THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW

MEETING AGENDA

  1. OPENING PRAYER – Ask one person to open the meeting in prayer.
  2. GROWTH QUESTIONS – Ask everyone the Growth Questions.
  3. ATTENDANCE – Take attendance through the DG Attendance System.
  4. TODAY’S LESSON – Go over this week’s DG lesson.
  5. GIVING – Encourage everyone to give on the App.
  6. CLOSING PRAYER – Ask for prayer requests and pray.
GROWTH QUESTION #1Who would like to share a highlight, praise report, or testimony from this week?
GROWTH QUESTION #2What did you learn from this week’s sermon?
GROWTH QUESTION #3What was your most important accomplishment this week?
How many people in your DG are registered for Growth Conference?

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW

TODAY’S PASSAGE: 

Romans 3:19-24 (NLT) – 19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. 21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONSWhat did you learn from what we just read?
TRUTH #1THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW IS TO SHOW US HOW MUCH WE REALLY NEED A SAVIOR. (v.19-20)
  • The law’s purpose is to keep people from making excuses and to show us how guilty we really are before God.
  • No matter how hard we try, we can’t make ourselves right with God. Our best efforts to keep the law always fall short.
  • Even if we were able to obey all but one point in the law, we’d be guilty.

James 2:10 (NIV) – For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

  • Since nobody is entirely innocent and all of us are guilty in some way, we really need Jesus to save us from penalty that we owe!
INTERACTIVE QUESTIONSPeople often believe that they can be made right with God through doing the right thing or living by Godly standards. How do you think you should lovingly address this misconception with someone you care about?
TRUTH #2JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO BE MADE RIGHT WITH GOD. (V. 21-22)
  • Since we can’t hope to be made right through keeping the requirements of the law, God made a way for us to be made right with Him – through JESUS CHRIST!
  • We can only be made right with God and have peace with Him through Jesus.

John 14:6 (NLT) – Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

  • Jesus is the ONLY way to be made right with God!
INTERACTIVE QUESTIONSPeople sometimes say, “All paths lead to God.” or “Jesus is just one of many ways that people can find peace and come to know God.” How do you think you should lovingly address this lie with someone you care about?
TRUTH #3WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE WHEN WE BELIEVE (v. 23-24)
  • DEFINITION – Grace (charis): goodwill, lovingkindness, unmerited favor, unearned blessing or reward, the merciful kindness by which God turns us to Jesus Christ
  • Mercy is not getting what you deserve.
  • Despite the fact that we are all guilty and deserving of punishment, God showed us mercy by sending His son Jesus to die in our place.

Romans 5:8 (NLT) – But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

  • Grace is getting what you don’t deserve.
  • Salvation is a gift from God that we don’t deserve.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) – 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONSWhat was it like when you received the gift of salvation from God? How did your life change as a result?
CLOSING QUESTIONWhat is one thing from today’s lesson that you will apply this week?

GIVING

When you extend help and compassion to those who are hungry, thirsty, in need of clothing, etc., you are doing it for Jesus Christ Himself.

Matthew 25:34-36, 40 (NLT)
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Encourage everyone to give their tithes and offerings.

PRAY

QUESTION #1Who are you praying for to be saved?
QUESTION #2Who can you invite to the next meeting?
QUESTION #3What are your prayer requests?