1.

Amazing Grace
2. Verse
3. Today our story is about John Newton. Were going to see how God can save anyone
through His grace, even the most terrible sinners. God can forgive anyone no matter how
terrible or great his sin is, as long as that person repents of his sins and is willing to accept
Jesus as his Savior.
4. When Newton wrote this song, he used many parables and examples in the Bible. Can you
name one parable that Newton used for the line I once was lost but now am found? The
parable of the prodigal son. The prodigal son was wicked and lived a terrible life, but when
he repented and was sorry and went home to his father, his father freely forgave him.
Newton also used the example of Jesus healing the blind man Was blind but now I see
5. John Newton was born in 1725 to a merchant ship captain and a devout mother. His mother
must have prayed for him every single day when she was still alive. In his diary later on,
John Newton wrote that his mother often prayed for him and with him. She wanted John
Newton to grow up to become a clergyman, or a pastor. When he was only 4 years old he
could read the Bible and had learned many verses from the Bible and the Catechism.
However, John Newtons mother died of tuberculosis (disease of the lungs) when Newton
was about 6 or 7 years old.
6. Without the influence of his godly mother, Newton began going down a path of selfdestruction, living an immoral and godless wicked life. When he was 11, he joined his father
on a ship as an apprentice but was extremely disobedient.
7. So he was forced into the Royal Navy. However, in the Navy, he was extremely rebellious.
So he was often publicly flogged (which means he was beaten in front of everyone). But he
didnt learn his lesson. Finally, he asked if he could be transferred to a slave ship (which was
a ship that sold slaves).
8. On the slave ship, Newtons spiritual and moral life became even worse. He got into fights
with the other crew members, and was disrespectful to the crew captain. One time, he was
even sold as a slave himself and was sent to a place called Sierra Leone to work on the
plantations. However, he was later rescued by his fathers friend.
9. Eventually, John Newton became a captain of his own slave ship. However, his crew
members did not like him and they often wanted to throw him overboard. However, each
time, Gods hand was protecting John Newton.
10.In those days, the slaves were treated extremely terribly. The slave traders would often try to
buy as many slaves as possible and squeeze them all into the bottom of the ships. There was
no room to even turn around. That was how crowded it was! Often, they let the slaves starve
or thirst to death. Many slaves died of terrible sicknesses too.
11.One night, a violent and terrible, mighty storm swept over the ocean. The waves crashed
onto the deck of Newtons ship. Newton and the other crew members used all their strength
to dump out the water that was overrunning their ship. They worked for several hours at the
pumps trying to keep the ship afloat. At one time, Newton watched in horror as one of the

crew members was washed overboard into the sea. That was the place he had been standing
just a while ago. Finally when he was too exhausted to work anymore, Newton tied himself
to the ship to keep from being washed overboard. When the storm became too violent and
terrible, Newton cried out, Lord have mercy upon us. That night was March 10, 1748. God
did answer Newtons plea and saved him. After two weeks, the battered ship and starving
crew landed in Ireland.
12.That night on March 10, 1748, John Newton gave himself up to Jesus Christ. Although he
didnt change immediately, he did begin to allow God to work in his life.
13.Later on by the grace of God, Newton gave up his life as a slave trader and went on to be a
pastor at the age of 39 just as his mother had prayed for. Throughout the rest of his life, he
was a great advocator against slavery. His change was incrediblefrom a slave trader to a
soul winner. He once said, My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am
a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior!
14.Newton wrote the song Amazing Grace in this house, where he was the pastor for at least 16
years.
15.Even though John Newton is no longer here with us today, his story still continues to live.
Amazing Grace is one of the most well-known hymns of all time and it has been sung all
across the world touching hearts and telling the story of how Gods grace can save anyone. If
you have not asked Jesus to save you, like John Newton did, you must ask Him today. Ask
Jesus to come into your heart, to forgive your sins, and to make you a new person to serve
Him.
16.Questions