Week 1: The Good News of God's Love

Reading:

John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

Romans 5:6-8, "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Devotional: The gospel is fundamentally good news - a message of hope and love from God to humanity. As we read in John 3:16, God's love for the world was so great that He gave His only Son for our salvation. This sacrificial love is at the heart of the gospel message. Romans 5 further emphasizes that Christ died for us while we were still sinners, demonstrating the depth of God's love.

-The Gospel is good news, not a set of burdensome rules

-Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, separating humanity from God

-Jesus Christ, both fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life

-Christ's death on the cross paid for all sins - past, present, and future

-Salvation comes through faith in Jesus, not through personal works

-The tearing of the temple veil symbolizes direct access to God for all believers

Today, reflect on the incredible love God has for you personally. How does knowing you are deeply loved by the Creator of the universe impact your daily life and relationships? Consider ways you can share this good news of God's love with others who may be feeling unloved or hopeless.

Discussion:

1. How does understanding the gospel as 'good news' change our perspective on faith and life challenges?

Pray:

Thank God for the good news of the gospel and ask for His help in living out its truths in daily life.