WEEK FIVE

How Do I Become a Christian?

By now, we’ve looked at the big picture: who God is, why Jesus is unique, the reality of the Resurrection, and the problem of sin. But this week, we’re getting personal. We’re moving from "What is Christianity?" to "How do I actually start this relationship?"

Becoming a Christian isn’t about joining a club, passing a test, or suddenly becoming a perfect person. It’s about a life-changing response to what God has already done for you.

1. Understanding the Good News (The Gospel

Before we talk about how to respond, we have to be clear on what we’re responding to. The word "Gospel" literally means "Good News."

The Good News isn't that you can work hard enough to reach God. The Good News is that God reached down to you.

Think of it this way:

• The Problem: We were separated from God by our sin (Week 4).

• The Solution: Jesus lived the perfect life we couldn’t live and died the death we deserved to die.

• The Result: Because of Jesus, the way back to God is wide open.

It’s a gift. You don’t earn a gift; you just receive it.

1 John 5:11
"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son."

2. Two Sides of the Same Coin: Repentance and Faith

So, how do you receive this gift? The Bible uses two main words to describe our response: Repentance and Faith. Think of them as two sides of the same coin. You can’t have one without the other.

Side A: Repentance (Turning From)
Repentance is a word that often gets a bad rap, but it’s actually a beautiful thing. It literally means "to change your mind."

• It’s admitting, "I’ve been going my own way, and that way leads away from God."

• It’s a decision to turn away from your sin and your own self-rule.

• It’s not just feeling sorry; it’s a change of direction.

Side B: Faith (Turning To)
Faith is more than just believing facts about Jesus (even the demons do that!). Real faith is trust.

• It’s turning toward Jesus and saying, "I trust that what You did on the cross is enough to save me."

• It’s moving from "I believe Jesus exists" to "I am relying on Jesus alone for my relationship with God."

You might say it like this: Repentance is letting go of the steering wheel of your life, and Faith is asking Jesus to take the wheel.

3. What Happens When You Trust Christ?

The moment you place your trust in Jesus, some incredible things happen some you’ll feel right away, and some that are true whether you "feel" them or not:

• You are forgiven. Every single sin past, present, and future is wiped clean. (Colossians 1:14)

• You become a child of God. You aren't just a "follower"; you are adopted into His family. (John 1:12)

• You receive eternal life. This isn't just something that starts when you die; it’s a new quality of life that starts now. (John 5:24)

• God’s Spirit comes to live in you. You aren't on your own anymore. The Holy Spirit is there to guide, comfort, and change you from the inside out. (1 Corinthians 3:16)

4. How to Start: A Simple Step

If you’re ready to trust Jesus, you can tell Him that right now. There’s no "magic prayer," but many people find it helpful to use words like these to express their heart to God:

"Lord Jesus, I admit that I have gone my own way and sinned against You. I believe that You are the Son of God, that You died for my sins, and that You rose from the dead. Right now, I turn from my sin and I place my trust in You alone as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving me and giving me eternal life. Help me to follow You from this day forward. Amen."

If you prayed that and meant it, the Bible says you have passed from death to life. You have started the greatest journey of your life!

5. Next Steps: Growth and Community

Just like a newborn baby needs food and a family, a new Christian needs a few things to grow healthy:

• Talk to God (Prayer): Keep the conversation going.

• Read the Bible: Start with the Gospel of John to get to know Jesus better.

• Find a Church Family: You weren't meant to do this alone. Find a group of people who love Jesus and teach the Bible.

• Tell Someone: Sharing your decision with a Christian friend or mentor helps make it "real" and gives you support.

Week 5 Key Takeaways

• It’s a Gift: You can’t earn salvation; you can only receive it by grace.

• Turn and Trust: Becoming a Christian involves repenting (turning from sin) and faith (trusting in Jesus).

• New Identity: You are now a forgiven, loved child of God with a secure future.

• Keep Growing: This is the beginning of a lifelong relationship, not the end of a process.

Next Week: We’ll wrap up by looking at how you can be 100% sure that you belong to God and are headed for heaven.

Student guide.

Memory Verse #4
1 John 5:11

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

The Big Shift: From Spiritual Death to Spiritual Life

Last week, the focus was on spiritual death our natural condition of being separated from God because of sin. Until we understand that we are spiritually dead, the word “salvation” doesn’t really land. Saved from what?

This week, we turn to spiritual life how God moves us from death to life, and what it means to actually receive that life.

Today’s Topic:
If I Need Salvation, How Can I Obtain It?

The Wages of Sin

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Think about wages: they’re what you get paid for what you’ve done. According to this verse, three crucial truths emerge:

1. The ultimate “payment” for sin is death—not just physical death, but spiritual separation from God.

2. Eternal life is not earned; it is a gift.

3. That gift of eternal life is found only in Jesus Christ.

So the question becomes: how do I receive this gift?

Jesus Explains the “Second Birth”

John 3:1–7

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”

Nicodemus was:

• A Pharisee—deeply religious, a moral, respected leader.

