Counseling Those Who RespondFor Salvation

INTRODUCTION

The Bible teaches that salvation (being born again) is necessary for a person to see the Kingdom of God, to receive eternal life, forgiveness of sins, to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and to become a child of God and joint-heirs with Christ. Salvation is received by faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the atonement of sin and includes a turning from sin (repentance). Salvation is by God’s grace through faith.

MINISTERING TO THOSE IN NEED OF SALVATION

Here are guidelines for ministering to those in need of salvation:

SHARE THE NEED OF SALVATION:

Using the Scriptures, explain that they need salvation because all have sinned.

SHARE GOD’S SOLUTION:

Using the Scriptures, share God’s solution for sin, salvation by grace through faith.

BRING TO A POINT OF DECISION:

Bring the counselee to a point of decision, a positive affirmation that he wants to be saved.

PRAY WITH THE COUNSELEE:

Pray out loud together. Have the counselee confess His sins and receive Jesus Christ as Savior. If help to pray is needed, ask him to follow you in a prayer such as:
Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned. Please forgive me of my sin as I now repent. I take you at your Word that you forgive those who ask. I accept you as my Savior. Thank you for cleansing me from sin. In Jesus name, Amen.

PROVIDE FOLLOW-UP CARE:

Decision cards should be filled out on each new convert to secure their name and address

for follow-up. Keep these cards somewhere in the altar area. Return completed cards to the church office for contact by the pastoral staff and referral to the discipleship class.

QUESTIONS ABOUT SALVATION

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING SORRY AND REPENTING?

Yes. Godly sorrow worketh repentance. Being sorry or being sorry you got caught is not enough. You must repent.

WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO REPENT?

You must repent in order to be saved:

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19)

DO ALL MEN NEED TO REPENT?

Yes, because all have sinned.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT REPENT?

I tell you…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3)

WILL REPENTING CHANGE MY LIFE?

Yes. The joy of salvation is visible along with the growth of the fruit of the Spirit: Love joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, meekness, and faith. You will be able to live a new life.

KEY VERSES ABOUT SALVATION

For God so loved the world; that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)

But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them

that believe on His name. (John 1:12)

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to Him, and will sup with Him, and He with me. (Revelation 3:20)

But godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7)

And they went out, and preached that men should repent. (Mark 6:12)

…Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:46-47)

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

I tell you Nay, but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3)