May 19
Lesson 12 (KJV)
Reconciled to God
Devotional Reading: Acts 2:37–47
Background Scripture: Romans 5:1–11
Romans 5:1–11
1 Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost given unto us.
6 For when we were without strength, Christ died for the ungodly in due time.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that Christ died for yet sinners us while we were.
9 Much more than being justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Key Text
Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.—Romans 5:1
Examining Our Faith
Unit III: Standing in the Faith
Lessons 10–13
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Identify what Christians have through faith.
2. Compare and contrast reconciliation with God to reconciliation between people.
3. Commit to sharing a personal life story with an unbeliever before and after being reconciled to God.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
A. Boasting Now and Then
B. Lesson Context
I. Effects of Justification (Romans 5:1–5)
A. Peace with God (v. 1)
B. Standing in Grace (v. 2)
C. The Realm of Boasting (vv. 3–5)
II. Effects of the Cross (Romans 5:6–11)
A. Reconciled to God (vv. 6–10)
The Right Time
Forgiveness
B. We Rejoice (v. 11)
Conclusion
A. Hope vs. Shame
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
How to Say It
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Messiah |
Meh-sigh-uh. |
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Pax Romana (Latin) |
Pahks Ro-mah-nah. |
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What Do You Think? How do you experience peace with God? Digging Deeper What practices might you adjust to have a deeper awareness of your reconciled status with God? |
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What Do You Think? What role does “glorying” in tribulations play in producing the characteristics that Paul lists? Digging Deeper What cautions should you heed when sharing this verse with someone suffering tribulations? |
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What Do You Think? What is the most significant sacrifice you would consider making for someone you know and love? Digging Deeper What sacrifice would you make on behalf of someone you don’t know? Someone you consider an enemy? |
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What Do You Think? What circumstances make it challenging to show God’s love to unbelievers? Digging Deeper Which verses lead you to pray regarding these difficulties? |
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What Do You Think? How do you participate in Jesus’ ministry of reconciliation? Digging Deeper What role does your congregation play in calling your community to reconciliation in Christ? |
Conclusion
A. Hope vs. Shame
All human groups believe specific actions are respectable and others unrespectable, with many gradations between the two poles of honor and shame. Because they followed a crucified Messiah, early Christians had to rethink their cultures’ understanding of honor and shame from the ground up. This rethinking allowed them to endure the suffering families and governments imposed on them for their faith. They concluded that human life was not a contest for a limited supply of honor and that God was the true fount of honor. The God who raised Jesus from the dead would raise them, too. They endured suffering, not for its own sake, but because in suffering, they could imitate Jesus Christ. That radical hope allowed them to face public disgrace or private strife with generous hearts and confident minds.
It still can today. The ability to endure suffering as Christ did shows that the new era is in the process of dawning and that God’s promises to protect those who trust Him are reliable.
B. Prayer
God of our Lord Jesus Christ and of all who follow Him, we thank You for not allowing us to be shamed by our failures or sins. You have welcomed us into Your household as honored members, and for that, we are grateful. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
We have peace with God because Christ paid sin’s price for us.
Involvement Learning
Enhance your lesson with KJV Bible Student (from your curriculum supplier) and the reproducible activity page (at www.standardlesson.com or in the back of the KJV Standard Lesson Commentary Deluxe Edition).
Mark Hamilton, Jon Miller, and Andrew Wood, “Reconciled to God,” in The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2023–2024, ed. Jane Ann Kenney, Ronald L. Nickelson, and Taylor Z. Stamps, vol. 71, The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary (Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2024), 327–328.
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