Welcome to the Course

This Introduction constitutes a welcome to all who will study the Course, whether in Class or through the Notes and Cassettes. It is a course which should be greatly enriching to all who take it, especially those who give time, attention and thought to it. It should not be considered a difficult Series of Studies. Much of our difficulty in understanding is not a matter of intellect, but of the will. Jesus said, 'He that has an ear to hear, let him hear.' Nor do we have to cover and absorb all that we hear and read. If we can consciously receive some of it, we will probably find that much of it is absorbed unconsciously, anyway. No one is called upon to repeat the material, but even possession of the Notes is valuable. They can often be reread.

The Reason For the Course

The early Christians--from the day of Pentecost onwards 'devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching (doctrine)' Acts 2:42). The coming of the Spirit on that day brought revelation of the truth (cf. John 16:12-15), and so in the experience of new birth truth comes to the believer (cf. I John 2:18-27). That is, all the truth is given to us in the anointing of the Spirit. Even so, it needs to be taught, especially in the context of the fellowship of the church. For this reason we undertake teaching,

(i) that we, might come to know consciously what we have already been given (1 John 2:21, 27). The Epistles often say, As you know,' or 'Knowing this . . .'

(ii) to be taught constantly is to constantly be refreshed in what we have been give. See Philippians 3:1; II Peter 1:12-24. Jesus said the Holy Spirit is the 'reminding Teacher' (John 14:26) as well as 'the Teacher who leads us into all the truth' (John 16:13).

(iii) Learning as we do, we are able to teach others. See II Timothy 2:1. Teaching others not only enriches them but helps us to know better what we have learned.

The Nature of the Course

Generally speaking, the Course is divided into Three Sections, the First Section covering coming to the Christian faith, and what happens when God works in a life which is responsive to His grace. The Second Section deal with the process in the life of the Christian which we call 'maturing. The Third Section also deals with maturing, but does this in the context of the People of God as they live together, as they are part of the Body of Christ-the church.

Whilst we deal with these Three Sections in a kind of chronological and topical way, yet virtually all elements are one-all of these things are happening together, so to speak. This is the life we live personally and corporately, and whilst in one sense we are making progress-i.e. are going through stages of maturing-yet in another sense we are always dependent upon the grace of God working in us.

It is, however, helpful to study the various elements of the apostolic doctrine, and to be able to understand them consciously so that we can also practice them.

Practical Christian Living Itself

Often people think of the term 'practical' as meaning the method by which we operate-a sort of 'how to' principle. It is not quite like this in Christian living since the believer lives in Christ, Christ lives in him or her, each believer walks by the leading and enablement of the Holy Spirit, and all are children of God, under His protection and obedient to Him as their Father.

We say, then, that the Christian life is a relational one, i.e. we firstly relate to God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and then to one another as brethren, as members of the Body of Christ, and as God's people living in the world, and doing His will. All of this requires relational living, and so it rather defies a methodological way, although it is nevertheless mostly methodical!

Those who seek to find out 'how to' will need to have the background of the apostolic truth, and the apostolic practice. How to live practically will then come naturally. The truth in the heart will always help to direct the mind of the person to know how to act, what to say, and how to live.

An Outline of the Course

The following outline will help to give us an overview of what we will be doing.

Section Two-Going on in the Christian Life, to Maturity

Section Three-Living the Christian Life Together in This World