Continuing to develop that lesson plan

Continuing from yesterday’s planned steps to teach the LifeWay lesson on “Do you have peace with God” from Romans 5:1-11, I offer the following.

Step 3. Read Romans 5:2b-5 to identify in what we can rejoice. Knowing we are righteous before God makes me want to sing Amazing Love. Take time and do it.

Step 4. Paul says that we rejoice in our afflictions since we grow in patience, Godly character and “divine optimism that God will take care of us” (LifeWay Adult Leaders Guide (p. 66) discussion on hope). This hope (certain knowing that God will do what He has promised) develops the character trait of self control (see 2 Peter 1:6-7), the first component of “proven character.” Illustrate “proven character” using the Bruce heart stress test as an example. A doctor purposely stresses the heart in order to expose any defect in its own blood supply. When we pass a stress test we have an indication that our heart is acceptable. This gives us hope (although not certain hope because there can be false positive test results—hey, it’s not a perfect illustration!).

Step 5. My own afflictions have helped me to identify with Christ’s sufferings. In this I rejoice. Ask, “How have you rejoiced as a result of an affliction in your life?” Application: Echoing Paul, Peter says that exercising knowledge develops Self Control, which is self restraint. Ask, “As a result of experientially knowing Christ by faith, how are you demonstrating restraint in your life?” Avoiding careless words, established discipline of continuous learning to maintain skills, stay clear of addictive substances, practicing steps to develop humility, delaying gratification, in as much as possible avoiding temptations, managing anger, maintaining an exercise discipline. Ken Taylor of Community Fellowship Church reminds us that self-control is a matter of training not trying (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).