I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s Holy Word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin against God.

  Author Unknown

Definition of God’s Holy Word

The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true and its declarations are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. 

Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and river of pleasure. It is given to you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

 The Gideon’s International

Author Unknown

God spoke these words in Exodus 20: 1-17

1. Thou shall have no other gods before me. Chapter 22

2. Thou shall not make any graven images. Chapter 34

3. Thou shall not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain. Chapter 29

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Chapter 6

5. Honor your father and your mother: so that it may be well with you and that you may live long

on the earth. Chapter 5

6. Thou shall not kill. Chapter 32

7. Thou shall not commit adultery. Chapter 23

8. Thou shall not steal. Chapter 16

9. Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Chapter 20

10. Thou shall not covet. Chapter 27

(Chapter numbers denote Follow Me chapters)

1. Do not have any other god’s besides the one true God.

2. Do not make and worship idols.

3. Do not misuse God’s name.

4. Keep the Sabbath day holy.

5. Honor your dad and your mom.

6. Do not kill.

7. Keep your marriage promises.

8. Do not steal.

9. Do not lie.

10. Do not want things that belong to someone else.

    Your thumb is nearest to you, so begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, “a sweet duty.”

    The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, ministers etc. They need support and wisdom for pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

    The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God’s guidance.

    The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

    And lastly comes our little finger, the smallest finger of all, which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, “The least shall be the greatest among you.” Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

    Author Unknown 

    Here are ten simple but effective principles that will help you pray with power.

    Remember prayer is a declaration of your dependence on God. It is a powerful tool in
communicating with our Heavenly Father.

• Pray in the name of Jesus.
• Pray according to the Word and the will of God.
• Pray without ceasing.
• Pray audibly, using simple, natural words.
• Do not spend so much time asking God for things, but instead acknowledge that God’s blessings are being poured out upon you.
• Practice the attitude of putting everything in God’s hands.
• Pray for people you dislike or who have mistreated you.
• Practice being in the presence of God, pick a quiet time to devote to this.
• Ask a fellow Christian to partner with you in searching for God’s answer.
• Pray in faith, believing that God will respond.

    Scripture makes it very clear: prayerlessness is sin (1 Sam. 12:23). Prayer should always be your
first choice not your last resort. Remember, as powerful as God is, He does not answer prayers until
we come to Him in prayer (James 4: 2). You should connect prayer with every detail of your life. It is
that important! (Luke 18: 1, 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

 Learning & Applying

I. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name …Chapter 12

• Picture Calvary and thank God you can call him “Father” by virtue of the blood of Jesus.
• Deeply respect the names of God and make your faith declarations.

II. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven …Chapter 26

• Your family {parents, siblings, other family members}
• Your church {Pastor, leadership and body of believers}
• Nation {city, state, and political and spiritual leaders}

III. Give us this day our daily bread …Chapter 14

• Be in the will of God {prayer life, church work, school, obedience in giving}
• Believe it is God’s will to prosper you (in every area of your life)
• Be specific
• Be persistent

IV. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us…Chapter 19

• Ask God to forgive you
• Release bitterness and resentment held against anyone
• Set your will to forgive those who sin against you

V. And lead us not into temptation but deliver from evil …Chapter 9

  A. Put on your whole armor of God {Put on the Lord Jesus Christ}

• Loins girt about with Truth
• Breastplate of Righteousness
• Feet shod with the preparation {readiness} of the gospel of Peace
• Shield of Faith
• Helmet of Salvation
• Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

  B. Pray a hedge of protection {You are my refuge, my fortress, my God}

• Because He has made the Lord my habitation
• Because He has set His love upon me
• Because He has known my name

VI. For thine in the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, and ever, Amen …Chapter 35

  A. Make your faith declarations

  B. Return to praise

    If you are a born-again believer and would like to experience water baptism here is more information provided for your decision.

    It is important to know that the act of baptism is always accompanied by faith and repentance. In the New Testament we only see one method used: immersion. This means that a person’s entire body is placed underwater and then raised back up. Below you will find some biblical reasons to consider being baptized.

• Jesus commanded it. John 3:5
• It is a public confession of becoming a follower of Jesus. Matthew 3:16
• It represents what happened to Jesus in terms of his death, burial and resurrection. Romans 6:3-5
• It represents what happened to us at salvation. Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21
• It identifies us with the body of Christ. Galatians 3:26-27, 1 Corinthians 12:13

    Being baptized brings believers to another level in their spiritual walk. It represents a cleansing of sin and dying to the old life and being born again into a new life. It is an outward sign of commitment and allegiance to a new master – Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you are feeling compelled to move forward in this decision to be baptized by immersion in water ask your parents, instructor or pastor to assist you in making necessary arrangements.

    Have you chosen to believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him? The Bible states that, “salvation is a free gift by God’s grace.” Eph 2:8 God wants us to simply put our trust in Christ’s death on the cross as payment for our sins. It was my intent by naming this study, Follow Me, that each student would come to know Jesus in a real way and choose to surrender their life to Him and follow where He leads and to run confidently and boldly with the Gospel message. If you have come to realize you need a Savior and want to be forgiven of your sins; pray this prayer with your parent or teacher. 

Father God,

I acknowledge that I am a sinner, I believe that Jesus died on the cross in my place paying the sin debt I owed and then He rose from the dead. I receive Him as my personal Savior and surrender control of my life to Him. Please show me how to live and know You better each day.

In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen

    Acts 2:21. Then whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

    Romans 10:9. Confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved.

    Congratulations! Now you realize this is just the beginning of a wonderful lifelong journey? It is my hope you will be guided in every way to increase your knowledge of the one true God. I hope you will know Him as your Heavenly Father; and that He will be very real to you and become the center of your life, your constant companion, your comfort and joy always