Christian Basics

Learn the habits, values, doctrines, and practices of biblical Christianity.

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5 Values for Every Christian

Posted: June 30, 2015
Every person has values they live by. Some may be from God, some not. Here are five values that every Christian needs to know.

Talking Points:

  • Value #1 People. People are important to God. He created them, and he loves them. People are important to Christians too. Every person is valuable because every person is made in the image of God. Genesis 1:27
  • Value #2 Truth. We believe in God and the Bible because it’s true. Christianity isn’t a fable. It’s not a fairytale that we wished was true. The things in the Bible actually happened in history. 1 Corinthians 15:3-5
  • Value #3 Authenticity. Christians don’t have to pretend to be perfect. We’ve been saved by grace. Salvation is not based on anything we do. Therefore, we can be authentic with our victories and our failures. 1 Samuel 16:7
  • Value #4 Leadership. Every Christian has a responsibility to follow their leaders. God puts leaders into your life for a reason. He will use your leaders to help you grow and equip you for ministry. Hebrews 13:17
  • Value #5 Risk-Taking. We trust God to help us in accomplishing great things: mentoring others, leading people to faith, starting a small group, and many other acts of faith that we are called to do. Matthew 19:26
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. What are some of your most important values? What were some of the values that your family had growing up?
  3. Read Genesis 1:27. List some examples from the Bible and your life that demonstrate how God values people.
  4. Why is authenticity important in your relationships with God and others? Have you ever been part of a church or religion where people weren’t authentic? How did that experience make you feel?
  5. Read Hebrews 13:17. What does it mean to submit to leaders in the church?
  6. Have you ever taken any risks for God? Explain what happened. Why do you think God wants us to take risks?
  7. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

 

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5 Doctrines Every Christian Believes

Posted: June 28, 2015
Christian beliefs have been around for two thousand years, and there is no shortage of debate among Christian churches when it comes to doctrine. But in spite of all the minor differences, there are five basic truths that every Christian church agrees upon.

Talking Points:

  • Doctrine #1 The Bible is God’s word. Christians believe that the Bible is the infallible word of God, which is sufficient for all we need to live the Christian life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
  • Doctrine #2 God is three in one. Christians believe that there is one God who eternally exists as three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). All three persons are equal and eternal. Matthew 28:19
  • Doctrine #3 Jesus is fully God. Christians believe that Jesus is both fully God and fully human as the second person of the Trinity. He has always existed as God, and the world was created through him. John 1:1-2
  • Doctrine #4 We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. Christians believe that every person is broken by sin and in need of salvation. We are saved by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9
  • Doctrine #5 There’s life after death. Christians believe that Jesus is returning in order to set up his kingdom and judge the world. Those who have trusted Jesus for salvation will live eternally in heaven, while others will be eternally separated from the presence of God. John 11:25-26
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. What questions do you have about these five basic beliefs?
  3. What are some other Christian beliefs that are widely held? What are some beliefs that are debated by Christians and churches?
  4. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. What do these verses say about the Bible? What does the Bible do for us?
  5. Read John 1:1-2. Why is it important to understand that Jesus is God. Why does it matter that he’s fully God?
  6. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Who saves us? What do we have to do to be saved? What doesn’t save us?
  7. Talk about some of the common heresies today. Why are they popular?
  8. Read John 11:25-26. What do you think heaven will be like?
  9. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

 

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5 Practices Christians Do Together

Posted: June 26, 2015
Different churches have different styles, traditions, and methods. But certain practices are normal when Christians gather, as part of our life together. This lesson introduces five practices of the church that every Christian should understand.

Talking Points:

  • Practice #1 Teaching. Preaching and teaching from the Bible is a central part of what we do when we gather. Every Christian needs to regularly be listening to good teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2
  • Practice #2 Singing. God deserves a joyful response from us because of who he is and what he has done. He is a great God and Savior. One way we express our thankfulness and praise to him is by singing. Psalm 95:1-3
  • Practice #3 Remembering. Jesus gave us two symbolic actions to remember, when we gather with other Christians, what he has done for us. The first is called the Lord’s Supper or “communion.” The second is baptism. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Matthew 28:19
  • Practice #4 Serving. Every Christian has been given some kind of ability from God for the purpose of serving others. 1 Peter 4:10-11
  • Practice #5 Mentoring. The Bible tells us to pass on God’s truth to others, who can pass it on to others in turn. Churches have called this “making disciples” based on Jesus’ command (Matthew 28:18-20) to create and cultivate followers for him. 2 Timothy 2:2
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Read 2 Timothy 4:2. Why is listening to sound biblical teaching important to the Christian life?
  3. Do you like to sing? Why or why not? Describe a time when music moved you emotionally.
  4. Read Psalm 95:1-3. What is it about music that makes it a fitting way to express joy and gratitude to God?
  5. What rituals do you observe in your family to help you remember important events or people?
  6. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and Matthew 28:19. What do these two practices symbolize? How do they help you remember Jesus?
  7. Read 1 Peter 4:10-11. Do you think your gifts for serving others lie more on the “speaking” side or the “helping” side, and why?
  8. Read Matthew 28:18-20 and 2 Timothy 2:2. Who mentored you on your faith journey? What did they do?
  9. On a scale of one to ten, how confident do you feel that you can mentor someone else in their faith, and why?
  10. Let’s say you invite an unchurched friend to church. What have you learned in this lesson that would help you explain what to expect?
  11. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

 

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