Asking For a 'Friend': Week 3

Sunday May 3, 2020

  • If you’ve been saved, how long has it been since accepting that gift of salvation?

  • How is a person saved?

  • According to the sermon, what 3 things have we been saved from? Conversely, what 3 things have we been saved to? 

    • Saved from sin, Satan, hell.   

    • Saved to righteousness, God, heaven. 

  • What was one of the first things that you noticed had changed when you were saved?

  • Have you experienced seasons of doubt about your salvation? If so, which of these 5 tactics do you think the enemy used to cause that doubt? (If not one of these 5, feel free to share another.) 

    • He causes you to be more focused on your sin than your Savior.

    • He causes you to draw false conclusions from your circumstances. 

    • He causes you to believe that your struggle is one that no Christian should have.  

    • He causes you to conclude that your lack of joy means you don’t have salvation.

    • He causes you to believe that a relapse into sin is evidence that you are not saved. 

  • Is “once saved - always saved” true? If so, why do you believe it?

    • Is it true that Christians can "backslide" or be "carnal" and still be saved?

  • What are the differences between a lifestyle of sin versus a lifestyle of righteousness? 

  • How do you respond to Jason’s statement about Mark 4 (The 4 Soils) and how true faith is not assured by an emotional profession of faith but instead the perseverance of faith (“faith that lasts”)? 

    • In light of that, does the sinner's prayer save people?

    • What does perseverance of faith really look like? 

  • 1st John gives 4 major pieces of evidence that help you know you are truly saved. Which is the most challenging? Which is the most comforting?

    • You are truly turning away from sin. (I John 1:5-6)

    • You are growing in obedience to His commands. (I John 2:3-6)

    • You love the church. (I John 3:14)

    • The Holy Spirit assures you that you believe in AND belong to Jesus. (I John 5:10-12)

  • Believer, how can you rest in your salvation and worship your Savior this week? 

  • Was there anything else from the sermon or scripture passages that impacted you?


*If you find yourself unable to confidently say that you’ve been saved by Jesus, please reach out to your Growth Group or our church staff. We’d love to help!

John Buedel