SALVATION - Through faith

Romans 3:21-25a | But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.

1. Who has a broken relationship with God because of sin?
2. What does it mean to “be made right with God?”
3. What does God require of you for your relationship with Him to be made right? 
4. Why is believing in the shed blood of Jesus on the cross such an important part of salvation? [Read Romans 6:23 if you are unsure]

Romans 1:16-17 | For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

1. What is faith?
2. Do you believe salvation is earned “start to finish” only by faith? Why or why not?
3. If a person says they have faith in God, but their actions never show it, do you think they are truly saved? Why or why not? [Think about the difference between knowledge and faith]
4. When did you put your faith in Jesus? Is your faith evident to others? In what ways?