SPACE Program, Book 06

8/14/2019 SPACE Program, Book 06

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PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN LIVING

LESSON I...................................................................................................OUR THOUGHT LIFE

LESSON II. ............................................................................................................OUR SERVICE

LESSON III. .............................................................................................................OUR SPEECH

LESSON IV. ..............................................................................................................OUR GOALS

LESSON V. ..............................................................................................................OUR HABITS

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Lesson 1PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN LIVING

OUR THOUGHT LIFEPhilippians 2:5

This week's lesson deals with our thought life. One of the most important principlesconcerning our thought life is stated by Solomon in Proverbs 23:7. Solomon is saying that whatwe think about today is what we will become tomorrow.

But we seldom pause to consider who or what controls our thinking. Our text tells usthat, as Christians, we are to let -- that is, allow or give way to the mind of Christ. In otherwords, let Christ think for you. Paul expressed a similar thought in I Corinthians 2:16. Whenthe mind of Christ controls our thoughts, our thinking will be right.

I. WE NEED RIGHT THINKING IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD.A. We are to think of him as Almighty God.

1. He is the source of all power and authority. See Psalms 115:3.2. Our honor is due unto Him. Read Isaiah 25:1.

3. We are to worship no one or no thing but God. Study Exodus 20:2-6.B. We are to think of Him as our Heavenly Father.

1. He is the source of our salvation. See Psalms 27:1.2. He is the source of all our blessings. Study Matthew 7:11 and James 1:17.3. He is the source of our being. Read Isaiah 64:8.

C. We are to think of Him as our strength.1. When we are weary. Study Isaiah 40:31.2. When we are tempted. See I Corinthians 10:13.3. When we are exhausted by our own efforts. Read II Corinthians 12:9.

II. WE NEED RIGHT THINKING ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WORLD. Although we live in the world, we are not to be of the world. Read Colossians 3:2.

A. Worldliness destroys the influence of truth that is in us. See Matthew 13:22.B. Worldliness gives men a false sense of security. Read Matthew 24:38-39.C. Worldliness affects our relationship with God. See I John 2:15.

III. WE NEED RIGHT THINKING ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS.A. Christ set the standard of our love for others. See John 15:12.B. Our love for others is proof of our discipleship. See John 13:34-35.C. When we serve others, we serve Christ. Read Matthew 25:34-40.

CONCLUSION:The thinking of every Christian should be controlled by Christ. His presence in

our hearts and minds should affect what we think about God, what we think about the world, andwhat we think about others.

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Lesson 1 (contd)

Answer the following questions:

1. If Christ controls our minds, our thoughts will be what?

2. Name the three ways of thinking right in our relationship with the Lord.a.b.c.

3. Thinking right that God is the Almighty, our Father, and strength, does this helpyou and how?

4. Although we live in the world, we are not to be of the world. What does this mean toyou?

5. Worldliness is wrong thinking, list what it will do.a.

b.

c.

6. Who in right thinking of others set the standard of love for others?

7. What is the proof of our discipleship?

8. When do we serve Christ?

9. If Christ controls our minds it will affect our thinking of whom?

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Lesson #1Answer Key

OUR THOUGHT LIFE

1. Right

2. a. Think of Him as Almighty God.

b. As our Father.

c. As our strength.

3. Give your answer in your own words. Here is mine.Yes. This helps me greatly. How? Knowing He is my God, and Father and His strengthis above all. This gives me faith, peace and joy.

4. We live in the world but we are not to practice what they do contrary to God's will, way andWord.

5. a. Destroy the influence of truth.

b. Give men a false sense of security.

c. Affects our relationship with God.

6. Christ.

7. Love for one another.

8. When we serve others.

9. God, World and others.

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OUR SERVICEColossians 3:23 & 24

We must never forget that we are saved to serve. Paul told the Ephesians that thoughthey were saved by grace, not by works, it was God's plan that they were to walk in good works.

A Christian is more than someone who attends a worship service on Sunday morning.That is like saying that someone is an American only on the fourth of July when we set aside aday to display our patriotism. Service to Christ is not something to be done on special days; itis to be a way of life for the followers of Christ. Read Ephesians 2:8-10.

I. THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR SERVICE.A. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Study Galatians 3:26.B. A desire to be used of God in His service.

1. God will use only those whose lives are yielded to Him. See Romans 6:13.2. God will make capable those whom He calls. I Thessalonians 5:24.

II. THE PRIMARY MOTIVES FOR SERVICE.A. To do the will of God.

Our Savior's example should be sufficient to teach us the importance of the willof God. See John 6:38.

B. To please God.1. It is the Christian's duty. See I Thessalonians 4:1.2. Again, Christ set the example for us. Read John 8:29.

III. THE NEED FOR SERVICE.A. The world needs our faithful service. Else, they will die in their sins. Study John

3:18.B. Christian service is God's plan for spreading the Gospel. An old poem states it well:

Christ has no hands but our hands.To do His work today.Christ has no feet but our feet.To lead men in the way.

C. The time for serving is short. See John 4:35 & Matthew 24:44.

IV. THE REWARD FOR SERVICE.A. Christian service brings great joy to the laborer. Sowing the seed may not always

be pleasurable, but the reward is sure to come at harvest time. Read Psalms126:5-6.

B. The one who sows is not always the one who reaps. John 4:36. It takes manypeople working and serving together to make the church the strong, soul winningcenter it ought to be. Refer to I Corinthians 3:6. Please note in this verse thatChristians are not the most important link in this chain, God gave the increase.

Lesson 2 (contd)

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CONCLUSION:Christians are saved to serve. It is our duty, our privilege, our whole reason for being.

Any lack of ability, training or experience is a mighty poor excuse for not serving God.


1. What must we never forget?

2. What should be our way of life?

3. Before you can serve you must be what?

4. After salvation, there is one very important qualification for service, what is it and areyou?

5. What should motives for service be?a.

b.

6. What is God's plan for spreading the gospel?

7. Who is the most important link in Christian service?

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Lesson #2Answer Key

OUR SERVICE

1. We are saved to serve.

2. Our services to Christ.

3. Saved - faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. A yielded life to Christ.Circle one. Yes or No.

5. a. To do the will of God.

b. To please God

6. Christian service.

7. God. But GOD gave the increase.


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OUR SPEECHColossians 4:6

The perfect man, according to James, would be the one who never offended anyone bysomething he said. Read James 3:2. The same writer also tells us that the tongue is the mostdifficult member of the body to tame. See James 3:8. An old proverb is full of wisdom: Threethings return not unto thee: an arrow spent, an opportunity missed, and a word spoken inhaste. Everyone recalls some hasty words spoken in anger. The damage of such momentsmay never be repaired. As Christians we must ever be cautious concerning the things we say toeach other, to God, and about God.

I. OUR SPEECH MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH OUR ACTIONS.A. Actions speak louder than words. Compare Matthew 26:33 with 26:69-75. Verbal

expressions of how much we love God must be supported by verbal actions.B. Bad words often precede bad actions (ridiculing the church, the preacher, or other

church members).1. It is wiser to say nothing than to say something that will hurt someone or

destroy a relationship. See Ecclesiastes 3:7.2. Control of the tongue can keep one out of trouble. See Proverbs 21:23.

II. CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT SPEAK EVIL.A. About one another. Read Ephesians 4:31 & James 4:11a.B. About the pastor. Many a child has been lost to the church because a parent was

constantly critical of the pastor and other church leaders. See I Chronicles 16:22 andProverbs 6:19.

III. WE SHOULD LEARN TO SPEAK CONSTRUCTIVE WORDS.Words that are .....

A. Pleasant. Proverbs 16:24.B. Appropriate. Proverbs 25:11.C. Gracious. Ecclesiastes 10:12.D. Comforting. Isaiah 50:4.

IV. WE SHOULD CULTIVATE SPIRITUAL (CHRIST-LIKE) CONVERSATION.A. God is listening and remembering the things we say concerning him. See Malachi

3:16.B. The world is listening and remembering the things we say concerning him.

