Share about a time when you had to depend on someone else to get you out of trouble.

Summary:  Although man was created in the image of God, he cannot save himself from sin which has damaged his spirit, soul, and body.


A. The Two natures of man

Review Genesis 1:26

  • As we discussed last week, man was created as a vessel in the image of God (much like a glove is in the image of a hand) in order to be filled with God and to express God. 
  • What appears to be the main idea emphasized in this verse?
  • What are some positive virtues that people express? How does this relate to man being in God’s image?

Read Romans 7:18-25 

  • What appears to be the main idea emphasized in this passage?
  • From these verses, how do we see two natures at work in man? 
  • Where does sin dwell according to verse 20?


B. Sin and the Fall of Man

Recall that 1 Thessalonians 5:23 tells us that man is composed of a spirit, soul, and body (share diagram with your group).

Read Ephesians 2:1

  • Why does this verse say we were dead in offenses and sins? What part of man was deadened by sin?

Read Colossians 1:21

  • This verse says we were enemies in our minds because of evil works. To which of the three parts of man does that correspond?

Read Romans 6:12

  • According to this verse where does sin reign?



  • No one can be saved through good works, education, ethics, or religions.  Pick one of these points and share how you know that it is not what saves you from sin.
  • Share anything that impressed you from the verses we read in this lesson.
  • In what way is the truth presented in the Bible about man’s sinfulness different from other influences in your life (such as your family, culture, peers, church, etc.)?
  • In light of what we have discussed, how can we pray for each other right now?

Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of heaven and over the cattle and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.

Romans 7:18
For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but to work out the good is not.

Romans 7:19
For I do not do the good which I will; but the evil which I do not will, this I practice.

Romans 7:20
But if what I do not will, this I do, it is no longer I that work it out but sin that dwells in me.

Romans 7:21
I find then the law with me who wills to do the good, that is, the evil is present with me.

Romans 7:22
For I delight in the law of God according to the inner man,

Romans 7:23
But I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and making me a captive to the law of sin which is in my members.

Romans 7:24
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death?

Romans 7:25
Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh, the law of sin.

1 Thessalonians 5:23
And the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:1
And you, though dead in your offenses and sins,

Colossians 1:21
And you, though once alienated and enemies in your mind because of your evil works,

Romans 6:12
Do not let sin therefore reign in your mortal body so that you obey the body's lusts;

 Consider one person in your life who needs the Lord. How can we bring Christ to them this week?

Some examples of ways to bring Christ to people:

  • Pray that their hearts would be soft and opened.

  • If the opportunity presents itself, tell them what you learned this week about what the Bible says concerning the baptism.

  • Show them they matter to you by spending quality time with them (e.g. workout, get lunch, study together, etc.)

  • Encourage them through a phone call, video call, or text message.

  • Ask for their perspective about things going on around them in the world.