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Date: October 10, 2021
Sure of Salvation
The Point: We can be sure God saves us when we trust in Christ.
Get Into the Study
Use the following to introduce the session.
Invite several volunteers to pull up a news outlet app on their smart phone and read the headline of a leading story. Ask, “What do you notice about these headlines?” Allow time for discussion.
If you visit any news site today, you’ll predominately find bad news. As a matter of fact, you can be sure of it. Major news outlets can’t make it a single day without reporting deaths, wars, violence, COVID-19 numbers, corruption, and more. When we read or watch the news, it’s hard to see the good—and it’s easy to feel hopeless. But Christ came to save the world for this exact reason. He knows we continue to be an “unbelieving and perverse generation” (Matt. 17:17). He knows that without His sacrifice, we would be lost.
But the good news is, we are found in Christ. We will never be able to save ourselves, but we can have hope every day that Jesus has already saved us, and our salvation is sure because He already took care of it on the Cross. When we read the news, when we feel ourselves losing hope in humanity, remember that humanity was never the place our hope was meant to be found. We must fix our eyes on Christ alone, and remember that salvation is ours in Him.
Ashley Emmert is a freelance writer and full-time mama from Chicago, where she lives with her husband and two busy little boys.
Live It Out
As you conclude today’s session, share the following story.
Christmas shopping has already begun. Several news outlets recently shared stories urging consumers to start buying early. A Fox Business article about Christmas shopping referred to the holiday as “being only a short 100 days away.” That may sound ludicrous given that 100 days is more than a quarter of the year. However, supply chain issues will likely cause shipping and product delays into the Christmas season. Scott Price, the international president of UPS told the AFP wire service, “I half-jokingly tell people ‘Order your Christmas presents now because otherwise on Christmas day, there may just be a picture of something that’s not coming until February or March.’”
This really isn’t a cause for panic, though. Even if you can’t get that exact Lego set your child (or husband) wants, there should be plenty to choose from. Nonetheless, it doesn’t hurt to be careful about making promises you can’t keep when some of those gifts don’t show up by Christmas morning.
Shipping delays and product shortages are just another way the COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us all that many things are out of our control. Thankfully, nothing is out of God’s control. If God says He will do something, we can rest assured that He will follow-through. When it comes to salvation, there is no need for God to make excuses or give rainchecks. God promises to save us when we trust in Christ. And He will.
Nikki Wilbanks grew up in Tennessee before heading to California to study literature at Pepperdine University. After graduation, she enjoyed a decade-long career as a commercial real estate appraiser and investor. Having returned to Tennessee with her husband, she is now thrilled to be a stay-at-home mom and writer.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- What’s your favorite rescue story?
- If you could go back in time and save one thing you’ve lost, what would it be?
- When have you really wished you’d bought the warranty on something?
1 John 5:1-5
- What are some of the benefits of salvation?
- What does it look like to love God in the way described in this passage?
- How does obeying God show love for people?
1 John 5:11-13
- How would you explain the concept of eternal life to someone who’d never heard of it?
- How can we be confident we have eternal life?
- How would you summarize John’s teaching in verse 12?
1 John 5:18-21
- How are you different now compared to who you were before Jesus?
- Where do you see God’s children being a light in that darkness?
- What good news do these verses hold for Christians?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
How to Win a War Without Fighting
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Magazine Article
This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.
- Mature Living – Adopted and Secure
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
I am sorry to learn of Roger Crew being in the hospital. I am praying for his healing. I use these notes for study every week.
I send prayers for his healing.