Talking about Assurance

By Pearson Johnson

Last week, we had our first fall discipleship seminar.  Our goal with the seminars is to, over the course of two years, provide training for our Group Leaders and Assistants Group Leaders.  The topics will focus on the seven statements from the Group Leaders Guide that describe discipleship at BJU. Dr. Pettit spoke last week on the first point, "discipling leaders who will boldly declare the gospel in a hopeless world." Our particular goal was to see leaders equipped in sharing the gospel in their discipleship group. Since our students are professing believers, he also shared some very helpful advice on discussing the topic of one's assurance of salvation.  

Dr. Pettit initially encouraged our leaders to have the students share their testimonies of salvation during group time. The simple main points to cover are:

• What was I like before I was saved?
• What were the circumstances surrounding my salvation? What did I believe, where was I, etc.?
• What has changed in my life since being saved? 

Second, he gave some biblical advice on how to talk to other students about the assurance of their salvation.  He made the following helpful points:

1. The experience of assurance is not an automatic guarantee. It requires active growth (2 Pet 1:10; Rom 8:16).
2. There are objective aspects of assurance, particularly belief in the Gospel-- the person and work of Jesus Christ on one's behalf--and in the the promises of God-- salvation and all it entails.
3. There are also subjective aspects of assurance that we should experience:
   1. There is new life, or an appetite for spiritual things (1 John 2:4-5; 4:13; 1:6-7);
   2. There is light, or an awareness of spiritual needs and resources (1 John 3:9-10); 
   3. There is love or affections for God, His Word, and others (1 Jn 2:11; 3:14; 4:7-8).​

I listed some recommended resources here which talk more about evangelism, assurance, and things that hinder our experience of assurance as well. 

If someone in your discipleship group would like to talk more about their salvation or assurance, please do not hesitate to bring them by the Student Care Office or email for an appointment.