The Need for Salvation

Introduction

Objective: This curriculum is designed to help learners understand why every person needs salvation according to the Bible. By the end, participants will recognize the seriousness of sin, its consequences, and why salvation through Jesus Christ is essential.

Lesson 1: The Nature of Sin

Key Scriptures:

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

1 John 1:8 – "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

Genesis 3:1-7 – The Fall of Man

Main Points:

Sin is disobedience to God and separates us from Him.

Everyone has sinned—no one is exempt.

Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, affecting all of humanity.

Discussion Questions:

What is sin, and how does the Bible define it?

How has sin affected humanity since the time of Adam and Eve?

Application:

Identify areas in your life where sin is present and pray for God’s help to overcome them.

Lesson 2: The Consequences of Sin

Key Scriptures:

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

Isaiah 59:2 – "But your iniquities have separated you from your God."

Revelation 20:15 – "Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire."

Main Points:

Sin leads to both physical and spiritual death.

Sin creates separation between God and man.

Without salvation, eternal separation from God (hell) is the final consequence.

Discussion Questions:

How does sin separate us from God?

Why do you think sin results in both physical and spiritual death?

Application:

Reflect on your understanding of eternal separation from God and share how this affects your view of salvation.

Lesson 3: God’s Holiness and Justice

Key Scriptures:

Habakkuk 1:13 – "Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing."

Romans 2:5 – "Because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath."

1 Peter 1:16 – "Be holy, because I am holy."

Main Points:

God is holy and cannot tolerate sin in His presence.

Because God is just, He must punish sin.

God’s judgment is righteous—He does not overlook sin.

Discussion Questions:

How does understanding God’s holiness change the way you see sin?

What would happen if God ignored sin?

Application:

Ask God to reveal areas in your life where you need to seek holiness.

Lesson 4: Our Inability to Save Ourselves

Key Scriptures:

Ephesians 2:8-9 – "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

Isaiah 64:6 – "All our righteous acts are like filthy rags."

John 14:6 – "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

Main Points:

No amount of good works can save us.

Only God’s grace, through faith in Christ, provides salvation.

Jesus is the only way to be reconciled to God.

Discussion Questions:

Why can’t we earn salvation through good deeds?

How does faith in Jesus provide the salvation we cannot achieve on our own?

Application:

Write down what salvation by grace means to you personally and share it with someone.

Final Challenge & Reflection

Reflect on what you’ve learned about sin, its consequences, and why salvation is necessary.

Pray for those who don’t yet understand their need for salvation.

Prepare for the next step: Understanding God’s plan of salvation through Jesus.

Additional Resources

Suggested reading: The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Prayer guide for personal repentance and salvation

Study guide for deeper exploration into salvation