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Inglewood First UMC reflects on the sermon and scripture from the previous Sunday’s worship. Below, you fill find questions that can be used for Bible Study, small groups or personal devotion. Let the scripture speak in to your life! Expect great things!
Opening Prayer (Wesley Covenant Prayer)
O God, Searcher of all our hearts,
you have formed us as a people and claimed us for your own.
As we come to acknowledge your sovereignty and grace,
and to enter anew into covenant with you,
reveal any reluctance or falsehood within us.
Let your Spirit impress your truth on our inmost being,
and receive us in mercy, for the sake of our Mediator, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Scripture: Romans 5:1-11 (Common English Bible)
Therefore, since we have been made righteous through his faithfulness,[a] we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand through him, and we boast in the hope of God’s glory. 3 But not only that! We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, 4 endurance produces character, and character produces hope. 5 This hope doesn’t put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
6 While we were still weak, at the right moment, Christ died for ungodly people. 7 It isn’t often that someone will die for a righteous person, though maybe someone might dare to die for a good person. 8 But God shows his love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us. 9 So, now that we have been made righteous by his blood, we can be even more certain that we will be saved from God’s wrath through him. 10 If we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son while we were still enemies, now that we have been reconciled, how much more certain is it that we will be saved by his life? 11 And not only that: we even take pride in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, the one through whom we now have a restored relationship with God.
Summary:
For the season of Lent, we journey with Jesus through the wilderness. As Jesus’ was prepared for his public ministry in the wilderness, through the season of Lent, God prepares us for how to live in the Resurrection. Embrace Lent, as we learn to live with Jesus!
In this scripture, Paul reminds the church in Rome that in order to love in hope, they must change their perspective on trouble. God can use trouble to produce endurance, character and, in the end, hope for the future.
Reflection Questions:
- What is a word, phrase or image that comes to mind when you read or hear the text?
- In this scripture, Paul encourages to church to remember that because of Christ’s death on the cross, regardless of what problems we may face, we are reconciled to God. With what the world sees as defeat, God creates victory. Has God ever taken a negative in your life and turned it into a positive? What challenge are you facing that you hope God transforms for the good?
- What does this scripture teach about hope?
- What does God invite you to do, change or be through this passage?
Discipleship Huddle Questions:
- How is it with your soul?
- How does your soul prosper?
Closing Prayer
God who surprises us, help us to be surprised by an encounter with you. Keep us attentive to your presence as we go about our week.