Sermon Questions

Apr 20th – “Real Power” (Romans 1:1-7)

  1. How do you define “power”? Where do you have power? Where in your life do you wish you had (more) power? 
  2. Read Romans 1:1-7 together. Where is true power displayed in this passage? 
  3. Paul’s power to bring the nations to “the obedience of faith” through the gospel comes from the risen Christ (Romans 1:5; see also 15:15-19). How are you experiencing and extending this power in your life at the moment?

Apr 13th – “Holy Sadness” (Luke 19:41-44, Romans 9:1-5)

  1. Read Luke 19:28-44 together. A few different emotions are expressed in the text. What emotions did you see? How would you explain the difference of mood between Jesus’ disciples and Jesus himself? 
  2. Read Romans 8:31-9:5 together. Paul seems to grind the gears between 8:39 and 9:2. Name some of the contrasts and tensions in this text. What does this teach us about holding both hope and sorrow? Where are you currently struggling to hold both?
  3. Paul never actually states the reason for his sorrow in 9:2-3 — though the context makes it clear. Why does Paul feel such deep sadness? What does his great sorrow invite you to feel … and grieve?

Apr 6th – “Unashamed Hope” (Romans 8:28-39)

  1. Read Romans 8:28-39 together. Twice Paul says that we cannot be detached from God’s love (vv.35, 39). What does “secure attachment” to God look like for you? 
  2. Re-read Romans 8:31-32 and then read 5:6-8 together. Describe in your own words how Christ’s death for you has shaped your life and hope today?
  3. Re-read Romans 8:35-39 and then read 5:1-5 together. Why does suffering often make us feel ashamed? How does the gospel embolden us with hope in the face of suffering? Where are you currently seeking such hope? 

Mar 30th – “Great Grief & Greater Hope” (Romans 8:12-39)

  1. Read Romans 8:12-39 together. What forms of suffering or difficulty do you see in this passage? With which forms of suffering do you presently identify…and why?
  2. Re-read Romans 8:28-30 together. Consider the famous v.28 in context. How has it been misunderstood in the past? How do you understand it now? How does it speak to you? 
  3. Paul argues in vv.29-30 that our future glorification as Christians is as certain as our past conversion and present justification. What exactly is this future “glorification,” according to Romans 8:14-30? Which aspects most feed your sense of hope in your present suffering? 

Mar 23rd – “The Cries of God’s Children” (Romans 8:12-30)

  1. Read Romans 8:12-17 together. Paul says that “by the Spirit we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’” In this way, the Spirit bears witness to our spirits that we are God’s children. What has that looked like in your life?
  2. Read Romans 8:18-25 together. What in the world causes you to groan at present? What in your life is causing you to groan? How do these sources of grief affect your hope and longing for “the revelation of the sons of God?”
  3. Read Romans 8:26-27 together. Many ask where God is in the face of evil and unspeakable pain. Paul’s answer is that he’s right there in the midst of it, groaning with us and for us with “groans beyond words.” How might we more fully experience the Spirit’s help and intercession in our grief, perplexity, and exhaustion together?

Mar 17th – “No Longer Condemned” (Romans 8:1-17)

  1. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. This profound statement is at the heart of Paul’s argument from chapters 3-8. Because those who are in Christ are justified by faith, we are no longer under any condemnation. Take some time to reflect on what this truth means to you at the moment.
  2. In verses 5-8, Paul describes the stark contrast between those who walk in the flesh, and those walk in the Spirit. Sadly, for those who are still under the bondage of the flesh (sinful nature), there is no hope of anything other than death. Who in your life now falls into this sobering category? If you’re comfortable doing so, take some time to name them amongst your group, so that you can collectively pray for them.
  3. Because God, through Christ, has condemned sin in the flesh, we can confidently stand in His presence as His beloved children, and co-heirs with Christ. What is one thing about being God’s child that is particularly meaningful for you right now?

Mar 9th – “The Battle is Real” (Romans 7:13-25)

  1. What can we learn about God from this passage?
  2. What can we learn about ourselves? Our own life? Our family? Our ministry?
  3. What is the Holy Spirit bringing to mind/heart in terms of your response? Are any specific people, circumstances, conversations or sins coming to mind for prayer, repentance or reconciliation? Consider sharing this with your group.

Mar 2nd – “Out With The Old, In With The New” (Romans 7:1-13, 8:1-4)

  1. Read Romans 7:1-13 together. Unfortunately, before Christ, our relationship with the law was very complicated and problematic. And, because we still struggle with our flesh, it can still feel that way. In what ways have you experienced this in your walk with the Lord?
  2. Despite our complicated relationship with God’s law, it is still “holy, righteous, and good”. In what ways have you experienced the beauty of God’s Law?
  3. Thankfully, in Christ, we are no longer bound to the law, and are free in Him (and with the Spirit’s help) to bear good fruit for God. What is some of the good fruit that you’ve seen in your life lately through the work of the Spirit? What fruit do you hope to see?

