Table Of Content

Acknowledgement_______________________________ iii

Understanding Salvation___________________________ 1

Understanding Righteousness________________________ 3

Understanding Faith_______________________________ 9

Understanding the Grace of God_____________________ 14

GOODNEWS
BIBLE STUDY
BOOKLET
ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH, TRIKANIA, KADUNA

IV I
 Acknowledgement
We appreciate God for perfecting the production of this bible study
booklet. We saw His promises come to pass which says “the good
work He has started He will bring it to perfection (completion)”

II III
Pursuing God's righteousness means putting God at the center of UNDERSTANDING
our lives; and here is the truth: God takes pleasure in those who SALVATION
pursue righteousness (Proverbs 15:9, 21:3, 21:21).
The Greek meaning of the word "Salvation" is Soteria. It
The Righteousness of God in the New Testament simply refers to freedom from both physical danger and the
effects of sin. In Christianity, salvation (also called deliverance
or redemption) is the "saving of human beings from sin and its
Since the death and resurrection of Christ, the purpose of the law consequences, which include death and separation from God"
has been fulfilled and as a result, everyone who believes in Him is by Christ's death and resurrection, and the justification
made right with God (Romans 3:22, 10:4). following this salvation.

Christ is the perfect revelation of God, thus our faith in Him leads Scripture Reference: Isaiah 53:1–10, Acts 2:8, Hebrew 9:28,
us to the righteousness of God (Romans 1:17). Believing in Christ Romans 5:10
is the work of faith, not the work of the flesh, which produces In Christian theology, justification is God's act of removing the
righteousness. Romans 4:5-6) Stated another way, righteousness guilt and penalty of sin while at the same time making a sinner
is the God-given quality imputed to man upon believing in Christ. righteous through Christ's atoning sacrifice.

When Jesus died on the cross, He bore all sins of humanity and Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 6:11, Romans 5:1 and 9,
became sin for us. As a result, everyone who believes in Him is Romans 4:25
made righteous with God (2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24). The What Are We Saved From?
relationship between God and man, which was broken because of Through Jesus' death and resurrection we are saved from the
sin, is restored through the sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God. following:
1. SIN: 1 John 2:2, Mathew 1:21, Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews
Remarkably, Jesus Himself once revealed to Nicodemus the way 9:28
He would die long before His crucifixion: 2. COURSE: Galatians 3:10-14
3. LAW: Galatians 4:4-5, Romans 10:4, Romans 7:4-5
The serpent portrays Christ bearing the world's sin, and whoever 4. SICKNESS: Mathew 5:17, Isaiah 53:4, 1 Peter 2:24
looked at it was miraculously healed and remained alive 5. DEATH: 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, Romans 8:11, John 3:16
(Numbers 21:9, John 3:14-15).). Likewise, everyone who trusts 6. POWER OF DARKNESS: Colossians 1:13
in Jesus has been justified and already has peace with God
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 UNDERSTANDING
Discussion Questions: RIGHTEOUSNESS
1. Does God always forgive sins you continue to repeat? The Greek translation of the word righteousness is dikaiosunç, is
2. Does forgiveness of sins mean salvation? used as 'being righteous before others' (e.g. Matthew 5:20) or
3. How and to whom does Jesus pay our ransom? 'being righteous before God' (e.g. Romans 1:17).
4. Is there any sin that God will not forgive?
5. How were people saved before Jesus died for our sins? The Righteousness of God in the Old Testament
Since the fall of man, sin entered the world and caused
How is Salvation Received? Romans 10:14-15 wickedness in the human heart. In consequence, the law is
necessarily given due to human's rebellious nature. While
1. Repent: Acts 2:37-38 righteousness is accounted for those who carefully observe all
2. Believe in Jesus Christ God's commandments (Deuteronomy 6:25, 13:17-18), the law
·
As the Son of God: Acts 8:36-37, reveals to us that no man can satisfy all its requirements. It
·
Believe that He was raised from the dead: Romans 10:9-10 exposes our helplessness toward accomplishing God's perfect
3. Confess the Lordship of Jesus: Romans 10:9-10, standard.
Romans 10:13
4. Be Baptized in the name of Jesus: Acts 2:38, Acts 8:36-38, Amazingly, God has always rewarded man with His
8:12-13 righteousness by faith, not by works (even since the Old
Testament era). The word righteousness in the Bible first appears
Discussion Questions: in the account of God's covenant with Abram when he believed in
His promise of his future offspring (Genesis 15:6); that was even
1. What is repentance and how to repent? before he was called Abraham, a father of many nations
2. What does baptism of water symbolizes? (signifying that God's plan would never fail despite our past
3. What is new birth? John 3:1-6 behaviors).
4. How can I have assurance of my salvation?
5. If I feel no guilt for my sin, am I truly saved? The way of righteousness leads to life, not death (Proverbs 12:28)
because God is the ultimate source of life. It means that
righteousness belongs to God alone; therefore, as we pursue God,
we indeed find His righteousness.
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come: a shadow reflecting or revealing the coming of Christ (Romans 5:1).
and the grace (Heb 10:1 Gal 3:24-26)
Types of Righteousness
Discussion Questions
1. Righteousness according to the Law (Self Righteousness):
· Romans 10:3-5, Philippians 3:9, Galatians 2:16
1. What is the power of sin according to 1 Cor. 15:56,
Rom 3:20, Rom 6:14?
2. Righteousness according to faith (God righteousness)
2. How are we suppose to live by the law under the New
· Romans 3:21-22, Romans 4:1-5, Romans 9:30-32,
Covenant according to Hebrews 8:10-11, 1 Cor. 3:1-3
Romans 1:16-17
3. What are the dangers of living by the law?

