Christian Living
Week 8       Called to be Saints       Day 1
Learning Goals
        You will be able to
    1. define Christian living
    2. the part faith and good works play in salvation.
    3. others about the “key” to Christian Living.
    4. determine which problems in your life are spiritual and which are not.
    5. examine God’s will for you life from a biblical perspective.

A Christian is a person who has heard the good news that God was in Christ,
offering salvation. This individual has trusted god to be his savior. This person has become
a member of God’s family. As a member of the family, the Christian has certain rights
and responsibilities.

We have said that salvation comes entirely by faith (Week 5 Day 3).
Christians received Christ by faith and they are to live their Christian life the same way—by faith.
If this is true, what place does works have in the Christian life? The Bible shows that while good works
have nothing to do with salvation; they are the natural result and proof of faith.
Question 1
Salvation comes by
( ) works
( ) faith

Question 2
Christians have good works because____________________

James claims that a faith that does not produce good works is not a saving faith.
He says, “What does it profit if a man says he has faith, but does not work?
Faith without works is dead”(James 2:14, 17-18). James is saying that to serve God
is a natural result of faith in Him. We do not try to win God’s favor by serving Him.
However, we serve Him out of the excitement and joy of knowing He loves us.




Question 3
We serve God because
( ) we are afraid of Him
( ) we have excitement and joy knowing He loves us.
( ) we will go to hell if we don’t serve Him

If we are truly new creatures in Christ there will be some evidence of our relationship
with God. It is natural for a Christians to want to serve God. We believe that God is with us in all
of life’s experiences. So the key to Christian living is letting God take control of our lives.
The secret to this is being submissive to God. We must cast off our sinful self-serving pride like
a dirty coat and depend on the Lord. This also means living responsibly and intelligently.

Question 4
What is the key to Christian living?

Dependence on God is not a magic cure for our problems.
If at the end of a month you have $100.00 more in bills than you have money to pay, you may not be a sinner.
You are broke. You are a bad money manager. God will require you to face your problem in a responsible
Christian way. You will have to budget, save, and plan to restore your credit. You can not expect God
to work a miracle and rain money down to solve your irresponsibility.
We must pay the consequences of our irresponsibility.

If people avoid you and refuse to talk with you that does not necessarily mean
you are not in a proper relationship with Christ. It may mean your are a bore or you have bad breath.
A course in stimulating conversation or a new mouth wash is what you need not a slavish dependence on God.
Question 5
Are all of your problems spiritual? If you answered no then list some problems that are not spiritual.


Not all of our problems are spiritual. However, we can relate to them in a Christ-like way.
Jesus taught that we should be good stewards. So if you are broke, read a book on money management.
Jesus taught us to love one another. If people avoid you because you are a bore, center your attention
on them rather than on yourself. Jesus taught personal cleanliness. If you have bad breath, brush your teeth.
If you have body odor, then take a bath. These aspects of life apply to all people not just Christians.

In our attempt at Christian living, we must try to know the will of God for our lives.
This is difficult. The will of God includes what we do, where we go, and what we are. This means every area
of our life should be lived for god’s purpose.
Question 6
Name an area of life that God does not care about.


God is concerned with every area of our life. How can we know what God wants us to do, where He wants us to go
and what He wants us to be? We need to develop our spiritual radar to pick-up God’s messages.

God seldom screams at His people. Usually, way down deep in the caverns of our heart
and mind, God whispers. He calls in a still small voce. We want a burning bush. He speaks like a gentle breeze.
If we are not careful we miss the message. Elijah discovered this eternal truth when he hid from his enemies in a cave.
Read I Kings 19:11-14.

Our spiritual ears can be attuned to the voice of God by systematic Bible study,
by quiet prayerful mediation and devotion. We should also apply the judgment and common sense God has given us.
God reveals His will and purpose to the obedient person.

Question 7
Underline the ways we can attune our ears to God’s voice.
  1. prayerful meditation
  2. listening to loud music
  3. systematic Bible study
  4. applying judgment and common sense
  5. reading novels
  6. dancing

Living the Christian life means being loyal to the Kingdom of God.
It is not a once a year activity. It is a minute by minute process. When a person falls in the ditch, Jesus helps
the repentant person recover balance and walk a safe path. The sinner says, “I am sorry to be such
a nuisance” and strives to not make the say mistake again. The way we live the Christian life is to
“seek first God’s righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Living a righteous life is not easy.
There are constant temptations that cause us to get off the path and fall into the ditch. Living the righteous life
requires that we be born again by accepting Jesus as our personal Savior.
It means we identify with Christ’ movement by being baptized and joining the church.
The true Christian will love and support the church

It means striving to live a life consistent with your profession of faith.
It means, the desires of God will be the deciding factor in every decision of life. Supreme loyalty will be given to God.
It means sharing your faith with others.
Question 7
List eight things living the Christian life signifies.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Christian Living
Week 8         Demands       Day 2
Learning Goals
        You will be able to:
    1. three commitments of the person who is living a Christian life.
    2. explain the reason for each commitment
    3. evaluate your level of Christian commitment

Jesus came to save mankind. He has made forgiveness of sin and eternal life possible
for every person. However, Jesus makes some demands of those who accept salvation.
Today we will study what is expected of the Christian.

In Luke 9:23, Jesus states the three basic commitments for christen living.
Read the verse and fill in the blanks.
Question 1
“If any man will come after me, let him _______, and take up his _______________
Daily and _________________ me.

