Year One • Christian Ministry Foundations

RLGM 101
Foundations of the Christian Faith

A free six-lesson introduction to the gospel, the Triune God, Scripture, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and faithful service as Christ’s ambassador.

Format
Free and self-paced
Lessons
Six
Suggested rhythm
One lesson each week
Course level
100-level foundation

Know the faith. Live the faith. Share the faith.

RLGM 101 introduces the central truths of the Christian faith and helps learners respond through faith, repentance, spiritual growth, Christian community, and faithful representation of Jesus Christ.

Study recommendation: Read every assigned passage in context, complete the self-check, and write your reflection privately before moving forward.

01The Gospel: God’s Redemptive Work02One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit03The Bible: God’s Authoritative Word04New Life Through the Holy Spirit05The Church: One Body in Christ06Living as Christ’s Ambassador
LESSON 01

The Gospel: God’s Redemptive Work

God created humanity for relationship with Him. Sin brought separation and death, but God offers salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again.

Primary Scriptures

Genesis 1:26–27; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; John 3:16–17; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Ephesians 2:8–10; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21

Open the RLGM Online Bible ↗

Learning objectives

  • Summarize humanity’s need for salvation.
  • Explain grace and faith without presenting salvation as something earned.
  • Identify the death and resurrection of Jesus as central to the gospel.
  • Describe repentance and new life as a response to God’s grace.

Teaching movement

  1. Created by God and made in His image.
  2. All humanity is affected by sin.
  3. Jesus Christ died and rose again.
  4. Salvation is God’s gift, received by grace through faith.
  5. New life in Christ produces reconciliation, obedience, and good works.
Reflection

In your own words, what is the gospel, and how should God’s grace change the way you live?

Keep personal reflections private. Do not enter confidential information into a public device or shared document.
Open the knowledge check

1. According to Ephesians 2:8–9, salvation is received:

  1. By earning religious status
  2. By grace through faith
  3. By family background
  4. By public recognition
Show the answer

Correct answer: By grace through faith

2. Which event is central to the gospel described in 1 Corinthians 15:3–4?

  1. The building of the temple
  2. The calling of Abraham
  3. Christ’s death for our sins and His resurrection
  4. Paul’s journeys
Show the answer

Correct answer: Christ’s death for our sins and His resurrection

3. True or false: Good works purchase salvation.

  1. True
  2. False
Show the answer

Correct answer: False

Return to lesson list ↑
LESSON 02

One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Christians worship one God. Scripture reveals the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and the Church confesses the full deity of Jesus Christ and the present ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Primary Scriptures

Matthew 3:16–17; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1–3, 14; John 14:16–17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 1:15–20

Open the RLGM Online Bible ↗

Learning objectives

  • Affirm Christian belief in one God.
  • Recognize passages in which Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinguished.
  • Explain that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man.
  • Describe the Holy Spirit as personal and active.

Teaching movement

  1. The Christian faith confesses one God.
  2. The Father sends, loves, and accomplishes His redemptive purpose.
  3. The eternal Son became flesh, lived without sin, died, rose, and reigns.
  4. The Holy Spirit indwells, guides, convicts, empowers, and forms believers.
  5. Christian prayer, worship, baptism, and mission are shaped by this revelation.
Reflection

How does knowing God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit deepen your worship and trust?

Keep personal reflections private. Do not enter confidential information into a public device or shared document.
Open the knowledge check

1. Christians confess:

  1. Three unrelated gods
  2. One God revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
  3. Jesus as a created angel
  4. The Holy Spirit as only a symbol
Show the answer

Correct answer: One God revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

2. John 1 teaches that the Word:

  1. Was created after the world
  2. Was with God and was God
  3. Was only an idea
  4. Never became human
Show the answer

Correct answer: Was with God and was God

3. Which is a work of the Holy Spirit described in Scripture?

  1. Guiding believers
  2. Promoting personal fame
  3. Removing accountability
  4. Guaranteeing a title
Show the answer

Correct answer: Guiding believers

Return to lesson list ↑
LESSON 03

The Bible: God’s Authoritative Word

The Holy Scriptures are inspired by God and authoritative for faith and life. Faithful study respects the text, context, and whole counsel of Scripture.

Primary Scriptures

Psalm 119:9–16, 105; 2 Timothy 3:14–17; 2 Peter 1:19–21; Acts 17:10–12; James 1:22–25

Open the RLGM Online Bible ↗

Learning objectives

  • Explain what Christians mean when they call Scripture inspired and authoritative.
  • Distinguish reading a verse from interpreting it responsibly in context.
  • Practice observation, interpretation, and application.
  • Commit to hearing and obeying Scripture.

Teaching movement

  1. Scripture reveals God’s redemptive truth and equips His people.
  2. Context includes the surrounding passage, book, audience, and biblical storyline.
  3. Observation asks what the text says.
  4. Interpretation asks what the text means in context.
  5. Application asks how faithful obedience should follow.
Reflection

Read James 1:19–27. Record one observation, one interpretation supported by the passage, and one personal application.

Keep personal reflections private. Do not enter confidential information into a public device or shared document.
Open the knowledge check

1. According to 2 Timothy 3:16–17, Scripture is useful for:

  1. Entertainment only
  2. Doctrine, correction, instruction, and equipping
  3. Predicting personal success
  4. Replacing all professional care
Show the answer

Correct answer: Doctrine, correction, instruction, and equipping

2. The first step in responsible Bible study is:

  1. Decide what you want the passage to say
  2. Observe what the text actually says
  3. Ignore the surrounding verses
  4. Apply it before reading it
Show the answer

Correct answer: Observe what the text actually says

3. True or false: A faithful interpretation should respect context.

  1. True
  2. False
Show the answer

Correct answer: True

Return to lesson list ↑
LESSON 04

New Life Through the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit dwells in believers, leads them into truth, empowers Christian witness, and forms Christlike character.

