What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (Full Version)

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In_Him_Grace -> What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (5/29/2008 12:43:11 PM)

Hi. Okay I'll try to keep this brief and get right to the heart of my question.

A little background though: The ministry I work for (which is very small, only 6 employees) is having our first youth outreach on Saturday. We will continue holding these outreaches at one high school a weekend throughout the next 2008-2009 school year. Our goal is to see thousands of youth come to the Lord. It's been a long process, but God and our supporters have all been very faithful and this is finally coming to fruition. Yay!

We are putting together packets to give to the kids who accept the message and ask Jesus into their hearts. These packets will include: A Bible, Bible studies, and some freebies (t-shirt, Christian cds, bumper sticker, etc)

Anyway, the ministry founder was going to be writing the Bible studies (3) and then I was supposed to look them over for him. Well, yesterday he informed me that I was going to be writing them because he's just too swamped. [sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif]

I'm pretty nervous. I feel like this is a pretty big responsibility. Anyway, sorry for rambling -- here's my question:

What do I need to include in these? What do you think are the "basics" of Christianity that need to be understood and accepted right off the bat? Obviously the salvation offered us, but what else? These are supposed to be fairly short and written for jr./high school kids. They will receive a follow-up call and letter from the local youth pastor inviting them to church and a pizza party for all the kids that got saved at the event, so hopefully the youth pastor can take over from there and help these kids develop their faith.

I'm just uncertain what I need to put in these studies. Also, I feel like I should attempt to explain the trinity to some degree -- what do you think?

Somebody please help me out here!!

Thank you in advance!!

In Him,
Misti



LCannon -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (5/29/2008 12:55:18 PM)

The ABC's of Faith

Admit-“[Jesus] proved He had a valid claim [to His Deity] but His own rejected His claim yet as many as receives His message; to them he claimed the right to become redeemed of God and appropriate His Name.“ John 1:11,12

Believe-“[you can be] freed from the arrogance that enslaves you [and] come into His obedience resulting in purification and Eternal Life. For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 3:22,23

Confess-“[His message] is near you, in your mouth and in your heart"--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching that if you confess [obedience to] Jesus as Lord with your mouth and you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes resulting in righteousness and with his mouth he confesses resulting in [obedience].” Romans 10:8-10



Bluethread -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (5/29/2008 2:02:45 PM)

I think the commandment to honor ones father and mother is significant here. If you are going to public schools, these are well known for bypassing parental authority, unless the parents are in line with the school system to being with. If these are private schools, why aren't the parents involved. The greatest danger facing children today is the break down of the family, and encouraging children to act independantly of their families is not helping. I call junior/senior high students children because they are, for the most part, ill prepared to to provide for themselves and take responsibility for their actions.

Therefore, I think the best thing you can do is attempt to contact their parents, begin a dialogue with those parents encouraging them to investigate Adonai's ways for the sake of their children. If a child is an orphan, then I would actively seek out someone who would adopt such an one and commit to spending as much time as possible with that child teaching them Adonai's ways.

It is my opinion that any other procedure would undermine Adonai's social order and end up doing more harm than good.



BerianAardvark -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (5/29/2008 2:04:46 PM)

I'm not sure what you budget for hand outs/tracts is, but there are vast number on line resources available.

Campus Crusade for Christ has been doing Evangelistic work with High school and Collage students for decades there is a How to Know God tab on their web site http://www.ccci.org/

which leads to three terrific articles:
How to Know God Personally
Who Is Jesus: God or Just a Good Man?
Why the Resurrection Matters to You

Likewise the Roman Road to Salvation is an easy to understand explanation of how to become a Christian, their site is here:
http://theromanroad.org/

They use verses from the book of Roman (primarily) to explain the need for and means of Salvation.

Be sure to ALWAYS read the statement of belief of any site before you do anything else, as if their beliefs run counter to your own there is not any real reason to trust anything they have to offer.

Use the "Contact us" tab at those that have stuff you think you can use and explain what you are doing. Many of them will be happy to offer suggestions and some even material (or cut and paste reproduction rights) to help you along.

God Bless you and your outreach,
Tim



DougHorton -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (5/30/2008 2:02:11 PM)

The basics are simple: I'm a sinner deserving death, but Jesus died in my place.

Why not a simple Bible study on all of the aspects of the Apostle's Creed? The work has already been done for you.

THE APOSTLES' CREED

I believe in God,(1) the Father Almighty
Maker of Heaven and Earth,(2)

And in Jesus Christ,(3)
His only Son,(4)
our Lord,(5)
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,(6)
born of the Virgin(7) Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,(8)
was crucified,(9)
dead(10)
and buried.(11)
He descended into hell.*

The third day(12)
He arose from the dead,(13)
He ascended into Heaven(14)
and is seated at the right hand
of God,(15) the Father Almighty.

