Life Studies: Studies to move you to Spiritual Growth

Week 1 2 Timothy 1:8-11

Teaching Discipline - Evangelism
DAY 1: READ the passage to get connected with Gods word.
8

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with
me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us
with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace
which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10but now has been revealed by the
appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to
light through the gospel, 11for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

DAY 2: EXPLORE the answers to these questions to better understand what the passage means.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

What did Paul do night and day? (1:3)

Why did Paul long to see Timothy? (1:4)
Who were Lois and Eunice, and what did Paul say about them? (1:5)
What was Timothy reminded to do? (1:6)
What kind of spirit does God give to His people? (1:7)
In what way did Timothy need courage? (1:8)
Why has God called us to a holy life? (1:9)
What did Christ do? (1:10)
Of what was Paul appointed a herald, an apostle, and a teacher? (1:11)
Why was Paul not ashamed of the gospel? (1:12)

11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

What did Paul tell Timothy to do with his training? (1:13)

What was Timothy to guard? (1:14)
Where does the Holy Spirit live? (1:14)
Who had deserted Paul? (1:16)
What had Onesiphorus done for Paul? (1:16-17)
What did Paul want the Lord to grant Onesiphorus? (1:18)

DAY 3: OBTAIN a personal idea of what the passage is discussing.

Allow these questions to guide your

way.
1. For whom do you pray on a regular basis?
2. What family member or friend has had the biggest role in your spiritual growth and
development?
3. What gift has God given you?
4. How is the spirit of power, love, and self-discipline shown in your life?
5. When have you ever felt ashamed about something that you believe?
6. When and how have you suffered for the gospel?
7. What or whose pattern of sound teaching are you following?
8. When have you felt abandoned by a friend?
9. When have you been refreshed by another believer?

DAY 4: APPLY this passage to your personal life.

Allow these questions to guide the way.

1. How can you refresh another believer today?

2. Who is someone for whom you can commit to pray on a regular basis?
3. What person who has had a substantial impact on your spiritual life will you take the time to
thank personally this week?

Life Studies: Studies to move you to Spiritual Growth

Week 2 1 Corinthians 9:15-18

Teaching Discipline - Evangelism
DAY 1: READ the passage to get connected with Gods word.
15

But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done
so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty
one. 16For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe
is me if I do not preach the gospel. 17For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my
will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 18What then is my reward? That, when I preach the
gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the
gospel.

DAY 2: EXPLORE the answers to these questions to better understand what the passage means.
1.
2.
3.
4.

What has the Lord commanded for those who preach the gospel? (9:14)
How did Paul preach? Why? (9:16-17)
What motivated Paul to preach as he did? (9:16-17)
What reward is there in preaching the gospel? (9:18)

DAY 3: OBTAIN a personal idea of what the passage is discussing.

Allow these questions to guide your

way.
1. What are some of your rights and freedoms as a Christian?
2. Under what circumstances should we take advantage of our rights, and when should we
willingly waive them?

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

How can we show our love to unbelievers while refusing to participate in activity that is sinful?
Why is it helpful to adjust our actions for the people around us?
How does insisting on our rights hinder the gospel of Christ?
What right have you given up because it may have caused others to stumble?
What actions could disqualify a person from being rewarded by God for serving Him?
What should you do to be assured of finishing your life well?
How can neglecting spiritual disciplines (such as prayer, Bible study, and worship) disqualify a
Christian from having an influence on unbelievers?

DAY 4: APPLY this passage to your personal life.

Allow these questions to guide the way.

1. What specific rights could you waive for Christs sake? How?
2. When can you make time for prayer, Bible study, and worship this week to help you train for
telling others about Christ?

Life Studies: Studies to move you to Spiritual Growth

Week 3 Ezekiel 3:17-21

Teaching Discipline - Evangelism
DAY 1: READ the passage to get connected with Gods word.
17

Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a
word from My mouth, warn them from Me. 18When I say to the wicked, You will surely die,
and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live,
that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 19Yet if you
have warned the wicked and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he
shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself. 20Again, when a righteous man turns
away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I place an obstacle before him, he will
die; since you have not warned him, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has
done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. 21However, if you
have warned the righteous man that the righteous should not sin and he does not sin, he shall
surely live because he took warning; and you have delivered yourself.

