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We Believe An 11 week study on the doctrines of The

Salvation Army for Adults

Presented by: Cadet Shannon Rogers


Building a Firm Foundation: the Word

Doctrine 1: We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by

inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.

Time required for this lesson: 45 minutes Lesson Objectives: To know, understand, and respect the authority of the Bible Supplies: Poster board, marker, notecards (3 per person), pens, Handbook of Doctrine, Songbook of The Salvation Army, Holy Bible NIV Open up lesson with an overview of the course. Explain that the next 11 weeks will take a look at the doctrines (belief statements) of The Salvation Army. By the end of this course they should be ready for consideration as soldiers of the corps. ASK: Has anyone ever been inspired? (Leave time for answers) What kind of things do you think are inspired or inspiring? (Write these on the poster board) READ: Have the class read the doctrine aloud together TEACH: The Old Testament includes the Books of the Law, poetry, prophecies, etc.

(Genesis- Malachi) The New Testament begins with the four gospel accounts of the life of Jesus and continues on with the Acts of the Apostles, epistles, and the book of Revelation. (Matthew-Revelation)

How did these books make the cut? The word canon, which means “measuring reed,” means the

accepted body of literature that we know as the Scriptures. The Old Testament books had long been accepted by the Jewish community as Holy Scriptures. To make it into the New Testament, books had to meet three requirements: they must have apostolic origin (been written by an apostle), they must align with the accepted rule of faith,


and must be commonly used by the churches (Handbook of Doctrine p. 3) The books that were included in the Bible we know today were accepted by 400 A.D.

What does it mean to be inspired by God? 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for

teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” Scripture is God-breathed.

ASK: How do you think God told the writers what to write? Some answers could be dreams, visions, etc.

God used the biblical writers to get His message out. This does not necessarily mean that He held their hand as they wrote the words, but that He gave them a message to say and let them tell it. Like God breathed into Adam and gave Him life, God breathed into the words of the writers to bring to life His story of redemption to the world. Writers wrote at the discretion and guidance of the Holy Spirit so that they conveyed the truth of God.

What is the purpose of the Bible? Looking back at the Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16 we see that it is

“useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” The Bible shows us the history of the Israelite people and gives a directive for how to live a life pleasing to God. Its purpose is to teach men how to love and serve God. The Bible is God’s love story to man. It tells of our separation from Him through sin, our need for a Savior, and His glorious provision of grace and salvation to reconcile mankind to Him. The Bible is our guidebook for how to live a holy life and to lead others in that life as well.

DISCUSSION TIME: Allow time for any questions or concerns that may come up. SONG: 657/124 SASB “The Spirit Breathes upon the Word” HOMEWORK: Have each person write Doctrine 1 on 3 notecards. Instruct them to place the notecards in the three places they will see them the most over the next week. Encourage them to have this doctrine memorized before the next week.


PRAYER: Pray the Bible: Have everyone read Psalm 119:97-112 aloud as a prayer. It does not have to be altogether but each person can pray it as they are lead. They should feel free to walk around the room, pray it quietly or loudly as they see fit. DISMISS


The All-powerful God

Doctrine 2: We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator,

Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.

Time required for lesson: 45 minutes Lesson objectives: To know, understand, and believe in the all-powerful God. Supplies: poster board, marker, notecards (3 for each person), pens, Handbook of Doctrine, Songbook of The Salvation Army, Holy Bible NIV REVIEW: Review doctrine from last week. Ask how many have it memorized and have them say it for the class. Ask how people shared this doctrine with others over the last week. ASK: How do you know there is a God? (Allow time for response) Write these responses on the poster board. Some answers may include nature, creation, faith, etc. READ: Have the class read the doctrine aloud together. TEACH: Monotheism: the belief in only one God. Read Paul’s account of his time in Athens found in Acts 17:16-34 How do we really know there is a God? Creation, Nature/design of the world, evidence from mankind

(complexity, logical thought, intellect, will, and personality) Attributes of God: Omnipresent – unlimited presence – not limited by time or space Omniscient – unlimited knowledge – God knows all things both actual

And possible Omnipotent – unlimited power – God does whatever He chooses.


