If You Were Arrested ... Bible Study

As an introduction to this study, please read If you were arrested for being a Christian, would they have enough evidence to convict you?  

People should notice differences in our words, our actions, and our lifestyles if we are truly living for the Lord.

1. What are some of the things that should mark the lives of believers?
 

As you read through the passages below, ask yourself these questions:

↪ What changes should we see immediately in the life of a new believer?
↪ What changes will require a process?
↪ Why do some Christians mature more quickly than others? 

↪ How am I personally revealing Christ in my life? 

 

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12:  "As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 

3 "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

9 "Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."

2. If you meet someone new, what things would suggest that they might be a Christian?

John 13:34-35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Acts 4:13: "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." 

1 Peter 3:15-16: "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."  

I remember a time when I deeply regretted making a bad first impression: We had just moved to a new city, and one of my new neighbors came to the door right as I was yelling at my children. I was so disappointed in myself and prayed about how to handle it. The next time I saw her, I told her I was sorry for making such a bad first impression and I said I was praying about having more self-control with my kids. She was not a believer, and I believe God used my confession in a positive way.

Warren Weirsbe says, "The believer has been set apart for God; he or she is a saint, a set-apart one. We have the daily responsibility of devoting ourselves more and more to God so that in body, soul, spirit we completely belong to Him." 

Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (601). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

See these related 1-Minute Bible Love Notes: 
Life Expectancy
What Motivates You to Read God's Word?  
Extravagant Love

copyright Gail Burton Purath, 2013, edited and updated in 2020

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