Primary Scriptures

John 14:16–17, 26; John 16:7–15; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:1–17; Galatians 5:16–26; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11

Open the RLGM Online Bible ↗

Learning objectives

  • Identify the Spirit’s work in assurance, guidance, empowerment, and transformation.
  • Distinguish spiritual fruit from talent or religious performance.
  • Explain that spiritual gifts serve the Body of Christ.
  • Identify one area of character in which growth is needed.

Teaching movement

  1. The Spirit indwells those who belong to Christ.
  2. The Spirit points to Christ and leads believers in truth.
  3. The Spirit empowers witness and service.
  4. The fruit of the Spirit reveals maturing Christian character.
  5. Spiritual gifts are entrusted for service, not self-promotion.
Reflection

Which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit needs attention in your life, and what faithful step will you take this week?

Keep personal reflections private. Do not enter confidential information into a public device or shared document.
Open the knowledge check

1. Acts 1:8 connects the Holy Spirit’s power with:

  1. Personal fame
  2. Christian witness
  3. Financial status
  4. Avoiding community
Show the answer

Correct answer: Christian witness

2. Which is identified as fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5?

  1. Popularity
  2. Love
  3. Influence
  4. Rank
Show the answer

Correct answer: Love

3. Spiritual gifts are given primarily to:

  1. Establish personal superiority
  2. Serve others and build up the Body
  3. Avoid accountability
  4. Guarantee leadership office
Show the answer

Correct answer: Serve others and build up the Body

Return to lesson list ↑
LESSON 05

The Church: One Body in Christ

All believers belong to one Body in Christ. God calls the Church to worship, fellowship, teaching, prayer, unity, maturity, service, and witness.

Primary Scriptures

Acts 2:42–47; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Ephesians 2:19–22; Ephesians 4:1–16; Hebrews 10:23–25; 1 Peter 4:8–11

Open the RLGM Online Bible ↗

Learning objectives

  • Explain the New Testament image of the Church as Christ’s Body.
  • Recognize that every member matters but no member is the whole Body.
  • Describe unity as faithfulness in love.
  • Identify practical ways to participate, encourage, serve, and remain accountable.

Teaching movement

  1. Jesus Christ is Lord of His Church.
  2. Believers belong to one another as members of one Body.
  3. Different gifts and assignments contribute to a shared mission.
  4. Christian community includes teaching, fellowship, prayer, care, correction, and encouragement.
  5. Healthy service honors boundaries, safeguarding, and accountable leadership.
Reflection

How can you serve as one faithful member of Christ’s Body without seeking recognition?

Faith-and-service activity

Encourage or serve one person in a practical, appropriate way this week. Protect private details and record what you learned.

Keep personal reflections private. Do not enter confidential information into a public device or shared document.
Open the knowledge check

1. In 1 Corinthians 12, the Church is compared to:

  1. A marketplace
  2. One body with many members
  3. A private club
  4. A political organization
Show the answer

Correct answer: One body with many members

2. Christian unity means:

  1. Every person has the same gift
  2. Truth and accountability no longer matter
  3. Different members faithfully serve under Christ
  4. No one needs other believers
Show the answer

Correct answer: Different members faithfully serve under Christ

3. True or false: One gifted individual can replace the entire Body of Christ.

  1. True
  2. False
Show the answer

Correct answer: False

Return to lesson list ↑
LESSON 06

Living as Christ’s Ambassador

Every believer represents Jesus Christ in daily life. Christian witness joins truth, love, integrity, humility, courage, reconciliation, and faithful service.

Primary Scriptures

Matthew 5:13–16; Matthew 28:18–20; John 13:34–35; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21; Colossians 3:12–17; 1 Peter 2:9–12

Open the RLGM Online Bible ↗

Learning objectives

  • Explain the biblical meaning of being Christ’s ambassador.
  • Distinguish God’s calling from titles and public recognition.
  • Identify how words, conduct, relationships, and service communicate a message.
  • Develop a personal next step for faithful Christian representation.

Teaching movement

  1. God reconciles people to Himself through Jesus Christ.
  2. Believers carry the message of reconciliation.
  3. An ambassador represents the One who sends them.
  4. Truth without love can become noise; love without truth can lose direction.
  5. The message should be recognizable in how Christians live.
Reflection

Where has God placed you, whom has He placed around you, and how can you represent Jesus Christ faithfully there? Name one action for the next seven days.

Keep personal reflections private. Do not enter confidential information into a public device or shared document.
Open the knowledge check

1. According to 2 Corinthians 5, believers are entrusted with:

  1. A message of reconciliation
  2. A promise of public recognition
  3. Authority without accountability
  4. A private faith with no witness
Show the answer

Correct answer: A message of reconciliation

2. An ambassador’s primary responsibility is to:

  1. Promote personal opinions
  2. Represent the one who sent them faithfully
  3. Seek the largest platform
  4. Avoid difficult relationships
Show the answer

Correct answer: Represent the one who sent them faithfully

3. The message we carry should be recognizable:

  1. Only in our titles
  2. Only in public speaking
  3. In the way we live
  4. Only when others applaud
Show the answer

Correct answer: In the way we live

Return to lesson list ↑

Complete the course with understanding and faithful application.

  • Study all six lessons and assigned Scripture passages.
  • Complete each knowledge check; review and try again as needed.
  • Write the lesson reflections and final three-question reflection.
  • Complete the practical faith-and-service activity.

Giving is voluntary and never affects access to this course or any RLGM ministry-education resource.