Authority and Natural Law Youth Sunday School Lesson

Authority and Natural Law Bible Study

Read the following passages and answer the questions below.

Psalm 119:1-8 – "Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
       who walk according to the law of the LORD.

 2 Blessed are they who keep His statutes
       and seek Him with all their heart.

 3 They do nothing wrong;
       they walk in His ways.

 4 You have laid down precepts
       that are to be fully obeyed.

 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
       in obeying Your decrees!

 6 Then I would not be put to shame
       when I consider all Your commands.

 7 I will praise You with an upright heart
       as I learn Your righteous laws.

 8 I will obey Your decrees;
       do not utterly forsake me.

Romans 2:12-16 – "All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares."

1) What is the "law of the LORD" that the Psalmist is describing?

The Torah, the Books of Moses, Genesis through Deuteronomy.

2) Why does the Psalmist say that people should obey the "law of the LORD"?

God has "laid down precepts" and commanded humanity to follow them.

3) What are some benefits that the Psalmist gives for obeying God's law?

(verse 3) They will be innocent before God.

(verse 6) They will not be put to shame (They will have no reason to feel shame).

(verse 8) They will never be forsaken by God.

4) What is "the law" that Paul is describing in Romans 2:12-16?

The Torah, the Books of Moses, Genesis through Deuteronomy.

5) If the Gentiles (non-Jews) do not have this "law", how are they "a law for themselves"?

"The requirements of the law are written on their hearts."  God has put the basics of His law in their conscience. 

 Authority and Natural Law Bible Study

Read the following passages and answer the questions below.

Psalm 119:1-8 – "Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
       who walk according to the law of the LORD.

 2 Blessed are they who keep His statutes
       and seek Him with all their heart.

 3 They do nothing wrong;
       they walk in His ways.

 4 You have laid down precepts
       that are to be fully obeyed.

 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
       in obeying Your decrees!

 6 Then I would not be put to shame
       when I consider all Your commands.

 7 I will praise You with an upright heart
       as I learn Your righteous laws.

 8 I will obey Your decrees;
       do not utterly forsake me.

Romans 2:12-16 – "All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares."

1) What is the "law of the LORD" that the Psalmist is describing?

____________________________________________________________________________________

2) Why does the Psalmist say that people should obey the "law of the LORD"?

____________________________________________________________________________________

3) What are some benefits that the Psalmist gives for obeying God's law?

(verse 3) ____________________________________________________________________________

(verse 6) ____________________________________________________________________________

(verse 8) ____________________________________________________________________________

4) What is "the law" that Paul is describing in Romans 2:12-16?

____________________________________________________________________________________

5) If the Gentiles (non-Jews) do not have this "law", how are they "a law for themselves"?

____________________________________________________________________________________