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YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN The Mystery of Conversion SPRING 2015 FOUNDATIONS
YOU MUST BE BORN AGAINThe Mystery of Conversion
SPRING 2015
FOUNDATIONS
YOU MUST BE BORN AGAINTHE MYSTERY OF CONVERSIONPASTOR NATE FRIEDRICHSEN
SESSION ONE | CONVERSION AND THE BIBLE
SESSION TWO | CONVERSION AND THEOLOGY
SESSION THREE | CONVERSION AND PERSONAL NARRATIVE
SESSION FOUR | CONVERSION AND CHURCH MINISTRY
RECOMMENDED READING
Smith, Gordon T. Beginning Well: Christian Conversion & Authentic Transformation. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001.
France, R.T. “Conversion in the Bible.” Evangelical Quarterly. 65:4 (1993), 291-310.BIBLICALSTUDIES.ORG.UK/PDF/EQ/1993-4_291.PDF
Westminster Confession, XIV-XVIII. REFORMED.ORG/DOCUMENTS/WCF_WITH_PROOFS
SESSION ONEConversion and the Bible
GETTING STARTED
O ur thoughts on conversion come from a confluence of theological background, personal background and popular Christian sentiment. Let’s begin to untangle them.
WHAT IS CONVERSION?
IS CONVERSION NECESSARY TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN?IF SO, WHY? IF NOT, WHY NOT?
WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SALVATION AND CONVERSION?
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU HOPE TO GROW IN YOUR FAITH AND UNDER-STANDING THROUGH THIS CLASS, I.E. WHY ARE YOU HERE?
SESSION ONE | CONVERSION AND THE BIBLE
RETURNING TO THE COVENANT
bwv Turn or return. “Restore me, and I will return, because you are the LORD my God” (Jer 31:18 NIV). See also Jer 2:27 (turn away from God) and Hos 6:1 (return to God).
TURNING TO CHRIST
“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14–15).
“[I, Paul, testified] both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:20–21).
“For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
TEN NEW TESTAMENT IMAGES
Seeds MATTHEW 13:8
Childhood MATTHEW 18:3
Healing MARK 2:10-12
Light JOHN 1:9
Birth JOHN 3:1-8
Life JOHN 11:25-26
Water ACTS 8:37-38
Sight ACTS 9:8
Creation II CORINTHIANS 5:17
Enthronement COLOSSIANS 3:1
SESSION ONE | CONVERSION AND THE BIBLE
FOR REFLECTION
THE WORD “CONVERSION” ONLY OCCURS ONCE IN THE BIBLE (ESV). HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO SOMEONE WHO DRAWS THE CONCLUSION THAT CONVERSION IS NOT A PRIORITY IN SCRIPTURE?
WHAT BIBLICAL IMAGERY DO YOU FIND TO BE THE MOST POWERFUL PICTURE OF CONVERSION? WHY?
HOW IS THE BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF CONVERSION UNIQUE AMONG OTHER RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES AND PSYCHOLOGICAL/SOCIOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATIONS?
HAVE YOU BEEN CONVERTED?
SESSION TWOConversion and Theology
SESSION TWO | CONVERSION AND THEOLOGY
W hat actually happens when someone is converted? Our understanding of conversion sets the trajectory for the Christian life. When we grasp the theological depth and
beauty of conversion, we will then be able to set out on the Christian journey in the right direction and with the right ambition.
ORDO SALUTIS
election/predestination atonement gospel call inward call regeneration conversion justification sanctification glorification
CONVERSION ≠ SALVATION
“Conversion is the means by which we appropriate and experience God’s saving grace.”GORDON T. SMITH, BEGINNING WELL (DOWNERS GROVE, IL: INTERVARSITY PRESS, 2001), 18.
FOR REFLECTION
HOW DOES OUR VOCABULARY SHAPE OUR PERCEPTION OF CONVERSION?
IN WHAT WAYS DOES THE THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF CONVERSION SET THE DIRECTION AND THE AMBITION OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE?
SESSION THREEConversion and Personal Narrative
SESSION THREE | CONVERSION AND PERSONAL NARRATIVE
E veryone has a story. Many of those raised in the church and Christian homes come to embrace Christian faith for themselves through a series of significant events and slow
realizations. For them, distilling conversion down to an exact, single moment can be, at best, difficult and, at worst, misguided. For those coming from outside the faith, conversion is more defined and often appears more exciting. Yet, when we come to appreciate conversion as an instant and a process, we can all tell our own stories with gratitude and conviction.
CONVERSION AS PROCESS
Conversion is a process. It can be spoken of as a single act of turning in the same way that consuming several dishes and drinks can be spoken of as a single act of dining … and revivalism encourages us to think of a simple, all-embracing, momentary crisis as its standard form. But conversion … is best understood if viewed as a complex process that for adults ordinarily involves the following: thinking and re-thinking; doubting and overcoming doubts; soul-searching and self-admonition; struggle against feelings of guilt and shame; and concern as to what realistic following of Christ might mean.
J.I. PACKER. “THE MEANS OF CONVERSION,” CRUX 25, NO. 4 (1989): 14-22.
FOR REFLECTION
TO WHAT EXTENT IS CONVERSION INSTANTANEOUS? TO WHAT EXTENT IS CONVERSION A PROCESS?
HOW IS THIS CLASS CAUSING YOU TO RETHINK THE WAY YOU TELL YOUR OWN PERSONAL NARRATIVE?
SESSION FOURConversion and Church Ministry
SESSION FOUR | CONVERSION AND CHURCH MINISTRY
N ot every church can be described as a “conversion community.” How would Calvary look differently if the net effect of our understanding of conversion more clearly
informed our church ministry? When a robust understanding of conversion shapes the church culture, we will celebrate and utilize church initiation and church participation as essential resources in our own conversion and for the conversion of others.
THE DOMINANT VISIBLE EXPRESSION OF CONVERSION
“Baptism is the biblical sinner’s prayer.”
@JAREDCWILSON TWITTER.COM/JAREDCWILSON/STATUS/553017926090240000
FOR REFLECTION
CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE, 3RD CENTURY, FAMOUSLY WARNED, “HE CAN NO LONGER HAVE GOD FOR HIS FATHER, WHO HAS NOT THE CHURCH FOR HIS MOTHER.” TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE AND WHY?
HOW CAN YOU HELP MAKE CALVARY A “CONVERSION COMMUNITY”?
