At Cornerstone, we’ve begun a six part series in our Adult Sunday School class, using Matthias Media’s Six Steps to Talking About Jesus. Session Two was about understanding the gospel. We need to know what the gospel is, what are it’s basic component “parts” in order to communicate the gospel message to someone else. It was a very helpful review for most, I’m sure, yet still a “new” presentation. They use Ephesians 2.1–10 and four R’s:
Rebellion – all of us have rebelled against God, our Creator, and are guilty and under judgment.
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” (Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV)
Rescue – God, out of His mercy and love, has given us His Son Jesus to deliver us from this sentence of death.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—” (Ephesians 2:4–5 ESV)
Resurrection – When Christ died, we died too – by faith in Him; when He rose from the dead, by faith, so did we.
“so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:7 ESV)
Reward – God’s gives us marvelous gifts: faith to believe, grace by which we’re saved, and great things to be done for Him.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV)
In order to guard against just viewing the gospel as a matter of presentation of the proper points, Stephen Altrogge puts forth a tremendous post. Here’s the summary:
How do I know when I’m really understanding the gospel?
When it seems too good to be true.
Read the rest and stand amazed that He saved you (and me).
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