L2 | Fundamentals in The Faith Pt. 2

In Lesson 2, the focus remains on biblical leadership, but it shifts more sharply toward identifying and protecting the essential components of the gospel, particularly those that make up the foundation of the Christian faith. The teaching emphasizes that leadership must begin with clarity and conviction regarding what Paul calls “the gospel of Christ,” including its specific parts: the deity of Christ, His substitutionary death for our sins, His bodily resurrection, and the necessity of faith alone without works. These are not secondary matters but core essentials that, if altered, jeopardize one’s growth in Christ and potentially mislead others away from salvation altogether.

The lesson introduces a framework of edification using Paul’s epistles, categorizing them into foundational (Romans–Galatians), fullness (Ephesians–Colossians), and capstone (Thessalonians). Foundational epistles provide the grounding for doctrine, and Paul uses terms like planted, established, children, and babes to describe the believer’s starting point. Growth, fruit, and maturity are built upon this foundation—but only when the foundation remains intact.

A key warning is taken from Galatians 1, where Paul rebukes the church for departing from the gospel. Even a small deviation—adding law, baptism, or performance-based requirements—corrupts the message. The deity of Christ is especially highlighted as essential; if Christ is not God, then His death is powerless, His resurrection meaningless, and salvation null. Faith in Him as the divine Savior is what secures righteousness before God.

Lastly, the lesson challenges a widespread misunderstanding of grace: that it gives license to sin. Romans 6 and Jude 4 are used to refute this, showing that grace teaches us to deny ungodliness, not excuse it. Leaders must reject both legalism and lawlessness and instead lead others with a heart in line with God's heart—a heart broken over sin and deeply grateful for Christ’s finished work. Leadership, then, begins not only with truth but also with humble, Spirit-led application of that truth.