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Contents
(4/24/2012 – under review in consideration of our revised vision, mission, and core values)
Life Church 101 is our basic membership class. You will get a basic overview of our ministry and explanations of the benefits and responsibilities of membership. At the end of the class, you will have an opportunity to sign a membership covenant and become a member. This is the class to take:
- If you are interested in becoming a part of Life Church.
- If you just want to find out more about us, since the signing of the membership covenant is optional. You are free to take this class as many times as you like without deciding to join.
Class Contents
(Click on a topic for more details.)
- Our Salvation: Jesus, Christianity, and Church
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Our Four Life Principles
God Exists
God exists! – Genesis 1:1-25
God Loves You and Wants a Relationship With You
This has always been God’s goal. – Genesis 1:26-31; 2 Corinthians 5:1 – 6:2
A Relationship With God Must Be On His Terms
God calls the shots! – Genesis 2:1-25
God’s Terms Are: Follow Jesus
We must follow Jesus! – Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 17:1-8; Hebrews 1:1-4
Jesus frequently told people to follow him:
- Peter, Andrew, James, and John – Matthew 4:18-22
- Another disciple – Matthew 8:18-22
- Matthew (Levi) – Matthew 9:9-13
- Rich young man – Matthew 19:16-30
Following Jesus is something that we do in a publicly verifiable way!
Following Jesus
Who Is Jesus?
You can learn more about who jesus is from our Jesus page.
How Do I Follow Jesus?
Following Jesus is a lot like following other leaders or trainers (e.g. exercise instructors, MCs, band leaders, drill sergeants, etc.). You follow by using your whole body:
- Head
- Brain: Remember
- Eyes: Read God’s Word
- Ears: Listen to him – Matthew 17:1-13; John 10:1-16
- Nose
- Mouth: Identify with him – Matthew 9:35 – 10:42; Mark 8:27-38
- Hands
- Serve him – John 12:20-50
- Give
- Heart (figuratively)
- Repent – Matthew 4:12-17
- Believe in him – John 6:22-40
- Feet: Go tell others
- Reproductive Organs
What Happens When I Follow Jesus?
Following Jesus has two basic results:
- Salvation
- Eternal Life
Salvation and Eternal Life – It’s Personal
What Does It Mean?
Salvation
When we talk about being “saved” we really mean “rescued”. Salvation is the process and/or the condition of being rescued from several things:
Sin
The word “sin” refers to the internal human condition that results in “sins” – the specific acts of disobedience to God that we commit. Its original meaning is to “miss the mark”, a reference to it’s origin as a archery term.
- Independence from God – Genesis 2:8-17; Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 1:18-32
- Universal human condition – Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:9-26
- Adam’s sin is our sin – Romans 5:12-21
- Jesus was sinless – John 8:21-29, 42-47
- Jesus saves us from our sins – Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 1:20-23
Sickness
Salvation is good news for the physically sick. Jesus healed everyone who came to him as a reflection of God’s desire for our well-being and in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 53:1-12; Matthew 8:1-17).
God’s Wrath
God’s wrath refers to the anger that we deserve because of our sinful rebellion. Jesus saves us from this (Romans 5:1-11).
Satan’s Power
Our sinful rebellion has left the entire human race vulnerable to Satan’s power. Jesus saves us from this (Luke 10:1-20; 1John 3:4-10).
Who Can Be Saved?
Salvation is promised to:
- The sheep (followers) who enter through the gate (Jesus) – John 10:1-18
- Those who stand firm to the end (spoken to disciples) Matthew 9:35 – 10:42
- Those who give up their lives for Jesus daily – Luke 9:18-26
- Those who believe and are baptized – Mark 16:14-20
Eternal Life
Eternal life is God’s life lived out in us. Eternal life is promised to:
- Those who give up everything to follow Jesus – Matthew 19:16-30
- Those who love God with all their heart, soul, an