JESUS THE SAVIOR
Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches
of the Philippines
Lesson 12
THE PERSONAL SUBSTITUTE
Aim: That the learners
will dedicate their lives to Christ out of gratitude for what He has done.
Scripture: John 19:1-37
Memory Verse: Romans 12:1,2 – Therefore I
urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living
sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.
(NIV)
In Advance
1.
Pray
2.
Memorize Romans 12:1,2
3.
Prepare
a.
For ENTRANCE – a script for the
monologue, A Prisoners Thoughts. Before class begins, assign one learner
to practice it.
b.
for PERFORMANCE – copies of the
Memory Verse in the vernacular translation.
4.
Study John 19:1-37
Introduction to
the Scripture passage used:
John 19 is the darkest, most unpleasant
chapter in this Gospel. But behind the
tragedy appears the glory of the Cross.
The first line of a best loved hymn by Rev. George Bennard is remembered
for such event: On a hill far away stood an old rugged Cross, the emblem for suffering
and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of
lost sinners was slain. This lesson
allows us the opportunity to comprehend the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and
to respond by offering our lives to him.
CLASS SESSION
ENTRANCE
Monologue:
“A Prisoner’s Thoughts”
(Complaining)
Iron bars… angry shout… cockroaches… bed
bugs… rats … cruel guards… everyday that’s all I see! I’m sick and tired of being a prisoner! I want to be free… I want to go home! I want to be with my family! I want to enjoy with my friends…Oh how I want
to leave this place!
(Wishing)
If only someone would take my place, may
be they will let me go…but then who would like to give up his freedom and
exchange it for punishment?…no…no one would do that…I know even my best friend
would not do that for me.
Haay
Naku! Iron bars…angry shout…
cockroaches…bed…bugs…rats…cruel guards!
If only I could be free from them all… If only someone would take my
place…if only…
Transition Sentence: There was someone who
willingly suffered for us.
SUBSTANCE
1.
Let everyone read the passage
silently.
2.
Let the class group by pairs to
discuss the questions assigned to them. (If
there are more than eight learners, some can form triads.)
Questions:
1.
Why did the chief priests, officials, and the other Jews clamor for
the crucifixion of Christ? (vv.6,7,15; cf.
Leviticus 24:16; John 10:33)
Answer: They accused Jesus guilty of blasphemy for
claiming Himself the Son of God (Leviticus 24:6; John 10:33).
2.
Why was the role of Pilate so crucial or important? (vv.1-13;cf. Mark
15:15)
Answer: Pilate had the political power to free
Christ. He found no fault in Christ and yet had Him flogged in an attempt to
pacify the Jews (Mark 15:15). He wanted
to set Jesus free but was afraid the Jews’ implicit threat (v.12). They implied that if he released Jesus, he
could be accused before Caesar.
3.
Why was the death of Christ so sad and unjust?
(vv.1-2,4,10,23,25-27;
cf. John 10:17,18)
Answer: a. They hurt and mocked Him (vv. 1-2,23).
b. His loved ones witnessed His
torturous death (vv.25-27).
c. He had no fault (v.4).
d. Pilate could have freed Him (v.10).
e. It was voluntary (v.11; cf. Jn.10:17,18).
4.
Why did Jesus have to die? (cf. John 3:16&Romans 5:8; John 1:29 & Hebrews 9:22; 1P3534
3:18 & Isaiah 53:5-6)
Answer a. Because God loved us so much (John 3:16;
Romans 5:8).
b. He was the Lamb of God
that takes away the sins of the world; His blood was necessary for forgiveness
(John 1:29; Hebrews 9;22).
c. He died as our substitute
(Isaiah 53:5-6; 1Peter 3:18).
If
Jesus did not die on the cross, we would have no hope for heaven and eternal
life, no basis for forgiveness, no grace and power in our everyday life.
General Truth: Jesus took our place when He died on the cross.
SIGNIFICANCE
Questions for brainstorming:
1.
In what ways do people respond to what Christ has done? (Write answers on
the board, including correct ones.)
Expected
answers:
a.
Flagellants during the Holy
Week
b.
Crucifying oneself on Good
Friday
c.
Self-sacrifice, like abstinence
d.
Prayer
The persons practicing all or any of the above practices need a
personal Savior.
2.
Since He took our place, how should we respond to Him?
Answers: a.
Thank Him – 2Corinthians 9:15
b. Dedicate our lives to Him – Romans 12:1,2
PERFORMANCE
1.
Read together Romans 12;1,2
(NIV)
2.
Read the vernacular translation
of the Memory Verse for emphasis.
3.
Give time for each learner to
pray silently, dedicating his life to Christ who became his personal
substitute.
4.
Lead the class in singing one
or two verses of the hymns, The Old
Rugged Cross, and Take My Life and
Let It Be.
THE OLD RUGGED CROSS
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame,
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Chorus:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross
and exchange it someday for a crown.
TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord to Thee;
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
At the impulse of Thy love.
5.
Lead in closing prayer.
