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Yac Follow-Up Bible Study Manual
Yac Follow-Up Bible Study Manual
BASIC
STUDIES
FOR
CHRISTIAN
LIVING
THE YOUNG ANGLICAN CRUSADERS (YAC), NSUKKA DIOCESE 1
…and Continueth Therein; [BASIC STUDIES FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING]
PREFACE
Basic Studies for Christian Living is a work that is aimed at laying a solid
foundation and creating a strong impact in the life of every believer that
comes across it – whether a young convert or an older Christian.
It is made up of ten foundational studies, carefully articulated to effect
a change in your spiritual standing.
The studies are designed to be of immense benefit to the man that
approaches them without preconceived ideas but rather a deliberate attempt
by the user, possessing a teachable heart, to draw from the richness of the
study.
The study also serves as a guide for helping the user discover for
himself the deeper things of God which they are designed to reveal.
It is our prayer and desire that godly intentions that informed the
development of these studies shall be fully realised in you. Consequently, we
“commend you to God and to the word of His Grace which is able to give you
an inheritance among the saints in the light (Acts 20:32, Col 1:12).”
GOD’S GRACE!
AMEN!!
EDITORS’ NOTE
The studies here are not perfect, for no Man can receive or transmit to
another the revelation of God expressly and without flaws. Only the books of
the Holy bible are perfect. But we are strongly convinced that they would
lead you to a perfect God from whom you can receive directly and expressly.
Going through any studies here is not a proof that you have experienced
them at least in full. We strongly advocate that you patiently follow the
series as set out, while the Holy Spirit reveals the hidden treasures in the
study. Prayerfully look unto God for each study UNTIL you see its
REALITY in your life. These studies may only run for a period of time,
probably some weeks, months or even a year, but its impact is for a lifetime.
It is expected that you diligently and consistently sit under a tutor all
through this study. Yield yourself to spiritual nurturing. Do not hesitate to
ask questions in your class until you have fully grasped all the content of
each study.
The studies herein are a basic foundation, a starting point for a long walk
with God. Please do not handle it casually. How far you would go with God
is dependent on these key studies.
The major difference between this edition and the former is the addition of
the study – ASSURANCE OF SALVATION – therefore summing the studies
up to eleven as against the original ten studies. Other changes would be
noticed as you go through them. Students are strongly advised to get a good
notebook, possibly a hardcover type, for their assignments and other notes
they may wish to take in the course of this study. The study is designed to
engage you between eight to twelve months. PLEASE DO NOT DISENGAGE
YOURSELF.
God’s grace to you, beloved of God.
STUDY 1
2. enter God’s kingdom; John 3:5. A person that is not born again can
never stop sinning and thus cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Being born again is not just an emotional thing. The sinner comes
face to face with the truth of his sinful nature and sincerely asks for
forgiveness. It dawns on him that he is helpless without God to thrive
spiritually (Romans 7:14-25) and that he requires an inert power, the
power of ‘sonship’ to thrive spiritually. There cannot be genuine
repentance without conviction of sin. Acts 2:37, 16:30-34.
Remorsefulness only stops here. But brokenness must lead one to
believing, confessing and repenting from one’s sin.
3. Believing and confessing the Lord Jesus as Lord and Saviour (Romans
10:9-10). The word “Lord” connotes a person who has right and
unquestionable authority over something or someone. Hence you are
confessing your agreement to live, as He will have you live, not as your
“self” will have you live. Confessing is proof that you believe.
When this has happened in any man’s life such a person should begin to see
himself through God’s eyes. How?
If you don’t see yourself the way God sees you, you can’t become the person
you are meant to be.
CONCLUSION: Being born again is the beginning of our Christian faith and
relationship with God which does not rest on a casual decision. It is neither
optional nor is it racially driven. Therefore it is an experience every human
who desires eternity with God must one day have. No wonder Jesus declared
you M UST BE BORN AGAIN.
Note that the depth of your conviction and commitment at this entry point of
faith will determine to a large extent, the length you may go in defending it
and in living a victorious Christian life over a long haul.
