Go to the source! Discover what the Bible says about …
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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BIBLE EXPLORER
Explore the Bible’s Teaching
The pages that follow will give you an overview of what the Bible teaches. They take you to the actual Bible passages from which the key teachings are based. You will be going to the source, so you will find out for yourself what the Bible says concerning the various topics of Christian teaching.
The Bible text on which I hang this summary is insightful. 1 Corinthians 8:6
But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.
The text begins with God, and calls Him Father. A bold statement to a society that often dislikes its fathers. Yet in God we find the original and true Father for which all others are poor models. He is Father because He created all things and loves all He has made.
Jesus is introduced as the one through whom we are created and live. This is a distinction from the one who created. It shows the way the Father and the Son relate. It also very clearly puts Jesus at the beginning of creation, beyond time itself.
When we come to what is created, this brings us to some quite diverse views of the world. In beyond here and now there is a snap shot at the parts of creation that cannot be seen. This often has a huge impact on the way we live, and what happens to us, yet in our world’s naturalistic view these elements are assumed to not exist. We also have a new identity and are part of a spiritual family. Understanding these unseen realities brings a sense of value that enables us to live free.
Since we were created by God, we live For God. This is a dramatic change from our self centred world with its determination to live for its own pleasures while leaving behind a trail of damaged relationships.
This life for God is not lived in isolation. We live For Him Through Him. It is by His power that all that He asks of us can be done. This change moves us from piously following rules to living the dynamic and world changing lives of faith and love.
This life is a gift that we receive from Jesus as we trust in Him. So it follows that we receive Jesus, the giver of life. This life is not some more exciting version of what everyone else has, it is a spiritual life that comes to birth through the power of God when we accept His invitation through repentance and trust.
How to use these pages
In these free resources you will find an overview followed by Bible passages. The aim is for you to discover what the Bible has to say about each topic for yourself.. I aim to give the breadth of what the Bible says on each topic. Not every passage is present, but the breadth of ideas are represented.
To aid your exploration these Bible materials have questions to help you engage with the detail. They can also be used for leading group discussions. The questions are for your aid, not the end.
The pages can be used in a variety of ways-
Some, looking for an overview and will be content to read the bullet points at the top.
Some will use the pages to find out what the Bible says for themselves. We live in a Christian culture that is strong on expressing the heart, though sometimes at the expense of the mind. These pages are aimed to help you bridge that gap.
Others will use them for cell groups, home groups, life groups, Bible study groups, or whatever other groups you have. If this is you, then since these are free materials for Bible study, feel free to photo copy them and give them out to the group. Equally, you could use them as a source for questions and let the group members Read from their own Bibles. Rest assured you may photocopy these pages for group work.
For those mentoring other Christians through follow up or discipleship, these pages can provide content for structuring mentoring or one-to-one times. You could even suggest that they print out a page and look at it before you come together. However you use them it is hoped that they contribute to each person becoming more equipped as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
An Outline of Bible Teaching
This outline follows 1 Corinthians 8:6.
There is only one God, the Father, … and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ.
Who created everything
We live for Him
Through whom
We have been given life
The invisible God who created all reveals Himself as our Father.
Discover some of His many attributes of God.
Jesus the one who started it all, but who is He really?
The Spirit of God who lives in us to reveal God and empower our lives.
That which cannot be seen is a context to how we live.
We live freely in the knowledge that God sees us differently.
As God’s people we are part of His family
What does it mean to love God and live for Him?
The attitudes God lifts up are often counter to those of our culture.
The Christian life is more about how we live than a set of rules.
Evil brings great temptations. How do we overcome?
God’s power is at work among those who trust Him.
Prayer, or talking with God, is a dynamic relationship.
The Bible holds the Words of life. Take hold of it and live!
Enter a relationship with God dealing with all the obstacles.
What are the basics of the Christian life? Here are the most important pages.
