Study 1: EXPLAINING YOUR NEW RELATIONSHIP (Part B)

MEMORY VERSE 1: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John.3:3)

AIM: This lesson explains your new life in Christ and aims to establish you in your new-found faith.

NOTE: Explain the reason for and benefits of memorising Bible promises and principles.

What are the evidences that a person has been ‘born again’ – a true follower of Jesus?

1. A NEW YEARNING TO LIVE A LIFE THAT PLEASES GOD: Before coming to Christ, we lived for ourselves. A true follower of Jesus has a yearning to please their Lord. Paul wrote – “whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col.3:17).
2. A NEW STRUGGLE TO TURN FROM A LIFE OF SIN: Before coming to Christ, we were not greatly concerned about our sin. A true follower of Christ has a new awareness of sin and wants to gain victory from destructive habits and those things that displease the Lord. The Psalmist wrote – “With my whole heart I seek You; let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Ps.119:10-11).
3. A NEW DESIRE TO STUDY AND OBEY THE SCRIPTURES: Before coming to Christ, we had little interest or confidence in the Bible. A true follower of Jesus longs to discover and live by the principles and promises of the Word of God (see 2 Tim.2:15; 3:16-17).
4. A NEW PASSION TO SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH UNSAVED FRIENDS: Before coming to Christ, the salvation of our friends was of little concern to us. A true follower of Jesus wants their family and friends to join in the blessings of the family of God. Paul underscored this passion saying – “… I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:20-21).
5. A NEW LONGING FOR FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS: Before coming to Christ, going to church was just a habit or an intrusion in my activities. A true follower of Jesus longs to worship God with his new family. The early church met – “…day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those being saved” (Acts 2:46-47).
6. AN INCREASE IN TRIALS AND OPPOSITION FROM OTHERS: Before coming to Christ, Satan had little interest in us. A true follower of Jesus will be singled out for trouble, and persecution like Job (see Job Chpts.1 & 2). That is why Paul and Barnabas established their converts – “When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:21-22). Life for an earnest Christian is far from trouble-free.

QUESTION:

Which of the characteristics above register with you in your relationship with Jesus?

QUESTION:

Which circle best represents your life? Who is on the throne of your life?

MORE:

What dramatic change took place when you put your trust in Christ? – John 5:24 …

On what basis does the Bible claim that His promises are reliable? – Heb 6:18 …

How long has God’s promise of eternal life stood? – Titus 1:2 …

Reflections for those Raised in Christian Families

NOTE: Being a ‘second generation’ means you have been raised in a practising Christian home.

1. The New Testament records the transition from the old to the new covenant:
   Mark entitled his Gospel as – “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mk. 1:1) and records that after His temptation – “… Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God” (Mk. 1:14). It may surprise some to realise that what the Gospel writers recorded was the beginning of God’s Good News. The Four Gospels record the transition from the Old to the New Covenant. Strictly speaking, none of the followers of Jesus were born of the Spirit till after Jesus was glorified and after the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (see Acts 1:5; 2:38 and compare with Jn.7:38-39; 14:16-17). From Pentecost onwards a completed gospel message focused on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (see Lk.24:46-49; Acts 1:22; Rom.6:3-5; 1 Cor.15:1-4).
2. A dramatic experience at conversion is not the norm:
   The apostle Paul had a significant impact on the development of the early church and God used him to write over half the New Testament books.
   1. There are many references to the dynamic conversion of the apostle Paul (see Acts 9:1-19; 22:1-21; 26:1-23; Gal.1:11-16; 1 Tim.1:12-16). However, this is not the norm. Many more responded to gospel preaching such as the 3,000 who came to Christ after Peter’s preaching on the Day of Pentecost and the 5,000 who were converted thereafter (see Acts 2:38-41; 4:4). These conversions were no less legitimate than the apostle Paul’s.
   2. We have far less detail about the conversions of Paul’s associates like Timothy (see Acts 16:1-2; 2 Tim.1:5-6; 3:14-15), Lydia (see Acts 16:14-15), Aquila & Priscilla (see Acts 18:1-3, 24-26) and Titus (see Titus 1:4). Nevertheless, they were all fruitful servants of Christ.
3. The Gospel applies equally to converts and ‘second-generation’ Christians:
   1. The New Testament is silent on those that were raised in Christian families from birth that are now referred to as ‘second generation’ Christians. With the spread of the gospel over the centuries, many believers have embraced the Christian faith from childhood.
   2. The point is that the experience of ‘second generation’ Christians, though often more gradual is no less valid than those with a dramatic conversion experience. The secret with all converts is to foster a real relationship with the Lord Jesus. These discipleship lessons have been designed to reinforce the faith of all God’s children regardless of how and when they have come to Christ.
   3. Second generation Christians are generally consistent servants of Christ that carry less ‘sinful’ baggage. Those who come to Christ later often have the advantage of an overwhelming gratitude and passion for their Saviour. All true children of God are equally chosen in Christ – “even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him …” (see Ephesians 1:4).