Romans: The Power of the Gospel
In 2024 we are going to read someone else’s mail. Paul wrote a letter to the church in Rome and gave one of the best and most thorough explanations of the Gospel of Jesus and details about how to live that out. He was writing to people who were followers of Jesus in Rome, perhaps the toughest place to be a Christian at the most difficult time to be a Christian. Perhaps Paul’s letter to them can give us insights into how to live out what you believe when the world is indifferent or even hostile to your beliefs. Let’s dive into God’s Word together as we read and reflect on Paul’s letter to the Romans.
Week 14: The Rebellion Has Ended – Romans 6:1-15, 16-23 – 7:6
Jesus came to forgive and give new life to us. God’s grace is abundantly given. So how do we move forward? How do we live as children of God in the Kingdom of God now that my rebellion has ended? Since my sins are forgiven, how do I handle sin now?
LIVE OAK CONNECTION POINT: Live Oak will celebrate Baby/Child Dedications this Sunday at 12:30. Plan to come celebrate and support these parents, If you’d like to dedicate your baby or child you can get in on our next Dedication. Learn more in Sign Up & Events.
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- What is your favorite movie and why?
- What was a highlight for you from this past week?
- READ: Romans 6:1-15, 16-23, 7:1-6.
Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other. Either way make as many observations as you can. What stands out to you from this passage?
- After you have thoroughly made observations and asked questions about this passage, discuss what Doug said that Romans 6:1-7:6 and how it could be summed up in three actions that need to be taken…3 choices by us and 1 by God. Talk about each one.
I RECKON (Romans 6:2-11). RECKON = Your identity and how you see yourself. This helps me ask the question: Who am I?
I YIELD (Romans 6:12-14). YIELD: To submit and surrender to This helps me ask the question: Whose am I?
I SERVE (Romans 6:15-23). SERVE: To live to serve exclusively. This helps me ask the question: Who or what am I serving?
God produces FRUIT (Romans 6:21-23; 7:4-5). FRUIT: What God produces in you that only He can do. This helps me ask the question: What is God doing in my life that only He can do?
- Doug said that, “The clearer about who I am in Christ Jesus, the clearer I will be on how to live for Christ Jesus.” What do you think that means and how have you seen that to be true in your life?
- Doug also said that “Who or what I serve in life will shape my life.” What do you think that means and how have you seen that to be true in your life?
- READ the following verses about the freedom God’s grace has for us and the danger of sin in our lives. What are you observations about each passage?
Romans 6:17-18
John 8:34-35
Galatians 5:1
Hebrews 12:1-2
- Thinking about what we just read in Hebrews 12:1-2, what are some practical ways you can do that this week? (throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…run with perseverance the race marked out for us…fix your eyes on Jesus)? How will you do that this week?
- What else stood out from this week’s sermon and passages?
- What is your big takeaway from this week’s passages and message?
NEXT STEPS:
Everyone has a next step to apply what we have learned. What is your next step? Be specific.
MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
PRAYER:
Spend some time praying for each other.
Scripture References:
Romans 6:1-14, 15-23; Romans 7:1-6; John 8:34; Galatians 5:1; Hebrews 12:1-2