Based on 1 John 5:9-13, this study from The Community explores how we can be sure we have eternal life. It’s designed to help you guide your disciple or small group through the topic of assurance of salvation as it covers these main ideas:
What’s the Big Idea?
The Bible says that believers can know – and that God wants us to know – that we are saved, and therefore safe. The basis of our assurance is the certainty of God’s promise to give us eternal life when we place our faith in Jesus. This assurance is bolstered as we see our lives being changed by Jesus.
What’s the Problem?
Many Christians are unsure if they will really go to heaven when they die. Some think it is presumptuous or arrogant to claim to know that you are going to heaven. Others may think that they are saved, when they really aren’t. This lack of assurance, or false assurance, can keep us from loving and obeying Jesus.
What’s Our Response?
Knowing that heaven is a gift that we cannot earn or lose should motivate us to obey God out of gratitude, rather than out of fear. The point of the study is to give the members of the group who have placed their faith in Christ that assurance. The study might cause some to question if they have made a decision to trust Christ. You may close by passing out a Four Spiritual Laws booklet or opening it in GodTools. Encourage anyone who cannot remember a time when they trusted Christ, or might be unsure if they ever have, to read through the booklet and commit to surrendering their life to Christ.
