Podcast on The Way

Romans 8:12-13 Part 3

Learning the Way - Romans 8:12-13 Part 3
The message reminded us that many times the distractions of the flesh are small, subtle distractions. They aren’t just the “big sins”. What kinds of things are you doing at the wrong time that are the distractions of the flesh? Talk with your group about how these small distractions in your life can ultimately lead to death?Choose your own adventure question!!! Do you think of the Christian life as being hard? Yes? - Remember that Christ told us, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Walking in the Spirit means “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” No? - Referring to John 12:26, are you following Jesus as He marches toward the cross?Christ is our perfect example, regardless of how you answer this question. He walks into Jerusalem willingly, knowing what is to come. He still asks, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Through His trust in the Spirit He is able to obey the Father, even unto death. Talk with your group about this seeming paradox, and what your answer to this question says about your relationship with God.In what relationships are you forgetting that you are the chief sinner? Take time as a group to confess your sins and, if they’ve affected others in the group, repent and begin the process of reconciliation.

Romans 8:12-13 Part 2

Learning the Way - Romans 8:12-13 Part 2
The message posed this question: How can I yield and submit to the Spirit, so that I can, by the Spirit, put to death the deeds of my body (kill sin?) The message then answered the question by giving these practical steps.Call your sin what it is. Don’t candy-coat it. Be honest about the core problem.(ex: I struggle with my thought life → I am committing lust, idolatry, etc.)See your sin from heaven’s perspective.Find and replace: kill your sin and replace it with God’s character.Talk with your group about a sin that you are currently struggling with, and walk through these steps. As a part of this process, find scripture that applies to your particular sin that you can memorize throughout the week. In this passage, Paul is addressing his brothers and sisters. We are being called to actively put our sin to death. This is a large part of why we meet as small groups. Why are you, specifically you, a part of a small group? Why do you show up? Why do you subject yourself to this?

Romans 8:12-13 Part 1

Learning the Way - Romans 8:12-13
Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.Vs 13 states “For if you live according to the flesh you will die”. Do we really believe our sin is killing us? Do we really want to get rid of things of the flesh in our lives because it offends our savior, or rather to make ourselves look and feel better?Put sin to death. No coddling or feeding it. Kill it at birth while it is still small. (Mark 9:43, James 1:15) Do not think you can control it by yourself. Vs 13 states “…if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” What methods have you used to “control” sin? What steps do you need to take this week to better put sin to death “by the Spirit” and live?Sin may begin in our minds but it quickly works its way out in our bodies. We are to fight sin, but we are weak. Killing sin in ourselves is often done best among community. Fight with a partner or better yet fight with a team alongside. We are to be “sons of God” completely and fully known and accepted. Why do we struggle to feel like sons and daughters of God? What do you need in order to feel fully known and accepted? 

Romans 8:5-11

Learning the Way - Romans 8:5-11
We don’t go back and forth between living in the spirit and in the flesh. Paul is writing to believers reminding them of their reality. Are there times in your life when you forget this?The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. -Romans 8:7Does this verse make you reconsider your attitude towards non-believers? Are there times when you need to extend grace, rather than judgment?And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. -Romans 8:11God’s work in your life can be a great encouragement to others. Where do you see the spirit changing your heart?The message talked specifically about husbands living sacrificially towards their wives, and wives living submissively towards their husbands. In a broader sense, as believers, we’re all called to live sacrificially. Is this what your life looks like? Do you live sacrificially?

Romans 8:1-4 Part 3

Romans 8:1-4 Part 2

Romans 8:1-4 Part 1

Learning the Way - Romans 8:1-4
In what areas of your life do you struggle to live as if you are truly, no longer under condemnation? How will you make sure you remember, “there is now no condemnation” next time?The truth is that from the moment a person becomes a follower of Jesus, they are no longer under condemnation. This does not change! It isn’t based on your works or behavior - it isn’t based on anything you do. Talk about times in your life when you forget this truth and live as though your failures bring you under condemnation?In what ways will knowing that Jesus’ ministry was in order to make you holy motivate you to live differently today? How do you keep from forgetting this truth? (Other than wearing a WWJD bracelet.)(Also, read Numbers 15:37-41. There’s a precedent for this!) Bonus Challenge Section!As a group, find a few verses that remind us of this truth and commit to memorizing one of them this week.Follow up statement, then question: Love and gratitude are much better long-term motivators than fear and duty. Describe a time in your life when your behavior was changed by fear and duty, and also a time when your behavior was changed by love and gratitude. Describe the difference between these experiences."Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” - Romans 8:1As a group, talk about specific ways you can apply this verse to various parts of your life. *Hint, several examples were given in the message! But you have to make your own.*

Romans 7:13-25

Learning the Way - Romans 7:13-25
Throughout church history there have been a number of different thoughts on whether or not Paul is describing himself before he was a believer or afterward. Even now, intelligent, thoughtful people believe differently about this open-handed issue. How does this plurality of ideas make you feel? When our church doesn’t take a strong stand on some open-handed issues, is it disconcerting or comforting? What can we learn about ourselves from this?For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. -Romans 7:18In this passage Paul describes his desire, but inability, to do good. Why is it liberating to be able to be honest about this wretchedness, and certain about your forgiveness? What happens if we forget one or the other truth?The more advanced we become in the Christian life, the more aware we become of our sin. Does the thought that you’ll deal with your sin condition for the rest of your life bring you comfort or make you doubt?In the same way that a wounded animal can be much more dangerous than a healthy one, as we fight our sin there are times when it seems to lash out at us even viciously. Give an example of a time in your life when this has happened. What sins are you actively fighting now? Have you ever thought of fighting sin as being an active discipline?