This is lesson three in a 12 lesson Bible follow up course for new Christians. This teaching syllabus covers the essentials of the Christian faith including Jesus, the Bible, God’s Word, God, Assurances, and what God expects of believers after they come to Christ. This study can be used to teach new believers, to brush up on your Bible basics, or to study on your own. The end of each lesson contains a list of questions and Bible references for further study on the topic of that lesson as well as a suggested memory verse. For more lessons in the series, see the links at the bottom of this page. All lessons can be printed, shared, copied, or distributed.
Bible Follow Up Course For New Christians- Lesson Three- Assurances
(1) Review God’s Word
(2) Check2 Timothy 3:16-17
(3) Read “God’s Promises”
(4) Assign Self-study Questions
God Promises a Personal Relationship
As sinners, we are by nature not only God’s enemies, but also strangers to Him. However we don’t have to remain in this terrible condition. In Scripture we are promised that, “to all who received him, those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12) God is willing to adopt us as His very own children! (Ephesians 1:5). If we receive Him, He will be our heavenly father. We can have a personal relationship with Him and receive the blessings and benefits that only a child receives from his parents.
In this world parents generally take care of their children. They provide for their children’s physical needs, such as clothing, food, and a place to sleep. They also provide emotional and intellectual support, such as love, comfort, teaching, and education. As our heavenly Father, God cares for us much like our physical parents do. But God is perfectly holy and cares for us even more than they do! (Matthew 7:7-11, James 1:17)
In Hebrews 12:7-11 we also learn that our Father will discipline us when we sin. He sets borders for us to protect us. These commands are meant to keep us from doing wrong things which will hurt us. They are to keep us holy. But if we break them, we will have to face the consequences and learn not to repeat the same mistake.
God also is willing to be our friend! John 15:15 says, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
As friends of God, we have direct access to God anytime. Through prayer we can share any of our problems, struggles, feelings, or dreams with Him. Although we will face difficulties He will always be with us through them (Hebrews 13:5). He will always keep His promises and He will never betray us. What a great friend!
Everyone in the world wants to live a happy and meaningful life. People pursue all different kinds of ways to achieve this including: money, career, education, power, entertainment, drugs, sex, etc. These things may provide temporary happy feelings, but in the end they disappoint. Those who pursue them are left feeling empty and discontent.
But we don’t have to live like that. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” God created all humans with a need for Him and also with a purpose in life. By believing in Him this need will be satisfied and we can know and fulfill that purpose. The world preaches self, self, self. But this leads to guilt. We know from Scripture that the true way to have JOY is to put Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last. Jesus tells us in John 15:11, “I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”
Without God our life has no real meaning, but with Him it has great meaning! He can make us content in all situations (Philippians 4:11-13). With God in our lives everything becomes more satisfying and enjoyable. Make a decision to serve Christ and you can taste this kind of abundant life!
God Promises Salvation
How can we know if we are saved and children of God? It is not by feelings. We need to have faith in the promises of God. He promises salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Him (John 5:24). He wants us to have confidence in His words (1 John 5:13). If we believe in Him nothing can separate us from Him. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39) And, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28).
These verses show that if we believe in God He has saved us. Nothing will be able to separate us from Him and no one will be able to take His love or salvation away from us. If you have believed, you are saved right now and have eternal life. You are forgiven and won’t be condemned to hell. Believe God! Don’t doubt His promises!
At the same time a warning should be given. Someone may say, “Great! All I have to do is pray this prayer or say I believe God. Then I can do whatever I want yet still be saved!” Absolutely not! God is not tricked. He knows the condition of our hearts. Notice that the above verse says that His sheep “follow” Him. If we truly believe in God we will follow Him with our life. This doesn’t mean that we will be perfect, but the desire will be there. In Matthew 7:17 Jesus says, “Every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.”
So remember God’s promise of salvation. All of His children are secure in His love, have eternal life, and will never perish. But also remember they will follow Him. Take this promise to heart and serve Him confidently with your life!
Why was the Gospel of John written? (Jn 20:31)
(a)
(b)
2. What did Jesus call Himself? (Jn 8:12)
3. Where does the light of Jesus shine? (Jn 1:5)
4. Why do some men prefer to live in darkness rather than light? (Jn 3:19)
5. What happens to the man who does not believe in Jesus? (Jn 8:24)
6. Why did Jesus come into the world? (Jn 3:17)
7. But who is already condemned by God? (Jn 3:18)
8. What is the end result of those who refuse to believe in the Son of God? (Jn 3:36)
Through studying these verses you have realized that Jesus is the Son of God, the Light of the World. He came to a world living in darkness to bring light and life. However, many people do not believe in Jesus and choose to remain in darkness. These will die in their sins under the wrath of God.
9. Who is able to take away the sin of the world?
(Jn 1:29)
Note: In the Old Testament the priests regularly sacrificed a lamb for the sins of the people, but this was only a temporary solution. A Perfect Lamb, Jesus Christ, must be killed on the cross to take away our sin forever.
10. What is the greatest way to demonstrate love? (Jn 15:13)
11. Was the Lamb of God a perfect lamb? What fault could even His enemies find in Jesus at His trial? (Jn 18:38; 19:4)
12. Tell of the sufferings Christ bore when He died for our sins:
(a) Jn 19:1—
(b) Jn 19:2—
(c) Jn 19:3—
(d) Jn 19:17—
(e) Jn 19:18—
Why did God allow His only Son to die? (Jn 3:16)
14. Where was the body of Jesus placed after death?
(Jn 19:41-42)
15. What happened three days after Jesus’ body was put in the grave? (Jn 20:1-9; 19-20)
The heart of the Gospel is the fact that Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, died on the cross for our sins. He was buried to prove His death, then He conquereddeath and rose again. Hallelujah!
16. What happens to those who believe this Gospel and receive Jesus into their hearts? (Jn 1:12)
17. Have you become a child of God? When?
(6) Memorize 1Chorinthians 10:13
Assurance of Victory
1Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
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