Explore new horizons of a living faith
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Derek’s Blog which comes out weekly to fortnightly is at -
Go to the new more user friendly version - beingrecreated.org
Introduction
How often have you wished for a new start. Things go wrong in relationships. We make mistakes and it seems like we have messed up any possibility of our lives fulfilling their potential. When we fail in this way, The good news is that God offers us a genuine new start through salvation. A real opportunity to wipe the slate clean and begin again. So, how can we get this salvation?
Bible Zone
- What is involved in gettng right with God? - Jesus summarises message
- Challenge of the Kingdom - Those who live in God’s kingdom live another way.
- Repent - To turn away from sin and turn to God.
- Believe - To hear Jesus’ words and believe the Father who sent Him.
- Action - get right with God - A simple prayer of repent and believe.
- Consequences of getting right with God - Salvation
- Assurance of salvation - Those who have Jesus are assured He will give life.
What is involved in getting right with God?
A new start makes a big difference. Jesus offers a new start, and he offers it in simple terms. He preached a very simple message. This is Mark 1:15
- What was it that was near?
- What does Jesus ask us to do as a response to His kingship and kingdom?
- What would it mean for you to repent and believe?
Mark 1:15 "The time promised by God has come at last!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"
The kingdom of God is near.
- What is the nature of Jesus’ kingdom?
- What does Jesus the king lead us to?
- How comfortable would you be with someone like Jesus as your king?
John 18: 36 Jesus answered, "My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world." 37 Pilate said, "So you are a king?" Jesus responded, "You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true."
The first thing Jesus tells people to do is repent. What exactly does that mean? Here are two verses each giving a key element.
- What do we turn from and who do we turn to?
- What commitment is made in repenting?
- What is the difference between turning around and becoming perfect?
- What might you need to turn away from?
Ezekiel 14: 6 "Therefore, tell the people of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent and turn away from your idols, and stop all your detestable sins.
Acts 3: 19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.
Jesus goes on from repent to believe.
- What is it that Jesus wishes us to believe?
- What are the consequences of this act of belief, or faith?
- How would these benefits Jesus offers affect your wellbeing?
John 5: 24 "I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
To actually do it and Repent and Believe is quite simple. It merely requires you to tell God - “I am sorry for the way I live and I would like to change so that I live your way. I ask you to come and live in my heart. I agree to live your way by Your Spirit as He lives in me. Thank you that this is possible because Jesus came and died for all the wrong that I have done. Amen.”
This is not some magic formula that merely needs to be uttered for it to come true. It requires that in our hearts we believe it. It is therefore worth reflecting a bit on the words. If you agree to ALL that is there then say them to God. He is always listening, you don’t have to do anything special to get His attention.
Consequences of Getting Right with God
What does Paul say about the outcome of this trust in Jesus?
- What do you need to declare with heart and mouth?
- What will God do for those make this declaration?
- What would it mean for you to be saved?
Romans 10:9-10 9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
Teaching focusing on the certainty of life for those who have received Jesus.
- Who is it that gives eternal life?
- What is the basis of having eternal life?
- Why was the statement written?
- How sure are you of where you stand before God?
1 John 5:11-13 11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life.
13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
More detail on Assurance of Salvation
Page appears in Bible Explorer titled -
GETTING RIGHT WITH GOD