DAY 2: EXPLORE the answers to these questions to better understand what the passage means.
1. What was Ezekiels role in relation to Israel? (3:17)
2. How did God explain Ezekiels accountability for speaking Gods Word to a wicked man? (3:1819)
3. Under what circumstances would Ezekiel be accountable for the death of a righteous person?
(3:20-21)

DAY 3: OBTAIN a personal idea of what the passage is discussing.

Allow these questions to guide your

way.
1. In what ways could your church share Gods characterization of Israel as "obstinate" and
"hardened"?
2. How does your concern for the reactions of others affect your desire to do what God wants?
3. What is most difficult about confronting someone about his or her faults?
4. Why do you suppose the scroll containing Gods words of "lament and mourning and woe"
tasted good to Ezekiel?
5. What is the Christians responsibility with regard to unbelievers or believers who fall into sin?
6. Why was it appropriate for Ezekiel to follow the traditional actions of mourning?
7. Why is it important that God emphasizes the responsibility of individual choice?

DAY 4: APPLY this passage to your personal life.

Allow these questions to guide the way.

1. What nagging area of rebellion can you ask God to change in you this week?
2. For what rebellious or unbelieving friend or neighbor can you begin to pray, looking for an
opportunity to warn him or her of Gods righteous judgment and tell him or her of Gods mercy?

Life Studies: Studies to move you to Spiritual Growth

Week 4 Romans 10:1-3

Teaching Discipline - Evangelism
DAY 1: READ the passage to get connected with Gods word.
1

Brethren, my hearts desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2For I testify
about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3For not
knowing about Gods righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject
themselves to the righteousness of God.

DAY 2: EXPLORE the answers to these questions to better understand what the passage means.
1. What was Pauls greatest desire? (10:1)
2. What positive trait did Paul recognize in the Israelites? (10:2)
3. What had the Israelites done instead of submitting to Gods righteousness? (10:3-4)

DAY 3: OBTAIN a personal idea of what the passage is discussing.

Allow these questions to guide your

way.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

What makes it hard for Jews to believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah?
What hinders non-Jews from believing Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior of the world?
How can a person have great zeal for God or religious activities and yet be misguided?
What are the similarities and differences between a sports fanatic and a committed Christian?
How legitimate are claims by people who profess ignorance about Jesus identity as Savior?
What groups of people in our society resemble the unbelieving Jews of Pauls time?
Why is it essential to believe that God raised Jesus from the dead?

8. Why is both believing with the heart and confessing with the mouth important for salvation?

DAY 4: APPLY this passage to your personal life.

Allow these questions to guide the way.

1. When could you spend extended time in prayer to bring before God those groups or peoples
who have shown little interest in the gospel?
2. Who in your circle of friends and family needs to hear about Gods plan of salvation? When?

Life Studies: Studies to move you to Spiritual Growth

Week 5 Jude 1:17-23

Teaching Discipline - Evangelism
DAY 1: READ the passage to get connected with Gods word.
17

But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles
of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18that they were saying to you, In the last time there will be mockers,
following after their own ungodly lusts. 19These are the ones who cause divisions, worldlyminded, devoid of the Spirit. 20But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith,
praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy
of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23save
others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the
garment polluted by the flesh.

DAY 2: EXPLORE the answers to these questions to better understand what the passage means.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

What did Jude urge his readers to do? (1:17)

What will it be like in the last times? (1:18)
What are "scoffers" like? (1:18-19)
How do those without the Spirit behave? (1:19)
How can Christians stand against scoffers? (1:20-23)
How did Jude advise Christians to pray? (1:20)
What were Judes readers waiting for? (1:21)
How is Jesus return described? (1:21)
How should we treat believers who doubt? (1:22-23)
What did Jude tell his readers to do for those who await "the fire"? (1:23)
Who is able to keep believers from falling? (1:24-25)

12. How did Jude praise God? (1:24-25)

13. How did Jude conclude this letter? (1:25)

DAY 3: OBTAIN a personal idea of what the passage is discussing.

Allow these questions to guide your

way.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Who are some "scoffers" you must work or associate with?

How should you respond to the ungodly people you must work or associate with?
How should your life be different from the lives of the non-Christians around you?
How can we show mercy to believers who doubt?
What does it mean to "show mercy, mixed with fear"?
How is it possible to build yourself up in the faith?
What often causes division in churches today?
How can you show mercy to believers who doubt?
What difference does it make that Jesus is able to keep you from falling?
How can you voice your praise to God?

