My Little Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am grateful
For your eternal presence
I am learning to be patient
And that you are really there

Sometimes I am afraid
And I know that's lacking faith
But I'm beginning to understand
That for me you have a plan

Heavenly Father, I am grateful
For you sending your son
To die so that I live
And for never giving up

I'm learning everyday
That I won't always have my way
But I'm beginning to understand
That for me you have a plan

Heavenly Father, I am grateful
For you hearing my prayer
I am learning to be patient
And that you are really there

There are answers I'm receiving
No, they're not always immediate
Sometimes I have felt a feeling
That's when I kneel down in prayer

You show me you hear my prayer
I'm amazed by how you care

Cause you hear
My little prayer

You are my strength

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all

Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord to give up I'd be a fool
You are my all in all

Jesus Lamb of God worthy is your name
Jesus Lamb of God worthy is your name

Taking my sin my cross my shame
Rising again I bless your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down you pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all

Jesus Lamb of God worthy is your name
Jesus Lamb of God worthy is your name

Jesus Lamb of God worthy is your name
Jesus Lamb of God worthy is your name

A BROTHER IS BORN FOR ADVERSITY

A BROTHER IS BORN FOR ADVERSITY
(Confession/Restoring One Another)

The Objectives: The two main objectives of this study are to teach disciples how to confess their sins and
restore others who have sinned.
The Bible says that a friend loves at all times and a brother (family) is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17). Our
spiritual friendships and our spiritual family (the church) are designed to love us, support us, and help us find
strength in God as we face the adversities of life.
Q: What kinds of adversity or challenges do you think you will have or have had already as a disciple of Jesus?
o Persecution, temptation, family challenges, health issues, financial hardships, conflict in relationships, problems at school, problems at
work, etc..
The Scriptures:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Q: What is the advantage of having a close spiritual friend?
The Bible tells us: “Pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” We need people in our spiritual lives to
help us up when we struggle and fall or it is only a matter of time before we will experience grief and despair!
Confession
1 John 1:5-10
“Walking in the light” means our lives are an open book and on display. The Bible tells us that “God is light; in him
there is no darkness at all.”
Q: Can we be close to God if we live in darkness or dimness (living in a little darkness)?

 Claiming to be without sin equates to deceiving ourselves and calling God a liar. Confessing our sin allows us to
“walk in the light;” this has 2 effects:
• We have fellowship with one another (builds deep, authentic friendships).
• Jesus’ blood purifies us and allows us to have a relationship with God.
Q: What are some obstacles that would prevent you from being open about your life and confessing sin?
Proverbs 28:13
Concealing sin will cause downfall but we will find mercy if we confess and renounce our sins.
Restoring One Another
Galatians 6:1-2
Q: What should we do when someone confesses their sin to us?
IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES IN RESTORING ONE ANOTHER:
NEVER be harsh! Do not overreact. God calls us to “restore gently.”
Never say things like, “Amen, brother, thanks for being open.” God calls us to help them come to repentance “to
RESTORE them”.
Make sure that they bring things into the light (no dimness). Make sure you are getting enough information to
really pray specifically and also help them to come to repentance.
Always ask them “What do you think repentance looks like?” The goal is to help them to bring everything into the
light and help them to repent (be restored) so that times of refreshing can come (Acts 3:19)
Pray. Praying together after confession is always helpful.
James 5:15-17
 It is vitally important to pray for one another after confession so that God can truly bring about healing. BROTHER IS BORN FOR ADVERSITY
(Confession/Restoring One Another)
The Objectives: The two main objectives of this study are to teach disciples how to confess their sins and
restore others who have sinned.
The Bible says that a friend loves at all times and a brother (family) is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17). Our
spiritual friendships and our spiritual family (the church) are designed to love us, support us, and help us find
strength in God as we face the adversities of life.
Q: What kinds of adversity or challenges do you think you will have or have had already as a disciple of Jesus?
o Persecution, temptation, family challenges, health issues, financial hardships, conflict in relationships, problems at school, problems at
work, etc..
The Scriptures:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Q: What is the advantage of having a close spiritual friend?
The Bible tells us: “Pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” We need people in our spiritual lives to
help us up when we struggle and fall or it is only a matter of time before we will experience grief and despair!
Confession
1 John 1:5-10
“Walking in the light” means our lives are an open book and on display. The Bible tells us that “God is light; in him
there is no darkness at all.”
Q: Can we be close to God if we live in darkness or dimness (living in a little darkness)?

