Unbelievable baptismal pool

In case you don’t have it handy, or would like a PDF version, LifeWay posted the Learner Guide and Leader Guide for this week’s lesson as samples of their material. The lesson is “Need for Mercy” based on Romans 9:1-29, and for sure this is a humbling passage. Pray for illumination from the Holy Spirit as we prepare to teach this week.

I noticed a copy of the Exciting Bible Study for Romans 9 written by David Williams. The study questions from Net Bible Institute are also useful if you want homework!

Co-teacher Curt presented the closing verses of Romans 8 as a “summit of sanctification.” I liken the sanctification process of a believer to that of a gardener shaping an unruly bush (or tree) over time by repeatedly pruning away its rough edges. Now with Chapter 9, we move to the topic of God’s sovereignty, the implication of which is completely humbling.

To set the stage for the lesson, I’ll start with the picture PPT slide and use it to outline what we’ve covered so far in Romans. Jonas Bendiksen took this “baptismal pool” photo in a former state of the Soviet Union. It’s a cut in the shape of a cross from ice frozen over a local river. Only a believer would want to be baptized in such a place!! Mercy!