Introduction
I’ve found that I’ve experienced something of a conversion experience every 5 years or less. I remember making a public profession of faith in Jesus about age 14. Around 18, I went through a series of events that convinced me life was worth living and the gospel was the driving force of that life. Around 22 I seriously questioned the existence of God, denied him for a time, and gained a conviction regarding the existence of God. Around 25 I worked through the Lord’s Supper. Around 28 I dealt with the historical nature of Jesus Christ. Around 33 I addressed my sense of acceptance and approval or disapproval.
This is what we want to talk about tonight - God’s multifaceted work of salvation and my receiving of it.
Getting connected
1. What conversations has God let you have lately with someone who might be on their way to knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord (remember, this might be only the very first steps)?
2. Where did you see one of the Christian truths we’ve learned show up in your life?
3. Last week we studied Jesus. We confess Jesus as Savior and Lord, which is quite different from the modern, secular creed. Is Jesus still relevant with the secular creed so widely accepted? If so, how?
Teaching
The Bible offers (What Christians Ought to Believe, Lesson 16, 1:00 - 12:00)
4. Bird points out that in biblical language, we are saved three times. What are they?
saved =
saved =
saved =
Let’s briefly discuss the implications of God saving us not at one point in time, but three points in time. What might be some take aways or some ideas that surprise us if God has saved us at three points in time?
5. “Salvation is more than the rescue of the sinner’s soul… Salvation is _____________ and includes the whole person, _________, _________, _________, and _________.” I can’t help but think this is really good news. Do you think it is? If so, how?
6. When God makes our salvation happen, he accomplishes all kinds of different things all at the same time. Below is a list of passages with different aspects of salvation. There is also a list of the different things he does to save us.
First match the passage with the action God takes.
Then, explain one of the actions in your own words.
Passages
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:7)
In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will (Ephesians 1:4-5)
and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:24)
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:18-19)
Actions
justification
reconciliation
atonement
forgiveness of sins
election
redemption
Bible study
Read the following introductory paragraph, then read John 17:3-26
“Jesus gives us a beautiful summary of what faith is in his High Priestly Prayer in John 17. He shows us in that prayer that faith consists of three basic elements; without them there is no such thing as faith in the biblical sense of the term.” (Daniel Deutschlander, Grace Abounds, pg 380)
Please read John 17:3-36. The section is also summarized below. Pay careful attention to the italic sections as you answer the questions.
“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one … Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
7. According to Jesus in his prayer, what are the parts of faith? How does Jesus describe faith?
8. As you hear Jesus, what is the easiest part of faith? What is the hardest part of faith?
9. Do you have the same feeling? That is, what is the easiest and hardest parts of faith for you?
10. Jesus doesn’t just explain what faith is. He actually prays for us to have faith. How does noticing this about Jesus not only change our perspective of him, but also change our faith & doubt with him?
Application
11. On the day of Pentecost, the people heard that Jesus has ascended as both Lord and Messiah. “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” A few years later, the jailer in Philippi asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.””
The Bible tells us that doubt is both part of Christian faith and that we shouldn’t doubt. What tells you you believe in Jesus? And how well is your faith?