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AH3 - Power of Life in Christ
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Bible Study #3

Romans 12:1-21

The Power of Life in Christ

Awakening hearts in every generation to the power of life in Christ!

God is revealing to each one of us how we are uniquely called to follow him in our daily lives. We share the gospel in transparent and practical ways that provide opportunities for new understanding and fresh application.  Our hearts are the spiritual, physical, intellectual, and emotional core of who we are as God’s children. With our hearts focused on Christ, we are mobilized to fulfill our latent potential in the Kingdom of God.

With hearts awakened we live transformed lives…

This study, based on our mission of Awakening Hearts, is intended to help you be washed in the waters of your baptism with the support and encouragement of your fellow followers. It’s our prayer that the pattern of Freedom-Joy-Sacrifice-Renewal, will become an intentional method for you and your group as Christ awakens you each day out of your sinfulness into the newness of life in Him.

Small Group Time Suggestions

 

Open with prayer

How was your week?

Review of last week’s topic - Every Generation, Luke 1:46-55

Watch Sunday Sermon - September 25, 2022  (Available on St. Luke’s Youtube Channel)

Paul teaches that Christ has the power to transform our lives by the renewing of our minds.  Our lives are not transformed for our own benefit, but to serve him.  The birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and promised return of Jesus gives us our identity, our purpose, and our eternal destination.  It transforms all that we think, say, and do to bring joy and intentionality in our relationships and vocations.  A mission statement serves as the compass to direct our ministry.  In our new mission statement, we are reminded that we are released from our sin, and we are free to boldly live out our faith.  God sees us through the righteousness of his Son and empowers us to see one another in the same way.

Scripture

Read Romans 12:1-21 - The Power of Life in Christ

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Discussion:

  1. What stood out to you in the sermon and scripture reading?
  2. What does it mean to present your body as a living sacrifice?

  1. God renews your mind and gives you His power through Christ to be able to discern the will of God.  How do you see this happening in your life?
  2. In verse 3, Paul describes his responsibility to other believers and then lists some gifts that God gives.  What gifts have you received from God that you are using to build up His body (His church)?
  3. With hearts awakened and seeing the power of letting Christ direct our actions,  we live transformed lives…
  1. How does this scripture give you freedom?
  2. What brought joy to you in this lesson?
  3. What might we have to sacrifice to help others see Christ?
  4. How do these words assure us of God’s forgiveness?
  1. Verses 9-21 show that in Christ, we have a new power to live out our daily life.  What difference will that make in your life this week?