Immensity - God is not restricted by space Immanence - God is within the world, acting within and through His

creation, rather than from outside of it Transcendence - God is “wholly other.” This speaks of His position

above and beyond Creation DISCUSSION TIME: Allow for any questions or concerns that may come up. SONG: 2/45 SASB “All creatures of our god and king” 10/435 SASB “Joyful, Joyful” HOMEWORK: Have each person write Doctrine 2 on 3 notecards. Instruct them to place the notecards in the three places they will see them the most over the next week. Encourage them to have this doctrine memorized before the next week. PRAYER: Pray the Bible: Have everyone read Psalm 96:1-13 aloud as a prayer. It does not have to be altogether but each person can pray it as they are lead. They should feel free to walk around the room, pray it quietly or loudly as they see fit. DISMISS


The Triune God

Doctrine 3: We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead – the Father, the Son and

the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.

Time required for lesson: 45 minutes Lesson objectives: To know and understand that God is three parts and one Supplies :note cards (3 per person), pens, Handbook of Doctrine, Songbook of The Salvation Army, Holy Bible NIV REVIEW: Review doctrine from last week. Ask how many have it memorized and have them say it for the class. Ask how people shared this doctrine with others over the last week. ASK: How many times is the word “trinity” mentioned in the Bible? (Trick question, the answer is 0!) READ: Have the class read the doctrine aloud together. TEACH: The Triune God (tri-unity) –have different people look up each Scripture Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalm 33:6; Psalm 139:7; Philippians 2:6-11;

2 Corinthians 3:17-18; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Matthew 28:19 Three Distinct Persons (order is not important) Father – mentioned first because we connect Him with the initial

origin and creation of all things – not because He is superior to the Son and Holy Spirit

Son – second because He “came in the fullness of time” to fulfill the Father’s plan of redemption

Holy Spirit – third because he revealed Himself in a new and vital way At Pentecost. Put in this order due to main appearance later in Scripture.


Common Misconceptions/misunderstandings Modalism – God projects Himself in three modes; sometimes Father,

sometimes the Son, and sometimes the Spirit. Instead, modalism tended to degrade the relationship of unity between the three distinct persons.

Tritheism – The three persons have different characteristics, desires, and objectives. While it was to protect the integrity and identity of the three persons, it argues such distinction between the Three, that it still degrades the cohesive nature of God’s attitude and action.

Subordinationism – The Father is eternally superior to the Son and the Spirit. Again, thought is driven by our need to fit God into our social, hierarchial structure and equate the Father with other monotheistic deities.

Graded Trinity – Son was a lesser God than the Father, Spirit subordinate to the Son

One cannot be separated from the other. Although one may be featured in a certain passage of Scripture, all members of the Godhead are present in all accounts. Example: Ice as a liquid, solid, and gas (vapor) Human terms and limited knowledge makes it difficult to understand this concept. DISCUSSION TIME: Allow for any questions or concerns that may come up. SONG: “Holy, Holy, Holy” Song 220/748 SASB HOMEWORK: Have each person write Doctrine 3 on 3 notecards. Instruct them to place the notecards in the three places they will see them the most over the next week. Encourage them to have this doctrine memorized before the next week. PRAYER: Pray the Bible: Have everyone read Psalm 33:1-22 aloud as a prayer. It does not have to be altogether but each person can pray it as they are lead. They should feel free to walk around the room, pray it quietly or loudly as they see fit. DISMISS


The 200% Man

Doctrine 4:

We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that he is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.

