Romans 7:13-16 - Small Group Discussion Guide

Summary
In this sermon, Pastor Phil explores Romans 7:13-20, a passage where Paul reveals his personal struggle with sin despite being saved. The pastor emphasizes that Paul is describing the tension believers experience between wanting to follow God's law and the reality of continuing to sin. This tension is not something to avoid but to acknowledge as the first step toward finding the solution in Christ. The law of God serves as a mirror that reveals our sin, but it's the blood of Christ that cleanses us. The sermon highlights that God's law remains good and spiritual, even as it exposes the sinful nature that still dwells within believers.

Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather today to discuss the tension between our desire to follow You and our struggle with sin, we ask that You open our hearts to receive Your truth. Help us to be honest with ourselves about the areas where we fall short, not so we can be condemned, but so we can more fully appreciate Your grace. Guide our conversation today and reveal to each of us what You want us to learn from Paul's powerful testimony. In Jesus' name, amen.

Ice Breaker
What's something you've tried to stop doing but found yourself continuing to do despite your best efforts?

Key Verses

• Romans 7:15
• Romans 7:18
• Romans 7:19-20
• Psalm 119:105-106
• 1 John 1:8-9

Questions

• Paul says he doesn't understand his own actions and does what he hates. How does this resonate with your own experience as a Christian?
• The pastor described the law as a mirror that reveals sin but can't cleanse it. How has God's law functioned as a mirror in your life?
• What's the difference between feeling guilty about sin and truly hating sin the way Paul describes?
• How do you respond when you find yourself in the cycle of attempting to do good, failing, and growing frustrated?
• The sermon mentioned that some people try to avoid tension by making their own desires their moral code. Have you observed this in culture or in your own life?
• How does understanding this inner struggle actually help us appreciate Christ's work more deeply?
• The pastor said, "Christians need to be in the Word of God more than they are." What practical steps can you take to give God's Word more access to your heart?
• How would you explain to a non-believer the difference between trying to "tip the scales" to get into heaven versus the gospel message?

Life Application
This week, identify one area where you feel the tension between what you want to do for God and what you actually do. Instead of trying harder in your own strength or giving up in frustration, take time each day to: 1) Acknowledge this specific struggle before God, 2) Thank Him that your salvation doesn't depend on your perfect performance, and 3) Ask the Holy Spirit to transform your desires and empower you to live differently. Keep a journal of how this practice affects both your awareness of sin and your experience of God's grace.

Key Takeaways

• Being aware of the tension between our desire to follow God and our continued struggle with sin is the first necessary step to understanding the solution in Christ.
• God's law is still good and spiritual - it reveals sin in our lives so we can see our need for Jesus.
• The problem isn't God's law but our sinful nature that continues to pull us toward disobedience.
• We shouldn't avoid or deny this tension but allow it to drive us to the cross where we find forgiveness.
• The blood of Jesus is sufficient to cleanse us from all sin when we honestly confess rather than trying to justify ourselves.

Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the honesty of Your servant Paul who revealed his own struggles so we could understand ours. We confess that we too experience this tension between wanting to honor You and falling short. Thank You that You don't leave us in this tension but provide the solution through Your perfect life, death, and resurrection. Help us to hate sin as You do, to be honest about our failures, and to run to You for cleansing rather than trying to justify ourselves. May we walk in the freedom that comes only through Your grace, standing on Christ the solid rock while all other ground is sinking sand. In Your precious name we pray, amen.