NewMembers

MeNmEW ber CLASS MANUALUnderstanding Grace | Empowering Change Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 1

ORIENTATION Orientation is required before attending New Member classes. Everyone must attend a minimum of five classes out of eight regularly-scheduled classes to be eligible for make-up classes. GUIDELINES The last fifteen minutes of each class is reserved for questions and answers. Only questions relative to the lesson taught will be answered. Attendance is taken by signing the sign in book at the beginning of the class.2 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

OuAr BChOuUrcThWelcome to World Changers Church International, where our vision is toteach the Word of God with simplicity and understanding. Our passion isto ensure that people from all walks of life understand the power and thelove of God available to them through Jesus Christ. We are committed to making a mark that cannot be erased, locallyand globally, by serving as a world missions and outreach center. Ourgoal is to empower billions of people in over 100 countries around theworld to experience victory in every area of their lives. We want you to be a part of what God is doing through this world-wide vision. We invite you to visit our weekly worship services, where you’llexperience the presence of God through praise and worship, prayer andbiblical teaching that will transform your thinking. Everyone is welcome, socome join us! Believers must be faithful in attending church services. Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 3

VISION STATEMENT & TABLE OF CONTENTS VISION STATEMENT As we proclaim Jesus, the Christ, as head of the church and the mani- fested Word of God, our goal is to teach the Word of God with simplicity and understanding so that it may be applied to our everyday lives in a practical and effective manner; thereby being transformed into World Changers, changing our immediate world and all those with whom we come into contact, ultimately making a mark that cannot be erased.4 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

CONtTaEbNleToSf1 Faithfulness in Church Attendance2 Grace Giving (Tithing)3 A Revelation of Holiness4 Standing Strong in Righteousness5 The Purpose and Power of Prayer6 Experiencing the Freedom of Grace7 Faith Work By Love8 Praise and Worship Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 5

FAITHFULNESS 1AIN CHURCH ATTENDANCE Terms Definition Abound Blessing To be rich or well-supplied. Drift An empowerment to succeed; an anointing. “God’s ability Custom on yours to equip you to do what you can’t do without His ability on you”. To flow by; to carelessly pass. An action a person has repeated so often that he does it naturally without thinking. WE ARE TO A. Believers must be faithful in attending church services.EXHORT ONEANOTHER IN • Like Jesus, Believers should aspire to faithfully attend church. a. Jesus established a custom of going to church (Luke 4:16). THESE LAST i. A custom is a long, established habit. DAYS b. As a child, Jesus could always be found in the temple (Luke 2:43-49, AMP). • The Bible admonishes us not to forsake the assembling of our- selves together with other Believers (Hebrews 10:22-25, AMP). a. Have fervent passion about being in God’s house (Psalm 84:1-4, 10). b. Don’t get into the habit of not coming to church. • We come to church for the following reasons: a. To exhort one another in these Last Days. b. To inquire of the Lord in His temple (Psalm 27:4). • Two reasons people stay out of church:6 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

01 a. They fall out of love with God. b. They fall out of love with their brethren.B. How are we to be faithful to our church?• By attending church services. a. We attend church to meet Jesus (2 Thessalonians 2:1, AMP).• By defending our church.• By extending our church-inviting others to come to church with us (Luke 14:23).• By praising and recommending our church.C. When you stay out of church:• You will begin to drift downstream, away from what you’ve learned in church.• You will doubt and depart from God.• You will become dull in your hearing.• You will backslide.D. Twelve things you can do to be a blessing to your church:• Ask what you can do for your church, instead of what your church can do for you. a. It’s more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).• Pray for your pastors.• Bless your pastors on special occasions.• Get involved in the helps ministry. a. The requirements for helps ministry are as follows: i. You must be proven faithful. ii. You must have one spouse. iii. You must have your finances in order. iv. You must be above reproach-a person of integrity.• Follow through with commitments.• Submit with style and always smile.• Recognize the trap of familiarity.• Overcome offense.• Speak faith-filled words over your church.• Invite others to your church.• Be a consistent giver.• Reach out to others. Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 7