Time required for lesson: 45 minutes Lesson objectives: To know, understand, and accept that Jesus is both God and man in one. Supplies: poster board, markers, note cards (3 per person), pens, Handbook of Doctrine, Songbook of The Salvation Army, Holy Bible NIV REVIEW: Review doctrine from last week. Ask how many have it memorized and have them say it for the class. Ask how people shared this doctrine with others over the last week. ASK: Have the words “Divine” and “Human” written on the poster board with a line down the middle. Ask which acts of Jesus recorded in the Gospels would fit under His divine nature and which acts would fit under His human nature. Have them site specific Scripture passages. READ: Have the class read the doctrine aloud together. TEACH: Jesus the Man Jesus was a historical figure – non Christian literature mentions Him Jesus was a real human being – had same human needs as we do Jesus in a unique human being – lived without sin Jesus the Divine The Incarnation – God became man in Jesus Christ to dwell on the earth The Virgin Birth- fulfilled prophecies, conceived by the Holy Spirit


Jesus is our example on how to live a godly life Jesus is our Savior from sin because He conquered death through His resurrection DISCUSSION TIME: Allow for any questions or concerns that may come up. Which names/titles of Jesus show His deity, humanity, or mission? Lord, Christ, Son of God, Son of Man, Savior, Servant, The Word, King, Judge, High Priest, Last Adam, Head of the Body SONG: “Crown him with Many Crowns” Song 156/182 SASB HOMEWORK: Have each person write Doctrine 4 on 3 notecards. Instruct them to place the notecards in the three places they will see them the most over the next week. Encourage them to have this doctrine memorized before the next week. PRAYER: Pray the Bible: Have everyone read Psalm 22:1-11 aloud as a prayer. It does not have to be altogether but each person can pray it as they are lead. They should feel free to walk around the room, pray it quietly or loudly as they see fit. DISMISS


The Fall of Man (and Woman!)

Doctrine 5: We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their

disobedience they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed

to the wrath of God.

Time required for lesson: 45 minutes Lesson objectives: To know the history of how sin entered the word and recognize that as a result of this we are all sinners who need to be saved. Supplies: poster board, markers, note cards (3 per person), pens, Handbook of Doctrine, Songbook of The Salvation Army, Holy Bible NIV REVIEW: Review doctrine from last week. Ask how many have it memorized and have them say it for the class. Ask how people shared this doctrine with others over the last week. ASK: What do you see as the effect of sin in the world? Where did sin come from? What is sin? Allow time for answers and discussion. TEACH: The fall of humanity into sin is recorded in Genesis Chapter 3. In the first two chapters of Genesis we learn that humanity was created in the image of God (imago dei) and that God’s intention was for humanity to live in harmony with Him and all of creation. As a result of the fall, God gave a curse and the consequence of sin is separation from God. Now because of this, everyone is born in a sinful state and must accept the salvation provided through Jesus to be in a right relationship with God again. What is sin? As stated in the handbook of doctrine, sin is failure to believe and trust in God, and to desire to be independent of him. Sin is also a failure to live


according to the high standard of love for God and one another. Lastly, sin is anything contrary to the known will of God. What does “total depravity” mean? This does not mean that everyone is bad, but that the sinful human nature affects every aspect of a being’s personality. Sin brings separation from God and exposes us to His wrath. God is holy and just so blood must be presented as a sacrifice to wash our sins away. The Old Testament system was to present animal sacrifices in the Temple, but now He provides His grace through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. DISCUSSION TIME: Allow for any questions or concerns that may come up. SONG: “Love Lifted Me” Song 336/725 SASB HOMEWORK: Have each person write Doctrine 5 on 3 notecards. Instruct them to place the notecards in the three places they will see them the most over the next week. Encourage them to have this doctrine memorized before the next week. PRAYER: Pray the Bible: Have everyone read Psalm 51:1-19 aloud as a prayer. It does not have to be altogether but each person can pray it as they are lead. They should feel free to walk around the room, pray it quietly or loudly as they see fit. DISMISS


