{"id":100796,"date":"2021-09-11T12:46:17","date_gmt":"2021-09-11T16:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/discovergrace.com\/?p=100796"},"modified":"2023-09-19T16:52:28","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T20:52:28","slug":"sermon-discussion-questions-how-to-get-unstuck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/discovergrace.com\/sermon-discussion-questions-how-to-get-unstuck\/","title":{"rendered":"Sermon Discussion Questions: How to Get Unstuck"},"content":{"rendered":"

Week 1: How do I get unstuck?<\/strong>
\nRomans 7:1-6<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Is there an area in your life where you feel stuck? What\u2019s keeping you stuck?<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Read Romans 7:1-6. Paul makes an analogous argument by way of marriage. Just as a wife isn\u2019t bound to her husband after his death, neither are we bound by what we once were (verse 6). Would anyone like to share a brief testimony about \u201cwhat you once were\u201d before knowing Jesus? What were some of the things that bound you?<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Verse 6 goes on to say that Jesus has released us from our former lives to serve Him in a new life. Flip back to Romans 6 and read verses 1-4. If Christians have been \u201cburied with Christ through baptism and raised to live a new life\u201d why do we still struggle with the same sins over and over? Why do we repeat patterns from our \u201cold lives\u201d?<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Think about this statement: \u201cIf you want beauty in your future, you must die to some things in your past.\u201d Agree or disagree and why?<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. What does it look like practically to die to specific sins? Would anyone like to share an example from their own life?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     
    \nWeek 2: If I have grace, why do I need the rules?<\/strong>
    \nRomans 7:7-13<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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    1. True or False: If someone doesn\u2019t know God\u2019s law, are they still accountable for breaking God\u2019s law? Why or why not?<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Read Romans 7:7-9. The law is diagnostic. It reveals who we are and shows us our sin. Prior to knowing God\u2019s law, we still sinned but weren\u2019t aware of it. However, because sin is now visible to us, we are accountable for it. Can you think of a time when you weren\u2019t aware that a particular belief or behavior went against God\u2019s law? How did you feel when you became aware of it?<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Are there aspects of God\u2019s law that you disagree with or that confuse you? For example, are there things you know are \u201cwrong\u201d according to God\u2019s law, but that don\u2019t seem so bad to you? Dialogue about these things \u2013 this is a judgment-free zone!<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Read Romans 7:10-13. Explain these verses in your own words.  <\/span><\/li>\n
    5. Listen to this quote from an<\/span> article<\/span><\/a> Pastor Mike wrote in the Grace Magazine: <\/span>The Western Church has a judicial view of sin. We tend to see sin as a violation of the law; therefore the remedy for a sinful heart is to be made legally right before God. The Eastern Church, however, views sin not as legal violation, but as sickness. They recognize that sin is inextricably linked with death \u2013 every time we sin, a little piece of death enters the equation. If I cheat on my taxes, I experience the death of my integrity. If I cheat on my wife, the death of our intimacy. Sin, then, is a form of death and disease in our lives, and as such requires more than legal absolution. It requires healing. <\/span><\/i>Is there an area in your life where sin (or spiritual sickness) has led to a \u201csmall death\u201d? Where do you need healing and restoration?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

       
      \nWeek 3: Why can\u2019t I always be good?<\/strong>
      \nRomans 7:14-25<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Read Romans 7:14-25. Before listening to the sermon, were you familiar with this passage of Scripture? How did you view it?<\/span><\/li>\n
      2. Have you ever experienced a season of bondage when you kept doing something you hated doing? Feel free to share, if you\u2019re comfortable doing so. <\/span><\/li>\n
      3. Do you think every Christian experiences the reality of these verses? Why or why not? <\/span><\/li>\n
      4. Notice the oppressive nature of Paul\u2019s language. He uses words like <\/span>slave, evil, war, prisoner, <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>wretched<\/span><\/i>. Which of these words stand out to you and why? Does Paul have terrible self esteem, or could viewing yourself as \u201cwretched\u201d actually be a good thing? How so?<\/span><\/li>\n
      5. One of our House Rules is <\/span>Genuine Family: Grace frees us from performance and lets us live unafraid. <\/span><\/i>What does it look like to live in bondage to performance? How do these verses free us to live authentically?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

