July 31
Lesson 9
FROM DEATH TO LIFE
DEVOTIONAL READING: 2 Corinthians 5:17–21
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Romans 6
ROMANS 6:1–4, 12–14, 17–23
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in newness of life.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law but under grace.
17 But God is thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your member's servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your member's servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
KEY VERSE
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in newness of life.
—Romans 6:4
TOWARD A NEW CREATION
Unit 3: Life on God’s Terms
LESSONS 8–13
LESSON AIMS
1. Summarize the dramatic change that occurs in the life of one who turns to Christ.
2. Explain the death/life and slave/free metaphors that Paul uses.
3. Identify a part of himself of herself to offer more fully as an instrument of righteousness to God and make a plan to do so.
LESSON OUTLINE
A. “Gotta Serve Somebody”
B. Lesson Background
I. Death and Life (ROMANS 6:1–4, 12–14)
A. Faulty Logic (vv. 1, 2)
B. Correct Thinking (v. 3)
C. New Life (v. 4)
D. Godly Imperatives (vv. 12, 13)
E. Saving Grace (v. 14)
II. Sin and Righteousness (ROMANS 6:17–23)
A. Different Masters (vv. 17–20)
Servant to … What?
B. Different Results (vv. 21–23)
The Good Purpose
Conclusion
A. Lingering Sin
B. Prayer
C. Thought
HOW TO SAY IT
Galatians Guh-lay-shunz.
Libertines Lib-er-teens.
synagogue sin-uh-gog.
Thessalonians Thess-uh-lo-nee-unz (th as in thin).
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What Do You Think?
What techniques, tactics, etc., have you found to be helpful in overcoming persistent sin?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Before being tempted
■ While being tempted
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Visual for Lesson 9. Point to this visual as you ask, “What is your reaction to this illustration?” Encourage free discussion.
Baptism is an act rich with symbolism, but death is not the obvious way of understanding it. Baptism is biblically depicted as a type of washing that accompanies a spiritual cleansing of sins (see Acts 22:16; compare 1 Peter 3:21). This is why we find baptism tied to repentance, a renouncing of sin (see Luke 3:3). For Paul, we find baptism also connected with a personal identification of the believer with Christ (see Galatians 3:27).
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What Do You Think?
In what ways do others see the newness of life in you? What adjustments in that regard do you need to make?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding what fellow Christians see
■ Regarding what unbelievers see
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What Do You Think?
What are some ways you have seen people try (and fail) to be neither a servant of sin nor a servant of righteousness?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ In the business world
■ In family life
■ In recreational activities
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
How do we evaluate the differing behavioral expectations that various churches have for their members?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding the problem of legalism (Colossians 2:16–23)
■ Regarding the problem of license (Jude 4)
■ Regarding local cultural practices
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
In what ways do people still attempt to earn God’s favor? How do we convince them of their folly?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding behaviors
■ Regarding speech
■ Regarding thoughts
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Krause, Mark S., James B. North, and Cheryl Frey. “From Death to Life.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2015–2016. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jim Eichenberger. Vol. 63. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2015. 415. Print.
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