A good husband is on friendly terms with his in-laws.

A good husband is honest with his mate.

A good husband is attentive to his wife in public.

A good husband consults with his wife before making any important household or family decision.

A good husband places the interests of his wife and children ahead of relatives.

A good husband avoids being overly critical.

A good husband often compliments his wife.

A good husband makes it possible for his wife to have some leisure time for out-side interests.

This is good advice and mostly follows what God has commanded. Now, let us take a look at what God has to say about the husband's and wife's roles.

Question:

1. Place a yes or no by each point and check how you need to mature.

1. Three pitfalls of marriage (In-Law troubles, Infidelity and Insufficient Funds)

A. Leave father and mother and cleave to your wife (Mt. 19:56)

1. Many jokes are made about in-laws, but some of them are so close to being true, they bring tears rather than laughter.

2. A child will always love his/her parents and should always honor them (Eph. 6:4). However, a new family is formed by marriage, and there is a need for par-ents to let them alone? Also, the child must not "run home to Momma" every time there is a problem.

B. Give yourself wholly to each other (I Cor. 7:1-5)

1. Sex is not dirty, unless it is outside the marriage bond (Heb. 13:4).

2. Work at understanding each other's emotions and physical needs and be patient with one another, but most of all, keep pure for each other.

C. Conquer worry about money by having a smart budget (Prov. 6:6-11; 31:10-31).

1. Prevent a breakdown by discussing and planning together what is spent.

2. Although the husband is the head of the family, an important part of wise lead-ership is to know how to listen and when to delegate responsibility. Husbands who make all the decisions without discussing finances with their wives are acting self-ishly. Some wives are more prudent in money matters and should be delegated re-sponsibility, but whoever plans the budget, teamwork must take place.

Questions:

1. Name three pitfalls of marriage.

2. Are any of these a problem in your marriage?

3. Questions to think about before marriage.

A. Are you financially and emotionally able to leave father and mother and cleave to one another?

B. As a husband, are you prepared to:

1. Love your wife as yourself (Eph. 5:28) 2. Teach your children? (Eph. 6:4, Deut. 6:4-9) 3. Be the head of the wife? (Eph. 5:23)

C. As a wife, are you willing to care for children, or do you prefer such as a day

care center, babysitter husband or grandparents? (I Tim. 5:14, Tit. 2:4-5)

For a marriage to be happy and successful both the husband and wife must under-stand God's way and comply with it. Our society has emphasized "women's rights" to the point that many women seek to walk in the same role as men; and some men have confused the issue by the failure to assume their role of leadership with tender, loving and understanding guidance. Women are not inferior to men, but they do have a different role. No man can be a mother; no woman can be a father! God has given each a different body and a different role in life. This role is not merely a result of custom, nor is it prompted by male chauvinism, but is of divine origin.

Questions:

7. God said: The _______is to be a homemaker. The_______ is to care for the children. The_______ is to love her husband. Women are not__________ to men.

Lesson 19 - Man's Basic Role

A. Headship

1. God did not make woman a slave.

2. The husband is responsible for the success or failure of the home. Many homes fail because husbands fail as heads. Sure, some husbands are "henpecked", but often this is caused by the man failing to assert his leadership as a guide, provide and protector, thus his wife had to do what he would not.

3. Leadership is earned. A good leader is a good example (Humility Phil. 2:5-8, governs and serves Lk. The husband may be the "head over the wife" by the di-vine law, but remember, this means more than position only. Headship means re-sponsibility and demands initiative, responsibility to act in love, initiative to act in service. As Christ acted in self giving love and self humbling service, so husbands should take the initiative in building an atmosphere of loving, self sacrificing serv-ice. A good leader is a good listener. A good president of a business will maintain close communication with his vice president, consulting on decisions to be made, taking the initiative to work out problems and differences. Even so a good husband will not act selfishly, but will consider his wife's feelings and talk about mutual problems, and together they will form a policy, and have an understanding of each one's responsibility.

