Foundations for Disciples: An Illustrated Study

By Wyns

Foundations for Disciples: An Illustrated Study is a study guide covering 50 main doctrines of the church. It includes an illustration of the concept, followed by a brief outline of the doctrine, with stories and suggested additional scriptures for reference and further study.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christians For Messiah Ministries
• Release date: Aug 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9781736115961

Book preview

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my thirteen grandchildren, Levi, Jacob, Olivia, Judah, Ethan, Micah, Merah, Emma, Elisheva, Asher, Hannah, Jonah and Jameson.

And to the children of their generation, who need strong, godly foundations. This is an easy read - theological book. From our theology comes our worldview and also our attitudes and behavior.

Our grandchildren are fantastic. They are theological. I trust that they and their peers will preach the teachings of this book until the message covers the globe.

Dr. Peter Wyns

Introduction

Discipleship is not easy, but the teaching of it should be. Foundations for Disciples, teaches the main subjects of the Christian faith. Here are fifty doctrines of the Church. A disciple should not choose the teachings he likes and ignore those he doesn’t. We need all of God’s Word to equip us for life and service. If a theme is popular in the Bible and substantiated in the New Testament, then it is our intention to include it in the book.

Along with each teaching, we added a painting to illustrate the subject and make the training process easier. The book is divided into five parts with ten studies in each. They are: The Beginning, The Focus, The Yielding, The Power, and The Mission.

This book is designed for personal study. Serious disciples may go deeper by looking up the Scriptures at the end of each study. They will help solidify the teachings and add context and dimension to the theme.

The book is also for small groups and can be used to teach a newcomer’s or discipleship class. Picture a group gathered around in a circle and each person has a book. They read the brief teaching; then ask purposeful questions and have a discussion. The result is discipleship training.

Congregations and ministries may also use the book as a manual for the main teachings of their church. Often newcomers ask, What are the doctrines you believe in?

This book may answer that question and, perhaps, it could be given to people who become members of the church.

We trust that you will be greatly blessed as you read this book and apply its teachings in your heart and life.

Part One

The Beginning

God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity – John Dykes

Teaching #1

God in Three Persons

God is everywhere, knows everything, and is all-powerful; He is God. Rachel was 4 when she said, Dad, how can God be in the beginning and there was nothing before Him? I said, I don’t know, but God was always there.

He always existed in three persons. Scripture says, "Then God said, Let us make man in our image." Gen. 1:26

1. God was in the beginning, and 2. He existed in three persons, namely: The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When He created the world, He said – Let us make. He was a plural being then and He still is. We call this the Trinity.

There are more than twenty verses in the Bible that include all three members of the Trinity. For example; "To God’s elect…who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ [the Son]..." 1Pe. 1:1-2

God’s powerful relationship of 3 in 1 is where everything comes from. In the beginning God… Gen. 1:1

Mt. 3:16, Mt. 12:28, Mt. 28:19, Lk. 3:22, Jn. 14:26, Jn. 15:26, Acts 1:4, Acts 2:33, Acts 10:38, Rom. 1:4, Rom. 8:9, 1 Cor. 6:11, 2 Cor. 13:14, Gal. 4:6, Eph. 1:17, Eph. 2:22, Heb. 1:3, Heb. 9:14

Overcome Evil with Good

Teaching #2

Angels and Demons

Before the world existed, God made angels; some turned evil and became demons. Since then, they have fought and humans are caught in the middle.

"There was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought…and the dragon and his angels fought back…The great dragon…called the devil, or Satan…was hurled to the earth and his angels with him. Rev. 12:7,9

Hundreds of references about angels and demons are in the Bible and the battles will continue until God casts Satan into hell (Rev. 20:10).

Angels help God’s children. They: 1. Protect, 2. Provide, 3. Comfort, 4. Prepare paths for travel and 5. Bring