THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ANSWER
- Key Verse
- For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. (Romans 7:18)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
So many times Christians complicate what is so incredibly simple. We have a Savior who provides everything we need spiritually, emotionally, and physically. When in doubt, just wait on Christ.
Reflections
I had the privilege of growing up in a church. I went to Sunday school and quickly learned that "Jesus" was typically a good answer for most questions. After time, I slowly found that this was not enough for many of the questions asked by my church leaders. I learned to think through my answers and to reference passages in the Bible in support of them. I had matured past my one-word answer "Jesus" and thought I would never go back to such childish responses. That is what I thought until I studied Romans 7.The end of Romans 7 is probably one of my favorite passages of the Bible. I find it so encouraging that such a godly man had struggles that I identify with: "For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." (Romans 7:15b, ESV) The first time I read that in junior high I put a star next to the verse with the words: "That's me." Paul continues, "So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand." (Romans 7:21, ESV) I live by this verse. I know everything I ever try to do for God will be contested by some distraction. Everything Paul says hooked me because of how much I identified with him. What really bothered me was the conclusion to his struggle: "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25, ESV)
Is that it? Why not discuss strategies to overcome coping devices or to reveal how he has learned to separate himself from his sinful struggles? Is there no special advice from a man as influential as Paul? Such a Sunday school answer really bothers me. It also shows a great problem I have. I want to have a strategy -- a new insight or a fresh perspective on how to handle sin biblically. Many times, I fail to see that I do not need to know any more. No strategy or new insight can replace reliance on Christ.
Discussion Questions
1. Is Jesus a good enough answer for my struggles?2. What am I complicating in my spiritual life?
3. What do I look for in sermons, quiet times, and Bible studies?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
Romans 2-7 (May 28-June 1)
Read Romans 5:1-11.
Verse 1: What did Jesus Christ do for you?
Verse 2: What can we confidently and joyfully look forward to?
Verse 3: What helps you rejoice when you run into hard things?
Verse 4: What is character?
Verse 5: What do you need to do to receive the Holy Spirit?
Verse 6: Are you a sinner?
Verse 7: Would you be willing to die for someone who wasn't good?
Verse 8: How does it make you feel that Christ died for you even though you are not good?
Verse 9: What does it mean to be made right in God's sight?
Verse 10: WOW . . . we get to be friends with God when we accept the gift of His Son's sacrifice! How does it feel to know that God is your friend?
Verse 11: Have you accepted Christ's sacrifice for your sins?
Activity: God being our friend is a pretty amazing thing. Talk as a family about what all that means. Discuss all the ways His friendship impacts your life. Then discuss how that can help each of you in being a better friend to others.
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Watermark Community Church.
Shay Brooks
June 1, 2012 07:03 AM
AJ! Love that closing statement -- nothing tops total reliance on Christ to get us through every life challenge... and, boy, there are a lot of them! It's wonderful to see you matured into a man from the fun days at SCS so many years ago. I trust the Lord has brought you to a place that isn't awkward, and you indeed have a lovely fiancee today. I forwarded today's Journey to Charis and hope she will meditate on your thoughts as I will. She will certainly get a kick out of seeing one of the "good guys" from the past. Please tell your beautiful Mom I said "Hello!" and congratulations on graduation and moving on to your next life chapter. Shay Brooks (Charis B's mom)
Lucina
June 1, 2012 07:53 AM
I loved seeing your face this morning AJ--excited for your future. And your insight into this chapter? I couldn't agree more! The old KISS adage applies perfectly: "keep it simple stupid". God isn't trying to complicate things, but to simplify them for us. But I also find that knowing the answer (which you stated so well as simply being Jesus) and doing it are two different things. Jesus wants me to "just do" what He says. My prayer today is that I will be faithful in that alone.
Meagan B.
June 1, 2012 08:16 AM
Thanks so much for your insight on this, Aaron! Your last paragraph really hit home for me. I think I do the exact same thing, always looking for a strategy when it's really just so simple - depend on Christ!
D-Mo
June 1, 2012 08:41 AM
Boom.Roasted. Well done sir. Keeping it simple. You're a good dude.
Troy Dandrea
June 1, 2012 09:18 AM
What a rich word Aaron! This is a message we could stand to be steadily reminded of.
Paul Rutherford
June 1, 2012 09:22 AM
Mister Rose, thank you for sharing. Sometimes I confuse simplicity for insignificance or insufficiency. Life is complicated. More issues are gray than black or white. How can the answer be anything less than convoluted itself? That's usually how my reasoning goes. It is not however how Paul puts it her in Romans 7. You're right. Thanks for sharing. Congratulations on graduating! That's quite an accomplishment. Congratulations on the engagement. Marriage is such a tremendous blessing. I pray you enjoy it for all that God intended it to be.
Todd Wagner
June 1, 2012 10:42 AM
Amen Aaron! Amen Romans 8:1
Elaine Word
June 1, 2012 11:09 AM
Aaron, yes, keep it simple! But the simple, in this case, depending on Christ, is so amazingly wonderful, and mysteriously complex, that none of us can really comprehend it... but, I think we try to... which sometimes, means we complicate it. I believe that this "keeping it simple" strategy gives weight to the common theory that "Everything I needed to know I learned in Kindergarden." We find out that what we learned in our basic Sunday School lessons was in itself, deep truths. I also agree with you about Rom 5, how Paul confesses his weakness and vulnerbility, hits right at the very truth of us all. We want to do all the right things, but... do we? I think Paul did the right things more than I do, but the point is not quantity, is it? Paul is just stating our human condition. And, our human condition can only be changed by: TOTAL DEPENDANCE ON CHRIST. We are back at what you said. Point well taken! Well done, Aaron. Now, how did you do on your forcast of the future? Did you graduate, and are you engaged??? Blessings to you either way!
Sue Bohlin
June 1, 2012 02:40 PM
AJ! I love seeing one of our Mind Games alumni hit his devo right outta da park! I chose the same key verse as you, remembering a powerful illustration of how worthless the flesh is. The speaker donned a catcher's mitt, and every time he threw a ball toward the glove, it caught the ball. He said that's what man was originally like--energized and indwelled by the power and presence of God. Then, sin entered the world because Adam and Eve chose independence and rebellion over intimacy with and dependency on God; he took the mitt off his hand and dropped it on the stage. No matter how many times he threw the ball at the mitt, it never caught the ball. It was powerless on its own. Empty. No hand inside. Missing the point of its design and creation. What a great reminder in today's reading that we bring NOTHING of any value or worth in our flesh.
Whitney Evans
June 1, 2012 04:48 PM
Aaron- I was so blessed today by your insight! Living in country that is so fast paced and chaotic it is easy to forget that life does not have to be so complicated. Your words opened my eyes up to some things in my walk that need to be worked on and I'm so thankful that there is only one answer! :) "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" Matthew 18:1-4
Haley Gatewood
June 1, 2012 10:57 PM
Your faithfulness is always inspiring to me! I'm so glad I got to watch you grow throughout college. May God bless you and Lauren's marriage!!
Aaron Rose
June 2, 2012 11:00 AM
Thank you all for the encouragement. It is encouraging to me to see how many of my friends are on the journey! @Elaine Yes, I fortunately predicted correctly. I am engaged to be married in September and I did graduate.