June 26
Lesson 4
IGNORING GOD’S PLAIN TRUTH
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 52
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Romans 1:18–32
ROMANS 1:18–32
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the un-corruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise, also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
KEY VERSE
The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
—Romans 1:20
TOWARD A NEW CREATION
Unit 2: A World Gone Wrong
LESSONS 4–7
LESSON AIMS
1. List some ways that people change the truth of God into lies.
2. Explain how God’s general revelation makes humans morally responsible to Him.
3. Identify in his or her life one besetting sin and the worldly lie behind it and make a plan for change.
LESSON OUTLINE
A. Accept No Substitutes
B. Lesson Background
I. Willfully Ignorant (ROMANS 1:18–20)
A. Revealed Wrath (v. 18)
B. Revealed Glory (vv. 19, 20)
In a Kansas Wheat Field
II. Displacing God (ROMANS 1:21–23)
A. Darkened Hearts (vv. 21, 22)
B. Graven Images (v. 23)
The Rise of the Nones
III. Receiving Penalty (ROMANS 1:24–32)
A. Unnatural Relations (vv. 24–27)
B. Corrupt Minds (vv. 28–32)
Conclusion
A. Pointing Fingers
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Claudius Claw-dee-us.
Corinth Kor-inth.
Suetonius Soo-toe-nee-us.
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What Do You Think?
In what specific ways do you see creation revealing God’s nature?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding His power
■ Regarding His goodness
■ Regarding His wisdom
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
How do we guard against subconsciously attaching more importance to temporary things than to the eternal God?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding relationships
■ Regarding social causes
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
In what ways do people today exchange the truth of God for delusions and untruth? Why is that?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ In goals they pursue
■ In how they spend money
■ In what they admire
■ In what they worry about
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
How might Paul respond to various “gay rights” arguments today?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Responses similar to those in today’s text
■ Responses in addition to those in the text
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What Do You Think?
What can we include in a list of characteristics of a life in submission to God, in contrast with what Paul lists for the life in rebellion against God?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding attitudes
■ Regarding actions
■ Regarding values
■ Regarding goals
■ Other
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Visual for Lesson 4. Keep this visual posted for the remainder of the quarter to give your learners a bird’s-eye view of the book of Romans.
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Weatherly, Jon et al. “Ignoring God’s Plain Truth.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2015–2016. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jim Eichenberger. Vol. 63. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2015. 374. Print.
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