Discussion Guide
This weekend in Romans we discussed chapters 7-8. Paul teaches us about our struggle between our old flesh nature and new nature in Christ. Let’s dive in together and see why we still seem to fall into our old ways so often and how Christ solves that problem for us.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
1. Have you tried to do the right thing but were doing it the wrong way? How does this relate to our spiritual lives when we try to live in our own strength rather than through the Holy Spirit?
2. Read Romans 7:6-9,14-15. How does the law make us aware that we are dead to sin? How can we relate to Paul as he shares his struggles with not doing what he wants, but the very thing he hates?
Notes: The law is there to show us that we need to be saved from our sins. Without it we would not realize we were dead in our sins. This weekend in the message they explained that the reason we still struggle with sin is because we still have flesh.
3. Your Flesh Will Struggle. Read Romans 7:22-23. If you see a “wet paint” sign, do you want to touch it to see if it's wet? If you are a follower of Jesus, His Spirit lives in you; how does this help us resist sin? Discuss with one another: Justification – saved from the penalty of sin, Sanctification – saved from the power of sin, and Glorification – saved from the presence of sin.
Notes: Salvation happened, is happening, and will happen. Sanctification is where the struggle happens. The closer we get to Jesus, the more the struggle we will feel. If Paul in the Bible struggled, then hopefully that will encourage us in our struggles.
4. God’s Spirit is Stronger. Read Romans 8:1-3, 28-30, 37-39. What did Jesus set us free from? According to the scripture, what can separate us from the love of God? How can this free our hearts and minds from the burden of sin?
Notes: We will always struggle with this flesh, but with Jesus we have the same power that raised Him from the dead, parted the Red Sea, and saved us from our sins. In the message we were reminded that so often we try to follow Jesus without Jesus. It can’t be done. God is greater, be encouraged that He will complete what he started.
5. Action Step: You're doing great! Keep reading Romans this week. Ask God what He is trying to teach you. How can I live this out? What are thoughts that I have that do not line up with this passage? What is one Scripture that I could memorize to help line my thoughts up with God’s?