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1 xplore E The B ible F all 2005 Leader QUICKSOURCE Romans 1 8 WHAT IF MY LEARNERS AREN T INTERESTED? p. 23 MORE DETAIL: INSIGHTS INTO ROMANS 1 8 p. 62

2 Explore The Bible: QUICKSOURCE The Ease and Effectiveness with Which Jesus Taught Volume 1, No. 2 FALL 2005 PRODUCTION AND MINISTRY TEAM G.B. HOWELL, JR. Editor in Chief KAREN DOCKREY Editor DAVID BRISCOE Biblical and Instructional Specialist DAVID WILSON Graphic Designer LINDSEY BUSH Copy Editor NANCY ARNOLD Technical Specialist JOHN McCLENDON Lead Adult Ministry Specialist MIC MORROW Adult Ministry Specialist MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL BILL CRAIG Director, Leadership and Adult Publishing RON BROWN, JIM JOHNSTON Managing Directors, Leadership and Adult Publishing DAVID FRANCIS Director, Sunday School GARY H. HAUK Director, Publishing LifeWay Church Resources Send questions/comments to Editor, ETB QUICKSOURCE One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN Or make comments on the Web at Printed in the United States of America EXPLORE THE BIBLE: QUICKSOURCE (ISSN ) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, James T. Draper, Jr., President, and Ted Warren, Executive Vice President LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. If you need help with an order, WRITE LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For subscriptions, FAX (615) or E- MAIL subscribe@lifeway.com. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, FAX (615) or CustomerService@lifeway.com. Order ONLINE at Mail address changes to: EXPLORE THE BIBLE: QUICKSOURCE, same address. We believe the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. The 2000 statement of The Baptist Faith and Message is our doctrinal guideline. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. AMP Scripture quotations taken from The Amplified Bible, copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ( Help for Busy Teachers I m not a teacher. I ve never been a teacher, but if I used QUICKSOURCE I could become a teacher. QUICKSOURCE allows people like me to teach a Sunday School class with confidence. We then have the know-how and courage to go deeper into the Bible. Person after person makes comments like these. Both new and experienced teachers find QUICKSOURCE easy to use. We are overjoyed with what God is doing with it equipping everyday Christians to teach His Word so we can all delight in obeying Him daily. Do you see someone with a heart for teaching who hesitates saying I m not a theologian or I don t know how to teach? Put QUICKSOURCE in that person s hands. Add generous encouragement and prayer. Look for the Green: Some adults can assemble a car. A few more can fix a car if it breaks. But almost all of us drive a car. Are we better drivers if we can assemble or fix cars? Not necessarily. A good driver must give attention and care to the task. QUICKSOURCE writers assemble Bible studies so any caring Christian can get in and drive them well. Each QUICKSOURCE page includes not only a plan, but instructions in Green. The Ease and Effectiveness with Which Jesus Taught CEV Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission. GNT Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today's English Version Second Edition Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission. Message The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. NASB Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission ( NEB Scripture quotations taken from The New English Bible. Copyright Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press, 1961, All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission. NIV From the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. NLT Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL USA. All rights reserved. N.L.T. References taken from The NEW LIFE Testament are identified (N.L.T.). It is published by the Christian Literature International, Canby, Oregon, and is used by permission. NRS From the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Phillips Reprinted with permission of Macmillian Publishing Co., Inc. from J.B. Phillips: The New Testament in Modern English, Revised Edition. J.B. Phillips 1958, 1960, RSV Scripture quotations marked (RSV) are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, 1971, 1973 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by permission. Photo credits: Cp1: Biblical Illustrator Photo 12/39/12; pp. 10, 14, 22, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60 Glenn Gregory QUICKSOURCE / 5

3 FIND KEY WORDS IN YOUR OWN BIBLE; THEN USE AS YOU TEACH ONE OF TWO PLANS Exploring Key Words JUNE 26, 2005 Accepting Individual Responsibility BIBLE PASSAGE Ezekiel 18:1-10,13b LIFE IMPACT Live responsibly as one who is accountable to God. Ezekiel 18:1-2 1 The word of the LORD came to a me : 2 What do you mean by using this b proverb concerning the land of Israel: The fathers eat c sour grapes, and the children s teeth are set on edge? Ezekiel 18:3-4 3 As I live this is the declaration of the Lord GOD you will no longer use this b proverb in Israel. 4 Look, every life d belongs to Me. The life of the father is like the life of the son both belong to Me. The person who sins is the one who will die. Ezekiel 18:5-10, 13b 5 Now suppose a man is e righteous and does what is just and right: 6 He does not f eat at the mountain shrines or raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor s wife or come near a woman during her menstrual impurity. 7 He doesn t oppress anyone but returns his collateral to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but g gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. 8 He h doesn t lend at interest or for profit but keeps his hand from wrongdoing and carries out true justice between men. 9 He follows My statutes and keeps My ordinances, acting faithfully. Such a person is righteous; he will d certainly live. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. 10 Now suppose the man has a h i violent son, who sheds blood and does any of these things, 13b He will not live! Since he has committed all these j abominations, he will certainly die. k His blood will be on him. a b c d e f g h i j k Ezekiel, a spokesman for God, called Son of man. Also in Jeremiah 31:29. Jeremiah taught Jews in Judah; Ezekiel taught in Babylon. Both audiences liked to use this excuse. Pictures sins of previous generations. People used their fathers sins to excuse them from responsibility. God loves and judges each on the basis of his or her actions good or bad. Just (KJV); Truly good (GNT). An act of idol worship at mountain temples or shrines. Jesus said true disciples also do this (Matt. 25:31-46). Literally refers to biting. Is taking financial advantage of a fellow Jew. Forbidden in Bible law (Ex. 22:25; Lev. 25:36; Deut. 23:19-20). Malicious, destructive, cruel. Actions so detestable or evil they are beyond compare. Father will not be punished for the sin of his son; son will not find mercy from God for the righteousness of his father. QUICKSOURCE JUNE 26 FOR DETAILED COMMENTARY SEE YOUR JUNE 26 EXPLORE THE BIBLE LEADER GUIDE or ADULT COMMENTARY / 19

