Big Idea The work of God changes the focus and attitude of His people. Read: Romans 5:1-11 Discussion Questions How does understanding our justification by faith change our perspective on difficult circumstances? What role does “peace with God” play in changing our attitude toward life’s challenges? How can the hope of sharing in God’s glory influence our focus in daily life? In what ways does God’s love, demonstrated through Christ’s sacrifice, transform our attitudes toward ourselves and others?...
Romans: Faith in God’s Promise
Big Idea You can count on God’s promises! Read: Romans 4:13-25 Discussion Questions What insight, principle, or observation from this week’s sermon was the most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain. What does Paul mean when he says that Abraham’s promise did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith (Romans 4:13)? How does Paul describe Abraham’s faith in verses 19-21, and what can we learn from it about trusting God’s promises?...
Romans: The Scripture Says
Scripture: Romans 4:01-13 Discussion Questions What did Abraham and his legacy mean to the Jewish people and what was Paul’s purpose of bringing him up in this passage? How did Abraham exhibit faith in Genesis 15:4-11? What does Abraham’s sinfulness reveal to us? In verses 5 and 6, what does the phrase “God counts/imputes righteousness” mean? What are the conditions if any of God imputing his righteousness? Scripture explains that righteousness is a gift for all people....
Romans: The Foolishness of Boasting
Scripture: Romans 3:27-31 Discussion Questions In what ways do you see self-righteousness manifest in your life? How do you battle your self-righteous tendencies? Why is it important to recognize that faith itself is not what saves us but rather the work of Jesus Christ? How does Romans 3:29-30 emphasize the unity of Jews and Gentiles in terms of faith? What implications does this have for how we view others in our faith community and beyond?...
Serve: Fit for Service
Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24 Small Group Discussion This week concluded this mini-series, which was an extension of the original “Serve the Lord” series from January of this year. What will you stick with you from these messages on Christian service? What does Paul mean when he says that the Gentiles walk in the “futility of their minds” (vs. 17)? Why are their minds this way? In verse 19, Paul notes that the Gentiles “have become callous,” giving themselves up to sin....
Serve: Engage Your Mind
Scripture: Psalm 32 Small Group Discussion What stood out to you from the sermon this week? This week’s message focused on a psalm. Is there a psalm you have found to be particularly meaningful in your walk with the Lord? Many people today fail to acknowledge with their minds what is true. What are some examples of this? Reread Psalm 32:8-9. What is the contrast between humans and animals in these verses?...
The Gift of Others in the Word
Scripture: [Ephesians 4:1-16] Small Group Discussion What stood out to you in this week’s message? What was good, helpful, convicting, troubling, or led to more questions for you? Why is it so important for each believer to know the Word? Why do you think it is hard for many professing believers to be faithfully involved in a church or place themselves in a position to hear the Word taught? From the message what was the difference between Apostles and Prophets and Evangelists, Shepherds and Teachers?...
Serve the Lord: Equipped with the Word
Called through the Word to the Word Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16 Questions What stood out to you in this week’s message? What was good, helpful, convicting, troubling, or led to more questions for you? Why is the Word of God so important? Why do you think it can be so difficult for believers to be unified? What is the attitude Paul says the church is to have towards one another? Paul says we are to speak the truth in love....
The Unavoidable Court Date
Big Idea Every person deserves to be judged by God. Read: Romans 2:1-4 Discussion Questions How does Romans 2:1-4 address the issue of self-righteous judgment? What role does God’s kindness play in His judgment according to Romans 2:4? How does Paul address moralists in Romans 2:1-3, and what broader message does he convey about sin and judgment through this approach? What warning does the sermon give about presuming upon God’s mercy, and what should be our correct response to God’s patience and kindness?...
When God gives up
Big Idea Those who oppose God invite destruction. Read: Romans 1:19-32 Discussion Questions Romans 1:24-25 explains that God turns people over to their selfish desires due to their rejection of Him. How do these selfish desires manifest in today’s society, and what are some examples of how they lead to personal and societal destruction? In Romans 1:26-27, Paul describes God turning people over to unnatural activities due to their opposition to Him....