The Gospel
Bigger and Better Than You Ever Imagined�
What is the Gospel?�
Pair up and discuss:
How would you explain it to someone with no prior knowledge of Christianity?
You’ve got two minutes each
The Four Spiritual Laws
God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. (John 3:16)
Humanity is sinful and separated from God. (Romans 3:23)
Jesus Christ is God's only provision for our sin. (John 14:6)
We must individually receive Jesus Christ as our personal saviour and Lord (John 1:12)
In the beginning…
Genesis 1:26 (NRSV)
Independence over intimacy
Genesis 3:6-8
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
8 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
Blessed to be a blessing
Genesis 12:1-2
12 Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
Promises fulfilled
Luke 4:18-19 (NRSV)
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,� because he has anointed me� to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,� to let the oppressed go free,�19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
The Lords Prayer Matthew 6:9-13 (NRSV)
Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,� hallowed be your name.�10 Your kingdom come.� Your will be done,� on earth as it is in heaven.�11 Give us this day our daily bread.�12 And forgive us our debts,� as we also have forgiven our debtors.�13 And do not bring us to the time of trial,� but rescue us from the evil one.
Go into all the world…
Matthew 28:18-20 (NRSV)
18 And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Mercy Ships
All things new
Revelation 21:3–5 (NRSV)
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and be their God;�4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”�5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.”
Adapted from “The Field Guide to THE BIBLE” – Bible Society NZ
In pairs – find someone you don’t know!
1. What’s one thing that really stood out to you from this first keynote?�
2. What’s some “good news” you’re hoping and praying for this year?�Think personally, for your community, and for the world.
3. Pray together.�Take some time to pray for each other based on what you’ve shared.
John 16:7
7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity: Father , Son and Holy Spirit
What is the Holy Spirit’s Job Description?
Luke 24:49
49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
What is the Holy Spirit’s Job Description?
2) To bring glory to the Father and the Son
John 16:13-15
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
What is the Holy Spirit’s Job Description?
3) To help, teach and encourage the church
John 14:26: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
Encouraged
Holy Spirit Training:
In groups of 2s and 3s
Be still for a few minutes
then pray words of encouragement over each other
Alternative Exercise
In pairs – find someone you don’t know!
1. What’s one thing that really stood out to you from this first keynote?�
2. How has the gospel been good news for you?
3. Pray together.�Take some time to pray for each other based on what you’ve shared.