Romans 1:16 - 23 Bible Study notes
Why do you think the gospel is the lifeline?
Points that people brought up
- We are helpless without it; Jesus dying for our sins makes us able to reunite with God
- It helps us live our life for God
- People know there's a God because of creation, but they don't know they're sinners
We talked a lot at InRoads about not making your faith just an act, but who you are.
What is the biggest obstacle to Christ being Lord and not just Savior?
- Me, because I try to figure out, how can I do this, how do I get by?
(If you want something done right do it yourself) In most cases we are the biggest obstacle
- We have to die daily to ourselves
It's interesting that we don't have a natural tendency to give lordship to anyone else
But, we find ourselves slipping into giving lordship to things that are not God
Do we let our schedules lord our lives? yes to extent
Do we let our marriage schedules lord our lives? yes to extent
To what degree do we give lordship to God?
We want to hold lordship to ourselves, (and the world says it's good), but we realize
somehow we abdicated control to things that were not God or even me!
We don't do the things that we should (even little things)
How much more, the big things? How can we say we can do the big things well on our own?
- The fact of sin and not the amount is the important point, and it took the death of Jesus
to take care of sin.
The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness.. men suppressed the truth...
- You reap what you sow
- God's invisible qualities are made known to man, so they are without excuse
How is our comfortable life the same as experiencing the 'wrath of God'?
This doesn't seem like wrath, but maybe it is, if we don't know what 'awesomeness' is?
- Matt 6, Jesus is teaching. Beware of practicing righteousness before men to be noticed by them,
otherwise you have no reward in heaven. They have their reward in full
That is the deception we live in. If we do stuff for the praise of men it's useless to the kingdom
Anger, strong feelings
- God's wrath is calculated to drive people towards Him
We live in a world that is a result of God's wrath; Sin is that consequence
God's wrath is REVEALED in this case--made apparent
In the Gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed
- Time after time, civilizations become weak because of the way they are living, and then they're overthrown
Why do we not want to pursue good?
-
How do we see God in creation, or do we?
- We know the universe had a beginning
- It couldn't have come out of nothing, so God put it there to show us
Poemia - like a poem of creation;
I've come to appreciate the scripture as a beautiful poem, a love story, with purpose and layers
What would God look like if you got to be the designer?
- He would look like me! (something got lost in the translation)
We think we're so smart! Why didn't the Romans, Greeks, Mongols, Russians, etc have it all figured out?
Why does no one stay on top?
- It takes revelation and inspiration, not rote
Do we Americans think that we have found the "secret sauce"?
- we lack the appreciation for God that pastors in other countries do
Why do we not think God would fulfill us? do we think we won't like his choice for us? God is not happy! Period.
We exchange him for cheap knock offs, and don't blame those little gods, we blame the big God.
Name your gods. Ask THEM why they didn't come through, ask THEM why they did not fulfill, why they cannot do
what the big God does. Their answer should be coming....
Why is Jeff making such a big deal out of this scripture?
God himself wants to drill these points home to us, this is a personal message to InRoads
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Romans 1: 1-17
Sunday Message Video: Ashamed?
We are starting the book of Romans at InRoads and we will be reviewing the Sunday messages at the following Bible study.
Introductory Questions
Paul's Background
Paul establishes his credentials of being an apostle, sent by God with authority to lead the church (he was not one of the original 12). He sends the letter to the Roman church to which he had not been to, yet. He intended to visit Rome on his way to Spain, and did not intend to stay there long-term. Jewish people who had gone to Jerusalem from Pentecost scattered and it is believed that they reached as far as Rome and Spain.
Paul used to be a killer of Christians (named Saul, was present at the stoning of Stephen) and spent 14 years in the dessert with Christ being set aside as an apostle. He was a Jew of Jews (trained under Gamaliel who was a renowned Pharisee/teacher), a Roman citizen, and a child of possibly wealthy parents. He was officially accepted by Paul and the other leaders in Jerusalem and accepted as an apostle.
