Lesson 3 – Sin & The Cross

• NOTE: It is usually best to do the Sin and the Cross study as two separate segments/studies. The sin study is rather long, and the cross segment is short. Both are foundational (see 2 Cor. 5:14, 1 Cor. 15:10). Clearly communicating both segments is essential so take whatever time is necessary. Remember your goal is to make a disciple not to complete a set of studies.

Study Goals:

• To help your friend know what sin is. (Romans 7:7, 1 John 3:4, Galatians 5:19-21, James 4:17)
• To help show what their sin does to them (to anyone). (Romans 7:8-25, Genesis 2:17, Isaiah 59:1-2, Romans 3:23)
  • NOTE: Conviction and urgency are created by identifying, personalizing and showing the negative effects of sin/sinfulness.
• To help your friend know what their sin did to Christ (and what Christ did to take care of their sin). (Isaiah 53, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
  • NOTE: Showing them how much Christ loves them is the first step to their loving and obeying God (see 1 Jn. 4:10, Jn.14:15, 2Cor. 5:14). Remember to tell them what Jesus has done for them before you tell them what they need to do for Jesus.
• To influence the student to follow Christ as they come to realize the depth of God’s love for them. (2 Corinthians 5:14, John 14:15)

SIN SEGMENT

• NOTE: Explain that today’s study will use Romans 7 as a foundation. It’s the jumping off point for the entire sin study. To ease transition to and from Romans you can have your student use a bookmark.

Romans 7:7-25
⁷ What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” ⁸ But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. ⁹ Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ¹⁰ I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. ¹¹ For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. ¹² So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. ¹³ Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. ¹⁴ We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. ¹⁵ I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶ And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷ As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. ²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature^[c] a slave to the law of sin.

v.7 - I would not have known what sin was except through the law.

How can one determine if something is right or wrong?

• In this verse Paul says that the only way he could do so was by looking at God’s word, the Bible. He also says that this is also true for you and me.

How would you define the word/term sin?

1 John 3:4 “Everyone who sins breaks God’s law, because sin is the same as breaking God’s law.”

How does the Apostle John define sin in this passage?

• John says that sin is the breaking any of God’s laws. It doesn’t matter what I think or feel, God’s word is the ultimate and final identifier.
• NOTE: Explain that you will now look at a couple of passages that list specific sins. Sin generally falls into one of two categories: Doing the wrong things or not doing the right things. Remember the purpose of this segment is to help them realize what sin is and that they are guilty of sin (i.e. a sinner).

Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

• NOTE: The student must see that he/she is a sinner if this study is to be successful. Make it clear that in God’s eyes no one sin is bigger than another. Sin is sin! Accomplishing this will require you to go through Paul’s list of sins, (you may want to use Mark 7:20-23 also) explaining each one (see appendix at end of this segment) and asking the student about specific struggles or involvement. This is awkward but necessary. Being open with your sin struggles can make it easier for your student to be open with theirs. Be open remembering that student and teacher are included in the “all” of Romans 3:23 as you ask the following questions.

Do you know what _________________ is?

Have you struggled with __________________?

Which, if any of these are a surprise or shock to you?

What do you think God was trying to prove by placing orgy next to getting drunk, or placing being a witch in the same sentence as hating someone?

• God wants us to know that sin is sin. It is never “my sin is bigger or littler than your sin,” it is always “my sin is the same as your sin.”
• God wants us to see that all sin is destructive. “Big sin” and “little sin,” have the same effect if not dealt with.
• NOTE: After carefully walking your student through Galatians 5 (and Mark 7?) you are ready to proceed to “sin category 2” the right things we don’t do. (Omit rather than commit)

James 4:17
“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”

Have you ever known the “right thing to do” but for whatever reason not done it?

• If so, you have sinned… and welcome to the club, you are a sinner!

BOTTOM LINE: Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

• NOTE: In the first part of the study we have tried to show what sin is. The purpose of the next segment is to show what sin DOES to the sinner if it is not dealt with. It is helpful to illustrate the effects of sin with a drawing like the following one. Start by re-creating the blank illustration below. As you identify (from Romans 7) what sin does (each effect) your list should look similar to the completed one.

(YOUR FRIEND'S NAME)

Deceived

Dead

Enslaved

Hopeless

Lost

S

I

N

GOD

Enlightened

Alive

Freed

Hopeful

Saved

v.11a SIN...DECEIVED ME.