The three commitments are:
          Self-denial
          Taking up the cross
          Following Jesus
Self-denial
Jesus’ life was one of self-denial. He left heaven to come rescue mankind from sin.
He was totally committed to saving us from hell. Our commitment to Christ should be as complete
as was His to us. Nothing should come between us and Christ. Read Luke 14:26-27.
Hate is a strong word. Jesus meant we must not allow our family to come before God.
Question 2
What does the word “hate” mean in Luke 14:26-27?
( ) dislike your family
( ) to be loyal to Christ no matter what your family believes
( ) to be mean to your family

The family is important but we must not allow it to interfere with our commitment to Christ.

Some people have trouble putting Christ first because they are selfish.
They never consider anyone but themselves.
Question 3
Based on Luke 9:23-24, write true or false beside each of the following statements.
  1. Service to Christ is more important than life. ________
  2. Serving Christ will help me become less selfish _________

Question 4
Christ will help us practice self-denial if we obey Him. How do we live the Christian life?
Read Galatians 2:20. I live by ________ in the Son of God.

Taking Up The Cross
The second demand is that we take up the cross. Jesus carried His cross to Calvary. Jesus knew
He had to face difficulties and death alone. He was willing to carry His cross so others might live.
We are also called to demonstrate sacrificial love to others.
Question 5
Circle the activities that are examples of cross-bearing:

Seeking revenge   Forgiving others   Praying for others

Loving Enemies   Helping the Poor   Lying

Gossiping     Witnessing     Being Friendly



Paul tells why Jesus was willing to carry His own cross. Philippians 2:8 state:
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became
obedient to death— even death on a cross!” Jesus obeyed God’s will even
when it meant dying.
Cross bearing is never easy! It has two distinct characteristics. It is a voluntary commitment.
It is an act of obedience.
Question 6
What sins do we commit by refusing to be a cross bearer?
( ) disobedience ( ) disloyalty        ( ) disbelief

Following Jesus
The third commitment is allowing Jesus to lead. Jesus followed God the Father.
He learned from the Father. He completed the work assigned by the Father.
He represented the Father (John 5:19-43). Just as Jesus followed the Father, in order to lead
a successful life, Christians must follow Jesus. As a result, several good things happen in the life
of the individual who follows Jesus.
Question 7
Match the Scripture and the promise of what come to the obedient follower of Jesus.

Matthew 11:28   (1) Christians are given power
and authority

Mark 1:17       (2) Christians will lead others to Jesus

Luke 9: 1-2       (3) Christians will be comforted

John 12:26       (4) Christians learn from Jesus

Followers of Jesus are changed. The change is for the good.
Luke 9:24 and John 12:35 tell how a Christian is changed.
Question 8
Underline what happens when a person follows Jesus.
  1. soul is saved
  2. The soul is cleaned
A saved soul brings about desire for change. We want to serve Jesus rather than self.
Christian’s maturity is a result of the desire to obey God’s will in all of life.
If you do not love Jesus more than yourself your Christians maturity is low.
Question 9 How can an individual tell if he/she is a mature Christian?

Christian Living
Week 8         Prayer       Day 4
Learning Goals:
        You will be able to:
    1. six times when you need to pray.
    2. four scriptures with their explanation of how to pray.

After listening to Jesus pray, His disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray,
as John also taught His disciples” (Luke 11:1). The disciples realized if they were going
to understand God’s will for their lives they must stay close to Him What better way
to be close to an individual him to talk with him. Prayer is really nothing more than talking to God.

Question 1
Define Prayer:

When to pray
Pray when you want to glorify God. Expressing love to God through prayer is the highest form of prayer.
Praise and thanksgiving glorify God. Praise is adoring God for who He is—person,
character, and attributes. (See Week 1)
Thanksgiving is expressing gratitude for what God is doing in a person’s life.

Pray when you need a friend. Talking to God will bring you closer to Him.
Through prayer, you can come to feel God’s presence in all areas of life.

Pray when you need guidance. Prayer helps us to understand the world
from God’s perspective. Time alone with God help clear our minds of unnecessary worry.
We can receive direction.

Pray during times of need. God will send His Holy spirit
to strengthen us if we ask. When you discover a problem is bigger than you can handle, talk to God
about the solution. When you are weak, God is strong (II Corinthians 12:9).
The Bible teaches that God pays special attention to prayer offered during times of need (Luke 11:5-13, 18:1-8).

Pray when you need spiritual awakening. Read II Chronicles 7:14. God promised
His people forgiveness of sin and healing of their land. Today individuals and nations need healing.
Pray for the salvation of individuals and nations.

Pray for the Lord’s will to be accomplished in your life.
This is a dangerous prayer because sometimes God’s will requires us to do something
we do not want to do.
Question 1
List six times when you need to pray
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

The Bible not only tells us when to pray but it tells us how to pray.
Prayer is never to honor the one praying (Matthew 6:5-6).

Prayer should be brief and thoughtful (I Corinthians 14:15)

We should pray frequently (Ephesians 6:18; I Thessalonians 5:17).

Prayer should be offered in faith (James 1:5-6)

Question 2
Match the Scripture and the message:

Matthew 5: 6-7           Pray in Faith

I Corinthians 14:15         Brief

I Thessalonians           Frequent

James 1:5-6             Honor God