Paul wrote Romans around 57 AD after Claudius had expelled the Jews from Rome, but by the time the letter was written, the Jews had returned to Rome. Nero ruled from 54 through 68 and was known for his harsh persecution of Christians.
Do you ever feel like you have to establish your credentials as a Christian?
For some it's easy for someone to know you're a Christian by just telling them you're one. It is sometimes perceived, however, by Christians and maybe some non-Christians when one who claims it, acts against Christian values. Do we create opportunities to show others that we are Christian as to not be mistaken for just a "good person?"
Verse 1: Paul considers himself a servant, or more accurately a "slave," for Christ. The original word means a willing slave who chooses to remain a servant even with the chance to be freed of the burden.
How would our actions/attitudes change if we took on the same attitude of Paul, being a slave for Christ?
Maybe our actions should be more amplified for Christ. How can we act in a way that benefits Christ more so that ourselves? Are we thinking of Christ's glory first, before our own pleasures, wants, needs, etc? When one claims to be a Christian, we are proclaiming that we are slaves of Christ. The change between being a slave to ourselves sometimes happens dramatically, but more often happens within a long journey with difficult growth and maturity throughout. Spectrum may begin with "I don't want to go to hell" and hopefully will evolve from a narcissistic approach to an attitude of gratitude of what Christ has done, and the actions that reflect that gratitude. Some outcomes will be spending more time with God and serving others.
Gospel (1 Cor 15:3-4)
Gospel means "good news (greek ev-engelian), which is that God loved us so much that he sacrificed his son, Jesus, to die for our sins, so that we can have fellowship with God and save us from our depravity.
Verse 2-4 The spirit and the flesh. What if there was a virgin birth without a resurrection? His death and resurrection proved that he had power over the punishment of sin, which is death. He would prove to be another "cultist" and would not be able to convince others of his Godhood. He validated the scriptures and also what he claimed of himself (that he would destroy the temple and build it up again in three days).
Verse 5-6 - The obedience of faith. What is obedience of faith? To act on our belief in the gospel, which is our hope. Obedience to being faithful, or obedience resulting from faith? We have faith by virtue of God's gift, and out of that faith comes obedience.
Verse 7-8 - Those called to be saints ("set apart"), their faith is proclaimed in all the world. Paul has heard about their faith throughout his 20 year journey, because it is so evident.
What would it take for InRoads for the same to be said about it?
There must be a significant amount of evidence (i.e. fruit) of that faith. If we were "fanatics" or "extremists," then the idea would go back to obedience to the faith.
What about persecution? Is that what helped the popularization of the Roman Christians' faith? Possibly... there may have been some debate as to the intended audience of the letter, as there were definite messages to the Jewish and non-Jewish Christians in Rome. It is more likely that it was written to the general church in Rome.
Verse 9-11 - The Church (the "ecclesia" or all individuals who follow Christ) should keep each other accountable and pray for one another.
Do you let the church know your needs so it can be effective in filling your needs?
Avenues of communication: small group of accountability, prayer chain through the church. Strong relationships and trust with each other help with accountability and supporting each other. Community is important for building each other up in support, encouragement, prayer, etc.
Verse 12-15 - Mutually encouraged by each other's faith. This is a microcosm about the church in Rome. The faith of the church is known throughout the world, and individually, we should be encouraged by each other's faith ("both yours and mine"). Sometimes tragedy and hardship sparks encouragement in others when we rely on God for strength, understanding, and sustainment.
Why do we try to do on our own what God has told us to do together?
Our culture, pride, don't want to rely on others, habit, fear of judgment/rejection, one may not want to be perceived as being lazy, weak relationships.
It's important to have specific areas where it would be safe for one to ask for help/guidance, where the other party could speak into the life and encourage growth of the one asking for help/guidance. We must invest in each others' lives to give us the right to speak into each others' lives.
