(3–5 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will listen to a story about the gospel’s transformation of the life of John Newton.
(3–5 minutes, easy set-up)
Read the following story to learners: John Newton, author of the famous hymn “Amazing Grace,” was once a slave-boat captain. He transported African slaves to the Americas for England in the 18th century. Once, during a heavy storm at sea, Newton, an unbeliever at the time, cried out to God for mercy. From this incident, Newton began to see God’s grace and his own need for the gospel. Nevertheless, Newton continued to ship slaves for a few more years until a serious illness ended his seafaring life. Newton then determined to begin a rigorous study of Scripture. Eventually, he became a pastor and spent the rest of his life in this occupation.
Throughout the rest of his life, Newton maintained a deep sense of amazement that God, in addition to saving and pardoning him, had made him a gospel preacher. Newton’s amazement at being saved propelled him to preach with fervor the grace that he had received. As a result, he had a tremendous influence on his congregation and the mentally ill. He was also a source of encouragement to William Wilberforce, a British politician who spent his career fighting against slavery. A month before his death, Newton clearly expressed his faith that his sins were forgiven and that an undeserved crown of righteousness awaited him. Newton truly valued God’s grace. In today’s Scripture passage, we will find that, like Newton, the apostle Paul had a high esteem for God’s grace.
Conclude the activity by suggesting that by God’s amazing grace and through faith in Christ, we are crowned with Jesus’ righteousness and given a new life.