“Especially as Seventh-day Adventists, we rest on the principle of sola Scriptura.” These are words from the introduction to this week’s lesson. Have you ever felt a surge of pride ripple through your thinking as you contemplate the joy of relying on the Bible, and only the Bible, for spiritual doctrines? Have you also noticed … Continue reading –>
Where are we headed? Working our way through the book of Romans, we now enter a discussion of every-day thoughts about living the Christian life. With so much wisdom and practical advice in Romans, do you think that Paul’s writings make following Jesus as born-again Christians harder than before to follow? Would it be easier … Continue reading –>
Christ and the Law. Do Christians ever assume that their good lifestyle choices and their determination to keep all of the commandments of God can earn them a place in heaven? What is the “surest” way to obtain righteousness? Was there or was there not a “true way of righteousness” before the Messiah? If the … Continue reading –>
Does God harden hearts? The context of the opening Bible verse for this week’s lesson is God’s supreme power to rule the world and to decide which of the human race qualify for salvation. Romans 9:18 says, “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will harden” How do we … Continue reading –>
No condemnation. After last week’s lesson on Romans 7 about how wretched Paul felt his sinful life to be, what has changed with the new chapter? Do you agree that Romans 8 is refreshing and reviving? By contrast, what will Romans 7 do to us if we stumble from a full commitment to Jesus Christ? … Continue reading –>
Who is the Man of Romans 7? Our lesson this week begins with a question and a warning. You know the question. What is the warning? Do we struggle with the same issues that troubled Paul? Do you think Paul’s discussion of the struggle with sin is based primarily on his personal experience? If so, what … Continue reading –>
Overcoming sin. Have you succeeded in overcoming sin? If you don’t think you have, why worry? Aren’t we saved by grace and not by our works? Did Paul reject the doctrine of sanctification in favor of salvation by grace? What is the difference between being dedicated to God and being sanctified? Where sin abounded… Have … Continue reading –>
Adam’s failure. Do you accept the fact that Adam sinned, and that his fall from grace led to the horrific state of the sinful world we live in today? In what way was Adam’s sin even more awful than Eve’s? Or was it? With such an accumulation of horrible, destructive sin laid on him, what … Continue reading –>
The Law. Yes or No: We are saved according to our obedience of God’s law. If you answer “No,” that we are saved by grace and not by our works, then answer this question: Does a Christian’s behavior differ from that of a non-Christian? If so, what is the source of the difference? Did either … Continue reading –>
The deeds of the law I. Romans 3:28 rings out a clear message that both challenges and energizes us as Christians. What is that message? How did the Protestant Reformation relate to this verse? Has the church based in Rome changed its position on how we are saved? If not, why not? If we are … Continue reading –>
