Unit 1 - Why Am I Here?

Unit 1 - Why Am I Here?



DISCIPLE FOUNDATIONS

God has a plan....

LEADER TIPS

DAY 1

“It’s not about you.” 

That is the opening sentence of Rick Warren’s best-selling book, The Purpose Driven Life. Our culture constantly tells us that life is all about us, our wants and our desires.

It feels counter-intuitive, but the most freeing and reassuring thing we can know is that life never was, and is not ultimately about us but about God, and joining Him in what He is up to on earth--His plan.

Does God love you?  Absolutely!  Did Christ die for you?  Yes! But that still does not make life about us.

So, what exactly is God’s purpose on earth?  What is He up to?  First...

“…God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them....." (2 Corinthians 5:19)

If you have already trusted Christ as your Savior then you know about this. We have forgiveness in Christ from the moment we put our faith in Him. We believe that He died on the cross in our place to pay for our sins, then rose from the dead three days later in victory over death.  But it goes on to "part two," our part in God's plan:

"...and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

God's role for us is to take the "word of reconciliation" to the world.

  • Have you ever tried to reconcile things with somone? What were the initial barriers? What part was beyond your control? How is that like sharing your faith and the truth about Jesus with someone?

That word committed is also translated entrusted. God has entrusted us, placed in our hands, “the word of reconciliation” the message that can literally save the world!  The Good News about Jesus, the Gospel is that word of reconciliation.  Someone observed, "The gospel came to you on it's way to someone else."

Disciples make disciples.  That's what this Foundations study is really all about.  First, get solidly grounded and growing in your own life, then join God on the journey to help reproduce it in others. 

That's why this study is designed to be totally transferable, and accessible anywhere.  Once you go through it, you can share it with others, (click link for ideas)!

So how do we get prepared to pass along the message that can literally save the world?

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect”  (1 Peter 3:15).

  • Of the things Peter says to do, which of these do you feel you need the most work on?  Least?

 

Passing along that hope, that word, is why we are still here on earth.  It’s why God doesn’t just “beam us up” the moment we believe.

  • Reflect:  Where would you say you are  on the “journey” with God described above?  Excited?  Terrified?  Confused?  Other?

 

  • What is causing you to feel this way?

 

Memory Verse: “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, so that no one may boast” --Ephesians 2:8-9.

 


DAY 2

Why does the world need to be "reconciled" to God? Let’s start at the very beginning.  In the beginning everything God created, including mankind, was “very good” (Genesis 1:31).  Adam and Eve had perfect fellowship with God.  Sin  had not entered the world. 

So when Adam and Eve broke God's one command, to not eat the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17), it had devastating consequences (Genesis 3).  Fellowship with God was broken, and both physical and spiritual death resulted not just for them, but for all their descendants.

God embarked on the mission to restore mankind to a perfect relationship - a mission that would cost Him the life of His only Son.

Reconciliation through the gospel has been God’s plan from the beginning.  Here is what God said to Adam and Eve:

“And I will put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he [Jesus] will crush  your head, and you will strike his heel” (Genesis 3:15).

In Genesis 3  we see the Big Story of the Bible:  God’s redemption  of mankind from sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  That one big story that runs through of all of scripture from Genesis to Revelation.

Why were the consequences of their sin so devastating and the cure so costly?  To answer let’s look at God’s nature versus man’s nature:

 

God’s Nature:

“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.  A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4).

  • What all do you learn about God’s nature from this one verse?

 

Human Nature: 

“But your iniquities [sins] have made a separation between you and your God…” (Isaiah 59:2)

  • What can we learn about our nature and the result from this one verse?

 

Because God’s unchanging nature is perfect holiness, our sin separates us from Him.  Jesus said that even the smallest sin, calling your brother a fool, makes you guilty enough to go to the fires of hell (Matthew 5:22).  We could blow that on a single morning commute!  

 

Couldn’t God just forgive them?

God did just that! But forgiveness is costly.  Adam and Eve didn’t just hurt God’s feelings. They disrupted the entire nature of creation.  Doing this caused damage and a debt that had to be paid by someone. 

