The mission of Compass is to invite everyone to find and follow Jesus. This course is designed to give you the tools you need to start the journey of following Jesus and inviting others to join you.
The cross diagram that later appears in this session illustrates the past, present and future aspects of what Jesus did for us.
The cross diagram that later appears in this session illustrates the past, present and future aspects of what Jesus did for us.
Justification: Freedom from the Penalty of Sin
The circle with lines through it represents your life before you came to Christ. The lines represent your sinful patterns of thought and behavior.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
The circle with lines through it represents your life before you came to Christ. The lines represent your sinful patterns of thought and behavior.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
If I gave you a glass of water that had one drop of poison in it, would you want to drink it? No. Similarly, because God is completely holy, he can’t allow even a little sin into his presence. The result of that is separation from God. But Jesus came to provide the solution for our sin.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
A wage is something you earn for what you do. What our sin earns for us is physical death and spiritual separation from God for eternity in hell. But because of his love, God sent Jesus to die on the cross, to pay the penalty for our sin and offer us eternal life.
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Jesus lived the life we should have lived, then died the death we should have died. He was punished for our sin and we get credit for his perfect life. But just understanding this intellectually is not enough. We each must decide to follow Jesus as Lord.
Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
We must believe his death on the cross is all we need to be saved and surrender our lives to following Him.
The moment you genuinely trust Christ as Lord, you are placed into Christ and God sees you as “holy and without fault in his eyes” (Ephesians 1:4). The perfect circle at the top of the cross represents the fact that when you decided to trust Christ, you were placed into Him and are completely forgiven based on Jesus' death on the cross.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
A wage is something you earn for what you do. What our sin earns for us is physical death and spiritual separation from God for eternity in hell. But because of his love, God sent Jesus to die on the cross, to pay the penalty for our sin and offer us eternal life.
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Jesus lived the life we should have lived, then died the death we should have died. He was punished for our sin and we get credit for his perfect life. But just understanding this intellectually is not enough. We each must decide to follow Jesus as Lord.
Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
We must believe his death on the cross is all we need to be saved and surrender our lives to following Him.
The moment you genuinely trust Christ as Lord, you are placed into Christ and God sees you as “holy and without fault in his eyes” (Ephesians 1:4). The perfect circle at the top of the cross represents the fact that when you decided to trust Christ, you were placed into Him and are completely forgiven based on Jesus' death on the cross.
In Romans 5:1, Paul calls this being, “justified through faith.” An easy way to remember what justified means is that when it comes to your status before God, it is “just-as-if-I’d" never sinned. When God looks at you “in Christ”, he sees Jesus in all his righteousness.
Why it is so important to our growth to understand our justification in Christ?
Sanctification: Freedom From the Power of Sin
The horizontal part of the cross represents our current spiritual growth. This process is called sanctification.
The horizontal part of the cross represents our current spiritual growth. This process is called sanctification.
Not only were you saved from the penalty of sin, but now you have the power to say "no" to sin and "yes" to what God has for you.
Romans 6:6–7 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.
Romans 6:6–7 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.
This doesn’t mean that you will be perfect, but it does mean that God gives you the ability to fight sin’s power.
When you receive Christ, you also receive the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13–14 When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.
The Holy Spirit is the spiritual proof of your changed heart. As we cooperate with Him, the Holy Spirit is the one who helps us get rid of our old sinful habits and changes us into Christ’s image.
2 Corinthians 3:18 And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
We all come to Christ as a fixer-upper and the Holy Spirit wants to do a remodel! It’s not a quick flip, it’s going to take a lifetime! Our job is to work with Him one room at a time. Knowing this also helps give us grace toward others, because just like you, God’s not done with them yet! God wants us to work with Him in our lives.
Philippians 2:12-13 Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
He provides the desire and power, but we must still put in effort. We need the Spirit’s help through the whole process.
Ephesians 5:18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
The word “filled” refers to a continual filling. This means that we stay filled by constantly drawing our power from Him.
Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
In Galatians 5, Paul contrasts the signs of walking in the Spirit with the sinful nature. Following the sinful nature leads us to things like lust and anger, but the fruit of the Spirit leads us to things like love, joy, peace and patience. The way to tell if you are filled with the Spirit is to simply ask yourself, "what’s coming out of my life in this moment?". The more we stay in step with the Spirit, the more he will transform us.
