Doctrine of Sin
Missing the Mark
Future Lesson·Romans 3:23·Date TBD
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For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
— Romans 3:23 (ESV)
Lesson Overview
What Is Sin?
Sin is not just doing obviously bad things. It is anything that falls short of God's perfect standard: wrong actions, wrong words, wrong desires, and even good-looking behavior done from a heart that does not trust Him. The Bible's picture is simple enough for brunch: sin misses the mark, and every person has missed it.
Four Truths About Sin
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It Misses the Mark
God sets the standard
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It Touches Everyone
No one is naturally clean
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It Grows
Small disobedience rarely stays small
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It Needs Grace
The gospel is God's rescue
Stories & Scripture
Genesis 3 — Adam & Eve
"She took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate."Genesis 3:6 (ESV)
God gave one clear boundary. Adam and Eve doubted God's goodness, chose their own way, and hid when they were exposed. Sin begins with distrust, then disobedience, then shame.
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Sin says, "I know better than God."
2 Samuel 11–12 — David
"You are the man!"2 Samuel 12:7 (ESV)
David's sin did not start with murder. It started with looking, wanting, taking, and covering up. Nathan's confrontation shows that even strong believers need God to expose what they would rather hide.
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Sin grows in the dark. Confession brings it into the light.
Mark 10:17–22 — The Rich Young Ruler
"Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions."Mark 10:22 (ESV)
This man looked moral, serious, and religious. Jesus loved him enough to reveal the hidden idol underneath: he trusted his possessions more than God. Sin is not always loud. Sometimes it wears nice clothes.
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Sin is anything we love, trust, or obey more than God.
Discussion
If sin is missing God's mark, who gets to define the target: us, our friends, our feelings, or God?
Takeaways
Living It Out
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Do not measure yourself only against other people. God's standard is the real target.
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Ask God to show you hidden sin: motives, idols, pride, fear, and selfishness.
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Let the bad news make the good news clearer: sin is real, but God's gift in Jesus is greater.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9