 Claiming to be without sin equates to deceiving ourselves and calling God a liar. Confessing our sin allows us to
“walk in the light;” this has 2 effects:
• We have fellowship with one another (builds deep, authentic friendships).
• Jesus’ blood purifies us and allows us to have a relationship with God.
Q: What are some obstacles that would prevent you from being open about your life and confessing sin?
Proverbs 28:13
Concealing sin will cause downfall but we will find mercy if we confess and renounce our sins.
Restoring One Another
Galatians 6:1-2
Q: What should we do when someone confesses their sin to us?
IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES IN RESTORING ONE ANOTHER:
NEVER be harsh! Do not overreact. God calls us to “restore gently.”
Never say things like, “Amen, brother, thanks for being open.” God calls us to help them come to repentance “to
RESTORE them”.
Make sure that they bring things into the light (no dimness). Make sure you are getting enough information to
really pray specifically and also help them to come to repentance.
Always ask them “What do you think repentance looks like?” The goal is to help them to bring everything into the
light and help them to repent (be restored) so that times of refreshing can come (Acts 3:19)
Pray. Praying together after confession is always helpful.
James 5:15-17
 It is vitally important to pray for one another after confession so that God can truly bring about healing.

THE BODY OF CHRIST

THE BODY OF CHRIST
The Objectives: The two main objectives of this study are to teach disciples about their relationships and
roles within the body of Christ (the Church) and to help them consider how their individual gifts can be
used to serve the body of Christ.
When we enter the body of Christ, relationships are radically transformed! Instead of having ourselves as the cen-
ter of our focus, we are to ‘consider others better than ourselves” (Philippians 2:3). The Bible teaches us that
church is not something we attend; it is an opportunity to serve and tend to the needs of others.
The Scriptures:
Our Relationships
John 13:34-35
Jesus commanded us to love each other as he has loved us. This quality of love and our relationships with one an-
other are what make us distinct as Christians. Jesus’ willingness to serve and sacrifice for his disciples was the ul-
timate expression of His love. We need to demonstrate that same love (service and sacrifice) for one another.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IN PRACTICE?
 Look after each other’s material needs—1 John 3:17.
 Being concerned about each other’s spiritual well being—Colossians 1:28.
Mark 3:35
We are Jesus’ brothers and sisters if we do God’s will. Because of this common purpose, Christian relationships
transcend even blood relations.
Our Role
Ephesians 4:14-16
Everyone has a role to play and work to do in the church; finding that role and doing that work is essential for the
church to be built up and grow into maturity.
1
st Corinthians 12:12-26
Everyone is essential to the body functioning as God intended it! Even the weakest part is incredibly important!
We must value everyone’s gifts and roles in the church and understand that we need one another! We rejoice and
hurt together (that’s sincere love, from the heart!—1 Peter 1:22)
What’s Your Gift?
A spiritual gift is a particular talent/ability that God has put in your life. While some spiritual gifts were
“miraculous” (it is our belief that these gifts were specific to the apostolic age and are no longer available to us to-
day); the “non-miraculous” gifts are just as powerful and critical for building up the body of Christ.
o Non-miraculous gifts—Romans 12:4-8
o Leadership gifts—Ephesians 4:11
1 Peter 4:10
Whatever gift you have received should be used to serve God’s people. As individuals, God has placed gifts, tal-
ents and abilities in our lives to be used to build up his kingdom in unique ways.
Q: What are some of your gifts? How can you use those gifts to serve God’s people?
Examples: Leadership, Children’s Ministry, Ushering, Youth Ministry, Administration, Hospitality, Benevolence