• Part of the Jewish ruling council—powerful, educated, serious about God.

He came at night, possibly to avoid being seen, but also clearly intrigued. He saw Jesus’ miracles and concluded, “God must be with this man.” Yet Jesus didn’t talk to him about religion, rule-keeping, or cleaning up his life. Instead, He said something shocking:

“You must be born again.”

Nicodemus heard that literally (re-enter my mother’s womb?). Jesus was talking about spiritual birth a completely new kind of life that only God can give.

Key Characteristics of the Second Birth

When the Bible talks about being “born again,” it means a second birth a spiritual one. Here are three key things to understand about this new birth:

It is accomplished by God Himself alone. It’s Supernatural, God’s Work, Not Ours

Becoming a child of God is not something we can make happen by our own effort, family background, or personal willpower. It is something God does.

John 1:12–13

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

Week Five FAQ: If I Need Salvation, How Can I Obtain It?

1. We’ve talked a lot about "spiritual death." What exactly is "spiritual life"?

Think of it as being "plugged in." If spiritual death is being like a lightbulb with no electricity separated from the source then spiritual life is the moment the power comes on. It’s not just about living forever after we die; it’s about having a real, vibrant connection with God right now. As we saw in Romans 6:23, it’s a gift God wants to give you.

2. Why did Jesus tell Nicodemus he had to be "born again"?

Nicodemus was a very religious guy, but Jesus wanted him to see that religion isn't enough. You were born physically into this world, but to enter God’s kingdom, you need a second birth a spiritual one. It’s Jesus’ way of saying we need a brand-new start that only God’s Spirit can provide.

3. Can I get this "second birth" by being a better person?

Actually, no. John 1:12-13 is pretty clear that this birth doesn't happen because of "human decision" or "natural descent." It’s supernatural. You can’t "work" your way into being born; it’s something God does in you when you receive Him.

4. What does it mean that the second birth is "Scriptural"?

It means that God uses His Word—the Bible to spark that life in us. James 1:18 says He chose to give us birth through the "word of truth." When you hear the message of the Gospel and it finally "clicks," that’s the Word of God doing its work in your heart.

5. Is "faith" just a feeling I’m supposed to wait for?

Not at all! Faith is a choice, not a feeling. Think of it like a marriage vow. You might feel butterflies, or you might not, but the marriage becomes real when you say "I do." Faith is your "I do" to Jesus. It’s a volitional act of your will based on the facts of who He is.

6. What is the difference between "intellectual belief" and "saving faith"?

This is a big one. You can intellectually believe a chair will hold you up, but you don't exercise "faith" in that chair until you actually sit down. Saving faith is "sitting down" on the finished work of Jesus. It’s moving from "I believe these facts are true" to "I am trusting Jesus with my life."

7. What does "repentance" actually mean?

Repentance is a change of direction. It’s like realizing you’re driving the wrong way on a one-way street and making a U-turn. It’s choosing to turn away from your sin and your own way of doing things and turning toward God.

8. Do I have to clean up my life before I can "cross over"?

No! If you could clean up your life on your own, you wouldn't need a Savior. You come to Jesus exactly as you are with all your mess and baggage and He is the one who begins the cleaning process from the inside out.

9. What if I don't feel anything after I pray?

That’s okay! Remember the "Train Illustration" from our guide. The engine is Fact (God’s Word), the middle car is Faith (your trust), and the caboose is Feeling. The train moves because of the engine, not the caboose. Your salvation is based on the fact of God’s promise, not how you feel on a Tuesday morning.

10. Is the prayer we used in class a "magic formula"?

There’s nothing magical about the specific words. What matters is the "endorsement" of your heart. Like cashing a check, the check is already signed by God (the Giver), but you have to "endorse" it by putting your trust in Him. The prayer is just a way to express that trust to God.

11. What does "Grace" really mean in this context?

A simple way to remember it is the acronym: God’s Redemption At Christ’s Expense. It’s getting the "A" on the test when Jesus was the one who did all the studying and took the exam for you.

12. Why is it important to tell someone else about my decision?

Romans 10:9-10 says that we believe with our hearts but we confess with our mouths. Telling someone else verbalizing it helps "seal" the decision in your own mind and confirms the commitment you’ve made.

13. Can I "cross over" more than once?

The Bible describes this as a permanent transfer. John 5:24 says once you believe, you have crossed over. You don't need to keep crossing back and forth. If you’ve truly put your trust in Him, you are His!

14. What if I still have doubts after I pray?

Doubts are normal! Even the disciples had moments of uncertainty. When doubts come, don't look at your feelings; look back at the "Engine" the facts of God’s Word. He promised that "whoever believes has eternal life." Period.

15. Does "eternal life" start after I die?

It actually starts the moment you believe! It’s a present-tense possession. You don't have to wait until heaven to start your relationship with God; the "power" is turned on the moment you trust Him.

Ready?

Let's dive into Week six: How Can I Be Sure I'm Going to Heaven?