A Christian Basics Course

This course is interactive and based upon the methods of Unlock

(unlock-urban.org.uk)

Feel free to use this course, but please do not charge for it. My charge for this is simply to cover my costs and to try to find out if there is a market for this sort of material. Please leave the copyright intact. Karoly Haasz 2006 If you want to ask questions, if you need help with it or cant afford the price, get in touch: (karolyhaasz@googlemail.com)

Karoly Haasz 2006

Notes: How to run this course. This course is intended to be participatory and interactive. This means that people should learn and use each others names. It also means that anything said in the group is confidential and should not be shared outside the group. Everyone should be encouraged to take part, so no one should speak twice until everyone has had an opportunity to speak once! However, no one should be forced to answer any question or to say anything they do not want to. If someone is not participating it is ok to ask them directly, but gently, if they have something to add, but they must be allowed to say No. If someone is reluctant to respond generally, over the course of more than one activity or over more than one session, then the leader should take time outside the group to find out if there is a problem. It may sometimes be more appropriate to ask a friend or another member to explore this informally, so that the person is not embarrassed. Some people are very shy and are not used to contributing. Occasionally asking people to work in pairs or groups of three or four encourages more interaction and provides a means of encouraging the quieter ones to join in. It also prevents the very noisy and articulate from dominating the discussion. USE A FLIP CHART to record answers to the questions and to make notes of comments and stories. This shows that you think peoples comments are valuable and so they feel valued. It also provides a resource for future work. For example, in Unit 1 we ask:What are some of the most basic things that we need as people? In unit 8 we refer to this question again and then ask: What do we need as Gods people? Referring back to the answers people gave in the first session helps to connect the course together. The God who created human life is the God who brought us into the Christian life. It also allows the group to explore how their thinking might have changed over time.

Karoly Haasz 2006

A Christian Basics Course in Eight Units

(with Supplementary Material) Designed, Edited and Produced by Karoly Haasz Adapted from the Methods of Unlock (formerly the Evangelical Urban Training Project)
An Experience Based Bible Study Method covering the following Topics:

Unit: Subject: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Creation and Heaven Sin and its effects Gods Promised One: Who is Jesus? The Gospel Response to the Gospel The results of Grace Continuing to Decide

Title: God and Me: The Beginning and the End Wanderings Jesus: The Way Back Gods Holy Messenger The Cross and the Resurrection What about Us? The Works of the Law and the Life of Grace The Way Forward.

And Alternative Material on: 4a Jesus, His life and Work 5a The Kingdom of God 6a The Kingdom and Society What about Jesus? Why did Jesus Come? Jubilee and the Messiah

Karoly Haasz 2006

Unit 1: God and Me: The Beginning and the End. 10 mins

Group Work and Ice Breakers. Where did you live aged 10? Where you live now, What is your Favourite Place? Bible Stories: What are some of the most basic things that we need as people? Read: Genesis 1:26-2:1; 2:7, 15-25 Is there anything missing? Genesis 3:1-24 The Home and the Expulsion Can you remember the first time you went on a long journey? Or the first time you moved house? How did Adam and Eve feel about leaving Eden? Imagine that you are Adam or Eve? What would it be like to be shut out of your home? How did God feel about having to send them away? Genesis 6 & 7, Noah and the Flood (optional) How do you feel when you are indoors during a storm? How would Noah feel, and what about his family? (Before/After) What would it be like inside the Ark? {Remember that the flood was a judgement, the Ark was grace.} The New Home The Bible ends with the story of a heavenly city: where God promises to wipe away every tear and to come and live with us forever. God gives us a new home, heaven, and a new family, with God Himself as our Father, and Jesus as our older brother and other Christians as our brothers and sisters. Read Revelation 21:1-4, Short Prayer. A Sentence Prayer.

15 mins

15 mins

10 mins

10 mins

2 mins

Karoly Haasz 2006

Unit 2: Wanderings.

