Theme: Strengthening our Faith
Topic: A Spirit-Led Life
Main Text: Romans 8:1-17
Key verse: Romans 8:14 “For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” ( AMP ).
Introduction:
The summary of the gospel message is that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, even the worst of them (1 Timothy 1:15). And as John 3:16 and John 5:24 made clear, those who believe in Christ are eternally saved from God’s judgment on sins. That is because Jesus paid it all on the cross – past tense. Apart from being saved from God’s judgment on sin, believers will be saved from the presence of sin (Romans 8:21-23). But in the time in between when we are saved from God’s judgment on sin and from the presence of sin lies a time of the power of sin. And how to live in the era of the power of sin is what Romans 8:1-17 is all about.
Q1. In Romans 7:15, 18-24, Apostle Paul describes his life as believer who wants to live in obedience to God. (1a) Let participants share their experience in walking with Christ vis a viz Paul’s description. (1b) According to Romans 8:10-11, John 14:26, John 16:7-8, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11. How important is it to be Spirit-led. And how does it resolve the helplessness we often experience with the sinful nature as expressed in Romans 7:18-24? (1c) If you were to write a personal conviction statement about being Spirit-led from these verses, what would it look like?
Paragraph 2:
Most of Romans chapter 7 was about our struggle with the sinful nature. But that ended with a victory shout ‘Thanks be to God [for my deliverance] through Jesus Christ our Lord!’ (Romans 7:25 AMP). That is why Romans Chapter 8, opens with ‘Therefore’, signifying an end to the struggle. And the reason is obvious – the believer now is in Christ and has the indwelling Holy Spirit, who can make possible what we could not accomplish by our own efforts.
Q2. (2a) Romans 8:12 asserts that ‘we have an obligation…’ What does that mean for us as believers? See also Romans 8:9-11 give for this declaration? (2b) Let participants identify the commitments necessary for a Spirit-led life from Romans 8:5, 8, 12-14. (2c) According to Romans 8:5-8, what do we inadvertently communicate when we fail or refuse to walk in step with the Holy Spirit?
Paragraph 3:
Romans 8 is bracketed by two infallible truths. First in Romans 8:1, the Holy Spirit says ‘… there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior] (AMP). And in case one is concerned about the future, God again says in Romans 8:38-39 (AMP) ‘For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced-beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, … nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ The point of these assertions is to free us from any slavery to fear in the event we fall out of step with the Holy Spirit. And this notwithstanding, God commands and expects us to be Spirit-led in our lives here on earth.
Q3. (3a) According to Romans 8:14, ‘For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.’ (AMP). Let participants share what they understand by the word ‘allow’ in relation to leading a Spirit-led life. (3b) According to Romans 8:5-6, Galatians 6:8, Colossians 3:1, what personal action steps can a believer take to lead a Spirit-led life? (3c) Let a few participants share a specific action step they will start taking or enhance because of this study.
Prayer: Holy Spirit of God, I confess that I cannot live the Christian life on my own. Today, I commit to listening to You and seeking Your counsel and leading in every aspect of my life, big or small. In Christ’s Name. Amen