Note: This is a Bible Study you do on your own, or you can use in your small group, with a friend, or with your family. There are discussion questions and even some family application included at the end.
Introduction
Maybe you’re not old yet, but your body regularly reminds you that you aren’t young anymore. Maybe you still run enough to be considered “in shape,” and can fit into pants that you owned in high school. But, you know that your body doesn’t feel the same way it did 20 years ago.
Dads often like to remind their kids that they are still “the man.” But, you can’t deny that you are just a man. You rarely jump out of bed anymore–you sort of roll out of bed and spend the first couple of minutes trying to lubricate you joints. My hair is gray and the hair and migrating to other parts of your body. Age is a humbling reminder that people are finite. But age is also a good reminder of the need we have for Christ. Like the rest of creation, we wear out and are stained by sin. We need to be made new.
At salvation, we become new creations. Just as our bodies are imperfect, so too is our heart and soul.
- What does it mean to be made new in Christ?
- Read Revelation 21:5. How will Jesus renew more than our hearts?
1. The gospel is an event in history (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)
Christians have been reconciled to God through Christ through the gospel. It is important for Christians to understand that the gospel work of Jesus is not first and foremost a personal experience. The gospel isn’t a prayer or a testimony. The gospel is an historical event that actually happened.
- What confidence do you have that Jesus actually died and rose again? What evidence could you share with someone who asked?
The gospel is the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. The salvation of sinners is a glorious application of the gospel, but it isn’t the gospel. Testimonies are great, but they aren’t the gospel. The gospel is an event in history, which is why Paul used the past tense in 2 Corinthians 5:18. Christ, “reconciled” himself to sinners through his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
- How is sharing the gospel of Jesus different than sharing your own testimony? Why are both important?
2. The gospel makes reconciliation possible (2 Corinthians 5:19)
The gospel makes reconciliation possible because on the cross, Jesus paid the penalty that every person owes. Romans 3:23 teaches that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Romans 6:23 shows us that the wages of sin is death. All people have sinned and as a result of their sin, all people deserve death. But, God who is rich in mercy has offered the gift of eternal life.
- Why is reconciliation necessary?
The gospel makes reconciliation possible because through the gospel it became possible for “God to not count their trespasses against them.” As a result of sin, relationship had been broken, but the gospel breaches the chasm.
- Read 2 Corinthians 5:18. Instead of being saved from sin, Paul says that you have been reconciled to God. How does this affect your understanding of salvation?
3. Reconciliation is an ongoing ministry (2 Corinthians 5:17-19, John 3:16)
Jesus completed the necessary work of reconciliation when he died on the cross and rose from the grave. But, reconciliation was not complete at that point. Paul says that Christians have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. This ministry of reconciliation means first and foremost the proclamation of the gospel to the world. Last week we read from John 3 that Jesus urged Nicodemus to be born again.
- Other than practice evangelism, what might you do to engage in the ministry of reconciliation today?
The message of John 3 is as applicable today as it was 2000 years ago. God so loved the world that he sent Jesus and whoever believes in Jesus will experience eternal life with him. The ministry of reconciliation—of proclaiming the good news about Jesus—has been given to Jesus’s followers.
- How are you participating in Christ’s reconciling ministry today?
Conclusion
The good news about Jesus is that he lived and died and rose again for the salvation of sinners. On the cross, he did everything that needed to be done to secure salvation for all who would call upon his name. The gospel is historical, salvation is experiential, and the ministry of reconciliation is the marching orders for Christians of all times in all places.
- Read John 3:17-18. Why is reconciliation needed?
- People sometimes question God’s love when they consider the evil present in our world. How would you describe the love of Jesus to someone who asked?
- Read John 3:20. When you consider that description of sin, how humbled are you to know that God would love you anyway?
- Last week we considered how the doctrine of the Trinity helps us to understand God’s love. How is the entire Trinity involved in salvation?
Family Time
Kids
It’s not fair. That seems to be one of the favorite phrases for five year olds. If they get in trouble or if they don’t get a treat, they confidently assert, “it’s not fair.” In other words, “I didn’t get what I deserved.” We don’t deserve God’s love, but he gives it to us anyway. God loves us regardless of the fact that we are sinners. And he loves you too.
- Read and memorize John 3:16. After you have memorized John 3:16 substitute your name where it says “the world” (For God so loved Sam…). How does this verse feel different when you say it with your name?
- Have you ever received a gift you didn’t deserve? How did it make you feel? How is God’s love a gift you don’t deserve?
Students
Teenagers often struggle with questions of evil and justice. You may not always know how to formulate all of your questions into words, but it can seem at times as though God is unfair. But, if God were fair, he would punish us for our sins and would not have made a way for you to be reconciled to him. The gospel is unfair because grace isn’t fair. Grace is unmerited favor—it is a gift that you don’t deserve.
- How is the grace of God unfair and why do you think that is a good thing?
- What can you do to show grace to someone today?
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
