Key Thought : Eternal destruction awaits all who live on earth, but God has provided the only solution through Jesus’ sacrifice which provides forgiveness, justification, and restoration.

[Teaching plan for “Salvation: The Only Solution” October 22, 2012]

1. Have a volunteer read James 5:1-7.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Is God against riches, the lifestyle of the rich, the attitude of the rich, or the misuse of the riches? Share.
C. Personal Application: What does it mean to be rich? 90% of the world consider all Americans as rich. What is your understanding of rich?
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “See, the Lord is in favor of labor unions and redistribution of wealth and is against employers and corporations. Poor people are God’s people. Money is a curse.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Romans 6:6-8.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How do we crucify our body of sin to be dead with Christ?
C. Personal Application: What does it mean to be freed from sin? Do you think and feel like you are freed from sin? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “I am a child of God, but I am a work in progress. Sometimes I want to do the right things, but I am weak from my past habits. Sometimes I just don’t want to do the right thing, so I don’t. I do what I want. But I know God’s working with me.” How is your friend correct and incorrect in his understanding of the new birth experience? How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Acts 2:36-38.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is the gift of the Holy Spirit tied in with repentance and baptism?
C. Personal Application: What is receiving the Holy Ghost? Is there a feeling, supernatural power, special gifts, outward signs, inward peace? What is it? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “One of my friends says that all I need to do is repent once and be baptized and all my sins are forgiven: past, present, and future. That I am saved, because it is based on what Jesus did at the cross. Is he right?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 1:3-5.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why does Paul say that we are predestined by the pleasure of His will? Is this statement a case for the idea that God chooses the saved? Share.
C. Personal Application: How can God know you before the foundation of the world? How does that make you feel?
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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