From thence He shall come
to judge the quick** and the dead.(16)

I believe in the Holy Spirit,(17)
the church universal,(18)
the communion of saints,(19)
the forgiveness of sins,(20)
the resurrection of the body,(21)
and life everlasting.(22)

* "hell" means "the place of the dead", a reference to the grave.
** "quick" means "alive", not "fast runners"

BIBLE REFERENCES

1. Isaiah 44:6; 45:5
2. Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3; Acts 14:15
3. Luke 2:11; John 20:28
4. John 3:16, Proverbs 30:4
5. John 20:28
6. Luke 1:35
7. Luke 1:27
8. Luke 23:23-25
9. John 19:20; Acts 4:10; all Gospels
10. 1 Corinthians 15:3
11. 1 Corinthians 15:4
12. 1 Corinthians 15:4
13. 1 Corinthians 15:4
14. Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51, Acts 1:11
15. Mark 16:19; Hebrews 1:3
16. 2 Timothy 4:1; John 5:22
17. John 15:26; 16:7-8, 13-14; Acts 13:2
18. Galatians 3:26-29
19. Revelation 19:14; Hebrews 10:25
20. Luke 7:48
21. 1 Thessalonians 4:16; John 6:39
22. John 10:28; 17:2-3



Ps103 -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (5/30/2008 2:13:33 PM)

quote:

** "quick" means "alive", not "fast runners"


::giggles::



DougHorton -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (5/30/2008 2:47:01 PM)

Hey, you never know with today's kids...

or adults!



In_Him_Grace -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (6/2/2008 2:10:39 AM)

Hello. I just wanted to thank everyone for their responses. They were very helpful to me. I did get the Bible studies done and my boss was very impressed and happy with them.

UPDATE:
We did have our outreach Saturday, and I just wanted to let everyone know that 300 kids gave theirs lives to the Lord that night!!!! PRAISE GOD!! Yay! It was an awesome experience.


THANKS AGAIN!!! [:D]



Tomb -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (6/13/2008 5:15:52 AM)

In the garden Satan only changed one word to pervert the message which was given to Adam & Eve. This is an important lesson for everyone (Gen..3:4). In many situations if you start off wrong in the beginning,you will not end up in the desired (or correct) location.

I admire you for wanting to teach what is right (truth). For it is obedience to truth that will sanctify the soul (John 17:17) (1Peter 1:22) (Rom.6:16-18). Let us not be deceived (2Thess.2:10-12).

Check out - http://missionprinting.us/mp_newindex.html

Click on publications


Thanks tomb



M-Paul -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (6/13/2008 9:01:55 AM)

First you have to focus on the need for salvation, that humankind is in a depraved state due to the fall, the sin of Adam, who represents us all. You must establish that we all have a sinful nature and that we all sin, which deserves condemnation.

Then, you have to focus on Jesus Christ as the son of God and how his crucifixion pays the penalty for our sin, for those of us who have the new covenant. The emphasis here is on the meaning of the blood of Christ.

Then, you focus on the confession of sin, on receiving the forgiveness of sin and eternal life through the acceptance of Christ as savior. But you explain that now the believer has entered new life, new humanity, and it is required that his repentance must be demonstrated by constantly trying to live up to the image of Christ as his example in life, through the help of the Holy Spirit, which is an ongoing, life-long process.

M-Paul



bsjones84 -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (6/13/2008 10:36:34 PM)

quote:

First you have to focus on the need for salvation, that humankind is in a depraved state due to the fall, the sin of Adam, who represents us all. You must establish that we all have a sinful nature and that we all sin, which deserves condemnation.

Then, you have to focus on Jesus Christ as the son of God and how his crucifixion pays the penalty for our sin, for those of us who have the new covenant. The emphasis here is on the meaning of the blood of Christ.

Then, you focus on the confession of sin, on receiving the forgiveness of sin and eternal life through the acceptance of Christ as savior. But you explain that now the believer has entered new life, new humanity, and it is required that his repentance must be demonstrated by constantly trying to live up to the image of Christ as his example in life, through the help of the Holy Spirit, which is an ongoing, life-long process.

M-Paul


This is pretty much what I was thinking. In today's anything goes, buddhist society people don't see a need for repentance and submission. The humanistic, man is the center of the universe, thought pervades our culture insomuch that it is a genuine affront to the conscience to tell people they must do things God's way and not their way.

Often I've encountered the attitude that because people don't think there is anything wrong with a particular lifestyle then no one can tell them it's wrong. Then you see the utter contempt they have when you tell them that their thoughts don't matter, but it is God who sets the standards of right and wrong. It's almost as if they are saying, "How dare God tell me what to do. Who does He think He is?"

Our society wants to place man above God, and only have God exist (if they even allow that) to cater to every whim and take the blame for every consequence they perceive as negative. We need to be reminded that it is God who created us, and that we must be in subjection to Him. When we do not submit to God and live contrary to God righteous standard, we are committing sin.