It’s for the whosoever

Doctrine 6: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by his suffering and death made an

atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved. Time required for lesson: 45 minutes Lesson objectives: To recognize that Jesus made the sacrifice once and for all so that everyone who believes can be saved from sin. Supplies: poster board, markers, note cards (3 per person), pens, Handbook of Doctrine, Songbook of The Salvation Army, Holy Bible NIV REVIEW: Review doctrine from last week. Ask how many have it memorized and have them say it for the class. Ask how people shared this doctrine with others over the last week. ASK: What does the word atonement mean? What does the phrase “whole world” mean? How to we become saved? Allow time for answers and discussion. TEACH: What does atonement mean? Ransom – Jesus gave His life as a ransom. He paid the price and freed us from our captivity to sin. Our redemption is not free. The law courts – Anyone who breaks the law deserves punishment. We are all born sinful and are subject to the wrath of God (Doctrine 5) and so Jesus took the guilty verdict for us and transformed us into a not guilty claim. Redemptive sacrifice – The Old Testament system required Jews to bring sacrifices to the Temple for forgiveness of their sins. The Handbook of Doctrine says that Christ became the once-for-all sacrifice which buys our salvation (p.129) Jesus is the one sacrifice needed for the forgiveness of all sins. Victory of sin – The death and resurrection of Jesus brings victory over sin and death and we can claim that same victory when we are washed in His blood.


Self-giving love – Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice. He wasn’t forced into it, but gave himself willingly, taking on all of our sin. Atonement literally could mean “at-one-ment.” It is being brought back into a right relationship with God. This grace is available to anyone and everyone who will believe it and accept it. God does not discriminate but welcomes everyone into His family. DISCUSSION TIME: Allow for any questions or concerns that may come up. SONG: “O Boundless Salvation” Song 298/565 SASB HOMEWORK: Have each person write Doctrine 6 on 3 notecards. Instruct them to place the notecards in the three places they will see them the most over the next week. Encourage them to have this doctrine memorized before the next week. PRAYER: Pray the Bible: Have everyone read Psalm 65:1-13 aloud as a prayer. It does not have to be altogether but each person can pray it as they are lead. They should feel free to walk around the room, pray it quietly or loudly as they see fit. DISMISS


The three steps to holiness

Doctrine 7 We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and

regeneration by the Holy Spirit are necessary to salvation. Time required for lesson: 45 minutes Lesson objectives: To recognize the three steps of repentance, faith, and regeneration are imperative to their Christian walk. Supplies: note cards (3 per person), pens, Handbook of Doctrine, Songbook of The Salvation Army, Holy Bible, NIV REVIEW: Review doctrine from last week. Ask how many have it memorized and have them say it for the class. Ask how people shared this doctrine with others over the last week. ASK: What does repentance mean? What is faith? What is regeneration? TEACH: Repentance is more than a change of mind or feeling sorry for one’s sins. It is a radical and deliberate turning or returning to God that results in moral and ethical change in action and mindset. Evangelical repentance consists of

1. A true sense of one’s own guilt and sinfulness 2. An apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ 3. An actual hatred of sin (Ps. 119:128; Job 42:5-6; 2 Cor. 7:10) and turning

from it to God 4. A persistent endeavor to live a holy life, walking with God in the way of

his commandments Faith – True repentance must be accompanied by faith in Christ. Salvation is when repentance is combined with faith. The outcome of faith is justification (Doctrine 8.) Hebrews 11:1. Faith is a personal response to a personal God. Aspects of Faith

1. Head


a. Conviction (belief in the intangible) 2. Heart

a. Commitment (God’s way is fool-proof) 3. Hand

a. Conduct (living out conviction and commitment)

Regeneration - Wesley’s definition: That great change which God works in the soul when He brings it into life; when He raises it from the death of sin into the life of righteousness. God’s purpose is our re-creation in the image of His son, Jesus And our freedom from the power of sin Freed by the Spirit to become our true selves This process is never completed in this life, but grows and develops… As the Holy Spirit reveals to us more of our own need of the power of Christ HD pg. 151-152 The work of the Holy Spirit The promise of the Spirit He spoke through the prophets

