Podcast on The Way

Romans 7:7-12

Learning the Way - Romans 7:7-12
Is your definition of right and wrong the same as God’s?If we forget our sin we start to focus on other people’s sin. People who see their sin can be healers. People who only see other’s sin can be destroyers and dividers. Do other people see you as a healer or a destroyer or divider?Do you care about seeing your sin? What sin are you struggling with this week?

Romans 7:1-6 Part 3

Romans 7:1-6 Part 2

Romans 7:1-6 Part 1

Learning the Way - Romans 7:1-6
In this week’s passage, Paul compares our relationship with God to a husband and wife. In an ideal marriage, we do things to take care of our spouse - to help them and show them they are loved. We don’t do these things out of obligation or guilt (at least we shouldn’t) but instead, we do them because we love our spouse. In your relationship with God, what love-inspired actions are you taking? Do you do things for Him out of obligation or guilt? For the married crowd: how’s your marriage? Do you take action to show your spouse that you love them? Have you become complacent? Do you take your spouse for granted? When others see your marriage, do they get a glimpse of heaven or hell?So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. - Romans 7:4-5What fruit are you bearing? Do you see evidence of God working in your life? Be honest, but humble bragging is discouraged.Do you struggle to express joy and happiness with regards to your relationship with God? When we worship corporately, do you feel awkward and unable to join? If so, could it be that you’ve traded the freedom of a relationship with God for living under a law that you created yourself? 

Romans 6:15-23

In this week’s message we learned that the imperative always grows out of indicative. As an example, we don’t love others so that God will love us. Instead, we love others because He first loved us. What is the motivation behind your behavior? In what areas of your life are spurred to action out of guilt or obligation?In what areas of your life do you have only an intellectual understanding of God rather than an intimate understanding?How would you respond to someone who says, “I don’t like Christianity because it restricts my freedom” or says “why do you bother to obey God if He already accepts you?” 

Romans 6:1-14

Learning the Way - Romans 6:1-14
We learned in the message that as believers we are no longer under the reign and rule of sin. Sin can no longer dictate, but can still cause us harm. Are there sins you have grown tolerant toward? Will you confess these to your group? Aren’t we really just easing into the new year with these questions?It’s a mistake to think the main way we live our new life is simply looking at sin and its desires and saying to ourselves: don’t. Our new life in Christ is about living positively and proactively: do! Paul encourages us to “offer yourselves to God” and, “offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.” Talk about ways that you can encourage each other as a group to offer yourselves to God.Paul is showing us in this text that sinning comes not from a lack willpower, but from a lack of understanding our position and a lack of reflection and rejoicing. How would your life change if you thought like this:-I am bought with Christ’s blood.-I have been delivered out of the dominion of sin.-I was saved by Christ specifically so I would not sin.

Romans 5:12-21

Learning the Way - Romans 5:12-21
In the message we learned that death reigns not because we sin like Adam sinned, but because of Adam’s sin. Talk with your group about how this makes you feel.We also learned that in the same way, because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, His righteousness can be imputed to us. Contrast and compare the persons of Adam and Jesus. Talk as a group and help each other understand this concept.As the Christmas holiday approaches, it can be easy to forget the reason we celebrate. Share ideas as a group about how you can weave the true meaning of Christmas into your celebration of the day. 

Romans 5:5-11

Learning the Way - Romans 5:5-11
In what way do you allow your relationships with people to change the way you view your relationship with God? Do you live as though it is God who has reconciled you to Him? Does it frustrate you to know that this reconciliation is completely through Him, or does it free you?An important part of our walk with God is having sin revealed to us, confessing and repenting from it, and growing in our relationship with God. Do you have anyone in your life that is close enough to you to show you areas in your life where you need to confess and repent? If not, why?Name at least one criticism of the person sitting to your right. Be kind, but be honest.