Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
I. Intro
Big Idea: The resurrection proves God loves us. 1 John 4:8
II. To Remind
A. We get love wrong. 1 Corinthians 15:1
B. God’s love saves. 1 Corinthians 15:2
III. First Importance
A. God’s love was planned. Psalm 22:14-16; Isaiah 53:3-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3
B. God’s love changes everything. Psalm 16:9-11; Matthew 12:40; 1 Corinthians 15:4
IV. He Appeared
A. God’s love was witnessed. Mark 3:21; John 19:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5-7
B. God’s love is underserved. 1 Corinthians 15:8-9
V. Grace
A. God’s love moves us. 1 Corinthians 15:10; 1 John 4:19.
B. God’s love must be trusted. 1 Corinthians 15:11

The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up

• What were the lows and highs of your Easter celebration?
• If you were telling a friend, who didn’t know anything about Christianity, why the resurrection is important what would you tell him or her?
• What’s a reason to believe in the resurrection that you find compelling?
• Why, in 1 Corinthians 15:8, did Paul described himself as one “abnormally born”?
• How has God’s grace inspired you to persevere in faith lately?

Fearless
Romans 13:1-7
I. Intro
Big Idea: Perfect love drives out fear. 1 John 4:18
II. Established
A. God is in control. Romans 13:1
B. God uses governments for His purposes. Romans 13:2
III. Authority
A. Submission makes an impression. Daniel 3:1-30; Romans 13:3
B. Authorities cause us to esteem grace. Romans 13:4
IV. Submit
A. Submission makes us holy. Romans 13:5
B. Submission demonstrates trust in Christ. Isaiah 53:7; Romans 13:6
V. Give
​A. Much is asked. Luke 12:48; Romans 13:7
B. Service reflects the gospel. Matthew 6:33

The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up

• What’s something you’d like to see change in our nation?
• What’s something from Sunday’s message you hope we talk about as a group?
• How does our government benefit the spread of the gospel?
• What’s the difference between submission (or compliance) and obedience?
• How does submission to our government demonstrate our trust in God?
• Why is prayer for our country or community better than complaining about them?
• What’s a way we can serve our local government, law enforcement, or schools?
• What’s a specific way you can apply Romans 13:1-7? Pray for one another.

Sincere
Romans 12:9-21

I. Intro
Big Idea: We can overcome evil because Christ is good.

II. Sincere
A. God transforms passions. Romans 12:9-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17
B. Welcome strangers. Genesis 12:1-3; Romans 12:12-13

III. Associate
A. Isolation doesn’t lead to holiness. Romans 12:14-15
B. Jesus decided to associate with you. Romans 12:16

IV. Be Careful
A. Peace is possible. Jeremiah 6:14; Romans 8:1; 12:17-18
B. Trust the Judge. Romans 12:19

V. Contrary
A. Retaliate with grace. Romans 12:20
B. Be an overcomer. Jeremiah 29:7; Romans 12:21

The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up

• What’s something you enjoy about spring?
• What’s something from Sunday’s message you hope we talk about as a group?
• Why do you think Paul spent the first eleven chapters of Romans (which is mostly about theology) preparing us for the last four chapters (which is mostly about how to live out our faith)?
• What are some benefits you’ve experienced from Christian friendships?
• What are ways people isolate themselves?
• What helps you experience God’s peace amid trials?
• How can showing grace to people change their lives? Any examples?
• Who’s someone you’d like to see experience God’s mercy? Pray for them and one another.

Sacrifice
Romans 12:1-8

I. Intro
Big Idea: We find Christ amid sacrificial service.

II. Living Dead
A. God’s mercy motivates. Romans 12:1a
B. God is all-consuming. Romans 12:1b; Hebrews 12:28-29

III. Pleasing
A. The world’s pattern is self-consuming. John 10:10; Romans 12:2a; 1 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:1-3
B. God’s will isn’t a mystery. Romans 12:2b

IV. Belong
A. Be Christ-centered. Romans 12:3
B. Every believer has a gift. Romans 12:4-5

V. Believe
A. Our gifts are a gift. Romans 12:6
B. Use your gift. Romans 12:7-8

The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up

• What’s something you’re picky about?
• What’s something from Sunday’s message you hope we talk about as a group?
• How does Capitalism affect churches in America?
• How does the truth that God desires to consume us make you feel?
• How has God’s will, as revealed in the Bible, conflicted with your will lately?
• Why does God give each believer a spiritual gift?
• What do you think your spiritual gift might be? How did you discover it?
• How has using your gift helped you grow closer to Christ?
• How can you respond to Romans 12:1-8? Pray for one another.

