BENEFITS OF THE NEW BIRTH Pre-Encounter Lesson 4 Pre-Encounter

“Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

FEED YOURSELF SPIRITUAL FOOD “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2)  The Bible is food for your spirit  You should feed yourself regularly “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2)  The Bible is food for your spirit  You should feed yourself regularly

LIVE BY THE WORD  Love the Word and its teachings  Obey its directions  The Bible is the greatest of treasures, having answers to all our needs  Love the Word and its teachings  Obey its directions  The Bible is the greatest of treasures, having answers to all our needs

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE CONTAIN?  God’s voice and the revelation of Christ (Jn. 1:1-2; 14)  The divine laws (Ps. 119:17-19)  Revelation of God to man (Jn.14:6-10)  The plan of salvation for man (Jn. 3:16, Rom. 10:9)  The truth (Jn. 17:17)  Jesus (Lk. 24:27)  God’s voice and the revelation of Christ (Jn. 1:1-2; 14)  The divine laws (Ps. 119:17-19)  Revelation of God to man (Jn.14:6-10)  The plan of salvation for man (Jn. 3:16, Rom. 10:9)  The truth (Jn. 17:17)  Jesus (Lk. 24:27)

HOW TO GET CLOSER TO THE WORD  Listen closely to the voice of God daily (Deut. 11:18-20)  Read it with the right attitude and obey (Deut. 13:4)  Meditate on it, searching it out (Joshua 1:8)  Put its commandments to practice (Ps. 119:105)  Share its message with other, confessing it (Mark 16:15; Ps. 71:15)  Listen closely to the voice of God daily (Deut. 11:18-20)  Read it with the right attitude and obey (Deut. 13:4)  Meditate on it, searching it out (Joshua 1:8)  Put its commandments to practice (Ps. 119:105)  Share its message with other, confessing it (Mark 16:15; Ps. 71:15)

HOW TO STUDY THE WORD  Pick an appropriate place  Establish a study habit  Start a devotional notebook (start preferably with the book of John)  Include: God’s message for me today, the promise for my life, the commandment to obey, personal application, verse to memorize  Pick an appropriate place  Establish a study habit  Start a devotional notebook (start preferably with the book of John)  Include: God’s message for me today, the promise for my life, the commandment to obey, personal application, verse to memorize

BENEFITS OF GETTING CLOSE TO THE WORD  It teaches (doctrine)  It rebukes (reproof)  It corrects (restores to a correct state)  It instructs (guides)  It teaches (doctrine)  It rebukes (reproof)  It corrects (restores to a correct state)  It instructs (guides)

COMMUNICATE WITH GOD THROUGH PRAYER  Prayer is the only way we can communicate with the Lord  Jesus taught His disciples how to pray (Matt. 6:9-13)  It doesn’t matter how you pray; what matters is the attitude of your heart  Prayer is the only way we can communicate with the Lord  Jesus taught His disciples how to pray (Matt. 6:9-13)  It doesn’t matter how you pray; what matters is the attitude of your heart

HOW TO PRAY  Find a place with complete privacy  Start off with words of thanksgiving  Live the revelation of the Cross  Relate to God as a loving Father, who wants the best for His children  Pray for God’s blessings for you and your family  Promise the Lord you’ll lead a life of integrity and holiness  Find a place with complete privacy  Start off with words of thanksgiving  Live the revelation of the Cross  Relate to God as a loving Father, who wants the best for His children  Pray for God’s blessings for you and your family  Promise the Lord you’ll lead a life of integrity and holiness

 Tell God He can count on you to establish the vision  Commit to obeying the Word above everything  Pray the Bible’s promises of financial provision to be fulfilled  Renounce any feelings of resentment toward others  Pray for Gods’ spiritual armor to withstand any adversity  Ask the Lord for protection around you and your family  Tell God He can count on you to establish the vision  Commit to obeying the Word above everything  Pray the Bible’s promises of financial provision to be fulfilled  Renounce any feelings of resentment toward others  Pray for Gods’ spiritual armor to withstand any adversity  Ask the Lord for protection around you and your family

SHARE WITH OTHERS Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.” (Matt. 10:32)  You don’t have to be a theologian to share your faith Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation Jesus commanded us to, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.” (Matt. 10:32)  You don’t have to be a theologian to share your faith Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation Jesus commanded us to, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)

TAKE CARE OF YOUR YOUTH  It is important to take the road of righteousness as a youth  King David and Daniel began their journey with the Lord at a young age  It is important to take the road of righteousness as a youth  King David and Daniel began their journey with the Lord at a young age

REALIZE THAT OBEDIENCE RENEWS STRENGTH  God called Abraham when he was seventy-five years old, giving him these instructions: “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great and you will be a blessing.” (Gen. 12:1-2)