Si somos de Cristo... Vivimos Como Cristo! PRIMERA PARTE

First Sunday School of 2026

Introduction to the Year’s Theme

• The session begins with enthusiasm, emphasizing that God will work through the community in 2026.

• Teachers and students are encouraged to engage deeply with various questions and self-reflections throughout the year.

Series Overview: "If We Are Christ's, We Live Like Christ"

• The biblical foundation for this series is Galatians 2:20, focusing on living a life reflective of Christ.

• Weekly topics include:

• Week 1: "Born Again: Real Evidence of New Birth"

• Week 2: "Crucified with Christ: Dying to Self is Not Optional"

• Week 3: "Visible Fruit: Faith Without Transformation is Self-Deception"

• Week 4: Summary and examination of salvation's meaning.

Importance of Focused Study

• Each study lasts one week; participants are urged to pay attention and avoid redundancy in discussions.

• Emphasis on advancing biblical teaching effectively throughout the series.

Understanding New Birth

Scriptural Basis for New Birth

• Key verses include:

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 highlights becoming a new creation in Christ.

• Galatians 2:20 emphasizes being crucified with Christ and living by faith.

Paul’s Message to the Galatians

• Paul defends the core message of the Gospel against teachings suggesting faith plus law observance for acceptance by God.

• Important references from Galatians:

• Galatians 2:16 states justification comes through faith in Jesus, not law works.

• Galatians 5:1–4 warns against returning to legalism which undermines grace.

The Nature of Salvation

The Essence of Grace

• Salvation cannot depend on human effort; otherwise, it ceases to be grace (unmerited favor). This principle is crucial for understanding true salvation.

Crucifixion with Christ

• Being “crucified with Christ” signifies a profound spiritual death rather than mere behavioral improvement or adopting Christian habits. It requires an authentic transformation through new birth experiences.

The Necessity of Spiritual Rebirth

Jesus’ Teachings on New Birth

• Jesus asserts that rebirth is essential for seeing God's kingdom (John 3:3), leaving no room for comfortable interpretations about its necessity.

Distinction Between Natural and Spiritual Birth

• True new birth transcends cultural inheritance or emotional moments; it represents a transformative act by the Holy Spirit within individuals as promised in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36:26).

New Birth: A Transformative Experience

The Nature of New Birth

• The new birth is a divine act, not a human fabrication; it signifies receiving a new life from God while leaving the old behind, which involves death.

• Romans 6:6 emphasizes that our old self was crucified with Christ, leading to a call to consider ourselves dead to sin but alive for God (Romans 6:11).

• The new birth changes the governance of the heart; where sin once reigned, now Christ must reign. This transformation is evidenced in daily living.

Evidence of Transformation

• According to 1 John 3:9, those born of God do not practice sin as their lifestyle; this does not imply perfection but indicates a struggle against sin and repentance.

• Proverbs 28:13 teaches that concealing sin leads to failure, while confessing and turning away from it brings mercy—highlighting the difference between religion and regeneration.

Guidance by the Spirit

• Romans 8:14 states that all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin (John 16:8), produces fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), and drives us toward obedience.

• A lack of spiritual sensitivity should prompt self-examination regarding one's spiritual state.

Relationships and Love

• The evidence of passing from death to life is love for fellow believers (1 John 3:14). True love manifests through obedience to God's commandments (John 14:15).

• Spiritual life creates a hunger for God's word akin to newborn babies desiring pure milk (1 Peter 2:2).

Perseverance in Faith

• Matthew 24:13 highlights that perseverance until the end is essential for salvation. Hebrews 3:14 reminds us we share in Christ if we hold firmly to our confidence until the end.

• Authentic faith requires ongoing commitment rather than momentary impulses; true faith walks with God over time despite challenges.

Self-examination and Authenticity

• Scripture warns against self-deception; individuals may appear pious yet deny its power (2 Timothy 3:5).

• Jesus stresses that mere verbal acknowledgment ("Lord, Lord") isn't sufficient for salvation (Matthew 7:21–23); genuine faith must be examined regularly (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Conclusion on New Birth

• Galatians 2:20 emphasizes living no longer for oneself but allowing Christ's life within us—a profound truth demanding sincere reflection on whether one truly lives out this reality.

Prayer for Transformation

Seeking Genuine Change

• The speaker expresses a heartfelt plea to God, asking for sincerity in their hearts and the revelation of any lingering attachments to the past.

• Emphasis is placed on the desire for real transformation rather than superficial change, highlighting the importance of living out the truth that "Christ lives in us."

• The speaker requests grace to teach with authenticity, ensuring that their life reflects the teachings they share, aiming to be witnesses of genuine transformation.