Week of 2/2

Sunday School

Pre-Lesson

PRAY

SLIDE 1

Have you ever?

Have you ever questions for students

Seen someone eating alone and gone over to sit with them

Been assigned a group project that you wound up doing by yourself

Doodled while a teacher was talking

Traded lunches at school with another student

Not raised your hand when you knew the answer to a question

Started a band

Started a Dungeons and Dragons group

Worn an outfit you were scared to wear but felt really powerful in

Gotten on the wrong bus

Decorated a friends locker

Waited until the day of a quiz to study

Played sick because you forgot to to an assignment

Fallen asleep in class

Made a project you were really proud of

Accidentally called your teacher “mom”

SLIDE 2-7

Sword Drill

SLIDE 8-9

Review

The Historical Books

Book Names

Breakdown

Introduction

SLIDE 10

As Jesus was traveling around Galilee during his second year of ministry, he performed many miracles and taught with authority. As his ministry progressed, the religious leaders became increasingly hostile toward him. The people came to hear him teach and to see him perform wonders, but the Pharisees were offended and threatened by his message. In order to accept Jesus and his message, they would have to give up their self-righteous pride and cultural power to repent and submit to Jesus as Lord.

SLIDE 11

Why is history important?

SLIDE 12

Let’s review Matthew 12:22–32.

Jesus healed a demon-oppressed man who was blind.

The people were amazed, asking, “Can this be the Son of David?”

Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out the demons by using the power of the prince of demons, Beelzebul.

Jesus said that a kingdom divided against itself will not stand.

He used the Pharisees as an example, because if you say I cast out demons using that power, then what do you say about you casting them out?

He then goes on to talk about how sin will be forgiven of them, but not the sin of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Here is what I told you about that:

One view interprets this passage in its specific context. The Pharisees were blaspheming the Holy Spirit by attributing Jesus’ miraculous power to demonic influence rather than the empowerment of God the Spirit. In this view, the sin is directly related to the person of Jesus Christ. Thus, supporters of this view would claim that the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is no longer possible. Because Jesus is no longer physically walking on earth and performing miracles in the power of the Spirit, the context in which this sin is possible no longer exists.

Another view interprets the sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit similarly as what we just said, but allows for the timing to be more general. In other words, the blasphemy that Jesus said was unforgivable is demonstrated by the Pharisees claiming that Jesus was working in the power of Satan—an accusation they knew to be false. That same sin can still occur, though, by anyone who knows the truth and falsely attributes God’s power to Satan or demonic activity. The key to this interpretation is that the Pharisees knew that Jesus was claiming equality with God, and they intentionally rejected him, claiming the opposite of what they knew to be true.

A third view is that the only unforgivable sin is the ultimate, perpetual rejection of Jesus. This is considered blasphemy of the Holy Spirit because it is the Spirit who testifies of Christ and reveals his truth to us (John 14:25–28, 15:26, 16:13–14). In this view, the sin is in no way tied to the historical context in which we see it demonstrated. Jesus was warning the Pharisees that their continued rejection of Jesus and his Spirit, despite them knowing the truth, would not be forgiven. If one dies without receiving Christ’s forgiveness, they die without the Holy Spirit—the only sin that cannot be forgiven.

SLIDE 13-14

Jesus followed his warning with another illustration, depicting the two types of people. Let’s read Matthew 12:33–37 together. Have someone read the passage aloud.

Story Questions:

What distinguishes the good from the evil? The tree is known by its fruit.

Give me an example of bad fruit.

Read Galatians 5:19-21

Give me an example of good fruit.

Read Galatians 5:22-23

What do you think of Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees? Discuss various responses.

This was no casual remark. Jesus spoke strongly against the hypocritical Pharisees. They saw themselves as good, but Jesus called them evil.

Do you have any Pharisees in your life? A modern-day Pharisee is someone who is judgmental, quick to criticize, and more concerned with following laws than with matters of the heart.

How do you understand the phrase, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”? Discuss various responses.

The heart to them was similar to how we think about our minds—the center of all of our thoughts, emotions, desires, and motives.

Basically, Jesus was saying that what you are filling yourself with will flow out from you, whether good or bad.

In that light, how could Jesus say that by our words we are justified or condemned?

Jesus did not mean that we could earn justification by saying the right things.

Instead, he was pointing to the truth that those whose hearts have been changed will find themselves speaking words of truth and life.

Discover the Truth:

In this exchange, Jesus defended his authority and rebuked the Pharisees for their extremely grave offense.

They recognized the claims that Jesus was making and understood the authority he commanded.

They should have been leading the people to follow him. But they had convinced themselves of their own righteousness, forgetting their need for the Savior.

They had become adjusted to the religious, social, and political power and authority they wielded.

Jesus threatened the system they had established.

So, rather than lead the people toward the Savior, they rejected him, became hostile, and tried to discredit him, going as far as accusing him of working through demonic influence.

Jesus pointed out the invalidity of their claim, established his authority, and warned them of the unforgivable blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

On top of that, he challenged their authority in front of the crowds.

The Pharisees Seek a Sign:

But in true Pharisee fashion, they couldn’t let Jesus have the last word. Rather than hearing his rebuke and repenting, they spoke up boldly.

SLIDE 15-16

Let’s read Matthew 12:38–45 together. Have someone read the passage aloud.

Story Questions:

Why were the Pharisees asking for a sign? Do you think it was a legitimate request? This was not a legitimate request. They had seen Jesus perform miracles and teach in the synagogues. Jesus had just defended his authority, but perhaps in an attempt to save face, the Jewish leaders were again challenging him to prove it.

Do you ever ask for a sign from God? Why? Do you think this is okay?

Why did Jesus point them to the sign of Jonah? Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. In the same way, the Son of Man would be in the grave for three days and nights.

