Salvation is a critical element of the Christian faith, as it is the foundation of the gospel. The doctrines of salvation are categorized into ten groups, all of which comprehensively explain the notion of salvation. Among these groups is the doctrine of regeneration, also known as rebirth, which teaches that to accept Christ as one’s savior and to inherit eternal life, one has to be reborn in Christ. The course on this doctrine as outlined below is of a class that targets the youth group of a church, comprised of youths that are either in college or have recently graduated from high school, and it aims to teach regeneration as an essential aspect in the Christian faith.
DOCTRINE OF REGENERATION
1. Course Overview
This course provides the youth groups with an understanding of the concept of regeneration according to Christianity. It highlights the process of regeneration and the benefits to the life of a believer. The course also provides an overview of the elements of restoration and the steps a believer should take to be reborn in Christ and helps to understand how Christ’s death secured salvation of those who believe in Him. Regeneration, also known as rebirth, is a directive from Jesus to all those that seek eternal life; hence this course demonstrates the need for renewal in the journey to salvation. Emphasis will be placed on the scriptural references and their applicability to modernism.
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2. Purpose
The purpose of this course is to have students understand Christian regeneration and its relevance to salvation. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God,” (John 3:3, English Standard Version). Students will read, understand and discuss teachings on rebirth from the apostles. According to apostle John, eternal life is pegged on being born again, thus emphasizing the need for all Christians to be born again.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come,” (2 Corinthians 5:17, English Standard Version). Students must understand the nature of rebirth according to the Bible and the process as well. The significance of this process is also analyzed, and students must get a clear understanding of the result of regeneration. The course will also provide students with relevant knowledge on the history of sin from creation to the fall of man (Halliday, 2011). The class will create awareness through scriptural evidence on the truth concerning spiritual rebirth. They will also understand the religious significance of this process.
Soteriology is a different concept from cults and other religions in the universe. The purpose of the course is to help students to understand Biblical Soteriology to help them understand that salvation results from grace, faith, and Jesus Christ. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). If students understand salvation, they will be peaceful because they will be aware of how they were saved and what it takes to be secure in their salvation. Therefore, the course will provide students with a chance to understand how salvation works and what it takes for them to be saved and live according to Jesus Christ’s will.
3. Procedure
a) Method
Students are required to familiarize themselves with relevant literature and scriptures concerning regeneration. They should be able to identify arguments for and against spiritual rebirth through various literature. The research conducted when handling assignments will also be a tool to equip them with the required knowledge on the second birth in Christ.
By the end of the course, the students will be fully aware of the nature of regeneration and its relevance in countering sin as well as the benefits in the Christian faith. The students will also be able to develop adequate material for teaching their peers and the community on being born again as an essential step in salvation. They will even fully comprehend the essence of baptism in Christianity and relevance in the modern world.
Moreover, the students will be able to present the idea of regeneration before the congregation and engage them in well-informed discussions concerning the topic. Additionally, at the end of the course, the students should be able to defend their faith to a group of non-believers by countering arguments from other religions with relevant scriptures and adequate knowledge of regeneration and salvation.
b) Schedule
The course will run for six weeks and will be happening every Saturday from 4.30 pm to 7 pm. The course will be characterized by physical class sessions, which will be conducted in the church’s youth center. During these sessions, the last 10-15 minutes will be dedicated to youths to discuss issues or challenges that they encounter during their journey to salvation. Furthermore, they will get a chance to ask questions and seek clarification regarding issues that they deem complicated or hard to comprehend. Each module will be accompanied by an assignment, thus prompting weekly assignments that students will handle away from class.
c) Assignments
Assignments will be issued at the end of each module after a topic has been discussed. The task will include short answer questions and short essays that will serve as personal reflections. Group discussions will also be included as part of the assignments to help the youth grow together in faith and dispel the myths concerning spiritual rebirth. The talks will be used as a means of analyzing the challenges faced by the youth when it comes to matters of salvation and trying to explore solutions that can help. The assignments will be reviewed at the beginning of each subsequent class, whereby a general discussion will be conducted on the issues that stood out while doing the tasks.
d) Quizzes and Final Exam
Weekly quizzes will be provided to the youths in form of fill-in questions that focus on content discussed during the lesson. The quizzes will require the youths to write about their personal experience after what they have learnt. During the sixth week, they will be asked to write up a short essay on how the content covered in all six lessons have aided them. Furthermore, the youths will be asked to provide their opinions on what can be done to improve future lessons. Generally, the quizzes will provide an opportunity for self-reflection and on the issues regarding salvation.
The final exam will be held on the seventh week (at the end of the course), and it will include short essays to facilitate personal reflections. The review will be based on the topics taught throughout the course and their influence on the lives of the students. Students should be able to respond to the prompts of the essay by applying the knowledge gained throughout the course. The final exam will also highlight prayer requests through the reflections, which will be dealt with in the last class.
e) Grading
The course will be graded to determine the extent to which it impacted knowledge of learners. The pass mark for the final grade is 70% and those below this will be considered to fail the course.
Weekly assignments: 30%
Quizzes:15%
Final Exams: 50%
Participation in lessons:5%
4. Books
The required book for this course is Halliday, T. (2011). The Doctrine of Regeneration, and Other Sermons. Florida: Puritan Publications. The book offers lessons on regeneration while providing relevant scriptures that will inform the whole course. Therefore, a Bible (English Standard Version) will be required to help learners refer to scriptures during the sessions. Each student is expected to have a Bible to use during the lessons.
The recommended book is Hamilton, S. (2017). Born Again: A Portrait and Analysis of the Doctrine of Regeneration within Evangelical Protestantism. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. Students can gain additional relevant information on the course by exploring this book.
5. Goals for Students
One of the goals for students is to gain knowledge of sin, its consequences, and regeneration. Students will be able to understand how believers acknowledge that Christ’s death is the source of salvation. They will understand the entire concept of salvation on how God’s mercy for us made Him save us “by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5-7). Students will also gain insight into the need for regeneration in a modern society and the written explanations of the significance of salvation in modernism.
Another goal is to build on the students’ character by building and growing their faith in Christ. Students will also get to develop a character based on regeneration, which will serve as a tool for teaching their peers on rebirth. “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). Biblical repentance is about changing one’s mind and turning to God in search for salvation. The students should understand what repentance is and its necessity in salvation and that faith is also necessary in the journey of Christianity. Moreover, the understanding of the love of God and the sacrifice of His son for the sake of salvation will enhance the purpose of rebirth, thus build the students’ characters.
Another goal is to prepare students for the challenges they are likely to encounter during their Christian journey. By the end of the lessons, they should establish the challenges that they face or which they can encounter in their journey to salvation. They will then learn how to overcome these challenges. Additionally, the lessons will provide the students with an opportunity to know what to answer to non-believers in case they challenge them (believers). Generally, the lessons will not only increase knowledge of learners but will assist them in their spiritual journey.
6. Schedule
Week One: Introduction and Definition of Regeneration
Week Two: History of Human Sin, the Fall and the Consequences of Sin
Week Three: Understanding Christ as an Agent of Rebirth
Week Four: Baptism and its Relevance in Christianity and Salvation.
Week Five: Comparison of Truth Claims of Christian Rebirth and Islam and Hindu Teachings.
Week Six: Devotion, Worship, and Prayer
The course of the doctrine of regeneration serves the purpose of informing Christians on the need to be born again and its relevance to the Christian faith. The course targets the youth groups in church comprising of college students and high school graduates. The six-week course will equip the students with relevant knowledge from literature and scriptures, on baptismal regeneration, repentance, and being born again. It will provide students with a deeper understanding one their faith and salvation, while providing them with a chance for personal reflection and growing their belief in Jesus Christ. The course will also provide them with the proper knowledge to defend their faith when presented with arguments from different religions. At the end of the course, students will have changed characters as they will be ready for regeneration as they seek salvation.
References
Halliday, T. (2011). The Doctrine of Regeneration, and Other Sermons . Florida: Puritan Publications.
Hamilton, S. (2017). Born Again: A Portrait and Analysis of the Doctrine of Regeneration within Evangelical Protestantism . Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.