Do you think you have a gift to offer the Church to build it up? If so, what could it be?
Serving no matter how "big" or "small" it may seem (e.g. dishwashing, cleaning tables).
Verses 16-17 - Review these verses often, we will often come back to these verses!
Fun: imitating Jeff...
We are starting the book of Romans at InRoads and we will be reviewing the Sunday messages at the following Bible study.
Introductory Questions
- Expectations/hopes for studying Romans: a better understanding.
- Fears/intimidation associated with studying Romans: lots of information to go into and very very deep. There are many intellectual and theological things that are addressed in the book, and it will be an academic exercise as well as a spiritual growth opportunity for everyone.
Paul's Background
Paul establishes his credentials of being an apostle, sent by God with authority to lead the church (he was not one of the original 12). He sends the letter to the Roman church to which he had not been to, yet. He intended to visit Rome on his way to Spain, and did not intend to stay there long-term. Jewish people who had gone to Jerusalem from Pentecost scattered and it is believed that they reached as far as Rome and Spain.
Paul used to be a killer of Christians (named Saul, was present at the stoning of Stephen) and spent 14 years in the dessert with Christ being set aside as an apostle. He was a Jew of Jews (trained under Gamaliel who was a renowned Pharisee/teacher), a Roman citizen, and a child of possibly wealthy parents. He was officially accepted by Paul and the other leaders in Jerusalem and accepted as an apostle.
Paul wrote Romans around 57 AD after Claudius had expelled the Jews from Rome, but by the time the letter was written, the Jews had returned to Rome. Nero ruled from 54 through 68 and was known for his harsh persecution of Christians.
Do you ever feel like you have to establish your credentials as a Christian?
For some it's easy for someone to know you're a Christian by just telling them you're one. It is sometimes perceived, however, by Christians and maybe some non-Christians when one who claims it, acts against Christian values. Do we create opportunities to show others that we are Christian as to not be mistaken for just a "good person?"
Verse 1: Paul considers himself a servant, or more accurately a "slave," for Christ. The original word means a willing slave who chooses to remain a servant even with the chance to be freed of the burden.
How would our actions/attitudes change if we took on the same attitude of Paul, being a slave for Christ?
Maybe our actions should be more amplified for Christ. How can we act in a way that benefits Christ more so that ourselves? Are we thinking of Christ's glory first, before our own pleasures, wants, needs, etc? When one claims to be a Christian, we are proclaiming that we are slaves of Christ. The change between being a slave to ourselves sometimes happens dramatically, but more often happens within a long journey with difficult growth and maturity throughout. Spectrum may begin with "I don't want to go to hell" and hopefully will evolve from a narcissistic approach to an attitude of gratitude of what Christ has done, and the actions that reflect that gratitude. Some outcomes will be spending more time with God and serving others.
Gospel (1 Cor 15:3-4)
Gospel means "good news (greek ev-engelian), which is that God loved us so much that he sacrificed his son, Jesus, to die for our sins, so that we can have fellowship with God and save us from our depravity.
Verse 2-4 The spirit and the flesh. What if there was a virgin birth without a resurrection? His death and resurrection proved that he had power over the punishment of sin, which is death. He would prove to be another "cultist" and would not be able to convince others of his Godhood. He validated the scriptures and also what he claimed of himself (that he would destroy the temple and build it up again in three days).
Verse 5-6 - The obedience of faith. What is obedience of faith? To act on our belief in the gospel, which is our hope. Obedience to being faithful, or obedience resulting from faith? We have faith by virtue of God's gift, and out of that faith comes obedience.
Verse 7-8 - Those called to be saints ("set apart"), their faith is proclaimed in all the world. Paul has heard about their faith throughout his 20 year journey, because it is so evident.
What would it take for InRoads for the same to be said about it?
There must be a significant amount of evidence (i.e. fruit) of that faith. If we were "fanatics" or "extremists," then the idea would go back to obedience to the faith.
