


                          40 DAY STUDY



     In all probability someone has shared this study guide with
you immediately following your decision to die with Jesus in water
baptism.  You have just come forth from the water, all your sins
have been forgiven and there is now the new power of the Holy
Spirit in your life.  You were willing to 'count yourself nothing'
and now God has raised you up to live a new life unto Him.  You
have now become a 'bond-servant' of the Lord, that is, a servant
who serves without thought of pay.

     One of the things a disciple of Jesus learns very quickly is
that there is much that he or she doesn't know or understand.  You
too will learn this, but it should in no way discourage you.  It
should only humble you.  This study guide is designed to help you
have some direction each day for the next forty days as you start
listening to the voice of God as He begins to direct your whole
life.

     Determine right now that you are going to make this a rich and
powerful study.  Open wide your heart and let God do with you all
He wants to.  Make sure that you have a definite time and a
definite place reserved each day to be studying the Scriptures so
you can keep hearing the Word of God as the Holy Spirit will teach
you.  God is your only strength and if you stray from Him you will
fall away.  Don't let anything or anyone keep you from this most
crucial time. Keep a notebook and be prepared to share it with an
older brother or sister.

     Why forty days?  Because right after Jesus' water baptism
where He received the Holy Spirit, He was led into the desert to be
tempted by Satan for 40 days.  You too will face temptations.  Now
just as Jesus was victorious over those temptations you can too be
if you will draw close to God.  Satan will attack you.  He knows
you are young and vulnerable, but God is with you and with the
weapons of righteousness in the right and the left hands you can
defeat anything that would take your new life from you.

     "When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized
too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit
descended on him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from
heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well
pleased.'...Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the
Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for 40 days
he was tempted by the devil."   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 (Luke 3:21-22 & 4:1)

                                      WEEK ONE
                 DEAD TO SELF, ALIVE TO CHRISTI

     This week you will be studying passages in the Scriptures that
show us so clearly what the problem is.  The problem is the 'self'
that lives for itself.  Christ calls us to crucify the old self and
he promises to raise up a new and very different self.

                              Day 1

     Before you actually begin your Bible study program please take
a few minutes and write down in your own words what your baptism
into Jesus Christ meant to you.  Why did you do it?  What is it
going to mean?  If you will keep this in a safe place it will mean
a great deal to you for years to come.  It will serve as a reminder
to you of the serious commitment that you made this day.

     Turn to Luke 9:18-26.  Read and study this passage several
times.

     Now turn to Luke 18:28-30 and look at the promise that is
attached to discipleship, indeed to the very decision that you have
just made.

     These two passages will become very important as you will
share your life in Christ with others.  Remember where they are and
what they say.  As you continue to go through this study, remember
that everything you learn is something that the Holy Spirit will
have you pass on to others.

     Be sure to spend time in prayer at the end of your study
sessions.  Learn to deeply communicate with your Father who loves
you so very much!

                              Day 2

     Turn to Romans 6:1-14.  Read and study this carefully.  Each
time you come to the word 'we' or 'us' substitute your own name. 
[For example: vs. 2 - 'By no means.  John died to sin, how can he
live in it any longer.']

     Write down some of the things about your old self that caused
it to receive the death sentence.

     Write down some things about your new self that you really
want to express.

     How do you specifically plan today to live out vs. 13?




                                        Day 3

     Before you start today's study, ask yourself a very important
question: Am I staying in close touch with older Christians?  This
is crucial, and all next week the Bible study will focus on this. 
If there is anything in you that is not wanting to see or be with
other disciples, then you can be sure that this is something that
is not of God and must be crucified.  It is your old independent
self, not the new self God is giving you.

     Turn to Romans 7:14-25 and read how powerless we are to live
this new life alone.  Do you see why God's Spirit must be the one
who crucifies your sinful nature?  Do you see how wicked you are? 
Notice vs. 24.

     But now go on to Romans 8 where we see how we can do the
impossible.  You were told at your baptism that you would receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit; now study some of what the Spirit
means in your life.  Read and study verse 1-17, making notes on the
things that strike you the hardest.  How do you get sin crucified
in your life? Read Romans 8:13.

                              Day 4

     As you have questions about things that you are studying or
things that are happening to you, seek out some of your older
brothers and sisters and let them help you.  They have been through
many things you will go through. 

     For this Bible study you will need both the Old Testament and
a New Testament.  If you don't have both, make arrangements to get
them right away.

