BIBLE READING PLAN
The letter to the Romans is relatively short and takes about sixty minutes to read aloud. Yet, this has been called the most important letter ever written. Here's a reading plan to help you work through the book of Romans during the month of November.
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WEEKLY MESSAGE
Miss this week's sermon? We encourage you to listen or watch online prior to attending your small group. This will help you come prepared and ready to participate with your group as you press the truth of God's Word into every day life.
HOW TO SHARE YOUR STORY WITH YOUR SMALL GROUP
Sharing your story is one of the most important things you can do with your group. Stories are real, relatable and powerful. This includes where you come from, challenges you have endured, formative experiences that have shaped you, ways you have grown, people who have influenced you and ultimately how God is working in your life.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
WEEK 1: No / Yes (Romans 8:1–4)
- Romans 8 has been called the most important chapter in the entire Bible. Looking at Romans 8, what stands out to you about this chapter?
- When is a time in your life that you felt guilty or condemned?
- The doctrine of justification means someone is declared righteous and their sins are now longer held against them by God. Why is this truth foundational to the Christian faith? What's the difference between a judge announcing someone "not guilty" vs "righteous"?
- The substitutionary atonement (see Romans 8:3) means Jesus stood in my place and His sacrifice paid the penalty for my sins. How is Jesus uniquely qualified to be a substitute and the one who atoned for the sins of mankind?
- In one or two sentences, explain the gospel and what it means to be “in Christ”.
- As a group, take some time sharing what your life was like before you received Christ?
- What did my life revolve around before following Jesus?
- Where did I get my security, identity or happiness?
- What was my initial view of God, the Bible or the church? How has this changed over time?
WEEK 2: Flesh / Spirit (Romans 8:5–17)
- What does it mean to “set your mind” on something? According to verses 5–11, how do our thoughts determine the way we live?
- In verses 5–11, Paul contrasts believers and unbelievers. What are some defining marks of a true Christian? What stands out in this passage?
- The Christian life is a struggle with sin, not a surrender to sin. What does this passage teach you about the war against sin? How do you fight against sin?
- Adoption is a beautiful picture of the gospel at work in our lives. How does this passage encourage you?
- According to verses 12–17, what are some ways the Holy Spirit is at work in every believer? How can you discern the voice of the Spirit vs the desires of the flesh?
- As a group, take some time sharing how you came to Christ?
- What were my initial reactions to the gospel?
- Who helped me understand what it means to be saved?
- Looking back, how did God prepare me for the moment I accepted Him?
WEEK 3: Suffering / Glory (Romans 8:18–27)
- No one enjoys suffering. Yet, no one can escape suffering. It comes unexpected and stays as long as it wants. No one can every truly prepare for suffering, but we can prepare to suffer well. Who in your life have you seen suffer well? What stands out?
- Suffering is a part of living in a broken world, and we cannot control when suffering comes into our lives. Why does the unexpected nature of suffering make it so difficult to walk through?
- According to Paul, what’s the secret for suffering well (see verse 18)? What would it look like for you to embrace this secret in your sufferings?
- How does the following statement give you a new perspective on suffering: In light of heaven, the worst suffering on earth will be seen as no more than one night in an inconvenient hotel.
- Where do you see the “groaning” of the world around you? What are some ways the created world reveals it is broken by sin?
- As a group, take some time sharing how Christ has changed your life:
- What are some recent ways God is working in my life?
- How has following Christ changed my relationships, priorities, attitudes and outlook on life?
- How have I seen God to be BIG in my life?
WEEK 4: For / Against (Romans 8:28–39)
Want to Go Deeper?
A Commentary on Romans
If you are looking for an accessible commentary that will help you understand the book of Romans, the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary is a great resource. Rather than unpacking each verse, this book is designed to help you grasp the key themes and main ideas of each chapter. At the end of each chapter is also a list of reflection questions that are designed for small group discussion or personal study. Overall, this series affirms the Bible is a Christ-centered book, containing a unified story of redemptive history of which Jesus is the hero. This commentary is filled with passion, insight and wisdom. The author will take you through what Paul originally meant when he wrote the letter to the Romans and what this means for us today.
A Book on the Holy Spirit
In Romans 8 the work of the Holy Spirit is mentioned 21 times in just 39 verses. In this book, Pastor JD Greear points out that Jesus gave his disciples the audacious promise that the Spirit he would send to live inside them would be even better than if he remained beside them. Yet how many of us consider our connection to the Holy Spirit so strong that we would call his presence in us better than Jesus walking by our side? If you want to learn more about the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, this book is for you. In clear and practical language, this book will explore questions such as: What does it mean to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit? How can we tell when the Spirit is speaking to us? What do you do when God feels absent?