What about persecution? Is that what helped the popularization of the Roman Christians' faith? Possibly... there may have been some debate as to the intended audience of the letter, as there were definite messages to the Jewish and non-Jewish Christians in Rome. It is more likely that it was written to the general church in Rome.
Verse 9-11 - The Church (the "ecclesia" or all individuals who follow Christ) should keep each other accountable and pray for one another.
Do you let the church know your needs so it can be effective in filling your needs?
Avenues of communication: small group of accountability, prayer chain through the church. Strong relationships and trust with each other help with accountability and supporting each other. Community is important for building each other up in support, encouragement, prayer, etc.
Verse 12-15 - Mutually encouraged by each other's faith. This is a microcosm about the church in Rome. The faith of the church is known throughout the world, and individually, we should be encouraged by each other's faith ("both yours and mine"). Sometimes tragedy and hardship sparks encouragement in others when we rely on God for strength, understanding, and sustainment.
Why do we try to do on our own what God has told us to do together?
Our culture, pride, don't want to rely on others, habit, fear of judgment/rejection, one may not want to be perceived as being lazy, weak relationships.
It's important to have specific areas where it would be safe for one to ask for help/guidance, where the other party could speak into the life and encourage growth of the one asking for help/guidance. We must invest in each others' lives to give us the right to speak into each others' lives.
Do you think you have a gift to offer the Church to build it up? If so, what could it be?
Serving no matter how "big" or "small" it may seem (e.g. dishwashing, cleaning tables).
Verses 16-17 - Review these verses often, we will often come back to these verses!
Fun: imitating Jeff...
- Well allllright
- Listen to me
- Love on each other
- It has to be organic
- Ok, here's the deal
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Discussing: Contentment
Sunday message video: Family Business, I Don't Want to Want
n-tent-muhnt] 
Show IPA
con⋅tent⋅ment
[kuhn-tent-muhnt] Show IPA–noun
| 1. | the state of being contented; satisfaction; ease of mind. |
| 2. | Archaic. the act of making contentedly satisfied. |
Are we content? Can we be content in plenty?
People get lost in the "stuff" and can lose sight of the purpose that we're here for. You can, however, be content with a lot or a little, depending on your attitude. Or is it the Rockefeller opinion of needing "just a little bit more?"
There are times when we are concerned/worried about meeting our basic needs (money), but it's an attitude that we need to have to be content; a choice. Philippians 4:11 - being content in want or need (NIV version). In ESV, it teaches us that we learned TO be content that our circumstance is the best for us.
What's more important - pursuing contentment or just having it?
ESV makes it sound more like a continuous process. Paul suggests that we need to be content in any situation, and that it's not easy... we just need to strive for it. The message of the gospel suggests the perfect tense which is not necessarily achieving perfection, but striving for the goal. It's not that we need to be perfectly content, but to strive for it.
Example; Paul & Silas in jail. In prison, they began singing songs and praises to God. If you were in this situation (hands and feet in stocks), when you don't feel like praising God due to not being "into it," what's our response? But it could be in the opinion that Paul and Silas probably didn't feel like praising God, but they realized that they should praise Him, and followed suit. Out of that obedience came the blessing of reaching the prisoners, not that they always feel like being obedient.
Application: Why is it so difficult to be content, such as with management (Steve and Michelle)?
Paul says that in EVERY circumstance he has learned (including low and in plenty). Paul has the history and experience that God has given him in the past to be content. The "secret" is that God gives Paul (and us) the strength to be content in very circumstance.
But why are we still frustrated in those circumstances? What strength is given to us?
Strength does not necessarily mean fixing the problem, but God gives us strength to bear the burden and frustration in such circumstances. God helps us through it.
Application: Type A personality - always pushing, known for excellence, frustrated by others who hold us back from our accomplishments... why are we frustrated and not content? Over time of being completely frustrated, Type A just "gives up." Is this attitude proper, or what's the bigger picture?
