R.I.P. - God undid humanity’s bent toward compulsive, relationship-destroying disobedient behavior through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That single act undid sin and its consequences. Paul says that one who has died is no longer subservient to sin. The penalty has been paid. But still, a funeral doesn’t do much for the one pushing up daisies. Yet, at least the RIP status frees one from sin forever (“I see dead people” only happens in The Sixth Sense). How can dead people rebel against God? How can they do anything at all? Paul asks.

• So What? How can being R.I.P. possibly be of any use to the living? Only if we could die and then somehow return to life and begin anew could a death to sin be useful. And that is what Paul proclaims in this lesson.
• Enter Baptism - In baptism (of which immersion is an excellent metaphor), Christians dramatize their story of their old and new life. As they enter the water, they symbolize their old life; their death and burial is reflected in the actual immersion and their rising from the dead to a “second” or new life is imagined in their being lifted out of the water.
• A New Impulse - If baptism alters our past, it also alters our future. This future doesn’t lead yet more deaths and dead ends, but rather toward a fuller life amongst a new community whose life is now driven by positive qualities rather than rebellion and self-centeredness.

What is the worst supervisor you’ve ever had at work? What made life difficult under their supervision? Recall the best working relationship you’ve enjoyed at work? How did that relationship differ from your worst supervising experience?

• How does the awareness of your death to sin impact your struggle with sin?
• If Paul were around to day, what would he say enslaves our society? What enslaves and enervates the Christian community?

Recall a movie in which someone has amnesia or wakes up a different person. Several of that type are out now-one showcases Jim Carey as a successful, cynical person who has some accident and ends up back in the little town from which he came and which he has snubbed.

• Describe the argument that Paul presents-especially of ending one life and assuming another altogether different life.
• Envision a future in which a new relationship exists, a new paradigm shift occurs. What would such life look like?
• Provide specific, concrete examples of transformations-persons you know or perhaps well-known Christians from history-to suggest what this new life might look like.