Knowing the perils/dangers of not being born again and having responded
to the voice of the Spirit in the course of this study, may He pour on you the
grace to live up to your new decision. Amen and Amen.
MEMORY VERSE: JOHN 3:16’ For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son, tha t whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life (NKJV).
(You are strongly advised to get a good note book, possibly a hardcover type, for your
assignments and other notes you may wish to take in the course of this study)
STUDY 2
INTRODUCTION
Assurance is freedom from uncertainty. Anyone who receives Christ in his
life (or becomes born again) receives salvation. Salvation from sin
guarantees eternal life which was made possible by Christ death on the
cross (1Jn 5:11).
We should therefore come to a place in our
“When you are not sure
lives where we know for certain that there is a of your salvation, it is
kingdom life (eternal life) at work in us. It is very easy to get
discouraged and to
this eternal life at work in us that gives us
backslide.”
assurance that if we die today, we will go to - Zac Poonen
heaven to spend our eternity with Christ. And
every man that has this assurance must work
in its reality by daily purifying himself, even as He is pure (1Jn 3:2-3).
STUDY GUIDE
1. Who is qualified to have an assurance of salvation? Jn 1:12, 3:3, 16,
Heb 11:6.
3. What could create doubts in some persons over the assurance of their
salvation?
i. Ignorance of the word of God, Hosea 4:6, Eph 1:18.
ii. Quenching and not Walking with the Spirit, 1Thess 5:19, Gal
5:16-17, Eph 4:30.
iii. Going back to sin. Heb 10:38, Lu 9:62,
iv. Love for the world, 1John 2:15-17, 2Tim 4:10.
v. Being unequally yoked unbelievers, 2Cor 6:14-17.
4. What do you do when even after giving your life to God and at some
point you begin to doubt your Salvation?
i. Ask the Lord to reveal unconfessed sin. Then follow through by
repenting. 1Jn 1:9
ii. Read your Bible daily. Study specific verses about salvation.
1Peter 2:2, 1Jn 3:19-21.
iii. Pray regularly. Talk to God and ask that He help you. Luke 18:1
iv. Trust the Lord. Remember He loves you greatly. Prov. 3:5-6, Ps
121:1-2.
vi. Seek to grow more in the Lord, Eph 4:14. Spiritual stagnation
can lead to spiritual frustration which makes us to doubt our
Salvation. Heb 5:12.
vii. Offer praise and thanksgiving to God. Do not let feelings rob you
of your joy. Live in what you know and not in what you feel. Job
19:25-26, 2Tim 1:12b.
CONCLUSION
We have all sinned and deserve God's judgment. God, the Father, sent His
only Son to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him. Jesus, the
creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much
that He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve,
was buried, and rose from the dead according to the Bible. If you truly
believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Saviour,
declaring, "Jesus is Lord," and walking in daily obedience to his word, you
will be saved from judgment and spend eternity with God in heaven. This is
the assurance that we have. And this knowledge keeps us in perpetual
peace.
MEMORY VERSE: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never
perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:28
QUESTIONS/ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Study more the following scriptures; 1Thessalonians 4:16-17, Romans 8:38-39,
John 10:27-30, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 10:13, 1John 3:14.
2. Owing to the fact that Jesus himself said “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord,
Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, And Many will say to Me on that day,
‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out
demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to
them, ‘I never knew you,” How are you sure that you are saved? Prove your
points with biblical supports. Write and submit in one week time.
3. Memorize the fifth chapter of the first epistle of John.
(You are strongly advised to get a good note book, possibly a hardcover type, for your
assignments and other notes you may wish to take in the course of this study)
STUDY 3
TOPIC: THE W ORD OF GOD
TEXT: 1PETER 2:2
case study for the purpose of understanding the portion well via
guided interpretation.
(2.) The W ord of God should be studied regularly, Acts 17:11, Psalm
1:2, 1Peter 2:2. This leads to acquaintance with the contents of
God’s word (the Bible), which is applied in tackling challenges we
face as Christians.
(3.) It should be studied prayerfully, Psalm 118:18-19, Proverbs 2:1-5.
