New A new four week sermon series looking at the apostle Paul, the person, his passion and purpose throughout his letter to the church at Rome. 1) April 19 - Preacher Phil Marshall (8:30 & 10 am) Paul: The call and the message Romans 1:1-7 2) April 26 - Preacher Phil Marshall (8:30, 10 am & 6:30 pm) Paul: Unfulfilled ambition Romans 1:8-17 3) May 3 - Preacher Phil Marshall (8:30 & 10 am) Paul: The vision of a majestic finale. Romans 16:17-27 4) May 10 - Preacher Phil Marshall (8:30 & 10 am) Paul: A missionary shares his vision Romans 15:14-33
April 19 to May 10 We are starting a new four week sermon series looking at the apostle Paul, the April 19 2009 - Paul: The call and the message Rom 1:1-7 OPEN IT 1. If you were writing a letter to someone you did not know, how would you introduce yourself and briefly convey the important things in your life? EXPLORE IT 2. How did Paul introduce and identify himself to the Romans and what special calling on his life did Paul feel? (1:1) 3. In what ways has God revealed His gospel to people? (1:2-4) 4. What credentials does Jesus have to confirm His claim as Son of God? (1:3-4) 5. What did Paul and others receive as a calling for their lives? (1:5) 6. How did Paul describe the people who were receiving this letter? (1:6) 7. What kind of greeting did Paul send to his audience? (1:7) GET IT 8. A popular view in our society is that Christianity is all about loving your neighbour. How does Paul s description of the gospel s content differ from this popular view? 9. How have your beliefs about Jesus Christ changed during the various stages of your life? 10. In what way do you feel God has placed a special calling on your life? Or what purpose for living has God given you? APPLY IT 11. How does our local church equip members for a life of obedience to God in the world? Is it effective? Quiz Night May 9 th. Home of the Open Heart Mission Fundraiser. 1
April 26 2009 - Paul: Unfulfilled Ambition Rom 1:8-17 Paul explains why he wants to visit Rome. OPEN IT 1. How do you stay in touch with friends or family members who live in another city? EXPLORE IT 2. Only twice in Romans does Paul express himself in personal terms (1:8-15 & 15:14-33).What insights do we gain into Paul s relationship with the Roman church if we read the latter passage straight after 1:15? 3. What happened to Paul s plans to visit the church in Rome? (1:10-13) 4. Who would benefit from Paul s visit? (1:12) 5. How did Paul feel about what others thought about him and his message? (1:16) 6. How does a person become righteous? (1:17) GET IT 7. What are some of the positive reports you have heard of other churches that encouraged you in your faith in God? 8. How does remembering someone in prayer help him or her? 9. For what reasons do Christians sometimes feel ashamed of the gospel? 10. Righteousness is an important word in Romans (used 33 times). How does Paul use the word? Can you explain? APPLY IT 11. Sometimes we can be quite casual when we tell people we are praying for them. Paul is in earnest when he says he is praying for these people and he calls on God to be the witness to this serious commitment to prayer partnership. What an inspiration Paul provides about how to offer prayer support for the global church and God s mission! Spend time praying for God s worldwide mission. Quiz Night May 9 th 7 pm. Home of the Open Heart Mission Fundraiser. 1
May 3 2009 - Paul: The Majestic Finale Rom 16:17-27 Paul, in his final words of Romans, gives a great hymn of praise. Open It 1. How valuable is a letter of thanks and appreciation to you? Explore It 2. What kinds of divisions should the church not allow? (16:17) 3. What encouragement did Paul give the people in their struggle with evil in the world? (16:19-20) 4. Who actually wrote down this letter for Paul? (16:22) 5. In the final verses Paul sums up God s wise plan (16:25-27). 6. What did Paul say about God? (16:25-27) 7. What did Paul say about the gospel? (16:25-27) Get It 8. Paul indicates how to respond to the threat to the unity of the congregation (vs. 17, 18 & 19). What are they? How can we avoid dividing churches unnecessarily today? 9. How does focusing on the greatness of God increase our ambition to serve Him? 10. Time to be creative! Do you have musical or artistic talent in your group? Can you set verses 25-27 to music or write a song based on it? Or put together a collage that expresses the majestic finale of God s purposes in Christ? Apply It 11. To what fellow workers in the Lord s service do you want to express your appreciation? How? Quiz Night May 9 th 7 pm. Home of the Open Heart Mission Fundraiser. 1
May 10 2009 - Paul: The Missionary Shares His Vision. Romans 15:14-33 Open It 1. What foreign culture interests you the most? Why? Explore It 2. How did Paul understand his own mission? (15:14-16) 3. What was the only thing that Paul was willing to speak of? (15:18-19) 4. What was Paul s ambition? (15:20) 5. What had hindered Paul from coming to see the people in the church at Rome? (15:22) 6. How did Paul want the Roman Christians to help him? (15:24, 30-32) For what did Paul ask the people to pray? (15:30-32) Get It 7. What groups of people around the world have not heard the gospel message? Consult the Joshua Project: Unreached People s Groups website http://www.joshuaproject.net 8. What sections of our local community have not had enough opportunities to hear the gospel message? Apply It 9. Paul s collection project was a long term international commitment. Should the church today be doing similar things? Why? 10. What is your greatest ambition? How does your ambition compare with Paul s? 11. How can we help a missionary live out their gifting and calling? 1