Message Study Notes for March 20, 2022
Series: The Book of Romans “Christianity Exposed”
Title: Growing as a Christ Follower – Part 1

God makes us His own through His gift of Grace. We make Him our own through faith. We grow in His likeness as we discipline our lives in His way.

Growing as a Christ Follower!

Romans 6:3-4 …when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

What does dying and rising with Christ look like?

A re-direction of our lives.
Romans 12:1-2 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Humility toward each other.
Romans 3:4 Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us

Love in action.
Romans 12: 9-10 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Romans 12:11-21

Family/Group Study Notes for March 20, 2022
Series: The Book of Romans “Christianity Exposed”
Title: Growing as a Christ Follower – Part 1

Share with your family or group your journey to faith. What has been the most difficult part of following Jesus for you?
Read Romans 12:1-2. How do you see yourself honoring God in the way you live? What sacrifices has that meant for you? How is serving God through your mind, body, talents, and resources an act of worship in addition to praise from your lips? What areas of your life, if you are honest, have you conformed to the world instead of to God? How do you need to allow God to help you in these areas? By what means do you seek to understand what is good and pleasing to God?
Read Romans 12:3-8. What do you know about your spiritual gifts? Share them with the group. How do you see your gifts impacting the church? Why do you think Paul says for us to not think of ourselves too highly? Isn’t confidence a good thing?
Read Romans 12:9-10. Where do you notice love that really isn’t genuine? How have you experienced it? What would genuine love look like for someone who is struggling or discriminated against? What would genuine love look like toward someone much wealthier than you?
Read the remainder of Romans 12. What section challenges you the most? Why? What is behind Paul’s desire for us to bless our enemies? What makes this Christ like? How does it keep us from the downward spiral of evil?
Gather in smaller groups and pray for those areas in your life in which you want to grow stronger as a Christ follower.