Christianity 101 - Acts: More Questions

Growing as a Christian: More Resources

Chapter 1 – Jesus: The Reason You’re a Christian

Twelve Characteristics of Christ in the Gospels

Characteristic Reference

Jesus is the Son of	Matt. 16:15-16; Mark 1:1; Luke 22:70-71; John 8:24
Jesus is God who became human	John 1:1-2, 14; 20:28
Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah	Matt. 26:63-64; Mark 14:61-62; Luke 9:20; John 4:25-26
Jesus came to help sinners	Matt. 9:13; Luke 5:32
Jesus has power to forgive sins	Mark 2:9-12; Luke 24:47
Jesus has authority over death	Matt. 28:5-6; Mark 5:22-24; Luke 24:5-6; John 11:1-44
Jesus has power to give eternal life	John 10:28; 17:2
Jesus healed the sick	Matt. 8:5-13; Mark 1:32-34; Luke 5:12-15; John 9:1-7
Jesus taught with authority	Matt. 7:29; Mark 1:21-22
Jesus was compassionate	Matt. 9:36; Mark 1:41; 8:2
Jesus experienced sorrow	Matt. 26:38; John 11:35
Jesus never disobeyed God	Matt. 3:15; John 8:46

Chapter 2 – The Holy Spirit: Your Power Source

The following passages show us how important the Holy Spirit is in our daily lives

John 14:15-31	The Holy Spirit guides us and cares for us.
John 20:22; Acts 2	The regenerating power of the Holy Spirit came on the disciples, and He can come on us with power. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God in us.
John 14:16	The Holy Spirit will be with us forever.
John 14:17	The Holy Spirit will not be accepted by the world.
John 13:17	The Holy Spirit lives with us and within us. Even though Jesus is no longer with us in person, the Holy Spirit represents Jesus in us. To have the Holy Spirit is to have Jesus.
John 14:26	The Holy Spirit teaches us and opens our minds to the truth of the Bible.
John 15:26	The Holy Spirit gives us strength to withstand the hostility others have toward Christ.
John 16:8	The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin.
John 16:13	The Holy Spirit guides us into truth and gives insights into future events.
John 16:14	The Holy Spirit brings glory to Christ.
Romans 8:1-2	The Holy Spirit sets us free.
Romans 8:16; Galatians 4:6-7	The Holy Spirit assures us that we are God’s children.
Romans 8:26-27	The Holy Spirit intercedes for us in our weakness and in our prayers.
Ephesians 1:13-14	The Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee. He seals us for eternity.

Chapter 3 – The Bible: Read It for Life

Twelve Bible Benefits from Psalm 119

119:11:00	The Bible keeps us from sinning against God.
119:28:00	The Bible encourages us in our grief.
119:67	The Bible keeps us from wandering away from God.
119:90	The Bible shows us the faithfulness of God.
119:93	The Bible brings us joy and health.
119:98	The Bible makes us wise.
119:99	The Bible gives us insights.
119:105	The Bible is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path.
119:123	The Bible shows us God’s promises fulfilled.
119:130	The Bible gives us light and understanding.
119:162	The Bible is like a treasure
119:175	The Bible sustains us in all things

Chapter 4 – How to Really Study the Bible

The Theme, Key Word and Key Verse of Each Book in the Bible

OLD TESTAMENT

Genesis	Beginning of man’s sin and God’s redemption plan	Beginning	17:07
Exodus	God redeems His chosen people	Deliverance	3:14
Leviticus	God provides access for fellowship	Holiness	20:7-8
Numbers	God instructs and disciplines	Unbelief	6:24-26
Deuteronomy	God requires obedience	Remember	6:4-5
Joshua	God fulfills his promise of a land	Success	1:07
Judges	God’s mercy and compassion	History	21:25
Ruth	God’s love extended	Redeemer	1:16
1&2 Samuel	God chooses and guides a king	Prayer and Consequences	1 Sam. 15:22; 2 Sam. 7:11-13
1&2 Kings	God rules Israel	Choices and Supreme	1 Kings 18:21; 2 Kings 13:23
1&2 Chronicles	God preserves the royal seed	Sovereignty & Faithfulness	1 Chr. 17:14; 2 Chr. 7:19-20
Ezra	God restores Israel	Return	3:11-12
Nehemiah	God rebuilds Jerusalem	Rebuilding	8:10
Esther	God protects Israel	Deliverance	4:14
Job	God tests Job	Worship	19:25-26
Psalms	God receives worship	Praise	145:21
Proverbs	God teaches wisdom	Fear the Lord	3:5-6
Ecclesiastes	God is infinite; man is finite	Meaninglessness	12:13-14
Song of Solomon	God blesses human love	Love’s mysteries	8:07
Isaiah	God’s great salvation plan	Salvation	9:06
Jeremiah	God’s great heart	Backsliding	31:33:00
Lamentations	God’s weeping heart	Sorrow	3:22-23
Ezekiel	God’s hope envisioned	One king	13:14
Daniel	God’s care promised	Enduring Kingdom	2:47
Hosea	God’s great love	Mercy	6:06
Joel	God’s great day	Repentance	2:13
Amos	God’s great displeasure	Compassion	5:24
Obadiah	God judges His enemies	Judgment	1:15
Jonah	God loves the whole world	Mercy	4:02
Micah	God is supreme	Judgment & Hope	6:08
Nahum	God the avenger	Judgment & Love	1:07
Habakkuk	God’s great care	Why?	3:18
Zephaniah	God, the shelter	Faithfulness	3:17
Haggai	God restores worship	Coming glory	2:05
Zechariah	God remembers	Hope	9:09
Malachi	God’s messenger	True worship	4:02


