LEVEL 1 – THE BASICS

Introduction to Basic Beliefs:

Occasionally I’ll ask people, "Who do you pray to? God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?" There is no right or wrong answer, it is just a way for people to begin to reflect upon their relationship with God. For some it is a process. At different times in our lives and depending upon life circumstances and spiritual needs, different aspects of the Nature of God become more relevant to us. Each person may have a different experience. And that’s OK.

The purpose of this section called Basic Beliefs is to provide prayer partners with the opportunity to talk about key gifts of faith that God has given to us. These gifts are a relationship with: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, the Forgiveness of Sins, the Resurrection of the Body, and Life Everlasting. Once we’ve gone over this material for ourselves, it makes it easier to share this type of material with others who are searching.

Note: A good deal of this material has come from the study Beginning a Basic Group, from Serendipity House, by Lyman Coleman, 1991. (This Serendipity resource has been reprinted under the title Confirmation, in the Youth Series.)

Theme # 1: God

A relationship with GOD is similar to a relationship with a friend or relative. It takes time and effort to build, maintain, and grow. If you feel like your relationship with God is a little weak, you’re probably a typical believer. By taking some time to reflect upon our relationship with God, we can begin to open ourselves up to the possibilities of growing in that kinship. God is always available to us. We just need to be available to the reality of God’s presence.

Text: Genesis 12:1 - 5 How does this text relate to this theme for me? Use space below for your notes.

Reflection Questions: 1. Where do you feel your relationship is with God? Using a member of the family as a metaphor for your relationship with God, what family relationship would you pick and why? Dad Mom Grandma Grandpa Aunt Uncle Brother Sister Son Daughter Niece Nephew Spouse Other: 2. Who would you like your relationship with God to be like and why? Dad Mom Grandma Grandpa Aunt Uncle Brother Sister Son Daughter Niece Nephew Spouse Other: 3. What steps might you take to help you get there? (Ask your prayer partner to pray for you.) 4. Review this theme occasionally alone and with your partner, to see how you are doing and to update your goals.

Things to do this week: During prayer time this week, ask God to show you how to get closer to God, relationally. In prayer, try talking to God as to a close and trusted relative. Try listening to God as you would listen to someone whose advice, guidance, and encouragement you respect.

Space for Personal Notes:

Theme # 2: Jesus

Our relationship with JESUS has the potential to be more like that of a sister or brother whom we admire or like a special friend. Generally our relationship with Jesus starts when we begin to believe in Him as God’s son. (Mark’s gospel tells us that belief leads to salvation - Mark 16:16). Yet many people do not develop the relationship beyond a surface or "head" level relationship. So the next step in this relationship is reached when we invite Jesus into our lives ("heart" level). "Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me." (Rev. 3:20) Jesus is always there for us, as close as we’re willing to let him be.

Text: Mark 8:27 - 29 How does this text relate to this theme for me? Use space below for your notes.

Reflection Questions: 1. Where do you feel your relationship is with Jesus? Doubting Questioning What to Believe Believe Want to Invite Him into my Life Trying to Follow His Ways Other: Like a: Child Rebellious Teen Enthusiastic Teen Distant Relative Dating Going Steady Engaged Partners Follower Old Friend Disciple Other: 2. Where would you like it to be? 3. What steps might you take to help you get there? (Ask your prayer partner to pray for you.) 4. Review this theme occasionally alone and with partner, to see how you are doing and to update your goals.

Things to do this week: During prayer time this week, ask Jesus to show you how to get closer to Him. Wherever you found yourself relationally with Jesus above, ask Him to help you take the next step. In prayer, try talking to Jesus as to a close and trusted relative or friend. Try listening to Jesus as you would listen to someone whose advice, guidance, and encouragement you respect.

Space for Personal Notes:

Theme # 3: Holy Spirit

The HOLY SPIRIT is a rather nebulous concept ... sort of like the "behind the scenes" — type person that is rarely seen. Yet without that person the show doesn’t happen! The Holy Spirit has been given to us as a guide (John 16:13) and as a source of encouragement (2 Timothy 1:14). The gift of God’s Spirit is one beyond compare. Whenever we need help, support, encouragement, guidance, all we have to do is to ask the Spirit within and then listen for an answer. Jesus has not left us alone here on earth. We have the presence of His spirit.

Text: John 14:15 -17, 25 - 27; Acts 2; Ephesians 4 How does this text relate to this theme for me? Use space below for your notes.

Reflection Questions: 1. Have you had times in your life when you needed an answer and it seemed to come to you? Are you looking for an answer that hasn’t come yet? Would you like to "tune in to" the Spirit within? 2. One of the best ways to becoming more aware of the Spirit within is in times of quiet listening. How much time do you spend in quiet listening to the Spirit within, during the day? How much time would you like to spend ? Can you start tomorrow? 3. What other steps might you take to help you listen to the Spirit within? (Ask your prayer partner to pray for you.) 4. Review this theme occasionally alone and with your partner to see how you are doing and to update your goals

Things to do this week: During prayer time this week, ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to get closer. Ask the Spirit to open up your heart, mind, and soul to the Spirit’s presence and power in your life. In prayer, remember to be thankful to the Spirit for guidance in the past, guidance in the present, and guidance in the future. Practice taking time to listen to the Spirit within each day. Start with 3 minutes a day and work your way to 10 and beyond. A Day of Reflection is a wonderful opportunity to get in touch with the Spirit within. Ask your group leader or Church Office when the next Day of Reflection will be held. Sign up now and put the date into your calendar —as a gift to yourself!