Feb 23rd – “Still A Wretch?” (Romans 7:1-25)

  1. Read Romans 7:1-6 together. What is Paul’s point in his analogy with “the law of marriage”? As you reflect on the analogy, how do you imagine being “married to Christ in order to bear fruit for God”?
  2. Read Romans 7:7-25 together. Paul appears to speak autobiographically. What do you think: Is this a pre-Christian experience or a Christian experience?
  3. Re-read Romans 7:21-24. What do you think Paul means by “this body of death” in 7:24 (see also 6:6; 8:10)? How should we view our bodies as Christians? 

Feb 16th – “Slavery Is Liberation” (Romans 6:15-23)

  1. Read Romans 6:15-23 together. What repeated words jump out to you? What appears to be the “big idea” of this passage?
  2. Re-read Romans 6:16-17 and 6:20-21. How would you compare and contrast biblical freedom with our popular idea of “freedom”?
  3. Read Romans 6:13 and 6:19 together. What does it mean to “present your members” to God? What does that look like in our everyday lives?

Feb 9th – “Living Our Baptism” (Romans 6:1-14)

  1. Read Romans 6:1-14 together. Reflecting on the immediate context (5:12-21), and noting the similar question in 6:15, why would Paul raise the question he does in 6:1? How do we sometimes abuse or misconstrue grace?
  2. Re-read Romans 6:1-10 together. What does it mean to you that you’ve been baptized into Christ’s death? Use your own words and reflect on your own story.
  3. Re-read Romans 6:11-14 together.  The life we live now, sealed by our baptism, we live “by faith.” This is what “the obedience of faith” looks like as we “walk in newness of life.” How is faith employed in verses 11-13? Where are you struggling to believe and/or act on faith in your battle with sin?

Feb 2nd – “Universal Ruin & Restoration” (Romans 5:12-21)

  1. Read Romans 5:12-21 together. In what ways are Adam’s single trespass vastly different from Jesus’ perfect obedience? In what ways are they similar?
  2. Re-read Romans 5:16 again. What does it mean to you, within your story, that grace “follows many trespasses” to produce “real righteousness”? 
  3. Re-read Romans 5:17, 20-21 again. Considering your story up to this point, how do you see grace’s reign in your life “through righteousness” (v.21)? How are you presently experiencing reigning “in life through the one man Jesus Christ” (v.17)? Where do you struggle to see or experience this?

Jan 26th – “The Grace & Glory of Our Justification” (Romans 5:1-11)

  1. Read Romans 5:1-11 together. Paul’s discusses the primary consequence of our justification as (1) positively, peace with God (5:1), including intimate welcome into His presence (5:2), and, (2) negatively, as “reconciliation” (5:10-11), involving the removal of all enmity. Why was reconciliation required for intimacy between God and men? Now that reconciliation has been accomplished through the death of Christ (5:6-10), what stands in our way of confidently resting and rejoicing in God? 
  2. Paul writes that we boast “in the hope of the glory of God.” What does that mean? Why is this the greatest boast imaginable?
  3. Paul writes that we boast or “exult” even in our sufferings. Why would anyone do this? What sufferings are you currently facing … and how might you “glory” in them?

Jan 19th – “The Heritage of Abraham” (Romans 4:13-25)

  1. Read Romans 4:13-16 together. What does it mean that the promise given to Abraham and his multiethnic offspring “rests on grace”? How does this impact our evangelism?  
  2. Read Romans 4:17-21 together. What did Abraham believe about God in trusting the promise given him in Genesis 15:5? Where else in Scripture do you see these remarkable truths illustrated? How does this lofty image of God impact how you view your present challenges?
  3. Read Romans 4:22-25 together. Just as Abraham believed “in hope against hope” that God would render his “dead” body “alive” through the miraculous gift of a son, so the gospel calls us to believe that we who were dead in our sin have been wonderfully made alive to God through the death and resurrection of his Son (4:25; 1:4). Where are you currently vulnerable to “unbelief” or “wavering” in your faith? How might we pray for one another?

Jan 12th – “Family By Faith Alone” (Romans 4:1-25)

  1. Read Romans 4:1-8 together. Noting the context (3:27), why can boasting be such a problem?
  2. What does it mean to you to “trust in Him who justifies the ungodly?” How does it provoke you? How does it comfort you?
  3. Read Romans 4:9-12 together. Noting the context (3:29-31), how does “justification by faith alone” embrace the inclusion of all peoples everywhere into God’s family? Who in your circle needs to be invited to the family?  

