God the Son, Mentor's Guide, MG10

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G O D T H E S O N

Jesus, the Messiah and Lord of All He Died

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Welcome in the strong name of Jesus Christ! After your reading, study, discussion, and application of the materials in this lesson, you will be able to: • Articulate with Scripture and concrete examples the significance of the humiliation of Jesus Christ, that is, his descent in his divine person and glory to come to earth and die on our behalf. • Illustrate and state the major points of Jesus’ humiliation in his Incarnation and in his life and ministry. • Elaborate with Scripture and clear reasons how this humiliation of Jesus is specifically revealed in his death. • Expand upon some of the key historical perspectives on Jesus’ death and the way in which these dimensions enable us to understand the blessing our Lord’s death was for humankind. • These include the view of his death as a ransom for us, as a propitiation for our sins, as a substitutionary sacrifice in our place, as a victory over the devil and death itself, and as a reconciliation between God and humankind. • Elaborate on how the Nicene Creed unequivocally confesses that our Lord Jesus Christ died and was buried, and how this act was the culmination of our Lord’s humiliation upon earth in his descent from his heavenly, preexistent glory. • Lay out theories of the atonement which have emerged through history, including his death: 1) as an example, 2) as a demonstration of God’s love, 3) as a demonstration of God’s justice, 4) as a victory over the forces of evil and sin, and 5) as a satisfaction of God’s honor. • Argue how no one historical theory of the atonement by itself can explain the richness of the meaning of Jesus’ death, but rather they each contain dimensions of truth which can help us gain a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the significance of Jesus’ death for us.

Lesson Objectives

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