     When we are children, we need to be taught things we don't
know; and we need correction when we are wrong.  You are a baby in
Jesus Christ.  There is much you don't know about how to live and
many areas in which you will need correction.  All of this will
improve your spiritual walk with God.  Read Proverbs 12:1-2, 12:15
& 10:17. 

     Write down your own attitudes toward being corrected. 
Distinguish between those things that are left over from your old
self and those things that Jesus Christ is putting in your heart. 
Be praying for the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom here.

     Go to the New Testament now and read 2 Timothy 3:16 and answer
this question:  Why are older brothers and sisters to bring the
word of God to you?  What is going to be your attitude when they
do? 



                                        Day 5

     In your new life you will find that 'attitude is everything.' 
If you develop a critical, negative or pessimistic attitude, you
will put out the Spirit's fire in your life.  Today the Bible study
will focus on the reason you can keep a great attitude even in the
worst of circumstances.

     Read and examine each of the following passages: John 16:33,
Romans 8:23, Philippians 4:12-13 & 19, and James 1:2-4.

     When does this fit with having a good attitude regardless of
what is happening?

     When these are all put together, what are they promising you
about everything in your life?

     List anything that is tending to cause you to have a bad
[negative, complaining, pessimistic] attitude.  Confess these right
away to another disciple and ask for their prayers and
encouragement. 

                              Day 6

     By today, you have certainly realized that you are not doing
all for Jesus Christ that you determined to do five or six days
ago.  You want to love him with all your heart, mind, soul and
strength.  But you have failed in some specific areas.  What you
will study today will be very important in dealing with this for
the rest of your life. 

     Turn to 1 John 1:5-10.  Read it carefully. 

     Think of the difference in light and darkness.  Think of the
difference between a bright open room with lots of windows and a
totally dark basement area.  In one, things are out in the open. 
You can see them as they really are.  In the other, things are
hidden and covered by the darkness.  With this in mind, what does
he mean when he calls us to 'walk in the light'?  Do you see how
this fits with verse 9 and the call to confess our sins?

     We all [from the oldest to the youngest in Christ] sin.  If we
claim that we don't, we lie, [vs. 10].  How then are we to handle
all this?  Do we cover and hide our sins?  Or do we bring them out
into the open through confession where the blood of Jesus can
cleanse us? 

     Look at the two results of walking out in the light as
described in vs. 7.  How will this cause a deeper fellowship with
the brothers and sisters?

               Remember this trustworthy saying: Satan's only ground is
darkness.  When we confess our sins and bring them out into the
light, we take away from him his power over us.

                              Day 7

     As you come to the end of this first week as a committed
disciple of Jesus Christ, go back to the most basic idea of
discipleship.  Turn to Galatians 2:20.

     Every time your old nature tries to assert itself you can say,
'I have been crucified with Christ'.  Concerning what things do you
especially need to say that today?  Write them down. 

     As you determine what you should do with your day remember: 'I
______, no longer live, but Christ lives in me.'  Meditate on this
great truth in scripture and then determine to let the Holy Spirit
make it a reality.  Let Jesus Christ use you to meet His needs and
desires. 

     Focus on Paul's words today. 'You are not your own; you were
bought with a price', [1 Corinthians 6:19-20]  Believe that with
all your heart.  You are not your own.  You no longer go where you
want to go or do what you want to do.  You are a bond-servant, a
slave unto Jesus.

                            Reminder

     As a new baby, you need to be daily in touch with others who
are ready to give you encouragement and guidance.  If you have been
avoiding that contact, determine now to deal with that wrong
attitude that is developing.

                            WEEK TWO
                    NO LIFE OUTSIDE THE BODY

                              Day 8

     Begin today by reading Matthew 28:18-20 concentrating on vs.
18 and vs. 20.  What do these two verses say to you?

     Jesus Christ who has all authority taught us that the church
is very, very important.  In Matthew 16:16-18, Jesus hears Peter
confess him to be the Christ, the Son of God; and immediately Jesus
said, 'Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of
Hades will not prevail against it.'  Jesus saw the church as the
center of his plan.  He wanted to build it and he intended to make
it so strong that the forces of Satan could not stand against it. 
What Jesus counted as so important, we too must count as so
important.  

               For a true picture of what the church should be striving to
become every day, look at Acts 2:40-47

     What can you do today and the rest of this week to contribute
to this kind of life among God's people, [the church]? 

