Lesson 1

In this foundational lesson, discover the depth of God's love and His desire for a personal relationship with you. Explore how understanding the Father's heart transforms your spiritual journey, leading to a life filled with purpose, identity, and divine connection. Embrace the invitation to draw closer to your Heavenly Father and experience His unwavering love.

The Father's Heart

Your Heavenly Father is trying to show you that you have direct access, to Him-self and to His Son, Jesus.
You have been invited by the Father, the Creator of the universe, to be involved in His life, and He wants to be involved in your life.
Jesus said in John chapter 4, ”God is looking for people to WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH”.
John 4:21-24
The Lord said in Hebrews 4:16, “Come boldly to the Throne of Grace”.
The Lord wants you to study His Word. This is an important part of the process of getting to know Him. The Bible says in II Timothy 2:15, “Study to show yourself approved - -”. God told Joshua, “to meditate on the Word day and night in order to be a good success”, God wants us (you), to be a good success.
Joshua 1:8

We are going to share a step-by-step pathway, to help you learn, to let the Holy Spirit guide, lead and teach you in your personal growth and relationship with the Father and Son. Look at John 16:7-15.

The Bible teaches that there are four stages to ( in ) our spiritual growth. Our spiritual growth is progressive, beginning as a babe in Christ, to becoming mature in Christ.

Turn to Ephesians chapter 1. Beginning with verses 16-23 and into chapter 3, verses 14-21, Paul is saying that our growth is through the inner man. In other words, the inner man has to grow to the point that it can control the outer man. The Bible separates the inner man and the outer man. The spiritual man in contrast to the natural (Carnal) man.

So this would answer your question, what do we do now, since we have become, Born-Again? The answer is, Prayer, Study and Application of God’s Word. James 1:22

There are 16 lessons, each one, dealing with a specific area of spiritual growth. Each lesson will be an introduction to one of God’s priorities in developing a personal relationship with Him. In all, this seminar represents, the MINIMUM, that our Heavenly Father desires for each of us to learn and for it to become a way of life.

We will begin with lesson ONE by discussing ----

a. What does it mean to be Born-Again?
b. How do we become Born-Again?
c. What are the Benefits of being Born-Again?
d. Why should we be Born-Again?
e. What is the New Covenant?
f. How did the New Covenant come into being?
g. Why do we need a New Covenant with God?

Why are these two subjects so important?

To establish, who we are and how we fit into the family of God. Look at the, In Him verses at the back of this lesson.
To eliminate being tossed around by every wind of doctrine.
James 1:1-8
To learn what our Heavenly Father expects of us. David said; I hide your Word in my heart, so that I will not sin against You.
So that we may grow into the UNITY of Faith.
To reduce or eliminate areas, where satan can attack us. God says; My people are destroyed because of their lack of knowledge.

What does it mean to be Born-Again?

We must look back to the time of creation in Genesis chapter 1:26-31. God created man in His spiritual image. God gave man’s spirit a soul. Since God does not have a physical body as we know it, He formed our bodies out of the dust of the earth to house the spirit and soul. So, we are a spirit, soul and body. Genesis 1:26 & 2:7 and I Thessalonians 5:23

The reason God created man is, that He desired (He longed for ) a people that would love Him for who He is and that He could have a two-way personal fellowship with them. At creation, man did have fellowship with God, but man lost that fellowship with God, when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden.

How do we become Born-Again?

Jesus came to pay the price as, the once and for all sacrifice on the cross (Hebrews chapters 7-9). He came to show us that fellowship with God, could be reinstated through hearing the Gospel and responding to God’s instructions. Romans 10:9-10

His instructions are: (The Basic Gospel) We must first recognize that we are sinners, then repent of our sins, and ask God to forgive us of our sins, and ask Jesus to come into our hearts to be our personal Savior. (I John.1:9) We should follow through and be baptized in water as quickly as we can, in obedience to the Lord’s instructions in Acts 2:38-41.

Jesus said to Nicodemus, “ You must be Born-Again”.

Nicodemus responded, “How can that be?” This was a mystery to a prominent Religious Leader.
John 3:1-21

When we respond to God’s Word and ask God to forgive us our sin, and ask Jesus to come into our heart to be our Savior, the Holy Spirit that caused the virgin birth, and raised Jesus from the grave, enters our body and recreates our inner spirit.

Being “Born-Again” means, that God has recreated your inner spirit through the POWER of the Holy Spirit. He has come to live in you and to begin fellowship with you. He has now become, your Heavenly Father.

What are the benefits of being Born-Again?

