Biblical Descriptions Of A Christian By Charles Willis
Biblical Descriptions Of A Christian Table of Contents Lesson #1 Light & Salt (Matthew 5:13 14) Page 5 Lesson #2 New Creature (2 Corinthians 5:17) Page 6 Lesson #3 Saint (1 Corinthians 1:2) Page 7 Lesson #4 Child of God (Romans 8:16 17) Page 8 Lesson #5 Disciple (Acts 11:26) Page 9 Lesson #6 Soldier (2 Timothy 2:4) Page 10 Lesson #7 Priest (Revelation 1:6) Page 11 Lesson #8 Sheep (John 10:27) Page 12 Lesson #9 Part Of The Body (1 Corinthians 12:27) Page 13 Lesson #10 Living Sacrifice (Romans 12:1 2) Page 14 Lesson #11 Servant (John 13:12 17) Page 15 Lesson #12 Alien/Pilgrim (1 Peter 2:11) Page 16 Lesson #13 Sower (Matthew 13:3 23) Page 17 Written By: Charles Willis 2017, All Rights Reserved Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971,1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.lockman.org
Lesson #1 Light & Salt (Matthew 5:13 14) The Salt Of The Earth 1. Be prepared to discuss the importance of salt in the ancient world and how this impacts our understanding of the phrase in Scripture. 2. How are Christians to be the salt of the earth? 3. What is meant by the imagery of the salt becoming tasteless? The Light Of The World 4. From Matthew 5, what is the purpose of light? What does this mean for the Christian? 5. What are good works others are to see? 6. Related Passages A. How does Philippians 2:15 indicate we are to be a light in the world? B. What does Ephesians 5:8 and 11 indicate we are to be doing as children of light? From Both Images 7. What do we learn from the following passages about being a godly influence? A. 1 Peter 2:12 B. Colossains 4:5 6 C.1 Peter 3:15 17 D. Titus 2:7 8 E. James 2:18 F. 2 Timothy 2:20 21 Biblical Descriptions Of A Christian Page 5
Lesson #2 New Creature (2 Corinthians 5:17) If Anyone Is In Christ He Is A New Creature 1. What do the following passages reveal about being in Christ? A. Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3 B. Romans 3:24 C. Romans 6:23 D. Romans 8:1 E. 1 Corinthians 1:2 F. Ephesians 1:3 G. Ephesians 2:10 2. What language is used in Romans 12:1 2 to describe the new creature? The Old Things Have Passed Away 3. What has passed away? A. Romans 6:4 11 B. Colossians 3:3 9 4. How do these things become dead to us? Behold, New Things Have Come 5. What new things have come (Colossians 3:10 17)? 6. What is the rule of this new creation that governs our walk (Galatians 6:15 16)? 7. How do we put on this new self? A. Ephesians 4:22 24 B. Romans 13:14 C. 1 Peter 2:11 D. Galatians 5:16 Biblical Descriptions Of A Christian Page 6
Lesson #3 Saint (1 Corinthians 1:2) those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling (1 Corinthians 1:2) 1. Define the word saint and sanctified (from 1 Corinthians 1:2). You are encouraged to examine the Greek definitions. (Blueletterbible.org has many good tools to help with definitions.) 2. How are Christians sanctified? A. 1 Corinthians 6:11 B. Hebrews 10:10 14, 29 C. John 17:17 19 D. Ephesians 5:26 3. How does being a saint fit into the meaning of 1 Peter 1:15 16? A. What does this passage teach us about being a saint? B. Read Romans 6:19 22. How and why do we become a slave of righteousness? 4. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:3 8 A. What is God s will for us? Why has God called us? B. How does abstinence relate to being a saint? C. What is the result if we reject this teaching? Do Christians reject this? 5. Read 2 Timothy 2:20 22. A. What should be our attitude as a saint? B. Can someone be a Christian/Saint without being a doer of good works (see also James 1:22)? Biblical Descriptions Of A Christian Page 7
Lesson #4 Child of God (Romans 8:16 17) 1. How do we become a child of God? A. John 3:3 5 B. 1 Peter 1:23 C. Galatians 3:26-27 2. What do the following passages indicate about God s adopting us as His child? A. 1 John 3:1 B. 2 Corinthians 6:17 18 3. What do the following passages indicate about our behavior as His child? A. 1 John 3:9 10 B. Ephesians 5:1 2 C. Romans 8:14 17 D. Matthew 6:9; 7:7 11 4. What do the following passages indicate about our behavior as brothers and sisters? A. 1 John 3:16 17 B. 1 Corinthians 12:25 26 C. Galatians 6:1 D. 1 Peter 1:22 E. Hebrews 10:24 25 Biblical Descriptions Of A Christian Page 8
