We have prepared four essential lessons to answer questions related to salvation and new life in Christ. If you click the button below you can see each of these lessons in skeletal form, including key Bible verses and comments under girding each lesson.

How can I become

a Christian?

The purpose of the Salvation outline is to help people understand God's plan for man, Man's separation from God, God's remedy for the problem of separation, and finally Man's response to God's remedy. Man's response to God's remedy will take care of the problem of Man's separation from God, and thus allow Man to experience God's plan for their life. If a person does not understand their problem of being separated from God, why would they seek a savior? If a person has an intellectual understanding of why Jesus died, but never responds personally to the remedy He provides, they will still remain separated from God, whether they are an atheist or a theist. Each step in the salvation plan has verses to read so that a person understands the plan, problem, remedy and response that are found in the Bible, and need attention, if they are concerned about spending eternity with God rather than being separated from Him.

Lesson One

Understanding SALVATION

Steps to peace with God.

Man’s Response

RECEIVE CHRIST:
John 1:12, Revelation 3:20

R E M E M B E R . . .

• Frame the salvation question using a square or rectangle. Keep the message simple, two “P’s” and two “R’s” and stay on target. The first “P” and the first “R” belong to God. The second “P” and the second “R” belong to man.

• Sin can be explained by “the archer” illustration.

• Christ as God’s remedy for sin can be explained by “the bridge over a chasm” illustration.

• Personal faith or trust in Christ can be explained by “the tight rope walker” illustration.

• Our job is to explain the Gospel to non-Christians as clearly as we know how, for their benefit.

• Man must respond to God’s remedy to overcome man’s problem to experience God’s plan.

Our motive for sharing with those who do not know Jesus Christ personally is not just to relieve our guilt, or show off our spiritual insight, but to be a help to others.

Is it possible to Know

I have salvation or

must I wait until I die

to find out?

The purpose of the assurance of salvation lesson is to help a new or struggling Christian understand the Bible clearly states a person can know whether or not they have salvation as a present possession. Too many people fail to experience assurance of their salvation because they do not understand the biblical basis for their salvation in the first place. The verses in 1 John 5:11-13, understood in context, will help a person understand they can "know" they have salvation, rather than just "hope" they have salvation.

lesson 2

Understanding ASSURANCE

"I realize there is a plan, a problem, a remedy and a response that must be acknowledged and acted upon for salvation from the wages of sin. But how can I know Jesus will really become my Savior? I don't deserve to be accepted and loved by God. How can I know for sure He came into my life?"

You're right - nobody deserves salvation. But the good news is that God's promised salvation is a free gift based on God's promise, not a reward based upon man's performance.

For it is by grace you are saved, through faith - and this not of yourselves, it is a gift of God - not of works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8,9

God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. - II Corinthians 5:21
Is it really possible to know we have salvation and will go to heaven if we were to die tonight?

Yes, it is possible to know you have eternal life.

For the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that
you may know that you have eternal life. - I John 5:11-13

Who are the ones who know they have eternal life?

Those who have the Son.

Who are the ones who know they have the Son?

Those who upon hearing Jesus knocking at the door of their heart respond by receiving Him as their Lord and Savior (Revelation 3:20).

How do I know He really came into my life?

Jesus said He was the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). Since Jesus is the truth, He must always keep His promises. A Christian's salvation is as certain as Jesus' ability to keep His promises.

Did you ask Jesus to forgive you of your sin problem and become your savior because you heard him knocking at your heart? Then what do you know He had to do? (He had to forgive your sin and come into your life.) Who do you know you now have in your heart, based upon His promise? Jesus Christ! Since I John 5:12 declares that "He who has the Son has life," you can know for certain that you have eternal life because Jesus cannot lie.

R E M E M B E R . . .

• The context of verse 11 in I John 5: 11-13 involves eternal life.

• According to verse 12 there are only two options concerning man's eternal destiny. Either you have the Son and Eternal Life, or you do not.

• God's promise in verse 13 is that those believing in Jesus Christ can know they have eternal life.

