Sermon Discussion Guide 9-6-26

Sermon Discussion Guide
Romans | Not Ashamed of the Power of the Gospel | Romans 1:8-17

Gathering Question
What is one way you’ve seen God at work in your life this week?

Gathering Prayer
Father, by Your Spirit, would you guide us into all truth. Help us to hear and be attentive to Your voice as we work through this study. In the name of Jesus, Your Son, we pray. Amen.

Opening Questions
What stood out to you in the sermon?
What insights did you gain?
What questions did it raise?

Read Romans 1:8-17

1) Paul’s Prayer and Ours

• Paul shares a prayer he has been praying for the church in Rome. As you read his heart for the Romans, who is stirred up in your heart as someone to pray for? Why do you suspect they are brought to mind?
• In his prayer, Paul says he wants to be encouraged by the faith of the saints in Rome. How does the faith of the others encourage your own?
• John Stott said about this text, “Happy is the modern missionary who goes to another country and culture with reciprocity.” When considering the work of global discipleship, how much of an expectation do you have for the work of going to also be the work of receiving?

2) Not Ashamed

• Read 1 Corinthians 1.18-24
• Do you suspect Paul was tempted to minimize the significance of Christ?
• What are some contributing factors that quiet our own witness for Christ?

3) Good News is the Power of God at Work

• Karl Barth said, “The revelation of the Gospel doesn’t happen once; it is ongoing anytime Jesus is preached.” How has preaching revealed Jesus in a greater way to you?

4) Belief & Faith is the beginning of the Journey 

• Martin Luther wrote in his prelude to his comments on Romans the following: "Faith is not that human notion and dream that some hold for faith. … (Faith is not) an idea in their hearts, which says, “I believe” (and that’s it). This they hold for true faith. But it is a human imagination and idea that never reaches the depths of the heart, and so nothing comes of it and no betterment follows it. Faith, however, is a divine work in us. It changes us and makes us to be born anew of God (John 1); it kills the old Adam and makes us altogether different men, in heart and spirit and mind and powers, and it brings with it the Holy Ghost. Oh, it is a living, busy, active, mighty thing… Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man would stake his life on it a thousand times. This confidence in God’s grace and knowledge of it makes men glad and bold and happy in dealing with God and all His creatures; and this is the work of the Holy Ghost in faith. … Pray God to work faith in you…"
• What is new or different about Luther’s description of faith and your own?

Closing Prayer