Discovering the God-first Life – Good Samaritan Ministries India

Discovering the God-First Life

Join us as we begin the journey to Discovering the God-First Life.

This 6 week class is designed to help you build a solid biblical foundation as we review topics like:

JESUS
SALVATION
THE CHURCH
IDENTITY
TRANSFORMATION
PURPOSE

God wants you to live life to the fullest. We can help equip you to become the person God intended you to be. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest.” (John 10:10)

Come and Discover the God-First Life!

We encourage you to print and follow the daily devotional for this class, it is designed to help you dig deeper into each weeks topic. When you have completed the material, please ley us know so we can give you credit for the class.

Discovering the God First Life

Session 1

Why Jesus

The World Needs a Savior

Let’s begin by looking at why the world needs a savior. We’ll start with undoubtedly the most familiar passage in the bible.

John 3:16 (New International Version)

16″For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16-18 (Message)

16-18″This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

Look at what God is saying to us in these verses. It was because of His love for us that He sent his son. Not to point out our problem (sin), but to be restored. I love this, “a whole and lasting life.” Jesus came to make us new, to restore us back to God, to make us “right again”.

Maybe what we need to do is take a quick look back to the beginning to see how this whole thing got so out of whack for God’s creation, His children.

Gen 1:27

27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

We were in God’s very image.

Gen 2:15-17

15 Then the LORD God the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

God’s Plan Discovering the God First Life

Session 1

Gen 3:1-7

1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

Sin entered the heart of man, and death was the result. Now man was separated from experiencing the very life of God. It was at this point that man began the struggle of trying to cover themselves based on their own strength and ability.

Sin entered the of man, and was the result.

At this point God’s plan went into motion.

1 Corinthians 15:22

22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (New International Version)

21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Jesus took all the penalty and punishment that sin deserved; He paid the price for us so that we could be brought back into right standing with God.·

Jesus took all the and that sin deserved.

God in

Three Persons Discovering the God First Life

Session 1

The Holy Trinity

Jesus is God

1 John 5:7 (New King James Version)

7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.

Col 2:9 9 For in him [Jesus Christ] dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (KJV)

Rom 1:20 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (KJV) I John 5:7 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (KJV)

Christians do not believe in three Gods, they believe in One God in three ‘offices,’ ‘facets,’ or ‘aspects,’ or, revealed in three different ways.

The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the Son (Yehoshua = Yehovah the Savior, or, God Savior), He is God manifested (came) in the flesh, He is God in human form come to earth to save His creation from their sins. Jesus is not another God, He is God.

He is , who came in the .

John 10:27-30 (Jesus speaking) 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one. (KJV)

Discovering the God First Life

Session 1

Colossians 1:15-20 (New International Version)

15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Discovering the God First Life

Session 2

What is Salvation?

Jesus Came to Rescue Humanity

Hebrews 2:9-18 (New International Version)

9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.”13And again, “I will put my trust in him.”And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.”

14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Because you have accepted the free gift of righteousness through the Lord Jesus, you have now been born into the family of God. You are a child of God. You are a citizen of the Kingdom of God. You have been given a new identity; a new name. Your past has forever been removed!

You have been restored back into a right relationship with God your father.

When you accepted Jesus, the Spirit of God actually came inside you to reside in your heart. He wants to teach you about God and give you the power to live a godly life.

Amazing

Grace Discovering the God First Life

Session 2

Romans 3:22

22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

Peter 3:18 (Message)

That’s what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others’ sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (New International Version)

8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.

speaks of God’s very , His power at work.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (New International Version)

17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

(Message) Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him

The rest of your life will be an adventure. It will be a time of discovering the greatest love one could ever imagine. It will be a time when you actually become the person you have always wanted to be. You can fulfill your dreams. You can find healing and wholeness. You can actually live a life that’s full and fulfilling, one that brings peace to your heart and mind. You can have some real fun.

This is not to say that our circumstances are always wonder; but it does mean that in the midst of our circumstances we can experience god’s peace in turmoil, His comfort in sorrow, and His strength in our weakness.

According to

the Word

Relationship

with God Discovering the God First Life

Session 2

Romans 8:15-17 (The Message)

15-17This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!

Knowing I’m Saved

Romans 10:9 (New International Version)

9That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

First, assurance comes from the truth of the Word of God. Simply put, we take God at His word. Trust (faith) is the starting place. Choose to take God’s word as absolute. From that trust you have the basis of building a meaningful relationship.

As you come to know Him personally, through personal involvement, you will experience His love for you. Through your relationship with God, you find yourself growing and discovering the life God has intended for you.

and in the Truth of God’s word.
In our with God.

1 John 4:13

13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

Discovering the

God First Life

Session 3

We are the Church

First we need to understand:

What is Church anyway?·

How do we define it?·

Ekklisia – Greek word translated as “CHURCH” The called out ones.

The church is a .

“ … You are a member of God’s very own family… and you belong in God’s

household with every other Christian.” Ephesians 2:19 (LB)

The word “church” in the N.T. never refers to a building or a place. It always refers

to a people: either the total number of believers who have ever lived, or a local

group of those believers

The church is the of that are built

together into a spiritual building for God’s habitation.

Ephesians 2:20-22 (New Living Translation)

20 We are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets.

And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We who believe are carefully joined

together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are

also joined together as part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

God is trying to build our lives into all He has for us, and much of that is

accomplished in our lives through our being part of the local church.

The Church is the of the World

Ephesians 1:23 (The Message)

The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the

church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills

everything with his presence

Discovering the

God First Life

Session 3

Planted in the House of God

Psalm 92:12 “those that are planted in the house of the Lord will flourish…”

God’s desire is that our lives would be fruitful, and just like any good fruit bearing

tree it is important where you are planted. In order for fruit trees to flourish

there are a few things that are important.

Good soil.·

Life enhancing environment.·

Nourishment·

Plant a tree in the wrong place and it just doesn’t flourish. (apple trees just

cannot survive in the desert.)

Doing Life Together

Acts 2:42, 46-47

42 All the believers devoted themselves… 46 They worshiped together at the

Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals

with great joy and generosity —47 all the while praising God and enjoying the

goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those

who were being saved.

When people were touched by God (saved) we see here in Acts that they

“devoted themselves” to God and His plan. This is where we see a two-fold

expression in the local church.

They met weekly in large gatherings and then house to house in smaller groups.

The purpose of small groups is to complement the weekly gathering and create

an enriching church relational experience for the individual. It is a big part of us

“Doing Life together”.

It’s about “Growing in relationship to God and in relationships with other

believers”.

Communion

Luke 22:19-20

19“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This

is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

20Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant

in My blood, which is shed for you.

Remembering Jesus·

Recognizing what Jesus did·

The Lord Jesus instituted Communion as a symbol of the New Covenant

Discovering the

God First Life

Session 4

True Identity

Ephesians 1:11 (The Message)

11It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.

2 Keys to Life

Seeing God for who He really is.·

Seeing ourselves for who we have become because of Jesus.·

The moment we received Christ as Savior and Lord we were instantly identified

with Christ and became part of His family. In God’s eyes, we are “in Christ”.