1A. FAITHFULNESS IN CHURCH ATTENDANCE Q&A 1. As was His custom, where could Jesus be found on the Sabbath Day? (Luke 4:16)    2. People stay out of church because they fall out of love with whom?    3. How do we extend our church?    4. What happens to your hearing when you stay out of church?    5. In what ways have you been a blessing to your church?   8 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

Luke 4:16“16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 9

GRACEGIVING 02TITHING Terms Definition Godly The truths revealed in God’s Grace. God loves us enough to Principles share His secrets with us.WE ARE TOLD Jesus is our High Priest (Hebrews 6:20-7:18) TO SHARE I don’t have to tithe; I get to tithe.WITH OTHERS Give out of thanksgiving for God’s mercy and grace (Genesis 14:18-20). We give out of love and appreciation. It’s not what they did with the tithe but why. Your heart/spirit should be involved in your giving (II Corinthians 9:7). REASONS TO GIVE We are told to give We are told to share We are excited (II Corinthians 8:12). with others when we about the Word of God and want have abundance to see it going (II Corinthians around the world. 8:13- 15).10 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

02A. Jesus is the High Priest of the whole world: (Romans 8:1)What God had with the Jews is inferior to what God had with Abraham.What God had with Abraham is inferior to what God has with us in Gracein Christ. The essentials of the Law are written on all people’s hearts.B. Proportional Giving: (Mark 12:41-44, II Corinthians 9:6, I Corinthians 16:1-2)'Sparing' and 'bountifully' are not universally defined. It’s defined byyour season in life. We sow and reap by who we are. Trust God to beyour source. LEVELS OF GIVING Legacy/Generational givers Lavish givers Proportional givers Consistent givers Occasional givers Never givers Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 11

2. GRACE GIVING (TITHING) Q&A 1. Who is our High Priest under the New Covenant?    2. Why did Abram give the tenth of all? (Genesis 14:18-20)    3. What type of giver does God love? (II Corinthians 9:7)    4. 'Sparing' and 'bountifully' are not universally defined. Explain:     5. What level of giving are you at currently?   12 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

Genesis14:18-20 “ 18 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine.19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing:“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.”II Corinthians 9:77 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 13

REVELATION03 OF HOLINESS THREETHINGSJESUSWANTSTOFIND ON EARTH WHEN HE RETURNS Believers Believers living a Believers operating in lifestyle of operating by faith. unconditional holiness. love. For God A. We must align our minds with God’s Word hath not (1 Peter 1:13 - 25, AMP).called us unto uncleanness, • Holiness is a state of being in total agreement with God. but unto a. We cannot achieve holiness without the renewal of our minds. holiness b. We must be obedient to the Word and completely turn away from our evil desires. c. We do not receive God’s blessing by simply knowing His Word; we must obey it. B. “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:7). • In the world or society today, we will find all types of attitudes, beliefs and thought patterns that oppose God. a. We live in this world, but we are not of the world. b. There should be a noticeable difference between Christians and worldly people. The light of God’s Word should shine through us as Christians.14 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

03• Many Believers are growing in their infatuation with the world instead of their affection for God. a. Infatuation with the world is caused by ignorance of the Word. b. When we become acquainted with God’s Word, we learn that God’s way of doing things far outweighs anything the world has to offer.C. Present your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. Do not be fashioned after this world (Romans 12:1-2, AMP).• Instead, be changed by the transformation of your mind. a. We transform our thinking by reading the Bible, comprehending it, and doing it. b. When we renew our minds, we also prove for ourselves the acceptable and perfect will of God for our lives.Q&A1. What are the three things Jesus wants to find on Earth when He returns?2. We must align our minds with (1 Peter 1:13-25, AMP). 3. What has God called us (Believers) to? (1 Thessalonians 4:7) Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 15

3. REVELATION OF HOLINESS4. Present your body as a holy andacceptable .Do not be fashioned after this world (Romans 12:1-2, AMP).5. How do we transform our thinking?NOTES16 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

