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| 1 INTRODUCTION |
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Transition : May I ask you a question ?
Transition (Good News) |
| 2 INTRODUCTION Church Testimony express its purpose |
The reason the church is here is to show the reality of eternal life in and through its caring people how they might have life abundantly and eternally ! I feel that we, as the church throughout history, have done an incredibly poor job of conveying that basic message. The result is that there are millions of people in the world today who go to church regularly - good people - who do not have eternal life. I must confess, and this may be true of you also, that I had lived a good many years as a member of a church (or if saved in early childhood, I'm glad that I have eternal life ...), but somehow I had never come to the place of knowing for sure that I could have eternal life. Instead, I had a terrifying fear of death, etc. ... |
| 3 MY PERSONAL TESTIMONY Write in central thoughts from your testimony |
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If converted as a child:
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| 4 DIAGNOSTIC QUESTIONS |
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Two Diagnostic Questions: Question 1 - Have you come to the place in your spiritual life where you know for certain that if you were to die today you would go to heaven or is that something you would say you're still working on? Before I do, let me ask you a second question ... Question 2 - Suppose you were to die today and stand before God and He were to say you, "Why should I let you into My heaven ?" what would you say ? |
| 5 INTRODUCTION 1 John 5:13 |
"These things have I written unto you ... that ye may know that ye have eternal life, ..." (KJV) "These things I have written to you ... in order that you may know that you have eternal life." (NASV) "I write this things to you ... that you may know that you have eternal life." (NIV) |
| 6 Five ways to probe for an answer to Diagnostic Question #2 |
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2. That is a profound question and I know that you have no formal dissertation prepared, but what do you think you would say ? 3. All your life you have heard sermons and Bible lessons at church, on radio, and TV; what would you say are the general entrance requirements for heaven? 4. I thought (or most people think) that if we do the best we can, live by Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule, we would get into heaven. Is this what you would say? 5. Then you just really don't know, do you? |
| 7 TRANSITION INTO THE GOSPEL Good News |
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When we started talking, I thought I might have some good news to share with you, but now that I've heard your answer to this question, I know I have the best news you will ever hear ... That news is ... Heaven is a free gift. |
| 8 THE GOSPEL Five points with two sub-points each |
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| 9 GRACE Heaven is a free gift Romans 6:23 |
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"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (KJV) "For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NASV) "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NIV) |
| 10 GRACE It is not earned or deserved Ephesians 2:8-9 |
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"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." (NASV) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." (NIV) |
| 11 GRACE It is not earned or deserved Friend's Gift |
No amount of personal effort, good works, or religious deeds can earn a place in heaven for you because eternal life, like any genuine gift, is free. Suppose your best friend (wife, husband, mother, etc.) were to surprise you with an expensive gift and let's suppose your response would be that of immediately digging into your purse or wallet for a couple of bills to help pay for the gift. What an insult that would be! If you pay even a penny, it is no longer a gift. It is the same with eternal life. |
| 12 TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE Grace to Man |
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This can be seen more clearly when we understand what Bible says about man. |
| 13 MAN Is a sinner Romans 3:23 |
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"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (NASV) "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (NIV) |
| 14 MAN Is a sinner Sin Defined |
When we think of sin, many times we think only of robbery, murder, adultery, etc. The Bible tells us that sin is anything that doesn't please God or is a transgression of his law. Anything we do that we shouldn't, like losing our temper or stealing - these are sins of commission. Anything we should do but don't, like failing to pray or read the Bible, or truly love our neighbor - these are sins of omission. There are not only sins in deed but also sins in word and thought like lying, cursing, lust, pride, and hatred. The bible says these are all sins. |
| 15 MAN Is a sinner Three Sins a Day Illustration |
Suppose a person sinned only ten times a day or even five or even just three. Why, he would practically be a walking angel! Imagine if no more often than three times a day did he think unkind thoughts, or lose his temper, or fail to do what he ought towards God and man - he would be a pretty fine person, would he not? Even if he were this good, he would still have over 1,000 transgressions a year! If he lived to be the average age of 70, he would have 70,000 violations of the Law of God on his record. Think what would happen to an habitual offender in a criminal court with 70,000 transgressions on his record! |
| 16 MAN Cannot save himself Matthew 5:48 |
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"Therefore you are to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." (NASV) "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (NIV) |
| 17 MAN Cannot save himself Omelet with Bad Egg Illustration |
If you were to prepare an omelet with five good eggs and one rotten egg, you couldn't serve it to company and expect it to be acceptable. Even less can we serve up our lives to God, which may have many things in them that men would call good, and yet are filled with deeds and thoughts that are rotten, and expect them to be acceptable to God. Scripture says, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10). If we want to get to heaven by our good works, then all we have to do is be perfect. God's standard is complete obedience to Him for all time. We all fall short of this. |
| 18 TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE Man to God |
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This comes into sharper focus when we look at what the Bible says about God. |
| 19 GOD Is merciful - Therefore doesn't want to punish us 1 John 4:8b |
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"God is love." (NASV) "God is love." (NIV) |
| 20 GOD Is just - Therefore must punish sin Exodus 34:7b |
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"Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished." (NASV) "Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished." (NIV) |
| 21 TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE God to Christ |
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God solved this problem in the Person of Jesus Christ ...
