ô
ô


 


ô
ô
ô

ô
 Proclaiming and demonstrating the redemptive power and transforming love of Jesus
Christ for all people.

 

ô (two months cycle): Since we are not guaranteed to have the same group of
people or class for a continuous period of time, coupled with the duration of detention which is between
six months and three years, we can treat the following general topics with the aim of giving each inmate
at least one opportunity or multiple times to hear the gospel.

Every topic should conclude by the presentation of the message of salvation and giving the inmates
opportunity to accept Christ as savior (The contents of the four spiritual laws are included from page 13).
Those who receive Christ can be isolated for counseling on specific topic such as anger, envy, etc.

 !"#$% $&'($%)&*+,! -./0123

This story gives us insight of God¶s divine love: His immense desire to find us and to love
us. The father in the story reflects most perfectly the same kind of love that God the Father has
for us, His children. Our view of God, should be that of the father who, ³leaves the house,
ignoring his dignity by running toward [his children], pays no heed to apologies, and brings them
to the table richly prepared for them´. With this view of God, we then can ask the question,
³How am I to let myself be loved by God´. Viewing God as a loving Father who runs out to
search for us, desperately wanting us to be united with Himself, greatly impacts our own self-
concept and can prevent us from falling into despair. Instead of viewing ourselves as worthless
and unwanted, we can, ³look through God¶s eyes at my lost self and discover God¶s joy at my
coming home. With God being our loving and merciful father we can always count on Him and,
like the Prodigal Son, return to a Father who has been searching for us all this time and desires to
love us ever more completely.

4
% *-(/!-,$/&(5,-.504143
We are sinners in three aspects: sinners by representation, sinners by nature, and sinners by
practice. Only the last of the three deals with sin as we commonly think of it. The first two are
part of the curse brought on us by the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden.

*--&  6' )& -$,$*" In Eden, Adam was the great champion of the human race. In
Hebrews 7:9-10, Levi is said to have been in the loins of Abraham and paid tithes to Melchisidek
even though he had not yet been born. In a similar way, we were in Adam when he disobeyed
God and partook of the forbidden fruit. What he lost by that sin, we lost. He lost paradise on
earth. we lost it. He lost eternal life and so did we. Paul states "in Adam all die" (1 Corinthians
15:22). Romans 5:12 states further, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and
death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." "For if through the
offence of one many be dead" (Romans 5:15) refers to the effects of Adam's sin on all.

*--& 6',$/& Something else happened when Adam sinned. His very nature was corrupted
and that corrupted nature is passed on to all of his descendants. Adam was created in the image
and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). However, after the fall, Adam "begat a son in his own
likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth" (Genesis 5:3). Although we retain a shadow

c
YY 

 of the image of God in ourselves, our primary nature is the fallen nature of Adam. In the New
Testament, the word "flesh" is often used to refer to this fallen nature (although flesh also refers
to the material part of man and the meaty portion of the body according to context). Paul is
referring to this sinful nature when he states, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,)
dwelleth no good thing" (Romans 7:18). Jesus came "in the likeness of sinful flesh" (Romans
8:3). The wording here is important. Naturally, the flesh referred to here is sinful. But in the case
of Jesus, it was not sinful though it was visibly no different than all other flesh.

*--& 6'&,7$*7This refers to our practice of committing actual sins. It is this practice of sin
that actually commits us to judgment in hell. The fall of Adam as our representative head
condemned us to live in a fallen world. The corruption of Adam's nature by sin caused all of his
descendants to be born with a corrupted nature that tends to sin and fails in many ways. But it is
only our actual practice of sinning that condemns us to an eternal hell.

Because we are sinners by representation, we are subject to the presence of sin in the world.
Because we are sinners by nature, we are subject to the power of sin in our lives. Because we are
sinners by practice, we are subject to the penalty of sin. But Christ has redeemed us from all
three: from the penalty of sin when we were saved; from the power of sin as we live for Him;
and, from the presence of sin when we go to be with Him. Praise the Lord for His goodness!

2 / %&* $$% ,"*&(,!!


