Shepherding School 3: Your New Life in Christ and Its Responsibilities
October 27, 2026
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. — 2 Corinthians 5:17
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But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) — Ephesians 2:4-5
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When you received Christ you started a new life, the God kind of life. This life calls you to certain responsibilities.
(a) God has changed your nature
Separate yourself from the old life of sin and live a holy life, a life according to God's Word. Separate yourself from influences and friendships which may lead you back to sin. Get rid of signs of Satan's rule in your life, for example burn things of witchcraft and false religion, and right wrongs where possible.
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; — Titus 3:5-6
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What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. — Romans 6:1-4
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Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. — Galatians 5:19-24
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And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. — Acts 19:18-20
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Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: — Hebrews 12:14
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(b) Develop a personal relationship with God
Pray privately, and read and study God's Word. Prayer includes worship, consecration, confession of sin, supplication and intercession, spiritual warfare, and thanksgiving.
Pray without ceasing. — 1 Thessalonians 5:17
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But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. — Matthew 6:6-13
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And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. — 2 Timothy 3:15-17
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For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. — Hebrews 4:12
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Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. — 2 Timothy 2:15
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I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. — Psalm 119:7
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Ways of Study
1. Read chapter to chapter prayerfully, beginning with the Gospel of John.
2. Study at least a chapter, or a portion of 15 verses, a day, seeking the following answers. What do I learn:
(i) About God: Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
(ii) About who I am in Christ.
(iii) About the major doctrines of the Bible, for example salvation, the Holy Spirit and holiness.
(iv) Is there a promise I can claim?
(v) Is there a command I can obey, or something in which I must change? Practise the Word you learn.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. — James 1:22
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(c) Attend church and be part of all activities of God's people
You are called to the Family of God Church. Be baptized in water.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. — Hebrews 10:25
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For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. — Psalm 84:10
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For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, — Ephesians 3:14-15
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But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. — 1 Peter 2:9-10
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And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. — Matthew 28:18-20
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(d) Tell others about Jesus and the salvation we have in Him
That is, witness.
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. — Luke 24:46-48
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And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. — Daniel 12:3
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The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. — Proverbs 11:30
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(e) Begin to serve God with your substance
That is, with tithes and offerings.
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. — Malachi 3:8-10
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Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. — Proverbs 3:9-10
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