Romans 7:14-25
“So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Romans 7:14-15 (p.862)
- God Helps Me Do What Is Right.
“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” James 4:17 (p.932)
“And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” Ezekiel 36:27 (p.655)
- Agree with God’s standard.
“But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.” Romans 7:16-17 (p.862)
Series Memory Verse: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (p.866)
- Admit that we all sin.
“And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.” Romans 7:18-20 (p.862)
“Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.” Ecclesiastes 7:20 (p.508)
- Accept Jesus as the answer.
“I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 7:21-25 (p.862)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (p.861)
My Next Step This Week:
_____ When I find myself being a slave to sin, I will go to God and ask Him to help me do what is right.
Small Group Guide
One Thing: God Helps Me Do What Is Right.
Key Verse: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (p.866)
Bible References: Romans 7:14-25 (p.862)
CONVERSATION STARTER
// Can you remember a time when doing the right thing was difficult? Making the right decision meant that your life might be harder.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The Law that Paul refers to in this passage was the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. In these books were numerous different rules and regulations that the early followers of God had to follow in order to keep a right relationship with God and others. Paul essentially states that the Law could never stop or overcome sin, but it only addressed the symptoms of our sin not the root cause of our sin.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
// Read Romans 7:16-17 (p.862). Paul wants us to know and agree with God’s standards.
- What are some standards that you hold true in your life?
- How do you live out those standards in your daily routine?
- What are God’s standards? Do you agree with them?
// Read James 4:17 (p.932). This passage speaks to the difficulty many of us face knowing what is right and not doing good.
- What does it look like to be stuck in a cycle of sin?
- How can we get out of our bad habits and do what is right?
// Read Romans 7:18-20 (p.862). We have to first understand and admit that we all sin.
- How has sin impacted your life or your family’s life?
- How can looking to Jesus help us with our sins?
// Read Romans 6:23 (p.861). This passage explains our sin has severe eternal consequences.
- What does it mean that the “wages” of sin is death?
- How can we avoid paying that price?
// Read Romans 7:21-25 (p.862). To overcome sin we must accept Jesus as the answer.
- What are some of the answers people look to other than Jesus?
- How could we help those people look to Jesus for their standards?
NEXT STEP
My Next Step This Week: ____ When I find myself being a slave to sin, I will go to God and ask Him to help me do what is right.
DIGGING DEEPER
Read John 14:6 (p.823). In this passage Jesus explains to His disciples that He is the only way to everlasting life. He is the only truth that we should seek, and it is through modeling Jesus’ actions that we live in God’s standards.
Read 1 Peter 1:15-17. Here Peter reminds us that we all will be judged by God according to His standards and that we will have to account for our actions. We are only temporary residents here in this world and need to do what is right because our actions here have eternal consequences.
Matthew 22:37 (p.934), Deuteronomy 6:18 (p.145), Proverbs 21:3 (p.495), Ephesians 5:1 (p.897)