B. Financial security.

I . God placed in man responsibility of providing the living (Gen. 3:19). This obli-gation, like the role of leadership was not placed on woman. She is given a differ-ent role, "keepers at home" (Tit. 2:4-5), and to guide the house (1 Tim. 5:14). Some modern trends advocate the wife taking equal responsibility to earn money. In return, the man is expected to share the burden of housework and care of the children. Consequently, the distinction between the roles of men and women are bluffed and many homes have crumbled in divorce. A man who is lazy and will not work to provide for his own, or a man who spends all he earns for his own pleas-ure, may force his wife to work in order to survive. A man who selfishly thinks his paycheck is all his and who stingily gives his wife a bare existence may force her to work. In all such situations, he is "worse than an infidel" (1 Tim. 5:8). He is not obligated to provide luxuries, but necessities. In providing a high standard of liv-ing, some men make economic slaves of them, doing a disservice to themselves and their families. He and his wife must learn to budget themselves and live con-tent within their means. (Contentment Heb. 13:5-6, Phil. 4:11, Love of money 1Tim. 6:9-10).

Questions:

1. Man's basic role is ___________________________. Eph. 5:23

2. Assuming the headship role requires no initiative for the husband because God has already bestowed this title on him. T / F

3. Husbands and wives should budget themselves and learn to live within their in-come. (Heb. 13:5-6)

AM I MATURING IN MY FAITH IN REGARDS TO MY BEHAVIOR TOWARD MY WIFE?

A. Man's Behavior Toward His Wife

1. Gentleness

Ruggedness is often thought synonymous with manhood. Gentleness is strong in the feminine nature. Because the two seem so opposite, many men avoid being gentle lest they appear feminine. But the careful blending of gentleness with indi-vidual ruggedness produces a fascinating combination in a man, which is attractive and admirable. He is truly a "gentle man".

There is strength in being gentle. Gentleness is to manhood what mercy is to jus-tice. When justice is meted out alone, it is cold, undeviating and unsympathetic. But when mercy is added, justice is softened. No matter how self reliant a woman may be she would like to be swept off her feet by a strong man, but she wants to be taken care of with gentleness.

The Apostles were guided by the gentleness of Christ (I Thess. 2:7, 2 Cor. 10:1). Gentleness is commanded by all Christians. Those bearing the fruit of the Spirit are gentle (Gal. 5:22-23). Meekness, tenderness and affection are all expressions of gentleness (Eph. 4:32, Tit. 3:2).

The value ... people everywhere need the warmth and peace of tenderness more than they need blankets. Politeness and kindness are of more value than money itself

2. Love

A husband is commanded to love his wife (Eph. 5:25,28,33; Col. 3:19). As much as Christ loved the church ... willing to give himself for her ... not just to die for his wife, but much more, willing to live for her benefit and welfare and happiness!!!! As much as their own bodies ... Do you enjoy hurting your own body? Do you take good care of your own body? Test the strength, quality and sincerity of your wife by the following descriptions of the nature of love. (Your wives may test yourself also!)

1. Love will tolerate that which is difficult or uncomfortable without being reaction-ary.

2. Agape love is not merely emotional, but has an inner strength that is more akin to the intellect than to emotions.

3. Love is stronger than lust or even disgust or hate.

4. Love reacts to situations in a controlled, sensible way.

5. Love bears ALL things.

6. In conflict, love is much more apt to be kind, to tolerate, inclined to wait a while, seek to modify rough feelings, react selfishly and without rancor.

7. Love will not register ill treatment for future reference.

8. Love will not wander from the truth.

9. Love will make an intelligent, loving response to even the worst situation.

Questions:

1. What does it cost a man to be gentle to his wife?

2. There are nine descriptions of love listed above. Test your love for your wife. How many of the nine do you comply with?

3. Have you nourished your wife in maturing in faith, or is it the other way around?

3. Nourish

A husband is commanded to nourish his wife (Eph.5:28-29). To nourish carries the idea of feeding, causing to grow, supporting and maintaining. A wife has many needs other than physical and material things. She needs gentleness, tenderness, affection, sympathy, respect, compliments and a feeling of accomplishment. She needs to be needed. A real man will provide her these things too (1Tim. 5:8).

4. Cherish

A husband is commanded to cherish his wife (Eph. 5:29). The literal meaning of this word is "to heat, to soften by heat, then to keep warm, as of birds covering their young with their feathers."

The failure of many marriages can be traced to a failure to cherish. The failure to cherish may be due to the husband's lack of gentleness. It is not manly to be self-

ish, critical, neglectful and disrespectful to others, especially to one's wife. Any weakling can do this this. But it takes a MAN to deny himself, to be polite, kind and appreciative.

Question:

1. We are to nourish and cherish our wife as Christ does the _____________.

5. Honor

A husband is commanded to honor his wife (1 Pet. 3:7). Dwell with wife with un-derstanding ... according to spiritual truths. Giving honor as to the weaker vessel. Dire consequences... God will NOT hear your prayers!!!!!!!

