Session 3: The Gospel (Handout)

The Gospel Truth: What Are We Saved From & For?

➡ The Gospel in One Sentence: “God has come to personally rescue and renew all creation through Jesus.”

What are we rescued from?

Romans 6:23 – Sin’s consequence is death.

Jeremiah 13:23 – We are unable to fix ourselves.

What Christ Has Done: ✅ Salvation – Forgiven & rescued from sin’s penalty. ✅ Justification – Declared righteous in God’s sight. ✅ Adoption – Fully accepted as a child of God. ✅ Sanctification – Being transformed to live like Jesus.

Reflection Question: Which of these Gospel benefits is hardest for you to fully embrace? Why?

The Gospel Story: How Does It Shape Our Lives?

✅ The Bible tells ONE big Gospel story in four movements:

1️⃣ CREATION – God made everything good (Genesis 1:27). 2️⃣ FALL – Sin entered the world (Romans 5:12). 3️⃣ REDEMPTION – Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection restores us (John 3:16). 4️⃣ RESTORATION – Jesus will return to make all things new (Revelation 21:1-5).

➡ We are living the part of the story between Acts 28 and Revelation!

✅ Your Life is Telling the Gospel Story:

1️⃣ Creation: How did your life begin? What shaped you?

2️⃣ Fall: What was broken in your life?

3️⃣ Redemption: How has Jesus changed you?

4️⃣ Restoration: How is God using you now?

Reflection Question: Which part of the Gospel story do people struggle to believe today? Why?

Gospel Listening: How Do We Hear People’s Stories?

Everyone is already living inside God’s story—they just don’t know it.

Listening for Gospel Themes: ✅ Creation → Who/what do they credit or blame for their current situation? ✅ Fall → What do they believe is wrong with the their life/world? ✅ Redemption → What do they trust to fix their problems? ✅ Restoration → What does their perfect world look like?

The Gospel Confronts Cultural Idols

➡ People reject or distort the Gospel because they are shaped by alternative stories—idols that promise salvation apart from God.

1️⃣ Control (Desire: Security & Stability)Gospel Truth: God is Gracious (So, I don’t have to prove myself.)

Lie: “If I can control my life, I’ll be safe.”

Price: Anxiety, workaholism, burnout.

Gospel Truth: God is Great (So I don’t have to be in control.)

2️⃣ Approval (Desire: Affirmation & Acceptance)

Lie: “If people love me, I’ll be okay.”

Price: Codependency, fear of rejection, inauthenticity.

Gospel Truth: God is Glorious (So His approval is all I need.)

3️⃣ Comfort (Desire: Ease & Pleasure)

Lie: “If I can just avoid stress, I’ll be happy.”

Price: Spiritual stagnation, selfishness, lack of purpose.

Gospel Truth: God is Good (So I don’t have to look elsewhere for satisfaction.)

4️⃣ Power (Desire: Success & Influence)

Lie: “If I achieve enough, I’ll be significant.”

Price: Overcommitment, exhaustion, broken relationships.

Gospel Truth: God is Gracious (So, I don’t have to prove myself.)

Gospel Living: How Do We Embody the Gospel?

The Gospel is not just something we believe—it’s a way of life.

SCALE Rhythms – Habits of life that create opportunities for disciple-making.

✅ STORY – Sharing Life Through What We’ve Lived & Learned

Everyone has a story they’re dying to tell and a story they need to hear.

Listening well helps us connect deeply.

✅ CELEBRATION – Marking What Matters

We make space to celebrate God’s goodness.

Hospitality reminds people that life is a gift.

✅ AMUSEMENT – Making Space for Rest & Play

Life is more than work—we need joy and creativity.

True rest is about recharging, not just doing nothing.

✅ LABOR – Working with Purpose & Serving with Joy

Our work has meaning when we see it as service.

Instead of working for identity, we work from identity—knowing we’re already loved.

✅ EATING – Connecting Over Meals & Meeting Needs

Jesus shared meals to build relationships and extend grace.

Sharing a table helps people feel seen and known.