The document summarizes the discussion topics from an adult Sunday school meeting, including euthanasia and capital punishment. For euthanasia, it outlines biblical principles against taking life and notes that death is inevitable but suffering has a purpose. It provides guidelines for caring for the dying instead of mercy killing. For capital punishment, it notes the debate among Christians and discusses interpretations of passages in both the Old and New Testaments about killing and whether capital punishment is allowed or abolished by Jesus. Arguments on both sides of whether humans are moral agents or machines are also presented.

1. The Christian In A Secular America
Parkside Bible Fellowship
Adult Sunday School
August 16, 2009
Right To Life
1. Welcome/Opening Prayer
2. In the News
• Gay/Lesbian Parade and Festival
• The Real Truth Behind Woodstock
• Church and State
• Euthanasia and Health Care
• Biblical Principles In Response to Euthanasia
• God is sovereign over life and death: Job 1: 20-22
• Bible specifically condemns the taking of life: Psalms 139: 16, Deut. 32: 39, Matthew 5: 21
• Our body as well as our spirit belongs to God: 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20, Galatians 2: 20
• God has a purpose for everything even when we don’t understand that purpose:
o Romans 11:33, James 4: 13-15
• Suffering has a place in God’s economy: II Corinthians 1: 8, 12:6-8
• As a result of Adam and Eve’s sin, death is inevitable: Romans 5: 12, 6: 23
• Hippocratic Oath
• Conclusion to Euthanasia
• Dr. Keith Essex, professor at Master’s Seminary provides Six Biblical guidelines for Christians when
confronting death.
o Death is inevitable---Ecclesiastes 3: 2
o Death is the enemy---1 Corinthians 15:26
o Dying is a process--- Hebrews 11:21-22
o Suffering is a part of life and death---Romans 8:18
o Instead of mercy killing, Christians need to exhibit mercy living.
Pray for, visit and care for the dying.
Euthanasia is NOT a good death
Christians having strong faith throughout life and even unto death are ones who die well.
o Slippery slope argument---What’s next?
• What does God’s Word say about Capital Punishment?
• Capital Punishment is divided in the Christian World
AGAINST FOR
John Billett
Email: billybil@phonewave.net
Phone: 423-7938
Blog: http://pbfadultsundayschool.blogspot.com/

2. • Capital punishment was commanded by God in the Old Testament.
• Thou shall not kill: Two interpretations
o The Hebrew word translated "kill" is ratsach
o Distinction between killing and murder
• Capital punishment was assumed in the New Testament
o God ordains governing authorities
o Those governments may practice capital punishment.
o Did Christ abolish Capital Punishment with this phrase:
He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.
• Capital Punishment in the United States
• Is man a mere machine or a moral agent?
AGAINST: Man is a mere FOR: Man is a moral agent: Human
machine: Human beings, by and beings are free moral agents. They
large, are machines and not can make choices and they ought to
moral agents. When a machine be held responsible for the moral
goes bad, we fix the machine. choices they make
• If you are against Capital Punishment,
• If you support Capital Punishment
John Billett
Email: billybil@phonewave.net
Phone: 423-7938
Blog: http://pbfadultsundayschool.blogspot.com/

3. John Billett
Email: billybil@phonewave.net
Phone: 423-7938
Blog: http://pbfadultsundayschool.blogspot.com/