Gospel Library

Three Circles

Can I show you something? It'll only take a minute and all I need is something to draw on.

 

I want to draw three circles for you.

 

This first circle represents God's perfect design. When God created the world and created us, everything was good. There was peace, purpose, wholeness, and a real relationship between God and humanity. Life the way it was meant to be.

 

But something went wrong. This second circle represents brokenness. The Bible calls it sin, and it's the moment humanity chose to go our own way instead of God's way. And when that happened, everything broke. Relationships broke. The world broke. We broke. And we found ourselves separated from God and living in a world that feels fundamentally wrong, because it is.

 

Now here's what we all do when we feel that brokenness. We try to find our way back. We try all kinds of things, success, relationships, religion, money, pleasure, self-improvement. We keep circling, trying to get back to that life we were made for. But nothing works, because nothing we do can fix what sin broke.

 

Here's the good news though, and I mean genuinely good news.

 

God didn't leave us circling. He entered the brokenness himself. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into this broken world, lived the perfect life we couldn't live, and died on the cross to take the punishment that our sin deserved. And then he rose from the dead, defeating sin and death completely.

 

This third circle is restoration. It's the life God always intended, available again, through Jesus. Not because we earned it or fixed ourselves, but because he did what we couldn't do.

 

The way back is not a program or a religion or trying harder. It's a person. It's Jesus.

 

And here's where it gets personal. The Bible says that if you repent, turn away from going your own way, and trust in Jesus, what he did on the cross and his resurrection, you can move out of the brokenness and into restoration. Real life. Real peace. Real relationship with God. Starting now and lasting forever.

 

Can I ask where you see yourself in this picture? Are you still in your brokenness or have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

Two Kingdoms

Let me draw something for you that changed the way I see everything.

 

There are only two kingdoms in this world. Not countries, not political parties, two kingdoms. The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness.

 

On this side I'm writing KOG, Kingdom of God. The crown here represents Jesus, because he is the King of this kingdom. In his kingdom there is life, light, forgiveness, purpose, and peace with God. This is where humanity was always meant to live.

 

On this side I'm writing KOD, Kingdom of Darkness. This crown represents Satan, the ruler of this kingdom. In this kingdom there is bondage, deception, separation from God, and ultimately death. Not just physical death but spiritual death, eternal separation from God.

 

Now here in the middle I'm drawing a circle and writing SELF. This represents every one of us. And here's the question every person has to answer with their life: which kingdom am I living in?

 

The Bible is clear that we are not born into the Kingdom of God. We are born into the kingdom of darkness because of sin, our inherited nature and our own choices. That's not a comfortable thing to hear, but it's true, and it matters more than anything else.

 

Now do you see this cross I'm drawing between SELF and the Kingdom of God?

 

That cross is Jesus Christ. His death and resurrection is the only door between the kingdom of darkness and the Kingdom of God. There is no other way across. Not good works, not religion, not sincerity, not family background. Jesus himself said 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

The transfer happens through repentance and faith.
 
Repentance means you turn, you acknowledge that you've been living for self and under the rule of darkness, and you turn toward God. Faith means you trust completely in what Jesus did on the cross as the only basis for your forgiveness and your transfer into his kingdom.

 

The moment that happens, you are transferred. Out of darkness, into light. Out of death, into life. Out of the kingdom of Satan, into the Kingdom of God. Permanently.

 

So let me ask you directly: which kingdom are you in right now? And would you like to cross over?

Colors or Wordless Book

1. Gold Bead/Page: God’s Love and Heaven

Action: Open the book to the Gold page (or point to the gold bead).

 

Script: "This gold page reminds me of Heaven. Heaven is a perfect, beautiful place where God lives. The Bible says its streets are made of gold! There is no sickness, sadness, or pain there. God loves you so much, and He wants you to be with Him in Heaven forever."

 

Key Verse: John 3:16 or Revelation 21:4.

 

2. Black Bead/Page: Sin and Separation

Action: Turn to the Dark/Black page.

 

Script: "But there is one thing that can never enter Heaven, and that is sin. Sin is anything we think, say, or do that breaks God's laws—like lying, cheating, or being selfish. We have all sinned. Because God is holy and perfect, our sin separates us from Him and keeps us out of Heaven."