Our sense of identity is the very foundation upon which all our hopes and dreams

lie. We will live out our destiny one to the degree that we live in an abiding sense

of who we are in Jesus. Over two hundred times the New Testament utilizes what

could be called “identity scriptures”. These are the scriptures that refer to who

we are “in Him,” “through Him” or “by Him”. Plus there are references to “what

we have” or “what we can do” because of Him. We must accept these truths as

our new identity

You are a of .

Colossians 1:21-22 (New Living Translation)

21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies,

separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22 Yet now he has

reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a

result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless

as you stand before him without a single fault.

Discovering the

God First Life

Session 4

Identifying with Christ

A new You

2 Corinthians 5:17 (New International Version)

17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new

has come!

God’s View of You

Because we are now “in Christ”, we have been given right standing, acceptance,

and a new nature. God sees us for who we have become because of the finished

work of Jesus.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (New Living Translation)

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own

special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of

darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the

people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Worth and Value

Colossians 2:10 (New Living Translation)

10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over

every ruler and authority.

3 things that will establish our sense of worth and value that comes from God.

Identity

Our source of identity determines our self-image ( the way we see ourselves).

Self-image determines our behavior ( the way we treat others). We begin to take

on the image of the one we are looking to for identity.

We look for identity where we find acceptance; therefore we will tend to find our

worth by the value that person places on us.

1 Peter 2:9 (New International Version)

9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people

belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of

darkness into his wonderful light.

Discovering the

God First Life

Session 4

Acceptance

Ephesians 1:5-7 (New King James Version)

5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according

to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which

He made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His

blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

Approval

Matthew 3:17 (New International Version)

17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well

pleased.”

Discovering the

God First Life

Session 4

Water Baptism

Water Baptism is a public declaration that we are new creations in Christ. We are

declaring that Jesus is our Lord and Savior and our lives are now identified with

Him.

Matthew 10:32 (New International Version)

32″Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before

my Father in heaven.

Water Baptism is:

Symbolic of death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3)·

Identification with Jesus·

Submission to God (John 15:14)·

Expectation of God’s power·

Sacrament ordained by Jesus for us to practice·

(Matthew 28:19)

Surrender of the old you·

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ

was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk

in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death,

certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our

old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with,

that we should no longer be slaves of sin (Romans 6:4-6).

Discovering the

God First Life

Session 5

Transformation

True transformation takes place as we set in place the 2 critical factors as a child

of God

Establishing our life on His Word
Allowing His truth is the basis for our believing.

Philippians 1:6 (New Living Translation)

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue

his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (New Living Translation)

16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord

is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us

who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the

Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into

his glorious image.

Romans 12:2 (The Message)

1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday,

ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and

place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best

thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you

fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be

changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and

quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to

its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed

maturity in you.

Discovering the

God First Life

Session 5

God’s Purpose for our lives

Conformed to His Image

Romans 8:29 (NLT)

29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son,

so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Romans 8: 29-30 (Message)

29-30God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the

outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of

his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the

original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that

decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by

name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself.

And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end,

gloriously completing what he had begun.

Christ Like

God’s design is that we would live our lives as “His Children”. His spirit is

working in us and the Word of God is transforming our hearts and our thinking.

God’s plan, His purpose for our lives is that we would become more “Christ

Like”.

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed

into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the

Spirit

Discovering the

God First Life

Session 5

Taking the Journey

Living our lives is truly a journey. The one thing that makes our lives rich is

relationships, which is why Jesus came to restore us back into a right relationship

with God. It is important to remember in all of our relationships; that they grow

or they can die. It all has to do with the value we put on the relationship and the

focus we put upon it.

3 key aspects to growing in our relationship with God

The Word

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another

with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude

in your hearts to God.

Worship

Psalm 16:11

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your

presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Planted

Psalm 1:1-6

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or

stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and

night.

3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each

season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

4 But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the

wind.

5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have

no place among the godly.

6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the

wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 92:12-14 (New King James Version)

12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in

Lebanon.

13 Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of

our God.

14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing,

Where we plant our lives is one of the most critical decisions a believer will

make in their walk with God.

Discovering the

God First Life

Session 5

The Holy Spirit

God the Holy Spirit comes to live on the inside of us

when we receive Christ.

Three Workings of God’s Holy Spirit

para – with you

This speaks of the Holy Spirit dwelling with, coming alongside, or inviting a·

person prior to conversion.

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may·

abide with you forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive,

because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells

with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17)

en – in you

This speaks of the moment a person receives the witness of the Holy Spirit,·

and subsequently asks Jesus to take away their sin and reside in their heart.

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God·

dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

John 20:19-22·

epi – upon you

This experience allows God’s Holy Spirit to overflow our (Christian) lives, giving·

us dynamic power to serve and be witnesses to Him.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you·

shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the

end of the earth.”

(Acts 1:8)

Discovering the

God First Life

Session 6

God’s Plan

Ephesians 1:11-12 (The Message)

11-12It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long

before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had

designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in

everything and everyone.

Purpose

We were created for a divine .

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God

prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them ESV

With God in your world, you aren’t an accident or an incident, you are a gift to the

world, a divine work of art, signed by God

Call

This calling we have received is the call to serve. Serving God and serving others.

Luke 22:25-27

25 Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men order their people

around, and yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But among you, those

who are the greatest should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a

servant. 27 Normally the master sits at the table and is served by his servants. But

not here! For I am your servant.

Destiny

God’s plans and purposes or we could say, His destiny for our lives is not a hidden

mystery to discover. It is revealed in us through living a life of serving

Not only were we created for good works; through our service we

discover the true _____________of heaven.

Matthew 20:28

“For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve

others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus said: “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your

minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your

servant:”

Philippians 2:3-4

Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be

humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t think only

about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what

they are doing.

Discovering the

God First Life

Session 6

Will

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Whatever we do, it is because Christ’s love controls us. Since we

believe that Christ died for everyone; we also believe that we have all

died to the old life we used to live. 15He died for everyone so that

those who receive his new life will no longer live to please

themselves. Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was

raised for them.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort

the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no

one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good

both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without

ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in

Christ Jesus for you.

Discovering the

God First Life

Session 6

Finding Our Place

Our place is not really about a location or position, but about living a life that put’s

God first, allowing Jesuś mission to become our mission.

When we focus on the right things we find ourselves in the middle of what God

has for our lives.

The cause of Christ

Mark 16:15

15He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all

creation.

A Heart to serve

Matthew 22:37-40 (New Living Translation)

37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your

soul, and all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A

second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Loving God and

others.

When we allow our lives to be filled with the power of what we call the great

commandment, we find our heart filled with a desire to serve. Loving God and

others.

Discovering the

God First Life

Session 6

Living the God 1st Life

Matthew 6:31-33

“So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. 32Why be like the

pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father

already knows all your needs, 33and he will give you all you need from day to day

if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

God, our Father, is obviously NOT against us having things; He’s against things·

having us.

“…Live for him and make the Kingdom of God

your primary concern.”

Our jobs – our careers – are important, but it is never to be our primary concern.

Our friends are extremely valuable, but never are they to be #1

When we have decisions before us, first check out what the Bible has to say…·

and place God first

When we balance our check book, place God first·

When we find ourselves in difficult or strained relationships, place God first by·

choosing forgiveness, love, mercy, kindness…

Living a life that puts God first is really about priorities, especially in regards to

these 3 critical aspects of our lives

Time

Talent

Treasure

Psalm 16:5 (Message)

My choice is you, God, first and only.

Once Broken… Day 1

“People’s actions are simply reactions to the situations that they find themselves in and the way they have been

treated. The messes we find ourselves in come in various degrees…we all have something missing, something

broken about our lives.”

When you consider the world we live in, it is easy to see the mess human beings have made. Poverty and war,

acts of hatred and neglect, self-indulgence and sin – have torn at the fabric of humanity. We are a broken people

in need of a savior. The first step we take toward God is the one of acknowledgement, admitting our sin and

selfishness, and understanding that without God, we will continue to be empty and broken.

Can you identify areas of your life that were broken before you came to Christ? What were/are they?

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No matter how long we have been walking with Christ, there are still areas where brokenness in our thinking,

behaving, and choosing can keep us out of the will of God and struggling in our faith. We need our Savior every

day of our walk with God, not just the first day. When we surrender to the Holy Spirit, God takes what has been

broken and makes it new.

Read Isaiah 61:1. What does this verse reveal about God’s heart for those who are broken?

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for being a merciful God with a heart for broken people with broken lives. Thank you for

sending your Son Jesus to be the Savior of the world and of me. Search my heart, Oh God, and show me the ways

that I am broken in my thinking, believing, behaving, and choosing so that I can surrender to your work and

become the new creature You have created me to be. Forgive me for my selfishness, which has led me away from

you and into a life of brokenness and sin. I no longer want to live in darkness in this messy world. I choose to

embrace truth and walk in the light of your grace and forgiveness.

Get Specific: Remember that faith is a choice – not just a simple prayer or a good idea. As you close today’s

devotion, write out a prayer of your own to Him addressing those areas of brokenness in your life and asking for

His help in turning those areas over to Him.

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Discovering the God-First Life

Not How it’s Supposed to Be Day 2

“When Adam chose independence from God, we (humanity) had to depend on ourselves. Selfishness (the nature

of sin) entered the world and we lost our relationship with God.”

It was never God’s intent that man be lost in sin and separated from a life of fellowship with Him. The heart of

the Father was always to be in close relationship with mankind. He created man in His image and give man the

heart to love Him. But God wanted a people who would willingly choose that relationship, so he gave man free

will. Sadly, man was quickly seduced by the temporary pleasures of sin and selfishness.

Read Genesis 1:26-27. What did God have in mind when He created man?

How did that purpose change after Adam and Eve sinned – when man chose sin over God? (See Genesis 5:1-3).

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By choosing sin, man was no longer a reflection of the image and likeness of God. That is why God sent Jesus –

so we would be restored to relationship with Him and be re-created in His image, as was His original intent. This

does not happen overnight. It is the process of becoming that new creature in Christ – a process God will “carry

on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6).

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for the work you are doing in me. I want to be a reflection of your character in the earth so

that others can see Your goodness. I know that I am a work in progress, and I surrender my own will, Lord, to the

work the Holy Spirit is doing in my life. Guide my footsteps and show me how to walk in faithfulness. May my

words, choices, and deeds be transformed and shaped to honor you, Lord.

Get Specific: According to Colossians 2:6, those of us who have received Christ Jesus are to “walk in Him.” The

Christian journey is a walk made up of thousands of steps closer to the heart (and image) of God. Close your

prayer by addressing your walk with God and where you need specific guidance in your footsteps:

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Discovering the God-First Life

The Godship of Christ Day 3

“Jesus fulfilled more than 60 prophecies from the Old Testament regarding God Himself coming to intervene to

‘save’ His people – the chance of just 8 being fulfilled by one person has been worked out as more than 1 in 100

million billion!”

Settling the issue of Christ’s identity is an important part of discovering our own as a new believers. To know

who we are in Christ, we must first know and understand who He is. While many religious people of His day and

even historians over time have suggested that Jesus was merely a prophet or a teacher, the fact is that Jesus is

God. It was His godship that enabled Him to fulfill prophecy, defy death, and be raised from the dead. Certainly

no mere prophet or teacher could have accomplished such a feat.

What does each verse below tell us about who Christ was?

John 10:33

Matthew 1:18-25

Accepting that Jesus is God is predicated on the assumption that we accept all that the Bible says

about Him – his birth, life, miracles, death, and resurrection. It is impossible to profess faith in Christ without

accepting these simple, albeit profound, truths. Jesus is not a concept or an idea. He is God and He was man.

What is your mindset about the godship of Christ?

I accept this fully without hesitation.

I accept this but have some doubts/confusion about the more difficult-to-believe things the Bible says.

I want to believe but I struggle to accept that truth because it doesn’t seem logical to me.

To fully embrace your walk with Christ, the issue must be settled. The foundation of our faith is an unwavering

belief that Christ was raised from the dead – something He could only have accomplished if He was more than

human.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, I come before you with a grateful heart ready to believe and accept your godship over my life. I

believe you were more than a prophet, teacher, or a good man. I know that you are more than a concept or an

idea. I believe that you are God with the power to save and change lives. Where I may have doubts about these

truths, I ask for a divine revelation of your undeniable existence and pray for the strength to walk in faith under

that revelation for all of my days.

Get Specific: It helps sometimes to address our doubts. Write down those scriptural truths about Jesus’ divinity

that you may struggle with – then ask God to help you to walk in faith.

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Discovering the God-First Life

Rescue Mission Day 4

“God is a good God, full of love and mercy, yet completely holy and just. He couldn’t let man’s failing go

unpunished, so He sent His own Son to pay the price on our behalf.”

The word redemption means “released upon payment of a debt.” In ancient times, people who were unable to

pay their debts were sent to debtor’s prison or sold into slavery. They could be “redeemed” or purchased back

by a family member or a friend who could pay off the debt on their behalf. This is exactly what Christ has done

for us. God sent Jesus to rescue us from the “debtor’s prison” of sin. Because God is a just god and abides by the

rule of fairness, all sin must be accounted and paid for. But because of His love for us, He sent Jesus to pay the

debt for us.

Read Ephesians 1:7-8. What was the payment for your redemption?

What did this payment “cost” Jesus? What does this say about how much He loves you?

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There was no way that man could pay off the debt of his own sin, not with money or with time. Romans 6:23

tells us that the “wages of sin is death,” which means the only just payment for our sin would be death. Christ

went to the cross to pay that debt. He paid through death the wage of sin, and as a result, we have life!