“Ephesians 4:1717 So, this I say and solemnly testify in [the name of ] the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the heathen (the Gentiles) do in their perverseness [in the folly, vanity, and emptiness of their souls and the futility] of their minds.Hebrews 12:1010 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for only a short period of time and chastised us as seemed proper and good to them; but He disciplines us for our certain good, that we may become sharers in His own holiness. Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 17

STANDINGSTRONG 04IN RIGHTEOUSNESSTerms DefinitionGospelGrace Too good to be true news.HolinessReceive spiritual Unmerited favor of God.things Being of one mind with God (II Corinthians 57:1, He- brews 12:1-4). (What God thinks, I think. What GodRighteousness says, I say. What God does, I do.) To take into possession through your thinking andSalvation speaking the Word of GodSin-consciousness Being in right standing with God through Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:21). Righteousness is a gift from God. The Just shall live by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16-17). Being born again; healing, preservation, soundness, deliverance, wholeness, & prosperity. Carrying the guilt of our sin.BE CHRIST-OCCUPIED Receive God’s love. Every night we go to bed clean. (HEBREWS 12:1-3) We live under a waterfall of forgiveness. Our reaction: Lord, I believe, thank You.18 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL Allow Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth.

04Be Christ-Occupied (Hebrews 12:1-3)Make Jesus large in our view; magnify Jesus; make much of Jesus; Consider Jesus more than we consider ourselves. WHATDOESITMEANTOBELIEVEIN JESUS? (ACTS 16:30-31) Believe: Jesus Believe: Jesus Believe: My sinsChrist is my Lord Christ is the only have been for- way to salvation. given past, present and Personal Once I receivedSavior who died Him as my Lord and future.on the cross for and Savior, I (Hebrews 8:6-12, my sins. believe I have 10:17) eternal life now.If the enemy can get you to believe the lie that you are not completelyforgiven and keep you in sin-consciousness, then he will be able to keepyou defeated, condemned, fearful of God, and caught up in this viscouscycle of failure.Jesus reaped the whole of our punishment on the cross. We reap all theblessings (Colossians 2:13).When you are not clear and convinced that you have been forgiven, you’llbe on an emotional seesaw.Unbelief in the finished work of Jesus Christ will rob you of the ability toreceive His goodness, His blessings, His unmerited favor, and His successin your life.When you understand how much you are loved by God, you’ll be full oflove towards others. Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 19

4. STANDING STRONG IN RIGHTEOUSNESS Q&A 1. What does it mean to be “Christ-occupied”?    2. When (at which occurrence) do we receive eternal life?    3. What does God do with our sins and iniquities? (Hebrews 8:6-12, 10:17)    4. Why is being “sin-conscious” so dangerous?     5. What will rob you of the ability to receive God’s goodness, His bless- ings, His unmerited favor, and His success in your life?   20 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

“Hebrews 8:1212 For I will be merciful and gracious toward their sins and I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more. Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 21

PURPOSE&POWER 05OF PRAYERTerms DefinitionPrayer Prayer is communication. It’s give and take, talking and listening and fellowshipping with God.A. “Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward” (Hebrews 10:35, AMP).• God will reward us for having confidence in Him.• We must maintain intimacy with Him to experience His results in our lives.• If we lack power or results, we should examine our relationship with God.• In addition, we should guard our confidence in God because Satan seeks to destroy it.B. We have assurance that if we ask anything in agreement with His plan, He listens to and hears us (1 John 5:13- 15, AMP).• If we know with certainty that God hears our request, we also know we will receive what we have asked of Him.• The confidence Jesus had in the Father was evident when He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-46). a. Jesus thanked God, in front of everyone, for hearing Him. b. By doing so, he confirmed the confidence he already had. c. He said, “I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 11:42).22 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

05 d. When Jesus called out to Lazarus in a loud voice, he rose from the dead. e. The victory Jesus had in raising Lazarus from the dead served as a witness that God answers prayer.C. Now we are able to come to God without fear or reser- vation. Because of Jesus, we have free access to the Fa- ther (Ephesians 3:10-12, AMP).• We can come boldly to Him with our requests, just as Jesus did when He raised Lazarus from the dead.• We should be confident in who we are because of Jesus’ sacrifice. We have peace with God as a result of Jesus laying down His life for us (Romans 5:1-3, AMP). a. We have a blood-bought right to have our prayers answered (Hebrews 10:19-23, AMP). Power and Glory - Psalm 63:1-3 Prayers of the Righteous - James 5:16-18 Your Confidence - Hebrews 10:35 Promises and Expectation - Jeremiah 29:11-13 Spirit of Truth - I John 5:6-7 Open Understanding - Luke 24:45Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 23

