Every believer in Christ ought to live a life that portrays Christ. The name “Christian” was derived from the lifestyle of the early followers of Jesus Christ (Acts11:26b), and such should be the lifestyle of everyone called by that name. This month, you will be learning about ‘the life of believers in Christ.’ The lessons will focus on how to represent Christ as a Christian through prayer, Bible study, preaching the Gospel, and so on.
As a teacher who will teach children to live like Christ, you are to be an example children will mirror. Therefore, you are expected to live as a believer in Christ. As you look through these studies prayerfully, may the Holy Spirit open your heart to know Him better.
The Prayer Life of Believers
Belema is a Christian who loves to pray, but always does her prayers by shouting and banging things to attract neighbors. One day, she went for a Bible study, where she was taught how to pray, and since then, her prayer life changed for the better.
Our lesson today emphasizes the prayer lifestyle of believers in Christ. Open your Bibles to Matthew 6:5-14,1 Thessalonians 5:17 and James 5:17-18.
Read Matthew 6:5-14;1 Thessalonians 5:17and James 5:17-18
Question: What do you understand by prayer?
Answer: Prayer is the act of communicating with God. Talking with our heavenly Father is an act of praying.
Question: In what manner should believers in Christ not pray?
Answer: According to the scriptures, we are instructed not to pray like the hypocrites. They pray standing in the synagogues and on the street cormers to be seen by men. They babble with words as pagans do. This is because when we pray in that manner, as the scripture says in Matthew 6:5b, we have received our reward already.
Question: How do we pray as believers in Christ?
Answer: Jesus instructed that we should pray to Godin our closet, and God, who sees in secret will then reward us in the open. He also gave a model prayer:
‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come…’
Question: Does it mean we cannot pray in public with other believers?
Answer: We can pray with other believers in the church or elsewhere, but our motive must not be to impress people. Prayer must be between us and God.
Question: In what situation should you pray as a believer in Christ?
Answer: As a believer, you are expected to pray always. You should not relent in praying at any time. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Question: Can you give an example of a prophet who exhibited an effective prayer life?
Answer: Elijah, the prophet. He portrayed an exemplary prayer life. He prayed that there would be no rain in the land for three years and six months, and it was so. Then he prayed again for rain and it rained.
You are made in God’s image and so you must abide in His ways, as believers in Christ. You are instructed to obey God’s word and commit all things to Him, no matter how small or big the situation is. This means you must pray continually. (Lead children to pray for a radiant prayer lifestyle).
The Study Life of Believers
Psalm 119:105, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:9-16
Question: What does it mean to study?
Answer: To study means to revise materials already learned to make sure one does not forget them. It also means to acquire knowledge on a subject you do not have prior knowledge of. It is also to look at a subject thoroughly to get more information. Studying is a habit every believer must cultivate. As children of God, you are admonished to study to show yourselves approved, a workman who needed not to be ashamed, but rightly dividing the word of truth(2 Timothy 2:15).
Question: What is God’s Word to believers in Christ?
Answer: God’s Word is a lamp to the feet and also a light to the believers’ paths. So, as believers in Christ, you are admonished to adhere to His word day and night. This will save you from the snares of the wicked and from straying from God’s precepts (Psalm 119:105 and 110).
Question: Which book should not depart from your mouth?
Answer: The Bible or the Word of God, which is God’s law. It should not depart from your mouth. You should meditate on it day and night. Learn it, live it, and preach it every day.
Question: How can you keep your ways pure?
Answer: You can keep your ways pure by allowing God’s Word to be your guide and seeking it daily with your whole heart. This will help you not to wander away from God’s commandments and will keep you from sinning against God.
Children, know that you too can study God’s Word daily to help you remain in His purpose. The more you study, the more you grow in His love and the more successful and impactful you become to both children within and outside your environs. Are you ready to ask God to help you make a habit of studying the Bible?
Write out the books of the Bible you love to study periodically. Ask God to give you the grace to be faithful to study them daily. Also, make notes of them to keep reminding you of His word.
The Witnessing Life of Believers
The story was told of a little boy who began preaching at the age of 5 years. This started when he attended a crusade with his mother, where the invited speaker preached on the topic, “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. “Since then, he has been
Read Matthew 28:16-20 &Acts 1:8
After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, He met with the eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee. There, Jesus informed them He had been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, He commanded them to go and make disciples of all nations. They were also to teach them to obey all that He had commanded and to baptize them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This is known as The Great Commission. However, He commanded them to wait for the promised Holy Spirit.
When they had received the power of the Holy Spirit, they would be able to witness preaching to his schoolmates and friends. When the boy grew older, he gave his life to Christ and engaged himself in the service of God. He later became a missionary; witnessing and winning souls for Christ. This will lead us to today’s lesson:’ The witnessing life of believers.’
Christ starts from Jerusalem (their location) to the ends of the earth. The primary purpose of baptism in the Spirit is to receive the power to witness for Christ with boldness. The power of the Holy Spirit will give believers the authority to drive out evil spirits and the anointing to heal the sick. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is the starting point whereby believers receive the enabling power to witness for Christ and to be carriers of His life. So, they will be able to preach the hope and forgiveness of sins to the lost, for them to be saved.
The Great Commission is an assignment for all believers, and not for the eleven disciples, pastors, evangelists, or missionaries alone. Are you a witnessing believer or do you keep the Good News of salvation to yourself?
If you have not given your life to Christ, you cannot receive the power of the Holy Spirit to witness to others. Are you ready to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour? Ask the Lord Jesus to come into your life today, to forgive your sins and empower you with the Holy Spirit so that you can become His witness.
Exemplary Life of Believers
Read 1 Timothy 4:6-16
Oftentimes, older people look down on younger people and do not respect them. Apostle Paul said this should not be among Christians. He instructed Timothy not to despise his youthful age, or be intimidated by what others might think of him. Instead, he should demonstrate his maturity by living such a godly life that would present him as an example for other Christians in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Paul further instructed Timothy to devote himself to the reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching. These should be the lifestyle of every believer.
Believers are required to live a peaceful and quiet life, in all godliness and holiness. The life of believers must be consistent with the truth. They must live a faithful life for others to emulate. As a child of God, you must make every effort to shun godless behavior and live a life that will draw others to Christ.
Are there some bad habits in your life that will not make you an example of Christ to others? Ask God to have mercy on you and help you to live a holy life that is acceptable unto Him.