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for the amazing blessing of your Son, who took my sin upon Himself and gave His life on my

behalf. I am forever grateful for that gift and the access to heaven it has given me. Through that sacrifice, I now

have access to your throne, where I can have relationship with you and dwell with you all of my days. Teach me

to walk in humble appreciation for that sacrifice that I might live as a reflection to others of your mercy and

grace.

Get Specific: Every one of us can fall quickly at the feet of Jesus in profound gratitude for the life of sin that was

forgiven when we gave our lives to Christ. Write out a special prayer thanking Him for your salvation.

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Discovering the God-First Life

Amazing Grace Day 5

“Salvation is not something we can work for or earn; it is a free gift.”

In the Greek, the word grace (charis) means “gift.” While some have referred to grace as the “unmerited favor of

God,” the reality is that God’s gift of Christ as an atoning sacrifice is so much more than an unmerited “favor.”

It’s not quite the same as having a sweepstakes check show up at your door that you had to do nothing to earn.

Our sin should have earned man a punishment, which makes God’s grace through Christ an even greater gift. It

does not come as the result of something earned, bought, or bargained for. Nor is it like a birthday gift or

Christmas present given in recognition of a milestone or holiday. And we are all recipients of God’s grace

because He loves us, not because we deserve it.

Read Titus 2:11. To whom is grace given by God? Is anyone exempt?

According to Ephesians 4:7, did we earn grace? How was it given?

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What profound love the Father had for each of us to offer a gift in place of punishment. When we were lost in

sin, He had mercy on us and gave us Jesus. We continue to walk under that grace every day of our lives in Christ.

Prayer

Dear God, I cannot imagine the amount of love it took for you to offer your Son on my behalf. Who am I that the

Lord of all the earth would care to know my name? And yet you not only know my name, you loved me enough to

save me from myself through the sacrifice of your Son. What an incredible gift! Lord, teach me to truly walk in

grace throughout my life, never forgetting or taking for granted the sacrifice you made for me but living every

day with the gratitude of one who knows and understands the depth and breadth of my salvation.

Get Specific: What does God’s gift of grace mean to you? Tell Him.

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Discovering the God-First Life

The Exchange Day 6

“When we decided to believe in Jesus and what He did on the cross, we were freed from the state of ‘sin’ to a

state of ‘righteousness,’ which means to be right with God.”

At the moment of salvation, when we profess Christ as Savior and genuinely place our trust in Him, a divine

exchange occurs. Our old nature, once a slave to sin, is replaced with the new nature of Christ. While the Bible is

very clear that we do not suddenly become perfect (we will need to grow and mature in our faith), we do

experience an immediate replacement of the old for the new.

Read 2 Cor 5:17. According to this verse, what happens to the new believer?

In Corinthians 3:18 we are told that as believers we are all “being transformed into the same image” as Christ.

The word transformed here comes from the Greek word for metamorphosis – the biological term for how a

caterpillar changes into a butterfly. The divine exchange that occurs at the moment of salvation is rather like the

transformation that takes place between the caterpillar and butterfly. That caterpillar becomes an entirely new

creature, beautifully transformed…no longer bound to an old life of “crawling” but released to a new life of

flying. The journey of growing, maturing, and learning how to fly toward the “upward call of Christ” begins.

Consider your old nature before you gave your life to Christ. In what areas have you seen a ‘divine exchange’ in

your life since coming to Christ?

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Prayer

Dear Lord, I believe that I have been transformed. When I gave my heart to You and accepted Your gift of

salvation, I know that I received a new nature. Help me to speak, act, and behave as one transformed so that

others will see the change in my life, a living testimony of who You are. I commit to the journey of faith to walk

out this transformation every day.

Get Specific: Where are you still struggling to be “transformed?” What remnants of your old nature are still

sticking around? Ask God to help you with those areas.

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Discovering the God-First Life

Salvation – It’s Settled! Day 7

“Regardless of how you are feeling, if you confess that Jesus is Lord of your life and believe that God raised Him

from the dead, you will be saved.”

The journey toward spiritual insight and maturity will be fraught with mistakes and an ongoing struggle with sin.

It is inevitable that even after salvation, we will all mess things up. But no matter what mistakes we make, what

self-doubt we may possess, or whether we feel worthy of it, we can be confident in our salvation and in the

unfailing grace and forgiveness of our Savior.

Read Rom 10:9. What two criteria are indicated here for salvation?

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Given those clear requirements for salvation, check which statements below are true:

. I can lose my salvation if I continue to sin.

. I’m only saved if I’m perfect and never make a mistake.

. In order to stay saved, I need to earn that status by doing good deeds.

. I can never lose my salvation.

Thank goodness our salvation does not depend on us – our own choices, worthiness, or good deeds! Our

salvation is a gift given freely by Christ, and He will not take it from us. While we are expected to embrace a life

of faith and choose to do good works as a reflection of a changed mind and heart, they do not earn us salvation

“points” with God. According to Eph 2:8, godly works and good deeds have no correlation to salvation, “lest any

man should boast.” God gets the credit (and the glory!) for our salvation – not us.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, I am so grateful for my salvation. I understand that it is a gift and that no matter what I do (or don’t

do), my place in heaven is secured. But I promise never to take that security for granted, never to use that gift as

an excuse to sin or do as I please. I pray to never forget the path I was on before you rescued me; I promise to

press on toward the life you are calling me to.

Get Specific: Do you operate under the wrong mindset about salvation? Do you secretly fear you may disappoint

God or fall so short that you may lose your salvation? Be honest with God here and talk it out.

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Discovering the God-First Life

A Baby all Over Again Day 8

“We now have this nature. We don’t have to do anything else to get it; however, we need to discover how to live

according to this new nature.”

Perhaps you have heard the phrase “born again” to describe a new Christian. Because we grew up and matured

under our old sin nature before we came to Christ, we have to start all over again when we receive our new

nature at salvation. Even if we possessed physical, emotional, or even intellectual maturity before we came to

Christ, we all begin our journey of faith as a spiritual “infants,” having been reborn with our new nature in Christ.

Read John 3:1-5. What does Jesus tell Nicodemus in verse 3? _______________________________

_________

What is Nicodemus’ reply? _________

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Jesus tells Nicodemus that “no man can enter the kingdom of heaven unless he is born of water and Spirit.” The

water birth he is referring to is the natural birth of every man who emerges from the “water” of his mother’s

womb. But it is the second birth – of “Spirit” – where the old sin nature of man is exchanged for the spirit of

Christ, that Jesus says must occur for us to have access to heaven. At the moment of your salvation, you became

“born again” and began a journey from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity that will continue all of your life.

The new Christian learning to change and adapt to a journey of faith is much like a newborn baby learning to

walk, talk, and behave in a new way.

What kinds of things does a newborn have to learn? How would you describe the learning process for a baby?

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Prayer

Dear God, I understand that you have given me a new spirit and that you want me to mature and grow in my

walk with you. Teach me to walk out my new beliefs as a mature Christian, to speak and communicate in a way

that reflects my relationship with you, and to behave and make choices that demonstrate my faith. I thank you

for giving me a new spirit in place of my old nature.

