FOUNDATIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIVING

Life Changers Church
A 9-WEEK COURSE DESIGNED TO EMPOWER
YOU TO LIVE A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE

COURSE OVERVIEW
The objective of this course is designed
to strengthen the foundation in the lives of
newer believers while repairing
breaches in the foundations in older believers.

COURSE OVERVIEW
Things You’ll Need For This Course
•Study Bible
•Notebook exclusively for this class
• (Computer or tablet will suffice)
•Writing Utensils
•Concordance/Bible dictionary
•Funding for extra books

Lesson One:
I’M SAVED, NOW WHAT?

JESUS CHRIST: A Sure Foundation
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s
field, you are God’s building.
According to the grace of God which was given to
me, as a wise master builder I have laid the
foundation, and another builds on it.
But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that
which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”-1 Cor. 3:9-
11

JESUS CHRIST: A Sure Foundation
Foundation, Themeleos:
1.Laid down as a foundation
2.The foundation of a building, wall, city
3.Metaph.-The foundations, beginnings, first
principles
• Of institution or system of truth

FIRST THINGS FIRST
FIRST PRINCIPLES
Read:
Hebrews 5:12-6:1-6

FIRST THINGS FIRST
FIRST PRINCIPLES
First Principles are basic truths. The phrase
refers to the letters of the alphabet in writing or
to addition or subtraction in arithmetic. First
principles are the elements out of which
everything else develops.

FIRST THINGS FIRST
FIRST PRINCIPLES
DOCTRINE: (Greek: didaskalia) means
teaching, the teaching,
or that which is taught.
In many NT usages, “doctrine” is closely
related to ethical practices.

FIRST THINGS FIRST
First Principles (Doctrine) From Hebrews 5 & 6
• Repentance from dead works
• Faith Towards God
• Doctrine of Baptisms
• Laying on of Hands
• Resurrection of the Dead
• Eternal Judgment

Repentance From Dead Works
The message of the early church was a
foundation of repentance and faith. The
unbeliever must repent; have a change of
mind, attitude, and behavior toward Jesus
Christ, by putting his trust in the person
and work of Jesus Christ. Repentance is
the complete turnabout in the unbelieving
sinner "from dead works.

Faith Toward God
If repentance is the negative, turning from sin
and unbelief, then faith is the positive side.
The early church preached repentance of sin
and faith focused on Jesus Christ. They turned
from their dead works to faith toward God in
Jesus Christ. Repentance from dead works
must be accompanied by faith in Jesus Christ.
"The just shall live by faith" (Hab. 2:4).

Doctrine of Baptisms
This is not the term that is regularly used for Christian baptism
(baptisma) in the New Testament. The author uses the plural
baptismos which refers to Jewish ceremonial washings (Mark 7:4;
Heb. 9:10). The use of the plural stresses the Jewish instructions
regarding ablutions and cleansing rites (cf. Ezek. 36:25; Num. 19).
These ablutions in Judaism impressed upon the Jewish people
that the LORD God is a holy God and all sin and defilement must
be removed before the worshipper could approach God. These
washings foreshadowed that perfect cleansing from sin that the
atoning blood of Christ would provide for His people (John 1:29).

Laying on of Hands
This was part of the sacrificial ritual in offering sacrifices
(Lev. 1:4). An essential element in the Day of Atonement
ritual was laying on of the hands by the High Priest.
"Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of
the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the
sons of Israel and all their transgressions in regard to all
their sins; and he shall lay them on the head of the goat
and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a
man who stands in readiness" (Leviticus 16:21).

Resurrection of the Dead
The resurrection of the dead was a doctrine of the Jews
(Psa. 16:10; Isa. 26:19; Ezek. 37:10; Dan. 12:2). Only
the Sadducees did not accept it (Acts 23:8). The Jewish
people worshipped the living God, the God of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob, implying they were all living. Martha
expressed this common belief to Jesus when she said to
Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on
the last day" (John 11:24).
Moreover, the resurrection of the dead is a core belief in
Christianity because Jesus is "the resurrection and the
life."

