ROmans

On Sundays this Fall we’ll be finishing up a multi-year study in the book of Romans. Each week our groups will also be reflecting on this great letter. Find out more below.

Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

FALL GROUP GUIDE

WEEK 122 | September 3, 2023

BEARING WITH THE WEAK

  • Romans 15:1

  • Question 1: Look back through Romans 14. What does Paul mean by strong? What does he mean by weak?

  • Question 2: What do you think it means to be obligated with someone else’s failings? Is that fair? Is that loving?

  • Question 3: How does Christ obligate himself to our failings? How does this empower us to do the same for others?

WEEK 123 | September 10, 2023

PLEASING NEIGHBOR

  • Romans 15:2-4

  • Question 1: What do you think is the different between pleasing our neighbor and being a people pleaser?

  • Question 2: Paul says, Christ did not please himself. In other words, he denied himself for our good. What longings, wants, or comforts do you need to deny or sacrifice in order to love your neighbor better?

  • Question 3: How does all this give us hope?

WEEK 124 | September 17, 2023

WELCOMING ONE ANOTHER

  • Romans 15:5-7

  • Question 1: What does it look like for your group and/or our church to live in harmony with one another?

  • Question 2: What causes tension in our church community? What causes you to not want to welcome some people?

  • Question 3: What does Paul mean that Christ has welcomed you? How should the gospel inform the way we welcome others?

WEEK 125 | September 24, 2023

ABOUNDING IN HOPE

  • Romans 15:8-13

  • Question 1: Paul says God keeps his promises and shows mercy. Which aspect of his character do you need to remember most this week?

  • Question 2: What causes you to lose hope? Why do you trust those things so much?

  • Question 3: What does it look like to be filled with joy and peace, abounding in hope? How is this not just toxic positivity?

WEEK 126 | October 2, 2023

SATISFIED AND PROUD

  • Romans 15:14-17

  • Question 1: What do Paul’s words and work as an apostle to the Gentiles reveal about the love, power, and grace of God?

  • Question 2: How is the gospel producing more “goodness” in you (what are you becoming)? How is it producing more “knowledge” (what are you learning)? Share how you see the gospel at work in another group member’s life.

  • Question 3: Why is the death and resurrection of Jesus necessary for our sanctification?

WEEK 130 | October 30, 2023

A WELCOMING CHURCH

  • Romans 16:1-2

  • Question 1: How has the Lord “welcomed” sinners home like you and me?

  • Question 2: What does Paul’s respect for Phoebe (a female church leader) and his instruction to “welcome” her teach us about the role of women in the local church?

  • Question 3: How ought the gospel inform the way we receive our neighbors and fellow Christians into our families, groups, and church community?

WEEK 134 | November 27, 2023

THE ONLY WISE GOD

  • Romans 16:25-27

  • Question 1: What has God taught you about his nature and character through the Romans series?

  • Question 2: What have you learned about yourself through Romans?

  • Question 3: How has Romans shaped your understanding of the gospel?

WEEK 127 | October 9, 2023

PREACHING THE GOSPEL

  • Romans 15:18-21

  • Question 1: Why do you think Paul has so much confidence in the gospel? What does he think the gospel is able to accomplish?

  • Question 2: Paul says through word, deed, and power the gospel brings obedience. How has the gospel caused obedience in your life?

  • Question 3: What is the gospel? Describe it as a message and as a power (see Romans 1:16-17).

WEEK 128 | October 16, 2023

THE BLESSING OF CHRIST

  • Romans 15:22-29

  • Question 1: How do Paul’s journeys reveal the providence of God and “the blessing of Christ”?

  • Question 2: How should Paul’s dependency upon Christian community encourage us? In what ways can your group grow in dependency upon Christ and one another?

  • Question 3: Was Jesus dependent? Why is he worthy of our dependency?

WEEK 131 | November 6, 2023

A HOLY KISS

  • Romans 16:3-16

  • Question 1: What does Paul’s long list of greetings teach us about God’s gift of community?

  • Question 2: What do you notice about the way Paul describes his friends and his relationships? How is this similar and dissimilar to your community?

  • Question 3: What do you think it looks like for Christ to be central to all your relationships?

WEEK 132 | November 13, 2023

WATCH OUT FOR DIVISION

  • Romans 16:17-18

  • Question 1: Why do you think God wants his people to be unified (not divided)?

  • Question 2: What do you see dividing the American Church today? What causes these divisions?

  • Question 3: How does the work of Christ protect and heal us from division? How does Jesus hold us together?

WEEK 129 | October 23, 2023

STRIVE IN PRAYER

  • Romans 15:30-33

  • Question 1: Based on this passage, what’s our motivation for prayer?

  • Question 2: What are you praying right now “on behalf” of someone else? How are you praying for “God’s will” in your life?

  • Question 3: How does prayer make us more like Christ?

WEEK 133 | November 20, 2023

GOD WILL CRUSH SATAN

  • Romans 16:19-24

  • Question 1: What does it mean that God is the God of peace?

  • Question 2: How ought the fact that “God … will soon crush Satan” bring you daily comfort and peace? Why doesn’t it?

  • Question 3: Why is the death of Christ necessary for lasting peace?