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| 22 CHRIST Who He is John 1:1,14 |
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"In the beginning was the Word (Jesus Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (NASV) "In the beginning was the Word (Jesus Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh, and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (NIV) |
| 23 CHRIST Who He is John 20:28 |
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"My Lord and my God." (KJV) "My Lord and my God." (NASV) "My Lord and my God." (NIV) |
| 24 CHRIST What He did Record Book of Sin Illustration |
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Here then (hold up the book) is the problem - my sin. (Place book in palm of left hand.) God loves me (point to your left hand) but He hates my sin (point at the book on top of your hand) and must punish it. To solve this problem, He sent His beloved Son into the world (lift up right hand parallel to the left hand). The Scripture says, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Is. 53:6). (As you say the words, "laid on Him" transfer the book in one distinct motion from your left hand to the palm of your right and leave in in the right hand.) All of my sin which God hates has been placed on His beloved Son. Christ bore our sin in His own body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24) |
| 25 CHRIST Record Book (continued) and Transitional Sentence From Christ to Faith |
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When He died, He was buried in a grave for 3 days (put the book on your lap); but He rose from the dead and went to heaven to prepare a place for you and me. Now He offers heaven - eternal life - to you and me as a gift. Transition: "This gift is received by faith ..." |
| 26 FAITH Key to Heaven |
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The right key to heaven is called faith, saving faith. That is what will open the door to heaven. There is nothing else in the world that will open that door no matter how sincere you are in exercising the practice of belief of something other than saving faith to open the door to heaven. What is saving faith? ... * Use actual key ring as an object lesson. |
| 27 FAITH Intellectual Assent Defined Illustration |
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Some people believe in Jesus Christ the same way they believe in Napoleon or George Washington. They believe that He actually lived. He was a real person in history, but they are not trusting Him to do anything for them now. |
| 28 FAITH Is not mere intellectual assent The Devil Illustration |
The Bible says the devil believes in God. Did you know that? The Bible says, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well, the devils also believe and tremble." So believing in God's existence is not what the Bible means by saving faith. |
| 29 FAITH Is not mere intellectual assent James 2:19 |
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"You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." (NASV) "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder." (NIV) |
| 30 FAITH Temporal faith defined Illustration |
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All the things of this world shall pass away. They are temporary. Now many people I find, trust the Lord for all these temporary matters. But saving faith is trusting in Christ alone to save you - eternally. |
| 31 FAITH What it is Acts 16:31 |
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"And they said, "Believe (trust) in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household." (NASV) "They replied, "Believe (trust) in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household." (NIV) |
| 32 FAITH Is trusting Jesus Christ alone for our eternal life Chair Illustration |
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Do you believe this chair would support me if I were to sit on it? Yes. For the sake of making my point, let the chair where I'm sitting represent me, and this empty chair represent Jesus Christ. For a long time, I believe He existed and could help me. I did not have eternal life because I was trusting in my own good works to support me into Heaven. Remember what you said you would say to God if He asked why He should let you into Heaven? You said, "I try to do the best I can" ... Who is the only person referred to in your answer ? "I" Who were you trusting to get you to Heaven when you said that? Yourself. To receive eternal life, you must transfer your trust from yourself to Jesus Christ alone for eternal life (sit in empty chair). |
| 33 FAITH Beggar's Hand and Gratitude Illustration |
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(If possible, use a handy ornate object in the home as "the gift". Hold it in your right hand and when you say, "Faith is the hand of a beggar reaching out ..." reach with the left hand and take the "gift" in it as you complete the illustration.) |
| 34 THE COMMITMENT (Expanded) |
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| 35 CLARIFICATION Receive Christ into the heart Revelation 3:20 |
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"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me." (NASV) "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me." (NIV) |
| 36 ASSURANCE John 6:47 |
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"Truly, truly, I say unto you, he who believes has eternal life." (NASV) "I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life." (NIV) |
| 37 IMMEDIATE FOLLOW-UP Expanded - Outline Form |
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B. The means of growth C. 7-Day Call Back Appointment D. Appointment for Church |
| 38 IMMEDIATE FOLLOW-UP Expanded Conversational Form |
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Is this the response you've just made? The reason for this page is so that in days to come, if a question arises about what God has done in your life, you can turn to this page and review your response to the Gospel. In fact, there is a place here for you to sign to indicate that you are making this commitment of your life. I will sign it as your witness. The Bible is real "soul food." As we read it, it nourishes us and we grow spiritually. I would suggest that you begin by reading as least one chapter each day from the Gospel of John in the New Testament. (Continue to review the Partners in Growing booklet with the new believer. Call attention to bold print items in the booklet.) |
| 39 HOW TO HANDLE OBJECTIONS General Suggestions |
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| 40 OBJECTIONS "I don't believe the Bible" Judo Technique |
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He may reply that he does not believe in eternal life, to which you may respond, "I am not asking you what you believe but I am asking you what you understand. It would be a rather unintellectual approach to reject the world's most important book without even understanding its main message, would it not? What is your understanding about what the Bible teaches on the subject of how a person may receive eternal life? ..." (John gives an answer) |