Sin is dangerously deceptive!

• NOTE: Explain that sin is so deceptive that it can destroy one’s life before it is ever recognized as evil. Adam and Eve sinned because they were deceived by Satan. He was and is a master deceiver and now he wants to deceive you!

v.11b SIN...PUT ME TO DEATH.

Sin causes the one who sins to die.

What does the author mean when he said, “I died”?

• In Bible language this word means, “to separate” (Our language too, “That relationship is dead.”)
• NOTE: Let your student know that the Bible consistently stresses that sin kills, separates man from God. This concept is found in the beginning of the Bible (Genesis), the middle of the Bible (Isaiah), and toward the end of the Bible (Romans). The following passages reinforce this. Cover each passage stressing that when one is separated from God, they are separated from the blessings of God. God deeply longs to bless your student, but their sin will obstruct His ability to bless.
• This death/separation concept is seen through all the Bible. You can let your friend know that we will be looking at three passages that convey this truth: one in Genesis (the beginning), one in Isaiah (the middle), and one in Romans(toward the end).

Genesis 2:16-17 “The LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

Did Adam or Eve die physically when they ate the fruit?

• Not physically, yet the bible says they died at that moment.

In what way did sin “kill” Adam and Eve?

• They were separated from God and separated from His blessings as they were forced out of the garden.

Isaiah 59:1-2 “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”

These people thought that God was too old or too weak to save them. What was the real reason God was not helping them?

• Their “iniquities” (sin) had separated them from God. Their sin had made God turn away and refuse to listen or assist them.

Romans 6:23
“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

What are wages?

• The pay one receives for what one does.

What wage is God going to pay out to you and me for our sin if it is not taken care of?

• NOTE: In Romans 7 Paul is painting a picture of sins destructive nature. In the next verse (13) Paul blurts out the reality that we are trying to convey in this sin study. Incredible things will happen if you can help your student grasp and personalize Paul’s (and Christ’s) attitude toward sin.

v.13b “so that… SIN MIGHT BECOME UTTERLY SINFUL.”

Sin is utterly sinful (very evil - NCV)

What do you think Paul is trying to communicate when he uses these redundant words?

Do you think most people believe that “sin” is totally evil?

• NOTE: In Romans 7 Paul mentions several damaging consequences of sin. His purpose in doing this is to help people see how bad sin really is. People often take “sin” very lightly. You must help your student grasp the destructive dangerous nature of sin. The next scripture calls on Jesus’ graphic imagery to help accomplish this. The words of Jesus from Matthew 5 reinforce Paul’s point.

Matthew 5:27-30
“If your right eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell. 30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”

Is this verse to be taken literally? Do you think Jesus wants a bunch of one-eyed one-handed followers?

• Of course not! The problem with lust and stealing is a heart / mind problem, not an eye / hand problem. Any healthy American male can lust with one eye!

What point is Jesus trying to make?

• Sin must be viewed as very serious! Remember it is extremely deceptive and destructive!!!
• If we don’t have a radical view of sin it will deceive and separate us from God and God’s blessings!

v.14 “I am… sold as a SLAVE TO SIN”

Sin Enslaves

What do you think Paul meant when he describes himself as “a slave to sin”?

• In the beginning we choose our desires and habits, but in the end we are controlled by our desires and habits.

Proverbs 5:22 “The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast.”

Romans 6:16 “Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey-whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness.”

• NOTE: Paul is saying that we cannot choose if we have a master, only which master. By choosing our master we choose our fate.

v.24 “What a WRETCHED man I am”

Sin destroys hope

v.24-25 “...who will RESCUE me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

• Jesus Christ!
  • Paul understood that the solution to his and our sin problem involves a relationship with Jesus Christ.
• He also understood that he had to make a choice.
• NOTE: This is a good time to refer to the “Wall of Sin” illustration/drawing. Remind your student that Jesus came to take care of his or her sin problem. Let them know that more than anyone Jesus knows how destructive sin is and he longs to protect you from it. Let your friend know that the next segment will deal with what Jesus did to establish the relationship that can “rescue” us from sins death sentence.

APPENDIX 

Contemporary Explanations/Definitions of the “acts of the sinful nature”

Sexual Immorality: Having sex with someone other than your spouse. This includes homosexuality, having sex before marriage, bestiality and a wide range of sexual activity.