Group Work and Ice Breakers Likes and Dislikes Fears and Joys Strengths and Weaknesses Successes and Failures Bible Stories: What do you think of when you hear the word family? (NEW!??) Genesis 4:1-15 & vv.23-24 This is the story of the first murder and it involves two brothers. How do you think Adam and Eve felt at this time? Can you think of a time when you were impatient? Were you ever disappointed when something didnt turn out as you expected it to? Did you ever spoil something by being impatient? Is there such a thing as the Generation Gap? What are some of the things parents and children fight about? What did you fight about? For those with young children; What are your hopes for the future of your children? Luke 15:11-16, The Two Sons What do you think the son thought of his dad? How do you think the father felt? How do you feel about them both, the father?, the son? Was the father right to give his son the money? What about when the sons plans all go wrong and he decides to go back to his father? How does he feel? How does the father feel? Are you surprised at his reaction? How does the younger son feel now that he is at home? What do you think of the older brother? Wheres the mother?

Short Prayer. {Optional: see note in Unit 1: Section 3} A short time of prayer, probably silent, but saying Amen. Takeaway: {Leader: "Homework" to you; but it sounds less threatening!} Either: Why do they like the Church? Or What was their first time at church like?

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Unit 3: The Way Back.

Group Work and Ice Breakers. Somewhere you liked to go when young Your Best Friend as a Child aged 10 and as an adult. Why do you like the Church? What made you want to go to the church in the first place? Or What was your first experience of Church? How do you feel about Church? Bible Stories: What does it feel like to have to wait a long time for something? Genesis 12:1-5; 15:1-6; 21:1-5 How do you think Abraham and Sarah felt having a child at their age? What do we know about Jesus? What was He like? Why is He important? Stories about Jesus from Luke: (Choose one or two stories on some different aspects of Jesus life) 1:1-4 An Eye-witness account 1:26-35 The Birth of Jesus promised 4:18-19 What Jesus Promised to do 5:17-26 Sick, healed, faith 7:11-16 Bereaved, Son raised from death 8:27-39 Demonised, Made normal by a miracle 8:40-56 Women, Faith, Healing, Peace (Status) Children, Restoration 9:10-17 The Poor, Satisfied Hunger (hope) 17:11-19 Lepers, Healing not just for Jews 19:1-10 Social outcasts, Seeking, finds acceptance What did Jesus do in these stories? If Jesus were in this room today, what would you ask him?

Short Prayer. {Optional: see note in Unit 1: Section 3} Encourage the group to pray aloud, even if only a sentence, leaders could lead by example!! Takeaway: Think about these stories of Jesus, who was/is Jesus?

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Unit 4: Gods Holy Messenger.

1 2

Group Work and Ice Breakers. Is there someone famous that you would like to meet? Bible Stories: Last Time we saw some of the things that Jesus did, this time we are going to think about who He was and what others thought about Him. Who did people say Jesus was according to these passages? And What did Jesus say about himself? Luke 1:30-33 Luke 4:33-35 Mark 3:20-28 John 8:48-53 John 3:1-2 Matthew 16:13-17 John 6:66-69 John 5:1-30 John 11:17-27 John 14:1-11 The Son of the Most High God Gods Holy Messenger He has Beelzebul in Him A Samaritan with a demon in Him A Teacher sent by God A Prophet, The Christ, The Son of God The Holy One from God The Son of the Father I am the Resurrection and the Life The Way, the Truth, and the Life

{This may be the time to ask, gently, Why did Jesus come? What does the group think?} 3 Short Prayer. {Optional: see note in Unit 1: Section 3} The group may wish to write a short letter to God, either individually or as a group. Takeaway: Why was Jesus crucified? Why did He have to die?

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Unit 5: The Cross and The Resurrection.

Group Work and Ice Breakers. Can you remember a time when you discovered something new, a hobby or activity, which opened up new ideas or interests for you? A Time in your life when someone or something made you feel like it was a new beginning? Bible Stories: John 11:45-53 Mark 14:53-59 Luke 22:66-71 Luke 23:1-12 John 18:39-19:16 Caiaphas prophecy of the needful death of Jesus Accusations against Jesus Caiaphas asks if Jesus is the Messiah Pilate and Herod see Jesus Pilate and the Jews

What happened to Jesus? How would the disciples feel? How do you feel about it? John 20:1-10 John 20:19-29 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 The Empty Tomb The disciples see Jesus, Thomas and Jesus Witnesses to the Resurrection

How would you have felt if you had been there on that first Easter morning? 3 Explanation of the Gospel: Based on tract Two ways to Live with input from other texts: Romans 5:6-11 Christ died for us while we were helpless Isaiah 53:4-6 The suffering of Christ Colossians 1:20-22 The reconciliation of the Cosmos to God through Christ Ephesians 2:1-10 Our spiritually dead state made alive in Him .

