August 21
Lesson 12
GRAFTED IN
DEVOTIONAL READING: John 15:1–8
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Romans 11:11–36
ROMANS 11:11–24
12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spared not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in for God is able to graff them in again.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
KEY VERSE
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
—Romans 11:22
TOWARD A NEW CREATION
Unit 3: Life on God’s Terms
LESSONS 8–13
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Identify the wild and natural branches in Paul’s metaphor.
2. Explain the significance of faith in whether one is grafted into the tree or cut off.
3. Tell one way that he or she will continue in the Lord’s goodness.
LESSON OUTLINE
A. Grafting Branches
B. Lesson Background
I. Holy Root, Holy Branches (ROMANS 11:11–16)
A. Jews and Jealousy (vv. 11, 12)
B. Rejection and Reconciliation (vv. 13–16)
II. Wild Branches, Cultivated Tree (ROMANS 11:17–24)
A. Breaking and Boasting (vv. 17–21)
Honoring God’s Treasure
B. Goodness and Grafting (vv. 22–24)
Family Plans, Individual Billing
Conclusion
A. Where to Focus
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Abraham Ay-bruh-ham.
Barnabas Bar-nuh-bus.
Gentiles Jen-tiles.
Isaac Eye-zuk.
Nehemiah Nee-huh-my-uh.
patriarchs pay-tree-arks.
______________________________________________________What Do You Think?
What is most likely to make you stumble in your faith walk? How do you resist or recover when it happens?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding temptations of behavior
■ Regarding temptations of the tongue
■ Regarding temptations of thought
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Visual for Lesson 12. As you discuss verse 22, use this visual to challenge learners to list ways God has been good to them.
Paul knows that the spiritual blessings of God are not limited. There is an abundance of grace available, plenty given for all believers. How blessed the entire world would be if Gentiles and Jews—everyone—named Jesus as Lord!
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What Do You Think?
How can we let God’s holiness be evident in our lives without projecting a sanctimonious “holier than thou” aura in the process?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ At work or school
■ At home
■ In the church
■ In public (at the mall, restaurants, etc.)
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
How do you use the Old Testament?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ In private devotional times
■ In Scriptures you memorize
■ In discussions with fellow Christians
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
How do you guard yourself against faith-damaging arrogance?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding assessments of your spiritual maturity as compared with others
■ Regarding denominational elitism
■ Regarding level of education
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
How can we do a better job of welcoming “grafted branches” into our churches?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding adjustments to our attitudes
■ Regarding adjustments to our actions
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Krause, Mark S., Vicki Edwards, and Cheryl. Frey. “Grafted In.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2015–2016. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jim Eichenberger. Vol. 63. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2015. 437. Print.
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