A Time To Grow
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W |
elcome to this series of studies, “A Time To Grow.”
There are two major parts featured in the New Testament. (1) How to obey the gospel to become a
Christian. (2) How to live, serve,
worship, and grow as a Christian. Both of these are extremely important and
essential to be pleasing to God. In fact, obedience is the only way to be
acceptable to God the Father.
This
is the way that Jesus, God’s Son, pleased His heavenly Father: “though He
was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having
been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,” (Hebrews 5:8,9).
The
lessons in this series focus on growing as a Christian. Most of the books of
the New Testament are directed to Christians to help them remain faithful and
to spiritually grow.
Therefore,
growth is important in both the physical and spiritual kingdoms of God. In
nature, we have seen both plants and animals that did not properly grow, and
such experienced unpleasant circumstances.
However,
it is even more serious when Christians do not grow spiritually, because this
produces weakness and death.
Thus,
it is important to first study and obey how to
become a Christian, and then study how
to grow to be pleasing to God. Therefore, would you please study
these lessons, answer the questions, and then click on the grading key to determine your scores?
To help you find the answers to the questions, you will find a number in brackets, or a Scripture reference, at the end of each multiple-choice question. This number indicates the paragraph number where the answer can be found. A Scripture reference is given after each True or False question, to help you find the correct answer.
May
these lessons be a blessing to your life and soul is my sincere prayer.
—Benny B. Bristow
LESSON ONE
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A |
mong the many beautiful things in life is the concept of growth. We see its beauty especially in the season of spring in the plant kingdom. For the passing of the weeks, turns tiny seeds into fragrant and colorful flowers. All of this happens because of God’s principle of growth. [1]
Growth
is also a picture of beauty in the animal kingdom. What a thrill it is to
observe the tiny animals, birds, and other living creatures grow into maturity.
Yet, without doubt, the most beautiful example of physical growth is the tiny
baby who grows and develops month by month, into adulthood.
[2]
Spiritual Growth
However, we need to be reminded that
of all the things that respond to growth in the world, there is nothing that is
more beautiful and important than spiritual growth. Why is this so? Because it
is a growth toward eternal life. Those who think only of physical growth are
growing toward death, because their souls are not growing for God. But it is
different with those who are growing in Christ. [3]
Paul
explains: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is
perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). [4]
Thus,
the physical body grows toward death (Hebrews 9:27), but the soul in Christ
grows toward life. The Christian life begins with a birth just as surely as the
physical, yet these two births are completely different. [5]
Jesus
explains: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born
of the Spirit is spirit“ (John 3:6). Without this spiritual birth, it is impossible for one to
enter His kingdom. [6]
To quote Jesus: “Unless one is born of water and
the Spirit, He cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). [7]
He
does not mention a single exception to His statement!
Paul
wrote: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot enter the
kingdom of God” (1
Corinthians 15:50). [8]
A physical baby cannot enter and grow in a family
until he or she is born! Neither can one who is entering the kingdom (church), become a Christian and
grow in Christ, without being born. [9]
How
does this birth take place? Jesus says that is done by “water and the
Spirit.” The Holy Spirit gives complete
instructions through the word, on how to obey God to the point of receiving
this new birth.
So
far in this study, we have looked at God’s first condition that must be met
before there can be growth. We have found that one must be born into the kingdom
by being born of water and the Spirit. However, once
this beginning is completed, there are also other conditions that must be met
before there can be acceptable growth. [10]
The
first thing on the agenda immediately following birth is food. It is not
uncommon to hear someone say, “our baby was born ready to eat.” This is the way
God created all of us, so that growth can begin immediately. [11]
The
same is true in the spiritual! Before there can be growth, there must be food.
[12]
This
is why Peter wrote to Christians: “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of
the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). [13]
Many
who are born into the kingdom eventually die because they starve to death.