{Leader: Use any Gospel outline that you feel comfortable with: "Hey!" also known as "The Tube" is very good! At this stage simply use a tract as an explanation; if there is a response, O.K. but they may need more time before they can see the need to respond.}

Discussion and Prayers {Optional: see note in Unit 1: Section 3}

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Unit 6: What about Us? {*Leader, see notes at the end of this unit.}

Group Work and Ice Breakers. Can you think of someone who always shows you friendship, who always accepts you, even though you might be wrong? How can you show someone that you accept them when they think that they have gone too far? e.g.; a child who has been naughty Is it right to let children get away with anything they want? Bible Stories:* We have already seen how God wanted people to have a full life. If God loves us how would he feel about the mess we make of our lives and our world? {Remember Adam and Eve, and Noah?} What did God do about it? Romans 5:6-11 Hebrews 9:6-9, 11-12 Died for sinners to put them right with God The Day of Atonement and Jesus Priesthood

{Leader: See also, the additional material below.}

What did Jesus death achieve? John 14:16-17 The Promised Helper John 16:7-14 The Spirit reveals Truth Acts 1:1-11 The command to wait for the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-6, 14, The fulfilment of the Promise 22-24, 32-33, & the first response to the message about Jesus 36-42 What do we have to do to receive the Holy Spirit? What happens to us when we repent and believe? See John 3:1-20 The New Birth John 6:47 Eternal Life Romans 6:1-4 The Two sides to Baptism 3 What Next?: Draw a simple plan of a football pitch, with sideline benches and seats, changing rooms, etc.

continued

Karoly Haasz 2006

Unit 6: What about Us? continued Ask:

If being a friend of Jesus is like being a football fan, Where are you?: On the pitch and getting stuck in? Watching from the sidelines? In the terraces, watching? Wondering whats going on? Fighting? In the showers, getting ready to go home? Somewhere else? Where would you like to be? Use the image of someone on the wrong road who needs to turn round, as a picture of repentance. It may even be possible to ask the group to say what image they would use to describe what trusting Jesus would be like, and then ask them to relate themselves to the image!

A Time of Quiet and of Prayer. {Optional: see note in Unit 1: Section 3}

{*Leader: The purpose of this unit is to identify that faith in Jesus makes a difference, that a response is possible and is necessary. The illustrations in section 3 are given as an indirect, non-threatening way of trying to discover the answers to some of the following questions: "Does the life and death of Jesus make sense to you?" "Is there anything that you need to know or find out?" "Do you believe that Jesus died for you?" "Are you willing to repent and turn away from evil and sins?" "Do you want your sin to be forgiven and receive the Holy Spirit?" "Do you believe that Jesus will fill you with the Holy Spirit?" "Is there anything that you need to do?" These questions are quite daunting; DO NOT USE THEM IN THIS FORM! They are given here only to help clarify the issues. At this stage, you are very much on your own! There must be some attempt to discover what the group feels; what response should it make? What response does it want to make? Do they know that there is a need to respond personally? WARNING: AN INDIVIDUAL RESPONSE IS NOT THE ONLY PERSONAL ONE; A GROUP MAY NEED TO DECIDE TOGETHER, WHILST SOME MAY NEED INDIVIDUAL HELP, E.G. PERSONAL INTERVIEWS. What is important is that no one should feel pressured in any way; whether by you, the Leader, to decide; or by the group, not to decide.} Some additional Biblical material for section 2 and an alternative approach to section 3 can be found on the next page. continued