Romans 12:1–2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Notice it says we are to “be transformed,” implying that God’s the one to do it. He transforms us by changing the way we think. As our minds are renewed, our attitudes change, which changes our actions, which changes our lives.
It won’t be easy. You will need all the help God provides to win these daily battles and break free from sin.
Be patient because spiritual maturity takes time. When you are learning a new language you can be committed to it, but still make a lot of mistakes. The goal is progress. On earth, you will never be sinless, but you can sin less and less.
When you receive Christ, you also receive the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13–14 When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.
The Holy Spirit is the spiritual proof of your changed heart. As we cooperate with Him, the Holy Spirit is the one who helps us get rid of our old sinful habits and changes us into Christ’s image.
2 Corinthians 3:18 And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
We all come to Christ as a fixer-upper and the Holy Spirit wants to do a remodel! It’s not a quick flip, it’s going to take a lifetime! Our job is to work with Him one room at a time. Knowing this also helps give us grace toward others, because just like you, God’s not done with them yet! God wants us to work with Him in our lives.
Philippians 2:12-13 Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
He provides the desire and power, but we must still put in effort. We need the Spirit’s help through the whole process.
Ephesians 5:18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
The word “filled” refers to a continual filling. This means that we stay filled by constantly drawing our power from Him.
Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
In Galatians 5, Paul contrasts the signs of walking in the Spirit with the sinful nature. Following the sinful nature leads us to things like lust and anger, but the fruit of the Spirit leads us to things like love, joy, peace and patience. The way to tell if you are filled with the Spirit is to simply ask yourself, "what’s coming out of my life in this moment?". The more we stay in step with the Spirit, the more he will transform us.
Romans 12:1–2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Notice it says we are to “be transformed,” implying that God’s the one to do it. He transforms us by changing the way we think. As our minds are renewed, our attitudes change, which changes our actions, which changes our lives.
It won’t be easy. You will need all the help God provides to win these daily battles and break free from sin.
Be patient because spiritual maturity takes time. When you are learning a new language you can be committed to it, but still make a lot of mistakes. The goal is progress. On earth, you will never be sinless, but you can sin less and less.
Glorification: Freedom From The Presence of Sin
The last part of the cross diagram is another perfect circle. This is our future salvation. The word for this is glorification.
The last part of the cross diagram is another perfect circle. This is our future salvation. The word for this is glorification.
Romans 8:30 Those whom he justified he also glorified.
As Christians, we have the hope of freedom from the presence of sin after we die or when Christ comes back. In Heaven, we will have no more tears or pain and will be completely free from sin.
As Christians, we have the hope of freedom from the presence of sin after we die or when Christ comes back. In Heaven, we will have no more tears or pain and will be completely free from sin.
At Compass, we talk about the gospel often because it’s not just the way to start the Christian life, but it applies to every part of the Christian life. It’s not the diving board, it’s the pool. The gospel is not just the ABCs, it’s the A-Z. We never outgrow the gospel.
Rightly understood, the gospel is the foundation for every way we obey and the Holy Spirit is the one who gives us the power to obey. The gospel is the lens that we see all of life through. The night before Jesus died, he gave his disciples the key to bearing spiritual fruit.
Why is understanding these three aspects of salvation (Justification, Sanctification, Glorification) key to our growth in Christ?
Rightly understood, the gospel is the foundation for every way we obey and the Holy Spirit is the one who gives us the power to obey. The gospel is the lens that we see all of life through. The night before Jesus died, he gave his disciples the key to bearing spiritual fruit.
Why is understanding these three aspects of salvation (Justification, Sanctification, Glorification) key to our growth in Christ?
In this next part, read over John 15 to see how you can grow and bear spiritual fruit in your life.
John 15:1–17 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
John 15:1–17 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
What does this passage teach us about how we grow and produce fruit?
The Wheel:
Let’s look at 5 ways we can grow in Christ and produce spiritual fruit in the Christian life. The Wheel Illustration helps us see how these five practices fit together.