This does necessarily imply that prayers must be said before
studying the scriptures each time, though this is good. It points
rather to that sense of dependence on the Lord and Him alone to
grant you understanding and insight in His word (Rhema), and
grace to obey biblical injunctions.
STEPS TO FRUITFULNESS
1. Understand the word: Understanding of God’s word is a pre-requisite
for the application of it. This involves a lot of probing and asking
questions such as;
(a.) What is the context of the passage?
(b.) What does it mean?
CONCLUSION: The word of God is the greatest asset, which God gave
mankind for it contains God’s standard for our living. The best way to
appreciate this privilege is by longing for it as a baby longs for milk and
obeying it as the pattern for our living. It is a prerequisite for our spiritual
growth just as food is for our physical growth.
MEMORY VERSE: 1Peter 2:2, “As newborn babies, desire the sincere milk of
the word tha t you may grow thereby”, (KJV)
QUESTIONS/ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Why is the word of God (Bible) a very important tool in Christendom?
2. From the following bible passages, how did the Bible came to be? 2Tim 3:16,
2Peter 1:20-21, 2Sam 23:2.
3. Find the meaning of the Greek words, Logos and Rhema as regards studying the
word of God. Find the relationship and differences between the two.
4. Get a One Year Bible Reading Plan from your Bible Study Leader and diligently
follow it to the end. Also ask for an audio edition if you have a device that can
play it.
STUDY 4
TOPIC: PRAYER
TEXTS: LUKE 18:1, 6:12.
INTRODUCTION: When our Lord and master Jesus Christ walked the earth,
it was observed in his life that praying was his custom. It was an essential
part of His daily life, not just a tedious task (as se veral of us see it) and so
he left us with the injunction “Men ought always to pray and not to faint”.
What is prayer? Prayer can be described as man communing with God. It
can also be defined as an expression of a soul’s sincere desire to reach God.
Prayer is both a duty and a lifestyle of a believer.
HINDRANCES TO PRAYER
The following are factors that may militate against prayers receiving prompt
answers from God:
(1.) W rong motive. Matthew 6:5, James 4:3, inasmuch as God is ready to
respond to our prayers yet he will not if our motive is self-driven or is in
contrast with God’s divine purpose.
(2.) Unbelief. Mark 11:22-23. Praying without having a strong trust on God
to bring your request to pass is useless. Unbelief cancels out your requests,
leaving God with nothing to address.
(3.) Sin. Sins raise barriers between God and us (Isaiah 59:1-2) and God is
of a purer eye than to behold iniquity. Once sin is found in our lives, God is
hindered from responding to us.
(4.) Praying outside God’s will, 1John 5:14. It is one thing to pray and
another thing to pray in line with God’s will. Once we pray in accordance
with His will, we are rest assured of an answer.
(3.) Being Conscious of the Purpose and Power of P rayer. This helps us
carve out time for prayer out of tight schedules. Most times people don’t
pray because they are busy. Jesus was a very busy Man yet, without a
robust prayer life, His ministry on earth would have failed,(Luke 5:15-16).In
this He left us a working example.
QUESTIONS/ASSIGNMENTS:
1. What does “consistent prayer life” mean and how can it be cultivated?
2. What are the hindrances to prayer?
3. Is it possible to pray without ceasing? Prove your answer.
4. Read the books, GOD’S GENERALS by Robert Liardon. Study particularly the
prayer life of the following people; JOHN HYDE (Praying Hyde by E.G Carre),
CHARLES FINNEY, ANDREW MURRAY, EVAN ROBOBERTS, GEORGE MUELLER
and JOSEPH A. BABALOLA of CAC. Ask your bible study leader about these books.
Note that they can also be found on the internet.
NOTES….
STUDY 5
TOPIC: FELLOWSHIP
TEXT: ACTS 2:42
Fellowships such as these are with God the father, Son and Holy Spirit
along with other believers.
Benefits of Fellowship with God “The men who have most fully
illustrated Christ in their characters,
(1) It brings an opportunity to and have most powerfully affected
commune with our father the world for him, have been the men
who spend so much time with God as
(2) We receive Grace for our
to make it a notable feature in their
Christian living, Hebrews 4:16. lives …
(3) We are being transformed, To be little with God is to be little
for God.”