Space for Personal Notes:

Theme # 4: Forgiveness of Sins

Along with the gift of the many ways to be in relationship with God we can also experience the gift of forgiveness. Admitting our shortcomings and selfish ways is not something that is natural. In extreme cases, we notice people who go through life trying to maintain their innocence about everything in life: the "It’s not my fault!" types. The problem is that once we get into that mode of being, we are constantly spending our energy trying to defend ourselves. There is little energy left to share with other people. Admitting our sins to God, and realizing God’s forgiveness, is one of the most freeing experiences that there is. And since we are forgiven, we don’t have to waste time trying to defend the indefensible! We can move on to what God is calling us to do and be next, in our lives.

Text: Acts 26: 15 -18 How does this text relate to this theme for me? Use space below for your notes.

Reflection: [From: Serendipity’s Basics Group material, p. 28,29] Bob Munger, in his booklet My Heart - Christ’s Home, describes the areas of a person’s life as the rooms of a house. Give yourself a grade on each room as follows. Then share your best and worst grade with your prayer partner. A = excellent B = good C = needs help D = needs a lot of improvement _____ LIBRARY: This room is in your mind — what you allow to go into it and come out of it. It is the "control room" of the entire house. _____ DINING ROOM: Appetites, desires — those things your mind and spirit feed on for nourishment. _____ DRAWING ROOM: This is where you draw close to God, seek time with God daily, not just in times of distress or need. _____ WORKSHOP: This room is where your gifts, talents, skills are put to work for God... by the power of the Spirit. _____ RUMPUS ROOM: The social area of your life; the things you do to amuse yourself and others. _____ HALL CLOSET: The one secret place that no one knows about, but is a real stumbling block in your walk in the Spirit.

Things to do this week: Reflect this week on where you are and on where you want to be. Once you’ve identified an area (areas) of concern, ask your prayer partner to pray for you. Ask God for forgiveness, put it behind you, and move out in faith. If it happens again, ask God for forgiveness, etc. If your problem is an addictive type of behavior, you might want to ask your group to lay hands on you or your prayer partner to pray for you.

Space for Personal Notes:

Theme # 5: Resurrection of the Body

"The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It transformed the early Christians from a defeated, hopeless band of guru followers into a force of men and women who boldly proclaimed the words of Jesus because they had seen him risen from the dead." [Serendipity’s Basics Group material, p. 32] If this concept seems personally overwhelming, remember that it was more than the Disciple Thomas could take, until he actually saw Jesus. Jesus said to him: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." The realization of the resurrection of the body helps us to realize that life on this planet is only a small part of our growing relationship with God.

Text: John 20:24-29; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 How does this text relate to this theme for me? Use space below for your notes.

Reflection Questions: [From: Serendipity’s Basics Group material, p. 34] 1. When you have spiritual doubts, what does that indicate? My faith is weak. I need some more information. Growth may be taking place. Someone needs to understand me. I need a spiritual "check up." 2. What kind of spiritual "proof" do you need? pragmatic — if it works, it must be true empirical — first hand experience faith — a leap in the dark historical — evidence of this working in the past rational — it makes sense 3. If you could ask God one question about your own faith, what would it be? How do you deal with doubt? What happens when you don’t feel like a Christian? How do you know when you have "touched" God during the day? Other: _________________________________ 4. What have you found helpful in times of doubt? 0 reading the Bible 0 the evidence of past miracles 0 time alone with God 0 the faith of others 0 go back to the basics of the faith 0 sharing with others who have gone through this 0 Other: _________________________________

Things to do this week: Based upon what you have found out about your own beliefs, ask God to bless the areas of your life that have faith and to make stronger those areas that lack faith.

Space for Personal Notes:

Theme # 6: Life Everlasting

To the Christian, Everlasting Life is one of the gifts of the future that keep us on target today. Knowing that life here on earth is but a rehearsal for what lies ahead, helps to give us a sense of perspective when life here gets tough or seems unfair. What we experience now, is but a way of helping us to grow into the souls that God created us to be. When we are done on earth, Scripture tells us we will be given a chance to rest. (Revelation 14:13) Ephesians goes on to suggest that through God’s grace, we will be raised up with Christ to rule with him in the heavenly world. Sounds like job security to me!

Text: Ephesians 2:4-10 How does this text relate to this theme for me? Use space below for your notes.

Reflection Questions: 1. If you thought that you were, through God’s grace, to rule with Christ in the heavenly world (Ephesians 2:6, Good News Bible), would that give you a new perspective about your life here on earth? 2. Would it make a difference in your attitudes and actions? 3. With this eternal attitude, how might daily problems and frustrations look to you now? What might you do differently? (Ask your prayer partner to pray for you.) 4. Review this theme occasionally alone and with your partner, to see how you are doing and to update your goals.

Things to do this week: Next time you get angry and upset about something, pretend to float above the situation like you are slowly moving away from the earth in a space ship. Even the earth is beginning to look small in relation to the vast universe. Notice how this Universal perspective affects the initial issue! You might want to take the time to thank God for the gift of Life Everlasting. Ask God to help you to experience earthly situations with new awareness and understanding, realizing that whatever happens, God can bless it, so that we can grow into the people God created us to be. You might reflect upon this question: "Isn’t there a sense in which we live our lives to do God’s will, and that if we have done that, when we approach God’s throne in the life to come, we can approach unashamed knowing that all that we have done has been done to the best of our ability so that we can reciprocate in some small manner the deep and powerful love which God has for us? Any other motivations pale in the light of that love."

Space for Personal Notes: