Bible Studies for Life | Adults

Session: 5 (Evangelism Session)

Date of First Use: November 15, 2026 

Title: The Path to Forgiveness 

The Point: We can be forgiven because of what Jesus has done for us. 

Life Connection: We expect others to do something to earn our forgiveness, and we project that idea onto God. Religions are built on this belief that there are things we must do to secure our salvation. Jesus changes all that. Since there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation, Jesus did the work we could not. He is the One who makes salvation and freedom from sin possible.  

Session Passage: Ephesians 2:1-10 

How this session connects to the overall study and the sessions that surround it: In the previous session, we saw the love of God. Because of that love, God did what was needed through Christ to make forgiveness possible. 

Session: 4 

Date of First Use: November 8, 2026 

Title: The Reason for Forgiveness 

The Point: God loves us and wants to restore us for His glory.  

Life Connection: Many find it difficult to move beyond their sin because they cannot forgive themselves. Unfortunately, we transfer to God our inability to forgive. We consider what we’ve done and wonder why God would even forgive some of our sins. God’s ability to forgive is not tied to the nature of what we’ve done but to His own character and desires for us.   

Session Passage: Isaiah 43:1-7,21-25 

How this session connects to the overall study and the sessions that surround it: We know in our heads that forgiveness is in God's heart, and it brings Him glory; but we may still wonder how that forgiveness is possible for us.

Date of First Use: November 1, 2026 

Title: The Picture of Forgiveness 

The Point: God's plan has always included forgiveness for His people. 

Life Connection: Some people are visual learners. Not only do they need to see it to learn it, but some almost need to see it to believe it! The importance of forgiveness wasn’t a new teaching Jesus brought us. God had been teaching us about forgiveness throughout the Old Testament. The Day of Atonement gives us a vivid picture of just what forgiveness between God and humanity looks like. And of course it finds its fulfillment in Jesus. 

Session Passage: Leviticus 16:6-10, 15-19, 20-22 

How this session connects to the overall study and the sessions that surround it: God put His plan for forgiveness on full display with the Day of Atonement. This is a good place in the study to help the group see God’s plan from the beginning and then make the connection to its fulfillment in Christ. 

Session: 2 

Date of First Use: October 25, 2026 

Title: The Source of Forgiveness 

The Point: Forgiveness reflects the character of God. 

Life Connection: We don’t always understand the full meaning and scope of forgiveness. Our culture often wants to color forgiveness with conditions, “I’ll forgive if ...” “When he begs, I’ll forgive.” “I’ll forgive, but I definitely won’t forget.”What does forgiveness look like? When we look to God, we get a complete view of true forgiveness. God’s forgiveness arises from His love, grace, and mercy toward us. 

Session Passage: Psalm 103:1-13 

How this session connects to the overall study and the sessions that surround it: Our need for forgiveness can be met because forgiveness and grace flow from the heart of God. 

Session: 1 

Date of First Use: October 18, 2026 

Title: The Cry for Forgiveness 

The Point: When we sin, we sin against God so only He can forgive us.  

 
Life Connection: Sometimes we want to downplay our sins as simply failures or mistakes, but we need to see them for what they are: sins. Those sins hang over our heads until we experience forgiveness, but forgiveness will elude us until we acknowledge our sin and look to God. 

Session Passage: Psalm 51:1-13 

How this session connects to the overall study and the sessions that surround it: A study on forgiveness needs to start with the “why” question. Why do we need to be forgiven? Because we have sinned against God! 

Session: 6 

Date of First Use: October 11, 2026 

Title: God Speaks and We Respond 

The Point: When we discover God’s will, we are to follow it. 

Life Through a Biblical Lens: We often know what we should do, but we choose not to do it. For example, many of us can talk about the benefits of diet and exercise even though we never exercise nor eat right. Even more tragic is when God’s will is laid out before us, but we choose to do things our way instead. Ignoring God’s loving plan for our lives carries consequences, but obedience leads to great blessing. 

