Grace Community

Pope Francis said on 60 Minutes, “People are fundamentally good. We are all fundamentally good. Yes, there are some rogues and sinners, but the heart itself is good.” Does Romans 3 support that message? Why? What do verses 10-18 tell us about the fullness of human sinfulness? (For example, “no one understands; no one seeks for God” speaks of being sinful in mind.)

According to verses 19-20, what was the purpose of the Law? (Also see Romans 5:12-13 and 20.) What, then, is the Christian’s relationship with the Law? (Consider Romans 6:14, Galatians 3:24, and 6:2.)

In Romans 3, Paul is discussing both Jews and Gentiles (all people). According to verses 21-24, what is the universal problem, and what is the universal solution? How is the solution received? What is the significance of Paul describing God’s justification as a gift?

Paul uses the term propitiation, which means to turn God’s wrath away from the sinner and onto the sacrifice, i.e., Jesus. Why is it important not to downplay the fact that God is wrathful toward sinners and their sin? (Consider Revelation 20:12-15.) If God did not show wrath toward sin, what would that say about God and about the seriousness of sin?

What does it mean that God is “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus”? (Consider 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Colossians 2:13-14.)

Knowing God’s purpose in the Law and His wrath toward sin, because He is just, how does recognising our inability to be righteous on our own deepen our appreciation for the grace of God? How should that make us respond, especially knowing that His grace is a gift, in our everyday lives?

In Colossians 2:16-18, Paul mentions that some felt judged and disqualified by false teachers who insisted on legalism, asceticism, and religious experiences. How do Paul’s words “as God’s chosen ones” (Colossians 3:12) reassure these believers—and all Christians—who feel as though they aren’t 'good enough' as Christians?  

Paul acknowledges that, although we have new life in Christ, we still battle the "old self." What are some practical ways we can “put to death” the old self and its desires? How can the group support each other in this ongoing spiritual battle?  

The false teachers were “puffed up without reason.” Why should the knowledge that we are chosen by God, without any merit of our own (see Ephesians 2:1-9), make us humble rather than full of pride and boastfulness?  

Paul says Christians are "God's chosen ones, holy and beloved." How does understanding your identity as chosen and loved by God affect the way you live and interact with others?  

How should knowing that we are God’s beloved stop us from chasing worldly treasures and make us content no matter what our situation?  

How should the title "holy" (meaning set apart for God) affect the way we make decisions and behave when we are by ourselves or when we are in the community?  

There is a big difference between living for God to gain His favour versus living for Him because of what He has already done for us. In your own life, how can you avoid falling into the trap of trying to earn God's favour, and instead live out of gratitude for His grace?  

Home group questions:

1.What does it mean to be “blessed” by God when we are mourning? How does this perspective challenge your current understanding of happiness and blessing?

2.What specific things in your life or in the world do you feel God is calling you to mourn over? Why do you think these things matter to Him?

3.When you look at the example of Jesus mourning, what do you learn about His heart and how He views suffering and loss?

4.How do you tend to respond to feelings of sadness or grief? Do you turn toward God, away from Him, or to something else entirely?

5.In what ways has God comforted you in times of mourning in the past? 

6.Are there any sins or areas of personal brokenness that you need to mourn or bring before God this week?

7.What role do you think mourning plays in your spiritual growth? How might God use your sorrow to draw you closer to Him?

8.⁠ ⁠How can we, as a church family, support one another in times of mourning or hardship? Are there any ways you could be a blessing to others this week?

9.What promises in Scripture give you hope in times of sadness? Which promises might you want to meditate on this week?

10.How does the hope of Christ’s return and the end of all mourning impact your view of current sorrows and struggles?

1.⁠ ⁠What does it mean to you personally to “hunger and thirst for righteousness”?

2.⁠ ⁠Can you identify any desires or goals in your life that sometimes compete with your desire for God?

3.⁠ ⁠In what areas of your life do you feel the most resistance to aligning your desires with God’s righteousness?

4.⁠ ⁠What are some practical ways you can cultivate a stronger hunger for righteousness in your daily routines?

5.⁠ ⁠Commentators say there are three areas of righteousness; legal, moral and social. Which area do you want to seek to grow in and why? 

6.⁠ ⁠When you look back, how has your desire for God’s righteousness grown or changed over time?

7.⁠ ⁠How might you encourage others in their pursuit of righteousness? What’s been effective for you?

8.⁠ ⁠What are some challenges you face in resisting worldly desires, and how does what God has done through Jesus help with those?

9.⁠ ⁠When have you experienced a deep satisfaction in God (the righteous one), and what can you do to cultivate that kind of relationship with Him?

10.⁠ ⁠As we think about growing in hungering for righteousness how can we avoid the trap of legalism?

11.⁠ ⁠After reflecting on this verse, what things would you like to pray for?

Reflection questions at the end of the sermon:

What are the core things that unite you with other believers? How can you focus more on these for the sake of love and unity?

What are some of your own interests that you might be tempted to prioritise over the interests of others? In what ways does your faith need to be strengthened so that you can prioritise the interests of others?

In what ways are you tempted to serve others for the sake of your own benefit?
What would it mean for you to adopt the mindset of Christ in your relationship with others?