5. PURPOSE AND POWER OF PRAYERQ&A1. What should we do if we (Believers) lack power or results?2. We (Believers) should guard our in Godbecause Satan seeks to it.3. Our prayer should be in agreement with what? (1 John 5:13-15, AMP) 4. The Jesus had in the was evi-dent when He raised from the dead (John 11:38-46).5. We have a to have our prayers answered (Hebrews 10:19-23, AMP).24 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

1John 5:15“15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present pos- sessions] the requests made of Him.Ephesians 3:12 12 In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear). Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 25

EXPERIENCING 06FREEDOM OF GRACETerms DefinitionCovenant The agreement between God and His people inCommandment which He promised His protection.Gospel An authoritative command or order; mandate;Grace precept. Too-good-to-be-true news. Unmerited favor of God.A. The Law has no jurisdiction over born-again people because we are dead to the Law (Galatians 2:19, AMP; Romans 7:1, 4).• Under the new covenant, we are one spirit with Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17). a. The old covenant is obsolete; however, the Law still has a function. It is to tutor those who don’t know God, bringing them to an awareness of their sinfulness (Hebrews 8:10-13, AMP; Matthew 5:18; 1 Timothy 1:8-10; Galatians 3:24-25).• God has promised us a new covenant in which He writes His laws onto our hearts and minds (Hebrews 10:16; Hebrews 8:10). a. The laws He writes on our hearts and minds are not the Ten Commandments.26 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

06B. “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).• The Holy Spirit teaches us how to love one another as we should (1 John 3:23; John 13:14). a. Unlike the Law, it is not burdensome to keep Jesus’ command- ments because the Holy Spirit helps us (1 John 5:3). b. The commands that are written on our hearts are: to believe in Jesus and to love others the way He has loved us. c. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman” (John 15:1). d. When we believe in Jesus, our actions begin to flow from that connection.C. Experiencing the Freedom of Grace:• While religious standards spur human efforts to seek perfection, Jesus says, “My spirit prompts you to rest in Me and the perfection I have already given you.”• The enemy invites us to abuse our liberty and continue in sin; however, grace gives us freedom from sin.• Jesus is our guardian; He will never fail to guide us. He has given each of us a new mind—His mind.• He is more than enough; we can trust Him and His love.Q&A1. What is the function of the Law? (I Timothy 1:8-10)2. God has promised us (born-again people) a new covenant. Where doesHe write His laws? Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 27

6. EXPERIENCING FREEDOM OF GRACE 3. Who teaches us (born-again people) to love one another as we should? (I John 3:23, John 13:14)    4. What are the commandments for born-again people?    5. Grace gives us freedom sin.28 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

“ 1Timothy 1:8 8 Now we recognize and know that the Law is good if anyone uses it lawfully [for the purpose for which it was designed] John 13:1414 If I then, your Lord and Teacher (Master), have washed your feet, you ought [it is your duty, you are under obliga- tion, you owe it] to wash one another’s feet. Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 29

FAITH WORK 07BY LOVE “May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];” (Ephesians 3:17-18, AMP). A. Experience love • Paul prayed that the Ephesians (along with all saints) would understand and experience God’s love on a deeper level (Ephesians 3:14-19, AMP). a. We can all know God intimately, and experience His love in a personal, unique way. b. When we become aware of the breadth, length, height, and depth of God’s love, we become unstoppable. c. The enemy knows the victorious power of God’s love; therefore, he wants us to remain in past hurts—wounded, offended, hurt, afraid, and full of bitterness. • God wants us to love freely as He has freely loved us. a. Jesus was moved with compassion, and His compassion motivated Him to heal the sick, raise the dead, and deliver people from all types of bondage and shortcomings. • To love others freely, we have to receive God’s love, and allow Him to teach us how to love. a. For instance, He gives us the grace to love others without fear or conditions. b. Human love is fearful and cautious, but God’s love is fearless and extravagant. It drives out fear (Ephesians 5:1-2, MSG). c. With His love, we can love others without charging them for our love. In other words, we can love others without having strings attached. • The Holy Spirit helps us make wise decisions concerning our relationships. a. We need to take the time to allow Him to guide us.30 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

