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Date: 30 Oct 2008
Time: 21:43:22 -0500
Remote Name: 65.6.196.163
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Jesus is the Only Savior Greg Miller Romans 9:33--10:15 Use of Bible Studies for Life Extra! Adult Bible Studies for Life Extra! can be used by any leader who uses any of the leader resources in the ABSFL family, including Life Matters, Life Truths, Life Values, Life Ventures, Life Works, and Life Lessons. Introducing the Lesson As learners arrive, instruct them to talk with another person about someone they know who has changed their religious beliefs. After most learners have arrived and responded, share the following story: Juana Fuentez was “raised Christian,” but over the past six years her friendship with some Jews has sparked an interest in Judaism. She said she “never felt comfortable within the Christian tradition” and “always preferred the Old Testament," whenever she attended church. This past summer the 31-year-old converted to Judaism. She was described as “bubbling with zeal for her new faith” as she prepared to celebrate the Jewish “High Holy Days” that began in June and ended in October. Now Fuentez prays with a shawl over her head “every morning and evening, and she participates in the weekly Shabbat, or Sabbath, service at home. She also eats kosher meat and dairy products.” She was looking forward to many of the traditions of her newfound faith, including fasting during Yom Kippur on Oct. 8-9. Fuentez isn’t alone in her conversion to Judaism. Another Colorado Springs resident, Jessica Colodny, has also recently converted. Though Colodny “grew up Christian” the 29-year-old says she “never connected with the faith.” And when she married a Jewish man, and had a child, the couple decided they “wanted their daughter raised within a religious tradition.” They chose Judaism even though her husband “had drifted from the religion in his adult years.” Source: Mark Barna, “Converts are ready to ring in their new faith,” The [Colorado Springs] Gazette (online), 26 September 2008 (accessed 21 October 2008). Available from the Internet: www.gazette.com/articles/new_41040___article.html/year_fuentez.html Say: While we often think of people converting to Christianity from other religions, sometimes it happens that people turn away from Christian faith. Sometimes, however, they turn away because they have never heard the truth of the gospel; other times it’s because they have not accepted the truth of the gospel. Many people zealously embrace the traditions of another religion, which they think will make them right with God, rather than embracing the free gift of forgiveness and salvation through faith in Christ. Point out that even though there are many different belief systems in our world, today’s lesson will remind learners that Jesus is the only Savior. Supplemental Teaching Idea Step 3: Romans 10:1-3 Begin by presenting the following news story: Gayle Williams, 34, worked with a Christian ministry in Afghanistan. She served handicapped people in Kabul through the aid group SERVE — Serving Emergency Relief and Vocational Enterprises. But as she walked to work on October 20 she was killed by gunmen connected to the Taliban, a militant Islamic group. "This woman came to Afghanistan to teach Christianity to the people of Afghanistan," said Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid. "Our (leaders) issued a decree to kill this woman. This morning our people killed her in Kabul." Though SERVE is a Christian organization registered in Great Britain, they do not preach in Afghanistan because such actions are prohibited in the conservative Islamic nation. Instead, SERVE workers seek to “express God's love and bring hope by serving the people of Afghanistan, especially the needy, as we seek to address personal, social and environmental needs." Source: “Charity Worker Shot Dead in Afghanistan for 'Spreading Christianity',” Fox News (online), 20 October 2008 (accessed 20 October 2008). Available from the Internet: www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,440841,00.html Read aloud Romans 10:1-3. Remind learners that the Taliban militants were sincere in their beliefs when they killed this Christian aid worker. Add that they are zealous for their faith, just like the Jews were in Paul’s time. Continue by comparing Romans 10:2 with Proverbs 19:2, then explaining how “zeal” differs from “knowledge.” Emphasize that although many people are zealous in their religious beliefs, their zeal often is based on ignorance. Encouraging Life Change To encourage learners to evangelize, share the following story: Juan Mamani is one of about 80,000 Aymara people in the Andes Mountains of Peru. He became a follower of Christ two years ago