Chapter One
Bring It to Life!Get ready for a radical statement, a pronouncement sure to make
you wonder if we've lost our grip on reality. There is nothing more
exciting than doctrine!
Track with us for a second on this. Doctrine is the study of what
God has to say. What God has to say is always the truth. The truth
gives me the right perspective on myself and on the world around
me. The right perspective results in decisions of faith and experiences
of joy. That is exciting!
The objective of Foundations is to present the basic truths of
the Christian faith in a simple, systematic, and life-changing way.
In other words, to teach doctrine. The question is, Why? In a world
in which people's lives are filled with crying needs, why teach doctrine?
Because biblical doctrine has the answer to many of those
crying needs! Please don't see this as a clash between needs-oriented
and doctrine-oriented teaching. The truth is we need
both. We all need to learn how to deal with worry in our lives. One
of the keys to dealing with worry is an understanding of the biblical
doctrine of the hope of heaven. Couples need to know what the
Bible says about how to have a better marriage. They also need a
deeper understanding of the doctrine of the Fatherhood of God,
giving the assurance of God's love upon which all healthy relationships
are built. Parents need to understand the Bible's practical
insights for raising kids. They also need an understanding of
the sovereignty of God, a certainty of the fact that God is in control
that will carry them through the inevitable ups and downs of being
a parent. Doctrinal truth meets our deepest needs.
Welcome to a study that will have a lifelong impact on the way
that you look at everything around you and above you and within
you. As the writers of this study, our goal is to help you to develop
a "Christian worldview." A Christian worldview is the ability to see
everything through the filter of God's truth. The time that you dedicate
to this study will lay a foundation for new perspectives that
will have tremendous benefits for the rest of your life. This study
will help you to:
Lessen the stress in everyday life
See the real potential for growth that the Lord has given you
Increase your sense of security in an often troubling world
Find new tools for helping others (your friends, your
family, your children) find the right perspective on life
Fall more deeply in love with the Lord
Throughout this study you'll see four types of sidebar sections
designed to help you connect with the truths that God tells us
about himself, ourselves, and this world.
A Fresh Word: One aspect of doctrine that makes people
"nervous" is the "big words." Throughout this study we'll
take a fresh look at these words, words such as omnipotent and sovereign.
A Closer Look: We'll take time to expand on a truth or to
look at it from a different perspective.
Key Personal Perspective: The truth of doctrine always has a
profound impact on our lives. In these sections we'll focus
in on that personal impact.
Acting on the Truth: James 1:22 says, "Do what God's
teaching says; when you only listen and do nothing, you
are fooling yourselves" (NCV).
Memory cards: Your guide also includes a memory card for each
of the eleven core truths in this study. Each card states the essence
of the doctrine on one side, with a key verse concerning that doctrine
on the other side.
Discussion questions. You'll find Discussion Questions at the
end of each study.
Get ready for God to do incredible things in your life as you
begin the adventure of learning more deeply about the most exciting
message in the world: the truth about God!
Introductory Study
Life Change Objectives
To trust in the power of God's truth to change your life.
To anticipate in faith the changes that learning doctrine will
make in you.
Developing a Christian Worldview
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in
knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what
is best.
-Philippians 1:9-10
But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation
of your holy faith.
-Jude 1:20(NLT)
A Fresh Word
What Is Christian Doctrine?
Christian doctrine is an ______________________________
of what the ____________________________ about the most
important issues of life.
A working definition of theology is: _______________________
________________________________.
Why Learn Doctrine?
Because knowing the truth about God helps me
We are cruel to ourselves if we try to live in this world without knowing
the God whose world it is and who runs it. The world becomes a strange, mad, painful place . for those who do not know about God.
-J. I. Packer
Listen carefully to wisdom; set your mind on understanding. Cry out for
wisdom, and beg for understanding. Search for it like silver, and hunt for
it like hidden treasure. Then you will understand respect for the Lord, and you will find that you know God.
-Proverbs 2:2-5 (NCV)
Knowing God will make you wise; Knowing God will open your eyes; Knowing God will give you hope; Knowing God will help you cope.
-Kay Warren
Because knowledge is an ______________________
Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press
on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead
works and of faith toward God, of instructions [doctrine] about washings
[baptism], and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead, and
eternal judgment.
-Hebrews 6:1-2 (NASB)
Life without a foundation
. until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of
God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness
of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the
waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the
cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
-Ephesians 4:13-14
1. "Tossed back and forth by the waves ."
Without truth I am vulnerable to ______________________.
2. "Blown here and there by every wind of teaching ."
Without truth I am victimized by ______________________.
Life with a foundation
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into
practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came
down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
-Matthew 7:24-25
Because doctrine feeds my soul
In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of
Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the
sound doctrine which you have been following.
-1 Timothy 4:6 (NASB)
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again
for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who
partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for
he is a babe. But solid food is for the mature.
-Hebrews 5:12-14 (NASB)
And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is
able to build you up.
-Acts 20:32 (NASB)
Because knowing the truth enables me
to serve others
If you give these instructions to the believers, you will be a good servant
of Christ Jesus, as you feed yourself spiritually on the words of faith and
of the true teaching which you have followed.
-1 Timothy 4:6 (GNT)
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so
that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who
oppose it.
Titus 1:9
Because knowing the truth protects against error
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive
through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition
and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
-Colossians 2:6-8
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves
to distinguish good from evil.
-Hebrews 5:14
How can we equip ourselves and our kids for survival in a disintegrating
culture? With ____________ firmly believed, clearly taught,
and consistently lived out.
Because how I think determines _______________
For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
-Proverbs 23:7 (NASB)
Because I am commanded to:
1. _________________________________
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does
not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.
-2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB)
Knowing the truth enables you to better use the truth.
2. ______________________________
Teach me to live according to your truth, for you are my God, who saves
me.
I always trust in you.
-Psalm 25:5 (GNT)
I have been sent to bring faith to those God has chosen and to teach them
to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives.
-Titus 1:1 (NLT)
3. ___________________________________
Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a
defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is
in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.
-1 Peter 3:15 (NASB)
Warning: Knowledge all by itself can be
very dangerous!
Knowledge must be balanced with ______________________.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in
knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what
is best.
-Philippians 1:9-10
Warning signs of knowledge without discernment: Knowledge
remains theoretical; one person or group becomes a person's
exclusive source of knowledge.
Knowledge must be balanced with _____________.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
-2 Peter 3:18
Warning signs of knowledge without grace: Learning more
about God without growing closer to God; legalism.
Knowledge must be balanced with __________.
If I . can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge . but have not love,I am nothing.
-1 Corinthians 13:2
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
-1 Corinthians 8:1
Warning signs of knowledge without love: Knowledge leads to
intolerance of others; growth in knowledge leads to a growth in
pride.
Discussion Questions
1. Since this is your first time together as a group, take a few minutes
to get to know each other. Share your name, where you
were born, and one reason you decided to participate in this
study.
2. When did understanding the truth about the Bible first become
important to you? Tell about a time when knowing a truth was
a real lifesaver. How has a truth about God and faith
helped you to deepen your relationship with God?
kept you from making a terrible mistake?
made you better able to serve God and others?
encouraged you in a time of trouble or temptation?
given you a new sense of freedom in your life?
3. If doctrine is so important, why do you think so many people
seem to have a negative attitude toward the teaching of doctrine? Why do people so often see doctrine as something dry
and boring, or loud and dogmatic?
(Continues.)
