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SALVATION THROUGH THE CROSS

Unit 2Lesson 3

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Prayer

Lord, we pray for the power to be gentle; the strength to be forgiving; the patience to be understanding, and the endurance to accept the consequences of holding to what we believe to be right.Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy to the task of making peace, praying always for the inspiration and the power to fulfill the destiny for which we were created.

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Objective & Key Ideas

Objective: To examine why Jesus had to die on the cross?

Key Ideas:

Jesus, as the Lamb of God and Good Shepherd, died on the cross.

To save us from our sinsTo make us children of GodRestoring communion with God

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Did Jesus Exist?Each of us must address this question early in our journey of faith.

If we are asked to believe that God became man.

Born of a the Virgin Mary

It’s a fair question. We need to come to a conclusion at some point in our lives.

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Focused Reading Silently read the handout: Did Jesus Exist?

Keep in mind the question.

Formulate answers and keep notes. (Journal)

Next class we will complete a small project.

Keep Notes

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Mini Lecture: Why did Jesus Die on the Cross?

Jesus died, not only to atone for our sins, but to provide a means whereby we can die with Him TO sin, and thereby live for morality.

Jesus provided the means …The ChurchThe SacramentThe LiturgiesPrayerStudyAction

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Bullet-Point Summary

What Does It Mean to Be Saved?

• Read inset on Page 46• Prepare a Bullet-Point Summary listing five key points for the reading.• This is an individual assignment.

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What Does It Mean To Be Saved?

Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Etc.All answer that question as part of their Theology.

Answer the “Heading” question in your Journal.

Typical Response: Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Typical Catholic Response: Agree but extend the response that salvation is attained through participation in the Church.

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Faith & Works

• Martin Luther says – “Works are necessary for salvation but they do not cause salvation; for faith alone gives us life.”

• Faith alone would never exist in the Kingdom of God.

• James :faith without works is dead.

• Matthew 25:31-46 (p.1105)

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Why did Jesus Die on the Cross?

I believe the salvation message of Jesus is a reasonably unsophisticated narrative.

oThe story of Jesus’ life is a chronicle of His journey of faith.

oJesus’ life is an ideal for each one us to practice.

So what is Jesus’ salvation message?

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The Salvation Message of Jesus is …

• Jesus’ Life, Passion, and Death was an incredible act of faith on His part.

Jesus salvation message to us: Love God Love your neighbor

To make the salvation message relevant we must have a full understanding of the meaning of love.

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1st Corinthians 13:1 Paul writes …

I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”

In you journals write a definition of love.

Love is made up of three unconditionalElements (features) in equal measure:

AcceptanceUnderstandingAppreciation

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Because He … Accepts us – Understands us-Appreciates us-