(please print out the pages you are studying and keep them for future reference)
BUILDING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
SECTION ONE
Laying The Proper Foundation
LESSON ONE: Introduction
________________________________________________________________________
Scripture Reading: Luke 6:46-49 Matthew 7:24-27
The Bible speaks of our lives as buildings. When it comes to buildings, one cannot overestimate the importance of a sound and adequate foundation, for the foundation supports the building. Each part of the building depends and rests upon the foundation. God is the wisest master builder of all. He reveals clearly in His Word the kind of foundation which must be laid in our lives if we are to build successfully. In this and succeeding studies, we are going to look into the Bible, Gods Word, and examine carefully what the Word of God has to say about the proper foundation upon which to build the Christian life.
I. LAYING THE PROPER PERSONAL FOUNDATION
A. What three things will insure a sound and secure Christian life? Luke 6:47
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
B. What is a deadly danger? Luke 6:46, 49 ______________________________
______________________________________________________________
C. A wise man is compared to a man who does three things. Luke 6:48
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
This man did not begin to build until first he had REMOVED EVERYTHING BETWEEN HIM AND THE ROCK. He made sure he was on a secure and solid foundation.
D. Why is it so important that the house be built "on the rock"? Luke6:49
John 16:33 _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
E. What happened to the house on the rock? ("stream" may be read as "storm.") Luke 6:48b ____________________________________________________
_____________________ Why? ___________________________________
Storms are unavoidable in the Christian life but if one is hearing and doing the Word of God, his house will stand unshaken. Hallelujah!
F. Notice the picture of the foolish man in Luke 6:49.
1. "He...heareth, and ___________________________________________"
2. He was "a man...without ______________________________________"
3. He "built an house ___________________________________________"
G. What three things happened to the house without a proper foundation?
Luke 6:49b ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
II. THE ADEQUATE FOUNDATION AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BUILD ON THE ROCK
A. What is the only foundation we can lay? I Cor 3:11
______________________________________________________________
B. Read II Tim 2:19 This verse tells that:
1. The foundation of God _______________________________________
2. The Lord knows ____________________________________________
3. Everyone that names the name of Christ should ___________________
_________________________________________________________
C. Heb 6:1, 2 lists six things as a part of our foundation. They are:
1. __________________________ 2. ______________________________
3. __________________________ 4. ______________________________
5. __________________________ 6. ______________________________
Note carefully verses one and three, "Let us go on unto perfection...and this will we do if God permit." But we cannot "go on unto perfection" unless these foundation stones are properly laid in our lives. This is why so many Christians do not grow and mature. THEIR FOUNDATION IS NOT SOUND OR ADEQUATE. Once the foundation is rightly laid, we must then "go on" for this is but the beginning of the Christian life.
SUMMARY:
The Christian must have a good foundation if he is to build a good house. The foundation must be strong. And it must be laid according to the plans of the Divine Architect. His plan is revealed in the Word of God. In succeeding studies, we shall consider carefully the various things which must be in the foundation.