GROWING UP IN CHRIST:

BIBLICAL TEACHING FOR NEW

BELIEVERS
Kevin L. Howard
(September 2007, 1st edition)
www.NeedNotFret.com

Growing Up in Christ, 1st ed, NeedNotFret.com

COPY DISCLAIMER
PDF files of every chapter of Growing Up in Christ: Biblical Teaching for New Believers
are made available at www.NeedNotFret.com free of charge for use by individuals,
churches, or other groups. At this time, no limit is placed on reproduction and
distribution of paper copies of these PDF files, which are free of charge. Under no
circumstances may a charge be rendered to the recipient, nor may the contents of these
files be altered in any way.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New
International Version
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
The quotations marked NASV are from the New American Standard Version of the
Bible.
The quotations marked NKJV are from the New King James Version of the Bible.
The quotations marked Living are from the Living version of the Bible.

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ENDORSEMENTS
"Kevin Howard's book is doctrinally sound and communicates very well. I think it will
have a broad use among Christians in high school youth groups and among new
Christians of any age. It will give them a solid grounding in basic doctrine and, because
of Kevin's experience in working with youth groups, will communicate effectively to that
age group. It will also nourish their hearts and their walk with God as well as their
minds."
Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Bible & Theology, Phoenix Seminary, AZ.
"Kevin Howard provides the church with a valuable tool for discipling new (and old!)
believers with Growing Up in Christ: Biblical Teaching for New Believers. It is clear and
concise, and it effectively introduces the reader to the basics of theology. Kevin has an
eye both for the believer and the Word of God, and he successfully brings the two
together. This is a fine work that I gladly commend to others."
Daniel L. Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest,
NC.
"In this day of doctrinal deficiency and biblical illiteracy, there is a dire need for a simple
easy-to-read book on the basic doctrinal tenants of the faith. In Kevin Howard's new
book you will be well instructed and greatly encouraged to grow in the grace and
knowledge of Jesus Christ. I recommend its reading."
Johnny Hunt, Pastor of First Baptist Church Woodstock, GA.
"Finally! Practical help in a fresh format to guide new believers to be obedient followers
of Jesus Christ. Kevin Howard has written a book that every church leader will find
helpful and every new believer will find invaluable! This is a book for our time that will
make a great contribution to the kingdom."
John Avant, Vice President of Evangelization at the North American Mission Board.
"Here is a kind of crash course in both the 'what' and the 'why' of Christian living, with
many practical suggestions, and all under girded by Scripture. This is not 'Bible light,'
and those who work through it will be repaid."
C. Richard Wells, Pastor South Canyon Baptist Church, Rapid City, SD.
"I have read Kevin Howard's discipleship materials, and I would not only recommend
them to any church for discipleship of new and other believers, but I would be anxious to
use them in our own church. Kevin has a commitment to the authority of Scripture which
shines through his work. Not only are the materials consciously and consistently biblical,
but Kevin has successfully applied biblical truth to the everyday sorts of situations the
people being discipled will face. It is my strong opinion that any church or small group
of Christians would benefit significantly from using Kevin's discipleship materials."
Stephen E. Farish, Pastor of Crossroads Church, Grayslake, IL.

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"I have reviewed the discipleship material that he has composed. I found it to be
thorough and very practical. Kevin does a superb job of putting new Christians on milk
and developing them to digest the more meaty substance of Scripture."
Tony Nolan, Vocational Evangelist and Founder of TNT Ministries.

Growing Up in Christ, 1st ed, NeedNotFret.com

I dedicate Growing Up in Christ to Wilbur and Marjorie Bishop,

whose joy through suffering has shown me Christ.

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Growing Up in Christ, 1st ed, NeedNotFret.com

GROWING UP IN CHRIST: BIBLICAL TEACHING

FOR NEW BELIEVERS
By Kevin L. Howard

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1. THE HEAVENLY FOOD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Living According to the Bible
Making Sense of the Bible
Summary
Assignments
Discussion Questions
Answers to Discussion Questions
2. THE HOTLINE TO GOD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
The Importance of Prayer
Effective Prayer
Aspects of Prayer
Unanswered Prayer
When God Seems Distant
Prayer and Fasting
Summary
Assignments
Discussion Questions
Answers to Discussion Questions
3. THE CLEANSING EFFECT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Humanity
Sin
God's Love for Humanity
Salvation
Assurance and Security
Relationship
Love Toward God
A Sinner's Prayer
Summary
Assignments
Discussion Questions
Answers to Discussion Questions
4. THE UNIQUENESS OF GOD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Tri-unity of God
God the Father
God the Son

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The Son as a Person

Virgin Birth
Incarnation
The Son's Work
Crucifixion
Atonement
Resurrection
Ascension and Return
Summary
Assignments
Discussion Questions
Answers to Discussion Questions
5. THE WONDERFUL HOLY SPIRIT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
God the Spirit
The Spirit as a Person
The Spirit's Work
The Indwelling of the Spirit
The Filling With the Spirit
Receiving the Spirit After Conversion
Gifts From the Spirit
Fruit Produced by the Spirit
Summary
Assignments
Discussion Questions
Answers to Discussion Questions
6. THE COMMUNITY OF CHRISTIANS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
The Church
Elders and Deacons
Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Accountability to the Local Church
Accountability to Individuals of the Church
The Church and Finances
The Church and Cults
Summary
Assignments
Discussion Questions
Answers to Discussion Questions
7. THE TROUBLESOME ENEMY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Satan
Spiritual Warfare
Temptation and Spiritual Warfare
The Enemy and Difficulty
Persecution
Summary
Assignments

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Discussion Questions
Answers to Discussion Questions
8. THE RESPONSIBLE CHRISTIAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Freedom and Limits
Family
Government
Summary
Assignments
Discussion Questions
Answers to Discussion Questions
9. THE EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Lust and Sexual Purity
Dating and Sex
Dating and Marriage
Friends and Acquaintances
Language and Conduct
School and Work
Forgiving Others
A Non-Argumentative Attitude
Living Wisely
The Sabbath
The Danger of Legalism
Summary
Assignments
Discussion Questions
Answers to Discussion Questions
10. THE END OF THE AGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Accountability to God
The Return of Christ
Judgment
Heaven
Hell
Summary
Assignments
Discussion Questions
Answers to Discussion Questions
11. THE AWAITING HARVEST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Loving Others
Spreading the Gospel
Making Disciples
Delighting in God
Summary
Assignments
Discussion Questions
Answers to Discussion Questions

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BLESSINGS AND PRAYERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

BOOK SUMMARY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
APPENDIX: The OT and Salvation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
BIBLIOGRAPHY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
SUGGESTED READING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
INDEXES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106-07
Person and Subject
Scripture
Copyright by Kevin L. Howard, 2007.