Adult Enlightener: Young Adult Bible Study: Faith, Vision, and Awe

By R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation

The Adult Enlightener is a topical Christian quarterly study guide designed for the career-oriented adult. It uses language and ideas that are meaningful to the adult learner who is primarily handling work and family responsibilities. It is a practical resource for everyday Christian living.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Jun 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781681677385

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Lesson 1

WORDS AND ACTIONS

THEME: FAITH, VISION, AND AWE

Selected Scriptures: Romans 2:17–29

HOW DOES MY EXPERIENCE WITH GOD BECOME A TESTIMONY OF FAITH?

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BIBLICAL TEACHING EMPHASES

I. Living What One Teaches About God

II. Living So As Not to Defame God’s Name

III. Living in the Spirit of God in One’s Heart

INTRODUCTION

The job of the United States Secret Service is to protect the life of the president and his family. Some people may not know it, but the Secret Service also is tasked with the job of protecting the U.S. currency from counterfeit money. Counterfeit money potentially could ruin the American economy if it was allowed to circulate. This lesson is about being real before God, meaning a person’s heart and actions come to God and His Church, and He does not need any counterfeit Christians circulating in His churches. Like the Secret Service, God is determined to protect His Church from those who would devalue it. Jesus Christ Himself condemned phony believers by calling them hypocrites.

When it comes to serving Jesus Christ, the people of God must be honest, faithful, and sincere. God wants people to be transformed from sinful counterfeits into genuine believers. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, believers become genuine inheritors of the Kingdom of God.

I. LIVING WHAT ONE TEACHES ABOUT GOD

All Christians need the love and peace of God deep in our hearts so we will not fall into sin. Paul warned what it was like when a person went through the motions of appearing to be a Christian yet did not have God in his or her heart. He said, You, then that teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples? (Rom. 2:21–22, NRSV). As followers of Jesus, God holds us to a higher standard than the rest of the world expects for people. Atheists who proudly proclaim their disbelief in God seem to have little trouble practicing their values and telling others about their views. The same can be said for others who are not Christians but still believe in a higher power.

We Christians should have the same level of conviction, if not even more! Paul called us on behalf of Jesus to teach others the Word of God, but he also called us to teach ourselves. If we forbid a practice, then we should abstain from it too. Likewise, if we require certain practices for others, such as prayer and studying the Word, then we are not exempt. The only way to do this, however, is to embrace the peace and love of Jesus. God recognizes the challenges in society to place Him above all else just as He recognizes how our sinful nature gets in the way. That’s why He gave us the Word of God and salvation. Jesus does not want His followers to be hypocrites. We are meant to be more than that so we may share His message with the world and fulfill it in ourselves.

God made this world for the benefit of His people. He expects His people to respect and serve Him in all righteousness. The psalmist said, May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD. Let sinners be consumed from the earth and let the wicked be no more. Bless the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD! (Ps. 104:34–35, NRSV). God wants His followers to live as we are taught.

Christians are not supposed to teach one way of life in God and then live another way before the world. Christian must learn to rely on the peace that is in Jesus as displayed in His Word so our hearts will resist temptation. Too many people are too willing to give into the many temptations of the devil. Criminals rob people of their wealth, security, and dignity. All of these things and more are the result of succumbing to temptation, but the people of God must not fall under the ways of the devil.

God’s Word teaches Christians how to stay out of sin. The psalmist spoke authoritatively to this subject when he wrote, Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. I hope for your salvation, O LORD, and I fulfill your commandments. My soul keeps your decrees; I love them exceedingly. I keep your precepts and decrees, for all my ways are before you (Psalm 119:165–168, NRSV). Jesus will be present for His followers to help us endure the most trying times of our lives so we do not have to give in to the sins that surround us.

The psalmist wrote, O I have been like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all day long. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent (Ps. 71:7–9, NRSV). God wants His people to be free from the ways of the world and to abide in Him. The people of God are to learn to be able to endure the sufferings of this world by keeping God’s Word in our hearts at all times.

II. LIVING SO AS NOT TO DEFAME GOD’S NAME

Paul told the Romans, " ‘The name of God is