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SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE

CONVERSATION STARTER
Have you ever struggled with the concept of God’s sovereignty? What questions have come up for you?

DEEPER

Read: Romans 9:19:29
Paul anticipates a question in verse 19: “Why does God still find fault? For who can resist his will?” Before the sermon, how would you have personally responded to this question? Why? Does it align with Paul’s response?

Discuss the relationship between God’s will and human responsibility. How should this both comfort and humble us?

In verse 21, Paul uses the analogy of the potter and the clay. What does this analogy reveal about our relationship with God? How does this help us understand God’s right over his creation?

Pastor Josh said “.. it seems like putting God on trial is both a current and an ancient problem of the human heart.” Is this an ongoing temptation you have in your own life? How so?

In verses 22-23, Paul talks about “vessels of wrath” and “vessels of mercy.” What do you think is the purpose of God’s patience toward the vessels of wrath? Discuss the idea of God’s patience and his desire to reveal his glory through both mercy and judgment.

What other passages of scripture reinforce or challenge the key ideas from the sermon?

Are there biblical characters or stories that come to mind when reflecting on this passage in Romans? How do their experiences relate to the message we heard?

What are the potential dangers of misunderstanding or misapplying the central message from the sermon? How can we guard against this in our personal walk?

What truths from the sermon do you feel most drawn to meditate on or pray over? How can this truth shape your relationship with God?

NOTES

DISCIPLINES
Pray: Ask God for forgiveness for the times you put God on trial and question his ways. Ask him to humble you and trust that his ways are not your ways nor his thoughts your thoughts.

Read: Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I Packer. If God is in control of everything, can Christians sit back and not bother to evangelize? Or does active evangelism imply that God is not really sovereign at all? Packer shows us how both of these attitudes are false.

Write: Write down any questions you might have from the sermon and submit them to the website to be answered in a future podcast.

Sing: Listen to the worship songs from Sunday throughout the week. Look up the lyrics to each song and spend some time reading them.

Memorize: Romans 9:20

Love: Consider inviting someone new to church this weekend and take them out for lunch afterwards.

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