Opening: What characteristics, mannerisms, values, beliefs, practices, and
idiosyncrasies have you picked up from your parents, whether you wanted to or
not? Is there some trait that people say reminds them of one of your parents or
some other family member?
Connect
the Text with Your Life:
- Do
you struggle with accepting others into Christian fellowship who are struggling
with some sin in their lives (alcoholism, drug abuse, etc.) Do you have a
feeling they need to “straighten up” before coming? Would you hold yourself to
that same criteria? Should you? Is that what happened to you? What was the
example we saw with Jesus?
- To
Paul’s Jewish readers, this passage must have been devastating. The Jew was
certain that God regarded him or her with special favor, simply and solely
because of his national descent from Abraham and the badge of circumcision.
Paul insists that Jewishness, special favored of God, is not a matter of race
at all; it has nothing to do with circumcision. It is a matter of conduct. If
we swop the word “Jew” for “Christian”, then we realize that just because we
may have grown up in a Christian home and go to a Christian church, faith conduct
is still what makes us Christian. Can others see your Christianity in your
behavior, values, and good works?
Prayer
Focus: That we would strive for holiness in our lives,
while welcoming anyone who still has a long way to go.
