Share with

Lesson 17

What The Bible Teaches About
The Christian Lifestyle

New Life

1. What change happens when I accept Jesus?

2 Corinthians 5:17

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2. What wonderful experience will we have?

1 Thessalonians 5:23

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (KJV)
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. What is the correct attitude when facing trials?

1 Peter 4:12, 13

1 Peter 4:12, 13 (KJV)
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Devotional Life

4. What is the indispensable daily spiritual food?

Deuteronomy 17:19

Deuteronomy 17:19 (KJV)
19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:

5. How do we establish communion with God?

1 Peter 4:7

1 Peter 4:7 (KJV)
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

A Life Of Worship

6. What day is dedicated to worshiping God?

Isaiah 58:12-14

Isaiah 58:12-14 (KJV)
12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. 13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

7. What is the ideal place for worshiping God?

Luke 4:16

Luke 4:16 (KJV)
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

A Life Of Christian Witness

8. What transcendental mission did God entrust to us?

Matthew 24:14;28:19

Matthew 24:14 (KJV)
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 28:19 (KJV)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

9. What essential preparation must we have?

1 Peter 3:15

1 Peter 3:15 (KJV)
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Spiritual Guides

10. Who are our human guides?

1 Thessalonians 5:12,13

1 Thessalonians 5:12,13 (KJV)
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

11. Who is our supreme guide?

Colossians 2:6,7

Colossians 2:6,7 (KJV)
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

MY RESOLUTION

I believe in God's help, and following Jesus, I will strive to live as an upright Christian.

Addtional Study 17

A Holy Life

By surrendering ourselves to the Lord and joining his church, a new life begins. There have been changes in our conduct, character and ideals. Before, our first interest was in material things, now we live the way Jesus shows us: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). We have before us the lofty goal of being holy (1 Peter 1:15, 16), because that is the will of God for our lives (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).

Life at Home

The new life can be seen at home. The relationship between spouses will be guided by respect, understanding and love (Ephesians 5:22-29). The education of the children will be of primary interest, the parents will be firm and wise (Ephesians 6:4). The children will respond by obeying gladly (Ephesians 6:1).

Social Life

The Christian life is not only lived in the church, but in every place and at every moment. It is an emotional adventure to live like Christ. The Bible recommends that we are to work (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).

As far as our relationship with everyone else, Christ established the precious golden rule: whatever we wished to have done to use, we must do with others (Matthew 7:12). It is recommended to be very careful with the tongue and with words (Matthew 5:37; Colossians 4:6).

The authorities deserve our respect and obedience (1 Peter 2:13, 14; Romans 13:1-3), without forgetting that God is above all (Acts 5:29).

Spiritual Life

The spiritual life is private and public; publicly it is developed centering on the church activities, the ones that have been planned to benefit, nourish, encourage and perfect the faithful.

Main Worship Services. a) Sabbath School. It takes place every Sabbath morning and consists in the systematic study of the Bible. Every member studies at home every day a portion of the lesson for the week b) Worship Service. Takes place after Sabbath School, and consists of songs, reading the Bible and the preaching of a spiritual topic. It is the main service that all members and friends attend. c) AYS. Usually this takes place on Sabbath afternoon, and it is a special meeting for young people and children. d) Prayer Meeting. Takes place on Wednesday nights and is dedicated to Bible study and prayer.

Authorities of the church. The leader in charge of the spiritual wellbeing of the members is the pastor or elder. The pastor is named by the conference. All church matters are decided by the church board.

Offerings. The church is supported by the members, who voluntarily give tithes, which belong to God, and offerings that are used to support the various activities of the church in the world as well as locally. One of the great privileges of being a Christian is to give generously for God's work.

Missionary Work. Every member of the church is called to cooperate in the sacred and emotional task of sharing with others the message of salvation. One of the deepest joys in life is taking others to the feet of Jesus.

The Universal Church. The Adventist Church has extended throughout the world. It is perfectly organized to fulfill the commission given by Jesus to preach the gospel.

The Members. The members of the church call themselves brothers and sisters (Matthew 23:8). United by the same faith and the same hope, they help each other and love each other with brotherly love (1 Peter 1:22).

The Triumph of the Church

The church that works now will achieve a glorious triumph. It will be when Christ comes for the second time. The church will not be free of problems, anguish, dangers and cruel persecution; but the Lord will take care of it and preserve it until the end (Matthew 28:20). Those who stay faithful to God and his church will triumph with her.