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INTRODUCTORY LESSON

Joy is a Word!

    In reading a book. it is always a good thing to know who wrote it.  In 2 Peter 1:21 (that means the second book of Peter, chapter one, verse 21) the Holy Bible says, "For the telling of God's will (prophecy) did not come in ages past by man's own will:  but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."   You can see from this that it was the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of God) who caused men to write the Holy Bible.

    The Holy Bible also says in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture (the Word of God) is given by inspiration of God ..."  In other words, God inspired (or, gave life to) everything that is written in the Holy Bible.  God used men to write down the words, but it was God himself who caused men to write the words as his Holy Spirit moved them!

    The Holy Bible is the Word of God!  Have you ever thought about what a "word" is?  What does "word" mean.  A "word" is a message.  Or simply, it is a way to carry information.  So the Word of God is God's message to man; it is God's way of reaching us.

    In the Gospel of John, turn to Chapter One.  Read the first verse.

1. Who was in the beginning? ________________________

2. Where was the Word? ____________________________

3. Who was the Word? _____________________________

    Now read verse 14 of John Chapter One.

1. What was made flesh? ____________________________

    Jesus is the LIVING Word.  He was God in human flesh.  The Holy Bible is the WRITTEN Word.  It tells us of God's love for us, and how he sent Jesus to die for our sins ... and how God raised him from the dead.   Jesus is alive!

    Read verse 12 of Chapter One in John.

1. What happens to everyone who receives Jesus?
   __________________________________________________

2. Have you ever received Jesus? 
   Yes ______    No ______

3. Were you old enough to know what you were doing?
   Yes ______    No ______

4. If you were to die right now, do you KNOW FOR SURE that you would go to Heaven?
   Yes ______    No ______

    The Holy Bible says, "These things have I written to you ... that you may KNOW that you have eternal life."  [1 John 5:13]
Right now, if you have never received Jesus Christ into your life, or if you are not SURE that you have eternal life, you may invite Christ into your life.  Simply pray this little prayer and mean it in your heart:

        "Lord Jesus, I receive you into my life right now.  I believe that you died on the cross for my sins, and I know that you are alive.  Please forgive all of my sins; without you, I am lost - please save me!  In your name I pray."

        Signed: _________________________________________
[Sign your name here]

    Did you mean business?  (Were you sincere?)   Christ meant business on the cross ... when he took your place.  He paid with his own blood a debt he did NOT owe (your sin debt), because you had a debt you could not pay.  He took your place on the cross.  Your sins were laid upon him.  He was punished so that you could live forever.

    Now turn to John 3:36.  According to the Word of God, what would happen if you were to die right now?   Would you experience:

        Everlasting life?   _____________________ ,  or ...
        God's judgment? _____________________

    If you have received Christ, you are saved and have everlasting life.  Do NOT trust your feelings - your feelings change.  Believe God's Word.  " ... your Word is truth."  [John 17:17]  If you know that you have everlasting life, you will begin to experience JOY in your life.   To keep this joy, and to have VICTORY daily, practice these things every day:

1. Read the Word of God (this way, God talks to you - start and end your day with Bible reading).

2. Pray (you talk to God).

3. Witness (you tell others how you found Christ, and how they may know him).

    Look at John 10:10.  Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."  Now that you know Jesus (he is the source of life), you will want to know his Word (the Holy Bible) so you can have life MORE ABUNDANTLY!  In John 8:31, Jesus said, "If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed."

    QUESTIONS:

1. Who wrote the Bible?
   __________________________________________________
   __________________________________________________

2. How did God live (dwell) among men? (John 1:14)
   __________________________________________________
   __________________________________________________

3. What did Jesus say you must do to see the kingdom of God?
   __________________________________________________
   __________________________________________________

4. What is the "bread of God"? (John 6:28-35)
   __________________________________________________
   __________________________________________________

5. What is the "living water"? (John 7:38-39)
   __________________________________________________
   __________________________________________________

Your next study (Lesson 1) will be:  How To Have Fun in the Bible.

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Last modified: August 02, 2006
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*a National Heritage Foundation