If your house is damaged because your neighbor cuts down a tree that falls on your garage and crushes your car, eventually someone has to cover the cost of that damage.  You can force your neighbor to pay the cost, or you can forgive your neighbor and pay for the repairs yourself, but either way, damage was done and repairs must be made and paid for.

The damage Adam caused has spread throughout the entire human race, so each of us need someone to pay the penalty on our behalf, or we will be stuck with the bill.  Without Christ, all of us face condemnation. To make that point, Paul contrasts the sin of Adam to the sacrifice of Christ:

“Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone” (Romans 5:18, NLT).

  • In what ways are Adam and Christ similar in Romans 5:18?  In what ways different?

 

The condemnation from Adam we get by birth as a part of the human race.  However new life in Christ is not automatic.  It comes only by being “born again,” which happens when we place our faith in Jesus as our Savior,

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

  • What was God's motive?  What did it cost God to solve our sin problem?

 

God’s word also teaches that we are sinful not only because of being Adam’s offspring, but also because of our own individual sinful choices:

“…death spread to all men, because all sinned”  (Romans 5:12).

 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

“All” is a very inclusive word.  It includes all the good people we know.  We all fall short of God’s own perfection.

  • Who is the godliest person you’ve ever known?  If you asked them, do you think they would say they were perfect and had never sinned?  Why?

 

Only one Person in history ever lived a perfect life without sinning, Jesus Christ!

“For God made Christ who never sinned to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ”  (2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT).

  • Reflect:  How has knowing and believing this truth  changed the way you respond to life?

 


DAY 3

Born this way.

How do we start life?  Aren’t we born basically good? 

After all, what’s cuter than a little baby, right?  However, every parent knows that no one has to teach that cute little baby how to say no or be selfish when they turn two.  Here’s what God’s word says about our nature:

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air [Satan], the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.” (Ephesians 2:1-3, emphasis added)

  • According to the passage above, how do we start off life, what’s our “nature?”
 
  • How are the truths from this passage similar or different from those that have influenced you (from family, culture, school, church, etc.)?

 

God’s provision: salvation as a free gift

Ephesians 2:1-3 is the “bad news.,” but thankfully, there is good news:

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ -by grace you have been saved.”  (Ephesians 2:4-5)

  • What motivated God to provide the payment for sin?   What was our condition at the time? 

 

  • How does that add to your understanding of that word, grace?

 

The moment we put our faith in Christ (v. 8) God forgave us all our sins and gave us eternal life as a free gift.  But notice what else it says God did,

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).

  • In God’s eyes where and with whom are you currently “seated” according to this verse?

 

Notice the past tense!  This is an accomplished fact for you now, not just when you die.

When God raised us up with Christ He just kept going, all the way to heaven.  In God’s eyes you are already sitting down with Jesus in the heavenly realm.  Remember that the next time you roll out of bed on a Monday morning!

  • How does the truth of Ephesian 2:6 impact your confidence that God hears you when you pray?

 

Do we deserve this?  Not at all.  It’s 100% by God’s grace.  Ephesians 2:8-9 says,

“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, so that no one may boast.”

Grace  means something given freely; a gift.  Salvation is God’s gracious gift.  We cannot earn or ever deserve it by any amount of good works.  When someone offers you a gift you reach out and receive it.  We receive God’s gift of salvation in Christ “by faith.”

Faith in what exactly?  1 Corinthians 15:3-4 summarizes the key points of the gospel message we must believe and share with others.  Paul wrote,

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

  • Reflect:  From this passage, what are the essential elements of the gospel? Jot them below:

 


DAY 4

Faith is more than just intellectual agreement that Jesus is the Son of God and Savior (James 2:19).  We must place our trust in Him as Savior.  It is a matter of the heart, not just the head.

I might know an airplane could safely carry me across the country.  But until I board it I am not really trusting it.  Becoming a believer means saying to God, “Yes, I trust in what Jesus did on the cross, and that alone for my salvation.”  I'm on board, depending on it.

1 John 5:13 says,

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (emphasis added)

Notice the present tense, you have, not will have eternal life.
  • Do you believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and your Savior? If so, when did you make that decision?
 

Is Jesus the Only Way?  Are we narrow minded?

