Connect What opportunity this week, in all you are facing, to boast in the Lord?
Warm-Up
- What do you think are the common ‘visions for humanity’ that are promoted today?
- What does every vision for humanity (outside of God’s) ultimately fail to address?
Read Romans 5:12-14
- According to Paul, how did sin enter the world? How do other parts of the Bible support this view?
- What is the ultimate consequence for sin? How is this plainly evident in the world today (including on your frontlines)?
- What is our relationship with Adam? Is it fair that we share in the consequences for his sin?
- In what ways are we actually just like Adam in our approach to God and God’s world?
- What was at the heart of the first sin that caused the fall? Do we ever struggle with something similar?
- How is it possible that sin was prevalent even without the law? What then is the role of the law?
- If Adam is a pattern of the one to come, who is the one who is to come?
Read Romans 5:15-17
- What is the parallel between what Adam did and caused with what Jesus did and caused?
- In what ways is Jesus the new Adam? How does Jesus surpass Adam in every way?
- What does Paul say is not like the trespass? Work through how the gift of God’s grace is different.
- How did Jesus set a new course for humanity? Was this a small nudge or a complete turn around?
- Can we in any way contribute to salvation? What then is the point of doing good works?
- How have you known the superabounding nature of God’s grace in your own life?
Read Romans 5:18-21
- What is the difference between the reign of death and the reign of grace?
- How was the power of sin and death dethroned? When will it be destroyed?
- What are the transformations that Jesus has won for us through his death and resurrection?
- What are the three chapters of history that Paul outlines in this section? What eras do we live between? How should that reality change how you live today?
- Do you count yourself ‘in Adam’ or ‘in Christ’? How can we be sure that we’ve received the gift of grace?
- How as Christians can we live in a way that points to the reign of grace that will come in full?
Apply Try to identify one practical outworking of what it means for you this week to be in Christ.
