Podcast on The Way

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?

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.