Date: July 20, 2025
Can I Walk Away from My Salvation?
The Point: A true relationship with Christ is seen in our perseverance.
Get Into the Study
After discussing the opening question, say: Here’s a story of a guy who had reason to quit, but didn’t.
Like some small-town boys growing up in the Midwest, Rob wanted to be a farmer or maybe an athlete. But at age five he was diagnosed with severe muscular dystrophy, and Rob Roozeboom watched as his illness destroyed his dreams. Feeling different and forgotten, he wanted to quit. He questioned his existence and God Himself! Through Christ, his family, and a lot of perseverance, Rob realized God had a plan for him.
Rob Roozeboom is president of RISE Ministries, Inc. (RISEMinistries.com), which just held RiseFest, a large Christian music festival, June 20-21, in Sheldon, Iowa. In its 20th year, it is one of Siouxland’s biggest outdoor concerts of the summer. The lineup this year included Matthew West and Chris Tomlin, as well as worship teams and speakers from the area. The RiseFest grounds were packed for the first night even as temps soared to 102!
RiseFest’s number one goal is to point people to Jesus, and Rob loves letting others know what God is doing around the world. This year they featured Mission India which aims to lift people in that country out of poverty and give them hope in Christ.
His life story was published last year: Broken Still Chosen. He says the book offers help for anyone feeling unloved, unseen, or unworthy. Rob’s podcast is Enjoying the Journey; he has produced the video series Stories of Strength. He is a sought-after speaker, too, sharing the stage with Phil Wickham, For King & Country, TobyMac, and others.
Information from this post was gathered from:
- https://missionindia.org
- https://www.robroozeboom.com/
- https://www.nwestiowa.com/news/beat-the-heat-at-risefest/article_efbcdab2-f265-49fd-bf05-4a15713c6cc4.html
- https://www.yahoo.com/news/christian-music-festival-risefest-returning-000020876.html
Get Into the Study (Option from Adult Leader Guide)
In advance, play a video clip showing someone who persevered instead of quitting. Then ask Question #1.
Live It Out
After discussing three points to grow as a Chrisian, focus on studying the Bible with this news story:
Although younger generations are attending church less frequently, they are increasingly turning to the Bible, according to a new study. The annual State of the Bible survey, conducted by the American Bible Society, shows that Bible use among millennials (ages 29 to 44) has jumped nearly thirty percent since last year. Also, men across all ages have shown strong increases in Bible engagement.
When people have questions about themselves or the world situation, there is openness to the Bible according to Jennifer Holloran, president/CEO of the American Bible Society. Overall, ten million more American adults are reading the Bible outside of church a minimum of three times a year.
Engaging with religious content through technology, from Bible apps to virtual church services, has also been growing. A great advantage technology brings is the ability to access spiritual content anytime and anywhere. The YouVersion Bible App has been downloaded over 500 million times, with millions of users engaging daily. It features over 3,000 Bible versions in over 2,000 languages, audio Bibles, as well as over 800 Bible plans and devotionals.
According to Raymond Chang of Fuller Seminary in California, “People are looking for more certainty and clarity in a confusing and complex world…. The Bible has endured the test of time as one of the world’s most influential texts.” To those just starting to explore the Bible, Chang recommends: “Don’t be afraid to let the text speak for itself.”
- https://www.deseret.com/faith/2025/06/19/bible-use-increase-study-gen-z-millennials/
- https://www.americanbible.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SOTB-2025-06-Final.pdf
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouVersion
Carole Waina wrote these Leader Extras. Carole is a retired teacher and veteran writer for LifeWay. She loves traveling, walking, cycling, reading, and being with family. She and her husband are active at First Baptist in Celina, Texas.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- What activity—work, hobby, or sport—do you do that requires perseverance?
- Who is the most persistent person you know?
- What’s something you’re glad you never quit?
- What’s something you thought about quitting but are now glad you didn’t?
- What’s something you stuck with and are sure glad you did?
Hebrews 6:1-3
- If nutrition and exercise help us grow physically, how can we grow spiritually?
- What are some practical steps a Christian can take to “leave the elementary teaching” and “go on to maturity?”
- Why is it important to continue maturing as Christians after we’re saved?
- In your own words, how would you describe the “foundation” of a Christian?