Questions:

1. How can a man dishonor his wife?

2. What are the consequences? (1Peter 3:7)

Lesson 20 - Wife's basic role to her husband

A. The wife is commanded to love her husband (Titus 2:4).

Why should God have to instruct women to love their husbands? If some women and men truthfully and sincerely examined their love for their spouse in the light of the nature of love, it would be a simple matter to be obedient to this command of God. Wives and husbands, and those anticipating marriage someday, let us ap-ply these truths of the nature of love to ourselves.

1. Longsuffering ... the command over natural impulses which keeps just displeas-ure from breaking forth into action.

2. Love is kind, courteous, polite, gentle, tender and affectionate.

3. Love is not puffed up does not indulge in inflated opinions of oneself.

4. Love does not behave rudely defers to the wishes and rights of others.

5. Love does not seek its own seeks the welfare of others with self denial.

6. Love is not provoked if provoked at all it is not love.

7. Does not attribute evil motives to others.

8. Love denies self for the welfare and good of its objects.

9. The test and measure of love is how much of our own pleasure are we willing to forgo for the well being of the object loved.

10. Love looks to the good of the person loved.

Questions

1. How many of the above descriptions of love describe your love for your wife/husband?

2. What do you think you should do about this?

B. The wife is to be subject to, submit to, be submissive to her husband (Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18, 1 Pet. 3:1).

This is God's pattern and we can't improve it anymore than we can improve His pattern for the organization of His church. This causes more grief to the modem woman than perhaps any other command. In trying to get "equal" rights with man, we tend to feel we do not have to be in subjection to anyone. Yet, God knew that we were not equipped to lead our lives this way. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husband, as it is fit in the Lord (Col. 3:18). "Likewise, ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands" Pet. 3:1).

The words are plain and simple. They can be understood without long, philosophi-cal examinations. Man is the head of woman; she must be in subjection to him. This is God's pattern for the government of the home. When we fight against it, we can only expect to bring heartache and trouble. Modernism, with its deceptive logic, has crept into the church, finding a too receptive welcome in many women. We do not want to be subject to anyone. We want to feel that we are just as good as any man. WHAT WOMAN FAILS TO RECOGNIZE IS THAT SHE IS NOT INFERIOR TO MAN BY BEING SUBJECT TO HIM. GOD HAS PLACED HER IN A POSITION OF HONOR IN GIVING MAN THE CHARGE TO TAKE CARE OF HER AS THE WEAKER VESSEL. We are to be loved, protected and cherished because of the role we were placed in by God. Why should we want to throw off this mantle of protective love, which God has so carefully bestowed upon us?

The question arises in such a discussion, "What if my husband is not a Christian? Do I still have to obey him"? Your relationship to your nonChristian husband is no

different than your sister's who has a Christian mate. God's place for the woman is the same, no matter what her husband is religiously. The only exception would be when the husband's demands go against God's word. In Col. 3:18 it reads, "as is fit in the Lord". We must submit ourselves to our husbands as long as they do not ask of us anything contrary to God's way. We are told that by our subjection in a meek and chaste behavior, it is possible to win our mates to the Lord (I Pet. 3:1).

C. The wife is to respect her husband (Eph. 5:33).

A woman who does not respect her husband cannot love him perfectly. There is something lacking in their relationship. She is the weaker vessel and if he does not take his place as the stronger partner, she loses respect for him. She must be will-ing to accept him for what he is, respecting his personality, his talents, and his faults. Love accepts the person, as he is, not for what we might think we can make of him. Certainly, the wife should do all within her power to change the bad into good, but this must be done in perfect respect of her mate and not in a demanding superior attitude.

Questions:

1. Can a woman win her husband to Christ by her conduct? (I Pet. 3:1)

2. What does the phrase "as to the Lord", or "as is fitting in the Lord," mean?

3. What can cause a woman to lose respect for her husband in regard to his head-ship?

Lesson 21 - Women's Behavior

A woman of God is to conduct herself so as to not bring dishonor upon her hus-band nor herself. God has set forth her conduct.

A. A woman is commanded to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good and to pos-ses a gentle and quiet spirit (Titus 2:5, 1 Pet. 3:16).

DISCREET - Temperate, soberminded Exercising of selfrestraint that governs all passions and desires, enabling the believer to be conformed to the mind of Christ.

CHASTE - Pure from every fault.

