Christ Our Substitute (APJ: Sinner’s Prayer)

Dear parents of Student Ministries,

We had such a sweet evening of teaching and discussion last night. Moving on into chapter 5 of Fundamentals of the Faith, we are now learning about “The Work of Christ.” We focused specifically on the work of Jesus as the believer’s substitute from 1 Peter 2:24 and 3:18. I also worked to answer a question that I have received in our Q&A box from a few different students regarding the necessity and effectiveness of “the sinner’s prayer.”

The main point that I emphasized regarding whether or not “the sinner’s prayer” saves was that salvation isn’t found in simply praying the right words or performing religious rituals. Instead, salvation is fully and completely the work of Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone—not by works or words. While a genuine prayer expressing faith often naturally accompanies salvation, we saw the variation of ways in which saving faith was expressed through Scripture. I walked them through some vivid biblical examples like the sinful woman forgiven by Jesus, the paralytic whose sins Jesus forgave, the humble tax collector pleading for mercy, and the thief on the cross. Each one was saved by genuine faith and trust in Jesus, not by saying certain words or doing religious activities.

For the main sermon on Jesus as the believer’s substitute, we looked closely at 1 Peter 2:24 and 3:18. Each passage teaches how Jesus bore our sins and God’s wrath as our substitute, fully accomplishing our salvation and bringing us to God. A number of students shared with me and their leaders that they heard and understood the critical gospel truth of Jesus bearing our sins completely.

You can access the sermon outline and discussion guide. Also, there is a transcript and recording of the message on our website: https://www.gbcaz.org/student-ministry/jesus-our-substitute-apj-the-sinners-prayer/. I apologize that the microphone didn’t connect, so the audio quality isn’t optimal. Nevertheless, I’d really encourage you to discuss with your students what they learned and how this truth must affect their lives. You cannot watch Christ die in our place, bearing away our sins, and remain apathetic or uninterested. Leon Morris said it well: “To put it bluntly and plainly, if Christ is not my Substitute, I still occupy the place of a condemned sinner. If my sins and my guilt are not transferred to Him, if He did not take them upon Himself, then surely they remain with me. If He did not deal with sins, I must face their consequences. If my penalty was not borne by Him, it still hangs over me.”

I’d encourage you to keep talking with your kids about these truths, pleading with them to turn to Jesus or helping them rest their confidence fully on Christ’s finished work and not on their own efforts or performance.

This Saturday (11/22), please plan to have your student join us from 3–5 p.m. at Chuparosa Park. We will have ultimate frisbee, volleyball, and any other games you bring.

Plans for Remainder of 2025

Next Sunday (11/23) and 11/30 we will be back together at Grace Bible Church from 6–7:30 for Student Ministries as normal. In the month of December we will not gather except for the Christmas party on 12/20 from 6–9 p.m. at Josh Peña’s home.

Thank you for the privilege that you have entrusted to me and the other leaders, to come alongside you in caring for, evangelizing, and discipling your students.

Your servant for His glory,

–Jacob Hantla