Podcast on The Way

Romans 16:3-23

Learning the Way - Romans 16:3-16
As Paul begins to close his letter to the Romans, we see him specifically mentioning a substantial list of people. It becomes clear that this is a group of people that are living in genuine community. Despite distances, and frequent traveling, they know each other and know each other well. Our schedule is going to be different this week as we help the city with downtown decorations. But whether you meet in your regular place and time or whether you’re able to help serve, take time to talk to each other about your stories. Share about how you came to know our Savior. Share about the times in your life that are the brightest memories, when God blessed you so dramatically you remember it like it was yesterday. Share about the times in your life that were the bleakest, when you had to remind yourself often of God’s goodness. If you’re volunteering, you’ll find yourself in groups of two or three working side by side. Take the initiative and start the conversation. We should know each other’s stories and know them well.

Romans 16:1-2

Learning the Way - Romans 16:1-2
This message spent quite a bit of time on the issue of women in the church and in the ministry. This can be a difficult topic for some to discuss. Ultimately, we must submit to the authority of the scriptures in all topics. What does it mean to submit?Submission doesn’t begin to have any meaning until there is a disagreement.Is this an area where you struggle to submit? Are there other topics in scripture where you struggle to submit to authority? Are there areas in the church?

Romans 15:22-23

Learning the Way - Romans 15:22-33
This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.Romans 15:23-24Paul has longed to come to the Romans for years, but has been unable because of his commitment to spreading the gospel. Can you relate to this? Are there things you can point to and say, "I've wanted to do this, but my commitment to the gospel has meant I haven't been able to."At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.Romans 15:25-27The unity that is shown in this passage is remarkable. Here we have Gentile believers collecting money to send back to the saints at Jerusalem. These are groups of people that never would have interacted outside of the gospel. What is your attitude towards other churches here in Lake City?I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.Romans 15:29In the Message we heard this: “And so we know that the fullness of the blessing of Christ comes not when we're taking but when we're giving. Our giving is what fundamentally defines us.”Talk with your group about the phrase "the fullness of the blessing of Christ" means. When was the last time you experienced a feeling like this? How would your giving define you?

Romans 15:14-21

Learning the Way - Romans 15:14-21
I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. -Romans 15:14In the message we learned that these are three characteristics of a healthy believer. Does this accurately describe you? Would Paul be satisfied that you are:
Full of goodness
Filled with all knowledge
Able to instruct?
Do you feel God urging you to pray for His help in any of these areas?Do you see evidence of God’s grace growing in your group? Share with each other and encourage each other. This should be something we regularly do!

Romans 15:7-13

Learning the Way - Romans 15:7-13
Throughout this passage, Paul is calling for unity amongst the believers. These believers had incredibly different backgrounds which had led to the disunity that Paul is addressing. In the message we were encouraged to have an agenda for unity amongst our church. We were given eight questions to ask ourselves as we consider this agenda:
Put others before yourself.
Be the first to seek peace and reconciliation.
Be willing to not get your way if it means advancing the mission.
Talk to people, not about people.
Spend more time considering areas of agreement than disagreement.
Spend more time considering evidences of grace in other Christians than you do pondering their sins and weaknesses.
Judge yourself more than you judge others.
Pursue humility.
Discuss these as a group. Which do you find easier and which do you find difficult? You may need help from other members of your group, and others may need your objective help. Do this honestly, but kindly, always striving towards unity.Are there any relationships within your group that are strained, or areas where disunity needs to be addressed? Take time to work through these areas if appropriate. If you need to seek someone out later this week, or one on one, will you commit to doing that this week?Pray for the unity of our specific church, as well as the unity of the church as a whole.

Romans 15:1-6

Learning the Way - Romans 15:1-6
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. V. 1-2Are you willing to give up your rights and comforts for others, including those outside of the church? Talk about ways you could be doing this as individuals and as a group. Pray that God would give us opportunities to build up others and that we would be bold enough to take them.

Romans 14 Part 2

Learning the Way - Romans 14 Part 2
Over what disputable, secondary matters in our church are there “stronger” and “weaker” believers?If you consider yourself a “stronger” believer over one of those matters, what is your priority: enjoying your freedom, or giving it up to serve another Christian?Take time as a group to confess areas in your life where you’ve elevated a secondary matter to a level of primary importance. Pray for each other specifically for these.What would it look like for you to come alongside weaker brothers and sisters and encourage them in the gospel? Share a time when a stronger believer overlooked your weakness in secondary matters and encouraged you in the faith with the group.How can you more actively be a peacemaker in your church?

Romans 14 Part 1

Learning the Way - Romans 14 Part 1
Is your character one that tends to want to rule all matters as being disputable, or no matter as being disputable? Can you see any area in which you may be a weaker Christian (to do so takes great self-awareness!)? One of the signs of being a weaker Christian is the desire to promote nonessential or secondary things as critical and essential. It is tempting for all of us to make sweeping mandates to apply to other believers. Has the Holy Spirit revealed any areas where this has been a temptation for you? In what areas have you found yourself being the weaker brother? How does it make you feel to realize you are the weaker brother?One of the signs of being a mature Christian is how we respond when we are around less mature Christians. Do we pull away from them or do we press in closer? Has there been a time where you pressed in or pulled away? What did you learn from either of those experiences? How has God used this to grow you as a believer?