Let’s look at 5 ways we can grow in Christ and produce spiritual fruit in the Christian life. The Wheel Illustration helps us see how these five practices fit together.
Abide In Christ - Christ is the hub of the wheel. Jesus is the center of our lives and the source of our spiritual growth.
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
To abide in something is to live in something. To abide in Christ is to stay connected to Christ. You can’t grow and bear fruit without staying connected to Jesus; no connection, no production. Abiding in Christ and being filled with the Spirit are closely connected. We need to stay plugged in to God’s power in order for us to grow and produce fruit using the four spokes of the wheel.
Abide in the Word - The bottom vertical spoke of the wheel is the Word. It is the primary way God speaks to us and the foundation for our lives.
John 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Not only do we abide in Christ, his words are to abide in us. We are to get into the Word until the Word gets into us. The goal is for God’s Word to become part of you.
John 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Not only do we abide in Christ, his words are to abide in us. We are to get into the Word until the Word gets into us. The goal is for God’s Word to become part of you.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
If Jesus is our magnetic north, the Bible is the compass itself. God’s Word points us to Christ and helps us realize when we have gotten off course. The Bible points us to the path, teaches us to stay on the path, corrects us when we get off the path and shows us how to get back on the path.
The purpose of Scripture is not just to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives. It is to prepare and equip us for good works. That’s why one of our values is Real-Life Application: what you hear on Sunday you can use on Monday. We believe that life-change happens when God’s Word is applied to our daily lives.
John 15:10–11 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Joy in the Christian life comes when we are actively obeying his commands. That’s why at Compass we have an obedience-based discipleship model. The tire of the wheel is obedience because that is where the rubber meets the road.
One of the main goals of this course is to help you feed yourself spiritually through the Word. Next week we will focus on that.
If Jesus is our magnetic north, the Bible is the compass itself. God’s Word points us to Christ and helps us realize when we have gotten off course. The Bible points us to the path, teaches us to stay on the path, corrects us when we get off the path and shows us how to get back on the path.
The purpose of Scripture is not just to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives. It is to prepare and equip us for good works. That’s why one of our values is Real-Life Application: what you hear on Sunday you can use on Monday. We believe that life-change happens when God’s Word is applied to our daily lives.
John 15:10–11 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Joy in the Christian life comes when we are actively obeying his commands. That’s why at Compass we have an obedience-based discipleship model. The tire of the wheel is obedience because that is where the rubber meets the road.
One of the main goals of this course is to help you feed yourself spiritually through the Word. Next week we will focus on that.
Abide in Prayer - The top vertical spoke of the wheel is prayer. It is how we talk with God.
John 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
John 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
The more you know God’s Word, the more you will know what’s on God’s heart, and your prayers will reflect that. Biblical prayer leads to answered prayer. Prayer is where our spiritual power comes from and one of the main ways we connect to God personally. In week 3, we will share how to pray like Jesus based on the Lord’s Prayer.
Abide in Community - The left horizontal spoke of the wheel is community: how we love and encourage Christians through the Church.
John 15:12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
The most repeated command in the New Testament is to “love one another”. You can’t really love someone you don’t know and you can’t get to know others without regularly gathering together.
Hebrews 10:24–25 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
We need regular encouragement to stay on track in our faith. In week 4, we will learn how to make the most of Biblical community.
Hebrews 10:24–25 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
We need regular encouragement to stay on track in our faith. In week 4, we will learn how to make the most of Biblical community.
Abide in the Mission - The other horizontal spoke of the wheel is Mission.
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.
God’s mission for our lives is to invite everyone to find and follow Jesus.
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.
God’s mission for our lives is to invite everyone to find and follow Jesus.
Matthew 28:18–20 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Christ’s last command is our first priority. In week 5, we will dive deeper into how you can play your role in inviting people to find and follow Jesus. We will also explain our vision for discipleship at Compass and how you can get involved in a discipleship group.
Christ’s last command is our first priority. In week 5, we will dive deeper into how you can play your role in inviting people to find and follow Jesus. We will also explain our vision for discipleship at Compass and how you can get involved in a discipleship group.
Which of these four practices (Prayer, Church, Bible, Mission) do you think you need to grow in most? What’s the one thing you want to focus on applying today from this lesson?