July 3
Lesson 5
NEEDING MORE THAN LAW
DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 Peter 1:13–23
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Romans 2
ROMANS 2:17–29
17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
21 Thou, therefore, which teachest another, teachest thou, not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keeps the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Graphic: iStock/Thinkstock
KEY VERSE
Not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
—Romans 2:13
TOWARD [AN] NEW CREATION
Unit 2: A World Gone Wrong
LESSONS 4–7
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. State the difference between knowing God’s law and obeying God’s law.
2. Contrast the person who knows more of God’s law but does not obey with the person who knows less yet does obey.
3. Repent of failure to act on what he or she knows of God’s law.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. With Privilege Comes Responsibility
B. Lesson Background
I. High Calling (ROMANS 2:17–20)
A. Boastful Knowledge (vv. 17, 18)
B. Self-Assured Ability (vv. 19, 20)
II. Betrayed Calling (ROMANS 2:21–23)
A. Preaching but Not Practicing (vv. 21, 22)
B. Boasting but Not Honoring (v. 23)
III. Sad Results (ROMANS 2:24, 25)
A. Blasphemy (v. 24)
Corrupting the Calling
B. Uncircumcision (v. 25)
IV. True Sign (ROMANS 2:26–29)
A. Not Lineage but Obedience (vv. 26, 27)
B. Not Outward but Inward (vv. 28, 29)
What’s on the Inside?
Conclusion
A. Claiming Privilege
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
centurion sen-ture-ee-un.
Cornelius Cor-neel-yus.
Gentiles Jen-tiles.
Isaiah Eye-zay-uh.
Jeremiah Jair-uh-my-uh.
Malachi Mal-uh-kye.
Sinai Sigh-nye or Sigh-nay-eye.
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What Do You Think?
What will be your role in improving your church’s efforts in being a “guide” and a “light” to those in spiritual darkness?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ In sharing the gospel
■ In improving your own discipleship
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
In what ways do Christians sometimes project a “holier than thou” attitude because of their knowledge of God’s Word? How do we deal with this problem?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Language we use
■ Attitudes we exhibit
■ Actions we take
■ Assumptions we make
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
In what areas do Christians seem to need most to improve in making their practice of God’s Word match their knowledge of it? Why?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding what can be seen by everyone
■ Regarding what can be seen only by family members and close friends
■ Regarding what can be seen only by God
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What Do You Think?
What are some “externals” that may become sources of false confidence for today’s Christians? Why?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding ceremonies undergone
■ Regarding organizational affiliations
■ Regarding personal accomplishments
■ Other
______________________________________________________
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What Do You Think?
What are some good steps Christians can take to become better circumcised-in-heart?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding awareness of one’s situation
■ Regarding “blind spots”
■ Regarding interactions with the world
■ Regarding prayer life
■ Other
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Weatherly, Jon et al. “Needing More Than Law.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2015–2016. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jim Eichenberger. Vol. 63. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2015. 383. Print.
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