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Unit 6: section 3

What about Us? continued

Appendix Supplementary material. 6. 2b Bible Stories: Romans 3:21-26 Ephesians 2:1-10 Colossians 1:13-14,20-22 Hebrews 9:24-28 & Hebrews 7:23-28 Sacrifice for sins, free gift of righteousness From spiritual death to life in Christ From darkness to light, peace, Gods friendship Christs one perfect sacrifice Christ, the perfect Priest forever

6. 3b Optional: {Alternative to 3} Is Jesus a part of my life? Do I trust Jesus? Is there anything I need to do to respond to Jesus?
And/or

Where has Jesus been involved in my Life? When have I trusted Him? What difference has Jesus made to my life?
{Leader, if you feel that your group has understood the gospel and is eager and ready to take the next step, you can use these questions instead of the illustrations above. However, I have found that even when people are ready to respond, an illustration or story allows space to step back and reflect. The questions in 3b may be used to clarify where people are. We must NEVER pressurize people into a decision, but we should not be afraid of helping people to take the next step. Be aware that learning to trust God is often a process and may involve many small decisions rather than one big step!}

Karoly Haasz 2006

Unit 7: The Works of Law and the Life of Grace. {Leader: This unit was developed in order to address the specific situation of a particular group. It is included as supplementary material.}

Group Work and Ice Breakers. Has anyone ever given you a totally unexpected or undeserved gift? How did you feel? Bible Stories: Exodus 20:1-17 The Ten Commandments Matthew 22:34-40 The Great Commandment (Deuteronomy 6:5 & Leviticus 19:18) What is Gods attitude to right and wrong? Galatians 3:10 James 2:10 Romans 4:18 Romans 9:30-10:4 The Curse of the Law The Whole Law The Failure to find another way " "

What happens if we try to use the Law to earn our way to God? 3 The results of Faith in Jesus: Romans 5:10-11 Ephesians 2:18 Romans 6:1-3, 6-7 Romans 8:14-17, 26f Hebrews 2:14-15 James 4:7 1 John 3:8 Put right with God " " " " Able to live right Given The Holy Spirit Power over Satan " " " " " "

What are some of the results of faith in Jesus? 4 Prayer Time with a Book. {Optional: see note in Unit 1: Section 3}

{Leader: This simply means passing a book round the group, people can pray when and only when the book gets to them.}

Karoly Haasz 2006

Unit 8: The Way Forward.

Group Work and Ice Breakers. String Game: One person takes a long ball of string, answers one of the following questions, and retaining the end of the string, throws the ball to someone else. They wrap the string round a finger, once, and answer the question and then throw the string to someone. You go on like this, building a web, as you answer the questions below. Tell the group one thing you like about being in the group one thing you dislike about being in the group one thing that you have particularly enjoyed doing one thing that you disliked doing something that you have learned about God, Jesus or the Bible something you have discovered about another member of this group through being in the group has the group helped you in any way? one pleasant thing that has happened in your life outside the group recently

{Leader: At the end of the questions, and the string! there will be a "web" that is a picture of the relationships within the group. It can teach the group about the Body of Christ; we are part of each other. If one or two people let a few threads go, the web is usually left intact; If we all let go, it falls apart. We need each other! Sometimes, the web is strong enough to hold even if someone lets go completely. If they are near the centre their threads may not touch the floor; if they are further out their threads will drag ... ! I sometimes ask the group to imagine a vertical web attached to each of them, fixed to the ceiling light, perhaps? This is Jesus, holding us, alongside the others!}

Bible Stories: Think back to our first studies: What do we need as people? What do we need as Gods people? Acts 2:41-47 The Community/The Body of Christ 1 Corinthians 12:12, 26-7 " " " " " Ephesians 2:19 " " " " " John 14:12-14 Power in Prayer Rom 8:26 " " 2 Timothy 3:14-17 The Word of God and Romans 12:1-2 The Mind of Christ Philippians 3:4-9 Set Free from Culture Matthew 28:16-20 The Call to Share Christ with Others 1 Peter 2:9-10 The Royal Priesthood/Declaring His Goodness

{Leader: The aim of these passages is to show that God continues to meet our human needs, which we identified earlier, as well as our spiritual ones; e.g.; a home, food, partners, a task to do, etc! Thats why we write down the answers to earlier work, it saves effort in the end} continued
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Unit 8: The Way Forward. Continued