1. Isaiah – the one in whom the spirit would dwell perfectly The work of the Spirit in the life of the believer

1. Convicts and leads us to repentance and faith 2. Regeneration – imparts new life 3. Sanctifies

The Spirit in the Church 1. Initiates and seeks to guide and sustain revival 2. Releases and directs new life in the Church 3. Creates fellowship 4. Inspires sacrificial love 5. Imparts humility 6. Provides believers with spiritual gifts

DISCUSSION TIME: Allow for any questions or concerns that may come up. SONG: “I want, dear Lord” Song 426/517 SASB


HOMEWORK: Have each person write Doctrine 7 on 3 notecards. Instruct them to place the notecards in the three places they will see them the most over the next week. Encourage them to have this doctrine memorized before the next week. PRAYER: Pray the Bible: Have everyone read Psalm 51:1-19 aloud as a prayer. It does not have to be altogether but each person can pray it as they are lead. They should feel free to walk around the room, pray it quietly or loudly as they see fit. DISMISS


Justified by Grace

Doctrine 8 We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and

that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.

Time required for lesson: 45 minutes Lesson objectives: To know that salvation isn’t by works but by faith in Jesus, and that the Holy Spirit dwells within believers. Supplies: note cards (3 per person), pens, Handbook of Doctrine, The Songbook of The Salvation Army, Holy Bible NIV REVIEW: Review doctrine from last week. Ask how many have it memorized and have them say it for the class. Ask how people shared this doctrine with others over the last week. ASK: What does it mean to be justified? What is grace? TEACH: Justification – removes our sins

Regeneration – changes our hearts Adoption – receives us into the family of God Justified by grace – “It awakens us, convicts us of sin, convinces us of hope,

enables us to respond and leads to new life” (Handbook of Doctrine p. 164.) God’s grace lets us know that we are in need of salvation and our response is repentance.

Justification through faith – “Faith is our personal response to the grace of God. It is a trusting acceptance of the good news of the gospel, that God accepts us because of Jesus Christ.” (Handbook of Doctrine p. 165.) Faith and works go hand in hand. We are not saved by what we do, but faith in Christ prompts action to do as He said.


Assurance – “The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee of our salvation and assures us of the truth of the gospel message and its effectiveness for us.” (Handbook of Doctrine p. 167.) Our faith is secure if we abide in Christ..

DISCUSSION TIME: Allow for any questions or concerns that may come up. SONG: “Blessed Assurance” Song #310/621 SASB HOMEWORK: Have each person write Doctrine 8 on 3 notecards. Instruct them to place the notecards in the three places they will see them the most over the next week. Encourage them to have this doctrine memorized before the next week. PRAYER: Pray the Bible: Have everyone read Psalm 19:1-14 aloud as a prayer. It does not have to be altogether but each person can pray it as they are lead. They should feel free to walk around the room, pray it quietly or loudly as they see fit. DISMISS


Once Saved, Always Saved?

Doctrine 9: We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued

obedient faith in Christ

Time required for lesson: 45 minutes Lesson objectives: To know that maintaining a right relationship with God means continuing in obedience to His will and diligent spiritual disciplines. Supplies: note cards (3 per person), pens, Handbook of Doctrine, The Songbook of The Salvation Army, Holy Bible NIV REVIEW: Review doctrine from last week. Ask how many have it memorized and have them say it for the class. Ask how people shared this doctrine with others over the last week. ASK: Is it possible to lose our relationship with God? When you are saved, are you always saved no matter what you do? TEACH: Conversion- a change of direction, a change of heart, a new relationship with God. Brings joy and blessings Opens communication with God Confidence in God’s presence Purpose: to create in us the likeness of His Son so that we may participate in the divine nature; to make us holy Backsliding It is possible to choose God, and also possible to turn away Christian life requires a combined commitment of faith and obedience John 15:4 – Remain in me


