Ugly Wood

Today, we studied Romans 7:14-25. Here the Apostle Paul expresses the ongoing war which is being waged inside of his heart. "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Paul goes on to say, " As it is it is no longer I myself who do it. but it is sin living in me."

To emphasize this point, the teens were given beat up pieces of wood. Along with the wood the teens were given a bag full of buttons, ribbon, letters, flowers, and makeup. They were told to "beautify" the wood. 

The beautified pieces of wood accompanied by the perfect piece of wood

How are these pieces of wood like sin? One teen answered, "No matter what we do, we can't fix it." It was true the wooden pieces had huge gashes, ugly paint, and nails. Despite the students best efforts, the wood remained ugly.

The discussion turned to our lives. We agreed that our lives are just like these pieces of wood, no matter how hard we try we can do nothing to save ourselves. We make a lot of attempts to cover up our sins with lies, and comparisons. All of those efforts are useless.

"What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Paul points to the sole source of our salvation, Jesus Christ. 100% true man and 100% true God born of the virgin Mary. He lived a perfect life, and then gave up his life for the sins of the whole world. After three days in the grave, he rose victorious. Due to the sacrifice of this unblemished piece of wood, we have an inheritance awaiting us. Heaven is ours. 

All of the teens holding their pieces of wood, and feeding them.