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Introduction to Christianity 1

1. WHAT IS GOD LIKE?

Christians believe God exists. We know that he made everything. We don't know how, but we do know that "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1, NIV.

We know too, that he keeps caring for what he has made. He has never lost interest in any part of it (Matthew 6.25-33).

But what is God like?

People have different images of God. It is not hard to think of a variety of different opinions people have of what God is like.

Can you list some?

It is hard to know which, if any, of these gives a fair picture of what God is like? May be it is not possible to know. Or maybe it doesn't matter.

Christians say we can know God, and we can know what he is like.

1. How Can We Know The True God Who Is Really There?

There are at least three things that lead us to know the true God. Can you identify them from these passages?

1.1 Romans 1.20

"Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. .." Romans 1:20, NRSV.

1.2 Hebrews 1.1

"Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets," Hebrews 1:1, NRSV.

1.3 Hebrews 1.2,3; John 1.18.

"... but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high," Hebrews 1:2,3, NRSV.

"No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known." John 1:18, NRSV.

2. God Is Like Jesus Because Jesus Is God

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers--all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell," Colossians 1:15-19, NRSV.

We can know what God is like by knowing what Jesus is like. We can know God by knowing Jesus.

Can you list some ideas of what God is like from these passages?

2.1 Matthew 7.21-23

""Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?' Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.'" Matthew 7:21-23, NRSV.

2.2 Matthew 9.36

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36, NRSV.

2.3 Matthew 25.31-34, 41-46

""When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;" Matthew 25:31-34, NRSV.

"Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."" Matthew 25:41-46, NRSV.

2.4 John 1.10-12

"He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God," John 1:10-12, NRSV.

2.5 John 3.16

""For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." John 3:16, NRSV.

2.6 John 11.25-26

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"" John 11:25,26, NRSV.

3. BUT ..........

Do people want God to be like Jesus?

Why do you think people shy away from having Jesus as their God?

If you would like to follow up anything in this unit, please contact us and we will try to help you.

The next Unit in this Course is 2. What A Mess We are In.

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Introduction to Christianity 2

2. WHAT A MESS WE'RE IN!

We saw in the last unit, that if we want to know what God is like, we should look at Jesus.
Jesus not only tells us what God is like, he also shows us what we are meant to be like. God has made people to be like himself.

As we live in his world he wants us to act responsibly, to care for each other and for what he has made.

1. But Something Has Gone Wrong.

Despite all the good in the world, it is obvious that there is a lot of bad. We are in a mess. One only has to read the paper to know that something drastic has gone wrong with God's world.

There are many examples of the mess human beings have got themselves into. Can you list some examples?

2. Why Are We In Such a Mess?

The Bible helps us to understand why we are like we are. What explanations do these passages give?

2.1 Romans 1.18-23

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools; and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles." Romans 1:18-23, NRSV.

2.2 Romans 3.12

"All have turned aside, together they have become worthless; there is no one who shows kindness, there is not even one."" Romans 3:12, NRSV.

2.3 Romans 5.12

"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned--" Romans 5:12, NRSV.

Do you think that everyone, to some extent, is involved in this kind of disobedience or going away from God's ways, or not?

3. Is There A Way Out?

Many people have tried to improve themselves. Some follow special sets of rules, a bit like people trying a diet. But the Bible tells us that the problem is inside us.

Read Mark 7.20-23. What has to change if we are to escape from this tendency to do wrong?

"And he said, "It is what comes out of a person that defiles. For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."" Mark 7:20-23, NRSV.

God has provided a way for us to start again. The past can be forgotten by God and a new kind of life begun.

There are at least three aspects to the way out. How do these passages help us understand them?

3.1 Romans 5.6-11

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." Romans 5:6-11, NRSV.

3.2 Acts 2.38.

"Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38, NRSV.

3.3 John 3.1-8

"Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."" John 3:1-8, NRSV.

4. BUT ...

Why do you think some people don't want to turn away from wrong, or turn to God?

If you would like to follow up anything in this unit, please contact us and we will try to help you.

The next Unit in this Course is 3. Does God Really Love us?

