Children’s Sunday School – Lesson 21: Christ’s Gospel – The Power of God

Based on Romans 1:1-32

In the beginning, God created man in His own image. The first man He created was called Adam. God created Eve to be with Adam so that he would not be alone. They were righteous, holy, and upright. They enjoyed sweet fellowship with God. All the things they needed were provided for them. God made them to rule over everything that He created.

Unfortunately, Satan came to deceive them into eating the fruit God commanded them not to eat. When Adam and Eve fell into the sin of disobedience, every human being – including boys and girls – inherited sin. Sinners are therefore guilty before God and stand to be judged by Him. However, through God’s love and mercy, He sent His only begotten Son Jesus, who shed His blood for the removal of the sins of all who believe in Him.

This unmerited favour and act of God is captured in the word GOSPEL, as revealed in John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The gospel is the power of God to save all repentant sinners. For the power to work effectively in your life, you must repent and believe the gospel, turn away from your sins, and receive pardon and cleansing through the blood of Jesus.

1. The Sinfulness of Man

Romans 1:18-31; 3:23; 5:12-17; Psalm 51:5

Adam and Eve fell into the sin of disobedience in the Garden of Eden. As a result, everyone became a sinner from birth (Psalm 51:5). This is why children begin to do bad things from an early age without anyone teaching them to do so. Sin is failure to live according to the commandments God has laid down for us in His word. It is also anything we do or say that is against the will and law of God. These include stealing, lying, cheating in examinations, immoral friendship between boys and girls, fighting, witchcraft, gossiping, abusing others, disobedience to parents, stubbornness, and many others (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Sin leads to punishment, sorrow, suffering, and final separation from God. This is not the plan of God for boys and girls. In His love and mercy, He has made provision for sinners to be saved and brought back into fellowship with Him. Do not reject God’s provision for your salvation. Repent now.

2. Salvation Through the Power of the Gospel

Romans 1:1-17; Acts 4:12; 13:38,39

Salvation means to be free from sin and its consequences. It is the will of God for everyone to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). It is not within one’s power to save himself. This is why God made provision for our salvation through the gospel. The gospel is the good news of the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross for our salvation from sin. Jesus died in our place. He bore our punishment. He died, was buried, and rose the third day. He is alive now and waiting for you to come to Him.

Therefore, every sinful boy and girl must take the following steps so that they can be saved:

1. Realise that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself.
2. Sincerely confess your sins to God and be sorry for them.
3. Ask God to forgive you and wash your sins with the blood of Jesus, which was shed on the cross at Calvary.
4. Invite Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Saviour.
5. Believe that God has forgiven you and thank Him.
6. Read your Bible daily and attend fellowship regularly.
7. Share your experience of salvation with other children.

3. Sanctification and Righteousness Through the Power of the Gospel

Romans 1:17; 3:21-25; Hebrews 13:12

The gospel is the good news of salvation through repentance and faith in the blood of Jesus. It is important and necessary for every boy and girl to be born again. After this, they should pray earnestly for the removal of the root and nature of sin from their hearts. This is known as sanctification. Every saved child can receive the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus.

Cornelius was a just man and of good report. He feared God, yet he needed the righteousness of God through faith in Christ. The gospel was preached to him and his kinsmen. He accepted Jesus Christ and this made him righteous. The Holy Spirit began to dwell in him and his family.

The gospel must be preached to everyone so that they can turn from sin and be awake unto righteousness (1 Corinthians 15:34), receive the gift of righteousness (Romans 10:10), follow after righteousness (1 Timothy 6:11), become heirs of righteousness (Hebrews 11:7), and be preachers of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5). All friends of Jesus must thirst and pray fervently for the sanctification experience now.

Questions – Lesson 21

1. Mention the names of the first man and woman that God created.
2. Who deceived them into disobeying God?
3. What is sin?
4. What provision did God make for the removal of sin?
5. What should sinners do to obtain forgiveness of their sins?
6. What should friends of Jesus do to be pure and to help others who do not know the way of salvation?