Baptist Faith & Message Session 1

Lesson Plan: Understanding the Baptist Faith and Message (Points 1-3)

Objective:

To provide an overview of the first three points of the Baptist Faith and Message—The Scriptures, God, and Man—by understanding their biblical foundation and their importance in Baptist theology.

Materials Needed:

BibleHandout with key points and Scripture references (optional)Whiteboard/Chalkboard or Presentation Slides (optional)

Introduction (5 minutes)

Opening Prayer: Begin with a brief prayer asking for wisdom and understanding.

Introduction to the BF&M:

Explain that the BF&M serves as a statement of faith for Southern Baptists, summarizing essential biblical beliefs.Highlight that today's focus will be on the first three points, which lay the foundation for understanding God, His Word, and humanity's relationship with Him.

Section 1: The Scriptures (7 minutes)

Key Teaching:

The Scriptures are the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God, serving as the supreme authority for faith and practice.Briefly explain the concepts of inspiration, inerrancy, and authority.

Lexham Theological Wordbook Scripture

Scripture refers to writings that are considered sacred because they contain a record of divine revelation. The New Testament, the law of Moses, the writings of the prophets, the Psalms, and the letters of Paul are referred to as scripture.

Jesus Example:

Luke 24:44–45 “44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”

Scripture References:

The Baptist Faith and Message (BF&M) emphasizes the authority, inspiration, and sufficiency of Scripture. Here are some key Scripture references that support the BF&M's teaching on "The Scriptures":

1. Inspiration of Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."2 Peter 1:20-21: "But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."

2. Authority of Scripture

Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever."Matthew 4:4: "But He answered and said, 'It is written, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."'"Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

3. Inerrancy and Infallibility of Scripture

Psalm 19:7: "The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple."John 17:17: "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth."

4. Sufficiency of Scripture

2 Timothy 3:15: "...and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."James 1:21: "Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls."

5. Clarity and Accessibility of Scripture

Deuteronomy 30:11-14: "For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach... But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it."Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

These references highlight the foundational Baptist belief that the Bible is divinely inspired, authoritative, and sufficient for all matters of faith and practice.

Discussion/Application:

Ask: "Why is it important for us to trust the Bible as our final authority?"Encourage participants to share how they apply Scripture in their daily lives.

Section 2: God (10 minutes)

Key Teaching:

There is one true and living God who reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each person of the Trinity is fully and equally God.Briefly explain the unity and diversity within the Trinity.

Scripture References:

Point #2 of the Baptist Faith and Message (BF&M) focuses on the nature and character of God, emphasizing the doctrine of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Below are key Scripture references that support this doctrine:

1. The Oneness of God

Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."

Isaiah 45:5: "I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God."

2. God as Creator and Sustainer

Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

Colossians 1:16-17: "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible... He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

3. God as Holy, Righteous, and Just

Isaiah 6:3: "And one called out to another and said, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.'"

Psalm 145:17: "The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds."

4. God as Loving and Merciful

1 John 4:8: "The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

Ephesians 2:4-5: "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ."

5. The Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)

Matthew 28:19: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."

2 Corinthians 13:14: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all."

6. God the Father

Matthew 6:9: "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.'"

1 Corinthians 8:6: "Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him."

7. God the Son (Jesus Christ)

John 1:1-3: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being."

Colossians 2:9: "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form."

John 14:6: "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.'"

8. God the Holy Spirit

John 14:16-17: "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you."

Romans 8:9: "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him."

9. The Sovereignty of God

Daniel 4:35: "All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?'"

Romans 11:36: "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen."

These verses reflect the foundational Christian belief in one God who exists eternally in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each fully divine, and who together work out His purposes in creation, redemption, and sanctification.

Illustration:

Use an illustration to explain the Trinity (e.g., water in its three forms—ice, water, and steam, while imperfect, helps illustrate the concept of one essence in three persons).

Discussion/Application:

Ask: "How does understanding the Trinity shape our worship and relationship with God?"Encourage reflection on the personal relationship believers have with each person of the Trinity (e.g., praying to the Father, trusting in Jesus, being led by the Spirit).

Section 3: Man (7 minutes)

Key Teaching:

Man is created in God's image, originally innocent but fallen into sin, resulting in separation from God and the need for salvation.Highlight the dignity of humanity despite the fall, and the hope of redemption through Christ.

Scripture References:

Point #3 of the Baptist Faith and Message (BF&M) focuses on Man, discussing the creation of humanity in God's image, the fall into sin, and the need for redemption. Below are key Scripture references that support this doctrine:

1. Creation of Man in God's Image

Genesis 1:26-27: "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."

Psalm 8:4-6: "What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet."

2. Man's Original Innocence and Fall into Sin

Genesis 2:7: "Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being."

Genesis 2:16-17: "The Lord God commanded the man, saying, 'From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.'"

Genesis 3:1-6: (The account of the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve into sin.)

Romans 5:12: "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned."

3. The Consequences of Sin

Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Genesis 3:16-19: (The curses pronounced upon Adam and Eve, including pain in childbirth and toil in labor.)

Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

4. Humanity's Need for Redemption

Ephesians 2:1-3: "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world... But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ."

Romans 5:19: "For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous."

1 Corinthians 15:21-22: "For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive."

5. The Dignity of Humanity Despite Sin

Psalm 139:13-14: "For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well."

James 3:9: "With it [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God."

6. The Promise of Restoration

Genesis 3:15: "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel." (The protoevangelium, the first promise of a Redeemer.)

Revelation 21:3-4: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.'"

These verses support the BF&M's teaching that humanity was created by God with dignity and purpose but fell into sin, resulting in spiritual death and the need for redemption through Jesus Christ. Despite the fall, every person remains valuable and capable of being redeemed and restored through God's grace.

Discussion/Application:

Ask: "What does it mean to be made in the image of God, and how does this understanding impact our view of ourselves and others?"Discuss the importance of recognizing both the fallen nature of humanity and the dignity that remains because of God's image.

Conclusion (3 minutes)

Recap:

Briefly summarize the key points covered: The authority of Scripture, the nature of God as Trinity, and humanity's creation, fall, and need for redemption.

Challenge:

Encourage participants to reflect on how these foundational beliefs impact their daily faith and practice.

Closing Prayer: End with a prayer that God would help everyone to grow in their understanding and application of these truths.