Sunday 19 February
True Church
Dave Bosma
Dave walks us through Romans 8:1-8 and shows from the text what a true church could look like: a place where people freely come to worship, knows God's will, has God at the centre, and is where people serve and use their gifts. He encourages us that true church is only possible because of God's abundant grace and mercy.
Life Group questions
True Church
True Church
Read Romans 12:1-8
What do you think it means to offer your body as a living sacrifice?
Catholic author Eve Tushnet teaches that “God doesn’t promise that He’ll only ask you for the sacrifices you agree with and understand.”
- Are there things that you are called to sacrifice, even though you don’t agree with or understand them?
- Why would God treat us this way?
- Why does he not always give us perfect understanding?
Paul argues that our choice not to conform to the pattern of this world makes knowing God’s will possible.
What do you think about this?
Read Romans 6:12-13, and compare it with Romans 12:1-8.
- What do these two sections have in common?
- Why might Paul have thought that these ideas were worth repeating?
The basic form of verses 6-8 is simple: if your gift is X, then go and do X.
- What are some of the things that limit Christian people from expressing their gifts?
- What would you say your gifts are? (Sometimes as Kiwis we find this kind of question uncomfortable because it requires us to speak confidently about what we are good at!)
Are “over-serving” or “under-serving” problems for you? If so, why do you think this is?
Does anyone want prayer in this area?
– Knowing what your gifts are
– Accepting yourself and the gifts that you have
– Getting on with using your gifts in useful and appropriate ways