1. Our speech should bring honor and glory to the Lord. Romans 15:6.2. We are commanded not to use the Lord's name in profanity. See Exodus

20:7. 3. It is by our speech that we win others to Christ. See John 1:35-38.

Lesson 3 (contd)

CONCLUSION:


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The words we speak may seem insignificant, yet they have far-reaching consequences.Read Matthew 12:36-37. A mature Christian will have learned to control his tongue in order tobe an effective witness for the Lord Jesus Christ and not bring reproach upon Him or His church.


1. What is the most difficult member of the body to tame?

2. Did Peter's actions speak louder than his word's, and how?

3. What kind of a tongue can keep you out of trouble?

4. List the three people that a Christian should not speak evil of?a.

b.

c.

5. In Point III We should learn to speak constructive words, what does constructive mean?

6. According to Malachi 3:16, God is doing what when we speak of Him?

7. Is the world listening and remembering what we say about God?

8. What kind of a Christian has his tongue in control?


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Lesson #3Answer Key

OUR SPEECH

1. The tongue.

2. Yes. He didn't do what he said he would do.

3. A controlled tongue.

4. a. One another.

b. The Pastor.

c. Other church members.

5. Words that will improve, build-up, or help someone.

6. God is recording what we say of Him in his book of remembrance.

7. Yes.

8. A mature Christian.


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OUR GOALSPhilippians 3:13-14

The entire life process is a matter of setting and achieving goals. Some goals we set forourselves, but many are already set for us. By the age of six a child is expected to be in school.By the age of sixteen, they are expected to be able to drive a car. Many parents set a goal ofcollege education for their children. We all hope to be financially secure by retirement age.

As Christians, we should take more control of our lives and set more definite andmeaningful goals than the rest of the world. We need goals in our lives to make livingenjoyable, and to bring feelings of success and accomplishment. See Proverbs 29:18.

I. THE GOALS OF A CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE IN LINE WITH GODS WILL.A. God s Kingdom must come first in our lives. See Matthew 6:33.B. We must be committed to Him. Read Psalms 37:4-5. Consider what happens when

we "delight" in the Lord and "commit" our way unto Him:

1. He gives us the desires of our heart. Psalms 37:42. He brings to pass the goals we set. Psalms 37:5

II. GOALS SHOULD CHALLENGE US TO EXTEND OURSELVES TO NEW

LEVELS OF ATTAINMENT.A. Goals are like blueprints for our lives.

1. We must build on the proper foundation. See Matthew 7:24.2. We must follow a proper order lest we cause a weakness in the structure by

leaving something out.B. Goals should be within our grasp. Always setting unreachable goals can result in

frustration. Study Ecclesiastes 6:9.

C. When setting goals, never forget Philippians 4:13.

III. GOALS ARE A MEANS OF MEASURING OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH.A. We are conscious of growth in our physical lives; scales in the bathroom, height, and

weight on drivers licenses, etc.B. We are also conscious of our financial growth; savings account records, checkbook,

income tax records, etc.C. We are often negligent; however, of our spiritual development.

1. Other books and reading material take precedence over the Bible.2. More hours are spent each week at sporting events and places of amusement

than in serving God.


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Lesson 4 (contd)

CONCLUSION:Set some goals for your spiritual development today. Here are just a few suggestions.1. Read three chapters of the Bible a day.2. Set aside a specific time for personal and family devotions.3. Begin tithing or increasing your giving to missions.4. Determine to talk about Christ to one person each day.


1. Life's process is a matter of what?

2. Why do we need goals in our lives?

3. If we commit and delight our life to Christ what in return will he give you?a.

b.

4. Two fold question:A. What is the proper foundation?B. How does a man build upon this foundation?

a.

b.

5. In setting goals for our lives never forget the TWO-fold plan in Philippians 4:13.Can you list them.

a.

b.

6. What do Christians often neglect?

7. In the conclusion there are four suggestions to help develop our spiritual life. Do youthink these suggestive goals are too unreasonable for a sincere Christian to follow?

