OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES PSALM 5:3 - My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up. CONTENTS SECTION SUBJECT PAGE Introduction Knowing the Bible for Yourself 3 Lesson I God s Word and Eternal Life 5 Lesson II The Christian and Temptation 7 Lesson III The Christian and Prayer 9 Lesson IV The Christian Life and Witness 11 PSALM 19:14 - Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my Redeemer. PSALM 32:5 - I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. PSALM 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. PSALM 66:18 - If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me. PSALM 100:4 - Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His Name. PSALM 108:13 - Through GOD we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies. PSALM 119:9 - Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word. PSALM 119:11 - Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. PSALM 119:18 - Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law. PSALM 119:105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. PSALM 119:133 - Order my steps in Thy Word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. 1951, The Navigators 2 15
In response to the desire of many people for a well-planned program of Bible study, The Navigators, with a worldwide ministry of training Christians in personal study and memory of Scripture, have assisted the Back to the Bible Broadcast in the preparation of Foundation Studies in Christian Living. The course is primarily taken up with Bible study and Scripture memory, with a few suggested helps on a Bible reading plan. These combined, will better prepare you for the fifth means, meditation, which is so important for a life of obedience, victory and fruitfulness. KNOWING THE BIBLE FOR YOURSELF In the early days of CHRISTianity one group of believers was commended of GOD because they not only searched the Scriptures daily but did so with open hearts. They heard the preached word with open minds, then studied GOD's Word to see if the things they had heard were true. Here is how it is described in Acts 17:11: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Today, many CHRISTians do not know the truths of GOD's Word. Difficulties in their lives come because many do not study the Bible for themselves, or when they do open the Book, they are already set in their thinking. Thus, they do not actually search the Scriptures to find the truth but rather to support what they already believe. The religious leaders in the day of CHRIST made this same mistake. They were supposedly looking for the Messiah but failed to recognize JESUS CHRIST as such. Instead, they rejected and crucified Him because they had built on preconceived ideas and traditions rather than an unbiased searching of the Word (Mark 7:9). Even though the Word of GOD was available to them in the synagogues, their traditions had led them on tangents far afield from the truth. CHRIST pointed out that the Word itself condemned them (John 5:38-40) because they were willfully blinded to what it revealed of Him. After CHRIST had risen He joined a couple of His disciples on the way to Emmaus. As they grieved over His death He said, 'O fools, and slow of heart to believe ALL that the prophets have spoken! Ought not CHRIST to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?' And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them IN ALL THE SCRIPTURES the things concerning Himself (Luke 24:25-27). Though they walked and talked with Him they did not know Him. These were not tradition-bound Pharisees but sincere folk who loved the LORD, yet they too failed to comprehend the truth because they did not know the facts. Knowing Christ - lessons on salvation Beginning A New Life With Christ - lessons on assurance Going On To Maturity With Christ - lessons on Christian living So from the start it is our desire to direct you to spend time daily in the Word of GOD and to urge you to approach it with open mind and responsive heart. We will draw your attention to questions which sooner or later arise in the minds of those who want to grow in the CHRISTian life. At least one Scripture is given to answer each question. Almost every truth in the Word of GOD has many passages which throw light upon it. However, for simplicity and because there are so many truths a CHRISTian needs to know at once, we have not attempted an exhaustive study. In most cases in these introductory studies only one key passage is used which clearly answers the question. 14 3