Maybe we need to be looking for God's will in the situation and trying to figure out what He wants out of that situation. "Man plans his way but God directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9) Contentment is all about attitude and bringing ourselves to God's perspective. Is it a personality conflict within the current environment? The conflict can be so strong that we just want to give up fighting it instead of necessarily changing the attitude, as the "contentment" verse suggests. When does the spirit of contentment occur when it comes to the things of God? It's splitting up what we want versus what God wants in that environment. That attitude brings about confidence in God's plan. When we bring our mind back to God's perspective, our spirits settle. God loves us and wants to use him for His glory, and when we acknowledge that, we can have peace.
Sub-theme - keeping our eyes on Christ and the things of Christ is an underlying strength and aides our godly perspective.
What degree of contentment is within our control?
We can control our response to our environment. We can control it because it's a choice we make, not something granted to us. It's about responding in a godly way to situations - we always have choices, whether it be internal or external.
Example: Prayers, especially about financial situations. How do we look at the financial situations? Should we be seeking contentment versus praying for more abundance? Same thing goes for prayers regarding health - it's God's decision to heal or increase financial abundance if it's in His will.
Example: Faith healing - should we expect healing when we pray for it? Are we praying and asking God to help us deal with our current situation and find His will; finding a balance? Is balance a Biblical teaching, or are we to be radical - complete faith in a God we cannot see? Does complete faith = contentment? Faith is in what God has done and contentment in what God is doing? We need to have faith that God is in control of what we're going through and know that whatever happens, it's all going to be "good" by God's definition.
Maybe contentment is not only a matter of perspective, but a matter of context.
We're talking about contentment in the context of God's perspective, but there are other areas where God does not want us to be content (Ex: do not be lukewarm, be hot or cold; life of complacency). How do we live a life of passion and radical extreme pursuance of God? How does it relate to contement?
Look at Christ's example of when he was and wasn't content. The way he faced pharisees and money changers was not content. He was content, however, when he chose to drink the cup of crucifixion, but he battled with that circumstance. He cried out to God for a different way, but still followed through on his commitment.
Contentment can be contrasted with James' statement: "you do not receive because you do not ask" (James 4:3). What do we receive for what we ask for? It's not that we receive what we want necessarily, but what God wants. Discontent breeds selfish requests (what we want), contentment breeds godly requests (what God wants).
We can strive and be content at the same time... how does that work? Paul was not referring to contentment relating to his relationship with God but whatever circumstance he found himself in. Is contentment closer to joy and peace. Joyful attitudes towards circumstances changes how you perceive what's going on around you through those "glasses."
Wrap Up
Contentment is within the scope of our circumstances while it doesn't necessarily mean that we should be "content" with our relationship with God, but strive for a deeper relationship. The things of God we should never be content with, but the things of this world we should be content.
Fun:
Squirrel!
Confluence
Bifurcate
People get lost in the "stuff" and can lose sight of the purpose that we're here for. You can, however, be content with a lot or a little, depending on your attitude. Or is it the Rockefeller opinion of needing "just a little bit more?"
There are times when we are concerned/worried about meeting our basic needs (money), but it's an attitude that we need to have to be content; a choice. Philippians 4:11 - being content in want or need (NIV version). In ESV, it teaches us that we learned TO be content that our circumstance is the best for us.
What's more important - pursuing contentment or just having it?
ESV makes it sound more like a continuous process. Paul suggests that we need to be content in any situation, and that it's not easy... we just need to strive for it. The message of the gospel suggests the perfect tense which is not necessarily achieving perfection, but striving for the goal. It's not that we need to be perfectly content, but to strive for it.
Example; Paul & Silas in jail. In prison, they began singing songs and praises to God. If you were in this situation (hands and feet in stocks), when you don't feel like praising God due to not being "into it," what's our response? But it could be in the opinion that Paul and Silas probably didn't feel like praising God, but they realized that they should praise Him, and followed suit. Out of that obedience came the blessing of reaching the prisoners, not that they always feel like being obedient.
