Search Headings

• I.	What to Know

• A.	God and Spiritual Powers

• 1.	God's Being

• a)	God's Form

• God is one
• God is spirit
• God is everywhere
• God has great glory

• b)	God's Eternity

• God has always been alive
• God will live forever
• God does not change

• c)	God's Power and Knowledge

• God can do all things – nothing is too hard
• God knows everything
• God even knows the future
• God has incredible wisdom

• 2.	God's Character

• a)	God's Holiness

• God is holy
• There is nothing bad in God
• God cannot tolerate evil

• b)	God's Righteousness and Faithfulness

• All God does is right and just
• God does not lie nor change his mind – he keeps his promises

• c)	God's Anger

• God’s anger is awesome
• God is slow to anger and does not stay angry

• d)	God's Love and Mercy

• God is love
• God is merciful and compassionate

• e)	God's Goodness

• God is good
• God exercises kindness

• 3.	Jesus Christ

• a)	Jesus Christ's Eternity

• Jesus Christ existed in the beginning
• Jesus Christ will be alive forever
• Jesus Christ remains the same

• b)	Jesus Christ's Pre-Eminence

• Jesus Christ has sovereign power
• Jesus Christ has supreme knowledge and wisdom
• Jesus Christ is everywhere

• c)	Jesus Christ's Character

• Jesus Christ is holy
• Jesus Christ is righteous
• Jesus Christ is loving

• d)	Jesus Christ's Divinity

• Jesus Christ is the Son of God
• Jesus Christ has the nature and fullness of God

• 4.	The Holy Spirit

• a)	The Holy Spirit and God

• The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God
• The Holy Spirit is linked with God's presence
• God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are very closely associated

• b)	The Holy Spirit's Divine Characteristics

• The Holy Spirit is everywhere
• The Holy Spirit is eternal
• The Holy Spirit has sovereign power
• The Holy Spirit has complete knowledge

• c)	The Holy Spirit Is Personal

• The Holy Spirit communicates
• The Holy Spirit interacts in other ways

• 5.	Angels, Satan and Demons

• a)

  Angels

• There are millions of angels, surrounding God
• Angels are powerful beings who serve God
• Angels help and care for God's people

• b)

  Satan

• Satan is evil and is opposed to God's kingdom
• Satan is deceitful
• Satan has great power and authority in the world
• But Satan is not as powerful as God
• Satan has been condemned

• c)

  Demons

• Demons are evil and powerful spiritual beings
• Demons can possess people and cause them great harm
• Demons fear God

• B.	God and the World: Basics

• 6.	God's Creation

• a)	God Makes Everything

• God made the heavens, the earth and everything in them
• Because he made everything, all things belong to God
• Creation is evidence of God and what he is like, to all people

• b)	God Sustains Everything

• Every creature's life is dependent on God
• God made and sustains all things through Jesus Christ

• c)	God's Creation of People

• God has made people with a spirit
• God has made people in his own image
• Every person will die
• People’s spirits exist after death

• 7.	God's Sovereignty

• a)	God Rules Supreme

• He is the one and only God
• God rules over all
• God will reign forever
• God carries out his plans
• God will impose his absolute rule on all

• b)	God Has Control over All Things

• God has control over evil
• God has control over nature
• God has control over the nations

• c)	God Has Control over People

• God has control over people's minds
• God has control over people’s actions
• God controls all that happens to people

• 8.	God's Word

• a)

  General

• The Bible is God's word
• God’s word is true
• God’s word is active and powerful
• God’s word brings spiritual life
• God’s word gives light

• b)	God's Covenant with Israel

• God made a covenant with Israel, based on the laws he gave through Moses
• If the Israelites obeyed God, then they would be his people and he would be their God
• Faithful obedience to the law would bring righteousness
• The Ten Commandments

• 9.	The Problem of Sin

• a)	What and Who

• Sin is breaking God's law
• Sin is committed by all people

• b)	Consequences of Sin

• Sin means that we face God's anger
• Sin results in physical death
• Sin brings the prospect of eternal death

• c)	The Law's Provision for Sin

• An animal was offered by a priest to God to make atonement for anyone who sinned
• The high priest made atonement for Israel as a whole
• However, Israel did not keep God’s law and broke his covenant

• 10.	God's Judgment

• a)	Reasons for God's Judgment

• God’s judgment is to punish sin
• God’s judgment is to discipline his people
• God’s judgment is to punish the wicked

• b)	The Justice of God's Judgment

• God judges fairly
• God judges correctly
• God repays people according to what they have done
• God gives fair warning of judgment

• c)	The Wicked and God's Judgment

• People may question God’s apparent lack of judgment regarding the wicked
• But in due time God does take action against the wicked