We have been FORGIVEN and CLEANSED from sin. We have been given ETERNAL LIFE.
We have been made JOINT HEIRS with God’s Son, Jesus. Romans 8:17
We have been given the PROMISE of the Father, which is the BAPTISM in the Holy Spirit. This is, a PRIORITY of God, for us to seek.
We have been given the GIFTS of the Holy Spirit, in order to have a Balanced Body Ministry.
I Corinthians chapter 12.
We have been given the FRUIT of the Spirit, which is the very CHARACTER and NATURE of God Himself.
Galatians 5:16-25 and II Peter 1:3-4. ( LVB )
We have been given the SAME PROMISES God gave to Abraham.
Galatians 3:13-14
And most importantly, we have been given DIRECT ACCESS to God the Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
John 16:7-15

Why should we be Born-Again?

The Bible says that you must be Born-Again to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven (John 3:3).
Another reason is that all of the provisions listed previously do not become effective until you are Born-Again.
By being BORN-AGAIN, we have now left religion and entered into a New Covenant relationship with God.

What is the New Covenant?

The God Head, planned for the creation of man, before the creation of the earth.
Jesus knew before the creation of the earth, that He would have to die on the cross.
A history study of the Old Testament describes God’s efforts to get man’s attention and the many covenants that were made with man. Man always broke his side of the covenant.
The last covenant between God and man in the Old Testament, was based on laws and regulations handed down through Moses, but it did not provide for a direct access and relationship with God.
The New Covenant is based on God’s Grace, Love and Mercy through the shed Blood of Jesus His Son on the cross, and it does provide for direct access to God and leadership of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

How did the New Covenant come into being?
The Plan of the Ages

God knew before the foundation of the earth that man would fall into sin and break relationship with Him.
So, the all-knowing God provided a way for the mankind He loved you and me to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. His Son Jesus, would have to be the once and for all sacrifice. Jesus was willing to be that sacrifice.
Through His prophets of Old, God had stated more than 300 times that this New Covenant was coming through the promised Messiah who is God’s Son.
No matter what walk of life or what religious background we have come from, we can only come to God through Jesus, His Son. We are instructed by Jesus Himself, that we must live under the New Covenant.
During the night of the Last Supper, Jesus discussed this New Covenant and said, that the Holy Spirit would bring it to (His Bride) His church. Jesus was transitioning His disciples from The Law to Grace.
John chapters 15-17 and Hebrews chapters 7-9.
The next morning, Jesus paid the MAXIMUM PRICE, to give us the New Covenant.
Fifty days after Jesus was resurrected, the Holy Spirit ushered in the New Covenant on the day of Pentecost. This was foreshadowed with the Israelites on their first Pentecost, fifty days after they were led out of Egypt by Moses.

Why do we need the New Covenant with God?

We need the New Covenant so that we may have direct access and fellowship with God and to receive God’s blessings and leadership.
The New Covenant gives us the Guidelines to live by and the instructions on how to have that close relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Being Born-Again is having your spirit recreated so that you can have that person-to-person relationship with God.
Now that Jesus is your personal Savior, you have become the bride of Christ and a joint heir with Him.

HEBREWS 7:15–28 AND 8:1-2

15. So we can plainly see that God’s method changed, for Christ, the NEW High Priest who came with the rank of Melchizedek,
16. did not become a priest by meeting the old requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but on the basis of POWER FLOWING FROM A LIFE THAT CANNOT END.
17. And the Psalmist points this out when He says of Christ, “You are a PRIEST FOREVER WITH THE RANK OF MELCHIZEDEK.”
18. Yes, the old system of priesthood based on family lines was canceled because it didn’t work. It was weak and useless for saving people.
19. It never made anyone really right with God. But now we have a far better hope, FOR CHRIST MAKES US ACCEPTABLE TO GOD, AND NOW WE MAY DRAW NEAR TO HIM.
20. God took an oath that Christ would always be a Priest.
21. although He never said that of other priests. Only to Christ He said, “The Lord has sworn and will never change His mind: YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER, WITH THE RANK OF MELCHIZEDEK.”
22. Because of God’s oath, CHRIST CAN GUARANTEE FOREVER THE SUCCESS OF THIS NEW AND BETTER ARRANGEMENT.
23. Under the old arrangement there had to be many priests, so that when the older ones died off, the system could still be carried on by others who took their places.
24. BUT JESUS LIVES FOREVER AND CONTINUES TO BE A PRIEST SO THAT NO ONE ELSE IS NEEDED.
25. He is able to save completely all who come to God through Him. Since He will live forever, He will always be there to remind God that He has paid for their sins with His blood.
26. He is, therefore, exactly the kind of High Priest we need, for He is holy and blameless, unstained by sin, undefiled by sinners, and to Him has been given the PLACE of HONOR IN HEAVEN.
27. He never needs the daily blood of animal sacrifices, as other priests did, to cover over first their own sins and then the sins of the people; for HE FINISHED ALL SACRIFICES, ONCE AND FOR ALL, WHEN HE SACRIFICED HIMSELF ON THE CROSS.
28. Under the old system, even the high priests were weak and sinful men who could not keep from doing wrong, BUT LATER GOD APPOINTED BY HIS OATH HIS SON WHO IS PERFECT FOREVER.

