When In Rome
When In Rome: Better Together
December 17, 2023 • Garry Firth • Romans 15:20–22, Romans 16:1–20, Matthew 16:18, Hebrews 11:35–38, 2 Corinthians 4:14–16
1. When do you open Christmas gifts? On Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? What other Christmas traditions do you have? 2. What was your biggest take away from today’s message? 3. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me…Romans 16:3 In what ways is it ‘risky’ to be a Jesus follower in Nanaimo or Canada today? 4. Who is someone that is ‘working hard’ that you could ‘greet’ and say thank you to? 5. What was your biggest take away from this series and why? (Good News/Bad News, Deal #1/Deal #2, Defining the Relationship, Oops I Did it Again, Graceville/Shouldsville, Sharing in God’s Glory, Build & Bear)
When In Rome: Build & Bear
December 10, 2023 • Russ Smith • Romans 14, Romans 15:1–3, Galatians 6:2–3, Colossians 3:13, James 1:19
Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. Maybe you have a story about encountering a bear. What happened? 2. There’s that saying Unity in the essentials, liberty in the non-essentials, and in everything love. What do you think are some of the essentials about what Christians believe? What are some of the non-essentials? 3. Is there a way in which you feel “strong” in your faith in God that you need to be careful about when you’re around someone that’s “weak” in their faith? 4. How about the opposite - what way do you feel “weak” in your faith that’s sometimes difficult when you’re around people that are “strong” in their faith? 5. To build & bear this week, the big challenge for us is to listen to someone (be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry). What’s another way you can build & bear people this week?
When In Rome: I'm Supposed To Do What?
December 3, 2023 • Garry Firth • Romans 12:1–2, John 13:34–35, Romans 5:8, Romans 12:9–16, Romans 13:1–10
1. When do you put up your Christmas decorations? When do you take them down? 2.In Romans 12:9 Paul writes: Love must be sincere. We heard how it literally means to love without hypocrisy. Our love for others is to be genuine (without wax, remember?) In what ways is your love for others ‘genuine/without hypocrisy’ and in what ways could you improve in your love for others? 3. Paul says that we are to Bless those who persecute you. (Romans 12:14) What is your initial gut reaction to that? Do you find it difficult to do that? What would help you actually put this into practice? (Think about God’s grace and mercy.) 4. ‘Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. (Romans 13:1-2) God created government for our good because it brings order. What are your thoughts about standing against the government? When is that appropriate? 5. There’s a lost world looking for answers, looking for an alternative from what culture and the world is offering and we have the answer (the gospel message–the good news about Jesus) The best way to get the gospel message out is to live our lives in a way that stands out from the everyday in the everyday. So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Romans 12:1-2 (MSG) What is one thing in your everyday life that you could give to God that would help get the message of Jesus out to those who need to hear it?
When In Rome: Renew and Refocus
November 26, 2023 • Garry Firth • Philippians 4:8, Romans 12:1–2, 1 Corinthians 6:13, Proverbs 13:2
1. What is your favourite social media platform and why? On average how much time do you spend on social media each day? 2. Therefore [in light of all I have talked about in this letter so far], I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1) What stands out to you in this verse? Why? 3. Garry defined grace as ‘getting what we DON’T deserve’ and mercy as ‘NOT getting what we DO deserve’. What does God give us that we don’t deserve and what does He not give us that we do deserve? Does that change your view of God at all? Share a time when someone extended grace or mercy to you. 4. “...in view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God… (Romans 12:1) Holy means to be ‘set apart’ or ‘different’. We heard how we are to stand out (by being like Jesus) and not blend in to the culture around us. What are some ways you/we can do that? Or, how are you standing out? 5. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2) C. S. Lewis, who at one time was an atheist, said “Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else.” What are some ways that you can ‘renew your mind’ so you can become more like Jesus?
When In Rome: Salvation Is Here
November 19, 2023 • Garry Firth • Acts 9:3–9, Acts 9:17–20, Romans 10:1–15, Romans 9:1–3
Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. What milestone event (birthday, anniversary, graduation, etc.) have you recently celebrated or will you be celebrating? How are you going to celebrate? 2. “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. (Acts 9:17) Garry talked about being with people ‘when the ‘scales fell off’ and they had an ‘aha’ moment with God. Share an ‘aha’ moment that you’ve had with God. 3. If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. (Romans 10:5-10) What are your thoughts about salvation being personal? 4. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? (Romans 10:13-15) We heard that we have a role to play in spreading the good news by sharing our story and the difference Jesus had made in our life. What thoughts come to mind when you think about sharing your journey of faith with someone who doesn’t believe? 5. Who’s your Bubba? Commit to praying for the Bubba(s) in your life and for the courage to invite them to a Sunday service or TMP event and then share your story with them. If you haven’t taken it yet, sign up for Class 4 for help with this.
