Becoming a Christian

God’s Design

We live in a broken world, surrounded by broken lives, broken relationships, and broken systems. This brokenness is seen in suffering, violence, poverty, pain, and death around us. Brokenness leads us to search for a way to make life work.

In contrast to this brokenness, we also see beauty, purpose, and evidence of design around us. The Bible tells us that God originally planned a world that worked perfectly — where everything and everyone fit together in harmony. God made each of us with a purpose — to worship him and walk with him.

“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” – Genesis 1:31

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” – Psalm 19:1

Sin

Life doesn’t work when we ignore God and his original design for our lives. We selfishly insist on doing things our own way. The Bible calls this sin. We all sin and distort the original design. The consequence of our sin is separation from God — in this life and for all of eternity

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death.” – Romans 6:23a

Brokenness

Sin leads to a place of brokenness. We see this all around us and in our lives as well. When we realize life is not working, we begin to look for a way out. We tend to go in many directions trying to figure it out on our own. Brokenness leads to a place of realizing a need for something greater.

“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” – Romans 1:25

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”  – Proverbs 14:12

Remedy

At this point we need a remedy — some good news. Because of this, God did not leave us in our brokenness. Jesus, God in human flesh, came to us and lived perfectly according to God’s design. Jesus came to rescue us — to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. He took our sin and shame to the cross, paying the penalty of our sin by his death. Jesus was then raised from the dead — to provide the only way for us to be rescued and restored to a relationship with God.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son.” – John 3:16

“He canceled the record of debt that stood against us…. he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” – Colossians 2:14

“Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” – 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Repent and Believe

Simply hearing this good news is not enough. We must admit our sinful brokenness and stop trusting in ourselves. We don’t have the power to escape this brokenness on our own. We need to be rescued. We must ask God to forgive us — turning from sin to trust only in Jesus. This is what it means to repent and believe. Believing, we receive new life through Jesus and God turns our lives in a new direction. 

“Repent and believe in the gospel.” – Mark 1:15b

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Recover and Pursue

When God restores our relationship to him, we begin to discover meaning and purpose in a broken world. Now we can pursue God’s design in all areas of our lives. We understand God’s pathway to be restored — the same Good News of Jesus. God’s Spirit empowers us to recover his design and assures us of his presence in this life and for all eternity.

“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:13

 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10

What should I do?

Now that you’ve heard this Good News, God wants you to respond to him.
You can talk to him using words like these:

My life is broken — I recognize it’s because of my sin. I need You.

I believe Christ came to live, die, and was raised from the dead  to rescue me from my sin.

Forgive me. I turn from my selfish ways and put my trust in You.

I know that Jesus is Lord of all, and I will follow Him.

The Bible says: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved… For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:9, 13

What’s next?

As we begin our new journey, the Bible teaches us how to pursue God. He has a design for healthy relationships.

Prayer – God wants you to talk to him about everything that matters to you.

Church – The local church is God’s family to help you walk with him.

Bible – The Bible reveals God’s design — showing how to pursue him.

Share – Now that you have experienced this Good News, tell others.

The Bible says:

“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” – John 20:31

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” – Colossians 2:6

The 3 circles content is used from the Life Conversation Guide produced by the North American Mission Board.

For more information, visit lifeonmissionbook.com/conversation-guide.

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