Define salvation: According to the Google dictionary, salvation is “deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Christ.”
Ask about the Google definition: Is this accurate? Is there anything else that needs to be added?
Talk about the bible dictionary definition: According to the Bible dictionary, there is much more to salvation that what the Google definition includes. Biblical salvation can be associated with deliverance, safety, ease, soundness, and much more.
Read Psalm 37:34-40…As for deliverance, God’s salvation includes delivering people from their enemies and from the snares of the wicked. Even though this is from the Old Testament, prior to Christ’s human life on Earth, the grace given by God through Christ, the Lord, exists throughout both the Old and New Testament.
Define salvation with a Bible dictionary: According to the Bible dictionary, salvation, from the New Testament, is freely offered to all men, but is conditioned upon repentance and faith in Christ.
Read John 3:14-21…In this scripture, we see the connection between seeking God’s grace and faith and repentance. All are important to address.
Ask about repentance: What is repentance? According to the Bible dictionary, repentance is bound up with faith and is inseparable from it, since without some measure of faith no one can truly repent, and repentance never attains to its deepest character till the sinner realizes through saving faith how great is the grace of God against whom he has sinned. Some additional ways that people may decide to receive faith is through fear of hell, the relief/release that occurs from having sins forgiven, generational faith, the shame from sin, and the beauty of God.
Talk about the definition of repentance: From this definition, we see that faith and repentance go hand in hand and you cannot have one without the other. In other words, faith and repentance are the two conditions of salvation.
Ask about the importance of faith: Why is faith in Christ so important to salvation? Without faith, there is no salvation and no relationship with Christ. Faith, or a belief with trust, is a condition to salvation. Faith is not saving faith unless it includes repentance.
Talk about other ways God saves: Additional ways that God saves is by granting forgiveness of sins, granting us answers to prayer, and allowing us to experience joy and peace.
Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Ask about forgiveness: Why does God grant us forgiveness of our sins? He loves us and wanted to re-establish the perfect connection between man and God. The perfect God became our unrighteousness so that we can receive his perfection as our own.
Read John 15:6-7 and Psalm 55:16-17
Ask about getting what we want: Does this mean that I can get what I want as a Christian? How and when does God give us answers to prayer?…Our prayers and our wishes must be selfless in order for it to be granted (e.g. pray for peace, stronger faith, a growth in relationship with others, salvation). Be with Christ and dwell in him, and your wishes will be granted and fruit will be produced.
Read 1 Thess 5:16 and John 15:9-17
Talk about experiencing joy and peace: Why does God allow us to experience joy and peace even though we don’t deserve it? God loves it when we experience joy. It is his creation, yo! He wants us to enjoy his creation.
Ask about reaching salvation: What does it look like once you reach salvation?…We receive eternity in heaven with God, which is a beautiful thing.