Are humans basically good or basically bad?

Outline: Noah’s failure offers four proofs mankind is sinful by nature.

Proof 1: We sin without excuse

Proof 2: We sin with ease

Proof 3: We sin with enjoyment

Proof 4: We sin without exception

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. Where have you seen the message “I’m basically a good person” taught in the world? Why do you think this message is so pervasive?

2. Make a list of some excuses you hear (or have used) to justify some wrong behavior. How does justification by excuses keep us away from the justification of the gospel?

3. Imagine you are in a situation where a person has some sin in their life exposed:

             a. How can you use the truth of original sin to draw closer to that                  person

              b. How can you use original sin to introduce that person to the                    gospel?

4. Of the four proofs for original sin, that we sin (1) without excuse, (2) with ease, (3) with enjoyment, and (4) without exception, discuss:

              a. Which one spoke to you most directly?

              b. Was one particularly hard to accept?