Guide to Gospel Living
There is no message that is more transformational than the message of the Gospel. It changes everything; who we are, how God sees us, and what will change us! As Paul closes the book of Romans, he
outlines practical everyday truths that help us experience the power and reality of the Gospel in our everyday lives!
6. Wake Up Call
NOV 20--As the nights get longer and colder, the draw of staying under the warm quilt makes the alarm clock an ever present enemy! It is so much more comfortable and easy to stay where it is comfortable than it is to face the rat race of another rugged day! Unless, of course, the day ahead promises to be great! The wake-up call is a moment of decision: are you going to choose for the day, or stay in the night? Paul is challenging us as followers of Jesus to wake up, embrace the day and the mission it entails, and shake off a spiritual slumber so that we can bring Jesus into the world with us!
- How would characterize your discipleship lifestyle:
- Out Cold
- Drowsy
- Waking Up
- Up and Running
- Identify one or two areas where you are dressed for the night in your life. What are they, and why do you pursue them?
- What are you doing to make certain you are dressed for the battle of each day?
- Describe one thing you will do to be up, alert, and active for the cause of Jesus.
5. The Crux of the Matter
NOV 13--Caleb Sorvik is about to finish his internship at Anchor Point Community Church and gives a dynamic look at Romans 13:8-10.
4. Submission to Governing Authorities
NOV 6--Submission to the governing authority in all things that don't undermine God is the focus of today's message by one of our elders, Brandon Hall.
3. Love
OCT 23--Love is the theme of movies,
songs, and almost every aspect of popular culture. It is portrayed as a
romantic feeling, a political theme, and an irresistible force drawing
us into sweaty sheets. But rarely do we see popular culture calling us
into a fully developed description of the nature of God reflected in
the lives of His people. God’s love, seen through the lens of the
Gospel’s work in our life, is way beyond the themes we see in our every
day brushes with love. This is a big deal--I mean a really big deal!
- In what ways do your interactions with Anchor Point reflect the kind of love described in this passage?
- What are some of the greatest obstacles to engaging in love with others at Anchor Point?
- Do you respond to hard-to-love people the way Paul describes in this passage? Why or why not?
- Whom do you need to forgive? How can others be a part of supporting you so that you can forgive?
- What is one change you will commit to in adding to your love?
2. Body Image
OCT 16--God had this dangerous, risky idea: what if I leave my followers behind to gather together and be Jesus to a world that is struggling and striving for hope? Yeah, that’s what God decided to do. But here is the deal, you are critical to God’s plan. You see, for the world to see Jesus, it has to see us as a picture of His body with Jesus Himself at the head of this thing! Each of us, well, we have a piece of that body that is ours to live out!
- Do you suffer more from the pride of greatness or the pride of greatness of pride of worthlessness?
- In what ways are you connected to Anchor Point (or your regular church home)?
- What would happen if you disappeared? Would anyone notice? Would the body suffer?
- How would you describe the ways God has gifted/made you? How are you doing at connecting your gifts to Anchor Point’s needs?
- What do you need to do in response to these verses?
1. Getting It Right
OCT 2--When life gets difficult or confusing, many of us find ourselves wanting to be able to understand and know what God wants us to do! We are eager to uncover his wisdom and power to navigate through life and accomplish great things. If the Gospel promises us that we were made for a purpose and the Spirit has destined us to be changed and victorious in our lives, how is it that we can tap into that promise, experience God’s working in our lives and understand what he wants us to do?
- Which phrase best describes how you offer your life to God?
- It’s mine; hands off!
- You can use it sometimes.
- You can use it, but I have first right of refusal if it gets too hard.
- Here you go, take it!
- What do you think it means to say the whole of your life is an act of service/worship to God?
- Are you more conformed or transformed? How do you know?
- Describe some ways where your sacrificial life and transformed living have helped you discern God’s will in the past!