B. A woman must not dishonor her husband. A woman dishonors her husband when she exercises authority over the man in the teaching role (I Tim. 2:12). Also, when she does not adorn herself in modest apparel (I Tim. 2:9).

C. A wife is to be a homemaker ... being a good homemaker includes being a wise manager of the financial means available to the home (Prov. 31:10-31). Perhaps more friction comes from this than any other thing. (Remember the three pitfalls of marriage) The wife who does not try to live within their income is foolish indeed and may very well be the cause of her husband's early death. Sociologists have proven in their studies that the man who is 'pushed' into making more money is the frequent object of heart attacks and related illnesses. It is well for the wife to have ambitions for the husband but to have the desire for material possessions to such an extent that it brings pressure upon the husband is not only unwise, but is not according to God's plan of being subject to our own husbands. We must be willing to manage our households on what our husband makes or else make any adjustments necessary to bring our budget into line with our income. To live within his income is a precious gift every wife should give to her husband.

Questions:

1. Does my behavior as a wife fit the commands of I Pet. 3:1-6?

2. Which do I need to mature on?

3. Am I training our daughters to mature in these areas?

4. Do I allow our daughters to dress in such a manner as to dishonor their fami-lies?

D. The wife must not place others before husband. The wife and husband is the basic unit of the marriage. Any other element must fit into this relationship with-out disturbing the original pattern of the man as being the head and the woman as his helpmeet. The woman or the man should not place anything or anybody (God excluded) above her husband or above his wife. He is the primary concern of her life and she must learn to fit in children, friendships and other activities with re-gard to their importance, but never are they to be placed before him. Any activity or person, which comes between husband and wife, should be analyzed and quickly adjusted to its proper position in order that the God given pattern of God, Christ, Man, Woman and children not be distorted or destroyed.

E. The wife must not be a nagging, contentious woman. Husbands are often driven into the comforting arms of others by the constant fussing, contention and strife caused by a nagging wife. It has been said that the only thing God left Job was a nagging wife and he would have been better off without her! The wisdom of prov-erbs tells us of the ugliness of a contentious woman. "It is better to dwell in the comer of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house" (Prov. 25:24). "The contentions of a wife are a continual dropping" (Prov. 19:13). In other words, the nagging wife gets on the nerves like a constantly dripping faucet.

F. The wife must not resent her in-laws. When a girl marries a young man, she is accepting his family as well. She must learn to get along with them as she expects him to get along with her own people. She should realize that the man she loves and is accepting as her husband has become what he is through the influence of his parents. She should be grateful for their care and concern that molded his per-sonality into what she fell in love with. Resentment can have no part in the Chris-tian wife's life. She should cultivate a love for his parents as if they were her own.

G. Rewards ... The rewards of a Christian wife and homemaker are many. Not only does she have the respect of her husband and her family, but also she respects herself. The picture of the worthy woman in Prov. 31 shows that if we attain the goal this woman did, our husband and children will praise us and call us blessed. No greater earthly reward can any woman seek than to be praised by her hus-band! Not only will our good life bring a fuller, richer existence here on earth, but also it could very well mean the salvation of our own souls, as well as that of our husband and family.

H. What can women do? What would be the church be like without dedicated Christian women?

1. There would be no elders or deacons (I Tim. 3:2,11).

2. Who would care for the sick, elderly, and lonely? (food, cards, clean houses).

3. What would happen to hospitality? (I Pet. 4:9, Rom. 12:13).

The work and activities of women shape the atmosphere, spirit and feel of a con-gregation! Who would dare say such is unimportant or useless? A congregation can have the best public worship assembly around, but if the members are not friendly to visitors, do not extend hospitality to each other, or do not help those among them in need, then that congregation will not be viewed as a family of God's people who show their love for Christ by showing their love for each other (John 13:34-35). Women operate in this vital area.

Women are not less important than men. God has given us different functions in the church and in the home, but this does not mean we are secondclass citizens. If we devalue the work God has given to women, we will inevitably want to usurp other roles not given to us. Thus, as Eve sinned by taking what God had not given to her, so we will follow in her footsteps. Instead, we must work on the obligations God desires for us to fulfill. This will not leave us bored or with nothing to do. In-deed, we will be very busy in the kingdom with some of the most important work to be done.

Questions:

1. A worthy woman (Prov. 31:10-31) is called ___________ by her children and her husband, and he ___________ her.

2. In what way would the organization of the church not be possible if it were not for godly women?