NBC Sunday School Manual For May 1, 2022 : Topic – FREEDOM FROM SIN
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NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Sunday, May 01, 2022
TOPIC: FREEDOM FROM SIN
Suggested teaching methods V
Background Scripture reading:
Lesson Scripture reading: Romans 6
Golden Text: For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. Romans 6:5
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
1. Explain what it means to be dead to sin;
2. Discuss the significance of water baptism, according to Paul‘s explanation in the passage;
3. Commit themselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life.
Introduction
People naturally love freedom; they want to do whatever they like, whether such acts will please God or not. They often forget that when one is in Christ, old things must give way to the new because of the Spirit of God in us. Some people have testified to the inner struggle they had, having accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord and baptism into the membership of the body of Christ. The struggle is usually between two opinions whether to continue with their former lifestyle of attending night clubs, smoking, drinking and fornication/adultery or living the new life in Christ. Their major problem is how to forsoke their sinful lifestyle and embrace new life in Christ whom they have confessed. In fact, it takes divine intervention to counsel such people about the importdnce of their freedom from sin and to mdke them redlise thdt they hdve become new persons in Christ. The theme of Paul’s letter to the brethren in Rome is “Dead 68 to Sin, Alive in Christ” (Romans 6). He reminded them that by virtue of their conversion, they are already dead to sin but alive in union with Christ. To be dead to sin means to forsake one’s sinful lifestyle and embrace the new life in Christ Jesus. Therefore, they cannot continue to live in sin and obey the desires of the natural self. Some Christians are still bound by natural desires that often keep them in chains, even after they have given their lives to Christ and are already serving. They do not know that the implication of baptism is being dead to the power of sin and raised to a new life in Christ Jesus, which can be exhibited through righteous living.
Today’s lesson focuses on the freedom we have received through baptism in Jesus and the encouragement not to continue to live in sin because the grace of God will abound.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED
A. Dead to Sin: Romans 6:1-4
Paul’s language suggests that the Roman brethren were still living in sin after their conversion experience,thereby taking the grace of God for granted.His concernis seen in versel, when he asked some rhetorical questions: “What shall we say, then? Should we continue to live in sin so that God’s grace will increase? His answer is given in the next verse:“Certainly not! There as on for his assertion is that they are already dead to sin.To be dead to sinas it is used in this context means a total separation from living in sin by virtue of accepting Jesus as one’s Saviour and Lord. Paul could not comprehend how people would continue in sin when they have been baptised in union with Christ Jesus in His death (v. 3). He explained that by virtue of their baptism, they have been buried with Christ and shared inHis death so thatthey mightlive a newlife (v. 4). Baptism by immersion in the early church symbolised the death and burial to the power of sin in a person’s life. Similarly, Paul emphasised the importance of baptism to the church in Galatia by saying, “You were baptised into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the new life of Christ himself.”(Galatians3:27) The voice of Paul in the passage is like the voice of a mother pleading passionately to an erring child to return home. It is sad to note that some believers are still involved in sin with the mindset that the grace of God is available. They claim that the more they sin, the more grace God will release in order to forgive them. Christians should know that grace is not meant to cover sins but to save sinners. In other words, we can receive freedom from sin by grace but grace is not a license to continue to live in sin. The promise of forgiveness from God is not freedom to continue to live in sin. In fact, grace teaches us to say no to every ungodliness (Titus 2:11).
Discussion Time
1. What steps should a Christian take in order to live a godly life? 2. What is the significance of baptism to believers, according to Paul in verses 3 and 4?
B. Alive in Christ Romans 6:5-8
Paul had established the fact that to be dead to sin is to live in newness in Christ through baptism. Since we are already united with Him in death, we shall also be one with Him by being raised to a new life. lnvariably, our old self have been put to death with Christ on the cross. This was done so that the power of sin will be completely destroyed and we will no longer be slaves to sin (v.6). He explained further in verse 7 that when people die (physically), they are automatically set free from the power of sin because they can no longer respond to anything. He concluded by saying, “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” Two things are significant in Paul’s assertion about being dead to sin and alive in Christ as believers:
l. A dead person is insensitive and so cannot respond to anything. The lesson is that believers should not continue to live in sin because they are already dead; though not physically but spiritually. They are already living a new life, which is in union with Christ.
2. We have the hope of living a new life of righteousness, which should not condone sin anymore. Since we have died with Christ through the act of baptism, Paul asserted that we will also live with Him.
Therefore, our baptism is an experience that illustrates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This means that as believers, our sinful nature is dead through Jesus and the new life we live is through our faith in Him who lives forever. Paul emphasised the importance of baptism in his letter to the church in Colosse saying, “For when you were baptised, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ through your faith in the active power of God who raised him from death.” (Colossians 2:12) Therefore, anyone who claims to be saved but is still living in sin should examine themselves and workout their salvation with fear and trembling
Discussion Time
What is the nature of someone who is already dead to sin? How can Christians be consistent in their relationship with God after being admitted to the membership of the church through baptism?
C. Living in Fellowship with God Romans 6:9-14
Apostle Paul did not relent in his effort to educate the brethren in Rome about the importance of being dead to sin and living a new life through faith in the Lord Jesus through baptism. As he continued, he made some points clear in verse 9. He said Christ has been raised from the dead and will never dieagain. Death will no longer rule over Him and so, He lives in fellowship with God. In like manner, he expected the Roman brethren to consider themselves dead to sin so that they too can live in fellowship with God through Christ Jesus (v.11). He gave some warnings in verses 12 to 14 thus:
Sin should no longer rule in their mortdl bodies such that they obey their natural desires. No part of their body should be offered as on instrument for wicked purposes. They should give themselves to God like people who have been brought from sin to life.
They should offer themselves to be used for righteous and noble purposes. Sin should not be their master anymore because they are no longer living under the law but under the grace of God. Nevertheless, Paul did not equate the law with sin (v. 12); he only considered the law as part of the old age in which sin and death ruled.Jesus has been raised from the dead. Therefore, the power of sin has been broken. He can never die again; He now lives in fellowship with God. Consequently, the power that holds us captive to sin is broken and we have become bondservants of righteousness. Therefore, we should notobey the dictates of the sinful desires of the flesh but live in fellowship with God through Christ Jesus.
Discussion Time
Is it possible for a Christian to be totally free from sin? Discuss the relevance of Paul’s recommendation in verse 12 to believers
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity
Encourage at least three class members to testify about some areas of their lives they have experienced changes because they have been set free from sin.
Take Home
Write down three lessons you are taking home from today’s lesson.
Prayer
1. Pray that your fellowship with God will not be broken
2. Ask that the Lord will give you the grace to always live above sin
Commitment
Based on today’s lesson, make a personal commitment to begin to
live in righteousness beca e Christ has set you free from sin.