Preview: A lesson on what happens when Christians fall away from the path of the Lord.
Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-24.
Memory Verse: II Chronicles 30:9.
1. Do we see from the foregoing Scriptures a picture of a merciful God who is eager to receive and restore a repentant child?
2. What attitude must the Body of Christ display toward one who has drifted away? Galatians 6:1-3, Galatians 6:6-7, II Corinthians 2:4-11 & James 5:19-20.
3. What attitude do we often see displayed by members of the Church? Luke 15:25-32.
4. What should our message be to backsliders who repent? Jeremiah 3:12-15 & Hosea 14:1-2, Hosea 14:4 & Hosea 14:9.
Note: We, as Christians, must remember that Christ died for all mankind, while we were still in sin. If we love the Lord with all of our hearts, we will love our fellowman and be eager to see them in the Kingdom of God. We must forgive as we have been forgiven.
5. Must backsliders confess and forsake sin before God will pardon them? Psalm 32:3-5, Psalm 32:10 & I John 1:5-9.
6. How did Peter deal with a new convert who did not understand God’s ways? Acts 8:5 & Acts 8:9-24.
Note: When we witness to others it must be in a spirit of love, and it must always be in a spirit of truth. Never compromise God’s Word in an effort not to offend a sinner. Only truth will make us free from sin and error.
7. What exhortation should we be mindful of daily? James 4:7-11, James 4:17.
8. Is there a danger that God’s people will lose their first love and devotion and not realize that they have drifted away from Him? Proverbs 14:14 & Revelation 3:14-19.
9. What warning should we give to those who believe that once they are saved they cannot be lost? Ezekiel 3:17, Ezekiel 3:20-21 & Ezekiel 18:20-28.
Note: When sinners turn to God seeking forgiveness He removes their sin as far as the east is from the west, and He remembers it no more. Jeremiah 31:34. If they return to a life of sin, they again become ungodly, not from the old sin that was forgiven, but because of the new transgression of God’s Law. If fact, he is in worse condition than before he knew the way of righteousness.
10. What happens to those who go back in sin and do not return to the Lord? Hebrews 3:12-15, Hebrews 10:16-31 & Hebrews 10:38.
11. What does God’s Word say about spiritual leaders who teach a once saved, always saved doctrine? II Peter 2:10-15, II Peter 2:17-22, Jude 1:4-8, II Peter 2:11-13 & II Peter 2:16-21.
Note: No matter how much good these people preach or teach, we cannot listen to or support them in any way if they bring a message of false security. If we do, we become a party to their sin. When God judges them, we will also be judged.
Other Lessons* in this series:
Backsliders
Backsliders II
*Lessons in a series may not necessarily be in the same category.