1 Cor. 15:1-8 says,
Now I would remind you, brothers of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
We never move past the gospel. Ever. Paul was so certain of this fact that he took a moment to clarify the gospel for the believers reading his letter: According to the Scriptures, Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. Our salvation rests in this central event in history really happening. Believers have received this good news by faith, but they also currently stand on it in faith and know by faith that they are being saved and will be saved by it. We can never move past the gospel; we only grow deeper in it.
Paul’s concern here should impact the way we interact with and encourage one another in the faith. Paul spent fourteen chapters telling the Corinthian believers how they should live obediently in the church and in their surrounding community, but he returns to the gospel because apart from the gospel, all of our “good works” are just window dressing. Likewise, our encouragement to one another to live by faith can address specifics and offer sound, reasonable, biblical counsel, but we must always build one another up in the truth of the gospel.
Jesus is our Savior; we cannot leave Him behind.
Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Adults
Every week for Volume 4: From Captivity to the Wilderness, Ken Braddy, Lifeway’s director of Sunday School, will offer guidance to help leaders prepare to lead and teach each session of The Gospel Project for Adults.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Students
Every week, student ministry leaders offer guidance to help leaders prepare to lead and teach each session of The Gospel Project for Students. Listen in as he shares:
- The main point of the session
- Any challenges and opportunities for additional discussion that may arise during this session
- Encouragements for leaders
Podcast (studentsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
A Final Reminder
Don’t forget, you can find tools to help you prepare and lead the discussion in the Additional Resources for this volume. We hope these are a blessing to you as you walk through this session together.
*This week’s leader devotional is written by Matt Boswell. It is adapted from the daily devotions for the Easter session from The Gospel Project for Adults’ Daily Discipleship Guide.