• C.	God and the World: Jesus Christ

• 11.	God's Promised Messiah

• a)	Promise of a Messiah

• Promise that one would arise as a great ruler of Israel
• Promise that he would bring God's salvation to the nations

• b)	Prophecy of the Messiah's Death for Sins

• The Messiah would die for people’s sins, but then be raised

• c)	The Messiah's Identity

• The OT Scriptures show that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ
• Jesus’ deeds showed that he is the Messiah
• Jesus Christ came as a human being

• d)	The Messiah's Mission

• God sent Jesus Christ to take away sins
• God sent Jesus Christ to save the world

• 12.	Jesus Christ's Mission

• a)	Jesus Christ's Ministry

• Jesus did the work God wanted him to do
• Jesus preached the good news of the kingdom of God

• b)	Jesus Christ's Death

• The Jewish authorities compelled the Romans to crucify Jesus
• It was God’s will that Jesus die – for everyone

• c)	Jesus Christ's Resurrection

• God raised Jesus from the dead
• Jesus’ body was not found in his tomb
• Jesus appeared to people after his resurrection

• d)	Jesus Christ's Ascension

• Jesus was taken up to God in heaven
• God gave Jesus Christ great glory

• 13.	Salvation through Jesus Christ

• a)	Forgiveness of Sins through Jesus Christ

• Jesus Christ died as a sacrifice for our sins
• Jesus Christ's sacrifice means that our sins can be forgiven
• Through Jesus Christ’s death we can be at peace with God
• Jesus Christ’s resurrection was also crucial

• b)	Salvation and Life through Jesus Christ

• God provides salvation through Jesus Christ
• We can only be saved through Jesus Christ
• Through Jesus Christ we can have eternal life
• God has provided salvation for the Gentiles through Christ

• 14.	The New Order

• a)	Righteousness by Faith and Grace

• We are not made right by obeying the law – but by faith in Christ
• We are made right by God's grace – not by law

• b)	A New Covenant

• The first covenant was inadequate and superseded by the superior new covenant – through Christ
• Jesus Christ is now the high priest of God's people, interceding for them before God in heaven

• c)	Other Key Aspects

• The kingdom of God came in Jesus Christ's mission
• God has made Jesus Christ Lord of all

• 15.	'The Last Things'

• a)	Jesus Christ's Return

• Jesus Christ will return at an unexpected time
• Jesus Christ’s return will be preceded by distressful events

• b)	The Final Judgment

• On his return, Jesus Christ will judge and reward all people according to what they have done
• Those who have believed in Jesus Christ will be saved
• Those who have rejected Christ will be condemned
• The ungodly will be thrown into fire
• What people have known will be taken into account

• c)	The Afterlife

• God's people will be given eternal life
• There will be no more sorrow and no more death
• God will live amoung his people

• D.	God and His Own People

• 16.	The Standing of God's People

• a)	Belonging to God

• God's people belong to him
• They are God’s people
• God is their God

• b)	Being God's Family

• Each believer belongs to the family of God
• God is the Father of his people
• God’s people are his children

• c)	Being "in" Jesus Christ

• God's people are “in” Jesus Christ
• “In” Jesus Christ they are redeemed and forgiven
• Through Jesus Christ God’s people have access to God

• 17.	Keys to God's Interaction

• a)	God's Presence with His People

• God and Jesus Christ are always with their people
• God is with his people in trouble

• b)	God's Knowledge of His People

• God knows his people
• God knows his people’s needs

• c)	God's Love and Grace

• God loves his people greatly
• God shows much grace to his people

• d)	God's Gift of the Holy Spirit

• God gives his people his Holy Spirit, to help and live in them
• God works through his people by the Holy Spirit

• 18.	God's Transformation of His People

• a)	Spiritual Life

• God's people are given spiritual life
• God’s people are spiritually reborn of God

• b)

  Holiness

• God's people are made holy, through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice
• God’s people are being transformed to be like Jesus Christ

• c)	Spiritual Attributes

• God gives his people love and faith
• God gives his people peace
• God gives his people joy
• God gives his people wisdom and knowledge

• d)	How God Transforms

• God disciplines his people as his children, who he loves
• God teaches his people

• 19.	God's Care of His People

• a)

  Basics

• God cares for his people
• God consistently helps his people in need

• b)	God Saves His People

• God saves his people out of all troubles
• God enables them to overcome all that is in the world

• c)	God Protects His People

• God is a refuge for his people
• God guards his people
• God protects them until the end

• d)	God Sustains His People

• God strengthens his people
• God provides for all their needs

• 20.	God's Plans for His People

• a)

  Basics

• God has plans and purposes for his people
• In spite of their troubles, God will fulfill his purposes for them

