11/03 Sermon Discussion Questions

• Pastor Suzanne suggested the Holy Spirit offers Romans 12:9-21 as a gift - one that offers the possibility of anchoring us in even the fiercest of cultural or familial storms.  But to receive it, we’re going to have to live it.  

• Verse 9 is the umbrella verse that frames the whole section, calling Jesus followers to love without hypocrisy, which includes fleeing from evil and clinging to what is good. The rest of the passage defines practically what this looks like.
• In verses 10-16, we are called to cling to concrete actions like honoring others, joyful hope, prayer, hospitality and generosity.  Love, even under pressure, invites us to hold tight to a posture of humility, keeping our arms and hearts open to those who have less power and position than we do.  And we are told to run away from pride, self-protection, and speaking ill of others.  It even invites us not to gloat when we win, but rather to be sensitive to others.  
• Verses 17-21 puts guardrails up around how Jesus followers should respond to enemies. Violence, vengeance, dehumanization and hate speech are clearly not allowed. At the end of the day, It’s God’s job to judge and we are asked to give God room to move. 

Questions for Reflection:

• As you sit with these verses, what jumps out at you? Spend a few minutes apologizing to God if your life resembles the world’s version of this passage more than Paul’s instructions.
• What helps fuel your relationship with God? (daily devotional, walking outside, listening to worship music, journaling, regularly taking time to pray). Make a plan for how you could prioritize doing this at least three times this week.
• If the election does not go the direction you are hoping it will, how difficult will it be for you to follow the way of Jesus as described in these verses? 

You may find this song useful as you cling to what is good this week.

Link to rewatch the sermon