Lesson #5 Disciple (Acts 11:26) 1. Define disciple in Acts 11:26. 2. Who were these disciples of? How is this an example of the definition? A. Matthew 12:1 B. Matthew 9:14 C. John 9:28 D. Matthew 22:16 3. How do we become a disciple (Matthew 28:19 20)? 4. Why should anyone desire to be a disciple of Jesus? A. John 12:45; 14:7 10 B. John 6:68 69 5. How is discipleship described in Scripture? A. Matthew 10:24 25 B. Mark 8:34 37 C. Luke 6:40 6. What should others see in us as a disciple of Jesus? A. John 13:35 B. Luke 14:26 27 C. Luke 14:33 D. John 8:31 E. John 15:8 Biblical Descriptions Of A Christian Page 9
Lesson #6 Soldier (2 Timothy 2:3) 1. How does Paul refer to Epaphrotitus and Archippus (Philippians 2:25; Philemon 2)? 2. What is the difference in a good solider and a bad one (2 Timothy 2:3 4)? How does this apply to the Christian? 3. How is the battle described (2 Cor 10:3 5)? 4. What is the good fight (1 Timothy 1:18 19; 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7)? 5. Eph 6:11 18 A. What is the purpose of wearing the gospel armor (v.11-13)? B. For each of the following traits explain what spiritual attribute we are instructed to use in order to stand firm. Gird You Loins (v.14) Breastplate (v.14) Shod your feet (v.15) Shield (v.16) Helmet (v.17) Sword (v.17) C. Discuss the similar imagery in 1 Thessalonians 5:8. Be sober (define). Breastplate of faith and love Helmet of the hope of salvation 6. What is to be the attitude of the Christian soldier? A. Jude 3 B. 1 Peter 5:8 C. 1 Peter 1:13 D. Ephesians 5:11; Titus 1:9, 11 Biblical Descriptions Of A Christian Page 10
Lesson #7 Priest (Revelation 1:6) 1. How are Christians described (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 20:6)? He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father (Revelation 1:6) 2. What sacrifices do Christians offer? A. Romans 12:1 B. Hebrews 13:15 16 C. Revelation 8:3 4 3. What is conveyed about Jesus as our High Priest? A. Hebrews 4:14 16 B. Hebrews 5:10; 7:1 3 4. What is argued about Jesus and the end of the Levitical priesthood? A. Hebrews 7:11 28 B. Hebrews 9:11 14 5. What can be learned about serving as a priest from the Old Covenant? A. Exodus 29:1 4 (compare with 1 Corinthians 6:11;Hebrews 10:22) B. Exodus 29:5 (compare with Galatians 3:27) C. Leviticus 10:3 (compare with 1 Peter 1:14 16) D. Leviticus 10:11 (compare with Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 5:12) 6. Briefly state what you know to be error about: A. The Catholic priesthood B. The denominational priesthoods (such as Methodist or Lutheran) C. The Mormon priesthood Biblical Descriptions Of A Christian Page 11
Lesson #8 Sheep (John 10:27) 1. Compare Isaiah 53:6 with Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:8. What truth is conveyed? 2. Read John 10:1 10. A. Describe a door to a sheepfold (v.7) B. How will we be saved (v.9)? Explain by comparing with John 14:6. 3. Read John 10:11 18. A. What makes Jesus the good shepherd? B. What comfort do we get from verses 13 14? C. What are the other sheep, which are not of this fold (v.16)? 4. Read John 10:26 28. A. What is meant by hear My voice (in the context)? B. What is meant by follow Me (in the context)? C. How do these passages demonstrate the truth of Jesus statement in John 10:27? John 14:15; John 18:37 2 Timothy 2:19 Matthew 16:24; John 12:25 26; 1 Peter 2:21 5. Read 1 Peter 5:1 4. A. How does verse 4 refer to Jesus? B. How are elders to shepherd the flock of God? (see also Acts 20:28) C. How is the flock to respond to the shepherds (Hebrews 13:7, 17; Philippians 3:17)? Biblical Descriptions Of A Christian Page 12
