Lesson 1: Receive SALVATION

Receive My New Life in Christ

Welcome to your NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! In the next 3 lessons, we will learn what does it mean to receive SALVATION, be BORN AGAIN, and receive our IDENTITY IN CHRIST. All of this, our NEW LIFE IN CHRIST, is from God and it has been freely given to all who has named Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Memory Verse: Ephesians 2:8

Tell (read) the Story: Luke 15:11-32

Ask: What does this passage say about God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)?

• The father in the story is God.
• God honors his children’s request even if they did not make the best decision.
• God welcomes his children home with a loving embrace.
• God restores his children to their family position.
• God celebrates his children’s return.

Tell (read) the Story Again: Luke 15:11-32

Ask: What does this passage say about people?

• Like the son, people think that life is better lived away from God (the father).
• When life gets hard, people question why bad things happened and have regrets about their life’s decisions.
• Like the son, we can always come home.
• When we come home to God, He is there ready to forgive us and welcome us home.
• When we come home to God, we are restored to be sons/daughters of God

Retell the Story: Ask for one or more to retell this story, with the group’s help.

Ask: What applies to you, that you could put into practice this week?

• We used to be like the son who went off and lived on our own.
• But now we have come home to God.

Ask: Who can you tell this story to this week? Share with us who you can share this story to this week and let’s pray for each other for God directed opportunities to share this story.

Summarize: What the father said at his wayward son’s return speaks truth about our reality outside of God’s house: “my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” God refers to those who are living outside His house, His care, as being “dead” or “lost.” The word Salvation means to be saved from death. It also means to be welcome home by God. Salvation is not something we can earn. It’s a gift of love from God and all He asked is that we receive it by faith. The son who left his father’s house did not feel that he was worthy to be his father’s son anymore. He asked to be received as a servant, but his father welcomed him as a lost son who has returned. We were once lost, but now have been welcomed home by God, our Father, even if we don’t feel worthy or haven’t done anything deserving. We have been SAVED by God’s love.