Week 1: The Importance of the Cross

All people have sinned against God and deserve death in exchange. Jesus died in place of the ones He came to save. His death paid the debt that they owe to God.

Video

Gospel Basics Week 1: The Importance of the Cross

Scripture

…but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have no received reconciliation.

Romans 5:8-11

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God

1 Corinthians 1:18

Conversation Flow

Warm-up

o   Before we started this, what did you know about the death of Jesus? What did you think about the cross?

o   What stuck out to you from the video?

Read & Reflect – Read the verses aloud together and reflect on these questions

o   Why do we need to be saved from the wrath of God? What does it mean when it says, “we were enemies,” and why do we need reconciliation?

o   How do these passages challenge the way you view the crucifixion of Jesus?

o   How do they change your view of how to gain acceptance from God?

o   Why must Christians center their faith on the cross every day, rather than moving past it once we’re “saved?"

Action Steps

o. Consider the importance of the cross. Write a paragraph responding to the following prompt. Be ready to share it next time:

If Jesus, who is God, had to be crucified for me, what does that say about my natural state? But also, what does it say about Jesus that He did it out of love?

o. Memorize Romans 5:8

o Stretch Goal: Memorize Romans 5:9-11