Whenever we want to build something that will last the test of time, the first place
to start is always the foundation. Any house or building needs to have a strong
foundation. In fact, the higher you want to build something, the deeper the
foundation needs to be. Your spiritual life is no different. If you want your
spiritual life to be able to stand the storms of life and soar high, your foundation
must be firm and deep.
Throughout the Bible, our lives are compared to a spiritual house. The Apostle
Peter said in 1 Peter chapter 2, verses 4-8 (also written as 1 Peter 2:4-8), that we
are like living stones being built into a spiritual house, in which Jesus is the
precious cornerstone. The Apostle Paul said in 1Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19, that
we are God’s temple in which God’s Spirit lives, once we receive Jesus as our
Savior and Lord. In 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, Paul says that as we build our lives, we
will be tested on how we build, but the only foundation we must build upon is
Jesus.
Jesus told a story about this very truth at the end of his sermon recorded in
Matthew chapters 5-7. At the end of his sermon he said, “Therefore, everyone who
hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built
his house upon the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds
blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation
on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them
into practice is like the foolish man who built his house upon the sand. The rain
came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house, and
it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:24-27
You are about to begin a journey with God that will challenge, stretch and change
you forever. As you work through this workbook, you will grow closer to your
Heavenly Father. Plus, your life in Christ will be strong, firm and able to stand the
storms of life!
It has been said that all growth means change. We never stay the same. If we stop
changing, we stop growing. Therefore, we are continually under construction.
When we give ourselves to God, He begins to mold us and make us more into the
image of Jesus every day. As we understand more of who God really is, we also
see more clearly who we are, and how we need God to change us.
God wants you to be mature in your faith. That happens when you understand
the foundational truths of scripture and you are putting them into practice as you
walk by faith every day. This workbook is a tool to help you make sure that you
have a firm foundation upon which to build your spiritual life.
During the next 7 weeks, you are asked to read a lesson each day for 5 days
during each week. At the end of each lesson, there will also be questions to answer
or assignments to complete. Then, get together with your spiritual partner to
talk about the 5 lessons, and what you learned. Go through this same process
each week until this workbook is completed.
At the end of 7 weeks, you will have gone over many topics and truths from
scripture that will give you a solid foundation. You will also understand what it
means to be a Christian – a follower of Jesus. Your growth will not then end, but
as you keep reading, studying and applying God’s Word, your faith will continue
to grow.
These next 7 weeks are just the start of an amazing adventure with God!
