Each month I will post a new study for you to print out and copy for yourself or your group. As the word of God is living and powerful, we know that this study will never be all that it can be. However, we pray that it will help you as you continue to grow closer to the Lord. Let us know how it has encouraged you. Feel free to write with any questions or comments you have. God bless you and may the Holy Spirit guide you into all truth. 

 

SALVATION BY GRACE  (A& B) -  Continued from last month.

 

Essentials of Christianity Series

 

                        1. Saving Grace 

 

Now that we understand a little bit more about grace, we look at its role in salvation. We will break it down into three basic parts.

 

           

    A. What does it mean to be born again? (Saved)        

    B. Why do we need to be born again?   

    C. Who makes being born again possible? (God’s part. Man’s part) 

 

 A. What does it mean to be born again? 

As believers, we use a variety of terms or phrases to describe ourselves. Think about it. When someone asks you “what you are” or if you are “religious”, how do you respond?

 

            a. I’m a Christian.

            b. I’m saved.

            c. I’m a born again believer

            d. I’m a born again Christian

            e. I am a _______________ (fill in the blank with your denominational background.

 

Does it really matter? Yes it does, for many reasons. The first being, the Bible doesn’t teach us to lay claim to a certain “church”, nor do we read phrases like “I’m a born again Christian”.

 

In keeping with our theme of “Religion VS Relationship”, this is a clear example of what the world has come to recognize as religion: man’s claim to God by putting a name on themselves and causing heart-breaking divisions in the body of Christ.

 

So what examples do we have in the Scriptures? What Biblical name should we claim that represents our connection to and our relationship with God?

 

Have you ever been asked the question, “Are you a Christian or a born again Christian?”

 

What was your response? Is there a difference? Can you be one without the other?

     

Read the following passages of Scripture. What do you think each of these passages have in common. What is the “bottom line”? (Were they identified with Christ or with an organization)

   

1. Romans 10:8-10

 

 

    

2. John 3:1-9

 

     

3.1 Corinthians 15:44-49

 

    

4. Acts 11:22-26

 

    

5. Acts 26:19-28

 

     

Following these logical steps:

 

             I am “saved” when I believe, when I “believe” I become “born-again” by the       Spirit of God, when I am “born- again”, I become a follower of Christ, when I             Follow Christ, I am a “Christian”.   

  

What would you conclude? Would you consider it redundant to use the phrase “born-again Christian”?

 

 

   B. Why do we need to be born again?  Read the following passages note how they explain the need to be born again.  

 

1. John 3:3-5

 

    

2. Ephesians 2:1-2

 

    

3. 1 Corinthians 2:9-16

 

    

4. Leviticus 11:44

 

    

5. 1 Peter 1:23

 

     

6. Romans 6:23

 

    

Note any other Scriptures that come to mind that give us a reason as to why we must be born again.

 

 

 

Thank you Father for your faithfulness, continue to lead the way as I seek to understand you in a deeper way. I desire to be a good example of what it means to be a Christian and I want to be ready to give an answer to all who ask me for a reason of why I believe.  In the name of Jesus, Amen