YES or NO


13/16

Lesson #4Answer Key

OUR GOALS

1. Setting and achieving goals.

2. To make life enjoyable, and to bring feelings of success and accomplishment.

3. a. The desires of our hearts.b. Bring our goals to pass.

4. a. The Word of God.b. Doing what the word of God says to do (obedience).

5. a. Don't think you have arrived.b. Forget the past and move on to new goals. Always going forward.

6. Our spiritual development.

7. No


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OUR HABITSEphesians 6:10-18

Human beings are creatures of habit. Each morning when we awake we begin a routinethat is nothing but a ritual of habits. From the way we brush our teeth to the putting on of ourclothes, we fall into a pattern that seldom changes from day to day.

Habits may be either good or bad. A Christian should be in the habit of praying andreading the Bible daily, witnessing daily, and meeting for worship on the Lord's day. We shouldtake care that the habits that so often govern our daily routine are Godly, positive, andconstructive habits. Good Christians do not get that way by accident. Outstanding Christianlives are the result of the formation of positive habit patterns.

Here are four Godly habits that should be found in our lives.

I. THE HABIT OF TRUTH. See Ephesians 6:14.A. Christians should be truthful in the home. Children learn the value of truth when

they know their parents speak the truth.B. Christians should be truthful in business.

1. People like to do business with someone whose word can be trusted.2. Christian business should be run beyond reproach.

C. Christians should be truthful with their neighbors and friends. See Ephesians 4:25.Truthfulness is the seedbed from which grows the flowers of respectability, honor,and a good reputation among men.

II. THE HABIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. Read Ephesians 6:14 & 5:9.A. Righteousness is doing those things that are right in God's sight. It is right to stand

for truth even though many around us are falling for the devil's lies.

B. Righteousness is a defense against the attacks of the devil on our lives. It isimpossible to change the mind of a person who in his heart knows the stand he is takingis right. Read Daniel 3:13-18.III. THE HABIT OF PEACE. Study Ephesians 6:15.

A. Peace is the fruit of the Spirit and should be cultivated in our lives. See Galatians5:22.

1. Peace is often destroyed by words spoken in haste. Proverbs 25:11 is a betterway.2. Speaking one's mind is often a habit that must be brought under control to

maintain peace at home and in Church. See Psalms 141:3.


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Lesson 5 (contd)IV. THE HABIT OF FAITH. Refer to Ephesians 6:16.

A. Faith in Christ brings salvation. Ephesians 5:1.B. Faith must be practiced. But how does a Christian practice Faith? Do what men and

women did in Hebrews 11:1-40. They trusted God and obeyed His will and Word.Your faith can be increased to do as they did by reading God's word (Romans 10:17)and by obedient service (Luke 17:5-10) to Christ your Master. As the old hymn goes

Trust and Obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to Trust andObey.

CONCLUSION:Truth, righteousness, peace, and faith are Godly habits that each Christian can and should

cultivate in order to be an effective witness for Christ.


1. There are eight habits mentioned in our lesson that a Christian should have in their

lives. What are they?a. b. c.d. e. f.g. h.

2. We are creatures of what?

3. Our daily habits should be what? List three.a. b. c.

4. You receive good habits when you get saved and you don't have to develop them.TRUE or FALSE

5. List at least four places we as Christians should be truthful.a. b.c. d.

6. What is more important doing right before God or men?

7. Can a Christian's mind be changed if he knows he is right?YES or NO

8. Does it matter what we say if we are to have peace?YES or NO

9. How does a Christian practice faith?

Lesson #5Answer Key


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OUR HABITS

1. a. Prayer b. Reading the Bible.c. Witnessing.d. Church attendance.e. Truth.f. Righteousness.g. Peace.h. Faith.

2. Of habit

3. a. Godly.

b. Positive.

c. Constructive.

4. False. They are carefully developed.

5. a. Home.

b. Business.

c. With neighbors.

d. With friends.

6. God

7. No.

8. Yes.

9. By trusting and obeying God's will and word.

SPACE Program, Book 06

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