Impurity: Lust, Porno, 900 numbers, Dirty magazines, etc., a broad term covering many areas.

Debauchery: Out of control, excessive sensually, dirty dancing, Dressing in sleazy clothes.

Idolatry: False gods, anything you place above God… girlfriend/boyfriend, sports, television, etc.

Witchcraft: The occult, the use of drugs or alcohol to escape or to alter your thought process.

Hatred: Detesting someone, mean feelings/actions directed toward another, passionate dislike.

Discord: Having a bad attitude, acting on your hate, difficult to get along with.

Jealousy: Being angry or resentful toward someone because they possess something that you do not.

Fits of Rage: Throwing a fit, losing control, a temper tantrum.

Selfish Ambition: Self-centered, looking to personal interests at others expense, self-promotion, pride.

Dissension: Arrogance that causes clicks, thinking that your group is better than everyone else’s.

Factions: Cliquish, segregationist, being part of a group that causes trouble, gangs

Envy: Being mad when something good happens to someone else, being resentful.

Drunkenness: Getting high from beer or drugs, impaired state.

Orgies: A wild party, stuff that happens at a wild party such as drinking, drugs, or sex.

And the Like: Things that are close, similar to the things listed above.

THE CROSS SEGMENT

In this, the 2nd segment of the Sin and the Cross study your focus will be on what our sin did to Jesus and what He did to rescue us from sin’s destructive consequences. The study simply reveals Christ’s love by looking at the price Christ paid for our sin. Explain to your student that Isaiah 53 is a foundation of the “cross” study like Romans 7 was for the “sin” segment.

In the next study, Discipleship, you will call your student to make a radical, life changing commitment. The difficult decision to follow Christ requires a strong compelling motivation. Christ’s love for the student is that compelling motivation (see 2 Corinthians 5:14). Before you tell the student what they need to do for Jesus (discipleship) make sure that you have clearly told them what Jesus did for them.

Also be aware that the nature of this segment will require you to do more of the talking. During “The Cross” study you will read all of Isaiah 53 two times. In the first reading you will explain the passage in a general way (what it meant to the eunuch of Acts 8 and the Jews). The second reading is all about personal application. The intent is to make the student feel both guilt and gratitude; guilt for causing Christ’s death and gratitude for the incredible and personal love of God.

In the second reading it is especially vital that you read slowly and clearly. Isaiah 53 allows you to “preach Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23, 2:2) in a very personalized way. To communicate Christ’s love effectively it is essential that you connect with the emotion of the passage. The key to this connection is a personal understanding of Christ’s love for you and your student. In the days before the study take the time to study, meditate and pray about the passages in this segment of the study. Do not begin the study until you have reflected on the passages in a personal manner!

Remember to explain the context of this passage before you begin to read it. Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus was written approximately 1000 years before his birth. Isaiah 53 shows that the cross was not an accident but a part of God’s plan. You can also remind the student that this is the same scripture that the Ethiopian eunuch was reading when he encountered Philip and subsequently became a follower of Christ. The conversion of the Eunuch clearly demonstrates that the truths contained in Isaiah 53 have the power to propel the God-seeker through any excuse and every obstacle they may face in becoming a Christ follower. Know the passage well!

Isaiah 53 – First Reading

v.1-3 -- Points to make:

“Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?”

• Before Jesus came, He knew that many of the people would not even believe what He had to say.

2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

• God the father was watching Jesus, but Jesus was in a vulnerable position.
• Jesus came into the world as an ordinary, even unattractive person not a superstar.
• Jesus can relate to people who feel “down and out.”

3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

• Jesus knew that the people (you and I) would reject Him and even be ashamed of Him.
• I have at times been ashamed of Jesus (give personal examples).Have you?
• Could the Ethiopian Eunuch relate to Jesus feelings of rejection? Yes! And Jesus could understand how the eunuch felt!

v.4-6 -- Points to make:

4Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

• Even though Jesus realized how people would treat Him, He still came to save them.
• The Jewish people thought that Jesus was cursed by God (see Deuteronomy 21:23) and that He was getting what He deserved for His crimes.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

• Jesus was not receiving the punishment for His sin; He was receiving punishment for our mankind’s sin.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

• Even while Jesus was loving like that… they (we) didn’t care!
• And Jesus still willingly paid the price... for their (our) sin.

v.7-9 -- Points to make:

7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

• Lambs were not slaughtered because they were guilty. They were slaughtered because of someone else’s guilt. In the O.T. they were sacrificed for the sins of people (Ex. 12:21).

