^ Click Take A Note ^ Remember to write down some short notes for each of the questions below before heading to life group.

1.

Share 1 thing that stood out to you about Sunday's Message. (1 minute max please) Also press play button in image above to watch or listen to Sundays message if you missed it or just to refresh your memory. (Each Individual)

2. Left On Baptism Blvd.

Romans 5:20-21

20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:1-4

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

On Sunday Pastor Vaughn talked about a death being required when we come to understand the gift of grace that God has offered us through the cross of Jesus Christ. He told us that in order to receive that grace and to be saved and to live in hope we must die to our old lives and be born again, raised in newness of life. Pastor Vaughn talked about baptism as a believers declaration of going "all in" with Jesus. In His life, His death, and His resurrection.

There are lots of views about baptism. Is baptism required in order to be saved? Is baptism a ceremony or spiritual experience? Is baptism optional for believers or something that all true believers will desire & pursue? Why is there fear of baptism for many believers? Is baptism something that should be done early in the life of believers or later in their walk? Have your opinions or understanding of baptism changed over time or through courses/books/sermons? Is there a power involved in baptism that should be considered when addressing all of the questions above? (Group Discussion - Questions above to be considered as part of the discussion)

3. Right On Sanctification St.

Romans 6:17-22

17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

Hebrews 10:14

14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Philippians 1:6

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion

On Sunday Pastor Vaughn talked about sanctification as a finished work in the life of a believer because of the cross and as the ongoing work in the life of a believer because transformation takes time. Pastor Vaughn said that sanctification is about being set apart by God in order to receive His love and to be used by Him. Sanctification can be the most challenging part of a believers life because many of the "old habits" and ways of thinking run deep. We do what we don't want to do and we don't do what we do want to do. It's not a coincidence that Sanctification St. intersects with Baptism Blvd. Death seems to be the only way into this new way of living. Pastor Vaughn gave us 4 keys for how to be sanctified from 1 Corinthians 15. 1. Die daily (not just on your baptism day) 2. Think often of the life after this one. 3. Bad company corrupts good morals 4. Consider the lost that need to see your transformed life in order to find their way to Jesus. Let's talk about sanctification.

Why is it so hard to stop sinning? What are we doing right? What are we doing wrong? Where is the bar set for holiness in our lives? For young adults? For kids? How important is our behavior to God? What role does grace and forgiveness play in sanctification? How should we address ongoing sin in the life of believers? What role do the spiritual disciplines, church, discipleship, & confession play in our individual sanctification? (Group Discussion - Questions above to be considered as part of the discussion)

* Remember to pray for each other before heading home from life group and to stay in communication here in the app throughout the week on your life group messaging thread!