September 15, 2024 – Romans 2:1-29

Lesson Date: September 15, 2024

Focal Scripture Passage: Romans 2:1-29

AIM: To lead students to identify things that religion cannot do, and to examine themselves to determine if they are merely religious or if they have a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.

Before class: Read the notes on Romans 2:1-29 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book.  Bring an old, non-functioning cell phone (or some other device that does not work) to class.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Direct everyone’s attention to the old, dead cell phone you have brought to class.  Ask: “What is this?” (a cell phone).  Ask the students to name things that we can do with cell phones, such as make and receive telephone calls, send and receive texts, take pictures, search the Internet, play games, etc.  For each function they name, hold up your old cell phone and tell them, “This one doesn’t do that.”

Tell the class that a cell phone is an electronic device that is supposed to enable us to do many helpful things, but your old, non-functioning cell phone cannot do any of those things.  Stress the fact that it looks like a working cell phone and many people might assume it is one, but it is not.  Ask: “What good is this old, dead cell phone?” (it is no good at all; it is worthless).

Ask: “What would you think if I insisted on carrying this old, useless cell phone instead of one that works?” (they would probably think you were crazy).  Tell them that similarly, it would be crazy or foolish to get a new, functioning cell phone, but then to glue your old dead cell phone to it and carry both of them.  Stress the fact that the old cell phone is worthless and should be discarded.

