God's Perfect World
In the beginning, God created a PERFECT world, one where everything and everyone fit together in harmony. The Bible says in Genesis 1:31 that “God looked at everything he had made, and he was very pleased.” To complete His work of creation, God made man and woman and placed them in that perfect world. (Upper left circle)

God gave man and woman a purpose. The upward arrow reminds us that we were created to KNOW God. The symbol of the heart reminds us that we were created to to LOVE God. The figure with the raised hands reminds us that we were created to worship Him. Everything was good in God’s perfect world UNTIL man and woman sinned.

Sin Broke the World
Unfortunately, life doesn’t work when we ignore God and His original design for our lives and instead selfishly insist on doing things our own way. The Bible calls this SIN and in Romans 3:23 it says “everyone has sinned and is far away from God’s saving presence.” Most people will admit that things like murder and stealing are sins, but lying and cheating are just as bad in God's eyes.

Sin ALWAYS leads to a place of brokenness. (Upper right circle) We see brokenness all around us, and in our own lives too, in things like drugs, divorce, depression, disease, and death, just to name a few. Moreover, sin is DANGEROUS! Romans 6:23 warns us that the wage of sin is death. This means eternal and permenant separation from God.

When most people realize life isn't working as hoped, they begin to look for a way out. They try to get back into a right relationship with God by going to church, praying, getting baptized or doing good things, but NONE of these can fix a person’s broken relationship with God.

As it says in Proverbs 14:12, “What you think is the right road may lead to death.” Thankfully, what we couldn't do for ourselves, GOD did for us! The Bible reminds us in Romans 5:8 that "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

God's Hope for the World
Because of His love for us, God did not leave us in our brokenness. John 3:16 teaches us that "God loved the world in this way; He gave His One and Only Son” to RESCUE us — to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. (Lower circle)

The good news for us is that God's son, JESUS, took our sin and shame to the cross. The Bible teaches us that Jesus paid the PENALTY of our sin with His death and was then raised from the dead. He did this to restored our relationship with God.

However, forgiveness and salvation are not AUTOMATIC. The Bible says there were two thieves that died beside Jesus that day. One REJECTED Jesus and was never mentioned in scripture again. The other thief PLACED HIS FAITH in Jesus and the Bible says he went to paradise, or Heaven, after he died.

When you place your faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, your sins will be forgiven and you will have the promise of eternal life. You'll discover meaning and purpose in your life. In fact, God will begin to work in all areas of your life NOW and prepare a heavenly home for you in ETERNITY.

You can be SAVED! All of God's promises are possilbe for you today. It says in Romans 10:9, "If you CONFESS with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and BELIEVE in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be SAVED.” Are you ready to admit that you have sin in your life and that you need God's forgiveness?

God INVITES you to respond to Him. If this is the desire of your heart, you can ask Jesus to forgive your sins and become your Savior. You can do this by praying a prayer like this: My life is broken — I recognize it’s because of my sin. I need You. I believe Christ came to live, die and was raised from the dead — to rescue me from my sin. Forgive me. I turn from my selfish ways and put my trust in You. I know that Jesus is Lord of all, and I will follow Him. Amen.

If you sincerely prayed that prayer, meaning it in your heart, the Bible says you are now a Believer. Romans 10:13 says "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord WILL be saved.” WELCOME to the family of God!

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Excepts taken from the North America Mission Board's, 3 Circles: Life Conversation Guide. Visit https://www.namb.net/evangelism/3circles/ for more information.