Lesson 18
How to Identify Real Christians
Billions of people claim to be Christian. But they do not all share the same beliefs, nor do they live by the same standards. So how can we identify real Christians?
1. What is a Christian?
Christians are disciples, or followers, of Jesus Christ.
Read Acts 11.26: After he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year they assembled with them in the congregation and taught quite a crowd, and it was first in Antioch that the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.
How do they prove that they are Jesus’ disciples? He said: “If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples.”
This means that real Christians must obey Jesus’ teachings. And just as Jesus relied on the Scriptures to support his teachings, real Christians base their beliefs on the Bible.
Read Luke 24.27: And starting with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them things pertaining to himself in all the Scriptures.
2. How do real Christians show love?
Jesus told his followers: “Love one another just as I have loved you.”
How did Jesus show that he loved his disciples? He spent time with them, encouraged them, and helped them. He even gave up his life for them.
Similarly, real Christians do more than talk about love. They show by their words and actions that they love one another.
3. Real Christians are busy in what activity?
Jesus gave work to his disciples. “He sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God.”
The early Christians preached, not only in their places of worship but also in other public places and at the homes of people.
Read Acts 5.42: And every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.
Read Acts 17.17: So he began to reason in the synagogue with the Jews and the other people who worshipped God and every day in the marketplace with those who happened to be on hand.
Real Christians today likewise preach Bible truth wherever people are. They love their neighbors, so they gladly use their time and energy to share the Bible’s message of hope and comfort.
DIG DEEPER
Consider how you can distinguish real Christians from people who do not follow Jesus’ teachings and example.
4. They search for Bible truth
Not all who claim to be Christian value Bible truth. Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.
AD))) Video Title: How Christianity Was Corrupted (with Audio Description and Transcript) (Duration: 5:12).
How have some so-called Christian churches failed to teach what Jesus taught?
Jesus taught the truth from God’s Word.
Read John 18.37: So Pilate said to him: “Well, then, are you a king?” Jesus answered: “You yourself are saying that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is on the side of the truth listens to my voice.”
Discuss this question:
According to Jesus, how can we identify Christians who are “on the side of the truth”?
5. They preach Bible truth
Before Jesus ascended to heaven, he gave his followers a mission that continues today.
Read Matthew 28.19, 20: Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”
Read Acts 1.8: But you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you, and you will be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the most distant part of the earth.”
Discuss this question:
To what extent would the preaching work be done?
6. They practice what they preach
What convinced a man named Tom that he had found real Christianity? Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the questions that follow.
AD))) Video Title: I Gave Up on Religion (with Audio Description and Transcript) (Duration: 5:21).
In the video, what had caused Tom to give up on religion?
Why is he convinced that he has found the truth?
Actions speak louder than words.
Read Matthew 7.21: “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.
Discuss this question:
What means more to Jesus—what we claim to believe or what we prove by our actions?
7. They love one another
Have Christians really risked their lives for fellow Christians? Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the questions that follow.
AD))) Video Title: He Offered to Surrender His Life (with Audio Description and Transcript) (Duration: 2:55).
In the video, what moved Lloyd to risk his life for Brother Johansson?
Do you think that he acted like a real Christian?
Read John 13.34, 35: I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.”
Discuss these questions:
How would Jesus’ disciples (real Christians) treat people of another race or nation?
How would they do so during wartime?
SOME PEOPLE SAY: “Christians have done terrible things—how can they have the true religion?”
What scripture could you share that shows how we can identify real Christians?
SUMMARY
Real Christians follow Bible teachings, show self-sacrificing love, and preach Bible truth.
Review
On what do real Christians base their beliefs?
What quality identifies real Christians?
What work do real Christians do?
Lesson completed on:
Goal
If possible, tour a branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses near you.
Other: Memorizing Bible scriptures is vital for blind individuals to defend the truth using the Bible, build faith, provide comfort during difficult times, and keep God’s principles firm in heart and mind.
From lesson 18, memorize Matthew 7:21, 22, 23: “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’
EXPLORE
1. Learn more about a group that endeavors to follow Jesus Christ’s example and teachings.
Jehovah’s Witnesses—Who Are We? (1:13) Open explore 1 in new page
2. See what led a former nun to find “a true spiritual family.”
“They Used the Bible to Answer Every Question!” (The Watchtower, April 1, 2014) Open explore 2 in new page
3. Learn how real Christians show love for fellow worshippers who need relief.
Helping Our Brothers When Disaster Strikes—Excerpt (3:57) Open explore 3 in new page
4. Examine how the early Christians and real Christians today fit the pattern that Jesus said would identify his followers.
“What Are the Marks of True Christianity?” (The Watchtower, March 1, 2012) Open explore 4 in new page
[End of lesson 18.]