Teaching Outline: 1689 Chapters 14 & 15

The Twin Pillars of Salvation

Chapters 14 (Saving Faith) & 15 (Repentance) of the 1689 LBCF

I. Introduction & Context (5 Minutes)

Welcome & Prayer

Settle the group; frame the study as practical discipleship.

Context & Hook

Explain the relationship between the chapters: Faith and Repentance are two sides of the same coin, inseparable responses to the Gospel. They describe how we come to be justified and saved.

II. Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith (20 Minutes)

Goal: Define Saving Faith and distinguish it from mere intellectual assent.

A. The Substance of Saving Faith (LBCF 14.1-2) (8 Minutes)

Key Distinction: Saving Faith is not just knowledge (assent to truth), but a spiritual act of the will.

Three Components (Not in LBCF, but useful Framework):

Notitia (Knowledge): Knowing the truth of the Gospel.

Assensus (Assent): Agreeing the Gospel is true.

Fiducia (Trust/Reliance): The soul resting on and receiving Christ alone. (LBCF 14.2)

Analogy: It’s like trusting a chair: You know it exists (Notitia), you believe it will hold you (Assensus), but you don't have faith until you actually sit down (Fiducia/Reliance).

Summary: Faith is the instrument that receives Christ and His righteousness for justification.

B. The Acts and Effects of Faith (LBCF 14.3) (7 Minutes)

The Object of Faith: Christ and His promises as revealed in the Word (Scripture).

The Power of Faith: It gives Christ to the soul, leads to obedience, purifies the heart, and overcomes the world. (LBCF 14.3)

The Growth of Faith: Faith is never perfect in this life; it can be weak, but never completely fails. We must strive to grow it through prayer and use of the means of grace.

C. Discussion Prompt (5 Minutes)

Prompt: The Confession states faith is the soul receiving and resting upon Christ alone. What does that "resting upon" look like in a stressful, decision-filled week? How does this active reliance differ from passive hope?

III. Chapter 15: Of Repentance Unto Life and Salvation (16 Minutes)

Goal: Define Gospel Repentance and show its inseparability from Saving Faith.

A. The Nature and Necessity of Repentance (LBCF 15.1-3) (8 Minutes)

Key Definition: Repentance is a saving grace whereby a sinner, seeing the danger and filthiness of sin, turns from it to God, intending to walk with Him in new obedience.

Core Elements of True Repentance (LBCF 15.2):

Sorrow & Shame: Holy grief and feeling of uncleanness over sin.

Hatred of Sin: A turning away from the specific act and the root of the sin.

Purpose of New Obedience: A firm commitment to change behavior and walk in God's ways.

Necessary for all: Repentance is not just for the initial conversion, but a lifestyle for all believers throughout their lives (LBCF 15.3).

B. The Relationship to Christ (LBCF 15.4-6) (4 Minutes)

Not a Work: Repentance does not earn pardon; we receive pardon through Christ and we repent by Christ's grace. It is the necessary fruit of a justified person, not the root of justification.

No Sin is Too Great: The Confession offers great hope: "Every particular sin of any man" can be repented of and is pardoned through Christ. (LBCF 15.4)

C. Discussion Prompt (4 Minutes)

Prompt: If faith means "resting" (Chapter 14) and repentance means "turning and intending new obedience" (Chapter 15), how do we balance the rest we have in Christ with the necessary struggle to change and obey?

IV. Conclusion & Application (4 Minutes)

Summary Tie-Back

Faith and Repentance are inseparable. You cannot have the turning to Christ (Faith) without the turning from sin (Repentance). They are gifts of God's grace.

Closing & Takeaway

Encourage the group to review LBCF 14.2 (on receiving Christ) and 15.2 (on the elements of repentance) this week. Close in prayer.