Why Learn the Gospel?

Divide into groups

5-8 people

No more than 2 people from each group

Teens

Young adults (20-40)

In denial about not being young adults (40-60)

Resigned to the fact that they are not young adults (60+)

Both men and women

At least one person you don’t know

Each group is going to stay together for the class

What is the gospel?

Why learn the gospel?

It is the power of God that brings salvation

Romans 1:16–17 “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.””

It’s the all-important message of salvation

1 Corinthians 15:1–2 “1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.”

It is the root of the Christian life

Colossians 2:6–7 “6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

It is the message we proclaim

Romans 10:14–16 “14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?””

In 1 Cor 15 Paul tells the Corinthians he wants to “remind” them of the gospel. What are some ways that you think the church can misunderstand or forget the gospel?

What is the gospel?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. What elements of the gospel do you see in these verses?

1 Corinthians 15:1–8 NIV

1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

There is a king (“Christ”)

He lived, died, was buried, and was raised for our sins

This is historical fact

News

Events

Witnesses

Consider your group’s explanation of the gospel from the beginning of the hour. Would your group make any adjustments, additions, or subtractions?

Two Ways to Live

GOD, THE GOOD RULER AND CREATOR

Revelation 4:11 “11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.””

Summary

God is the ruler of the world.

He made the world.

He made us to rule his good world, giving thanks and honor to him.

OUR REBELLION AGAINST GOD

Isaiah 53:6a “6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;

Summary

We all reject God as our ruler by running our own lives our own way.

By rebelling against God’s way, we damage ourselves, each other, and the world.

GOD'S JUSTICE

Hebrews 9:27 “27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,”

Summary

God won’t let us rebel against him forever.

God’s punishment for rebellion is death and judgment.

GOD SENT JESUS TO DIE FOR US

Isaiah 53:6 “6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Summary

Because of his love, God sent his Son into the world: the man Jesus Christ.

Jesus always lived under God’s rule.

But Jesus took our punishment by dying in our place.

JESUS, THE RISEN RULER AND SAVIOR

1 Peter 1:3 “3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

Summary

God raised Jesus to life again as the ruler and judge of the world.

Jesus has conquered death, now brings forgiveness and new life, and will return in glory.

TWO WAYS TO LIVE

John 3:36 “36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”

Summary

There are only two ways to live.

Our way

reject God as ruler

live our own way

damaged by our rebellion

facing death and judgment

God’s new way

submit to Jesus as our ruler

rely on Jesus’ death and resurrection

forgiven by God

receive a new life that lasts forever