July 10
Lesson 6
STRUGGLING UNDER SIN’S POWER
DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 John 1:5–10
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Romans 3:1–20
ROMANS 3:9–20
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
17 And the way of peace have they not known:
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Graphic: iStock/Thinkstock
KEY VERSE
By the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
—Romans 3:20
TOWARD An NEW CREATION
Unit 2: A World Gone Wrong
LESSONS 4–7
LESSON AIMS
1. Summarize humanity’s situation about God’s law.
2. Rebut the argument that, since everyone sins, it’s not a problem; God will save us.
3. Write a prayer of confession and repentance for one area of sin that besets him or her.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. An Honest Look at Ourselves
B. Lesson Background
I. Humanity’s Problem (ROMANS 3:9)
II. Scripture’s Declarations (ROMANS 3:10–18)
A. Lostness (vv. 10–12)
B. Death (vv. 13, 14)
C. Violence (vv. 15–17)
Our Violent Century
D. Godlessness (v. 18)
III. Law’s Result (ROMANS 3:19, 20)
A. Blameworthy Before God (v. 19)
Our Guilt
B. Awareness of Sin (v. 20)
Conclusion
A. Saved from Sin’s Power
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Abraham Ay-bruh-ham.
Ecclesiastes Ik-leez-ee-as-teez.
Gomorrah Guh-more-uh.
Septuagint Sep-to-ih-jent.
Sinai Sigh-nye or Sigh-nay-eye.
Sodom Sod-um.
______________________________________________________What Do You Think?
What misconceptions do people hold regarding sin? How do we correct these?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Concerning its definition
■ Concerning its cause
■ Concerning its effects
■ Concerning its prevalence
■ Other
______________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
How does the cross of Christ help you grasp the depth of the human problem of sin?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ In terms of Christ’s innocence
■ In terms of Christ’s suffering
■ In terms of Christ’s abandonment
■ In terms of Christ’s obedience
■ Other
______________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
In what ways does the negative tone of news stories dovetail with the Bible’s message about human sinfulness?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding hostility
■ Regarding dishonesty
■ Regarding greed
■ Regarding stubbornness
■ Other
______________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
How should an appropriate “fear of God” be demonstrated?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding thought processes
■ Regarding attitudes toward others
■ Regarding behavior
■ Regarding manner of speech
■ Other
______________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
How has Scripture helped you understand your position as one who has rebelled against God?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ In terms of attitudes revealed
■ In terms of actions interpreted
■ In terms of stories hitting home
■ In terms of excuses swept away
■ Other
______________________________________________________
Weatherly, Jon et al. “Struggling Under Sin’s Power.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2015–2016. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jim Eichenberger. Vol. 63. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2015. 391. Print.
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