Receiving the Gospel, Galatians 2:11-3:25

I noticed in teaching last week’s lesson that Christians tend not to be precise when “Talking About the Gospel.” To get at the lesson aim “to help class members demonstrate they have a clear understanding of the gospel,” I asked them early in the lesson to choose the best statement of the gospel from a number of variations listed on a slide.

I was a little concerned when many people didn’t see any differences in the various statements! However, after the lesson, most members were focused on the issue and for the time being, less accepting of variations to the gospel, which add to it, or change it in some way.

It may not be as simple in this week’s lesson, “Receiving the Gospel” (Galatians 2:11-3:25), to accomplish the lesson aim—Help adults indicate they have placed their faith in Jesus.

Perhaps a good way to start the lesson is to use an old illustration. Set a chair before the class and ask members if they believe the chair will hold them if they sit in it. Explain what the Bible means “by faith in Jesus Christ.” Tell them that faith has an object, and Jesus Christ is the object of a Christian’s faith. Using the chair as an illustration, and say, "it does not hold your weight until you actually sit in it." Believing it will hold your weight is not the same as actually trusting it with your weight by sitting in it.

Can anyone suggest a different illustration?