In this passage, Paul highlights the ministry of the Spirit. Do you think you focus on the ministry of the Holy Spirit enough? If not, why?
In this passage, what new did you learn about the difference the Holy Spirit makes in your life or what was the most important reminder about his ministry?
What do you think it practically looks like to depend on the Holy Spirit to lead us in fighting and overcoming sin?
What is the most helpful thing to you in this text or the sermon on the text?
Living Against Remaining Sin
If sin is our terminal spiritual ailment, what can we hope out of this life? What is the significance? What is the point?
Do you wrestle and struggle to gain victory over against sin? What is the meaning of “dynamic duality”? Share about some success stories.
What of the life in Christ do you actively pursue? How does this pursuit contribute to your sense of purpose and God’s glory?
What is the most helpful thing to you in this text or the sermon on the text?
Serve in the New Way
Is the law sin (7)? If not, why does the law still lead us to sin (5, 8)? What are some of sins that you are struggling with?
Why do we need to be released from the law (5-11)? How do we get released from the law (4)? Have you been released from it?
Does the Moral Law still apply to Christians (6)? How does ‘Spirit-led obedience’ look like? How are you doing with following Jesus?
What is the most helpful thing to you in this text or the sermon on the text?
Free Indeed
What are some things in your life that Christ has freed you from?
How is being a slave to righteousness different to being a slave to sin?
Why should sanctification be a hopeful process and not a fearful one?
What is the most helpful thing to you in this text or the sermon on the text?
Does Grace Lead to Sin?
In what ways do you find yourself and others using grace as an excuse to sin?
How is Paul’s answer that our union with Christ leads us to a righteous life different and deeper than other answers as to why grace does not lead us to sin?
What is the most helpful thing to you in this text or the sermon on the text?
The Last Adam
Is there a mistake(s) you want to “do over” if you could? Would you care to share?
What does new life in Jesus mean for all your sins, mistakes, short-comings and failures?
How can God’s grace apply in this life to shape the way you live?
What is the most helpful thing to you in this text or the sermon on the text?
Rejoice in the Unshakeable Hope You Have in Christ
In Romans 5:1-2 we see the present blessings we have because we are justified in Christ. How can regularly focusing on these blessings help us to put to death grumbling, discontentment and despair?
In Romans 5:3-4 we are called to rejoice in our trials because of the good things God does as we persevere through them. In hindsight, can you give examples of how suffering/trial in your life has been used of God to grow your Christian character and your hope in the gospel?
In Romans 5:5-11, Paul speaks of the deep love of each member of the godhead for those united to Christ by faith. Which of these blessings most encourages you at this point in your life and why?
What is the most helpful thing to you in this text or the sermon on the text?
Faith Counts
Do you struggle with the “invisible nature of faith”? What or when were some difficult times regarding faith in Jesus?
Can you recall some times when you “exercised faith” and grew stronger? Please share.
What is the ultimate benefit of faith? According to [vv.23- 25] what is “counted” towards us in faith?
What is the most helpful thing to you in this text or the sermon on the text?
The Gospel According to Abraham
What was the dominant Jewish theology of the day in regards to faith and works with respect to salvation? (3:27) How was Abraham justified before God? (4:3-5) What was the content of Abraham’s faith based on Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 15:1-6?
Was Abraham justified by faith before receiving the sign of circumcision or after it? (4:10) Since his faith preceded the sign, how did this change the mindset of the Jews’ religious superiority based on circumcision? (3:29-30; 4:9-10) What was the meaning of the circumcision? (4:11) What is the new covenant sign that replaced circumcision? (Col 2:11-12) Do any of these signs save anyone?
Since we are not saved by the works of the law, why is Paul teaching to uphold the law? (3:31) What part of Mosaic law is still applied to Christians?
What is the most helpful thing to you in this text or the sermon on the text?
Receive God’s Gift of Righteousness
How should the truth of verse 21 impact how we read our Bibles? What happens when we focus more on the commands in the Bible instead of the gospel promised in the Bible?
In this text we see that justification by faith involves two aspects: (1) forgiveness and (2) the gift of righteousness. What happens if we only hold to the forgiveness part?
In verse 22-23 we are reminded that righteousness is found in Christ alone, which we receive by faith. In what/ whom are you tempted to try and nd righteousness other than Christ?
What is the most helpful thing to you in this text or the sermon on the text?
God’s Plan through Our Hands
How did God speak to your heart through this passage of Scripture? What did you learn? How were you convicted or encouraged?
How should a local church respond to the reality that God’s people have inherited the role of the Servant? What might it look like for us to live more and more as a “missional community” — not only a community that sends missionaries, but a community that is itself being sent into the world on God’s mission?
How do you sense God calling you to respond personally to the reality that we have inherited the Servant’s mission? What role does he want you to play?
