This week Impact will be studying the first half of Romans. Please read Romans 8:1-17 and review the questions below. Also, I'd like to encourage you to continue doing daily pages (SOAP pages). If you're feeling like you haven't been hearing from the Lord lately but you are earnestly seeking to know His will and His path, reading the scriptures daily and reflecting upon what you've read and upon your own life while centered upon the Lord in some way is one almost sure way to hear from the Lord. SOAP pages may not be the best plan for submerging into this time of centering, but for me SOAP pages are certainly better than my other plan, which was no plan at all.
One thing that may help is to do your SOAP pages in a nice notebook, but if you prefer the handouts or would like a copy of the format to transfer to your notebook, click here.
One more word about SOAP pages: I am continually asking God for guidance but I've been feeling spiritually dry, aimless and out of touch with Him. I wasn't reading the scriptures daily and certainly not centering myself daily upon the Lord. I have felt convicted for not reading the scriptures daily but after starting on a 1.5 chapter a day plan, I have felt some of my deepest thirsts quenched because I am more likely to turn to Him for help rather than my own ways: His living water is freely available and tremendously satisfying.
Jeremiah 2:13
"My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
John 7:37-38
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
Click here for Reading Plans or you may email me for the reading plan I'm using, which is a two year plan mixing Old and New Testament scriptures: christian@cjmillerengineering.com
Impact meets Thursdays from 7-9 PM at 700 Santa Cruz behind Ace Hardware in Menlo Park. Impact is a ministry of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. We are a community where single and married people in their 30's can connect with each other, explore the Christian faith, and grow on a deep level around the issues we face at this stage of our lives.
Note that Romans 8 is the longest chapter and we will be breaking it into 2 pieces. The second half will occur next week.
Discussion Questions
Who Are The Sons Of God, Romans Chapter 8:1-17:
1.) The word guilt has two meanings. It can mean the feeling or emotion of guilt. It can also mean an objective legal status. Describe what it feels to be guilty. Define the word, guilty, in objective legal terms. Do the same for the word condemn: Describe what it feels to be condemned. Define the word, condemned, in objective legal terms. Do the same for the word forgive. Do the same for the word free.
2.) Does this mean that, even if Christians sin, we will not be condemned? Why/why not?
3.) What do you feel Paul means in verse 5 by having our "minds set?"
4.) Do you feel it is our mind set or our action that is the deciding factor? Explain.
5.) It is possible for somebody to be not guilty in the legal sense, but still feel guilty. Why do you think this happens? Is the feeling of guilt ever a good thing?
6.) In your own words, how does Paul's testimony of himself and analysis of the Christian experience help us in our walk today? Are there areas in which you feel guilty or condemned?
Questions by Grant Kim
