Explore new horizons of a living faith
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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The life of faith impacts every area of our lives. It gives us the strength and power to live a new life. The aim of this life is expressed by Jesus - “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul and all your strength, and love your neighbour as yourself.” He desires for each of us to live His way. So He shows us how to be a good Christian.
Bible Zone
So, how should Christians live or what is a Christian lifestyle?
- How do I do Good? - God is good. We follow His example, in Jesus.
- How can I be free to love? - Jesus gives us the resources to love His way.
- Godly lifestyle - How does God want us to live, and why?
- Live by the Spirit - God leads us into His way of life.
- Tell others - Jesus sends us out to tell our story.
- Peace from God - Jesus gives us peace.
- Find forgiveness - As we confess, Jesus forgives.
- Victory in temptation - God limits the extent of temptation and gives a way out.
As our Father does good, so we follow His example by doing good to those He brings across our path. Good is an overriding value that comes out as we live with God. It comes out in His dealing with us, and then we express it ourselves as His goodness influences the way we live.
Goodness is not necessarily what people think. Jesus gave a very simple teaching on how to live. It acts as a guideline for every aspect of life.
- How could this teaching could apply to you in your life and situation?
Matthew 7:12 "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
A broader perspective on How do I do Good?
Love acts for the best interests of others. We don’t know how to live like this, and when we try, we can feel a prisoner to our selfishness, yet God by His power frees us to love.
Jesus’s practical love for us is what makes it possible for us to love. This is what He says: John 15.
- What does Jesus ask us to do in order that love will result?
- What does Jesus say it means to remain in Him?
John 15:7-12 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
9 "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love.11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
A broader perspective on Free to Love
Issues of lifestyle can easily descend into lists of things we should or should not do. Whereas there are some clear cut activities that we should not engage it, when we speak along these lines we become focused on the boundary lines. Is this breaking the law or not. This thinking also tends to develop judgementalism in us. Before entering into a list of how we should or should not behave, the Bible brings us to the underlying principles.
- What problems are there with the way Gentiles (those who don’t know God) live?
- Why do we swing between living for Christ and living for lustful pleasure?
- What does it mean to throw off the old self and put on your new nature?
- What characterises the way God would have us live?
Ephesians 4: 17 With the Lord's authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.
20 But that isn't what you learned about Christ.21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Greater detail on a godly lifestyle
Live by the Spirit
We are tempted to follow law since it appears to have the benefit of controlling our desires. Without law, we are left to choose which nature will govern our lives. Will we be controlled by our natural desires or by God’s Spirit within us. We see this In Romans 8:5-8
- Which two natures seek to control us?
- What is the result of following the sinful nature, or the Holy Spirit?
- What does Paul mean by life and death in this passage?
Romans 8:5-8 5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will.8 That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
More on living by the SpiritHow do I Tell Others
One of the great privileges Jesus has given to us, is that of sharing what He has done in our lives with those who do not yet know Him.
A great way of doing this is to tell our story. Here is an example of one person who was sent to a place where Jesus could not go.
- What did Jesus ask him to do?
- What was the content of the man’s message?
- How much training had he received to do this?
Mark 5:18-20 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him.19 But Jesus said, "No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been."20 So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns* of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
A broader perspective on Tell Others
God’s peace comes as an overwhelming wave that stills the heart in the midst of anxiety. We know this peace comes from God, for we experience it without having seen the causes of anxiety lifted. We look to our Father in heaven who loves us and is able to give peace in the midst of trial. It is because we trust Him, knowing that He has the power to protect us.
When Jesus was about to be executed, He gave His promise of peace. This is a peace with very different characteristics than people are used to.
- What are the characteristics of the peace that the world offers us?
- How do we come to have this peace that Jesus offers?
- If we have peace, why would we let our hearts be troubled or afraid?
John 14:27 27 "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.
A broader perspective on Peace from God
Through Jesus we can find forgiveness and a new start. Free from an overwhelming sense of guilt; Clean after feeling defiled for so long; Able to live with my conscience.
It is one thing to be offered forgiveness but how do we receive it? Forgiveness is not automatic. We cannot presume upon people to forgive, it is the same with God. One of the greatest obstacles to being forgiven is that we would prefer to live in denial that we have done anything wrong. 1 John 1
- How do we approach God and others?
- What does it mean to walk in the light?
- If forgiveness is offered, why do people claim to have no sin?
- What does it mean to be cleansed of ALL wickedness?
- On what is forgiveness based - how do we know if we are forgiven?
1 John 1:7-10 .7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.
A broader perspective on Find Forgiveness
“I can stand up to anything except temptation!” Life often presents us the things that tempt. God however, is greater than temptation and wants to help us past the traps. He does not often remove temptation, but helps us see choices and gives strength to stand. We are less driven to gratification If we are nurtured through prayer and the Bible such that we are filled with His Spirit. Temptation is not evil in itself, it is a testing ground developing character.
Temptation is not beyond anyone. With God we stand against it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
- How unique are your temptations to you?
- How does God intervene in the way you are tempted?
- What is a way of escape in temptation?
1 Corinthians 10:13 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
A broader perspective on Victory in Temptation
LIVE THE FAITH