Get Specific: Where do you need to walk, talk, and/or behave in a new way?

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Discovering the God-First Life

New Hunger, New Food Day 9

“Until Jesus comes back, when we will be transformed ‘in the twinkling of an eye,’ we will live in the tension

between our new nature and our old sin nature.”

In 1 Peter 2:2, we are instructed as new believers to crave authentic spiritual nourishment. Newborn babies get

their nourishment entirely from the milk provided by their mothers. It has everything needed for growth and

development. If we were to give a baby junk food, that child would not likely grow to be healthy, strong, and

physically mature. Likewise, a new believer who continues to feed on the “junk” of the world rather than the

nourishing milk of God’s Word and His instruction will remain a spiritual infant, unable to step into the mature

purposes of God that he/she has been called to fulfill and more likely to fall back into a life of sin and

disobedience.

Let’s take a closer look at the 1 Peter 2. Read verses 1-3. According to verse 1, what should we be

“ridding” ourselves of?______________________________________________________________

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How does verse 2 help the believer to avoid those sins and begin to walk in maturity? _____________________

____________

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Read verse 2 again. Peter reminds us here that we have a big incentive for turning from the vices listed in verse

1 and seeking spiritual nourishment. First and foremost, it is the only way we will grow. Very few people want

to stay stuck in infancy! After all, babies are given few, if any, freedoms or responsibilities. And they can’t be

entrusted with tasks and assignments until they demonstrate their maturity. But there is another reason Peter

gives for ridding turning from sin and growing in maturity. What does verse 3 reveal?

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More than anything, we should turn from sin because we have already seen first-hand just how good God is. We

now have the revelation of knowing what Christ did for us on the cross, and it is our gratitude for His goodness

that should compel us to a life of devotion.

Prayer

Father God, I am so grateful for your goodness. I have tasted and seen it for myself. May that revelation compel

me to a life of devotion that I may have the desire to turn from sin and embrace a life of spiritual feasting. I know

that it is the only way I will grow into maturity and be ready for the life of purpose you have ordained for me.

Get Specific: Consider the sins Peter addresses in verse 1. Which ones do you struggle with?

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Discovering the God-First Life

Walking your Talk and Talking your Walk Day 10

“I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin.”- Psalm 39:1

When we receive our new nature from God, it definitely takes surrender and practice to stop talking and

behaving the way we did before we came to Christ. We have to “watch our ways” by making choices and

engaging in behavior that is pleasing to God and bears out good spiritual fruit of maturity over time. That’s

“walking the talk.” But we also have to keep our “tongues from sin,” which means we have to speak and

communicate differently, choosing words that reflect our new character and nature. That’s “talking the walk.”

What do the following scriptures have to say about walking the talk?

James 4:17: _______________________________________________________________________

2 Pet 5:7: _________________________________________________________________________

What do these scriptures have to say about the talking the walk?

Prov 18:21: _________________________________________________________________________________

Prov 21:23: _________________________________________________________________________________

James 1:26: _________________________________________________________________________________

If we are to understand spiritual growth, we must first accept that it is a process, not a fixed point. The Christian

life is a pursuit, not an arrival. Keeping ourselves from sinful behavior and poor choices requires a commitment

to discipleship. Read John 15:7-8.

What does it mean to “abide” (remain) in Christ? ___________________________________________________

What do you have to do to have the Word “abiding” in you? __________________________________________

We will be able to walk out our profession of faith and honor God in our speech when we are “abiding” in God

and His word is abiding in us.

Prayer

Lord, the hardest part about my walk of faith is letting go of my old habits – my old way of choosing and talking.

But, Lord, I know that you want me to walk in holiness. That means I have to commit to the process of replacing

my old choices with new ones, choices that are guided by Your Word. Help me to have discipline in this area and

to seek you out in Your Word so that my words and actions are transformed.

Get Specific: Consider your own pattern of life choices. Where do you need to make Word-inspired choices?

Where do you need to let the Word of God transform the way you speak?

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Discovering the God-First Life

Church is People, not a Building Day 11

“In the Bible, the ‘Church’ is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia which is about people – ‘the called out

ones.’ God has called us out from living in the ‘darkness’ of not knowing Him into the ‘light’ of living in a

relationship with Him.”

It is a common mistake, for believers and nonbelievers alike, to refer to the church as a place. After all, we talk

about going “to church” or walking “into the church” or meeting people “at church.” But the truth is that from

the beginning, Christ established His people to be church. At the moment of salvation, we each step out of

darkness and into the light of those walking with and serving Him. We become part of a corporate body of

believers – the Church.

Read Mat 16:13-19. What does Jesus say He will build on the “rock” of Peter’s (and ours)

declaration that He is “the Christ”? ________

What power will be given to “the Church” (vs 19)? _______________________________________

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When Simon tells Jesus that he believes Jesus to be “the Son of the Living God,” Jesus praises Simon for this

response. He commends Peter for having received this revelation directly from God and not from man. It is this

revelation – that Jesus is Lord – which serves as the “rock,” or foundation, for every believer. When we receive

revelation from God about Jesus and declare Him as Lord, we become part of the Church He is establishing in

the earth, we are given the keys of heaven (through our acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice on the Christ), and we

are empowered to partner with God to do His work in the earth. Once established, Christ works through His

Church to impact the world.

Read Ephesians 1:23. What does this say about the Church? _________________________________________

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Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for the revelation that brought me to salvation. I know that you are calling me to be part of

your Body of believers in the earth and that I am not to live my life of faith in isolation. Thank you for the gift of

your Church and the blessing of being able to learn, grow, and serve alongside other Christians to fulfill your

purposes in the earth.

Get Specific: What was your perception of “church” before you came to Christ? What is it now?

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Discovering the God-First Life

Why Fellowship? Day 12

“Imagine a community of believers who know who they are in Christ, who are becoming all that they can be and

who see themselves as a vital part of the household of God…the community that forms as a result of

salvation…each of us contributing in some way to the health, life, and expression of what we are about.”

In the life of the new believer, fellowship with other Christians is essential, not only for personal growth and

accountability, but also to connect up to the corporate purpose of Christ for the Church. God uses this gathering,

or fellowship, of believers to bring unity in the Church and speak to the corporate body. There is a critical

connectedness that occurs when we worship and seek God together that cannot happen if we choose to isolate

ourselves from other Christians.

Read Acts 2:42. How does this verse describe the fellowship of the early church?

According to verse 43, what was the outcome of this degree of fellowship and connectedness?

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Which of the following describes your attitude toward consistent fellowship in church?

I believe it is critical to my life as a Christian. I look for any opportunity to be in God’s House and/or with

other Christians.

I know it is an important part of being a Christian and believe in attending weekly services as often as

possible.

I enjoy church services but I don’t think you have to be there all the time to be a good Christian.

I think it’s possible to follow Christ without having to attend church or hang out with other Christians.

If you checked either of the last two, read Hebrews 10:24-25. What does God have to say about turning away

from fellowship? What reason is given here for why it’s so important?