07B. When we spend time, engaged in God’s presence, we are transformed from the inside out. People see and experience the change in us.• When we embrace God’s love, there is a noticeable difference in our behavior.People see that we are more loving and kind, rather than harsh and negative.The source of effective faith is knowing that God loves you.Q&A1. What is the function of the Law? (I Timothy 1:8-10)2. How does God want us to love?3. What did Jesus’ compassion motivate Him to do?4. God’s fearless and extravagant love drives out what? )(Ephesians 5:1- 2)5. What is the source of effective love? Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 31

PRAISE & 08WORSHIPTerms DefinitionPraise To commend, to applaud, to express approval or ad-Worship miration of , to exalt in words or in song, to magnify, or to glorify. The supreme honor or veneration, given either in thought or in deed, to one of greater authority. WHEN WE PRAISE AND WORSHIP GOD, WE SHIFT OUR THINKING TO HISPROMISESANDAWAYFROMOUR PROBLEMS (PROVERBS 23:7).Praise builds Praise defeats Praise ministers your faith. the devil. to God. A. It’s good for us to praise God. He inhabits the praise of His people and shows up to deliver us out of our trou- bles (Psalm 92:1; Psalm 22:3). • Let us not cease to pray and rejoice. Through praise and thanks- giving, God keeps us ahead of our enemy. In everything, we should give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, AMP).32 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

08 a. God knows us intimately; He perfects those things that concern us. b. Even in the midst of our trials, we should thank Him, not for the trial but for what He has already done. c. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord; we were created to praise Him (Psalm 150:6; Isaiah 43:21).B. “And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off; and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us” (Luke 17:12, 13).• Jesus was never moved by natural circumstances. He told the lepers to show themselves to the priest (lepers were required to show that they had been healed of the disease). a. “And it came to pass that, as they went, they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14). b. It is important that we do what the Lord tells us to do because we never know how our healing will manifest.• “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks” (Luke 17:15, 16). a. Jesus asked about the other nine, but they were nowhere to be found (Luke 17:17). b. Often, lepers have limbs that are missing due to the severity of the illness. c. When the leper returned to give Jesus thanks, he was made whole instantly (Luke 17:18, 19).C. “Jesus looked up then, and seeing that a vast multitude was coming toward Him, He said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread, so that all these people may eat?” (John 6:5, AMP).• There were about 20,000 people there, including the women and children (John 6:6-11). a. The only food available was a boy’s meal, which consisted of two small fish and five loaves of bread. b. However, Jesus gave thanks for what they had.• When we thank God for what we do have, we move from not having enough to having more than enough. Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 33

6. EXPERIENCING FREEDOM OF GRACE D. “And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He staggered, not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Romans 4:19, 20). • Abraham was focused on God’s promise, not his problem. a. When we thank God for something we cannot see in the natural, we are admitting that it is real to us. b. We are acknowledging the good we have in us in Christ Jesus, and we release our faith for unseen blessings (Philemon 1:6). Q&A 1. What are the three benefits of praise?    2. Why were we created? (Isaiah 43:21)    3. What happened to the leper who returned to give Jesus thanks? (Luke 17:18-19)   34 | NEW MEMBER CLASS MANUAL

4. What happens when we thank God for what we do have?(Ephesians 5:1-2)5. He (Abraham) staggered, not at the promise of God through , but was in faith,giving to God” (Romans 4:20 KJV). Understanding Grace | Empowering Change | 35

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World Changers Church International(Headquaters) 2500 Burdett Rd, College Park, GA 30349, United StatesP h: +1 770-210-5700.Understanding Grace | Empowering Change