Back to Main Page PDF Version (Complete) Go Part A

Foundation of Faith Series : Outline

Compiled by Robert Jackson and Miles Mason
Produced in collaboration with brothers and sisters from the Australasian region of the Churches of Christ

This framework is intended to communicate the central teachings of the Gospel and our foundational beliefs as Christians. It is hoped that it will be a “clean slate” approach to our method of studying the Bible with potential converts. It is also hoped that it will be a stimulus for people to develop and tailor their own studies for reaching out to people, not as a limitation to what we ought to teach people.

Part A: Background to the Gospel
1. Creation and Fall
2. Sinfulness and Righteousness
3. The Word of God
Part B: The Gospel Message
4. Our Saviour Jesus
5. The Cross of Christ
6. The Resurrection
Part C: Our Response to the Gospel
7. Faith in God
8. Sin and Repentance
9. Baptism
10. Counting the Cost

Part A: Background to the Gospel

These studies seek to provide some of the essential foundations to the Gospel message. They have no particular order that they need to be done in – in fact, any of these “Part A” studies could be done as a first-time study, depending on who you are studying with.

1. Creation and Fall: Focusing on John 1 and Colossians 1, this study will look at God our Creator, who made us to know Him. This relationship was broken by the Fall, but God responded in grace to all mankind and opened the way to salvation.

2. Sinfulness and Righteousness: This study will detail how the fallen state of man manifests itself through sin (Romans 1:16-20), which incites God’s wrath and taints our walk with Him. We are all in need of a Saviour.

3. The Word of God: This study will establish that the Bible is inspired (2 Peter 1:20-21), revealed (1 Corinthians 2:12-14) and sufficient (2 Timothy 3:17). The Word of God is the authority for our lives today.

Part B: The Gospel Message

This section seeks to overview the foundational Gospel message, by presenting Jesus our Incarnate Lord and Saviour, who died for our sins, and then rose from the dead so that we too could have new life.

4. Our Saviour Jesus: This study will focus on the divinity of Christ (the Incarnation – John 1:1, 14), the message of Christ (love for God and people) and the fact that Christ is our Saviour (John 14:6).

5. The Cross of Christ: The Cross is at the centre of the Christian message and lies at the heart of the gospel. God loved us so much that he sent his very own Son to be a sacrifice for our sins, taking our place. No other study captures the heart of God like the cross. This is what compels us to fall deeply in love with God.

6. The Resurrection: The resurrection is the completion of the gospel message. This study will focus on our new life in Christ, and Christ’s ability to rescue us and give us victory through His glorious resurrection (Romans 7:24-25), which points us to our heavenly exaltation (Philippians 3:20-21).

Part C: Our Response to the Gospel

This section looks at a number of key things we must do in response to the incredible message of the Gospel: we must respond to God in faith, repentance and baptism, and commit our lives to following him.

7. Faith in God: This study will define faith as trust in God’s ability and willingness to fulfil his promises (Hebrews 11:1-2). Faith is all that is needed to be declared righteous (Romans 1:17), so it is the basis of our walk with God.

8. Sin and Repentance: This is a more detailed study of the specifics of sin (Galatians 5:19-21), as well as the change of mind and heart which the Gospel calls us to (Acts 26:19-20).

9. Baptism: Baptism is full immersion in water for the forgiveness of sins. It saves us through the power of the resurrection (1 Peter 3:21-22, Romans 6:3-4), and is the moment we are united with Christ and given the gift of the Holy Spirit.

10. Counting the Cost: This overview covers practical areas of following Jesus, such as loving God, loving people and being a faithful steward. It will help to build a solid foundation in the new convert (see 1 Corinthians 3:10-15).

Back to Main Page Back to Top Go to Part A