This 5-week Bible study is meant to help take a deeper dive into the 3 Circles gospel presentation. It is intended for someone who is interested in seeking the things of God after hearing the 3 Circles. Each week there are Bible passages and discussion questions to determine if a person is ready to repent and believe the gospel.
Week 1 - God's Design
God created a world that was perfect. Everything He made was good. There was no brokenness or none of the chaos we currently see in the world around us. Originally there was only God’s creation in perfect harmony with its creator.
Read Genesis Chapter 1:1-25; 31
Discuss: How does the Bible describe where the world came from?
What kind of world is described in this account?
Are there things in nature/creation that lead you to believe that God exists?
God made each of us and gave a clear design for how we are to live our lives. Our lives are made with the purpose of worshiping Him and living for Him.
Read Genesis Chapter 1:26-27; 2:4-24
Discuss: What do you think it means to be made in the image of God? Reflection and representation
If God made you, do you believe your life is accountable to him? What do you think about that?
Read Revelation 4:11
Conclusion - God’s design was a perfect world, where people live to worship Him and follow His ways.
Week 2 - Sin and Brokenness
Human beings constantly rebel against God’s design for living. The Bible calls this sin. We selfishly choose to do things our way instead of God’s way. The first people that God created sinned against Him, and all people have been doing the same ever since.
Read Genesis 3:1-13; Romans 3:9-12; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8
Discuss: Have you ever understood that, just like Adam and Eve, you are a sinner who has sinned against God? In what ways would you agree or disagree with this?
What did Adam and Eve’s sin cause?
Sin against God brings death and judgment from God
Read Romans 2:6-8; Romans 6:23
Discuss: What does the Bible say are the consequences for sin?
What does this mean for your life and mine?
Sin against God leads to brokenness in the world.
Read Genesis 3:14-19; Proverbs 14:12
Discuss: Do you see how the painful brokenness we experience in our daily lives is connected to people sinning against God is Genesis 3? Why or why not?
Conclusion - You and I have sinned against God. Sin leads to judgment from God and brokenness in our lives.
Week 3 - Gospel
God loved us so much that He provided a remedy for our sin and death. He made a way for us to be rescued. Jesus Christ, who is God in human flesh came to the earth and lived a life that was perfect according to God’s design. He became a sacrifice for us by taking our sin and brokenness to the cross and dying in our place to pay the price of sin. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and is alive today. His death and resurrection are the only way that sinners can be forgiven and restored into right relationship with God.
Jesus was sinless.
Read Hebrews 4:14-15; 2 Corinthians 5:21
Discuss: What do you think is the significance of the savior of sinners being perfect?
If God only accepts perfect sacrifice, can people save themselves without trusting Jesus?
Jesus died for sinners.
Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Peter 3:18; Galatians 3:13
Discuss: What does the Bible say is God’s solution for our sins being paid for?
How does it make you feel to know that guilt, shame, and condemnation over sin can be paid for?
Jesus was raised and is alive.
Read Luke 24:1-12; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
Discuss: If Jesus has defeated death, what does that mean for those who trust Him?
Do you have a confidence in facing death and what happens after?
Conclusion - The gospel is God’s solution to rescue us from sin and death. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life and died on the cross in our place to pay our debt. Jesus rose from the grave and offers eternal life with God to all who trust Him.
Week 4 - Repent and Believe
Hearing about the gospel is not enough to save us. We must respond to make it count as good news for our lives. Many times, people try to find their own solution to fix their brokenness and sin. Whether it be addictive vices, more money, religion, moralism, or new relationships with people, we often look to things of the world to fix ourselves. But the Bible says there is only one way to be forgiven of sin and set free to live for God. That is to repent and believe the gospel.
Our own attempts to fix us are empty and will not work
Read Isaiah 64:6; Luke 18:9-14; Titus 3:5
Discuss: What are ways that you have tried to fix yourself before God?
Do you see how impossible it is to rid our own lives of sin and brokenness?
Repentance “turning from rebellious ways-surrendering to Jesus”
Read: 2 Chronicles 7:14; Luke 3:8-14; Acts 17:30
Discuss: How is repentance different than feeling “sorry”?
What would you have to turn from to repent from sin?
Faith in Jesus
Read John 3:16-18; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16
Discuss: What exactly does the Bible tell us we must believe that Jesus has done? He offered a sacrifice to forgive our sins and give us right standing with God.
Is your hope in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to obtain eternity with God?
Conclusion - No matter how hard we try, we cannot fix ourselves. Jesus Christ is the only way, truth, and life. The only solution to our sin and brokenness is to repent from our sins and place faith in Jesus for forgiveness and right standing with God.
Week 5 - Recover and Purse God's Design
When a person repents and believes in Jesus, the Bible teaches that they are born again and filled the presence of the Holy Spirit. The spirit of God now lives within that person and empowers them each day to recover and pursue God’s design for life. The Holy Spirit helps us to fight against our old identity and fleshly desires. The Holy Spirit helps us live for God and share our faith with others.
Living by the Spirit is freedom and power
Read Romans 8:1-12, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 5:16-24
Discuss: Do you see how the Bible says we are enabled to live for God?
Have you repented and believed the gospel? What evidence would you give for your answer?
Do you want to repent and believe the gospel?
Conclusion - Now that you have understood the gospel, God wants you to respond to him. If you want to ask him to save you and change your life, you can pray using words like these:
“My life is broken, I admit it is because of my sin.”
“I believe Jesus Christ came to live, and die, and resurrect to save me from my sins.”
“Forgive me, Lord, I turn from my wicked ways and put my trust in you.”
“I know that Jesus is Lord, and I follow Him.”
The Bible teaches us how to pursue a relationship with God
Prayer – Prayer is how we communicate with God. He invites us to tell Him about everything that matters in our lives.
Church – Seek out a church that will teach the Bible and help you grow as a disciple of Jesus. We need other Christians to keep us going in the faith.
Bible – The Bible is how God teaches us about His design. We cannot know how to follow his way of living if we aren’t reading his words to us.
Share – Now that you have received the good news, the Bible calls us to share it with others. Begin a regular habit of telling others how Jesus saved you from your sins and how He can do the same for them.