The Grace Message

What does James 5 mean about healing? Is there any rationale for forgiving ourselves? How do I "fit in" at church now that I understand God's grace better? Might God blot my name out of the Book of Life? Shouldn't I still follow the Law to give myself structure and to be perfect and impress others?

How do we reconcile water baptism with being baptized in God's Spirit? Do they both play a role? Can our salvation be taken away from us? What about lukewarm Christians that are spit out by God?

What does it mean to "abide" in Christ? Is there a "soul sleep"? What are your thoughts on the movie "Sound of Freedom"? Did Jesus limit His knowledge while He lived on Earth? If all Scripture is inspired and useful, then how should we view the Old Testament?

The human body. A symphony. A flourishing garden. All three of these images offer us insight into how the church is designed to function. Find out why in this unifying and encouraging message on Romans 15.  Here you’ll learn that you’re “full of goodness” (yes, it’s okay to say that in church!) and that Christ wants to live through you. As a result, you’ll end up bragging on Jesus and all that He’s doing. These insights and more come to us through the Apostle Paul – an architect, pioneer, and trailblazer. And in this chapter, Paul gives further help solving an important puzzle, as he offers more clues about the true meaning of predestination. Discussion Questions for Romans 15: 1. Read verses 1-3. How do the analogies of the body’s organs and Lego construction help us understand this portion of the chapter? 2. Read verse 4. What was “written in earlier times”? How is it encouragement? 3. Read verses 5-6. How does the idea of a symphony capture the essence of what Paul is saying here? What is the “song” we play together? 4. Read verse 7 and react to Andrew’s statement: God is not in love with a future, better version of you! 5. Read verses 8-12. Given what we saw in chapters 9-11 of Romans, how do these verses further confirm the true message about predestination in Romans? 6. How might verse 13 cause you to picture a flourishing garden? 7. Read verses 14-16 and react to this statement: We are “full of goodness”, and we simply need bold reminders of it! 8. Read verses 17-18. What is Paul bragging about? Can you think of something Christ has accomplished through you? (Consider your story, your struggles, your life, your relationships, etc.). Share anything you feel comfortable sharing. 9. Read verses 19-21. Trailblazer. Pioneer. Architect. Evangelist. How do these words capture the essence of who Paul is? How might this excite you about the opportunity to share the message of God’s grace with a hurting world?

How do you find a church focused on grace? What should the Christian life look like? Can Christians still struggle in a major way? Do children go to Heaven? What about people who lived before the Law? How does grace affect discipleship? What does “to whom much is given, much is required” mean?

Why does God allow us to doubt? Why do some people love my "big personality" and others do not? Can you actually feel your soul? How much should we hope for healing?

How did Jesus not lose anyone given to Him if Judas went to Hell? Did Jesus go to Hell for three days? How do you grieve the death of a parent when you’re twelve years old? Where does it actually say we’ll be reunited with our loved ones in Heaven? How did the books of the Bible get canonized?

Does Israel possess a special anointing or blessing related to medicine or technology? How did God give His only begotten Son if He simply went back to Heaven? Do we really give our life to God or does He give His life to us? Will the whole world realize the return of Christ is happening or just believers?

What part of us was crucified with Christ? How is it that we are new but still learn and grow? Are we made up of two parts or three parts? When do we receive our new bodies?

How should we view “the great commission”? I’m afraid I may have grieved the Holy Spirit and that He has left me. I feel nothing! Was David afraid of losing the Spirit? Did the Spirit come and go in the Old Testament?