If it were just a matter of viewpoints, or a set of moral principles, then perhaps.  But Christianity is not based on ideas.  It is based on an event in history: the death and resurrection of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ for the sins of the entire world.

Because there is only One without sin, and only One who is God’s Son, there is also only One who was qualified to pay for the sins of the world.  By His resurrection from the dead Jesus was declared to be that one Person (Romans 1:4).  Consequently, Jesus is also the only way of salvation for the human race,

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).

  • On a scale of 0-100% how certain are you that you have eternal life?

 

What If I have Doubts, or Have Never Trusted Christ?  If it’s unclear, or if you have never trusted Christ as your Savior, we encourage you to do so right now.   The following is a prayer to help guide you as you "call" on the Lord  (Romans 10:13). 

Remember, the words of the prayer do not save you but your faith in Christ does.  (Just as you put “faith” in the chair you are sitting in to keep you from falling to the floor, you put faith in Jesus Christ to pay the penalty of your sin on your behalf and reconcile you back to God.)

The words are not as important as the attitude of your heart:

“Lord Jesus, I need you. Nothing I can do in my own strength or power can heal the rift that is between me and God. Thank you for dying on the cross and paying the penalty for my sins. I believe that you have done all that is needed to restore me to a full relationship with God. I receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life.”

 

Did you put your faith in Christ just now?  If so, you can rest in God’s promise that you have eternal life.  Your salvation is secure because it depends totally on Christ’s finished work on the cross, not our effort or “good works.” 

If you did just put your faith in Christ, we encourage you to continue this study to grow in your relationship with Christ!  If you didn't, we hope you will keep an open mind and especially look at some of the resources and "hard questions" at the end of this and other units.

 


DAY 5

 

Saved for a Purpose

You have been saved from an eternity separated from God.  That will never change because it’s based on God’s grace in Christ.

But, you have also been saved to God’s purpose and mission of making disciples

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  (Ephesians 2:10)

  • God is handcrafting you in Christ, but for what purpose according to this passage?

 

God’s ambassadors:

Now we come full circle to where we started.  God has saved us, and now we're His ambassadors to the world!

Read 2 Corinthians 5:19-20:

“ … He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (emphasis added)

  • If you were writing a job description for an "ambassador" what would it include?  How does that apply to our mission?

 

  • What in your life needs to change to for you to be a more effective ambassador?

 

As Christ’s representatives we love people where they are, and encourage them to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ.  It's their only hope.  And God has entrusted us with it!

  • Who do you know who needs to hear this message? 

 

Pray for that person and how God can use you in their life.

 

 

Your Spiritual Growth Plan

We grow by taking a next step!

Next Step:  Begin reading the gospel of John, a chapter a day for the next 21 days.  Underline what seem to be important words or phrases.  Put a question mark in the margin by things you don’t understand.  Find someone at church, a pastor or a mature believer, who can help you understand. 



Key Truth

  • God’s creation was “very good” when He created it and was without sin (Gen. 1:31)
  • Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience and separated mankind from God.
  • God planned for redemption in Christ alone, even before He created anything (Rev. 13:8; Acts 2:23)
  • Our purpose is to live obediently by joining God in His redemptive work through sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the world.

 

Resources

 

The Purpose Driven Life - Rick Warren

The Case for Christ - Lee Strobels  (strong evidence for the resurrection and Deity of Christ)

 

FAQ’s and Hard Questions (click for articles)

Can I lose my salvation?

What about people in remote regions who have never heard the gospel?

What is the “unpardonable sin”?

Do people get a second chance if they die without faith in Christ?

 


How is Foundations: Disciple Essentials organized?

Five Marks or pursuits of a growing disciple:

1.  Live obediently:  know God, know His word, remain in Him (Units 1, 2, 3, 4

2.  Connect intentionally with others in community (Unit 5)

3.  Serve selflessly by using our gifts, talents and resources (Unit 5)

4.  Give generously to God who gave us everything (Unit 5)

5.  Share willingly about the hope we have in Jesus Christ (Units 1, 6)

 

To MAIN MENU

 

What you have learned in this Foundations Study we encourage you to pass along to others by taking them through this study!  You can access all the materials online free anytime, anywhere. 

 


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