Eternal Judgment
The scripture teaches about two judgments:
• One for believers in which Jesus determines
every believer’s rewards for what they did/did
not do while in their bodies (1 Cor. 3:12-15).
• One for non-believers which is judgment and
condemnation on nonbelievers (Rev. 20:11-
15)

The important question is what did these practices
mean to the first readers of the book of Hebrews?
Persecutions had come and their faith had waned.
They were now tempted to abandon their profession
of faith and return to Judaism. By so doing they
would return to the foundation which they had left
behind. Therefore, he encourages them to move on
to maturity or perfection, full growth in their Christian
faith.. Don't go back to the ABC's; build on them and
go on to maturity.

Lesson Two:
The Ministry of Prayer

Various Kinds of Prayer
• Early Morning Prayer (Mark 1:35)
• All Night Prayer (Luke 6:12)
• Quiet Prayer (1 Cor. 14:27, 28)
• Not-So-Quiet Prayer (1 Sam. 1:10)
• Loss for Words Kind of Prayer (Rom 8:26)

“Praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all Saints.”
-Ephesians 6:18

• Prayer of Faith (Mark 11:24)
• Prayer of Consecration (Lk. 22:42)
• Prayer of Commitment (1 Pet. 5:7)
• Prayer of Agreement (Mt. 18:18-20)
• Prayer in the Spirit (1 Cor. 14:14,15)
• *Supplication (Eph. 6:18)
• *Intercession (Ezekiel 22:30)

Supplication:
A humble, earnest, entreaty or
request.

Supplication:
1.This kind of prayer is used for
ourselves (and others)
concerning both natural and
spiritual needs.

Who Are We To Offer The Prayer of
Supplication For:
1.Ourselves (Phil. 4:6)
2.For Believers/Saints (Eph. 6:18)
3.Those in Authority (1 Tim. 2:1-2)

For Yourself:
•“Be anxious for nothing; but in
every thing by prayer and
SUPPLICATION with
thanksgiving let your requests
be made known unto God.”
-Phil. 4:6

For The Saints:
“Praying always with all prayer and
SUPPLICATION in the Spirit, and
watching thereunto with all
perseverance and SUPPLICATION
for all Saints.” -Ephesians 6:18

For Those in Authority:
•I exhort therefore, that, first of
all, SUPPLICATIONS, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of
thanks, be made for all men; for
kings, and for all that are in
authority…”-1 Tim. 2:1-2

Intercession:
•Simply defined as “standing in
the gap” between a person or
persons. Many times this prayer
is executed to hold back
judgment from those who have
brought it upon themselves.

Intercession Defined:
“And I sought for a man among
them, that should make up the
hedge, and stand in the gap
before me for the land, that I
should not destroy it: but I found
none….”-Ezekiel 22:30-31

The Prayer Life Of The Believer
Prayer is God’s appointed
method for mankind to be able to
effectively, efficiently and
effortlessly communicate with
Him. Without a consistent,
regular prayer life, the believer is
sure to be lost with no hope.

Elements of The Believer’s Prayer Life
• Fervent (“red hot”): James 5:16
• In faith (Hebrews 11:6)
• With help from our “Helper”
(Rom. 8:26)
• Insistent in asking (Luke 18)
• When not sure of the task…A.S.K.!
(Ask, Seek, Knock-Matt. 7:7)

Elements of The Believer’s Prayer Life
• Fasting (Matthew 6:16)
• Be specific
(Specific prayers get specific answers)
• Pray ALL the time

Hindrances To Answered Prayer
1. Asking Amiss (James 4:3)
2. Sinful lifestyle (Is. 59:1-2)
3. Idols in our hearts (Ezek. 14:3)
4. Not caring/concerned for the poor
(Proverbs 21:13)
5. Withholding Forgiveness (Mk.
11:25)
6. Mistreatment of Spouse
(1 Peter 3:7)

Things To Remember About Prayer
• Pray to the Father, in the name
of Jesus, empowered by the
person Holy Spirit.
• *Whatever you ask of the Lord,
YOU WILL receive! (1 Jn. 3:22)
• You must obey what you hear
(Be a hearer AND a doer)

HOMEWORK
Choose one thing to consistently
pray about/for over the course of
the next two weeks and believe
God to answer the prayer prior to
the start of the next class. Be
prepared to share with the class
the outcome of the answered
prayer.

