TABLE OF CONTENTS. Lesson 10 August 5, 2018 Romans 2:1-12 Who Should Judge?. Page 1

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2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Unit III Paul Teaches About New Life in Christ Lesson 10 August 5, 2018 Romans 2:1-12 Who Should Judge?. Page 1 Lesson 11 August 12, Corinthians 8:7-15 Giving Your All.... Page 2 Lesson 12 August 19, 2018 Romans 12:9-21 Loving and Just Behavior..... Page 3 Lesson 13 August 26, 2018 Colossians 3:5-17 Live On Purpose.. Page 4

3 Overview of Unit III Paul Teaches About New Life in Christ Unit III, Paul Teaches about New Life in Christ, has four lessons that offer Paul s teachings about just and merciful behaviors. Those who live the new life in Christ are called to imitate God s just and merciful nature through their actions toward others, including their enemies. The lessons are taken from Romans, 2 Corinthians and Colossians. Lesson 10 August 5, 2018 Romans 2:1-12 Who Should Judge? Teach It! The focus of today s lesson is on judgment. More specifically, the lesson focuses on the reality that only God has the right to judge anyone, and that far too often youth, especially, are very judgmental as it relates to other youth. Youth have experienced how it feels to be unjustly judged. In fact, youth know how their actions can be misinterpreted by others. The present-day illustration in the Keepin It Current! opening to the lesson uses the catchphrase Are you looking at me? It opens by identifying the different ways that we judge one another, including based upon physical appearance, intelligence, socio-economic status, and popularity. A rich discussion is possible relating to the ways that youth have been judged, as well as the ways in which they have judged others. Discuss whether the students have ever seen physical altercations that result from youth judging one another. Segue into a discussion about why judging one another is not right. First, judging others presumes that the person doing the judging has a right to judge anyone. They do not. Second, judging others presumes superiority on the part of the person doing the judging. And finally, judging others is damaging to the person who is being judged. Begin to emphasize that only God has the right to judge others, is superior to everyone, and does so from a place of accountability, not harm. The Keepin It Real! exercise involves an inquiry/discussion about how it makes youth feel to be judged, as well as how they think it makes other youth feel when they are being judged. Ask whether the students consider the feelings of other youth when they judge them. Learn It! This lesson on judgment can be a weighty Bible lesson to teach. Before reading the Keepin It Biblical! scripture lesson, consider doing the following. Bring small mirrors to class for the youth to share. Let each of them look at themselves in the mirror and write down how they see themselves, as well as how they think others see them. After everyone finishes, tell them to turn their papers over and write how God sees them. Have them compare and contrast the three lists. Next read Romans 2:1-12, today s scripture lesson. First, discuss with the students that verse 1 makes clear that when we judge others, we judge ourselves. You may want to use the illustration that, metaphorically, when you point your finger at someone else, you are pointing fingers back at yourself. Have the students try it and discuss what it means in a metaphoric sense. Next, share with the students that according to verse 6, we will be judged by our deeds. Discuss with the students whether knowing this information provides a rationale for focusing on our own deeds and not those of others. Additionally, emphasize with the students that Paul is saying we all have repeatedly sinned and only through Christ can we be saved from sin s eternal consequences. Note that Paul s teaching agrees with 1 P age

4 Jesus teaching in Matthew 7:1. Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. Note that we will all be judged according to what we know and the extent to which we obeyed the word of God, and that in God s loving kindness God gives us the opportunity to repent. Live It! The Keepin It Together! focus is upon shaming that takes place in different communities. The students will be familiar with fat shaming, body shaming, and slut shaming. Shaming is a form of judgment. Have the students discuss instances when such shaming has been prevalent. The goal is to get the students to understand their responsibility to evaluate their own lives before judging others. End the lesson with the ithink! exercise that challenges the students to think or journal about people they have shamed and how they can seek forgiveness and repentance from God. Lesson 11 August 12, Corinthians 8:7-15 Giving Your All Teach It! Today s lesson, in part, revolves around the notion that poverty is not just an economic issue, it is also a justice issue. If your students are politically plugged in, they are certainly aware of the injustices that seem to be being visited upon the poor around the world, especially in the United States. As was outlined in a prior lesson, the United States is going through a period in which the justness of the policies of the current President of the United states are being debated, especially as it relates to poor immigrants. Before jumping to the present-day illustration, begin with a discussion among the students about the needs of the poor in our cities, nation and world. The students know how selfish people can be and they and their family may have experienced the need to accept donations of food and money. Ask the students to brainstorm ways that the needs of the poor might be better met by our society. The scripture text for today s lesson relates to a collection for the poor that was needed during Paul s time. As such, the Keepin It Current! present-day illustration focuses on GoFundMe, the current social platform that allows individuals and groups to raise money for various causes. Using the Keepin It Real! questions, discuss with the students their experience with the GoFundMe platform, including the type of project it was used for and how successful they were in meeting their fundraising goal. Also, the students are asked to discuss if they have contributed to other GoFundMe campaigns, and if so, why. Learn It! As you begin the Bible lesson in the Keepin It Biblical section, be mindful that this is not just a lesson about money, fundraising, and economics; these scripture verses relate to the justice issue of poverty. Paul addressed the question of the collection of money for the distressed Christians in Jerusalem, which the Corinthians had started but not completed. Note that in contrast with the law, which imposed giving as a divine requirement, Christian giving is voluntary and a test of sincerity and love. Explain that factually the churches in Macedonia gave a sacrificial gift for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem. In other words, those in the Macedonia churches gave even though they were experiencing their own hardships. Discuss with the students what sacrificial giving involves, including faith, love, trust, and sacrifice obviously. Ask whether most Christians they know give sacrificially or out the excess, 2 P age