DAY 4: APPLY this passage to your personal life.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Allow these questions to guide the way.

In what area of your life will you ask God to give you the strength to be obedient?
What do you want to remember the next time you must work with a difficult non-Christian?
How can you show mercy to a believer you know who doubts his or her faith?
What can you do to build up your faith this week?
When and how can you voice your praise to God this week?

Life Studies: Studies to move you to Spiritual Growth

Week 6 2 Corinthians 5:11-15

Teaching Discipline - Evangelism
DAY 1: READ the passage to get connected with Gods word.
11

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God;
and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 12We are not again
commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will
have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. 13For if we are beside
ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14For the love of Christ controls us,
having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15and He died for all, so that they
who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their
behalf.

DAY 2: EXPLORE the answers to these questions to better understand what the passage means.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Why did Paul try to persuade others to follow Christ? (5:11)

Why was Paul concerned about justifying his ministry to the Christians at Corinth? (5:12)
How were Pauls opponents building themselves up at his expense? (5:12)
What motivated Paul? (5:14)
Why did Christ die for everyone? (5:15)
How did Paul change the way he looked at people? (5:16)
What is true about every person in Christ? (5:17)
What happened when God sent His Son to earth? (5:18)
What does God do with our sins when we are reconciled to Him? (5:19)
How is a Christian an ambassador? (5:20)
Why did Paul try to persuade the Corinthians to respond to Gods Word? (6:1)

12. Why should we listen carefully to the message about Christ? (6:1-2)

DAY 3: OBTAIN a personal idea of what the passage is discussing.

Allow these questions to guide your

way.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

How do Christians sometimes take pride in ministries that give them attention and popularity?
How it is possible for us to be motivated both by the fear of the Lord and Christs love?
Why was it necessary for Christ to die in order for us to be reconciled to God?
In what ways do people today receive the grace of God in vain?
In what ways are all Christians new creations?
For what other Christians are you concerned?
How can you encourage your Christian friends to listen to Gods Word?
How did God make His reconciliation with you?
How can you personally be involved in the ministry of reconciliation?
What difference does it make that Christians are counted as Christs ambassadors?
Where is your ministry of reconciliation?
To whom are you an ambassador?

DAY 4: APPLY this passage to your personal life.

Allow these questions to guide the way.

1. What is one way you can represent Christ to your friends and coworkers this week?
2. What Christian friend can you encourage to listen to Gods Word? How?

Life Studies: Studies to move you to Spiritual Growth

Week 7 Romans 1:16-17

Teaching Discipline - Evangelism
DAY 1: READ the passage to get connected with Gods word.
16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who
believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed
from faith to faith; as it is written, BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.

DAY 2: EXPLORE the answers to these questions to better understand what the passage means.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

For what was the church at Rome well-known? (1:8)

How did Paul describe his commitment to God? (1:9)
What kind of concern did Paul have for his audience? (1:9-10)
What happened to Pauls plans to visit the church in Rome? (1:10-13)
What did Paul want to give the Romans when he visited? (1:11-12)
Who would benefit from Pauls visit? (1:12)
To whom had God called Paul to communicate the gospel? (1:14-15)
How did Paul feel about what others thought about him and his message? (1:16)
To whom does God grant salvation? (1:16)
How does a person become righteous? (1:17)
What does a persons faith accomplish? (1:17)

DAY 3: OBTAIN a personal idea of what the passage is discussing.

way.

Allow these questions to guide your

1. What are some of the positive reports you would want other people to hear about your faith in
God?
2. How does remembering someone in prayer help him or her?
3. In what ways are we helped when we help someone else?
4. When have you learned something from someone whom you initially believed had nothing to
teach you?
5. How does Pauls attitude about sharing the gospel compare with the prevailing attitude in your
church?
6. For what reasons do Christians sometimes feel ashamed of the gospel?
7. How do people attempt to find salvation outside of faith in Christ alone?
8. For what reasons are you confident that the gospel is true?

DAY 4: APPLY this passage to your personal life.

Allow these questions to guide the way.

1. What can you do this week to help a person for whom you are concerned?
2. With whom can you be more honest and forthright about the gospel message you believe?
3. For what "unreachable" person will you begin praying this week?