Ways to Walk In Righteousness

I. Abide in the word of God: Psalm 199:11, 1 Peter 2:2,
Hebrews 5:13-14
II. Live and walk in the Spirit: Galatians 5:16
III.Mortify the flesh: Roman 8:13, Colossians 3:5
IV. Set boundaries (principles): 1 Corinthians 10:23
V. Submit/subject yourself to discipline: 1 Corinthians 9:27
VI. Keep godly company: 1 Corinthians 15:33

Discussion Questions
1. What does the bible means by the "works of the law"
according to Phil. 2:16, Galatians 3:2, Galatians 3:10
2. What does the bible means by the "law of righteousness"
according to Romans 9:30-32
3. Explain Romans 10:4 and 2 Corinthians 5:21
4. What is justification?
5. Explain Galatians 5:18

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 Types of Law 6. The Law of God is love: Romans 13:10

A. Moral Law: as for example the 10 commandments in 7. The Law of God is spiritual: Romans 7:14
Exodus 20 8. The Law of God is constant: Matthew 5:18
(All but the Sabbath are also commanded in the NT). We are
called to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and
strength, and our neighbor as ourselves. The Purpose of The Law
NOTE: The moral law is still in force for believers but as
explained below is now written on our hearts and is to be 1. The Law gives knowledge of sin: (Romans 3:19-20; 4:15;
obeyed in the power of the Spirit and under grace (not "under 5:13, 20; 7:7-11; 1Tim. 1: 7-9)
law"). 2. Law shuts up: "But the Scripture has shut up everyone under
B. Ceremonial Law: which includes the Tabernacle, the sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given
sacrificial system, special days, weeks and feasts to those who believe."(Gal 3:22)
C. Civil or judicial Law which dealt with laws specific to 3. Law keeps men in custody under the Law: "But before faith
Israel such as the cities of refuge, stoning for certain offenses, came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to
etc. the faith which was later to be revealed." (Gal 3:23)
4. Law serves as a tutor ("guardian," "custodian,"
The Attributes of the Law of God "disciplinarian.") to lead us to Christ: "Therefore the Law
has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be
1. The Law of God is good, holy, and just: Romans 7:12 justified by faith." (Gal 3:24)
5. A mirror reflecting God: The law is a mirror reflecting to
2. The Law of God is truth: Psalms 119:142
us the perfect righteousness, holiness, and goodness of God
(Lev 19:2)
3. The Law of God is perfect, sure, right, and pure:
6. It also shows us our need of pardon and danger to
Psalms 19:7-9 condemnation leading us to repentance and great faith in
Christ.
4. The Law of God is not burdensome: 1 John 5:3 7. Restrain evil: The law restrains evil. Though it cannot
change the heart of a person, the law can to some extent
5. The Law of God is a light: Proverbs 6:23 inhibit lawlessness by its threat of judgment.
8. Shadow of good things: It is a shadow of good things to