Instead of feeding daily upon God’s word, they feast upon the fleshly things of
life. They do not hunger and thirst after righteousness, therefore, they are
not filled (Matthew 5:6). [14]
It
is an ugly picture to see children starving to death in certain parts of the world
where there are famines, and we may long to share some food with them. But have
you ever considered how God sees those who are born into His kingdom who become
starved from a lack of His word? [15]
Do
you have a plan in your life to study daily God’s word? We all have a plan to
eat our daily physical meals, because we know that this is essential if we are
to have healthy, happy lives. [16]
However, it is just as true that the only way to have a healthy, happy life in Christ is to have a daily plan of Bible study. Why is this? Because it is God’s ONLY way for growth. [17]
The
apostle Peter closed his second book with the following admonition: “but
grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and
forever” Amen. (2
Peter 3:18). [18]
Peter
knew that this kind of growth would be possible only from the pure word of God.
[19]
Another
essential condition for Christian growth is exercise. The newly born infant
begins immediately moving his or her arms and legs. As the weeks and months
pass, their exercise program intensifies! What are they really doing? They are
growing. [20]
Those
born into Christ must immediately become actively involved in spiritual works.
There are souls to be taught, visits to be made, and souls to be saved. In the
words of a song, “There is work on every hand.” [21]
Godly
exercise is the most important exercise in our lives. Paul summed this
principle up in these words:
“For
bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things,
having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). [22]
Therefore,
get involved for the Lord, and continually look for opportunities to serve.
When we are willing to exercise, we will find work to do. [23]
Finally,
environment is important for Christian growth. As Christians, we cannot help
living in a world that is seeking sin; however, we can refuse to become a part
of its environment. Paul wrote: [24]
“And
do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of
God” (Romans 12:2).
Remember,
there is no way that we can love the world and still love God (1 John 2:15,16).
[25]
When we become Christians, we begin
a NEW life as a NEW creation in Christ. As Paul so beautifully put it: “Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The “all things that become new” includes the way we live, the way
we serve, the way we work, and the way we treat
others. [26]
Among the many teachings of Jesus, He set forth a rule that
is so powerful that it sums up the way we treat others. In fact, it is so
important that many have referred to it as the Golden Rule. “Therefore,
whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12). [27]
This
statement has been paraphrased in various ways, but the essence of it is, “In
everything, treat others the way you want to be treated.” [28]
How does this truth apply to your life? Be assured that those who follow this
rule will be different from the world, because it will remove selfishness from
their lives. Someone has said that the Golden Rule moves us from selfishness to
self-forget-fullness! The Good Samaritan who stopped to help a man who had been
beaten and robbed, by binding up his wounds, placing him on his own animal,
taking him to an Inn and paying his bills, was living the Golden Rule (Luke
10:34). [29]
He
did for this man the exact things that he would have wanted, if he had
experienced the same. This Good Samaritan said by his actions, “What is mine is
mine, but I am willing to share it!” [30]
The
one who beat and robbed the man was living by the rule of the world: “What is
yours is mine, because I’m going to take it!” [31]
Therefore, let us grow so that we can daily overcome the world! [32]
(Circle the Most Correct Answer: A, B, or C)
1. A word describing how often one
should study God’s word [16]
(a) Occasionally (b) Daily
(c) Weekly
2. That to which the soul in Christ
grows [5]
(a) Death (b) Sin
(c) Life
3. “godliness is profitable for --- things” (1 Tim. 4:8)
(a) Great
(b) All (c) Many
4. That to which Christians should not
be conformed (Rom. 12:2)
(a) Life
(b) World (c) Others
5. Something that faithful Christians do not lose (2 Cor. 4:16)
(a) Friends
(b) Heart (c) Understanding
6. Another essential condition for spiritual growth [20]
(a) Exercise
(b) Food (c) Vitamins
7. Something to be done before entering the kingdom of God (John
3:5)
(a) Meditate
(b) Experiment (c) Be Born
8. A beautiful example of physical growth [2]
(a) Animals
(b) A Baby (c) Flowers
9. Christians should hunger and thirst after this (Mt.
5:6)
(a) Righteousness (b) Attention
(c) Companions
10. Something beautiful in life [1]
(a) Death
(b) Acceptance (c) Growth
11.
Something to be renewed (Rom. 12:2)
(a) Goals
(b) Minds (c) Plans
12.
