"The kingdom of God has come near.
Repent and believe the good news!"
(Mark 1:15)
God's Design
We live in a broken world, surrounded by broken lives, broken relationships, and broken systems.
This brokenness is seen in suffering, violence, poverty, pain, and death around us.
Brokenness leads us to search for a way to make LIFE work.
In contrast to this brokenness, we also see beauty, purpose and evidence of design around us.
The Bible tells us that God originally planned a world that worked perfectly —
where everything and everyone fit together in harmony.
God made each of us with a purpose — to worship Him and walk with Him.
The Bible says:
“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1).
This brokenness is seen in suffering, violence, poverty, pain, and death around us.
Brokenness leads us to search for a way to make LIFE work.
In contrast to this brokenness, we also see beauty, purpose and evidence of design around us.
The Bible tells us that God originally planned a world that worked perfectly —
where everything and everyone fit together in harmony.
God made each of us with a purpose — to worship Him and walk with Him.
The Bible says:
“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1).
The Problem – Sin
Life doesn’t work when we ignore God and His original design for our lives.
We selfishly insist on doing things our own way.
The Bible calls this sin. We all sin and distort the original design.
The consequence of our sin is separation from God —
in this life and for all of eternity.
The Bible says:
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a).
We selfishly insist on doing things our own way.
The Bible calls this sin. We all sin and distort the original design.
The consequence of our sin is separation from God —
in this life and for all of eternity.
The Bible says:
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a).
Brokenness Abounds
Sin leads to a place of brokenness. We see this all around us and in our own lives as well.
When we realize LIFE is not working, we begin to look for a way out.
We tend to go in many directions trying different things to figure it out on our own.
Brokenness leads to a place of realizing a need for something greater.
The Bible says:
“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator” (Romans 1:25).
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12).
When we realize LIFE is not working, we begin to look for a way out.
We tend to go in many directions trying different things to figure it out on our own.
Brokenness leads to a place of realizing a need for something greater.
The Bible says:
“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator” (Romans 1:25).
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12).
The Gospel
At this point we need a remedy — some good news.
Because of His love, God did not leave us in our brokenness.
Jesus, God in human flesh, came to us and lived perfectly according to God’s Design.
Jesus came to rescue us — to do for us what we could not do for ourselves.
He took our sin and shame to the cross, paying the penalty of our sin by His death.
Jesus was then raised from the dead — to provide the only way for us to be rescued
and restored to a relationship with God.
The Bible says:
“For God loved the world in this way; He gave His One and Only Son” (John 3:16a).
“He erased the certificate of debt …
and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14).
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures …
He was buried [and] raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Because of His love, God did not leave us in our brokenness.
Jesus, God in human flesh, came to us and lived perfectly according to God’s Design.
Jesus came to rescue us — to do for us what we could not do for ourselves.
He took our sin and shame to the cross, paying the penalty of our sin by His death.
Jesus was then raised from the dead — to provide the only way for us to be rescued
and restored to a relationship with God.
The Bible says:
“For God loved the world in this way; He gave His One and Only Son” (John 3:16a).
“He erased the certificate of debt …
and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14).
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures …
He was buried [and] raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Repent and Believe
Simply hearing this Good News is not enough.
We must admit our sinful brokenness and stop trusting in ourselves.
We don’t have the power to escape this brokenness on our own.
We need to be rescued.
We must ask God to forgive us — turning from sin to trust only in Jesus.
This is what it means to repent and believe.
Believing, we receive new life through Jesus and God turns our lives in a new direction.
The Bible says:
“Repent and believe in the good news” (Mark 1:15b).
“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift –
not from works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart
that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
We must admit our sinful brokenness and stop trusting in ourselves.
We don’t have the power to escape this brokenness on our own.
We need to be rescued.
We must ask God to forgive us — turning from sin to trust only in Jesus.
This is what it means to repent and believe.
Believing, we receive new life through Jesus and God turns our lives in a new direction.
The Bible says:
“Repent and believe in the good news” (Mark 1:15b).
“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift –
not from works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart
that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Recover and Pursue
When God restores our relationship to Him, we begin to discover meaning and purpose in a broken world.
Now we can pursue God’s Design in all areas of our lives.
Even when we fail, we understand God’s pathway to be restored –
this same Good News of Jesus. God’s Spirit empowers us to recover His Design
and assures us of His presence in this life and for all of eternity.
The Bible says:
“For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).
“For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
Now we can pursue God’s Design in all areas of our lives.
Even when we fail, we understand God’s pathway to be restored –
this same Good News of Jesus. God’s Spirit empowers us to recover His Design
and assures us of His presence in this life and for all of eternity.
The Bible says:
“For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).
“For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
What Should I Do?
Now that you have heard this Good News, God wants you to respond to Him.
You can talk to Him using words like these:
My life is broken — I recognize it’s because of my sin. I need You.
I believe Christ came to live, die and was raised from the dead — to rescue me from my sin.
Forgive me. I turn from my selfish ways and put my trust in You.
I know that Jesus is Lord of all, and I will follow Him.
The Bible says:
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
What's Next?
As we begin our new journey, the Bible teaches us how to pursue God.
He has a design for healthy relationships.
PRAYER - God wants you to talk to Him about everything that matters to you.
CHURCH - The local church is God’s family to help you walk with Him.
BIBLE - The Bible reveals God’s design — showing how to pursue Him.
SHARE - Now that you have experienced this Good News, tell others.
The Bible says:
“But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31).
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” (Matthew 6:33).
“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him” (Colossians 2:6).
He has a design for healthy relationships.
PRAYER - God wants you to talk to Him about everything that matters to you.
CHURCH - The local church is God’s family to help you walk with Him.
BIBLE - The Bible reveals God’s design — showing how to pursue Him.
SHARE - Now that you have experienced this Good News, tell others.
The Bible says:
“But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31).
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” (Matthew 6:33).
“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him” (Colossians 2:6).
Adapted from the North American Mission Board, 3 Circles conversation guide – https://www.namb.net/evangelism/3circles/.
More Helpful Scriptures
Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
This verse makes it clear that all people are sinful.
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
This verse makes it clear that although we deserve death, God has freely offered eternal life in Jesus.
Romans 5:8: "But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
This verse makes it clear that God's love is rich towards us.
Romans 10:9-10 and 13 "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth resulting in salvation... For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
These verses make it clear that for a person to be saved, they must confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead.
This verse makes it clear that all people are sinful.
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
This verse makes it clear that although we deserve death, God has freely offered eternal life in Jesus.
Romans 5:8: "But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
This verse makes it clear that God's love is rich towards us.
Romans 10:9-10 and 13 "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth resulting in salvation... For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
These verses make it clear that for a person to be saved, they must confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead.