Trinity Lutheran Youth Group

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Does God Exist? Evidence from Science Logic Evidence from History Experience

Which Religion Is the Right One?

Introduction With so many religions in the world, does it really matter what you believe? A growing number of people believe that all religions in the world are essentially the same and that truth is universal. Many now believe that no matter what religion you practice, as long as you are a decent and moral person, you will be rewarded in the next life.

Introduction Is it okay just to be 'good' or is there a true way of life? If there is only one right religion, what happens to those who do not believe it? In this issue of Teen Bible Study Guide we will discuss what God says about true religion and His Church.

Scope The True Way God’s Truth and His Church How Do We Identify God’s True Church? Why Doesn’t the World Believe in the Truth Christ Brought?

The True Way

John 14:6 "Jesus said...'I am the way, the truth, and the life...'“ John 18:37 "...For this cause I [Jesus Christ] was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice." John 17:17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."

The True Way 1. Where does truth come from? John 12:49 “For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.” 2. What was the truth Christ brought and about which He spoke so much? 3. To whom has God given His truth?

God’s Truth and His Church

Matthew 16:16, 18 "And Peter answered Him and said, 'You are Christ, the Son of the living God." (18) "And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."

God’s Truth and His Church 1. How many churches/denominations did Christ establish? I Corinthians 12:12-13 “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. (13) For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”

God’s Truth and His Church 2. Is there only one true Church? I Corinthians 1:13 “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? “ Mark 3:24-26 “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. (25) If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. (26) And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.”

God’s Truth and His Church 3. How does the Bible refer to God's Church? I Corinthians 10:32 “Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God--" Galatians 1:13 “For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.“

God’s Truth and His Church I Peter 2:9-10 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

How Do We Identify God’s True Church

John 8:31-32 "Then Jesus said.. 'If you abide in My word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.'“ John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."

How Do We Identify God’s True Church 1. What are the identifying signs of those people who "follow" Christ's word? 2. How do we know that we are a part of God's true church? Romans 8:14,16 “because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (16) “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.”

How Do We Identify God’s True Church 3. How do those in the church act towards one another? John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Why Doesn’t the World Believe in the Truth Christ Brought?

Matthew 24:4-5 "For many will come in my name saying, 'I am the Christ, and will deceive many',“ Rev 12:9 "...Satan, who deceives the whole world...“ II Corinthians 4:3-4 "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, (4) whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is in the image of God, should shine upon them.“ John 1:5 "And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not comprehend it."

Why Doesn’t the World Believe in the Truth Christ Brought? 1. Is it possible that some of God's chosen people might be in other religions? 2. What about other "Christian" denominations who are right in certain areas of doctrine? 3. What about those individuals who are very "good" people, who do more good deeds perhaps than many in the church?

Why Doesn’t the World Believe in the Truth Christ Brought? 4. What will happen to people of other religions during the time of judgment since most are very sincere in thinking they are obeying God? 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Why Doesn’t the World Believe in the Truth Christ Brought? John 12:44-50 “Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. (45) When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. (46) I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. (47) "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. (48) There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. (49) For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. (50) I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

Review The True Way God’s Truth and His Church How Do We Identify God’s True Church? Why Doesn’t the World Believe in the Truth Christ Brought?

Next Month

Comparing World Religions Basic Religious Tenets Hinduism Buddhism Islam Christianity Judaism