Jesus Christ came to do the will of the Father (Jn. 5:30), and the will of the Father is that ³«all
men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.´ (1 Tim. 2:4) To accomplish that will,
Christ made Himself of no reputation, took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in
the likeness of sinful men. (Phil. 2:7; Rom. 8:3) He humbled Himself and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the Cross, (Phil. 2:8) and by dying in the same manner as men; He tasted
death for EVERY man. (Heb. 2:9) Jesus is really and actually the Savior of ALL men, (1 Tim.
4:10), has taken away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29; Rom. 5:18), and is the covering for the sins
of the world (1 Jn. 2:2). Through the power of His resurrection, He has taken away the sting of
death and the grave (1 Cor. 15:55), takes away the fear of death (Heb. 2:14), and gives men
assurance that they will one day be raised from the dead and be judged (Acts 17:31). What man
could not do for himself (deliver himself from sin and death), God did by sending His only Son.
(Rom. 8:3)
In order for men to experience the benefit of what Christ has done, each must confess with his
mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe (by faith) in his heart that God has raised Him from the dead
(Rom. 10:9. Jesus took the curse (Gal. 3:13) and paid the penalty for the consequences of man¶s
sin

8 (&+*"- 
9 &+*"- 1
%,$9 :/*&;
The Bible gives us the costly requirement for God's forgiveness: "Without the shedding of Blood,
there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22). In the Old Testament, the continual sacrifices of
unblemished lambs were required to satisfy God's wrath and judgment. However, Jesus Christ,
the Son of God, died on a Roman cross and became the ultimate, once-and-for-all sacrifice for
our sins. Jesus purchased God's forgiveness on our behalf when he became the Lamb of God and
died on the cross for you and me.

c
Y 

 "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1
Peter 3:18). "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance
with the riches of God's grace" (Ephesians 1:7).

9 &+*"- 1 ,*$%&*7 *5 !(

God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. The price for God's forgiveness is high, but He paid the
price Himself. By Christ's loving act of grace, believers are eternally freed from the penalty and
guilt of sin. Once we're covered by the Blood of Christ, God doesn't keep a record of our sins.
Our forgiveness is total and complete.

"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, who sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose
sin the Lord doesn't count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit" (Psalm 32:1-2).

"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins
no more" (Isaiah 43:25).

"It is possible for the Lord to look at us without seeing our sins because when he forgave us, he
removed our sins as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12).

9 &+*"- 1ô-7,-(&!!<

A believer receives God's forgiveness when he repents of sin and places his faith in Jesus Christ
for salvation -- all of his sins are forgiven forever. That includes past, present and future, big or
small. Jesus died to pay the penalty for all of our sins, and once they are forgiven, they are all
forgiven (Colossians 1:14; Acts 10:43). However, when we stumble, we are called to confess our
sins - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us
from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Yes, Christians do sin (1 John 1:8) - but the Christian life
is not to be identified by a life of sin. Believers are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have
the Holy Spirit in us producing good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). A Christian life should be a
changed life. A person who claims to be a believer yet continually lives a life that says otherwise
should question the genuineness of his faith. Christians are forgiven no matter how many times
they sin, but at the same time, Christians should live a progressively more holy life as they grow
closer to Christ.

Christians continue to sin after they are saved - we will not be free from sin until we die or Jesus
comes back. However, becoming a Christian results in a changed life (2 Corinthians 5:17). A
person will go from producing the acts of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) to producing the fruit of
the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). This change does not happen instantly, but it does happen over
time. Paul tells us, "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were
sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God"
(1 Corinthians 6:11).

c
ÿY 


0 )*-%&* $
)*- * *7$&'

"...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded
that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things
to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the
love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39 "Therefore, having been
justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we
have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of
God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation
produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not
disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was
given to us." Romans 5:1-5 "... we have no power against this great multitude that is coming
against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." 2 Chronicles 20:12

)*- *  /((*7*-7'

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for
as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered." Romans 8:26 "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may
your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
"He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