                              Day 9

     Paul describes the church as the 'Body of Christ'.  Read
Romans 12:1-8 and see how giving yourself first to God leads to
giving yourself to other people in the Body of Christ. 

     Notice particularly vs. 5 which says, 'each member belongs to
all the others' or 'we are all members of one another'.  How does
this fit with or conflict with the American ideal of individualism?

     List three things that you know already that you can do for
other members of the Body of Christ.  Share these with another
brother or sister. 

     List at least three things that you know you need from the
Body of Christ in order to grow in Christ.  Share these also with
another person.

                             Day 10

     Read Ephesians 4:1-5.  Why does it seem to you that God is so
very concerned about the Body of Christ being in unity and peace?

     Turn to Romans 14:12-15:3 and read how far we should go and
how much we should bend to keep the Body of Christ together.

     Is there anything in your life that is so important to you
that you would not give up even if it was keeping people from
coming to Jesus Christ or growing in him?  If there is, look back
at vs. 21 and seek help in dealing with this sin in your life. 

                             Day 11

     God is greatly concerned about the unity of the church, but he
is also greatly concerned about the purity of the Body of Christ. 
We are called to a holy life and a pure life, and sin in the Body
that is being hidden or ignored will destroy the power of the
church. 

     Read Ephesians 5:1-14.  List those things which are described
here as improper for God's holy people.

     How would living as 'children of the light' be totally
different from these things you have just listed?  What is the
basic difference? 

               You are a young Christian, but what should you do if you see
brothers or sisters falling into some sin?  Read Galatians 6:1-2.

                             Day 12

     What is the one thing that must be in the church and in our
relationships above all else?  Read the following passages: John
13:34-35, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Galatians 5:6 and 13-14, Ephesians
5:1-2, Colossians 3:14, 1 Peter 4:8.

     For a more precise definition of love, compare John 13:34-35
with 1 John 3:16.  List all the things you can think of that
describe the way Jesus loved us.

     How are you progressing in your relationships with your new
brothers and sisters in Christ?  Are they seeing your love for
them?  Many new Christians just want to be loved and to be served. 
Ask the Holy Spirit to crucify this self centered Christianity.

                             Day 13

     One of the things we can all do for one another in the Body is
give encouragement.  Read a powerful statement about this in
Hebrews 3:12-14.

     According to this passage, what is to be the specific purpose
of our encouragement?  What do you think will be involved in giving
this kind of specific encouragement?  Ask an older brother and
sister how the Spirit might lead you to do this.

     Look at 2 Timothy 4:2.  Notice that we can encourage people by
bringing the Word to them.  In your relationships try to share with
someone every day something you have found in God's Truth that is
inspiring and encouraging to you.

                             Day 14

     When problems develop in the Body between brothers and
sisters, they must be dealt with so that Satan is given no
opportunity to enter in.  Read Matthew 18:15-20 which gives us the
right way to deal with such situations.

     Determine early in your Christian life that you will not
complain or grumble behind someone's back about what they have
done.  Determine that you will always go to them and resolve the
problem with God's Spirit.

                           WEEK THREE
                        GO MAKE DISCIPLES

     This week we want to look at how God plans to use you to bring
others into the freedom from sin that you have found in Christ. 
First, we will consider how important your own life is in sharing
with others.

                             Day 15

     To be a disciple is to come under the discipline of Jesus
Christ.  To be a disciple is to let Jesus Christ be Lord in all the
areas of your life.  Examine carefully the following items and make
sure that you are opening up and working on those that are
applicable to you.  Are you hearing the voice of the Spirit
directing you on the following areas?  Sexuality, greed, money,
time management and  gentleness?    Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12. 

                             Day 16

     Turn to 1 Peter 3:13-17 and especially note vs. 15 & 16.

     What is involved in each of these statements:

     a. 'In your hearts acknowledge Christ as the Holy Lord'
     b. 'Always be prepared to give an answer...'
     c. 'With gentleness and respect'
     d. 'Keeping a clear conscience'

     Who are the people around you?  Write down their names.  They
need to hear the answer about Jesus Christ as Lord.  Stop now and
pray for them.

                             Day 17

     The last words a person speaks usually tell us a lot about the
major things on the heart.  Turn to Matthew 28:18-20 and read again
the final commission of Jesus before he left this world. 

     What does it mean to you that 'all authority has been given to
Jesus Christ'?  What does it mean that he has given all authority
over to you?

     What are the implications for your life of this statement to
'Go'?  What is the Holy Spirit telling you this means for your
life? 

