Welcome to the path!

As I write this, I am in the process of teaching my third teenager to drive. It may be prudent to pause at this point and ask for your prayers! We are doing a "parent-taught" program which means that we purchased a state-approved curriculum that I am working through with my daughter. Much of the curriculum is devoted to learning the "rules of the road," and learning to read the appropriate signs, as well as developing the skills to anticipate and handle certain circumstances. 

In much the same way, our Christian walk is a journey and we need to be prepared for what comes along the road. In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells us that he came to offer us "abundant life" (John 10:10). There are obstacles along the way to attaining that abundant life, however. Many of those obstacles are God-given opportunities for growth. Others can be avoided through proper preparation. 

The Apostle Peter, moved by the Holy Spirit, tells us: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8). The clear suggestion is of very real danger, against which we must be vigilant. In 1 Corinthians 9, the Apostle Paul compares this to an athlete training for an event, always focused on achieving the prize. In much the same way as an athlete preparing for competition, or a teenager learning to drive, believers must prepare for the road ahead.

 

The following lessons will provide a foundation from which to begin this new path, and will include "foundational truths" along the way. Our primary text will be the Bible, the Word of God. In this introductory lesson, we will introduce the first foundational truths, the foundation upon which the rest of the path springs:

 

Foundational Truth 1

The first foundational truth is that the Bible is the Word of God.
 

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17​

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The Word equips us for abundant life in Christ

 

We are told to "desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2). The image is of an infant, needing the wholesome, necessary nourishment that its mother provides. In much the same way, a Christian needs the nourishment from the Word to grow and to become equipped for the path ahead. We need the Word in order to become "complete." 

This of course includes an intellectual engagement with the scriptures as we learn new truths and the Holy Spirit teaches us to apply scripture to our lives. It is important to understand however, that this is not only an intellectual engagement. The Spirit of God will engage with our spirit through the word of God. In fact, God himself will work in us, molding and shaping us as we engage with His word.

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The path ahead is a beautiful, but counter-intuitive journey of sadness and of joy, of laughter and of tears. It is the path to abundance, and life, and light. You have had the courage to take these first tentative steps along the way. I'm proud of you. As you work through the next lessons, it is best to have a trusted guide or mentor to walk with you, guiding you along the trail. Ensure that you invite God into the process, asking him to guide and direct you along this journey. Each lesson will include a link to the relevant scriptures in the "YouVersion" Bible app. You can change the language in the app to read the scripture in your own language.

Now, lets get started!

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Go to Lesson 1