That toward which the physical body grows (Heb. 9:27)
(a) Death
(b) Wisdom (c)
Loneliness
13.
One of two ways to
spiritually grow (2 Pet. 3:18)
(a) Weary
(b) Tired (c) Grace
14.
Spiritual food: “milk
of the ----” (1
Pet. 2:2)
(a) Word (b) Faith
(c) Soul
15.
Something that
Christians should seek opportunities to do [23]
(a) Rest (b) Serve
(c) Rejoice
16.
The new birth: “----- and the Spirit” (John 3:5)
(a) Faith
(b) Hope (c) Water
17.
The most important
kind of growth [3]
(a) Spiritual (b) Physical (c) Steady
18. “That which is born of
flesh is flesh, and that which is born of Spirit is ------” (John 3:6).
(a) Spirit
(b) Heaven (c) Mysterious
TRUE OR FALSE: (Circle “T” for true; “F” for false)
T F 1. “Flesh and -------
cannot enter the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 15:50). Blood
T F 2. The kind of exercise
that profits a little (1 Tim. 4:8). Godliness
T F 3. This is appointed
for all to do (Heb. 9:27). Die
T F 4. “That which is
born of the flesh is -------- (John 3:6) Spirit
T F 5. Those who do not
abide in the doctrine of Christ do not have this one (2 John 1:9). The Devil
T F 6. The exercise that is
profitable for all things (1
Tim. 4:8). Godliness
T F 7. ”But grow in the
--------- and knowledge of our Lord” (2 Pet. 3:18). Truth
T F 8. Something belonging
to God. Kingdom (John 3:5).
T F 9. Jesus referred to
these, as to how they grow (Lk. 12:27). Roses
T F 10. The word of God is
compared to something that is pure (1 Pet. 2:2). Milk
—BBBristow
Walking
As Jesus Walked
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he greatest goal that any Christian
can have is to walk as Jesus walked. Please remember that Christianity is a
“go” and a “walking” religion, because it is a special way of life. Too many
people who claim to be Christians, want a “name only“ kind of religion. This
may be possible in some religions of the world, but not so with Christianity!
[1]
Jesus, our Master, set the pace for Christianity. He was busy every day doing the work of His Father, and if we follow Him, we must also be busy. [2]
It
is said of Jesus that He “went about doing good“ (Acts 10:38). This is the only way
that we can grow as faithful Christians and reap eternal life. [3]
Paul
gave these encouraging words: “And let us not grow weary while doing good,
for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9). [4]
May
we sincerely study how Jesus walked so that we can have Him as our model and
goal to do the same? [5]
Jesus Walked To Glorify God
When one sincerely studies the life
of Jesus, it becomes obvious that He had only one way to look at life—He looked
God-ward! As the light of the
world, He filled His life only with that which was good. Jesus lived, taught,
and illustrated the importance of a life that was filled with light. [6]
He said, “The lamp of the body is
the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.
But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. [7]
If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how
great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22,23). [8]
Jesus
also walked in a way that glorified His Father, so that His Father would
glorify Him. Jesus began His famous prayer for unity, before entering the
Garden of Gethsemane to suffer, with the words: “Father, the hour has come.
Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You” (John 17:1). [9]
Therefore,
if we are going to walk as Jesus walked, we must also seek to glorify our
Father. [10]
How
do we as Christians glorify Him? Remember, it all begins when we are born again
and begin wearing the glorious name Christian. [11]
Over the years there have been those who were able to
say, “I am a king,” or “I am a Queen,” or “I am a president.” They have (as
they should) worn these titles with much honor. However, these honorable titles
are nothing compared to those who can honestly say, “I am a Christian.” [12]
Over
the centuries, many have been persecuted and even died for the name Christian.
Peter wrote: “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed,
but let him glorify God in this matter” [footnote: in this name] (1 Peter 4:12). [13]
The
apostle Paul spent his life trying to make Christians. When King Agrippa told
Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian,” Paul replied, “I would
to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both
almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains” (Acts 26:28,29). Paul wanted the
whole world to glorify God as Christians! [14]
Do
you, as a Christian, glorify God by letting your light shine for others to see?
