Lesson 3: The Human Condition – Discussion Starters
- The power of God. The power of God is illustrated by three key words in Romans 1:16-17: gospel, righteousness, faith. What is the special meaning of these words as they relate to all new Christians in Paul’s day and today? 1) The gospel or the good _____; righteousness or being ________ with God; 3) faith in a future by total _______ in God.
- All have sinned. Is the statement by Paul that “all have sinned” good news to you?
Should it be? How do you respond to people you meet who don’t believe that “all have sinned”? Are people innocent and good until they allow sin to enter their lives? How does Paul’s sermon in Romans that we are studying this week counter that belief? What words or concepts does he use in Romans 3:10-18 to drive that point home? What specific sins does he link with verses 13 to 28? - Progress? Aren’t you glad Paul preached strong sermons so that at least in the church weaknesses turned downward and no longer affect us as much today as they did then? What? You don’t believe the world is getting better? What evidence do you see around you to prove the point made in the lesson that much of mankind has rejected Christ and turned to self worship instead? What about the church? Are God’s people ever drawn to deny their sinfulness?
- What Jews and Gentiles have in common. “Those wicked Galatians.” Can you imagine Paul’s church members revealing how glad they were not to be living in relative darkness like the Gentiles? In Romans 2 and 3, is Paul expressing gratitude that his fellow believers have enjoyed peace and tranquility at the hand of God? It not, what is his message? Do modern Christians sometimes judge non-believers with harshness? “We are all condemned,” says the author of the lesson guide. What is the only source of hope for all of us whether we’re Gentiles, Romans, Greeks or belong any other group?
- The gospel and repentance. What promise does Paul remind Christian believers in the Roman church to accept? What is Paul describing in Romans 2:5-10? Explain in words that would be clear to a seven-year-old how accepting Jesus can lead to an obedient and love-driven spiritual experience. If a seven-year-old can grasp this truth, why do you and I struggle with leading a repentant and fruitful life every hour of every day? Is there a cure for our doubt or unbelief? If so, what is it?
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Explain in words that would be clear to a seven-year-old how accepting Jesus can lead to an obedient and love-driven spiritual experience....seriously, as a 7-year-old in 1949, Jesus wouldn't love me if I did something naughty. He would love me if I was good. That was the simple word told us in Sabbath School.
So, using the word obedient in this concept is a little difficult to explain. To my humble 75-year-old mind, accepting Jesus is accepting His gift of salvation by grace and faith. Trust is the operational 'doing' word. Jesus Loves Me This I Know. That's the only song for seven year old lambs and seventy year old 'yous'. I trust Him, therefore I go where He leads me. My Shepherd doesn't drive, He leads.
Happy Sabbath!
I. Am. Learning. To. Give. God. Thanks. For. My. Self my. Hands. My feet My. Eyes. Every. Member. Of. My. Body. For. I. Realized. It. Is. God. That. Give. Me. My. Breath. So. I. Can. Move. Talk. He. Gave. Me. Wisdom. To. Name. Name. A few. So. All. That. I. Am. And. Have. Is. God. So. Praise. God. For. His. Doing. So. I. Can. Read. And. Interpret. The. Lesson. With. The. Help. Of. The. Holy. Ghost. Or. Holy. Spirit