Sermon Response Guide

Sermon Response Guide En Español

PRIMARY SCRIPTURE: Romans 7:13 – 25

Key Points

• Freedom isn’t being able to do what we want to do. Freedom is being able to do what we ought to do (Psalm 119:32).
• The nature of self-control:
  Self-control is Spirit-led-control (Galatians 5:16 – 18).
• The need for self-control:
  You can’t overcome sin without self-control (Proverbs 25:28).
• The new normal of self-control:
  Let the Spirit control your body, mind, and soul (Matthew 22:37).

Memory Verse

Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:

“…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
- 2 Timothy 1:7

Questions for Reflection

Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
 
1: How does your understanding of freedom shift when you consider that freedom is not being able to do what you want to do, rather, freedom is being able to do what you ought to do? How does that definition of freedom help you interpret Jesus’ words in John 8:31 – 32?
 
2: What is the difference between general self-control and biblical Spirit-led-control? How may this difference affect the way you pursue self-control in your own life?
 
3: Why do you think the first fruit of the Spirit is love and the final fruit of the Spirit is self-control?
 
4: In what specific area of your life do you need to experience the Spirit of God’s power to exercise self-control?
 
5: Religion says, “become what you can by your own actions.” Faith in Jesus says, “become who you are by grace.” How does this difference encourage you as you desire to step into the new normal of self-control in your own life?
 
6: Purity is not a destination, but a relationship with Jesus. Read Romans 12:1 – 2. Is the Spirit in control of your body?

7: “Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny.” Read 2 Corinthians 10:5. Is the Spirit in control of your mind?

8: What step is God inviting you to take this week to live with Holy Spirit-empowered self-control?

Pray

Lord, who will rescue us from this body of death? Praise be to God, it’s you, Lord Jesus! Thank you for delivering us from our bondage to death and destruction. Thank you for empowering us to live free with you. Thank you for being every fruit of the Spirit to us and through us. Help us to love you in response to your immeasurable love for us, so we might practice self-control. Help us to love you with all our body, mind, and soul.