Lesson #9 Part Of The Body (1 Corinthians 12:27) 1. In the great comparison of the church to a physical body, what is meant that Jesus is the head of the body (Ephesians 1:22 23; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23)? 2. How many bodies (churches) is Jesus the head of (Ephesians 2:16; 3:6; 4:4)? How does this impact denominationalism? 3. How do we become a part of the body of Christ (Colossians 3:15; 1 Corinthians 12:13)? 4. How are Christians described? A. Ephesians 5:30 B. 1 Corinthians 10:16 17 5. Read 1 Corinthians 12:12 27 A. What is God s estimation of each part of the body? B. What whould be our estimation of ourselves? C. What is meant by God has placed the members...in the body, just as He desired (v.18)? D. Explain how the abundant honor goes to the member which lacked (v.24). E. How does have the same care for one another relate to division in the body (v.25)? 6. What is God s expectation of individual members in the body? A. Romans 12:4 8 B. Ephesians 4:16 C. Hebrews 13:3 Biblical Descriptions Of A Christian Page 13
Lesson #10 Living Sacrifice (Romans 12:1 2) 1. Read Romans 12:1 2 A. Explain how our body is a sacrifice. B. What does conformed and transformed by the renewing of your mind have to do with the body? 2. Jesus said If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me (Luke 9:23). How do the following passages indicate we are to deny ourselves? A. James 4:7 B. Titus 2:12 13 C. 1 Peter 2:11 D. 1 Corinthians 9:25 27 E. Romans 6:12 19 F. Galatians 5:16 17 3. Read 1 Cor 6:15 20 A. What is meant by our bodies are members of Christ (v.15)? B. What is meant by being one spirit with the Lord (v.17)? C. Explain you are not your own (v.19 20). 4. What attitude must we possess to be the living sacrifice? A. Romans 6:13, 16, 19 B. Romans 8:13 C. Colossians 3:3 D. Philippians 3:7 E. Phil 1:20 5. Where do many people have trouble making application of these truths (Mark 10:29 30)? Biblical Descriptions Of A Christian Page 14
Lesson #11 Servant (John 13:12 17) 1. Jesus says a slave is not greater than his master (John 13:16). What do the following passages teach us about being a slave? A. John 8:34 B. Romans 6:16 23 C. 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Corinthians 6:19 20 2. What servant attitudes must we have? A. Luke 6:46 B. Matthew 6:24 C. Titus 3:8; Matthew 24:45 51 D. Galatians 5:17 3. How is Jesus our example of a servant? A. Matthew 20:26 28 B. Isaiah 53 C. Philippians 2:5 8 4. How do we demonstrate we are a servant of God? A. Philippians 2:3 4 B. Matthew 23:11 12 C. John 13:12 17 D. 1 Timothy 3:1, 8 E. Hebrews 12:28 F. 1 Corinthians 12:25 5. What will be the result in our heart and attitude if we do not become a servant? A. Luke 22:24 27 B. 2 Corinthians 8:11 12 C. Galatians 5:13 15 D. 3 John 9 10 Biblical Descriptions Of A Christian Page 15
Lesson #12 Alien/Pilgrim (1 Peter 2:11) these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. (Hebrews 11:13) 1. What is to be our attitude since we are called aliens and strangers (1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 1:1)? 2. Where is our citizenship and what attitudes are we to adopt (Philippians 2:12 18; Ephesians 2:19; John 18:36)? 3. How does Abraham serve as our example (Hebrews 11:8 16)? 4. How do the following passages demonstrate we have this proper attitude? A. 1 Peter 4:3 4; Ephesians 5:7 8, 11 B. Revelation 18:4 C. 2 Corinthians 6:17 D. 2 Corinthians 7:1 E. 1 John 2:15 16 F. 1 Timothy 3:9 10 G. Titus 2:1 8 5. How does Jesus refer to His disciples (John 15:18 19; 17:16)? Why do some hate His disciples? Biblical Descriptions Of A Christian Page 16
Lesson #13 Sower (Matthew 13:3 23) 1. Read Matthew 13:18 23 A. What is the seed (v.19; James 1:21)? B. Where is it sown (v.19; Romans 10:8 10)? C. What amount of fruit should the sower expect? D. Will mature believers produce the same amount of fruit (v.23)? 2. What is the importance of the role of the sower? A. Romans 1:16 B. 1 Corinthians 3:6 9; 2 Corinthians 4:5 7 C. Romans 10:14 15 D. 2 Corinthians 5:20 3. What concerns and responsibilities must we possess as a sower of the seed? A. 2 Timothy 2:15; Galatians 1:6 7 B. 2 Timothy 2:24 26 C. Matthew 7:1 5 D. Philippians 1:15 17; 2 Corinthians 2:17 4. Who is to be a sower of the word (Acts 8:4)? A. Why do so few Christians pursue sowing the seed? B. What will help us to be a more effective sower? Biblical Descriptions Of A Christian Page 17