Jesus said to His disciples: “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). What made it
possible for them to shine forth this kind of light? The answer, they were
reflectors of Christ. [15]
When
Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ,” (Philippians 1:21), he could have just as truthfully
said, “For to me, to shine is Christ!” [16]
Why
did Jesus want His disciples to shine before men? His answer: “that they
may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). [17]
Are
we shining like a city set on a hill, or do we keep our lights under a basket?
Remember, a covered light never glorifies God! [18]
But
if we walk as Jesus walked, we will also glorify God with our whole being. [19]
When God created us, He gave us a body and a soul, and
both of these can, and must, glorify Him. At the time that Paul wrote his first
letter to the church at Corinth, they were not glorifying God in their lives.
They had allowed various types of sin to enter their lives, and Paul was so
displeased with them. After pointing out to them various kinds of sins, he
admonished them with these words: “For you were bought at a price; therefore
glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20). [20]
Are
we walking as Jesus walked by glorifying our Father in heaven? [21]
Jesus Walked To Please God
One of the greatest enemies in being
a Christian is self. As Jesus walked daily upon this earth, He disregarded self
to please His Father. He came to earth with the noble goal of doing His
Father’s will. It had been written in the book of Psalms that He would do this.
“Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—in the volume of the book it is written of Me—to do Your
will, O God’ “ (Hebrews
10:7; cf. Psalm 40:7,8). Jesus fulfilled this completely in His life! [22]
How
does this compare to our lives as Christians? Do we delight in pleasing God or
in pleasing self? Are we guilty of continually drifting away from God? Do we
need to be constantly reminded that we must please Him? Are we walking as Jesus
walked in faithful obedience to God? [23]
Jesus
kept Himself under control as He lived and walked upon this earth, and
disregarded self. Perhaps the greatest test came to Him as He prayed in great
agony in the garden. At this hour, Jesus was walking in
the very shadow of the cruel cross of pain and suffering. The bitter cup was
almost lifted to His lips. Therefore, this led Him to kneel down and pray, “Father,
if it is Your will, remove this cup from Me” (Luke 22:42). Then His request was followed with
these words: “nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done.” [24]
Is
this the way we pray and live? Or, do we make excuses to put off doing the
Father’s will? [25]
There
are those who say, “Well, I would like to do more for the Lord, but I’m just
too busy now.” Others say, “I’ll get busy for Jesus and do the Father’s will
someday!” But far too often, someday never comes. Many die, doing their own
will while promising someday to do the will of the Father. This is NOT walking
as Jesus walked. [26]
Here
is the way that Jesus said it must be: “If anyone desires to come after Me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). [27]
The
rich young ruler who came to Jesus seeking eternal life, did not receive it
because he would not give up his own will to follow the will of God (Matthew
19:16-22). This young man left Jesus very sorrowful because he was not willing
to disregard self and to walk as Jesus walked. [28]
For Lost Souls
When you think of Jesus, what is the
first thing that comes to your mind? Is it His teaching, His miracles, His
compassion, or His parables? The list of great things accredited to Jesus is
outstanding and long. However, the bottom line of all the things that He came
to earth to do, is that He came to seek lost souls. [29]
When
Jesus came to earth, there had been many renowned spokesmen
among the prophets of the past. In fact, even great and powerful miracles had
been performed. But no one, not even Moses and all the other outstanding prophets,
could give salvation! [30]
Moses
could provide leadership and stand between the nation of Israel and God. Aaron
could provide leadership through the Levitical system with its fullest strength
to all other tribes. However, not even the powerful prophets such as Isaiah,
Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and all the others prophets, could give salvation.
They could only speak of the Messiah to come! [31]
Only
Jesus could speak the words recorded in these verses:
“For the Son of Man has come to save
that which was lost” (Matthew
18:11).
“I
am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
Me” (John 14:6).
