The term “slavery” is never thought of as something positive. Yet, it’s the term the Apostle Paul uses in our text today as we move through the book of Romans. We are reminded that a person will be either a slave (or servant) to sin or a slave (or servant) to God. One results in death and the other in life. The question for all of us today is, “Who or what am I a slave to?” Another way of asking might be, “Whose slave are you?”  

Romans 6:15-23

15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

For Adult Homes & Groups

1. Read Romans 6:15-23. Be honest with yourself and answer this question: Have you ever been tempted to think that since God’s grace is free I can now do whatever I want? (Discuss the concept of “cheap grace” and why this type of thinking makes God’s grace cheap). 

2. Reflect on Romans 6:16; how is this principle alive and well today? 

3. Romans 6 focuses on baptism and what it means to be united in Christ’s death and resurrection. How does it change your relationship with sin? (See Romans 6:11-14, 17-18.) How does this impact the way you think about sin and your desire to be obedient to God? 

4. What does your struggle with sin look like? Your family’s? Your group’s? Do you see this struggle as good or bad? What’s the fruit of continuing in this struggle – personally and as a family (v. 22)? 

5. Close in prayer, giving “thanks to God” for the gift He has given you to be able to “fight the good fight of faith.”  

For Families with Kids

1. Read Romans 6 together.

2. Now focus on v. 8. If we have died with Christ, what will we also do with Him? Fill in the blank: ___________

3. How can we know Jesus will never die again? What is no longer master over Him? Unscramble the letters for the answer: HEDAT

4. Read v. 10. How many times did Jesus have to die to sin? Circle your answer:   Couple     Several    Repeatedly   Once

5. Jesus wants us to remember every day that we are dead to sin and alive in Him. This week, write v. 11 down on a colorful post-it or notecard, and put it on your bathroom mirror to read every day.