Hot Mess, Part 1
Anthony Fusco
Part of Small Groups—Questions
September 15, 2024

OVERVIEW OF SCRIPTURE

Prior to group, get a better understanding of the overall biblical text with these resources.

Main Scripture: Romans 3:19–23

Introduction to Romans: Click here for a brief summary on the Book of Romans.

KNOW

Allow these questions to help you better understand what Scripture says contextually.

Romans 3 begins with a question-and-answer scheme. Paul raises questions from someone that might be opposed to what he’s explaining in Chapter 2 and then gives his response. Within Chapter 3 Paul quotes from a series of Old Testament passages. These Scriptures show that those writers also agreed that nobody, not one person, deserves to be called righteous. Paul declares emphatically that no one will be justified by following the works of the law. At the end of the chapter, Paul arrives at the good news: righteousness before God is available apart from the law through faith in Christ’s death for our sin on the cross.

READ AND FOCUS ON ROMANS 3:19-20
Romans 3:19 informs us that the entire world–including both Jews and gentiles–are all accountable under the law.

  • What does Romans 2:14-15 make perfectly clear about the law, leaving no one without excuse?
  • With your group, read Romans 3:21-22. What does “apart from the law” mean in this set of verses and how do these verses correlate with this week’s message?

READ AND FOCUS ON ROMANS 3:23
Romans 3:23 makes it clear that no one is “good” enough to save themselves. Yet, Verses 22 and 24–26 that surround Verse 23 show us it’s also very true that no one is too evil that they cannot be saved. Read John 6:37 and 1 Timothy 1:15 (referencing Paul).

  • Do you ever find yourself thinking that someone is too far gone to be saved?
  • Besides Paul, what additional biblical examples can you think of that directly counter this line of thinking (i.e. “Someone is too far gone to be saved”) ?
  • Have you ever witnessed such a transformation yourself?

From Romans 3:1–10 and Romans 3:23, Paul does not offer any category besides “sinner,” and everyone falls into it… there is “no distinction. (Verse 22)” The most moral of humans—relatively speaking—and the most perverse of humans are all in the same container: “sinner.”

  • How does the reality of Paul’s words (Inspired by the Holy Spirit) stand in direct contradiction to the saying, “I’ve always been a Christian.”
  • How do the following verses support Paul’s argument that all are sinners, therefore there must come a time when one turns from their sin and turns to Jesus for salvation that leads to a life of following Him as Lord and Savior?
    • John 3:3; Romans 10:9–17; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Reflecting on this well known verse…

  • Why do you think this verse is included in the Bible?
  • What traits of God does it highlight? What traits of humans does it highlight?
  • If we recognize this verse as loving Truth, how should we allow it to shape our actions?

READ AND FOCUS ON JOHN 3:16
When we look at the state of our world and we look at the state of our own sinful selves, it makes zero sense that God would love us at all… much less enough to sacrifice His own beloved Son.

  • What do Titus 3:3-7 and 1 John 4:9-12 remind us regarding who we once were and who we are now in Him?
  • How should this knowledge impact us when we are tempted to look down at the wicked world around us?

With your group, read the following verses regarding why Jesus came: John 3:17, Luke 5:31-32, and Luke 19:10.

  • What stands out to you among these verses and how can they serve to increase your compassion for those who have not yet accepted Christ?

GROW

These questions are geared towards application of Scripture and Sunday’s message.

Thinking about the phrase “Hot Mess”…

  • Have you ever fallen victim to judging another’s “hot mess” more harshly than your own? Perhaps you have tried to minimize your own sin by comparing or contrasting it to someone else’s?
  • Even as believers who know what we should and should not do, why is this our tendency? What can and should we do about it? Reference Romans 2:1-3 and Matthew 7:1-5.

We can be quick to make a snap judgment, draw conclusions, or create our own narrative of others…

  • Have you ever judged a particular person or situation prematurely only to find out more information later on which altered your feelings on the circumstance? What lesson did this teach you?

There is a distinction between looking at someone else’s mess and judging them for it, and biblically approaching a fellow believer engaging in overt and purposeful sin.

  • What does Galatians 6:1-5 tell us to do in such a circumstance in regards to both the other person (vs 1-2) and ourselves (vs 3-5)?

Pastor Anthony mentioned how Jesus’ message was radical and unique because of the grace that He offered. No one before had heard of such a thing, and no other “religion” could ever mimic the concept.

  • Have you taken time recently to simply reflect on, fully appreciate, and thank God for the undeserved grace that we have been freely given as followers of Christ?
  • How should reminding ourselves of the immensity of this gift affect how we see ourselves and how we see those around us?
  • How should it change our actions? Reference Ephesians 2:1-10 and Titus 2:11-14.

We learned that the law was always meant to reveal our sin and make us aware of the perfection which we could never attain on our own (Romans 7:7-25 and Galatians 2:15-16).

  • What happens when we stop comparing ourselves to others and start comparing ourselves to a righteous and Holy God?
  • Even if you have been saved many years, do you find that you drift into relying on yourself and your attempts at perfection to sanctify you, or is it the grace of God working in you? If the former, what changes need to be made?

Although looked down upon in today’s society, conviction and accountability are actually incredibly positive things that draw us near to God and out of the sin which will ultimately destroy us.

  • Have you ever viewed conviction as God literally drawing you to Himself?
  • Have you considered the fact that He loves you enough that He wants to make Himself known to you? How does this make you feel?
  • How has conviction altered your life and what role did it play in your own personal salvation?

GO

Take a next step and put your faith into action!

As believers, even through the messiness of our lives, we can rely on God and trust in His plan for us. We are saved and redeemed by Him alone. His love for us is greater than anything we do or don’t do on this earth. John 3:16 says that if we believe in Him, we will not perish but have everlasting life.

  • When you reflect on your life, are you living for the things of this world or for eternity? How do you know?
  • What are you contributing to now that will have an eternal impact? If you have been focused on this world, how can you get aligned to God?

Until we recognize the depth of our sin, we will not understand our need for a Savior! The law reveals the sinful nature of every human in the world. We can’t be justified by the law, but only by the blood of Christ. Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins.

  • Reflect on your own life and the areas where you have sinful tendencies. This could be in your heart posture, your language, your attitude towards others, etc.
  • What are practical ways you can lay down your sin at the Father’s feet? Who can come alongside you in this? What do you need to repent of today?

This week, read the full story of the forgiven woman in Luke 7:36-50.

  • How does Jesus’ teaching in this passage both confirm and amplify what we have learned this week?

PRAYER

Pray for one another and bring your requests to God.

Northwest Prayer Highlight: Pray for:

  • Gospel opportunities
  • Ways to leverage what God has blessed you with, whether much or little, for eternal impact

Small Group Prayer Requests: Take some time to gather prayer requests from the group. Have someone write these down to see how God moves and answers prayer.