GOD LOVES YOU

GOD LOVES YOU
The Objectives: The two main objectives of this study are to teach disciples how to have an accurate
(biblical) view of God and inspire them to build a daily relationship with God.
Q: How do you think your experiences growing up have shaped your view of God?
Q: How was your relationship with your father? How do you view authority? Do you have any negative experi-
ences with authority figures in your past?
Our relationship with our earthly fathers and our past experiences with other authority figures can have a profound
effect on how we view God. God is NOT distant, aloof, or disinterested; He is NOT angry or short-tempered; God
is not unjust or unloving. God is the perfect father and he desires to have a real, daily relationship with us.
The Scriptures:
You are important to God.
Luke 15:3-6
If you were the only person who needed to be rescued…God would come running after you! He loves you so much.
This is who God is.
You are valuable to God.
Luke 15:8-10
Q: Have you ever searched frantically for something you lost? What?
Q: Would you go through the garbage or mud for a single penny? How about a $100 bill or winning lottery ticket?
How valuable an item is determines our earnestness in finding it, and what we would be willing to do (even get
dirty) to recover it.
There are many scriptures in the Bible that show us how valuable we are to God. In the Old Testament, God called
his people, his “treasured possession” (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2, 26:18; Psalm 135:4) In the New
Testament, he calls us sons and daughters, a royal priesthood, a chosen people, a holy nation, the body and bride
of Christ and tells us that he loved enough to send his One and Only Son to die for us. (Ephesians 1:4-8; 1 Peter
2:9; John 3:16)
The Bible teaches us that we are very valuable to God!
Psalm 40:1-4
Q: From what mud/mire did God save you?
God longs to be with you.
Luke 15:11-32
Q: When you sin and hurt God, does it make you hesitant to spend time with God?
Q: Do you think the prodigal son was initially eager to return to his father after what he had done?
Q: How did the father respond when his son returned home? Describe the father’s love for his son.
Q: How does God feel if we choose to stay in the muck/mire of sin rather than repent and return home to him?
Q: How will God respond when we choose to repent, come home and spend time with him?
God loves us and desires to have a daily relationship with us. The only thing we can do to mess that up is to
forget how much God loves us and allow Satan to convince us that we are better off with the pigs (in the muck/
mire of sin) or that God will not accept us if we return.

REMEMBER

REMEMBER
Objectives: The two main objectives of this study are to encourage disciples to remember how God has
worked in their life and teach disciples how to take communion.
The longer we are disciples; spiritual Alzheimer’s can set in – we can begin to forget how God rescued us, how He
has worked in our lives and how sinful and lost we are without Him. Remembering these things are a powerful
weapon against Satan’s schemes and attacks. If Satan can get us to forget, it is only a matter of time before we
will be tempted to return to the world.
The Scriptures:
Remember God.
Exodus 16:1-3
Israel, even after being rescued from Egypt and experiencing the miracle at the Red Sea, was very quick to forget
what God had done for them. When times became difficult the Israelites began to lack faith and trust in God.
When Israel would cross the Jordan, to enter into the promise land, God commanded them to carry large stones
from the middle of the Jordan River (which had been parted like the Red Sea) to be a “memorial for the peo-
ple.” (Joshua 4:1-7)
We too can set up “stones of remembrance” to help us remember God’s power, love, and faithfulness in our lives.
(Keep a journal of answered prayers, take or make objects that will remind you of God’s goodness and faithfulness and how he
has worked in your life.) Remembering God’s past faithfulness is essential to trusting Him in the future!
Deuteronomy 8:10-18
Another danger, as we grow older as disciples, is forgetting God and His role in our lives. We can begin to believe
that our lives and our blessings are the result of our own talents and abilities. God says that we will be tempted to
forget Him not only in challenging times, but also in times of prosperity.
Remember the Cross.
Acts 20:7
It appears from the evidence of the New Testament and that of early church history that the disciples broke bread
together at least once a week.
1 Corinthians 11: 23-30
Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. His instructions were clear, “do this in remembrance of me.” Christ’s sacrifice
and covenant are holy and precious. The Bible teaches us that taking communion calls for self-reflection and unity
among the believers. Before taking communion, reflect on the following:
• Is there lingering sin I ought to confess?
• Is there a relationship in the church that needs to be mended?
Luke 22:14-20
The Passover was a CELEBRATION of how God rescued his people. Communion serves the same purpose for us to-
day. It is an opportunity to reflect on God’s love and mercy and how he has rescued us.
• The bread – representative of Christ’s body, broken for his people
• The wine/juice – representative of Christ’s blood, poured out for his people
• By taking communion we (1) acknowledge/remember Christ’s sacrifice for us and (2) reconfirm the cove-
nant relationship that he established with us. (3) we celebrate / give thanks for being rescued by God.
Remember Heaven!
Philippians 3:12-21
Q: How much did Paul think about the struggles and challenges of his past?
Q: How often do you think about heaven? Do you see being in heaven with God as your ultimate goal?
Q: How can you tell if someone’s citizenship is heaven?

