Sunday School Lesson March 21, 2021

Subject: The Nature of Sin

The Point: We are sinners, and on our own, we can do nothing about it.

The Passages: Isaiah 59:1-13

Study The Bible: Isaiah 59:1-5

1). All people are separated from God because of sin.

1. Indeed, the Lord’s arm is not too weak to save, and his ear is not too deaf to hear.
2. But your iniquities are separating you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not listen.
3. For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers, with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongues mutter injustice.
4. No one makes claims justly; no one pleads honestly. They trust in empty and worthless words; they conceive trouble and give birth to iniquity.
5. They hatch viper’s eggs and weave spider’s webs. Whoever eats their eggs will die; crack one open, and a viper is hatched.

Lasting truths from: Isaiah 59:1-5

*  Our God is able to bring salvation to us.

*  Our sins and iniquities separate us from God.

*  People who claim to know God but act wickedly are deceiving themselves.

Isaiah 59:6-8

2). We cannot cover our sin with good works.

6. Their webs cannot become clothing, and they cannot cover themselves with their works. Their works are sinful works, and violent acts are in their hands.
7. Their feet run after evil, and they rush to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and wretchedness are in their paths.
8. They have not known the path of peace, and there is not justice in their ways. They have made their roads crooked; no one who walks on them will know peace.

Lasting truth from: Isaiah 59:6-8

*  Any good works we do cannot make up for sinful works we do.

*   Sinful thoughts typically lead to sinful actions, and ultimately, ruin.

*  Without knowing God’s pathway to peace, we never will live lives that please Him.

Isaiah 59:9-13

3). Unless God intervenes, we are without peace, hope, and salvation.

9. Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness; for brightness, but we live in the night.
10. We grope along a wall like the blind; we grope like those without eyes. We stumble at noon as though it were twilight; we are like the dead among those who are healthy.
11. We all growl like bears and moan like doves. We hope for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us.
12. For our transgressions have multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us. For our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities:
13. transgression and deception against the Lord, turning away from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering lying words from the heart.

Lasting truth from: Isaiah 59:9-13

*  Sin can blind us to God’s salvation.

*  God sees all our transgressions and sins.

* We should long for God’s salvation with all our hearts.

Live It Out

As you reflect on this lesson, respond to the following questions:

1. How do people’s iniquities and sins separate them from God?
2. What are some examples of “worthless words” many in the world believe today?
3. Why do you think people choose to live evil lives?

Closing Prayer:

“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”