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Prayer

Lord, I thank you for the blessing of a Body of believers with whom I can fellowship, grow, and “do life.” If ever I

grow complacent or lazy in my mindset about the importance of fellowship, I pray that you will spur me toward

connection with other Christians so that I don’t grow isolated in my faith. I recognize that encouragement,

support, and corporate worship are an important part of my own growth and critical to Your purposes.

Get Specific: Consider your own commitment to fellowship. How would you rate your devotion to church?

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Discovering the God-First Life

Planted in the House Day 13

“Those planted in the House will flourish. It is God’s will for you and I to flourish in life as we plant ourselves in

the local church.”

If you know anything about gardening (even if your thumb isn’t green!), you can appreciate the fundamental

truth that anything you are trying to grow needs to be planted in good soil, fed faithfully, and consistently

nourished to put down good roots. A plant also needs to be pruned to encourage healthy growth. All of this

causes the plant to flourish and produce its fruit. So it is with God’s children.

What do these verses say about being “well planted”?

Psalm 92:12-13

Jeremiah 17:7-8

These verses have a lot to say about the kind of “trees” we will become if we choose to position ourselves in the

best place for growth, development, and bearing good fruit. While you can receive good nourishment from

books, videos, and other Christian resources, the primary sources of our sustenance as believers are God’s Word

and His House.

Read Galatians 5:22-23

What kind of “fruit” should we be bearing? List them. ______________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

How are these characteristics better nurtured and developed in fellowship with other believers?

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Prayer for

Lord, I know that I cannot become all You have called me to be if I am isolated, attempting to navigate my

spiritual journey alone. I need the fellowship, encouragement, and accountability of other believers. Thank you

for positioning men and women of faith in my life to guide and support me. I pray for zeal and love for Your

House and Your people – one that compels me to stay connected to my local church and to my brothers and

sisters in Christ.

Get Specific: How well planted are you in the House of God? Where do you need to connect?

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Discovering the God-First Life

The Church – One Purpose, One Mission Day 14

“Jesus said he would build only one thing – the Church…”

Connecting to the House of God isn’t just about personal growth and spiritual development. Ultimately the

purpose of coming together as believers is to fulfill our mutual mission, working together in harmony as the

“Body of Christ” to impact the world. It is for this reason that God gives to each believer a set of gifts that, when

deployed in coordination with other believers, will fulfill His purposes in the earth.

Read Ephesians 4:11-13. What do our gifts prepare us to do?

Having a passion for the purposes of God means having a passion for His House, for it is through the local church

that God will work in the lives of people.

Read the following scriptures:

Psalm 84:10

John 2:17

What do these verses have to say about fellowship and our role in the local church? ______________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer

Lord, I know that You have an amazing plan for Your Church, and I am an important part of that plan. Thank you

for positioning me in a life-giving church where I can grow and fulfill that purpose alongside other believers who

are devoted to You and to each other. Help me to be obedient to your plan by committing to service and

fellowship in Your House.

Get Specific: What opportunities are offered through your church to get connected to the mission of God’s

House? How can you get involved and contribute to those efforts?

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Discovering the God-First Life

The Fellowship of Communion Day 15

“When we eat the bread, we remember Jesus’ body. His body was broken so that ours doesn’t have to be. There

is also an emphasis on our attitudes toward each other as we remember that we are all part of the church – the

body of Christ.”

Though some might consider it merely a symbolic ritual, the act of breaking bread through formal communion

has a profound purpose and place in House of God. In Luke 22:17-20, Jesus instructed His disciples (and us) to

engage in breaking bread and sharing in the communion cup as a frequent reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and the

grace that brought us back into fellowship with God. When we might get caught up in the “business” of church

life, engaging in communion keeps each of us from forgetting who we serve and why we’re here.

Read Acts 2:46-47. What was the early church doing? How often? What was the result?

What does 1 Cor 10:16-17 say about communion? _______________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Coming together to commemorate Christ on the cross in communion is part of keeping the body of Christ

focused on Christ. This is another reason why it is important to engage in faithful, consistent fellowship with

believers through your local church. Avoiding fellowship means not only that you’re separated from the

accountability and support of other believers, but it also means that you are cutting yourself off from connecting

frequently to the cross through the breaking of bread.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, may I never forget or take for granted your sacrifice on the cross – ever forget your broken body or

shed blood for my salvation. Thank you for the gift of communion with other believers, where we are reminded of

your grace and compelled to greater devotion and obedience. May I be steadfast in my love for your House, my

fellowship with your people, and my faithfulness to your table.

Get Specific: What does God’s gift of grace mean to you? Tell Him.

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Discovering the God-First Life

Who Am I? Day 16

“When you tell people who you are, what do you say? I am _____________.”

People spend most of their lives trying to figure out “who” they are. In an effort to answer that question, we will

often seek identity in a variety of things – work, hobbies, other people, etc. None of those things, however, ever

satisfies the question, Who am I?

Where did you seek your identity before you came to Christ?

My career/profession

My hobbies or talents

My social/economic status

My spouse or significant other

My family

My nationality or race

Who does 1 John 3:1 say you are? ________

Read Rom 8:16-17. What does it mean to be an “heir”? __________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Ephesians 1:11-13 tells us that we were chosen in Him and that we were included “in Christ” when we heard the

word of truth at our salvation. Verse 13 goes on to say that we were marked in Him with a seal, given the Holy

Spirit as a guarantee of our “inheritance.” This is good news! We are His! We no longer have to wonder who we

are or why we were created, and we no longer have to seek our identity in the transitory things of this world.

We are His children, heirs to His Kingdom, and sealed by His Spirit for His purposes.

Prayer

Father, what a privilege and joy to be called your child! I am now part of a heavenly household and have been

given the inheritance of a favored child. I am now sealed by Your Name and have a new identity. I am no longer

who I was – marked or defined by my accomplishments, failures, relationships or possessions. I am now defined

by who You are in me.

Get Specific: Where do you still struggle with allowing people, circumstances and failures to define you? Go to

God with these needs and ask Him to help you.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Discovering the God-First Life

Identifying with Christ Day 17

“We didn’t choose how we were born. We are each born into this world as a human being. We are born with the

characteristics that we had no choice in. But when we hear the good news of Jesus Christ and trust Him as our

Savior and Lord, we are instantly identified with Christ and part of His family in God’s eyes. We are ‘in Christ.’”

What does it mean to “identify” with someone? One source defines it as “considering oneself as similar,

associated, or united with another.” When we are born, we are spiritually dead. We live, behave, and choose

according to our flesh. We identify (and are identified by) our own needs and our own will. But when we receive

Christ, our old nature is replaced with His, and we then live according to His identity. This means not only that

we identify with Him, but more importantly, that others identify us with Christ. We should walk so closely to

Him, that others consider us “associated or united” with Christ.

Read Col 3:3-14. According to verse 3, where is the new believer?

