NEW in CHRIST-Lesson 1

If you are not a Christian and would like to know what to do to be saved, please go to LESSON 2.

The caterpillar remains one of the greatest examples of transformation of form and behavior. For the butterfly, which was once a lowly creature, slowly crawling around on the ground, on leaves, grass and all the lowly things; one day underwent the process of metamorphosis. At the end of this process, it changed from being in the form of a caterpillar to being in the form of a butterfly. And with its colorful delicate wings, it gracefully flies above the tallest trees, buildings and humans. 

All of a sudden it can see things through the perspective of a bird. It can see many things at once. It can see danger from further away. It can see all the flowers in the garden almost at once. And the shadow that it once thought was something else, it can now see it for what it really is. Most importantly, it is no longer fish bait for humans, and if the little humans want to catch it, they are going to have to be faster and smarter than when it was a lowly caterpillar. Ah, yes. Life as a caterpillar was good, but life as a butterfly is so much better. 

But even the most majestic butterfly still lives on earth. It still visits the flowers, trees, and streams.  And if it is not careful, it may still get caught up in the things it used to do, when it was a lowly caterpillar, scurrying around among the other lowly creatures. 

I may have gotten carried away with my thoughts there for a while, but you get the picture, right? Your new life in Christ is all about change. Change from sin to salvation, change from false worship to true worship, change from an old way of thinking and feeling to Jesus’ way of thinking and feeling about everything. Because Jesus says:

• Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV). 
• Acts 2:38-42: “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (ESV). 
• John 4:23-24: “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (ESV).

As you read those passages, you will notice that I have highlighted a few words and phrases to highlight some of the areas of change from old to new.

As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (ESV). 

This series will lead you into the word of God, and help you see and understand your past outside of Christ, your present life in Christ, and your future life with Christ. These lessons will cover five main areas of change: (1) Salvation in Christ (2). The word of God for you (3). Church and worship life (4) Your daily faith (5) Your ministry in Christ

For this first lesson, your reflection is as follows: 

• Take a page of writing paper and draw a line down the middle. 
• On the left side, write the title: OLD ME. On the right side write NEW ME. 
• Now pray for wisdom and courage. 
• Then write all that comes to your mind about things you once did, thoughts you used to encourage, words you used to speak, places you used to go when you were outside of Christ. 
• You may also write changes in how and where you worshiped. 
• Write a note to yourself about why you became a Christian.

Learning takes time, so please be patient with yourself and those trying to help you with your new life in Christ. Thank you for joining this study. 

CLICK TO CONTINUE TO LESSON 2

© Richard Nepaul 2023.