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Adult Stonecroft International

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The International Team

• Evangelist Jenny Tryhane
• Peggy Tryhane
• Bishop David Akondowe
• Rev Abraham Kisembo
• Bishop Luanda Pinos

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• Introduction

Maphunziro a Ana

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Malawi Moringa Projects

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(To be used to assist the translation into Chichewa)

Enjoying the
Presence of God

Purpose of the Lesson
• Learn what the Bible says about how to live the normal Christian life
• Review the unique and awesome characteristics of our Mighty God
• Experience the joy of being completely surrendered to the Heavenly Father

Prayer

Almighty God, What a holy and powerful God You are. Thank You for the Lord Jesus Christ, who reveals Your love and great salvation. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who is with us moment by moment. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Encourage the group to share the verses from their Bible reading which helped them the most.

Weekly Bible Reading (Use your Bible or Africa Bible Verse Handbook) These passages describe the Christian life. Choose the verse or verses which helped you the most from each of the following passages. Romans 7:14-25 Romans 8:1-17 Colossians 3:1-17 Romans 12:1-8 Romans 12:9-21 Romans 15:1-13

Guide’s Comments

One of the striking characteristics of a person who really knows God is the fact that he or she is different from those who do not know God.

Not all Christians would measure up to the Christian behavior we read about this week. The Bible says such behavior is to be predominate in our Christian lives because of the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Every part of life is affected when we are aware of God’s presence in our lives.

1. After reading the Weekly Bible Readings, write a paragraph describing the biblical standard of a normal Christian life. (Give everyone an opportunity to read their own answer.). . . . .

The normal Christian life, according to the Bible reading, sounds too impossible to attain. We could never reach it on our own, no matter how long we live. But it is possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.

During the past weeks, we have studied about the gift that God has provided. Therefore, the next question should have been easy to answer.

2. Who has God provided for all of those who put their trust in Him, so they can live normal Christian lives? . . . . . (the indwelling Holy Spirit) We need to ask ourselves if we really understand why God gave us the Holy Spirit. Until we do, we will have difficulty in allowing God to have His way with us. If we could live a consistent Christian life with our own power, it would not have been necessary for God to send the Holy Spirit. 3. Jesus explained how the Holy Spirit can accomplish the impossible things God has planned for us to do. Read John 15:1-8 and fill the following blanks with words you choose from this list . . . . . I .......................remaining ........................Jesus......................... God....................... Holy Spirit The gardener is (God). The vine is (Jesus). (I) am the branch. The life that flows from the vine to the branch is made available to us by the (Holy Spirit). The branch does not struggle and put forth great effort. It grows and bears fruit by simply (remaining) connected to the vine.

We remain connected to the vine by maintaining meaningful fellowship with God. We will stay in contact with Him through reading the Bible, praying, listening to His guidance, and obeying His revealed will.

As we maintain unbroken fellowship with God, we remain in His presence. When we perform our daily tasks, we find ourselves in conversation with His Spirit because the line of communication is always open.

The better we know God through His Word, the Bible, the more we trust Him. We will grow in faith as we become familiar with God’s Word because faith comes by hearing the Word of God. The more we dialogue with Him, the more we understand His will. How do we dialogue with God?. . . . . (God speaks to us through the Bible. We speak to Him through prayer.)

One of the goals for this study was to establish a regular time to read the Bible. Whether we have read every day, several days a week, or only on one day, the purpose was to establish a regular time to listen to what God has to say.

4. What regular pattern for reading the Bible have you established since beginning this study? . . . . . (Encourage each one to set goals.)

Listening to God speak through His Word is a great way to remain in fellowship with God. Just as being connected to the vine means life to the branches, our spiritual life is alive because we are connected to Jesus Christ. We become unproductive branches when we hinder the Holy Spirit from flowing through our lives.

Hindering the Holy Spirit 5. How do we hinder the Holy Spirit? Acts 7:51 . . . . . (We resist Him by our stubbornness and failure to hear Him.) 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 . . . . . (We restrain the Spirit by despising and ignoring His messages.) Isaiah 63:10 . . . . . (We rebel and grieve Him by not recognizing His care and provision.) Acts 5:3 . . . . . (We can lie to Him.)

How can we keep from hindering what the Holy Spirit is telling us? . . . . .
(When we continue to remain in fellowship with Him by reading the Bible, praying,
listening, and obeying step by step.)

Sometimes, fear and doubt keep us from hearing what the Holy Spirit is revealing to us about God’s will for our lives.

6. When you are making a decision, how can you know when the Holy Spirit is leading you? Match the correct letter after the corresponding verse. a. Your conscience does not accuse you. b. God’s Word confirms your decision. c. Circumstances that are beyond your control affirm it. d. You have peace in your heart. (d) Philippians 4:6-7. . . . . (a) Romans 2:15. . . . . (c) 1 Samuel 10:7. . . . . (b) 2 Timothy 3:16. . . . .

To review—look at the four important things that confirm the Holy Spirit’s leading in our decision-making. We have peace in our hearts, it’s in harmony with God’s Word, our conscience agrees, and circumstances confirm it.

