Optional Starting Point- THE BIBLE, GOD, and PEOPLE

1. The Bible - our authority for faith, doctrine, and conduct.

   1.1 The origin of the Bible (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21)

   1.2 Christ used the Scriptures - the Old Testament (Lk.24:27)
   
   
2. The Bible teaches that God is:

   2.1 The Creator (Gen. 1:1; Acts 17:24-31)

   2.2 The Provider (Ps. 55:22; Jn 16:24)

   2.3 The Alpha and the Omega (Rev 1:8; 21:6; 22:13)

   2.4 The "I Am" (Ex. 3:14; Jn 8:58)

   2.5 The God of eternal love (Jeremiah 31:3)

   2.6 The God of forgiveness, reconciliation (Nehemiah 9:17; Jeremiah 31:33,34)

   2.7 A Spirit (Jn. 4:24; 2 Cor. 3:17)

   2.8 A Trinity (Genesis 1:26,27; Matt. 28:19; Jn. 8:58; 1 Pet.1:2; 2 Pet.1:1; Acts 5:3-5;
          2 Cor.3:17 and 13:14)

   2.9 Just (Deut. 32:4)
   
   

3. The Bible teaches that I am:

   3.1 A unique creation of God (Psalm 139:13-16)

   3.2 Lost by my own choice (Isaiah 53:6)

   3.3 Separated from God (Isaiah 59:2)

   3.4 An individual with freedom of choice (Romans 6:23)
   
   
4. God's original plan for humankind. (Figure #1)

   4.1 What did God have in mind when he created humans? (Genesis 1:26,27)

   4.2 Did God's plan for people change when sin entered into their lives? (Romans 8:29)
   
   



5. How God brings hope to people - His plan still intact. (Figure #2)

   5.1 If God has not changed His plan for people, even after the fall, what change needs to

   take place so that humankind can participate in that plan (John 1:12,13; Col. 2:13; Col. 3:9,10)? There has to be a change within people themselves. [This is a change from being lost to becoming a follower of Christ.]

   5.2 How people may become alive in Christ: (Rev. 3:20; Jn. 1:12; & Rom. 10:9)
   
   




6. God's plan for followers of Jesus Christ.

   6.1 It always has been and will be God's plan that we be conformed to the image of Jesus,

   His Son.(Rom. 8:29; Gal. 4:19; James 1:18; I Jn. 3:2)

   6.2 How we may participate in this process.

   1. Every person bears the image of our father, Adam, but is able to receive the image of the "man from heaven" which is God's plan. (1 Cor.15:49)
   2. This is an ongoing transformation if we keep our focus on Christ. (2 Cor. 3:18; Rom. 8:29)
   3. What will we finally be like in the future? (I Jn. 3:2)
      
      

7. Two ways in which salvation may be understood.

   7.1 One very common but un-biblical way is to see our salvation as simply an escape from

   an unpleasant end (hell).

   1. But then where is the motivation to become what God has planned for us or the desire to seek after maturity?
   2. Does God exist just for people's good or do people exist for God? (Col. 1:15,16; Eph.1:5-6,12)

   7.2 The biblical understanding of salvation is seen in our relationship with Christ - there is

   an interchange of life (Gal.2:20) which:

   1. -Produces in the Christian the desire to reflect the image of God (Rom. 8:8,9; Phil. 2:13-15; 2 Cor. 5:17).
   2. - Produces the desire to grow & mature (Rom. 8:9-14; Gal.4:19).
   3. Helps the Christian handle the difficulties of life (Phil. 4:12-13).
   4. Thrusts us out to do good works (Eph. 2:10; Titus 3:8).
      
      

8. Understanding Christian maturity.

   8.1 What did Paul have in mind when he discipled Timothy? (2 Tim 2:2)

   8.2 Can a person grow in Christ without Discipleship? (I Pet 2:2)

   8.3 How are we benefited from discipleship? (Rom. 1:11,12)

   8.4 What does it mean to grow or to mature as a Christian? (Eph. 4:13)

   8.5 Some goals for the Christian:

   1. Become like Christ Himself (Rom.8:29, 2Cor 3:18)
   2. Be faithful (1 Cor. 4:2)

   8.6 Who is our model? (Eph.4:13)

Homework: Memorize Rom. 8:29                                                                                                      

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