Session 4: Justified
Suggested Week of Use: March 22, 2020
Core Passage: Romans 3:21-43
News Story Summary
A survey of 2,000 Americans found that they set goals for 2020. The number one goal was to get their finances in order and number two was to get out of debt. Other goals were upgrading their home, exercising more, and quitting their vices. The obstacles keeping them from their goals, they said, were a lack of money, willpower, and motivation. Setting goals also creates anxiety for 78 percent of those surveyed, saying they feel guilty when they don’t reach their goals.
(For more on this story, search the Internet using the term “The top 20 goals Americans hope to achieve in 2020”.)
Focus Attention
To replace the Invite idea under Focus Attention, ask: What goals or resolutions did you set for yourself for 2020? Write several responses on the board.Then, share information from the survey about the top goals Americans set for themselves. Ask: How do your goals compare to these? We are about one quarter into 2020, so how successful have you been so far? Does that encourage you or discourage you for the rest of the year?
Say: We often fall short of our goals and resolutions causing us to give up the fight. Point out that today’s lesson shows us how even when we fall short in our Christian life, we don’t need to give up, but can rest assured that God’s grace covers our shortcomings. Complete the step as written.
Summarize and Challenge
To enhance the Reflect idea under Summarize and Challenge, after defining salvation and how to receive salvation, remind the group of the information from the survey of people’s 2020 goals. Say: The survey shows that people feel guilty when they don’t reach their goals. Most are not optimistic about reaching their goals.
Ask: If we’ve accepted Christ as our Savior, what word can we use other than ‘optimistic’ to describe our future? Why would you use these words?