Charles F. Stanley - 30 Life Principles Bible Study: An Action Plan for Living the Principles Each Day

The Principles

Your life as a Christian is a wondrous adventure filled with twists and turns, good times, and also difficult challenges. Through it all, the Bible is your greatest resource for insight, wisdom, hope, and guidance. God has given you hundreds of life principles in His Word to help you become everything He designed you to be. These are the tenets of the Christian faith that have been tried and proven throughout historytruths that have never failed and will never disappoint. You can see their impact on the lives of the saintsfrom Old Testament times to the present dayand God has promised that if you follow His commands, He will bless your obedience.

During his sixty years of ministry, Dr. Charles Stanley has faithfully highlighted the 30 Life Principles that have guided his life and helped him to grow in his knowledge, service, and love of God. Dr. Stanley has taught them so others can find Gods wisdom, receive His comfort and peace, and grow into mature followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps youve been inspired by these 30 Life Principles and are wondering how you can further make them a part of your life. You might be asking what the Bible teaches about having a lifetime of spiritual success and avoiding the traps of ineffectiveness and spiritual misery. You may be considering how these Life Principles apply to the circumstances and challenges you face on a daily basis.

The 30 Life Principles Bible Study has been developed to help you answer these questions, put these principles from Gods Word into action, and encourage you to grow in your relationship with Jesus. Of course, these principles were never meant to take the place of Gods Word, but serve as guidelines for discovering the richness of Gods truth and knowing Him in a deeper way. By following these Life Principles, you will be on the road to the life that He designed for you. And as you submit yourself to Him more fully, God will reveal Himself to you. Thats what makes the journey of obedience so exciting.

How to Use this Study

This study has been designed to help you discover the 30 Life Principles as you study the Bible each day. You can use it for individual study or as a resource for a small group. Each lesson in the Bible study will contain the following elements:

L IFES Q UESTIONS : Each lesson opens with an insight into the principle and a brief overview of what you will be studying.

D AILY B IBLE S TUDY : Each lesson includes three days worth of Bible study for you to complete during the week. If you are doing this Bible study with a small group, you will discuss your responses to these questions during your meeting time. Before you begin each days study, take a few moments to ask God to open your heart to His Word, help you better understand His principles, and learn how to apply them to your life in practical ways.

L IVING THE P RINCIPLE : In addition to studying each principle in Gods Word, it is also important to put what you have learned into action. This section contains ideas for further reflection on the principle, how to ask God to make it more a part of your daily walk with Him, how to share what you have discovered about it with others, and other ways to put the principle into practice.

L IFE L ESSONS TO R EMEMBER : Each lesson includes a summary of three key items to remember for the Life Principle you have studied.

P RINCIPLE IN A CTION : The names of people in the Bible who put the principle into action have been listed in the margin of each lesson. Use the Scripture references provided to learn more about their lives and the ways in which they followedor failed to followGods instruction.

S CRIPTURE Q UOTATIONS : Additional Scripture quotations, key concepts, and related quotes have been provided in the margins to give you further insight into each principle, cement the key ideas in your mind, and help you follow along.

In addition to answering the questions in the daily Bible study portions, you will also want to make notes of what comes to mind as you read the selected passage(s) of Scripture. Be sure to have a pen and paper for writing, and ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you as you work through each of the lessons. Remember that every problem you will face has its solution in the Word of God. It will offer you the wisdom and insight you seek at every turn. You cannot and will not encounter anything that is beyond God and His principles in Scripture!

If you would like to lead a group through this material, please see the section at the end of this book for a basic design of how to set up your group time, navigate problems and opportunities that may arise during your discussion time, and to get the most out of the study as a group.

Knowing Christ

It is important to note that putting Gods principles into action begins with knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. There is simply no substitute for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is the core of Gods message to each of us, and the Bible is clear you cannot know God without first knowing the One who reconciles you to Him. As Paul writes, When we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (Romans 5:10).

Gods Son, Jesus Christ, provides a relationship with Himand He also provides eternal life if you trust Him. As Paul again writes, If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). To start a personal relationship with Godthe One who created you and loves you no matter whatall you need to do is tell God you are trusting in Him for salvation. Tell Him in your own words or use this sample prayer:

Lord Jesus, I know that Your death on the cross was enough to forgive all of my sin and restore my relationship with God. I ask You to forgive my sin and be my Savior. Thank You for providing the way for me to have a growing relationship with my heavenly Father, and thank You for giving me eternal life. I know that You hear my prayers, and I praise You for loving me unconditionally and saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.