In the videos below, Brian Dembowczyk and Aaron Armstrong (Adults), Andy McLean (Students), and Jeremy Carroll (Kids) coach leaders on teaching Winter 2018-19, Unit 5, Session 3—A Law for God’s People.
Tips and videos for previous lessons are available on the The Gospel Project Blog. You can also check out the Additional Resources page for podcast recommendations and blog posts related to this week’s subject matter. To view a comprehensive list of the studies for this three-year cycle of The Gospel Project, see our All Ages Chronological Study Plan (which includes Scripture references for each weekly session).
Every week, we provide interactive teaching helps and additional ideas / activities for The Gospel Project for Adults sessions. Click TGP Winter 2018-19 Unit 5, Session 3 to access the Session 3 interactive teaching suggestions.
I find this lesson as presented difficult to teach in that I think a much greater lesson can be seized here. The “Session in a Sentence” seems to miss why God gave the law. Was it to “reveal how we are to live rightly with Him and others?” Maybe, I struggle with the interpretation of the ‘how.’ Let me explain. Sorry for the length here. 🙂
I think the gospel makes a more compelling reason for why God gave the law.
Both the Old and New Testaments more clearly portray the law as a means to demonstrate the need for and as a reminder that faith and grace are the focal point. In “Point 1 ,” scripture ref., Genesis 19:5, God says if you “keep my covenant…” not “these commandments” which you are about to receive. Abraham “believed!” When I read scripture I find multiple purposes stated for the law unlike the Points:
a.) those given the law will be judged and condemned by the law Rom.2:11
b.) transgression of the law nullifies circumcision Rom. 2:25
c.) it silences those who make excuses for not having kept it, makes everyone aware of their unrighteousness, reveals accountability to God’s righteous standard Rom 3:19
d.) is subservient to faith and the promise given to Abraham and all his offspring Rom 4:19
e.) it reminds us the promises and covenant came through faith Rom 4:16
f.) it is ineffective to crucify our sin, break sin’s power over us-only faith in what God did through Christ can do that; Rom 8:3
g.) can no longer be a hold on persons who are led by the Spirit Gal. 5:18
h.) if used to demonstrate righteousness before God one must wholly keep it Gal 5. 1-3
i.) holds all who are lost captive and guarded by it; Ro. 7:7-8, Gal 3:24; (until redeemed) Gal 4:5
j.) comes to a death in our lives so we might be married to another, far greater and better power, Christ!! Rom 7:1-6
k.) realizes it’s final purpose when belief in Christ, who fulfilled all its requirements, is made effective in anyone who believes Rom 10:4
The gospel teaches us to know God, know the Son, believe His words, follow Him, continue knowing and believing Him (I Cor 15:1-4). Don’t try to keep the law in your flesh, that’s the old way. The Holy Spirit circumcises our hearts and fulfills the law through us, as a result of loving God with all our hearts, minds, soul and spirit…”for this sums up the law and the prophets.” The primary result of loving God is the working of His Spirit in me to be on mission with Him (Acts 1:8), praying, devoted to the Apostles teaching, sharing worldly possessions, fellowshipping with believers, etc. (Acts 2:42-46). When this happens, the commands of God (His righteous ways) for us will be evidenced (the Ten Commandments simply being a part of this evidence.)
If believers put keeping the law in our focus, we become ineffective and more legalistic.
I tend to approach this section of scripture in Ex. 19-20 this way; I believe this is critical for Christians today to hear.
Is this sound doctrine?
Thanks for your response.