Discussion Time: What are some of the problems that people face in their lives? Do you think that being part of the church could help with any of these problems? Are there any problems that might be caused or aggravated by being a Christian? Are there any problems that prevent people from trusting God? Do they trouble you? Exercise: Write a Short Prayer to Jesus or to God, to thank Him or ask Him for something Prayer Time: A time for reading Prayers and the Laying On of Hands. (If people would like it)

4a

4b

Karoly Haasz 2006

Alternative Material about Jesus. Unit 4A: What about Jesus?

Group Work and Ice Breakers. A time in your life when you felt hungry, lonely or in need. How did you feel? A time when help or friendship came from an unexpected source. Or When someone gave or shared something with you? Bible Stories: Isaiah 9:6-7; & 11:1-9 What were the people waiting for? Together: Luke 1:1-4 John 20:31 John 21:24 Luke 4:18-19 & 4:28-30 Groups: A Luke 1:30-33 B Luke 4:33-35 C John 3:1-2 Together: Mark 3:20-28 Matt 16:13-17 Groups: A John 5:1-15 B Luke 7:11-23 C Luke 8:27-39

An Eye-witness account An Eye-witness account An Eye-witness account What Jesus Promised to do

The Son of the Most High God Gods Holy Messenger A Teacher sent by God

He has Beelzebul in Him A Prophet, The Christ, The Son of God

Sick, healed, faith A dead son raised, Healings Demonised, Made normal by a miracle

A John 5:16-30 The Son of the Father B John 11:17-27 I am the Resurrection and the Life C John 14:1-11 The Way, the Truth, and the Life According to these stories what was Jesus like? What did people think of Jesus? What did Jesus say about Himself?
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{Leader: Obviously, you may need to use fewer readings if you only have one or two people; "Groups" are pairs or triplets, "Together" is all the study group. If the Study is large, give some groups the same texts, have two A groups, etc; or split the group!}

3 4

Discussion: If Jesus were in this room today, what would you ask him? Prayer: If anything flows from the texts or from the discussion try to turn it around into prayer. Leave opportunity for them to do the same!

Karoly Haasz 2006

Unit 5A:

Why did Jesus come?

Group Work and Ice Breakers. One thing you like about this group One thing you have learned from this group One thing you have found difficult to learn or do in the group Bible Stories: Mark 1:14-15 Luke 4:42-44 Matthew 4:23-25 Matthew 5:1-10 Matthew 6:31-34 Matthew 12:22-28 {Some Additional Readings on the Kingdom:} Matthew 13:24-30 & 36-43 Matthew 13:31-33 & 44-46 What is Jesus teaching about? What do His miracles prove? Mark 10:32-45 Matthew 8:14-17 John 10:1-18 John 3:14-17 Hebrews 2:14-15 Luke 10:1-12 & 17-20 Why did Jesus come to the world? What do you think Jesus would want to say to us if He was here? What would Jesus be doing if He were living in Leeds?

Prayer Time:

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Unit 6A:

Jubilee and the Messiah.

Group Work and Ice Breakers. Did you make any New Years resolutions? Did you keep them? Bible Passages: Leviticus 25:1-17 & 35-38 The Sabbath and Jubilee Deuteronomy 14:22-29 Tithes for the poor Isaiah 35 The Age of the Messiah What did God intend for His people? Luke 4:18-19 Luke 14:15-24 Matthew 13:44-46 Matthew 13:31-33 Matthew 19:13-15 Acts 4:32-35 Matthew 18: 2-5 Luke 13:22-30 Matthew 24:29-44 The Task of the Messiah The Great Feast The Hidden Treasure, The Pearl The Growth of the Mustard Seed, The Yeast Children and the Kingdom The Life of the Church Become like a Child The Narrow Door The End and the Coming of Christ

What is the Kingdom like? How can people enter the Kingdom? If Jesus came to bring this Kingdom why is the world still a mess? What stops people from being part of the Kingdom? 3 Short time of open Prayer.

Karoly Haasz 2006