1. Introduction: In connection with this lesson, read Romans 12, Ephesians 4, Colossians 3. Jesus gives us a whole new way to look at life, with new things to live for. How would you describe the lifestyle of a Christian? 2 Corinth ians 5:17; Romans 12:2.
2. What Is The Greatest Commandment Of The Lord To Christians? Matthew 22:35-38.
A. If I love God, what will I always try to do?
1. John 14:15:
B. If I love God, what are two things I will always try to avoid doing?
1. Ephesians 4:30:
2. I Timothy 6:1:
C. What is the main purpose of my life as a Christian?
1. Matthew 5:16:
3. What Is The Lord's Second Greatest Commandment To Christians? Mt 22:39.
A. If I love others as myself, what are two things I will avoid doing?
1. Romans 13:10
2. Matthew 18:6-7
B. If an activity or style I enjoy creates problems for another person and causes him to sin, what should my attitude be? (1 Corinthians 8:13; 10:31-33; Romans 14:21)
4. I Belong To A Holy God, Therefore My Life Must Be Holy: (1 Peter 1:15-16; Hebrews 12:14; 2 Corinthians 7:1)
A. What will my old friends think of me now that my life is changing? (1 Peter 4:4)
B. Will it take courage and determination if I am going to please Christ and be different?
C. Though my family or my past experiences may have made it hard to follow Christ, what choice am I still responsible to make? (Romans 6:12-13)
D. Where can I learn how God wants me to live? (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105)
5. In My Baptism, I Was Joined With Christ In His Death And Resurrection: (Romans 6:1-4)
A. I have been with Christ (Romans 6:8). My old sinful self was (Romans 6:6). It is as if I am to sin, but to Christ (Romans 6:11). I am no longer a slave of but a slave of (Romans 6:17,18).
6. From Ephesians 4:22-5:18, List Things The Lord Wants Us To "Put Off":
A. Does God take away these things to spoil our lives or to give us real life? (Deuteronomy 5:29; John 10:10)
7. List Some Things That God Wants Us To "Put On": (Colossians 3:12-15; Galatians 5:22-23)
A. As I grow in these things, I am becoming more like:
1. Galatians 2:20; 4:19
B. Why is it important to fill my life with good in place of the evil that was once in it?
1. Matthew 12:43-45
8. How Can I Overcome The Temptations Of My Old Nature?
A. "Burn bridges" to the past:
1. What did the Ephesian Christians do when they turned away from witchcraft and sorcery? (Acts 19:18-20 - Do I have things I should get rid of?)
2. Do my friends and the places I go make it harder for me to resist sin? (1 Corinthians 15:33; Romans 13:14 - make it hard to sin)
3. I should be willing to part with the activities and friends that cause me to sin, even if it is as hard as losing a hand or eye from my body. (Matthew 18:7-9)
B. Keep your heart and mind clean:
1. Where does sin start? (Matthew 15:19; James 1:13-15)
2. Why are the wrong kind of clothes, books, magazines, music, movies, TV and conversation so damaging to my Christian life? (Proverbs 4:23)
3. What must I do about my thought-life now that I am under the Lord ship of Christ? (2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8)
4. Jesus teaches me to deal with sins such as murder and adultery at what stage? (Matthew 5:21-22; 27-28)
5. At what point in their development do you think wrong thoughts are easiest to deal with?
6. While I am doing my best to keep my thoughts clean, what should I ask God to do? (Psalm 51:10)
C. Get help from God:
1. What can I put inside my heart and mind that will help me overcome sin? (Psalm 119:11)
2. Who will help me "put to death" the sins of my old nature? (Romans 8:13)
3. How can I continually be "refilled" with the Holy Spirit? (Luke 11:13; Colossians 3:16)
D. Strengthen your new nature:
1. What should I do, as far as possible, about any old wrongs I have done against people which have not been cleared up?
a. Matthew 5:23-24
b. Leviticus 6:4
2. What should I do if I hold any resentments against people from the past (including my parents, spouse, or family members)? (Mark 11:25)
3. What is the food for my new nature to grow on? (Matthew 4:4)
4. Who will help to make me like Jesus? (Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 8:28,29)
5. Who in the church has God given me to help me grow like Christ? (Ephesians 4:11-13)
6. What else will keep me close to God and make me strong? (Ephesians 6:18)
7. Where can I go to find encouragement to overcome temptation and live like Jesus? (Hebrews 10:24-25)
8. If I will use these helps that God has given me, what has God promised? (1 Corinthians 10:13)