When In Rome: Bold as Love
November 12, 2023 • Peter Bird • 2 Corinthians 11:23–33, Romans 8:28–39, Ecclesiastes 1:8, Romans 8:15–18
Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. What do you think of the idea that suffering persecution should be an expected part of following Jesus? Is that something you’ve been told about Christianity? Have you experienced it yourself? 2. Think about all the suffering Paul went through in order to follow Jesus and grow the early church. How do you think he was able to keep going, even through all the terrible things that happened? 3. What was your understanding of the word “glory" before and after the message? Did it change? If so, how? 4. In the message we were asked, “What is it at the end of the day, at the end of your life, that’s going to cause you to look back and think, having this was worth going through all of that?” How would/will you answer this question? 5. What do you think it says about God’s love, and how we’re to follow him in showing that love to others, that he was willing to go through suffering in order to save us?
When In Rome: Shouldsville vs. Graceville
November 5, 2023 • Sylvia Thomson • Romans 7:21—8:2, Romans 8:5–17, Galatians 5:22–23
Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. Have you ever been to Shouldsville? 2. If so, which shop do you frequent the most: Guilt Shop, Shame Shop, Debt Shop, or the Castle of Confusion? 3. Has condemnation ever stopped you from believing that God is good or that He has good things for you? Read Romans 8:1-2: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Are you ready to go to Graceville? 4. What do you think it means to live by the Spirit? Read Romans 8:5-7: Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 5. Galatians 5:22-23 says, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Can you see the fruit of the Spirit at work in your life?
When In Rome: Oops, I Did It Again
October 29, 2023 • Garry Firth • Romans 7:7–25
Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. What was (or is) your favourite subject in school? What do you like about it? 2. I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. (Romans 7:7-8) In the message we heard that it’s “human nature to want what we don’t have.” Why do you think that is? 3. So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. (Romans 7:14) Garry said, “We all have a sin problem, the problem is we don’t think we have a problem with sin.” Do you agree/disagree with that statement? Why/why not? 4. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. (Romans 7:18-20) Do you find those verses encouraging or discouraging because it seems as though Paul is saying we can’t overcome sin and do the things we know we should? 5. How does the reality of Paul’s life as a Jesus-follower encourage you in your own life?
When In Rome: Define the Relationship
October 22, 2023 • Garry Firth • Philippians 4:6–7, Romans 6:22–23, Mark 12:30–31, Romans 5:1–11, Philippians 3:5–9
Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. Are you a texter or do you prefer phone calls? 2. Tim Keller in his book Romans For You writes: “...there is a war going on between God and us. When we disobey God, two things happen. The first is that when you sin, you not only break his law, but you assume the right or authority to do so—you claim kingship over yourself and your world. But God claims kingship over the same things. Whenever two parties claim absolute kingly control over something, there is a war.” Do you agree or disagree? Why/why not? 3. Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (Romans 5:1-2 NIV) How do you understand ‘peace WITH God’? 4. We heard on Sunday that the added benefit of having peace with God is that we have the peace of God which Paul says transcends all understanding. Share a time when you have experienced the peace of God. 5. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. (Romans 5:6-11 NLT) What does it mean to you to be considered God’s friend? 6. What was your biggest take away from today’s message? Commit to reading chapters 1 - 6 of Romans this week.
When In Rome: Faith Anatomy
October 15, 2023 • Garry Firth • Romans 4:1–8, Romans 4:13–25, Genesis 15:2–6, Psalm 32, Romans 3:20–28
Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. As a child, what did you dream about wanting to be when you grew up? 2. How would you define faith? Did that definition change after reading Romans chapter 4? 3. Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. (Romans 4:4-5) What stands out to you in those verses? Does Deal #2 seem too good to be true? 4. David says the same thing when he speaks of how blessed (fortunate or lucky, it describes them in The Message) the person is to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them." (Romans 4:6-8) David acknowledges he is a sinner—and yet he knows he is still blessed, because “the Lord will never count [his sin] against him” Have you ever wondered if God has truly forgiven you? Why/why not? What would it take for you to embrace forgiveness like David did? 5. Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” (Romans 4:18) Can you think of times that you have acted in faith when it was hard? Are you being asked to do so right now? 6. Commit to read through Romans 4 and Psalm 32 at least once this week as a reminder that Jesus is who He said He is - God - and that He is good and can be trusted to do everything He’s promised to do.
