TEXT: Romans 5:15-21; 1 Peter 1:17-25
OBJECTIVE
The students will be able to relate that, just as sin entered the world through one man, redemption from sin is provided through one Man—Christ Jesus.
REFERENCE INFORMATION
The word redemption, in Bible times, drew its meaning from a parallel with the marketplace concept, "to buy back." It contained both the idea of deliverance and the price of that deliverance. See Romans 3:24, 1 Corinthians 6:20, and Galatians 3:13.
The fundamental idea of the word is a dual one: redemption from sin and redemption to newness of life. Redemption is from the Law and its penalty, and from Satan and all evil. Redemption brings a new relationship with God and His Son Jesus Christ.
Only Christ, because of His sinless Blood, could satisfy the requirements of the ransom and meet the demands of the Law. He voluntarily assumed our guilt that we might go free.
QUESTIONS
God's commandment was clear and plain. Adam could eat fruit of any of the trees in the Garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, "for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Adam disobeyed God and ate of that tree. Spiritually, he died immediately. Physically, he died some years later. The curse of sin passed upon Adam and all future mankind. The situation would have been hopeless, except for God's love and grace. Along with the curse upon sin, God promised a Redeemer—our Lord Jesus Christ.
- The word redeem means, "to buy back, repurchase, or free from the bondage of sin." Review the previous lesson, and in your own words briefly summarize why there was a need for redemption.
Response: Allow time for a volunteer to give a summary, which should serve as the starting point for this study.
- "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This being true, who then can be redeemed? See John 3:17; Romans 5:17; 1 Peter 1:17; and 2 Peter 3:9.
Response: All can be redeemed because of God's love. Pose a hypothetical situation to your students in which they are choosing to redeem one object from among several. On what would they base their decision? Bring out that they would look for quality, condition, workmanship. Compare this with Christ's redemption of man—a redemption available regardless of status, nationality, wealth, age. Conclude by re-emphasizing that God's wonderful love opened the door of redemption to all who would believe in Jesus Christ, God being no respecter of persons.
- There are those who think they can purchase their own redemption by giving largely to religious organizations or worthwhile charitable concerns. Others may depend on their own good works or their adherence to certain rules of conduct to make their way into Heaven. Read 1 Peter 1:18-19 and describe how the Bible says we receive redemption.
Response: These verses bring out that we are justified or redeemed through the Blood of Jesus, rather than through corruptible things or the keeping of certain traditions.
- In what unique way does Jesus Christ qualify to be our Redeemer? Use 2 Corinthians 5:21 and 1 Peter 1:19 to help you with your answer.
Response: Help your students discuss why Jesus was the only One who could purchase their redemption. (He was the only One born without sin.)
- When was Jesus Christ foreordained as our Redeemer from sin?
Response: 1 Peter 1:20 tells us Christ was foreordained before the foundation of the world to be the Lamb without blemish and without spot. Discuss with your students what this tells us about God's concern for mankind.
- How does the Apostle Peter compare the life span of man with the grass of the field? What does this have to do with redemption?
Response: To show the brevity of man's life span, the Apostle Peter compared it to the life of grass, which is relatively short. Call the students' attention to the truth that they have no promise of tomorrow. They should conclude that redemption must not be put off.
- The disobedience of Adam in the Garden caused the curse of sin to pass upon all men. The obedience of Jesus Christ brought redemption, or righteousness, to all who believe in Him. How can one avail himself of this redemption?
Response: Allow time for someone in your class to explain the way of salvation, specifying conviction, repentance, and faith in the merits of Jesus' atoning Blood.
- What is the end result of our righteousness through Christ Jesus, if we remain faithful? See Romans 5:21. Find another verse in the Bible which gives a parallel promise.
Response: How wonderful it is that righteousness through Jesus Christ brings eternal life. John 3:16 gives the believer a parallel promise. Discuss how redemption is their means of receiving eternal life.
- How does Matthew 16:26 relate to man's redemption?
Response: Your class should conclude that their redemption is of utmost importance. Even though one might gain worldly prestige or a vast fortune, it holds no value when weighed against eternity.
CLASS ACTIVITIES
Have someone in your class look up the words "Redeemer" and "remedy," and read the definitions to the whole class.
Do a chalktalk with a hill and a cross. Put a stick man walking up the hill with a heavy load on his back. Bring out the point that Jesus died on the cross to help us. He will carry our heavy load if we take it to Him. He is our Redeemer and the Remedy for our sins.
Have the class work out a skit, portraying what a person who redeems us does for us. It could be someone carrying a heavy load with one person lifting it from his back. Have one of the class then liken it to our Savior and what He does for us.
Have your class design a poster, illustrating the theme of today's lesson. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" (Psalm 19:7).
From the lesson Scriptures find words which fit these definitions: decayed, not counterfeit, delivered from sin, paid a ransom, sin, divine mercy, to be copiously supplied, judged guilty, to make free from defilement.
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