Romans 12:1-2  (HCSB)A Living Sacrifice 12 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.Susan Jones If you remember...this was...  Read More

JUSTIFIED BY FAITHRejoice even in suffering, knowing God uses difficulty to develop our character.KEY TRUTH: Those Justified by Faith in Christ Have Peace With God (Romans 5:1–11)KEY TRUTH: Believers Have Grace, Righteousness, and Eternal Life Through Faith in Christ (Romans 5:12–21)FAMILY CONNECTION: CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH!What does the word justified mean?   What are some additiona...  Read More

1.  Paul starts Romans 5 by saying “therefore...” How does Romans 4:23-25 connect to what Paul is talking about in chapter 5? What does justification mean and how is it connected to our peace with God through Jesus (vs. 1)?2. Compare Romans 3:25-26 and Romans 5:8. How do those passages compare the motivation for the Cross? Who are the people in your life you would be willing to die for? WHY would ...  Read More

Romans 6:15-23 (HCSB)From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God 15 What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Absolutely not! 16 Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you ...  Read More

Romans 6:1-14 (HCSB)The New Life in Christ 6 What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? 2 Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the de...  Read More

Romans 5:12-21 (HCSB)Death through Adam and Life through Christ 12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned. 13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not ...  Read More

Romans 5:6-11 (HCSB)Those Declared Righteous Are Reconciled 6 For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! 9 Much more then, since we have now been de...  Read More

Romans 5:1-5  (HCSB)Faith Triumphs 5 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 ...  Read More

GOD IS ALWAYS AT WORK IN YOUR LIFEEvery circumstance can draw us closer to God.KEY TRUTH: Every Experience in Your Life Will be Used by God for Good (Psalm 139:16) (Romans 8:28-29)KEY TRUTH: Your Life Experiences Form a Map of God’s Work in Your Life (Psalm 119:90-91)KEY TRUTH: God Created Your Relational Style to Fulfill His Purpose in the Church (Colossians 4:6)KEY TRUTH: God Gave You Unique Ski...  Read More

How confident would you be retrieving stones from a Middle Eastern riverbed? How confident are you in carrying out God’s commands to SERVE? What are some spiritual milestones in your life? What significance do they have in helping you understand God’s future plans?2. What are some of the most challenging tasks you’ve faced over the years? How did God prepare you beforehand to accomplish those task...  Read More

Relational Style SurveyEvery person has a natural style of how he or she relates to others. Every style has its strengths and weaknesses. God can use any relational style that is submitted to Him to serve His purposes. To know your relational style is to know how God has molded you to serve people and to fit into the body. Two words of caution: 1. Your natural relational style is not an excuse for...  Read More

Matthew 9:35-38 (HCSB)The Lord of the Harvest 35 Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. 36 When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but...  Read More