Unbelievers will not receive Jesus because they think they are good and do not need to repent. We must show them that we are not good and fall short of God's perfect standard (the Law); therefore, we are guilty before God. Only when people see their guilt will they see their need for salvation and repentence. When they see their need for salvation, then we can preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Bub,



SovereignIsHe -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (6/13/2008 11:32:20 PM)

The bible and do your best to walk the walk....

John



cammo2006 -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (6/15/2008 3:24:33 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: In_Him_Grace

Hello. I just wanted to thank everyone for their responses. They were very helpful to me. I did get the Bible studies done and my boss was very impressed and happy with them.

UPDATE:
We did have our outreach Saturday, and I just wanted to let everyone know that 300 kids gave theirs lives to the Lord that night!!!! PRAISE GOD!! Yay! It was an awesome experience.


THANKS AGAIN!!! [:D]


AMEN!!! [:)][:)][:)]



M-Paul -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (6/15/2008 2:31:02 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: bsjones84
When they see their need for salvation, then we can preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.


Another thing I would like to suggest as being very helpful is, to undergo a biblical study on the “compassion” of God. The bible has so much to say about God’s compassion, but it all gets overlooked and lost, because of the emphasis on the cessation of miracles and healing. If there are no longer any miracles or supernatural healings, then God’s sense of compassion is in a state of suspension until another age. But if one does such a study on compassion, it will be difficult to believe that with salvation there is no healing or a demonstration of the power of God. Those who understand God’s compassion, mercy, pity have the greatest success in winning people to Christ. Think about it!

M-Paul



Tomb -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (6/21/2008 6:00:38 PM)

Teach them about how God sent His Son to earth (John 1:1,14,17) (Mt.1:21) (1Cor.15:1-4) (Titus 2:11,12).

Teach them all have sinned (Rom.3:23 ; 6:23).

Teach them sin is transgression of Gods law (1John 3:4).

Teach them the Lord is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him (Heb.5:9) (Acts 10:34,35) (Mt.19:17) (Rom.6:16-18) (1Peter 1:22) (Acts 10:34,35) (John 9:31) (Mt.7:21).


What Must I Do To Be Saved?


HEAR– “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

BELIEVE– “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6; John 3:16; 20:30–31). When the Bible speaks of believers being saved, it means obedient believers and not disobedient ones (Acts 16:34; 2:44; Galatians 5:6). Faith alone will not save (James 2:24).

REPENT– “I tell you, no: but unless you repent, ye will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3; 24:46–47; Acts 17:30–31). To repent means to change one's mind and conduct (Matthew 21:28–29).

CONFESS– “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32–33; Romans 10:9–10; Acts 8:37). One is not to confess that he is taking Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, or that God, for Christ's sake, has pardoned his sins, but that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God (Acts 8:37).

BE BAPTIZED– “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’ ” (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:15–16; I Peter 3:21; Galatians 3:27).

BAPTISM IS A BURIAL IN WATER– “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4; 6:17; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:37–39).



tomb



Tomb -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (6/21/2008 6:06:11 PM)

What Must I Do To Stay Saved?


FOLLOW AFTER THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT— “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the the Spirit” (Romans 8:1; 8:13; Galatians 5:19, 23; I Corinthians 9:27).

LIVE A GODLY LIFE— “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11–12; Colossians 3:5, 12; Revelation 21:8; 21:27).

FAITHFULLY FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST TO THE END OF LIFE— “And you shall be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22; Revelation 2:10; I Corinthians 10:1, 12). When one departs from the commands of Christ, it is worse than if he had never known them (II Peter 2:20, 22; Hebrews 6:4, 6; 10:26, 29).

ADD THE CHRISTIAN GRACES AND BEAR SPIRITUAL FRUIT— “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (II Peter 1:5–8, 10; John 15:1-6).

REPENT, CONFESS, AND PRAY— When we sin we must repent of it, confess it, and pray to God that we may be forgiven. “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22; I John 1:8, 10; James 5: 16, 19).



tomb



Tomb -> RE: What are the crucial basics? --explaining to new christians (6/23/2008 7:06:59 AM)

M-Paul

quote:

If there are no longer any miracles or supernatural healings, then God’s sense of compassion is in a state of suspension until another age



Have you ever noticed (Zech.13:1-5)?

1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. 2 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. 3 And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.
4 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive: 5 But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.

(John 19:34) & (Heb.8:12,13) both help us to realize the aprox. time they were to cease.

(John 19:34) - 34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

(Heb.8:12,13) - 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.


It is not true that if miracles ceased Gods compassion has ceased. What we learn in (Heb.8:12,13) & (Heb.5:9) proves that the compassion of the Lord continues througout time to those who obey Him.

(Heb.5:9) - 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Also notice - (John 3:20,21 ; 9:31 ; 6:44,45) (Acts 10:34,35) (Rom.2:8) (2Thess.1:7-9 ; 2:10-12).



tomb



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