Jan 5th – “Bragging Rights?” (Romans 3:27-31)

  1. Paul concludes early on in our text that prideful human boasting has no place in God’s economy. What are some of the things that we are prone or tend to boast about?
  2. Paul’s Jewish audience felt that their performance when it came to keeping the mosaic law gave them reason to boast. In their minds, the law and their circumcision solidified their favor in God’s sight. Has this ever been the case in your life (before and after Christ)? If you can think of it, what has been the factor(s) that causes you to fall into performing for God (or man’s) approval?
  3. At the end of the day, as those who have been redeemed, our only true boast is in Lord. He alone justifies us, and He alone has the bragging rights. As a group (or individually), what are some things that can you boast in the Lord about right now?

Dec 8th – “The Long Game: Abraham” (Genesis 15)

  1. What can we learn about God from this passage?
  2. What can we learn about ourselves? Our own life? Our family? Our ministry?
  3. What is the Holy Spirit bringing to mind/heart in terms of your response? Are any specific people, circumstances, conversations or sins coming to mind for prayer, repentance or reconciliation? Consider sharing this with your group.

Dec 1st – “Post Tenebras Lux” (Romans 3:1-26)

  1. Read Romans 3:9-20 together. Paul’s view of humanity’s ability to be righteous before God was much dimmer than that of his Jewish contemporaries. What rings true in Paul’s assessment? What are areas of question for you?
  2. Read Romans 3:21-26 together. How is the righteousness of God “manifested” both “apart from the law” and yet “witnessed to by the law and prophets”? Where do you see this divine righteousness in the OT?
  3. Read Romans 3:24-26 together. Our justification before God is due to the work of Christ – totally apart from anything we have done. How does Christ’s work on the cross impact God’s relationship toward you? How does it currently shape your relationship to God?

Nov 17th – “Turning the World Right Side Up” (Romans 2:17-3:8)

  1. Read Romans 2:17-3:3 together. In what ways was Israel unfaithful to the Word entrusted to them? How did their unfaithfulness impact others (hint: 2:24)? How has unfaithfulness in the Church impacted you or those you love?
  2. Read Romans 3:1-8 together. How did Israel’s sin impact God’s faithfulness? How has corruption or abuse in the Church impacted your view of God? How has it impacted your view of evil among professed Christians?
  3. How does God’s commitment to a broken, immature and often wicked people both challenge and comfort you? How does it lead us to glorify God? 

Nov 10th – “Turning the World Right Side Up” (Acts 17:16-34)

  1. What can we learn about God from this passage?
  2. What can we learn about ourselves? Our own life? Our family? Our ministry?
  3. What is the Holy Spirit bringing to mind/heart in terms of your response? Are any specific people, circumstances, conversations or sins coming to mind for prayer, repentance or reconciliation? Consider sharing this with your group.

Nov 3rd – “The Content of Our Character” (Romans 2:1-29)

  1. Read Romans 2:1-11 together. What do you think it means to “seek for glory and honor and immortality” by “patience in well-doing”? What are you currently seeking? 
  2. Read Romans 2:12-16. Then read 1 Peter 1:17 together. What does it mean to be saved by grace, if God will judge us impartially according to our works?
  3. Read Romans 2:17-29. Jews often clung to their “ethnic badges” (e.g., possession of the law, circumcision and the temple) as guarantees of their salvation. Paul dismantles that false security. What do we as Christians in America often falsely cling to for security and confidence before God and others? What is our true security and confidence? 

Oct 27th – “Against the Shameless & Respectable” (Romans 1:18-2:11)

  1. Read Romans 1:18-27 together. Why do you think the perversion of desire is highlighted first (see vv.24, 26-27)? What is the theological significance of our desire?
  2. Re-read Romans 1:28-32 together. What strikes you about Paul’s list of vices in vv.29-31? Where do you experience these vices in your world?
  3. Read Romans 2:1-11 together. If “Gentile pagans” openly reject the one true God, their shameless behavior shouldn’t surprise us as the spiritual and moral consequence of their confusion. It is the evident wrath of God at work among them. But how are we “religious people” at risk of “storing up wrath” against ourselves for the day of judgment?  How does the gospel address our great need here? 

Oct 20th – “The Wrath of God Revealed” (Romans 1:18-32)

  1. Read Romans 1:18-32. What do you think of when you hear the phrase, “wrath of God”? What does God’s wrath do according to this passage?
  2. Read Psalm 19:1-4 and compare with Romans 1:19-20. How have you experienced God’s glory in creation? What has it shown you about God?
  3. How does our idolatry (“exchanging” the Creator for created things) degrade us as image-bearers? How have you experienced the dignity Christ restores to us?

