Thursday, November 29, 2012

Opening: What was the occasion of your first debt or loan?

Scripture: Read Romans 13:8-14.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• We live in a society of debt: credit cards, mortgages, second mortgages (to pay off another debt), national debt. Paul tells us “Don't run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other.”[1] How can you eliminate your financial debt?
• “Love People.” Ever heard that before? Who do you owe a debt of love to? Who do you need to start investing your “love currency” into?
• How would your life be different if you consciously tried to “wear” Jesus Christ? What must change to ensure a better fit?

Prayer Focus: That we would fully love people (and of course, love God).

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[1] Romans 13:8 (MSG)

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Opening: When was the last time you got a traffic ticket? How did you feel about the police officer?

Scripture: Read Romans 13:1-7.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• Who are the authorities in your life: family, occupation, church, government, etc.? Why does Paul say we should submit to governing authorities? How do you understand this passage in lieu of the context of Paul’s time, where pagan Roman rulers were preparing to martyr Christians?
• What principles do you find in this passage that help you deal with authority?
• Paul does not advocate blind obedience when faced with conflict with your beliefs. He was eventually martyred for “violating” Roman laws regarding who is Lord was, Jesus or Caesar. How do you find the balance between submitting to authorities and peaceful civil disobedience?

Prayer Focus: That we would submit to our leaders in obedience to God.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Opening: As a child, who was the troublemaker in your family? Who was the peacemaker?

Scripture: Read Romans 12:9-21.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• Today’s reading is a description of the life that is pleasing to God (see verses 1-2). Take a piece of paper and individually list the descriptions.
• Not surprisingly, love heads the list, for all that Paul says is embraced by the call to love (also see John 13:34–35).
• Of the commands listed here, which two are easiest for you to keep? Which two are most difficult?
• What relationship in your life most needs the teaching in this passage?

Prayer Focus: Take a moment to ask for God’s forgiveness, understanding, patience, and power for this relationship?

Monday, November 26, 2012

Opening: What is the thing you are most proud of – accomplishment, talent, position?

Scripture: Read Romans 12:3-8.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• Are you inclined to “think of yourself more highly than you ought” (verse 3) or put yourself down? Healthy self-esteem is important because some of us think too little of ourselves; on the other hand, some of us overestimate ourselves. The key to an honest and accurate self-evaluation is knowing the basis of our self-worth—our identity in Christ. Apart from him, we aren't capable of very much by eternal standards; in him, we are valuable and capable of worthy service. Evaluating yourself by the worldly standards of success and achievement can cause you to think too much about your worth in the eyes of others and thus miss your true value in God's eyes.[1]
• How clear is your sense of the gifts God has given you? If you do not know what spiritual gifts are, or what your gifts are, plan to attend the First Sunday: Spiritual Gifts class on February 3, 2013.
• What holds you back from using your gifts more fully?

Prayer Focus: That we would be fully devoted and fully functioning members of Christ’s body.

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[1] Life Application Study Bible, Romans 12:3

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Opening: As a teen, how did peer pressure affect the way you dressed? How you acted (any former hippies out there)? What entertainment (music, TV, movies, parties) did you take in?

Scripture: Read Romans 12:1-2.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• Sound familiar? It should. Verse 1 has been our theme verse for our message series “Living Sacrifices.”
• How can you offer your “body” as a living sacrifice?
• What does verse 1 add to your understanding of true worship (also see Romans 6:13 and 8:13)?
• In what ways do you tend to conform to the world? How does the “renewing of your mind” happen (see verse 2)?
• Are you asking any “What’s God’s will for me” questions right now? How can you discern His direction and purpose for you?

Prayer Focus: That we would be holy and pleasing to God.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Opening: Have you ever planted a garden? What do you like to plant?

Scripture: Sunday’s message comes from today’s text. Read Romans 12:1-2 and 2 Corinthians 9:10-15.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• What does your offering to the church mean? Do you see it as an obligation? How can it be more of an act of worship (and that doesn't mean a part of the Sunday morning worship celebration)?
• What have you reaped by being generous to others?
• How can God’s promises enable you to be more generous?

Prayer Focus: For tomorrow’s worship celebration, that we would really see our offering as worship – vibrant, praise-filled, honor-bestowing – worship!

Message Series: “A Living Sacrifice”

Tomorrow’s Message Title: “Worship“

Friday, November 23, 2012

Opening: If you were recognized and called forward to receive a life-time achievement award, who would be the first person you would thank?

Scripture: Read Romans 11:11-36.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

• How is it possible for someone to try so hard to please God that they actually resist His love for them? When have you experienced this?
• Paul uses imagery reminiscent of Jesus in John 15:1-8.
• Paul writes, “For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.”[1] What have you sensed God’s call on your life to be? Your spiritual gifts? How does this passage inform that call and those gifts?

Prayer Focus: That we would be fully confident that “For everything comes from [God] and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.”[2]

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[1] Romans 11:29 (NLT)

[2] Romans 11:36 (NLT)