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.

• Jesus would never have any children (physically – The eunuch of Acts 8 could relate to this pain).

9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

• This specific prophecy was fulfilled and is verifiable. A reason to believe that the Bible is not just another book.

v.10 -- Points to make:

10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

• NOTE: At this point it can be beneficial to look at the N.T. fulfillment of this passage; the crucifixion. (Matthew 27:22-50) The N.T. reveals that Jesus experienced physical, emotional, and spiritual pain for those he would redeem. Communicating this can allow “the love of Christ to compel” them.

1. Physical Pain:

• v. 26 “…But he had Jesus flogged...” Jesus was flogged 39lashes with a ‘flagrum’ - A leather whip with bone chips, rock and iron woven into it. Many died during this process.
• v. 29 “…twisted a crown of thorns and set in on his head.”
• v. 35 “When they had Crucified him…” Jesus was nailed at a pressure point in the wrist (considered part of the hand)

2. Emotional Pain:

• v. 22-23 “Crucify him!”… He was rejected.
• v. 29 “…and mocked him. Hail, king of the Jews!”
• v. 30-31 “They spit on him, took the staff and struck him.”
• v. 39-44 “…hurled their insults at him…”
• v. 50 “with a loud voice he dies…”

3. Spiritual Pain:

• v. 46 “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
• It was God’s will that Jesus be “crushed.”
• God’s just nature demands that sin be paid for. Jesus death was the price for our “guilt!”

v.11-12 -- Points to make:

11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

• Isaiah foresaw that something would occur after Jesus death that would make it worth it; something would “satisfy” Him.
• People choosing to embrace Him and accept His forgiveness would make His death meaningful and satisfying.

12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

Isaiah 53 – Second Reading

• NOTE: To make the passage personal read the text substituting Jesus in place of “He” and the person’s name in place of “we,” “man,” “our,” and “us.”

“Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

2 Jesus grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. Jesus had no beauty or majesty to attract _____________ to Jesus, nothing in Jesus appearance that _____________ should desire him.

3 Jesus was despised and rejected by _____________, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom _____________ hide their faces he was despised, and _____________ esteemed him not.”

• This prophecy has been fulfilled with many people, even Christians being ashamed or embarrassed about Christ and his teachings.

4 Surely Jesus took up _____________ infirmities and carried _____________ sorrows, yet _____________ considered Jesus stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

5 But Jesus was pierced for _____________ transgressions, Jesus was crushed for _____________ iniquities; the punishment that brought _____________ peace was upon him, and by Jesus wounds _____________ is (can be) healed. _____________, like sheep, have gone astray, _____________ has turned to his/her own way; and the LORD has laid on Jesus the iniquity of _____________.”

• Let your student know that while Jesus knew that he/she might not accept Him because they want to do their own thing; He loved them so much that He died to at least give them a chance.

7 Jesus was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; Jesus was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so Jesus did not open his mouth.

8 By oppression and judgment Jesus was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of _____________ he was stricken.

9 Jesus was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Jesus and cause Jesus to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, Jesus will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in Jesus hand.

11 After the suffering of his soul, Jesus will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify _____________, and he will bear _____________ iniquities.

12 Therefore I will give Jesus a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because Jesus poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For Jesus bore the sin of _____________, and made intercession for the _____________.

CLOSING QUESTIONS

Isaiah (v.10) states that it was “Gods will” for Jesus to suffer. Why would He want this for His Son?

• Because God loves you and wants a relationship with you.

2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might be the righteousness of God.

• God gave Jesus and Jesus sacrificed Himself so we could have a relationship!

Verse eleven (of Isaiah 53) implies that your response can provide Christ a sense of satisfaction about his suffering on the cross. How do you think you can do that?

• Jesus will be satisfied if you commit your life to following Him (like the Ethiopian).
• You can also make it “all for nothing” as far as you are concerned by rejecting Jesus.

CLOSE EACH STUDY BY CALLING THE STUDENT TO A COMMITMENT AND A CHALLENGE.

COMMITMENT: Will you in gratitude, commit to taking a radical approach to dealing with sin in your life?

CHALLENGE: Be open and honest with your personal sin struggles. Openness allows God to forgive you and other followers of Christ to help you.