• The million dollar question is: Do I have the Son? If I have the Son then I have eternal life (v.13).

• Jesus promises to come into the heart and life of the one who hears Him knocking and invites Him into their heart.

• Because Jesus is the truth (John 14:6), and it is impossible for God to lie (Titus 1:2), He must keep His promise.

• The train diagram illustrates the relationship between the engine, which empowers the train to run, the coal car which fuels the engine to continue running, and the caboose, which is along for the ride. In Christian faith terms, the engine represents the fact of God’s word, the Bible. The coal car represents our faith in the fact of God and His word. The caboose represents how we feel about the fact of God and His word. As we continue to put our faith in the fact of God and His word, our spiritual train will steadily keep on keeping on. If we put our faith in how we feel about the fact of God and His word, our spiritual train will eventually slow from a crawl to a stall. The truth is that regardless of how much fun it is to see a cute caboose on the end of a train, a train will run with or without the caboose. But it will not run without the power drive of the engine. The caboose was never intended to empower the train. In the same way, our feelings were never intended to empower our Christian faith; they are along for the ride.

• Our salvation is based upon the certainty of God's promise, not our daily performance or feelings.
  

How do I deal with

sin issues after I

become a Christian?

The purpose of this lesson is to help a Christian understand how to get back up after they have fallen on their face through missing the mark, even as a sincere follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23 makes it very clear that "all men sin and come short of the glory of God." The question is not what should I do as a Christian "if" I sin, but "when" I sin. 1 John 1:8-10 is addressed contextually to Christians. These verses answer the question about what I should do when I sin in word, thought or deed, and want to deal with it rather than deny it. God has promised that He can and will cleanse us from all of our sin when we confess it to Him. Christians who choose to live in the guilt of sin are also choosing to live in disobedience to God. God convicts us of sin, so He can put us back into service for Him. He does not convict us of sin to keep us stuck in a perpetual cycle of guilt, frustration and discouragement.

Lesson Three

Understanding FORGIVENESS

"I believe that God did love me once, but could He still love me now? After all I've been doing He must hate me."

Anyone who knows Christ as Savior knows just how bad you can feel when sin occurs. The real issue concerning sin is not how it makes us feel, but rather, knowing what God promises in His Word concerning how we should respond when we do miss the mark. What does Scripture tell a Christian about struggles with sin after he or she has been truly born again?

If we say we have no sin we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and his Word is not in us. I John 1:8-10

Everyone sins, even sincere Christians. However, growing Christians consistently make a volitional, conscious decision to deal with their sin (I John 1:9), whereas carnal or worldly Christians are typically just as conscious and consistent in their volitional attempt to deny their sin. (I John 1:8,10).

The word "confess" means to agree with God that I was wrong and His way is right. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to cleanse... Confession implies that I am not only sorry the sin occurred, I don't want it to happen again. What should I do when I sin - any sin - no matter how big or small? I need to confess that sin as soon as possible. The word "all" is also extremely important in this verse. God has promised to forgive "all" sin that is confessed. Should I confess the same sin over and over to show God I mean it? No! Why would you ask God to forgive something that is no longer there? If we confess our sin, He is faithful and righteous to cleanse us... It's gone in God's eyes - you're clean - let it go.

A simple exercise to illustrate God's forgiveness:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of all the sins between you and your Heavenly Father.

2. List the sin(s) that you are convicted of and write them on a piece of paper.

3. Confess each sin - agree with God that it is wrong and make a conscious decision to do things God’s way.

4. Write or recite I John 1:9 across the list (your guarantee, explain sale, receipt). Thank God for His promises - you confessed - He cleansed.

5. If you need to apologize or make restitution - do it.

6. If you need to apologize or make restitution—do it.

R E M E M B E R . . .

• Two options - We can deny our sin (vs. 8, 10) or deal with it (v. 9).

• Two words - "Confess" - I agree with God. He is right, I am wrong. "All" - God has promised to forgive all my sin. As long as I have breath God must still have a plan for my life.

