Equipping you for intentional gospel conversations with your teen
Parents, we hope our Newsletters are a helpful tool to disciple your teen. We are united to help you guide your student to live out their faith in Christ personally and publicly. Together, we represent a community of believers pointing students toward God in every circumstance. We are praying for you!
"Renewed - Self, Purpose, Values" Overview
We are starting a series exploring the book of Romans. The points and discussion questions below are intended to help you engage in Biblical conversations with your student(s) about what they are learning on Wednesday nights.
Week 1
Points
Romans 12:1-2
- True worship isn't singing to Jesus but living for Jesus
- Do not conform to this world and its systems
- Renewing our mind allows us to discern God's good, pleasing and perfect will.
Discussion questions
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What does it mean to "present your bodies as a living sacrifice" according to Romans 12:1? How can this be practically applied in our daily lives?
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In Romans 12:2, Paul talks about not conforming to the pattern of this world. How can we avoid conformity to the world's values and instead be transformed by the renewing of our minds?
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According to these verses, what is the purpose of renewing our minds? How does a renewed mind contribute to discerning God's will?
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Discuss the concept of testing and approving what is God's good, pleasing, and perfect will. How do we discern God's will in different aspects of our lives?
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Reflect on the idea of transformation and how it applies to your own spiritual journey. What areas of your life do you feel the need for transformation, and how can you actively pursue it?
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Explore the connection between surrender and transformation. How does surrendering to God's will lead to transformation in our character and actions?
Week 2
Points
Romans 12:3-8
4 Truths on Spiritual Gifts
- Each Believer is given a spiritual gift (v. 3)
- Spiritual gifts unite the body (v. 4a, 5)
- Each gift is needed for the body to function (v. 4b)
- God has gifted the body according to His design. (v. 6a)
Open your gift!
Ask God for the passion to serve the body.
Push back against darkness by serving faithfully.
Discussion questions
Week 3
Points
Romans 12:9-16
- Our Love is Meant to be Genuine
Discussion questions
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In what ways do you find it difficult to exercise this kind of love? What are the hurdles to loving others as God loves us?
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Do you think any of these hurdles are excuses to not love one another? Why or why not?
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Our love is meant to be true and genuine, devoted as that of a husband and wife, familial like that of siblings, and deeply felt. The perfect example of this kind of love is Christ himself, and he invites us to extend his love to others. What can you do today to exercise the love of Jesus toward those around you?
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What is the common theme between these three commands? In what ways is your service to the Lord marked by diligence in zeal and fervency in the Spirit? What could it look like for you to grow in these areas?
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In what ways have you endured difficulty? What role did hope play in carrying you through that tough circumstance?
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How would you describe your prayer life? What can you do to grow more persistent in prayer and more patient in affliction?
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How would you define the word hospitality? When have you been shown hospitality by someone? In what ways do you seek to show hospitality to others?
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One of Paul’s most difficult commands in this passage comes in verse 14 where he tells readers to “Bless those who persecute you,” or those who intentionally mistreat you because of your faith. Have you ever been persecuted for your Christian faith? How did you respond? What does it look like to respond to being persecuted by blessing our persecutors?
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How intentional are you in rejoicing with others when they rejoice? When has someone wept with you as you wept?
Week 4
Points
Romans 12:17-21
- The world’s perception of us as Christ followers is important. Therefore, live a life of honor and peace. We seek to display God’s grace while trusting God to be the judge.
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We do not respond to evil with evil because God responded to our evil with his grace in Christ.
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We are people of peace and reconciliation rather than retaliation and revenge.
Discussion questions
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How do you think the world around us currently views Christians and the Church? Do you think that perception is deserved?
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How do these verses about living in peace fit into chapter 12 as a whole?
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Do you struggle to live in peace with everyone? Why?
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What does it mean to “not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good?” How can you live that out?