Lesson One Part One
I can of my own self do nothing.
John 5:30
1. What produces mankind’s ability to be self-governed?
James Madison, writing in The Federalist, said:
“…that honorable determination which animates every votary (vow or promise) of freedom: to rest all our political experiments on the capacity of mankind for self-government.”
This famous phrase has echoed down more than two centuries of American history. What is it that produces mankind’s ability to be self-governed? History shows that mankind’s ability to govern itself is in direct proportion to the relationship of the individual to God, to Christ.
For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us will give account of himself to God.
Romans 14: 11-12 NSV
2. What Biblical principles have made our nation a beacon light of hope and opportunity to all mankind?
The civil and religious liberties of our American Constitutional Republic represented a new era in the history of government. These Biblical principles of protection to the individual’s conscience, life, property and productivity have made our nation a beacon-light of hope and opportunity to all mankind.
Teach the Children**:
- Faith is resting your heart on God, the author of life, that you may be kept from evil and follow all good.
- Faith is a choice in all you do, not just a decision of the mind.
Jesus said, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
John 6:35 NSV
*The Bible and the Constitution of the United States of America: A Primer of American Liberty, Verna M. Hall and Rosalie J. Slater (The Foundation for American Christian Education, 2012) “Our Heritage of Christian Character and Government”, pp. 14-16.
**Paraphrased from: The Marrow of Theology, William Ames, translated from the Latin by John D. Eusden, (United Church Press, 1968) p.80.