
10.29.2024
October 23, 2024
A Community Committed to Serving
Romans 12.1-8, 1 Peter 4.10-11, Philippians 2.3-4, Galatians 5.13
1.
: A Living Offering
Romans 12:1–2 LSB
Therefore I exhort you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your
bodies as a sacrifice—living, holy, and pleasing to God, which is your
spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may approve what
the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and perfect.
2.
: Gifting with Grace
Romans 12:3–8 LSB
For through the grace given to me I say to each one among you not to think
more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have
sound thinking, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as
we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the
same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and
individually members one of another, but having gifts that differ according
to the grace given to us: whether prophecy, in agreement with the faith; or
service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who
exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads,
with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
3.
: Serve with Strength
1 Peter 4:10–11 LSB
As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good
stewards of the manifold grace of God— whoever speaks, as one speaking
the oracles of God; whoever serves, as one serving by the strength which
God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus
Christ, to whom belongs the glory and might forever and ever. Amen.
4.
: Humble Hearts
Philippians 2:3–4 LSB
doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind
regarding one another as more important than yourselves, not merely
looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of
others.
5.
: Freedom through Love
Galatians 5:13LSB
For you were called to freedom, brothers; only do not turn your freedom
into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Life Group Questions:
Discuss a time in your life that required you or your family to sacrifice. What
was God teaching you through that time?
Read Romans 12.1-8 (prior to life group): When you read through the
scripture take note of anything interesting, unique, or questions that come
to mind when reading. Take some time and dig in deeper in the following
areas.
1. Discuss as a group the paradox of a “living sacrifice” in Romans 12.1.
2. Discuss what it means to have a lifestyle of being a living sacrifice.
3. What keeps us from living this way?
4. Are there things in your life that you will have to sacrifice or say no to so
that you can say yes to better things?