)*- * *+%$/ -

"For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith." Galatians 5:5
"And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has
reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above
reproach in His sight²*(*-'/7-$*-/*-$%(,*$%, grounded and steadfast, and are -$
5",=,'(&5$%%)($%+ )!...." Colossians 1:21-23 ³In Him was life, and the life
was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend
it.´ John 1:3

)*-$&-*$'=*$% /

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which = ,!  ,+&!' =,*$ (& $% ,"*&, the Lord
Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious
body...." Philippians 3:20-21 >%! =%,$ 5,--& ( !" $% ,$%& %,  6 $= - / ,
that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did
not know Him. "Beloved, now we are children of God; andit has not yet been revealed what we
shall be, but =-=$%,$=%- * &",!?= %,!!6!* *5?(&= %,!!  *5, 
* - "&'-=%%, $%* %)*- *5)/&*(* %*5 !(?@/ $,  * )/&." 1 John
3:1-3 ³Now 5,'$%( %) (*!!'/=*$% ,!! @',-),7 *-6!*"*-+, that you may
abound in %)6'$%)=&($% !')*&*$." Romans 15:13

*-+(&=,&$$%+!&',-@',%,

c
Y 

 "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a
house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be
clothed with our habitation which is from heaven.´ 2 Corinthians 5:1 "Now I saw a new heaven
and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more
sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,
'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His
people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear
from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more
pain, for the former things have passed away.´ "Then He who sat on the throne said, ''Behold, I
make all things new." Revelation 21:1-5

A +&,71 ,"*-++&,7?+&,7,))!*$$%! $ *--&


God the Father always thinks Grace. Whether He is dealing with nations or individuals, whether
he is exercising His divine justice, wrath, love, or mercy, in whatever dispensation or time frame,
at all times and in all circumstances

The absolute righteousness and justice of God the Father demand perfection in us. But we are
"sinners, condemned, unclean." The Father's perfect justice demands a just penalty for sin - "the
soul that sinneth, it shall die."

But the Father, in His love for us, seeing that we could not meet His standards, sent His Son to
bear our penalty so that we "might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Cor. 5:21)
Righteousness was imputed to us on the sole condition of our faith in Jesus Christ, just as
"Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness." (Gen. 15:6)

God the Father is now able to look upon us as righteous. And He is able to express His love for us
in countless ways during our lifetime. The word "grace" is used to refer to God's giving to us out
of His love for us, a giving that is unrestricted because our former condemnation has been
removed, our penalty has been paid, God's righteousness and justice have been satisfied, and we
are "in Christ" and share the love that the Father has for His own Son.

The term "Saving Grace" covers the categories of doctrines which deal with all that Christ did for
us on the Cross. We can get an appreciation for the extent of what the believer receives at
salvation, by reading Ephesians 1. In just the first few verses you have the following blessings:

1:2 "Grace to you and peace..."

1:3 "all spiritual blessings in Christ"

1:4 "chosen in Him"

1:4 "without blame before Him"

1:5 We are adopted by Christ

1:6 We are accepted in the Beloved

1:7 We are redeemed, forgiven

c
 Y 

 1:8 God's wisdom and prudence are available.

1:9 God's will is made known

ROMANS 3:24 says that justification offered on the Grace principle is "through the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus." Grace can be extended freely to us because of the price paid by Jesus
Christ. The cost of salvation was the death of Christ on the Cross.

Grace is the only way that God could save man and still be consistent with His perfect character.
ACTS 4:12 The Grace basis for salvation is seen in the following verses: EPH. 2:8,9; PSA.
103:8-12; ROM. 3:23,24; 4:4; 5:20; 2 COR. 8:9; HEB. 2:9; TITUS 2:11; 3:7

B7-7*!*,$*-15,-*-9 -$6&7-7*!$
The word ³RECONCILIATION´ means to unite two parties who are estranged. It means that one
has given offence and the other is displeased by it, the consequence of this being a breach
between them. Instead of friendship, there is a state of hostility existing. Instead of a state of
peace, there is enmity which results in separation and alienation between them. This then makes
manifest the need for peace to be made between the estranged parties that the wrong may be
righted, the cause of the displeasure removed, the ill-feeling dissolved, the breach healed and
reconciliation accomplished.