When In Rome: Two Deals, Deal #2 Embrace Grace!
October 8, 2023 • Russ Smith • Romans 3:10–11, Romans 3:20–26, Matthew 5:21–22, Matthew 5:27–28
Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. If you could be a contestant on a game show like Let’s Make A Deal or The Price Is Right, what show would you be on? 2. In the message, Russ gave examples of not measuring up like a kid being under-height for riding a roller coaster and someone being unqualified to get hired for a job. What kinds of situations like that have you had in your life? 3. We’ve been talking about Two Deals. Deal #1 is about being obedient to all of God’s laws and rules. In what ways are you struggling or have struggled with Deal #1? 4. Deal #2 is to embrace grace because “Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight”. We embrace grace by believing and receiving the amazing gift of God forgiving us and making us right with him based on what Jesus did for us. Where are you at with Deal #2? 5. From the two opening songs (Losing My Religion by REM, Stitches by Switchfoot), we talked about how we need to lose our religion and rip out the seams (the temporary “tacking stitches”). What are some ways we can lose our religion and and rip out the seams? 6. Not only do we get to embrace grace, but Jesus-followers also get to dispense grace. What’s one way you could actively give out grace this week?
When In Rome: Two Deals, Deal #1
October 1, 2023 • Garry Firth • Matthew 11:28–30, Romans 2:12–20, Luke 18:9–13, Romans 3:19–21
Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. Do you consider yourself more of a rule follower or a rule breaker? 2. How well do you respond to the “little laws” in life like, keep off the grass signs in parks, stop signs in mall parking lots, speed limits, etc? 3. “Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.” Romans 2:14-15 Do you agree that we are hardwired to understand right and wrong? What is some of the best evidence to support your answer? 4. What do you think of the moral relativism that is so prevalent today and where, in our culture, do you see it the most widespread? 5. Garry said that religion leads to one of two places: arrogance or despair. Have you struggled (or are struggling) with being religious? Where is your struggle? With arrogance or with despair? 6. Read Luke 18:9-14. How do you think the following people responded to Jesus’ parable: The Pharisees or religious leaders…tax collectors and other “sinners”…Jesus’ followers? Challenge: Are you struggling with religion or being religious? Are you battling with being (or becoming) an arrogant Christian or falling into despair for not being good enough? Pray and ask Jesus for help in centering your heart and mind on Him—and Him only.
When In Rome: Those People R Us
September 24, 2023 • Garry Firth • Romans 1:26–31, Matthew 7:1–5, Romans 2:1–4
Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. On Sunday we heard some short, pithy sayings that are full of practical wisdom, like “slow and steady wins the race”. What are some similar sayings that you’ve heard or used? 2. Garry shared how it’s far easier to point out other people’s behaviours, faults or sins. Why do you think that is? Why do we do it? 3. You [referring to Christians] therefore have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 2:1 (NIV) Those verses speak to hypocrisy - saying one thing but doing another. In this case, calling someone out for doing something when we’re doing the same thing. To quote a phrase, it’s “the pot calling the kettle black”. Share a time when you have judged someone else for something you do yourself. 4. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV) What does taking the plank out of our own eye look like in a practical sense? How do we actually remove the plank? How do we know we have a plank to remove? 5. What other questions, thoughts or observations came up for you in this week’s message? 6. Commit to talking with God this week about what part you could play in sharing the good news of Jesus to those in your circle of influence who may not have heard it.
When In Rome: Good News/Bad News
September 17, 2023 • Garry Firth • Romans 1:1–4, Romans 1:16–32, Ephesians 2:3
Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life: 1. When you are faced with a good news/bad news scenario which do you want to hear first? Why? 2. The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness. (Romans 1:18) What thoughts or images come to mind when you read “the wrath of God”? What do you see in the world or in your life that you believe are examples of the consequences of suppressing or pushing aside the truth of God? 3. …since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:19-20). In what ways have you seen evidence of God in nature? 4. In the message we heard how there is a tension between what we want to do and what we know God wants us to do, and in order to solve that tension we simply change God into a god that agrees with me. Paul said, “They (people) exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator.” What are some examples of when we change God into a god that agrees with me and what I want to do? 5. What was it that stood out for you the most in this week's message? Challenge: What is going on in your life right now that you KNOW conflicts with what God says is right and true? Talk to God about it and ask him for the strength to do what you can’t do on your own.