Summer Quarter: Unit II, Lesson 9 – Teachers

As a result of experiencing this lesson, you should be able to do these things:

• Explain Paul’s confidence in the salvation offered in Christ.
• Feel justified through your faith in Christ.
• Embrace with joy the possibility of salvation for all.

Ascend (verse 6)—Greek: anabainó (an-ab-ah’-ee-no): to go up; to rise.

Descend (verse 7)—Greek: katabainó (kat-ab-ah’-ee-no): to go or come down.

Heart (verse 6)—Greek: kardia (kar-dee’-ah): the heart, mind, character, inner self.

Live (verse 5)—Greek: zaó (dzah’-o): to live; to be animated; breathing.

Proclaim (verse 8)—Greek: kérussó (kay-roos’-so): to be a herald; to “preach” (KJV).

Righteousness (verse 5)—Greek: dikaiosuné (dik-ah-yos-oo’-nay): justice, justness; righteousness of which God is the source or author, but practically: a divine righteousness.

Word (verse 8)—Greek: rhéma (hray’-mah): a thing spoken; a word or saying of any kind, as a command, report, promise.

• Refer to the Townsend Press SS Commentary Teacher’s Edition for an additional lesson plan—with word studies, insights on teaching adults, learner matrices, etc.
• Review last week’s student assignments (“Your Life” and Your World!”).
• Thoroughly review your student book for your adult or young adult class.
• Please note that you have the option of using your subscription bundle supplements, i.e., Lesson Scenario, Student Activity Sheet, SSL-AAG

Many people lack confidence in addressing life’s circumstances. How can one gain trust? Salvation comes to all who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and believe in their hearts.

It is not unusual to have dissenting opinions on important issues, even among family members and friends who love each other and usually agree on common practices. Sometimes, we are unaware of our own personal prejudices. A prejudice is simply a preconceived opinion that is not based on experience or reason. These prejudices can lead to a closed mind not willing to fully or truly hear the opposing side’s issue or argument. Even with prejudices we genuinely want the best for the people we love, for our country, and for our community. With that being said, we are more than willing to share Good News with the people whom we love specifically, and the world generally, as witnessed by our infatuation with social media “likes.” We can all share the reality of having spent time worrying about the condition of a child, spouse, neighbor, or loved one. Keeping these factors in mind, we are careful but specific as we adopt special causes which we do out of a sense of passion, compulsion, or obligation.

Paul had a heartfelt concern for Jews who did not understand the righteousness of God and new covenant salvation through Jesus, based on justification of a sinner. Paul was surrounded by Jews who still thought that they could be accepted by God by striving (yet failing) to live according to the old covenant Law. Whether they realize it or not, anyone seeking to reach God by any other means than Jesus Christ is wasting his/her time. Jesus, not the Law, is humanity’s only hope of salvation. Paul’s preaching was based on this simple truth. He was deeply concerned that many Jews failed to grasp that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law. The Law was only effective if a person could obey it perfectly; the problem, Paul argued, was that exact and perfect obedience for righteousness is an impossible feat for fallible human beings. Righteousness, therefore, cannot be attained by works, only by faith in Christ. Lesson 2 of this unit shared the “faith of Abraham” as the example of justified, righteous faith. Paul preached that the Law, in revealing humanity’s imperfection, ultimately indicates the human need for Jesus. One purpose of the Law was to guide moral behavior while revealing human fallibility. The Law cannot save; only Jesus can grant justification and salvation. The gift of salvation offered by Jesus Christ is available to anyone, Jew or Gentile. Jesus is humanity’s only hope for confidence and peace.

(Choose from the items below.)

1. In which of your abilities are you most confident?
2. Which persons do you trust with your secrets? Why?
3. Which persons do you trust and look to for help when you are in need? Why?
4. Are these people different? What character traits or past actions make them different?

As Christians, we believe the message of the Gospel applies to all who will hear, believe, and obey it. Part of our Christian duty is to joyfully serve or support mission causes committed to spreading the Gospel. While we strive to live holy lives before God and man, we also understand the futility of trying to attain righteousness and favor with God through the Law. Therefore, we rest in the joy and security of our relationship with God through Christ.

Committed Christians should carry a prayer burden for unsaved or backslidden family members or friends who refuse to hear the Gospel. We must not waver in our commitment to connect them to Christ nor lose hope that they will one day come to the Lord and be saved. To persevere in the spiritual fight against evil we must eagerly pursue the word of God through anointed pastors and teachers. The Word of God equips us for righteous living and renews our hope in the possibility of salvation for those who are close to us.

ADDITIONAL EXPOSITORY INSIGHTS FOR THE TEACHER

ROMANS 10:5-8

KJV
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

NIV
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”

6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down)

7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:

Paul paraphrases Leviticus 18:5, a command to guard all the ordinances and judgments of the Law. Under the old covenant, those who trusted God tried faithfully to fulfill the righteous demands of the Law while being mindful of their own failures. Those who fell short could find atonement for their sins by presenting sin and trespass offerings. Leviticus 18:5 was not written as a guarantee of eternal life but as a divine promise of fellowship with God. Through His sinless life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, Jesus revealed the perfect righteousness of God bestowed by the Father on the basis of faith in the Son. Through faith in Jesus, every believer is set free from the guilt and shame of falling short of God’s law. Those who are in Christ can be cleansed of their sins and imputed with His righteousness, by faith, to stand before God as if they had not committed sin. In Romans 10:6-8, Paul refers to Deuteronomy 30:12-14, emphasizing the message of faith—that the Word of God lives in the believer’s mouth and heart through faith in Jesus Christ.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

(Please review the appropriate student lesson for related biblical exposition section.)

• Adult Question:

The most effective witnesses for Christ are those who are diligent students of the Scriptures. What can you do to improve your understanding and recall of God’s Word?

• Young Adult Question:

Why do you believe some Christians are hesitant to mention Jesus outside of church, and beyond their Christian circle of friends? Explain.

ROMANS 10:9-13

KJV

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

NIV

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,

13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Confession with the mouth and belief in the heart refer to the believer’s outward and inward responses. One’s inward conviction must find an outward expression. Believers’ confession that Jesus is Lord is an assertion of Christ’s deity and exaltation and acknowledgment of personal faith. A genuine belief in the Resurrection is an affirmation of divine victory at Calvary; public confession of this belief seals our salvation. This trust in the work of Jesus is the basis for righteousness; the confession is the basis for salvation. Since such confession and belief are the essentials for salvation, Paul’s next statement is pertinent and almost self-evident. When it comes to obtaining salvation, there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek (Gentile). The Lord Jesus Christ is rich and generous to all who trust Him and call upon His name. The New Testament writers used the word Lord (kyrios) often as one of the titles for Jesus. Paul took the Old Testament references to Jehovah as Lord and applied them to Jesus. To call upon the name of the Lord means to call upon the name of Jesus. Thus, prayer to Jesus is explicitly referred using this language. Looking back at Romans 9 alone, one might assume that salvation is of God alone. Romans 10 highlights human responsibility in receiving salvation by faith. In summary, Paul taught that as God gives, believers must receive. It happens by direct personal confession. No one can secure or negotiate salvation for or on behalf of someone else. Those who desire God must come to God for themselves by faith.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

(Please review the appropriate student book’s related biblical exposition section.)

• Adult Question:

Being saved always involves a personal choice— God does not save us against our will. Why do you think God requires that we choose Him?

• Young Adult Questions:

God requires a two-step process for salvation: verbal confession and belief. Explain why words alone are not enough.

ROMANS 10:14-17

KJV

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

NIV

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”

17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

The connection between the righteousness of faith and the object of faith is simple. Belief in the object of faith, which is Christ, brings the righteousness of faith to the believer. When men trust Christ, they call upon Him. This leads Paul to the question of calling upon the name of the Lord. There can be no calling if there is no belief or trust. There can be no belief or trust without hearing. There can be no hearing without preaching. There can be no preaching without the commission from God. Note that reaching souls for God begins with a divine calling or commission to do so. Ambition or strong desire can never substitute for a calling from God. When God calls a person to ministry, He gives supernatural enablement to serve in that ministry. There is no honor in stepping into a ministry to which God has not called you. Through the ministry of preaching, and by hearing and trusting, persons are drawn by the Spirit to call upon the name of the Lord. The beauty of the feet of the messengers refers to the blessedness of the holy task of carrying the Gospel. The quotation comes from Isaiah 52:7 and refers to the report of the messengers that Jehovah, The Lord, had redeemed Jerusalem. Paul applies these words to the good tidings about Christ, the Gospel. Sadly, those who are blessed to hear the Gospel do not always heed or obey it. Paul quoted Isaiah, “[Lord,] who hath believed our [preaching]?” (Isaiah 53:1), knowing that many Jews had rejected the grace of God preached to them. By the preaching and hearing of the Word of God, faith ignites and lives are changed and transformed.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

(Please review the appropriate student book’s related biblical exposition section.)

• Adult Question:

It is God’s desire that everyone would choose to be saved. In your opinion, why, then, is it so important to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in witnessing to others?

• Young Adult Questions:

What would you think about God if He had restricted the Gospel message and offer of salvation only to certain people?

• Refer to Adult Book

(See student lesson’s “Your Life” section.)

— God used someone to draw you closer to Him. This week, identify and seek someone who might be lost (or drifting in his/her spiritual commitment). Share your story and the Good News of Jesus Christ.

(See student lesson’s “Your World!” section.)

— Over the next few days, commit to joining with others to sharing the love and the message of Christ with an individual or group. Note that this takes planning and preparation. Please consider a plan to followup with those you encounter.

• Refer to Young Adult Book

(See student lesson’s “Your Life” section.)

— Can God count on you to share the message of the Gospel through the witness of your words and your Christian example? The Gospel has life-changing power. Take a moment to examine your life. How loud is your witness?

(See student lesson’s “Your World!” section.)

— Paul used the inclusive pronoun “whosoever” to represent those who are eligible to receive the Gospel and be saved. The whosoever means whoever—that is, any and everyone who will believe. Your job is to share the Good News with your neighbors, relatives, co-workers, friends, social-media friends and followers, classmates, and even strangers.

The lesson topic for Sunday, August 8, 2021, is “The Examples of Heroes.” The Devotional Reading is Hebrews 11:32-40, the Background Scriptures are Hebrews 11; 13:1-19, and the Printed Text is Hebrews 11:1-8, 13-16.

Dear Lord, we are grateful for Your divine intervention in our lives. You have not only saved us but also dared to use us to draw others to You. We humbly surrender to Your will. Use us according to Your purposes. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

(August 2-8, 2021)

Meaning of Faith

MONDAY, August 2: “Love of Money, Root of Evil” (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
TUESDAY, August 3: “Control Your Own Body” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-7)
WEDNESDAY, August 4: “Abraham, Father of the Faithful” (Acts 7:2-7)
THURSDAY, August 5: “Worthy Examples of the Faithful” (Hebrews 11:4-7, 17-27)
FRIDAY, August 6: “Actions of Faith in Daily Life” (Hebrews 13:1-9, 17-19)
SATURDAY, August 7: “Like Jesus, Offer Sacrifices to God” (Hebrews 13:10-16)
SUNDAY, August 8: “The Living Actions of Faith” (Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16)