The parties in this matter, those who are at variance with each other, are God and man. The
original offence was committed by Adam in the garden of Eden; and since he acted not only as a
private person but as the federal head of all the human race, in him the whole family of mankind
has sinned against God and abides as His enemy.

Paul¶s Two-fold Message

Paul was an ambassador to carry forth a twofold message in the ministry of reconciliation. One,
he told people that God so loves them that Christ died for them while they were yet ungodly, yet
sinners, and God¶s enemies. God has already done His part in the reconciliation by not imputing
any of humanity¶s trespasses to their account. The slate is clean as far as God is concerned. There
are no longer barriers between them and God. Christ has died for them because He supremely
loves them. The second part of Paul¶s responsibility was to tell mankind to receive that
reconciliation which God has already accomplished. He told them, ³be ye reconciled to God´ (2
Corinthians 5:20).

A true reconciliation can only be a success when both parties agree to forgive and forget; when
complete harmony exists between both; when both of them become real friends once again. What
remains is for mankind, on his own part, to be reconciled to God. God has already forgiven us our
trespasses and forgotten our sins through the death of Christ on the cross. Now mankind himself
must respond to God¶s love. He must be sorry for his sins, he must repent of them, and he must
now take steps to be in harmony with God. When this is accomplished, a total reconciliation is
affected. Perfect peace, harmony, reunion and conciliation will then come to pass.



c
´Y 


C,71
&/ $,*-+$,7
Attaining the Christian living of peace is a challenging and yet inescapable spiritual step in life.
There are at least three steps in attaining this peace ± a coherent peace which is experienced
internally as well as observed externally.

,7=*$%-First, there is a need to establish peace with God. Bringing this about requires
for us to believe, understand, and trust God¶s presence in our life. It means that we need to
recognize that God is with us, and that God wants the best or us ± He is the Compassionate
Father. A belief short of this does not allow us to have inner peace, no matter how hard we try to
look at peace externally. We also need to trust that not only can God guide and strengthen our
life, but those around us, and in fact the whole of humanity. This is a big order ± to trust God in
all aspects of our life. Yet, once we attain this level of trust in God, it is then that we realize that
there is order to our life and society, that the world is not that chaotic after all, and that all
experiences turn out for the best for us as St. Paul asserts. When we attain this trust in God, it is
then that instead of sensing that God is punishing us, we realize that He loves us and is guiding
us. No longer do we constantly need others¶ affirmation that God loves us. The peace we sense
when this takes place cannot be described by words.

,7=*$%ô- !(-Second, when we sense this peace with God, gradually our inner life starts
becoming orderly as well. We no longer sense that we are persecuted or that we are born losers.
Instead, we have a sense that we belong ± belong to God, belong to life, and in turn life belongs
to us. This is a tremendously uplifting experience: To be at peace with oneself. This does not
mean we like everything about us, nor does it mean that we become content with our
shortcomings and stop growing in life. Instead, it means that we learn to see ourselves
objectively, as we are, neither exaggerating our capabilities or shortcomings, nor downplaying
them. Instead, looking at ourselves directly and facing up to who we are ± for better and for
worse.

,7=*$%ô$%& -Third, when we can trust God and our own person, then and only then are we
ready to trust others. We do not know how others will respond to us, but we know how we can
respond to them . . . or at least have a better grasp of our response. Yet, our response to others
depends very much on our trust of God and our trust of our very own person. Therefore, when we
trust God and our own person, we feel more at ease when we converse and dialogue with others
because; we can handle and respond appropriately to whatever expression or action others convey
to us. Our person, emotions, and thinking is not continuously ³jerked´ from one direction to
another. We do not feel as though our feelings and moods are riding on a roller coaster.
Consequently, relating to others becomes more inviting and enjoyable, instead of stressful,
chaotic, and full of anxiety.