Lesson Three:
The Word of God

“For the Word of God is living &
powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even
to the division of soul and spirit,
and of joints and marrow and is
a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart.”-Heb. 4:12

The sword of the spirit
“…and take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of
the Spirit, which is the
word of God.-Eph. 6:17

• One Edge: Logos
• One Edge: Rhema

• Logos:
• A word or saying.
• What someone has
said.

• Rhema:
• That which someone
has said.
• What someone is
saying

Tips For Studying The Bible
Study to show yourself approved to God,
a worker who does not need to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.”-2 Tim. 2:15

Terms To Be Familiar With:
Hermenutics:
• The branch of knowledge that deals
with interpretation, esp. of the Bible or literary
texts.
• The science of interpretation, especially
of the Scriptures.

• Exegesis:
• A critical explanation or interpretation of a text
or portion of a text, especially of the Bible.

Eisegesis:
• An interpretation, especially of Scripture,
that expresses the interpreter's own ideas, bias,
or the like, rather than the meaning of the text.

Three Critical Steps of Successful Bible Study
• Observation
• Interpretation
• Application

Observation
• What do I see?
• What are the facts?
(Learn to become a Biblical detective)
Interpretation
• What does it mean?

Application
• How does it work? How can I apply this to my life?
For those who “read & heed” God’s word
it literally changes their lives!!!

Additional Things To Remember
• When you read, read:
• Slowly
• Thoughtfully
• Repeatedly
• Prayerfully
• Imaginatively
• Meditatively

Additional Things To Remember
• Look for things that are:
• Emphasized
• Repeated
• Related
• Always Remember: Context, Context,
Context!!
• Ask what type of literature is this?

Try What We’ve Learned
The Story of the
Demoniac from Gadara
Mark 5:1-20

Lesson Four:
Sanctification

Sanctification, hagiasmos:
• Separation unto God
•The separation of the believer from
evil things and ways.

Sanctification
Sanctification is a process that is God’s will
for every believer. It is the separation of the
believer from evil practices, habits and ways
and a continual clinging unto Christ.
Sanctification is that relationship with God into
which men enter by faith in Christ.

Sanctification
Sanctification is a three-stage process that
involves one’s past, present and future.
•Stage One: Our Past (Were Saved)
•Stage Two: Our Present (Being Saved)
•Stage Three: Our Future (Eternally Safe)

Sanctification
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation; old things have passed away; behold,
all things have become new.”-2 Cor. 5:17
OR DO THEY????

MAN’S MAKE UP
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Sanctification is a process that is God’s will
for every believer. It is the separation of the
believer from evil practices, habits and ways
and a continual clinging unto Christ.
Sanctification is that relationship with God into
which men enter by faith in Christ.

Sanctification
This teaching is about taking back
possession of the “land” of the soul
It is a process of renewal.
Also known as SANCTIFICATION.
Soul (Gk: psyche): Consists of three (3)
primary areas: Mind, Will, Emotions.

Sanctification
After a person is born again, their spirit is
new but they have the same mind which is a
product of past experiences and is typically
controlled and dominated by old
thoughts/thought patterns, etc.
(strongholds).These must be broken!!
(i.e.-Fears, rejection, addictions, etc.)

