Gospel Doctrine

Lesson Plan: Understanding Gospel Doctrine for a Healthy Church

Key Idea (Main Theme):

A healthy church must be rooted in gospel doctrine, which is the biblical truth about God’s nature and the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, ensuring that our understanding of God aligns with Scripture rather than personal or cultural preferences.

Definition of Gospel Doctrine:

Gospel doctrine refers to the core teachings of the Christian faith as revealed in the Bible, centered on the nature and character of God (Creator, holy, faithful, loving, and sovereign) and the good news of salvation: that Jesus Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection, atones for humanity’s sins, reconciles believers to God, and offers eternal life to those who repent and trust in Him.

Introduction: Why Gospel Doctrine Matters

Objective: Set the stage by explaining the importance of gospel doctrine for a healthy church.

Begin with the anecdote from the chapter: the author’s interaction with Bill, a student who described God based on his own preferences (wise but not meddling, compassionate but not overpowering). The author’s response highlights the danger of shaping God according to our desires rather than Scripture.

Ask the group: “How often do we think of God in ways that make us comfortable? Why might this be a problem?” (Encourage brief responses.)

Explain that gospel doctrine is the foundation of a healthy church because it ensures our understanding of God and salvation is rooted in biblical truth, not personal or cultural biases.

Share the definition of gospel doctrine: It’s the biblical teaching about God’s nature and the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The Core of Gospel Doctrine: The Good News

Outline the gospel message as the heart of gospel doctrine.

Summarize the gospel:

God, who is loving and holy, created humans in His image to know Him. Sin separated us from God, but in His love, He sent Jesus to live a perfect life, die on the cross for our sins, and rise again, offering salvation to those who repent and trust in Him.

1 John 4:10 ESV

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Emphasize that this message reconciles us to God, grants eternal life, and makes us part of His universal church.

Highlight the chapter’s point:

The gospel isn’t just good news—it’s the *best* news, because it addresses our deepest need (forgiveness of sin) and offers the greatest hope (eternal life with God).

Ask: “What does the gospel mean to you personally? How does it shape the way you view God and your faith?”

The Attributes of God in Gospel Doctrine

Explore the five attributes of God as revealed in Scripture, showing how they form the foundation of gospel doctrine.

Introduce the five attributes of God from the chapter, explaining each briefly with biblical support:

1. Creator: God created the world and humanity, initiating His plan of redemption. This shows His authority and purpose for us.

Exodus 24:3–8 ESV

Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the rules. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

Exodus 19:4–6 ESV

‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

Genesis 12:1–3 ESV

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

2. Holy: God’s perfection and moral purity contrast with our sinfulness, necessitating atonement. His holiness calls the church to be holy in its members and practices.

Isaiah 53:4–6 ESV

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

3. Faithful: God keeps His promises, as seen in Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfilling Old Testament promises. We can trust Him because He is faithful.

Acts 2:25–28 ESV

For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

Acts 2:17–21 ESV

“ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

2 Samuel 7:12–16 ESV

When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”

Psalm 16:10 ESV

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

4. Loving: God’s love is shown in Jesus’ sacrifice. Isaiah describes Jesus bearing our punishment to bring us peace, demonstrating the depth of God’s love.

1 John 4:8 ESV

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:10 ESV

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Isaiah 53:4–6 ESV

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

5. Sovereign: God is in control, ensuring His plan for a restored creation. This gives us hope for the future, knowing the church will one day be triumphant in His presence.

Revelation 21:1–4 ESV

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:22–25 ESV

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.

Discuss how these attributes shape our understanding of the gospel: A holy God requires atonement for sin, a loving God provides it through Jesus, a faithful God ensures His promises are kept, a sovereign God guarantees the future, and a Creator God gives us purpose.

Ask: “Which of these attributes of God resonates with you most? How does knowing God in this way affect your faith or your view of the church?”

Implications for the Church: Living Out Gospel Doctrine

Connect gospel doctrine to the practical life of the church.

Explain that a healthy church must be grounded in gospel doctrine, which affects its mission and identity:

Preaching: The church should preach God’s holiness, calling people to repentance and faith in Christ, rather than focusing on social betterment or cultural trends (as the chapter warns against).

Holiness: God’s holiness calls the church to be holy in its members (only Christians) and practices, reflecting His character.

Hope: God’s sovereignty gives the church confidence in the future, knowing He will re-create the heavens and earth and dwell with His people forever.

The chapter’s point: Gospel doctrine isn’t just theology—it’s the lifeblood of the church, shaping how we worship, evangelize, and live as a community.

Ask: “How can our church better reflect these aspects of gospel doctrine in our preaching, community, or mission?”

Conclusion: The Power of the Gospel—A Story and Call to Action

Inspire the group with a real-life example and encourage them to apply gospel doctrine in their lives.

Share the story of Bill Sykes, the 19th-century fruit seller in London. On his deathbed, Sykes heard the gospel from a Christian worker (Isaiah 43:25) and came to understand the “great exchange”—Christ took his punishment, offering forgiveness and new life. Sykes’ dying request to hear “that little bit” about Christ shows the gospel’s transformative power.

Isaiah 43:25 ESV

“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

Emphasize the chapter’s closing question: “What better news could you hear?” The gospel offers forgiveness, a relationship with God now, and eternal life forever.

Challenge the group: “How can we share this gospel with others, like the Christian worker did with Bill Sykes? Who in your life needs to hear this good news?”

Prayer: ask God to help the group trust in His gospel doctrine, reflect His character, and share the good news with others.