Seeing the World Through a Biblical Lens: A key part of developing a biblical lens is an understanding of the PEOPLE and specifically who we are. Being a follower of Christ means living under His lordship in full obedience. As we discern God’s will, we are to obey it. 

Session Passage: Psalm 119:30-40 

Connection to the Previous Sessions:Understanding the ways God makes His will known to us is not enough. We are to respond with obedience to that will. 

Session: 5 

Date of First Use: October 4, 2026 

Title: God Speaks Through His Church  

The Point: God communicates to us through other believers. 

Life Through a Biblical Lens: When you give your life to Jesus Christ, you don’t just come to Christ; you become a part of His church. While each of us has a direct connection and relationship to God, He uses His church to help us grow in that relationship. We’re taught, encouraged, and ministered to through other believers. It should come as no surprise, then, that God often uses other believers to help us know and follow His voice.    

Seeing the World Through a Biblical Lens: A key part of developing a biblical lens is an understanding of the CHURCH. Just as God’s Spirit works in us and through us, He also works through other believers. God will use the body of Christ to help us see and affirm the plan God has for us. 

Session Passage: Ephesians 4:11-16,25-29 

Connection to the Previous Sessions: While God often orchestrates our circumstances to put us in line with His will, we can also misinterpret those circumstances to fall in line with what we want. The Holy Spirit can work through other believers to affirm and/or caution us as we seek to understand God’s voice. 

Session: 4 

Date of First Use: September 27, 2026 

Title: God Speaks Through Circumstances  

The Point: God uses circumstances to guide us in His will. 

Life Through a Biblical Lens: We’ve all had those “random” encounters that we look back on and realize how life-changing they were. Did we just happen to be in “the right place at the right time,” or was it God’s way of helping us follow His plan. In the Book of Romans, Paul gave us insight into how we should view our circumstances in light of knowing and following God’s voice.  

Seeing the World Through a Biblical Lens: A key part of developing a biblical lens is an understanding of the nature and work of GOD and the HOLY SPIRIT. The circumstances and situations we find ourselves in are never an obstacle for God. In His power and sovereignty, God can work through those very circumstances to help us see His plans for us. 

Session Passage: Romans 8:26-35 

Connection to the Previous Sessions: As the Holy Spirit helps us understand the Word of God and speaks to our hearts, He often confirms His will through the circumstances we find ourselves in. 

Session: 3 

Date of First Use: September 20, 2026 

Title: God Speaks Through His Holy Spirit  

The Point: The Holy Spirit guides us in knowing His will. 

Life Through a Biblical Lens: It’s often easy to be led by our feelings or emotions. It just feels right. We know we can’t always trust our feelings, but are there times when that “inner voice” is right? God’s Holy Spirit is separate from our conscience. The Holy Spirit helps us discern God's voice from other voices competing for our attention.   

 Seeing the World Through a Biblical Lens: A key part of developing a biblical lens is an understanding of the nature and work of the HOLY SPIRIT. This session focuses on the Holy Spirit, who guides us in right thinking and illuminates the pages of Scriptures to give us clarity and understanding.  

 Session Passage: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 

Connection to the Previous Sessions: The previous session stressed the importance of the Bible in understanding God’s character and plans. Many people read the Bible but totally miss its beauty and revelation. We need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the truths of Scripture. 

Session: 2 

Date of First Use: September 13, 2026 

Title: God Speaks Through the Bible  

The Point: God’s Word is His primary means of speaking to us. 

Life Through a Biblical Lens: The Internet is full of sites claiming to guide us and show us what to do. Pick a subject, and someone is ready to give you direction on the matter. This is nothing new. Solomon said, “There is no end to the making of many books” (Eccl. 12:12). The ultimate guidance we need comes from God, and the primary way He has revealed His will is through His Word.   

Seeing the World Through a Biblical Lens: A key part of developing a biblical lens is an understanding of the nature and role of the BIBLE. This session focuses on how God has revealed His will for us through Scripture.  

Session Passage: Psalm 19:7-14 

Connection to the Previous Sessions: In the previous session, the emphasis was on the truth that God reaches out to us and speaks. In this session, we see that the primary way God reveals His will is through His Word.