Sanctification
The Carnal Mind: God’s Enemy
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against
God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor
indeed can be. So then, those who are in the
flesh cannot please God.”-Romans 8:7-8

Sanctification
What is the solution?
•The Truth of God’s Word Implanted In Their
Souls
• Written (Logos)
• Spoken (Rhema)

Sanctification
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness
and overflow of wickedness, and
receive with meekness the
implanted word, which is able to
save your souls.”
-James 1:21

Sanctification
Implanted, emphytos: “Rooted
word”; implanted by others
instruction.
Metaphorically speaks of a seed
rooting itself in the heart

Sanctification
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable
service.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you
may prove what is that good & acceptable & perfect
will of God.”-Romans 12:1-2

Lesson Five:
Love Listens, Love Obeys
Hearing & Obeying The Voice of God

Divine Communication
God communicated with His people in different ways and
various means. Listed below are some of the ways that
God’s Spirit communicated with His people:
•“The Word of the Lord came unto me…”
•“Thus saith the Lord..”
•“Hear the Word of the Lord…”
•“And the Spirit entered unto me when He spake unto me…”
•“The Spirit lifting him up and conveying him by vision to
Jerusalem…”
•“The hand of the Lord was upon me…”
•“What do you see?”

•The Word of God
•Dreams/Visions
•Angelic Encounters
•Unexplainable Supernatural Experiences
•Spiritual Gifts
•Church Leadership
•Appearances of the Lord
•Burdens
•Futuristic Predictions
•Impressions/Knowings

•Audible Voice
•Audible Only To Your Ears
•Internal Audible Voice
•Sentence Fragments
•The Natural World (God’s Order of Creation)
•Physical Manifestations in Our Bodies
•Spiritual Senses
•Signs & Wonders
•Dreams & Interpretations
•Fruit of The Spirit (Galatians 5:22)

Interpreting What You Hear
Principles of Interpretation
1.All interpretations belong to God (Gen. 40:8)
2.Write down what was revealed (Daniel 7:1)
3.Search the Word First
4.Learn To Discern (Heb. 5:14)
5.Wait On The Lord (Hab. 2:1-4)
6.Understand Your Love Language

Hindrances To Hearing
1.Sinful lifestyle/Unconfessed sin (Ps. 66:18)
2.Mistreatment of Spouse (esp. wives) Pet. 3:7)
3.Ignorance To God’s Ways (Hosea 4:6-7)
4.Unforgiveness (Lack of Forgiveness)
5.Doubt/Unbelief

Discerning the Voices You Hear
God’s Voice…
1.Will NOT violate scripture…EVER!
2.Will ALWAYS require faith (Heb. 11:6)
3.Will be accompanied by peace (Col. 3:15, James 3:17,
Is. 55:12)
4.Will be more authoritative than every other voice
5.What He speaks He will also establish/confirm out the mouth of 2-3 witnesses (Deut. 19:15)

OBEDIENCE BETTER THAN SACRIFICE
Then He said to them,
“Take heed what you hear. With the same
measure you use, it will be measured to you;
and to you who hear, more will be given.”
Mark 4:24

Love Obeys
Obeying God’s Voice…
Hebrew word (“Shama”) which is also translated “hears”
also means “to listen” or “to obey.” This word appears
over 1,100 times in scripture. It implies that the listener is
giving their total attention to the one speaking. It also
connotes more than listening and indicates obedience
to what has been said.

OBEDIENCE BETTER THAN SACRIFICE
OBEY WHAT YOU HEAR!!!
“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the
good of the land.” Isaiah 1:19
• You learn how to obey, through your capacity to
suffer. (Philippians 2:8)
• Remember, many are called, but only a few are
chosen. You ever wondered why? (Matt. 20:16)

CONCLUSION
“FOUNDATIONS” class & associated materials are one
of the teaching components of Life Changers Church in
Cincinnati, OH.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in
any form without the prior permission of the publisher & lead teacher.
All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2014 Life Changers Church
www.lifechangerschurchintl.org

FOUNDATIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIVING

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