The Pitfalls of Grace
Romans 5:1-6:2
“It is clear that where such a basic and essential word as grace is misunderstood, the great realities of which it speaks will also be misunderstood. There will be a gap between our understanding and the true reality. In some areas of life or even in some areas of doctrine this kind of gap may not matter a great deal, but in this particular instance it is absolutely crucial. A mistaken view of grace will inevitably lead to a distorted view of salvation and we will be in real danger of ‘turning to a different gospel – which is really no gospel at all’ (Gal. I. 6,7).” – J. Douglas MacMillan (1933-1991)
- How many ways can you describe how “professed Christians” have misunderstood, and/or misrepresented God’s grace?
- How does misunderstanding the doctrine of grace hurt the effectiveness of the Church?
The believer’s justification before God is described in past tense (See Romans 5:1, 5:9, 5:11)
- How does this truth affect your relationship to God?
As we read in Romans 6:1-2 and Romans 6:15, the Apostle Paul anticipated that fallen man, even though believers, could easily abuse the gift of God’s grace.
- Discuss some of the pitfalls of grace mentioned on Sunday. Can you think of other pitfalls that can lead to abusing God’s grace that were not mentioned on Sunday?
- How do you personally succeed at avoiding these pitfalls?
Both 2 Corinthians 13:5 and 1 Timothy 4:16 encourages believers to take a personal “spiritual inventory.”
- How can you best implement this admonition?
Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
- As a church, how well is Lifeline Community living this out in our community?
- How can we improve?
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Longing for the Presence of God
Psalm 84:1-12
- What can you learn about the man who is blessed from verses 4, 5, and 12? How do these blessings relate to the psalmist’s longing for the presence, protection and provision of God?
- Examine the different names for God in Psalm 84. What can you learn about the psalmist’s view of God from these titles?
- Why does the psalmist believe that God’s courts are the best place to be? Do you struggle to have his attitude? What can you do to grow in your appreciation of God’s presence?
- What are some practical ways God can be a source of strength in difficult times?
- Read 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. What should our attitude be towards the body of Christ (in light of Psalm 84)? In what ways does your perspective need to change (towards the body of Christ)?
- Read 1 Corinthians 5:4. Is there something special about corporate worship? What should our attitude be towards corporate worship?
- Pray that God would help Lifeline have the proper attitude towards his body and a deeper longing for Him.
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Equal but Different
1 Corinthians 11:2-16
- Why is a text like this so sensitive to deal with in today’s culture? What has brought us to this place? What would you say to someone if they claimed that Paul was a sexist?
- Is there a distinction to be made between things in the Bible that were cultural forms and things that were not? What would be some examples of each? What would mixing these up result in?
- Is there a hierarchy within the trinity? Explain. What is the difference between essence and function? How does this relate to man/husband and woman/wife? What is the wisdom in retaining an ecclesiastical (church) structure that corresponds to the Bible’s outline for our domestic (home/family) structure?
- (For fun) Can you make sense of the reference to the angels in vs. 10? You might think about passages like Heb. 1:14 and 1 Peter 1:10-12. (Also note some references to angels in the Psalms: Ps. 91:9-13; 103:20-22; 148:2)
- What would be some wrong applications from this text? What would be some right applications?
- Formulate your own question from this text to share with the group.
- Pray for our families and our church to embrace God’s design and flourish within the functional roles he has laid out for us. As this section begins a larger focus on worship, pray that God would make us the kind of body that worships Him truly and passionately.
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Don’t Arouse the Lord’s Jealousy
1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1
- How does this section relate to the whole unit of 8:1-11:1?
- Read through this section of Scripture and through 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. What parallels do you see between the two texts? Do you have any thoughts as to why the texts have these parallels?
- Think about the use of terms like “participation”, “participate”, “partake” and “have a part” in vs. 16-21. What is meant by these terms? Specifically, what is meant by them as applied to the Lord’s Supper, OT sacrifices and demons?
- Why is it alright for God to be a “jealous” God? In what way is He jealous? Can you think of any human parallels where jealousy is appropriate? What distinguishes them from an inappropriate jealousy? (cf. Ex. 34:14; Dt. 4:24)
- What are some “sticky situations” you can think of in our setting and culture where this text might find helpful application? Be sure to think in terms of the “guiding principles” mentioned at the end of the sermon.
- Formulate your own question from this text to share with the group:
- Pray discernment in applying this text in our present setting. Pray that God would have our full allegiance.
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Learning from History
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
- How does this section relate to the whole unit of 8:1-11:1?
- Read Exodus 14 and 16:1-17:7. In vs. 1-5 how does Paul relate Israel’s exodus and wanderings with what we call church “ordinances”? What is he trying to communicate to the Corinthians?
- Discuss each of the four specific sinful expressions that the Corinthians and the Israelites share (idolatry, sexual immorality, testing the Lord, and grumbling). How does each find expression in our lives? Which of these do you find is your greatest struggle? Why?
- Think specifically about the sin of grumbling. What is at its heart? What are its effects on others? How can you deal with a grumbling disposition if you find one in yourself?
- Look carefully at vs. 11-13. What do these verses mean? Why is Paul concerned about the Corinthians overconfidence in their own spiritual lives? What should we take away from this? What type of confidence should we have in our salvation?
- Formulate your own question from this text to share with the group:
- Pray specifically for each other to stay free from the shared sins of the Corinthians and the Israelites. Pray for our church as a body of believers to be collectively guarded in those areas.
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