Impact Thursday April 15th

We will resume our study of Romans with Romans 11 on April 15th. We'll meet at our usual location at 700 Santa Cruz Blvd, Menlo Park.

Discussion Questions:

Romans Chapter 11
The Remnant Of Israel, Romans Chapter 11:1-19:
1. By now, you know the history, how Israel rejected Jesus, so, do you feel Paul is writing about people of the Jewish faith, when he refers to a "remnant?"

2. What do you feel Paul means in saying this remnant is chosen by grace?

3. What do you think it means to be hardened by God?

4. Can you think of times in Jesus' life when He confronted "hardened" people?

5. If people were hardened by God, do you feel they are responsible for their actions? Why/why not?

6. How do you think Israel's transgression brought salvation to the Gentiles?

7. What does the olive root represent in Paul's example?

8. Have you ever known someone who "boasted" about their salvation? Have you boasted?


God's Kindness and Israel's Future, Romans Chapter 11:20-36:
1. Why do you feel Paul is telling boastful Christians to be afraid?

2. Paul is talking about God's kindness to we who were "grafted" into His family. What do you feel he means by saying, "if you continue in His kindness?"

3. If we were to live in His kindness, how would we feel about those who have not yet been grafted in? How would we feel about the branches who have been "broken" off?

4. Considering how often Paul is warning against Christian boasting, arrogance and conceit, do you feel God is trying to tell us something? What are some examples you've seen of this kind of behavior by Christians, or by Christians "leaders?"

5. According to Paul, Israel's branches were "broken off" because of unbelief, claiming to have earned the gift of God by their behavior. How is Christian boasting similar? How is it different?

6. By saying, "God's gifts and His call are irrevocable," who is Paul writing about? What does Paul mean with the words gifts and call?

7. If, as some claim, God's gifts and call are irrevocable to Christians, how would you reconcile this with Jesus' parable of the talents?

8. List the differences and similarities between Christians and Jews in Romans chapter 11.

Impact Thursday February 11th

Impact will meet this Thursday to study Romans Chapter 10. "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Paul continues to proclaim the Good News that we are saved by faith through Jesus Christ. It is in our mouths and hearts: we confess that God raised Jesus from the dead and believe this with our hearts--we are saved. Jesus is our savior and we all have feet to proclaim this good news to everyone. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Please read Romans 10 and review the questions below.


Discussion Questions:

Romans 10:1-4
1.Describe in your own words why the Israelites (Paul's fellow Jews) were "missing the boat" when it came to saving faith?

2.Do you think God accepts people of non-Christian faiths because He sees they are zealous, sincere, deeply committed, and worship God according to what they believe? Defend your answer.
Romans 10:5-15
3. Describe the contrast Paul set up in v5-8 between what is required to obtain law righteousness as compared to faith righteousness.

4.Explain what each of the following phrases means to you:
     a. Confess with your mouth
     b. Believe in your heart
     c. Jesus is Lord

5.How do the promises in v11-13 speak to you?

6.From v14 &15 what steps are essential for a person to be able to call upon the Lord?What part are you playing in this chain of events that enables a lost person to know how he or she can be saved?

Romans 10:16-21
9.Describe Israel's fault in her unbelief from these verses.

10.What do you learn about God's heart from the final verse of this chapter?

Impact Thursday Feb. 5th

Tonight at Impact we will study Romans Chapter 9. Please read the chapter. Questions will be provided at Impact.

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.