1. Edwards on loving God
“ the exercises of true and holy love in the saints arise in another way. They do not first see that God loves them, and then see that He is lovely, but they first see that God is lovely and that Christ is excellent and glorious, and their hearts are first captivated with this view, and then, consequently, they see God’s love, and great favor to them.
The saint’s affections begin with God; and self-love has a hand in these affections consequentially and secondarily only. On the contrary, false affections begin with self, . .

2. Edwards on loving God
In the love of the true saint God is the lowest foundation; the love of the excellency of His nature is the foundation of all affections which comes afterwards, wherein self-love is concerned as a handmaid: but the hypocrite lays himself at the bottom of all, as the first foundation, and lays God as the superstructure; and even his acknowledgement of God’s glory itself depends on his regard to his private interest.”
(Religious Affections, Banner of Truth, 1991 ed., 166, 172)

3. Of God and of the Holy Trinity
There is but one only living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body parts or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory, most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; and withal most just and terrible in his judgments; hating all sin; and who will by no means clear the guilty.

4. Of God and of the Holy Trinity
God hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of Himself; and is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which He hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them: He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things; and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever Himself pleaseth.

5. Of God and of the Holy Trinity
In His sight all things are open and manifest; His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him contingent, or uncertain. He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works, and in all His commands. To Him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience He is pleased to require of them.

6. Of God and of the Holy Trinity
In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. The Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding: the Son is eternally begotten of the Father: the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.

7. Case Study #1
You have just finished presenting the Gospel to a neighbor. It has been a pleasant conversation actually. They have been attentive and you are encouraged that perhaps they understand and will want to receive Christ.
However, when you get to the point of asking them if they want to trust Christ, their response is,

8. However, when you get to the point of asking them if they want to trust Christ, their response is,
“I’m not experiencing any of that discord and frustration you talked about. We have a nice house, obedient kids, and two nice cars. I don’t really think I need Christ.”
What is the problem here and how might you make the issue clear?

9. Case Study #2
Your friend is really excited about going to church with you. He is especially interested in participating in the homeless outreach your singles group is sponsoring. Even though you know he has heard the Gospel and has not accepted Christ, your friend persists in getting involved in your church’s activities.

10. When you bring up the matter of trusting Christ, he defends himself that he believes that he is just as saved as you. What might the problem be and how might you relate the Gospel in a way that will make sense to him?

11. Case Study #3
After a family picnic, you are engaged in a heated debate with a relative who teaches in a secular college. He is in the philosophy department and while he appreciates all the good Christianity has done for the world he is unwilling to acknowledge that he personally has any interest or need.

12. He insists that other religions have an equally pious following
He insists that other religions have an equally pious following. What is the problem here and how might you arrest this intellectual’s attention?

13. Case Study #4
The subject of God comes up at a party among a group of (as far as you know) non-Christians. Several of them voice opinion that they were once religious but are no longer followers of any particular faith.

14. One of them puts it this way, “I just can’t believe in a God who would allow innocent people suffer.” What is the problem here and how might you respond?”