GROWING INTO MATURITY: LESSON 1- How to become a Christian and be sure

LESSONS 1

HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN AND BE SURE ABOUT IT

INTRODUCTION

Many people profess to be Christians whilst they don’t even know how to become one. They say so because of what they think and do. For example, they say “I go to church every Sunday; “I pay my tithe and dues regularly”; “I obey the Ten Commandments”, etc. But if one asks them: “If Christ should come today, where will you stand? They usually say “I am not sure”. Yes, they are not sure because they have never become Christians and therefore have no basis for assurance.

Are you a Christian and what is the basis of your assurance? It is hoped that by the end of this lesson, you will be sure of your stand as a Christian and move on to spiritual maturity.

A.           HOW CAN ONE BECOME A CHRISTIAN?

STEP 1:  The Gospel must be heard.(Why?)  Rom.1:16, 17. What is the

                      Gospel?

(i) The fact and penalty of sin?   Rom. 3:23; Isaiah 53:6; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12

(ii) Christ paid for the penalty of sin.  Heb. 9:22; 1 Pet. 2:24; Rom. 5:8

(iii) One can have new life through Christ.  Jn. 3:16; Jn 14:6; Jn 10:10;

               Rom.6:23

STEP 2:  One must make a decision to accept Christ – Act. 4:12;   

                     Col.1:19, 20; Jn 1 12, 13

(i) How are decisions generally made? Lk 14:27-33; Matt. 16:24

(ii) What the Gospel demands.

·        Mk. 1:15; Acts 16:31

·        Isa. 55:7; Acts 17:3,4

·        Jn. 1:9; Prov. 28:13

·        Jn. 1:12; Rev. 3:20

STEP 3:  Considering the facts of the Gospel, do you personally see the need  

                   to receive Christ?................(guide him/her through sinners’ prayer)

B.           HOW TO BE SURE YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN

(a)  How do you know that you are a Christian after inviting Christ into your life?

                              Rev. 3:20; 1 Jn. 5:11, 12; Jn. 1:11, 12; 1 Jn 1:9

(b)     What characteristics should be manifested in your life?

(i) 1 Jn. 2:3-6  (ii) 1 Jn. 3:14       (iii) 2 Cor. 5:17   (iv) Rom. 8:14-16

C.           IF I AM A CHRISTIAN AND I AM SURE ABOUT IT, WHAT NEXT?

               The baby’s struggle and growing into maturity.

CONCLUSION: You become a Christian when you willingly and sincerely receive Jesus Christ into your life as Lord and Saviour. You can then be sure of your stand as a Christian on the basis of faith in the word of God.

MEMORY VERSE:         1 Jn 5:11, 12