“Mom, what does it mean to be saved?” asked Peter as his family left the crowded church building. His mom gazed back into his questioning eyes with her own uncertainty. All at once she realized how unprepared she was to answer this seemingly simple question about the gospel.
What does it mean to be saved from our own sin? How can we understand our need for a Savior and the wonderful news of the gospel in order to teach our children and grandchildren?
“One cannot become a Christian without understanding and embracing the basic message of the gospel.” –Dr. Mike Fabarez
Today let’s take the time to break down and study the gospel so we may teach our children this foundational truth.
Our God is our Creator
We are God’s workmanship. He is the One who created us. We see this in the very first verse in the Bible, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” Genesis 1:1 NASB. Also read Psalm 19:1; Psalm 22:28; Isaiah 44:24.
Our God is Holy
The standard for God’s creation is perfection. “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” 1 Peter 1:15 NASB. Also look up Leviticus 19:2 & 37; Deuteronomy 32:4; Romans 7:12.
Our God is Just
Each of us fail to measure up to God’s standard of perfection. God will judge each person with perfect justice. He has a right to punish sin.“But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear,” Isaiah 59:2. Also read Romans 6:23.
Our Sin Separates Us from God
Sin is breaking God’s standard, (He is our creator and sets the standard) and our sin makes it impossible to have a relationship with God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. Also read Romans 3:10-12, 20.
Our Sin Deserves God’s Punishment
We are responsible for our sin and are guilty before our just and holy God and are helpless to save ourselves. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Romans 6:23.
But the Good News Is…
Our God is Loving
Thankfully, there is good news. Our God is loving! He lovingly provided a way out of our sin and the judgment of sin. “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins,” 1 John 4:10.
Jesus Provided the Way
Jesus lived a perfect, holy life and accomplished our salvation. “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all,” 1 Timothy 1:15. Also read John 1:1.
Jesus Lived and Died to Take on Our Sins
God placed the punishment of sinners on Jesus, in order for His righteousness to be placed on them. This is why Jesus died on the cross. He was punished in your place. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become he righteousness of God in Him,” 2 Corinthians 5:21. Also see Isaiah 53:5; Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24.
God tells us to Repent and Believe
The Bible tells us how to respond to this gospel message. We are to repent of our sins and believe in Jesus to be saved. “…Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God,and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel,” Mark 1:15. Also see John 3:16-17; Acts 4:12; and Ephesians 2:8-9.
God Offers Salvation to Those Who Repent and Believe
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved,” Acts 4:12.
This is the most important message we will ever teach our children and grandchildren. Are you prepared to share it with those you love?
I pray you found this breakdown of the gospel helpful! Here are some great, amazing, super resources to help you teach your children more of these deep truths: God’s Gospel by Jill Nelson, Big Truths for Little Kids by Susan and Richie Hunt, Partners 1 on 1 Discipleship by Dr. Mike Fabarez
In Christ,
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