We Believe Man s Story The Basics: In this series, we will look at the basic foundations of what we believe and how those beliefs impact our view of God and the world around us. In This Lesson: Read Romans 3:23 and discover what Scripture says about Man s rebellion through sin. Equip Think about how your need for a Redeemer affects how you view yourself and others. Accountability Discuss your thoughts with your group and encourage each other to allow Christ s redemption to impact your lives. Pray Pray together with your group because everything begins with, ends with and depends on God. Scorecard How are you doing with the mission that Christ has given you? Key Verse: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3: 23, NIV) A man reaps what he sows ~Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV)
Read Having been made in God s image and after His likeness, man, the focus of God s love and the crown of God s creation, is nevertheless spiritually dead and sinful in nature as a result of Adam s sin and as such is in need of a Redeemer Horizons Church Statements of Faith In the beginning, according to God s original intent, man was created in the image and likeness of God. Made to be the object of God s affection and treasured above all His creation. When Genesis describes our creation, man is created on the last day, along with the beasts, but set apart when God said, Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness This does not mean that God looks like us, as we would say that our children are our likeness or we see our image in a mirror. What it means is of far greater importance. We are spirit and flesh and in our spirit we are like God; His image is the mold for our spirit. Deep down inside each person there is a fundamental understanding of good, of what is right and true; this is because we are the image and likeness of God. Unfortunately, the perfection of the original Take a few moments to really meditate on this idea of being made in God s image and likeness. image did not last. When Adam gave in to temptation, sin entered the World through that choice. From that moment on, and still today, sin has been present in the world. Our condition is a spiritual inheritance; our sin nature is present from conception (Psalm 51:5). This is not to say we no longer bear the image and likeness of God, but that the original masterpiece has been tarnished by sin. Man s story is one of rebellion against God. From the beginning we (mankind) have wandered from God and in our pride sought to control our own lives instead of surrendering to God our creator. At times, the wickedness of man has caused God to discipline His people. From chastisement to almost complete destruction God has administered justice. We are wicked. Romans 3:12 tells us All have turned away; all
Read alike have become useless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one. We are all in the same predicament. We have sinned against God and deserve His justice, we are unable to help ourselves and we are in need of a Redeemer. However, it is important to know that God has a plan. Starting This revelation of our rebelliousness can feel convicting and overwhelming at times, but keep reading and consider God s unending love. from the beginning, God has put into motion His redemptive plan for man: the Gospel, Jesus Christ. That being said, each of us also has a role to play in God s redemptive plan. He has a plan for each and every one of His creations, His masterpieces and He has made us according to that plan with unique gifts and talents to be used for His glory. How amazing is it that the God of the universe would allow us to participate in His plan? It makes us ask the same question: what does God see in me worth His divine attention and love? We are His most beloved creation, loved enough that He sent His Son to come and pay the price for our salvation. But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! (Romans 5:8). That He can see through the tarnish of our sin to His original masterpiece and love us enough to want us back in communion with Him is amazing. Redeemed for eternity. All this was through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. For additional reading: Genesis 1:26 Romans 5:12-21 Hebrews 7:25 I Thessalonians 5:23
Equip As you read the previous section there are questions that may arise. Understanding the original intent of our image and likeness, and how man has fallen, has great impact on how we view ourselves and whether we believe we need a Redeemer. Take some time to think and respond to the following questions: 1. If man was made in the image and likeness of God why did he choose to sin and what were the effects of that original sin? 2. Why do we need a Redeemer? What are we redeemed from and what are we redeemed for? 3. How does this change the way I view others and myself?
Accountability Before your next D group meeting, think about the questions below. You will discuss these with your group. These questions will help you to examine your life in light of the truth you explored this week. They also give other group members an opportunity to encourage you to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. 1. In what ways is sin impacting my life today? 2. What does it mean to belong to Jesus as our Redeemer? How has this redemption impacted my life recently? 3. Am I living out my life like I have been redeemed or like the rest of the World? What is the one area that needs improvement?
Pray We believe that we must pray because everything begins with, ends with, and depends on God. Use the following A.C.T.S. model to pray: Adoration: Begin your prayer by adoring God; He is worthy of all our praise! Be specific when offering Him your adoration, not just You're so wonderful but God your mercy and love toward me is wonderful, this allows us to really build our relationship with our redeemer. Confession: When we pray with unconfessed sin in our heart we are beginning with barriers to our prayer. He knows our sin and has called us to confess and repent. Our confession shows that we acknowledge our sin and submit to God s authority, mercy, and grace. Thanksgiving: Simply let Him know what you are thankful for. This could be as simple as Lord, thank you for loving me, even when I feel unworthy, or you could tell Him the entire list of things you are thankful for. Just make sure you are thanking Him for what He gives and does. Supplication: This means humbly pleading for something. We come to God with our requests because we know all good things come from Him. If our heart is right and we are seeking things that are His will we are told if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. A.C.T.S. is an easy to remember acronym that helps us remember what we want to talk to our Heavenly Father about and how we should approach Him. This model can be used for short or long prayers. The model is a good reminder but far more important than the model is the act of praying.
Pray My prayer request regarding the topic this week is: My prayer request regarding a situation in my life is: My prayer request for others is: (fill this out at D Group)
Scorecard What is Jesus mission? It is to make His gospel known to all people through word (sharing the gospel) and deed (demonstrating the gospel). This is the mission that every generation of His followers must take up as well. But, don t confuse becoming missional with becoming a foreign missionary. A missionary may devote his or her life to making the gospel known beyond a border or across an ocean. But, Christ calls all of His followers to make the gospel known through word and deeds wherever they live, work or play, as well as in their surrounding communities. Who am I praying for an opportunity to share the truth of Jesus with right now? Who am I intentionally witnessing to about Jesus right now? Who am I discipling right now?