Hebrews 6:4-8
- What does it mean to truly repent, and how can we tell if we’ve done it?
- What’s your initial reaction to these verses?
- How could someone recrucify the Savior?
- How does security and perseverance go hand in hand?
- How does this passage serve as a warning for those around us?
Hebrews 6:9-12
- How does diligence demonstrate the “full assurance” of our hope in Christ?
- How can a sense of sureness in salvation prod us toward diligence in walking with God?
- Who are some of the role models you use for spiritual growth?
- What does diligence in our faith look like?
- How would you describe perseverance in the faith in this context?
- Who have been some good examples in your life of a persevering faith?
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
I know that God will guide me to truths of this lesson as I continue to pray for His help, but I am struggling. Last week’s question, Can I lose my salvation?, was clear and our class ended with a definitive answer. How would you simply answer this week’s question, Can I walk away from my salvation? My class expressed great interest as they considered Christians they knew who have walked away from their faith and even denounced Jesus. Can you give me your simple answer as I continue to study? Thank you!
Hi Belinda, we’re so glad you wrote about this important topic. We pray your whole group will be blessed by Dr. Iorg’s related session on this. The succinct answer is “No, a true believer would never walk away from their salvation even if they could.” 1 John 2:19 offers us one of the clearest answers in the Bible for this question: “They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us.” I might add there would appear to be very little difference between Judas and Peter in the last days before Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection… from a human perspective. But God knew their hearts and we know how that all worked out. We shouldn’t be quick to make a judgment on someone’s salvation, since only God sees the heart. That said, if someone is living as if they’re not saved, I’m going to witness to them as if they’re not saved. In the end, the Lamb knows whose names are written in His Book of Life. Hope that helps!
I am so glad you answered that question. This lesson was confusing to me too.
As I studied this lesson, I began to question whether “falling away” was the same as “backsliding,” and what is the difference between the two. The answer I found is that “falling away” is complete rejection of the gospel of Jesus Christ even though a person has been exposed to the truth. The person who falls away never accepted the gift of salvation. “Backsliding” is a process of neglecting to follow Jesus and possibly falling to the temptation of sin by a born again Christian, but the Holy Spirit still works on convicting that person and that lifestyle can be turned around. Does that sound correct?
Hi Charles, in general, I agree with your explanation. I find it helpful to describe “falling away” and “backsliding” as two different spiritual conditions. “Falling away” refers to someone who has heard and understood the truth about Jesus but ultimately chooses to reject it. This kind of rejection shows that the person was never truly saved to begin with. “Backsliding” can describes a believer who has genuinely trusted Christ but has drifted away through sin or spiritual neglect. Even in those times, the Holy Spirit is still at work, convicting and drawing that person back to God. In considering these words, it reminds me just how serious it is to reject the gospel and/or neglect spiritual disciplines and sin. At the same time, I’m reminded of how faithful God is to pursue and restore those who truly belong to Him. May the Lord continually grow you as you study from His Word.
My class will also look at Mark 3:20-35 where Jesus is dealing with Pharisees who have been watching if Jesus would do a miracle so they could strengthen their case to kill Jesus. They saw miracles, heard Jesus’ teaching and reached the conclusion that he did this “by the ruler of demons” (Mark 3:22). Jesus said they committed an unpardonable sin because they accused Jesus of having an unclean spirit (Mark 3:30). Interestingly, some of Jesus’ family think he is “out of his mind” in Mark 3:21 and we know that James comes to salvation at some point after the resurrection.
So, in Mark 3 and in Hebrews 6 we have a group of people who are beyond forgiveness. I would suggest that Jesus and the author of Hebrews are discussing the same type of people: folks who heard what Jesus said, watched as miracles went on about them and whose heart was so cold they had already concluded Jesus could not be Messiah. The Pharisees concluded that the miracle of casting out demons had to be done by Jesus using Satanic power.
If Hebrews were talking about those who were saved, then verses like Ephesians 1:13-14 where the Holy Spirit is “a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” or Jesus saying no one can snatch us out of the heavenly Father’s hand (John 10:28) could not mean what they clearly do teach – that a believer is secure.
The best way to walk in that security is to continue to grow in Christlikeness.
Blessings.