The Stepping Stones of Salvation

As you come to him, the living Stone -- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him -- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:4, 5).

Session #4

Grace That Leads to Salvation

OBJECTIVE: To understand prevenient grace as that grace which lifts humankind above the radical effects of sin and allows persons to respond positively to God if they will. Also, to understand convincing grace as that grace which brings conviction and leads to repentance and confession of sin.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS: For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11).

INTRODUCTION: ______grace was John Wesley’s

answer to John Calvin’s total depravity. Prevenient grace is the grace that God has granted to every person that ______them to respond to God. It really means that every person has been given the ability to say ______to God’s offer of salvation. It also has implications for those who, due to limited mental capacity, cannot respond to the offer of salvation.

Convincing or convicting grace comes to the sinner and seeks to bring convincing truth, thoughts, and feelings upon a person, that will move them toward realization of their sinful state, and their need of a Savior.

1

2

Provisions and Implications of Prevenient Grace

• Becomes saving grace for those who do not have the ______for making moral decisions • Infants • Mentally handicapped • ______can respond to God’s offer of salvation • Humankind is fallen but ______• “No man sins because he has not grace, but because he does not use the grace which he hath” – John Wesley

3

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION:

‘ What are the radical effects of sin? ‘ Share your experience of being drawn to God before your salvation experience. ‘ What does prevenient grace mean for those who have never heard the gospel? ‘ Explain the relationship of freedom and responsibility. ‘ How does the Holy Spirit convict of sin? ‘ What does it mean to repent? ‘ Why is the confession of sins necessary? ‘ What are some fruits of repentance?

CONCLUSION: Prevenient grace enables every person to respond to God’s offer of salvation.

It is a gift from God that allows humankind to exercise ______in response to God. It also becomes the means of salvation to those who cannot respond of their own volition due to mental incapacity.

Convincing grace urges the sinner toward Christ. It is that which convinces or

______persons of the reality of sin, righteousness, and judgment. It leads persons toward salvation.

4