Opposition to the will of God Open rejection of Christ Neglect of spiritual life Choose what we know is wrong “A wrong action is not backsliding. What is important is the attitude which follows the act.” (Handbook of Doctrine p. 180) Loss of connection with Christ Continued obedient faith Spiritual disciplines: prayer, Bible Study, self-denial, and openness to ministry Obedience to the will of God Christian pilgrimage begins at conversion, but is a journey, not a destination. DISCUSSION TIME: Allow for any questions or concerns that may come up. SONG: “Take my life, and let it be” #525/289 SASB HOMEWORK: Have each person write Doctrine 9 on 3 notecards. Instruct them to place the notecards in the three places they will see them the most over the next week. Encourage them to have this doctrine memorized before the next week. PRAYER: Pray the Bible: Have everyone read Psalm 1:1-6 aloud as a prayer. It does not have to be altogether but each person can pray it as they are lead. They should feel free to walk around the room, pray it quietly or loudly as they see fit. DISMISS


Sanctification, what does it mean?

Doctrine 10 We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that

their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Time required for lesson: 45 minutes Lesson objectives: To understand and be able to explain the theological idea and aspects of sanctification Supplies: note cards (3 per person), pens, Handbook of Doctrine, The Songbook of The Salvation Army, Holy Bible NIV REVIEW: Review doctrine from last week. Ask how many have it memorized and have them say it for the class. Ask how people shared this doctrine with others over the last week. ASK: What does it mean to be wholly sanctified? Why the differentiation of spirit and soul in the phrasing of the doctrine? What does it mean to be preserved blameless? TEACH: Sanctification “Sanctification by grace through faith enables holy living.” (HD p. 191.) The process by which God’s children are made holy and set apart for God’s purposes. Who does it? The Holy Spirit! God’s gracious provision The Holy Spirit works within us. It is the privilege of all believers. It is God’s intention for us to be holy. – 1 Peter 1:16 Holiness is becoming like Christ who is the true image of God (HD

p.192)


By grace through faith As we learned in Doctrine 9 Regeneration by the Holy Spirit (Doctrine 7) then moves to Sanctification Requires trust and obedience towards God to become transformed. Freedom of choice needs to not overwhelm our desire to be holy. “The possibility of holiness becomes a reality only through faith, by Trusting the grace of the sanctifying God and obeying his word.” (HD p. 193) A radical life-change The way of the Cross leads to new life We are empowered to make radical changes of direction in our lives Through sanctification Crisis moments – spiritual crisis (hard times, doubting, pain) leads to A heightened sense of the Holy Spirit’s presence which guides us to An experience of grace that leads to spiritual breakthrough A lifelong process “However, the doctrine of entire sanctification does not mean that in

this life we ever arrive at a point where further spiritual progress in unnecessary for those who have been sanctified” (HD p. 195) Step 1. Seek a close spiritual relationship with God which leads to Becoming more like Christ and his holiness becomes evident in our

Living. The life of holiness The restoration of the covenant “As the Fall resulted in the fragmentation of all relationships, so the

image of God in us expresses itself in the renewal of our relationships.” (HD p.196) In covenant we are to have a relationship with God, our relationship With others then flows out of this, and our relationship with God’s World


Holiness and ethics “Holiness is true love, nurtured and expressed in relationships.” (HD

p.197) Ethics provide the principles and guidelines for the fullness of love in All our relationships.