7. When you become a Christian, your life is greatly enlarged by the new identity you gain. Name your new identity and describe in your own words how this fact applies to your life.

Verse	My new identity	How this applies to my life
1 John 3:1 . . . . .	(I am a child of God.)	(I reveal this through my righteous conduct.)
John 15:15 . . . . .	(I am a friend of God.)	(I will spend time with Him.)
Philippians 3:20-21 . . . . .	(I am a citizen of heaven.)	(While I live as a good citizen in an imperfect world, I look forward to living forever in heaven where everything is perfect.)
Ephesians 3:12 . . . . .	(I am in union with Christ.)	(I have permission to approach God.)
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 .	(I am the temple of God.)	(I will not live to please myself. Instead I will give myself to God for His use only.)

After their answers are given, if time permits, you may summarize the discussion by reading the answers given in the last two columns.

All these blessings result in a life that is full of joy because we have a vital, meaningful relationship with God. This freedom gives us the ability to enjoy being in God’s presence. We look forward to our times of fellowship with Him.

Such a life is powerful. But it is also a life that is tested. Do not be surprised when trials andhardships come your way. Read James 1:2-5. . . . .

Spiritual Warfare

We want God to be pleased with us. We desire His high approval, but we encounter hindrances along the way. The most persistent one is the conflict we have between what pleases us and what pleases God. We are consistently experiencing victory over some areas of our lives and warfare in other areas.

8 a. The Christian life is a battle. There is a constant struggle between success and failure. Record some of the areas of conflict you have had or are having at the present time. . . . . b.God has made provision for the inner battle we have between our will and God’s will. Read about in Ephesians 6:10-18. . . . . How do you plan to apply these verses to your life? . . . . .

Would you put on armor if you were only going to take a nap? Neither do we need
the scriptural armor if we are never involved in the battle. But since the conflicts come when we least expect them, be ready for Satan’s attacks at anytime. Have
your armor on!

9. We do not fight our spiritual battles in our own power. The following passages teach us basic principles for gaining victory in our spiritual battles. Match the following principles with the corresponding verses. a. Put on all the armor. b. Don’t invite temptation. c. Make the devil run. d. Be on watch; be firm in your faith. God will reward you. (c) James 4:7-8. . . . . (d) 1 Peter 5:8-10. . . . . (a) Ephesians 6:13. . . . . (b) Ephesians 4:22-27. . . . . 10. In addition to the principles of spiritual warfare, God has given us spiritual weapons to use in our battles. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. . . . . Identify the spiritual weapons in each of the following verses. 2 Corinthians 6:7. . . . . (righteousness) Ephesians 6:17. . . . . (God’s Word) Psalm 50:15. . . . . (prayer)

Prayer is our most important weapon. God helps us when we pray. Prayer is necessary to accomplish the work God gives us to do. Neglect of prayer brings failure.

We know we are on the winning side when we are in fellowship with God. Turn to 1 John 4:4 . . . . .

When we live life aware of God’s presence and desire to obey Him, life is an adventure. We never know what a day will bring. God loves to lavish His children with blessings they don’t expect. God finishes what He starts. He longs for us to know Him better.

11. Consider how your life has changed since you have become a Christian. a. What does 2 Peter 3:18 tell Christians to do? . . . . . (Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of God.) b.How has your attitude or behavior changed since you started studying about the Holy Spirit? . . . . . 12. Write a prayer of praise to God for the changes that God’s Word has produced in your life. Ask God for continued growth in areas you realize need improvement. . . . .

 

There is real happiness and joy in knowing God. There is forgiveness and salvation in knowing Jesus, who gives us peace. There is victory and rejoicing in obeying the indwelling Spirit of God, whose role is to continually help us grow to be more like Jesus.
Read Galatians 5:16 . . . . .

We have learned about the perfection and holiness of God, but it is possible to know these powerful, illuminating facts and remain the same person we were before. When we fail to meditate on the deep meaning of God’s Word as we read, those great truths will not affect our daily lives.

The purpose of these lessons is that our view about God will be enlarged and our relationship with our infinite, holy God will be greatly deepened. When He is in the center of our being and our attention is focused on Him, all of our daily life is affected.

As we remain in union with Him, the prominence of Jesus Christ in our life will make a growing difference in every part of our living. We can never be the same!

He will become such a vital part of us and we will understand more about Him than we have the ability to express.

As we trust God, remain in Him, and obey Him, we realize that complete surrender to God and His will is the least we can do for the One who has given us so much.

“You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your strength.”
—Deuteronomy 6:5

God wants our wholehearted love. What greater use could there be for our life
than to give it completely for God’s purposes! He is worthy of all we are and have. He is worthy of our praise!

Closing Prayer

What an awesome idea, our Father, to think that we are becoming more like Your Son, Jesus Christ! Thank You that You never give up on us, but You have given us Your Holy Spirit to guide us. Continue keeping us close to You, even after our study is over. In Jesus’ name, amen.