through the ministry of Southern Baptist missionaries Rick and Kelly Martinez. But even before Juan became a Christian, he knew of Jesus, as did others in the Aymara people group. Once a year Juan and other Aymara people “poured beer at the base of a six-foot cross bearing the image of Jesus' crucified body.” This wasn’t an act of worship for Christ; rather the ritual was actually an offering to the wooden cross, part of an “all-night, booze-fueled party known as the Cruz de Mayo (Cross of May).” More than 400 years ago Catholic missionaries came to Peru and told the people about Jesus. “But instead of fully embracing Christianity, the Aymara simply blended Catholicism with their [pagan religious practices].” Thus while they had respect for God, they also continued to respect the natural "spirits" of their heritage. And while they know of Jesus, most of the Aymara don’t know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Martinez’ work among the Aymara people has been difficult, but not because the people are opposed to Jesus. "At first glimpse, we're not offering them anything new," Rick Martinez says. "Everybody here has heard about Jesus -- everybody. Religion is [the problem for] these people. They have the knowledge, but they don't have the relationship. They don't love Jesus." Most of them try to survive by raising sheep and growing potatoes in the rocky soil. And the little money they are able to make goes toward purchasing alcohol for future religious festivals. “This is why it's hard for so many Aymara to surrender their lives to Christ. Asking them to follow Jesus is asking them to give up what they perceive as their only escape from the drudgery that consumes daily life.” Source: Don Graham, “Peru's Aymara: Knowing but not believing” Baptist Press (online), 18 October 18, 2008 (accessed 21 October 2008). Available from the Internet: www.baptistpress.org/BPnews.asp?ID=29152 (NOTE: Photos are also available for download with this article.) Remind learners that we can find people all around us that are like the Aymaras--they know about Jesus, but they don’t know Him personally. Add that in order for people to believe in Jesus, they must hear the good news about Him--that they can be forgiven for their sin and experience a full, abundant life through faith in Christ. Emphasize that in order for others to hear about Jesus, however, believers must go and tell them the good news. Guide learners to write the names of people they desire to share the gospel with on the backs of their Pocket FAITH Outlines (or on an index card). Lead the class in prayer for their witnessing efforts, and thank God for His gracious way of salvation. Biblical Insight The issue of the lordship of Jesus Often people have been told, “Just believe in Jesus and you will be saved.” And often people have prayed a prayer asking forgiveness of sin and stating they believe in Jesus, but nothing seems to change in their lives. They continue to live as they want, but they feel confident they will go to heaven after they die. So is there more to the Christian faith than simply believing in Jesus? Actually, Romans 10:9 provides an important element that must not be overlooked: Paul’s words about confessing that “Jesus is Lord.” To confess Jesus as Lord is more than simply stating “I believe in Jesus.” It’s more than simply accepting the facts about Jesus--that He is God’s Son, who was crucified as the sacrifice for sin. To confess Jesus as Lord means we not only understand and accept those (and other) important facts about Jesus. It also means we trust Him to give us the life we really want--the abundant life that God desires for us. And this trust comes as we give up control of our lives and turn over control to God. The word “Lord” means Master or Boss--the One who gives directions and guidance for us to follow. When we claim Jesus as Lord it means we daily determine to follow God’s Word and God’s way so we can become “conformed to the likeness of his Son” (Rom. 8:29). Understanding and accepting the lordship of Christ is essential to salvation. Media Recommendations As a reminder that Jesus is the only Savior, play the song “Jesus Messiah” by Chris Tomlin (from Hello Love, sixsteprecords, 2008) for learners to listen to before you dismiss. (The album or the individual music file can be purchased and downloaded from various online sources; fees will be included. Go to www.ChrisTomlin.com to find links for purchasing this CD including LifeWay.com) Join the Discussion Group Join the Facebook group for users of LifeWay's Bible Studies for Life materials where you can connect with other teachers, share teaching ideas, and discuss the Scripture passages being studied. Join today at...www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27270903587