8:1-2 What we are saying is this: CHRIST, WHOSE PRIEST HOOD WE HAVE JUST DESCRIBED, IS
OUR HIGH PRIEST, AND IS IN HEAVEN AT THE PLACE OF GREATEST HONOR NEXT TO GOD
HIMSELF. HE MINISTERS IN THE TEMPLE IN HEAVEN, THE TRUE PLACE OF WORSHIP BUILT
BY THE LORD AND NOT BY HUMAN HANDS.

Scripture quotations are taken from The Living Bible, copyright 1971.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Wheaton, IL 60189 USA. All rights reserved.

THE NIGHT OF THE LAST SUPPER
WITH JESUS' FINAL EXHORTATION
AND INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW COVENANT

It was customary in Old Testament days when a person was aware that God was going to take him home, he normally called in his family and the person he had been training to take his place and gave them blessings and words of final exhortation.

Jesus was no exception. He knew very well that His time had come. So He made arrangements for the Passover meal. Jesus wanted a quiet place so there would be no interruptions with the few short hours He had with the ones He loved.

In his gospel, John describes what happened on this special evening with Jesus. We will look at Chapters 12-18. Let's pray that the Holy Spirit will give us revelation concerning the things Jesus did and said and how it applies to us today.

Jesus, in principal, laid the Father's HEART on the table and said, THIS IS HOW MUCH THE FATHER LOVES YOU, AND THIS IS HIS PROVISION AND THE RESOURCES HE HAS MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU THAT YOU MAY HAVE LIFE AND LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY.

The New Covenant Jesus made reference to has a time span of TWO THOUSAND YEARS (also Matthew 26:28). The person of the Holy Spirit ushered in this NEW COVENANT from the Father on the Day of Pentecost, and it is VALID UNTIL THE RAPTURE occurs ( II Thessalonians 2:1 ).

This covenant is in FULL FORCE TODAY. Everything we read about in the New Testament applies to us on every issue. There is no scriptural evidence that there would be ANY CHANGES in God's COVENANT. We are told in Galatians 3:13-14 that the promises of Abraham apply to us also. This covenant applies after we have received Jesus as Savior and have been BORN-AGAIN. In Revelation 22:19 we read that no one should add or take away from what God has established by His Word.

In Hebrews we read "GOD REWARDS THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM." With this verse in mind, we want to encourage and challenge you to "Grow in GRACE and in the KNOWLEDGE of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen". ( II Peter 3:18 )

We will highlight John beginning with Chapter 12, which begins six days before the crucifixion. Jesus and the disciples had dinner with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus ( the Lazarus Jesus had raised from the dead ).

At this time Mary took a bottle of ointment and poured it on Jesus' feet, and then she wiped His feet with her hair. Judas made a comment about Mary being wasteful, that this expensive ointment should have been sold and the money given to the poor.

Jesus took this opportunity to start preparing His disciples for His death that was only a few days away.

The next day is the day we know as Palm Sunday. Many people had come to town for the feast. They had heard that Jesus was there. This is when Jesus fulfilled one of the many prophecies about the coming Messiah: "The Messiah would ride into town on a young donkey."

More people came looking for Jesus. He again spoke about his coming death, using the parable "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground." This is in reference to the necessity of His sacrifice, which includes the death, the burial, and the resurrection.

The next time Jesus spoke He said, "I have not come to judge the world but that through Me the world might be saved.” He also stated He was the light of the world and whosoever received Him would receive eternal life.

Chapter 13 brings us to the day of the Passover feast (Luke 22:8-13). Jesus sends Peter and John to make arrangements for the Passover meal in the upper room. Jesus knew His hour had come.

