Forgiveness and Salvation The Human Condition: human beings were created good by God but they suffer and die because they disobeyed him Watch the video clip and summarise what it says about Christians and forgiveness

Christianity is a religion of salvation. Salvation – Fact or state of being saved from harm or the consequences of sin Christianity is a religion of salvation. Christians believe that it is only through God’s action that sin and the human condition can be overcome.

Salvation in the Bible In the Old Testament the verb ‘to save’ is often used in situations when God rescues humans from danger. Examples are when Noah and his family are ‘saved’ from the flood and the Hebrew slaves are ‘saved’ from slavery in Egypt.

Christians believe that God has tried hard since Adam’s mistake to put things right with humans – to get them to come back to where they belong. God made agreements with Abraham and Noah, he delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. He sent prophet after prophet to remind people that He still cared for them.

All through the history of the relationship between God and mankind, God has been trying to get the message across that He is still our father and He wants to welcome his children back again.

Forgiveness and Salvation Read Luke 15: 11-32

The Parable of the Lost Son Answer in full sentences using Luke v 11 – 32 to help you How do you think the father must have felt when his son asked for his inheritance early so he could leave home? Why do you think he gave him what he asked for? What do you think is the turning point in the story? What words or phrases would you use to describe the father How do you think the father felt at his other son’s reaction What does this story say about the character of God?

Who do the people in the story represent? The prodigal son? People who do wrong – sinners! The father? A God who forgives those who are truly sorry for what they have done. The brother? Those who believe themselves to be perfect and condemn others who are not.

Who was Jesus having a go at? Jesus told this parable because some of the Pharisees (religious leaders) were criticising him for mixing with bad characters. He wanted them to realise that God loved all his children. He was as concerned for those who went astray as for the good people who kept all the religious laws. This parable brings out the contrast between people who are sorry for their sins and the self-righteous people who think that they alone should have God’s love.

In the New Testament, salvation involves being set free from the prison of sin and restoring humanity and creation to God. God begins this salvation. John’s Gospel tells us ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life’ (John 3: 16). Jesus Christ, as saviour, comes to seek and save the lost.

Christians believe that the final act of this was the life and death of Jesus, where God showed that his desire to forgive mankind was so strong that he sent his only son to live and die among us. Christians believe that Jesus is the Last Chance to get things right with God

The saviour, Jesus Christ The name Jesus is derived from a Hebrew word meaning ‘God saves’. The death and resurrection of Jesus are the key moments in the Christian story of salvation. Jesus accomplishes deliverance from sin for all people believing and following him.

Jesus Saves Jesus died for our sins Jesus came to take our sins away Jesus showed us the way to escape sin Jesus died to rescue us from sin Jesus paid the price of sin

Activity 1 Describe a time when you have had to forgive or be forgiven. Some Christians think you have to do good works to get into heaven. What kind of good works do you think they mean?

Salvation – what is it? …..being saved from the consequences of sin by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Salvation – how do you get it? Through God’s grace (undeserved good will) By accepting Jesus as Saviour By following Jesus’ teachings Through the sacraments – Baptism ,Communion etc By doing good works

Salvation – what does it involve? Repentance – a change of attitude and behaviour Being “born again” A restored relationship with God A sense of wholeness and well-being

Salvation – what does it bring? Freedom from fear of death Assurance of eternal life in heaven A fullness and quality of life here on earth Courage to tell others about Jesus Enthusiasm to worship God A desire to help others

Salvation – what are the issues? Different views on relative importance of faith, works, sacraments Who is saved? Those who do good works Everyone (universalism)? Only those who trust Jesus? ISSUES What about murderers, etc.? What about young children, people from other religions, people who have never heard of Jesus? How many good works do they need to do?

Sin Exam Questions Int 2 Higher What would a Christian mean by saying that ‘Jesus died for our sins.’? (4 KU) What does a Christian understand by sin. (2KU) Explain two ways in which Christians think Jesus saves people from sin. 8KU According to Christians, how did sin come into the world and what are its effects (8KU)