Greetings! Below you will find questions which reference the sermon preached this past Sunday at The Park. I encourage you to begin your group with a time of greeting and introductions. You may choose to reorder the questions below or to write your own. Work hard to facilitate discussion and avoid allowing yourself or another member to speak the entire hour. Ultimately we trust you with leading your group.
Martin Luther says of Roman’s, “This letter is truly the most important piece in the New Testament, It is the purest Gospel. It is well worth a Christian’s while not only to memorize it word for word but also to occupy himself with it daily, as though it were the daily bread of the soul.” What’s your relationship to Romans? Do you read it often? Do you memorize it? Why or why not?
- What are some observations you had from this chapter? Were there any new insights you learned about the passage from the sermon?
- What theology was present in this chapter?
- What did you learn about God from reading this chapter?
- What does it mean in verse one that there is no authority except that which is established by God? Discuss these ramifications in light of recent events. What respondibilities do we have as individuals? How would your thoughts differ if we lived in a country where Christianity was illegal? For further discussion read Acts 4: 1-21, specifically Peter and John’s response to their governing authority in verse 19.
- According to Paul in verses 1-5, what is to be the role of government?
- Read verses 8-14. Paul is using the idea of fulfilling the law through love. How can love fulfill all of the law?
- How do you interperate verse 11? What does it mean to “awaken”? What does Paul mean by “near”?
- In what ways does this chapter in Romans chart a course for those in the church to live attractive lives in their local communities, being surrounded by the multitudes watching their every move?