After supper, He begins to exhort and teach the disciples. He begins with washing their feet and explaining if they are not cleansed God's way they cannot have a part in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus gave an example to us that we should serve one another (John 13:2-17).

Verse 20 of John 13 is the first reference Jesus gives to Him sending the Holy Spirit to take His place.

Then He speaks of the one that is going to betray Him in verse 21. Jesus identifies Judas as that person. Then He sends Judas out to do what he must do (verses 18-30).

In verses 31-33 Jesus begins the final exhortation, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. A NEW COMMANDMENT I give unto you: That you LOVE one another, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU."

Then Peter said in verse 36, "Lord, where are you going, and can I follow you?" Jesus’ answer was, "Where I am going you can't follow me now, but you shall follow me at a later time." Then Jesus told Peter, "Tonight you will deny me three times before the cock crows."

Jesus changes the tone of what He has been saying in Chapter 14. He starts to comfort them by saying, "Don't worry. I am going home, and when I get home I am going to prepare a place for you. Then I will come back for you."

In verse 4, Thomas asked a very important question, "Where are you going and how can we follow?"

The answer Jesus gave in verses 6-7 is also very important. Jesus said, "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE; no man can come to the Father except by me."

Then Philip asked in verse 8, "Lord, show us the Father." Jesus answered in verses 9-11, "Philip, you have been with me for three years. Everything you have seen me do has been directed by the Father. I do not do anything apart from Him. He lives in Me, and I live in Him. The Father will live in you the same way He lives in Me."

Jesus presents a NEW CONCEPT of prayer and relationship with the Father in verses 12-15. He said, "If we BELIEVE on Him, LOVE Him, and OBEY His commandments, we can ask the Father anything in Jesus Name, and our Father will do it."

Here again in verses 16-26, Jesus is talking about the person of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said He would ask the Father, and the FATHER would give you another comforter. The NEW comforter shall be with you and shall be IN you. Verse 19 says the world will not see Jesus any more, but through the indwelling Holy Spirit we will know and see Jesus. BECAUSE JESUS LIVES we will live also.

To recap verses 20-26, Jesus said, "AT THAT DAY." He was referring to the day of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell the believers. The Holy Spirit will work from the inside out (Paul said "the inner man") to give revelation (Rhema) concerning who God is and who Jesus is. And through the revelation power of the Holy Spirit, we can understand that THEY INDWELL us, and our body HAS become THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

If we obey His commandments, the Holy Spirit will teach us all things.

Again in verses 27-31 Jesus comforts the disciples. Their hearts must be hurting and their heads reeling from what Jesus has been saying to them. Now He says, "Peace I leave with you, not the peace the world has to offer but MY divine peace."
(See THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, Lesson 9)

Jesus goes on to say, "After tonight I will not talk to you much, but I am telling you these things before they come to pass, and as the Father has told ME things to do, I am telling YOU things to do."

In chapter 15 Jesus has taken the disciples out from the table setting, and now they are walking toward the Garden of Gethsemane. As they walk and as Jesus talks, they can look at the things around them, and what Jesus is saying will have a greater impact on their mind and heart.

Beginning in verse 1 Jesus says, "I AM the vine, and my Father is the husbandman." We ( you ) are the branches Jesus points out, and apart from Him, we cannot do anything on behalf of the kingdom.

THE FATHER IS GLORIFIED IF WE BEAR MUCH FRUIT, verse 8.

Jesus goes on to say in verses 9-16, "As the Father has loved Me, so I HAVE LOVED YOU; continue in my love so that MY JOY will be in you, and that your joy might be full, I command you to love one another. You did not choose me, I chose you, and I ordained you to go forth and be fruitful, and that whatever you ask in my Name, the Father will do it."

When the Holy Spirit comes, He shall testify of Jesus Christ, using ( us ) the body of Christ as His team. Verses 26-27:

Jesus and the disciples are still walking as we enter chapter 16. He is saying to them in verses 1-4, "I am telling you these things in advance so you don't get your feelings hurt when people do bad things to you because you are being obedient to what I have told you to do." (Saul persecuted the church in the Book Of Acts.)

"You haven't asked where I am going; sorrow has filled your heart" (verses 5-6).

In verses 7-15 Jesus picks up again the importance and the necessity about the person of the Holy Spirit coming to take up where Jesus left off. In these verses He mentions the Holy Spirit fourteen times to make His point. Then Jesus goes on to say, "There is more I want to teach you, but you could not digest it at this time. However, when the Holy Spirit comes, He will teach you all things."

