TLC Lesson 19 - Growing in the Christian Life

Introduction

After you have accepted Jesus as your Saviour, you need to learn how to grow in your Christian life. Jesus taught us many things that should be a part of our Christian living Find the pictures 33, 36, 69, 34, 35, 67, 84, 92, 117.

Picture 33. Jesus Teaches the People

Matthew 5:1-12

Jesus gave a long talk, teaching the people many things. (Or - Jesus taught the people many things.) He was sitting on a mountain side, so the teachings are called, 'The Sermon on the Mount'. In this sermon, He gives us the pattern for Christian living. We will only take the first part of His message. He starts by telling us who are the blessed and happy people in this world. Some of the things we may think bring sorrow, are really for our blessing and happiness. Jesus said, (Firstly,) "Blessed are those who know they are spiritually poor for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Some people are proud and don't realize how poor they really are in their spiritual lives. Those who know they can't keep all the commandments come to Jesus in repentance. They ask for forgiveness and His help. Through Him they will inherit the kingdom of heaven. (2nd, Jesus said,)"Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted". This is a comfort that comes from God and cannot be taken away. (3.) "Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth." We need to be hunble before God, realizing that He is the Lord of all. (4.) "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled." (5.) "Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy." (6.) "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God". (7.) "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God." (8.) "Blessed are those who are persecuted on account of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". (9.) "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say evil against you because of me. Be glad because your reward in heaven will be great." In ourselves we don't rejoice when all these thing happen to us, but God has promised us joy in Himself.

Picture 36. Teaching about Prayer

Matthew 6:5-15

Here Jesus is teaching a lesson on prayer. First He says, "Don't be like hypocrites. They pray out on the street corners so that people will see them. They are not really praying to God but just for men to praise them. Instead, go into your room and pray in secret. Do not repeat and repeat like the pagans do for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Your Father in heaven knows what you need before you ask Him." Then Jesus gives us a pattern prayer for us to follow. (Include the Lord's Prayer if required.) Some people memorize that prayer and say it over and over without thinking of what it means. One part of that prayer is asking God to forgive our sins in the same way as we forgive others. Think about that. If we don't forgive others, God won't forgive us either.

Picture 69. Parable of the Friend at Midnight

Luke 11:5-13

Jesus continues His teaching on prayer. He gives an example of a man who goes to his friend at midnight. He asks for three loaves of bread to feed a traveller who came to his house. The man in the house says, "Don't bother me. I am in bed." But the first man boldly asks again. Jesus said, that the friend will finally get up and give him bread because he kept on asking. Jesus encourages us to keep on asking too. He said, "Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. Your Father in heaven will give good gifts to you."

Picture 34. Teaching about Light in the Darkness

Matthew 5:14-16

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before men. Do not hide it. When people see your light they will praise God." In the picture we see one man trying to hide his light under a basket. What use is that light? The other man is holding his light up high for all to see. The true light is Jesus. When we do good works in Jesus' name we are letting the light of Jesus shine through us. Then people will praise Him. Many people will not listen to what we say, but they will see what we do. Our lives often show God's love more than our words do. We are not doing good works so that people will praise us, but that God will be praised.

Picture 67. Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

A man came to Jesus and asked Him, "What must I do to gain eternal life?" Jesus asked him what was written in the law. The man answered, "Love the Lord with all your soul, strength and mind. Love your neighbour as yourself." Jesus said, "You have answered correctly. The man asked, "Who is my neighbour?" Jesus tells a story that is an example of how God's love reaches out to everyone. A man was going from Jersusalem to Jericho. Thieves robbed him and beat him very badly. A priest saw him but passed by on the other side without helping him. A Levite (a priest's helper) also saw him but did nothing to help him. Then a Samaritan came. Samaritans are enemies of the Jews. This Samaritan felt sorry for the man and helped him. He took him to an inn and paid for someone to take care of him. Jesus asked, "Who was neighbour to the man who was wounded by thieves?" He answered, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do the same." Our neighbour is anyone who needs help, no matter what tribe he is from. We should be ready to help anyone in need. This is possible when we know Jesus as our Saviour. It is His love showing through us.

Picture 92. The Poor Widow's Offering

Mark 12:41-44

Jesus watched the crowd putting their offering money into the temple treasure chest. The rich people put in much money. A poor widow woman put in two small coins. Jesus said to His disciples, "This poor widow put in more than all the others. They gave out of their wealth. She gave everything she had." God wants us to give money for His work. He looks, not on the amount we give, but on our hearts. If we love Him and give all we can, that is more in His eyes than thousands of dollars people may give to be seen of men.

Picture 84. Jesus and the Rich Young Man

Mark 10:17-27

A rich ruler came and asked Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said he kept all the commandments. Jesus said, "Sell all you have. Come and follow me." The man went sadly away. His goods were more important to him than following Jesus. We should put Jesus first in our lives.

Picture 117. Jesus Commissions His Disciples

Matthew 28:16-20

Jesus was crucified, died and was buried. On the third day He rose again. He appeared to His disciples and many other people. After 40 days He went with His disciples to a mountain. He gave them his last command. He said, "I have all authority. Go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you." He also gave them a promise. He said, "I will be with you always." That command is for all of us as believers. We should witness to others and teach them Christ's commandments. We have His promise; He will be with us. If His last command was to go and tell others, we can see how important that command is. Are you witnessing and teaching? Remember, he gives you the power to do as He says. In these lessons we have seen how Jesus taught us different ways in which we can grow as Christians. He talks about praying, forgiving, loving our enemies, being a light in the darkness before men, not taking revenge, returning good for evil, loving and helping others, giving for God's wok, and witnessing to others. We cannot do these things in our own strength. We must put Jesus first in our lives and let the Holy Spirit work through us to God's glory.