All you need to start searching the Scriptures by means of this study is a Bible or New Testament and a pen or pencil. Read the question, look up the verse, and then in your own words write your answer in the space provided. Putting your findings into your own words will help you to better think through, understand and retain what you learn. It is not a requirement to use the additional space at the end of each study to complete the lesson. However, you may use it in case you decide to make additional notes, jot down questions or make a personal application. If a complete Bible is not available, the few verses taken from the Old Testament can be found on page 15. The most important thing in a new CHRISTian's life is to learn the great truths of GOD's Word and how to appropriate them. The Bible not only claims to be the Word of God and is the means by which We are saved, but actually plays a very important part throughout our CHRISTian life. Romans 10:17 Psalm 119:105 Psalm 119:9 Psalm 119:11 says that we receive faith through the Word shows that we are directed by means of the Word indicates that we are cleansed as we take heed to the Word promises that victory comes as we lay up the Word in our heart, etc. CONTINUING YOUR STUDY OF THE BIBLE After completing the Introductory Bible Study, continue your study of the Bible with Foundation Studies in Christian Living written by Dawson Trotman (Founder of The Navigators) and Theodore H. Epp (Founder of Back to the Bible). Have you ever thought of just what place personal Bible study should have in your life? How important is it? Consider these facts: the primary purpose of the creation of the human race was to glorify God, the Creator. God's heart is delighted and heaven is joyful when a person comes to Christ and receives salvation. Greater glory comes to God, however, when that person goes on to live in dedication and yieldedness to Him. Such a life is possible only through day-byday obedience to His will. The Word of God is the revealed will of God for every Christian. It is the revelation of the person of Christ and the plan of God. It is here that we find what He wants in our lives. Nothing is so important as the Word of God; therefore, it is important for every Christian to know that Word. There are five distinct ways of getting to know the great truths contained in the Scriptures: through the preached Word we hear them; through the printed page we read them; through various ways we study them; through memorization we write them on the tables of the heart; through meditation we grasp them. Pray as you start your study. Ask the LORD for a receptive heart and an understanding mind (Psalm 119:18). Whether you complete your work at one sitting or over a period of several days, start now to be definite and regular in your study habits. This study is designed to help not only the one who has recently come to CHRIST, but also one who has known CHRIST for a longer period and desires to begin a consistent, regular plan of Bible study. It is often used too by more mature CHRISTians who want to become familiar with the study so as to use it intelligently in their work with others. Thus one can be as simple or as profound in his answers as his knowledge and experience allow. Remember, however, as you do your work, in order to profit you must think. Don't seek the easiest way to answer but strive to fully answer each question. Attempt to make your answer so clear that another person reading it would understand. As each lesson is completed a thorough review of the truths you have sought out will pay great dividends. Founder of The Navigators None of these ways of learning God's Word is sufficient in itself. Each one is specifically mentioned in the Bible, and each is necessary for a balanced intake and understanding of Scripture. Most people have regular opportunity through the church and by means of radio to hear the Word, but few actually read the Bible systematically - to say nothing of the even smaller number who knows how to study it or hide it in their hearts. 4 13
12. What should be the attitude of the CHRISTian toward worldliness? I John 2:15 13. How is worldliness defined? I John 2:16 14. Does this mean that we are to withdraw from contact with the world altogether? John 17:15 15. What are some things GOD wants us to do in the world? Matthew 5:16; Mark 16:15 _ 16. What did the LORD JESUS do? Mark 2:16-17 17. What is our responsibility to those outside of CHRIST? Acts 22:15 APPLICATION List a few things you may do to lay the groundwork for a testimony and witness to some of those around you who do not know CHRIST. Take time to check yourself on the points listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Are some or all of these qualities present in your life? If there are lacks in some points in the light of things learned through your study, can you think of some way of beginning to correct them, following prayer? GOD'S WORD AND ETERNAL LIFE As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. I Peter 2:21 1. What are two things the Bible claims for itself? II Timothy 3:16 2. For it to become profitable to us what must we do? II Timothy 2:15 3. What is one of the purposes for which GOD gave us His Word? John 20:31 4. What are the two great classes of people in the world? I John 5:11-12 5. Why do not all men have eternal life? Romans 5:12 6. What provision is made that men might have eternal life? Romans 5:8 7. Can we contribute anything toward our salvation? Ephesians 2:8-9 8. What must happen to make one a child of GOD? John 1:12 9. Can we then be sure of having eternal life? I John 5:13 10. What has taken place for the one who has received CHRIST? John 1:13 12 5