What aspects of our “earthly nature” should we now be avoiding (vs. 5, 8)? ___________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

What characteristics (verse 12) should we display so that others “identify” us with Christ? _________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

We may not be able to choose our race, gender, parents, nationality, etc., and many things happen to us during

the course of our lives that are likewise out of our control. But each of us can choose relationship with Jesus and

embrace the new identity that comes with being a follower of Christ. We don’t have to be defined by our past or

continue to let our past behaviors and choices define us in the eyes of others. When we take on the identity of

Jesus and begin to make choices that align with His will, soon those around us will recognize the change and

begin to define us by our new identity – Jesus Christ. Hopefully, over time your friends and family will say,

“You’re not who you used to be.” And you can respond, “You’re right. My identity is now with Christ.”

Prayer

Lord, I am forever amazed that you would choose to place your identity on me – to give me a new name and a

new purpose. My identity is now in Christ Jesus. I want my friends, family, and coworkers to see this new identity

evident in my life. Help me to mature and grow in my faith so that my choices and behaviors reflect Jesus – that

others may see Christ in me and be drawn to relationship with you through my changed life.

Get Specific: Where are you still identifying with your old life or your old “self”? Where do you need to embrace

your new identity?

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Discovering the God-First Life

Living in Freedom Day 18

“We no longer need to live for acceptance and identity. We can now live from acceptance and knowing who we

are.”

Your new identity in Christ means the favor and approval that our Heavenly Father bestowed on His Son is now

bestowed on you. We don’t have to worry about being accepted, loved, and approved of by the world. We

receive all of those things from God because we have our identity in Christ, His Son.

Read Matthew 3:17. What does God say about Jesus here?

________

_______________

If your identity is now in Christ, how does that verse now apply to you? ________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Galatians 5:1 tells us that “Christ has set us free to live a free life.” Knowing that we have our identity,

acceptance, and approval from God, we can live free from the insecurity and pain of rejection. We don’t have to

seek love and acceptance from people or things. We can have access to unconditional love and acceptance from

our Heavenly Father.

What would it mean to live a life truly free of insecurity? _____________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

How much importance do you place on the approval and acceptance of others?___________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer

God, I have spent much of my life seeking the love and approval of people who, being sinners like me, were not

able to satisfy that need. Only You can offer unconditional love and acceptance because only You can see me as

one with Christ – identified with His nature. You love me because you first loved Him. I can walk in the freedom

of knowing I am loved by God! I don’t have to seek the approval of man or live in insecurity or fear of rejection,

because I know you will never reject Him whom you love. Thank you for your gift of love and approval.

Get Specific: Make a list of the people whose approval and affirmation you have historically sought. How does

your relationship with Christ free you from being bound by that need?

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Discovering the God-First Life

Taking the Plunge Day 19

“Water baptism: An outward declaration of what has happened in your heart.”

An important part of our identification with Christ happens through water baptism. Water baptism for the

Christian symbolizes and appropriates our death, burial, and resurrection with Christ. “Therefore we were

buried with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the

Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4) The new believer who embraces salvation

through Jesus Christ takes a critically important and public first step by identifying with the death and

resurrection of Christ through baptism. When we are lowered into the water, we are identifying with Christ’s

death on the cross and declaring the “death” of our old sin nature. Likewise, when we are raised up out of the

water, we are identifying with Christ’s resurrection and publicly declaring that we are “resurrected” – leaving

our old nature behind in the water.

Read Matthew 28:18-20. What does Christ have to say about baptism?

Like a wedding ring, baptism is an outward sign of an inward commitment. It is not merely a religious ritual or

symbolic act. It is a public declaration of a spiritual change. Without true repentance and acceptance of Christ,

baptism is nothing more than a dip in the pool. This means baptism as a baby (or at any other time of your life

where the act was merely a sacrament or symbolic ritual) does not qualify as true baptism.

Summarize the following scriptures:

Mark 16:16: _______________________________________________________________________________

Acts 8:36-37: _______________________________________________________________________________

Acts 2:38: _________________________________________________________________________________

Based on these scriptures, who should be baptized? _______________________________________________

Prayer

Father God, I thank you for the opportunity to publicly declare my salvation and new life through baptism. I

embrace water baptism as an outward sign of my inner commitment to repent of my sins and walk according to

my new nature. I devote myself to celebrating that baptism every day through spiritual growth, as I answer the

upward call you have placed on my life.

Get Specific: Have you been baptized? If not, why not? What’s holding you back?

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Discovering the God-First Life

A Note About Repentance Day 20

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of the Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you

shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)

Many think the word repent means “get it together” or “straighten up.” Repentance actually means to turn. It

requires the believer to adopt an entirely new perspective – God’s perspective. When you continue to view your

old nature and your sin from your own perspective, you fall into the trap of either self-justification or guilt. But

when we see our sin from God’s point of view, it is the natural result that we will feel profoundly sorrowful for

True godly sorrow brings about a change of the heart. This is why repentance is such a critical part of coming

to Christ and seeking baptism.

Read Acts 2:36-41. What prompted this baptism (verse 36)? _______________________________

_______________

What did Peter tell the people they had to do to be baptized? ______________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Romans 2:4 tells us that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. It is His unconditional love and grace

that gives us favor even in the confession of our sin, because we know that He has not rejected us because of

our sin. He has forgiven us through His son. Knowing that He loves us no matter what we do brings us to

repentance and a desire to turn from sin.

What does 2 Cor 7:10-11 have to say about the benefits of godly sorrow? ______________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer

Dear God, I repent of my sins and thank you for Your loving kindness, which makes me able to approach You with

my sin, seek Your forgiveness, and turn from that sin for good. I know that only godly repentance will empower

me to change, and I pray that my sorrow would not be worldly sorrow but the sorrow that comes from knowing I

have displeased You. Thank you for Your forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

Get Specific: Repentance requires you to be specific. Make a list of the things you need godly sorrow about.

Offer them up to God with a sincere heart that desires to change.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Discovering the God-First Life

Metamorphosis Day 21

“God wants to change you. He wants your life to be such an amazing example of His grace that people see the

eternal and divine in your life…conclusive evidence that accepting what He did for you on the cross transforms

your life.”

Despite the fact that we are given a new identity at the moment of our salvation, most of us realize pretty

quickly that we’ve got a lot of work to do if we ever hope to live up to our identity in Christ. Transformation is a

journey. It takes a daily surrendered walk with God through the Holy Spirit to break down the old man and

rebuild the new. Getting saved is just the first step. It will take time and devotion to see manifested on the

“outside” those transformational changes God is working on the “inside.”

Read Philippians 1:6. What does this say about God’s commitment to your spiritual growth and

maturity? _____________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Knowing God isn’t going to bail out on the process, how does that impact your own commitment?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

We are told in 2 Cor 3:16-18 that if we turn to the Lord, the Spirit makes us “more and more like Him as we are

changed into His glorious image.” We must first seek God then listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit as we

think, behave, speak, etc., so that over time we are transformed into the likeness of God. It happens one

thought, deed, or action at a time.

Consider your own approach to spiritual growth. Which of the following are you faithfully engaging in?

