Making the Decision: Sin and its Penalty

Making the Decision: Sin and its Penalty

• The fifth stage in witnessing involves helping someone make a decision about Christ.
• Four facts the unbeliever needs to understand
  • They are sinners
  • They must pay for their sins
  • Christ already paid the price for their sins
  • They must repent, trusting Christ by faith for salvation
• The lesson focuses on the first two points: sinfulness and the need to pay for it (consequences).
• A person may already realize their sinfulness through honest self-reflection or a witness of someone's life.
• Witnesses should show the true character of God.
• A person should understand all sin is an offense against God.
• The rich young ruler example shows a person who followed the law outwardly but missed the spirit of it, demonstrating they're not truly following God
• The goal is to show someone through scripture they are a sinner needing salvation, not to keep the law to be saved.
• Key commandments should be referenced to further illustrate sin and responsibility.
• Three suggestions for explaining verses: make the verses clear and simple, make them personal, and make sure the person understands before moving on.
• The question should be asked, "What difference does it make you've sinned?"
• The issue of sin is not just physical but includes spiritual death.
• God's holiness and perfect demands are significant characteristics to understand.
• Further verses related to understanding sin include Romans 6:23, Ezekiel 18:4, Luke 16:23, and Revelation 20:15. These further illuminate the concept of spiritual death and eternal consequences of sin, but not for believers.

Additional Questions/Instructions

• The five phases of witnessing (as well as what the four points required for someone to accept Christ are) are incomplete
• Questions related to Scripture verses are listed.
• The term "separation from God" is implicitly referenced, and possible verses that support this concept are listed.