4 THIS COMPLETE PLAN USES DISCUSSION TO LINK PEOPLE TO SCRIPTURE & TO EACH OTHER Discussion Plan JUNE 26, 2005 Accepting Individual Responsibility BIBLE PASSAGE Ezekiel 18:1-10,13b LIFE IMPACT Live responsibly as one who is accountable to God. Call for each learner to name a different situation in which someone might pass blame to another (Samples: say they can t help it; start or continue argument; forget to pay a bill; not pick up something from store on way home; take part in a questionable business or financial transaction). Let each determine ways to pass the blame from yourself to someone or something else for the action. Vote on the best shift of blame. Today s session will examine a time the exiles in Babylon tried to shift the blame. Ezekiel 18:1-2 Dodging Responsibility 1. What does the b proverb in verse 2 mean? How had the exiles used this proverb to their own advantage? This generation of Jews were captives because of sins of their relatives. Though their predecessors did wrong, they did wrong too. They refused to take responsibility for or change their sins. For more background on how this thinking may have developed, see Exodus 20:5 and pp of the ETB Learner Guide. Discuss the difference between family influence and causality. Jeremiah rejected the same proverb when the Jews in Jerusalem used it (Jer. 31:29). Consider eating sour grapes to notice the position of teeth when the sour taste hits. Bonus for Exodus 18:1-2: If you have parents of children or teenagers, ask how they have seen their children pass the blame for things they do wrong or mistakes they make. Discuss how this is like and unlike the attitude of the Jewish exiles. Determine how we adults act like children and how to grow up. Pray to embrace responsibility. 2. How does Adam and Eve s reaction to the first sin in Genesis 3:8-13 compare to this passage? Name several reasons we pass the buck (don t want to look stupid; don t want to lose a privilege or trust; fear punishment). Ezekiel 18:3-4 Declaring Responsibility 3. What was God s stand in regard to the proverb? On what basis did He reject the validity of the saying? God completely rejected the proverb. No one, individually or corporately, can avoid sin s consequences. God sees and knows all. Even better, He is fair and impartial. Any hint of injustice or preferential treatment on His part is unthinkable. Celebrate the benefits this brings. 4. What did God mean when He said the person who sins is the one who will die? How has sin hurt you? Each is accountable to God for his or her own sinful actions. This applies equally to good actions. God affirms personal responsibility. In His own timing, He makes sure each person understands his or her own sinfulness and judges each person with equality and justice. 5. How could God s rejection of the parable bring hope to ancient Israelites? To individuals in modern days? Whether in Babylon or 21st-century America, God s people can take comfort in knowing they are not trapped by the actions of their relatives. We are free to break any cycles of sin that may have enslaved previous generations. We are also responsible for continuing any good patterns. TIP: For an illustration of this fact, direct students to the story of the family physician on pp of the ETB Learner Commentary. Allow members of the class to discuss how they have been able to avoid the sins that plagued members of their families or able to continue good patterns. 20 / FOR MORE QUESTIONS SEE YOUR JUNE 26 EXPLORE THE BIBLE LEADER GUIDE or DISCOVERY STUDY GUIDE

