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A Gospel For All
Lesson 10 - February 5, 2017
Focus Text: Romans 10:1-17
Central Truth: The steps to salvation are simple and plain so all may be saved.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to clearly explain how a person can know Jesus Christ as his Savior.
Lesson Outline:
- The Person (Romans 10:1-7)
- The Plan (Romans 10:8-13)
- The Proclamation (Romans 10:14-21)
Notes to the Teacher
In "God's Word for Today" William Snider writes:
Definitions are imperative. Be prepared to define “election,” “foreknowledge,” and “free will.” What was God's intention for the Jews, and how does it compare to His mission for the Church in our day? Discuss the character of God and the necessity of maintaining a proper image of our Heavenly Father. Be prepared to portray the sovereignty of God in a positive and uplifting manner to your class. Consider the reality of our humanity and its reaction to divine sovereignty. How does sovereignty relate to evangelism? How does the sovereignty of God relate to the future of our world? Relate this lesson with the promise found in Romans 8:28.
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 54.
How Should We Understand Predestination?
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Omar Lee writes:
Election, in Arminian circles, has generally been placed in three categories:
- Election (choice) of individuals to perform special tasks.
a. The twelve apostles.
b. Paul as a chosen vessel.- Election (choosing) of nations, bodies of people, for special privileges.
a. Abraham's seed through Isaac.
b. The Church.- Individual election because they have conformed to His conditions. That is, through grace by faith they have believed in Him (adapted from Wiley's Intro. to Christian Theology).
From this discussion, we draw these conclusions:- That a sovereign God has everything as well as all people in His control.
- That having created man, He predestined a plan to recover them when they sinned.
- That He elects (chooses) as His own those who elect (choose) to believe and thus meet His conditions.
- That as election is only if we believe, therefore, to fail to believe or to decide to abandon our belief results in judgment and final damnation.
It is good to know that God has a predestined plan for our complete restora-tion to fellowship with Him throughout the ages. Our choice makes the difference!
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 56.
What is God's Election?
In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:
The phrase the purpose . . . according to election is virtually equivalent to “the electing purpose.” God's electing purpose is according to His grace, not human will or human works (cf. Rom. 11:5). We may ask if this election is of a predetermined plan that selects certain men to salvation or a predetermined plan that provides for man's salvation. The verb form of this word occurs in Ephesians 1:4 and seems to answer this question: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” Thus we see “the purpose of election was character, and therefore from among the children of Abraham according to the flesh, God made selection of such as believed, because through faith, character is formed” (G. Campbell Morgan). Cremer points out that this “cannot be taken to imply a division of mankind into two classes according to a divine plan before history began; it simply traces back the state of grace and Christian piety to the eternal and independent electing-love of God” (Biblical-Theological Lexicon of N.T. Greek).
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 52.
Pray for Your Pastor
Heavenly Father, I pray for my pastor as the senior leader and shepherd of this congregation. Give him the wisdom and insight he needs to direct our church according to Your will. May we follow his lead, instead of arguing, complaining, or revolting against his leadership. Instead, help us to join hearts, hands, and minds in one accord as we seek Your Spirit’s leading.
Bless our pastor with understanding of how best to teach and equip our church for service. Give him fresh insight each week as he studies Your Word to deliver to our congregation. Help him to demonstrate the truths of Your Word to be extremely practical to our lives.
Encourage our pastor as he seeks to train volunteer workers, such as myself, how to better serve the church. Help him to see areas in which we can improve and be able to equip us for greater ministry. Help us to be humble enough to receive the training we need, even though we may have served in our volunteer ministries for many years.
God's Unchanging Purpose
Lesson 9 - January 29, 2017
Focus Text: Romans 9:6-24
Central Truth: God has purposed to save all who trust Him by faith.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain how God's election displays His sovereignty.
Lesson Outline:
- Election and the Promise of God (Romans 9:6-13)
- Election and the Character of God (Romans 9:14-18)
- Election and the Responsibility of God (Romans 9:19-24)