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 UNDERSTANDING
Examples of men and women who walked by faith in the bible FAITH
1. Noah and the Great Flood.
Noah was instructed to build a huge ship in preparation for the Faith is the foundation of the Christian life and is the principle that
great flood when there was no sign that it would rain at all. But brings us to Jesus Christ. It is faith that will make all the promises
Noah believed in God and put his trust in Him, so his family of God a reality in your life. When you are young, you practice
and every kind of animal have been saved from the floods. learning the ABC's. Faith is the ABCs of Christianity that you
Genesis chapter 6:13-22, must learn, develop and practice each day of your life.
2. Abraham, by faith never doubted God's promises. He
was willing to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, believing God will
What is Faith?
raise him up from the dead (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3), for
God had promised him earlier that through Isaac he will In Greek, the root word from which we get 'faith, the noun is
become the father of many nations. PISTIS, and 'believe', the verb is PISTUEO. FAITH means
3. Sarah who by faith was enabled to bear a child at an old belief, firm persuasion, assurance, firm conviction, faithfulness.
age (Romans 10:10). Sarah remained faithful and believed Faith connotes "confident belief in truth, value, or trustworthiness
in God's promise of an heir. For 25 years, she and her of a person, idea, or thing.”
husband Abraham waited, and indeed, she bore a son in the
most unfavorable situation anyone could ever imagine, that
is, being old and barren. The bible defines faith as "Now faith is the assurance (title deed,
4. The Centurion's faith in Matthew 8:8-13, was described confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and
by Jesus Himself as the kind of faith that He never saw the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their
existed in all of Israel. The centurion needed not more than reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced
Jesus' words to believe that his servant is healed. by the physical senses]." Hebrews 11:1 (amplified bible).
5. The people, who by faith, crossed the Red Sea on dry
land (Exodus 14:15-16; 21-22). The people were being
chased by the Egyptian soldiers from behind and they are In order for there to be faith there must be the following;
approaching a huge body of water, the Red Sea. 1. Fact: (Matthew 28:1-6, 1Corthians 15:1-4)
2. Witness (Luke 24:36-49, Acts 1:8, 1 Cor. 15:5-8)
God promised Moses that by his leadership and God's 3. Testimony: (John 21:24-25, 1John 1:1-4, Luke 1:1-4)
blessings, they will escape from the hands of the Egyptians, 4. Belief: (James 2:19, John 12:42, Acts 25:27-29)
and by faith, they were able to cross the Red Sea on dry
land.

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 Characteristics of Faith 7. Faith is a spiritual force through which our ministry for Christ
1. Faith is a free gift, a grace becomes effective. (Mark 11:23; Matthew 17:19, 20). Faith is
2. Faith is certain a major key to ministry success.
3. Faith works through love: Galatians 5:6
4. Faith continually grows
5. Faith is a foretaste of heaven What true faith involves:
There are two essential elements in true faith:
The Importance of Faith in a Christian Life · Firstly, the recognition of truth, and
· Secondly, the appropriate response to the truth
1. We receive salvation by grace through faith:
(Ephesians 2:8, 9), whosever believes in Him has eternal life. Components of Faith (1 Corinthians 13:13)
(John 3:16), and shall not come into judgment, but has passed Faith comes with the following:
from death to life. (John 5:24). The just shall live by faith. i. Hope: Hebrews 11:1
(Romans 1:17) ii. Patience: Hebrews 6:12, 12:2
2. Faith is our link to God: iii. Love: Galatians 5:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Colossians 1:4
3. Our faith pleases God: Hebrews 11:6 Discussion Questions
4. We overcome trials through faith: 1 John 5:4 1. What is saving faith?
5. Faith brings answers to prayer. "And whatever things you ask 2. Will faith alone save?
in prayer, really believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:22). 3. What does it mean that faith is supernatural?
Since God tells us to pray for our daily bread (Matthew 6:11), 4. Where does your faith stand?
faith is therefore a key to our material provision.
How to Exercise our Faith (Romans 10:9-10, Mark 5:25-34)
6. Faith brings all the benefits of salvation into our lives
(Ephesians 2:8, 9). This includes healing, prosperity, peace, I. Think Possibility: Philippians 4:8, 2 Corin. 10:5, Rom. 12:2
love, joy (1 Peter 1:8), deliverance from demons and the
curse, sanctification of the mind and emotions (the salvation ii. Speak Boldly: 2 Corinthians 4:13, 1 Samuel 17:42-47
of the soul) and any other benefit which the word of God
promises to us. iii. Take a step: James 2:14-26