• b)	God's Work for His People to Do

• God’s plans for his people include work for them to do
• God makes them willing and able to do his work
• God has great power for his people in doing his work

• c)	God's Guidance of His People

• God guides his people always
• God guides them in difficult circumstances

• II.	What to Do

• E.	Relating to God

• 21.	Being Right with God

• a)	Getting Right with God

• Turn from sin to God and believe in Jesus Christ
• Believing in Jesus Christ brings forgiveness of sins
• Believing in Jesus Christ brings eternal life
• We can be sure of God's forgiveness

• b)	Do What Is Right

• Obey God, along with believing
• Do good deeds, which are an essential part of true faith

• c)	Live By the Holy Spirit

• We have been freed from the law to live by the Holy Spirit
• Instead of living by sinful human nature, live by the Holy Spirit

• 22.	Having Faith in God

• a)	What Faith Is

• Faith involves believing in God
• We must also trust in God
• Faith is based on what we hope for

• b)	What to Have Faith For

• Have faith that God will fulfill what he promises
• Have faith that God will care for you
• Have faith that God will do what you ask

• c)	What Not to Do

• Do not be afraid
• Do not worry

• 23.	Loving, Fearing and Obeying God

• a)

  Love God

• Love God with all your heart – which is most important
• Love for God is shown by obeying him

• b)

  Fear God

• Fear God and nothing else
• God's people should not live in fear of his punishment
• Fearing God is closely associated with obeying him

• c)

  Obey God

• Obey God's word
• Persistently read God’s word

• d)	Follow Jesus Christ

• Follow Jesus Christ
• Make Jesus Christ your Lord

• 24.	Connecting with God

• a)	Seeking God

• Seek God with all your heart
• Persistently focus on God

• b)	Praying to God

• Pray to God as a caring father
• Pray in the Holy Spirit

• c)	How to Make Requests

• Ask for things in Jesus Christ's "name"
• Ask earnestly and persistently
• Believe that what you ask will be granted

• d)	God's Response to Requests

• God answers those who obey and please him
• God grants anything that is in accordance with his will

• 25.	Exalting God

• a)	Glorify God by Your Actions

• Glorify God by how you live
• Do not dishonor God by your actions

• b)	Praise and Thank God

• Praise God constantly
• Give thanks to God always

• c)	Reasons to Praise God

• Praise God because of his greatness
• Praise God for his love and faithfulness
• Praise God for his creative work
• Praise God for his salvation through Jesus Christ

• d)	Rejoice Before God

• Rejoice when giving praise and thanks to God
• Rejoice in God always

• F.	Church Life

• 26.	Being One Body

• a)	Be One Body

• Church members form one body – the body of Christ
• Be united as one
• Be at peace with each other
• Submit to one another

• b)	Do Things Together

• Meet together with other believers
• Participate together in church activities

• c)	Love and Care for Each Other

• Love each other as Jesus Christ loved us, even dying for us
• Pray constantly for each other
• Help each other

• 27.	Worshiping God

• a)

  Basics

• We must worship God – and God alone
• Live righteously in order to acceptably worship God

• b)	How to Worship God

• Worship God in spirit
• Worship God with reverence and awe

• c)	Worshiping Together

• Join with fellow believers in worshiping God
• Offer praise and thanksgiving together

• d)

  Offerings

• We are also to worship God with offerings
• Give willingly

• 28.	Serving God

• a)	Devotion to God's Service

• Be devoted to God’s work
• Serve only God

• b)	How to Serve God

• Do quality work that bears "fruit" – “fruit” that will last
• Pray to God for help in the work

• c)	Spiritual Gifts

• God gives believers a spiritual gift, through the Holy Spirit
• Use your spiritual gift to build up the church

• d)	Being Guided by God

• To be guided by God, live a godly life
• Ask God to guide you (as in troubled times)

• 29.	Significant Practices

• a)

  Baptism

• God's people are baptized in (or into) the "name" of Jesus
• Baptism signifies belief
• Baptism signifies the washing away of sins

• b)	The Lord's Supper

• Observe the Lord’s Supper

• c)	Confessing Jesus Christ

• Confess (or acknowledge) Jesus Christ, before others
• Things to confess about Jesus Christ

• d)	The Sabbath

• The Sabbath is holy – keep it holy by resting on it
• It is permissible to do good things on the Sabbath

• 30.	Church Leadership

• a)	Leading the Church

• Provide good leadership
• Be gentle and sparing in the use of authority
• Be an example for others to follow

• b)	Caring For Church Members

• Pray for church members
• Strengthen members in the faith
• Work hard at helping church members
• Confront church members over sin
• Teach God's word to church members

• c)	Church Members' Duties to Leaders

• Obey your leaders
• Give your leaders material support

• G.	Relating to People

• 31.

