March 29 – April 4, 2008

THE CROSS SAYS YOU ARE VALUABLE

In this lesson you will learn that you are valuable to God, you are His purchased possession, His special treasure.

I. The message of the cross – Romans 5:5-11.

A. The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit – v. 5.

B. When we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly – v. 6.

C. God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us – v. 8.

1. To demonstrate means to reveal, display, make clear, or verify.

2. God will love you out of things that have tried to pull you down and destroy you.

3. He will love you out of bondages, brokenness, pain, and the rejection that you have gone through.

4. He will love you into the perfection He has planned for your life – Philippians 2:13, 1:6.

II. Love put Jesus on the cross.

A. The value or worth of any item is determined by the price that is paid for it.

B. It was God in His great love for you that put Jesus on the cross.

C. The cross declares the value of your life. You were worth the precious blood of Christ – 1 Peter 1:18,19.

D. You were bought at a price, Jesus’ blood – 1 Corinthians 6:19,20.

III. You are on God’s mind.

A. He loves us with an everlasting love (love that never ends) – Jeremiah 31:3.

B. God’s thoughts for you are more numerous than all the grains of sand on all the seashores of the world – Psalm 139:18.

C. He has engraved you on the palms of His hands – Isaiah 49:16.

D. God’s plan for you is for good – Jeremiah 29:11.

1. Your value is not based on your appearance, your education, your money, your talent, or your resources.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• When did you first discover that God loved you?
• How has this discovery changed you?
• Do you need prayer in the area of feeling valuable and loved by God?

BE A DOER OF THE WORD

This week see if what you think and speak are thoughts and words of your value to God. Make a decision not to degrade yourself or others. Remember, it was love for you that put Jesus on the cross.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE: Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”