LESSON 11

Holiness and Faith

1.Read chapter 15 of The Pursuit of Holiness. Write down the major observations, illustrations, or questions you have from your reading.

2.Explain the relationship you see between faith and obedience in Hebrews 3:17–19 and 4:2, 6.

3.Read through Hebrews 11, noting the instances of obedience by faith. List five things which some of the persons mentioned in this chapter believed. Which is the most meaningful for you, and why?

4.List five ways in which the persons mentioned in Hebrews 11 obeyed God. Which is the most challenging example for you, and why?

5.(For additional study) Review the principles given in the following verses. Explain how faith is required to follow each one, and under what circumstances the principle would be the most difficult for you to believe.

Matthew 20:26–27; Luke 6:30–31; Romans 12:19; 1 Timothy 6:17–18; Hebrews 3:13

6.In The Pursuit of Holiness we have seen holiness defined as the state of being “morally blameless” (page 15), “conformity to the moral precepts of the Bible” (page 15), “conformity to the character of God” (page 22), and “obedience to the will of God in whatever God directs” (page 136). From what you have learned in this and the previous lessons, write a summary definition of holiness which is meaningful to you, then compare it with the definition you wrote in lesson 1, question 6.

7. What application of the truths in this lesson do you want to make in your life?

LESSON 12

Holiness in an Unholy World

1. Read chapters 16 and 17 of The Pursuit of Holiness. Write down the major observations, illustrations, or questions you have from your reading.

2. After studying the following verses, summarize what they teach about the Christian’s relationship to an unholy world.

Matthew 5:13–14; John 17:14–16; 1 Peter 3:15–16

3. From the following verses, explain what the Christian’s response should be when he is ridiculed or abused for his holy life.

Matthew 5:11–12; John 15:19; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 2:12; 4:12–13

4. How can we follow the example of Jesus in associating with unholy people (read Luke 5:29–32) and at the same time keep ourselves holy as He did (Hebrews 7:26)? List some actual situations you might face in which this would be difficult.

5. Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. How can this promise help you in some unholy environment you may be in?

6. (For additional study) Examine how each of the following verses relates to holiness in an unholy world, or to the joy of holiness. Write down those which are the most helpful to you, and explain why they are.

Psalm 51:10–12; 1 Corinthians 5:9–10; Ephesians 5:5–12; Philippians 2:14–15; 1 Peter 4:3–4; 2 Peter 2:7–9; Hebrews 12:1–2

7. What does each of the following verses teach about the joy of a holy life?

Nehemiah 8:9–10

Psalm 16:11

John 15:10–11

Romans 14:17

8. What application of the truths in this lesson do you want to make in your life?