Children’s Sunday School – Lessons 21 & 22: Christ’s Gospel and God’s Righteous Judgment

Based on Romans 1:1-32 and Romans 2:1-29

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

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?

Lesson 22: God’s Righteous Judgment

Romans 2:1-29

There once lived a man who did not believe in God. He was an “atheist” – someone who believes and teaches others that there is no God. He did all he could to spread his message of unbelief. One day, he became ill and was admitted into the hospital. At night, he had a terrifying dream in which his spirit left his body. Suddenly, a monster-like personality appeared and carried him towards a raging, burning fire. The heat was so intense that even while they were still far away, he could feel himself burning. He struggled and shouted so loudly that nurses and doctors rushed to his bedside and woke him up.

When he woke up, one part of his body was as hot as burning coal – though it was a dream, the reality of hell was felt in his physical body. The man narrated what he saw, recognised his foolishness, and quickly surrendered his life to Christ, later becoming a great preacher. Do not wait till you have a terrifying dream. You may not have the opportunity. Repent now and be saved. There is judgment for sinners who refuse to repent.

1. Description and Works of a Sinner

Romans 2:1-29; 3:9-18,23; Psalm 51:5

A sinner is any boy or girl who is not a friend of Jesus. He or she still does bad things like telling lies, stealing, fighting, cheating in examinations, backbiting, keeping malice, disobedience to parents, getting involved in witchcraft, and immoral behaviour.

God is not happy with such children. He has set aside a time that He will punish every sinner who refuses to repent. God loves every boy and girl, and He does not want them to suffer in hell fire. He sent Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, to die for your sins. Accept Him as your personal Saviour and Friend today and you will be free from God’s judgment.

2. Divine Judgment of All Sinners

Romans 2:1-16; Revelation 20:11-15; Genesis 3:23,24; 6:5-7; 19:23-26

The judgment of God will come upon sinners who refuse to repent of their sins. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all nations that forget God (Psalm 9:17). When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God sent them out (Genesis 3:23). During the time of Noah, the world was destroyed by flood because of their wicked ways (Genesis 6:5-7). Only Noah and his family were saved because they obeyed God.

Sodom, Gomorrah, and the people living there were destroyed by fire from heaven because they were wicked. Lot and his family were rescued by the angels of God, but his wife looked back and became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:23-26). Any boy or girl who turns back from following Jesus will face the judgment of God.

3. Determination to Escape God’s Judgment

Romans 2:17-29; Isaiah 1:18,19; John 14:6; Revelation 3:20

Jesus is the only way whereby you can escape the judgment of God. He is calling you today. Open the door of your heart to Him (Revelation 3:20). Make Jesus your Friend today. Confess all your bad ways to Him. Tell Him you are sorry for all the bad things you have done. Ask for forgiveness and cleansing through His precious blood. Invite Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Saviour and you will escape the judgment of God.

Questions – Lesson 22

1. ______ will face the judgment of God.
2. How many people were saved during the flood?
3. The angels of God helped a man and his family to escape from the fire in Sodom and Gomorrah, but his wife looked back. (a) Who was the man? (b) What happened to his wife when she looked back?
4. What can a sinner or backslider do to escape God’s judgment?

Also in this series: Adult STS Lesson 229 | Youth STS Lesson 229