Wholeness, health, and healing Every dimension of human life is restored. Holiness touches every part of a life. We become a healing mission for the community around us A holiness to be lived out in mission “It is the life of Christ which we live out in mission. God sanctifies his]

people not only in order that they will be marked by his character, but also in order that the world will be marked by that character.” (HD p. 198) Requires evangelism, service, and social action

DISCUSSION TIME: Allow for any questions or concerns that may come up. SONG: “In Deeper Consecration” #493/688 SASB HOMEWORK: Have each person write Doctrine 10 on 3 notecards. Instruct them to place the notecards in the three places they will see them the most over the next week. Encourage them to have this doctrine memorized before the next week. PRAYER: Pray the Bible: Have everyone read Psalm 40:1-13 aloud as a prayer. It does not have to be altogether but each person can pray it as they are lead. They should feel free to walk around the room, pray it quietly or loudly as they see fit. DISMISS


What happens in the end?

Doctrine 11 We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the

general judgment at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked.

Time required for lesson: 45 minutes Lesson objectives: To be aware of the eschatological beliefs of The Salvation Army and the Scriptural basis for these beliefs Supplies: note cards (3 per person), pens, Handbook of Doctrine, The Songbook of The Salvation Army, Holy Bible NIV REVIEW: Review doctrine from last week. Ask how many have it memorized and have them say it for the class. Ask how people shared this doctrine with others over the last week. ASK: What happens when we die? What happens at the end of the world? TEACH: The hope of all Christians: “Belief in the Resurrection (of Jesus) asserts that death does not have the last word over human destiny; God does. The Christian hope is that as God raised Jesus Christ from death, so God will raise us from death to eternal life with him.” (HD p. 223) It is radical trust in God The triumph of the Kingdom of God Isaiah 11:6-9; Isaiah 65:17-25; Revelation 21:1-7, 22:1-5; Luke 4:18-19, 7:22, 11:14-20; Acts 2:32-36, 8:12, 19:8, 28:23-31; 1 Peter 1:3-5. Eternal Life “This is a quality of life in the presence of God, not simply unending time.” (HD p. 224) Death and Resurrection


The immortality of the soul “It is usually employed by Christians to mean that death is not the end, and this usual understanding is certainly essential to the gospel. It is important to recognize, however, that apart from God’s action there is no part of us that naturally survives beyond death.” (HD p.225) Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 2:5-11; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; 1 Timothy 6:13-16 The resurrection of the body “The phrase, ‘the resurrection of the body’ is the biblical way to express Christian belief in life after death. In the Bible the word ‘body’ means the whole person. The phrase safeguards the integrity of the human person. We do not look forward to become mere disembodied spirits, but whole persons, fully alive with Christ in God.” (HD p. 226) Psalm 73:24; Daniel 12:2; John 5:25-29; Revelation 20:11-15; John 14:1-14; 1 Corinthians 15:49; 1 Corinthians 15 Ultimate Accountability Judgment The fulfillment of God’s promises The fullest affirmation of universal accountability Personal responsibility for our actions, choices, attitude God is the judge Hell and Heaven Matthew 13:24-30, 25:1-13, 31-46 “As Hell refers to the anguish of those who face eternity without God, so Heaven describes the bliss of those who enjoy the full experience of his presence.” (HD p. 228) A Hope to be Shared Hope reaches beyond this life Joy and anticipation of the life to come Life of trust and confidence in God “As we live out this future today we invite others to share in our hope.” (HD p. 228) “This includes Christ’s return in glory, the completion of God’s Kingdom, the resurrection of the body, the final accountability of all persons to God, the endless


despair of those who reject salvation and the eternal happiness of those who are righteous through faith.” (HD p. 228) DISCUSSION TIME: Allow for any questions or concerns that may come up. SONG: “Victory in Jesus” #990 SASB HOMEWORK: Have each person write Doctrine 11 on 3 notecards. Instruct them to place the notecards in the three places they will see them the most over the next week. Encourage them to have this doctrine memorized before the next week. PRAYER: Pray the Bible: Have everyone read Psalm 91:1-6 aloud as a prayer. It does not have to be altogether but each person can pray it as they are lead. They should feel free to walk around the room, pray it quietly or loudly as they see fit. DISMISS

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