Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. God’s Perfect Law Lesson 6

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. 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.

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. The Curse of Lawlessness People who willfully sin necessitate law. Law on the highways Law in business Law in property rights Law in social relationships Law in government

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. The Curse of Lawlessness 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.

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. 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!

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Lesson Outline Introduction A. The Curse of Lawlessness B. Lesson Background

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. 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)

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? How do you balance fearing God with loving God? Talking Points for Your Discussion Deuteronomy 10:12; 1 John 4:18 Multifaceted relationship between children and parents

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved.

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

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. What Do You Think? In what ways do you benefit from keeping God’s law? Talking Points for Your Discussion Health issues Relationship issues Conscience issues

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. 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)

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. 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? Talking Points for Your Discussion Psalm 90:8; James 5:16 Motives for concealing and revealing Consequences of concealing and revealing

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. 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. Talking Points for Your Discussion The issue of “willpower” Romans 12:2 The Holy Spirit’s responsibility vs. our responsibility Mutual accountability

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Lesson Outline Conclusion A. A Religion of Rules? B. Prayer C. Thought to Remember

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. 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?

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Did you get some of the following into your list? The Blessing of Law Statutes Precepts Commands Fear Ordinances Judgments Testimony Law

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. 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?

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Did you get some of these into your list? The Blessing of Law Perfect Soul-refreshing Right Trustworthy Filled with wisdom Joyous Radiant Enduring Pure Sure Righteous Precious Sweet Profitable Warning Enlightening True Desirable

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. 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?

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. 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”).

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. 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?

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. 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!

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. A Lamp: Standing Are you letting the Lamp of God’s Law help you stand in the right place?

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. 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.

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. 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”?

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. 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?

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Seventeen Minutes to Success 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

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Seventeen Minutes to Success Doing a crossword puzzle or other type Enjoying an entertaining media presentation Listening to your favorite music

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Seventeen Minutes to Success Doing home maintenance/cleaning tasks Participating in a creative hobby Reading for fun, enlightenment, or vocation

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Seventeen Minutes to Success Napping Exercising your body in some manner Food preparation

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Seventeen Minutes to Success 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?

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. Thought to Remember Honor God’s law.

Copyright © 2010 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved. GOD’S SAFE REFUGE Next Week’s Lesson