This document outlines a lesson on assurance of salvation. It discusses how lack of assurance prevents spiritual growth and explores the biblical plan of salvation according to Ephesians 2:8-10. The plan of salvation has three key points: 1) We are not saved by works but 2) by grace through faith, and 3) we are saved for good works. Understanding this plan provides assurance of salvation and allows Christians to grow in their relationship with God.

2. Growing in God
1. Assurance of Salvation

3. Introduction

4. Lesson Outline
Assurance of Salvation
We first examine the idea of
assurance of salvation, noting
what it is and why it is crucial if
we are to grow in our
relationship with God. We
note that many people lack
assurance because they do not
fully understand the plan of
salvation.
Plan of Salvation
We then explore the biblical
plan of salvation, using
Ephesians 2:8-10 as our anchor
text for the presentation. We
note that it has three key
ideas: not by works, but by
grace through faith, and for
works.

5. Assurance of Salvation

6. THE PROBE FOR ASSURANCE
Assurance 1

7. The Probe for Assurance
We shall begin by asking three key questions,
drawn the EE3 course. Please answer each
question—you may answer in your thoughts if
you wish, or you may write your response
down—before you move on to the next
question. This is the most important exercise in
the Crossroads programme. Please do not
‘cheat’ yourself by skipping it.

8. Three Questions
1. Do you think you will go to heaven when
you die?
2. Suppose you want to go to heaven, why do
you think God should let you in?
3. Do you think that before you could go to
heaven, God would have to change anything
about the way you live right now?

9. THE POWER OF ASSURANCE
Assurance 2

10. The Power of Assurance
Many Christians are insecure in the relationship
with God because they lack assurance of salvation.
It shows in their stop-start Christian life—two steps
forward, two steps backward. We can only grow in
our relationship with God when we are sure of our
salvation.
Assurance of salvation is a powerful catalyst of
spiritual growth.

11. THE POSSIBILITY OF ASSURANCE
Assurance 3

12. Possibility of Assurance
The scriptures teach that
we can be sure of our
salvation in this life. In
other words, the Holy
Spirit gives us an inner
assurance that we are
born again, we are
children of God, and we
have eternal life.

13. Possibility of Assurance
The scriptures teach that
we can be sure of our
salvation in this life. In
other words, the Holy
Spirit gives us an inner
assurance that we are
born again, we are
children of God, and we
have eternal life.
1 John 5:11-12
And this is the testimony:
God has given us eternal
life, and this life is in his
Son. He who has the Son
has life; he who does not
have the Son of God does
not have life.

14. Possibility of Assurance
The scriptures teach that
we can be sure of our
salvation in this life. In
other words, the Holy
Spirit gives us an inner
assurance that we are
born again, we are
children of God, and we
have eternal life.
1 John 5:13
I write these things to you
who believe in the name
of the Son of God so that
you may know that you
have eternal life.

15. The Plan of Salvation

16. Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through
faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift
of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in
advance for us to do.

17. Plan of Salvation
1. We are not saved by works
2. We are saved by grace through faith
3. We are saved for works

18. BY WORKS
Not

19. Not by Works
1. We are not saved by works

20. Not by works
Where on this continuum would you place:
a) The best person alive today
b) The worst person alive today
c) The best person you know personally
d) Yourself
Satan Jesus
50 1000

21. Not by works
Satan Jesus
50 1000

22. Not by works
Satan Jesus
50 1000

23. Not by works
Satan Jesus
50 1000
Not by works!

24. Not by works
1. Man is separated from God
a) God is holy
b) Man is sinful

25. Not by works
1. Man is separated from God
a) God is holy
b) Man is sinful
2. Man cannot cross the divide

26. Not by Works
GodMan
Death Life
SIN

27. BY GRACE, THROUGH FAITH
But

28. But by Grace, through Faith
Grace is God’s part
G
R
A
C
E
God’s
Riches
At
Christ’s
Expense

29. But by Grace, through Faith
Faith is our part
F
A
I
T
H
Forsaking
All
I
Take
Him
Grace is God’s part
G
R
A
C
E
God’s
Riches
At
Christ’s
Expense

30. SIN
But by Grace, through Faith
GodMan
Death Life
Jesus
GraceFaith

31. FOR WORKS
And

32. And for Works
Good works are the sign that we are saved.
Good works are not
the cause of salvation,
but they are the
consequence of
salvation.
We don’t do good
works so that we may
be saved; we do them
because we have been
saved!

33. And for Works
There are three changes that take place as a
direct result of our salvation.
1) Conscious: we become alive to the Spirit.
2) Conscience: we become aware of sin.
3) Conformity: we become a-lot like Christ.

34. Conclusion

35. Summary
1. Many people do not grow in the relationship
with God because they lack assurance of
salvation.
2. They lack assurance of salvation because they
do not fully understand the plan of salvation.
3. The plan of salvation teaches us that we are not
saved by doing good works, but by grace
through faith, and for good works.