First Principles 2013

Introduction : Purpose of Class Take the Word of God very, very seriously. Study AT LEAST as hard as you would (or did) for school. If you are going to live it, you need to know it. What is the purpose of this class? Heb 6:1-3, Heb 5:11-14 To lead you on to maturity Purpose has three parts

1 – Solidify 1.SOLIDIFY your faith and convictions from the BIBLE. John 13:34 – 35 Love is the sign to the lost world. What struck most of us – love of the fellowship! We have to work at, not natural. FP are indisputable, accepted by anyone that studies the word. We all need to come to an individual deep conviction - when we do that, we will be very unified.

2 - Unify Matt 28:18-20 – Many churches miss this. – Taught to the 11 apostles. Make disciples Baptize Them Teach them to obey everything. – What did he just teach? Go make disciples!

3 - Multiply Going and making disciples of all nations is for every single true Christian. The Purpose of this class then? 1.Solidify our faith 2.Unify us as a church 3.Multiply as disciples

Winning People For Christ: Great Friendship Learn to love unconditionally. This is from God and each other - people are taken aback by people who really love them despite what they are like, what they've been into. Reaching out to people, 2-3 weeks, open, deep, spiritual matters. Powerful opportunity we have to minister to people.

Winning People For Christ: Buy Them A Bible Don't have a bible, archaic translation. NIV84 is the most accurate translation in phrase by phrase. NASB is the most accurate word for word. Give them an NIV84 bible and write an inscription in it. People appreciate someone giving them such a priceless gift.

Winning People For Christ: Understand Their Background As mentioned - we do get deep with people quickly because we talk about spiritual matters! Before you study, you need to know where is this person coming from? What is their faith? Buddhist? Denomination Christian? Where are they at? Makes a world of difference where you start when studying the bible with them. Start with the regular studies if they have a faith in Jesus. Some don't have a real faith in Jesus – they don’t believe that he died, was buried, raised from the dead. Start with John.

Winning People For Christ: Great Friendship Buy Them A Bible Understand Their Background

John Studies Jewish, uh...not open? Anyone can become a disciple. Jesus was Jewish, so were all the apostles! We Need to be equipped to study with those who does not even believe in Jesus yet. How do you? Where do you start? John 20:30

John Studies: Bring People To Faith Reading John, you get to see someone who has no faith in Jesus at all to get into John and to see their faith grow. We need to break down the barriers, thinking that only someone “super-spiritual” [priests, theologians, pastors] can read it. Studying John also will gives us the opportunity to help them see that the Bible is for everyone!

John Studies: General Format You should all be using the same version of the bible (NIV84). Have a more mature Christian lead the study. Have the younger disciple in the study, to train them. Let’s call ours Bob. And of course our non-Christian friend. Let’s call ours Ralph. Bob met Ralph while having lunch at work…

John Studies: General Format Trade off in reading, one section header to another at a time. For example, in John 1 – Verse 1-18 (Jeremy reads) “What is this saying?” – Verse (Bob reads) – Verse (Ralph reads) Reiterate, this is an eyewitness account. Help them understand, anyone can read the bible.

John 1:35-42 Bob reads. Get everyone engaged. Don’t want anyone to “zone out.” Take notes (either mature Christian or Bob) What does this say? – Getting them to wrestle with and strive to break down the scriptures for themselves. – Remember – eyewitness account. The other disciple? Has to be JOHN, the guy who wrote this! – Peter means “Rock.” “Simon Barjonah”

John 1:35-42 Bar simply means “son.” Jonah is Hebraic for “John.” So, in English, “Barjonah” means John’s son. If you met Simon Barjonah today, you’d call him “Rocky Johnson.” Don't hang any longer there. Keep study crisp. Get about 4 chapters at a time per study. Get together every couple of days. 2-3 times/wk. John builds a faith. Throughout the study, keep reiterating, bottom-line, an eyewitness account. Come to a deep and saving faith in Christ.

FELLOWSHIP BREAK

NEXT WEEKS QUIZ Please take out schedule hand-out. – Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 6:33 What is the purpose of the FP class. – Solidify – Unify – Multiply What do you study when someone has no faith in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection? John! Responsible for knowing the Seeking God Study.

Seeking God Immediately goes to someone's heart and gets them focused on God. Mistake we can make - not getting God involved. Very first thing you need to do is to PRAY. Going through the studies, need to trade off the reading. Trying to build faith, getting them to read. Bring a note pad. Write out the scriptures. For the person who is leading the study, write out the scripture. Starting with Psalm 119:1-2.

Resources First Principles Books First principles “App”

Psalm 119:1-2 A. Blessed means happy (superlatively happy) B. Happiness is not the goal of one who seeks God but the “by-product” C. To seek God you must do it with all your heart D. Seeking God means to “keep His statutes”

Matthew 6:25-34 A. Do not worry – ironic – can not add a single hour to your life B. God knows your needs C. Seek first His kingdom and righteousness D. Then God will give you everything you need

Acts 17:26-28 A. God determines the times and places each person lives B. He does this so men will seek Him, reach out for Him and find Him C. He is not far from anyone D. A Christian meeting you is not by chance – but of God

John 4:23-24 A. God seeks men (Acts 17 taught men must seek God) B. Men who want to worship Him in spirit and in truth

Acts 17:10-12 A. Read and study the Bible for your own convictions B. Study daily

Jeremiah 29:11-14 A. God has an individual plan for your life B. A plan to prosper you – with hope and a future C. You will find God when you seek Him with all your heart

Acts 8:26-39 A. The angels and the Holy Spirit are helping to get you to God B. Do not be afraid to ask questions about life or the Bible – be humble C. You need someone to explain the Bible to you D. You will be “rejoicing” when you find God

Matthew 7:7-8 A. Seek and God guarantees you will find Him B. Ask God for help

NEXT WEEK’S QUIZ Please take out schedule hand-out. – Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 6:33 What is the purpose of the FP class. – Solidify – Unify – Multiply What do you study when someone has no faith in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection? John! Responsible for knowing the Seeking God Study.