Praying to hear the heart of God

Reading/studying the Bible to know the Word of God

Seeking guidance and counsel from pastors and teachers to seek the will of God

Serving in ministry to serve the people of God

Prayer

Father, I praise you that I am being transformed into Your image every day through the Holy Spirit! I commit to

the journey of transformation, even when it is painful or uncomfortable. I want to be changed from the inside

out.

Get Specific: How would you assess your spiritual maturity? Where do you need to grow and develop?

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Discovering the God-First Life

Spiritual Maturity Day 22

“Maturity has nothing to do with how long you’ve been a Christian or how much knowledge you have, but the

truth outworking in your life. Maturity is putting God’s word into practice.”

There are two kinds of maturity – the kind that occurs naturally (physical maturity) and the kind that occurs by

intent and experience (emotional/spiritual maturity). Like emotional maturity, spiritual maturity does not occur

automatically over time. Sadly, many believers receive Christ but never mature. They never embrace discipleship

and personal growth so that they can walk in abundance and answer the call God has placed on their lives,

which is why you can see believers who are chronologically young but spiritually mature, and others who are

chronologically older but spiritually immature. To be mature is to be Christ-like, which means self-denial and

surrender to the Holy Spirit in order to bear mature spiritual fruit.

Read Luke 9:23. How do we become like Christ? _______________________________________

What does it mean to take up His cross “daily”? _________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Christianity is not something you do once at the altar. Christianity is a lifestyle you embrace every single day. It is

a personal commitment to the statement of belief you made at the moment of your salvation. It’s saying every

day, “Yes, Lord.” It means daily saying “no” to old habits and behaviors until we are transformed. This is literally

what is meant by putting God’s word into practice. And you know what they say…practice makes perfect!

What does Phil 2:12 have to say about “working out salvation”? _____________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer

Lord, I know that it takes devotion and discipline to work out my salvation – to transform over time to become a

reflection of Jesus to the world. Help me to stay focused on that upward call. May I not grow complacent over

time. I want the world to see Jesus when they look at my life, and I know it takes work and faithfulness!

Get Specific: Where do you need spiritual discipline? Have you grown complacent in embracing spiritual

maturity? If so, how?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Discovering the God-First Life

Empowered Day 23

“The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me!”

The journey of transformation would seem rather daunting (and pretty much impossible) if we were forced to

go through it alone under our own strength. The human will can be weak and fickle, prone to distraction and

certainly drawn to sin. Thank goodness we don’t have to “fight the good fight of faith” under our own power. In

His infinite wisdom and compassion, God recognized that His children would need a little help. The Holy Spirit is

a deposit of God’s power in each of us – our Counselor and companion on the journey. He indwells every

believer who seeks that deeper connection to God. With the Holy Spirit on the inside of us, we are filled with the

same power that raised Christ from the dead – certainly enough power to help each of us to be overcomers of

this world and to live for God’s glory!

What did Jesus say about the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8?

________

_______________

Read Luke 24:49. What was being sent that the “Father had promised”? ________________________________

What were the disciples to be “clothed in” when this arrived? _______________________________________

This kind of powerful indwelling of the Holy Spirit does not happen automatically at salvation. Though we

receive Christ at our profession of faith and exchange our old nature with His through baptism, the power to

carry out what God has called us to do happens through baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Carefully read Acts 8:14-16. Were the Samarians already believers? ___________________________________

What had yet to happen to them? _______________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer

Lord, I rejoice in the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower me on my journey of faith. I joyfully accept the full baptism

of your Holy Spirit into my heart and life. I want to walk under the power of Your Spirit all the days of my life so

that I can be effective for the kingdom of God. Teach me to hear Your Spirit, to acknowledge Him and respond to

the transformation happening in me.

Get Specific: Have you sought God out through baptism in the Holy Spirit? If not, what’s holding you back?

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Discovering the God-First Life

What is My Purpose? Day 24

“When you give your life to God and come into agreement with Him, He will all align you with His purpose for

your life.”

All of humanity struggles to find purpose. In every culture, you can see people searching for “the meaning of

life.” God has placed in each of us a yearning to know why we were created. It is the rare person who is willing

to accept the false truth that life has no meaning and that we are all here by accident. Accepting Christ means

accepting that we have a destiny, that we were uniquely created by God for a purpose. It is the journey of the

new believer to get close to God’s heart and figure out what that unique purpose is.

Read Eph 2:10. What does this have to say about your destiny/purpose? ____________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Ultimately, seeking God is about discovering our assignment in the body of Christ. Each has a unique purpose

and work to do for the kingdom of God. To be in “alignment” with that “assignment” means first and foremost

to get into agreement with God’s plans. You can’t fight the work God is trying to do with you; you have to be a

cooperative partner. In that way, you get your mind and will into agreement with His so that He can get you

positioned for your ministry assignment.

What do the following scriptures tell us about the:

Purpose of God (John 17:3) _________________________________________________________

Call of God ( 1 Pet 2:9) _________

Destiny of God (Romans 8:29) _________________________________________________________________

Will of God (1 Thess 4:3, 5:16-18) ______________________________________________________________

_____________

Prayer

Father God, I thank you that You created me with a purpose and that You have a destiny for me to fulfill in my

life. I know that I have to be an engaged participant in that goal. Help me to surrender to the work You are doing

in me so that I can find and know my unique purpose in the Body of Christ. Teach me to listen to the Holy Spirit so

that I can stay in agreement with Your plans and in alignment with my purpose.

Get Specific: Do you question your purpose? What are you doing to discover God’s purpose for your life?

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Discovering the God-First Life

Different Role, Same Goal Day 25

“Instead of trying to find out God’s plan and purpose for your life, align your life with God’s purpose and plans.”

While God has given you a unique set of gifts and talents, and He has provided you with a unique assignment in

the Body of Christ, it is important for all believers to understand that our purpose is fundamentally the same –

to fulfill the Great Commission (“…to seek and save the lost.” -Luke 19:10). The purpose of Jesus is that

humanity is reconciled with God, and if we are to be “Christ-like,” then our purpose should align with His.

What do the following scriptures have to say about our purpose in Christ?

Mat 5:13-14 ______________________________________________________________________

_______________

Eph 1:11-12 _________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Consider the description of the “body” of Christ in Eph 4:11-16. Each part of the human body has a unique role

to play but the ultimate goal is the same for each. Christ is the “Head” (vs 15) of the Body, and we follow the

direction of the Head to the perfect functioning of the Body as a whole and responsive to the same call. So as

part of the functioning Body of Christ, what is our role?

2 Cor 5:15-21 ________________________________________________________________________________

How do we fulfill this role? Romans 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12: ________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

What help are we given? Acts 1:8 ______________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer

Dear Jesus, I acknowledge You as the Head of the Body of believers I am now a part of. I am committed to

fulfilling the Great Commission in my life – drawing people into relationship with God. As I seek You for guidance

with my gifts and talents to fulfill my unique purpose in Your plan, help me to stay focused on the “big picture.”

Get Specific: Consider your day-to-day routine. Where can you be bolder in your witness to the “lost”?

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Discovering the God-First Life