Mystery
Romans 11:25-36
 
I. Intro
Big Idea: God is merciful. Isaiah 40:22; Romans 7:21-25, 8:1
 
II. Saved
A.  God wants us to understand His plan. Romans 11:25; 2 Peter 3:8
B.  God is looking for humility. Romans 11:26-27   
 
III. Irrevocable
A. God loves His enemies. Matthew 5:22; Romans 5:10, 11:28; 1 John 3:15  
B. The gift of eternal life is eternal. Romans 11:29
 
IV. Bound
A. Failure isn’t the end of the story. Romans 11:30-31
B. God offers an opportunity for us to receive mercy. Romans 11:32
 
V. Unsearchable
A. God doesn’t need anything from us. Romans 11:33-35  
B. Live in awe of God. Romans 11:36; Philippians 4:8-9 

The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up

• What’s something you’ve always wanted to be good at? 
• What’s something from Sunday’s message you hope we talk about as a group?
• What’s something about Christianity that you once didn’t understand, but now do?
• Why can receiving a gift sometimes be difficult?
• How can failure be a good thing?
• How has receiving God’s mercy changed you lately?
• What’s something that helps you to live in awe of God?
• Who’s someone you would like to see experience God’s mercy? Pray for that person and one another. 

Faithful
Romans 11:1-24

I. Intro
Big Idea: God is faithful.

II. Remnant
A. Faith is a lonely proposition. Romans 11:1-3
B. By grace we’re not alone. Romans 11:4-6

III. Table
A. Misplaced desire makes us miss what we need. Romans 11:7-8
B. God sets a better table. Romans 11:9-10

IV. Riches
A. Stumbling upends pride. Romans 11:11-12
B. Humility quickens hope. Romans 11:13-16

V. Tremble
A. Don’t wait to repent. Romans 11:17-22
B. God restores. Romans 11:23-24

The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up

• What’s one of your favorite family traditions?
• Why do you think Paul included Romans 11:1-24 at this point in his letter?
• What causes people to be Anti-Semitic?
• Have you ever felt like you were alone because of your faith? What happened?
• Read Psalm 23:1-6. How can remembering God’s faithfulness change the way we respond to those with whom we’re in conflict?
• How has pride caused you to stumble or fall?
• What’s a way God’s warnings can be evidence of His faithfulness? Any examples?
• What’s an area in your life in which you need to take hold of God’s faithfulness? Pray for one another.

The Gospel Part 2
Romans 10:16-21

I. Intro
Big Idea: Shine in dark times by holding firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2:15-16

II. Hearing
A. God’s ways are not our ways. Isaiah 53:5; 55:8; Romans 10:16
B. Lean into the gospel. Romans 10:17

III. Understanding
A. Everyone hears God’s Word. Psalm 19:1-4; Matthew 10:16; Romans 1:20,10:18
B. Our response to the Word reveals our hearts. Romans 5:8; 10:19

IV. Boldly
A. We gather to ​go out in grace. Romans 10:20
B. It’s not about the results. Romans 9:6; Isaiah 6:1-10

V. Proclaiming
A. God continually calls His people. Romans 10:21
B. Proclaim the message of the war already won.

The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up

• Describe a time you were in awe of something in nature.
• What’s something from Sunday’s message you found important, challenging, or confusing?
• How has God spoken to you through His Word lately? How did you respond?
• What’s a way God’s grace gives us confidence?
• How do you usually respond when people reject the truth?
• What difference can knowing we’re engaged in a war that’s already won make in the way we relate to others?
• How can you respond to Romans 10:16-21? Pray for one another.