River Oaks Community Church

New Membership “Growing Deeper” Study

Our Integration: Week 3

Step 1 of 3

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Part 1

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14
1. When we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is put into our hearts. According to these verses, what assurance do we gain from this gift?*
When you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you became a member of God’s family. This family is referred to in Scripture as the church or the body of Christ. As in any family, membership in God’s church includes both privileges and responsibilities. We have the privilege of benefiting from the gifts and fellowship of others, and the responsibility of using our gifts to serve them. It is in relationship with other believers that the Christian is called both to serve and to be spiritually nurtured.

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 1 Corinthians 12:12-20
2. What does 1 Corinthians 12 say about the need for each member to fulfill his or her specific role in the body of Christ?*
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25
3. In Hebrews 10, the writer emphasizes the need for Christians to meet together. What does he say should take place when we gather?*
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17
4. Why is it important to obey our spiritual leaders? What responsibility do these leaders have before God?*

Part 2
Read 2 Corinthians 8 and 9.
1. What do you think Paul means when he describes giving as an “act of grace”? (2 Cor. 8:6)*
2. According to 2 Corinthians 8:9 and 9:15, what is our ultimate reason for giving?*
3. How does one’s giving offer proof of the sincerity of his or her love for God and for others?*
“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you”. Matthew 6:1-4
4. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus points out that we can seek reward from man or from God. Considering the source of all things, from where should people seek reward?*
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
5. What does Jesus mean by, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”?*

Part 3

Read Matthew 28:16-20.
After His resurrection and before His ascension to heaven, Jesus gave His disciples a mandate. We often call it the “Great Commission.” It was Jesus’ charge to His followers to take the gospel to all nations. At River Oaks, we take the Great Commission very seriously. It is the motivation for our strong emphasis on local and world missions. We believe that our love for Jesus Christ should compel us to share the message about Him with all people.
1. Read Romans 10:1-17. Here, Paul is writing to the church at Rome about his concern for the Israelites. What is the desire of Paul’s heart for them?*
2. According to Paul, how does a person obtain salvation? (verses 9, 13)*
3. What is necessary in order for people to believe?*
4. What is necessary in order for them to hear?*
5. What does this tell you about the importance of sharing the message of Jesus Christ and his salvation with others?*
6. Read Acts 1:4-8. How is the power for effective witnessing provided?*
Jesus told his disciples that they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. For them, this meant that they would begin where they were (Jerusalem), and take the gospel throughout the world.

We can begin by being witnesses for Jesus Christ right where we are, sharing his love and message of salvation with family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

Ask God to empower you with his Spirit and to use you as his witness.

New Membership “Growing Deeper” Study

Our Integration: Week 3

Step 1 of 3

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

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