Total Depravity
For those of us who have attended church for a long time and claim to be Christians, it is still a result of indwelling sin that we find ourselves taking pride in certain actions or abstaining from certain actions. Identify and name ways that you find yourself taking pride in your behaviour or performance. Practice confessing those things in your community group discussions.
In Romans 3:10-18, Paul quotes the Old Testament and tells us of our condition apart from Christ. Even as Christians, those who have put their faith and trust in Christ, we can still see sin in our lives where we are guilty of these accusations. Identify ways in your life that you are guilty of faithlessness, doubt, bitterness, hate, deception, etc.
Does the concept of Total Depravity (i.e. there is no good in us at all) push you to look to gratitude and humility for the nished work of Christ on your behalf or does it push you to shame and attempts to hide, cover up and make excuses your actions?
What for you is the most helpful/challenging thing from this text or the sermon on it?
The Privilege and Responsibility of Being a Church Member
In Romans 3:2 Paul says it is a great privilege to have God’s word. What are some of the obvious blessings you enjoy because of your knowledge of God’s word compared to some of your non-Christians friends who have had very little exposure to or knowledge of the Bible?
In Romans 3:3 Paul says that the benefits of having God’s word are nullified by unbelief. Why do you think some of the people you know who grew up in church don’t believe the gospel? Why can the unbelief of some in the church seem very subtle so that others and maybe even they themselves are unaware of their lack of faith?
In Romans 3:5-8 Paul talks about those who abuse God’s grace by assuming that he won’t judge them for their sin. How can we both vigorously focus on salvation by grace and also continually be challenged to how grace leads us to a life of practical godliness?
What for you is the most helpful/challenging thing from this text or the sermon on it?
Cut to the Heart
What is your pride and security? What do you nd yourself boasting about, explicitly or implicitly? Can you ultimately rely on those things?
Where have you seen your own pride and boasting result in hypocrisy and shame? Would you practice humility and vulnerability by sharing and confessing?
How do you invest in the unseen spiritual reality where only God is your audience? How would you live to please God with your heart and being?
What for you is the most helpful/challenging thing from this text or the sermon on it?
Why Being Moral Cannot Save Anyone
In 2:1-5 Paul accuses the Jews of doing the very same things that they condemn in the pagans. Where do you see this kind of hypocrisy most evident in your life? How do you tend to justify it or cover it up?
In 2:9 Paul says that judgment is for the Jew rst. What does he mean by this? How does it help you to see the gravity of your own sin?
2:12-16 is meant to show us that no one can be justi ed by their works. In what ways do you tend to smuggle in good works as the basis of your relationship with God instead of the nished work of Jesus Christ in his life, death and resurrection?
What for you is the most helpful/challenging thing from this text or the sermon on it?
…What Ought Not to Be Done
1. Read Romans 1:24-28. Think of an actual non-Christian friend. How would you explain a Christian view of homosexuality to him/her? Discuss their likely objections, and what you might/could/should say in response.
2. Re-read Romans 1:24-32. What would/should you say to a Christian brother/sister who was struggling with homosexual temptation or sin? Would that be similar or different to a brother/sister who was struggling with heterosexual temptation or sin?
3. Re-read Romans 1:28-32. How would you counsel a brother/sister who was struggling with slander, malice, or pride? (How does this differ to the answer to #2?)
4. Re-read Romans 1:24-32. Which of these sins are you most convicted by
The Imperishable Hope
Do you hope and believe in the resurrection as taught in 1Corinthians15? What were some new things discovered through the sermon? --or, af rmation and reminders?
What do you personally look forward to the most about resurrection and renewal?
Based on the sermon, name all the ways in which the resurrection renews us.
Where/how would you apply the courage resurrection provides a believer?
For Who
The Creation Testifies
What do you think of the seriousness of sin? Does the Bible make a good case against your guilt?
How do we conduct ourselves in the “court of man”? Describe some of your own denials and distractions that de ect God’s sin-conviction in your life.
How did Jesus satisfy the wrath of God? How personally grateful are you for that rescue? How do you show gratitude in your life?
Church in the Wild
Discussion Questions:
1) Can you share any “Ah ha!” moments that you had during the sermon?
2) Christian morality is not about becoming the best person you can be; it is about becoming the best neighbor you can be. If this is true, is it possible to live the Christian life apart from the church? Why is it so tempting to miss church or even stop going to church altogether but still feel like we are good Christians?
3) It’s easy for us to get surprised when we see people in church acting sinfully. Why is it important for us to expect division, scandal, and trouble in the church?
4) God holds us together better than we can possibly hold on to each other. How can the belief that the church belongs to God humble us, give us patience with one another, and make us more gentle? Why is it important to understand that unity is more than the absence of division or disagreement? What are some ways you can actively promote the unity of HCC?