Session #5 - Romans 7.13-25 - Leaders
LIFE GROUPS:
SESSION 5: THE WAR OF WILLS
Leader’s Discussion Guide
SERMON PASSAGE FOR SESSION #5 Romans 7:137:13-25— 25 — Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
INTRODUCTION: Icebreaker— Icebreaker— Discussion: ♦ What is your favorite “war” movie and why? Leader’s Note: This should be a fun discussion to lead your way into discussing the theme of life is a war. Make sure you mention a movie that sets you up to segue into discussing the spiritual war we are in.
♦ Why do we love war movies so much? Leader’s Note: We love the portrait of people risking all for what they believe in. We love to see those peopletake a stand, even when the odds are not in their favor. We love right to be victorious over wrong, light over darkness, and justice over injustice.
♦ What are some things that are needed in order to win a war? Leader’s Note: Answers should include: teamwork, discipline, training, sacrifice, superior force, etc.
♦ How would you characterize most Christians’ understanding of their
interaction with sin?
♦ Why is it vital that we understand we are to be at war with sin?
INVESTIGATION: Read Ephesians 6:10-13 and answer the following questions: ♦ What does this passage tell us about the war we wage in life?
♦ How aware are we that we have an enemy? Do we live each day in such a
way that reflects this truth?
♦ What does 1 Peter 5:8-9 tell us about our enemy?
♦ What does James 4:7 tell us are two essential ways we can overcome our
enemy? What does this look like in everyday life? Leader’s Note: They are to (1) submit to God and to (2) resist the devil.
♦ In the Ephesians 6:10-13 passage, what are the keys to defeating our
enemy? Leader’s Note: (1) Rely on the superior power of God, (2) equip yourself with the tools God has given us (aka: armor), (3) know who our enemy is, and (4) stand firm against our enemy. These answers match well with the answers to the earlier question of what does it take to win a war.
♦ Who is waging the war against the enemy? Does it say “I” wrestle or “we”
wrestle?
♦ Why is this point significant?
♦ How are ways you can partner with each other to fight sin? What does
Galatians 6:1-5 tell us regarding our need for teamwork?
INTEGRATION: ♦ Read through the Armor of God given in Ephesians 6:14-19. List below the
pieces of armor and then one way you can practically utilize this armor in your life this week.
♦ What piece of armor would you say represents where you are strongest
spiritually? Weakest?
♦ Do you feel you are well prepared each day for battle?
♦ What does this discussion show you when it comes to your war against sin
in your life?
SESSION 5: THE WAR OF WILLS
Leader’s Discussion Guide
SERMON PASSAGE FOR SESSION #5 Romans 7:137:13-25— 25 — Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
INTRODUCTION: Icebreaker— Icebreaker— Discussion: ♦ What is your favorite “war” movie and why? Leader’s Note: This should be a fun discussion to lead your way into discussing the theme of life is a war. Make sure you mention a movie that sets you up to segue into discussing the spiritual war we are in.
♦ Why do we love war movies so much? Leader’s Note: We love the portrait of people risking all for what they believe in. We love to see those peopletake a stand, even when the odds are not in their favor. We love right to be victorious over wrong, light over darkness, and justice over injustice.
♦ What are some things that are needed in order to win a war? Leader’s Note: Answers should include: teamwork, discipline, training, sacrifice, superior force, etc.
♦ How would you characterize most Christians’ understanding of their
interaction with sin?
♦ Why is it vital that we understand we are to be at war with sin?
INVESTIGATION: Read Ephesians 6:10-13 and answer the following questions: ♦ What does this passage tell us about the war we wage in life?
♦ How aware are we that we have an enemy? Do we live each day in such a
way that reflects this truth?
♦ What does 1 Peter 5:8-9 tell us about our enemy?
♦ What does James 4:7 tell us are two essential ways we can overcome our
enemy? What does this look like in everyday life? Leader’s Note: They are to (1) submit to God and to (2) resist the devil.
♦ In the Ephesians 6:10-13 passage, what are the keys to defeating our
enemy? Leader’s Note: (1) Rely on the superior power of God, (2) equip yourself with the tools God has given us (aka: armor), (3) know who our enemy is, and (4) stand firm against our enemy. These answers match well with the answers to the earlier question of what does it take to win a war.
♦ Who is waging the war against the enemy? Does it say “I” wrestle or “we”
wrestle?
♦ Why is this point significant?
♦ How are ways you can partner with each other to fight sin? What does
Galatians 6:1-5 tell us regarding our need for teamwork?
INTEGRATION: ♦ Read through the Armor of God given in Ephesians 6:14-19. List below the
pieces of armor and then one way you can practically utilize this armor in your life this week.
♦ What piece of armor would you say represents where you are strongest
spiritually? Weakest?
♦ Do you feel you are well prepared each day for battle?
♦ What does this discussion show you when it comes to your war against sin
in your life?
