Podcast on The Way

Romans 8:18-27

Learning the Way - Romans 8:18-27
Last week we discussed being patient with others. How are you at being patient with yourself when you experience dry times or valleys?For believers this life is as close to hell as we will get, but for unbelievers this life is a close to heaven as they will ever get. How does that truth compel you to share the truth of the gospel with the lost?How does the suffering of this life expose your sinfulness?The Spirit intercedes on our behalf! How should this truth be an encouragement to you this week? When you experience suffering?

Romans 8:14-17

We learned in the message that the way we respond to God after we have sinned is a good indicator of how well we understand the gospel. How do you respond to God after you sin? Do you cry out, “Abba, Father”? Do you hide, or become angry, or deny, or explain?We also learned that the way we respond to others’ sin shows us how well we understand the gospel and mercy that has been extended to us. How do you respond to others’ sin? Do you respond with anger? Are you tempted to withdraw? Retaliate with words? Are you tempted to make it a teachable moment every time?Kindness is more than the absence of ill will. It is applied compassion in thought, word, and deed. Talk with your group about relationships and areas of your life where you should be responding with true kindness.Finally, as a believer, the scripture tells us we are sons of God. We’ve been adopted into the family and given the same status as Jesus our savior! How does this truth (or how should this truth) affect your life? Is it something you consider?

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