NEW TESTAMENT
Matthew	God’s king	Fulfilled	28:19-20
Mark	God’s servant	Immediately	16:16
John	Jesus is God	Eternal life	3:16-17
Acts	God creates His church	Works of the Spirit	1:08
Romans	God’s righteousness	Faith alone	1:17
1 Corinthians	God corrects his church	Pursue love	13:13
2 Corinthians	God defends Paul	Persevere	4:17
Galatians	God defines the Gospel	Liberty	5:14
Ephesians	God’s mystery	Unity of Faith	4:13
Philippians	God gives joy	Stand fast	3:13-14
Colossians	Christ as Lord	Christ alone	3:10
1 Thessalonians	God’s church encouraged	Expectation	5:10-11
2 Thessalonians	God’s church enlightened	Confidence	3:05
1 Timothy	God’s exhortation	Church life	4:16
2 Timothy	God rewards servants	Finish strong	3:14-15
Titus	God commends sound teaching	True testimony	2:13-14
Philemon	God values human dignity	Brothers	1:16
Hebrews	Christ is supreme	Christ’s superiority	7:26-27
James	Faith that works	Visible faith	1:27
1 Peter	Endurance	Suffering	2:09
2 Peter	Promises	Steadfast	1:03
1 John	True love	Live in the light	2:3-4
2 John	Loss	Abide	1:06
3 John	Doing good	Live in truth	1:04
Jude	The fight	Contend	1:20-21
Revelation	God completes His plan	Victorious Lord	21:3-4

Chapter 5 – The Power of Prayer

When Should We Pray?

Romans 1:9-10	“Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God.”
Ephesians 6:18	“Pray at all times and on every occasion…be persistent in your prayers For all Christians everywhere.”
Colossians 1:3	“We always pray for you.”
1 Thessalonians 1:2	“We…pray for you constantly.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13	“We will never stop thanking God.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17	“Keep on praying.”
2 Timothy 1:3	“Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.”

Chapter 6 – What to Say When You Pray

How to Pray for Others: Advice from Colossians

Be thankful for their faith and changed lives (1:3).
Ask God to help them know what He wants them to do (1:9).
Ask God to give them deep spiritual understanding (1:9).
Ask God to help them live for Him (1:10).
Ask God to give them more knowledge of Himself (1:11).
Ask God to give them strength for endurance (1:11).
Ask God to fill them with joy, strength, and thankfulness (1:11).

Chapter 7 – Sharing Your Faith Is Not an Option

Ten Proverbs and Parables From the New Testament About Witnessing

Jesus said unto them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matt. 4:19).
You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? (Matt. 5:13).
You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Do not hide your light under a basket! Instead put it on a stand and let it shine for all (Matt. 5:14-15).
A student is not greater than the teacher. A servant is not greater than the master. The student shares the teacher’s fate. The servant shares the master’s fate (Matt. 10:24-25).
A prophet is honored everywhere except in his hometown and among his own family (Matt.13:57).
How true that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers more important than the one who sends them. You know these things—now do them! That is the path of blessing (John 13:16).
Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).
Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard (Acts 4:19-20).
He is the one who has enabled us to represent his new covenant. This is a covenant, not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old way ends in death; in the new way, the Holy Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6).
So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you (1 John 3:13).

Chapter 8 – How to Share Your Faith

The Key Biblical Principles in Witnessing

If we have experienced the gospel as real Good News, we will not be able to keep it to ourselves.

Scripture reading: 2 Kings 7:3-20

Our responsibility is to witness; we can’t determine who will respond.

Scripture reading: Jonah 3:1-10

Our witness is based on the authority of Jesus Christ.

Scripture reading: Matthew 28:16

Jesus’ command compels us to witness.

Scripture reading: Matthew 28:17-20

Christians today may not be eyewitnesses of Christ, but we are faith witnesses to Christ’s power in our lives.

Scripture reading: Acts 1:1-11

Chapter 9 – Church: It’s God’s Great Idea

What Is the Church?

The church is not a building.

Scripture reading: Acts 17:22-34

The church is people who believe.

Ephesians 2:14-22

The church is a living building.

Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 3:10-17

God cares deeply about the church.

Scripture reading: Revelation 2:1-7

Chapter 10 – What to Do When You Go to Church

What Is Your Responsibility in Church?

Every person has a role in the church.

Scripture reading: Nehemiah 2:11-3:2

Every believer has a significant contribution to make.

Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Believers need to encourage one another.

Scripture reading: Hebrews 10:19-39

What Does the Church Do?

The church spreads the gospel.

Scripture reading: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

The church has God-given responsibilities.

Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:1-6

The church is a place of refuge.

Scripture reading: Psalm 84:1-12

Chapter 11 – God’s Will: Why Should You Care About It?

What Does the Bible Say About God’s Will?

God guides His people moment by moment.

Scripture reading: Numbers 9:15-23

God’s will is worked out in everyday events.

Scripture reading: Esther 4:1-17

Our prayers must be in harmony with God’s will.

Scripture reading: Matthew 21:18-22

Our greatest happiness is found in willingly obeying God.

Scripture reading: Philippians 2:1-30

Chapter 12 – How Do You Find God’s Will?

Why You Shouldn’t Worry

Seven Reasons Given by Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34

6:25 The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life.
6:26 Worrying about the future hinders your efforts for today.
6:27 Worrying is more harmful than helpful.
6:28-30 God does not ignore those who depend on Him.
6:31-32 Worrying shows a lack of faith in God and a lack of understanding of God
6:33 Worrying keeps you from the real challenges God wants you to pursue.
6:34 Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry