SQLite format 3@ .V ii!%%atableTopicsTopicsCREATE TABLE Topics (Title NVARCHAR(100), Notes TEXT);J  11-Sep 4-10 - The Election of Grace` E 10-Aug 28-Sep 3 - Redemption for Jew & GentileD  09-Aug 21-27 - Freedom in ChristF  08-Aug 14-20 - The Man of RomansB 07-Aug 7-13 - Victory Over SinR) 06-Jul 31-Aug 6 - Expounding the FaithV1 05-July 24-30 - Justification and the LawH 04-Jul 17-23 - Justified by FaithB 03-Jul 10-16 - All Have Sinned;} 02-Jul 3-9 - Jew and Gentilev9E00-Contents{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fB 01-Jun 26-J  K  L `X   Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa100\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 4\b0\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab \i *July 17-23\i0\fs24\par \par \b\fs40 Justified \i by \i0 Faith\par \par \scaps\fs32 Sabbath Afternoon\fs24\par \par \scaps0\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study: \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_3:19-28\cf0\ulnone .\b\i0\scaps\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\scaps0 Memory Text: \ldblquote Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_3:28\cf0\ulnone ).\fs24\par \pard\keepn\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\i0\dn10\fs108 I\up0\fs22 n this lesson we come to the basic theme of Romans: justification by faith. The phrase is a figure based on law. The transgressor of the law comes before a judge and is condemned to death for his transgressions. But a substitute appears and takes the transgressor\rquote s crimes upon himself, thus clearing the criminal, who-by accepting the substitute-stands before the judge, not only cleared of his guilt but regarded as never having committed the crimes for which he was first brought into court. And that\rquote s because the substitute-who has a perfect record-offers the pardoned criminal his own perfect law-keeping. Thus, the guilty one stands before the judge as hPrayerful study of scriptural principles, under divine guidance, has delivered the church from disintegration throughout Christian history. Should scrupulous believers, however, suffer belittling by fellow Christians for being unable to accept certain things conscientiously? \ldblquote No,\rdblquote says Paul. Neither should the scrupulous (\ldblquote weak\rdblquote ) condemn those who conscientiously view things differently. \par \par Christians are not at liberty to compromise matters clearly define aving never transgressed.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tab No one is saying that the person was innocent. On the contrary, his guilt is presumed. The good news is that, despite the guilt, he is pardoned.\par \tab In the plan of salvation, each of us is the criminal. The substitute, Jesus, has a perfect record, and He stands in the court in our stead, His righteousness accepted in place of our unrighteousness. Hence, we are justifieishers.\tab\tab\par \tab\b NKJV.\b0 Texts credited to the NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright \'a9 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.\par \tab\b RSV.\b0 Bible texts credited to the RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright \'a9 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.\par \pard\cf2\f2\fs23\par } eferences other than from the King James Version quoted by permission in this Bible Study Guide, for Third Quarter 2010, are as follows:\par \tab\b NASB.\b0 From the New American Standard Bible, copyright \'a9 the Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission.\par \b\tab NIV.\b0 Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright \'a9 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publ d before God, not because of our works but because of Jesus, whose righteousness becomes ours when we accept it \ldblquote by faith.\rdblquote Hence the term \ldblquote justification by faith.\rdblquote No matter our past, when we accept Jesus, we stand before God in His righteousness, the only righteousness that can save us.\par \tab Talk about good news! In fact, the news can\rquote t get any better than that.\par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 24.\par \i0\fs :~ tR9}00-Contents{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{ N i01-Jun 26-Jul 2 - Paul and Rome{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\c;} 02-Jul 3-9 - Jew and GentileB 03-Jul 10-16 - All Have SinnedH 0z9u0p9a00-Contents{\#900-Contents{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\rc A"  A01-Jun 26-Jul 2 - Paul and Rome{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f5\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.116 q01-Jun 26-Jul 2 - Paul and Rome{\rtf1\ansi\ansicp 24\page\b\scaps\fs32 Sunday\b0\i\scaps0\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab \fs28 July 18\fs24\par \b\i0\fs28 The Deeds of the Law\fs24\par \tab\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Rom_3:19-20\cf0\ulnone . What is Paul saying here about the law, about what it does and what it does not or cannot do? Why is this point so important for all Christians to understand?\b0 \i\par \tab\i0 Paul is using the term \i law\i0 in its broad sense as the Jew in his day understood it. By the term \i Torah\i0 (the Hebrew word for \ldblquote law\rdblquote ), a Jew even today thinks particularly of God\rquote s instruction in the first five books of Moses but also more generally in the entire Old Testament. The moral law, plus the amplification of this in the statutes and judgments, as well as the ceremonial precepts, was a part of this instruction. Because of this, we may think of the law here as the system of Judaism.\par \tab To be under the law means to be under its jurisdiction. The law, however, reveals a person\rquote s shortcomings and guilt before God. The law cannot remove that guilt; what it can do is lead the sinner to seek a remedy for it. \par \tab As we apply the book of Romans in our day, when Jewish law is no longer a factor, we think of law particularly in terms of the moral law. This law can\rquote t save us any more than the system of Judaism could save the Jews. To save a sinner is not the moral law\rquote s function. Its function is to reveal God\rquote s character and to show people wherein they fall short of reflecting that character.\par \i\tab\i0 Whatever law it is-moral, ceremonial, civil, or all combined-the keeping of any or all in and of itself will not make a man just in God\rquote s sight. In fact, the law never was intended to do that. On the contrary, the law was to point out our shortcomings and lead us to Christ. \par \tab The law can no more save than can the symptoms of a disease cure the disease. The symptoms don\rquote t cure; they point out the need for the cure. That\rquote s how the law functions.\par \tab\b How successful have your efforts in law-keeping been? What should that answer tell you about the futility of trying to be saved by keeping the law?\par \b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par The Lesson in Brief\i0\f2\fs24\par \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par Key Text:\b0 \cf3\ul\i Rom_3:28\cf2\ulnone\par \i0\par \b The Student Will:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Know:\b0 Contrast the role of the law and the role of faith in justification.\par \par \b Feel:\b0 Acknowledge the depths to which God went in order to take upon Himself the consequences for our sin.\par \par \b Do:\b0 Accept Christ\rquote s death on our behalf, which makes us righteous before God.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b Learning Outline:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi990\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b I. Know: Law and Love\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx504}0\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. How does the law create for us a picture of God\rquote s perfection? Why is that perfection attainable only through faith in Christ? \par \par B. Explain how Christ\rquote s death is an acknowledgment of the great expectations of the law as something we owe but cannot pay and how God offers to accept Christ\rquote s life and death for that debt.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1620\tx1800\tx1890\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\ lt Sabbath School Bible Study Guide\i0 is prepared by the Office of the Adult Bible Study Guide of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the guides is under the general direction of a worldwide Sabbath School Manuscript Evaluation Committee, whose members serve as consulting editors. The published guide reflects the input of the committee and thus does not solely or necessarily represent the intent of the author(s).\par \b\par Bible Versions Table\b0\par \tab Scripture r }}Y, Rlnone}02-Jul 3-9 - Jew and Gentile{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg125k}902-Jul 3-9 - Jew and Gentile{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252}Y02-Jul 3-9 - Jew and Gentile{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f2\fnil\fcha}I02-Jul 3-9 - Jew and Gentile{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f2\froman\fprq}Y0}E0O}102-Jul 3-9 - Jew and Gentile{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\w , R24 dead 03-Jul 10-16 - All Have Sinned{\rtf1\ansi\ansn 0b 03-Jul 10-16 - All Have Sin 03-Jul 10-16 - All Have Sinned{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f5\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator R not specifically addressed in Scripture. These cases are not unimportant, and believers extrapolate principles from Scripture to guide their decision making regarding emerging technologies and freshly encountered cultural differences. \par \par Certainly caution must be exercised to avoid ditches on either side. The first ditch is imagining that Scripture \i directly\i0 addresses every cultural situation. The second is naively believing that Scripture has \i nothing\i0 to say about those situations. sb100\sa100\tqr\tldot\tx8640\b\i0\fs32 2\b0\fs20 \b Jew and Gentile-\b0\i July 3-9\i0\tab 32\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx720\tqr\tldot\tx8640\fs32\tab\b 3\b0\fs20 \b All Have Sinned-\b0\i July 10-16\i0\tab 53\par \fs32\tab\b 4\b0\fs20 \b Justified by Faith-\b0\i July 17-23\i0\tab 74\par \fs32\tab\b 5\b0\fs20 \b Justification and the Law\b0 -\i July 24-30\i0\tab 95\par \fs32\tab\b 6\fs20 Expounding the Faith-\b0\i July 31-August 6\i0\tab 117\par \fs32\tab\b 7\b0\fs20 \b Victory Over Sinl ;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\lang1033\b\f0\fs24 ADULT SABBATH SCHOOL BIBLE STUDY GUIDE\par \par STANDARD EDITION\par \par \par \fs32 Redemption in Romans\fs24\par \par by\par Don F. Neufeld\par \par \par July, August, September\par \par 2010\b0\par \par \b\fs36\tab Contents\b0\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx720\tqr\tldot\tx8640\fs32\tab \b 1\b0\fs20 \b Paul and Rome-\b0\i June 26-July 2\i0\tab 11\i\par \pard\-\b0\i August 7-13\i0\tab 138\par \fs32\tab\b 8\b0\fs20 \b The Man of Romans 7-\b0\i August 14-20\i0\tab 159\par \fs32\tab\b 9\b0\fs20 \b Freedom in Christ\b0 -\i August 21-27\i0\tab 180\par \fs32\tab\b 10\b0\fs20 \b Redemption for Jew and Gentile\b0 -\i August 28-September 3\i0\tab 201\par \fs32\tab\b 11\b0\fs20 \b The Election of Grace-\b0\i September 4-10\i0\tab 222\par \fs32\tab\b 12\fs20 Love and Law-\b0\i September 11-17\i0\tab 243\par \fs32\tab\b 13\b0\fs20 \b All the Rest Is Commentary\b0 -\i September 18-24\i0\tab 264\par \pard\sb100\sa100\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \par \b Come visit us at our Web site:\b0\par {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.absg.adventist.org"}}{\fldrslt{\ul\cf1 http://www.absg.adventist.org}}}\f0\fs24 \b\par \par Editorial Office:\par \b0 12501 Old Columbia Pike\par Silver Spring, MD 20904\par \b\par Principal Contributor:\par \b0 Don F. Neufeld \b\par \b0\par \b Editor:\b0\par Clifford R. Goldstein\b\par \par Associate Editor:\par \b0 Soraya Homayouni\b\par \par Publication Manager:\par \b0 Lea Alexander Greve\b\par \par Editorial Assistant:\par \b0 Sharon Thomas-Crews\b\par \par Pacific Press Coordinator:\par \b0 Paul A. Hey\par \par \b Art Director and Illustrator:\b0\par Lars Justinen\par \par \b Concept Design:\par \b0 Dever Designs\par \par \pard\b\f1 The teachers edition components were written by the following:\par 1. The Lesson in Brief, and Learning Cycle, Lesson 1:\b0 Cheryl Des Jarlais, freelance writer, Ronan, Montana, U.S.A.\par \b 2. Learning Cycle, Lessons 2\endash 5:\b0 Alan Hecht, librarian, Rebok Memorial Library, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A.\par \b 3. Learning Cycle, Lessons 6, 7, 9\endash 13:\b0 Dan Solis, associate pastor, Village Seventh-day Adventist Church, College Place, Washington, U.S.A.\par \b 4. Learning Cycle, Lesson 8:\b0 Janelle Margolis, freelance writer, Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\f0\par The\i Aduies?\tab\par \par \f4\'da\f0 Dwell more on the idea that we were called to have salvation, even before the foundation of the world \b0\i (see also \cf1\ul Tit_1:1-2\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul 2Ti_1:8-9\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 \b Why should we find this so encouraging? What does this tell us about God\rquote s love for all humans? Why, then, is it so tragic when people turn their backs on what has been so graciously offered them?\cf3\ul\b0\f1\par } us saying to the Romans that the person living \ldblquote under the law\rdblquote -that is, under the Jewish economy as it was practiced in his day, with all its manmade rules and regulations-will be ruled by sin. In contrast, a person living under grace will have victory over sin, because the law is written in his or her heart and God\rquote s spirit is allowed to guide his or her steps. Accepting Jesus Christ as the Messiah, being justified by Him, being baptized into His death, having the \ldblquote old obviously not what the text means. As we asked before, how could the moral law be done away with and sin still be a reality, because the moral law is what defines sin? If you were to read all that came before in Romans, even in just chapter 6, it would be hard to see how, in the midst of all this discussion about the reality of sin, Paul were to suddenly say, \ldblquote Besides, the moral law, the Ten Commandments, which defines sin, has been abolished.\rdblquote That makes no sense. \par \tab Paul i! August 10\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Under the Law?\b0\fs24\par \tab\b\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Rom_6:14\cf0\ulnone . How are we to understand this text? Does it mean that the Ten Commandments are no longer binding on us? If not, why not?\b0\par \i\tab\cf1\ul\i0 Rom_6:14\cf0\ulnone is one of the key statements in the book of Romans. And it\rquote s one we often hear, usually quoted in the context of someone telling us Adventists that the Seventh-day Sabbath has been abrogated.\par \tab Yet, that\rquote s"tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\par \b Questions for Discussion: \b0 What does Spurgeon mean by saying that God bears all the burdens and supplies all the need? How does this understanding help us define grace?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Tuesday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 #tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356 Because He has already been our help, we feel confidence in Him for the present and the future. Our prayer is, \lquote Lord be thou my helper\rquote ; our experience is, \lquote The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities.\rquote\rdblquote -Charles Spurgeon, \i Faith\rquote s Check Book \i0 (Springdale, Penn.:\i \i0 Whitaker House, 1992), p. 14.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\$x3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b Opening Activity: \b0 Discuss this Charles Spurgeon excerpt: \ldblquote His [God\rquote s] help is more than help, for he bears all the burden and supplies all the need. \lquote The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man can do unto me.\rquote \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\% is deeper and more pervasive than the politicians understand and the societal engineers are prepared for. Sin reigns. Incompetent human wisdom cannot reverse the drift into chaos and rescue us from the moral abyss. \par \par \tab We need help! Thank God we have it! Jesus defeated sin at the cross, and the Holy Spirit mediates the benefits of that victory to all who desire to conquer the temptation to sin. We have an Ally in heaven who cannot fail!\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tb \b0 Unfortunately,\b \b0 one unacceptable option surfaces too frequently-belittling those more scrupulous. Paul\rquote s contemporaries wrestled over foods sacrificed to idols and the observance of ceremonial sabbaths. Seventh-day Adventists today debate similar matters-dietary regimen, acceptable fashion, appropriate Sabbath observance, interracial marriage, and musical preferences. Divine mandates and guidelines are sometimes variously interpreted, but oftentimes the debate surrounds issues that are'garding a variety of lifestyle choices are made every day. Christians believe that no decision is unimportant, because their total existence belongs under the lordship of Christ.\b \b0 Christians also live in community; therefore an isolationist position is impossible. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 What happens when different standards and disagreements regarding Christian practices emerge among the faithful?\(320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li450\tx450\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 I. The Weak Brother\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b0\i (Review \cf3\ul Rom_14:1-4\cf2\ulnone with the class.)\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab Multitudes of decisions re)l crossfire? This battleground is a minefield waiting to explode! How should church leaders facilitate healing and reconciliation when disagreements erupt among the faithful?\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li450\tx450\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\i\f1\fs28 Bible Commentary\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4*dctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 2-Explore\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers\b0 : \b Intellectual theorists oftentimes propose grandiose schemes that disintegrate into grander failures when tested by real-world conditions. Can Paul\rquote s theology endure the real-world \ldblquote heat\rdblquote of cultura+ we have a responsibility to one another, and if our example can lead someone astray, we are culpable.\b\par \tab What kind of example do you present? Would you feel comfortable with having others, particularly young people or new believers, following your example in all areas? What does your answer say about you?\b0\i\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\i0\fs24\par \cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowi, wear or what kind of entertainment I engage in\rdblquote ? Is it really? None of us live in a vacuum. Our actions, words, deeds, and even diet can affect others, either for good or for bad. It\rquote s not hard to see how. If someone who looks up to you sees you doing something \ldblquote wrong,\rdblquote he or she could be influenced by your example to do that same thing. We fool ourselves if we think otherwise. To argue that, well, you didn\rquote t force the person is beside the point. As Christians,-ences.\par \b\tab In \cf1\ul Rom_14:22\cf0\ulnone , amid all this talk about leaving people to their own conscience, Paul adds a very interesting caveat: \ldblquote Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves\rdblquote \i (NIV).\i0 What warning is Paul giving here? How does this balance out the rest of what he is saying in this context?\b0 \b \b0\i\par \i0\tab Have you heard someone say, \ldblquote It is none of anyone\rquote s business what I eat or what I.. Although diet is important, Christians ought not to quarrel over the choice on the part of some to eat vegetables instead of flesh meats that might have been sacrificed to idols. Instead, they ought to focus on righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. How might we apply this idea to questions of diet today in our church? However much the health message, and especially the teachings on diet, can be a blessing to us, not everyone sees this subject the same way, and we need to respect those differ&nfined to one region, we might be tempted to lay the blame on inadequate education, poverty, or some correctable condition. The globalization of corruption, however, does not allow such easy excuses. The answer for societal deterioration must lie elsewhere. Greed, corruption, and sexual scandal, at the highest levels of government and society, grab headlines nightly and demonstrate that sin is no respecter of caste or social position. Drug abuse prevails among the wealthy, as well as the poor. The problem0for Spiritual Growth: \b0 God\rquote s grace overflows so that it covers every sin and gives us a power that no temptation can overcome.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\tab Has there ever been a time that God\rquote s grace was needed more than today? Crime rates astound us. If these rates were co1 C O M M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 Learning Cycle\i0\f2\fs24 \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi5040\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\b\i\f1\fs28 STEP 1-Motivate\i0\f2\fs24\par \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356 Key Concept 2e s study. Notice how crucial the concept of free will is. As moral creatures, we must have a free will, the power to choose right and wrong, good and evil, Christ or the world. Over the next 24 hours, try to keep track consciously of how you are using this moral free will. What can you learn about your use, or abuse, of this sacred gift? \b0\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\cf3\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S 3rd \i therefore\i0 in this verse is important. It goes back to what has been said before, specifically to what has been said in verses 10 and 11. The baptized person is now living \ldblquote unto God.\rdblquote That is, God is the center of his or her new life. The person is serving God, doing what pleases God and, therefore, cannot serve sin at the same time. He or she is \ldblquote alive unto God through Jesus Christ.\rdblquote\b\par \b0\tab\b Go back over the quote from Ellen G. White in today\rquot4n \cf1\ul Rom_6:12\cf0\ulnone translated \ldblquote lusts\rdblquote means \ldblquote desires.\rdblquote These desires may be either for good things or for bad; when sin reigns, it will make us desire the bad. The desires will be strong, even irresistible if we fight against them on our own. Sin can be a cruel tyrant, one who never is satisfied but who always comes back for more. Only through faith, only through claiming the promises of victory, can we overthrow this unrelenting master.\par \tab The wo5to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but you can \i choose \i0 to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections will be centered upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i Steps to Christ, \i0 p. 47.\par \tab The Greek word i6ictate our behavior.\par \tab When Paul says \ldblquote let not sin . . . reign,\rdblquote he implies that the justified person can choose to prevent sin\rquote s setting itself up as king in his or her life. This is where the action of the will comes in.\par \tab\ldblquote What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God has given 7 August 9\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Sin Personified\b0\fs24\par \b\fs22\tab What admonition is given to us in \cf1\ul Rom_6:12\cf0\ulnone ?\b0 \i\par \tab\i0 The word \i reign\i0 shows that \ldblquote sin\rdblquote is here represented as a king. The Greek word here translated \ldblquote reign\rdblquote means, literally, \ldblquote to be a king\rdblquote or \ldblquote to function as a king.\rdblquote Sin is all too willing to assume the kingship of our mortal bodies and d8edly into a full-time life of living on God\rquote s side, giving sin no vote at all?\b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tqc\tx6480 Summary:\b0 If we are baptized into Christ\rquote s death and rise to life in Him, filled with His grace and righteousness, He blesses us with holiness and eternal life.\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Monday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 9 desires do we have?\b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b III. Do: Choose Today\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. While we can\rquote t change our hearts, how can we choose to submit our wills to God?\par \par B. What choices can we make this week that throw us wholeheart:9360\b II. Feel: Alive to Sin or God\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. What does it mean to be alive to sin? Conversely, what does it mean to be alive to God?\par \par B. How does serving our sinful natures include feeling and desiring those things that oppose God\rquote s way of life? What are those things?\par \par C. When we are dead to sin and alive to God, what kinds of feelings and;fe as Christ lives it, obedient to God. Why is it a life we can live only by means of God\rquote s grace?\par \par B. We can have only one master. Is it possible to live this life of grace but also be subject to the rule of sin? Why, or why not?\b \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 \par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-630\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx<0\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b Learning Outline:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi990\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b I. Know: Obedient to Sin or Grace\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. When we share Christ\rquote s death in baptism, we die to sin and are raised into lipt. I can never be saved, so I might as well give up\rdblquote ? Do you listen to him or to Jesus, who will say to us, \ldblquote Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more\rdblquote ? \cf1\ul\b0\i Joh_8:11\cf0\ulnone .\b\i0\par \par \f3\'da\f0 Why is it so important for us as Christians to understand basic human sinfulness and depravity? What can happen when we lose sight of that sad but true reality? What errors can a false understanding of our true condition lead us into?\cf2\b0\f4\fs23\par } >class, go over your answers to Tuesday\rquote s question. How do we see this principle manifested in today\rquote s society?\par \par \f3\'d9\f0 Look at the second quote from Ellen G. White in Friday\rquote s study. If you see yourself in there, what is the answer? Why is it important not to give up in despair but to keep claiming God\rquote s promises-first, of forgiveness; second, of cleansing? Who is the one that wants you to say, once and for all, \ldblquote It\rquote s no use. I\rquote m too corru? not. Many men and women who profess the religion of Christ are guilty. Even some who profess to be looking for His appearing are no more prepared for that event than Satan himself. They are not cleansing themselves from all pollution. They have so long served their lust that it is natural for their thoughts to be impure and their imaginations corrupt.\rdblquote\i -\i0 Ellen G. White,\i Testimonies for the Church, \i0 vol. 2, p. 346.\par \par \b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\fs24\par \f3\fs22\'d8\f0 In @ \par \tab\ldblquote A terrible picture of the condition of the world has been presented before me. Immorality abounds everywhere. Licentiousness is the special sin of this age. Never did vice lift its deformed head with such boldness as now. The people seem to be benumbed, and the lovers of virtue and true goodness are nearly discouraged by its boldness, strength, and prevalence. The iniquity which abounds is not merely confined to the unbeliever and the scoffer. Would that this were the case, but it isA.\par \par \tab\ldblquote Many are deceived concerning the condition of their hearts. They do not realize that the natural heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. They wrap themselves about with their own righteousness, and are satisfied in reaching their own human standard of character; but how fatally they fail when they do not reach the divine standard, and of themselves they cannot meet the requirements of God.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1, p. 320.B \b\fs28 Further Study:\b0\fs24 \fs22 Read Ellen G. White, \ldblquote The Lord\rquote s Vineyard,\rdblquote pp. 291-294, in \i Christ\rquote s Object Lessons;\i0 \ldblquote God\rquote s Love for Man,\rdblquote pp. 9-15; \ldblquote The Sinner\rquote s Need of Christ,\rdblquote pp. 17-22, in \i Steps to Christ; \i0\ldblquote In Contact With Others,\rdblquote pp. 492-494, in \i The Ministry of Healing; \i0\ldblquote Agents of Satan,\rdblquote pp. 146, 147, in \i Testimonies for the Church, \i0 vol. 5C Make the point that our almost-goodness is the same to God. Even if we are 99 percent righteousness-and we probably aren\rquote t-we are also 1 percent poison. For the water to be fit to drink, it has to be filtered or distilled to remove the impurities. Jesus is our filter or distiller.\i\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b\i0\f0\fs22\par \scaps\fs32 Friday\fs36 \b0\i\scaps0\fs28 July 16\i0\fs24\parD \i0 pure water.\rdblquote Have cups or glasses available. They will almost certainly ask what makes the water almost pure rather than pure. Say that it contains about 1 percent silt, pesticide runoff, and unidentified chemical waste, but that the other 99 percent is definitely the finest, purest spring water. Ask again if anyone wants to drink it. They probably won\rquote t.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Tuesday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 September 7\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 The Grafted Branch\fs24\par \b0\i\tab\b\i0\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Rom_11:11-15\cf0\ulnone . What great hope does Paul present in these verses? \b0\par \tab In these verses, we find two parallel expressions: (1) \ldblquote their [the Israelites\rquote ] fulness\rdblquote \i (vs. 12), \i0 and (2) \ldblquote the receiving of them [the Israelites]\rdblquote \i (vs. 15Fers to usefulness.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 What are the earmarks of legalistic religion? How does legalism impede evangelism? What roadblocks must be removed for God to restore His original purpose?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7Gssing. Of course, this slowed his work. Months passed. Gradually the carpenter found his tools. The hammer was rusty. The saw was dull, and the screwdriver was bent. The wrench was never located. Meanwhile, the carpenter had replaced some of the missing tools but was unwilling to throw the rusty, bent, dull ones away. He painstakingly restored them. One night the tools were overheard. There was sadness over the wrench, who had never come back, but more rejoicing over the carpenter who had restored the othH and felt denigrated when used to work with nuts. The hammer boasted that she had the highest pedigree, being crafted of the finest hickory and stainless steel. Why was she subjected to constant contact with the common iron found in nails? Other tools spoke about their superiority or how the carpenter favored them. None, however, wanted to be used for the purpose for which they had been created. Eventually many tools plotted their escape. In the morning the carpenter noticed that many of his tools were miI3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Activity: \b0 Read this parable and discuss: One night, while the Carpenter was away, the toolbox opened, and the tools began to discuss their existence and purpose. The screwdriver lamented that she was quietly used and seldom noticed. The saw was also disenchanted with his purpose, noting that other saws had gone on to become musical instruments and did not have to put up with the sawdust. The wrench complained that he outshined many hood ornamentsJg Cycle\i0\f2\fs24\par \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \i\f1\fs28 STEP 1-Motivate\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Key Concept for Spiritual Growth: \b0 God\rquote s grace is sufficient to restore us when we fail His purpose and His plan.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\txEasize that just as all are equally sinners on their own merits, all are equally righteous if they accept Christ\rquote s sacrifice on their behalf. \par \b0\par \tab To emphasize the level of holiness we would have to reach to be acceptable to God on our own merits, do the following: Fill a pitcher with water. Label it in big block letters as \ldblquote\i Almost\i0 Pure Water.\rdblquote If that doesn\rquote t get the idea across, be sure to ask your class if anyone wants a drink of \i\ldblquote almostLtx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 4-Apply\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par Just for Teachers: This week we have learned that none of us is acceptable in the eyes of God without the intercession of Christ. But in His infinite mercy God the Father accepted Christ\rquote s willing sacrifice, and through this offering we are accepted as though we had never sinned. EmphMvercome and put away the things that we need to repent over.\par \tab\b How often are you in an attitude of repentance? Is it sincere, or do you tend just to brush off your faults, shortcomings, and sins? If the latter, how can you change? Why \i must \i0 you change?\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\par \cf3\ul\b0\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\Nce in the Christian life. For instance, in verse 7, salvation is described as coming to those who seek for it \ldblquote by patient continuance in well doing.\rdblquote Though human effort can\rquote t bring salvation, it is part of the whole experience of salvation. It\rquote s hard to see how anyone can read the Bible and come away with the idea that works and deeds don\rquote t matter at all. True repentance, the kind that comes willingly from the heart, always will be followed by a determination to oKhat God has rejected \i en masse\i0 any group of people in terms of salvation? Why is that counter to the whole teaching of the gospel, which at the core shows that Christ died to save all human beings? How, for example, in the case of the Jews, has this idea led to tragic results?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tx10080\tx10800\cf2\ul\b0\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 LearninPIsrael a spirit of slumber, preventing their seeing and hearing. Does God blind people\rquote s eyes to prevent them from seeing light that would lead them to salvation? Never! These passages must be understood in the light of our explanation of Romans 9. Paul is not talking of individual salvation, for God rejects no one group\i en masse \i0 for salvation. The issue here, instead, as it has been all along, deals with the role that these folk play in His work.\par \tab\b What is so wrong with the idea tQe Gentiles had equal access to the grace of Christ \i (Acts 10; compare \cf1\ul Act_15:7-9\cf0\ulnone )\i0 and that the gospel was to be carried to them, as well. \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_11:7-10\cf0\ulnone . Is Paul saying that God purposely blinded to salvation the part of Israel that rejected Jesus? What\rquote s wrong with that idea?\b0\par \tab In these verses, Paul quotes from the Old Testament, which the Jews accepted as authoritative. The passages that Paul cites represent God as giving to Rrevocably deny?\b0 \par \tab In the first part of his answer to the question, \ldblquote Hath God cast away his people?\rdblquote Paul points to a remnant, an election of grace, as proof that God has not cast away His people. Salvation is open for all who accept it, Jew and Gentile alike.\par \tab It should be remembered that the early converts to Christianity were all Jews-for example, the group that was converted on the Day of Pentecost. It took a special vision and miracle to convince Peter that thStx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tx10080\tx10800 Summary:\b0 In the end, both Jews and Gentiles have been called to share the gospel with the world.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Monday\b0\i\scaps0 \fs28 September 6\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 The Election of Grace\fs24\par \fs22\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_11:1-7\cf0\ulnone .\b0\i \b\i0 What common teaching does this passage clearly and irT8640\tx9360\b III. Do: Being a Vessel of God\rquote s Mercy\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. How does our experience with God\rquote s mercy help us extend mercy to others? \b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1800\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\UGod\rquote s salvation and equally blessed by His mercy? By extension, what does this truth teach us about how we are to relate to one another?\par \par B. What experiences with God\rquote s mercy have both Gentiles and Jews had? Why is it important not to gloat in our advantages but to realize the responsibilities that God\rquote s gifts of mercy place upon us?\b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\txVmise that gives us status as God\rquote s children?\par \par C. How should we treat those to whom the promise was originally given?\b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b III. Feel: Mercy\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Why are all, Gentile or Jew, equally undeserving of 04-Jul 17-23 - Justified by Faith{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpxt)04-Jul 17-23 - Justified by FainU04-Jul 17-23 - Justified by Faith{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f5\fnil\fcharset2=9360\b The Student Will:\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Know:\b0 Compare and contrast being under the law, and serving the master of sin, with living under grace and obeying the Master of righteousness.\par \par \b Feel:\b0 Nurture the attitudes and feelings of one alive to God and dead to sin.\par \par \b Do:\b0 Choose to give God your will on a daily basis.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx288none ; and \cf1\ul Jam_2:10-11\cf0\ulnone . What do these texts tell us about the moral law in the New Testament?\b0\par \tab At the same time, the entire body of ritual and ceremonial laws that were distinctly Israelite, that were distinctly tied to the Old Covenant, all of which pointed to Jesus and to His death and ministry as High Priest, were discontinued, and a new order was introduced, one based on \ldblquote better promises.\rdblquote\par \tab Helping both Jew and Gentile to understand what wasZin Him-that is, if they accepted Him for who He truly was and committed themselves to Him-they would be saved through the righteousness that He offers them freely.\par \tab Meanwhile, the moral requirements remain unchanged in the New Testament, because these were founded in the character of God and of Christ. Obedience to God\rquote s moral law is just as much a part of the New Covenant as of the Old.\par \tab\b Read \cf1\ul Mat_19:17\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rev_12:17\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rev_14:12\cf0\ul[ed could they have their sins forgiven. Only by the imputation of His perfect life could they stand before God without condemnation. In other words, salvation was through the righteousness of Jesus, and nothing else.\par \tab Old Testament saints looked forward to the blessings of the Messianic age and the promise of salvation. In New Testament times, the people were confronted with the question, \i Would they accept Jesus of Nazareth whom God had sent as the Messiah, their Savior? \i0 If they believed \ Read \cf1\ul Heb_8:6\cf0\ulnone . What is the message here? How do we understand what these \ldblquote better promises\rdblquote are?\b0 \par \tab Perhaps the greatest difference between the religion of the Old Testament and that of the New is the fact that the New Testament era was introduced by the coming of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. He was sent by God to be the Savior. Men could not ignore Him and expect to be saved. Only through the atonement He providWx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b I. Know: Stock or Graft\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Why must we, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, acknowledge that our status with God rests on our acceptance of God\rquote s works and abandonment of our own ways?\par \par B. How should we, who are grafted on as children of the promise, treat the pro]as a church we are confronted with those who would like to impose more Old Testament rules and regulations on us, as well.\par \tab Hence, Romans certainly has an important message for us today, as it did for the Roman church back then.\par \tab\b\scaps\par \b0\i *S\scaps0 tudy this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 10.\b\i0\scaps \par \b0\scaps0\page\b\scaps\fs32 Sunday\b0\scaps0\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i\fs28 July 4\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Better Promises\b0\fs24\par \tab\b\fs22 /wk1505-Jul1i05-July 24-30 - Justification and the Law{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\r1Q05-July 24T1105-July 24-30 - Justification and the Law{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Romax^ graft with original stock that learns to believe; salvation for all is His ultimate goal. \par \par \b Feel:\b0 Sense that God\rquote s overarching purpose is to show mercy and to save all whom He can.\par \par \b Do:\b0 Extend mercy and compassion to both Gentile and Jew alike, as God does.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Learning Outline:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi990\tx0\tx720\tatx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 The Lesson in Brief\i0\f2\fs24\par \par Key Text:\b0 \cf3\ul\i Rom_11:5-6\cf2\ulnone\par \i0\par \b The Student Will:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Know:\b0 Recognize that if God can graft in others to fulfill His plan, He can just as readily replace any unbelieving_ to the faith were required to keep these rules and laws, including circumcision. \par \tab In some ways, these issues exist today, only in a different form. How often are we, as Adventists, accused of being Judaizers, or legalists, because of our adherence to the Ten Commandments (or, in actuality, our adherence to the Sabbath commandment)? How often do we hear that we are now under the New Covenant, and so the law (the Sabbath commandment) has been done away with?\par \tab On the other side, at times crtant questions arose. Should the Gentiles submit to circumcision? To what extent\b\scaps \b0\scaps0 should they keep other Jewish laws? Finally, a council was called at Jerusalem to settle the matter (see Acts 15). \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tab Despite a firm decision by the council not to trouble the Gentiles with a host of regulations and laws, some teachers continued to plague the churches by insisting that Gentile convertsd: \ldblquote The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Joh_1:17\cf0\ulnone ).\fs24\par \pard\keepn\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\i0\dn10\fs108 T\up0\fs22 he first converts to Christianity were all Jews, and the New Testament gives no indication that they were asked to drop the practice of circumcision or to ignore the Jewish festivals. But when the Gentiles began to accept Christianity, impobCommandments-or specifically the fourth (what folk really mean-are now nullified is to draw a conclusion that goes against so much else of what Paul and the New Testament teach.\par \tab\b Do you ever find yourself proud about how good you are, especially in contrast to others? Maybe you are \ldblquote better,\rdblquote but so what? Compare yourself to Christ, and then think about how \ldblquote good\rdblquote you really are.\fs24 \b0\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\favior, our need of forgiveness, our need of righteousness, all of which are found only in Jesus. In that sense, Christ is the \ldblquote end\rdblquote of the law, in that the law leads us to Him and His righteousness. The Greek word for \ldblquote end\rdblquote here is \i teloes\i0 , which also can be translated \ldblquote goal\rdblquote or \ldblquote purpose.\rdblquote Christ is the final purpose of the law, in that the law is to lead us to Jesus. \par \tab To see this text as teaching that the Ten gl Rom_10:5\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 But\i \i0 with the coming of the Messiah, the true way of righteousness was presented. Righteousness was offered to all who would fix their faith in Christ. He was the one to whom the ancient ceremonial system had pointed. \par \tab Even if one includes in the definition of law here the Ten Commandments, this doesn\rquote t mean that the Ten Commandments were done away with. The moral law points out our sins, our faults, our shortcomings, and thus leads us to our need of a Sh thinking that leads folk into seeking their \ldblquote own righteousness,\rdblquote which is contrary to the righteousness of Christ. \par \tab\cf1\ul Rom_10:4\cf0\ulnone is an important text that catches the essence of Paul\rquote s entire message to the Romans. First, we need to know the context. Many Jews were \ldblquote going about to establish their own righteousness\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_10:3\cf0\ulnone ) \i0 and seeking \ldblquote the righteousness which is of the law\rdblquote \i (\cf1\uii\par \tab\i0 Legalism can come in many forms, some more subtle than others. Those who look to themselves, to their good deeds, to their diet, to how strictly they keep the Sabbath, to all the bad things they don\rquote t do, or to the good things that they have achieved-even with the best of intentions-are falling into the trap of legalism. We must every moment of our life keep before us the holiness of God in contrast to our sinfulness; that\rquote s the surest way to protect ourselves from the kind ofjngelizing the world. \par \tab\par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 11.\par \i0\fs24\page\b\scaps\fs32 Sunday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 September 5\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 The End of the Law\b0\i\fs24\par \fs22\tab\b\i0 Read \cf1\ul Rom_10:1-4\cf0\ulnone .\i \i0 Keeping in mind all that came before, what\rquote s the message here? How could we, today, be in danger of seeking to establish our \ldblquote own righteousness\rdblquote ? \b0\we take from Romans 7 for ourselves that will help us understand what it means to be followers of Jesus? \b0\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\cf2\b\f2\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b0\f0\par \pard\cf4\f4\fs23\par } lntial dangers arise from the view that, as Christians, we will always be sinning, always be falling, always be violating God\rquote s law, no matter what? On the other hand, what potential dangers arise from the view that as Christians we must overcome every wrong thing in our lives, every wrong thought, every wrong tendency-no matter what, or else we are not saved? \b0\par \fs24\par \b\f3\fs22\'db\b0\f0 \b In the end, regardless of whatever position folk take on the man of Romans 7, what promises can mr \f3\fs22\'d8\f0 Who do you think the man of Romans 7 is? Paul, before or after conversion? Or is this chapter talking about something else entirely? What justification do you have for your answer? In class discuss the answers given.\par \par \f3\'d9\f0 How do we explain the fact that even baptized, born-again Christians struggle with sin? Shouldn\rquote t we automatically overcome everything? Or will we always be sinning? Or is the answer somewhere in between? \b0\par \par \b\f3\'da\f0 What poten Yet it was connected with the moral law, and was glorious. The whole bore the stamp of divinity, and expressed the holiness, justice, and righteousness of God. And if the ministration of the dispensation to be done away was glorious, how much more must the reality be glorious, when Christ was revealed, giving His life-giving, sanctifying, Spirit to all who believe.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White Comments, \i The SDA Bible Commentary, \i0 vol. 6, p. 1095.\fs24 \par \par \b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\fs24\paoeace with Him through the merits of Christ, while he continues in sin.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1, p. 213.\par \tab\ldblquote Paul desires his brethren to see that the great glory of a sin-pardoning Saviour gave significance to the entire Jewish economy. He desired them to see also that when Christ came to the world, and died as man's sacrifice, type met antitype. \par \tab\ldblquote After Christ died on the cross as a sin offering the ceremonial law could have no force.pBearer,\rdblquote pp. 308-310, in \i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1; \ldblquote Healing of the Soul,\rdblquote pp. 84, 85; \ldblquote The Importance of Seeking True Knowledge,\rdblquote pp. 452-454, in \i The Ministry of Healing\i0 ; \ldblquote Christ\rquote s Victory as Complete as Adam\rquote s Failure,\rdblquote p. 323, in\i My Life Today\i0 .\par \par \tab\ldblquote There is no safety nor repose nor justification in transgression of the law. Man cannot hope to stand innocent before God, and at pq sin and live in grace through Christ\rquote s sacrifice, so that with His help you may be free of the condemnation of the law.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs36\par Friday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 August 20\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Further study:\b0\fs24 \fs22 Read Ellen G. White, \ldblquote The Perfect Law,\rdblquote pp. 212-215; \ldblquote A Divine Sin rbout the law, dying to sin, and to grace?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Think of a couple things that you would like to work on with Christ in this regard. Work these goals into your daily prayer life. Invite God into your life specifically in these areas and ask for His help and daily guidance in achieving them. Ask for God\rquote s help to free you from the chains of sin. Ask God to help you daily die tos law might affect their spiritual lives. Finally, encourage them to think about how they relate to God\rquote s plan of salvation.\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Activity: \b0 What are some things that you are personally struggling with that can be used as an illustration of what Paul has said at E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 4-Create\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Just for Teachers: Romans 7 provides each individual in your class with a starting point for introspection. Encourage them to examine how they personally relate to the law and how Paul\rquote s teachings about thee *July 3-9\i0\fs24\par \par \b\fs40 Jew \i and\i0 Gentile\par \par \scaps\fs32 Sabbath Afternoon\fs24\par \par \scaps0\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study:\b0 \cf1\ul\i Lev_23:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter, \cf1\ul Mat_19:17\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Act_15:1-29\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Gal_1:1-12\cf0\ulnone\i0 , \cf1\ul\i Heb_8:6\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Rev_12:17\cf0\ulnone .\b\i0\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920 Memory Textvfonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f5\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 2\b0\i yn;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sa100\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 5\b0\fs24 \i\fs28 *July 24-30\i0\fs24\par \par \b\fs40 Justification \i and the \i0 Law\b0\fs24\par \fs40\par \b\scaps\fs32 Sabbath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\fs24\par \par \b\fs2z2 Read for This Week\rquote s Study:\b0 \cf1\ul\i Gen_15:6\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul 2Sa_11:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter, \cf1\ul\i0 2Sa_12:1\cf0\ulnone\i - entire chapter; \cf1\ul Rom_3:20-23\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_3:31\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_4:1-17\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Gal_3:19\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul 1Jn_3:4\cf0\ulnone .\b\i0\tab\par \pard\sb100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920 Memory Text: \ldblquote Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid{: yea, we establish the law\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_3:31\cf0\ulnone )\b\i0\fs24\par \pard\keepn\sb100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\b0\dn10\fs108 I\up0\fs22 n many ways, \cf1\ul Rom_4:1\cf0\ulnone [entire chapter] gets to the foundation of the biblical doctrine of salvation by faith alone. By using Abraham-the paragon of holiness and virtue-as an example of someone who needed to be saved by grace, without the deeds of the law, Paul left readers no |room for misunderstanding. If the best one\rquote s works and law-keeping weren\rquote t enough to justify him before God, what hope does anyone else have? If it had to be by grace with Abraham, it has to be the same with everyone else, Jews and Gentiles. \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tab In \cf1\ul Rom_4:1\cf0\ulnone [entire chapter], Paul reveals three major stages in the plan of salvation: (1) the promise of divine blessing (the promise of grace); (2) the human response to that promise (the response of faith); and, finally, (3) the divine pronouncement of righteousness credited to those who believe (justification). That\rquote s how it worked with Abraham, and that\rquote s how it works with us.\par \tab It is crucial to remember that for Paul, salvation is by grace; it\rquote s something that is given to us, however undeserving we are. If we deserved it, then we\rquote d be owed it, and if we\rquote re owed it, it\rquote s a d~tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 C. How should we relate to God\rquote s law and God\rquote s love as illustrated by the Cross?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-540\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b II. Feel: Foundations of Law and Love\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tqc\tx6480 A. How is the King of the universe able to uphold the lawful foundations of the universe and at the same time extend love, hope, and mercy to those who have been in variance with those critical principles? \tab\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 B. In what ways does your heart stretch when you attempt to absorb the heights and depths of God\rquote s reach?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\sa199\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b III. Do: Our Response\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1560\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. What should our daily response be as we grasp the picture of the righteous requirements of the law of God and our dependence on Christ to be our righteousness? \b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1800\tx1560\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Summary:\b0 The law of God is perfect, and humans never can reach this standard; but when we accept Christ\rquote s righteousness, offered in place of our imperfections, God counts us as righteous. \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\par \cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Monday\b0\scaps0 \i\fs28 July 19\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Faith and Righteousness\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\fs22\ldblquote Now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_3:21\cf0\ulnone ). \b\i0 How are we to understand what this text means?\b0\i\par \i0\tab This new righteousness is contrasted with the righteousness of the law, which was the righteousness with which the Jew was familiar. The new righteousness is called \ldblquote the righteousness of God\rdblquote ; that is, a righteousness that comes from God, a righteousness that God provides, and the only one that He accepts as true righteousness. \par \tab This is, of course, the righteousness that Jesus wrought out in His life while here in human flesh, a righteousness that He offers to all who will accept it by faith, who will claim it for themselves, not because they deserve it but because they need it.\par \tab\b\ldblquote Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands righteousness, and this the sinner owes to the law; but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way in which he can attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith he can bring to God the merits of Christ, and the Lord places the obedience of His Son to the sinner\rquote s account. Christ\rquote s righteousness is accepted in place of man\rquote s failure, and God receives, pardons, justifies, the repentant, believing soul, treats him as though he were righteous, and loves him as He loves His Son.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1, p. 367. How can you learn to accept this wonderful truth for yourself? \b0\i (See also \cf1\ul Rom_3:22\cf0\ulnone .)\i0\par \tab The faith of Jesus Christ is here doubtless faith \i in\i0 Jesus Christ. As it operates in the Christian life, faith is much more than intellectual assent; it is more than just an acknowledgment of certain facts about Christ\rquote s life and His death. Instead, true faith in Jesus Christ is accepting Him as Savior, Substitute, Surety, and Lord. It is choosing His way of life. It is trusting Him and seeking by faith to live according to His commandments.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1\par T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par Learning Cycle\i0\f2\fs24 \par \pu in Him, one in which-though self will constantly arise-the promises of victory are ours if we choose to claim them. Just as no one can breathe for you or cough for you or sneeze for you, no one can choose for you to surrender to Christ. You alone can make that choice. There\rquote s no other way to attain for yourself the victories that are promised us in Jesus.\par \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf2\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M Mth an extended discussion of the glorious deliverance \i (Romans 8). \i0 Paul summarizes what he has said in the preceding verses and confesses once again to the conflict against the forces of sin.\par \tab Others suggest that by \ldblquote I myself,\rdblquote Paul means, \ldblquote left to myself, leaving Christ out of the picture.\rdblquote However these verses are understood, one point should remain clear: left to ourselves, without Christ, we are helpless against sin. With Christ we have a new lifeul\b0\i Rom_7:24-25\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\i0 Some have wondered why, after reaching the glorious climax in the expression \ldblquote I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord,\rdblquote Paul should refer once more to the struggles of the soul from which he apparently had been delivered. Some understand the expression of thanksgiving as a parenthetical exclamation. They believe that such an exclamation follows naturally the cry, \ldblquote Who shall deliver?\rdblquote They hold that before proceeding wie the body of this death.\rdblquote\par \tab The law of the mind is God\rquote s law, God\rquote s revelation of His will. Under conviction of the Holy Spirit, Paul consented to this law. His mind resolved to keep it, but when he tried, he couldn\rquote t, because his body wanted to sin. Who hasn\rquote t felt that same struggle? In your mind you know what you want to do, but your flesh clamors for something else.\par \b\tab How can we be rescued from this difficult situation we find ourselves in? \cf1\e struggle in your own life, even as a Christian?\par \tab\b0 In this passage, Paul equates the law in his members (his body) with the law of sin. \ldblquote With the flesh,\rdblquote Paul says, he served \ldblquote the law of sin\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_7:25\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 But serving sin and obeying its law means death \i (see \cf1\ul Rom_7:10-11\cf4\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_7:13\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 Hence, his body-as it was now functioning in obedience to sin-fittingly could be described as \ldblquot involved in this transition from Judaism to Christianity was one of Paul\rquote s principal aims in the book of Romans. It would take time to make the transition.\par \tab\b What are some of your favorite Bible promises? How often do you claim them? What choices are you making that can stand in the way of having these promises fulfilled in your life? \b0\par \fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-630\li720\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\tx9000\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par The Lesson in Brief\i0\f2\fs24\par \par Key Text: \cf4\ul\b0\i Joh_1:17\cf3\ulnone\b\par \i0\par The Student Will:\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Know: \b0 Describe the great divide between legalism and righteousness by faith in the early church as well as in the church today.\par \b\par Feel: \b0 Appreciate Paul and other church leaders\rquote passionate defense of righteousness by faith.\par \b\par Do: \b0 Examine his or her life for evidence of the light and power of grace, as well as the gift of obedience.\b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Learning Outline:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li990\tx270\tx990\tx1710\tx2430\tx3150\tx3870\tx4590\tx5310\tx6030\tx6750\tx7470\tx8190 I. Know: The Slide Toward Works\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0 A. Some Jewish Christians emphasized Jewish laws and traditions as necessary for Gentile converts to follow, while others emphasized salvation by faith alone as critical for Jews and Gentiles alike. What were the consequences?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\txYhe Bible for victory over it?\par \par \cf3\ul\b0\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 The Lesson in Brief\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx7800\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Key Text:\b0 \cf4\ul\i Rom_6:11\cf3\ulnone\par \i0\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\txyone for salvation. Romans 10 makes it very clear that \ldblquote there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_10:12\cf0\ulnone )\i0 -all are sinners and all need God\rquote s grace as given to the world through Jesus Christ. This grace comes to all-not by nationality, not by birth, and not by works of the law but by faith in Jesus, who died as the Substitute for sinners everywhere. Roles may change, but the basic plan of salvation never does.\par \tab Paul continues wi\par \dn10\fs108 T\up0\fs22 his week\rquote s lesson covers Romans 10 and 11, with a focus especially on chapter 11. It\rquote s important to read both chapters in their entirety in order to continue to follow Paul\rquote s line of thinking. \par \tab These two chapters have been, and remain, the focal point of much discussion. One point, however, comes clear through them all, and that is God\rquote s love for humanity and His great desire to see all humanity saved. There is no corporate rejection of anath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\fs24\par \par \b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study:\b0 \cf1\ul\i Rom_10:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter, \cf1\ul Rom_11:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter.\b\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\i0 Memory Text: \ldblquote I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_11:1\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\fs24man\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f5\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sa100\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 11\b0\fs24 \i\fs28 *September 4-10\fs24\par \par \b\i0\fs40 The Election \i of\i0 Grace\par \par \scaps\fs32 Sabbkth this theme in chapter 11. Here, too, as stated earlier, it\rquote s important to understand that when Paul talks about election and calling, the issue isn\rquote t one of salvation but one of the role in God\rquote s plan for reaching the world. No one group has been rejected for salvation; that was never the issue. Instead, after the Cross, and after the introduction of the gospel to the Gentiles, particularly through Paul, the early movement of believers-both Jew and Gentile-took on the mantle of evaebt and not a gift. And for beings corrupt and fallen as we are, salvation has to be a gift.\par \tab To prove his point about salvation by faith alone, Paul goes all the way to the book of Genesis, quoting \cf1\ul Gen_15:6\cf2\ulnone \cf0 -\ldblquote Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness\rdblquote \i (NIV). \i0 Here\rquote s justification by faith in one of the earliest pages of the Bible. \tab\tab\tab\tab\par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 31.\par \i0\fs24\page\b\scaps\fs32 Sunday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 July 25\i0\fs24\par \pard\sb100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\b\fs28 The Law Established\fs24\tab\tab\tab\par \tab\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Rom_3:31\cf0\ulnone . What\rquote s Paul\rquote s point here? Why is this point important to us as Adventists?\b0\i\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx720to keep reckoning ourselves dead to sin and alive unto Christ. Though the promises of victory are there, we must claim them-by faith. We always must remember, too, that God\rquote s grace abounds, even when we sin. If not, what hope would any of us have, even after being baptized?\par \tab\b What has been your experience with the power of sin in your life, even after baptism? What choices are you making that allow sin the power over you that it shouldn\rquote t have, despite all the promises we have in tfcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 7\b0 \i *August 7-13\i0\fs24\par \par \b\fs40 Victory Over Sin\b0\fs24\par \fs40\par \b\scaps\fs32 Sabbath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\fs24\par \par \b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study:\b0 \cf1\ul\i Rom_6:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter; \cf1\ul 1Jn_1:8-10\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul 1Jn_2:1\cf0\ulnone .\b\i0\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920 Memory Text:\b0 \b\ldblquote Sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law,\b0 \b but under grace\rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf1\ul Rom_6:14\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\fs24\par \pard\keepn\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\dn10\fs108 H\up0\fs22 aving just expounded on justification by faith, apart from the deeds of the law, Paul then proceeds to answer the obvious question: If works can\rquote t save us, why bother with them at all? Why not just keep on sinning?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\i\tab\i0 Chapter 6 is his answer to this important question. Paul here is dealing with what commonly is understood as \ldblquote sanctification,\rdblquote the process by which we overcome sin and more and more reflect the character of Christ. Yet, the word \i sanctification\i0 itself appears nowhere in Romans. (The word \i sanctified\i0 occurs once, in \cf1\ul Rom_15:16\cf0\ulnone .)\par \tab Does this mean that Paul has nothing to say about what commonly is understood by sanctification? Not at all. He simply does not refer to it by that term. \par \tab In the Bible \ldblquote to sanctify\rdblquote means \ldblquote to dedicate,\rdblquote usually to God. Thus, to be sanctified is often presented as a past completed act. For example, \ldblquote all them which are sanctified\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Act_20:32\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 The sanctified ones in this definition are the ones who are dedicated to God.\par \tab But this biblical usage of \ldblquote sanctify\rdblquote in no way denies the important doctrine of sanctification or the fact that sanctification is the work of a lifetime. The Bible strongly endorses this doctrine, but it generally uses other terms to describe it.\par \tab This week we\rquote ll look at another side of salvation by faith, one that easily can be misunderstood, and that is: the promises of victory over sin in the life of one saved by Jesus.\par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 14.\par \i0\fs24\par \b\scaps\fs32 Sunday\b0\scaps0 \i\fs28 August 8\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Grace Abounding\fs24\par \fs22\tab\b0 In \cf1\ul Rom_5:20\cf0\ulnone , Paul makes a powerful statement: \ldblquote But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.\rdblquote His point was that no matter how much sin there is or how terrible the results of sin are, God\rquote s grace is sufficient to deal with it.\i What hope that should bring for each of us, especially when tempted to feel that our sins are too great to be forgiven!\i0 In the next verse, Paul shows that though sin has led to death, God\rquote s grace through Jesus has defeated death and can give us eternal life.\b\par \tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_6:1\cf0\ulnone . What logic is Paul dealing with here, and how, in the verses that follow, does he respond to that kind of thinking? \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_6:2-11\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\i0 Paul follows an interesting line of argument in chapter 6 as to why a justified person should not sin. To begin with, he says that we shouldn\rquote t sin, because we have died to sin. Then he explains what he means.\par \tab Immersion in the waters of baptism represents burial. What is buried? The \ldblquote old man\rdblquote of sin-that is, the body committing sin, the body dominated or ruled by sin. As a result, this \ldblquote body of sin\rdblquote is destroyed, so that we no longer serve sin. In Romans 6 sin is personified as a master who rules over his servants. Once the \ldblquote body of sin\rdblquote that served sin is destroyed, sin\rquote s mastery over it ceases. The one who rises from the watery grave comes up a new person who no longer serves sin. He or she now walks in newness of life.\par \b\tab\b0 Christ, having died, died once and for all, but He is now alive forevermore. Death can no more rule Him. So, the Christian who is baptized has died to sin once and for all and should never again come under its dominion.\par \tab Of course, as any baptized Christian knows, sin doesn\rquote t just automatically disappear from our lives once we come up out of the water. \i Not being ruled by sin isn\rquote t the same as not having to struggle with it.\i0 We have a daily, moment-by-moment battle t Christ offers and what He has done for them? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\b0\f1\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\ulnone\f2\fs24\par \par \b\par \b0\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b\f0\fs22\par \par \pard\cf4\b0\f4\par } we as Christians respond to them? Why is the hope we have in Jesus the only answer to that meaninglessness? \par \par \f3\'da\f0 Just as Adam\rquote s fall imposed a fallen nature on all of us, Jesus\rquote s victory offers the promise of eternal life to all of us who accept it by faith, no exceptions. With such a wonderful provision right there for us, what holds people back from reaching out and eagerly claiming it for themselves? How can each of us help those who are seeking to better understand whaHow has your faith sustained you through some terrible trials? What things did you learn from these trials about yourself and about God? Also, what have you learned that might be of assistance to others who might be going through some hard times themselves?\b0\par \par \b\f3\'d9\f0 Think about the reality of death, of what it does not only to life but to the \i meaning\i0 of life. Many writers and philosophers have lamented the ultimate meaninglessness of life because it ends in eternal death. How do ding His children that trying experiences come to them. Trials and obstacles are His chosen methods of discipline, and His appointed conditions of success. He who reads the hearts of men knows their weaknesses better than they themselves can know them. He sees that some have qualifications which, if rightly directed, could be used in the advancement of His work.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i The Acts of the Apostles, \i0 p. 524.\par \b\tab\par \fs28 Discussion Questions:\b0\fs24\par \b\f3\fs22\'d8\f0 ard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b\par \i\f1\fs28 STEP 1-Motivate\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Key Concept for Spiritual Growth: \b0 God will use any and all means in His power to bring us back into His family.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Just for Teachers: In this week\rquote s lesson we discuss and explore faith as our only means for reconciliation with God.\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx6570\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0\tab We are all recidivist crim5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 B. How did Paul and other church leaders face the first faction in the church?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\sa199\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-540\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b II. Feel: Better Promises\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4inals. We can\rquote t even remember when we started committing crimes. It just came naturally. After all, we grew up with other criminals, some of whom taught us-intentionally or not-how to commit more and better crimes.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 We know the difference between right and wrong, so we can\rquote t plead insanity. All our crimes are known to the judge, and there is no question of being i/par Tuesday\b0\scaps0 \i \fs28 September 21\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Giving No Offense\i\fs24\par \tab\i0\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Rom_14:15-23\cf0\ulnone \i (see also \cf1\ul 1Co_8:12-13\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 Summarize on the lines below the gist of what Paul is saying. What principle can we take from this passage that we can apply in all areas of our life?\b0\par \i\tab\i0 In\i \cf1\ul Rom_14:17-20\cf0\ulnone \i0 Paul is putting various aspects of Christianity into proper perspective0320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Why were Paul and other leaders in the church so ardent about not burdening Christian believers with superfluous religious traditions? \par \par B. What are the \ldblquote better promises\rdblquote \i (\cf4\ul Heb_8:6\cf3\ulnone , NIV)\i0 held out to believers? What were some of the regulations that the church felt were important to note as still binding?\par \b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1080\li1800\tx1800\tx2160\tx288nnocent until proven guilty, because everyone knows we\rquote re guilty. Being sorry doesn\rquote t help. We face consecutive life sentences exceeded only by the consecutive death sentences.\par \par There\rquote s no hope. No lawyer is good enough to exonerate you, or even mitigate your punishment. But wait! Here comes that man that you\rquote ve heard about. How can you describe him? Well, he\rquote s something like a combination of the best points of Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Mozart, and Stephen Hawking   k)u06-Jul 31-Aug 6 - Expoun)a06-Jul 31-Aug 6 - Expounding the Faith{\rtf1\an)E06-Jul 31-Aug)}06-Jul 31-Aug 6 - Expounding the Faith{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fromaB)i06-Jul 31-Aug 6 - Expounding the Faith{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f4\fnil\fcharse, only better. He\rquote s on his way to accept multiple Nobel prizes; but instead, he decides to come to your trial. To make a long story short, he accepts the penalties that are rightfully yours and gives you the honor that is rightfully his. Where is this in any law book? Suddenly you are on your way to Stockholm, and He is on the way to the penitentiary. How does this make you feel?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Consider This: \b0 As humans we have a difficult time forgiving others. How should we\b \b0 respond to God\rquote s incredible act of forgiveness?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\b\par \cf0\scaps\f0\fs32 Tuesday\b0\scaps0 \i \fs28 July 20\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Grace and Justification\b0\fs24\par \b\fs22\tab Keeping in mind what we have studied so far about the law and what the law cannot do, read \cf1\ul Rom_3:24\cf0\ulnone\b0\i . \b\i0 What is Paul saying here? What does it mean that redemption is in Jesus?\b0\i\par \tab\i0 What is this idea of \ldblquote justifying,\rdblquote as found in the text? The Greek word \i dikaioo, \i0 translated \i justify\i0 , may mean \ldblquote make righteous,\rdblquote \ldblquote declare righteous\rdblquote or \ldblquote consider righteous.\rdblquote The word is built on the same root as \i dikaiosune, \i0\ldblquote righteousness,\rdblquote and the word \i dikaioma, \i0\ldblquote righteous requirement.\rdblquote Hence, there is a close connection between \ldblquote justification\rdblquote and \ldblquote righteousness,\rdblquote a connection that doesn\rquote t always come through in various translations. We are justified when we are \ldblquote declared righteous\rdblquote by God.\par \tab Before this justification, a person is unrighteous, and thus unacceptable to God; after justification, he or she is regarded as righteous, and thus acceptable to Him. \par \tab And this happens only through God\rquote s grace. \i Grace\i0 means favor. When a sinner turns to God for salvation, it is an act of grace to consider or declare that person to be righteous. It is unmerited favor, and the believer is justified without any merit of his or her own, without any claim to present to God in his or her own behalf except his or her utter helplessness. The person is justified through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, the redemption that Jesus offers as the sinner\rquote s substitute and surety.\par \tab Justification is presented in Romans as a punctiliar act; that is, it happens at a point in time. One moment the sinner is outside, unrighteous, and unaccepted; the next moment, following justification, the person is inside, accepted, and righteous.\par \tab The person who is in Christ looks upon justification as a past act, one that took place when he or she surrendered himself or herself fully to Christ. \ldblquote Being justified\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_5:1\cf0\ulnone ) \i0 is, literally, \ldblquote having been justified.\rdblquote\par \tab Of course, if the justified sinner should fall away and then return to Christ, justification would occur again. Also, if reconversion is considered a daily experience, there is a sense in which justification might be considered a repeating experience. \par \tab\b With the good news of salvation being so good, what holds people back from accepting it? In your own life, what kinds of things cause you to hold back from all that the Lord promises and offers you?\b0 \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs24\par \cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 2-Explore\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\i\f1\fs28 Bible Commentary\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1080\li1440\tx810\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 I.\tab Sin: Covered or Blotted Out?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0\i (Review with your class \cf3\ul\i0 Gen_3:1\cf2\ulnone\i - entire chapter, \cf3\ul Pro_28:13\cf2\ulnone , \cf3\ul Rom_3:25\cf2\ulnone , \cf3\ul Heb_9:5\cf2\ulnone , \cf3\ul Exo_25:18-21\cf2\ulnone .)\par \b\i0\par \b0\tab However good or righteous we think we are, our lives are full of sin. We know this truth, and our natural response is to cover our sins up. This reaction dates back to the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve realized that they were naked and made garments out of leaves \i (\cf3\ul Gen_3:7\cf2\ulnone )\i0 . In a way, this response is perfectly rational. Our sins separate us from both God and the better parts of ourselves. They need to be covered, so that we can relate to a holy God and discover the people God intended for us to be. But can we do this ourselves?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\cf3\ul Pro_28:13\cf2\ulnone says simply that \ldblquote he who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion\rdblquote \i (NASB).\i0 In other words, we cannot cover up our own sins and expect them to stay covered. What happens when we try to conceal our own sinful nature? First, our motives are not pure; when we hide our sins, we are most often motivated by the desire to appear to be good in the eyes of other people. God isn\rquote t fooled, and deep down we know this.\par \par Second, our concealment isn\rquote t any good. Sooner or later, the real sinful self peeks around the corners of our mask. Consider the garments of leaves made by Adam and Eve. What happens to leaves once you pluck them off the tree? They wither, and there you are, still naked under your garments.\par \par God wants to put your sin out of sight as much as you do-even more. He does not just want to hide it; He wants to blot it out. Only He can do it effectively. Refer again to Genesis 3. When God finds Adam and Eve and establishes what has happened, He makes garments out of skin to cover their nakedness. What\rquote s the difference between their covering and God\rquote s? Only the difference between leaves and leather. And that is the difference between failure and forgiveness.\par \par In this context it is important to note that the term rendered \i atonement\i0 or \i propitiation\i0 in most English translations of \cf3\ul Heb_9:5\cf2\ulnone is actually a reference to the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant. This seat was not truly \ldblquote a chair\rdblquote as we would think of it, but rather the lid that covered the ark of the covenant. On top of this plate were the two cherubim with outspread wings. At the mercy seat our sins are blotted out and banished from God\rquote s sight. The words in the original Hebrew refer to covering more than to legal notions of atonement.\par \par We want our sins out of sight. Only God, through the work of His Son Jesus Christ, can make them disappear for good.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b Consider This: \b0 Do you trust God to cover up and blot out your sins, or are you still trying to do it yourself? If the latter, what is stopping you from seeking God\rquote s forgiveness and compassion?\b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li720\tx720\tx900\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 II. Justified by Faith\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0\i (Review with your class \cf3\ul Rom_3:28\cf2\ulnone .)\par \b\i0\par \b0\tab God wants to forgive, conceal, and abolish our sins, and we want them forgiven, concealed, and abolished. How can we, unholy and unclean as we are, approach a God who is the polar opposite of all these thingsey were proven wrong before. Next bring out your hidden water bottle and fill the container again. \par \par \b Discuss:\b0 How does the activity visibly illustrate the importance of being open-minded and creative in our approach to God\rquote s work? Why should there always be \ldblquote space available\rdblquote for newer ideas and methodologies alongside older concepts?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Activity: \b0 Bring a large transparent glass container for filling. First, fill the container with large rocks. Ask, Is the container full? The expected response is \ldblquote full.\rdblquote Next bring out your hidden sack of sand, pouring sand into the container. Ask if the container is now full. Expect an affirmative answer, though some may hesitate because thfferences resolved-split churches, acrimonious exchanges, judgmental rhetoric? Perhaps understanding, open-mindedness, compassionate listening, and flexibility characterize your church. Blessed indeed are those who have experienced the latter rather than the former! \par \par Having established a common theological foundation, Paul now addresses the cultural disagreements in practice that threatened to fracture the church.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760blquote -Ellen G. White,\i Messages to Young People, \i0 p. 390.\par \fs24\par \b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\b0\fs24\par \b\f4\fs22\'d8\f0 Dwell on the question at the end of Thursday\rquote s lesson. How could your class help improve your church\rquote s reputation, if need be?\par \par \f4\'d9\f0 In class, share experiences about how a situation that at first seemed terrible was able to be turned to good. How can you use these experiences to help others who are struggling with unexpected calamit many of whom were as yet strangers to him, he sent them a letter announcing his purpose of visiting Rome and his hope of planting the standard of the cross in Spain.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Acts of the Apostles, \i0 p. 373.\par \tab\ldblquote The eternal God has drawn the line of distinction between the saint and the sinner, between converted and unconverted. The two classes do not blend into each other imperceptibly, like the colors of a rainbow, but are as distinct as midday and midnight.\rdid when he was personally with them.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Acts of the Apostles, \i0 p. 454.\i\par \i0\tab\ldblquote To see the Christian faith firmly established at the great center of the known world was one of his dearest hopes and most cherished plans. A church had already been established in Rome, and the apostle desired to secure the co-operation of the believers there in the work to be accomplished in Italy and in other countries. To prepare the way for his labors among these brethren,les. Read also The SDA Bible Dictionary, \i0 p. 922; and \i The SDA Bible Commentary, \i0 vol. 6, pp. 467, 468.\tab\par \par \tab\ldblquote While apparently cut off from active labor, Paul exerted a wider and more lasting influence than if he had been free to travel among the churches as in former years. As a prisoner of the Lord, he had a firmer hold upon the affections of his brethren; and his words, written by one under bonds for the sake of Christ, commanded greater attention and respect than they dOd it not? If God forced repentance, then would not everyone be saved, for why would He force some and not others to repent? \par \b\tab What comes to those who resist God\rquote s love, refuse to repent, and remain in disobedience? \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_2:5-10\cf0\ulnone .\tab\tab\tab\par \i0\tab In these verses, and frequently throughout the book of Romans, Paul emphasizes the place of good works. Justification by faith without the deeds of the law must never be construed to mean that good works have no plathese passages to read in closing your class. \cf2\f3\fs22\par \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Friday\scaps0\fs36\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab \b0\i\fs28 July 2\b\i0\fs24\par \fs28 Further Study:\fs24 \b0\fs22 Read Ellen G. White, \ldblquote The Mysteries of the Bible,\rdblquote p. 706, in \i Testimonies for the Church, \i0 vol. 5; \ldblquote Salvation to the Jews,\rdblquote pp. 372-374, in \i The Acts of the Apostr the spread of the gospel that fueled Paul\rquote s life, what special message do you have that deserves the devotion of your life? Challenge class members to search for their favorite passages of Paul\rquote s declaration of mission and use them to design their own mission statements.\par \par \pard\li720\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920 5. What concise passages of Paul\rquote s writings describe the deep fervor of his mission? Choose one of ). \i0 Paul envisioned the diminishing and the casting away to be only temporary and to be followed by fullness and reception. This is Paul\rquote s second answer to the question raised at the beginning of this chapter, \ldblquote Hath God cast away his people?\rdblquote What appears to be a casting away, he says, is only a temporary situation.\b\par \tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_11:16-24\cf0\ulnone . What is Paul saying to us here?\b0\par \i\tab\i0 Paul likens the faithful remnant in Israel to a noble olive tree, some of whose branches have been broken off (the unbelieving ones)-an illustration he used to prove that \ldblquote God hath not cast away his people\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul\i0 Rom_11:2\cf0\ulnone\i ). \i0 The root and trunk are still there.\par \tab Into this tree the believing Gentiles have been grafted. But they are drawing their sap and vitality from the root and trunk, which represent believing Israel.\par \i\tab\i0 What happened to those who rejected Jesus could happen also to the believing Gentiles. The Bible teaches no doctrine of \ldblquote once saved, always saved.\rdblquote Just as salvation is freely offered, it freely can be rejected. Though we have to be careful of thinking that every time we fall we are out of salvation, or that unless we are perfect we aren\rquote t saved, we need to avoid the opposite ditch as well-the idea that once God\rquote s grace covers us, there is nothing we can do, no choices we can make, that will take the provision of salvation away from us. In the end, only those who \ldblquote continue in his goodness\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_11:22\cf0\ulnone ) \i0 will be saved.\par \tab No believer should boast of his or her own goodness or feel any superiority over his or her fellow human beings. Our salvation was not earned; it was a gift. Before the Cross, before the standard of God\rquote s holiness, we all are equal: sinners in need of divine grace, sinners in need of a holiness that can be ours only through grace. We have nothing of ourselves to boast about; our boasting should be only in Jesus and what He has done for us by coming into this world in human flesh, suffering our woes, dying for our sins, offering us a model for how we are to live, and promising us the power to live that life. In it all, we are completely dependent upon Him, for without Him we would have no hope beyond what this world itself offers.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1\par T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 STEP 2-Explore\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers: Individuals, bent on establishing their own righteousness, impede rather than facilitate God\rquote s saving purpose. How can we avoid both the pitfalls of legalism and license (the \ldblquote anything goes\rdblquote philosophy)?\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\i\f1\fs28 Bible Commentary\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 I. The End of the Law\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b0\i (Review \cf3\ul Rom_10:1-4\cf2\ulnone with the class.)\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab This passage is not saying that God has abolished the Ten Commandments or the Old Testament. The Greek word for \i\ldblquote end\rdblquote\i0 means ending in the sense of \ldblquote finish line,\rdblquote the \ldblquote goal\rdblquote toward which movement is directed, as in \ldblquote outcome.\rdblquote In other words, the teaching of the Torah (Moses\rquote books), including the Ten Commandments, leads us to the finish line, who is Christ. Far from leading to license-\ldblquote do anything you want because God ditched the Ten Commandments\rdblquote -Paul establishes the value of the Torah, specifically, and the Old Testament, generally, in pointing us to Christ.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx86 z e07-Aug x 507-Aug 7-13 - Victory Over Sin{\rtf1\ansi\a q07-Aug 7-13 - Victory Ove u07-Aug 7-13 - Victory Over Sin{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\de -07-Aug 7-13 - Victory Over Sin{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f5\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f6\fnil\40\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 Can the idea that the Ten Commandments have been abolished be reconciled with Jesus\rquote testimony in \cf3\ul Mat_5:17-19\cf2\ulnone ? Justify your response.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi90\li270\tx270\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b II. The Grafted Branch\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b0\i (Review \cf3\ul Rom_11:11-24\cf2\ulnone with the class.)\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab Knowing that the heart is deceitful, Paul cautions the Gentile believers. He does not want them to be ensnared by the entitlement attitude of his Jewish brothers. To prevent this mistake, he reminds them that they were grafted branches; the Jewish branches had been removed for one cause-that of disbelief. Clearly, the Gentiles could be removed for the same reason. The determining factor for all was trust. Those who continued trusting were \ldblquote in,\rdblquote and those who ceased trusting were \ldblquote out,\rdblquote regardless of ethnic background. Once again Paul undercut the entitlement attitude that divided the Roman church.\par \pard\nowidctlpakr\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 How do we address the entitlement attitude (\ldblquote Do things my way-I\rquote m a fifth-generation member\rdblquote ) that still plagues churches? How do genuine conversion and evangelistic activity mitigate the human tendency toward exclusiveness? \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\txwith Jesus here in this life, only to spend the next one burning forever in the fires of hell. What\rquote s wrong with that picture? How does that view contrast with our understanding of these same issues?\par \par \f4\'d9\f0 How do you see the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its calling in the world today paralleling the role of ancient Israel in its day? What are the similarities and the differences? In what ways are we doing better? Or are we doing worse? Justify your answer.\cf3\ul\b0\f1\par } ar \f4\fs22\'d8\f0 Certain Christians teach that, even before we were born, God chose some to be saved and some to be lost. If you happened to have been one of those whom God, in His infinite love and wisdom, preordained to be lost, then no matter the choices you make, you are doomed to perdition, which many people believe means burning in hell for eternity. In other words, through no choice of our own, but only through God\rquote s providence, some are predestined to live without a saving relationship darkness are round about Him: righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne.\rquote \cf1\ul Psa_97:2\cf0\ulnone , R.V. We can so far comprehend His dealing with us as to discern boundless mercy united to infinite power. We can understand as much of His purposes as we are capable of comprehending; beyond this we may still trust the hand that is omnipotent, the heart that is full of love.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Education, \i0 p. 169.\par \fs24\par \b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\fs24\pof the mouth of God, that he may be, not a hearer only, but a doer of the word. This is Bible election.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, \i0 pp. 453, 454.\par \tab\ldblquote No finite mind can fully comprehend the character or the works of the Infinite One. We cannot by searching find out God. To minds the strongest and most highly cultured, as well as to the weakest and most ignorant, that holy Being must remain clothed in mystery. But though \lquote clouds and Bible reveals. Man is elected to work out his own salvation with fear and trembling. He is elected to put on the armor, to fight the good fight of faith. He is elected to use the means God has placed within his reach to war against every unholy lust, while Satan is playing the game of life for his soul. He is elected to watch unto prayer, to search the Scriptures, and to avoid entering into temptation. He is elected to have faith continually. He is elected to be obedient to every word that proceedeth out ?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Once again, we run into the idea of faith. In our present state we cannot even accurately perceive God if left to our own devices. So God freely gives us the means to communicate with Him. This means is called faith. Faith is not merely belief. In the Christian context, faith involves trust. Trust in God as a person. Trust that God is real and that He is working on our behalf.\par \par Faith is not necessarily an emotion. We don\rquote t always feel God\rquote s presence, nor do we always feel \ldblquote faithful,\rdblquote or full of faith. Every human is going to have moments of doubt, moments during which he or she is walking down the street and suddenly wonders, \ldblquote Is this for real? Or am I fooling myself?\rdblquote Nor is faith something we arrive at through logic. It exists beyond logic, emotion, and all other human categories, because it is of divine origigroups? How has the church blended those various strengths? Has variety produced disharmony? \par \par Age is another factor that often divides churches. Social scientists even speak of youth culture as if it were a separate entity, encapsulating unique values, social patterns, and language. Does harmonious interaction between various age groups exist in your church? Do cultural battles erupt over musical preferences, Sabbath observance, and evangelistic methodology? When Christians disagree, how are diolve the disputes between the two groups; but the fact that the book of Romans was written several years after the council testifies to the difficulty of resolving these differences. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 If the early church, nearest in historical time to the advent of Christ, had these difficulties, should we be surprised that churches today struggle for harmony? Does your church include various ethnic 40\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab Because Rome was a cultural melting pot, it is not surprising that the believers\rquote various backgrounds led to divergent understandings about living the Christian life. While Jewish and Gentile Christians were alike committed to Jesus as their Savior, their cultural upbringing induced a certain amount of tension as the two groups tried to live out their commitment. The Jerusalem council \i (Acts 15)\i0 was an attempt to respar \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Key Concept for Spiritual Growth: \b0 Believers may agree on the principles of Scripture but disagree on the methods of living out those principles. In such cases, grace and understanding should take precedence over judgment and condemnation.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx14 is warning about here? Why must we be careful in not seeking to be the conscience of others, no matter how good our intentions?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\par \cf2\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par Learning Cycle\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \i\f1\fs28 STEP 1-Motivate\i0\f2\fs24\(see \cf1\ul 1Co_8:4\cf0\ulnone ),\i0 so who cares if some pagan offered the food to a statue of a frog or a bull?\i \i0\par \tab A person should not be made to violate his or her conscience, even if the conscience is overly sensitive. This fact the \ldblquote strong\rdblquote brethren apparently did not understand. They despised the scrupulosity of the \ldblquote weak\rdblquote brethren and put stumbling blocks in their way.\par \tab\b Might you, in your zeal for the Lord, be in danger of what Pauler for another. In this important sense, we are \i not\i0 our brother\rquote s keeper.\par \b\tab Keeping the context in mind, how do you understand what Paul is saying in \cf1\ul Rom_14:14\cf0\ulnone ?\b0\par \tab The subject is still foods sacrificed to idols. The issue is, clearly, not the distinction between the foods deemed clean and unclean. Paul is saying that there is nothing wrong per se in eating foods that might have been offered to idols. After all, what is an idol anyway? It is nothing \i ).\i0 \par \b\tab Of what significance is the statement from the Old Testament that Paul introduced here? \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_14:11\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\i0 The citation from \cf1\ul Isa_45:23\cf0\ulnone supports the thought that \i all\i0 must appear for judgment. \ldblquote Every knee\rdblquote and \ldblquote every tongue\rdblquote individualizes the summons. The implication is that each one will have to answer for his or her own life and deeds\i (\cf1\ul Rom_14:12\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 No one can answn.\par \par When God gives us this faith, we can recognize and move past our human weaknesses. We can trust God to remove our sins and know that He has done it in a way that is beyond our usual ways of knowing and perceiving. In turn, we receive the power to become the people God meant us to be and to do the things that such people do. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b Consider This: \b0 How does our faith change the way we live our lives in concrete, observable ways? \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Wednesday\b0\scaps0\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i\fs28 July 21\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28\ldblquote His Righteousness\rdblquote\b0\fs24\par \i\tab\i0\fs22 In \cf1\ul Rom_3:25\cf0\ulnone , Paul expounds further on the great news of salvation. He uses a fancy word, \i propitiation. \i0 The Greek word for it, \i hilasterion, \i0 occurs in the New Testament only here and in \cf1\ul Heb_9:5\cf0\ulnone , where it is translated \i mercy-seat\i0 . As used in \cf1\ul Rom_3:25\cf0\ulnone , describing the offer of justification and redemption through Christ, propitiation seems to represent the fulfillment of all that was typified by the\i \i0 mercy-seat in the Old Testament sanctuary. What this means, then, is that by His sacrificial death, Jesus has been set forth as the means of salvation and is represented as the One providing the propitiation. In short, it means that God did what was needed to save us.\par \tab The text also talks about the \ldblquote remission of sins.\rdblquote It is our sins that make us unacceptable to God. We can do nothing of ourselves to cancel our sins. But in the plan of redemption, God has provided a way for these sins to be remitted through faith in Christ\rquote s blood.\par \tab The word for \i remission \i0 is the Greek \i paresis, \i0 literally \ldblquote passing over\rdblquote or \ldblquote passing by.\rdblquote The \ldblquote passing over\rdblquote is in no sense an ignoring of sins. God can pass over the sins of the past because, by His death, Christ has paid the penalty for all men\rquote s sins. Anyone, therefore, who has \ldblquote faith in His blood\rdblquote can have his or her sins remitted, for Christ has already died for them \i (\cf1\ul 1Co_15:3\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_3:26-27\cf0\ulnone . What point is Paul making here?\b0\i\par \tab\i0 The good news that Paul was eager to share with all who would listen was that there was available to man \ldblquote his [that is, God\rquote s] righteousness,\rdblquote\i \i0 and that it comes to us, not by works, not by our merit, but by faith in Jesus and what He has done for us.\par \tab Because of the cross of Calvary, God can declare sinners righteous and still be considered just and fair in the eyes of the universe. Satan can point no accusing finger at God, for Heaven has made the supreme sacrifice. Satan had accused God of asking of the human race more than He was willing to give. The Cross refutes this claim.\par \b\tab Satan expected God to destroy the world after it sinned; instead, He sent Jesus to save it. What does that tell us about the character of God? How should our knowledge of His character impact how we live? What will you do differently in the next 24 hours directly as a result of knowing what God is like?\b0\tab\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 3-Practice\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par Just for Teachers: Emphasize to your students that we are saved not on the basis of our goodness but by the saving grace and goodness of God.\b0\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Thought Questions:\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0 What, if any, parallels to Christ\rquote s substitution for us are found in human law or justice? What does this tell us about how God\rquote s law is incomprehensibly higher than human law? What does it tell us about the purpose of God\rquote s law as compared to human law, which is concerned primarily with discipline and punishment?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 In what ways are the righteousness of the law and the righteousness of God identical or complementary?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 How were people saved before Jesus Christ appeared on earth and lived and died? If they were saved in the same way, do you think they understood the concept of salvation the same as we do? Why or why not? In the same vein, what things might there be that we don\rquote t understand about salvation at present but will understand more fully later?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Application Questions:\b0\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 In the abstract, most of us can accept that sin is sin and that no one sinner is better than any other. On the other hand, most of us would rather live next to a hypocrite or a gossip than a mass murderer. Society also disdains or condemns some sins more than other sins. So, in what sense are all sins equal?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Christ\rquote s sacrifice takes away the legal guilt of our sins, but we often may face present circumstances stemming from past actions. How can we make our acceptance by God seem real to us?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Only through Christ\rquote s sacrifice and substitution for us can we keep the law. How, and why? Is it because we have more motivation? Do we have access to supernatural power that we didn\rquote t before? Explain.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\f0\fs22\par \b\scaps\fs32 Thursday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 July 22\i0\fs24 \par \b\fs28 Faith and Works\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\fs22\ldblquote Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_3:28\cf0\ulnone ).\b \i0 Does this mean that we are not required to obey the law, even if it doesn\rquote t save us? Explain you0\tx7920\tab\i0 In this passage, Paul states emphatically that faith does not make void God\rquote s law. Even those who kept the law, even the entire Old Testament corpus of law, were never saved by it. The religion of the Old Testament, as that of the New, was always one of God\rquote s grace given to sinners by faith. \par \tab\b Read \cf1\ul Rom_4:1-8\cf0\ulnone . How does this show that even in the Old Testament, salvation was by faith and not by works of the law? \b0\i\par \tab\i0 According to this Old Testament narrative, Abraham was accounted righteous because he \ldblquote believed God.\rdblquote Therefore, the Old Testament itself teaches righteousness by faith. Hence, any implication that faith \ldblquote makes void\rdblquote (Greek \i katargeo, \i0\ldblquote renders useless,\rdblquote \ldblquote invalidates\rdblquote ) the law is false; salvation by faith is very much part of the Old Testament. Grace is taught all the way through it. What, for instance, was the entire sanctuary ritual if not a representation of how sinners are saved, not by their own works but by the death of a substitute in their stead? \i\par \tab\i0 Also, what else can explain how David was forgiven after the sordid affair with Bathsheba? Certainly it wasn\rquote t law-keeping that saved him, for he violated so many principles of the law that it condemned him on numerous counts. If David were to be saved by the law, then David would not be saved at all. \par \tab Paul sets forth David\rquote s restoration to divine favor as an example of justification by faith. Forgiveness was an act of God\rquote s grace. Here, then, is another example from the Old Testament of righteousness by faith. In fact, however legalistic many in ancient Israel became, the Jewish religion was always a religion of grace. Legalism was a perversion of it, not its foundation. \tab\b\par \b0\tab\b Dwell for a few minutes on David\rquote s sin and restoration\i (\cf1\ul 2Sa_11:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter, \cf1\ul 2Sa_12:1\cf0\ulnone - entire )chapter; \cf1\ul Psa_51:1-19\cf0\ulnone ).\b0 \b\i0 What hope can you draw from that sad story for yourself?\b0 \b Is there a lesson here in how we in the church should treat those who have fallen? \b0\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par Theht fool ourselves by our hypocrisy, but not God, who warned us: \ldblquote Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Mat_7:1-4\cf0\ulnone x8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Monday\b0\scaps0 \fs24 \i\fs28 September 20\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 With What Measure You Mete\fs24\par \tab\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Rom_14:10\cf0\ulnone . What reason does Paul give here for us to be careful about how we judge others? \b0\i\par \tab\i0 We tend to judge others harshly at times, and often for the same things that we ourselves do. How often, though, what we do doesn\rquote t seem as bad to us as when others do the same thing. We migard\nowidctlpar\li1800\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Summary:\b0 Though we may all have differences in how we understand our duty to God, as we foster acceptance and respect and learn from one another we will grow closer as a result.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tver differences with us in spiritual matters?\b \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b III. Do: Building Up the Body\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. What are some of the ways we can foster a spirit of unity among a body of believers who are different in many ways?\b\par \p riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_2:4\cf0\ulnone ). \b\i0 What message is here for us?\b0 \i\par \tab\i0 We should notice that God\rquote s goodness leads, not forces, sinners to repentance. God uses no coercion. He is infinitely patient and seeks to draw all men by His love. A forced repentance would destroy the whole purpose of repentance, woul\b\scaps\fs32 Thursday\b0\scaps0\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i\fs28 July 15\b\i0\fs24\par \fs28 Repentance\b0\fs24\tab\par \tab\fs22 A five-year-old boy pushed his little sister down, and the parents made him say he was sorry. He didn\rquote t want to, and out of the side of his mouth, with no sincerity and eyes boring into the ground, he barely squeezed out, \ldblquote Sorry.\rdblquote Hardly true repentance, for sure.\b\par \tab With that story in mind, read the following: \ldblquote Despisest thou the\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 What are the dangers of a too-acute perception of the sins of \i others?\i0 See \cf4\ul Rom_2:1\ulnone \cf3 - entire chapter.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\f0\fs22\par 200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Application Questions:\b0\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Why is it so difficult to convince people today of human sinfulness? Why is it crucial to a saving acceptance of Jesus Christ? How would you tactfully present this concept to those who do not understand or accept it?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx1080\tx1440\tx2160n preached from the pulpit that \ldblquote you don\rquote t have to be good to be saved, but you have to be saved to be good.\rdblquote Do you agree or disagree? Why? Is it possible to be good without being saved, and if so, what is meant by \ldblquote good\rdblquote in this context?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1154\tx1154\tx1439\tx2159\tx2879\tx3599\tx4319\tx5039\tx5759\tx6479\tx7199\tx7919\tx8639\tx9359 \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7that this was literally true in the discovery of \ldblquote gospels\rdblquote that served mainly to use Christ to espouse some pet idea or doctrine. What kind of false gospels exist today?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 It has bee20\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0 Paul makes it a point to refer to the \ldblquote gospel of Christ\rdblquote in \cf4\ul Rom_1:16\cf3\ulnone , as well as later in \cf4\ul 1Co_9:16-18\cf3\ulnone . For most of us, there is only one gospel, and it pertains to Jesus Christ. But clearly, Paul thought that there were other, competing (and false) gospels. He makes this more explicit later on in \cf4\ul Gal_1:6-9\cf3\ulnone . In recent decades we have seen \tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par Just for Teachers: Encourage your students to use these questions to think about the Christian hope as it relates to their own lives and to the world at large.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Thought Questions:\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx7ly in your own mind, condemn others for things that you, yourself, are guilty of? How, by taking heed of what Paul has written here, can you change?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\par \cf3\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 3-Practice\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720lquote pp. 261, 262, in \i The Great Controversy\i0 ;\b \b0\ldblquote Faith and Works,\rdblquote\i \i0 pp. 530, 531, in\i The SDA Encyclopedia; \i0 Ellen G. White Comments, pp. 1099, 1100, in \i The SDA Bible Commentary, \i0 vol. 1.\i\par \i0\tab\ldblquote There is an election of individuals and a people, the only election found in the word of God, where man is elected to be saved. Many have looked at the end, thinking they were surely elected to have heavenly bliss; but this is not the election the  temperance periodicals for the library. Third month: Sponsor a free music giveaway drawing at a basketball game (contemporary Christian music that students relate to, of course).\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\f3\fs23\par \cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Friday\b0\scaps0 \i\fs28 September 3\b\i0\fs24\par \fs28 Further Study:\fs24 \b0\fs22 Read Ellen G. White, \ldblquote Later English Reformers,\rdb 3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Activity:\b0 Discuss methods your class will deploy for this invasion of Satan\rquote s realm. Develop a timetable. Example: projected target: local high school. First month: Put a booth on campus during Community Resource Day to invite students to join your church drama group, biking club, softball team, etcetera. Second month: Sponsor Because there is a cognitive component to conversion, exercise care in finding the best literature/study material available for your endeavor. In a military assault, the invasion planners assess which weapons are needed to surmount the obstacles between the invading force and the objective. This assessment is not one-size-fits-all. Similarly, Christians should carefully plan which tools are best suited for this invasion of Satan\rquote s territory.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\txcause, as Jews, they had been given more light than the Gentiles.\par \tab Paul\rquote s point in all this is that none of us are righteous, none of us meet the divine standard, none of us are innately good or inherently holy. Jew or Gentile, male or female, rich or poor, God-fearing or God-rejecting, we all are condemned, and were it not for the grace of God, as revealed in the gospel, there would be no hope for any of us.\par \tab\b How big of a hypocrite are you? That is, how often do you, even if on0\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tx10080\tx10800\b II. Feel: Valuing One Another\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Though it is important to follow our individual consciences, why must we also be sensitive to how the things we do influence others?\par \par B. How should we relate to church members who express concern over our lifestyle or actions or o we each may have a different understanding of what God is asking us to do, why must we accept and encourage one another in the following of our individual consciences and be willing to learn from one another?\par \par B. What are some of the differences that arise when church members follow their consciences in obeying God? \par \par C. How can these differences lead to division, and how can they lead to growth?\b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-540\li1440\sa199\tx1440\tx216g up of Christ\rquote s body. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Learning Outline:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi990\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b I. Know: Unified in Diversity\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. While \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Know:\b0 Explain the importance of letting each person follow God\rquote s will as best as he or she knows how, while at the same time being sensitive to how our actions affect others around us.\par \par \b Feel:\b0 Value unity in Christ as a principle that informs both our independence and interdependence.\par \par \b Do:\b0 Do whatever it takes to contribute to peace and the buildinx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs24\par \cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \ulnone\b\i\fs28\par The Lesson in Brief\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qc\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Key Text:\b0 \cf3\ul\i Rom_15:5\cf2\ulnone\par \par \b\i0 The Student Will:\par  \par \tab\b Though we need to keep in mind the principles seen in today\rquote s lesson, are there not times and places where we need to step in and judge, if not a person\rquote s heart, at least the actions? Are we to step back and say and do nothing in every situation? \cf1\ul Isa_56:10\cf0\ulnone describes watchmen as \ldblquote dumb dogs, they cannot bark.\rdblquote How can we know when to speak and when to keep silent? How do we strike the right balance here?\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\ttoo, to realize that Paul in verse 3 does not speak negatively of the one \ldblquote weak in the faith.\rdblquote Nor does he give this person advice as to how to become strong. So far as God is concerned, the overscrupulous Christian (judged overscrupulous, apparently, not by God but by his or her fellow Christians) is accepted. \ldblquote God hath received him.\rdblquote\par \b\tab How does \cf1\ul Rom_14:4\cf0\ulnone amplify what we\rquote ve just looked at?\b0  any animal, clean or otherwise, could be eaten, they would be misapplied. Comparison with other New Testament passages would rule against such an application. \par \tab Meanwhile, to \ldblquote receive\rdblquote one weak in the faith meant to accord him or her full membership and social status. The person was not to be argued with but given the right to his or her opinion.\tab\tab\par \tab\b What principle should we take, then, from \cf1\ul Rom_14:1-3\cf0\ulnone ? \b0\par \tab It\rquote s important, cf0\ulnone ). \i0 Some Christians didn\rquote t care about that at all; others, if there were the slightest doubt, chose to eat vegetables instead. The issue had nothing to do with the question of vegetarianism and healthful living. Nor is Paul implying in this passage that the distinction between clean and unclean meats has been abolished. This is not the subject under consideration. If the words \ldblquote he may eat all things\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_14:2\cf0\ulnone ) \i0 were taken to mean that nownday\b0\scaps0 \i \fs28 September 19\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 The Weak Brother\b0\fs24\par \i\tab\i0\fs22 In \cf1\ul Rom_14:1-3\cf0\ulnone , the question was the eating of meats that may have been sacrificed to idols. The Jerusalem council \i (Acts 15) \i0 ruled that Gentile converts should refrain from using such foods in their diet. But there was always the question as to whether meats sold in public markets had come from animals sacrificed to idols \i (see \cf1\ul 1Co_10:25\dblquote commentary.\rdblquote Though very strong on some points, Paul takes a much freer attitude regarding other things. That\rquote s because these things are nonessentials, \ldblquote commentary,\rdblquote as it were. Yet, at the same time, though the issues themselves might not have been crucial, the attitude the Christians had toward each other in dealing with these issues was. \par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 25.\par \i0\fs24\par \b\scaps\fs32 Suame before focused very much on the foundational principles of salvation. What is the role of the law-be it the whole Old Testament system or just the Ten Commandments-in the area of salvation? Paul needed to define clearly what are the grounds upon which God accepts a person. Perhaps the whole thing could be summarized by the pagan jailer\rquote s question, \ldblquote What must I do to be saved?\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Act_16:30\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 \par \tab With that explained, Paul now engages in some \lblquote what seems to you to be hurtful; that is the whole Torah. All the rest is commentary.\rdblquote\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab Whether or not one agrees with the rabbi\rquote s statement, he does have a point. Some aspects of our faith are foundational and others mere \ldblquote commentary.\rdblquote This week\rquote s lesson looks at some of that \ldblquote commentary.\rdblquote What this means is that all that cer? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_14:10\cf0\ulnone ).\b\i0\fs24\par \pard\keepn\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\dn10\fs108 S\up0\fs22 omeone approached a famous rabbi of antiquity and asked him to explain the whole meaning of the Torah while standing on one leg. \ldblquote Do not do to another,\rdblquote the rabbi said on one leg, \ldtember 18-24\fs24\par \par \b\i0\fs40 All \i the\i0 Rest \i Is\i0 Commentary\par \par \scaps\fs32 Sabbath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\fs24\par \par \b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study:\b0 \cf1\ul\i Rom_14:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter; \cf1\ul Rom_15:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter; \cf1\ul Rom_16:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter.\b\tab\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\i0 Memory Text: \ldblquote Why dost thou judge thy brothr answer.\b0\i\par \tab\i0 In the historical context, Paul was speaking in \cf1\ul Rom_3:28\cf0\ulnone of law in its broad sense of the system of Judaism. No matter how conscientiously a Jew tried to live under this system, if he or she failed to accept Jesus as the Messiah, that person could not be justified.\par \tab This verse is Paul\rquote s conclusion from his claim that the law of faith excludes boasting. If a man were justified by his own actions, he could boast about it. But when he is justified because Jesus is the object of his faith, then the credit clearly belongs to God, who justified the sinner. \par \tab Ellen G. White gives an interesting answer to the question \ldblquote What is justification by faith?\rdblquote She wrote: \ldblquote It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, \i0 p. 456.\par \tab Works of law cannot atone for past sins. Justification cannot be earned. It can be received only by faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ. Therefore, in this sense, works of law have nothing to do with justification. To be justified without works means to be justified without there being anything in ourselves to merit justification.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tqc\tx4320 But many Christians have misunderstood and misapplied this text. They say that all one has to do is to believe, while downplaying works or obedience,h even obedience to the moral law. In so doing, they completely misread Paul. In the book of Romans, and elsewhere, Paul attaches great importance to the keeping of the moral law. Jesus certainly did, as well, as did James and John \i (\cf1\ul Mat_19:17\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_2:13\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Jam_2:10-11\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rev_14:12\cf0\ulnone )\i0 . Paul\rquote s point is that, although obedience to the law is not the \i means\i0 of justification, the person who is justified by faith still k of others and to point them out. How often, though, are we guilty of the same kinds of things, or even worse? The problem is that we tend to turn a blind eye on ourselves, or we make ourselves feel better by looking at just how bad others are in contrast to ourselves.\par \tab Paul will have none of that. He warns his countrymen not to be quick to judge the Gentiles, for they, the Jews-even as the chosen people-were sinners, in some cases even more guilty than the pagans they were so quick to condemn be What message should all of us, Jew or Gentile, take from this warning?\b0\par \i\tab\i0\ldblquote Do not think yourself better than other men, and set yourself up as their judge. Since you cannot discern motive, you are incapable of judging another. In criticizing him, you are passing sentence upon yourself; for you show that you are a participant with Satan, the accuser of the brethren.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i The Desire of Ages, \i0 p. 314.\tab\par \tab It\rquote s often so easy to see the sins!ple, his own countrymen, off the hook either. Despite all the advantages that they had been given\i (\cf1\ul Rom_3:1-2\cf0\ulnone ),\i0 they, too, were sinners, condemned by God\rquote s law, and in need of the saving grace of Christ. In that sense, in the sense of being sinners, of having violated God\rquote s law, and of needing divine grace for salvation, Jews and Gentiles are the same.\par \tab\b Read \cf1\ul Rom_2:1-3\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_2:17-24\cf0\ulnone . What is Paul warning against here?"JV).\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\i0\f0\fs22\par \b\scaps\fs32 Wednesday\b0\scaps0\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\i\fs28 July 14\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Jews and Gentiles Together\b0\fs24\par \tab\fs22 In Romans 1, Paul was dealing specifically with the sins of the Gentiles, the pagans, those who had lost sight of God a long time ago and, thus, fell into the most degrading practices. \par \tab But he wasn\rquote t going to let his own peo#ail, we are condemned. God has redeemed us through His grace, but the steep price was the bloody, painful, and lonely death of His Son.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b Consider This: \b0 Why did Paul, in referring to the rewards and punishments of obeying or disobeying the law, emphasize that these things would come to \ldblquote the Jew first and also of the Greek\rdblquote ? \i (\cf4\ul Rom_2:9\cf3\ulnone , NK$for doing. In assuming that they are somehow exempt from judgment, they are contradicting their own theology and condemning, not others, but themselves. They are, in fact, worse off than an ignorant person who has a rudimentary sense of right and wrong and attempts to live by it.\par \par Another point is that while we are all sinners and fail to keep the law, our failure is not something we can take lightly. Everyone sins, but there is no safety in numbers. Obedience to the law is expected, and if we f%andards. We can imagine them rationalizing-giving themselves leeway that they would never give others-because they are somehow God\rquote s favorites. Surely God would overlook their tiny transgressions, because they are otherwise so exemplary. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Paul rightly points out that their transgressions are not so tiny and that they, in fact, do all or most of what they condemn others &40\tx7560\tx8280\tx9000 II. Leading to Repentance\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0\i (Review with your class \cf4\ul Rom_2:4-12\cf3\ulnone .)\b\i0\par \b0\par \tab In this passage Paul is addressing people who believe that they are justified by their works, look down on other people who are presumably less righteous than they are (but are really just less knowledgeable), and yet themselves fail to meet their own st' them the new sense known as faith and to change them through it. All of us want to be better than we are, but only God can do that for us, and the gospel is His means.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b Consider This: \b0 Why is the gospel of Christ crucified and resurrected all that we need for salvation?\b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx540\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx68* Lesson in Brief\i0\f2\fs24\par \par Key Text:\b0 \cf4\ul\i Rom_4:1-2\cf3\ulnone\par \par \b\i0 The Student Will:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Know:\b0 Explain why an understanding of faith in God\rquote s provisions for our righteousness has been the foundation of a right relationship with Him through the Old as well as the New Testament.\par \par \b Feel:\b0 Sense the blessings of ju+stification by faith.\par \par \b Do:\b0 Abandon our own works and throw our entire trust on what Christ has done.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b Learning Outline:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi990\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\b I. Know: Abraham\rquote s Faith\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2,880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Why was Abraham, father of both the circumcised and uncircumcised, accounted righteous? What is the significance of knowing that this accounting occurred long before the distinction between Jews and Gentiles, the giving of Mosaic laws, or Christ\rquote s death on the cross? \par \par B. Why has justification by faith, rather than by keeping the law, been a crucial belief for all people in all ages?\b \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\-par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-540\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b II. Feel: The Blessings of Justification\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Though David sinned grievously, how was God able to forgive him? \par \par B. What are the blessings that come from being justified by faith? \i (\cf4\ul Rom_4:6-8\cf3\ulnone ).\b\i0\par \par .\pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b III. Do: Abandoning Self for Christ\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Because the law doesn\rquote t give life or righteousness but only distinguishes between righteousness and sin, what do we do to become righteous and to have eternal life? \par \p/ar B. How should those who are saved by Christ\rquote s sacrifice relate to the law?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1800\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Summary:\b0 All people in every age have faced the same need to abandon any sense of working for salvation by following rules or rituals. Salvation comes only by allowing God to make us righft through the blood that was shed for us in Christ Jesus.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Monday\b0\scaps0 \i \fs28 July 26\i0\fs24\par \pard\sb100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\b\fs28 Grace or Debt\b0\fs24\par \tab\fs22 The issue Paul is dealing with here is much more than just theology. It gets to the heart and soul of salvatio10\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b III. Do: Commitment to Grace\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Where do you stand in relationship to religious traditions and righteousness by faith? \par \par B. What importance does obedience to God\rquote s law have in your life? \par \par C. How are you championing the importance of grace in your life, as well as in 2your witness?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1800\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Summary:\b0 Like the early Christian church, there is still the tendency to focus on what we do, rather than depending entirely on Christ\rquote s atoning sacrifice and His promise to live out His life in us.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx28803\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\f0\par \b\scaps\fs32 Monday\scaps0\fs36\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\b0\i\fs28 July 5\b\i0\fs24\par \fs28 Jewish Laws and Regulations\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\fs22 As time allows, skim through the book of Leviticus. \i (See, for instance, \cf1\ul\i0 Lev_12:1\cf0\ulnone\i , \cf1\ul\i0 Lev_16:1\cf0\ulnone\i , \cf1\ul\i0 Lev_23:1\cf0\ulnone\i , entire chapters) \i0 What thoughts come to your mind as you read all these rules and regulations and rituals? Why would 4many of these be all but impossible in New Testament times to follow?\b0\i \par \tab\i0 It is convenient for us to classify Old Testament laws into various categories: (1) moral law, (2) ceremonial law, (3) civil law, (4) statutes and judgments, and (5) health laws.\par \tab This classification is in part artificial. In actuality, some of these categories are interrelated, and there is considerable overlap. The ancients did not see them as separate and distinct.\par \tab The moral law is summed up by the Ten Commandments\i (\cf1\ul Exo_20:1-17\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 This law sums up the moral requirements of humanity. These ten precepts are amplified and applied in various statutes and judgments throughout the first five books of the Bible. These amplifications show what it meant to keep the law of God in various situations. Not unrelated are the civil laws. These, too, are based on the moral law. These define a citizen\rquote s relationship to civil authorities and to his fellow citizens. They name the p(al in a remote outpost of the Roman Empire achieve salvation for \i me\i0 ? This thinking was in direct contrast to the philosophical and religious systems-then and now-that appealed to the hearer with powerful logic, flattery, and complex explanations of the meaning of life.\par \par The gospel of Paul-and Christ-may have seemed weak and foolish to the intellectuals of late antiquity, as it does to many postmoderns today; yet its true power can be seen in the lives of those people who allow God to give5gies. It did not need more power; it was the very power of God. And here\rquote s the really shocking thing: it not only wasn\rquote t helped by the addition of \ldblquote something else\rdblquote ; it could not coexist with that \ldblquote something else.\rdblquote\par \par However, there was, in fact, something else: faith, the new sense that God gives us so we can perceive His mighty works. To the person without it, the gospel was simplistic and illogical. How could the death of a historical individu6tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 With all these choices, why would the prospective believer want to \ldblquote settle\rdblquote for Paul\rquote s gospel, which was simply Christ crucified and resurrected? It was just so simple! Too simple. Or so it might have seemed to one viewing it without the eyes of faith.\par \par In reality, Paul\rquote s gospel was \i the \i0 gospel. The gospel not of Paul, but of Christ. And it did not need supplementation from outmoded legalisms or speculative cosmolo7hem were \ldblquote Christian,\rdblquote plus something else. Perhaps it was some form of legalism inherited from the Pharisees. Or maybe it was a mixture of the teachings of Christ plus unique cosmologies and road maps of the afterworld that enabled the bearer to get to heaven just a little bit faster. All these things were presented as \ldblquote the gospel\rdblquote but with just a little more power, supposedly.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\8x7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 I. Not Ashamed of the Gospel\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0\i (Review with your class \cf4\ul Rom_1:16-17\cf3\ulnone and \cf4\ul 1Co_1:23\cf3\ulnone .)\par \i0\par \tab In Paul\rquote s time, as now, there were many voices preaching many different gospels. Some of t9x720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 2-Explore\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\i\f1\fs28 Bible Commentary\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\t: well.\par \tab\b Focus specifically on \cf1\ul Rom_1:22-23\cf0\ulnone . How do we see this principle being manifested now? By rejecting God, what have humans in our century come to worship and idolize instead? And, in so doing, how have they become fools?\b0\i \b\i0 Bring your answer to class on Sabbath.\b0\i\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\i0\par \cf3\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\t;dmen of the past could only dream about.\par \tab What was the problem?\par \tab\b Read \cf1\ul Rom_1:22-32\cf0\ulnone . In what ways do we see the things written there, in the first century, being manifested today in the twenty-first century?\b0\par \i\tab\i0 When umanity lost sight of God, a floodgate of sin and error and degradation opened. We, today, each of us, are living the consequences of that problem. In fact, unless we are moment by moment surrendered to God, we become part of the problem, as< training, humans greatly could improve themselves and their society. All this was supposed to start happening, en masse, as we entered into the brave new world of the twentieth century. \par \tab Unfortunately, things didn\rquote t quite turn out that way, did they? The twentieth century was one of the most violent and barbaric in all history, thanks-ironically enough-in great part to the advances of science, which made it much more possible for people to kill others on a scale that the most depraved ma=x6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b0\f0\fs32\par \b\scaps Tuesday\b0\scaps0\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i\fs28 July 13\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 From the First to the Twenty-first Century\fs24\par \tab\b0\fs22 At the turn of the twentieth century, folk lived with the idea that humanity was improving, that morality would increase and that science and technology would help usher in a utopia. Human beings, it was believed, were essentially on the path toward perfection; that is, through the right kind of education and moral>ous, and happy state. Most attempts have ended in disappointment or catastrophe. Personal and social morality appears to be in free fall. If society makes us bad and nature makes us bad, what hope is there? Read on!\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b Consider This: \b0 Why is the fact of our sinful nature so hard for us to accept?\b\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\t?0\tx8640\tx9360 As explorers came back from other regions with reports of diverse societies that seemed to live in idyllic harmony with nature, these thinkers took the reports as confirmation of their suspicions. From this marriage of legitimate dissatisfaction with the status quo and poorly understood and patronizing accounts of other societies, the concept of the noble savage was born.\par \par Since then, varieties of ideologies and philosophies have attempted to return humanity to its natural, virtuansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 13\b0\fs24 \i\fs28 *Sepive? What principles should you follow? Why is this something that we should proceed on only with the utmost seriousness and prayerful consideration? (After all, not everyone thrown into the lions\rquote den comes out unscathed.) \par \par \f3\'da\f0 What do you think is harder to do: to keep strict adherence to the letter of the law or to love God and love others unconditionally? Or, could you argue that this question presents a false dichotomy? If so, why?\cf2\b0\f2\fs24\tab\tab\cf4\f4\fs23\par } B24\par \f3\fs22\'d8\f0 In class, go over the question at the end of Thursday\rquote s lesson. What were the answers folk gave, and how did they justify them? \par \par \f3\'d9\f0 The question of how we are to be good citizens and good Christians can at times be very complicated. If someone were to come to you seeking advice about standing for what he or she believed was God\rquote s will, even though it would put him or her in conflict with the government, what would you say? What counsel would you gCOh, how glorious it will be to see Him and be welcomed as His redeemed ones! Long have we waited, but our hope is not to grow dim. If we can but see the King in His beauty we shall be forever blessed. I feel as if I must cry aloud: \lquote Homeward bound!\rquote We are nearing the time when Christ will come in power and great glory to take His ransomed ones to their eternal home.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Testimonies for the Church, \i0 vol. 8, p. 253.\par \b\fs24\par \fs28 Discussion Questions:\fsDI give you,\rquote mean, \lquote A new mind will I give you.\rquote A change of heart is always attended by a clear conviction of Christian duty, an understanding of truth. He who gives the Scriptures close, prayerful attention will gain clear comprehension and sound judgment, as if in turning to God he had reached a higher plane of intelligence.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i My Life Today, \i0 p. 24.\par \tab\ldblquote The Lord . . . is soon coming, and we must be ready and waiting for His appearing. End Prophets\i0 ; \ldblquote The Spirituality of the Law,\rdblquote pp. 49-51, in \i Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing.\par \i0\par \tab\ldblquote In the Bible the will of God is revealed. The truths of the Word of God are the utterances of the Most High. He who makes these truths a part of his life becomes in every sense a new creature. He is not given new mental powers, but the darkness that through ignorance and sin has clouded the understanding is removed. The words, \lquote A new heart also will F September 17\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Further Study:\fs24 \b0\fs22 Read Ellen G. White, \ldblquote An Explanation of Early Statements,\rdblquote pp. 66-69, in \i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1; \ldblquote Practical Godliness,\rdblquote pp. 540, 541, in \i Testimonies for the Church\i0 , vol. 5; \ldblquote Our Attitude Toward the Civil Authorities,\rdblquote pp. 394, 395, in\i Testimonies for the Church, \i0 vol. 6; \ldblquote The Tabernacle and Its Services,\rdblquote pp. 352, 353, in \i Patriarchs a ou never find yourself in that type of contrary relationship with Jesus again?\b0 \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 4-Create\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers: Build a vehicle for delivering the gospel message to a group discussed above.Hlieves in Him shall not be ashamed? Yes, for many, Jesus is a stumbling block, but for those who know Him, and love Him, He is another kind of rock, \ldblquote the rock of my salvation\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Psa_89:26\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \tab\b Have you ever found Jesus to be a \ldblquote stumbling block\rdblquote or a \ldblquote rock of offense\rdblquote ? If so, how so? That is, what were you doing that brought you into that situation? How did you get out, and what did you learn so that, one hopes, y ::: 108-Aug 14-20 - The Man of Romans{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa100\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 8\b0\fs24 \i\fs28 s xxEuEi10-AEE10-Aug 28-Sep 3 - Redemption for Jew & Gentile{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{d E10-Aug 28-Sep 3 - Redemption for Jew & Gentile{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fchar  a09-Aug 21-27 - Freedom in Christ{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f4\fnil`  A09-Aug 21-27 - Freedom in Christ{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f5\fnil\fcG\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Activity: \b0 Reread \cf3\ul Rom_12:6-8\cf2\ulnone ; list the various gifts mentioned. Invite members to take pictures of activities during the coming week that they feel illustrate the gifts list and bring them to the next class.\tab\par \par \cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Friday\b0\i\scaps0\fs28 M8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers: How does love fulfill God\rquote s law in our experience so that our lives are satisfactory to God and satisfying to us? Discuss spiritual gifts in the context of the above question to introduce the final activity. How is God pleased when we utilize those gifts for His glory? How does utilizing our abilities bring personal satisfaction?\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720Ndn\rquote t you change them now? What is the difference? \b0\i\tab\i0\fs24\tab\fs36\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 4-Create\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\txO. After all, it\rquote s a crucial theme in the Bible, especially the New Testament. Without it, and the hope it offers, our faith is, really, meaningless. After all, what does \ldblquote justification by faith\rdblquote mean without the Second Coming to bring that wonderful truth to complete fruition? \par \tab\b If you knew for certain that Jesus was coming next month, what would you change in your life, and why? Now, if you believe you need to change these things a month before Jesus comes, why shoulPext week or in 40 years, we close our eyes in death, and whether we sleep only four days or for 400 years-it makes no difference to us. The next thing we know is the second coming of Jesus. With death always potentially just around the corner for any of us, time is indeed short, and our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. \par \tab Though Paul doesn\rquote t deal much in the book of Romans with the Second Coming, in the Thessalonian and the Corinthian letters he covers it in much more detailQ be acting in anticipation of that event?\b0\par \tab How fascinating that Paul here was talking to the believers, telling them to wake up and get it together because Jesus was coming back. The fact that this was written almost two thousand years ago doesn\rquote t matter. We must always live in anticipation of the nearness of Christ\rquote s coming. As far as we all are concerned, as far as our own personal \i experiences\i0 go, the Second Coming is as near as the potential for our own death. Whether nRontext. The issue was salvation and how a sinner is deemed righteous and holy before the Lord.\i \i0 To help those whose whole emphasis had been on law, Paul put the law in its proper role and context. Though, ideally, Judaism even in Old Testament times was a religion of grace, legalism arose and did a lot of damage. How careful we as a church need to be that we don\rquote t make the same mistake.\par \tab\b Read \cf1\ul Rom_13:11-14\cf0\ulnone . What event is Paul talking about here, and how should weSember 16\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Nearer Than We Believed\fs24\par \fs22\tab\ldblquote And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_13:11\cf0\ulnone ).\b\i0\par \tab\b0 As we have stated all quarter, Paul had a very specific focus in this letter to the Romans, and that was to clarify for the church at Rome, especially the Jewish believers there, the role of faith and works in the New Covenant cTtx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\tx9000\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 What experience replaces hollow, appearance-conscious religion?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Thursday\b0\scaps0 \i \fs28 SeptU0\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 How does the Christian get recharged? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\tx9000 How does he or she receive the Designer\rquote s directions? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\V\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\expndtw6\b\scaps\tab NC.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0 Count me in. You\rquote re good.\par \expndtw6\b\scaps\tab RC.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0\tab Well, really, \i he\rquote s\i0 good.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Thought Questions:\b0 \par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx432W0\b0\scaps0\tab Remember, gratis? Free! \'bfComprende, senor? \par \expndtw6\b\scaps NC.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0 Sounds cheap enough.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-810\li1530\tx810\tx1530\tx2250\tx2970\tx3690\tx4410\tx5130\tx5850\tx6570\tx7290\tx8010\tx8730\expndtw6\b\scaps RC.\tab \expndtw0\b0\scaps0 Expensive, actually . . . but the price has been paid. But yeah, all that power inside me, directed, driven by the designer himself.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040Ie Messiah; hence, when He came, they turned their backs on Him. \par \tab Before this chapter ends, Paul quotes another Old Testament text: \ldblquote As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_9:33\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 In this passage Paul shows, again, just how crucial true faith is in the plan of salvation \i (see also \cf1\ul 1Pe_2:6-8\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 A rock of offense? And yet, whoever beY interests and goals when the gospel message came to them. Grasping its value, they accepted it. God declared them righteous because they accepted Jesus Christ as their substitute. It was a transaction of faith.\par \tab The problem with the Israelites was that they stumbled at the stumbling stone \i (see \cf1\ul Rom_9:33\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 Some, not all\i (see \cf1\ul Act_2:41\cf0\ulnone ),\i0 refused to accept Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah whom God had sent. He did not meet their expectations of thZe, and apply the principles to ourselves today? How can we avoid making the same mistakes in our context that some Israelites did in theirs?\b0\i\par \tab\i0 In words that cannot be misunderstood, Paul explains to his kinsmen why they are missing out on something God wishes them to have, and more than that, on something they were actually pursuing but not achieving.\par \tab Interestingly, the Gentiles whom God had accepted had not even been striving for such acceptance. They had been pursuing their own[22\ldblquote What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which\b0\i \b\i0 is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_9:30-32\cf0\ulnone ). \b\i0 What\rquote s the message here, and, more important, how can we take this message, written in a certain time and plac\7920\tx8640\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 How can our church cultivate the seed of Christian witness?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Thursday\b0\i\scaps0 \fs28 September 2\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Stumbling \fs24\par \tab\fs]y class with that can be devoted to freeing the lost?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 \par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Why have certain groups in our community been overlooked?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx@despite all the pretensions to Christianity and morality, people still were not good. In fact, they were pretty bad, and maybe civilization-emphatically including the church-was at fault. Was it possible, they asked, that people in what they called \ldblquote the state of nature\rdblquote were essentially good and that it was the church, state, and society that made people appear to be bad?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx792Xgue that. But we automobiles were created for more than just good looks. We\rquote re made to move! Until my motor and battery pack were installed, I was just hollow inside. Now the manufacturer guides my every motion through antenna signals. I\rquote ve never felt so satisfied before.\par \expndtw6\b\scaps NC.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0 \i (pausing\i0 ): Think there\rquote s hope for broken-down Chevette models like me? This recession\rquote s hit pretty hard at my garage.\par \expndtw6\b\scaps RC.\expndtw`, I reached a low point when I crashed. I was tired of just looking good but being empty inside. Moving was easy going downhill, but forget uphill-even level places. About that time I heard about the free-motor, free-rechargeable battery, free-antenna offer. Checked it out and haven\rquote t been the same since.\par \expndtw6\b\scaps NC.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0 Doesn\rquote t make you better than me. I\rquote m your size and even shinier. \par \expndtw6\b\scaps RC.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0\tab Won\rquote t arand installing motors and antennas gratis. \par \expndtw6\b\scaps RC.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0\tab Correct.\par \expndtw6\b\scaps NC.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0 Look, buddy, I\rquote m looking as spiffy as you without extra psychological baggage . . . I just don\rquote t need \ldblquote stuff.\rdblquote \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-810\li1530\tx1531\tx2250\tx2970\tx3690\tx4410\tx5130\tx5850\tx6570\tx7290\tx8010\tx8730\tx9450\tx10170\expndtw6\b\scaps RC.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0 Well, speaking only for myselfded0\green0\blue255;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\lang1033\b\f0\fs24 ADULT SABBATH SCHOOL BIBLE STUDY GUIDE\par \par TEACHERS EDITION\par \par \par \i\fs32 Redemption in Romans\i0\fs24\par \par by\par Don F. Neufeld\par \par \par July, August, September\par \par 2010\b0\par \par \b\fs36\tab Contents\b0\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx720\tqr\tldot\tx8640\fs32\tab \b 1\b0\fs20 \b Paul and Rome-\b0\i June 26-July 2\i0\tab 11\i\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tqr\tldot\tx8640\b\i0\fs32 2\b0\fs20 \b Jew and Gentile-\b0\i July 3-9\i0\tab 32\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx720\tqr\tldot\tx8640\fs32\tab\b 3\b0\fs20 \b All Have Sinned-\b0\i July 10-16\i0\tab 53\par \fs32\tab\b 4\b0\fs20 \b Justified by Faith-\b0\i July 17-23\i0\tab 74\par \fs32\tab\b 5\b0\fs20 \b Justification and the Law\b0 -\i July 24-30\i0\tab 95\par \fs32\tab\b 6\fs20 Expounding the Faith-\b0\i July 31-August 6\i0\tab 117\par \fs32\tab\b 7\b0\fs20 \b Victory Over Sin^at information should I gather about other people groups so that I can be an effective instrument in God\rquote s hands for sharing the gospel? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 What spiritual gifts, skills, and natural abilities has God blessed mgn and of our relationship to God. If one believes that he or she must earn acceptance, that he or she must reach a certain standard of holiness before being justified and forgiven, then how natural to turn inward and to look to oneself and one\rquote s deeds. Religion can become exceedingly self-centered, about the last thing anyone needs.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tab In contrast, if one grasps the great news that justification is a gift from God, totally unmerited and undeserved, how much easier and more natural is it for that person to turn his or her focus on God\rquote s love and mercy instead of on self? \par \tab And in the end, who\rquote s more likely to reflect the love and character of God-the one self-absorbed or the one God-absorbed?\tab\par \tab\b Read \cf1\ul Rom_4:6-8\cf0\ulnone . How does Paul here expand on the theme of justification by faith?\b0\par \tab\ldblquote The sinner must come in faith to Christ, takieeps the law of God\i \i0 and, in fact, is the only one who \i can\i0 keep the law. An unregenerate person who has not been justified can never fulfill the requirements of the law.\i\tab\i0\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tab\b Why is it so easy to get caught up in the trap of thinking that because the law doesn\rquote t save us, we need not worry about keeping it? Have you ever rationalized away sin by claiming justification by faitjh? Why is that a very dangerous position? At the same time, where would we be without the promise of salvation, even when tempted to abuse it? \b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1\par T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 4-Apply\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx?1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par Just for Teachers: This week we have learned that although we are not worthy of salvation, God has provided it for us anyway. Why would we ever want to go on with \ldblquote business as usual\rdblquote ?\b0\par \par \tab A key concept in this lesson is the idea of substitution. Christ\rquote s record of perfect obedience to the law substitutes for our record of disobedience, haphazard obedience, or obedience for the wl1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Wednesday\b0\i\scaps0\fs28 September 8\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 A Mystery Revealed\b0\fs24\par \b\fs22\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_11:25-27\cf0\ulnone .\b0\i \b\i0 What great events is Paul predicting here?\b0\i\tab\par \tab\i0 Christians have been discussing and debating these few verses for centuries now. A few points, however, are clear. For starters, the whole tenor here is that ofm God reaching out to the Jews. What Paul is saying comes in reply to the question raised at the beginning of the chapter, \ldblquote Hath God cast away his people?\rdblquote His answer, of course, is no, and his explanation is (1) that the blindness (Greek \i porosis, \i0\ldblquote hardness\rdblquote ) is only \ldblquote in part,\rdblquote and (2) that it is only temporary, \ldblquote until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.\rdblquote \par \tab What does \ldblquote the fulness of the Gentiles\rdbnlquote mean? Many see this phrase as a way of expressing the fulfillment of the gospel commission, in which all the world hears the gospel. \ldblquote The fullness of the Gentiles\rdblquote has come in when the gospel has been preached everywhere. The faith of Israel, manifested in Christ, is universalized. The gospel has been preached to all the world. The coming of Jesus is near. At this point, then, many Jews start coming to Jesus. \par \i\tab\i0 Another difficult point is the meaning of \ldblquote oall Israel shall be saved\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_11:26\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 This must not be construed to mean every Jew will by some divine decree have salvation in the end time. Nowhere do the Scriptures preach universalism, either for the entire human race or for a particular segment. Paul was hoping to save \ldblquote some of them\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_11:14\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 Some accepted the Messiah, some rejected Him, as it is with all people groups. \par \tab Commenting on Romans 11, Ellen pWhite speaks of a time \ldblquote in the closing proclamation of the gospel\rdblquote when \ldblquote many of the Jews . . . will by faith receive Christ as their Redeemer.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Acts of the Apostles, \i0 p. 381.\par \b\tab\b0\ldblquote There is a mighty work to be done in our world. The Lord has declared that the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and not the Gentiles only, but the Jews. There are among the Jews many who will be converted, and through whom we shall see the salvaqtion of God go forth as a lamp that burneth. There are Jews everywhere, and to them the light of present truth is to be brought. There are among them many who will come to the light, and who will proclaim the immutability of the law of God with wonderful power.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Evangelism, \i0 p. 578.\par \tab\b Take some time to think about the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. How could a selective study of the Jewish religion help you better understand your Christian faith? \b0\fs24\parr \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 STEP 3-Apply\b0\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Just for Teachers:\b0 \b Even with the best intentions, we can lose sight of the purpose of the church, turn inward, and trust in our goodness rather than in God\rquote s. At that point we need His grace more than ever, and He promises it! While God promises to restore us when we turn from our deviation, how can we stay true to the mission from the start?\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Activity: \b0 Read the following dialogue between the delivery truck (DT) and the parade float ( *August 14-20\i0\fs24\par \par \b\fs40 The Man \i of\i0 Romans 7\b0\par \par \b\scaps\fs32 Sabbath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\tab\fs24\par \par \b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study:\b0 \cf1\ul\i Rom_7:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter..\b\i0\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Memory Text: \ldblquote Now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, abs NC.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0 Hey, news flash, senor, I\rquote m just as good an automobile as you any day. You think you\rquote re the only one heading for a fancy car museum?\par \expndtw6\b\scaps RC.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0\tab Sorry . . . Guess I should apologize. Believe me, whatever I said wasn\rquote t meant to make you feel that way.\par \expndtw6\b\scaps NC.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0 Really? I overheard your conversation with the Austin-Healy last Thursday . . . Something about a conversion process av man\rdblquote destroyed, rising to walk in newness of life-these are the things that will dethrone sin from our lives. Remember, that is the whole context in which this verse appears, the context of the promise of victory over sin.\par \tab We should not define \ldblquote under the law\rdblquote too restrictively. The person who supposedly lives \ldblquote under grace\rdblquote but disobeys God\rquote s law will not find grace but condemnation. \ldblquote Under grace\rdblquote means that through thew grace of God as revealed in Jesus, the condemnation that the law inevitably brings to sinners has been removed. Thus, now free from this condemnation of death brought by the law, we live in \ldblquote newness of life,\rdblquote a life characterized and made manifest through the fact that, being dead to self, we are no longer slaves to sin.\par \tab\b How have you experienced the reality of a new life in Christ? What tangible evidence can you point to that reveals what Christ has done in you? What areasx are you refusing to let go of, and why must you let them go? \b0\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\cf3\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\f3\fs28 STEP 2-Explore\i0\f2\fs24\par \b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi360\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b\i\f1\fs28 Bible Commentary\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\by0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-630\li990\tx720\tx990\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b I. Sin Personified\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi270\li450\tx450\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\i (Review \cf4\ul Rom_6:12\cf3\ulnone with the class.)\b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx990\tx1710\tx2430\tx3150\tx3870\tx4590\tx5310\tx6030\tx6750\tx7470\tx8190\tx8910\tqr\tx9626\b0\i0\tab How zdoes one distinguish between pure and evil desires? The distinction may not be that simple. The Greek word, \i epithumia\i0 , often translated \ldblquote lust,\rdblquote\i \i0 is simply the word for \ldblquote desire\rdblquote and can be neutral \i (\cf4\ul Mar_4:19\cf3\ulnone ),\i0 and even good, as when Paul spoke of his \i epithumia\i0 to be with Christ \i (\cf4\ul Php_1:23\cf3\ulnone )\i0 . However, translators almost universally consider the \i epithumia\i0 of \cf4\ul Rom_6:12\cf3\ulnone to hav{e a negative meaning (\i KJV, NKJV, NASB-lust; NIV-evil desires; NLT-lustful desires;\i0 \i RSV, NRSV,\i0 and \i MLB\i0 use \i passion\i0 ; [while technically a neutral term, it can carry the romance-novel connotation of forbidden sexual desire]; \i TEV, CEV\i0 , and \i NEB\i0 use the neutral term \i desire\i0 ). Clearly, translators use context to determine the shade of meaning they assign to it. The distinction between pure and evil desire comes down to God's expressed will. Sexual desire is a God-g|iven instinct, pure until expressed outside of God\rquote s will; hunger is a natural desire, pure until leading to excess; even desire for wealth is not evil of itself until it becomes greed. \i Desire\i0 becomes perverted from its original God-intended purpose to some excess or destructive behavior. God gave us the Bible so that we may discern what His purposes are.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356 Onc}e the Holy Spirit guides our knowledge of God\rquote s purposes, there is good news; we are not left alone nor powerless! Christ\rquote s sacrifice freed us from sin\rquote s reign and empowers us to live holy lives-if we choose. Through his alter ego Geraldine\i , \i0 comedian Flip Wilson carved the expression \ldblquote The devil made me do it\rdblquote into international consciousness; but no one legitimately can excuse sin on this basis, for the devil cannot force us to do anything. He stands powerle~ss when we have chosen to allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives. Therein lies the real battle: Will we surrender control to God, or will we wrestle the reins of life away from Him?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b Consider This: \b0 How does God propose to purify my desires and motives? How do we sometimes get in the way of His divine purposes?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b II. Under the Law?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b0\i (Review \cf4\ul Rom_6:14\cf3\ulnone with the class.)\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\i0\tab Some commentators assert that Paul is dismissing the Ten Commandments in these verses. How odd that Paul would say something contrary to Christ\rquote s express statement \i (\cf4\ul Mat_5:17\cf3\ulnone ) \i0 regarding the law! If we follow Paul=s reasoning, we will not jump to such erroneous conclusions. Paul\rquote s argument is that the law defines right from wrong, thus teaching us what sin is. The person who violates the law comes under legal jurisdiction. The person who is not violating the law (not sinning) is not under legal jurisdiction (the law). An officer arrests me (puts me under the law) when I exceed the speed limit. If I were not speeding, he would not \ldblquote put me under the law.\rdblquote Conversely, the fact that I am not speeding doU  9:;<=>?@ABCGHIMNOPa`_^]\nil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f5\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 12\b0\fs2es not mean there are no speed limits. The fact that by God\rquote s grace I am no longer under sins power does not mean there are no Ten Commandments. Paul never says there is no law; he simply asserts that we are not under it because, by divine power, we need not sin. Sin puts us under the law; when we stop breaking the law, we are no longer \ldblquote under it.\rdblquote\par \par \b Consider This: \b0 How would we know what sin is if there were no law? How does God propose to help us get out from und-\b0\i August 7-13\i0\tab 138\par \fs32\tab\b 8\b0\fs20 \b The Man of Romans 7-\b0\i August 14-20\i0\tab 159\par \fs32\tab\b 9\b0\fs20 \b Freedom in Christ\b0 -\i August 21-27\i0\tab 180\par \fs32\tab\b 10\b0\fs20 \b Redemption for Jew and Gentile\b0 -\i August 28-September 3\i0\tab 201\par \fs32\tab\b 11\b0\fs20 \b The Election of Grace-\b0\i September 4-10\i0\tab 222\par \fs32\tab\b 12\fs20 Love and Law-\b0\i September 11-17\i0\tab 243\par \fs32\tab\b 13\b0\fs20 \b All the Rest Is Commentary\b0 -\i September 18-24\i0\tab 264\par \pard\sb100\sa100\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \par \b Come visit us at our Web site:\b0\par {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.absg.adventist.org"}}{\fldrslt{\ul\cf1 http://www.absg.adventist.org}}}\f0\fs24 \b\par \par Editorial Office:\par \b0 12501 Old Columbia Pike\par Silver Spring, MD 20904\par \b\par Principal Contributor:\par \b0 Don F. Neufeld \b\par \b0\par \b Editor:\b0\par Clifford R. Goldstein\b\par \par Associate Editor:\par \er the law (i.e., stop sinning)?\par \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Wednesday\b0\i\scaps0\fs28 August 11\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Two Contending Masters\fs24\par \tab\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Rom_6:16\cf0\ulnone . What point is Paul making? Why is his argument very black and white here? That is, it is either one or the other, with no middle ground. What lesson should we draw from this ve hold of His merits, lay his sins upon the Sin Bearer, and receive His pardon. It was for this cause that Christ came into the world. Thus the righteousness of Christ is imputed to the repenting, believing sinner. He becomes a member of the royal family.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1, p. 215.\par \tab Paul then continues, explaining that salvation by faith was not only for the Jews but for the Gentiles, as well\i (\cf1\ul Rom_4:9-12\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 In fact, if you want ts for mission trips that are being made by local academies or church groups in your conference. ShareHim (\cf0{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://global-evangelism.org/php/index.php"}}{\fldrslt{\ul\cf5 http://global-evangelism.org/php/index.php}}}\cf3\f2\fs24 ) is another source of international evangelistic programs you may become involved in. Individuals in the class or the class as a whole may adopt a mission project to support, or plan to go yourselves.\par \par 4. As you contemplate the passion fob0 Soraya Homayouni\b\par \par Publication Manager:\par \b0 Lea Alexander Greve\b\par \par Editorial Assistant:\par \b0 Sharon Thomas-Crews\b\par \par Pacific Press Coordinator:\par \b0 Paul A. Hey\par \par \b Art Director and Illustrator:\b0\par Lars Justinen\par \par \b Concept Design:\par \b0 Dever Designs\par \par \pard\b\f1 The teachers edition components were written by the following:\par 1. The Lesson in Brief, and Learning Cycle, Lesson 1:\b0 Cheryl Des Jarlais, freelance writer, Ronan, Montana, U.S.A.\par \b 2. Learning Cycle, Lessons 2\endash 5:\b0 Alan Hecht, librarian, Rebok Memorial Library, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A.\par \b 3. Learning Cycle, Lessons 6, 7, 9\endash 13:\b0 Dan Solis, associate pastor, Village Seventh-day Adventist Church, College Place, Washington, U.S.A.\par \b 4. Learning Cycle, Lesson 8:\b0 Janelle Margolis, freelance writer, Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\f0\par The\i Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide\i0 is prepared by the Office of the Adult Bible Study Guide of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the guides is under the general direction of a worldwide Sabbath School Manuscript Evaluation Committee, whose members serve as consulting editors. The published guide reflects the input of the committee and thus does not solely or necessarily represent the intent of the author(s).\par \b\par Bible Versions Table\b0\par \tab Scripture references other than from the King James Version quoted by permission in this Bible Study Guide, for Third Quarter 2010, are as follows:\par \tab\b NASB.\b0 From the New American Standard Bible, copyright \'a9 the Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission.\par \b\tab NIV.\b0 Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright \'a9 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.\tab\tab\par \tab\b NKJV.\b0 Texts credited to the NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright \'a9 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.\par \tab\b RSV.\b0 Bible texts credited to the RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright \'a9 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.\par \pard\cf2\f2\fs23\par } reaches has been confirmed by the preaching of Jesus and by the messages of the prophets. It was kept secret, not because God did not want men to know, but because men refused light from heaven, preventing God from giving them further light. Moreover, there were some aspects of the plan that men would be unable to grasp until the Messiah came in human flesh. He gave a demonstration, not only of what God is like but also of what man may become by laying hold of divine power. The new kind of life would be o a close? \cf1\ul\i Rom_16:25-27\cf0\ulnone .\par \b0\tab\i0 Paul ends his letter in a glorious ascription of praise to God. God is the one in whom the Roman Christians, and all Christians, can safely put their trust to confirm their standing as redeemed sons and daughters of God, justified by faith and now led by the Spirit of God.\par \tab Paul is thrilled to be the herald of such glorious news. He calls this news \ldblquote my gospel.\rdblquote What he means is the gospel he proclaims. But what he p\rdblquote may be translated \ldblquote encouragement.\rdblquote The God of encouragement is the God who encourages. The God of hope is the God who has given hope to humankind. Likewise, the God of peace is the God who gives peace and in whom one may have peace.\par \tab What a fitting benediction in a letter whose dominant theme is righteousness by faith-encouragement, hope, peace! How sorely our present world needs these.\par \b\tab After numerous personal greetings, how did Paul bring his letter tow can you, yourself, live out this principle?\b0\par \tab\b As Paul brought his letter to a close, what varied benedictions did he utter? \cf1\ul\i Rom_15:5-6\cf4\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_15:13\cf4\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_15:33\cf0\ulnone .\par \b0\tab\i0 The God of patience means the God who helps His children steadfastly to endure. The word for \ldblquote patience,\rdblquote \i hupomone, \i0 means \ldblquote fortitude,\rdblquote \ldblquote steadfast endurance.\rdblquote The word for \ldblquote consolation\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Thursday\b0\i\scaps0 \fs28 September 23\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Fitting Benediction\b0\fs24\par \i\tab\b\i0\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Rom_15:1-3\cf0\ulnone . What important Christian truth is found in these texts? \par \tab In what way do these texts capture so much of what it means to be a follower of Jesus? \par \tab What other verses teach the same idea? Most important, hondled?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-274\li274\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\tab\tab Thought Question: \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0 What role should our educational system play in developing discernment, tolerance, and compassion?\par \pard\sb100\sa100ted in this new church family that she wanted to contribute something to the dinner, so she prepared the family\rquote s special recipe. It involved several hours of preparation, but she joyfully made the dish out of gratitude. When church matriarch Helen saw the chicken and dumplings, she nearly exploded. (There is an unwritten regulation that these meals are strictly vegetarian.) She dragged Juanita out of the dining hall into the kitchen for a face-to-face confrontation. How should this situation be ha0\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 B. Juanita joined the church three years ago. She became very active in soul winning and recently brought her neighbor Petra to church for three consecutive weeks. Juanita mentioned to Petra that the fourth Sabbath of each month is \ldblquote potluck\rdblquote dinner, but never thought that Petra would bring anything. Petra felt so accepive friends at the Adventist university. One Sabbath just before finals, he and seven young men visited a small mountain lake encircled by a trail. After hiking halfway around, one of his friends suggested that they swim across the lake to cool down from the sweltering heat. Adonijah was shocked that his conservative friends would do this, for he was taught that swimming on Sabbath was sinful. How should this situation be handled?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx504 members have you been meaning to get to know and encourage in faith? Plan a series of visits over the next few months to develop these contacts into real friendships.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720 2. Develop a writing ministry in which you use letters and cards to share your faith in the local community, in prison ministry, or around the world.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1080\tx1170\tx1530\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280 3.\tab Investigate planPF) and discuss ways to \ldblquote stay on the right track.\rdblquote\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1260\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\expndtw6\b\scaps PF.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0\tab Hey, little guy, you want to get in the big show?\par \tab\expndtw6\b\scaps DT.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0\tab The what?\par \tab\expndtw6\b\scaps PF.\expndtw0\b0\sca. What does that mean? What does the Spirit desire? What do you watch, read, or think about that makes this difficult to achieve in your life?\b0\par \par \b\f5\'da\b0\f0 \b Dwell more on this idea that we are either on one side or the other in the great controversy, with no middle ground. What are the implications of that stark cold fact? How should the realization of this important truth impact how we live and the choices we make, even in the \ldblquote small\rdblquote things?\cf2\ul\b0\f1\par } fs22\'d8\b0\f0 \b Read again the quotes from Ellen G. White in Friday\rquote s study. What hope can we take from them for ourselves? More important, how can we make these promises of victory real in our own lives? Why, with so much offered us in Christ, do we keep on falling far short of what we really could be? \b0\par \par \b\f5\'d9\b0\f0 \b What are practical, daily ways you can have your mind \ldblquote set . . . on the things of the Spirit\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_8:5\cf0\ulnone , RSV)\b\i0 t the head of humanity, testifying to the fallen angels and to the inhabitants of the unfallen worlds that through the divine help which has been provided, everyone may walk in the path of obedience to God\rquote s commands. . . .\par \tab\ldblquote Our ransom has been paid by our Savior. No one need be enslaved by Satan. Christ stands before us as our all-powerful helper.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1, p. 309.\par \fs24\tab\par \b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\fs24\par \f5\ntary, \i0 vol. 6, pp. 568, 569.\par \tab\ldblquote The chain that has been let down from the throne of God is long enough to reach to the lowest depths. Christ is able to lift the most sinful out of the pit of degradation, and to place them where they will be acknowledged as children of God, heirs with Christ to an immortal inheritance.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i Testimonies for the Church, \i0 vol. 7, p. 229.\par \tab\ldblquote One honored of all heaven came to this world to stand in human nature a \tab\ldblquote The plan of salvation does not offer believers a life free from suffering and trial this side of the kingdom. On the contrary, it calls upon them to follow Christ in the same path of self-denial and reproach. . . . It is through such trial and persecution that the character of Christ is reproduced and revealed in His people. . . . By sharing in the sufferings of Christ we are educated and disciplined and made ready to share in the glories of the hereafter.\rdblquote -\i The SDA Bible Comme \ldblquote Later English Reformers,\rdblquote pp. 253-256, in \i The Great Controversy\i0 ; \ldblquote The Baptism,\rdblquote p. 113; \ldblquote At Capernaum,\rdblquote pp. 253-256\i ; \i0\ldblquote\lquote Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled,\rquote\rdblquote pp. 671, 672, in\i The Desire of Ages\i0 ; \ldblquote Like Unto Leaven,\rdblquote pp. 95-98, in \i Christ\rquote s Object Lessons; \i0\ldblquote Letters to Physicians,\rdblquote pp. 126-129, in \i Testimonies for the Church, \i0 vol. 8.\par \par nd I\rquote ll send you lessons on how you can be free. \i0 Inflate the balloons with helium, tie them with string, and release them together. Recommendation: After church, have a class dinner followed by this activity.\par \par \pard\cf4\f4\fs22\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Friday\b0\i\scaps0 \fs28 August 27\fs24\par \b\i0\fs28 Further Study: \b0\fs22 Ellen G. White,x6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Activity: \b0 Purchase 100 large biodegradable balloons. Inside each balloon, insert a slip of paper with the message: \i I am the heart of a balloon\i0 . \i Once I was tied down by fear, failure, anxiety, inadequacy, put-downs, and hang-ups; but one day a strong wind broke my strings and set me free to soar. If you want to be free, too, write me at [your address], a\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers: The message that God\rquote s Spirit fills us with peace and sets us free cannot be kept secret. Like the woman at the well, we are compelled to share the news. The following activity serves a double purpose, providing a visual illustration of freedom and a practical witnessing opportunity.\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tause of the death of Jesus in our behalf. \i\par \tab\b\i0 How close are you to the Lord? Do you really know Him, or just \i about\i0 Him? What changes must you make in your life in order to have a closer walk with your Creator and Redeemer? What holds you back, and why?\b0\i\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\i0\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 STEP 4-Create\i0\f2\fs24\par nderstanding have followed the light of the Word will hear an inward authenticating voice assuring them that they have been accepted as children of God.\par \tab Indeed, \cf1\ul Rom_8:17\cf0\ulnone tells us that we are heirs; that is, we are part of the family of God and, as heirs, as children, we receive a wonderful inheritance from our Father. We don\rquote t earn it; it is given to us by virtue of our new status in God, a status granted to us through His grace, which has been made available to us becf the law in our own strength. There is hope for us only as we come under the Abrahamic covenant, which is the covenant of grace by faith in Christ Jesus.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White Comments, \i The SDA Bible Commentary, \i0 vol. 6, p. 1077.\par \b\tab What gives us the assurance that God has indeed accepted us as children? \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_8:16\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\i0 The inward witness of the Spirit confirms our acceptance. While it is not safe to go by feeling merely, those who to the best of their urd\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Just for Teachers: Suggest the following ideas to help your members put this week\rquote s class discussion into practice during the following weeks or months.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1080\tx1170\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280 1.\tab Plan your own mission journey around your neighborhood. Who among your neighbors and communityd by others. \par \b\tab What about your local church? What kind of reputation does it have? Or, even more important, does it even have one at all? What does your answer tell you about your local church? More important, if need be, how can you help improve the situation?\par \par \cf3\ul\b0\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 STEP 4-Create\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pao its teachings. \ldblquote The words, \lquote A new heart also will I give you,\rquote mean, \lquote A new mind will I give you.\rquote A change of heart is always attended by a clear conviction of Christian duty, an understanding of truth.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i My Life Today, \i0 p. 24.\par \tab 3. \ldblquote Able . . . to admonish one another.\rdblquote No one can thrive spiritually if isolated from fellow believers. We need to be able to encourage others and, at the same time, be encourageo get technical about it, Abraham wasn\rquote t Jewish; he came from a pagan ancestry\i (\cf1\ul Jos_24:2\cf0\ulnone )\i0 . The Gentile-Jewish distinction didn\rquote t exist in his time. When Abraham was justified \i (\cf1\ul Gen_15:6\cf0\ulnone ), \i0 he was not even circumcised. Thus, Abraham became the father of both the uncircumcised and the circumcised, as well as a great example for Paul to use in order to make his point about the universality of salvation. Christ\rquote s death was for everyone, regardless of race or nationality\i (\cf1\ul Heb_2:9\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \b\tab Considering the universality of the Cross, considering what the Cross tells us about the worth of every human being, why is racial or ethnic or national prejudice such a horrible thing? How can we learn to recognize the existence of prejudice in ourselves and through God\rquote s grace purge it from our minds? \b0\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par Learning Cycle\i0\f2\fs24 \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b\par \i\f1\fs28 STEP 1-Motivate\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tx10080 Key Concept for Spiritual Growth: \b0 God is the source of both the justice in His law and the grace seen in the atoning death of Jesus Christ that saves us from sin.\par \b\par Just for Teachers: In this week\rquote s lesson, we discuss and explore the\i \i0 relationship between God\rquote s law and His grace.\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1440\tx7290\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tx10080\b\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tx10080\b0\tab Imagine that you were in a school that offered only one of two grades: pass or fail. The only problem was that in order to pass, you needed a perfect score on every quiz, every test, every paper. Even one wrong answer, just one, would ruin your chances of passing. In other words, you could get every question right, every time, and then get the last question on the last test wrong, and you would get the same failing grade as someone who got every question on every test wrong.\par \par \tab In a sense, that is what salvation is like. We need an absolute perfect score for salvation, absolute perfect holiness, absolute perfect obedience to God\rquote s law. Anything short of that leads to a failing grade. The most wonderful saint who has even the most minor character fault is in the same boat as the nastiest and more degenerate criminal. Without absolute righteousness, we are lost.\par \par \tab Now, suppose in the school there was a student who not only got a perfect score but offered to share that score with you? That is, his perfect score would be yours, the only way you could possibly pass.\par \par \tab In a sense, that\rquote s the gospel. None of us have a passing grade. All of us have missed more than one question for sure, for we all have violated the law. Jesus alone has perfect righteousness, and the good news of the gospel is that He offers that perfect righteousness to all who claim it truly by faith. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tx10080\b Consider This: \b0 God\rquote s law stems from His righteousness and goodness and grace. Therefore, why does it make no sense that He would simply do away with it, as many Christians believe He did?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Tuesday\b0\scaps0 \i \fs28 July 2\i0 7\fs24\par \pard\sb100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\b\fs28 Promise and Law\fs24\par \tab\fs22\ldblquote For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_4:13\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tab In this verse, \ldblquote promise\rdblquote and \ldblquote law\rdblquote are contrasted. Paul is seeking to establish an Old Testament base for his teaching of righteousness by faith. He finds an example in Abraham, whom all the Jews accepted as their ancestor. Acceptance or justification had come to Abraham quite apart from law. God made a promise to Abraham that he was to be \ldblquote heir of the world.\rdblquote Abraham believed this promise; that is, he accepted the role that it implied. As a result God accepted him and worked through him to save the world. This remains a powerful example of how grace was operating in the Old Testament, which is no doubt why Paul used it. \b\par \tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_4:14-17\cf0\ulnone . How does Paul here continue showing how salvation by faith was central to the Old Testament? \b0\i See also \cf1\ul Gal_3:7-9\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\i0 It\rquote s important to remember, as we said in the beginning, to whom Paul is writing. These Jewish believers were immersed in Old Testament law, and many came to believe that their salvation rested on how well they kept the law, even though that was not what the Old Testament taught. \par \tab In seeking to remedy this misconception, Paul argued that Abraham, even prior to the law at Sinai, received the promises, not by works of the law (which would have been hard, since the law-the whole Torah and ceremonial system-was not in place yet) but by faith. \par \tab If Paul here were referring to the moral law exclusively, which existed in principle even before Sinai, the point remains the same. Perhaps even more so! Seeking to receive God\rquote s promises through the law, he said, makes faith void, even useless. Those are strong words, but his point is that faith saves, and the law condemns. He\rquote s trying to teach about the futility of seeking salvation by the very thing that leads to condemnation, because we all, Jew and Gentile, have violated the law, and, hence, we all need the same thing as Abraham did: the saving righteousness of Jesus credited to us by faith. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 2-Explore\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\i\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\f1\fs28 Bible Commentary\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi360\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920 I. Abraham\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0\i (Review with your class \cf4\ul Gen_15:6\cf3\ulnone and \cf4\ul\i0 Rom_4:1\cf3\ulnone\i - entire chapter)\par \b\i0\par \b0\tab As humans we tend to put other humans on a pedestal, sometimes literally! Never is this tendency truer than in how we Christians view biblical figures and other great heroes of faith. What we forget is that they are heroes \i of faith.\i0 They are what they are because they had faith in what God could do through and for them, not because they were born with a special holiness gene that most of us lack.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Consider Abraham. Abraham is revered by three world religions that agree on little else. In the ancient world even pagans regarded Abraham as a figure worthy of respect. The pagan Roman emperor Alexander Severus (who ruled from A.D. 222-235), missing the point spectacularly and flamboyantly, included a bust of Abraham-along with others of Moses, Jesus, Orpheus, and Apollonius of Tyana-in his private chapel.\par \par Yet, where did Abraham\rquote s greatness lie? He \ldblquote \lquote believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,\rquote \rdblquote as stated in \cf4\ul Rom_4:3\cf3\ulnone \i (NASB),\i0 quoting \cf4\ul Gen_15:6\cf3\ulnone .\par \par Abraham had to have righteousness credited to him, because he was not righteous on his own. He made mistakes. Sometimes he based his decisions on cowardice and faithlessness. For example, review \cf4\ul Gen_12:10-20\cf3\ulnone , in which he denies that Sarah is his wife and allows her to be taken by the pharaoh as a concubine, and his reprise of that error in regard to Abimelech in Genesis 20. And then there was his decision, in Genesis 16, to \i help\i0 God along in fulfilling the promise God had made to give him a son. In short, a close look reveals that Abraham\rquote s past is as riddled with failures as any one of ours might be, and his is recorded in Scripture.\par \par Nor was Abraham\rquote s lineage particularly holy, although the Jewish people in Paul\rquote s time took great pride in being of the lineage of Abraham. Abraham was a descendant of Noah, as was everyone else inhabiting the earth. Although the most evil antediluvians had died, leaving no heirs, descendants of Noah soon proved they had no mean talent for betraying and disappointing God. These were Abraham\rquote s forebears.\par \par Neither Abraham\rquote s predisposition to goodness and holiness, nor his heritage, was particularly noteworthy, but Abraham was special, as any of us can be special: He believed that God could change him, work through him, and bless the world through him. He believed God, God accepted him as righteous, and God made him capable of righteousness. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b Consider This: \b0 JuLst as God intended Abraham to bless the whole world in spite of his individual flaws, God wants to bless the whole world through all of us. How does Abraham\rquote s story inspire you to believe in God as He believes in you?\b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li720\tx720\tx900\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 II. By Grace, Through Faith\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx936tems that Paul selects as worthy of note in the Roman Christians\rquote experience are:\par \tab 1. \ldblquote Full of goodness.\rdblquote Would people say this of our own experience? As they associate with us, is it the abundance of goodness in us that attracts their attention?\par \tab 2. \ldblquote Filled with all knowledge.\rdblquote The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of enlightenment, information, and knowledge. Christians are urged to study the Bible and to become well-informed as tf Christ there was a live, earnest church in Rome. This church was strong and zealous, and the Lord worked for it.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White Comments, \i The SDA Bible Commentary, \i0 vol. 6, p. 1067. \i\par \tab\i0\ldblquote Faith\rdblquote here probably includes the broader sense of faithfulness; that is, faithfulness to the new way of life they had discovered in Christ.\par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_15:14\cf0\ulnone\i . \i0 How does Paul there describe the church at Rome?\b0\par \i\tab\i0 The three i nothing from his long years of service.\par \tab Not so with the one who accepts Jesus Christ. First, he or she renders voluntary service. Second, he or she serves without fear, for \ldblquote perfect love casteth out fear\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul 1Jn_4:18\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 Third, adopted as a son, he or she becomes heir to an inheritance of infinite worth.\par \tab\ldblquote The spirit of bondage is engendered by seeking to live in accordance with legal religion, through striving to fulfill the claims ond not in the oldness of the letter\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_7:6\cf0\ulnone ).\fs24\par \pard\keepn\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\i0\dn10\fs108 F\up0\fs22 ew chapters in the Bible have created more controversy than has Romans 7. Concerning the issues involved, \i The\i0 \i SDA Bible Commentary \i0 says: \ldblquote The meaning of \cf1\ul Rom_7:14-25\cf0\ulnone has been one of the most discussed problems in the whole epistle. The main questions have been as to whether the description of such intense moral struggle could be autobiographical, and, if so, whether the passage refers to Paul\rquote s experience before or after his conversion. That Paul is speaking of his own personal struggle with sin seems apparent from the simplest meaning of his words (cf. \cf1\ul Rom_7:7-11\cf0\ulnone ; [Ellen G. White, \i Steps to Christ, \i0 p. 19; Ellen G. White, \i Testimonies for the Church, \i0 vol. 3, p. 475]). It is surely also true that he is describing a conflict that is more or less experienced by every soul confronted by and awakened to the spiritual claims of God\rquote s holy law.\rdblquote -\i The SDA Bible Commentary, \i0 vol. 6, p. 553.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab Bible students differ on whether Romans 7 was Paul\rquote s experience before or after conversion. Whatever position one takes, what\rquote s important is that Jesus\rquote righteousness covers us and that in His righteousness we stand perfect before God, who promises to sanctify us, to give us victory over sin, and to conform us to \ldblquote the image of his Son\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_8:29\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 These are the crucial points for us to know and experience as we seek to spread \ldblquote the everlasting gospel\rdblquote to \ldblquote every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rev_14:6\cf0\ulnone ).\par \tab\i0\par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 21.\par \i0\fs24\page\b\scaps\fs32 Sunday\b0\i\scaps0 \fs28 August 15\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Bound to the Law? \b0\fs24\par \b\fs22\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_7:1-6\cf0\ulnone . What illustration does Paul use here in order to show his readers their relationship to the law, and what point is he making with that illustration?\b0\i\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tqc\tx4365 \i0 Paul\rquote s illustration in \cf1\ul Rom_7:1-6\cf0\ulnone is somewhat involved, but a careful analysis of the passage will help us to follow his reasoning.\tab\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab In the overall context of the letter, Paul was dealing with the system of worship established at Sinai; that is often what he means by the word \i law\i0 . The Jews had difficulty grasping the fact that this system, given to them of God, should end with the coming of the Messiah. This is whaul is without historical foundation. Perhaps lay persons established it, converts on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem \i (Acts 2) \i0 who then visited or moved to Rome. Or perhaps at some later period converts moving to Rome witnessed to their faith in that world capital.\par \tab It is surprising that, in a few decades from Pentecost, a congregation that apparently had received no apostolic visit should be so widely known. \ldblquote Notwithstanding the opposition, twenty years after the crucifixion oimple dress, strict Sabbath observance, and home-schooling. After completing a GED he planned on attending an independent \ldblquote institute\rdblquote because his parents felt that Seventh-day Adventist colleges were too worldly. Nevertheless, he enrolled because he was fascinated by architecture and could not get that training at the independent institute. At least, he reasoned, the Adventist university would be less worldly than a state university. To his happiness, he discovered a group of conservatife situations and discuss how the principles of Romans 14 and 15 apply. How can believers make their world more principled and tolerant at the same time?\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \b\tab Activity: \b0 Read the following:\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Adonijah was raised in a conservative home characterized by s  in dealing witu11-Sep 4-10 - The Electi11-S5!x 11-Sep 4-10 - The Election of Grace{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f5\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blueN 11-Sep 4-10 - The Election of Grace{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froat Paul was dealing with-Jewish believers still not ready to abandon what had been such an important part of their lives.\par \tab In essence, Paul\rquote s illustration is as follows: a woman is married to a man. The law binds her to him as long as he lives. During his lifetime she cannot consort with other men. But when he dies, she is free from the law that bound her to him \i (vs. 3).\i0\par \b\tab How does Paul apply the illustration of the law of marriage to the system of Judaism? \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom\b0\i\fs28 July 1\b\i0\fs24\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\fs28 World Reputation\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\fs22\ldblquote First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_1:8\cf0\ulnone ).\par \tab\i0 It is not known how the congregation in Rome became established. The tradition that the church was founded by Peter or Pas they were to the churches of Paul\rquote s time. What challenges do churches face that may be met by a definitive \ldblquote thus saith the Lord\rdblquote ? What sources of knowledge and support has God given us for our times?\cf0\b\f0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\scaps\fs32 Thursday\scaps0\fs36 hy churches are present in the large cities of today? What challenges face younger, more remote churches?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Clear explanations of the principles of the gospel still are as important today *\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0 What cities and regions of today are most influential in not only material trade but the exportation of thoughts and ideas that influence the rest of the world? How might today\rquote s church make use of the position and influence of these channels of culture to spread the gospel of Christ around the globe? What challenges to the growth of healtare situated in metropolises that may do a lot to support the development of younger churches in less populated and more remote areas. However, challenges exist in every region. Use the thought questions below to help your class reflect on not only the challenges faced by the global church but its place in the global picture.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Thought Questions:\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\im. Why should you not allow anything, anything at all, to hold you back from heeding that call?\par \par \cf3\ul\b0\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 STEP 3-Apply\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Just for Teachers: As in Paul\rquote s day, larger churches often  intention was for all humanity to find salvation in Jesus. The final fire of hell was meant only for the devil and his angels \i (\cf1\ul Mat_25:41\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 That some folk don\rquote t avail themselves of what was offered doesn\rquote t take away from the wonder of the gift any more than someone who goes on a hunger strike in a marketplace takes away from the wonderful bounties found there.\par \tab\b Think about it: Even before the foundation of the world, God called you to have salvation in Hul says that they were \ldblquote called to be saints.\rdblquote Does this mean that some people are not called? How does \cf1\ul Eph_1:4\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Heb_2:9\cf0\ulnone , and \cf1\ul 2Pe_3:9\cf0\ulnone help us understand what Paul means?\b0\par \tab The great news of the gospel is that Christ\rquote s death was universal; it was for all human beings. All have been called to be saved in Him, \ldblquote called to be saints\rdblquote even before the foundation of the world. God\rquote s originalote ; that is, \ldblquote designated saints.\rdblquote\par \tab\i Saints \i0 is the translation of the Greek \i hagioi, \i0 which literally means \ldblquote holy ones.\rdblquote \i Holy\i0 means \ldblquote dedicated.\rdblquote A saint is one who has been \ldblquote set apart\rdblquote by God. He or she still may have a long way to go in sanctification, but the fact that this person has chosen Christ as the Lord designates him or her as a saint in the Bible\rquote s meaning of the term.\par \tab\b Pa human sphere. We love in a special way those who love us; with them there is a mutual exchange of affection. Love demands response. When the response is not forthcoming, love is limited in its fullest expression.\par \tab\i Called to be saints. \i0 In some translations the phrase \ldblquote to be\rdblquote is in italics, which means that the translators have supplied the words. But they can be left out with the meaning intact. When they are omitted, we get the expression \ldblquote called saints\rdblquon to the church in Rome. \ldblquote To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_1:7\cf0\ulnone ). \b\i0 What principles of truth, of theology, of faith, can we take away from his words here?\b0\i\par \tab Beloved of God. \i0 While it is true that God loves the world, in a special sense God loves those who have chosen Him, those who have responded to His love. \par \tab We see this in thepar \b Consider This:\b0 How did hardships affect Paul\rquote s sense of mission? \par \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Wednesday\fs36 \b0\scaps0\fs24\tab\tab\tab \i\fs28 June 30\i0\fs24\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\b\fs28 Called to Be \ldblquote Saints\rdblquote \b0\fs24\par \b\tab\fs22 Here is Paul\rquote s salutaticf4\ul Act_28:17-31\cf3\ulnone with your class.)\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\i0\tab Paul eventually reached Rome but not as a free man. Despite his chains, the gospel of Christ that was always on his heart, and was the continual burden of his exhortations and letters, was boldly preached to all who would listen. He wrote his epistles to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and to Philemon from Rome.\par \gh the church in Rome had not been established by any known apostle, it was vibrant and growing, and God was with it. What challenges do churches without much available, trained leadership face? How may these challenges be met?\par \b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 III. Serving in Chains\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi360\li360\tx360\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\tx9000\b0\i (Review \ Jewish traditions to Christian ways of thinking. The Jewish traditions had been so long steeped in human machinations that their original godly purposes had been misunderstood or forgotten by many. But just which beliefs and practices were to be kept and which had been swept away, by means of type meeting antitype in the death of Christ, was not always clear. A decisive explanation of the foundations of the gospel was critical for the development of the young church.\par \par \b Consider This:\b0 Thou letter to the church in Rome, describing the great principles of the gospel. He stated persuasively that a practical application of the gospel met challenges that some of the Christian churches were facing, surrounded as they were by the pagan cultures of idolatry and immorality.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tab Because the church was still in its infancy, there also were challenges in regard to the shift fromaps\f0\fs32\par Thursday\b0\scaps0 \fs24 \i\fs28 August 26\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Adoption Versus Bondage\b0\fs24\par \b\fs22\tab How does Paul describe the new relationship in Christ? \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_8:15\cf0\ulnone . \b\i0 What hope is found in this promise for us? How do we make it real in our lives?\b0\i\par \tab\i0 The new relationship is described as freedom from fear. A slave is in bondage. He lives in a state of constant fear of his master. He stands to gainpar \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard{\pntext\f6\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf6\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 How do we replace the tendency to focus on earthly things with a focus on spiritual things?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Thought Questions:\b0 \par \pard{\pntext\f6\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf6\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 If we become what we think, how can pornography advocates claim that porn is harmless? \x7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Activity: \b0 The battle for the mind is the battle for the soul. What we think about becomes who we are. Make a group list of practical methods that members use to focus on spiritual things. The list might include such things as prayer, listening to Christian music, singing, reading/memorizing scripture, nature hikes, mission trips, sharing their faith, etcetera.\par \pard\nowido options for application. If you saved your second quarter teacher\rquote s guide, refer to the Apply section of lesson 2 (\ldblquote The Power of Choice\rdblquote ). The sketch \ldblquote The Puppet and the Wind\rdblquote is based on Romans 8. (Note: That lesson is valuable as supplemental material for our current study.) The other option is described below. Either way, focus on things that set us free.\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tT E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 STEP 3-Apply\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers: Note that verse 2 is the only place within Romans 8 in which Paul uses first-person singular (set \i me \i0 free). This freedom was something that Paul experienced personally, not some theoretical schema that he propounded for argument\rquote s sake. So it should be with us. We offer twe, because the person has been so miraculously freed from the slave master of sin, he or she is obligated never to serve sin again.\par \b\tab Dwell on this idea that the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, is the same one dwelling in us, if we allow Him to. Think about the power that is there for us! What keeps us from availing ourselves of it as we should? \fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\b0\f1\fs22 we have to, of ourselves, make day by day, moment by moment. God does not destroy human freedom. Even after the old man of sin is destroyed, it still is possible to sin. To the Colossians Paul wrote, \ldblquote Mortify [put to death] therefore your members which are upon the earth\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Col_3:5\cf0\ulnone ).\par \tab\i0 Thus, after conversion there still will be a struggle against sin. The difference is that the person whom the Spirit indwells now has divine power for victory. Furthermorr\i (\cf1\ul Rom_8:9-10\cf0\ulnone ).\par \tab\i0 In these verses, Paul returns to a figure he used in \cf1\ul Rom_6:1-11\cf0\ulnone . Figuratively, in baptism \ldblquote the body of sin\rdblquote ; that is, the body that served sin, is destroyed. The \ldblquote old man is crucified with him\rdblquote \i (vs. 6). \i0 But, as in baptism, there is not only a burial but also a resurrection, so the person baptized rises to walk in the newness of life. This means to put to death the old self, a choice that white, than that\par \tab\b Read \cf1\ul Rom_8:9-14\cf0\ulnone . What is promised to those who surrender themselves fully to Christ?\b0\i\par \tab\i0 The life \ldblquote in the flesh\rdblquote is contrasted with life \ldblquote in the Spirit.\rdblquote The life \ldblquote in the Spirit\rdblquote is controlled by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit. He is in this chapter called the Spirit of Christ, perhaps in the sense that He is a representative of Christ, and through Him Christ dwells in the believeme, contrasting the two possibilities that people face in how they live: either according to the Spirit; that is, the Holy Spirit of God, which is promised to us, or according to their sinful and carnal nature. One leads to eternal life, the other to eternal death. There is no middle ground. Or, as Jesus Himself said: "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Mat_12:30\cf0\ulnone , NKJV). \i0 It\rquote s hard to get plainer, or more black and x5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 Is your spiritual walk a \ldblquote slave walk\rdblquote or an \ldblquote heir walk\rdblquote ? Do you see God\rquote s ways as restrictive or liberating? Why?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Wednesday\b0\scaps0 \i\fs28 August 25\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 The Spirit in Us\b0\fs24\par \b\fs22\tab\b0 Paul continues his thes ways as His respected desires rather than as tyrannical restrictions. Here Paul\rquote s language mirrors his earlier letter to the Galatians \i in chapter 4,\i0 where he compares slaves and children. He rejoices \i (vs. 7)\i0 that \ldblquote you are no longer a slave, but a son . . . an heir\rdblquote \i (NIV).\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\t3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Anciently both children and slaves were regular members of the household. Yet, no one would be confused about the roles each played. Children stood to inherit the family wealth, while the slaves\rquote role was to follow the owners\rquote orders. \par \par The \ldblquote flesh person\rdblquote functions as a slave, doing out of fear and obligation what the law states. The believer, however, obeys the heavenly Parent out of love, seeing God\rquote \ul Rom_8:15-17\cf2\ulnone with the class.)\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\i0\tab Here Paul introduces a new metaphorical pair-children versus slaves. Leaving behind the legal metaphors that dominated his earlier exposition, Paul turns to familial ones to summarize his position. Perhaps this shift signals a move from the head to the heart, as well. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\txh person\rdblquote who sins and a believer who sins? What evidence exists to prove that the law can be fulfilled in us?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b II. Adoption Versus Bondage\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b0\i (Review \cf3_7:4-5\cf0\ulnone\par \tab\i0 As the death of her husband delivers the woman from the law of her husband, so the death of the old life in the flesh, through Jesus Christ, delivers the Jews from the law they had been expected to keep until the Messiah fulfilled its types.\par \tab Now the Jews were free to \ldblquote remarry.\rdblquote They were invited to marry the risen Messiah and thus bring forth fruit to God. This illustration was one more device Paul used to convince the Jews that they were now free to abandon the ancient system. \par \tab Again, given all else that Paul and the Bible say about obedience to the Ten Commandments, it doesn\rquote t make sense to assert here that Paul was telling these Jewish believers that the Ten Commandments were no longer binding. Those who use these texts to try to make that point-that the moral law was done away with-really don\rquote t want to make \i that\i0 point, anyway; what they really want to say is that only the seventh-day Sabbath is gone, not the rest of the law. To read these verses as teaching that the fourth commandment has been abolished or superceded or replaced with Sunday is to give them a meaning that the words were never intended to have. \fs24\par \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\ulnone\b\i\fslquote The first has divine purpose; the second has none. What we focus on we become. By focusing on Jesus, we become more like Him. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 How can Christians tell if they are living in the flesh or in the Spirit? What is the difference, if any, between a \ldblquote fles28\par The Lesson in Brief\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b\par Key Text:\b0 \cf3\ul\i Rom_7:22-23\cf2\ulnone\par \par \b\i0 The Student Will:\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Know:\b0 Recognize that our sinful nature wages war against God\rquote s law and that we must die to the l the time, etcetera.) We are freed from that behavior in Jesus. \par \par A key to this changed life resides in the choices we make with our mind. The Greek word \i phr\f3 oneo\f2 , \i0\ldblquote\i mind\rdblquote\i0 (\cf3\ul\i Rom_8:5\cf2\ulnone\i0 ), implies more than passive thought, suggesting intent and focus. The spiritual-minded person focuses on God\rquote s revealed will, while the flesh-dominated person accepts the \ldblquote default\rdblquote position of \ldblquote do whatever suits me.\rdbew life that is defined by God\rquote s standard of righteousness as revealed in Scripture. Though not yet possessing perfect character, this person is oriented by a desire to please God rather than satisfy self. Miracle of miracles, this means that what the law requires can be satisfactorily accomplished in us. We no longer \ldblquote have to\rdblquote beat our spouses, lie publicly, humiliate our children, cheat on taxes, murder, steal, or commit adultery! (Or gossip, slander, dominate, have our way alures the totality of life apart from God-the sum of our desires, interests, pursuits, and passions. The \ldblquote flesh\rdblquote covers every aspect of our self-focused, self-centered lives (not merely our sexual dimensions, as with some Victorian interpretations). \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 The Spirit is just the opposite, representing the emptied self filled with God. The Spirit-filled person desires a nhrist made not this atonement, that thou shouldest anger God again; neither died he for thy sins, that thou shouldest live still in them; neither cleansed he thee, that thou shouldest return (as a swine) unto thine old puddle again; but that thou shouldest be a new creature and live a new life after the will of God and not of the flesh.\rdblquote -John Stott, \i Romans \i0 (Downers Grove, Ill.:\i \i0 InterVarsity Press, 1994), p. 182. The flesh stands as a metaphor for our life apart from Christ. It pict20\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab News flash-there is no longer condemnation for those who live in Jesus. But who are those people? Here Paul introduces a key metaphor that is replayed throughout the first half of the chapter. Those who are in Jesus are those who walk after the Spirit, rather than after the flesh. English Reformer William Tyndale, cited in John Stott\rquote s \i Romans, \i0 wrote in 1526: \ldblquote Now go to, reader. . . . Remember that Cabbath?\b0\par \fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 3-Apply\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers: Select one or more of the following lh Paul\rquote s writings: \ldblquote As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul 2Pe_3:16\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \tab\b What has been your experience with the Sabbath? Has it been the blessing it was meant to be? What changes can you make in order to experience more fully what the Lord offers you in the Senalties for various infractions.\par \tab The ceremonial law regulated the sanctuary ritual, describing the various offerings and the individual citizen\rquote s responsibilities. The feast days are specified and their observance defined.\par \tab The health laws overlap the other laws. The various laws relating to uncleanness define ceremonial uncleanness, and yet go beyond this to include hygienic and health principles. Laws regarding clean and unclean meats are based on physical considerations.\par  \tab While the Jew probably largely thought of all of these laws as a package, having all come from God, he or she must have made certain distinctions mentally. The Ten Commandments had been spoken by God directly to the people. This would set them apart as especially important. The other laws had been relayed through Moses. The sanctuary ritual could be kept only while a sanctuary was in operation.\par \tab The civil laws, at least in large part, could no longer be imposed after the Jews lost their independence and came under the civil control of another nation. Many of the ceremonial precepts could no longer be observed after the temple was destroyed. Also, after the Messiah came, many of the types had met their antitypes and no longer had validity.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par Learning Cycle\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \i\f1\fs28 STEP 1-Motivate\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx8010\tx8640\tx9360\tx10080\tx10800\b0\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Key Concept for Spiritual Growth:\b0 The early church\rquote s debate over whether-or how much-Christians must obey Old Testament laws mirrors our efforts today to strike a balance between law and grace in our own spiritual lives.\par \b\par Just for Teachers\b0 : \b In this week\rquote s lesson we discuss the issues faced by the early church in regard to the role of law and grace in one\rquote s salvation. \par \par \b0\tab The great American writer Ambrose Bierce defined a Christian as \ldblquote one who believes that the New Testament is a divinely inspired book admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbor.\rdblquote One thing we can see from this is that Bierce hadn\rquote t been exposed to the right kind of Christian. But, as in all canards, there is a grain of truth to it.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Bierce probably was referring to the garden- variety hypocrite, who believes that loving one\rquote s neighbor, caring for the least of these, etc., is a burden to be borne \i by someone other than oneself.\b\i0 \b0 As \cf4\ul Luk_11:46\cf3\ulnone suggests, this school of thought has a long history.\par \par But there\rquote s another aspect implicit in Bierce\rquote s scathing witticism equally worthy of consideration. Most of us would affirm that the New Testament teaches that we are saved by grace and that there is nothing we can do to be saved. But when you say \ldblquote we,\rdblquote does it include \i you?\i0 Do you truly believe you are saved by grace, or are you burdening yourself with things you must do to be accepted? Is the gospel for you, or is it just admirably suited to your neighbor?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b Consider This: \b0 In \cf4\ul Mat_11:30\cf3\ulnone , Jesus says that \ldblquote \lquote my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.\rquote \rdblquote Why do we often feel a need to make it heavier for ourselves or others?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tab\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\cf0\scaps\f0\fs32 Tuesday \b0\scaps0\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i\fs28 July 6\i0\fs24\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\b\fs28\ldblquote What Must I Do to Be Saved?\rdblquote\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Act_15:1\cf0\ulnone\i . \i0 What issue was causing dissension? Why would some people believe that this wasn\rquote t just for the Jewish nation? \b0\i See \cf1\ul Gen_17:10\cf0\ulnone .\i0 \i\par \tab\i0 While the apostles united with the ministers and lay members at Antioch in an earnest effort to win many souls to Christ, certain Jewish believers from Judaea \ldblquote of the sect of the Pharisees\rdblquote succeeded in introducing a question that soon led to widespread controversy in the church and brought consternation to the believing Gentiles. With great assurance these teachers asserted that in order to be saved, one must be circumcised and must keep the entire ceremonial law. The Jews, after all, always had prided themselves on their divinely appointed services, and many of those who had been converted to the faith of Christ still felt that since God had once clearly outlined the Hebrew manner of worship, it was improbable that He would ever authorize a change in any of its specifications. They insisted that the Jewish laws and ceremonies should be incorporated into the rites of the Christian religion. They were slow to discern that all the sacrificial offerings had but prefigured the death of the Son of God, in which type met antitype, and after which the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic dispensation were no longer binding.\b\par \tab Read \cf1\ul Act_15:2-12\cf0\ulnone . How was this dispute to be settled?\b0 \par \tab\ldblquote While looking to God for direct guidance, he [Paul] was ever ready to recognize the authority vested in the body of believers united in church fellowship. He felt the need of counsel, and when matters of importance arose, he was glad to lay these before the church and to unite with his brethren in seeking God for wisdom to make right decisions.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Acts of the Apostles, \i0 p. 200.\par \tab It\rquote s interesting that Paul, who often talked about his prophetic calling and how Jesus had called him and gave him his mission, was so willing to work with theps0\tab The parade.\par \tab\expndtw6\b\scaps DT.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0\tab Oh . . . Why?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx720\tx1440\tx2340\tx3060\tx3780\tx4500\tx5220\tx5940\tx6660\tx7380\tx8100\tx8820\tab\expndtw6\b\scaps PF.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0 To show off, guy. What were you thinking? Say, what are you doing now?\par \tab\expndtw6\b\scaps DT.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0\tab I\rquote m a delivery truck . . . You know, I deliver stuff that people need.\par \tab\expndtw6\b\scaps PF.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0 Really? Like, whoever notices? I\rquote m not trying to be critical but your tires are worn out, your windshield\rquote s dusty, and your bed\rquote s a mess. Is it worth it?\par \tab\expndtw6\b\scaps DT.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0\tab True, most people don\rquote t appreciate the deliveries; but sometimes you meet the family that just couldn\rquote t live without \i that\i0 package, and that\rquote s so rewarding!\par \tab\expndtw6\b\scaps PF.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0 Sounds like work. Hey, look, I stay in a nice heated garage with stained-glass windows and a staff dedicated to keeping me polished and presentable. All I have to do is drag the float a few times before adoring crowds. I\rquote m not boasting, but it\rquote s a fact-there\rquote s lots of applause. Want to sign on?\par \tab\expndtw6\b\scaps DT.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0\tab I don\rquote t know. It looks like an awfully big burden to pull.\par \tab\expndtw6\b\scaps PF.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0 No sweat! It only \i looks\i0 substantial, but there\rquote s really not much to it. There\rquote s a frame covered with lightweight chicken wire to make it \i look\i0 big. We deck the wire out in flower petals so that it looks impressive. Only problem is that the petals decompose after a couple of days, and it looks shabby and stinks.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1260\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\expndtw6\b\scaps DT.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0\tab What do you do then?\par \pard\nowidc tlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx720\tx1440\tx1530\tx3060\tx3780\tx4500\tx5220\tx5940\tx6660\tx7380\tx8100\tx8820\tab\expndtw6\b\scaps PF.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0 We hide it in the warehouse and redo it. By the time people see it again it\rquote s OK. They never know the difference.\par \tab\expndtw6\b\scaps DT.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0\tab Sounds like an awful lot of work to keep up appearances.\par \tab\expndtw6\b\scaps PF. \expndtw0\b0\scaps0 Yeah, but how many first-place ribbons do you get from pretty girls  in your business? Check out my portfolio!\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1260\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\expndtw6\b\scaps DT.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0\tab Thanks, but no thanks.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2700\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tx10080\expndtw6\b\scaps PF.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0 \i (awkward silence):\i0 You know, I used to be in deliveries myself. Then I found this parad e and show gig . . . I kinda miss just being real. Back then it wasn\rquote t about me. It was all about the package . . . I guess you can\rquote t go back though.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx3060\tx3780\tx4500\tx5220\tx5940\tx6660\tx7380\tx8100\tx8820\tab\expndtw6\b\scaps DT.\expndtw0\b0\scaps0\tab You never know, big guy. I think the boss is still looking for guys like the \i real \i0 you. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\ tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li450\tx450\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Application Questions: \par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0 How do we avoid a pharisaical focus on our accomplishments and appearances? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx50 40\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Why is the desire for admiration sometimes stronger than the call to service? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 How is evangelistic fervor rekindled once we have been disengaged from God\rquote s mission?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Thursday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 September 9\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 The Salvation of Sinners\b0\fs24\par \b\fs22\tab\b0 Paul\rquote s love for his own people is clearly apparent in these verses. How hard it must have been for him to have some of his countrymen fight against him and against the truth of the gospel. And yet, amid it all, he still believed that many would see Jesus as the Messiah.\b\par \tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_11:28-36\cf0\ulnone . How does Paul show God\rquote s love, not just for the Jews but for all humanity? How does he here express the amazing and mysterious power of God\rquote s grace?\b0 \i\par \tab\i0 All through these verses, though a contrast is made between Jews and Gentiles, one point stands clear: God\rquote s mercy and love and grace are poured out upon sinners. From even before the foundation of the world, God\rquote s plan was to save humanity and to use other human beings, nations even, as instruments in His hands to fulfill His divine will. \par \tab\b Read carefully and prayerfully \cf1\ul Rom_11:31\cf0\ulnone . What important point should we take from this text about our witness, not just to Jews but to all people with whom we come in contact?\b0\i \par \tab\i0 No doubt, through the centuries, had the Christian church treated the Jews better, many more might have come to their Messiah. The great falling away in the early centuries after Christ, and the extreme paganization of Christianity-including the rejection of the seventh-day Sabbath in favor of Sunday-certainly didn\rquote t make it any easier on a Jew who might have beeln drawn to Jesus. \par \tab How crucial, then, that all Christians, realizing the mercy that has been given to them in Jesus, display that mercy to others. We can\rquote t be Christians if we don\rquote t \i (see \cf1\ul Mat_18:23-35\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 \i\par \tab\b\i0 Is there someone to whom you need to show mercy, who perhaps doesn\rquote t deserve it? Why not show this person that mercy, no matter how hard that might be? Isn\rquote t that what Jesus has done for us?\b0 \fs24\par \par \pard\nowidct 99y12-Sep 11-17 - Love and Law{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\bYy 12-Sep 11-17 - Love and Law{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpyU12-Sep 11-17 - Love and Law{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{o yu12-Sep 11-17 - Love and Law{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0  5M13 -Sep 18-24 - All the Rest Is Commentary{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Trebuchet MS;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f3\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f4\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0513 -S5i13 -Sep 18-24 - All the Rest Is Commentary{\5u13 -Sep 18-24 - All the Rest Is Commentary{\rtf1\Asb100\sa100\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Redemption in Romans\fs24\par \b0\fs22\tab\par \tab He had been a monk, a diligent one at that. \ldblquote I was indeed a pious monk, and followed the rules of my order more strictly than I can express. If ever a monk could attain Heaven by his monkish works, I should certainly have been entitled to it. If I had continued much longer, I should have carried my mortifications even to death.\rdblquote\par \tab No matter his works and mortifications, however, the monk never sensed acceptance with God, never believed that he was good enough to be saved. His personal despair was so great that it was destroying him mentally and physically, because-believing in the reality of God\rquote s wrath-he feared the prospect of ever having to face it. \par \tab After all, who wouldn\rquote t?\par \tab Then one day, through his study of the Bible, a text jumped out at him that changed not only his life but the history of the world. \ldblquote The just shall live by faith\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_1:17\cf0\ulnone ). \i0\par \tab His eyes had been opened: his acceptance with God was based, not on his works, not on his bodily mortifications, not on his deeds but on the merits of Christ. Never again would he be open to the delusions of a theology that placed the hope of salvation in anything other than the righteousness of Christ given to the believer through faith alone.\par \tab The monk, of course, was Martin Luther, who was used by God to start the greatest religious revolt in Christian history: the Protestant Reformation. \par \tab For Luther, it all began in the book of Romans, the topic of this quarter\rquote s study. It\rquote s not surprising that the Protestant revolt against Rome began in Romans (ironically enough), because this book has played a key role in the history of Christian thought. All great movements in Christianity back to the pure gospel and to the theme of \ldblquote justification by faith\rdblquote have found their starting point in Paul\rquote s epistle to the Romans. The epistle contains a complete theological presentation of the gospel and of the hope it presents to fallen humanity. \par \tab As we study Romans, we\rquote ll follow a crucial rule, and that is: we\rquote ll seek to discover what the words of Scripture were meant to say to those to whom they were first addressed. We\rquote ll look at them in their immediate context; then, after that, we\rquote ll seek their meaning for us today. This doesn\rquote t imply that the texts themselves change meanings; it implies, instead, that the truths taught by the Scriptures need to be applied to the present circumstances of those reading the texts.\par \tab We must, therefore, first discover what the words of Paul meant to the Roman Christians. What was he saying to them, and why? Paul had a particular reason for writing to that congregation. There were certain issues he wished to clarify, but the great truths that he taught as he clarified those issues were not restricted to only his first readers. On the contrary, these words have reverberated across the centuries, teaching millions the wonderful news of the gospel and its foundational doctrine, justification by faith. It was this light, light from the book of Romans, that scattered the darkness which had enveloped Luther and millions of others, light that revealed to them not only the great truth of Christ pardoning sinners but also the power of Christ to cleanse them from sin. And it\rquote s light from these pages that we, this quarter, will seek to uncover for ourselves as we study the great theme of salvation by faith alone as revealed in the book of Romans. \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\i\par This quarter is based on previous work by Don Neufeld (1914-1980),\b\i0 \b0\i who served as associate editor of the Adventist Review for 13 years \cf2 (\cf0 1967-1980\cf2 ) \cf0 and as one of the editors of The SDA Bible Commentary\i0 Series.\fs24\par \pard\cf3\f1\fs23\par }  larger church body. That is, whatever his calling, he realized that he was part of the church as a whole and that he needed to work with it as much as possible. \b\par \tab What is your attitude toward church leadership? How cooperative are you? Why is cooperation so important? How could we function if everyone was doing only what he or she wanted, independent of the larger body?\b0\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 2-Explore\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\i\f1\fs28 Bible Commentary\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 I. The Law as Jesus Saw It, and the Law as We See It in Jesus\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0\i (Review with your class \cf4\ul Mat_5:17-18\cf3\ulnone , and \cf4\ul Mat_22:34-40\cf3\ulnone .)\par \i0\par \tab Early in His ministry Jesus made clear that His purpose was not to nullify or destroy the law as r evealed in the Old Testament but to fulfill it. In keeping with this purpose, the early Christians took the law very seriously.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Fundamental to the Christian theology of God\rquote s law were two things: Jesus\rquote teaching about the law and Jesus\rquote fulfillment of the law in His life, death, and resurrection.\par \par First, Jesus\rquote teaching about the law inten!ded to strip it to its essentials. In \cf4\ul Mat_22:34-40\cf3\ulnone , when a Pharisee asked Him which is the greatest of the commandments, Jesus brought it down to its elements: love of God and love of one\rquote s fellow humans. As such, Jesus gave His followers-present and future-a basis to judge and evaluate all their actions, thoughts, and attitudes, even those that may have seemed outwardly law-abiding but were perhaps wrongly motivated or damaging to others.\par \par Second, Jesus attempted, in "His life and ministry, to direct His disciples away from the wrongheaded legalism of the Pharisees and others who attempted to obey the law in their own strength. This lesson is just as relevant for us today. While obedience to the law is important and necessary, salvation comes by looking to Jesus: His example and His finished work on our behalf. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b Consider This: \b0 What can one #see to be underlying Jesus\rquote teaching about the law, and how did the Christian Pharisees of \cf4\ul Act_15:5\cf3\ulnone undercut it, even while possibly seeming plausible and logical? \b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li720\tx720\tx900\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 II. Jews, Gentiles, and Others\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0\i (Review with your class$ \cf4\ul\i0 Act_15:1\cf3\ulnone\i - entire chapter)\b\i0\par \b0\par \tab From the earliest days, circumcision was a sign underlying the unique relationship of the Israelites/Jews to God. The circumcision of every human male in his household ratified Abraham\rquote s covenant with Yahweh. \par \par \tab The person who was circumcised in body was also required to be circumcised in mind and heart, as commanded in \cf4\ul Deu_10:16\cf3\ulnone , \cf4\ul Deu_30:6\cf3\ulnone , and \cf4\ul Jer_4:4\cf3\ulnon%e . One who was circumcised in heart and mind was one who responded readily to God\rquote s call and leading, someone who had literally given up something to follow God. The physical act was extremely painful for an adult male, and those Gentiles who underwent it and became full converts to Judaism were highly regarded. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 It is important to realize that Paul and the other apost&les recognized the spiritual meaning of circumcision and respected it. However, at the same time, true circumcision is that of the heart \i (\cf4\ul Rom_2:29\cf3\ulnone )\i0 .\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Consider This: \b0 All the laws of God, even those that might have seemed difficult or painful, were intended to be a blessing to those who followed them in the right spirit. Conversely, how can these same l'aws become an intolerable burden even to those who sincerely desire to follow God?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li720\tx720\tx990\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b III. Christian Pharisees? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0\i (Review with your class \cf4\ul Act_15:5\cf3\ulnone .)\b\i0\par \par \b0\tab Christian Pharisees. To the average reader of the New Tes(tament, this phrase is about as paradoxical, or even downright contradictory, as \ldblquote pacifists for nuclear proliferation.\rdblquote And yet that is what the individuals described in \cf4\ul Act_15:5\cf3\ulnone were-they were Christians, and they were Pharisees. Most translations describe them as \ldblquote of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed.\rdblquote As such, they believed that Jesus was the Messiah. Their contention that new converts must be circumcised and obey the laws of Moses wa)s considered seriously by the church but ultimately rejected and dismissed. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Like the Pharisees, we all come to Christ bearing baggage. These may be bad habits. Or they may be false or unnecessary beliefs about God, others, ourselves, or the universe at large. God accepts us as we are-and so should the church-but He wants to help us grow beyond these things. All that is necess*ary is for us to be willing to listen, to have circumcised hearts and ears. At some point, we must decide which attachments are most important to us.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b Consider This: \b0 In what ways are you, like the \ldblquote Christian Pharisees,\rdblquote clinging to beliefs, customs, or habits that are false or no longer useful to your walk with God?\b\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\+tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b0\f0\fs22\par \b\scaps\fs32 Wednesday\b0\scaps0\tab\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\i\fs28 July 7\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28\ldblquote No Greater Burden\rdblquote\b0\tab\tab\fs24\tab\b\par \fs22\tab Read \cf1\ul Act_15:5-29\cf0\ulnone . What decision did the council come to, and what was their reasoning? \b0\i\par \tab\i0 The decision was against the contentions of the Judaizers. These folk insisted that the Gentile converts be circumcised and keep the, entire ceremonial law, and that \ldblquote the Jewish laws and ceremonies should be incorporated into the rites of the Christian religion.\rdblquote\i -\i0 Ellen G. White, \i The Acts of the Apostles, \i0 p. 189.\par \tab It\rquote s interesting to note in verse 10 how Peter depicted these old laws as a \ldblquote yoke\rdblquote that they were unable to bear. Would the Lord, who instituted those laws, make them a yoke on His people? That hardly seems so. Instead, over the years some of the leaders had,- through their oral traditions, turned many of the laws, which were meant to be blessings, into burdens. The council sought to spare Gentiles from these burdens. \par \tab Notice, too, that there was no mention or question of the Gentiles not needing to obey the Ten Commandments. After all, could we imagine the council telling them not to eat blood, but that it was acceptable to ignore the commandments against adultery or murder and the like\par \tab\b What rules were placed on the Gentile believers\b0\.i (\cf1\ul Act_15:20\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Act_15:29\cf0\ulnone ), \b\i0 and why these specific ones?\b0 \par \b\tab\b0 Although Jewish believers weren\rquote t to impose their rules and tradition on Gentiles, the council wanted to make sure that the Gentiles didn\rquote t do things that would have been deemed offensive to the Jews who were united with them in Jesus. The apostles and elders, therefore, agreed to instruct the Gentiles by letter to abstain from meats offered to idols, from fornication, fr/om things strangled, and from blood. Some say that, because Sabbath keeping wasn\rquote t specifically mentioned, it must not have been meant for the Gentiles (of course, the commandments against lying and murder weren\rquote t specifically mentioned either, so that argument means nothing). \par \tab\b Could we, in some ways, be laying burdens on people that are not necessary but are more from tradition than divine command? If so, how? Bring your thoughts to class on Sabbath.\b0\par \par \pard\nowidctl0par\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 3-Practice\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par Just for Teachers: Encourage your students to use these questions to think about 1the Christian hope as it relates to their own lives and to the world at large.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Thought Questions:\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0 What distinguishes the Ten Commandments-or the moral law-from all the other ceremonial,2 civil, and health laws? In responding to people who accuse Seventh-day Adventists of being legalists, why is it significant that the Sabbath commandment is one of the ten?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1080\tx1080\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 What was at the root of t3he issue of circumcision and the imposition of other Old Testament laws that clearly were specific to the Israelites before the time of Christ? Why was Paul so vehement in his opposition to those who continued to preach circumcision and other forms of legalism? Why couldn\rquote t the issue be considered as a matter of \ldblquote agreeing to disagree\rdblquote ?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li450b\tx450\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Application Questions:\b0\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 The resolution of the problem of whether to require circumcision and observance of Jewish law of Gentile converts was clearly a compromise in some ways. Paul is on record as saying that the eatitrong denunciations to church members in Rome. He notes the \ldblquote goodness\rdblquote and \ldblquote competence\rdblquote of the Christians in Rome, that they were \ldblquote complete in knowledge\rdblquote \i (\cf4\ul Rom_15:14\cf3\ulnone , NIV).\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi360\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tab Paul hoped that the Christians in Rome would be allies in his quest to evangelize the world. To this end he wrote the4owidctlpar\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx180\tx360\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\b II. A Good Reputation\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0\i (Review \cf4\ul Rom_15:14\cf3\ulnone with your class.)\par \par \i0\tab While Paul had not visited Rome before nor founded the church there, he heard of the church\rquote s reputation. Unlike the letters to Corinth, Paul has no s5e, especially since Paul was planning to travel beyond Rome to Spain to evangelize that part of the world.\par \par \b Consider This: \b0 What advantages might churches in cities such as Ephesus, Corinth, and Rome have had as centers of a worldwide work for the gospel? What special challenges do churches face, surrounded by idolatry and the immorality of city life? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 \par \pard\n6itecture, including a large temple to Apollo, and largely populated by self-made cosmopolitans. Paul stayed here for 18 months and worked as a tentmaker, and it was from here that he wrote to the church in Rome. While Corinth and Ephesus were large, famous, and beautiful, Rome was even larger and more important. Rome had a population of 1 million and was the center of trade for the empire. Paul\rquote s interest in the church in Rome was at least partly because of the city\rquote s centrality and influenc7\tx8640\tx9360 Idolatry was rampant in every city that Paul visited, but there were other challenges, too. Paul\rquote s letter to the Corinthians, written from Ephesus, mentions the immorality that was prevalent, not only in society but that had crept into the church. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tab Corinth was an even larger crossroads of the nations. It had two ports and was wealthy, full of beautiful arch8s from around the world were a large source of revenue. It is no wonder that Paul situated himself for so long at this crossroads of Asia, interested as he was in spreading the gospel to the ends of the world. Trouble from a silversmith, who felt that Paul\rquote s teachings threatened the city\rquote s trade, based on idolatry, led to Paul\rquote s departure from Ephesus \i (Acts 19)\i0 .\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx79209us, where Paul stayed for three years on his third missionary journey before traveling on to Macedonia and Corinth, was a large, beautiful city of white marble. Centuries of generals and officials from various times had built monuments and temples to various deities and emperors, but Artemis, the goddess of childbirth, was the center of the most famous cult worship. A temple to Artemis, four times as large as the Parthenon in Greece, was one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and sales of idols to pilgrim U yA12-Sep 11-17 - Love and Law{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator RiccI 00-Introduction{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\:3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b\i\f1\fs28 Bible Commentary \i0\f2\fs24\par \b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b\tab I. The Times and Culture\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0\i (Review \cf4\ul Rom_16:1-2\cf3\ulnone and \cf4\ul Act_18:23\cf3\ulnone with your class.)\par \par \i0\tab Ephes<\b\i\fs28 STEP 2-Explore\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Just for Teachers: In order to understand the challenges that faced Paul and the young Christian churches he was working with in Rome, as well as the other regions of the Roman Empire, it is important to examine with your class the cultural milieu in which Paul lived and worked.\b0 \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx=The Acts of the Apostles, \i0 p. 464.\b\par \tab How many times have you experienced unexpected twists in your life that, in the end, turned out for good? \b0\i (See \cf1\ul Php_1:12\cf0\ulnone .) \b\i0 How can, and should, those experiences give you faith to trust God for the things where no good seems to have arisen?\par \par \cf3\ul\b0\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \ulnone@rong motives. Conversely, we may attempt to substitute our ersatz righteousness for the righteousness that comes only from God. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 To illustrate, emphasize the idea of substitution. In our world, there are all sorts of substitutes for things, some beneficial, others inferior to the original. Some examples of the beneficial kind: honey for sugar, soy for meat, etc. Others are harAmful: the milk scandal in Asia, for example, in which the manufacturers substituted melamine for added protein in dairy products, leading to illness and death. Ask for examples from the class. Be prepared to draw the spiritual analogies.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\f0\fs22\par \b\scaps\fs36 Friday\b0\i\scaps0\fs28 July 23\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Further Study:\fs24 \b0\fs22 Read Ellen G. White, \Bldblquote The Righteousness of Christ in the Law,\rdblquote pp. 236-239; \ldblquote Come and Seek and Find,\rdblquote pp. 331-335; \ldblquote Perfect Obedience Through Christ,\rdblquote pp. 373, 374, in \i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1; \ldblquote Things New and Old,\rdblquote pp. 128, 129, in \i Christ\rquote s Object Lessons\i0 .\par \par \tab\ldblquote Christ\rquote s character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned.\rdblquote\i -\i0 EllenC G. White, \i Steps to Christ, \i0 p. 62.\par \tab\ldblquote Grace is unmerited favor. The angels, who know nothing of sin, do not understand what it is to have grace exercised toward them; but our sinfulness calls for the exercise of grace from a merciful God.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1, pp. 331, 332.\par \tab\ldblquote Faith is the condition upon which God has seen fit to promise pardon to sinners; not that there is any virtue in faith whereby salvation is merited, butD because faith can lay hold of the merits of Christ, the remedy provided for sin. Faith can present Christ\rquote s perfect obedience instead of the sinner\rquote s transgression and defection. When the sinner believes that Christ is his personal Savior, then, according to His unfailing promises, God pardons his sin, and justifies him freely. The repentant soul realizes that his justification comes because Christ, as his substitute and surety, has died for him, is his atonement and righteousness.\rdblquotEe -Ellen G. White,\i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1, pp. 366, 367.\par \tab\ldblquote Though the law cannot remit the penalty for sin, but charges the sinner with all his debt, Christ has promised abundant pardon to all who repent, and believe in His mercy. The love of God is extended in abundance to the repenting, believing soul. The brand of sin upon the soul can be effaced only through the blood of the atoning Sacrifice . . . of Him who was equal with the Father. The work of Christ-His life, humiliatiFon, death, and intercession for lost man-magnifies the law, and makes it honorable.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White\i , Selected Messages, \i0 book 1, p. 371.\par \b\par \fs28 Discussion Questions:\fs24\par \f3\fs22\'d8\f0 Read over the texts for this week and then, in your own words, write a paragraph summarizing what they are saying. Share your paragraphs with each other in class.\par \par \f3\'d9\f0 Think about what it cost to save us: the death of the Son of God. What should that tell us about just hGow bad sin is? After all, if we stopped sinning and never did it again, why would that still not be enough to make us righteous before God? How can these facts help motivate us to resist the temptation to sin? \par \par \pard\f3\'da\f0 What are ways one could be tempted to abuse this wonderful news about salvation by faith alone? What trap is someone falling into who gets caught up in that kind of thinking? \b0\i (See \cf1\ul 2Pe_3:16\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul 1Jn_3:7\cf0\ulnone .)\b\i0 \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\cf2\b0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1154\tx1154\tx1439\tx2159\tx2879\tx3599\tx4319\tx5039\tx5759\tx6479\tx7199\tx7919\tx8639\tx9359\b0 \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\cf4\f4\fs22\par } \f1\fs28 Bible Commentary\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 I. Freedom From Condemnation\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b0\i (Review \cf3\ul Rom_8:1-6\cf2\ulnone with your class.)\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx7Hally, it is the acknowledgment of this emptiness that allows the Holy Spirit to fill us and give us peace and freedom. Having lost all in Christ, we are finally free. Our central question then becomes \ldblquote How can I experience the freedom Jesus freely offers?\rdblquote\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\ihe doctrine of justification by faith was presented . . ., it came to many as water comes to the thirsty traveler. The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, seemed a precious thought.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1, p. 360.\par \tab\ldblquote Trial is part of the education given in the school of Christ, to purify God\rquote s children from the dross of earthliness. It is because God is leaJncyclopedia\i0 .\b\par \par \b0\tab\ldblquote Many are deceived concerning the condition of their hearts. They do not realize that the natural heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. They wrap themselves about with their own righteousness, and are satisfied in reaching their own human standard of character.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1, p. 320.\par \tab\ldblquote There is great need that Christ should be preached as the only hope and salvation. When tM0\b0\i (Review with your class \cf4\ul Rom_4:13-16\cf3\ulnone and \cf4\ul Eph_2:8\cf3\ulnone .)\par \b\i0\par \b0\i\tab Grace\i0 and \i faith\i0 are words that usually are found in close proximity in the New Testament. \cf4\ul Eph_2:8\cf3\ulnone tells us that it is \ldblquote by grace you have been saved through faith\b\rdblquote \b0\i (NKJV).\b\i0 \b0 Faith is the only way we can reach out to God. But even faith would be futile if God did not first reach out to us. God\rquote s act of reaching ouNt to us is an act of grace, or unmerited favor.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 In the Old Testament the word usually translated as grace refers to the regard or favor of one person toward another, quite often for no apparent motive or reason. Used theologically in the New Testament, it means much the same, except that it is \i God\i0 who sees us and \i loves\i0 us simply because He \i is\i0 and He \i doeOs.\par \i0\par Besides grace, there is God\rquote s law. God gave us the commandments, and all we have to do is obey them. There are, after all, only 10. We try very hard. But the reality is that apart from God, we lack the capacity to obey even those 10 simple truths. \par \par Can God simply waive all or some of the requirements of the law? Not without compromising His justice and holiness. But God can and does extend more grace to us, which we perceive and appropriate through faith. For the sake ofP the perfect life and atoning sacrifice of His Son, God views us as sharing the righteousness of Jesus. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b Consider This: \b0 How do we exercise God\rquote s gift of faith to receive His saving grace? \par \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Wednesday\b0\scaps0 \i \fs28 Q July 28\i0\fs24\par \pard\sb100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\b\fs28 Law and Faith\fs24\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\b0\i\tab\i0\fs22 As we saw yesterday, Paul showed that God\rquote s dealings with Abraham proved that salvation came\b \b0 through the promise of grace and not through law. Therefore, if the Jews wished to be saved, they would have to abandon trust in their woRrks for salvation and accept the Abrahamic promise, now fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah. It\rquote s the same, really, for everyone, Jew or Gentile, who thinks that their \ldblquote good\rdblquote deeds are all that it takes to make them right with God.\par \tab\b\ldblquote The principle that man can save himself by his own works lay at the foundation of every heathen religion. . . . Wherever it is held, men have no barrier against sin.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i The Desire of Ages, \i0 pp. 35S, 36. What does this mean? Why does the idea that we can save ourselves through our works leave us so open to sin?\b0\par \tab\b How did Paul explain the relationship between law and faith in Galatians? \cf1\ul\b0\i Gal_3:21-23\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\i0 If there had been a law that could impart life, it certainly would have been God\rquote s law. And yet, Paul says that no law, not even God\rquote s, can give life, because all have violated that law, and so all are condemned by it. \par \tab But the proTmise of faith, more fully revealed through Christ, frees all who believe from being \ldblquote under the law\rdblquote ; that is, from being condemned and burdened by trying to earn salvation through it. The law becomes a burden when it\rquote s presented without faith, without grace-because without faith, without grace, without the righteousness that comes by faith, being under the law means being under the burden and the condemnation of sin.\par \tab \b How central is righteousness by faith to your waUlk with God? That is, what can you do to make sure it doesn\rquote t get blurred by other aspects of truth to the point where you lose sight of this crucial teaching? After all, what good are these other teachings without this one?\b0\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\Vtx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 3-Practice\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Just for Teachers: Encourage your students to use these questions to think about the relationship between grace and God\rquote s law.\b0\par \b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Thought Questions:\par \pard{\pntext\f4\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvWlblt\pnf4\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0 A great many people in Paul\rquote s time were confused about the relationship between the law and grace. Some believed it was necessary to obey the law in order to be worthy of receiving grace. Others even thought that it was possible to obey the law without reference to grace, thus collecting salvation as an account receivable, so to speak. What is the Xcorrect relationship between grace and law?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx1154\tx1439\tx2159\tx2879\tx3599\tx4319\tx5039\tx5759\tx6479\tx7199\tx7919\tx8639\tx9359\par \pard{\pntext\f4\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf4\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 One of the reasons that the law cannot be changed or abolished is because its underlying principles represent the will and character of God and are, therefYore, eternally valid. How would you describe those principles in two or three sentences or less?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx1154\tx1439\tx2159\tx2879\tx3599\tx4319\tx5039\tx5759\tx6479\tx7199\tx7919\tx8639\tx9359\par \pard{\pntext\f4\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf4\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Why is the belief that one gets to heaven or achieves salvation through one\rquote s good deeds still Zso prevalent, even in Christian circles?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx1154\tx1439\tx2159\tx2879\tx3599\tx4319\tx5039\tx5759\tx6479\tx7199\tx7919\tx8639\tx9359\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Application Questions:\b0\par \pard{\pntext\f4\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf4\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Even [with the knowledge that we are saved by grace, we tend to become obsessed with our own performance. What are the dangers of this obsession? How can we refocus? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx1154\tx1439\tx2159\tx2879\tx3599\tx4319\tx5039\tx5759\tx6479\tx7199\tx7919\tx8639\tx9359\par \pard{\pntext\f4\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf4\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Although Paul and other New Testament \writers clearly emphasize the universality of Christ\rquote s salvation, how do we still-even in the Christian church-put up barriers that may be artificial?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx1154\tx1439\tx2159\tx2879\tx3599\tx4319\tx5039\tx5759\tx6479\tx7199\tx7919\tx8639\tx9359\par \pard{\pntext\f4\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf4\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Abraham believed God\rquote s promise, an]d the sign of his belief was circumcision. What are the outward signs by which we indicate our belief today?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Thursday\b0\scaps0 \fs24 \i\fs28 July 29\i0\fs24\par \pard\sb100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\b\fs28 The Law and Sin\fs24\tab\tab\b0\par \tab\fs22 We often hear folk say that in the New^ Covenant the law has been abolished and then they proceed to quote texts that they believe prove that point. The logic behind that statement, however, isn\rquote t quite sound, nor is the theology.\tab\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tab\b Read \cf1\ul 1Jn_2:3-6\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul 1Jn_3:4\cf0\ulnone and \cf1\ul Rom_3:20\cf0\ulnone . What do these texts tell us about the relationship between law and sin? \b0\par \tab A few hundred _years ago, Irish writer Jonathan Swift wrote: \ldblquote But will any man say that if the words \i drinking, cheating, lying, stealing \i0 were by Act of Parliament ejected out of the English tongue and dictionaries, we should all awake next morning temperate, honest and just, and lovers of truth? Is this a fair consequence?\rdblquote -Jonathan Swift, \i A Modest Proposal and Other Satires\i0 , (New York: Prometheus Books, 1995), p. 205.\par \tab In the same way, if God's law has been abolished, then why` are lying, murder, and stealing still sinful or wrong? If God's law has been changed, then the definition of sin must be changed, too. Or if God's law was done away with, then sin must be, as well, and who believes that? \i (See also \cf1\ul 1Jn_1:7-10\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Jam_1:14-15\cf0\ulnone .)\i0\par \tab In the New Testament, both the law and the gospel appear. The law shows what sin is; the gospel points to the remedy for that sin, which is the death and resurrection of Jesus. If there is no law,a there is no sin, and so what are we saved from? Only in the context of the law, and its continued validity, does the gospel make sense. \par \tab We often hear that the Cross nullified the law. That\rquote s rather ironic, because the Cross shows that the law can\rquote t be abrogated or changed. If God didn\rquote t abrogate or even change the law before Christ died on the cross, why do it after? Why not get rid of the law after humanity sinned and thus spare humanity the legal punishment that violatiobn of the law brings? That way, Jesus never would have had to die. Jesus\rquote death shows that if the law could have been changed or abrogated, that should have been done before, not after, the Cross. Thus, nothing shows the continued validity of the law more than does the death of Jesus, a death that occurred precisely because the law couldn\rquote t be changed. If the law could have been changed to meet us in our fallen condition, wouldn\rquote t that have been a better solution to the problem of sin cthan Jesus having to die?\par \tab\b If there were no divine law against adultery, would the act cause any less pain and hurt than it does now to those who are victims of it? How does your answer help you understand why God\rquote s law is still in effect? What has been your own experience with the consequences of violating God\rquote s law?\b0\par \page\pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N Td S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 4-Apply\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par Just for Teachers: This week we have learned that God\rquote s law is still valid because of (not in spite of) the salvation from sin we receive in Jesus Christ.\b0\par \par \tab God\rquote s law is not arbitrary. We esepecially can see this in the Ten Commandments, which sum up the rules for human behavior toward God and toward one another. Even the staunchest believer in the law\rquote s nullification by the New Testament would not want to live in a society in which people ignore or consider optional the principles in the Ten Commandments.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Write one or more of the Ten Commandments on a chalfkboard. Ask one of the class members to read it aloud. Ask what the principle might be behind that commandment and how else one might apply it. \par \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Friday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 July 30\b\i0\fs24\par \fs28 Further Study:\b0 \fs22 Read Ellen G. White, \ldblquote Christ the Center of the Message,\rdblquote p. 388, in \i Selected Messages, \ig0 book 1; \ldblquote The Call of Abraham,\rdblquote pp. 125-127; \ldblquote The Law and the Covenants,\rdblquote pp. 363, 364, in \i Patriarchs and Prophets\i0 ; \ldblquote The Sermon on the Mount,\rdblquote pp. 307, 308; \ldblquote Controversy,\rdblquote p. 608; \ldblquote\lquote It Is Finished,\rquote\rdblquote pp. 762, 763, in \i The Desire of Ages\i0 .\i\par \par \i0\tab\ldblquote In that age of caste, when the rights of men were often unrecognized, Paul\b \b0 set forth the great truth of humahn brotherhood, declaring that God \lquote hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.\rquote In the sight of God all are on an equality.\rdblquote\i -\i0 Ellen G. White,\i The Acts of the Apostles, \i0 p. 238. \par \ldblquote In order for man to be saved, and for the honor of the law to be maintained, it was necessary for the Son of God to offer Himself as a sacrifice for sin. He who knew no sin became sin for us. He died for us on Calvary. His death shows the wionderful love of God for man, and the immutability of His law.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1, p. 240.\par \tab\ldblquote Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands righteousness, and this the sinner owes to the law; but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way in which he can attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith he can bring to God the merits of Christ, and the Lord places the obedience of His Son to the sinner\rquote s account.\rdblquote -Ellejn G. White, \i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1, p. 367.\par \tab\ldblquote If Satan can succeed in leading man to place value upon his own works as works of merit and righteousness, he knows\b \b0 that he can overcome him by his temptations, and make him his victim and prey. . . . Strike the door-posts with the blood of Calvary\rquote s Lamb, and you are safe.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Review and Herald, \i0 Sept. 3, 1889.\par \par \b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\fs24 \b0\par \b\f3\fs22\'d8\f0 Why kis it so important to understand salvation by faith alone without the deeds of law? What kind of errors can that knowledge protect us from? What dangers await those who lose sight of this crucial biblical teaching?\par \par \f3\'d9\f0 What other reasons can you give for the continued validity of God\rquote s law, even when we understand that the law and obedience to it are not what saves us?\par \par \f3\'da\f0 Dwell more on this idea that because of the Cross all human beings are equal. Why is it that so often Christians\b0 ,\b who have the Cross before them, seem to forget this important truth and can be guilty of racial or ethnic or even national prejudice? \par \par \f3\'db\f0 As justified sinners, we have been made the recipients of grace and undeserved favor from God, whom we have sinned against. How should this fact impact how we deal with others? How full of grace and favor are we toward those who have wronged us, who don\rquote t really deserve our grace and favor? \cf3\f2\fs24\par } mlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 STEP 4-Create\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers: There are times for action. When we think of the church\rquote s mission, we usually think of actions. However, even in the context of evangelism we need quiet reflection to look ninto the mirror of our own souls. Close the study with a quiet period in which members ask themselves how much time they devote to keeping up appearance versus delivering the message.\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b Activity: \b0 Because this is an individual activity, it may be completed at home. Ask members to list their weekly activities and future plans and dreams. Have them categorize which ones oare more about keeping up appearances and which are more about delivering the message. Ask them to contemplate what they will do with the information.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs36\par Friday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 September 10\b\i0\fs24\par \fs28 Further Study:\fs24 \b0\fs22 Read Ellen G. White, \ldblquote Before the Sanhedrin,\rdblquote pp. 77-79; \ldblquote From Persecutor to Disciple,\rdblquote pp. 112-114\i ; \i0\ldblquote Written From Rome,\rdblquote pp. 474, 475, in\i The Acts of the Apostles\i0 ; \ldblquote Reaching Catholics,\rdblquote pp. 573-577, in \i Evangelism\i0 ; \ldblquote What to Preach and Not to Preach,\rdblquote pp. 155, 156, in \i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1.\par \tab\tab\par \tab\ldblquote Notwithstanding Israel\rquote s failure as a nation, there remained among them a goodly remnant of such as should be saved. At the time of the Saviour\rIly, we can look back at Janis Joplin\rquote s mantra in her song \ldblquote Me and Bobby McGee,\rdblquote which says that \ldblquote freedom\rquote s just another word for nothin\rquote left to lose,\rdblquote and see truth that she probably never realized. In the original context this lyric is an expression of despair, but for the Christian it is a statement of fact. Freedom truly means that we have nothing left to lose. We have been emptied of self and therefore can experience no further loss. IronicpC O M M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 STEP 2-Explore\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers: Caiaphas the high priest once proclaimed that it was best that one man die for the nation. He was thinking only about politics, not salvation; but the irony is that Jesus\rquote death provided salvation for Israel, and the Bible writers saw it in a spiritual sense that Caiaphas never intended. Similarq was no longer enough for salvation. Paul admitted that what they had been doing was all good, but they also needed to accept the Messiah who had now come.\par \tab\b Look at your past 24 hours. Were your deeds of the Spirit or of the flesh? What does your answer tell you about yourself? If of the flesh, what changes must you make, and how can you make them? \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\b0\f1 T E A C H E R S rldblquote Torah\rdblquote (law). By their conduct they had shown that, in spite of having the divine revelation, they were guilty of the same sins of which the Gentiles were guilty \i (\cf1\ul\i0 Rom_2:1\ulnone\i - \cf4 entire chapter\cf0 ). \i0 The lesson of all this was that they needed the Messiah. Without Him they would be slaves of sin, unable to escape its dominion.\par \tab This was Paul\rquote s answer to those Jews who couldn\rquote t understand why what God had given them in the Old Testaments a state of enmity against God. One whose mind is thus set is unconcerned about doing the will of God. He or she even may be in rebellion against Him, openly flouting His law.\par \tab Paul wishes especially to emphasize that, apart from Christ, it is impossible to keep the law of God. Again and again Paul returns to this theme: no matter how hard one tries, apart from Christ one cannot obey the law\i .\par \tab\i0 Paul\rquote s special purpose was to persuade the Jews that they needed more than their \tding to\rdblquote (Greek \i kata\i0 ). \ldblquote Mind\rdblquote here means to set the mind on. One group of people sets its mind on fulfilling natural desires; the other sets its mind on the things of the Spirit, to follow His dictates. Because the mind determines actions, the two groups live and act differently.\par \b\tab What is the carnal mind unable to do? \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_8:7-8\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\i0 To have one\rquote s mind set on fulfilling the desires of the flesh is, in reality, to be inupar \tab\fs22\ldblquote They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_8:5-6\cf0\ulnone ). \b\i0 Dwell on these texts. What basic message comes through from them? What do they say to you about how you are living your life?\i\tab\b0\par \tab\i0\ldblquote After,\rdblquote here, is used in the sense of \ldblquote accorvgs that restrict their freedom (such as finances, physical handicaps, poor health, time commitments, etcetera).\par \par \b Consider This: \b0 Ask class members to project how their lives might be different if they were free from the impediment.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Tuesday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 August 24\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Flesh Versus Spirit\fs24\wiscussion of the specific reason for the incarceration so as to protect the person\rquote s privacy. Consider former felons, or even prisoners of war. Have him or her contrast the confinement with their current freedom. \par \par \b Consider This: \b0 What happens to a person in confinement? What liberties are restricted? How does this person\rquote s experience help us to understand the ways in which sin confines and binds us?\par \par \b Option B:\b0\i \i0 Have members make individual lists of thinx20\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Activity: \par Option A:\b0 If you know someone who has been imprisoned and is open to discussing the experience, interview that person beforehand and then open class with the interview. Restrict the discussion to the person\rquote s experience of confinement (loss of family contact; having a daily dictated routine; bad/inadequate food, medical services, etcetera; being restricted to a small space; and so on), avoiding a dyave considered erroneous interpretations of the divine-justice system. We have even explored the struggle that the felon has undergone. Now it is time to not merely \i declare\i0 the prisoner free, but to actually \i set\i0 the prisoner free. We focus our attention on how the person imprisoned in spiritual death shakes off the shackles and discovers eternal life.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx7zole, most jurisdictions appoint an officer to assist the former felon in making the choices that will safeguard against a return to crime and ensure a satisfactory adjustment to freedom. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 We have spent hours studying the process by which God, our Eternal Executive, brought about freedom. We have reviewed God\rquote s declaration and the sacrifice that makes this pardon possible. We h{\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab When a prisoner receives an executive pardon, there is a period of time between the declaration of the pardon and the actual release. After release there is a period of adjustment in which the prisoner begins the transition from jailed felon to restored citizen. During this period the felon relearns the ways and skills of being free. In cases of par| T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 Learning Cycle\i0\f2\fs24\par \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\b0\par \b\i\f1\fs28 STEP 1-Motivate\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Key Concept for Spiritual Growth: \b0 No amount of human effort can provide the peace and freedom that Christ offers us through the agency of His Spirit.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320} she chooses to do \i (see \cf1\ul Rom_7:15\cf4\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_7:18\cf0\ulnone ).\b\par \i0\tab How well are you keeping the law? Putting aside any notions of earning salvation by the law, is your life one in which the \ldblquote righteousness of the law\rdblquote is fulfilled? If not, why not? What kind of lame excuses are you using to rationalize your behavior?\b0\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\cf2\ul\f1~ The word \i flesh\i0 here denotes the unregenerate person, whether before or after conviction. To walk after the flesh is to be controlled by selfish desires.\par In contrast, to walk after the Spirit is to fulfill the righteous requirement of the law. Only through the help of the Holy Spirit can we meet this requirement. Only in Christ Jesus is there freedom to do what the law requires. Apart from Christ, there is no such freedom. The one who is enslaved to sin finds it impossible to do the good he orsn\rquote t mean keeping the law well enough to earn salvation. That\rquote s not an option-never was. It means simply living the life that God enables us to live; it means a life of obedience, one in which we have \ldblquote crucified the flesh with its passions and desires\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Gal_5:24\cf0\ulnone , NKJV), \i0 a life in which we reflect the character of Christ.\par \tab\ldblquote Walk\rdblquote in verse 4 is an idiomatic expression signifying \ldblquote to conduct oneself.\rdblquote Christ\rquote s life \ldblquote in the likeness of sinful flesh\rdblquote was extremely important, too.\par \tab As a result of what God has done in sending Christ, it is now possible for us to meet the righteous requirement of the law; that is, to do the right things that the law requires. \ldblquote Under the law\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_6:14\cf0\ulnone ), \i0 this was impossible; \ldblquote in Christ\rdblquote it is now possible.\par \tab Yet, we must remember that doing what the law requires doe condemnation and death that sin brings. For that, we need Jesus.\b\par \tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_8:3-4\cf0\ulnone . What did Christ do that the law, by its very nature, cannot do?\b0 \i\par \tab\i0 God provided a remedy by \ldblquote sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh,\rdblquote and He \ldblquote condemned sin in the flesh.\rdblquote The incarnation of Christ was an important step in the plan of salvation. It is proper to exalt the Cross, but in the outworking of the plan of salvation, pirit.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\f0\fs22\par \par \b\scaps\fs32 Monday\b0\scaps0 \i\fs28 August 23\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 What the Law Could Not Do\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\b0\fs22 However good, the \ldblquote law\rdblquote (the ceremonial law, the moral law, or even both) cannot do for us what we need the most, and that is to provide the means of salvation, a means of saving us from the the reproaches and self-denial of Christ?\par \par B. How are we more than conquerors through Christ in the midst of our suffering and trials?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1800\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Summary:\b0 When we die with Christ, we are raised to live as Christ lived, and so we live as children of God, controlled by the Sre familiar, what might you expect an intimate relationship with God to feel like?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b III. Do: The Suffering and the Glory\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Those who are intimate share both suffering and happy times. In what ways do we share inpard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Not only does the Spirit make our minds and bodies over to be Christlike rather than sinful, He remodels our relationships into those of sons and daughters of God, with an intimacy that cries out in recognition of our close connection to Him. What hope does this recognition give us when we come to God after having fallen away?\par \par B. Using the intimate relationships with which you aments of the law were met. Not only are we justified, but as we submit to His Spirit, our minds and bodies are controlled by Him. What does it mean to be fully under the control of Christ, mind and body and spirit?\par \par B. What does the Spirit do that enables us to live as God\rquote s children?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-540\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b II. Feel: Abba, Father\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \lpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Learning Outline:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi990\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b I. Know: Free From Condemnation\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. When Christ became our sin offering, the righteous require\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Know:\b0 Outline the means by which Christ frees us from the condemnation of sin and leads us to become children of God through life in His Spirit.\par \par \b Feel:\b0 Describe the feeling that causes us to cry \ldblquote Abba, Father\rdblquote \i (\cf3\ul Rom_8:15\cf2\ulnone ), \i0 as well as how and through whom it comes about.\par \par \b Do:\b0 Share in the sufferings of Christ, as well as in His glory.\par \par \pard\nowidct-Ellen G. White,\i The Desire of Ages, \i0 p. 466. Are you a slave, or are you free in Christ? How can you know for sure?\b0\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 The Lesson in Brief\i0\f2\fs24\par \par Key Text:\b0 \cf3\ul\i Rom_8:1\cf2\ulnone\i0\par \par \b The Student Will:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880 7 as the law by which sin ruled, the end of which was death. Christ\rquote s law instead brings life and freedom.\par \tab\b\ldblquote Every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under the control of another power. He is not his own. He may talk of freedom, but he is in the most abject slavery. . . . While he flatters himself that he is following the dictates of his own judgment, he obeys the will of the prince of darkness. Christ came to break the shackles of sin-slavery from the soul.\rdblquote quote s advent there were faithful men and women who had received with gladness the message of John the Baptist, and had thus been led to study anew the prophecies concerning the Messiah. When the early Christian church was founded, it was composed of these faithful Jews who recognized Jesus of Nazareth as the one for whose advent they had been longing.\rdblquote\i -\i0 Ellen G. White,\i The Acts of the Apostles, \i0 pp. 376, 377.\par \tab\ldblquote Among the Jews are some who, like Saul of Tarsus, are mighty in the Scriptures, and these will proclaim with wonderful power the immutability of the law of God. . . . As His servants labor in faith for those who have long been neglected and despised, His salvation will be revealed.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i The Acts of the Apostles, \i0 p. 381.\par \tab\ldblquote In the closing proclamation of the gospel, when special work is to be done for classes of people hitherto neglected, God expects His messengers to take particular interest in the Jewish people whom they find in all parts of the earth. As the Old Testament Scriptures are blended with the New in an explanation of Jehovah\rquote s eternal purpose, this will be to many of the Jews as the dawn of a new creation, the resurrection of the soul. As they see the Christ of the gospel dispensation portrayed in the pages of the Old Testament Scriptures, and perceive how clearly the New Testament explains the Old, their slumbering faculties will be aroused, and they will recognize Christ as the Saviour of th>n from them? \cf1\ul\b0\i Act_28:17-31\cf0\ulnone\i0 .\tab\par \tab\ldblquote Not by Paul\rquote s sermon[s], but by his bonds, was the attention of the court attracted to Christianity. It was as a captive that he broke from so many souls the bonds that held them in the slavery of sin. Nor was this all. He declared: \lquote Many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.\rquote \cf1\ul Php_1:14\cf0\ulnone .\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i  from the congregations of Europe and Asia Minor, unexpected events awaited him. He was arrested and fettered. After being held prisoner for two years at Caesarea, he appealed to Caesar. Some three years after his arrest, he arrived in Rome, and (we can assume) not in the manner that he intended to when he first wrote to the Roman church years before about his intention to visit them. \par \b\tab What do the following texts tell us about Paul\rquote s time in Rome? More important, what lesson can we learcan we draw from this for ourselves about the unexpected and unwanted things that so often come our way?\b0\par \tab Life can take some very strange turns. How often our plans, even the ones formulated in the best of intentions, don\rquote t come out as we anticipated and hoped for. The apostle Paul did, indeed, get to Rome, but it probably wasn\rquote t as he had expected. \par \tab When Paul reached Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary journey with his offering for the poor, which he collected20\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\fs28 Paul Reaches Rome\b0\fs24\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tab\b\fs22\ldblquote But when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Act_28:16\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \b What does this text tell us about how Paul finally got to Rome? What lesson ls and strive to keep current with the issues in all the Christian churches scattered across the empire? What was the consuming passion of his life? How can his passion help us better understand what our own should be for the church?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Tuesday\b0\scaps0\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i\fs28 June 29\i0\fs24\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx43%209-2006%20No%2038.htm"}}{\fldrslt{\ul\cf5 http://www.cathydeaton.com/Concise%20Bible%20Atlas%209-2006%20No%2038.htm}}}\cf3\f2\fs24\par \b\par \cf0\b0{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://catholic-resources.org/AncientRome/"}}{\fldrslt{\ul\cf5 http://catholic-resources.org/AncientRome/}}}\cf3\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Consider This: \b0 What type of man must Paul have been to undertake such traverip into a journey your students readily can understand. For example, 2,700 miles is roughly the distance between Los Angeles, California, and Washington D.C, U.S.A. \par \par Using the following Web sites, print off some pictures of ancient Ephesus, Corinth, and Rome to help your students relate to these large and beautiful, yet idolatrous, cities that were great cities in Paul\rquote s day.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\cf0{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.cathydeaton.com/Concise%20Bible%20Atlas already established in his early travels. He also wrote a number of letters to various churches during this journey. From Ephesus he wrote the first letter to the Corinthians; from Macedonia he wrote the second letter to the Corinthians; and, from Corinth, he wrote the letters to the Galatians and Romans. It is likely that one of the reasons he wrote to Rome was to ask the church\rquote s help for an even more ambitious journey to Spain. \par \par Using a map of your part of the world, translate this t hundred miles (4,350 kilometers) by land and by sea. The journey took more than four years, though three of these years were spent in Ephesus. Galatia was a relatively recent addition to the Roman Empire, having been added less than 100 years before the book of Romans was written, in A.D. 57 or 58. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Paul made many stops on this ambitious trip to visit the congregations he hadr Teachers: Use this opening activity to help your students understand the global vision of Paul.\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Opening Activity:\b0 Paul\rquote s third missionary journey from Antioch, across what we know today as Turkey into Greece and down to Jerusalem, covered some twenty-sevenycle\b0\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\b\i\f1\fs28 STEP 1-Motivate\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1350\li1440\sa199\tx1440\tx10080\tx10800\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Key Concept for Spiritual Growth:\b0 Like Paul, who preached Christ and His righteousness by letter, in person and in chains, the mission of our lives should be the health and progress of the worldwide church.\par \par \b Just foon from the fact that Paul sought help from an established church in order to evangelize a new area?\b0\par \tab\b Read again the verses in \cf1\ul Rom_15:20-27\cf0\ulnone . Notice how much Paul wanted to serve; that is, his great desire was to minister and to serve. What motivates you and your actions? How much of a heart of service do you have? \par \par \cf3\ul\b0\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1350\li1440\tx1440\tqc\tx6120\tqc\tx10080\par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 Learning Cved to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man\rquote s foundation,\rdblquote so that \ldblquote they that have not heard shall understand\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_15:20-21\cf0\ulnone ).\par \tab\i0 It was not Paul\rquote s purpose to settle down at Rome. It was his aim to evangelize Spain. He hoped to get the support of the Christians in Rome for this venture.\b\par \tab What important principle can we take away for ourselves on the whole question of missiul\rquote s words here? What interesting-and important-point does Paul make in verse 27 about Jews and Gentiles?\b0\i\par \tab\i0 The great missionary to the Gentiles felt constantly impelled to take the gospel to previously unentered areas, leaving others to labor in areas where the gospel had been established. In the days when Christianity was young and the laborers few, it would have been a waste of valuable missionary power for Paul to work in already entered areas. He said, \ldblquote So have I stri\fs24\par \tab\b0\fs22 A letter is one thing, a personal visit another. That\rquote s why Paul, even though he wrote to the Romans, announced in the letter that he intended to see them in person. He wanted them to know that he was coming, and why.\b\par \tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_15:20-27\cf0\ulnone . What reasons does Paul give for not having visited Rome earlier? What made him decide to come when he did? How central was mission to him in his reasoning? What can we learn about mission and witnessing from Patx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Summary:\b0 Though Paul had not yet visited Rome, he enlisted the church\rquote s aid in establishing a good foundation for advancing the gospel throughout the empire.\tab\par \par \par \cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Monday\fs24\tab\tab\tab \b0\i\scaps0\fs28 June 28\b\i0\scaps\fs24\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\scaps0\fs28 Personal Touchw did Paul\rquote s chains help to focus the notice of not only Romans but his fellow Christians on the preeminence of the gospel?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 B. How have the circumstances of your life enabled you to contribute to the work of the church?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1800\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\nowidctlpar\li1800\sa120\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1080\li1800\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b III. Do: Working Freely Despite Chains\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1800\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. When Paul eventually came to Rome, he was in chains. Ho\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Because Rome was at the center of the empire, the church in Rome held an important role in influencing the spread of the gospel. Because the church was already competent in teaching the gospel \i (\cf4\ul Rom_15:14\cf3\ulnone )\i0 , what might have moved Paul to have written this letter?\par \b\par \b0 B. What influence might your church have in the worldwide work of the gospel? What message do you consider important in strengthening your church in its role?\b\par \pard\40\tx9360\tab 1. What would Paul\rquote s concerns indicate about his vision\b \b0 for the gospel?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-630\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b II. Feel: Known for Their Faith\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx64800 I.\tab Know: Called to Be Saints\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Though Paul traveled a good deal, building up the gospel work in previously unentered areas, how did his letter to the church in Rome document his concerns for a church he had not yet visited?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx1890\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx86 churches on the spread of the gospel.\par \par \b\tab Do:\b0 Determine to be a part of working with the church in its worldwide mission.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\sa120\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Learning Outline:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-540\li1440\tx1440\tx1890\tx2610\tx3330\tx4050\tx4770\tx5490\tx6210\tx6930\tx7650\tx837E R S C O M M E N T S\par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 The Lesson in Brief\i0\f2\fs24\par \par Key Text:\b0\i \cf4\ul Rom_1:8\cf3\ulnone\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b The Student Will:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tab Know:\b0 Describe Paul\rquote s interest in the Roman church.\par \par \b\tab Feel:\b0 Appreciate the influence of individualwith these questions.\par \tab\b What kinds of issues are agitating your church at present? Are the threats more from without or from within? What role are you playing in these debates? How often have you stopped to question your role, your position, and your attitudes in whatever struggles you\rquote re facing? Why is this kind of self-examination so important?\par \b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\ul\f1 T E A C H  the hopes and promises which had once belonged especially to the Jews were now offered to the Gentiles also.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i The Acts of the Apostles, \i0 p. 373.\par \tab As we said, it is important in the study of any book of the Bible to know why it was written; that is, what situation it was addressing. Hence, it is important for our understanding of the Epistle to the Romans to know what were the questions agitating the Jewish and Gentile churches. Next week\rquote s lesson will deal ery clear contrast?\b0\i\par \tab\i0 Paul comes back to the point again that the new life of faith does not grant liberty to sin. The life of faith makes possible victory over sin; in fact, only through faith can we have the victory that is promised us.\par \tab Having personified sin as a king ruling over his subjects, Paul now returns to the figure of sin as a master demanding obedience of his servants. Paul points out that a person has a choice of masters. He can serve sin, which leads to death, or he can serve righteousness, which leads to eternal life. Paul doesn\rquote t leave us any middle ground here or any room for compromise. It\rquote s one or the other because, in the end, we face either eternal life or eternal death. \par \tab\b Read \cf1\ul Rom_6:17\cf0\ulnone . How does Paul expand here on what he said in verse 16?\b0\par \tab Notice how, interestingly enough, obedience is linked to correct doctrine. The Greek word for \ldblquote doctrine\rdblquote here means \ldblquote teaching.\rdblquote The Roman Christians had been taught the principles of the Christian faith, which they now obeyed. Thus, for Paul, correct doctrine, correct teaching, when obeyed \ldblquote from the heart,\rdblquote assisted in the Romans becoming \ldblquote servants of righteousness\rdblquote \i (vs. 18).\i0 We sometimes hear that doctrine does not matter, just as long as we show love. That\rquote s a very simplistic expression of something that\rquote s not so simple. As stated in an earlier lesson, Paul was very concerned about the false doctrine to which the Galatian church had succumbed. Thus, we need to be careful about statements that somehow denigrate the importance of correct teaching. \par \b\i\tab Servants of sin, servants of righteousness\i0 : the contrast is very stark. If, after baptism, we sin, does this mean that we are not truly saved? Read \cf1\ul 1Jn_1:8-10\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul 1Jn_2:1\cf0\ulnone . How do these texts help us understand what it means to be a follower of Christ and yet still subject to falling?\b0\i\tab\i0\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tqr\tx10076\cf3\ul\f1\fs22\par T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\f3\fs28 STEP 3-Apply\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356 Just for Teachers: Even among those whose belief system teaches that God\rquote s overflowing grace is sufficient to forgive and empower, there is sometimes an emotional disconnect between what we believe and what we feel. How do we make that connection so that belief and feeling are synchronized? Have two volunteers read the following dialogue and discuss:\b0\par \tab\tab\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tqr\tx10076\b Activity:\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-990\li1710\tx720\tx1440\tx1710\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b\scaps Sarah.\b0\scaps0 \tab Why do I keep falling for these guys? Am I some kind of loser or something?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-990\li1710\tx990\tx1710\tx1980\tx2430\tx3150\tx3870\tx4590\tx5310\tx6030\tx6750\tx7470\tx8190\tx8910\tqr\tx9626\b\scaps Nina.\tab\b0\scaps0 Sarah, you shouldn\rquote t be so hard on yourself.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-990\li1710\tx720\tx1710\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b\scaps Sarah.\b0\scaps0 I mean, it must be written on me somewhere. . . . Is it on my back, on my forehead, what? \scaps\ldblquote NAIVE GIRL-TAKE ADVANTAGE!\rdblquote\scaps0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx720\tx1440\tx1710\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b\scaps Nina.\b0\scaps0\tab\tab Sarah, stop!\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-990\li1710\tx720\tx1710\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b\scaps Sarah.\b0\scaps0 That\rquote s the problem, I can\rquote t stop. I keep making the same stupid mistakes again and again. What\rquote s wrong with me? Am I ever going to learn?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx720\tx1440\tx1710\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b\scaps Nina.\b0\scaps0\tab\tab You can start over.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-990\li1710\tx720\tx1710\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b\scaps Sarah.\bs0\scaps0 Uh-oh. I can feel it coming. This is the God-talk, right? \ldblquote Oh, Sarah, God can forgive anything!\rdblquote Well, I used up my share a long time ago.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-990\li1710\tx720\tx1440\tx1710\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b\scaps Nina.\b0\scaps0\tab\tab Don\rquote t think like that. The woman at the well had a half dozen guys andC\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-990\li1710\tx720\tx1710\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx576edo to reach at least one group beyond our own ethnicity or culture?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi450\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Application Questions:\b0 \par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Wh0\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Activity:\b0 Make a list of all the people groups in your community. Do this in a vertical column, allowing space to the right of the listing for further notation. After compiling the list, discuss each group, noting in the blank space what the church is doing to reach each one. Be specific. Are some groups being overlooked or neglected? Generate ideas for reaching them. What do we know about their needs, culture, language, history, national experience? What can our class itizenship, and other tokens of belonging. How are we doing with the greatest experience of inclusion-extending the invitation to others to join God\rquote s family? What practical steps are we taking to ensure that all people groups in our communities have the opportunity to bask in the divine light of Romans 9?\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx576e trust must lie?\b0 \par \par \cf3\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 3-Apply\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers: What glorious news we have been commissioned to deliver: those who were not God\rquote s people now are! We celebrate adoptions, acquired ccf1\ul Rom_9:2\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 But at least there was a remnant. God\rquote s promises do not fail, even when humans do. The hope we can have is that, in the end, God\rquote s promises will be fulfilled, and if we claim those promises for ourselves, they will be fulfilled in us, as well. \par \tab\b How often have people failed you? How often have you failed yourself and failed others? Probably more times than you can count, right? What lessons can you learn from these failures about where your ultimat news of salvation is to be spread to all the world. \i\par \tab\b\i0 Read \cf1\ul Rom_9:25-29\cf0\ulnone . (Notice how much Paul quotes the Old Testament to make his point about the things that were happening in his day.) What is the basic message found in all these verses? What hope is being offered there to his readers?\b0 \i\par \tab\i0 The fact that some of Paul\rquote s kinsmen rejected the appeal of the gospel gave him \ldblquote great heaviness and continual sorrow\rdblquote in his heart \i (\e ).\i0 What a clear and powerful presentation of the gospel, a gospel that from the start was intended for the whole world. No wonder we as Adventists take part of our calling from this verse: \ldblquote Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth-to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people\rdblquote\i (\cf1\ul Rev_14:6\cf0\ulnone , NKJV). \i0 Today, as in Paul\rquote s day, and as in the days of ancient Israel, the goodosea predicted the day would come when, after punishing His people, God would restore their fortunes, take away their false gods, and make a covenant with them. \i (See \cf1\ul Hos_2:11-19\cf0\ulnone .) \i0 At this point those who were \i Loammi, \i0\ldblquote not my people,\rdblquote would become \i Ammi, \i0\ldblquote my people.\rdblquote\par \tab In Paul\rquote s day, the \i Ammi\i0 were \ldblquote even us . . . not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_9:24\cf0\ulnons that God instructed Hosea to take \ldblquote a wife of whoredoms\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Hos_1:2\cf0\ulnone ) \i0 as an illustration of God\rquote s relationship with Israel, because the nation had gone after strange gods. The children born to this marriage were given names signifying God\rquote s rejection and punishment of idolatrous Israel. The third child was named \i Loammi\i0 \i (\cf1\ul Hos_1:9\cf0\ulnone ), \i0 meaning literally \ldblquote not my people.\rdblquote\par \tab Yet, amid all this, H00\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Wednesday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 September 1\b\fs24\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs28 Ammi\i0 : \ldblquote My People\rdblquote\b0\i\fs24\par \tab\i0\fs22 In \cf1\ul Rom_9:25\cf0\ulnone , Paul quotes \cf1\ul Hos_2:23\cf0\ulnone , and in \cf1\ul Rom_9:26\cf0\ulnone he quotes \cf1\ul Hos_1:10\cf0\ulnone . The background i5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 How can embracing Paul\rquote s message contribute to racial harmony within the church? What pitfalls that would impede evangelistic fervor await the church? How can Paul\rquote s message protect us against the temptation to assume a position of superiority among believers? How is our spiritual security compromised when we fail to deploy God\rquote s spiritual gifts in evangelism and service?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx36ld be expended to reach the lost. If it is predetermined, what is the point? Those, however, who understand that God has invited all peoples who were not previously included have been spurred to endure hardships and even martyrdom for the sake of spreading the gospel. Before the Cross, all humanity-regardless of race, caste, status or ethnicity-are equal. How crucial that of all people Christians never forget this point.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\txtering to this group is divinely endorsed, how can we fight against God\rquote s will? Paul drives the argument home with quotations from Hosea and Isaiah that indicate that God had drawn the Gentiles into His family \i (\cf4\ul Rom_9:25-29\cf3\ulnone ).\i0 \par \par A curious divergence of interpretation regarding these passages has led to widely divergent approaches to evangelism. Some suggest that God arbitrarily has chosen some to be lost and others to be saved. Thus, they question why efforts shou review. God chose Moses, not Korah; David, not Jonathan; Jacob, not Esau. The impact of these choices must have been most obvious to the Jews: If the plan of redemption was solely in God\rquote s hands, who were they, mere humans, to exclude the Gentiles from the kingdom? God was free to choose whomever He desired, and He desired that all, Gentiles included, be saved \i (\cf4\ul 1Ti_2:4\cf3\ulnone ).\i0 Peter\rquote s reasoning in Acts 10 for ministering to the Gentiles is essentially the same: If minisactually choose to do any more than a historian\rquote s knowledge of what people did in the past interferes with their actions. Just as a camera records a scene but does not change it, foreknowledge looks into the future without altering it.\rdblquote -\i Seventh-day Adventists Believe . . . \i0 (Hagerstown, Md.:\i \i0 Review and Herald\'ae Publishing Association, 1988), pp. 21, 22.\i \par \par \i0 Furthermore, when God chooses who will execute His divine purpose, the decision is not subject to human that biblical predestination is according to God\rquote s foreknowledge. \par \par \ldblquote God may foresee each individual choice that will be made, but His foreknowledge does not determine what that choice shall be. . . . Bible predestination consists in the effective purpose of God that all who choose to believe in Christ shall be saved (\cf4\ul Joh_1:12\cf3\ulnone ; \cf4\ul Eph_1:4-10\cf3\ulnone ). . . . But God\rquote s knowledge about what individuals will do does not interfere with what they d never loses; only disobedient humans lose out. Therefore, when He chose to save our world, the outcome was never in doubt. Those who try to frustrate that purpose are the only losers. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Some people have a difficult time understanding God\rquote s sovereign choice. They view it as interfering with human freedom. Scripture, however, is clear \i (see \cf4\ul Rom_8:28-30\cf3\ulnone )\i020\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 I. Elected\par \tab\b0\i (Review \cf4\ul Rom_9:1-15\cf3\ulnone with the class.)\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab In democratic societies we automatically tie elections to voting. In divine matters, only one vote counts-God\rquote s. His choices are not subject to human alteration. When humans try to frustrate God\rquote s purposes, Goons for various roles of service in His plan of redemption. However, the reception of the gift is no occasion for boasting but rather an opportunity for humility expressed through serving others. \b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\i\f1\fs28 Bible Commentary\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi360\tx0\tx7ittle motivation to fight over bragging rights. Paul, however, wants us to know that God has a plan of salvation that is available to \i all peoples.\i0 Therefore, his second attack on exclusivity is based on that universal availability. There is no room for boasting, because we are all equally redeemed by the same mercy of God that shows no partiality \i (\cf4\ul\b0 Rom_4:1\ulnone\b \cf3 through \cf4\ul\b0 Rom_8:1\ulnone\b \cf3 - entire chapters)\i0 . As with spiritual gifts, God does choose some pers\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 2-Explore\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers: In addressing the problem of exclusivity, Paul first establishes \i (\cf4\ul\b0 Rom_1:1\cf3\ulnone\b through \cf4\ul\b0 Rom_3:1\cf3\ulnone\b - entire chapters)\i0 that there is no room for boasting, because everyone equally is lost. If we are all destined for hell, there is lto us what God is like\i \b0 (\cf1\ul Joh_14:9\cf0\ulnone ).\b \i0 Why, then, amid all of life\rquote s mysteries and unexpected events, is it so crucial for us to dwell on the character of Christ and what He has revealed to us about God and His love for us? How can knowing what God\rquote s character is like help us stay faithful amid trials that seem so unjustified and so unfair? \b0\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3urn, holds mysteries we can\rquote t understand? After all, it was only in the past one hundred fifty or two hundred years that doctors learned it might be a good idea to wash their hands before performing surgery! That\rquote s how steeped in ignorance we have been. And who knows, if time should last, what other things we will discover in the future that will reveal just how steeped in ignorance we are today?\par \tab\b Sure, we don\rquote t always understand God\rquote s ways, but Jesus came to reveal of salvation. The hardening was against the appeal to let Israel go, not against God\rquote s appeal for Pharaoh to accept personal salvation. Christ died for Pharaoh, just as much as for Moses, Aaron, and the rest of the children of Israel.\i\par \i0\tab The crucial point in all this is that as fallen human beings, we have such a narrow view of the world, of reality, and of God and how He works in the world. How can we expect to understand all of God\rquote s ways when the natural world, everywhere we tsalvation of the human race. God\rquote s revelation of Himself in the plagues of Egypt and in the deliverance of His people was designed to reveal to the Egyptians, as well as to other nations, that the God of Israel indeed was the true God. It was designed to be an invitation for the peoples of the nations to abandon their gods and to come and worship Him.\par \tab Obviously Pharaoh had already made his choice against God, so that in hardening his heart God was not cutting him off from the opportunity _i720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Key Concept for Spiritual Growth: \b0 It only is through the grace of God that we receive the gift of salvation.\par \par \b Just for Teachers: In this week\rquote s lesson, we discuss and explore the fact that mere human goodness does not measure up to the righteousness of God.\tab\tab\tab\par \b0\par \tab In the eighteenth century thoughtful people began to look around at Western society and realize that, 920\tx8640\b0\fs32\par \cf3\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx3600\tqr\tx8640\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par Learning Cycle\i0\f2\fs24 \tab\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tqr\tx8640\b\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\i\f1\fs28 STEP 1-Motivate\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx8010\tx8640\tx9360\tx10080\tx10800\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\llf or herself upon Christ, pleading His mercy: \ldblquote \lquote \ldblquote God, be merciful to me, the sinner!\rdblquote \rquote \rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Luk_18:13\cf0\ulnone , NASB).\par \b\i0\tab When was the last time you took a good hard cold look at yourself, your motives, your deeds, and your feelings? This can be a very distressing experience, can\rquote t it? What\rquote s your only hope?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7tions best describes you, or what you would be like were it not for Christ in your life?\b0\i\par \i0\tab As bad as we are, our situation is not hopeless. The first step is for us to acknowledge our utter sinfulness and also our helplessness in and of ourselves to do anything about it. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring about such conviction. If the sinner does not resist Him, the Spirit will lead the sinner to tear away the mask of self-defense, pretense, and self-justification and to cast himseetation is to give the phrase the meaning it has in \cf1\ul 1Co_11:7\cf0\ulnone , \ldblquote He [man] is the image and glory of God\rdblquote \i (RSV). \i0 In Greek, the word for \ldblquote glory\rdblquote may be considered as loosely equivalent to the word for \ldblquote image.\rdblquote Sin has marred the image of God in man. Sinful man falls far short of reflecting the image or glory of God.\par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_3:10-18\cf0\ulnone\b0\i . \b\i0 Has anything changed today? Which of those depic true goodness is. People can compare themselves to someone else and feel good about themselves. Even the mobster Al Capone was a saint compared to Adolph Hitler. However, when we contrast ourselves to God, and to the holiness and righteousness of God, none of us would come away with anything other than an overwhelming sense of self-loathing and disgust.\i\par \tab\i0 The verse also talks about \ldblquote the glory of God.\rdblquote The phrase has been variously interpreted. Perhaps the simplest interpr\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i\fs28 July 12\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 The Human Condition\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Rom_3:23\cf0\ulnone . Why is this message\i \i0 so easy for us, as Christians, to believe today? At the same time, what could cause some people to question the truthfulness of this text?\b0\i\par \tab\i0 Amazingly enough,\i \i0 some folk actually challenge the idea of human sinfulness, arguing that people are basically good. The problem, however, stems from a lack of understanding what800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Summary:\b0 Christians and pagans alike must acknowledge their utter need and complete reliance on Christ\rquote s power to save them from their sinful natures.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\par \cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Monday\b0\scaps0\fs24par\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx1890\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. How do we respond to the overwhelming evidence of our sinful nature?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 B. How can we express daily, in prayer, not only the reality of our need but our acceptance of Christ\rquote s provisions for our salvation?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1800\tx1\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 B. What have we experienced that demonstrates God\rquote s great love and His compassion toward us?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\sa199\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b III. Do: Relying on Christ \par \pard\nowidctlg Up\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1710\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. As we sense the horror of our depravity and our great need for God, we could choose to lose ourselves in feelings of discouragement and despair, or we could throw ourselves on God\rquote s goodness. What have we experienced in our own lives that demonstrates our great need of God and our daily need of a Savior?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440y hope or help outside of God\rquote s saving power?\par \par B. How could those who have been blessed with a knowledge of God but are not intimate with Him be in even deeper trouble than those who don\rquote t know God?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\sa199\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-540\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b II. Feel: Lookin2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Learning Outline:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-450\li1440\tx1170\tx1440\tx1890\tx2610\tx3330\tx4050\tx4770\tx5490\tx6210\tx6930\tx7650\tx8370\tx9090\b I. Know: Hopeless Without Christ\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Why must we first recognize our utter brokenness and the impossibility of anold system of lifeless rules that focus on our work rather than on Christ\rquote s work.\par \par \b Feel:\b0 Sense our helplessness in doing good without Christ\rquote s intervention.\par \par \b Do:\b0 Die to the old passions aroused by sin in order to live freely in the way of the Spirit.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Learning Outline:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-450\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b I.\tab Know: War With Our Sinful Nature\par \b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Our sinful nature is at war with the longing we have to live in harmony with God\rquote s law. Why must we die to our natural sinful self in order to live in the Spirit?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2250\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 B. What kinds of behaviors, hereditary or habitual, are examples of \ldblquote doing what comes naturally\rdblquote ? How are these behaviors extensions of our sinful nature?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-540\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b II. Feel: Helpless to Do Good\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. If we can\rquote t do the good we\rquote d like to do, who or what is really in control of our lives? Discuss.\par \par B. What is the only remedy for our helpless, out-of-control condition?\b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b III. Do: Living Freely\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. In what way do we \ldblquote die\rdblquote to our sinful desires?\par \par B. How are we \ldblquote buried\rdblquote with Christ? \par \par C. What are the freedoms that a life in the Spirit offers, and what must we do to live this kind of life?\b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tx10080\tx10800 Summary:\b0 Only death to our natural, sinful self and its desires makes it possible for a new way of life in Christ.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\f0\par \b\scaps\fs32 Monday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 August 16\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Is the Law Sin?\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\b0\fs22 If Paul is talking about the wholt0\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Activity: \b0 Read the interchange between the remote-controlled car (RC) and the nonmotorized car (NC).\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx1441\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tx10080\expndtw6\b\scapdblquote performances\rdblquote frequently are motivated by selfish, egotistical purposes. Behavior and appearances must be superseded by genuine heart religion. Unless our devotion exceeds the pretense of the Pharisees, we never will enter the kingdom of heaven. Anything falling below the standard of genuine love is neither satisfactory to God nor satisfying for us. Compare the genuine and the inauthentic in the dialogue below.\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx504tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 3-Apply\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers:\b0 \b The human commission of glorifying God and living harmoniously with God\rquote s creatures is captured by one word: \i love.\i0 Human behavior, being influenced by multiple factors, fails to reveal completely the contents of the heart \i (see \cf3\ul Mat_7:22-23\cf2\ulnone ).\i0 Splendid \lb\i0 Think about your relationship to God and how it is reflected in your relationships with others. How big a factor is love in those relationships? How can you learn to love others the way God loves us? What stands in your way of doing just that? \b0\i\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\i0\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\another. He was dealing with personal relationships, which is why he specified the commandments that centered on these relationships. His argument certainly shouldn\rquote t be construed as nullifying the rest of the law\i . (See \cf1\ul Act_15:20\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul 1Th_1:9\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul 1Jn_5:21\cf0\ulnone .) \i0 Besides, as the New Testament writers point out, by showing love to others, we show our love to God \i (\cf1\ul Mat_25:40\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul 1Jn_4:20-21\cf0\ulnone )\i0 .\i\par \tab\ as thyself,\rdblquote Paul showed that the principle was an integral part of the Old Testament system. Again Paul appealed to the Old Testament to support his gospel preaching. Some argue from these texts that Paul is teaching that only the few commandments mentioned here are in effect. If so, does this mean, then, that Christians can dishonor their parents, worship idols, and have other gods before the Lord? Of course not. \par \tab Look at the context here. Paul was dealing with how we relate to one  the reality of sin? However, the law truly can be kept only in the context of love. Remember, some of those who brought Christ to the cross then ran home to keep the law!\par \b\tab Which commandments did Paul cite as samples to illustrate the principle of love in law-keeping? Why these in particular? \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_13:9-10\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\i0 Interestingly, the factor of love was not a newly introduced principle. By quoting \cf1\ul Lev_19:18\cf0\ulnone , \ldblquote Thou shalt love thy neighbourtab\i0 As Jesus did in the Sermon on the Mount, Paul here amplifies the precepts of the law, showing that love must be the motivating power behind all that we do. Because the law is a transcript of the character of God, and God is love, to love, therefore, is to fulfill the law. Yet, Paul is not substituting some vague standard of love for the precisely detailed precepts of the law, as some Christians claim. The moral law is still binding, because, again, it is what points out sin-and who is going to deny September 15\b\i0\scaps\fs36 \b0\scaps0\fs24\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\fs28 Relationships to Others\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\fs22\ldblquote Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law\rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf1\ul Rom_13:8\cf0\ulnone ).\b \i0 How are we to understand this text? Does it mean that if we love, we have no obligation, then, to obey the law of God?\b0\i\par \0\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This:\b0 Which provides stronger motivation for living the Christian life-Christ\rquote s second coming \i or\i0 His daily presence in our lives?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Wednesday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28  proximity to our \ldblquote love-givers\rdblquote elicits compliant behavior also (at least during the dating phase!). Paul summons \ldblquote proximity,\rdblquote Christ\rquote s impending return, as a motivation for righteous living. Therefore, \ldblquote don\rquote t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy\rdblquote \i (vs. 13, NLT).\i0 \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx432 IV. Nearer Than We Believed\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b0\i (Review \cf3\ul Rom_13:11-14\cf2\ulnone with the class.)\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab How interesting that proximity to the lawgiver encourages compliant behavior! Every wallet-protecting motorist reduces excessive speed when surprised by police officers. Certainlyr\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 How do we determine which conditions make serving both divine counsel and national interests incompatible? What is our proper course of action under such circumstances?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li450\tx450\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\bre preferable to anarchy.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Cooperating with governmental authorities (including honest payment of taxes) is included in the Christian\rquote s ethical mandate. Obviously this does not include compromising spiritual values or violating divine commandments.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpa880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab Christian responsibility extends to governmental relationships. Remember \ldblquote render therefore unto Caesar\rdblquote \i (\cf3\ul Mat_22:21\cf2\ulnone )\i0 ? Legend says that one Texas lawmaker exclaimed, \ldblquote Get the government out of our business!\rdblquote One can only hope his preacher delivered a sermon about this passage and corrected his rebellious attitude. Governments are divinely ordained. Even ineffectual governments aies? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li450\tx450\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b III. Relationship to Government\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\i (Review \cf3\ul Rom_13:1-7\cf2\ulnone with the class.)\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2tion but for building and enlarging God\rquote s kingdom. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 What affect does an attitude of humility and loving service have on divided congregations? Where should that attitude originate? How might God perceive believers who fail to utilize their spiritual abilit the unity and importance of various \ldblquote body parts\rdblquote and the divine distribution of spiritual abilities (\i charismata)\i0 bestowed on believers to enable loving service \i (\cf3\ul 1Co_12:12-31\cf2\ulnone )\i0 . Service extended beyond hospitality to the faithful includes sacrificial kindness directed toward \i persecutors\i0 of Christians. Undoubtedly Paul remembered his persecution of believers and their kindness toward him. These abilities were given, not for personal self-glorifica \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b0\i (Review \cf3\ul Rom_12:3-21\cf2\ulnone with the class.)\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab Having previously addressed the foundation for the church\rquote s divisions, Paul turns to the solution, which includes humility in service. Comparing the Corinthian correspondence, we discover similar emphases:ritual implications of becoming \ldblquote living sacrifices\rdblquote ? In what way is this offering of self to God our logical, rational, or reasonable service? What characteristics of the biblical living sacrifices-Christ and Isaac-might we emulate?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li450\tx450\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b II. Thinking of Oneself\parimportance of the body. The body, housing our mental, social, physical, emotional, and spiritual faculties, was completely submitted to God-\ldblquote sacrificed.\rdblquote However, living sacrifices, not dead offerings, were required of Christians.\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Consider This: \b0 What are the spid be further from the truth. These verses underscore the importance of our bodies. Certainly this passage reflects the temple\rquote s sacrificial rituals whereby an unblemished animal was slaughtered and offered to the Lord. Paul now admonishes his readers to offer their bodies as \ldblquote living sacrifices.\rdblquote Clearly Paul\rquote s specialized treatment of the word \i flesh,\i0 metaphorically representing the totality of human existence without God, was not intended to belittle the spiritual ving Sacrifices\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b0\i (Review \cf3\ul Rom_12:1-2\cf2\ulnone with the class.)\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab Some have read Greek dualism into the writings of Paul, supposing that his castigation of the flesh and elevation of the Spirit indicated contempt for the physical aspects of being. Nothing coul\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\i\f1\fs28 Bible Commentary\b0\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b I. Liion is the catalyst for changed lives. Relationships are not merely improved-they are reinvented. Paul proceeds to establish the standards that define the goals toward which every Christian strives. Impossible attainments without God\rquote s promised empowerment and spiritual control now become expected achievements for every sincere believer. How would the world be different if Christians everywhere accepted these admonitions? How attractive would Christianity become if our lives reflected these values?i0\par \b The Student Will:\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Know:\b0 Describe the depth of depravity of both pagans and of professed Christians without Christ.\par \par \b Feel:\b0 Sense the desperate need for a saving relationship with Christ.\par \par \b Do:\b0 Fall on Christ in acknowledgment of our complete brokenness and of His power and willingness to save.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\txhat choices must you make in order to have the promises and assurances that are for you in Jesus?\b0\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par The Lesson in Brief\b0\i0\f2\fs24\par \b\par Key Text:\b0 \cf4\ul\i Rom_3:23\cf3\ulnone\par \d noun forms of the same word: \i pisteuo\i0 (believe), \i pistis \i0 (belief or faith). The meaning of faith as related to salvation will unfold as we progress in the study of Romans.\par \tab\b Do you ever struggle with assurance? Do you have times when you truly question whether or not you are saved, or even if you can be saved? What brings these fears? What are they grounded on? Might they be grounded in reality? That is, could you be living a lifestyle that denies your profession of faith? If so, ws, which we shall bring out as our study of the book proceeds. It should be pointed out that in \cf1\ul Rom_1:17\cf0\ulnone the word is qualified by the phrase \ldblquote of God.\rdblquote It is righteousness that comes from God, a righteousness that God Himself has provided. As we\rquote ll see, this is the only righteousness good enough to bring us the promise of eternal life.\par \tab 3. \i Faith. \i0 In Greek the words translated \i believe \i0 and \i faith (KJV) \i0 in this passage are the verb an about the Messiah\rdblquote (\i Christ\i0 is the transliteration of the Greek word meaning \ldblquote Messiah\rdblquote ). The good news is that the Messiah has come and men may be saved by believing in Him. In Jesus and in His perfect righteousness-and not in ourselves, or even in God\rquote s law-can one find salvation. \par \tab 2. \i Righteousness. \i0 This word refers to the quality of being \ldblquote right\rdblquote with God. A specialized meaning of this word is developed in the book of Romanlnone , RSV). \b\i0 What do these verses say to you? How have you experienced the promises and hope found in them?\b0\i\par \tab\i0 Several key words occur in this passage:\par \tab 1. \i Gospel.\i0 This word is the translation of a Greek word meaning literally \ldblquote good message\rdblquote or \ldblquote good news.\rdblquote Standing alone, the word may refer to any good message; but modified as it is in this passage by the phrase \ldblquote of Christ,\rdblquote it means \ldblquote the good newsath, July 17. \par \i0\fs32\page\b\scaps Sunday\b0\i\scaps0\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\fs28 July 11\fs24\par \b\i0\fs28 Not Ashamed of the Gospel\fs24\par \tab\fs22\ldblquote I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, \lquote He who through faith is righteous shall live\rquote\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_1:16-17\cf0\uo be sons of God are children of the wicked one, because they will depend on their own works. God always demanded good works, the law demands it, but because man placed himself in sin where his good works were valueless, Jesus\rquote righteousness alone can avail. Christ is able to save to the uttermost because He ever liveth to make intercession for us.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White Comments, \i The SDA Bible Commentary, \i0 vol. 6, p. 1071.\par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbtx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tab\i0 Ellen G. White makes it so clear: \ldblquote Let no one take the limited, narrow position that any of the works of man can help in the least possible way to liquidate the debt of his transgression. This is a fatal deception. If you would understand it, you must cease haggling over your pet ideas, and with humble hearts survey the atonement.\par \tab\ldblquote This matter is so dimly comprehended that thousands upon thousands claiming tlaration of a sinner as righteous in His eyes). Therefore, for Paul, the first step in justification is that a person recognize himself or herself as a helpless, hopeless sinner. In building this argument, Paul presents first the terrible depravity of the Gentiles. These have sunk as low as they have because they have pushed God from their memories. Paul then shows that the Jews are just as bad, the point being that none can save themselves with their good works.\i\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\cf0\ulnone .\b\i0\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920 Memory Text: \ldblquote All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_3:23\cf0\ulnone ).\fs24\par \pard\keepn\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\i0\dn10\fs108 U\up0\fs22 nless a person acknowledges that he or she is unrighteous, that person will sense no need for justification (God\rquote s deciched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa100\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 3\b0\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab \i\fs28 *July 10-16\i0\par \fs24\par \b\fs40 All Have Sinned\fs28\par \fs40\par \scaps\fs32 Sabbath Afternoon\tab\fs24\tab\par \par \scaps0\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study: \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_1:16-17\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_1:22-32\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_2:1-10\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_2:17-23\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_3:1-2\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_3:10-18\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_3:23\arrived, Paul wrote a letter (Romans) to forestall the same tragedy happening in Rome. Some (but not all) scholars believe that the Epistle to the Galatians was written also from Corinth during Paul\rquote s three months there on his third missionary journey, perhaps shortly after his arrival. \par \tab\ldblquote In his epistle to the Romans, Paul set forth the great principles of the gospel. He stated his position on the questions which were agitating the Jewish and the Gentile churches, and showed that ).\i0 The Epistle to the Romans was, then, written probably in the early months of \scaps a.d.\scaps0 58.\par \b\tab What other important churches had Paul visited on his third missionary journey? \cf1\ul\b0\i Act_18:23\cf0\ulnone .\b\i0\tab\par \tab\b0 Visiting the Galatian churches, Paul discovered that during his absence false teachers had\b \b0 convinced the members to submit to circumcision and to keep to other precepts of the law of Moses. Fearing that his opponents might reach Rome before he ing. Because Paul traveled much, knowing where he was at a particular time gives us a clue to the date.\par \i\tab\i0 Paul established the church at Corinth on his second missionary journey, \scaps a.d.\scaps0 49-52 \i (see \cf1\ul Act_18:1-18\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 On his third journey, \scaps a.d.\scaps0 53-58, he visited Greece again \i (\cf1\ul Act_20:2-3\cf0\ulnone ), \i0 and at this time he received an offering for the saints in Jerusalem near the end of his journey \i (\cf1\ul Rom_15:25-26\cf0\ulnonefs28 June 2\i0\scaps 7\par \b\scaps0 Date and Place\fs24\par \b0\i\fs22\tab\cf1\ul\i0 Rom_16:1-2\cf0\ulnone indicates that Paul probably wrote Romans in the city of Cenchreae\i , \i0 which was near the eastern port of Corinth, in Greece. Paul\rquote s mention of Phoebe, a resident of greater Corinth, establishes that place as the likely background for the letter to the Romans.\par \tab One of the purposes of establishing the city of origin of the New Testament epistles is to ascertain the date of writhe words that the Holy Spirit gave him at that time. \par \tab Amazingly enough, though written a long time ago and in a whole other context, the book has messages relevant to His people today, in every land and in most every situation. Hence, we need to heed prayerfully the words written here and apply them to our lives.\par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 3.\b\i0\scaps\par \b0\scaps0\fs24\par \page\b\scaps\fs32 Sunday\b0\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab \i\scaps0\ans understand the book\rquote s historical background. Without that background, it will be difficult for the student to know what Paul is saying. Paul was writing to a specific group of Christians at a specific time for a specific reason; knowing, as much as possible, that reason will greatly benefit us in our study.\par \tab We must, in our imagination, go back in time, transport ourselves to Rome, become members of the congregation there, and then, as first-century church members, listen to Paul and t\ulnone and then go through the entire book verse by verse. Because only one quarter has been allotted to the study of the book, we have had to be selective in what parts we can study. The book could easily take four quarters, not one, to explore. Hence, only the key chapters, in which the basic message is contained, will be covered.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab It is extremely important that a student of the book of Rom 320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Memory Text: \ldblquote First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world\rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf1\ul Rom_1:8\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\fs24\par \pard\keepn\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\dn10\fs108 I\up0\fs22 deally, in our study of the book of Romans, after a study of the historical background, we should begin with \cf1\ul Rom_1:1\cf0 \f0\fs28 Lesson 1\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab \b0\i\fs28 *June 26-July 2\b\i0\par \fs24\par \fs40 Paul \i and\i0 Rome\par \par \scaps\fs32 Sabbath Afternoon\par \fs24\par \scaps0\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study:\b0\i \cf1\ul Act_28:17-31\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_1:7\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_15:14\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_15:20-27\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Eph_1:1\ulnone \cf0 -entire chapter; \cf1\ul Php_1:12\cf0\ulnone .\b\i0\tab\tab\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4 g1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f5\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\lang1033\ber? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_14:10\cf0\ulnone ).\b\i0\fs24\par \pard\keepn\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\dn10\fs108 S\up0\fs22 omeone approached a famous rabbi of antiquity and asked him to explain the whole meaning of the Torah while standing on one leg. \ldblquote Do not do to another,\rdblquote the rabbi said on one leg, \ld tember 18-24\fs24\par \par \b\i0\fs40 All \i the\i0 Rest \i Is\i0 Commentary\par \par \scaps\fs32 Sabbath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\fs24\par \par \b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study:\b0 \cf1\ul\i Rom_14:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter; \cf1\ul Rom_15:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter; \cf1\ul Rom_16:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter.\b\tab\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\i0 Memory Text: \ldblquote Why dost thou judge thy brothansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 13\b0\fs24 \i\fs28 *Sepblquote what seems to you to be hurtful; that is the whole Torah. All the rest is commentary.\rdblquote\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab Whether or not one agrees with the rabbi\rquote s statement, he does have a point. Some aspects of our faith are foundational and others mere \ldblquote commentary.\rdblquote This week\rquote s lesson looks at some of that \ldblquote commentary.\rdblquote What this means is that all that came before focused very much on the foundational principles of salvation. What is the role of the law-be it the whole Old Testament system or just the Ten Commandments-in the area of salvation? Paul needed to define clearly what are the grounds upon which God accepts a person. Perhaps the whole thing could be summarized by the pagan jailer\rquote s question, \ldblquote What must I do to be saved?\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Act_16:30\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 \par \tab With that explained, Paul now engages in some \ldblquote commentary.\rdblquote Though very strong on some points, Paul takes a much freer attitude regarding other things. That\rquote s because these things are nonessentials, \ldblquote commentary,\rdblquote as it were. Yet, at the same time, though the issues themselves might not have been crucial, the attitude the Christians had toward each other in dealing with these issues was. \par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 25.\par \i0\fs24\page\b\scaps\fs32 Sund and directly addressed in Scripture. Christians must also acknowledge that most day-to-day decisions do not fall into that category. Believers should humbly and prayerfully approach God for the wisdom to know the difference. \par \par All cultures are contaminated by sin. Believers are not compelled to accept Western materialism or islander voodoo practices because those are cultural trademarks. Defending practices on the basis of culture \i alone\i0 is inadequate. God expects a higher standard. However, condemning practices on the basis of culture \i alone\i0 is equally indefensible.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 How should conscientious Christians relate to fellow believers who practice their faith differently? What usually happens when believers direct condemnation against differently minded Christians? How do believers determine what is the irreducible foundation of the gospel and what are matters of preference? How should believers react when arrogant members belittle them?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li450\tx450\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b II. With What Measure You Mete\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b0\i (Review \cf3\ul Rom_14:10\cf2\ulnone with the class.)\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\tab\ul Rom_14:10\cf2\ulnone may be described as Paul\rquote s trump card. For the unconvinced reader this principle is the bottom line: judge others harshly here and divine judgment will fall on you in similar manner and extent \i (see \cf3\ul Mat_7:1-4\cf2\ulnone ).\i0 Conversely, those who humbly approach differences of opinion in debatable areas, who exercise a merciful attitude, may expect mercy on their day of accountability.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 How does \cf3\ul Rom_14:10-12\cf2\ulnone relate to \cf3\ul Mat_6:14-15\cf2\ulnone ? Can Christians be firm and uncompromising, as well as uncritical and nonjudgmental? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li450\tx450\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b III. Giving No Offense\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b0\i (Review \cf3\ul Rom_14:15-23\cf2\ulnone with the class.)\par \?i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Human influence is our responsibility. We are accountable for our influence on others. How can a believer glibly dismiss this responsibility when it could be the difference in another person\rquote s eternal destiny? Which should be more important-that person\rquote s eternal salvation or exercising my Christian freedom? The principle of personal accountability does not prohibit us from S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 2-Explore\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers:\b0 \b Unlike much of the mythological teaching existing in the ancient world, scriptural teaching always bears practical purposes. It exists for transformation rather than entertainment. Redempt are not required to defy authorities. Our words, whether spoken or written, should be carefully considered, lest we place ourselves on record as uttering that which would make us appear antagonistic to law and order. We are not to say or do anything that would unnecessarily close up our way.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i The Acts of the Apostles, \i0 p. 69.\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E Re law system at Sinai, what about \cf1\ul Rom_7:7\cf0\ulnone , in which he specifically mentions one of the Ten Commandments? Doesn\rquote t that refute the position, taken yesterday, that Paul was not talking about the abolition of the Ten Commandments?\par \tab The answer is No.\i \i0 We must keep in mind, again, that the word \i law\i0 for Paul is the \i whole\i0 system introduced at Sinai, which included the moral law but wasn\rquote t limited to it. Hence, Paul could quote from it, as well as from any other section of the whole Jewish economy, in order to make his points. However, when the system passed away at the death of Christ, that didn\rquote t include the moral law, which had existed even before Sinai and exists after Calvary, as well. \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_7:8-11\cf0\ulnone\i . \i0 What is Paul saying here about the relationship between the law and sin?\b0\i\par \tab\i0 God revealed Himself to the Jews, telling them in detail what was right and what was wrong in moral, civil, ceremonial, and health matters. He also explained the penalties for violation of the various laws. Violation of the revealed will of God is here defined as sin.\par \tab Thus, Paul explains, he would not have known if it was a sin to covet without having been informed of that fact by the \ldblquote law.\rdblquote Because sin is the violation of the revealed will of God, where the revealed will is unknown, there is no awareness of sin. When that revealed will is made known to a person, he or she comes to re cognize that he or she is a sinner and is under condemnation and death. In this sense, the person dies.\par \tab In Paul\rquote s line of argument here and throughout this section, he is trying to build a bridge to lead the Jews-who revere the \ldblquote law\rdblquote -to see Christ as its fulfillment. He is showing that the law was necessary but that its function was limited. The law was meant to show the need of salvation; it never was meant to be the means of obtaining that salvation.\par \tab\ldblqu!ote The apostle Paul, in relating his experience, presents an important truth concerning the work to be wrought in conversion. He says, \lquote I was alive without the law once\rquote -he felt no condemnation; \lquote but when the commandment came,\rquote when the law of God was urged upon his conscience, \lquote sin revived, and I died.\rquote Then he saw himself a sinner, condemned by the divine law. Mark, it was Paul, and not the law, that died.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White Comments, \i The SDA Bible Co"mmentary, \i0 vol. 6, p. 1076.\par \b\tab In what sense have you \ldblquote died\rdblquote before the law? How, in that context, can you understand what Jesus has done for you by giving you a new life in Him\par \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf2\ul\b0\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par Learni#ng Cycle\i0\f2\fs24\tab\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qc\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b\i\f1\fs28 STEP 1-Motivate\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par Key Concept for Spiritual Growth:\b0 Through the law alone we cannot find salv$ation-it is only through Christ that we can be saved.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Just for Teachers: The following activity is designed to introduce the following concepts:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\t%x7920\tx8640\b I.\tab The law shows us the will of God and, thereby, also defines sin. Without the law, we wouldn\rquote t know what sin is.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1440 II.\tab The law is good and just, but the law alone is not our means to salvation. That comes through the grace of Christ.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par Opening Activity: \b0 The Rules game. You will need pens and note cards, a kitchen ti&mer, and small \ldblquote rewards\rdblquote (raisins, cookies, marshmallows, etcetera) to give everyone who isn\rquote t \ldblquote out\rdblquote when the timer rings. You, as the teacher, will be the Arbiter of the Rules.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Ask each member of your class to write one rule that they think will be very hard for people to obey for the next five minutes (such as: don\rquote t blin'k, don\rquote t talk, try to balance on one foot continuously, hold a hymnal in an outstretched hand for the duration, etcetera).\par \par The game is simple. Obey the rules and receive a reward. Failure to obey eliminates you from the game, and you are ineligible to receive the reward.\par \par Pick two or three rules from the suggestions that are possible to attempt simultaneously. Share those rules with the class. Set the timer for five minutes. Count as \ldblquote out\rdblquote everyone who \ldbl(quote sins\rdblquote by failing to adhere to the rules. \par \par You, as the Arbiter of the Rules, have the ability to \ldblquote forgive\rdblquote those who are \ldblquote out\rdblquote and send them back to the game, but they still must try to adhere to the rules. Also, keep reminding your class of the rules.\par \par It shouldn\rquote t be long before everyone in the class has been \ldblquote out\rdblquote at least once, some more than others. Keep your eye on the timer and be sure that every)one has been \ldblquote forgiven\rdblquote in time to receive a reward when the time expires. Give everyone in the class a reward.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b Questions for Discussion:\b0 Ask, by show of hands, how many were \ldblquote out\rdblquote at least once. The wages of sin are death. As slaves to the law, they would have been worthy of death, wouldn\rquote t they? Were those who were \ldblquote ou*t\rdblquote more than the others any more \ldblquote dead\rdblquote than those who failed only once or twice? Did those who failed less earn a greater reward? How do the answers help illustrate that we cannot be saved through our own efforts?\par \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Tuesday\b0\i\scaps0 \fs28 August 17\b\i0\fs36\par \fs28 The Holy Law\fs24\par \tab\fs22 +Read \cf1\ul Rom_7:12\cf0\ulnone . How do we understand this text in the context of what Paul has been discussing?\b0\par \tab Because the Jews revered the law, Paul exalts it in every way possible. The law is good for what it does, but it can\rquote t do what it was never meant to do, to save us from sin. For that we need Jesus, because the law-whether the entire Jewish system or the moral law in particular-cannot bring salvation. Only Jesus and His righteousness, which comes to us by faith, can.\par \,b\tab Whom does Paul blame for his condition of \ldblquote death,\rdblquote and what does he exonerate? Why is that distinction important? \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_7:13\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\i0 In this verse, Paul is presenting the \ldblquote law\rdblquote in the best sense possible. He chooses to blame sin, not the law, for his terrible sinful condition; that is, his working \ldblquote all manner of concupiscence [lust]\rdblquote \i (vs. 8).\i0 The law is good, for it is God\rquote s standard of conduct, bu-t as a sinner, Paul stood condemned before \tab\par \b\tab Why was sin so successful in showing up Paul as a terrible sinner? \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_7:14-15\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab Carnal\i0 means fleshy. Thus, Paul needed Jesus Christ. Only Jesus Christ could take away the condemnation \i (\cf1\ul Rom_8:1\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 Only Jesus Christ could free him from slavery to sin. \par \tab Paul describes himself as \ldblquote sold under sin.\rdblquote He is a slave to sin. He has no freedom. He can\rquote t do .what he wants to do. He tries to do what the good law tells him to do, but sin won\rquote t let him. \par \tab By this illustration, Paul was trying to show the Jews he need of the Messiah. He already had pointed out that victory is possible only under grace \i (\cf1\ul Rom_6:14\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 This same thought is reemphasized in Romans 7. Living under the \ldblquote law\rdblquote means enslavement to sin, a merciless master.\par \tab\b What has been your own experience with how sin enslaves? Have y/ou ever tried to play with sin, thinking you could control it as you wished, only to find yourself under a vicious and merciless taskmaster? Welcome to reality! Why, then, must you surrender to Jesus, and die to self daily?\b0\fs24\par \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\uln0one\b\i\fs28\par STEP 2-Explore\i0\f2\fs24\par \tab\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Just for Teachers: In light of Christ\rquote s sacrifice, grace, and forgiveness, what value does the law have? What purpose does it serve today?\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx43120\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tab\i\f1\fs28 Bible Commentary\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280 I. The Purpose of the Law\line\b0\i\tab (Review \cf3\ul Rom_7:7\cf2\ulnone and \cf3\ul Rom_7:9-12\cf2\ulnone with the class.)\b\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx22880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\i\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\i0\tab God\rquote s law is as necessary now as it was in heaven before the creation of humanity. For without the guiding principles of the law, how would humans ever fully know the will and the holy character of God? \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx72300\tx7920\tx8640 Keeping the law, however, cannot save us. Salvation by works is dead-end religion and a burden to the believer. In \cf3\ul Act_15:10\cf2\ulnone Peter echoes this thought when he refers to the law as \ldblquote \lquote a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear\rquote \rdblquote \i (NIV).\i0 Paul takes this idea a step further when he states that \ldblquote the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death\rdblquote \i (\cf3\ul Rom_7:10\cf42\ulnone , NIV),\i0 exposing his sin.\par \par So if the law clearly can\rquote t save us, then what can it do? First and foremost, the law serves to tell us what is right and wrong. Paul states this point very clearly in \cf3\ul Rom_7:7\cf2\ulnone when he says, \ldblquote Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting was if the law had not said, \lquote Do not covet\rquote \rdblquote \i (NIV).\i0 \par \par Second, the law carries a pe5nalty for breaking it and thus implies the need for an Advocate, a Savior, to plead our case in the heavenly court-a Lawyer who can overturn the judgment in our favor. The need for mercy in the face of the penalty of breaking the law cannot be overstated. Civic penalties for breaking individual laws may vary from country to country, but the ultimate penalty of sin is death. \par \par But thank God that Jesus\rquote death paid the penalty of death. He died the death we deserved so that we might have et6ernal life, and that death fulfilled the righteous demands of His law. Clearly, the law itself was never intended to sanctify us. Nor was it ever meant to be our means to salvation. As such, it is limited in what it can accomplish. Only through the grace of Christ can we be saved. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 Why did God give humans His law? What is the danger of getting so caught up in the lette7r of the law that you forget the spirit of it?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b\tab\b0\i What are the limitations of the law? With Jesus\rquote death paying the ransom for our sins, what is the purpose of the law? \i0\par \par \b Consider This: \b0 Why can\rquote t keeping the law save us? Why is Christ\rquote s sacrifice our only true means of salvation?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\t8x3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Wednesday\b0\scaps0 \i\fs28 August 18\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 The Man of Romans 7\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\fs22\ldblquote If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_7:16-17\cf0\ulnone ). \b\i0 What struggl\i e \i0 is presented in these\i \i0 verses?\b0\i\par \tab\i0 Using t9he law as a mirror, the Holy Spirit convicts a person that he or she is displeasing God by not fulfilling the requirements of the law. Through efforts to meet those requirements, the sinner shows that he or she agrees that the law is good.\par \b\tab What points that Paul had already made did he repeat for emphasis? \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_7:18-20\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\i0 To impress upon a person his or her need of Christ, the Holy Spirit often leads the person through an \ldblquote old covenant\rdblquote typ:e of experience. Ellen G. White describes Israel\rquote s experience as follows: \ldblquote The people did not realize the sinfulness of their own hearts, and that without Christ it was impossible for them to keep God\rquote s law; and they readily entered into covenant with God. Feeling that they were able to establish their own righteousness, they declared, \lquote All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient.\rquote \cf1\ul Exo_24:7\cf0\ulnone . . . . Only a few weeks passed before they bro;ke their covenant with God, and bowed down to worship a graven image. They could not hope for the favor of God through a covenant which they had broken; and now, seeing their sinfulness and their need of pardon, they were brought to feel their need of the Saviour revealed in the Abrahamic covenant.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i Patriarchs and Prophets, \i0 pp. 371, 372.\par \tab Unfortunately, by failing to renew their dedication to Christ daily, many Christians are, in effect, serving sin, however loath2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Just for Teachers: Remind your class of the game that they played in the opening activity. Ask them to think about it in the context of trying to follow God\rquote s law, yet still falling victim to sin on a daily basis. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 All class members would, no doubt, agree that from the outset of the game they wanted to$ follow the rules, right? Naturally, they wanted to receive the reward. It is highly doubtful that any wanted to enter the game with the goal of being eliminated. We all would live as slaves to the law but for Christ\rquote s sacrifice that liberates us. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \tab Questions for Discovery:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx721\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx504@ helping scrupulous believers inform their consciences regarding Christian freedoms, but it does caution us about arrogantly ignoring their feelings.\par \par In light of this discussion, consider the following situation. Jonathan heard that Frederick\rquote s creates the best salad in town. Although he has never imbibed alcoholic beverages, he knows that Frederick\rquote s also has a reputation throughout the metropolitan area as the \ldblquote drunk\rquote s hangout.\rdblquote He dines at Dominick\rqAuote s instead. Is eating at Frederick\rquote s \ldblquote sinful\rdblquote ? No. Is dining at Dominick\rquote s perhaps more considerate? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 Does this principle offer more \ldblquote conservative\rdblquote members undue \ldblquote leverage\rdblquote ? If we are the mBore \ldblquote conservative conscience,\rdblquote how can we avoid making others feel \ldblquote uptight\rdblquote ? \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Wednesday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 September 22\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Observance of Days\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\b0\fs22 In this discussion about not judging others who might view some things differently than we do, and not being a stumbliCng block to others who might be offended by our actions, Paul brings up the issue of special days that some want to observe and others don\rquote t. \par \tab\b Read \cf1\ul Rom_14:4-10\cf0\ulnone . How are we to understand what Paul is saying here? Does this say anything about the fourth commandment? If not, why not?\b0\i\par \tab\i0 About what days is Paul speaking? Was there a controversy in the early church over the observance or nonobservance of certain days? Apparently so. We get a hint of such coDntroversy in \cf1\ul Gal_4:9-10\cf0\ulnone , where Paul berates the Galatian Christians for observing \ldblquote days, and months, and times, and years.\rdblquote As we noted in lesson 2, some in the church had persuaded the Galatian Christians to be circumcised and to keep other precepts of the law of Moses. Paul feared that these ideas might harm the Roman church, as well. But perhaps in Rome it was particularly the Jewish Christians who had a hard time persuading themselves that they need no longer obEserve the Jewish festivals. Paul here is saying, Do as you please in this matter; the important point is not to judge those who view the matter differently from you. Some Christians, apparently, to be on the safe side, decided to observe one or more of the Jewish festivals. Paul\rquote s counsel is, Let them do it, if they are persuaded they should.\par \tab To bring the weekly Sabbath into \cf1\ul Rom_14:5\cf0\ulnone , as some argue, is unwarranted. Can one imagine Paul taking such a laid-back attitude Ftoward the fourth commandment? As we have seen all quarter, Paul placed a heavy emphasis on obedience to the law, so he certainly wasn\rquote t going to place the Sabbath commandment in the same category as folk who are uptight about eating foods that might have been offered to idols. However commonly these texts are used as an example to show that the seventh-day Sabbath is no longer binding, they say no such thing. Their use in that manner is a prime example of what Peter warned that people were doing wGith Paul\rquote s writings: \ldblquote As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul 2Pe_3:16\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \tab\b What has been your experience with the Sabbath? Has it been the blessing it was meant to be? What changes can you make in order to experience more fully what the Lord offers you in theH Sabbath?\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs24\par \cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 3-Apply\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers: Select one or more of the followingI life situations and discuss how the principles of Romans 14 and 15 apply. How can believers make their world more principled and tolerant at the same time?\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \b\tab Activity: \b0 Read the following:\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Adonijah was raised in a conservative home characterized byJ simple dress, strict Sabbath observance, and home-schooling. After completing a GED he planned on attending an independent \ldblquote institute\rdblquote because his parents felt that Seventh-day Adventist colleges were too worldly. Nevertheless, he enrolled because he was fascinated by architecture and could not get that training at the independent institute. At least, he reasoned, the Adventist university would be less worldly than a state university. To his happiness, he discovered a group of conservKative friends at the Adventist university. One Sabbath just before finals, he and seven young men visited a small mountain lake encircled by a trail. After hiking halfway around, one of his friends suggested that they swim across the lake to cool down from the sweltering heat. Adonijah was shocked that his conservative friends would do this, for he was taught that swimming on Sabbath was sinful. How should this situation be handled?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5L040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 B. Juanita joined the church three years ago. She became very active in soul winning and recently brought her neighbor Petra to church for three consecutive weeks. Juanita mentioned to Petra that the fourth Sabbath of each month is \ldblquote potluck\rdblquote dinner, but never thought that Petra would bring anything. Petra felt so accMepted in this new church family that she wanted to contribute something to the dinner, so she prepared the family\rquote s special recipe. It involved several hours of preparation, but she joyfully made the dish out of gratitude. When church matriarch Helen saw the chicken and dumplings, she nearly exploded. (There is an unwritten regulation that these meals are strictly vegetarian.) She dragged Juanita out of the dining hall into the kitchen for a face-to-face confrontation. How should this situation be Nhandled?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-274\li274\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\tab\tab Thought Question: \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0 What role should our educational system play in developing discernment, tolerance, and compassion?\par \pard\sb100\sa1O00\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Thursday\b0\i\scaps0 \fs28 September 23\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Fitting Benediction\b0\fs24\par \i\tab\b\i0\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Rom_15:1-3\cf0\ulnone . What important Christian truth is found in these texts? \par \tab In what way do these texts capture so much of what it means to be a follower of Jesus? \par \tab What other verses teach the same idea? Most important, Phow can you, yourself, live out this principle?\b0\par \tab\b As Paul brought his letter to a close, what varied benedictions did he utter? \cf1\ul\i Rom_15:5-6\cf4\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_15:13\cf4\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_15:33\cf0\ulnone .\par \b0\tab\i0 The God of patience means the God who helps His children steadfastly to endure. The word for \ldblquote patience,\rdblquote \i hupomone, \i0 means \ldblquote fortitude,\rdblquote \ldblquote steadfast endurance.\rdblquote The word for \ldblquote consolatiQon\rdblquote may be translated \ldblquote encouragement.\rdblquote The God of encouragement is the God who encourages. The God of hope is the God who has given hope to humankind. Likewise, the God of peace is the God who gives peace and in whom one may have peace.\par \tab What a fitting benediction in a letter whose dominant theme is righteousness by faith-encouragement, hope, peace! How sorely our present world needs these.\par \b\tab After numerous personal greetings, how did Paul bring his letter Rto a close? \cf1\ul\i Rom_16:25-27\cf0\ulnone .\par \b0\tab\i0 Paul ends his letter in a glorious ascription of praise to God. God is the one in whom the Roman Christians, and all Christians, can safely put their trust to confirm their standing as redeemed sons and daughters of God, justified by faith and now led by the Spirit of God.\par \tab Paul is thrilled to be the herald of such glorious news. He calls this news \ldblquote my gospel.\rdblquote What he means is the gospel he proclaims. But what heS preaches has been confirmed by the preaching of Jesus and by the messages of the prophets. It was kept secret, not because God did not want men to know, but because men refused light from heaven, preventing God from giving them further light. Moreover, there were some aspects of the plan that men would be unable to grasp until the Messiah came in human flesh. He gave a demonstration, not only of what God is like but also of what man may become by laying hold of divine power. The new kind of life would beT one of \ldblquote obedience of faith\rdblquote ; that is, obedience springing from faith in the Lord, who through grace justifies sinners by the righteousness given to all who claim it for themselves. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 4-Create\i0U\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers:\b0 \b Paul\rquote s passion for a church united in spreading the gospel of freedom in Christ must be replicated in our generation. Dialogue regarding matters of practice are necessary; battles are not.\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160V\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Activity: \b0 Write a new song that stresses the themes of partnership, tolerance, and Christian self-sacrifice in the context of this study; or read/sing hymn 353 in \i The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal.\i0 Tell what you plan to do to live out the themes of either song over the next few months.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Friday\b0\scWaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 September 24\i0\fs36\par \fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \b\fs28 Further Study:\fs24 \b0\fs22 Read Ellen G. White, \ldblquote Unity and Love in the Church,\rdblquote pp. 477, 478; \ldblquote Love for the Erring,\rdblquote pp. 604-606, in \i Testimonies for the Church, \i0 vol. 5; \ldblquote Helping the Tempted,\rdblquote p. 166, in \i The Ministry of Healing\i0 ; p. 719, in \i The SDA Bible Commentary, \i0 vol. 6.\par \tab\ldblquote I was shownX the danger of the people of God in looking to Brother and Sister White and thinking that they must come to them with their burdens and seek counsel of them. This ought not so to be. They are invited by their compassionate, loving Saviour to come unto Him, when weary and heavy-laden, and He will relieve them. . . . Many come to us with the inquiry: Shall I do this? Shall I engage in that enterprise? Or, in regard to dress, Shall I wear this or that article? I answer them: You profess to be disciples of ChYrist. Study your Bibles. Read carefully and prayerfully the life of our dear Saviour when He dwelt among men upon the earth. Imitate His life, and you will not be found straying from the narrow path. We utterly refuse to be conscience for you. If we tell you just what to do, you will look to us to guide you, instead of going directly to Jesus for yourselves.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i Testimonies for the Church, \i0 vol. 2, pp. 118, 119.\par \tab\ldblquote We are not to place the responsibility of ourZ duty upon others, and wait for them to tell us what to do. We cannot depend for counsel upon humanity. The Lord will teach us our duty just as willingly as He will teach somebody else. . . . Those who decide to do nothing in any line that will displease God, will know, after presenting their case before Him, just what course to pursue.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i The Desire of Ages, \i0 p. 668.\par \tab\ldblquote There have ever been in the church those who are constantly inclined toward individual in[dependence. They seem unable to realize that independence of spirit is liable to lead the human agent to have too much confidence in himself and to trust in his own judgment rather than to respect the counsel and highly esteem the judgment of his brethren.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i The Acts of the Apostles, \i0 pp. 163, 164.\par \par \b\fs28 Discussion Question:\b0\fs24\par \b\fs22 Given some of the themes of this week, how do we as Christians find the right balance in:\par a) Being faithful to what we believe, yet not judging others who see things differently than we do?\par b) Being true to our own conscience and not seeking to be the conscience for others, while at the same time seeking to help those whom we believe are in error? When do we speak, and when do we keep silent? When are we culpable if we do keep silent?\par c) Being free in the Lord and yet at the same time realizing our responsibility to be a good example for those who might look up to us?\cf4\b0\f3\fs23\par } , Ronan, Montana, U.S.A.\par \b 2. Learning Cycle, Lessons 2\endash 5:\b0 Alan Hecht, librarian, Rebok Memorial Library, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A.\par \b 3. Learning Cycle, Lessons 6, 7, 9\endash 13:\b0 Dan Solis, associate pastor, Village Seventh-day Adventist Church, College Place, Washington, U.S.A.\par \b 4. Learning Cycle, Lesson 8:\b0 Janelle Margolis, freelance writer, Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\f0\par The\i Adu\b0 Soraya Homayouni\b\par \par Publication Manager:\par \b0 Lea Alexander Greve\b\par \par Editorial Assistant:\par \b0 Sharon Thomas-Crews\b\par \par Pacific Press Coordinator:\par \b0 Paul A. Hey\par \par \b Art Director and Illustrator:\b0\par Lars Justinen\par \par \b Concept Design:\par \b0 Dever Designs\par \par \pard\b\f1 The teachers edition components were written by the following:\par 1. The Lesson in Brief, and Learning Cycle, Lesson 1:\b0 Cheryl Des Jarlais, freelance writer]ry\b0 -\i September 18-24\i0\tab 264\par \pard\sb100\sa100\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \par \b Come visit us at our Web site:\b0\par {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.absg.adventist.org"}}{\fldrslt{\ul\cf1 http://www.absg.adventist.org}}}\f0\fs24 \b\par \par Editorial Office:\par \b0 12501 Old Columbia Pike\par Silver Spring, MD 20904\par \b\par Principal Contributor:\par \b0 Don F. Neufeld \b\par \b0\par \b Editor:\b0\par Clifford R. Goldstein\b\par \par Associate Editor:\par \^-\b0\i August 7-13\i0\tab 138\par \fs32\tab\b 8\b0\fs20 \b The Man of Romans 7-\b0\i August 14-20\i0\tab 159\par \fs32\tab\b 9\b0\fs20 \b Freedom in Christ\b0 -\i August 21-27\i0\tab 180\par \fs32\tab\b 10\b0\fs20 \b Redemption for Jew and Gentile\b0 -\i August 28-September 3\i0\tab 201\par \fs32\tab\b 11\b0\fs20 \b The Election of Grace-\b0\i September 4-10\i0\tab 222\par \fs32\tab\b 12\fs20 Love and Law-\b0\i September 11-17\i0\tab 243\par \fs32\tab\b 13\b0\fs20 \b All the Rest Is Commenta_sb100\sa100\tqr\tldot\tx8640\b\i0\fs32 2\b0\fs20 \b Jew and Gentile-\b0\i July 3-9\i0\tab 32\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx720\tqr\tldot\tx8640\fs32\tab\b 3\b0\fs20 \b All Have Sinned-\b0\i July 10-16\i0\tab 53\par \fs32\tab\b 4\b0\fs20 \b Justified by Faith-\b0\i July 17-23\i0\tab 74\par \fs32\tab\b 5\b0\fs20 \b Justification and the Law\b0 -\i July 24-30\i0\tab 95\par \fs32\tab\b 6\fs20 Expounding the Faith-\b0\i July 31-August 6\i0\tab 117\par \fs32\tab\b 7\b0\fs20 \b Victory Over Sin`l ;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sb100\sa100\lang1033\b\f0\fs24 ADULT SABBATH SCHOOL BIBLE STUDY GUIDE\par \par TEACHERS EDITION\par \par \par \fs32 Redemption in Romans\fs24\par \par by\par Don F. Neufeld\par \par \par July, August, September\par \par 2010\b0\par \par \b\fs36\tab Contents\b0\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx720\tqr\tldot\tx8640\fs32\tab \b 1\b0\fs20 \b Paul and Rome-\b0\i June 26-July 2\i0\tab 11\i\par \pard\cng of meat sacrificed to idols was in itself not significant \i (\cf4\ul 1Co_8:4\cf3\ulnone ).\i0 Why was Paul, who could be so uncompromising on some things, willing to accept this compromise? Is there any guidance here for us as to when it is acceptable to compromise?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx1154\tx1439\tx2159\tx2879\tx3599\tx4319\tx5039\tx5759\tx6479\tx7199\tx7919\tx8639\tx9359\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx21d60\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 The temptation to indulge some form of legalism is universal. What is it about legalism that appeals to us? Is it always easy to distinguish between legalism-or the desire to achieve salvation by one\rquote s own efforts in scrupulously obeying the law-and a sincere desire to do one\rquote s best for God?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx1154\tx1439\tx2159\tx2879\tx3599\tx4319\tx5039\tx5759\tx6479\tx7199\tx7919\tx8639\tx9359\par \parde{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Do we encounter legalistic situations in our church today, similar to what Paul faced, when we introduce converts to the faith? How can we better acclimate converts to Seventh-day Adventism and the legitimate expectations we have about finances (tithing)? Diet? Health practices (nonsmoking and nondrinking of alcohol, for examplfe)? Sabbath observance? Furthermore, how do we acclimate them to these expectations while, at the same time, protecting them from those who would give them false information about requirements, based more upon personal opinions and preferences than upon the Bible? \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\f0\fs22\par \b\scaps\fs32 Thursday\b0\scaps0\tab\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\i\fs28 July 8\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 The Galatian Heresy\b0\fs24\pagr \b\tab\b0\fs22 However clear the counsel, there were those who sought to go their own way and who continued to advocate that the Gentiles keep Jewish traditions and laws. For Paul, this became a very serious matter; that is, it wasn\rquote t trifling over the fine points of faith. It had become a denial of the gospel of Christ itself.\par \tab\b Read \cf1\ul Gal_1:1-12\cf0\ulnone . How serious does Paul see the issue he is confronting in Galatia? What should that tell us about how important this questhion is?\b0 \i\par \i0\tab As stated before, it was the Galatian situation that in large degree prompted the content of the letter to Rome. In the Epistle to the Romans, Paul further develops the theme of the Galatian epistle. The Judaizers were contending that the law God had given them through Moses was important and should be observed by Gentile converts. Paul was trying to show its true place and function. He didn\rquote t want these people to gain a foothold in Rome as they had done in Galatia. \pari \tab It is an oversimplification to ask whether in Galatians and Romans Paul is speaking of ceremonial or moral laws. Historically, the argument was whether or not Gentile converts should be required to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. The Jerusalem council had already ruled on this question, but some refused to follow its decision. \par \tab Some read in Paul\rquote s letters to the Galatians and the Romans evidence that the moral law, the Ten Commandments (or, in truth, only the fourth commajndment), is no longer binding on Christians. Yet, they are missing the point of the letters, missing the historical context and issues that Paul was addressing. Paul, as we\rquote ll see, stressed that salvation was by faith alone and not by keeping the law, even the moral law-yet that isn\rquote t the same thing as saying that the moral law shouldn\rquote t be kept. Obedience to the Ten Commandments was never an issue; those who make it one are reading back into texts a contemporary issue, one that Paul kwasn\rquote t dealing with.\par \tab\b How do you respond to those who claim the Sabbath is no longer binding upon Christians? How can you show the truth of the Sabbath in a way that does not compromise the integrity of the gospel?\b0\par \par \cf3\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 4-Apply\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\ltx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par Just for Teachers: This week we have explored the ways in which God\rquote s law related to the Christian faith as it developed in the first century and how it applies today to our experience as Christians and Seventh-day Adventists.\par \par \b0\tab Look at the books of the Pentateuch, such as Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, etc., where we find the bulk of the Old Testament laws. Write down on index cards individual laws and where themy are found in the text. Make enough cards that each class member can receive one. Starting in whatever order you choose, have each member read aloud what is on his or her card. Ask whether that particular law is a moral, ceremonial, civil, or health law, and how we know. You also might want to explore possible spiritual applications of laws that fall into the ceremonial or civil category. What principles were behind them? \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\ntx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\f0\fs22\par \b\scaps\fs32 Friday\b0\scaps0\tab\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i\fs28 July 9\b\i0\fs24\par \fs28 Further Study:\fs24 \b0\fs22 Read Ellen G. White, \ldblquote Jew and Gentile,\rdblquote pp. 188-192, 194-197; \ldblquote Apostasy in Galatia,\rdblquote pp. 383-388, in \i The Acts of the Apostles\i0 ; \ldblquote The Law Given to Israel,\rdblquote pp. 310-312; \ldblquote The Law and the Covenants,\rdblquote pp. 370-373, in \i Patriarchs and Prophets\i0 ; \ldblquote The Cohosen People,\rdblquote pp. 27-30, in \i The Desire of Ages\i0 .\par \par \tab\ldblquote But if the Abrahamic covenant contained the promise of redemption, why was another covenant formed at Sinai? In their bondage the people had to a great extent lost the knowledge of God and of the principles of the Abrahamic covenant. . . .\par \tab\ldblquote The people did not realize the sinfulness of their own hearts, and that without Christ it was impossible for them to keep God\rquote s law; and they readily epntered into covenant with God.\rdblquote\i -\i0 Ellen G. White, \i Patriarchs and Prophets, \i0 pp. 371, 372.\par \tab\ldblquote Through the influence of false teachers who had arisen among the believers in Jerusalem, division, heresy, and sensualism were rapidly gaining ground among the believers in Galatia. These false teachers were mingling Jewish traditions with the truths of the gospel. Ignoring the decision of the general council at Jerusalem, they urged upon the Gentile converts the observance of qthe ceremonial law.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Acts of the Apostles, \i0 p. 383.\fs24\par \tab\par \b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \f3\fs22\'d8\f0 In class, go over your answer to Wednesday\rquote s final question. In what ways might your local church or you in your own home or maybe even you with yourself be laying burdens on others (or on yourself) that are not necessary? How can we recognize if we are really doing these things? Or might we be in danger of goingr too far the other way? That is, how can we recognize if we have become too lax in our lifestyle and standards to the point where our lives don\rquote t reflect the high calling that we have in Christ?\par \par \f3\'d9\f0 What are some of the arguments folk use to claim that the Ten Commandments are no longer binding on Christians today? How do we answer those claims? Why, on the face of it, are those claims so wrong, and why in many cases do those who make not really live as if they believe the Ten Commandments are no longer binding?\par \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \f3\'da\f0 Read again \cf1\ul\b0 Gal_1:1-12\cf0\ulnone\b . Notice how uncompromising, how dogmatic, and how fervent Paul was regarding his understanding of the gospel. What should that tell us about how, at times, we must stand absolutely unwavering in certain beliefs, especially in a day and age of pluralism and relativism? How does this show that certain teachings cannot be compromised in any way?\b0 \cf2\f4\fs23\par } t0\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b\scaps Sarah.\b0\scaps0 \i (interrupting)\i0 So you\rquote re saying I\rquote ve got some competition, huh?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx720\tx1440\tx1710\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b\scaps Nina.\b0\scaps0\tab\tab I didn\rquote t mean it \i that\i0 way.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-990\li1710\tx720\tx810\tx1440\tx1710\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\bu\scaps Sarah.\b0\scaps0 Well, I mean, why doesn\rquote t God stop me from doing such stupid stuff? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-990\li1710\tx720\tx1440\tx1710\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b\scaps Nina.\b0\scaps0\tab\tab Like I started to say, Jesus forgave her just like He\rquote s always willing to forgive you. But you have to be willing to accept it.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-990\li1710\tx720\tx1710\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7v200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b\scaps Sarah.\b0\scaps0 Yeah, yeah. I know you\rquote re right; but why can\rquote t I feel it? Why don\rquote t I feel forgiven?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1350\li1710\tx1710\tx2430\tx3150\tx3870\tx4590\tx5310\tx6030\tx6750\tx7470\tx8190\tx8910\tx9630\tx10350\tqr\tx11066\b Application Questions:\b0 \par \pard{\pntext\f6\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf6\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200w\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356 How can I help others (or myself) gain full confidence in God\rquote s promise of forgiveness and empowerment? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\par \pard{\pntext\f6\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf6\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356 How do I deal with repeated failure? \par \pard\nowidxctlpar\fi720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\par \pard{\pntext\f6\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf6\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356 How can I say No to temptation?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li720\tx720\tx1440\ytx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tqr\tx10076\b Witnessing:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356\b0\tab Little Jimmy went skating at the youth center one night when the concession stand was running a special-unlimited free refills on drinks. Because it was already paid for, Jimmy kept refilling until he could hold it no longer, and then he had an \ldblquote accident.\rdblquote zMany Christians seem to display the same attitude when it comes to God\rquote s unlimited grace. Because the payment for sin already has been made, they reason that they need not exercise self-control, for they can return any time for a \ldblquote forgiveness refill.\rdblquote Unfortunately, many Christians have suffered through unnecessary \ldblquote accidents\rdblquote as a result of this philosophy. Apparently in Paul\rquote s day some were even suggesting that sinning more would make God appear even{ more gracious! \par \par \b Discuss: \b0 How do we guard against the error of limiting God\rquote s grace but also avoid the error of presuming upon it?\par \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\f0\par \b\scaps\fs32 Thursday\b0\scaps0 \fs24 \i\fs30 August 12\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Fruit Unto Holiness\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\fs22 Keeping in mind what we have studied so far in Romans 6, read the rest of| the verses \b0\i (\cf1\ul\i0 Rom_6:19-23\cf0\ulnone\i ). \b\i0 Summarize on the lines below the gist of what Paul is saying. Most important, ask yourself how you can make real in your life the crucial truths that Paul is addressing. Ask yourself, too, what are the issues at stake here?\b0\par \tab Paul\rquote s words here show that he fully understands the fallen nature of humanity. He talks about the \ldblquote infirmity of your flesh.\rdblquote The Greek word for \ldblquote infirmity\rdblquote means also \ldblquote weakness.\rdblquote He knows what fallen human nature, left on its own, is capable of. Thus, again, he appeals to the power of choice-the power we have to choose to surrender ourselves and our weak flesh to a new master, Jesus, who will enable us to live a righteous life.\i\tab\par \tab\cf1\ul\i0 Rom_6:23\cf0\ulnone often is quoted to show that the penalty for sin-that is, the transgression of the law-is death. Certainly sin\rquote s penalty is death. But in addition to seeing death asKar \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\fs28 Further Study:\fs22 \b0 Read Ellen G. White, \ldblquote Help in Daily Living,\rdblquote pp. 470-472, in \i The Ministry of Healing\i0 ; \ldblquote Christ the Center of the Message,\rdblquote pp. 383, 384, in \i Selected Messages, \i0 book 1; \ldblquote The Temptation and Fall,\rdblquote pp. 60-62, in \i Patriarchs and Prophets\i0 ; \ldblquote Justification,\rdblquote pp. 712-714, in \i The SDA E}as led the individuals in your class through trial and struggle to quiet confidence in their standing as children of God, develop a small pamphlet to be used by your class as a witnessing tool to share with friends, neighbors, coworkers, employees, and relatives (just to mention a few). \par \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Friday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 August 6\b\i0\fs24\p~imits, He gives us every opportunity to become like Christ and does not withhold suffering from us. Through suffering we join Christ in the agonies of this life, but also just as certainly in the glorious existence He has prepared for us.\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Activity: \b0 Using the stories of how God hM M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 STEP 4-Create\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers: Humanity\rquote s innate desire to save itself has led nearly all world religions to establish systems of righteousness that depend on human behavior for acceptance. Christianity alone says that acceptance depends on God\rquote s action rather than ours. Because God has accepted us and loves us beyond all llt Sabbath School Bible Study Guide\i0 is prepared by the Office of the Adult Bible Study Guide of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the guides is under the general direction of a worldwide Sabbath School Manuscript Evaluation Committee, whose members serve as consulting editors. The published guide reflects the input of the committee and thus does not solely or necessarily represent the intent of the author(s).\par \b\par Bible Versions Table\b0\par \tab Scripture references other than from the King James Version quoted by permission in this Bible Study Guide, for Third Quarter 2010, are as follows:\par \tab\b NASB.\b0 From the New American Standard Bible, copyright \'a9 the Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission.\par \b\tab NIV.\b0 Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright \'a9 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.\tab\tab\par \tab\b NKJV.\b0 Texts credited to the NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright \'a9 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.\par \tab\b RSV.\b0 Bible texts credited to the RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright \'a9 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.\par \pard\cf2\f2\fs23\par } oo, to realize that Paul in verse 3 does not speak negatively of the one \ldblquote weak in the faith.\rdblquote Nor does he give this person advice as to how to become strong. So far as God is concerned, the overscrupulous Christian (judged overscrupulous, apparently, not by God but by his or her fellow Christians) is accepted. \ldblquote God hath received him.\rdblquote\par \b\tab How does \cf1\ul Rom_14:4\cf0\ulnone amplify what we\rquote ve just looked at?\b0  \par \tab\b Though we need to keep in mind the principles seen in today\rquote s lesson, are there not times and places where we need to step in and judge, if not a person\rquote s heart, at least the actions? Are we to step back and say and do nothing in every situation? \cf1\ul Isa_56:10\cf0\ulnone describes watchmen as \ldblquote dumb dogs, they cannot bark.\rdblquote How can we know when to speak and when to keep silent? How do we strike the right balance here?\b0\par \fs24\page\pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \ulnone\b\i\fs28\par The Lesson in Brief\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qc\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Key Text:\b0 \cf3\ul\i Rom_15:5\cf2\ulnone\par \par \b\i0 The Student Will:\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Know:\b0 Explain the importance of letting each person follow God\rquote s will as best as he or she knows how, while at the same time being sensitive to how our actions affect others around us.\par \par \b Feel:\b0 Value unity in Christ as a principle that informs both our independence and interdependence.\par \par \b Do:\b0 Do whatever it takes to contribute to peace and the building up of Christ\rquote s body. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Learning Outline:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi990\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b I. Know: Unified in Diversity\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. While we each may have a different understanding of what God is asking us to do, why must we accept and encourage one another in the following of our individual consciences and be willing to learn from one another?\par \par B. What are some of the differences that arise when church members follow their consciences in obeying God? \par \par C. How can these differences lead to division, and how can they lead to growth?\b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-540\li1440\sa199\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tx10080\tx10800\b II. Feel: Valuing One Another\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Though it is important to follow our individual consciences, why must we also be sensitive to how the things we do influence others?\par \par B. How should we relate to church members who express concern over our lifestyle or actions or over differences with us in spiritual matters?\b \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b III. Do: Building Up the Body\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. What are some of the ways we can foster a spirit of unity among a body of believers who are different in many ways?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1800\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Summary:\b0 Though we may all have differences in how we understand our duty to God, as we foster acceptance and respect and learn from one another we will grow closer as a result.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Monday\b0\scaps0 \fs24 \i\fs28 September 20\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 With What Measure You Mete\fs24\par \tab\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Rom_14:10\cf0\ulnone . What reason does Paul give here for us to be careful about how we judge others? \b0\i\par \tab\i0 We tend to judge others harshly at times, and often for the same things that we ourselves do. How often, though, what we do doesn\rquote t seem as bad to us as when others do the same thing. We might fool ourselves by our hypocrisy, but not God, who warned us: \ldblquote Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Mat_7:1-4\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 \par \b\tab Of what significance is the statement from the Old Testament that Paul introduced here? \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_14:11\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\i0 The citation from \cf1\ul Isa_45:23\cf0\ulnone supports the thought that \i all\i0 must appear for judgment. \ldblquote Every knee\rdblquote and \ldblquote every tongue\rdblquote individualizes the summons. The implication is that each one will have to answer for his or her own life and deeds\i (\cf1\ul Rom_14:12\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 No one can answer for another. In this important sense, we are \i not\i0 our brother\rquote s keeper.\par \b\tab Keeping the context in mind, how do you understand what Paul is saying in \cf1\ul Rom_14:14\cf0\ulnone ?\b0\par \tab The subject is still foods sacrificed to idols. The issue is, clearly, not the distinction between the foods deemed clean and unclean. Paul is saying that there is nothing wrong per se in eating foods that might have been offered to idols. After all, what is an idol anyway? It is nothing \i (see \cf1\ul 1Co_8:4\cf0\ulnone ),\i0 so who cares if some pagan offered the food to a statue of a frog or a bull?\i \i0\par \tab A person should not be made to violate his or her conscience, even if the conscience is overly sensitive. This fact the \ldblquote strong\rdblquote brethren apparently did not understand. They despised the scrupulosity of the \ldblquote weak\rdblquote brethren and put stumbling blocks in their way.\par \tab\b Might you, in your zeal for the Lord, be in danger of what Paul is warning about here? Why must we be careful in not seeking to be the conscience of others, no matter how good our intentions?\par \b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par Learning Cycle\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \i\f1\fs28 STEP 1-Motivate\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Key Concept for Spiritual Growth: \b0 Believers may agree on the principles of Scripture but disagree on the methods of living out those principles. In such cases, grace and understanding should take precedence over judgment and condemnation.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab Because Rome was a cultural melting pot, it is not surprising that the believers\rquote various backgrounds led to divergent understandings about living the Christian life. While Jewish and Gentile Christians were alike committed to Jesus as their Savior, their cultural upbringing induced a certain amount of tension as the two groups tried to live out their commitment. The Jerusalem council \i (Acts 15)\i0 was an attempt to resolve the disputes between the two groups; but the fact that the book of Romans was written several years after the council testifies to the difficulty of resolving these differences. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 If the early church, nearest in historical time to the advent of Christ, had these difficulties, should we be surprised that churches today struggle for harmony? Does your church include various ethnic groups? How has the church blended those various strengths? Has variety produced disharmony? \par \par Age is another factor that often divides churches. Social scientists even speak of youth culture as if it were a separate entity, encapsulating unique values, social patterns, and language. Does harmonious interaction between various age groups exist in your church? Do cultural battles erupt over musical preferences, Sabbath observance, and evangelistic methodology? When Christians disagree, how are differences resolved-split churches, acrimonious exchanges, judgmental rhetoric? Perhaps understanding, open-mindedness, compassionate listening, and flexibility characterize your church. Blessed indeed are those who have experienced the latter rather than the former! \par \par Having established a common theological foundation, Paul now addresses the cultural disagreements in practice that threatened to fracture the church.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Activity: \b0 Bring a large transparent glass container for filling. First, fill the container with large rocks. Ask, Is the container full? The expected response is \ldblquote full.\rdblquote Next bring out your hidden sack of sand, pouring sand into the container. Ask if the container is now full. Expect an affirmative answer, though some may hesitate because they were proven wrong before. Next bring out your hidden water bottle and fill the container again. \par \par \b Discuss:\b0 How does the activity visibly illustrate the importance of being open-minded and creative in our approach to God\rquote s work? Why should there always be \ldblquote space available\rdblquote for newer ideas and methodologies alongside older concepts?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Tuesday\b0\scaps0 \i \fs28 September 21\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Giving No Offense\i\fs24\par \tab\i0\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Rom_14:15-23\cf0\ulnone \i (see also \cf1\ul 1Co_8:12-13\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 Summarize on the lines below the gist of what Paul is saying. What principle can we take from this passage that we can apply in all areas of our life?\b0\par \i\tab\i0 In\i \cf1\ul Rom_14:17-20\cf0\ulnone \i0 Paul is putting various aspects of Christianity into proper perspective. Although diet is important, Christians ought not to quarrel over the choice on the part of some to eat vegetables instead of flesh meats that might have been sacrificed to idols. Instead, they ought to focus on righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. How might we apply this idea to questions of diet today in our church? However much the health message, and especially the teachings on diet, can be a blessing to us, not everyone sees this subject the same way, and we need to respect those differences.\par \b\tab In \cf1\ul Rom_14:22\cf0\ulnone , amid all this talk about leaving people to their own conscience, Paul adds a very interesting caveat: \ldblquote Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves\rdblquote \i (NIV).\i0 What warning is Paul giving here? How does this balance out the rest of what he is saying in this context?\b0 \b \b0\i\par \i0\tab Have you heard someone say, \ldblquote It is none of anyone\rquote s business what I eat or what I wear or what kind of entertainment I engage in\rdblquote ? Is it really? None of us live in a vacuum. Our actions, words, deeds, and even diet can affect others, either for good or for bad. It\rquote s not hard to see how. If someone who looks up to you sees you doing something \ldblquote wrong,\rdblquote he or she could be influenced by your example to do that same thing. We fool ourselves if we think otherwise. To argue that, well, you didn\rquote t force the person is beside the point. As Christians, we have a responsibility to one another, and if our example can lead someone astray, we are culpable.\b\par \tab What kind of example do you present? Would you feel comfortable with having others, particularly young people or new believers, following your example in all areas? What does your answer say about you?\b0\i\par \i0\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par STEP 2-Explore\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers\b0 : \b Intellectual theorists oftentimes propose grandiose schemes that disintegrate into grander failures when tested by real-world conditions. Can Paul\rquote s theology endure the real-world \ldblquote heat\rdblquote of cultural crossfire? This battleground is a minefield waiting to explode! How should church leaders facilitate healing and reconciliation when disagreements erupt among the faithful?\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li450\tx450\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\i\f1\fs28 Bible Commentary\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx43290\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li450\tx450\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 I. The Weak Brother\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b0\i (Review \cf3\ul Rom_14:1-4\cf2\ulnone with the class.)\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab Multitudes of decisions rega sin\rquote s penalty, we should see sin as Paul describes it in Romans 6-as a master dominating his servants, duping them by paying them off with the wages of death.\par \i\tab\i0 Notice, too, that in his development of the figure of the two masters, Paul calls attention to the fact that the service of one master means freedom from the service of the other. Again we see the clear choice: one or the other. There is no middle ground. At the same time, as we all know, being free from the dominion of sin doesn\rquote t mean sinlessness, doesn\rquote t mean we don\rquote t struggle and, at times, even fall. It means, instead, that we are no longer \i dominated\i0 by sin, however much a reality it remains in our life and however much we must daily claim the promises of victory over it.\par \tab Thus, this passage becomes a powerful appeal to anyone who is serving sin. This tyrant offers nothing but death as payment for doing shameful things; therefore, a reasonable person should desire emancipation from this tyrant. In contrast, those who serve righteousness do things that are upright and praiseworthy, not with the idea of thus earning their salvation, but as a fruit of their new experience. If they are acting in an attempt to earn salvation, they are missing the whole point of the gospel, the whole point of what salvation is, and the whole point of why they need Jesus. \b\fs24\tab\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tqr\tx10076\cf3\ul\f1\fs22\par T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 STEP 4-Create\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tqr\tx9356 Just for Teachers:\b0 \b The heart of the gospel is enunciated in Romans 6. Because of Christ\rquote s sacrifice, God saves to the outer limits and empowers surrendered souls to overcome temptation. The suggested closing activity requires advance preparation but offers an enduring visual experience of the concepts studied.\b0\par \par \b Activity: \b0 Near the end of class bring in a person bound in several layers of rope, gagged, handcuffed, blindfolded, and chained. Have the class set the prisoner free. \par \par \b Discuss: \b0 How does this experience graphically illustrate the way in which Christ sets us free from sin? What does it tell us about His power to save to the uttermost?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\f0\par \b\scaps\fs32 Friday\b0\scaps0 \i\fs28 August 13\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Further Study:\b0\fs24 \fs22 Read Ellen G. White, \ldblquote Victory Appropriated,\rdblquote pp. 105, 106, in\i Messages to Young People; \i0\ldblquote The True Motive in Service,\rdblquote pp. 93-95, in \i Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing\i0 ; \ldblquote Appeal to the Young,\rdblquote p. 365, in \i Testimonies for the Church, \i0 vol. 3;\i \i0 pp. 1074, 1075, in\i The SDA Bible Commentary, \i0 vol. 6.\b\par \par \b0\tab\ldblquote He [Jesus] did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with us. Christ\rquote s humanity was united with divinity; He was fitted for the conflict by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He came to make us partakers of the divine nature. So long as we are united to Him by faith, sin has no more dominion over us. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i The Desire of Ages, \i0 p. 123.\par \tab\ldblquote At our baptism we pledged ourselves to break all connection with Satan and his agencies, and to put heart and mind and soul into the work of extending the kingdom of God. . . . The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are pledged to cooperate with sanctified human instrumentalities.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White Comments, \i The SDA Bible Commentary, \i0 vol. 6, p. 1075.\par \tab\ldblquote A profession of Christianity without corresponding faith and works will avail nothing. No man can serve two masters. The children of the wicked one are their own master\rquote s servants; to whom they yield themselves servants to obey, his servants they are, and they cannot be the servants of God until they renounce the devil and all his works. It cannot be harmless for servants of the heavenly King to engage in the pleasures and amusements which Satan\rquote s servants engage in, even though they often repeat that such amusements are harmless. God has revealed sacred and holy truths to separate His people from the ungodly and purify them unto Himself. Seventh-day Adventists should live out their faith.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i Testimonies for the Church, \i0 vol. 1, p. 404.\par \b\fs24\par \fs28 Discussion Questions:\b0\fs24\par \f4\fs22\'d8\f0 Though we have all these wonderful promises of victory over sin, the fact is that we all-even as born-again Christians-are aware of just how fallen we are, of just how sinful we are, and of just how corrupt our hearts can be. Is there a contradiction here? Explain your answer.\par \par \f4\'d9\f0 In class, give a testimony as to what Christ has done in you, to the changes you have experienced, to the new life you have in Him. \par \par \f4\'da\f0 However important it is that we always remember that our salvation rests only in what Christ has done for us, what dangers arise if we overemphasize that wonderful truth to the exclusion of the other part of the salvation: that of what Jesus does in us, to transform us into His image? Why do we need to understand and emphasize both these aspects of salvation? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\cf3\b\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\f0\fs22\par \par \pard\cf2\f5\par }  cover only the first 17 verses of Romans 8. As time allows, read the rest of the chapter, which is filled with wonderful assurances of God\rquote s love. These verses powerfully point us to the hope we should have as people who are \ldblquote more than conquerors through him that loved us\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul\i0 Rom_8:37\cf0\ulnone\i ) \i0 and who, out of that love, \ldblquote spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul\i0 Rom_8:32\cf0\ulnone\i )\i0 . \par \tab\tab\tnity, the only way He could relate to us, could be our perfect example, and could become the substitute who died in our stead. He came \ldblquote in the likeness of sinful flesh\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul\i0 Rom_8:3\cf0\ulnone\i ). \i0 As a result, the righteous requirements of the law can be fulfilled in us \i (\cf1\ul\i0 Rom_8:4\cf0\ulnone\i ). \i0 In other words, Christ made victory over sin, as well as meeting the positive requirements of the law, possible.\par \i\tab\i0 Due to space limitations, we willdom and victory through Jesus Christ.\par \tab Paul was saying in Romans 7 that if you refuse to accept Jesus Christ, the wretched experience of Romans 7 will be yours. You will be slaves to sin, unable to do what you choose to do. In Romans 8 he says that Christ Jesus offers you deliverance from sin and the freedom to do the good that you want to do but your flesh won\rquote t allow.\par \tab Paul continues, explaining that this freedom was purchased at infinite cost. Christ the Son of God took on humar \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Memory Text: \ldblquote There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_8:1\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\fs24\par \dn10\fs108 R\up0\fs22 omans 8 is Paul\rquote s answer to Romans 7. In Romans 7 Paul speaks of frustration, failure, and condemnation; in Romans 8, the condemnation is gone, replaced with freeharset2 Wingdings;}{\f6\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa100\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 9\b0\fs24 \i\fs28 *August 21-27\i0\fs24\par \par \b\fs40 Freedom \i in \i0 Christ\par \par \scaps\fs32 Sabbath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\fs24\par \par \b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study: \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_8:1-17\cf0\ulnone .\b\i0\pa This is the type of endurance that tribulation develops in the one who maintains faith and who does not lose sight of the hope he or she has in Christ even amid the trials and suffering that can make life so miserable at times. \par \tab\i 2. Experience. \i0 The Greek word thus translated \i dokime \i0 means literally \ldblquote the quality of being approved,\rdblquote hence, \ldblquote character,\rdblquote or more specifically \ldblquote approved character.\rdblquote The one who patiently endures tn between verses 2 and 3 is more clearly seen. Justified people can rejoice in tribulation because they have fixed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. They have confidence that God will work all things for good. They will consider it an honor to suffer for Christ\rquote s sake. \i (See \cf1\ul 1Pe_4:13\cf0\ulnone .)\par \tab\i0 Notice, too, the progression in verses 3 through 5. \i\par \tab 1. Patience. \i0 The Greek word thus translated \i hupomone \i0 means \ldblquote steadfast endurance.\rdblquote reckoned that Jesus committed those sins, not us, and that way we can be spared the punishment that we deserve. That punishment fell on Christ for us, in behalf of us, so that we never have to face it ourselves. What more glorious news could there be for the sinner? \par \tab The Greek word translated \ldblquote glory\rdblquote in verse 3 is the one translated \ldblquote rejoice\rdblquote in verse 2. If it is translated \ldblquote rejoice\rdblquote in verse 3 also (as in some versions), the connectio \i\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \tab\i0\ldblquote Being justified\rdblquote is literally \ldblquote having been justified.\rdblquote The Greek verb represents the action as completed. We have been declared righteous, or regarded as righteous, not through any deeds of law but through our having accepted Jesus Christ. The perfect life that Jesus lived on this earth, His perfect law-keeping, has been credited to us. \par \tab At the same time, all of our sins have been laid on Jesus. God has Him. \par \tab Surely this is a theme worth expounding upon, for it\rquote s the foundation of all our hope.\par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 7.\par \i0\page\b\scaps\fs32 Sunday\b0\i\scaps0 \fs28 August 1\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Therefore, Being Justified\b0\fs24\par \b\fs22\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_5:1-5\cf0\ulnone . On the lines below summarize Paul\rquote s message. What can you take from that for yourself now?\tab\tab\tab\b0  of their sins, and the punishment due those sins could be remitted, could be forgiven and forever pardoned. \par \tab Paul contrasts Adam and Jesus, showing how Christ came to undo what Adam did and that by faith the victims of Adam\rquote s sin could be rescued by Jesus, the Savior. The foundation of it all is the cross of Christ and His substitutionary death there-which opens the way for every human being, Jew or Gentile, to be saved by Jesus, who with His blood brought justification to all who accept a sense steps back, looks at the big picture-at what caused sin and suffering and death and how the solution is found in Christ and what He\rquote s done for the human race. \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tab Through the fall of one man, Adam, all humanity faced condemnation, alienation, and death; through the victory of one man, Jesus, all the world was placed on a new footing before God, one in which, by faith in Jesus, the recordsa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\dn10\fs108 P\up0\fs22 aul has established the point that justification, or acceptance with God, comes only through faith in Jesus Christ, for His righteousness alone is enough to give us the right standing with our Lord. Building on that great truth, Paul now expounds more on this theme. Showing that salvation has to be by faith and not by works, not even for someone as \ldblquote righteous\rdblquote as Abraham, Paul in2 Read for This Week\rquote s Study: \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_5:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter..\b\i0\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920 Memory Text:\b0 \b\ldblquote Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_5:1-2\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\fs24\par \pard\keepn\sb100\t0 Georgia;}{\f5\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 6\b0\fs24 *\i\fs28 July 31-August 6\i0\fs24\par \par \b\fs40 Expounding \i the\i0 Faith\b0\par \par \b\scaps\fs32 Sabbath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\fs24\par \par \b\fs2rials can develop an approved character.\par \tab\i 3. Hope. \i0 Endurance and approval naturally give rise to hope, the hope found in Jesus and the promise of salvation in Him. As long as we cling to Jesus in faith, repentance, and obedience, we have everything to hope for.\par \tab\b What is the one thing in all your life that you hope for more than anything else? How can that hope be fulfilled in Jesus? Or can it? If not, are you sure you want to be putting so much hope in it? \tab\scaps\par \b0\scaps0\page\pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par The Lesson in Brief\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par Key Text:\b0 \cf3\ul\i Rom_5:1-2\cf2\ulnone\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tqc\tx4320\b The Student Will:\par \tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Know:\b0 Comprehend that although all Adam\rquote s children have sinned, we all may become children of Christ and part of the royal family when we accept what He has done to save the world.\par \par \b Feel:\b0 Rejoice in the peace that we have despite our trials, because of the hope and love poured out through the Spirit.\par \par \b Do:\b0 Accept the free gift of grace that Christ offers in order to live the life of one justified before God.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Learning Outline:\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-450\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b I.\tab Know: Sin Through Adam, Grace Through Christ\b0\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. The entire human race is condemned to death because of our father Adam. Why does Christ\rquote s act of righteousness, on our behalf, make it possible to claim God\rquote s family as our own?\par \par B. If Christ\rquote s death reconciles us to the Father, what more does His life accomplish on our behalf?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-630\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b II. Feel: Rejoice in Hope and Love\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Christ lived and died for us, but we are still in this world of pain and death. Yet, why may we rejoice in our sufferings? \par \par B. What does the Spirit pour out into our hearts that helps us live a different reality now, the reality of eternal life?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b III. Do: Pure Gift\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. What does it mean that the gift of grace is bigger than the baggage and threat of death? \par \par B. By what daily activities can we demonstrate that we are rejoicing in God\rquote s grace?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1800\sa199\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Summary: \b0 Though all suffer the consequences of sin, we can choose a different set of consequences, those of the peace, hope, and love that are the result of Christ\rquote s righteousness.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\par \cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Monday\b0\scaps0 \i \fs24 \fs28 August 2\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 God Seeking Man\fs24\par \tab\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Rom_5:6-8\cf0\ulnone . What do these verses tell us about the character of God, and why are they so full of hope for us?\b0 \i\tab\i0\par \tab When Adam and Eve shamefully and inexcusably transgressed the divine requirement, God took the first steps toward reconciliation. Ever since, God has taken the initiative in providing a way of salvation and in inviting men and women to accept it. \ldblquote When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Gal_4:4\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \b\tab\cf1\ul Rom_5:9\cf0\ulnone says that we can be saved from God\rquote s wrath through Jesus. How do we understand what that means?\b0 \i\par \tab\i0 As the blood on the doorposts of the Israelites in Egypt on the eve of their departure protected the firstborn from the wrath te world. Many will by faith receive Christ as their Redeemer.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Acts of the Apostles, \i0 p. 381.\fs24\par \par \b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\b0 \fs24\par \b\f3\fs22\'d8\b0\f0 \b In the last days, as God\rquote s law, and especially the Sabbath, comes into sharp focus, is it not reasonable to think that the Jews-many of them as serious about the Ten Commandments as Adventists are-will have a role in helping to clarify some issues before the world? After all, when it comes to Sabbath keeping, Adventists in contrast to the Jews are \ldblquote the new kids on the block.\rdblquote Discuss\b0 . \par \par \b\f3\'d9\f0 Why should, of all churches, the Adventist Church be the one most successful in reaching out to Jews? What can you or your local church do in seeking to reach Jews in your community, if any? \b0\par \par \b\f3\'da\b0\f0 \b What can we learn from the mistakes of many in ancient Israel? How can we avoid doing the same things today? \cf4\b0\f4\fs23\par } in control of the world\i (Revelation 13).\i0 Until then, we should do all that we can, before God, to be good citizens in whatever country we live in. \par \tab\ldblquote We are to recognize human government as an ordinance of divine appointment, and teach obedience to it as a sacred duty, within its legitimate sphere. But when its claims conflict with the claims of God, we must obey God rather than men. God\rquote s word must be recognized as above all human legislation. . . . \par \tab\ldblquote Wegimes. Yet, even in situations like these, Christians should, as much as possible, obey the laws of the land. Christians are to give loyal support to government so long as its claims do not conflict with the claims of God. One should consider very prayerfully and carefully, and with the counsel of others, before embarking on a path that puts him or her in conflict with the powers that be. We know from prophecy that one day all of God\rquote s faithful followers will be pitted against the political powers that\rquote s because the idea of government itself is found throughout the Bible. The concept, the principle of government, is God-ordained. Human beings need to live in a community with rules and regulations and standards. Anarchy is not a biblical concept. \par \tab That being said, it doesn\rquote t mean that God approves of all forms of government or how these governments are run. On the contrary. One doesn\rquote t have to look too far, either in history or in the world today, to see some brutal reat makes Paul\rquote s words so interesting is that he wrote during a time when a pagan empire ruled the world, one that could be incredibly brutal, one that was at its core corrupt, and one that knew nothing about the true God and would, within a few years, start a massive persecution of those who wanted to worship that God. In fact, Paul was put to death by this government! Yet, despite all this, Paul was advocating that Christians be good citizens, even under a government like that?\par \tab Yes. And x4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Tuesday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 September 14\b\i0\scaps\fs36 \scaps0\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs28 Relationship to Government\fs24\par \b0\i\fs22\tab\b\i0 Read \cf1\ul Rom_13:1-7\cf0\ulnone . What basic principles can we take from these verses about how we are to relate to the civil power of government?\b0\par \tab Wh20\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 While we appreciate the good deeds of the unconverted, what does the Christian have that they are missing? When the road is easy (downhill), the nonmotorized car can move forward just as the remote-controlled car can; but only one has power to move on a flat or uphill surface. What advantage does the Spirit-powered Christian have over the good citizen when the road gets tough?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\that befell Egypt\rquote s firstborn, so the blood of Jesus Christ guarantees that one who has been justified and retains that status will be protected when God\rquote s wrath finally destroys sin at the end of the age. \par \tab Some folk struggle with the idea of a loving God having wrath. But it\rquote s precisely \i because\i0 of His love that this wrath exists. How could God, who loves the world, not have wrath against sin? Were He indifferent to us, He would not care about what happens here. Look around at the world and see what sin has done to His creation. How could God not be wrathful against such evil and devastation? \par \tab\b What other reasons are we given to rejoice? \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_5:10-11\cf0\ulnone ).\tab\par \tab\i0 Some commentators have seen in verse 10 a reference to the life that Christ lived on this earth, during which He wrought a perfect character that He now offers to credit to us. Though this is certainly what Christ\rquote s perfect life accomplished, Paul seems to be emphasizing the fact that whereas Christ died, He rose again and is alive forevermore\i (see \cf1\ul Heb_7:25\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 Because He lives, we are saved. If He had remained in the tomb, our hopes would have perished with Him. Verse 11 continues with the reasons that we have to rejoice in the Lord, and that\rquote s because of what Jesus has accomplished for us.\par \page\pard\nowidctlpar\sa99\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\lang4105\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par Learning Cycle\i0\f2\fs24\par \lang1033\par \i\f1\fs28 STEP 1-Motivate\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Key Concept for Spiritual Growth: \b0 Because God has accepted us into His family, we have access to the incomparable assets of heaven, which are available to every Christian who desires to be like Jesus.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab The human desire for acceptance seems insatiable. Billions are spent on cosmetics, hair care, and cosmetic surgeries in order to make people acceptable to others-not to mention excesses in fashion, home design, and automobiles. Teenagers pester parents for designer clothes (a \i must\i0 in order to avoid becoming social pariahs) and other such \ldblquote necessities\rdblquote because the fear of not being accepted is so strong. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Sadly, many never outgrow that fear. Is it any wonder, then, that many people find it impossible to believe that there is a God who accepts us just as we are, \ldblquote without one plea\rdblquote ? Thus, our behaviors are shaped, not by a desire to do what is right but by a morbid fear that God will exclude us from heaven if we fail to \ldblquote fall into line.\rdblquote How many fearful people have driven others from God by telling them that He could not accept them if they ate this or wore a skirt that came above the knees or committed some faux pas? More important, how do we ever convince people who have been thus wounded that God is not like that and that He willingly accepts anyone who accepts the invitation of the cross of Christ-the Cross that offers us an eternal family membership?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Opening Activity: \b0 Distribute notepads, asking people to make an \i honest\i0 list of things they do to become acceptable to others. This may include things they spend money on, but may also include things they do, such as agreeing with people when they do not really agree, etcetera. Next, ask the class to make an \i honest\i0 list of things they have done to make God accept them. Finally, ask members to share one of the \ldblquote safe\rdblquote things on their list with the class.\par \par \b Discuss:\b0 Compare the burden of earned acceptance with the freedom of unconditional acceptance.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Tuesday\b0\i\scaps0\fs28 August 3\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Death Swallowed Up\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\b0\fs22 Death is an enemy, the ultimate one. When God created the human family, He designed that its members should live forever. With few exceptions humans do not want to die; and those who do, do so only after the greatest personal anguish and suffering. Death goes against our most basic nature. And that\rquote s because, from inception, we were created to live forever. Death was to be unknown to us. \b\par \tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_5:12\cf0\ulnone . What is Paul describing here? What does this explain?\b0 \par \tab Commentators have argued more over this passage of Scripture than over most others. Perhaps the reason is, as noted in\i The SDA Bible Commentary, \i0 vol. 6, p. 529, that these commentators \ldblquote attempt to use the passage for purposes other than Paul intended.\rdblquote\par \tab One point they argue over is: in what way was Adam\rquote s sin passed on to his posterity? Did Adam\rquote s descendants share the guilt of Adam\rquote s sin, or are they guilty before God because of their own sin? Though folk have tried to get the answer to that question from this text, that\rquote s not the issue Paul was dealing with. He had a whole other object in mind. He is reemphasizing what he already stated, \ldblquote for all have sinned\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_3:23\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 We need to recognize that we are sinners, because only that way will we realize our need of a Savior. Paul here was trying to get readers to realize just how bad sin is and what it brought into this world through Adam. Then he shows what God offers us in Jesus as the only remedy to the tragedy brought upon our world through Adam\rquote s sin. \par \tab Yet, this text tells only of the problem, death in Adam-not the solution, life in Christ. One of the most glorious aspects of the gospel is that death has been swallowed up in life. Jesus passed through the portals of the tomb and burst its bonds. He says, \ldblquote I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rev_1:18\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 Because Jesus has the keys, the enemy can no longer hold his victims in the grave.\par \b\tab What has been your own experience with the reality and the tragedy of death? Why, in the face of such a relentless enemy, must we have a hope in something greater than ourselves or greater than anything this world offers?\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \cf2\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 STEP 2-Explore\b0\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\tab\i\f1\fs28 Bible Commentary\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi360\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 I. Therefore, Being Justified\par \tab\b0\i (Review \cf3\ul Rom_5:1-5\cf2\ulnone with the class.)\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab The lesson correctly states that \ldblquote being justified\rdblquote is more accurately translated \ldblquote having been justified.\rdblquote The action is complete. Paul chose to use legal metaphors in the book of Romans to explain our acceptance with God. Because Paul and other New Testament writers used a variety of metaphors to explain the concept of salvation, it is not unthinkable that in our day he might have used a familial model. If so, we may rightfully render Romans\rquote \ldblquote you have already been legally exonerated\rdblquote as \ldblquote you have already been accepted as part of God\rquote s family.\rdblquote Because this is an accomplished fact, it is clear that there is nothing that we can do to make it happen. It already has happened. Because we already are legally cleared and accepted into God\rquote s family, we have access to the tools that God offers us so that we may become more like Jesus. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 We may not be immediately thrilled when we see God\rquote s tools. The first one here mentioned is suffering (problems and trials). The lumber and the nail might raise strong objections to the action of the saw and the hammer! But through their agency, in the hands of a Master Carpenter, something useful and beautiful may be built. Suffering teaches us to depend on Jesus and safeguards us against the temptation to arrogance and self-importance. Even more surprising is Paul\rquote s assertion \i (see \cf3\ul Rom_8:17\cf2\ulnone )\i0 that suffering makes us companions with Christ. Those who want to share Christ\rquote s glory will want to share His suffering \i (see also \cf3\ul\i0 1Pe_4:1\ulnone\i \cf2 - entire chapter)\i0 . \par \par Trials, by forcing us to exercise our faith muscles, develop endurance. The best runners spend considerable time training on hills because they know that steeper grades provide the most beneficial, though not the easiest, workouts. Endurance leads to strong character. Not surprisingly, dedicated distance runners attribute their success in academics, work, and even social endeavors to the discipline they cultivated through systematic running. Likewise, enduring Christians attribute their spiritual success to the discipline cultivated in facing trials in the company of Jesus. In turn, strong character supports \ldblquote confident hope.\rdblquote When the game is on the line, the knowledgeable coach puts the outcome of the game on the shoulders of his veterans, not his rookies. They are the ones who have been through the ups and downs and have cultivated a quiet confidence as a result. A life filled with God\rquote s action against small hills gives confidence in His support when the mountains arise.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 How has suffering enabled you to have a closer walk with Jesus? Did suffering lead you to question your standing as a member of God\rquote s family, or did the experience confirm that you were on the same side as God? Will your witness for Christ be greater if you have had an easy life, or will it be easier if you have walked with Christ through many trials?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Wednesday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 August 4\i0\fs24\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\b\fs28 Law Awakens Need\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\fs22\ldblquote Until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam\rquote s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_5:13-14\cf0\ulnone ).\par \tab\i0 What is Paul talking about here? The phrase \ldblquote until the law\rdblquote is paralleled with the statement \ldblquote from Adam to Moses.\rdblquote He is talking about the time in the world from creation to Sinai, before the \i formal\i0 introduction of the rules and laws of the Israelite system, which included, of course, the Ten Commandments. \par \tab\ldblquote Until the law\rdblquote means until the detailing of God\rquote s requirements in the various laws given to Israel at Sinai. Sin existed before Sinai. How could it not? Were lying, killing, adultery, and idolatry not sinful until then? Of course they were\par \tab\b What are some texts that reveal the reality of sin before Sinai? \b0\par \tab It is true that prior to Sinai the human race generally had only a limited revelation of God, but they obviously knew enough to be held accountable. God is just and isn\rquote t going to punish anyone unfairly. People in the pre-Sinai world died, as Paul here points out. Death passed upon \i all\i0 . Though they had not sinned against an expressly revealed command, they had sinned nevertheless. They had the revelations of God in nature, to which they had not responded and thus were held guilty. \ldblquote The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen. . .; so that they are without excuse\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_1:20\cf0\ulnone ).\par \b\i0\tab For what purpose did God reveal Himself more fully in the \ldblquote law\rdblquote ? \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_5:20-21\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\i0 The instruction given at Sinai included the moral law, though it had existed before then. This was the first time, however, according to the Bible, that this law was written and widely proclaimed.\par \tab When the Israelites began to compare themselves with the divine requirements, they discovered that they fell far short. In other words, \ldblquote the offense\rdblquote abounded. They suddenly realized the extent of their transgressions. The purpose of such a revelation was to help them to see their need of a Savior and to drive them to accept the grace so freely offered by God. As stressed before, the true version of the Old Testament faith was not legalistic. \b\scaps\par \par \cf2\ul\b0\scaps0\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \ulnone\b\i\fs28 STEP 3-Apply\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Just for Teachers: While the Bible clearly teaches that salvation and companionship with God is a gift, many Christians, as did the ancient Israelites, act as if it were an entitlement. Examine the following situations and ask the question \ldblquote How can I help others see that God owes us nothing, yet has offered us everything?\rdblquote\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Activity:\b0 Discuss what you might say to help people rejoice in the following situations.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx900\tx1080\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 A. Carlotta cannot believe that God has accepted her. She has terminal cancer and is a single parent to three small children under the age of 10. Her aunt, a self-proclaimed minister, has told her that if she is truly God\rquote s child, He will heal her if she exercises enough faith. The doctor gives her six to twelve months.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1080\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 B. Butch has just been released from prison, where he has spent half of his life on a murder conviction. He is sorry for his sins but because of his past, he cannot believe that God can save him. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1080\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 C. Marlene is bitter because she has done everything to the best of her ability. She lost her job because she refused to work on Sabbath. She gave up eating many of her favorite foods because she wanted to \ldblquote sanctify her body temple.\rdblquote She threw her husband\rquote s gambling buddies out of the house in order that their bad example would not taint her children. Her husband has moved out, and the children want to live with him. Her attorney says that with her having no income, the court probably will let them. She wants to know why God has let her down.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li360\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Thought Questions: \par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0 Does claiming the promises of God mean that God will always come through for us in the way that we expect? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 How can trial and suffering shape us in the image of Christ? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard{\pntext\f5\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf5\pnindent0{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\fi-360\li1080\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tus Christ. He and no one else is the pattern we are to follow. \ldblquote Let this mind be in you, which was also in\rdblquote -not Moses, not Daniel, not David, not Solomon, not Enoch, not Deborah, not Elijah-but \ldblquote Christ Jesus\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Php_2:5\cf0\ulnone ). \i0\par \tab The standard doesn\rquote t-\i can\rquote t!\i0 -get higher than that. \par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 18.\par \par \b\i0\scaps\fs32 Sunday\b0\scaps0\fs24 x7200\tx7920\tx8640 How can we develop quiet, hopeful confidence in God so that trials will not tempt us to doubt our acceptance with Him? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \b Witnessing:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\tab Growing up, one of Dan\rquote s primary motivations for \ldblquote righteous\rdblquote living was a desire \i not\i0 he Christian faith. Paul never meant to depreciate works; in chapter 13 to 15 he gives them strong emphasis. This is no denial of what he has said earlier about righteousness by faith. On the contrary, works are the true expression of what it means to live by faith. One could even argue that because of the added revelation after Jesus came, the New Testament requirements are more difficult than what was required in the Old. New Testament believers have been given an example of proper moral behavior in Jesrough the power of God working in a person surrendered to Him.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab Romans contains no hint that this obedience comes automatically. The Christian needs to be enlightened as to what the requirements are; he or she must desire to obey those requirements; and, finally, the Christian should seek the power without which that obedience is impossible.\par \tab What this means is that works are part of tye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_12:2\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\fs24\par \pard\keepn\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\dn10\fs108 H\up0\fs22 owever much Paul was seeking to disabuse the Romans of their false notions of the law, he also calls all Christians to a high standard of obedience. This obedience comes from an inward change in our heart and mind, a change that comes only ther 11-17\fs24\par \par \b\i0\fs40 Love \i and\i0 Law\b0\fs24\par \fs40\par \b\scaps\fs32 Sabbath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\fs24\par \par \b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study:\b0 \cf1\ul\i Rom_12:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter, \cf1\ul Rom_13:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter.\b\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\i0 Memory Text: \ldblquote Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that Verdana;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f5\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 12\b0\fs24 \i\fs28 *Septemb God\rquote s original plan for Israel, and why did they fail to carry it out?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1800\sa199\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-900\li1800\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b II. Feel: The Big Picture\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\ttx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b I.\tab Know: Working With God\rquote s Choices\par \b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Though God chose to work out His plan of salvation through Israel, the plan did not work out as God had originally desired. What were the consequences of Israel\rquote s decisions to depend on their own righteousness rather than God\rquote s?\par \par B. What waswill.\par \par \b Feel:\b0 Sense the largeness and all-encompassing justice of a God who, through both known and mysterious means, works to offer salvation to everyone.\par \par \b Do:\b0 Resolve to be part of the trusting, obedient remnant whom God can use to work out His purposes.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Learning Outline:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-450\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\r \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par The Lesson in Brief\i0\f2\fs24\par \par Key Text:\b0 \cf4\ul\i Rom_9:21\cf3\ulnone\par \i0\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \b The Student Will:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Know:\b0 Discuss God\rquote s fairness in choosing how and through whom He accomplishes His ne ).\i0\par \tab\b Look at the phrase in \cf1\ul Rom_9:6\cf2\ulnone \cf0 : \ldblquote For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.\rdblquote What important message can we find there for ourselves, as Adventists, who in many ways play the same role in our day that the ancient Israelites did in theirs?\b0 \tab\b\scaps\fs36\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\ul\b0\scaps0\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\pal the seed of Abraham to be His covenant, only the line of Isaac. (2) He did not choose all of the descendants of Isaac, only those of Jacob.\par \tab It\rquote s important, too, to see that heritage, or ancestry, does not guarantee salvation. You can be of the right blood, the right family, even of the right church, and yet be lost, still be outside the promise. It is faith, a faith that works by love, which reveals those who are \ldblquote children of the promise\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_9:8\cf0\ulno embrace the world. \b\par \tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_9:1-12\cf0\ulnone . What point is Paul making here about the faithfulness of God amid human failures?\b0\i\par \tab\i0 Paul is building a line of argument in which he will show that the promise made to Israel had not completely failed. There exists a remnant through whom God still aims to work. To establish the validity of the idea of the remnant, Paul dips back into Israelite history. He shows that God has always been selective: (1) God did not choose alhe Israelites and revealed Himself to them. He planned that they become a model nation and thus attract others to the true God. It was God\rquote s purpose that by the revelation of His character through Israel, the world should be drawn unto Him. Through the teaching of the sacrificial service, Christ was to be uplifted before the nations, and all who would look unto Him should live. As the numbers of Israel increased, as their blessings grew, they were to enlarge their borders until their kingdom should Sabbath, September 4.\par \par \b\i0\scaps\fs32 Sunday\b0\i\scaps0\fs28 August 29\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Paul\rquote s Burden\b0\i\fs24\par \tab\fs22\ldblquote\b\i0 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Exo_19:6\cf0\ulnone ).\par \tab\i0 God needed a missionary people to evangelize a world steeped in paganism, darkness, and idolatry. He chose tportunity of salvation, such an action on God\rquote s part is not contrary to the principles of free will. Even more important, it\rquote s not contrary to the great truth that Christ died for all humans, and His desire was that everyone have salvation. \par \tab As long as we remember that Romans 9 is not dealing with the personal salvation of those it names but with their call to do a certain work, the chapter presents no difficulties. \par \tab\par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare forbe lost, regardless of their own personal choices? \par \tab The answer is found, as usual, by looking at the bigger picture of what Paul is saying. Paul is following a line of argument in which he attempts to show God\rquote s right to pick those whom He will use as His \ldblquote elected\rdblquote ones. After all, God is the One who carries the ultimate responsibility of evangelizing the world. Therefore, why can He not choose as His agents whomever He wills? So long as God cuts no one off from the ophave I loved, but Esau have I hated. . . . For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy . . . and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion\rdblquote\i (\cf1\ul Rom_9:13\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_9:15\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \tab What is Paul talking about here? What about human free will, and the freedom to choose, without which very little of what we believe makes sense? Are we not free to choose or reject God, or are these verses teaching that certain people are elected to be saved and others to tile\b0\fs24\par \fs40\par \b\scaps\fs32 Sabbath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\fs24\par \par \b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study: \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_9:1\cf0\ulnone - entire chapter.\b\i0\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Memory Text: \ldblquote Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_9:18\cf0\ulnone ).\fs24\par \i0\dn10\fs108 A\up0\fs22 s it is written, Jacob set0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset2 Wingdings;}{\f5\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 10\b0\fs24 \i\fs28 *August 28-September 3\i0\fs24\par \par \b\fs40 Redemption \i for \i0 Jew \i and \i0 Gen x8640\tx9360 A. While we may not understand the big picture of how God works, what gives us confidence that every detail of God\rquote s way is just and compassionate?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1800\sa199\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-540\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\tx9000\b II. Do: Vessels of God\rquote s Making\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \ pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Into whatever type of vessel God chooses to make us, it is up to us to allow Him, by faith, to make us righteous sons and daughters and to use us as He pleases in His work. What are some of the methods God, the Master Potter, uses to form us into vessels for His work?\par \par B. What mistakes did the children of Israel, as God\rquote s remnant, make that we need to avoid? \par \par C. How can we have a different history than Israel as God\rquote s remnant people?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1800\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 Summary:\b0 If we are to be children of the promise, we can\rquote t rest on any merit of our own. We must accept, by faith, God\rquote s provisions for our salvation and cooperate with Him in Hi s plans.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Monday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 August 30\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Elected\fs24\par \tab\fs22\ldblquote It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_9:12-13\cf0\ulnone ).\par \tab\i0 As stated in the introduction for this week, it i s impossible to understand Romans 9 properly until one recognizes that Paul is not speaking of individual salvation. He is here speaking of particular roles God was calling upon certain individuals to play. God wanted Jacob to be the progenitor of the people who would be His special evangelizing agency in the world. There is no implication in this passage that Esau could not be saved. God wanted him to be saved as much as He desires all men to be saved. \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_9:14-15\cf0\ulnone . How do we understand these words in the context of what we have been reading?\b0 \i\par \tab\i0 Paul is again not speaking of individual salvation, because in that area God extends mercy to all, for He \ldblquote will have all men to be saved\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul 1Ti_2:4\cf0\ulnone ). \i0\ldblquote The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Tit_2:11\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 But God can choose nations to play a role, and though they can refuse to play that role, they cannot prevent God\rquote s choice. No matter how hard Esau may have willed it, he could not have become the progenitor of the Messiah nor of the chosen people.\par \tab In the end, it was no arbitrary choice on the part of God, not some divine decree, by which Esau was shut out from salvation. The gifts of His grace through Christ are free to all. We\rquote ve all been elected to be saved, not lost \i (\cf1\ul Eph_1:4-5\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul 2Pe_1:10\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 It\rquote s our own choices, not God\rquote s, that keep us from the promise of eternal life in Christ. Jesus died for every human being. Yet, God has set forth in His Word the conditions upon which every soul will be elected to eternal life: faith in Christ, which leads the justified sinner to obedience. \par \tab\b You, yourself, as if no one else even existed, were chosen in Christ even before the foundation of the world, to have salvation. This is your calling, your election, all given to you, by God, through Jesus. What a privilege, what a hope! Why, all things considered, does everything else pale in comparison to this great promise? Why would it be the greatest of all tragedies to let sin, self, and the flesh take away from you all that\rquote s been promised you in Jesus?\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\ul\b0\f1 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par Learning Cycle\i0\f2\fs24\par \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \i\f1\fs28 STEP 1-Motivate\i0\f2\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Key Concept for Spiritual Growth: \b0 God has provided redemption for all, regardless of race, caste, ethnicity, color, or gender.\par \par \tab There were obviously some ethnic tensions in the Roman church-not surprising for a capital city that had become the melting pot for the empire. No doubt the church reflected the diversity of the general populace. The crucial confrontation, however, was between the Jewish population and the other people groups (\ldblquote nations,\rdblquote \ldblquote Gentiles\rdblquote ). As is so often the case, tensions rise between different ethnic and national groups. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Activity: \b0 To several quart-sized jars, filled with water, add food color in the following combinations: (1) red and blue, (2) yellow and blue, (3) yellow and red. Ask the question \ldblquote Do we see red, yellow, or blue anymore?\rdblquote Of course, we now see purple, green, and orange. The point is that when the church blends together perfectly, we will no longer see \ldblquote us\rdblquote and \ldblquote them,\rdblquote because in Christ we will have become something totally different-a new humanity. \par \par \b Discuss:\b0 What steps should be taken to achieve the goal of unity?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Tuesday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 August 31\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Mysteries\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\fs22\ldblquote For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts\rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf1\ul Isa_55:8-9\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_9:17-24\cf0\ulnone . Given what we have read so far, how are we to understand Paul\rquote s point here? \b0\i\par \tab\i0 In dealing with Egypt at the time of the Exodus in the manner He did, God was working for the  \i\fs28 September 12\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Living Sacrifices \b0\i\fs24\par \fs22\tab\i0 With chapter 11, the doctrinal part of the book of Romans ends. Chapters 12 through 16 present practical instruction and personal notes. Nevertheless, these concluding chapters are extremely important, because they show how the life of faith is to be lived.\par \tab For starters, faith is\i not\i0 a substitute for obedience, as if faith somehow nullifies our obligation to obey the Lord. The moral precepts are still in force; they are explained, even amplified in the New Testament. And no indication is given, either, that it will be easy for the Christian to regulate his or her life by these moral precepts. On the contrary, we\rquote re told that at times it could be difficult, for the battle with self and with sin is always hard \i (\cf1\ul 1Pe_4:1\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 The Christian is promised divine power and given assurance that victory is possible, but we are still in the world of the enemy and will have to fight many battles against temptation. The good news is that if we fall, if we stumble, we are not cast away but have a High Priest who intercedes in our behalf \i (\cf1\ul Heb_7:25\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_12:1\cf0\ulnone . How does the analogy presented here reveal how we as Christians are to live? How does \cf1\ul Rom_12:2\cf0\ulnone fit in with this?\b0\par \tab In \cf1\ul Rom_12:1\cf0\ulnone , Paul is alluding to Old Testament sacrifices. As, anciently, animals were sacrificed to God, so now Christians ought to yield their bodies to God, not to be killed but as living sacrifices dedicated to His service.\par \tab In the time of ancient Israel, every offering brought as a sacrifice carefully was examined. If any defect was discovered in the animal, it was refused; for God had commanded that the offering be without blemish. So, Christians are bidden to present their bodies \ldblquote a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.\rdblquote In order to do this, all their powers must be preserved in the best possible condition. Though none of us are without blemish, the point is that we are to seek to live as spotlessly and as faithfully as we can. \par \tab\b It\rquote s always so easy to come up with excuses for our sins and faults, isn\rquote t it? What\rquote s your common excuse for falling into the same thing over and over? Isn\rquote t it about time to start putting away the excuses and claim the promises, for isn\rquote t God\rquote s power greater than your excuses?\b0 \par \fs24\page\pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par The Lesson in Brief\i0\f2\fs24\par \par Key Text:\b0 \cf3\ul\i Rom_13:10\cf2\ulnone\i0\par \par \b The Student Will:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx to do anything that would be an embarrassment to his parents (at least, not to be caught doing such things!). Being the grandson of migrant farm workers and sharecroppers, he appreciated the efforts his parents had expended to raise their standard of living and provide a safe, secure environment for the family. In some cases he accepted, although not always joyfully, the judgments and preferences of his parents out of respect for them (we are not talking, here, about matters of conscience or morals). How'2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b Know:\b0 Describe the results of faith in the life, reflected in how we treat others. \par \par \b Feel:\b0 Nurture respect and brotherly love for one another.\par \par \b Do:\b0 Use our gifts wisely in the service of the body of Christ.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \b Learning Outline:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctl ab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 28.\fs24\par \i0\par \b\scaps\fs32 Sunday\b0\scaps0 \i\fs28 August 22\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Freedom From Condemnation\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\fs22\ldblquote There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_8:1\cf0\ulnone ).\b \i0 What does \ldblquote no condemnation\)ever, it should be understood that there was no external pressure applied by the parents for conformity. It was a willing decision based on acceptance within the family. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Dan\rquote s relation to God was shaped by the same circumstances. Many times unrighteous actions were avoided because he felt that giving in to temptation would give Satan an opportunity to embarrass God for being !rdblquote mean?\i \i0 No condemnation from what? And why is this such good news?\b0\i\par \tab\i0\ldblquote In Christ Jesus\rdblquote is a common phrase in the Pauline writings. For a person to be \ldblquote in\rdblquote Christ Jesus means that he or she has accepted Christ as his or her Savior. The person trusts Him implicitly and has decided to make Christ\rquote s way of life his or her own way. The result is a close personal union with Christ.\par \tab\ldblquote In Christ Jesus\rdblquote is con"trasted with \ldblquote in the flesh.\rdblquote\i \i0 It also is contrasted with the experience detailed in chapter 7, where Paul describes the person under conviction before his or her surrender to Christ as carnal\i , \i0 meaning that he or she is a slave to sin. The person is under condemnation of death\i (\cf1\ul Rom_8:11\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Rom_8:13\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Rom_8:24\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 He or she serves the \ldblquote law of sin\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_8:23\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Rom_8:#25\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 This person is in a terrible state of wretchedness \i (\cf1\ul Rom_8:24\cf0\ulnone ).\par \tab\i0 But then the person surrenders to Jesus, an immediate change is wrought in his or her standing with God. Formerly condemned as a lawbreaker, that person now stands perfect in the sight of God, stands as if he or she had never sinned, because the righteousness of Jesus Christ completely covers that person. There is no more condemnation, not because the person is faultless, sinless, or worthy of eternal life (he or she is not!), but because Jesus\rquote perfect life record stands in the person\rquote s stead; thus, there is no condemnation. \par \tab But the good news doesn\rquote t end there.\par \b\tab What frees a person from slavery to sin? \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_8:2\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\i0\ldblquote The law of the Spirit of life\rdblquote here means Christ\rquote s plan for saving humanity, in contrast with \ldblquote the law of sin and death,\rdblquote which was described in chapter%0\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tx10080 1. How does the law help us define what the will of God is and what sin is?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 2. Without the law, or if the law remains unknown, does sin exist? Explain your answer.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\&tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 3. Just as in the game, if we do not know the law, how can we know what sin is? Is there any way for God to be a just God without giving us the law? Explain.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\txJ5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 4. Just because forgiveness exists, why is that not a license for lawbreaking?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 5. Discuss whether it was the rules themselves that enabled participants to receive the reward or forgiveness and grace that freed them from the penalty (par\fi-450\li1440\sa199\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b I.\tab Know: Gifted for Service\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. Why must our lives be a daily offering of worship and obedience to the One who gave His life for us? \par \par B. In what ways is this offering of worshipful obedience to God to be expressed in our daily behavior?\par \par C. Why is it so impor*tant for us to care for the body of believers in Christ? \par \par D. How is the way we relate to one another an outgrowth of our faith in what God has done for us?\b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-540\li1440\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b II. Feel: Love Completes the Law\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. How5so gracious to one so unworthy. He found God\rquote s love to be a much stronger motivation to right living than threats of burning in hell, church censorship, or even public embarrassment. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \b Consider This: \b0 How do we determine whether our motive for correct behavior is fear of God or prior acceptance by Him?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx+ is feeling lovingly toward others related to acting lovingly? \par \par B. How does treating others lovingly fulfill the law? \par \par C. In this context, how is love related to faith?\b\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li1440\sa199\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\b III. Do: Serving Christ\rquote s Body\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1440\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480,\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 A. In what ways has each of us been given a gift to serve and build up the body of Christ?\par \par B. What are the gifts that we need most in our church? \par \par C. How can you use your gifts in a loving way, while valuing the contributions of others?\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1800\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8-640\tx9360 Summary:\b0 The way we value, nurture, and serve others is a spiritual act of worship. As in faith, we accept the gift of God\rquote s mercy; we extend God\rquote s love and mercy to others and so fulfill the requirements of the law to love one another.\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32 Monday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 September 13\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Thinking of. Oneself\b0\i\fs24\par \fs22\tab\i0 We have talked a great deal this quarter about the perpetuity of God\rquote s moral law, and have stressed again and again that Paul\rquote s message in the book of Romans is not one that teaches the Ten Commandments are done away with or somehow made void by faith.\par \tab Yet, it\rquote s easy to get so caught up in the letter of the law that we forget the spirit behind it, and that spirit is love-love for God and love for one another. While anyone can profess love/, revealing that love in everyday life can be a different matter entirely. \par \tab\b Read \cf1\ul Rom_12:3-21\cf0\ulnone . How are we to reveal love for others?\b0 \i\tab\par \i0\tab As in 1 Corinthians 12 and 13, after dealing with the gifts of the Spirit, Paul exalts love. Love (Greek \i agape\i0 ) is the more excellent way. \ldblquote God is love\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul 1Jn_4:8\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 Therefore, love describes the character of God. To love is to act toward others as God acts and to treat0 them as God treats them. \par \tab Paul here shows how that love is to be expressed in a practical manner. One important principle comes through, and that is personal humility, a willingness of a person \ldblquote not to think of himself more highly than he ought\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_12:3\cf0\ulnone ), \i0 a willingness to \ldblquote give preference to one another in honor\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_12:10\cf0\ulnone , NASB), \i0 and a willingness not to \ldblquote be wise in your own opinion\rdblq1uote \i (vs. 16, NKJV). \i0 Christ\rquote s words about Himself, \ldblquote Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Mat_11:29\cf0\ulnone ),\i0 catch the essence of it. \par \tab Of all people, Christians should be the most humble. After all, look at how helpless we are, look at how fallen we are, look at how dependent we are, not only upon a righteousness outside of ourselves for salvation but on a power working in us in order to change us in ways2 we never can change ourselves. What have we to brag of, what have we to boast of, what have we in and of ourselves to be proud about? Nothing at all. Working from the starting point of this personal humility, not only before God but before others, we are to live as Paul admonishes us to in these verses.\par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_12:18\cf0\ulnone . How well are you applying this admonition in your own life right now? Might you need some attitude adjustments in order to do what the Word tells us here?\b30 \fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1\fs22 T E A C H E R S C O M M E N T S\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\ulnone\b\i\fs28\par Learning Cycle\i0\f2\fs24\par \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \i\f1\fs28 STEP 1-Motivate\i0\f2\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx64840\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Key Concept for Spiritual Growth: \b0 The outgrowth of a proper relationship with God is a satisfactory and satisfying relationship with God\rquote s creation.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab In addressing the root causes for the divisions within the Roman church, Paul has written his most thDorough exposition regarding the nature of redemption. There is no basis for superiority within the church, because everyone, Jew or Gentile, receives salvation in the same way-trusting the finished work of Christ on Calvary for the expiation (forgiveness) of sins. There is no alternative route to heaven, and no amount of earthly goodness can purchase salvation. This understanding of redemption forms the foundation for the latter portion of the book in which Paul sketches the practical outworking of God\rq65760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Thursday\fs36 \b0\i\scaps0\fs28 August 5\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 The Second Adam\b0\fs24\par \b\fs22\tab\ldblquote Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man\rquote s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul 7Rom_5:18-19\cf0\ulnone ). \b\i0 What contrast is presented here to us? What hope is offered us in Christ?\b0\par \tab As humans, we received nothing from Adam but the sentence of death. Christ, however, stepped in and passed over the ground where Adam fell, enduring every test in man\rquote s behalf. He redeemed Adam\rquote s disgraceful failure and fall, and, thus, as our substitute, He placed us on vantage ground with God. Hence, Jesus is the \ldblquote Second Adam.\rdblquote\par \tab\ldblquote The se8cond Adam was a free moral agent, held responsible for his conduct. Surrounded by intensely subtle and misleading influences, He was much less favorably situated than was the first Adam to lead a sinless life. Yet in the midst of sinners He resisted every temptation to sin, and maintained His innocency. He was ever sinless.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White Comments, \i The SDA Bible Commentary, \i0 vol. 6, p. 1074.\par \b\tab How are Adam\rquote s and Christ\rquote s acts contrasted in \cf1\ul Rom_5:15-19\cf0\uLlnone ?\b0\par \tab Look at the opposing ideas here: death, life; disobedience, obedience; condemnation, justification; sin, righteousness. Jesus came and undid all that Adam had done!\par \tab It is fascinating, too, that the word \i gift \i0 occurs five times in verses 15 through 17. Five times! The point is simple: Paul is emphasizing that justification is not earned; it comes as a gift\i .\i0 It is something that we don\rquote t merit, that we don\rquote t deserve. Like all gifts, we have to reach :rding a variety of lifestyle choices are made every day. Christians believe that no decision is unimportant, because their total existence belongs under the lordship of Christ.\b \b0 Christians also live in community; therefore an isolationist position is impossible. \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 What happens when different standards and disagreements regarding Christian practices emerge among the faithful?\b ; \b0 Unfortunately,\b \b0 one unacceptable option surfaces too frequently-belittling those more scrupulous. Paul\rquote s contemporaries wrestled over foods sacrificed to idols and the observance of ceremonial sabbaths. Seventh-day Adventists today debate similar matters-dietary regimen, acceptable fashion, appropriate Sabbath observance, interracial marriage, and musical preferences. Divine mandates and guidelines are sometimes variously interpreted, but oftentimes the debate surrounds issues that are n<ot specifically addressed in Scripture. These cases are not unimportant, and believers extrapolate principles from Scripture to guide their decision making regarding emerging technologies and freshly encountered cultural differences. \par \par Certainly caution must be exercised to avoid ditches on either side. The first ditch is imagining that Scripture \i directly\i0 addresses every cultural situation. The second is naively believing that Scripture has \i nothing\i0 to say about those situations. Pr=ayerful study of scriptural principles, under divine guidance, has delivered the church from disintegration throughout Christian history. Should scrupulous believers, however, suffer belittling by fellow Christians for being unable to accept certain things conscientiously? \ldblquote No,\rdblquote says Paul. Neither should the scrupulous (\ldblquote weak\rdblquote ) condemn those who conscientiously view things differently. \par \par Christians are not at liberty to compromise matters clearly defined >and directly addressed in Scripture. Christians must also acknowledge that most day-to-day decisions do not fall into that category. Believers should humbly and prayerfully approach God for the wisdom to know the difference. \par \par All cultures are contaminated by sin. Believers are not compelled to accept Western materialism or islander voodoo practices because those are cultural trademarks. Defending practices on the basis of culture \i alone\i0 is inadequate. God expects a higher standard. Howev?er, condemning practices on the basis of culture \i alone\i0 is equally indefensible.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 How should conscientious Christians relate to fellow believers who practice their faith differently? What usually happens when believers direct condemnation against differently min@ded Christians? How do believers determine what is the irreducible foundation of the gospel and what are matters of preference? How should believers react when arrogant members belittle them?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li450\tx450\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b II. With What Measure You Mete\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3A600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b0\i (Review \cf3\ul Rom_14:10\cf2\ulnone with the class.)\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf3\tab\ul Rom_14:10\cf2\ulnone may be described as Paul\rquote s trump card. For the unconvinced reader this principle is the bottom line: judge others harshly here and divine judgment will fall on you in similar manner and extent \i (see \cf3\ul Mat_7:1-4\cf2\ulnone ).B\i0 Conversely, those who humbly approach differences of opinion in debatable areas, who exercise a merciful attitude, may expect mercy on their day of accountability.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 How does \cf3\ul Rom_14:10-12\cf2\ulnone relate to \cf3\ul Mat_6:14-15\cf2\ulnone ? Can ChristianCs be firm and uncompromising, as well as uncritical and nonjudgmental? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li450\tx450\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b III. Giving No Offense\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b0\i (Review \cf3\ul Rom_14:15-23\cf2\ulnone with the class.)\par \i0G\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi720\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Human influence is our responsibility. We are accountable for our influence on others. How can a believer glibly dismiss this responsibility when it could be the difference in another person\rquote s eternal destiny? Which should be more important-that person\rquote s eternal salvation or exercising my Christian freedom? The principle of personal accountability does not prohibit us from hEuote s grace in our lives. He discusses the nature of our relationships with other believers, our enemies, and earthly government. Love, the defining factor, is the sieve through which all choices regarding relationships must be strained. Love is the standard by which those choices will be judged. Law can define the surface behaviors that are readily visible, but only love defines the heart.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par F\pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Opening Activity: \b0 Bring two toy cars to class. The first one should have functional wheels but no motor. The second one should be a remote-controlled car. It is best if the cars are approximately the same size. First, discuss the similarities in their appearance. (For example, they both have wheels, a chassis, a windshield, bumpers, etcetera.) From the outside they look very much the same. Second, discuss their differences. (For example, one has a motor, one does not; one has a power source, once does not; one is remotely controlled, etc.) Now ask your class to compare the good citizen with the Spirit-controlled Christian. First, discuss the similarities of their appearance and actions. Next, discuss their differences. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx43Helping scrupulous believers inform their consciences regarding Christian freedoms, but it does caution us about arrogantly ignoring their feelings.\par \par In light of this discussion, consider the following situation. Jonathan heard that Frederick\rquote s creates the best salad in town. Although he has never imbibed alcoholic beverages, he knows that Frederick\rquote s also has a reputation throughout the metropolitan area as the \ldblquote drunk\rquote s hangout.\rdblquote He dines at Dominick\rquoIte s instead. Is eating at Frederick\rquote s \ldblquote sinful\rdblquote ? No. Is dining at Dominick\rquote s perhaps more considerate? \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Consider This: \b0 Does this principle offer more \ldblquote conservative\rdblquote members undue \ldblquote leverage\rdblquote ? If we are the morMe \ldblquote conservative conscience,\rdblquote how can we avoid making others feel \ldblquote uptight\rdblquote ? \par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\scaps\f0\fs32\par Wednesday\b0\scaps0\fs24 \i\fs28 September 22\i0\fs24\par \b\fs28 Observance of Days\b0\fs24\par \b\tab\b0\fs22 In this discussion about not judging others who might view some things differently than we do, and not being a stumblingKor something else. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360 6. Ask if there are rules they would have been able to follow \i had they had help from the Arbiter\i0 . In what ways does this idea help us to understand that it is only through Christ\rquote s help that we can overcome sin?\par \b\par \b0 7. What steps do we need to take as Christians in order to avoid being caught up in the cycle of legalism and truly embrace Christ\rquote s gift of forgiveness and grace?\par \pard\sb100\sa100\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf0\b\f0\par \scaps\fs32 Thursday\b0\scaps0 \fs24 \i\fs28 August 19\b\i0\fs36\par \fs28 Delivered From Death\b0\fs24\par \b\fs22\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_7:21-23\cf0\ulnone . How have you experienced this samout and accept them, and in this case, with this gift, we claim it by faith.\par \tab\b What was the best gift you ever were given? What made it so good, so special? How did the fact that it was a gift, as opposed to something you earned, make you that much more appreciative of it? Yet, how could that gift even begin to compare with what we have in Jesus? \b0\par \page\pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\cf2\ul\f1 T E A C H E R S C O N block to others who might be offended by our actions, Paul brings up the issue of special days that some want to observe and others don\rquote t. \par \tab\b Read \cf1\ul Rom_14:4-10\cf0\ulnone . How are we to understand what Paul is saying here? Does this say anything about the fourth commandment? If not, why not?\b0\i\par \tab\i0 About what days is Paul speaking? Was there a controversy in the early church over the observance or nonobservance of certain days? Apparently so. We get a hint of such contOroversy in \cf1\ul Gal_4:9-10\cf0\ulnone , where Paul berates the Galatian Christians for observing \ldblquote days, and months, and times, and years.\rdblquote As we noted in lesson 2, some in the church had persuaded the Galatian Christians to be circumcised and to keep other precepts of the law of Moses. Paul feared that these ideas might harm the Roman church, as well. But perhaps in Rome it was particularly the Jewish Christians who had a hard time persuading themselves that they need no longer obsePrve the Jewish festivals. Paul here is saying, Do as you please in this matter; the important point is not to judge those who view the matter differently from you. Some Christians, apparently, to be on the safe side, decided to observe one or more of the Jewish festivals. Paul\rquote s counsel is, Let them do it, if they are persuaded they should.\par \tab To bring the weekly Sabbath into \cf1\ul Rom_14:5\cf0\ulnone , as some argue, is unwarranted. Can one imagine Paul taking such a laid-back attitude toward the fourth commandment? As we have seen all quarter, Paul placed a heavy emphasis on obedience to the law, so he certainly wasn\rquote t going to place the Sabbath commandment in the same category as folk who are uptight about eating foods that might have been offered to idols. However commonly these texts are used as an example to show that the seventh-day Sabbath is no longer binding, they say no such thing. Their use in that manner is a prime example of what Peter warned that people were doing wit