Romans 7:18-25- Small Group Discussion Guide

Summary
In this sermon, Pastor Phil explores Romans 7:18-25, focusing on the internal struggle believers face between sin and the desire to follow God's law. He explains Paul's description of the war within himself - wanting to do good but finding himself doing evil instead. The pastor emphasizes that this tension is actually beneficial, as it indicates God is at work within us, transforming us to be more like Christ. He contrasts the "law of sin" that wages war against our minds with the growing delight in God's law that develops in believers' hearts.
The sermon highlights that our enemy strategizes against us, but God is working to change our desires from within. Rather than simply forcing moral codes upon us, God transforms what we want at the deepest level. The resolution to this internal conflict comes through delighting in God's law and walking in step with the Spirit. Pastor Phil concludes by describing what a life that increasingly delights in God looks like: growing in Christ, finding purpose in this life and joy in the next, not grieving the Holy Spirit, glorifying God, enduring through difficulties, and finishing well.

Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss the internal struggles we face as believers, we ask that You would open our hearts to Your truth. Just as Paul described the war within himself, we recognize that same tension in our own lives. Help us to see this tension as evidence of Your work within us, transforming us into the image of Your Son. Guide our conversation today, that we might better understand how to delight in Your law rather than in our sin. May Your Spirit reveal to each of us what You want us to learn from this discussion. In Jesus' name, amen.

Ice Breaker
What's something you've tried to give up or change about yourself, but found yourself repeatedly going back to despite your best intentions?

Key Verses

• Romans 7:19
• Romans 7:22-23
• Romans 7:24-25
• Romans 8:29
• Galatians 5:24-25
• Psalm 51:10

Questions

• Paul describes a war within himself between wanting to do good but doing evil instead. How have you experienced this internal conflict in your own life?
• The pastor says "the tension is better" - meaning it's good that we feel conflict between our sinful desires and our desire to follow God. Why is this tension actually beneficial for believers?
• How does the enemy "strategize" against believers? What are some ways you've noticed this happening in your own life?
• What does it mean to "delight in the law of God in my inner being" (Romans 7:22)? How is this different from obeying out of fear or obligation?
• The sermon mentions that God changes our desires from within rather than forcing moral codes upon us. How have you experienced God changing what you want over time?
• How does understanding this internal struggle help us have more compassion for other believers who are struggling with sin?
• The pastor lists several characteristics of someone who increasingly delights in God (wanting to grow in Christ, finding purpose, not grieving the Spirit, etc.). Which of these resonates most with you right now and why?
• What practical steps can we take to nurture our delight in God's law rather than in the things of this world?

Life Application
This week, identify one area where you feel the tension between your desire to follow God and your struggle with sin. Instead of trying to resolve this tension by either giving in to sin or beating yourself up, practice turning toward God in that moment. Each time you feel the pull of that particular temptation, pray Psalm 51:10: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Keep a journal of how this practice affects your awareness of God's presence and your desire for Him. Remember that God is changing your desires from within, and this tension is evidence of His work in your life.

Key Takeaways

• The internal conflict believers experience between wanting to do good but doing evil is evidence of God's transforming work within us.
• Our enemy strategizes against us, but we can resist by increasingly delighting in God's law rather than in sin.
• God resolves this tension not by forcing moral codes upon us from the outside, but by changing our desires from within.
• The path to freedom is found in delighting in God and His law, which happens as we face ourselves toward Him like sunflowers turning to the sun.
• As we grow in Christ, we increasingly want to glorify God, avoid grieving the Spirit, endure through difficulties, and finish our race well.

Ending Prayer
Lord God, thank You for the work You are doing within each of us. We acknowledge the war that rages within - between our flesh and Your Spirit. Rather than being discouraged by this tension, help us to see it as evidence of Your transforming power in our lives. We ask that You would continue to change our desires from the inside out, that we might increasingly delight in Your law rather than in sin. Give us the courage to resist our enemy's strategies, to turn toward You like sunflowers facing the sun, and to walk in step with Your Spirit. May we grow in Christ, find purpose in this life, avoid grieving Your Spirit, glorify You with our bodies, endure through difficulties, and ultimately finish well. We stand on Christ, our solid rock, knowing all other ground is sinking sand. In Jesus' name, amen.