copyright © 2010 by standard publishing, cincinnati, oh. all rights reserved. god’s perfect law...

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH.

All rights reserved.

God’s Perfect Law

Lesson 6



The Curse of Lawlessness

Many people think there is a curse of law.

Too many laws Too many restrictions Too many “loopholes” Too many laws I don’t want to obey!

But law is at the foundation of a broken culture.




People who willfully sin necessitate law.

Law on the highwaysLaw in businessLaw in property rightsLaw in social relationshipsLaw in government




Lawlessness is more than a penchant to break the rules of a society. It is a disregard for the expressed and intended will of God in the realm of human behavior.

God’s wisdom and grace knew that law was necessary for immature Israel, that it is necessary for sinful humankind.



The Blessing of Law

The Psalmist of today’s text, Psalm 19:7-14, both knew and exalted in the blessing of God’s law.

It is a Law we all can love . . . and should!



Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. The Curse of Lawlessness

B. Lesson Background



Lesson Outline

I. Seeking Legal Perfection (Psalm 19:7-11)

A. Appreciating God’s Law (vv. 7, 8)

B. Internalizing God’s Law (vv. 9-11)



What Do You Think?

How do you balance fearing God with loving God?

Talking Points for Your DiscussionDeuteronomy 10:12; 1 John 4:18

Multifaceted relationship between children and parents



What Do You Think?

How would our church be different if we truly valued God’s law more than gold?

Talking Points for Your Discussion

What we talk about

How we behave

What our budget priorities would be

How we schedule our time



What Do You Think?

In what ways do you benefit from keeping God’s law?


Health issues

Relationship issues

Conscience issues



Lesson Outline

II. Seeking Personal Perfection (Psalm 19:12-14)

A. Recognizing Our Blind Spots (v. 12)

B. Asking for Assistance (v. 13)

C. Focusing Our Efforts (v. 14)



What Do You Think?

How do you determine whether you ought to confess a fault to someone besides God? What kind of person would you confess something to? Why?


Psalm 90:8; James 5:16

Motives for concealing and revealing

Consequences of concealing and revealing



What Do You Think?

Is there always “one best way” to overcome destructive sin patterns? If so, what is it? If not, why? Justify your answer.


The issue of “willpower”

Romans 12:2

The Holy Spirit’s responsibility vs. our responsibility

Mutual accountability



Lesson Outline

Conclusion

A. A Religion of Rules?

B. Prayer

C. Thought to Remember



The Blessing of Law

Look at the text and make a list of all the synonyms the text uses of the “law of the Lord.”

What is distinctive about each?

How have you experienced God’s Word in each way in your own life?



Did you get some of the following into your list?

The Blessing of Law

StatutesPreceptsCommandsFear

OrdinancesJudgmentsTestimonyLaw



The Blessing of Law

Look at the text and make a list of the adjectives that complete the words used as labels for God’s Law.

How have you experienced God’s Word in each way in your own life?



Did you get some of these into your list?

The Blessing of Law

PerfectSoul-refreshingRightTrustworthyFilled with wisdomJoyousRadiantEnduringPure

SureRighteousPreciousSweetProfitableWarningEnlighteningTrueDesirable



The Blessing of Law

Which of the attributes of God’s Law are the most important to you?

Which bring the most comfort and delight?

For which are you regularly thanking Him?



A Lamp and a Light

Psalm 119:105 uses the terms “A lamp to my feet” and “a light to my path” of God’s Word.

Some think that indicates the Bible helps one see both where he stands (“lamp to my feet”) and where he is going (“light to my path”).



A Lamp: Standing

What does the Bible reveal about where you are standing/taking a stand?

Are you “standing in the Light” of truth or “standing in the shadows” of doubt?



A Lamp: Standing

Jude 24 speaks of “him who is able to keep you from falling”

Paul challenges the believer to put on God’s armor so that he or she will be able “to stand” (Ephesians 6:13)

The goal of every soldier is to finish the day of battle standing.For if he is not, he is seriously wounded or dead!



A Lamp: Standing

Are you letting the Lamp of God’s Law help you stand in the right place?



A Light: Going

“Where are you going?” is a basic question of life’s direction.

There are no shadows when one is walking toward the light; all the shadows fall behind.

The Light of the world both draws and illuminates.



A Light: Going

In what ways does the Bible give direction and insight and purpose to the direction of your life?

Are you satisfied you are “on the right road?” If not, do you have “the Map”?



Seventeen Minutes to Success

What are some of the things you do each day that take at least seventeen minutes?

Are some of the following on your “seventeen-minutes” list?




Watch/listen to the day’s news and weather

Grooming and dressing for the day

Commuting to work or school

Eating one or more meals




Doing a crossword puzzle or other type

Enjoying an entertaining media presentation

Listening to your favorite music




Doing home maintenance/cleaning tasks

Participating in a creative hobby

Reading for fun, enlightenment, or vocation




Napping

Exercising your body in some manner

Food preparation




Reading in God’s Word?

The fact is that the typical reader spending about seventeen minutes a day can read the entire Bible in a year!

Is that a commitment you are willing to make?



Thought to Remember

Honor God’s law.



GOD’S SAFE REFUGENext Week’s Lesson

copyright © 2010 by standard publishing, cincinnati, oh. all rights reserved. god’s perfect law...

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