     When we 'go', what does Jesus want us to do?

     Look back over the list of people you wrote down yesterday. 
Begin praying for them specifically that you may 'go' to them with
the message of Jesus.  Ask the Holy Spirit for the words and then
step out to share what you know.




                                       Day 18

     Start today with Colossians 4:2-6.

     List all the things you find here that relate to sharing your
faith with others.

     What does it mean to 'Make the most of every opportunity'?

     How did you use the opportunities the Lord gave you this week?

                             Day 19

          We tend to think that certasituations are not good ones
for sharing the Gospel.  Most of us would find being in prison and
in chains a terrible circumstance for evangelism.  Read Acts
16:22-34. 

     What situations are you in right now?  Write down why these
situations make sharing the Gospel difficult.  Having done this,
now give all these excuses up to the Lord and claim the fact that
he is able to work powerfully in all circumstances.  Turn over to
Philippians 4:4-6 for encouragement. 

                             Day 20

     To 'Go make disciples' we need great boldness and courage.  In
ourselves we don't have what it takes.  The Holy Spirit will fill
us with the boldness we need.  Read Acts 4:8-13.

     Also notice the message we must proclaim.  It is found in
verse: 12. Don't water this message down.  It is the only thing
that can change men's lives.

     Look also at 2 Timothy 1:7.  When you find yourself being
timid, you can be sure that it is your self.  For God has not given
you a spirit of fear.  Deny your fear and God will give you
courage.

                             Day 21

     No real evangelism or discipling takes place until we have
brought a person into the body of Christ.  As you share with
people, make every effort to introduce them to the members of the
Body. 

     Look at Acts 2:42-48.  This is to be the spirit found in our
fellowship.  Then those who visit will know that God is really
alive. 

     You have now been a disciple for three weeks.  You should be
having an impact on others for Jesus Christ by now.  If this is not
happening, or if you see that it could be happening much more, get
with an older brother or sister and share what is going on.  Let
them help and encourage you.

                            WEEK FOUR
             THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

     During this week of the study, we will look at the God we
worship and the way he expresses himself in the Father, the Son,
and the Spirit.

                             Day 22

     Turn to Mark 14:32-35.  Notice the word Jesus uses for God. 
It is the Aramaic word 'Abba'.  It was an intimate word and no Jew
ever used it before Jesus to describe God.  It was the word little
boys and girls used for their daddies.  Look at Romans 8:15-17 and
Galatians 4:6.  Do you see the kind of God we have and how we can
approach him? 

                             Day 23

     Read John 1:1-18.  According to these passages, what is it
that we find in Jesus Christ?  What does it mean to your personal
life that he is this way?

     Look closely at what he went through for you.  Take an Old
Testament and read Isaiah 53 and see the statement made about him
even before he appeared on earth.

                             Day 24

     When you were baptized into Jesus Christ, you received the
gift of the Holy Spirit.  Today and tomorrow we want to look at
some of the ministries of the Holy Spirit in your life. 

     Turn to John 16:5-15 and read carefully, looking for teaching
about the work of the Spirit.

     Notice he is, the Spirit of Truth; will be with you forever;
and will live in in you.  What is this going to mean to your life?

     Read John 16:5-1

     The work of the Spirit involves convicting us of sin,
righteousness and judgment.  How would you relate this passage to
the ideas found in Ephesians 6:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and Hebrews
4:12-13? 




                                       Day 25

     Continuing to look at the work of the Holy Spirit, turn to
Romans 8 and read verses: 1-17.

     Focus in on verses 9-11.  What kind of promise is made to you
here?

     In our lives we have been enslaved to various passions and
desires.  On our own we found we had no real power to break free
from those.  Notice the message in vs. 12 and 13.  How do we put to
death the misdeeds of the body?

     Notice vs: 14-17 how the Spirit of God in us brings us into an
intimate relationship with God.

                             Day 26

     It is important to learn all you can about Jesus Christ
because of what the following scriptures teach: 2 Corinthians 3:18
and Romans 8:29.  What do these passages teach about our
relationship to Jesus Christ?

     Look also at 1 John 3:2-3.  What is the 'hope' referred to in
verse 3?

     List at least three things that are found in Jesus Christ you
want to work on in your own life.

     How would you respond to someone who might say, 'Trying to be
like Jesus Christ is an impossible dream.  It can only frustrate
you'? REMEMBER: GET HELP FROM AN OLDER DISCIPLE AS YOU MOVE DEEPER
INTO THIS STUDY.  LET HIM OR HER CHECK OUT WHAT YOU ARE FINDING.