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Introduction to Christianity 3

3. DOES GOD REALLY LOVE US?

In unit 2 we saw that one of the reasons for the mess we are in is that each of us has gone our own way. We have ignored or disobeyed God, with the result that we no longer live in the way he wants us to.

1. The Problem

As you think about this from God's point of view how do you think he regards our rebelliousness?

a) He is pleased.

b) He tolerates it as a kind of childish mistake.

c) He is displeased.

d) He doesn't mind.

Read Romans 6.23 and Romans 1.18. What consequences are there for the person who has rebelled against God

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23, NRSV.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth." Romans 1:18, NRSV.

Is there any way we, by ourselves, can get out of this problem?

2. The Solution

The Bible tells us that God is displeased with our sin. But he loves us very much. He has provided a way for us to escape from his judgment and be his friends.

The beautiful thing about God's solution is that he is able to act justly by judging sin (and so uphold his moral order in the universe) while at the same time allowing us to escape entirely from every bit of punishment that was coming to us for every one of our sins.

2.1 How is this possible? (Romans 3.22-26)

"But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus." Romans 3:21-26, NRSV.

2.2 Who dies? (Romans 5.6; 1 Peter 2.24-25)

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." Romans 5:6, NRSV.

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls." 1 Peter 2:24,25, NRSV.

2.3 On whose behalf does he die? (Romans 5.6-8)

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8, NRSV.

2.4 Why does he stand in for us? (Romans 5.8)

"But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us." Romans 5:8, NRSV.

Are there any sins you have committed for which Jesus has not taken the punishment?

3. Can you list some other results of God's love?

What do these passages say?

3.1 Ephesians 1.5

"He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will," Ephesians 1:5, NRSV.

3.2 Hebrews 2.14-15

"Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death." Hebrews 2:14,15, NRSV.

3.3 1 Peter 2.24

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24, NRSV

4. So ...

If God has shown his love for us in this way how should we respond?

2 Corinthians 5.14-15

"For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them." 2 Corinthians 5:14,15, NRSV.

1 John 4.9-12

"God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us." 1 John 4:9-12, NRSV.

If you would like to follow up anything in this unit, please contact us and we will try to help you.

The next Unit in this Course is 4. Can God Make a Difference to Me?

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Introduction to Christianity 4

4. CAN GOD MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO ME?

When anyone becomes a Christian they will have

• recognised that Jesus is God.
• seen that they are in rebellion to God.
• turned back from the rebellion.
• submitted their life to Jesus as their Lord.
• asked for and received forgiveness because of the death of Jesus.

BUT does this make them any different?

NO - they are still like other human beings: they work, play sport, get hurt, live in a house, etc.

YES - there is also a complete change that happens. It begins on the inside and gradually affects all their life.

1. Different With Respect to the Past

When I think of my past

a) I've done wrong but I don't think it matters.

b) I don't think I've done anything wrong.

c) I am afraid of being judged for my wrongs.

d) I know I was guilty but my guilt has been cancelled.

Read Colossians 2.13, 14.

What is Paul's attitude to the past?

"And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:13,14, NRSV.

2. A Different Future

What is the Christian's attitude to death, and life after death?

1 Corinthians 15.20-22,

"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, NRSV.

1 Corinthians 15.51-57

"Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, NRSV.

Philippians 3.18-21

"For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself." Philippians 3:18-21, NRSV.

What will we be like eventually? 1 John 3.1-2

"See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is." 1 John 3:1,2, NRSV.

3. Different Now!

Can you list some differences from these passages:

2 Corinthians 5.17

"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" 2 Corinthians 5:17, NRSV.

2 Corinthians 5.18

"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation;" 2 Corinthians 5:18, NRSV.

Galatians 4.6,7

"And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God." Galatians 4:6,7, NRSV.

Galatians 5.22-26

"By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another." Galatians 5:22-26, NRSV.

Philippians 4.6,7

"Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6,7, NRSV.

4. BUT ....

4.1 Do you think these differences are :-

- Very important.

- Important.

- Irrelevant.

4.2 What do people have to do for God to make this kind of difference to them?

If you would like to follow up anything in this unit, please contact us and we will try to help you.

The last Unit in this Course is 5. Is There Any Hope for the Future?