Study Guide
Romans Part 8
"Liberated to New Life"
The gospel tells us that God's grace is so good that it abounds even more than our sin. So, what does that mean for us now? Do we live how we want? Or what if Jesus died for us to experience life far beyond the "prison" that is sin? Listen in as Pastor Brayden Brookshier, from our Ocean Beach campus, challenges us to live into our new identity in Christ.
In this message you will be challenged and encouraged to:
- See our old life as "dead" and a new life is possible!
- Believe God wants to create new patterns in our lives
Newbreak’s Sermon Study Guide is an in-house resource that serves sermon-based Life Groups and/or individuals who want to reflect further on how the message contributes to their spiritual formation.
Icebreakers for Life Groups
- If you could “bury” one bad habit or negative trait about yourself and replace it or “be raised” with a new positive habit or trait, what would it be?
- What is one of your favorite things that you like about being a Christian? How often does this come up when you share about Jesus with others?
Read Romans 6:1-11 (CSB)
God’s grace moves me from the death of sin into life in Christ.
Romans 6:1-11 presents a powerful message about the transformative power of God’s grace and our new identity in Christ. Paul first addresses a potential misunderstanding about grace by asking an important question, “Should we continue to sin so that grace may multiply?” (v.1) Paul answers this question by saying, “Absolutely not." The quick rejection of this idea leads us to ask the question, “Then how should I live?”
Paul provides the theological framework by which we should look at life. He begins by introducing his audience to the concept and importance of “baptism” in a believer's life. According to Paul, baptism illustrates our union with Christ’s death and resurrection. We are buried with Christ and raised to walk a new life that is not rooted in sin and death but is rooted in grace, hope, freedom, and love. In verse 6, Paul declares that our old self was crucified with Christ, and now we are freed from the power of sin.
The central truth of this passage—and the entire book of Romans—is that, through God’s grace, believers are moved from a state of spiritual death caused by sin to a new life in Christ.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think Paul began chapter 6 with the question, “Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply?” (Hint- look back at Romans 5)
- Have you ever bargained with God during a struggle with sin? (e.g., “God, if you help me now, I’ll change.”) or Have you ever justified continuing in sin because of God’s forgiveness? (e.g., “Why stop if God will forgive me anyway?”)
- How does understanding your identity in Christ (dead to sin, alive in Christ) impact your daily choices and actions?
Read Romans 6:12-14 (CSB)
Offer myself to God for His power and purpose.
In verse 12, Paul starts this section with the word “therefore,” which directly links us to the profound truth in the preceding eleven verses. Because of everything that Jesus has done for us, and now that we are “in Christ,” we have a choice to make. Are we going to live in the new reality of our freedom from sin, or are we going to let sin “reign” over us (vs.12)? Instead, we can offer our whole selves to God as instruments or weapons for “righteousness.”
Now that we are set free from the power of sin and death, we are free to walk in the newness of life in Christ (vs.4). This life is characterized by freedom from sin, empowerment from the Holy Spirit, and the joy that comes from being in a close relationship with God.
The only way to access freedom from sin is through faith in Christ and right relationship with God. From this vantage point, the exclamation point on this section of scripture is that freedom is experienced in new rulership: “For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace.” (v.14)
Discussion Questions
- Can you think of a time when you experienced freedom over a struggle (privately or publicly) that you can share?
- In what areas of your life do you still struggle by allowing sin to “reign” in your life? How can the truth from this passage help you overcome your struggles?
- Why do you think God sometimes allows us to struggle against our flesh instead of giving us immediate victory over our sin?
When in Romans
In the middle of the first century, in the heart of the Roman empire was a group of house churches that believed that Jesus of Nazareth, crucified and risen from the dead, was the true Lord of the world! The Romans had to be some of the bravest, most tested Christ-followers as they were heavily persecuted by the rulers of the day. Therefore, Paul writes a letter to them, expressing what he wishes he could say in person to them. The contents of this letter are so revolutionary that for 2,000 years churches all around the globe read it, reflect on it, and apply these truths to their lives. Join us as we venture through Romans and see how the gospel's message gives us a new identity and a new way to live!