Application: Why is it so difficult to be content, such as with management (Steve and Michelle)?
Paul says that in EVERY circumstance he has learned (including low and in plenty). Paul has the history and experience that God has given him in the past to be content. The "secret" is that God gives Paul (and us) the strength to be content in very circumstance.
But why are we still frustrated in those circumstances? What strength is given to us?
Strength does not necessarily mean fixing the problem, but God gives us strength to bear the burden and frustration in such circumstances. God helps us through it.
Application: Type A personality - always pushing, known for excellence, frustrated by others who hold us back from our accomplishments... why are we frustrated and not content? Over time of being completely frustrated, Type A just "gives up." Is this attitude proper, or what's the bigger picture?
Maybe we need to be looking for God's will in the situation and trying to figure out what He wants out of that situation. "Man plans his way but God directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9) Contentment is all about attitude and bringing ourselves to God's perspective. Is it a personality conflict within the current environment? The conflict can be so strong that we just want to give up fighting it instead of necessarily changing the attitude, as the "contentment" verse suggests. When does the spirit of contentment occur when it comes to the things of God? It's splitting up what we want versus what God wants in that environment. That attitude brings about confidence in God's plan. When we bring our mind back to God's perspective, our spirits settle. God loves us and wants to use him for His glory, and when we acknowledge that, we can have peace.
Sub-theme - keeping our eyes on Christ and the things of Christ is an underlying strength and aides our godly perspective.
What degree of contentment is within our control?
We can control our response to our environment. We can control it because it's a choice we make, not something granted to us. It's about responding in a godly way to situations - we always have choices, whether it be internal or external.
Example: Prayers, especially about financial situations. How do we look at the financial situations? Should we be seeking contentment versus praying for more abundance? Same thing goes for prayers regarding health - it's God's decision to heal or increase financial abundance if it's in His will.
Example: Faith healing - should we expect healing when we pray for it? Are we praying and asking God to help us deal with our current situation and find His will; finding a balance? Is balance a Biblical teaching, or are we to be radical - complete faith in a God we cannot see? Does complete faith = contentment? Faith is in what God has done and contentment in what God is doing? We need to have faith that God is in control of what we're going through and know that whatever happens, it's all going to be "good" by God's definition.
Maybe contentment is not only a matter of perspective, but a matter of context.
We're talking about contentment in the context of God's perspective, but there are other areas where God does not want us to be content (Ex: do not be lukewarm, be hot or cold; life of complacency). How do we live a life of passion and radical extreme pursuance of God? How does it relate to contement?
Look at Christ's example of when he was and wasn't content. The way he faced pharisees and money changers was not content. He was content, however, when he chose to drink the cup of crucifixion, but he battled with that circumstance. He cried out to God for a different way, but still followed through on his commitment.
Contentment can be contrasted with James' statement: "you do not receive because you do not ask" (James 4:3). What do we receive for what we ask for? It's not that we receive what we want necessarily, but what God wants. Discontent breeds selfish requests (what we want), contentment breeds godly requests (what God wants).
We can strive and be content at the same time... how does that work? Paul was not referring to contentment relating to his relationship with God but whatever circumstance he found himself in. Is contentment closer to joy and peace. Joyful attitudes towards circumstances changes how you perceive what's going on around you through those "glasses."
Wrap Up
Contentment is within the scope of our circumstances while it doesn't necessarily mean that we should be "content" with our relationship with God, but strive for a deeper relationship. The things of God we should never be content with, but the things of this world we should be content.
Fun:
Squirrel!
Confluence
Bifurcate
InWord Bible Study!
We're now going to the new InRoads InLife Bible study format where we discuss and delve deeper into the message that we heard on Sunday. If you missed the message on Sunday, go to the church website to review the podcast and/or view video.
What do you think about the format change? Any concerns or other thoughts?
What do you think about the format change? Any concerns or other thoughts?
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