January 26, 2025 – Romans 13
Lesson Date: January 26, 2025
Focal Scripture Passage: Romans 13:1-14
AIM: To lead students to discover their God-ordained obligations to the government and to others, and to encourage them to commit to fulfilling those obligations.
Before class: Read the notes on Romans 13:1-14 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book. Write the words “Obligation” and “Option” on the board.
INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Direct the students’ attention to the word “Obligation” written on the board. Ask: “What is an obligation?” (something you must do, something about which you have no choice, something that is a duty or a commitment).
Direct the students’ attention to the word “Option” written on the board. Ask: “What is an option?” (something you choose to do, a selection or choice).
Ask the class to name some things we are obligated to do. They might suggest some of the following: paying our bills, obeying the law, going to work, honoring our marriage covenant, etc. Tell them that people in the military are obligated to obey orders and respect those in command. Ask: “What happens if we fail to meet our obligations?” (there usually are serious consequences).
Ask the students to name some things that are optional for us, things we choose or decide to do without obligation. They might suggest some of the following: choosing what to eat, deciding who to vote for in an election, choosing which clothes to wear, deciding where to go on vacation, etc. Stress the fact that Americans love their freedom, including the freedom to choose among many options.
Direct the students’ attention once again to the words “Obligation” and “Option” on the board. Tell the students there are many things in life that are options, but some very important things are obligations. Tell them that the title of today’s lesson is Christian Obligations. Tell them we will discover what the Bible says about the obligations of believers to the government and to others.
HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):
- Review.
- Remind everyone that we are studying the New Testament book of Romans.
- Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (Christ-Like Behavior; we discovered instructions about our attitudes, actions, and how to respond to those who treat us badly).
- Ask if anyone would recite last week’s memory verse (Romans 12:10).
- Our Obligations to Government.
- Ask a volunteer to read Romans 13:1-2.
- Explain the following:
- The words higher powers refer to the governing authorities; in other words, the government.
- The word subject means to be in subjection to or submissive to; in other words, obey.
- Ask: “According to verse 1, why must we be subject to and obey governing authorities?” (because they are ordained by Almighty God and get their power from Him).
- Tell the class that human governments are imperfect because they are run by fallen, sinful human beings, but God established human governments to maintain order on earth.
- Ask: “According to the first half of verse 2, if we resist or rebel against governing authorities, who are we actually resisting?” (God).
- Ask: “According to the last half of verse 2, what happens to those who resist or rebel against governing authorities?” (they are subject to “damnation,” which literally means judgment and punishment for their crime).
- Explain the following:
- When the government fails to punish crime it is failing to obey God (see v. 5).
- Christians must obey the government as long as doing so does not cause them to violate the clear commands of the Word of God.
- Read Romans 13:3-4.
- Tell the class that these verses sum up God’s purpose for human governments: to punish evildoers and praise those who do good.
- Ask: “According to verse 4, what are earthy rulers called?” (ministers or servants of God).
- Ask a volunteer to read Romans 13:5-7.
- Ask: “According to verse 5, why must we be subject to earthly rulers?” (to avoid the penalty for wrongdoing and to keep our conscience clear before God).
- Ask: “According to verse 6, must Christians pay taxes?” (yes, because the government is God’s servant).
- Ask: “According to verse 7, what four things must we render to earthly rulers?” (taxes, other fees, respect, and honor).
- Tell the class there is one other important thing we owe those in authority, and ask them to turn to 1 Timothy 2.
- Read 1 Timothy 2:1-3.
- Ask: “What else are Christians obligated to do for our earthly rulers?” (pray for them)
- Tell the students we might feel that we don’t have to obey and respect modern earthly rulers because so many of them are evil and corrupt, but we must remember that the Apostle Paul was living under the wicked and persecuting rule of Rome when God inspired him to write these words.
- Summarize: The Bible says Christians are obligated to honor and obey earthly government rulers, including paying taxes and other fees. Most importantly, we must pray for them.
- Our Obligation to Others.
- Ask everyone to turn back to Romans 13.
- Ask a volunteer to read Romans 13:8-10.
- Ask: “According to the first half of verse 8, what are we obligated to give others?” (love).
- Ask: “What does the last half of verse 8 say about love?” (it is the fulfillment of the Law).
- Ask: “What laws are quoted in the first half of verse 9?” (five of the ten Commandments: thou shalt not commit adultery, murder, steal, bear false witness, or covet).
- Tell the class that these are the last five of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:13-17), which focus on our relationships with others.
- Ask: “According to the last half of verse 9, what law sums up all the others?” (“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”).
- Explain the following:
- This commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves first appears in Leviticus 19:18.
- Jesus quoted it during His earthly ministry (Matt. 19:19; 22:39; Mark 12:31).
- It also appears in Galatians 5:14 and James 2:8.
- Ask: “What does verse 10 say love does?” (fulfills the Law).
- Ask: “Why do you think love fulfills the rest of the Law?” (because if we truly love others we will not commit adultery, murder, steal, lie, or covet what belongs to others).
- Summarize: The Bible says Christians are obligated to love others, because doing so fulfills all the other laws concerning our relationships with others.
- The Urgency of Our Obligations.
- Read Romans 13:11.
- Ask: “Does that verse sound like we can take our time fulfilling our obligations to government and others, or must we act with urgency?” (we must act with urgency).
- Explain the following:
- The word sleep refers to slumber, laziness, and irresponsibility.
- The completion of our salvation (which happens when we go to be with Jesus) is nearer than ever before.
- In other words, the time to fulfill our obligations is running out.
- Ask a volunteer to read Romans 13:12-14.
- Ask: “What are we told to do in those verses?” (cast off the sinful works of darkness, put on Christ and His armor of light, and make no provision for the flesh).
- Ask: “Do those verses sound like we can take our time fulfilling our obligations, or must we act with urgency?” (we must act with urgency).
- Tell the students that these verses echo Romans 12:2, which says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
- Summarize: The Bible says we must get busy right now fulfilling our obligations to government and to others, because our time is running out.
PERSONAL APPLICATION: Tell the following to the class:
Alvin York grew up in the backwoods hills of Tennessee. When America entered World War I and started drafting men to go to war, York tried to avoid serving because of his religious convictions. He was a devout Christian who thought his allegiance to Jesus freed him from the obligation to serve his country by fighting in a war. Through much prayer and study, however, he realized that a Christian citizen, if he is going to obey the Bible, has certain obligations to his government. Alvin York went overseas, fought for his country, and became America’s most decorated hero of the war.
Remind the students that the title of today’s lesson is Christian Obligations. Tell them we have learned about our obligations to our government and to other people.
Ask: “What are our God-ordained obligations to our government?” (obedience, paying taxes and fees, respect, honor, and prayer for our leaders).
Ask: “What is our God-ordained obligation to others?” (to love them, which precludes us from sinning against them).
Ask: “Are we free to take our time fulfilling those obligations, or must we begin right now?” (we must act now, while we still have time).
Direct everyone’s attention once again to the words “Obligation” and “Option” written on the board. Remind them that we began today’s lesson talking about the difference between an obligation and an option. Stress the fact that the things we have learned today are not options, they are obligations.
Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes. Ask: “Are you fulfilling your God-given obligations to the government and our earthly rulers? If not, confess that as sin and commit to God to begin now.” Ask: “Are you fulfilling your God-given obligation to love others and not sin against them? If not, confess that as sin and commit to God to begin right now.” Allow a moment for silent prayer, and then voice a prayer of confession and commitment.
CONCLUSION: Ask everyone to memorize Romans 13:1. Encourage them to fulfill their God-given obligations to their country and to other individuals this week.
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