Key Thought : God’s entire moral law reveals our sin and need of a Savior. The law and the gospel are inseparable.

[Teaching plan for The Law and the Gospel December 3, 2012]

1. Have a volunteer read I John 2:3,4.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does it mean to know God? How does keeping His commandments help us to know Him better?
C. Personal Application: Does anyone actually keep God’s commandments? Can we keep His commandments? If so, why do people say we can’t? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Christ’s commandments are to love God and love others. The Ten Commandments were legal rules, but Christ’s law is the law of love. This is referring to love.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Psalm 119:151,152.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What part does the law play in the presentation of the gospel?
C. Personal Application: What commandments of God are considered truth and eternal? Why are they considered truth?
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “The Ten Commandments were part of the Old Covenant. We are under the New Covenant and obedience to those legalistic laws is no longer relevant.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Genesis 2:3.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What is the significance of the Sabbath day being blessed and sanctified before the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai?
C. Personal Application: Why has Satan singled out the Sabbath for attack in his warfare against God’s government?
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Do you think the Sabbath was given to man at Creation, or do you think it existed before the Creation?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read John 1:1-4.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How does this text link Jesus as both our Creator and Redeemer? What does that tell us about His willingness to change the Sabbath?
C. Personal Application: How do we keep from becoming legalistic on the Sabbath issue? How do we keep from being too lax and unconcerned about our Sabbath-keeping? Share.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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