Bible Study Snacks: Salvation, What Does It Mean?

Hi, everyone!

Welcome to another presentation of Bible Study Snacks. I'd like to thank you for joining me as we walk through the richness of God's spoken word and wisdom together. I really do hope that your week has gone well, and that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, I would like to continue our discussion on SALVATION by talking about what it means to be saved. What DOES it mean to be saved? The word "SAVE" is a very common word that is often used in our language. There is nothing difficult about its meaning. Even a small child knows the meaning of this word.

Here are some examples that come to mind when I think of being "saved." We speak of a person rescued by firemen as one who is saved from the burning flames. A little girl may wander into the street until a concerned adult saves her from the oncoming traffic. Those who were on the Titanic ship needed to be saved from the frigid ocean depths.

Clearly, "SAVE" is a word that covers a lot of territory. Can you think of other ways this word is commonly used? In this weeks' study, we shall search into this word and see how it ties into SALVATION through the teachings of Jesus Christ!

I have designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well. Try them out and see!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. So, if you are ready to begin our lesson...

Let’s pray together:

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

The word "save" means "to rescue, to keep from harm, to keep safe and sound, to rescue from destruction or loss, to deliver." The word always implies some kind of danger. In each of the examples which I mentioned above, there was some kind of danger. What danger was there in Matthew 8:25?

THOUGHT QUESTION: Are you in any danger right now? (A person will never be saved until they first realize that they are in great danger.)

The first question that needs to be asked is this: What do I need to be saved from? (What danger am I in that I need to be saved out of?) A person in a burning building needs to be saved from the smoke and flames. A person stranded in the middle of the desert needs to be saved from excessive exposure to the elements and a critical lack of water.

Think of a man in a foxhole with bullets flying over his head and bombs exploding around him. He cries out, "Lord, save me!" What do you think he wants to be saved from? Consider a woman about to have major surgery. Before they put her to sleep she prays, "Lord, save me!" What do you think she wants to be saved from?

Read Luke 23:39. What did this criminal want to be saved from? Why was this man not saved and why was the other criminal saved?

THOUGHT QUESTION: What do you need to be saved FROM? (Refer to the following verses):

Romans 5:9 (compare 1:18) __________
Matthew 1:21 __________
2 Corinthians 1:10 __________
(see Hebrews 2:3--"so great salvation" for "so great a death")

Have you ever felt yourself to be in danger because of your sins? If you were in a burning building, would you rather be asleep and not aware of any danger at all, or would you rather be awake to see the real danger you are in?

Sometimes we can learn the meaning of a word by considering its opposite. Look up the following verses and write down the word or phrase which is opposite in meaning to the word "SAVE":

1) James 4:12 __________
2) Mark 16:16 __________
3) John 3:17-18 __________
4) 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 2:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:10 __________

What kind of person needs a doctor (Luke 5:31)? __________
What kind of person needs a SAVIOR (Luke 5:32)? __________ (Those who do not live in burning houses do not need to be saved from fire!)

What kind of people did Christ come to save? (Refer to the following verses):

1 Timothy 1:15; Romans 5:8 __________
Luke 19:10; those who are __________

THOUGHT QUESTION: Have you ever seen yourself as a LOST SINNER facing great danger?

Sometimes when a person is in danger, it is possible for him to save himself. For example, a person may jump from a burning building and survive the fall. Another person who is shipwrecked might use his own strength and effort to swim several miles to shore.

In other cases, self-salvation is impossible. Consider a person sinking in quicksand. The more he struggles the deeper he sinks. He needs someone else to stand on solid ground and pull him out!

When it comes to God’s great salvation, is it possible for a sinner to save himself (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9)? ______ If a man could save himself then he would not need a SAVIOR--he would be his own savior. If the person in quicksand could get out on his own, then he would need no one else. The moment a sinner confesses, "I NEED A SAVIOR" he is really saying, "I CAN’T DO IT MYSELF. I NEED SOMEONE ELSE TO DO WHAT I COULD NEVER DO!"

Who is the only Savior (Acts 4:10-12)? __________ In fact His very name means "Savior" (see Matthew 1:21)! For whom has salvation been made available (John 3:17; 1 Timothy 2:3-4)? __________ And yet there is only one kind of person God can save. He can only save those who __________ unto God by (through) Him (Jesus)--Hebrews 7:25 (compare John 14:6).

There is only one way to be saved. A person must be saved by __________ through __________ (Ephesians 2:8). Grace is God’s kindness and love towards those who do not deserve it at all! Faith Is the hand of the heart that receives God’s gift of salvation (Romans 6:23; John 1:12). In the near future, we will study what faith really is. That is a promise!

What must a person do to be saved (Acts 16:30-31)? __________ Who are the only people that God actually saves (1 Corinthians 1:21)? __________ Does the devil know God’s plan of salvation (Luke 8:12)? ______ (What is it that Satan does not want people to do? __________)

Let me conclude this week by asking you a few questions. Are you in danger? Can you save yourself? Do you need a Savior? Do you need Him now? What must YOU do to be saved? Have you done this?

After answering the study questions, go back over them again. Take your time and read each question and verse as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around.

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Thank you for joining me today. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri