“August 14–20. Romans 7–16: ‘Overcome Evil with Good,’” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: New Testament 2023 (2022)
“August 14–20. Romans 7–16,” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: 2023
August 14–20
Romans 7–16
“Overcome Evil with Good”
Read Romans 7–16, and record impressions you receive about how to help class members learn from the scriptures. As you ponder your impressions, they can lead to meaningful learning activities.
Invite Sharing
Consider reading Romans 10:17 and 15:4 and asking class members to share scriptures from Romans 7–16 that build their faith in Jesus Christ or give them hope.
Teach the Doctrine
We can become “joint-heirs with Christ.”
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As Latter-day Saints, we believe that phrases such as “heirs of God” and “joint-heirs with Christ” mean that with Jesus Christ’s help, we can become like Heavenly Father and receive all He has (Romans 8:17; see also Doctrine and Covenants 132:20–21). To help class members see how this doctrine is taught throughout the scriptures, you could invite them to form pairs or small groups and study some of the scriptures listed in “Additional Resources.” Then class members could share what they have learned and discuss why this doctrine is so important.
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The analogy given by President Dallin H. Oaks in “Additional Resources” could help class members discuss how we can prepare to become “heirs of God” (Romans 8:17). What are some of the “laws and principles” President Oaks referred to? What difference does it make in our lives to know that we can become “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ”? (Romans 8:17).
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”
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Discussing Romans 8 together could provide an opportunity to help class members feel the Savior’s love. Consider displaying a picture of Jesus Christ (see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families) while you read Romans 8:18, 28, 31–39 as a class. You could invite class members to share any thoughts or feelings they have after reading these verses. Some might be willing to share how they have gained testimonies of the truths they find in these verses.
All of God’s commandments are fulfilled in the commandment to love.
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To help class members see how all commandments are “briefly comprehended in” the commandment to “love thy neighbour” (Romans 13:9), invite them to make a list on the board of all the commandments they can think of. Read together Romans 13:8–10 and Matthew 22:36–40, and discuss as a class the relationship between loving God and our neighbor and obeying each of the commandments listed on the board. How does this truth change the way we think about commandments and obedience? For example, what does this truth suggest about the purpose of commandments?
“Let us not … judge one another.”
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To give some context to Romans 14, you might point out that some of the Roman Saints disputed with each other about cultural practices, like eating habits and holiday observances. What similar situations do we face today? Perhaps class members could scan Romans 14 and give a one-sentence summary of Paul’s counsel. What advice can we share with each other about how to avoid being judgmental? Perhaps class members can find ideas in President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message “The Merciful Obtain Mercy,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 70–77.
Additional Resources
Receiving “all that [the] Father hath” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:38).
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“Becoming Like God” (Gospel Topics, topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
President Dallin H. Oaks related the following parable:
“A wealthy father knew that if he were to bestow his wealth upon a child who had not yet developed the needed wisdom and stature, the inheritance would probably be wasted. The father said to his child:
“‘All that I have I desire to give you—not only my wealth, but also my position and standing among men. That which I have I can easily give you, but that which I am you must obtain for yourself. You will qualify for your inheritance by learning what I have learned and by living as I have lived. I will give you the laws and principles by which I have acquired my wisdom and stature. Follow my example, mastering as I have mastered, and you will become as I am, and all that I have will be yours’” (“The Challenge to Become,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 32).
Improving Our Teaching
Find resources to support the principles. In addition to the teaching ideas in this outline, you could modify activities from this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families to use in your class. (See also Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 17–18.)