  Love

• a)	Loving Others

• What love is
• Love others as you love yourself – which sums up God's law
• Love your enemies and do good to them

• b)	Showing Mercy

• Show mercy – and God will show you mercy
• Forgive others and God will forgive you

• c)	Further Things to Do

• Be humble, gentle and patient
• Be generous and share with others

• d)	Things to Avoid

• Avoid anger
• Do not hate
• Do not murder

• 32.

  Justice

• a)

  General

• Act justly
• Do what is right
• Do not show favoritism

• b)

  Honesty

• Speak the truth
• Act honestly
• Do not steal, lie or deceive

• c)	Caring For the Needy

• Defend the cause of the needy
• Provide the needy with food and clothing
• Treat foreigners the same as your native-born
• Caring for the needy is a vital part of true religion

• 33.

  Wisdom

• a)	Wisdom through God

• Fearing God is the beginning of wisdom
• Ask God for wisdom
• Obeying God's commands brings wisdom

• b)	Wisdom through Others

• Pay attention to instruction
• Take notice of correction

• c)	Wise Speech

• Be quick to listen and slow to speak
• Use few words
• Speak graciously
• Remember that our words are determined by our "heart"

• d)	Foolishness

• Fools spurn and lack wisdom
• Foolishness involves acting contrary to God

• 34.	Common Relationships

• a)

  Spouses

• Husbands should love their wives
• Wives should submit to their husbands
• Do not commit adultery

• b)	Parents and Children

• Parents should care for their children
• Parents should teach their children about God and his deeds, inspiring them to trust and obey God
• Children are to honor their parents
• Children are to obey their parents

• c)	Citizens and Governing Authorities

• Citizens should obey the governing authorities, which are established by God
• Governing authorities should act and rule according to God's laws

• d)	Servants and Masters

• Servants should be obedient
• Masters must treat servants justly

• 35.	Spreading the Gospel

• a)	Tell People the Gospel

• Tell people the gospel message about Jesus Christ
• Tell all people, everywhere

• b)	What Things to Explain

• Explain who Jesus Christ is
• Tell people the results of Jesus Christ's death
• Tell people how they should respond

• c)	How to Spread the Gospel

• Present the gospel accurately and plainly
• Spread the gospel bravely with God's help
• Act in a way that is consistent with the gospel

• d)	Insights on the Gospel

• The gospel is not dependent on our presentation of it – but on the Holy Spirit and God's power
• There are many ready to respond to the gospel

• H.	Persevering

• 36.	Standing Firm

• a)	Be Faithful to God

• Be faithful to God and Jesus Christ
• Do not forget God

• b)	Persist until the End

• Stand firm until the end
• Persist so that you will receive the reward
• Be ready for Jesus Christ's return

• c)	Engaging in Spiritual Warfare

• Resist Satan
• Use spiritual weapons and armor
• Have Faith
• Use God's word
• Pray

• 37.	Rejecting Sin

• a)	Dealing with Sin

• Be sorrowful over your sin
• Confess your sin to God
• Ask God for forgiveness and restoration

• b)	Avoiding Sin

• Ask God for help to avoid sin
• For God will help us withstand temptation
• Use God's word to avoid sin
• Avoid sinful desires

• c)	Alternatives to Sin

• Instead of living by sinful human nature, live by the Holy Spirit
• Instead of living as a slave to sin, live as a slave to God

• d)

  Be Holy

• We are to be holy, as God is holy
• Be set apart for God

• 38.	Major Pitfalls

• a)

  Pride

• Do not be proud or conceited
• Do not be wise in your own eyes
• Instead of being proud, be humble

• b)

  Riches

• Riches are a barrier to a relationship with God
• Riches are not secure
• Hoarding riches will bring ill consequences in the afterlife
• So, do not love money and be content with what you have

• c)	Sexual Sin

• Avoid sexual sin
• Sexual sin results in God's judgment

• 39.	Hard Times

• a)	Trust and Wait for God

• Trust in God
• Take refuge in God
• Wait for God
• Take comfort in God's word

• b)	Pray in Hard Times

• Pour out your heart to God
• Cry out to God for help
• Persist in prayer to God
• Praise and thank God amidst trouble

• c)	God in Our Hard Times

• God is near us in hard times
• God comforts us in hard times

• 40.	Persecution

• a)	Have Faith in God

• Trust in God
• Do not be afraid
• Pray to God, asking for help

• b)	Be Faithful to God

• Remain faithful to God and Jesus Christ
• Consider and follow Jesus Christ's example in suffering

• c)	Rejoice in Persecution

• Rejoice because trials develop Christian character
• Rejoice because of rewards for enduring persecution

Pray for persecuted Christians