,7!,*-+$ ,))*- -In summation then, the sense of peace is instilled within us because
we know that God is protecting and guiding us. We are also aware of our strengths and
vulnerabilities and therefore are at peace because we know how we will respond to situations.
Finally, we gain a sense of peace because we know that we can face any person and relationship
knowing that the best for us and for all will come forth from it. When we have such peace within
us, no matter how frightening or violent the world maybe around us, we are still able to maintain
that sense of peace. With this sense of peace within us, we can also begin to look for joy and
happiness in life because arguments are defused, frustrations are minimized and hurtful feelings
and statements are healed.

c
*Y 


D* 7&*5*-,$*-
Some of the inmates are there as a result of circumstances and the injustices of society. We can
address this from the biblical point of view and present Christ as having come to safe all
irrespective of one¶s status in society.

The teaching of Jesus

Jesus was a victim of both religious and racial discrimination. Jews were hated by the Gentiles at
the time of Jesus - in return Jews hated other races. There was hatred between the Jews and their
neighbours of mixed race, the Samaritans. Jews did not consider these people µpure¶ although
they were of Jewish descent but had intermarried with other races.

In his teaching, Jesus challenged the prejudices of the people of his day. Samaritans were an
immigrant community with their own distinctive faith, and there was great hatred between Jewish
and Samaritan communities. They would not even talk to each other. In the famous 'Parable of
the Good Samaritan', Jesus makes a Samaritan the hero who stopped to help an injured Jew (Luke
10:30 - 37). A Samaritan is also the only one who returned to thank Jesus from a group of 10
lepers healed by him (Luke 17:11-19). Jesus makes a point of stopping at a Samaritan village and
talking with a Samaritan woman (two reasons why his disciples were surprised). The woman is
rude to him because of his race and his religion, but he treats her with courtesy and respect - an
example for Christians today. As a result, the whole village came to believe in Jesus (John 4:1 -
42)

Jesus goes still further in his teaching, and says that Christians should not just tolerate people of
all races, but that they should actively show love to all, even our enemies. 'Love your enemies.
Do good to those who hate you.' (Luke 6:27).

Even Peter, Jesus¶ disciple, was prejudiced ± see his experience at Joppa, (Acts 10:9-23) where
God had to challenge his prejudices regarding Gentiles. After Jesus' ascension the new Christian
'church' had to exercise carefully its attitude to Gentiles. Many Jewish Christians believed
Gentiles must become Jews before they could become Christians. It was eventually decided at the
Council of Jerusalem, (Acts 15:5 - 21) that Gentiles could now be admitted to the Church without
first becoming Jews.

New Testament References: Jesus dealt with many examples of prejudice and gave clear teaching
about our attitude towards others. It will help you if you become familiar with three or four of the
following teachings. Matt 22:39 'Love your neighbor as yourself; Luke 10:25-37 the story of the
Good Samaritan; Luke 7:1-10 healing of the Centurion¶s servant;

c
ËY 


%/&)*&*$/,!,= 

Just as there are physical laws that govern

the physical universe, so are there spiritual laws
that govern your relationship with God.

6
  

  


  

6
 
"God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, NIV).

6


[Christ speaking] "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly"
[that it might be full and meaningful] (John 10:10).

Why is it that most people are not experiencing that abundant life?

Because...





  
 6

 






6
 


 




"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

c
AY 

 an was created to have fellowship with God; but, because of his own stubborn
self-will, he chose to go his own independent way and fellowship with God was broken.
This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference,
is an evidence of what the Bible calls sin.


  

"The wages of sin is death" [spiritual separation from God] (Romans 6:23).

This diagram
illustrates that God is
holy and man is
sinful. A great gulf
separates the two.
The arrows illustrate
that man is
continually trying to
reach God and the
abundant life through
his own efforts, such
as a good life,
philosophy, or religion
-but he inevitably
fails.

The third law explains

the only way to
bridge this gulf...

 6


 
 


 !" 





6
 


  

"#

$ 
"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

"%  #

"Christ died for our sins... He was buried... He was raised on the third day,
according to the Scriptures... He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve.

c
Y
Y 

 After that He appeared to more than five hundred..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

"$
&  6

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to
the Father but through e'" (John 14:6).