         
        \nWeek 4: How can I find true freedom?<\/strong>
        \nRomans 8:1-4<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. What does \u201ccondemnation\u201d look like in the world? Think of classic stories like Nathaniel Hawthorne\u2019s <\/span>The Scarlet Letter<\/span><\/i> or Stephen King\u2019s <\/span>The Green Mile.<\/span><\/i> What other works of film or literature could you add to this list to describe what condemnation looks like in the world?<\/span><\/li>\n
        2. Read Romans 8:1-2. What a profound statement! There isn\u2019t \u201cless\u201d condemnation for those in Christ; there is \u201cno\u201d condemnation. None! Do you live like there is no condemnation for you? Why or why not?<\/span><\/li>\n
        3. One of the worst kinds of condemnation is self-condemnation. What does your inner critic say? What are the go-to thoughts that condemn you?<\/span><\/li>\n
        4. Read Romans 8:3-4. We are not condemned because Christ met the standard we could not meet for ourselves. What would change in your life today if you fully embraced the freedom you already have in Christ? <\/span><\/li>\n
        5. Based on the sermon and our discussion, how would you answer the question, \u201cHow can I find true freedom?\u201d Share one way we can be praying for you in regard to our discussion today. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

           
          \nWeek 5: How can I live a blessed life?<\/strong>
          \nRomans 8:5-11<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Read Romans 8:5-11 silently. As you read, make a mental list of the differences between living according to the flesh and living according to the spirit. Share what you notice. <\/span><\/li>\n
          2. Read Romans 8:5 out loud. What are modern examples of having \u201cminds set on what the flesh desires\u201d? How does American culture encourage us to feed the flesh?<\/span><\/li>\n
          3. Read Romans 8:6 out loud. How have you seen this to be true in your own life and\/or in the lives of others? <\/span><\/li>\n
          4. Read Romans 8:7-11 out loud. Would you describe yourself as someone \u201cin the realm of the flesh\u201d or someone \u201cin the realm of the Spirit.\u201d Why? <\/span><\/li>\n
          5. If Christ is in us, list the promises we can cling to based on these verses. Which promise especially speaks to you and why? <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

             
            \nWeek 6: How do I know I belong to God?<\/strong>
            \nRomans 8:12-17<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. The language of Romans 8:12-17 is paternal. Believers in Jesus have been adopted into sonship (or daughter-ship). We are heirs of God, able to call Him, \u201cAbba, Father.\u201d If you could describe your relationship with your earthly dad using three words, which words would you pick and why? <\/span><\/li>\n
            2. How has your relationship with your earthly parents impacted the way you view yourself, the world, and God? <\/span><\/li>\n
            3. Read Romans 8:12-13. Paul says that if you live your life committed to the flesh, you will die, not only physically but spiritually. On a scale of 1-10 how much does the thought of death scare you? Why? <\/span><\/li>\n
            4. Read Romans 8:14-16. How does the Spirit free us from fear? Is there a particular fear from which you long to be freed? <\/span><\/li>\n
            5. Read Romans 8:17. What is the relationship between sharing in Christ\u2019s sufferings and being a co-heir with Christ? In what way do Christians today share in Christ\u2019s suffering? <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

