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 16: Walking in the Spirit – Romans 8:1-17
Romans 8 is not only of one the most important chapters in Romans but perhaps one of the most important chapters in the Bible. Romans 8:1 starts with the word “therefore” and tells us the impact of the Gospel on our lives, how God views us because of the cross, and how we go on as we “walk in the Spirit”.
LIVE OAK CONNECTION POINT:
If anyone in your group would like to help cover our year-round Kids Ministry volunteers this summer so they can take a rest please send them to Sign Up & Events on our App and Website. Summer Serve is signing up to serve once or twice over the course of May thru July!
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- If you could go on a road trip with any person dead or alive (besides Jesus), who would you choose and where would you go?
- This week’s passage and sermon talked about how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. As you look back on your Christian life, how has your understanding of the Holy Spirit changed?
- READ: Romans 8:1-17 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?
- Search this passage in Romans 8:1-17 to identify truths that can help you when you face encounter feelings of guilt and unworthiness. What in this passage tells us about how God sees us?
- Practically speaking, why or when do you struggle at seeing yourself the way God says He sees you in Christ?
- What are some ways this week you can “preach the Gospel to yourself” to remind you of who you are in Christ?
- How does Paul compare the two different approaches to life of living according to “the flesh” and living according to “the Spirit”?
- READ the following verses about the Holy Spirit vs. the flesh? Discuss each passage one at a time:
*If possible, have one person read the passage out loud AND have everyone else look up each passage as they are read along silently so they can look at the verses for themselves.
Ephesians 1:13
Ephesians 5:15-18
Galatians 5:13-18
Galatians 5:19-26
Galatians 6:7-9
- Practically speaking, why do you NOT live a life led by the Spirit? What keeps you from living this way?
- Practically speaking, what are some ways this week you can seek to walk in the Spirit, live according to the Spirit, and seek to be led by the Spirit this week? How can you tune into the Holy Spirit 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 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…”
PRAYER:
Spend some time praying for each other.
Scripture References:
Romans 8:1-14; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 5:15-18; John 14-17; Galatians 5:13; Galatians 5:19-26; Galatians 6:7-9