5 PAGE 2 OF DISCUSSION PLAN Ezekiel 18:5-10,13b Demonstrating Responsibility 6. What actions did God identify as righteous? What are some contemporary examples of these behaviors? God emphasized several character qualities, most of which were covered under the Mosaic covenant. Examples of righteous behavior included abstaining from idolatry, remaining sexually pure, practicing financial integrity, and having compassion for others. Challenge learners to translate these actions into contemporary equivalents (Samples: does not commit robbery is equivalent to don t cheat; doesn t oppress equivalent to not using people). TIP: Focus on what we can do rather than what we can t do. Stress the good we can do when we intentionally take responsibility for doing the right thing for the right reason. Discuss how to keep on keeping on when doing the right thing gets hard or when we re the only one doing it. To f eat at the mountain shrines was bad not because they were eating, but because they worshiped at shrines. It is bad to worship someone besides God, as these people were doing. The Hebrew word translated menstrual impurity in verse 6 means unclean and carries the idea of someone physically separated from others. Having intercourse with a woman during her menstrual period was forbidden by the law of Moses (Lev. 15:19-30; 20:18). 7. When does our standard of righteousness differ from God s standard of righteous living? Which of the standards in these verses do you appreciate the most? TIP: Focus on reasons we like God s standards and thus more readily embrace them and live accordingly (Sample: I m glad God hates oppression; it s not fair to step on people ). Discuss why we tend to compromise our standards and how to keep from doing that. Encourage learners to spend time this week reflecting on the actions God described in this passage and to use these actions as a measuring stick for their own lives. This passage does not teach salvation by works; instead it teaches honoring Cross Reference for Ezekiel 18:5-10, 13b: Group learners into pairs or threes to compare the list of righteous actions given in Ezekiel 18 with the list of characteristics listed in Psalm 15. After several minutes of work, call for each member to name one action they appreciate and why God expects it. Celebrate that our God knows how to live the good life. God by obeying Him. God s requirement for salvation both in the Old and New Testaments has always been faith. The works described here reflect of a heart surrendered to God. Likewise, our salvation should result in righteous actions (see Eph. 2:8-10; Jas. 2:14-18). 8. What did God mean by the phrase k his blood will be on him? Individuals are responsible for their own actions. In this case, a righteous man would not be condemned because of the actions of his i violent child. Each chooses the life he or she will build. Remind learners that Ezekiel s words also mean that no one will be saved based on the faith of others. Our salvation comes because of our faith in Christ and our acceptance of His sacrifice. 9. What steps can we take to make sure we please God above all else? Encourage learners to begin (or continue) making use of basic spiritual disciplines, such as daily Bible study, staying in contact with mature Christians, and deliberately discerning right from wrong. Cite advantages of accountability available in small groups, such as Sunday School or families. All of these elements will help learners remain sensitive to God s work and purpose for their lives. Emphasize that living responsibly is a day-after-day thing. Application: Tie yarn or another piece of cloth around your wrist. Let it represent an area of your life where you have struggled to take responsibility for your actions. Use the yarn as a prayer reminder to honor God through taking responsibility. FOR MORE CONTENT POINTS SEE YOUR JUNE 26 EXPLORE THE BIBLE LEARNER GUIDE or LEADER COMMENTARY / 21

6 THIS IS A COMPLETE PLAN LINKING SPIRITUAL TRUTH TO WHAT YOU ALREADY UNDERSTAND Parable Plan JUNE 26, 2005 Accepting Individual Responsibility BIBLE PASSAGE Ezekiel 18:1-10,13b LIFE IMPACT Live responsibly as one who is accountable to God. Parable experience: PASSING THE BUCK Intro: Pass a potato to illustrate passing the buck. Pretend it s a hot potato. Ask: Why do we avoid responsibility or evade blame? Add that humans have chosen this since Adam and Eve s dialogue with God (Gen. 3). Ask learners to cite how this tendency progresses from childhood to adulthood and how to leave it behind. Name reasons to embrace responsibility rather than run from it (Samples: make God proud; have power to do right; we can change the world for the better). 1 Ask: Why do we dodge personal responsibility? (Samples: takes work; feel strangely comforted when blame somebody; don t want to be in bad light; detest accusations from those who are no better than we are). Find in Ezekiel 18:1-2 the b proverb people quoted. Ask: How were these persons guilty of passing the buck? When have you blamed someone who came before you? Add details from pages 34, of the ETB Learner Guide. 2 Ask learners to search Exodus 20:5 for the principle behind this proverb. Ask: How had people misapplied this verse? How do people misuse it today? (Samples: the erring child of evil parent is victim of the parent s sin and can t help his actions). What does it really mean? (Sample: our actions influence our families whether we mean for them to or not; children can reverse the direction of their lives by repenting and doing what is right, but it will be hard). Pass the potato again and invite each to name a way to pass the buck and how to stop (Samples: excuse temper with my dad had a temper vs. hold my temper). Search verses 3-4 to find the hope in God s phrase every life d belongs to Me. 3 Invite learners to tell steps for cooking the potato rather than passing it along. Compare these to a good action in Ezekiel 18:5-10,13b (Sample: when I cut a potato to fry it, I m careful not to cut my finger; I m similarly careful not to oppress anyone ). Name how taking responsibility contributes to a recipe for a happy life. Stress that our lives will indeed be blessed by abiding by the rules in these passages. Pause to thank God for showing us what to do and not do. Guide learners to privately choose an j abomination from these verses they will not do. Then name a justice they will do (might be an opposite). Challenge: Jesus used everyday objects and experiences to link truth to life. The next time you are caught in a misdeed, whether intentional or accidental, specifically say I m sorry rather than pass the buck to someone else. Live and act responsibly, realizing you alone are accountable to God. 22 / FOR MORE TEACHING IDEAS SEE YOUR JUNE 26 EXPLORE THE BIBLE LEARNER GUIDE or LEADER GUIDE