Behind The Message EP 9 - Romans

On this week’s Behind The Message, special guest Jeremy Bledsoe co-hosts with Jennifer. They, along with Pastor Mike, continue the discussion on Romans from the weekend’s sermon talking further about how Paul announces the good news of the Gospel and the implications of that good news for those who believe. 

 

Big Truth

By faith, we live in union with Jesus Christ Himself

 

Big Ideas

1. United with Jesus, we are dead to sin
2. United with Jesus, we are raised to new life
3. United with Jesus, sin is defeated but not eliminated

 

Discussion

Lead Group Members to discuss the following…

 

What Got You? Ask your group members to each share a takeaway from the weekend’s sermon or from the BTM video that got them thinking or doing.

 

In the BTM recording, Pastor Mike, Jennifer, and Jeremy talked about the practical means by which a believer lives out their new identity in union with Jesus and dead to sin. Pastor Mike gave a very practical formula for us to remember... “Consider yourself dead to sin (Romans 6:11) and present yourself to God (Romans 6:13).” This formula prioritizes a mindset that first considers/reckons/counts oneself dead to sin and then takes action according to this mindset. 

 

First, the mind that considers itself dead to sin: 

 

Read the following Bible verses and discuss what they say about a mindset that considers itself dead to sin.

-Romans 12:1-2 

-Colossians 3:1-4 

 

How does one have their mind transformed and set on things that are above? 

-Titus 3:5 

-2 Corinthians 3:18 

 

Second, discuss the actions a believer takes according to this mindset:

 

Read the following Bible verses and discuss practical actions that a believer can take in order to live out of this new mindset of being dead to sin.

-Colossians 3:5-11

-Colossians 3:12-17

Even though for believers sin is defeated, sin is not eliminated.  A believer could be discouraged by the constant struggle with their sin. Consider the quote from John Newton that Pastor Mike shared as part of his message and share with your group about the growth you have seen within yourself as you have continued to live out the truth of being dead to sin and united with Jesus.

 

“I am not what I might be, I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I wish to be, I am not what I hope to be. But I thank God I am not what I once was, and I can say with the great apostle, “By the grace of God I am what I am.”

 

Close your time together by reading Philippians 1:6 and praying that you would be cooperative with and obedient to God as He completes His work within you.