Sermon Notes
1. The power of Christ flows through our lives in truth.
2. The greatest truth to know is the Gospel truth.
3. The Gospel truth is that Jesus paid for all your sins on the cross.
4. The Gospel is Jesus plus nothing.
5. Religion is salvation through moral effort.
6. The Gospel is salvation by grace through faith in Jesus.
7. Religion focuses on what I do or don’t do.
8. The Gospel focuses on what Jesus has done.
9. The belt of truth is putting on what Jesus did and who Jesus is for your life.
Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Introduction question for groups:
Go around and briefly share one of your most memorable experiences of flying on an airplane.
Digging Deeper:
1. In the days of the prophet Jeremiah, God was frustrated with His people because they had forsaken truth as a people (Jeremiah 5:1-5; 7:28). When you look at the world we live in today, how do you think truth is suffering in our society?
2. When we read Ephesians 6:13-14 alongside Ephesians 1:13 we find that the belt of truth involves the message of our salvation. In Ephesians 1:13, what elements and sequence is shown for a person to be made a child of God?
3. Why do you think it’s so important for us to understand what the Gospel is? What do you think are some of the greatest dangers to not understanding it?
4. As you Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, what are the main points of the Gospel that Paul had received and passed on to the church?
5. Read 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; Rev 2:8-9. What does “Christ died for our sins” personally mean to you?
6. As you read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, list the things that God does in your life through Christ? How does this make you feel? How do you think these truths should affect how we live?
7. In Ephesians 4:21, Paul says that “truth is in Jesus.” How do you think that being a follower of the person and teachings of Jesus can practically guide you in the interpretation of all matters of truth (spiritual & material)?
Taking it Home:
Since the belt of truth is a spiritual weapon of Christ’s power in your life, what spiritual truths do you need to meditate on and tighten in your life? Memorize Ephesians 2:8-9.
Prayer:
Close your group with prayer asking God to help us truly understand the Gospel and that we handle it accurately in the world that we live in.