Tell the students that the title of today’s lesson Failures of Religion.  Explain that like a dead cell phone, there are many important things that religion can’t do.  Tell them in today’s lesson we will discover and identify some of the failures of outward religious rules and rituals.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Remind the class that we are studying the New Testament book of Romans.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (The Downward Steps of Depravity; we discovered four downward steps of man’s depravity).
   • Ask: “Have you seen any evidences of the depravity of man this week?”
   • Ask: “Have you been careful to glorify and thank God this week?”
2. Religion Can’t Prevent Hypocrisy.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Romans 2:1-3.
   • Ask: “What does verse 1 say the person who judged others was guilty of doing?” (the same things for which they were judging others).
   • Ask: “What do we call someone who condemns others for doing something, while doing the same things themselves?” (a hypocrite).
   • Tell the class that a hypocrite’s words and actions do not match; they say they believe and obey God, but their actions prove otherwise.
   • Ask: “What’s the first thing verse 1 says about hypocrites?” (they are inexcusable).
   • Ask: “According to verse 2, how does God judge?” (according to truth).
   • Ask: “What does verse 3 say about hypocrites?” (they will not escape God’s judgment).
   • Read Romans 2:21-22.
   • Explain that verses 17-20 make it clear that these words were written to Jews who claimed to know and obey the Law.
   • Ask: “What were those religious Jews doing?” (saying that stealing, adultery, and idolatry were wrong, but doing those very things themselves).
   • Ask: “Do rules keep people from doing wrong?” (no; one example is that speed limits and traffic laws are posted on all streets, but people still disobey them).
   • Summarize: The Bible makes it clear that religion can’t prevent hypocrisy. Rules and penalties for breaking them do not stop people from disobedience.
3. Religion Can’t Lead Us to Repentance.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Romans 2:4.
   • Explain that the religious hypocrites described in verses 1-3 were, by their actions, despising, ignoring, and presuming upon the goodness and patience of God.
   • Ask: “What leads us to repentance?” (the goodness and kindness of God).
   • Ask: “What is repentance?” (turning away from one’s sin).
   • Ask: “Do religious rules lead us to repent?” (no).
   • Tell the class that rules can tell us when we are doing wrong and warn us of God’s judgment, but they do not lead us to repent of our sins.
   • Ask: “Have you ever repented of your sins? If so, that was because God’s goodness and kindness led you to do that.”
   • Summarize: The Bible makes it clear that religion can’t lead us to repentance. In fact, obeying religious rules makes people feel they are right with God and don’t need to repent.
4. Religion Can’t Prepare Us For Judgment.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Romans 2:5.
   • Ask: “What day is coming?” (the day of God’s righteous judgment).
   • Read Romans 2:6-11.
   • Tell the students that everyone will stand before God one day.
   • Ask: “According to verses 7 and 10, what does God give those who seek to live for Him (because they know Jesus)?” (eternal life).
   • Ask: “According to verses 8-9, what does the future hold for those who reject the truth of the Gospel?” (wrath, tribulation, and distress).
   • Ask: “When it comes to His judgment, does God treat Jews and Gentiles differently?” (no).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Romans 2:12-13.
   • Ask: “What happens when those without the religious rules of the Law (Gentiles) sin?” (they will be judged for their sin and perish without even knowing the Law).
   • Ask: “What happens when those who have the religious rules of the Law (Jews) sin?” (they will be judged by the very Law they cling to and will be shown to be guilty).
   • Ask: “According to verse 13, which is more valuable, hearing the Law (the Bible), or doing what it says?” (doing what it says).
   • Tell the class that James 1:22 says, “But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
   • Read Romans 2:14-16.
   • Remind the students that in chapter 1 we learned about general revelation, which is what everyone on earth can know about God without ever reading the Bible.
   • Ask: “What source of general revelation did Romans 1 identify?” (nature).
   • Ask: “What other source of general revelation is described in Romans 2:14-15?” (the conscience).
   • Explain the following:
     • Every human being is born with an innate sense of right and wrong.
     • Verse 15 describes the conscience as God’s Law written in the heart.
     • The conscience God has given us either accuses us (makes us feel guilt) for doing wrong, or makes us feel good for doing right.
     • It is possible to stifle the conscience through repeated sin; 1 Timothy 4:2 describes this as having the “conscience seared with a hot iron.”
   • Ask: “According to verse 16, what day is coming?” (the day when God will judge our hearts, secret thoughts, and motives).
   • Ask: “Will the basis of that judgment be how well we obeyed religious rules?” (no, we will be judged based upon how we responded to the Gospel of Jesus Christ).
   • Summarize: The Bible makes it clear that we will all one day face God. Religion cannot prepare us for God’s judgment.
5. Religion Can’t Produce Inward Change.
   • Read Romans 2:17-20.
   • Ask: “What are some ways those verses describe the religious Jews?” (they rest or rely upon the Law, they boast about knowing God, they know the religious rules contained in the Law, and they are so confident in their religion that they guide and teach others).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Romans 2:21-22 (which we previously read in step 2).
   • Ask: “What were the religious Jews doing while they were teaching others not to sin?” (committing the very sins they taught against).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Romans 2:23-24.
   • Ask: “What does such hypocrisy by religious people do?” (it dishonors God and causes non-religious people to blaspheme and ridicule Him).
   • Tell the students this lesson is about things religion can’t do, but one thing religion can do is hurt God’s name and reputation.
   • Read Romans 2:25-27.
   • Explain the following:
     • Circumcision was an outward, physical symbol of God’s covenant relationship with the Jews.
     • Circumcision was performed when Jewish baby boys were eight days old.
     • The baby boy being circumcised had no say in the matter, and could easily grow up to reject and turn his back on God.
     • In a case such as that, verse 25 says circumcision was worthless.
     • Verses 26-27 say that if an uncircumcised person (a Gentile, who is not religious) seeks by faith to live according to the righteous requirements of the Law, he would be counted as part of the covenant and actually stand in judgment of the circumcised (religious) Jews who live in sin.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Romans 2:28-29.
   • Ask: “Which is more important, outward religious actions or the inward condition of the heart and spirit?” (the inward condition of the heart).
   • Tell the class that the end of verse 29 reveals that outward religious actions may bring the praise of men, but a genuine heart conversion brings the praise and approval of God.
   • Summarize: Religious rules may cause some people to reform some of their outward behaviors, but religion can’t produce genuine inward change.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Remind the students that the title of today’s lesson is Failures of Religion.  Tell them that billions of people on earth follow some type of religion.  Explain that those religions have different names and practices, but all of them have some set of rules they follow and rituals they perform.

Tell the class that there is a world of difference between religion with its rules and rituals, and a genuine, saving relationship with Jesus Christ.  Remind them that in today’s Bible lesson we have discovered four things religion can’t do.  Emphasize the difference between mere outward religion and a saving relationship with Jesus by explaining the following:

• Religion can’t prevent hypocrisy, but the Holy Spirit of God living within the believer can.
• Religion can’t lead us to repentance, but God’s goodness and mercy does.
• Religion can’t prepare us for God’s judgment, but having our sins forgiven by Jesus does.
• Religion can’t produce inward change, but the transforming power of Jesus does.

Ask: “Which do you have, outward religion or a genuine saving relationship with Jesus Christ?”

Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes.  Tell them to honestly examine themselves to determine whether they have a real relationship with Jesus, or if they are just following religious rules.  Explain that to come into a saving relationship with Jesus we must admit that we are sinners, turn away from our sin, believe by faith that Jesus can save us, and place our trust in Him for salvation.  Urge any who are not saved to repent and trust Jesus right now.  Allow a moment for silent prayer, and then voice a closing prayer.

CONCLUSION: Offer to stay after class to speak personally with anyone who might have just repented and trusted Jesus for salvation, or who might have questions about salvation.  Ask everyone to memorize Romans 2:4.  Tell them to thank God every day for His goodness.