Sunday School Lesson July 19, 2020

Subject: How Should I Respond to Politics? 

The Point: Reflect Christ in how you interact with politics and government.  

The Passage: Romans 13:1-10 

Study The Bible: Romans 13:1-4

1). Respond to the Government with Obedience. 

1. Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.
2. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgement on themselves.
3. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval.
4. For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.

Lasting truths from Romans 13:1-4

• God established human systems of government to provide social order and eliminate social chaos.
• Ideally the government will punish wrongdoers and reward law-abiding citizens.
• Christians can protest policies and actions by any government that conflict with our duties to God.

Romans 13:5-7

2). Respond to the Government with Integrity, Respect, and Honor.

5. Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience.
6. And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servant, continually attending to these tasks.
7. Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.

Lasting truths from Romans 13:5-7

• Christians should respect and honor governmental officials.
• Constructive criticism of governmental leaders is a key component of Christian citizenship.
• Paying taxes is a basic civic duty.

Romans 13:8-10

3). Respond to Political Discussions and Disagreements with Love.

8. Do not owe any anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
9. The commandments, Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not covet; and any other commandment, are summed up by this commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself.
10. Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.

Lasting truths from Romans 13:8-10

• Love for other people should guide all our relations.
• Christian love should be manifest in our thoughts, words, and actions.
• Civil speech is part of an authentic Christian witness in the political arena.