“I
have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). [32]
Therefore,
Jesus walked with urgency toward saving souls. They didn’t need to learn about
salvation someday into the future, but they needed to hear about it NOW! [33]
Because
of this truth, Jesus taught: “Do you say, ‘There are still four months and
then comes the harvest‘? Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the
fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35). [34]
The
Lord wants every Christian to seek lost souls. Even though our abilities and
methods may be different, we all have the same goal—to teach and save the lost
through the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16). If all of us will do our part
to teach this gospel, then souls will be saved. This is the way that Jesus
walked. [35]
Jesus
provided for us the saving gospel by giving His life, but after we are saved,
we must share this good news so that others can be saved. When we make every
effort to do the things studied in this lesson, we can be assured that we are
walking as Jesus walked, and that we are responding to God in a way that will
keep us growing and becoming stronger spiritually day by day. [36]
(Circle the Most Correct Answer: A, B, or C)
1. Christians are ---------- of Christ
[15]
(a) Children
(b) Reflectors (c) Enemies
2. “For to me, to live is ------” (Phil. 1:21)
(a) Hope
(b) Faith (c) Christ
3. The way Jesus always looked [6]
(a) God-ward (b) Earthly (c) Outwardly
4. Something made to put off doing the Father’s will [25]
(a) Actions
(b) Attempts (c) Excuses
5. Jesus “went about doing -------” (Acts 10:38)
(a) Worship
(b) Good (c) Harm
6. Something important that must be shared [36]
(a) Gifts
(b) Good News (c) Actions
7. The kind of obedience that pleases God [23]
(a) Occasional
(b) Shared (c) Faithful
8. One of two things used by Christians to glorify God (1
Cor. 6:20)
9. Jesus taught that if the eye is good, the body will be
filled with this [7]
(a) Light
(b) Sin (c) Darkness
10. The
greatest honor [10,11]
(a) President
(b) King (c) Christian
11. That
to which Jesus offered rest (Mt. 11:29)
(a) Hearts (b) Souls (c) Bodies
12. That which
Jesus is to Christians [5]
(a) A Servant (b) A Worker (c) A Model
13. One of
two words that describe Christianity [1]
(a) A Walk (b) A Goal (c) An Occasional Experience
14 That
which was already white for harvest (John 4:35)
(a) People (b) Pathways (c) Fields
15. That
which Jesus asked from His Father (John 17:1)
(a) To be
strengthened (b) To be
glorified (c) To be saved
16. That
which Jesus wanted to pass if it had been His Father’s will (Lk. 22:42)
(a) This cup (b) This life (c) This generation
17. Something
of the Father that Jesus came to do (Heb. 10:7)
(a) His service
(b) His battles (c) His
will
18.
The location of a
city to be seen [18]
(a) A plane
(b) A Hill (c) A valley
19.
Something that
Christians must never lose [4]
(a) Battles
(b) Friends (c) Heart
20. “If
anyone desires to come after Me, let him ---- himself” (Lk. 9:23)
(a) Discipline
(b) Deny (c) Renew
TRUE OR FALSE: (Circle “T” for true; “F” for false)
T F 1. Paul almost persuaded
this man to become a Christian (Acts 26:28) Festus
T F 2. Sweat was
compared to “great drops of -------------” (Lk. 22:44) Blood
T F 3. The one who motivated Paul to live (Phil.
1:21) Barnabas
T F 4. That which Christians must take up daily (Lk.
9:23) Cross
T F 5. Something that Jesus wanted lifted up (John
4:35) Hearts
T F
6. This is described as “the power of God” (Rom. 1:16) Gospel
T F 7. Jesus brought this in
abundance (John 10:10) Joy
T F 8. All Christians must
walk in this (1 John 1:7) Light
T F 9. That which the Son of
Man came to save (Mt. 18:11) Lost
T F 10. “And walk in ----------” (Eph. 5:2) Peace
T F 11. That which Jesus learned from
suffering (Heb. 5:8) Obedience
T F 12. “For you were bought with a
---------” (1 Cor. 6:20) Bounty
T F 13. That which all Christians should be
willing to do (1 Pet. 4:16) Suffer
—BBBristow
After you have
completed these two Lessons, you may want to click on The Grading Key to determine your scores. To finalize Your
Score, Take From 100, 5 Points For Each One Missed In Each Lesson.
Score for Lesson 1 = Score
for Lesson 2 =