This diagram
illustrates that God
has bridged the gulf
that separates us
from Him by sending
His Son, Jesus Christ,
to die on the cross in
our place to pay the
penalty for our sins.

It is not enough just

to know these three
laws...

&


     

 
'

 




6
 


  

&% 
"As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children
of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12).

&%  !( 

"By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of God; not as result of works that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).

&
&% &)
 * +
(Read John 3:1-8.)

&%  !


 

[Christ speaking] "Behold, I stand at the door and knock;

c
YYY 

 if any one hears y voice and opens the door, I will come in to him" (Revelation 3:20).

Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting
Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us what He wants us to be.
Just to agree 
  that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the
cross
for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an  
 experience.
We receive Jesus Christ by  , as an act of the .

These two circles represent two kinds of lives:

,#
 ,#


-Self is on the throne
-Christ is outside the life
-Interests are directed by
self, often
resulting in discord and
frustration
-Christ is in the life and on
the throne
,Self is yielding to Christ,
resulting in harmony with
God's plan
-Interests are directed by
Christ,
resulting in harmony with
God's plan

Which circle best represents your life?

Which circle would you like to have represent your life?

The following explains how you can receive Christ:

- 
% %!* .(  ! 
/  
! 6
0

God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the
attitude

c
YY 

 of your heart. The following is a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on

the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life
and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank
You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal
life.
Take control of the throne of my life. ake me
the kind of person You want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If it does, I invite you to pray this
prayer right now, and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.

*  - " %
 

"  1
  
- 

Did you receive Christ into your life by sincerely praying the suggested prayer? According to His
promise in ¬

, where is Christ right now in relation to you? Christ said that He
would come into your life. Would He mislead you? On what authority do you know that God has
answered your prayer?
(The trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word.)

+. )


"The witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has
the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I
have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may 

that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:11-13).

Thank God often that Christ is in your life and that He will never leave you (Ã  
).
You can know on the basis of His promise that Christ lives in you and that you have eternal life
from the very moment you invite Him in. He will not deceive you.

An important reminder...

# * #


(
!

The promise of God's Word, the Bible - not our feelings - is our authority. The Christian lives by
faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word. This train diagram illustrates
the relationship among   (God and His Word),   (our trust in God and His Word), and

! (the result of our faith and obedience) (×
).

c
YÿY 

The train will run with or without a caboose. However, it would be useless to attempt to pull the
train by the caboose. In the same way, as Christians we do not depend on feelings or emotions,
but we place our faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God and the promises of His Word.

*  - " %
 

The moment that you received Christ by faith, as an act of the will, many things happened,
including the following:

1. Christ came into your life (¬


 ; 
).
2. Your sins were forgiven (
).
3. You became a child of God (×
.
4. You received eternal life (×
).
5. You began the great adventure for which God created you (×
; 

 ; 
 
).

Can you think of anything more wonderful that could happen to you than receiving Christ?
Would you like to thank God in prayer right now for what He has done for you? By thanking
God, you demonstrate your faith.

To enjoy your new life to the fullest...

!!
  
6 

Spiritual growth results from trusting Jesus Christ. "The righteous man shall live by faith"
(Galatians 3:11). A life of faith will enable you to trust God increasingly with every detail of your
life, and to practice the following:

6 Go to God in prayer daily (×

).
% Read God's Word daily (d 
); begin with the Gospel of John.
$ Obey God moment by moment (×
).
& Witness for Christ by your life and words ( 
; ×
).
 Trust God for every detail of your life (  
).
Holy Spirit - allow Him to control and empower your daily life and witness
" (6
; d 
).

c
YY 

( 
 6
 

God's Word instructs us not to forsake "the assembling of ourselves together" (Hebrews 10:25).
Several logs burn brightly together; but put one aside on the cold hearth and the fire goes out.
So it is with your relationship with other Christians.

If you do not belong to a church, do not wait to be invited. Take the initiative; call the pastor of
a nearby church where Christ is honored and His Word is preached. Start this week, and make
plans to attend regularly.

c
Y Y