Are you motivated by the thought of future glory? Why or why not?

How would your service of others be affected if you more deeply knew how much you were loved by God?

Why do you think anger is such a common struggle, even among Christians? How would you define ‘righteous anger’ versus the anger of man, which “does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20)? In any given situation, how would you distinguish whether your anger is righteous or sinful? (Consider when Jesus talks about or shows anger; Matthew 5:21; Mark 3:1-6; John 2:13-17; and 10:13-14, versus how He reacts to His temptation, His betrayal by Judas, and His trial and crucifixion. Also, Ephesians 4:26).

Ed Welch said, “Ultimately, our anger has everything to do with our relationship with the Lord.” What are your thoughts on this?

Read Psalm 4. How does Psalm 4 show us how to “be angry” and yet not sin? I.e., what does it teach us about how to deal with anger? What are some ways we can “put off” anger, especially long-term anger which leads to wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk? (Consider Matthew 5:38-41).

What would you say is the motivation behind lying, and why do Christians need to put that off with the old self? Why do you think it is necessary for Paul to say that the Colossians (and by extension, all Christians) should not lie to one another specifically, instead of just saying "do not lie"? (Consider Proverbs 6:16-19, Ephesians 4:25). Discuss some practical ways of taming the tongue based on the fact that we have a brand-new identity at work, at home, and at church.

Looking at verse 11, what is the Christian answer to racism? How does our constant thinking of heaven, our new identity, and the fact that “Christ is all, and in all” help us with judgmental thoughts about people of different races, religious backgrounds, and socioeconomic status?

How do these verses go against the ‘Christian’ worldview which says that “once saved always saved’ means that I can live as I please? (Consider John 14:21-24; 2 John 1:5-6; Hebrews 12:4-8) What would you say to someone who says that they can watch whatever they want or read whatever they want and it won’t effect their relationship with Jesus?(Consider 1 Peter 1:14-17)

What would you say to someone who says, “If I am deeply attracted to something there is nothing I can do about it. How can I change my deepest desires?” How do verses 1-7 help us answer this?

This next topic is a difficult topic to discuss, may it be done in love and unity - As a church and individually how should we treat same sex couples? What if a same sex couple come to church? Should it be any different for people who are in any kind of sexually immoral relationship? (Ephesians 5:3)

According to Pew Research (on 2020): 46% of Evangelical Protestants believe that sex between unmarried couples who are in a committed relationship is acceptable. Why do you think this is and how do you think the church should correct this error? (Interesting to note from the study that regular church attendees are less likely to approve).

If the deep underlying foundation of this list of vices is idolatry of self how should we best put it to death? (Ephesians 3:16-19; Hebrews 12:1-2) Consider the following quote from Thomas Chalmer:
“There is not one personal transformation in which the heart is left without an object of ultimate beauty and joy. The heart’s desire for one particular object can be conquered but its desire to have some object is unconquerable. The only way to dispossess the heart of an old affection is by the expulsive power of a new one.”

1) Thinking about the context of what precedes in 2:18-23, how does this passage show us that our salvation is not dependent on particular religious observances? How does it speak against the idea that we need specific spiritual experiences to prove we are saved? (Consider who Paul is writing to—Colossians 1:2).

2) What are the implications of the fact that not only is Jesus seated at the right hand of God, but we are also seated there with Him, in regards to:
Access to God
Acceptance by God
Safety
Our joy
Security of salvation 
(Some verses to consider: Romans 8:31-39; John 14:6; Hebrews 12:2; Psalm 16:11; Psalm 110)

3) Why do you think Paul ties the fact that our life has been hidden with Christ in God to the instruction to seek and set our minds on the things above? If he is not talking about pursuing spiritual experiences, what do you think Paul is telling us to do? (Consider Matthew 5:6; Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:9-21)

4) What are some ways that we can seek the things that are above and set our minds on things that are above, and how do you think we could do those things more consistently?

Home Group Questions

Read Matthew 25:31-46
 1) In this passage, Jesus is at the end of a long teaching about the end of the age and coming judgment, which began in chapter 24. What would you say Jesus is specifically teaching us about Himself in this parable? How should a true understanding of this affect the way we live our lives?

2) How does verse 34 help us to see that salvation is not earned but rather given? (Consider Ephesians 1:11-14.)

3) It is important to understand the people Jesus is referring to in verses 35-40. Is Jesus referring to all downcast and impoverished people, or specifically to believers? What makes you say that? (Consider verses 40 and 45.) Does it make a difference in how we understand this passage?

4) How are verses 37-40 an indication that the actions of the sheep is faith displaying itself in works rather than works being done for the sake of reward? Why do you think Jesus specifically points to the downcast and downtrodden as those we ought to give focused care to?

5) How is love and care for fellow believers a sign of being a child of God? (Consider John 13:34-35; Colossians 1:3-4; James 2:14-17.)

6) How do verses 41 and 46 shape our understanding of hell, and how do they speak against annihilationism (the theory that those who aren’t saved cease to exist)? Why should this increase our urgency for evangelism?

7) How does this passage challenge our understanding of what it means to truly take up our cross and follow Jesus? In what ways might we be unconsciously neglecting “the least of these” in our daily lives?