Bible on a table 8

What Every Christian Should Know

The most important biblical topics every Christian should know can be broadly categorized into foundational beliefs, essential doctrines, Christian living, and the overarching narrative of God’s purpose.

Here is a detailed outline of these topics:

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1. God’s Nature and Character

  • The Trinity: Understanding God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
  • God the Father: Creator, sustainer, and ruler of all things, demonstrating love and justice (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 103:13; Matthew 6:9).
  • God’s Attributes: Holiness (Isaiah 6:3), justice (Psalm 89:14), omnipotence (Jeremiah 32:17), omniscience (Psalm 139:1-6), and faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:9).

 

 

2. Creation and Humanity

  • Creation: The origin of the world as God’s intentional work, demonstrating His order, purpose, and beauty (Genesis 1-2; Colossians 1:16).
  • Human Identity: Created in the image of God (imago Dei) with intrinsic worth and purpose (Genesis 1:26-27).
  • The Fall and Sin: Humanity’s separation from God because of sin—its nature, consequence, and universality (Genesis 3; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23).
  • God’s Plan for Redemption: His eternal plan to restore humanity through Christ (Ephesians 1:4-10).

 

 

3. Jesus Christ and Salvation

  • Christology: The person and work of Jesus Christ—His divinity, humanity, atoning death, resurrection, and ultimate return (John 1:1-14; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
  • Salvation: By grace through faith in Christ, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:8; Romans 10:9).
  • The Sacrifice of Christ: Understanding the purpose and fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system in His death (Hebrews 10:1-18).
  • Union with Christ: Being made new and reconciled to God through faith in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20).

 

 

4. The Holy Spirit

  • The Holy Spirit’s Role: The Spirit’s work in convicting, regenerating, sanctifying, and empowering believers (John 14:26; Galatians 5:22-23; Acts 1:8).
  • Gifts of the Spirit: Spiritual gifts given to believers for the edification of the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Romans 12:6-8).
  • Sanctification: The process of being made holy and conformed to the image of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 8:29).

 

 

5. The Church and Christian Living

  • The Church: The body of Christ, called out to worship, fellowship, and spread the Gospel (Romans 12:4-8; Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 2:19-22).
  • Baptism and the Lord’s Supper: Symbols of faith and participation in the life of God’s people (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
  • Christian Ethics: Living in faith, obedience, and love for God and neighbors (Matthew 22:37-40; Colossians 3:12-17).
  • The Great Commission: Jesus’ call to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).

 

 

6. Scripture and Its Authority

  • The Bible: God’s inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word for faith, practice, and guidance (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
  • Old and New Testaments: Key themes of God’s promises, covenants, law, grace, prophecy, and fulfillment in Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3).
  • Biblical Application: How Scripture shapes and informs daily life (Psalm 119:105; James 1:22-25).

 

 

7. The Big Picture: Redemption Narrative

  • Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration: The grand narrative of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation (Genesis 1-3; Revelation 21-22).
  • Covenants: God’s promises with humanity and their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus (Abrahamic: Genesis 12:1-3, Mosaic: Exodus 19-24, New Covenant: Luke 22:20).
  • The Kingdom of God: God’s reign and redemptive plan unfolding through history and culminating in a new heaven and new earth (Mark 1:15; Revelation 21:1-4).

 

8. Eschatology (Last Things)

  • Christ’s Return: The promise of Jesus’ second coming (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 22:12).
  • The Judgment: The final judgment for believers and non-believers (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15).
  • The New Creation: The eternal state of believers in God’s restored kingdom (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1-4).

 

 

9. Prayer and Worship

  • Prayer: Developing a relationship with God through prayer and reliance on Him (Matthew 6:9-13; Philippians 4:6-7).
  • Worship: Honoring God through praise, thanksgiving, and obedience (Psalm 95:1-7; Hebrews 13:15).

 

 

10. Christian Relationships and Family

  • Marriage and Family: Biblical principles for marriage, parenting, and family life (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:22-33; Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
  • Unity in Christ: Loving and serving the church community (John 13:34-35; Romans 12:10).

 

 

11. Facing Challenges in the Christian Life

  • Faith during Trials: Trusting God through suffering and persecution (Romans 8:28; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 4:12-14).
  • Spiritual Warfare: Recognizing and resisting spiritual opposition (Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8-9).

 

 

12. Denominational Perspectives and Unity

  • Understanding differences in secondary beliefs, such as sacraments, church governance, and worship styles (e.g., Baptist, Catholic, Reformed, Pentecostal), while valuing unity in essential doctrines (Ephesians 4:4-6).
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Conclusion

These topics provide a foundation for understanding the Christian faith, growing spiritually, and living a life that glorifies God. Exploring Scripture deeply in these areas equips Christians for worship, service, and mission in the world.