How to be Saved

Step 1: God

God created us with purpose, to be in relationship with Him and to enjoy all the fullness of life with Him.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

What does God desire you to know in the first part of the verse? (God loves us)
What does the last line say God wants you to have? (God wants to give us eternal life)

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.

What type of life does Jesus want to give you on earth? (Abundant life)
What do you think would be some inner characteristics of this full, abundant life that Jesus wants to give you? (Purpose, impact, meaning, peace, joy, love & acceptance)
Do you think everyone you know is experiencing this abundant life? Let’s see what the Bible says about what prevents it.

Step 2: Our Problem

We have a problem we can’t fix on our own.

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

What is humanity’s problem? (All have sinned)
What is sin? (Like an arrow missing its target, we fall short of God’s intent for us. All of us have done what we should not do and left undone what we should have done.)
What is the result of sin? (Separation from God)

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Wages are what we earn by our actions. What do we earn by our sin? (Death)
There are two types of death. What are they? (Physical and Spiritual)

Our sin separates us from God for eternity unless somehow we are released from paying the price for it.

Hebrews 9:27

And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment,

What happens after we die? (We face judgment for the sin we commit)
This looks bleak for us. What are some ways you or others you know have tried to get to God’s side? (Going to church, praying, helping people)

God sees the hopeless situation we’re in and provides a way out.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Can our best efforts bridge the separation between us and God? (No, we are saved by grace, which is unmerited love. Good works = not enough)

Step 3: God’s Solution

We can’t build a bridge to God, but Jesus Christ is God’s bridge to us.

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

How did God show He loves us even though we’re sinners? (Jesus died for us to pay the penalty for our sin)

1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all time, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

Why is Jesus dying on the Cross and rising again such good news for us? (It allows us to be with God now on Earth and forever in Heaven because Jesus conquered both our sin and death by dying and rising again. That is the Christian gospel!)

Step 4: Our Response

Each of us needs to respond to what God is offering us.

John 1:12

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,

How does one become a child of God? (By believing and receiving Jesus, trusting in his sacrifice as the payment for your own personal sin.)

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

What is Jesus trying to show here, when he offers to come in and eat with us? (That he longs to have a personal relationship with us)

Next Steps

Accept Jesus, Which is as Simple as A-B-C

Admit that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and ask God to forgive you and help you turn from sin.

Believe Jesus died for you and rose again, conquering sin and death.

Commit your life to following Jesus, putting your total trust in Him and giving Him decision-making authority as Lord of your life.

Talk to Jesus Right Now

You can talk to Jesus right now to receive him. You can repeat after me or put this in your own words:

“Father God, I know that I am a sinner and that I need you to forgive me. I know that your son Jesus died a painful death and rose again so that my sins could be washed clean. Thank you. I want to make you the Lord of my life, and I will trust and follow You. Everything I have is yours now. In the name of Jesus, amen.”

The Adventure Ahead