 

Key Verse: Romans 3:23 or Romans 6:23.

 

3. Red Bead/Page: Jesus’ Sacrifice

Action: Turn to the Red page.

 

Script: "God didn't want us to be separated from Him, so He provided a way for our sins to be forgiven. He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth. Jesus lived a perfect life, but He willingly died on the cross. This red page represents His blood. He took the punishment for our sins so that we don't have to."

 

Key Verse: Romans 5:8 or 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.

 

4. White Bead Page: Cleansing and Response

Action: Turn to the White page.

 

Script: "When Jesus died, He didn't stay dead—He rose again three days later! This white page shows what happens when we trust in Jesus. If we admit we are sinners, believe He died for us, and ask Him to forgive us, He washes our hearts completely clean of sin."

The Invitation: "Would you like to ask Jesus to forgive your sins and give you eternal life today?"

 

Key Verse: John 1:12 or 1 John 1:9.

 

5. Green Bead/Page: Spiritual Growth

Action: Turn to the Green page.

 

Script: "Once you ask Jesus into your heart, you are part of God's family! This green page reminds us of things that grow, like trees and grass. As a Christian, God wants you to grow closer to Him. You can do this by praying, reading the Bible, and going to church."

 

Key Verse: 2 Peter 3:18.

C2J (Creation to Judgement)

HE IS — God the King

In the beginning, before anything existed, there was God. God is the eternal Creator and King over all things. He is perfectly holy, loving, righteous, and good. He created the heavens, the earth, and everything in them for His glory. As our Creator, God has the right to rule over our lives and determine what is right and wrong.

 

HE MADE — Creation

God created the world perfect. There was no sin, suffering, pain, disease, or death. Everything He made was very good. He created mankind in His own image to know Him, love Him, enjoy Him, and represent Him by ruling over creation under His authority.

 

WE SINNED — The Fall

The first man and woman, Adam and Eve, rebelled against God by choosing their own way instead of His. Sin entered the world, bringing death, suffering, guilt, shame, and separation from God. Every person born since then has inherited a sinful nature and has personally sinned against God. We have all rejected His rule and fallen short of His perfect standard.

 

HE CAME — The Promise

Although humanity rebelled, God did not abandon His creation. From the very beginning He promised that He would send a Savior who would defeat sin, Satan, and death. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeated this promise through His covenants and His prophets, preparing the world for the coming Messiah.

 

HE DIED — Jesus Christ

At the appointed time, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ. Fully God and fully man, Jesus lived the perfect, sinless life that we could never live. He willingly went to the cross where He took upon Himself the punishment that sinners deserve. He died in our place, satisfying the justice of God and providing the only sacrifice sufficient to forgive sin.

 

HE ROSE — The Resurrection

Three days after His death, Jesus rose bodily from the grave. His resurrection proved that His sacrifice was accepted, that sin had been conquered, and that death had been defeated. Today Jesus is alive, reigning as Lord and offering forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and eternal life to everyone who comes to Him.

 

HE SENT — The Holy Spirit

Before returning to heaven, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to empower the Church to proclaim the gospel to every nation. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, God convicts people of sin, opens their hearts to believe, and gives new life to all who repent and trust in Jesus Christ.

 

HE WENT — New Life

After His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven and now reigns at the right hand of the Father. Everyone who trusts in Him is completely forgiven, declared righteous before God, adopted into His family, and given the Holy Spirit. God begins transforming them into the likeness of Christ, and they receive the promise of eternal life. They now live under the lordship of Jesus as His disciples.

 

HE'S COMING BACK — Judgment

History is moving toward a final day when Jesus Christ will return to judge the living and the dead. Every person will stand before Him. Those who have trusted in Christ will enter into eternal life with God. Those who have rejected Him will face eternal judgment. The gospel is therefore both an invitation and a warning. Jesus Christ is our only hope, and today is the day to turn to Him in faith.

 

This sequence is helpful and lines up with the Bible:

He Is → He Made → We Sinned → He Came → He Died → He Rose → He Sent → He Went → He's Coming Back.