Oct 13th – “The Good News of the Righteousness of God” (Romans 1:8-17)

  1. Read Romans 1:8-17 together. In v.16, Paul says he’s not ashamed of the gospel. Why might someone in his context be ashamed? Where are you tempted to be ashamed of the gospel in your life?
  2. Paul says that in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, or “effectively at work,” by faith (1:16-17a). Where have you seen the gospel “effectively at work” in ways for which you are grateful or even awestruck?
  3. Not only is the righteousness of God that saves us “operative” by faith – and by faith alone – but it also yields a life of faith (1:17b). This is the righteous life; it is “the obedience of faith” (1:5; 16:26). What does living by faith mean to you in your current season? 

Oct 6th – “Romans: Opening The Letter” (Romans 1:1-7)

  1. Read Romans 1:1-7 together. Paul repeats the word “call” 3x in this passage. Who is called? To what are they called? To what are you called? 
  2. Read Romans 1:5 and then read 16:26. What does “the obedience of faith” mean? (Hint: see 16:19; 15:18-21; 6:16-17)
  3. Read Romans 1:2-4. The “gospel of God” is centered on “his Son.” What do we learn about Jesus here? How are you drawn to worship him by this text? 

Sept 29th – “Redemption” (Ruth 4)

  1. Read Ruth 4:1-12 together. What is the key word in this unit and what does it conjure in your mind and heart? (Cf. Leviticus 25:23-55)
  2. Read Ruth 4:11-12 again and then read Genesis 38 together. What links – both similarities and dissimilarities – do you see between Tamar and Ruth (as well as Judah and Boaz)?
  3. Read Ruth 4:13-22 together, then read Ruth 1:19-21. How would you summarize Naomi’s experience of redemption? How is it like and/or unlike yours?

Sept 22nd – “Seeking Redemption” (Ruth 3)

  1. Read Ruth 3 together. Naomi, though still grieving in many ways, has gleaned enough hope to seek redemption on behalf of Ruth. Put yourself in Naomi’s shoes. Is there pain/bitterness/emptiness in your heart that you’re wrestling with currently (and that you need the Lord to heal)? Is there anyone that comes to mind for you that you are seeking for the Lord to redeem?
  2. Ruth, an outsider who has gotten a taste of true redemptive community from Naomi and Boaz, is inspired to seek redemption and refuge from the God of Israel. How have you experienced redemptive community at Riverside (and elsewhere)? What areas in your life do you need the Lord to redeem (whether your a believer or not)?
  3. Boaz is profoundly impacted by Ruth’s lovingkindness and character, and, in Naomi’s words, would not rest until he saw to Ruth’s redemption. Praise God that Boaz and Ruth’s descendant, Jesus, did not rest until He secured redemption on our behalf! Can you think of a time where you felt the Lord strongly seeking after you? Who can you (individually and as a group) pray for the Lord to seek after now?

Sept 15th – “Gleaning Hope” (Ruth 2)

  1. Read Ruth 2 together. The focus of the chapter is on Ruth’s risk-taking action to provide for Naomi and herself through “gleaning” (occurring 12x in the chapter). Naming the risks Ruth endured in initiating this action, what risks have others taken to provide for and/or protect you? What risks are you taking or vulnerabilities you’re currently enduring for others?
  2. Re-read Ruth 2:5-16. How does Boaz see Ruth? What actions does he take to care for her? How does Christ see you, and care for you now?
  3. Re-read Ruth 2:17-23. How does Naomi’s demeanor appear to change (note the terseness of 2:2 compared to 2:19-22; cf. 1:20-21)? How does God’s faithful love expressed in Christ give hope to you in your current crisis or challenge(s)?

Sept 8th – “Returning Home” (Ruth 1)

  1. Read Ruth 1 together. The repeated noun, “name,” appears 7x in chapters 1-2, and then another 7x in chapter 4. This points to the central concern of the story. What is so important about a name? 
  2. Re-read Ruth 1:12-17. Note that the word “clung” in v.14 is the same word as “cleave” or “hold fast” in Genesis 2:24. What is remarkable about Ruth’s faithfulness to Naomi? Consider this quote from one Hebrew scholar:
    • “Ruth stands alone; she possesses nothing … Not only has Ruth broken with family, country and faith, but she has also reversed sexual allegiance. A young woman has commited herself to the life of an old woman rather than to search for a husband … One female has chosen another female in a world where life depends upon men. There is no more radical decision in all the memories of Israel.” 
  3. Re-read Ruth 1:19-21 and then read 4:14-15. How has God redeemed Naomi’s name? How is he redeeming yours? Re-read Ruth 1:19-21 and then read 4:14-15. How has God redeemed Naomi’s name? How is he redeeming yours?