5 and often only when they have excess to give. Also, it is easy to tie our sacrificial giving into the reality that Jesus sacrificed His life as the greatest gift of all time. In fact, Jesus became poor when he became a human, because of what was given up. But, Jesus actions made us rich through salvation. Guide the students in discovering that there are rewards when Christians give, such as joy, the ability to give in proportion to that which has been already given, thankfulness to God, and God is glorified. If time permits, consider reading with the class Mark 12:41-44, about the widow s mite. This is an example of someone who gave what she had. This is what God desires from us. Also, you may want the missionaries of your local church or another church to speak with the class about the needs of others in the community, state, and/or world. Perhaps you can show a clip about the organization Feed the Children, Bread for the Word, or World Vision. Let the class brainstorm how they can help. Put a plan into action with the pastor s help. Live It! In the Keepin It Together! section of the lesson, the focus is on giving for worthy causes. Discuss with the students the importance of giving and the blessings that come forth out of it, that giving is not just about money, but also talents and time. Emphasize that the students should remember that there are people who are much needier than themselves. The ithink! prompting is obvious developing a fundraising project using GoFundMe to aid an individual or group in need. This might be a long-term, on-going project. Lesson 12 August 19, 2018 Romans 12:9-21 Loving and Just Behavior Teach It We hope that your students will relate to this lesson since it centers around the tattoos, well marks, that a true Christian should have. There are so many ways to creatively present the themes in this lesson. (Note: It bears emphasizing that it is stated several times in the lesson that This lesson is not recommending that any student get any of the Christian tattoos mentioned in the lesson. They are mentioned for discussion purposes only. As the teacher, you should have a theologically sound understanding of what Leviticus 19:28 says about tattoos, bearing in mind both the Old Testament context for Leviticus 19:28 and New Testament admonitions about freedom in Christ. If necessary, please discuss the topic of tattoos with your pastor prior to presenting this lesson. Finally, please ensure that no student feels judged because they already have a tattoo.) We suggest that you begin with a general discussion about tattoos, including: their significance, purpose, and appropriateness. In leading this discussion, please keep in mind what is outlined in the Note above. This discussion, should help you gauge your students viewpoints about tattoos. In this instance, it may be helpful to simply begin the lesson with the Keepin It Real! questions. After having your opening discussion, begin by reading the Keepin It Current! present-day illustration. Since you have already discussed tattoos in general, transition the conversation to the topic of Christian identity. What are the marks of a Christian? Ensure that the students understand that the discussion about tattoos is designed to be an illustrative way to consider what are the marks of a Christian. There are some good questions for discussion among the students at the end of the Keepin It Current! section. 3 P age

6 Learn It! Begin by having the students read the scripture text in the Keepin It Biblical! section of today s lesson. If you have any artists in your class, have them draw on a chalk board or piece of newsprint symbols that represent the virtues that are found in the Romans 12 text. The lesson works through the various virtues found in the Romans 12 text. Consider having each student design their own tattoo for each one of the virtues identified. As the scripture text continues, Paul wants Christians to put their faith into action by being obedient to God s commands, especially when, as Christians, we face opposition or persecution. The lesson anticipates additional tattoos that we must have as marks of a Christian during difficult times. Have the students draw their artistic representations of these Christian characteristics/marks. Emphasize with the students, that God wants us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, and that Paul urges believers to love and honor one another, praying at all times. In the end, we are called to be peacemakers and our loving actions toward our enemies may lead them to repentance. End this discussion comparing the pain of getting a tattoo to the pain associated with wearing the marks of a Christian. Explain what patient in suffering (v.12) means and discuss. Live It! In the Keepin It Together! section, spend time discussing each of the tattoos outlined and have the students discuss whether they are presently doing a good job, in terms of their Christian conduct, wearing each tattoo/mark. Temporary tattoos might be in order here. Each student could be allowed to place a temporary tattoo on their forearm for each Christian virtue present in everyday conduct. As the teacher, the students might enjoy seeing you place the temporary tattoos on yourself as well. The ithink! exercise should be used for home reinforcement during the week. Lesson 13 August 26, 2018 Colossians 3:5-17 Live On Purpose Teach It! The emphasis in this lesson is on our old life/selves versus our new life/selves. It is recommended that you begin this lesson by reading the Keepin It Current! present-day illustration. It is centered around the phrase out with the old, in with the new. This phrase is being applied to the beginning of a new academic year for students. Spend some time having the students share those things that they hope not to bring into their new school year, as well as those things they hope will develop during the new school year. Use the Keepin It Real! questions to guide this discussion. Learn It! Begin with reading the scriptures in the Keepin It Biblical! section. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul talks about being new in Christ. Here, the author is assuming that one has taken off their old self, and its practices, and now have own their new self. Spend some time discussing with the students the listing of things that should no longer be a part of a Christian lifestyle. (vv. 5-10). The lesson anticipates as frank of a discussion as you can have without making the students uncomfortable about the out with the old list in those verses. Next, the lesson focuses on the verses (vv ) that contain the in with the 4 P age

7 new list of behavior that should be a part of our lifestyle as Christians. Again, spend time discussing this list to assess where students are and what growth in certain areas still needs to take place. Live It! In the Keepin It Together! section, it emphasizes that the students must understand that if we persist in sinning, God will punish us. The students should be challenged to grow to understand that as Christians, we have to live holy. This lesson requires a lot of honest, inward reflection by the students. Encourage the students to honestly assess the present state of their life. The ithink! exercise is great for personal self-reflection during the week. 5 P age

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