A Word About the Study Guides

SMALL GROUP HANDOUT

III “Roman numeral three” SESSION 3 – Week of October 2 ROMANS THE SERMON SERIES

A word about the study guides: Each weekly study guide is meant to help you engage the Scripture lesson and explore its meaning for your life. You may use the study guide in a variety of ways. You can follow it carefully, point by point. You can skip over sections if you do not find them helpful. If you sense the Spirit leading you to ask other questions or highlight points not mentioned in the study guide, follow that path. Bottom line – the study guide is intended to facilitate discussion and deeper reflection, use it in ways that best suits your group.

Check In  Psalm 19 describes how creation “declares the glory of God.” How do you experience/feel/understand more fully/encouraged by … God’s presence and love through creation?

Be sure to save time for the final question, the last bullet in the Bible Study – We want the good news to shine!

Bible Study: Romans 1: 18 – 32 (and Psalm 19) Be sure to start by reading the texts aloud.

 Is the overall message of the Romans passage awkward, or difficult to consider? If so, why do you think that is so?

 Paul presents a very different view of humanity than our modern view of people. Talk about that. Is it hard to accept Paul’s view?

 In verses 23 and 25 Paul describes how humanity “exchanged” the worship of God the creator for creation. This is the heart of idolatry. What does our society idolize? What are we (you) tempted to idolize?

 What about the link between God’s wrath and His love? How do you respond to the idea that God grows angry at injustice and unrighteousness?

 Three times (24, 26, 28) Paul writes “God gave them over to …” the natural consequences (my phrase) of their sin and rebellion. This is hard to hear – consider how it works. Does sinful behavior or separation from God grow deeper in a person’s life? SMALL GROUP HANDOUT

III “Roman numeral three” SESSION 3 – Week of October 2 ROMANS THE SERMON SERIES

Continued from side one…

 Paul’s teaching on homosexual practice is in verses 24 – 27. This major topic could go in a variety of directions. Here are two suggestions to focus on:

 Explore the point that God introduces the subject of homosexual practice because it reveals how sin disrupts the structural integrity of God’s creation. This is also why Paul emphasizes so strongly idolatry. It turns God’s created order on its head and makes God subordinate to the idols we worship.

Consider how Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2: 24 help us understand Paul’s concern about homosexual practice and God’s intended order for creation.

 What about the things Paul is not saying in these verses on homosexual practice? (Remember, Paul discusses actions not attraction or orientation) Without question, Paul views same sex activity as contrary to God’s plan for creation; however, how should we respond to people living a same-sex lifestyle? Do our attitudes and actions demonstrate rebellion against God’s ways?

 G. K. Chesterton once said, “The one doctrine of Christianity which is empirically verifiable is the fallenness of man.” If it’s true that there is abundant evidence of human sinfulness all around us, why do we find it hard to speak of it or acknowledge it in others or ourselves?

 Conclude by focusing on the gospel – the good news. How is the gospel Paul proclaims in Romans 1: 17 or 8: 1 (or even Psalm 19: 12, 13), connected to the bad news in 1: 18 – 32? How we can allow the good news of forgiveness and new life in Jesus flow more deeply into us?

Prayer time  As you pray for each other, also ask God to help you answer the final question from above. “How can we allow the good news of forgiveness and new life through Jesus flow more deeply into us?”

“For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.”