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7. We become members of the Body of Christ with spiritual How Do We Grow Our Faith? Luke 17:5
gifts produced in us by grace for the building up of the Body:
Romans 12:6, Ephesians 4:7 1. Faith comes by hearing the word of God: Romans 10:17
Note: The word of God releases faith in our heart
Discussion Questions 2. Faith grows by the testimonies of others: Romans 15:4,
Rev. 12:11
1. What are some specific ways you've seen God's grace Note: Testimonies are faith boosters
demonstrated in your life, or specific ways you've changed 3. Faith grows through challenges (experience):
because of God's grace? Note: Recounting God's deliverance in our previous
2. What would you say to someone who continues to struggle challenges boost our faith to believe Him for greater
with a sin? deliverance.
3. Based on Romans 7:7-24 and Ephesians 2:1-3 what is the 4. Faith grows through prayers: Jude 1:20
biggest problem we will all have with overcoming sin on our
own? Discussion Questions
4. In Romans 8:26-39, what have the Father, Son, and Spirit
done and what are they doing to make us holy and get us to 1. What is the difference between believe and faith?
heaven? 2. What is the difference between the faith we receive by
5. Why did God say, His grace was sufficient? 2 Cor. 12:9 hearing the word and the faith we receive as a gift from the
Spirit? ( 1 Cor. 12:9, Rom. 10:17)
3. How should we respond in the trials God sends or allow us?

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 UNDERSTANDING 3. How will pursuing faith in Jesus give you righteousness?
THE GRACE OF GOD 4. How can one fall from grace according to Galatians 5:4,
Heb. 12:15?
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together 5. How can we take advantage of the grace of God to fulfill
with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up His divine purpose in our lives?
together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ
Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding How is Grace Received
riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ 1. Through God's love, mercy and the fellowship of the Holy
Jesus. Ephesians 2:5-7 Spirit: 1 John 4:8, 1 Timothy 1:13, Titus 3:5, Hebrews 4:16,
The Greek word for grace is charis. In secular Greek, charis was Matthew 9:13, 2 Corinthians 13:14
related to chairo, "to rejoice." Charis denotes "sweetness" or 2. Through the words of grace contained in the Bible:
"attractiveness." Charis came to signify favor, goodwill, and Acts 20:32; 2 Peter 1:2
loving-kindness especially as granted by a superior to an inferior. 3. Through words of grace spoken to us by the believers in
Christ: Ephesians 4:29 and Colossians 4:6
Grace, in Christian theology means unmerited gift of the divine 4. By humbling ourselves before God: James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5
favour in the salvation of sinners, and the divine influence 5. By believing in the Lord Jesus Christ: Romans 5:2
operating in individuals for their regeneration and sanctification. 6. By loving the Lord Jesus: Ephesians 6:24
In the New Testament, "grace" takes on a special redemptive 7. Through sufferings and trials arranged for us by God: 2
sense in which God makes available his favor on behalf of Corinthians 12:9, Romans 5:3
sinners, who actually do not deserve it.
The Results of Receiving Grace
What the Gift of Grace Offers 1. We are justified: Romans 3:24, Titus 3:7.
1. Grace offers salvation: Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 2:11 2. We are saved: Ephesians 2:8, Titus 2:11
2. Grace offers righteousness: 2 Cor. 5:21, Romans 3:21-22 3. We have peace: Romans 1:7, 1 Peter 5:14 and note 14
3. Grace offers eternal life: John 3:16, Colossians 2:13 4. We are empowered to walk uprightly and righteously by
grace: Titus 2:11-12, Acts 20:32
Discussion Questions 5. We reign in God's divine life over all negative things:
1. How did God deal with our sins? Romans 5:17, 21
2. Is grace a license for sin according to Romans 5:20, 6:1 6. We are empowered, made strong: 2 Timothy 2:1
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