'It is faith alone that saves, but the faith that saves is never alone.' 11. What is food for a newborn child of GOD? I Peter 2:2; Matthew 4:4 12. What is the Word of GOD able to do? Acts 20:32a* * Occasionally we will draw attention to only that portion of the verse which pertains to the question, since some verses touch upon several truths. The first part of the verse is designated a and the latter part b. APPLICATION Do you believe that you have eternal life? State as briefly yet clearly as possible the reason for your answer to the above question. NOTE While personal study of GOD'S Word is paramount in the life of the victorious CHRISTian, it should by no means be considered a substitute for regular fellowship with others in His Church. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25). It is GOD'S plan for His children to be instructed by men chosen of Him. And I will give you pastors according to Mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding (Jeremiah 3:15; see also Ephesians 4:11-12). THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AND WITNESS But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 1. Specifically to whom was the name CHRISTian first ascribed? Acts 11:26 2. What did JESUS say characterizes a disciple of His (that is, a CHRISTian)? John 8:31 3. How can one be sure that his faith in CHRIST is real? I John 2:5 4. What is there about a CHRISTian that makes him different from one who is not born again? II Corinthians 5:17 5. Are all true believers expected to be victorious CHRISTians? I John 5:4-5 6. We understand that CHRIST is the true foundation on which the CHRISTian life is built (I Corinthians 3:11). In view of this fact, how does one build a structure that does not crumble? Matthew 7:24-25; James 1:22 7. What should be true of those who have been saved? II Timothy 2:19b 8. We know that we are saved by faith in CHRIST alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) but what will accompany this salvation? Ephesians 2:10 9. If good works are not the means of salvation (Titus 3:5a), where do good works come in? (See context, Titus 3:8) 10. What emphasis should be given to this fact? Titus 3:8a 11. What will be some of the results of good works in the life? Matthew 5:16. Read also Philippians 2:14-15 6 11
Acts 4:29 Psalm 119:133 Psalm 19:14 Psalm 34:4 11. From the following three verses, what important things do we learn regarding good habits to form in the prayer life? Mark 1:35 Matthew 6:6 Psalm 5:3 12. Should there be times when we pray together with others? Matthew 18:19; Acts 1:13-14 APPLICATION This subject has only been touched upon, but for further enlightenment read the following passages several times. You may want to write down the thoughts that come to you as you read each of these: Psalm 100:4 Matthew 6:6-8 Matthew 7:7-11 Romans 8:32 Ephesians 6:18 Philippians 4:6-7 Hebrews 4:14-16 In the light of some things you have discovered about prayer, express in writing your comments or decisions regarding making your prayer life more effective. THE CHRISTIAN AND TEMPTATION Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies. Psalm 108:132 1. Who is the CHRISTian's chief enemy? I Peter 5:8 2. What should be our attitude toward him? James 4:7 3. In facing this enemy, what must we always remember? Psalm 108:13 4. What is our main defense against him? Ephesians 6:16 5. And how do we develop faith? Romans 10:17 'Faith is acting confidently upon GOD'S ability and willingness to do what He has promised.' 6. What weapon did JESUS use when He was tempted? Matthew 4:4-10 7. How then may we overcome the enemy and have victory in temptation? I John 2:14b 8. What is the Word of GOD called? Ephesians 6:17 9. How should we carry this weapon, to be ready for the enemy day and night? Psalm 119:11 10 7
10. Of what four things may we always be sure when we are tempted? I Corinthians 10:13 11. If we are defeated, how can it be explained? James 1:13-14 12. If we lose temporarily to the enemy, what are we to do? I John 1:9 APPLICATION David prayed that anything in his life displeasing to GOD would be revealed and corrected: Search me, O GOD, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24). We suggest that it would be profitable to prayerfully examine your life for things that might be displeasing to the LORD. You will doubtless want to confess these things to Him and ask His help in meeting temptation with His own weapon, the Word of GOD. THE CHRISTIAN AND PRAYER If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7 1. What privilege does a child of GOD have that unbelievers do not? John 16:24 2. When praying, how should we ask? John 14:13 3. What is one of the qualifications of prayer? Matthew 21:22 'Prayer is not conquering GOD's reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness.' 4. How may we pray with confidence? I John 5:14-15 5. Of what two things can we be sure when we ask? I John 5:14-15 6. What is necessary to assure us of answers to prayer? John 15:7 7. Name another requirement to be considered. I John 3:22 8. What may keep GOD from hearing our prayers? Psalm 66:18 9. If we sin, how do we get back on praying ground? Psalm 32:5 10. State after each of the following verses some of the things we should ask for ourselves - these are by no means all of the things for which we should pray but suggest a few: Psalm 119:18 James 1:5 8 9