THE COSTS AND BLESSINGS OF FOLLOWING JESUS

THE COSTS AND BLESSINGS OF
FOLLOWING JESUS
Purpose
To ensure that we have done a good job of teaching and that our friends have done a good job
of learning, prior to their baptism. We also want to emphasize the blessings that occur in our
lives when we decide to follow Jesus.
LUKE 14:25-33 | COUNT THE COST
» Jesus is very concerned that we count the cost of following him.
» He uses two parables to communicate his concerns – the tower builder and the over-matched
king.
» We must be prepared to surrender absolutely to Jesus.
QQ: Why do you want to become a disciple?
LUKE 8:11-15 | THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
» People respond differently to God’s Word, even those who initially receive it with joy and
enthusiasm (Luke 8:13).
» Like the rocky and thorny soils, many things can prevent us from continuing in the faith and
stop us short of finishing the Christian race.
» Two things can derail our faith – pressures from outside and desires from within.
» The key to persevering in our faith is to hear, retain and obey the word.
THE COSTS
Note: In this section, we will do a quick review of key points from each of the seven previous studies.
QQ: Do you believe that the Bible is God’s Word? Are you willing to make it the standard for your
life from this point on?
QQ: What are some of the things that you most admire about Jesus?
QQ: Is there any sin of which you are unwilling to repent? What will be your most daunting challenges
in this area?
QQ: What does the cross mean to you?
QQ: Are you prepared to walk the narrow road and follow Jesus in specific ways? What do you
think will be most challenging to you (openness, commitment to the body, evangelism, potential
family conflict)?
QQ: What is your understanding of baptism?
QQ: Are you prepared to be fully committed to God’s family, the church? Do you have any questions
or concerns about the normal church schedule?

THE BLESSINGS OF FOLLOWING CHRIST
QQ: What do you see as the greatest blessings of following Christ?
ACTS 2:36-39
» The complete forgiveness of every sin ever committed – a totally clean slate.
» The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
– Power to live a new life (John 14:15-17).
– Experiencing the immediate presence of God within us.
ACTS 2:42-47
» Priceless truths from God’s Word – inspiration and practical direction for all aspects of
our lives (Psalm 119:97-104).
» Worship – praising God, communion and fellowship.
» Daily relationships – deep and meaningful friendships.
QQ: How have your relationships with disciples been a blessing up to this point? How do
these relationships compare with those you have outside the church?
» Purpose in life – helping other people to find God.
QQ: Who are the people you’d like to share the good news with?
1 CORINTHIANS 15:50-57
» The promise of resurrection from death – the hope of eternal immortality.
» A perfect, imperishable body.
FINAL QUESTIONS
QQ: Is there any issue about which you are unclear?
QQ: Do you understand that this is a lifelong decision?
QQ: Do you have any reservations about following Jesus?
QQ: When do you want to be baptized?