Sin is humanity’s rebellion against God. Difficult decisions may tempt us to abandon our road map, the Bible. We must distinguish between biblical statements from false teaching and lurid temptations.
     Have you ever experienced a time when a good intention turned into something awkward or tragic? What about when a bad deed, as insignificant as it seemed, turned out to have far greater consequences than you imagined? We need our road map to recognize the problem and to stop a further slide.
     The problems facing the human race are complex. Most are the result of our sinful heart and actions. After the six days of creation, the Bible tells us about the perfect relationship between man and woman with God and nature. Life takes a dramatic turn with humanity’s disobedience. We sin, and God’s world is tarnished.
     Sin is rebellion against God. Sin is universal. Sin has been passed from generation to generation. Sin is disruptive.
     Being a sinner means I am deeply dependent on God. Being a sinner means I relate to everyone in my fallen state. My alienation from God means I need to work hard and seek God’s will in all situations. I must learn to live by God’s design to correct my tainted perspectives of life. Scripture that I need to keep in my heart includes Isaiah 53:6 and Romans 7:21-25. I pray that God will let the truth settle and spread in my heart that I might see myself and others the way God sees us – as persons needing His redeeming love. Let’s acknowledge our sins, ask forgiveness, and claim the healing from the cross.

     God is not only just but also loving and powerful! Nothing is beyond His capabilities to remedy. God reaches beyond the far-reaching effects of sin. Salvation is the third core doctrine of the Bible. We were made to be deeply involved with God, but the arrival of sin built a barrier. Although God loves us, He can’t condone or tolerate our rejection.
     God designed a plan for those who are lost and have turned away to be restored to Him. We call the plan of salvation.
     The death of Christ and its importance to us reflects who God is. Salvation satisfies the justice of a holy loving God. It takes seriously the condition of the lost. Salvation makes a way to repair everything damaged by sin. Salvation makes us healthy and whole.
     In Romans 3:10 we are told that no one seeks God. God begins the whole process. He calls us. Because of His immeasurable love, He cannot ignore us and our desperate situation. How can we ignore Him? How can we not tell others of Him?

     When we respond to God’s call, He gives us a new heart and a new outlook on life. As Philippians 1:6 tells us He works in and around us. He deeply desires us to experience the full extent of His love. He begins a reengineering or transformation process that will one day result in our full glorification in His presence.
     Sometimes believers find they do not consistently behave in ways that reflect their understanding, appreciation, or application of the truth of Christ. What keeps us from reaching our goals? How can we progress to live the way we want to live?
     Grace, truth, and time are all needed for growth and development. Spiritual transformation takes place in a community – with God and with others. Growth requires input from others and a level of accountability (Pro. 27:17). Trust and trustworthiness form the foundation of a growing relationship. Life change takes place in a trusting community. The process of sanctification grows out of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Christianity is an ongoing relationship and experience. It is a divine relationship with a purpose. God has designated, set apart, us for a special reason. He intends us to become holy and reflect His qualities. We need to seek to have the courage and concentration to open ourselves to the Holy Spirit so that we can become more Christ-like.

     We cannot neglect basic activities and expect to grow strong and Christ-like. On the other hand, if we focus on embracing legalism and task completion, we develop an unpleasing and unpleasant bondage. The basis of our transformation is our relationship with Christ. Our goal is to be Christ-like. Romans 6:1-14 describes the “newness of life” as the result of our relating to the cross – we died and were buried, and then rose from the dead in Christ.
     To get an idea of where we are in our spiritual growth, we look to Galatians 5:22-23 at the nine character traits that rove the Holy Spirit is at work in us. God has provided the power and the process for transformation. Our relationship to Christ is the power. The Holy Spirit is the primary agent for transformation.
     Life is a series of events and our responses to those events. Daily we face problems of different magnitudes and complexity. As important as our response to problems is, there is a God-designed process to prepare us for extreme challenges. It is spiritual discipline that moves us from trying to training. We must plan and manage our schedules to train – to do the activities that increase the sanctification process: Scripture reading, personal prayer, serving, meditation, learning from teaching, worship, outreach, witnessing, and ministering. Read the scripture that shows how we are being “formed in Christ”: Gal. 4:19, 1 Peter 2:2-3, Romans 12:1-2, and Gal. 5:22-23.
     Sanctification is how the Spirit’s work guides our lives. Pray for each other’s desire to walk closely with God. Pray over your training plans. Ask the Holy Spirit to meet you, guide you, and teach you.

     The work that God does in us through His Spirit never ceases (Philippians 1:6). Much of that work is accomplished through others. After all, we are part of the Body. We are a community. We should see who we are as God’s people and discern our mission.
     God has never given up on humanity. There have always been people who have responded to God’s message and formed communities of faith. Being a part of a community, connected with others is valuable with challenges and rewards.
     The Bible describes community as a relationship of people with God and each other. We are the people of God (Ephesians 2:11-22). We are the bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7). We are the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12). We are a royal priesthood. Put it all together and you have a community of great scope, intimacy, cooperation, and shared ministry. We build community by being deeply invested and involved in each other’s life. We are to know and be known, to love and be loved, to serve and be served, and to celebrate and be celebrated. Community is central to Christian living. Christ wanted us to be one. God intended for us to be a part of the new community. The Spirit wants to work in our lives to change us. We never walk alone.

     Key biblical themes fit together to form our theology. Theology is the study of God and His work in the world. Sometimes Christians turn theology into an academic exercise with scholarly language. Theology should be understandable and relational. It is about our relationship with God and others. True theology is an adventure in discovering and growing and sharing the God – Creator, Savior, and Comforter.
     The core doctrines of the Bible – creation, sin, salvation, sanctification, and community – do not stand alone but work together throughout the Bible to build a firm foundation for us to live a life of confidence in God.
     In 1 Peter 1, Peter writes to Christians who were in danger of losing their way. They had broken their ties with their non-Christian relatives and neighbors. They were suffering. They were facing hard decisions and testings. They hadn’t expected this situation when they first heard the message. We face the same experience every generation. Peter writes to remind them and us the core doctrines we are to hold to: creation, sin, salvation, sanctification, and community.
     There is a lot of theology in 1 Peter 1:3-5. The Trinity is at work throughout teaching God’s people that we have a secure hope and a holy calling. Peter tells us to grow up in Christ, to put our feet and hands on our calling to be holy and obedient. Remember who you are in Christ (1 Peter 1:1-9). He is sufficient for our trials and suffering.

Based on Willowcreek's Bible 101 study sessions, other sources