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How bad is the problem of sin?
"Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips." (Romans 3:13)
In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes concerning Romans 3:13:
The first two clauses here come from Psalm 5:9. Having shown that all men are affected by sin, Paul sought to show the extent of the damage. To do that, Paul listed six body parts that are affected. The three body parts mentioned in this verse — the throat, the tongue, and the lips — are each a part of the speech process. The speech of the ungodly corrupts those around him, defrauds those around him, and hurts and/or destroys. The last clause is from Psalm 140:3.
Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 11.
What is the meaning of propitiation?
In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:
A good summary of the implications of propitiation is given by D. M. Lloyd-Jones: “Propitiation carries this notion that there is someone who has been offended, someone who has done the offending, that there is an offence, and that something is necessary on both sides. . . . This great and glorious doctrine teaches us that the very God whom we have offended has Himself provided the way whereby the offence has been dealt with.”
Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 10.
What are extremes concerning justification that we must avoid?
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Omar Lee writes:
The doctrine of justification by faith is an important doctrine that may be pushed to extremes in many ways. One way is to insist that one must “do” certain things to have saving faith. If we insist upon the “doing,” we will be pushed into rules that one must follow before he is saved. It then becomes necessary for some specific person here on earth to set these rules and say when they are kept. You would then have salvation by works through a God-appointed (it is said) person who is the final authority. Such a salvation is solely by works and will culminate in ceremonies that give no assurance to the person, nor do they change his life. Paul spoke by inspiration when he insisted that it is not law that saves, but faith. In the conservative holiness movement, we can be as insistent on works as others when we say that to get saved there must be a certain amount of praying, weeping, vowing, or time spent seeking. Are not these requirements works? We weaken the meaning of being reconciled by the blood of Christ. In fact, we make repentance a work rather than a condition of justification. We must never forget that faith is what brings true peace with God. Justification, then, is by faith and not by works. We can be so concerned about the process that we lose this great doctrine.
Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 14.
Does one's ethnicity make them more spiritual?
In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes:
In 3:2 Paul indicated there certainly were benefits to being a Jew. Here the question is different. It could be stated, “Is there any inherent benefit in being born a Jew, so far as standing before God is concerned?” No, in no wise. It is not ethnic or religious background, but righteous living (1:17) that is the issue. Paul had already shown that both Jews and Gentiles . . . are all under sin, and cannot claim to have met God's requirement by personal strength or ability
Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 10.
Pray for Yourself
Heavenly Father, I come to you humbly asking for Your grace and mercy so that I can be the Sunday school teacher You want me to be.
I need Your wisdom. Help me to understand what You are teaching us in Your Word. Help me to know how to relate it to the life experiences of my students. Help me to share Your Truth in a way that is real and practical to their lives. Holy Spirit, work through the lesson and the words that I say to encourage, challenge, and convict.
Father, I need Your strength. Help me to immerse myself in Your Word so that I do not become spiritually empty and dry. Fill me with a hunger and passion for Your Truth. Make the Bible come alive to me in fresh new ways each time I read it. Help me to express that love to my students in a way that creates in them a fresh desire for Your Word.
Thank you for Your loving care. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Justified by Faith
Lesson 2 - December 11, 2016
Focus Text: Romans 3:9-26
Central Truth: Salvation only comes by faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain in simple terms how a person may be saved.
Lesson Outline:
- The Sinner's Condition (Romans 3:9-12)
- The Sinner's Character (Romans 3:13-20)
- The Sinner's Cure (Romans 3:21-26)
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