DOCTRINE OF SALVATION

Session Four

The Why of Salvation – DEPRAVITY

Webster’s dictionary defines depravity as being morally bad or corrupt.

(Ephesians 2:2-3) “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

(Psalm 51:5) “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

Because human thinking defines that which is morally wrong based upon the majority thinking of society, most people consider themselves good people possibly worthy of Heaven but certainly not deserving of Hell.

We must define what sin is for the lost person by helping them see sin from God’s point of view.

How does a small chruch grow through evangelism?

Session Three

Small Church Dynamics

Growth Patterns

• Attraction model through relationships

Growth Obstacles

• Small-church image
• Ineffective evangelism
• Inadequate programming
• Downward momentum
• Ingrown fellowship

Growth Strategies

• Renew a sense of purpose
• Begin new ministries
• Cultivate evangelism
• Celebrate victories
• Start new groups/classes
• Involve new people

Taken from: “One Size Doesn’t Fit All” by Gary McIntosh

Foundation for Understanding Salvation

• What is the problem? Sin
• Why does it matter if I believe anything at all or what particular religion I choose to follow? Because the Bible way of salvation is the only way of dealing with sin that God accepts

PAINTING A REALISTIC PICTURE

MP3 Audio

Where we are as a church – Some Observations

• We are around lost people on a regular basis.
• We seem to be unsure how to approach someone who hasn’t shown interest in spiritual things.
• We seem to feel unprepared about what questions we might be able to answer.
• We seem to feel more comfortable witnessing with another believer.
• We are praying at most weekly for the lost people we do know.
• We seem to connect outreach programs with a better evangelism effort.