• The cookie illustration. The outer part of the cookie represents the denial of  our sins, choosing to ignore them (vs. 8 & 10). As kids we discarded the outer part of the cookie and went to the sweet filling first. The filling represents dealing with our sins (vs. 9). As Christian's, we need to go straight to the better response, by immediately dealing with our sin.

• The train illustration. The ultimate basis for the forgiveness of our sin is the character of God and the fact of His Word, not our performance or subjective feelings.

• Because God is truth (John 14:6) and God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), He must keep His promise to forgive and cleanse. Therefore, confidently thank God that through confession you are forgiven and cleansed.

Why do I still experience

trials after I have

become a Christian?

The purpose of this lesson is help a Christian struggling with trials understand that God uses the trials we face, that come from His hand, to make us stronger. Trials are ultimately our friend, not our foe, and they represent an opportunity to become stronger. They are not divine payback from an angry or indifferent God. The verses outlined with each of the four main considerations in this lesson, will help a Christian clearly understand that God has designed trials to become building blocks in our life to help us, not stumbling stones to hurt us.

Lesson Four

Understanding TRIALS

Divine Payback, Stumbling Blocks or Stepping Stones

It is sometimes difficult to live with trials, but even harder to grow in Christian maturity without them. Here are several simple, Biblical principles to remember before, during and after you find yourself facing a trial or testing time from God.

1. God's Purpose:

God's purpose when we face any trial from Him is to give us endurance, to make our faith and character stronger.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

2. God's Promise:

God has promised that as He uses trials to make our faith and character stronger, He will also work the circumstances for our good.

And we know that He causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

3. God's Protection:

God has provided every needed protection for us as we face our trials.

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.
I Corinthians 10:13

4. God's Plan:

God has a plan prepared to allow our trials, successfully endured, to become a positive benefit, not only to each of us individually, but also to others.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  II Corinthians 1:3-4

R E M E M B E R . . .

• Trials are allowed by God and designed for our strengthening and growth, not our destruction.

• Trials approve us as will as improve us. If we could not handle the situation God would not allow it to touch us. He has promised to protect us, and will always provide an honorable way of escape through the testing process.

• Trials are under God's timing, direction and control. They prepare us for the privilege of sharing with others the same comfort God has given to us. God is greater than our circumstances.

• Trials are an opportunity to respond supernaturally rather than react naturally.

Key words to contrast:

Consider/Count: The way we approach our trials is ultimately our own decision. “You” are the key to determine whether your trials are viewed as stepping-stones or stumbling blocks.

Joy/Happiness: Joy refers to internal contentment regardless of external circumstances. Happiness is an emotional response because of external circumstances. God commands us to consider trials a joy, not happiness.

When/If: Trials are not optional, they are coming! Presenting trials as divine payback for disobedience or something that can be avoided is simply wrong, even if the one attempting to make that case is sincere.

Various: Trials are used to complete and mature us, so that we can be used as an instrument in God’s hand to serve Him in a variety of circumstances. As such, our trials are as varied as the service and circumstances God is preparing us to face. God does know what is around the corner, even if we do not.

Knowing/Hoping: There is a difference in knowing there is a light at the end of the tunnel and only hoping that to be the case. God’s promise that our trials will make us stronger and always work for our good, regardless of the circumstances, should impact the way we approach life; mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Endurance: God’s ultimate purpose for allowing us to endure trials is to make us stronger. Should trials, therefore, be considered positive or negative?

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Still have questions?

If you have more questions about these essential follow-up lessons, we have a team of men and women trained to further explain any or all of the lessons. Please, contact us today! We would be happy to speak to you.

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More Info on the Discipleship Classes

If, after working through these lesson outlines yourself and/or discussing questions with one of our follow-up team members, you would like to explore the possibility of attending one of our three discipleship training classes, please send us an email and we will contact you about any of the classes.
More about TCT - gives an overview of the content of each discipleship book;
TCT 1, Essentials; TCT 2, Apologetics, and TCT 3, Leadership.

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