                             Day 27

     Look at the picture of Jesus Christ found in Hebrews 4:14-16.

     Write down what each of these statements means to your life:

     a. Jesus is the great high priest who has gone into heaven.
     b. Jesus is able to understand and relate to our weaknesses
since he was tempted in every way like us.
     c. Because of Jesus, we can approach God's throne [a throne of
Grace] with confidence.

     How does this understanding of Jesus Christ affect you right
now at school, on the job, in the home?  Write down the way it
changes your attitude.



                                       Day 28

     There may be some things that will happen to you to make you
wonder if God is for you or against you.  Read Romans 8:31-39 to
see the kind of God you worship.

     Go back to verse 28 for still another promise.

     Paul lists in the first passage a number of things that might
seem to cut us off from the love of God.  What are some things in
your life that are difficult or threatening?  Write out verse 37
just as Paul says it and then write verse 38 substituting the
things in your life that might interfere with your relationship to
God.

     What role do you play in keeping this victory?

                            WEEK FIVE
                    SUBMIT TO EVERY AUTHORITY

     This week you will study one of the keys to the Christian
life. It is totally opposed to worldly wisdom, but it is something
we see perfectly in Jesus and he wants to see it in us.  It is the
principle of submission.

                             Day 29

     Already you have studied passages that tell you who really has
all the authority today.  It is Jesus Christ, but God has set up
certain orders in society.  These maintain order and teach us to be
submissive and obedient in spirit so we can ultimately and
basically submit to and obey Jesus Christ.

     To follow Jesus Christ one must have an obedient spirit.  One
must be willing to submit to another's authority.  Read 1 Peter 1:2
and 1 Peter 1:14.  What kind of children does God want?

     Read Ephesians 2:1-2 to determine what kind of spirit God is
opposed to.

     Look at Hebrews 5:7-9 for an important statement about Jesus
Christ who is our example in all attitudes.  What did he learn? 
How was it learned?  What does God want us to learn?  How will it
be learned?

                             Day 30

     Return to 1 Peter where yesterday we learned that God wants
obedient children.  Now look at 2:11-17.

     Our old self with its sinful desires as described in vs. 11,
does not want to obey.  It wants to do things 'my own way'.  It
doesn't like to be told what to do.  That's why Jesus says 'deny
yourself'.  It is not willing to cooperate with God's plan. 

     Notice in vs. 13 why you submit to every authority.

     List all the authorities that you can think of that are in
your life, meaning all the people that are in some role where they
can tell you what to do or strongly expect you to do what they ask. 
What is your attitude toward these authorities?

                             Day 31

          The question is often asked'Do I have to submit to these
authorities in my life even when they are wrong?'.  What do you
think the mind of Christ would say here.

     Continue the passage you started yesterday.  Read 1 Peter
2:18- 23.  What does it contribute to the question raised above? 

     What we are being told here in Ephesians 5-6 and Colossians 3
is that we should have a submissive and obedient attitude all the
time.  We should be ready to obey those God has put over us. 
However, there will come times when we cannot obey.  See Acts
4:18-20 for a clear example.  Study this carefully.

                             Day 32

     In the body of Christ, God has placed certain men over you. 
First there are the elders or overseers in the body and then those
who have been given special authority by elders.  Look at what
Hebrews 13:17 says about your responsibility to these men.

     Does this passage say we have to agree with everything a
leader does before we can submit to him?

     Make sure your relationships with all your leaders are good
ones.  If there is an anger or resentment or hurt in you toward any
one of them, don't put off sitting down with that leader and
opening up your heart.  If you see others in the body developing
rebellious and disobedient attitudes go to them and encourage them
to deal with that and to get with the leader.

                             Day 33

     Go to Ephesians 5:21 and start reading and go through chapter
6:4.  Regardless of who you are, you are most likely in some kind
of family relationship.  In these relationships you can show the
love of God ... the kind of love that is willing to lay down its
life for others in the family. 
     If your spouse, parents, or children have not been seeing in
you the things described in Ephesians 5 & 6, then confess to them
your sin.
               Remember, your ultimate concern is that your family members
come to know the living God through your life in a deeper and
deeper way. 

                             Day 34

     Turn to and read Romans 13.

     List as many clear teachings in this passage as you can find.

     Is there anything wrong with a bitter, complaining attitude
about the government one lives under?