"In a little while you will not see me (referring to three days in the grave), and then you shall see me. You will have sorrow for a short time, and the world will be rejoicing, but then when you see me again, you will be rejoicing for evermore" (verses 16-22).

“In that day” (verses 23-28) references from, the day of Pentecost to the Rapture ( about 2000 years). The New Covenant has been brought in by the Holy Spirit.

We have been instructed by Jesus to ask the Father for our needs in Jesus' name.

For the disciples, this was a new concept in regard to receiving from God, who has now become, their and our Heavenly Father. Before this, under the Old Covenant, they went to the Priest and he would petition God on their behalf. (John 16:22-28)

Jesus continues to speak, "You are going to be scattered for a moment, but I will gather you together again. I want you to have PEACE. CHEER UP! I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD", verses 32-33.

After speaking all these things to the disciples, Jesus began to speak to the Father. In Chapter 17 we have what is referred to as the HIGH PRIESTLY PRAYER. In this prayer Jesus makes four petitions to the Father.

In verses 1-5 Jesus prays for His Glorification.

In verses 6-16 Jesus prays for the preservation of the disciples, and He asks the Father to protect them because they did not belong to the world.

The third petition is in John 17:17-20. Jesus prayed for the sanctification of the church and said, "Father as you have sent me, I am sending the church. Father I pray for the future believers." JESUS COMMITTED HIMSELF FOR OUR GROWTH TODAY.

In verses 19-26 Jesus is praying the most important forth petition, that ALL BELIEVERS would be ONE, AS HE AND THE FATHER ARE ONE. Jesus wants us to understand that the Father loves us, as much as HE LOVES HIS only BEGOTTEN SON.

Now as we move into chapter 18:1, Jesus takes the disciples over the brook into the garden.

Verse 2 tells us that Judas knew where Jesus would be.

When Judas and the religious leaders along with the soldiers ( reported to be about 600 total people ) came to them, Jesus asked, "Who are you looking for?" At those words, they all fell flat on their backs. This shows they could not take Jesus by force, but He gave Himself willingly.

The rest of the night and morning were spent in trials before the Jews and Pilate.

In Chapter 19:1 Jesus is taken by the soldiers and scourged. This fulfills prophecy where it says, "By His stripes we are healed."

Then Jesus, the Son of God, was crucified, AND THE MOST EXCITING PART OF THIS STORY IS:

ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK
JESUS AROSE FROM THE GRAVE.
HE BROKE THE POWER
OVER
SIN AND DEATH !

THE FOUR STAGES OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

II Peter 3:18: GROW IN GRACE AND IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. The scriptures reveal four stages of spiritual growth in the Christian life.

1. The Baby Stage (I Corinthians 3:1-4)

A baby thinks only of self, and if denied the things desired, it will raise a rumpus. It seeks its own; its feelings are easily hurt, and it is often jealous. A baby lives to be served--it never serves. It drinks milk and cannot eat strong meat. It cries but never sings. It tries to talk, but never makes sense. These infant characteristics are so prominent in the lives of many church members. They have been born into the family of God but have failed to develop spiritually. They are spiritual babies--carnal Christians.

2. The Little Child Stage (I John 2:12)

Some Christians grow to be little children spiritually but stop there. Here are some of the characteristics of children: They are often untruthful, envious, and cruel. If rebuked, they become martyrs; if crossed, they are resentful and often make a scene. They are talebearers, repeating everything they hear.
( IN ADULTS IT IS CALLED GOSSIP) They are given to emotional outbursts and are easily puffed up. They love praise and will accept it from any source. They seek only the things that appeal to self.
ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL CHILD?

3. The Young Man Stage (I John 2:13)

Spiritual growth to that of a young man, is not reached by many. He is strong and virile and is well able to overcome his enemy. He has a vision for the future and the faith and courage to tackle it. He is preparing for his productive years. You, too, can become a young man spiritually by putting away childish things, AND GROW (I Corinthians 13:11).

4. The Father Stage (I John 2:13

All can reach this stage of spiritual development, but so few ever attain it. The spiritual father has peace with God (Romans 5:1). He knows the peace of God ( Philippians 4:7 ). He rejoices in his spiritual children.
( I Thessalonians 2:19 and Timothy 1:2 ) He has learned contentment under all circumstances ( Philippians 4:11 ). He knows the only source of true strength (Philippians 4:13). HE DOES NOT BROOD OVER THE PAST but looks to the future (Philippians 3:13-14). He knows that all things work together in his life for his eternal good (Romans 8:28). He enjoys the abundant life now and will enjoy it in the life to come (Ephesians 2:7).

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