2Corinthians 3:18.
- E. M Bounds
QUESTIONS/ASSIGNMENTS:
1. What are the two kinds or dimensions of fellowship?
2. Write at least five consequences of not doing or observing any fellowship. Submit
to your Bible study Leader in your next Bible Study Class.
3. Should I keep going to fellowship and doing my quiet time even when my
Leaders do not? Prove your answer.
NOTES…
STUDY 6
TOPIC: CONSECRATION
TEXT: LEVITICUS 20:7
INTRODUCTION: Starting from the Old Testament, God had instructed that
vessels meant to be used for His service must be consecrated. This
consecration distinguishes his vessels from every other vessel elsewhere.
What is consecration? The word consecration is the noun form of the verb
“Consecrate,” which means to set apart for a sacred or holy use. For the
purpose of this study, the word consecration would refer to setting ourselves
apart to God.
IMPORTANCE OF CONSECRATION
(1.) It is a prerequisite to Holy Living. Leviticus 20:7, Hebrews 1:9. For
any man to holy, that man must deliberately set himself apart to please God
even in this world full of sin.
(2.) It is the standard by God for his vessels. God does not admit rivalry.
If He must use a vessel then vessels must be for Him alone. He will not want
to share it with anybody or anything.
(3.) It is a compelling reason for fresh anointing. Whenever God sees a
vessel consecrated unto Him (i.e set apart) He cherishes it. It prompts Him
to release Himself over such a vessel seeing that the vessel is qualified for
His use. Hebrew 1:9.
(1.) By taking some Godly decisions that foster a well guided Christian life.
Daniel 1:1-12.
CONCLUSION: God is in need of men and women who will deliberately set
themselves apart to please Him, come what may. May God grant you grace
even as you take some Godly decisions today.
QUESTIONS/ASSIGNMENTS:
1. What is consecration?
2. Is it actually possible to be a Christian without any consecration? Prove your
answer. Submit to your B. S Leader.
3. Bro John is not doing it and likewise sister Nkechi, is that enough reason why I
should not do it? State your reasons clearly on why you should or should not do
likewise. Also submit to your B.S Leader for marking.
4. Get the book; THE VESSEL/MAN THAT GOD USES by Gbile Akanni and read.
NOTES…
STUDY 7
TOPIC: TEMPTATION
TEXT: JAM ES 1:13-15.
(2.) Temptations are NOT sins but they lead to sin, James 1:14-15.
MECHANISM OF TEMPTATION
The devil plants the evil desire into the flesh of a believer with the aim that
he or she should yield to such desires. They can come inform of;
a) an enticement
b) a drawing away
c) a conception of evil desires
d) a yielding
MEMORY VERSE: 1Corinthians 10:13, There hath no tempta tion taken you
but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to
be tempted above tha t ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a
way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
QUESTIONS/ASSIGNMENTS:
1. When is one Tempted?
2. How can temptations be overcome?
3. Why must every Christian be tempted? Prove your answer with a bible passage.
Submit to your B.S Leader.
NOTES…
STUDY 8
TOPIC: HOLY SPIRIT
TEXT: JOHN 16:7-14
There are three dimensions in our relationship with the Holy Spirit;
1. He is with us. This is when the Holy Spirit is involved in the believer’s
daily life. When He is invited to participate in everything we do.
2. He is in us. This is when He dwells within our spirit man.
3. He is upon us. It is an operational spiritual status when the Holy
Spirit ‘rests’ upon a believer, enabling him to fulfil kingdom mandate.
spiritually ignorant has none to remind him of the standard of God’s word.
John 14:26b.
4. Empowers the Believer for Service: Acts 1:8, Luke 24:47-49. Evidence
of Spiritual empowerment manifests as boldness, wisdom etc. See Acts 4:31.
NB: Any claim of acting under the direction of the Spirit by a believer, which
does not conform to the above facts is false.
1. Word of wisdom -
2. Word of knowledge
3. Faith
4. Gifts of healing
5. Working of Miracle
6. Prophecy
7. Discerning of Spirits
8. Divers kinds of Tongues
9. Interpretation of Tongues.
These same gifts are also classified according to their mode of operation
into;
1. Revelation gifts. These include word of wisdom, word of knowledge
and discerning of spirit.
2. Power gifts. These include faith, Healing and Miracles.
3. Vocal gifts. These include speaking in tongues, interpretation of
tongues and prophecy.
MINISTERIAL OFFICES
God calls individuals to occupy the various ministry offices for the work of
the ministry. These offices have been ordained by God to bring a balance in
Church and this is vitally important for effectiveness. The ultimate goals of
all ministry offices are for:
All these can be seen in Ephesians 4:12-13. These offices are called the
fivefold ministry offices as seen in Ephesians 4:11 and they are: Prophets,
Pastors, Evangelists, Teachers and Apostles.
CONCLUSION; If the church must be what it should be, the Holy Spirit
must not be grieved but should be allowed to have His way. For anyone to
live a victorious Christian life, he must maintain a good relationship with
the Spirit by submitting to his leadership and counsel.
MEMORY VERSE: John16:7-But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I
am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I
go, I will send Him to you (NIV)
NB: just as every other study in this book, this is a basic summary of the
person of the Holy Spirit. In fact, no book, no matter how voluminous, would
be sufficient to contain all about the Holy Spirit. You are strongly
encouraged to get the following books and read for a broader explanation of
who the Holy Spirit is;
This is because the Holy Spirit is a key subject in Christianity and He is the
third person of God.
Despite all, read more about him in your bible to get the best definition of
who he is.
QUESTIONS/ASSIGNMENT:
NOTES…
STUDY 9
CONCLUSION; It is not the plan of God that a sinner should die in his
sin but that he should repent and turn back to God. In this generation
full of sin, there is the need for us to arise with the gospel for it is the
power of God unto salvation.
MEMORY VERSE; And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to
himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Corinthians 5:18.
QUESTIONS/ASSIGNMENTS;
NOTES…
STUDY 10
1. By the believer so that he confesses and forsakes his sins, Isaiah 6:5,
1John 1:9, Psalm 55:17.
2. Through the practice of abnegation which is replacing self with Christ,
Galatians 2:20, John 3:30, 1Corinthians 9:27, Colossians 3:4. This
should be deliberately done by the believer even God will not do it for
anybody.
3. By taking up the cross after denying self, Romans 7:18, Mark 8:34-38.
This cross is the cross of total and continual obedience. It is not a half
hazard or an obedience that have stopping point as observed in so
many lives. Therefore to judge self is to be Christ conscious, Christ
controlled.
CONCLUSION; The word of God is truth. If God said it then it will come to
pass. This calls for self-discipline and perseverance on the part of the
Christian in order to live up to God’s expectations.
MEMORY VERSE: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;
tha t every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he
hath done, whether it be good or bad (2Corinthians 5:10).
QUESTIONS/ASSIGNMENTS;
1. “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged (1Cor 11:31),” what
does this statement means and what type of believers judgement is it?
2. Why must God judge every soul?
3. Does his judgement portray him as a righteous and just God? Prove your answer.
NOTES…
STUDY 11
The SAINTS MILITANT stands for believers who are still alive where as the
SAINTS TRIUMPHANT stands for believers who have fallen asleep (or those
who died in Christ).
MEMORY VERSE: Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but
we shall all be changed, 1Corinthians 15:51.
QUESTIONS/ASSIGNMENTS;
1. How can one attain resurrection? Mention and discuss the four steps.
2. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable (1Cor
15:19). What do you understand by this statement?
3. What is expected of those who have the hope of resurrection? Write and explain
at least four points. Submit to your B.S Leader.
4. Who is a saint militant?
NOTES…
Dear student, we believe you have gone through this study. Guard them
jealously. It is not a sin to repeat them. No doubts, going through them
again will not only help you to pass excellently the exam that will be
organised by the Diocese. But most importantly, they will also help you
understand it the more and ultimately enable you excel in the exams of life
that God would be allowing Satan to pass you through.
God bless you for your courage, patience and consistency.
Write us; yacnsukka@gmail.com