               
              \nWeek 7: How should I face suffering?<\/strong>
              \nRomans 8:18-25<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Think of the most significant trials facing you today. Mentally, put them in order from most pressing to least. Would anyone care to share a few items on the list, whether large or small?<\/span><\/li>\n
              2. Read Romans 8:18. Read I Peter 1:6-7. What\u2019s similar about these verses? What do they teach us about suffering?<\/span><\/li>\n
              3. Read Romans 8:19-23. How does a forward-looking, eternal perspective change the way we view trials? How does it encourage us? How does it challenge and convict us?<\/span><\/li>\n
              4. Read Romans 8:24-25. Describe the relationship between \u201chope\u201d and \u201cwaiting.\u201d <\/span><\/li>\n
              5. Share about a personal season of \u201cwaiting,\u201d whether currently or in the past. What does it look like to wait well? How do you maintain hope in a prolonged season of waiting?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                 
                \nWeek 8: Am I really safe with God?<\/strong>
                \nRomans 8:26-30<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. Share one of your earliest memories of feeling \u201csafe.\u201d Can you remember the first time you realized the world isn\u2019t always a safe place? <\/span><\/li>\n
                2. Talk about your own journey in trusting God. Do you feel safe with God? Why or why not?<\/span><\/li>\n
                3. Read Romans 8:26-27. Describe the way in which the Spirit of God prays for us. What might change in your life if you lived with a daily awareness of the Spirit\u2019s intercession for you? <\/span><\/li>\n
                4. Read Romans 8:28-30. Paraphrase these verses in simple language. How might you teach these richly theological concepts to a child? <\/span><\/li>\n
                5. One of our House Rules is <\/span>Radical Hospitality: We go the extra mile to care for others because people\u2019s stories matter. <\/span><\/i>Everyone has a story, and often these stories include trauma. How can the church practically care for people whose stories have compromised their ability to feel safe with God? <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                   
                  \nWeek 9: What does God think about me?<\/strong>
                  \nRomans 8:31-39<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. A.W. Tozer famously wrote, \u201cWhat comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.\u201d What comes into your mind when you think about God?<\/span><\/li>\n
                  2. What do you imagine comes into God\u2019s mind when He thinks about you? Don\u2019t give us the \u201cSunday School\u201d answer! Feel free to share candidly. <\/span><\/li>\n
                  3. Read Romans 8:31-39. What are some of the things that come against Christians? <\/span><\/li>\n
                  4. What are some of the hardships facing you today? Do you believe that in Christ you are \u201cmore than a conqueror\u201d in these areas? Why or why not?<\/span><\/li>\n
                  5. What next step could you take this week to live with a greater awareness of God\u2019s unbreakable love? <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                     
                    \nWeek 10: Does God chose some and not others?<\/strong>
                    \nRomans 9:1-18<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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                    1. Before listening to the sermon this week, have you ever wrestled with the question, \u201cDoes God chose some and not others?\u201d How would you have answered that question prior to studying this passage? <\/span><\/li>\n
                    2. Read Romans 9:1-8. Why is Paul anguished? Have you experienced similar anguish over loved ones who reject God? <\/span><\/li>\n
                    3. What does Paul mean by verse 8: \u201cIt is not the children by physical descent who are God\u2019s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham\u2019s offspring\u201d? Read John 1:12. What makes someone a child of God?<\/span><\/li>\n
                    4. Read Romans 9:14-18. How did God display His power through Pharaoh? (Skim Exodus 7-11, 14 if you need a refresher) <\/span><\/li>\n
                    5. God can display His power by using us mightily, or by bringing us to our knees. \u201cIt does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God\u2019s mercy\u201d (verse 16). How does this verse encourage you? How does it convict you?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                       
                      \nWeek 11: What about my free will?<\/strong>
                      \nRomans 9:19-33<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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                      1. After discussing the mercy and justice of God, Paul sets up a mock argument to discuss free will. Read Romans 9:19-21. Explain these verses in your own words.<\/span><\/li>\n
                      2. Paul is turning the conversation away from man\u2019s freedom to focus on God\u2019s freedom. How is God\u2019s freedom unlike man\u2019s freedom? <\/span><\/li>\n
                      3. J. B. Watson was a 20th century psychologist, who founded the theory of behaviorism \u2013 the idea that environment shapes human behavior. Watson believed there was no such thing as a random behavior. Every choice we make is a product of influences beyond our control, thus the concept of \u201cfree will\u201d is an illusion. Agree or disagree and why? <\/span><\/li>\n
                      4. Read Romans 9:22-26. What attributes of God\u2019s character are evident in these verses? How have you seen these same attributes of God\u2019s character revealed in your own life? <\/span><\/li>\n
                      5. Next week we\u2019ll take a break from Romans to celebrate the Advent season. So far, how have you grown through our study of Romans? One of our House Rules is <\/span>Biblical Maturity: We expect to grow. We teach through the Bible verse by verse because it\u2019s the best way to know the Bible, and the Bible is the best way to know Jesus.<\/span><\/i> How has studying the Bible verse by verse enhanced your understanding of Romans? How has it given you a greater view of Jesus?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                         
                        \nIce-Breakers and Extra Questions for Extra Time:<\/strong><\/p>\n