What point was Jesus making by referring to the Ninevites and queen of the South? The Ninevites repented when confronted with God’s truth (Jonah 3:5-10). The queen of Sheba came from afar to see Solomon’s wisdom and acknowledged the glory of Solomon’s God (1 Kings 10:1-10).

In both examples, foreigners responded appropriately to their encounters with God through his representatives.

Jesus contrasted these responses with the rejection of the religious leaders, who should have been the first to respond with worship and adoration.

Why would some reject Jesus today?

What did Jesus mean by his analogy of the unclean spirit and the empty house? Discuss various responses.

The problem with the house was that it was empty.

The person had “cleaned himself up,” but he had not been regenerated or indwelt by the Holy Spirit. So the evil spirit was free to return. In other words, moral change is not the answer.

The Pharisees and others in that “evil generation” had spent much effort trying to appear righteous and to make themselves clean.

But without the cleansing of the Holy Spirit, there is no real change or salvation. Again, we see that the Pharisees had missed the point.

What would you say about your own generation?

Discover the Truth:

The Pharisees demanded that Jesus prove himself to them by performing a sign.

They had already seen his power and authority, but they continued to imply that they would believe Jesus if he could prove that he was who he said he was.

Jesus’ use of Jonah as a sign is significant in a couple ways.

First, the sign of Jonah is significant in the way Jesus employed it—the sign of Jonah points to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

This resurrection from the dead would prove that Jesus was who he claimed to be, as well as affirm his mission. Only God could defeat death, as we saw last week, and salvation requires a resurrected Lord. So the sign of Jonah was a depiction of Jesus’ victory over death and a prophecy of the Messiah’s atonement.

Second, it is significant that Jesus pointed to the past to tell the future.

Jesus clearly saw Jonah as a historical figure, a person who actually existed and truly survived three days in the belly of a fish. By pointing to this historical event as an illustration of his resurrection, Jesus confirmed the account’s veracity.

SLIDE 17-22

Apply It

How does this Scripture apply to your life?

Sunday Evening

God’s Not Dead

Wednesday Night

Introduction to Romans

Prayer

Songs

Cornerstone - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvotrMIdTQw

You’ve Already Won - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k50FMLQFsys

Ice Breaker

Skits

Discussion

SESSION GOALS

Every session has a point—what each participant should walk away from the discussion knowing, feeling, and doing.

Main Idea: We should be unashamed to spread the Gospel because it is the power of God for salvation.

Head Change: To know that righteousness—right standing with God—comes through faith in the Gospel.

Heart Change: To feel unashamed of the Gospel and excited to share it.

Life Change: To spread the Gospel eagerly to those who have not yet received it.

OPEN

What experience do you have with reading the book of Romans? What is your general impression of the book?

Paul’s letter to the church in Rome has something for us all. It is widely considered one of the most important theological documents in the literary and biblical canon. And in this first session, pastor J.D. Greer introduces us to the book that he says has been behind many of the most significant moments in Christian history.

In the first session of this series, we’ll learn the significance of the Gospel and why Paul was so eager to share it.

WATCH

NOTES

What is the central premise of Romans? Justification by faith alone.

What does the word doctrine mean? Belief or set of beliefs.

Why would this be the doctrine or belief on which the church rises or falls?

Do you believe the Gospel, the Gospel alone, is the answer to humanity’s problems?

Why or why not?

Why would Paul right a book about the Gospel for believers and not just unbelievers? To take Christians deeper in the Gospel.

READ Romans 1:1–17

REREAD Romans 1:7 “To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Who does Romans 1:7 say Paul is writing to? Saints.

What is a saint? Anyone who believes in Jesus, a Christian.

How is the Gospel more than just a one time decision? It is how we grow.

How does the Gospel help us grow? “It’s not just the ABC’s of Christianity, it’s the A through Z.” - J.D. Greer. A pool. A well.

REREAD Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

What is the Gospel referred to in the NT as? The power of God.

Why? It has the power to save.

How does the Gospel message conflict with a prideful heart? It demands humility as someone understands their need for a Savior and King.

How do you gain more power for the Christian life? My going deeper into Jesus.

What problem was Paul addressing in his letter to the Romans? The division between Jews and Gentiles in the church at Rome.

Following Emperor Claudius forcing the Jews out of Rome, who ran the church? The Gentiles.

What is a Gentile? Anyone who is not Jewish.

What is Paul’s hope for the church? Unity. One people in Christ.

What three words does Paul use to describe his commitment to the Gospel?

Romans 1:15 Eager.

Why should we be eager to share the Gospel with others?

Romans 1:14 Debtor.

Should we feel indebted to get the Gospel to other people?

Romans 1:16 Unashamed.

Have you ever been ashamed to spread the Gospel?

What does the Gospel reveal? The only way we can become righteous.

What does it mean to be righteous? Morally correct, justifiable, or free from guilt or sin.

Can righteousness be earned? No.

How do we get righteousness? It is a gift given to us who will receive it by faith.

“I hated that word, the righteousness of God...” “The righteousness of God is the righteousness with which the merciful God justifies us by faith. It’s a gift. Here I felt I felt I was all together born again, and had entered paradise itself through open gates. ” - Martin Luther. Why was this important to understand?

How do we receive righteousness? Faith.

What does the word Gospel mean? Good news!

What good news does the Gospel bring? The battle has already been won.

What does the gospel release us from? The penalty of sin and the power of sin!

REREAD Romans 1:17 “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.””

What does from faith to/for faith mean? Faith at the beginning of your walk releases you from sin and it is as we continue in that faith we are released from the power of sin.

REREAD Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Who is the gift offered to? Everybody, everyone who will believe.

Have you been saved?

HAND OUTS

Have you recieved the gospel questionnaire.