     Again, when must a Christian say 'no' to the government?  In
what way should he say 'no'? 

                             Day 35

     One of the great texts in the New Testament is Philippians
2:1-11.  Read this carefully, looking for the deeper teaching about
the power of submission. 

     In what ways can you 'empty yourself'?  The word literally
means 'made himself to be nothing'.

     In what ways, being specific, can you this week take the form
of
a servant to your brothers and to those who are lost?

     What happens to those who submit?  What does God do?

                            WEEK SIX
                FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH

                                Day 36

     You are over a month into your life as a disciple of Jesus
Christ.  If you have been serious about it, this month should have
been one in which you have faced many things about yourself that
need changing.  It also should have been one filled with joy
because you know that God is for you and Jesus Christ is with you
to help you become like him.

     Look at Paul's words about joy in Philippians 4:4-6.  How
often does it say we should 'rejoice'?  Compare this with 1
Thessalonians 5:16-18.  When should we rejoice?  Be thankful? 

                             Day 37

     The image of a soldier or a warrior is often employed in the
New Testament.  The reason is: we are at war.  The ways of God and
the ways of men are totally opposed to each other.  Our culture is
constantly bombarding us with its message of how to find life, but
God's message is totally different.  One cannot survive in warfare
unless he is equipped and knows how to do battle.  For the rest of
this week we will look at this matter.

     Start with Ephesians 6:10-18.  There is enough here for
several days of study, and we will take a little time.

     First of all in warfare, we need to clearly identify the
enemy. Verses 10 & 11 make that identification very clear to us. 
Who is the enemy?  What are some of the schemes that you can see
him working out in your life to take you out of God's love?

     Please realize now and always that your boss is not the enemy,
your parents aren't the enemies, your husband or wife are not the
enemy.  Flesh and blood people are not the enemies, and any time we
identify them as enemies, we fall into Satan's scheme and begin
shooting at the wrong person.  List some times recently when you
may have done this or come close to doing this.

     Set your mind against the real forces of darkness that Satan
commands.  Pray for strength and for God's mighty power to overcome
it.

                             Day 38

     Read Ephesians 6:10-18 again.

     Satan's power is described in real terms and you will be so
vulnerable to it if you are not aware of his power.  However, why
do we not need to be afraid?

     We don't have to be afraid, but we do have to put on the full
armor of God.  Without protection and the spiritual weapons he
supplies we will not overcome.  Let us look at them one at a time:

A.   the 'belt of truth'- where do you find the truth? John 17:17
B.   the 'breastplate of righteousness' - read Philippians 3:8-9
C.   the 'gospel of peace' - read Ephesians 2:14-18
D.   the 'shield of faith' - how does it put out the fiery darts
     of Satan?
E.   the 'helmet of salvation' - read Romans 8:1-2
F.   the 'sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God' - Hebrews
     4:12
G.   and 'pray in the Spirit' on all occasions - how has your
     prayer life developed?  What does this mean?

     You now know what the armor of God looks like, but please
realize that like any good soldier, you will have to put the armor
on anew every day.  You will have to be taught how the Spirit uses
you with the armor on ... be listening!

                                       Day 39

     Begin today with 2 Timothy 2:1-7.

     Focus in especially on vs. 3 & 4.  To be a Christian is not
like going to a picnic.  It is enrolling in an army.  If you really
belong to Jesus you are going to face hardships.  2 Timothy 3:12
says we are promised what?


     What did Jesus promise here in, John 15:18-21?  What does
Jesus say about the Christians who are well liked by the world? 
Read Luke 6:26.

     Returning to 2 Timothy 2:4 we see that the warfare is going to
be so serious and so intense that the Christian soldier must not
get involved in 'civilian affairs'.  There are a lot of things to
do in the world that are not wrong.  But they are wrong for us if
they take us away from the front lines and doing what Jesus wants
us to do at that time.  Are there some things in your life that
need to be given up because they are 'involvement in civilian
affairs'? 

                             Day 40

     Your study guide ends today, but may your study and love for
God never end.  You are on your way to things too glorious and
enriching to even describe.  Never, never, never, never, give up!

     Read carefully the call of these passages: 1 Peter 2:1-12,
Hebrews 5:11-6:3, Colossians 2:6-10

     In relation to the above passages give your final thoughts.


 Based on Study Guide from:
 SOUND DOCTRINE BBS  (303) 680-7209
 Edited by Computers for Christ - Chicago
