Session 1
Session 1
EXPLORE THE TEXT
Rejecting God ultimately leads to devastating consequences.
21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him
as God or show gratitude.
Instead, their thinking became worthless,
and their senseless hearts were darkened.
22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God
for images resembling mortal man, birds,
four-footed animals, and reptiles.
24 Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts
to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves.
25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped
and served what has been created instead of the Creator,
who is praised forever. Amen.
The way people deceive themselves when they disconnect from God’s reality:
When people refuse to see God in His creation,
they begin to spiral downward spiritually.
They find themselves wandering around in a spiritual wasteland.
There they begin to foster notions about themselves and
their world that turn out to be worthless.
Such notions leave no room for God and His presence.
In turn, they ignore the truth about Him at every turn. (PSG, p. 15)
Focus on the “images” people worshiped.
Themselves, birds, animals, reptiles.
Discuss why it might be appealing to worship an element of
the creation rather than the Creator.
Since idolatry was rampant in Rome, Paul emphasized that
people are accountable for their choices.
If they rejected the Creator, He would let them follow their own
passions and suffer the consequences.
But Paul also knew the power of the gospel, which is why he
was so passionate about shining the light of truth in a dark world.
Spend time this week examining their own lives and
identifying areas where they are prone to honor the creation
rather than the Creator who gave us His gospel.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 18 of the Personal Study Guide:
Refer back to No excuses on the board. Remind adults that every person can see what God has created and can make a choice to worship Him. Emphasize that there are no excuses for idolatry today, just like in Paul’s day.
Encourage adults to work in their small groups to read and respond to the first set of questions on page 18 of the PSG. Allow a few minutes for discussion and prayer for those who need to hear the gospel and for adults to find opportunities to share that message with those individuals.
Call on a pre-enlisted volunteer to close the group time in prayer, asking God to open the door for opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
Reinforce the session, sending the group a text or email reminding them to look for opportunities to share the gospel. Encourage them to read and reflect on the second set of questions from page 18 of the PSG. Emphasize that they have valid reasons for being confident in the power of the gospel. Assure them that you will continue praying that God will provide opportunities for them to share the gospel with someone who needs it.
It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. (See Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)
Use a Bible dictionary to better understand a theological concept.
Paul emphasized that God reveals Himself through nature (“natural” or “general” revelation) as well as through His Word and through Jesus (“special” revelation). Read a Bible dictionary article on “Revelation” to learn more about these two forms of divine revelation. Record your thoughts about their similarities or differences.