MEMORY VERSE: 1 John 3:4 (KJV)

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

 

 

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

 

LESSON INTRODUCTION

 Sin is described in the Bible as the transgression of the law of God (1 John 3:4) and rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7). Sin had its beginning with Lucifer who was not content with his position; he desired to be higher than God, and that was his downfall (Isaiah 14:12-15). Since the time of Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God, sin has been passed down through all the generations of mankind and we, Adam’s descendants, have inherited sin from him (Romans 5:12).

 

LESSON OUTLINES:

1. TYPES OF SIN
2. REDEMPTION FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN

 

1. TYPES OF SIN

Inherited Sin: Through Adam, the inherent inclination to sin entered the human race, and we became sinners by nature. When Adam sinned, his inner nature was transformed by his sin of rebellion, bringing to him spiritual death and depravity which would be passed on to all who came after him (Romans 5:12).

 

We are sinners not because we sin; rather, we sin because we are sinners (Romans 5:19a). This passed-on depravity is known as inherited sin. Just as we inherit physical characteristics from our parents, we inherit our sinful nature from Adam (Psalms 51:5).

 

Imputed sin: The Greek word ‘ellogeo’ translated “imputed” means “lay to one’s charge or credit to one’s account.” Before the Law of Moses was given, sin was not imputed to man, although men were still sinners because of inherited sin (Romans 5:13).

 

After the law was given, sins committed in violation of the law were imputed (accounted) to them (Romans 5:20a). Even before transgressions of the law were imputed to men, the ultimate penalty for sin (death) continued to reign (Romans 5:14). After Moses, humans were subject to death both because of inherited sin from Adam and imputed sin from violating the laws of God.

 

God used the principle of imputation to benefit mankind when He imputed the sin of all to the account of Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for that sin – death – on the cross (1 John 2:2). It is important to understand that sin was imputed to Him, but He did not inherit it from Adam. He bore the penalty for sin, but He never became a sinner (2 Corinthians 5:21).

 

Personal sin: This refers to the sins committed every day by human beings. We have inherited a sinful nature from Adam, we commit individual sins, everything from seemingly innocent untruths to murder (1 John 5:17a). Those who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ must pay the penalty for these personal sins, as well as inherited and imputed sin (Romans 6:23).

 

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should share any experience of freedom they had from the claws of sin and the effect on their existence.

2. REDEMPTION FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN

The only just penalty for sin (inherited, imputed, and personal) is death; physical and eternal (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15). Thankfully, all three types of sin have been crucified on the cross of Jesus, and now by faith in Jesus Christ as the Saviour we have redemption (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 3:5).

 

Once we confess our sins to God and ask for forgiveness for them, we are restored to perfect fellowship and communion with Him (1 John 1:9). Believers have been freed from the eternal penalty of sin and now have the power through Jesus to refuse to sin (1 John 3:9).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should share any experience of freedom they had from the claws of sin and the effect on their existence.

CONCLUSION: God imputed the righteousness of Christ to believers and credited our accounts with His righteousness, just as He had credited our sins to Christ’s account (2 Corinthians 5:21).

QUESTIONS:

1. Mention the types of sin.
2. Explain the redemption from the penalty of sin.

ASSIGNMENT: Identify five Scriptures that declare believers’ victory over sin. (2×5=10 marks).

RCCG Sunday School HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   O how I love Thee well,
   I am happy, it makes me glad
   To rejoice at Thy birth.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Thy friendship suits me well,
   Both young and old will sing Thy song,
   We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Christ was Thy first teacher,
   The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
   Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   This testimony is sure,
   That God, the Father Almighty,
   Poured His blessing on Thee.
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Though the sun be so bright,
   Or if the clouds black with rain,
   I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   I rejoice to see Thee,
   Will thou pass over me today?
   Without my being blest.